How to Write a Story
Writing a detailed story takes patience and practice. 1., though , you can handle the challenge.
Keep the outline short
Avoid complete sentences. 2.. Long outlines with complete sentences end up being unnecessarily wordy. Sometimes they look like full paragraphs rather than brief outlines. Spending too much time and putting too much detail into your outline is effort you could be putting into writing the story itself.
Choose a point of view
Once you've written your outline and thought about the story you want to tell, decide at what point the reader enters the story. For you, and especially for the reader, the experience is a more intriguing one if the reader begins the story in the middle of the action. 3.. It will get your reader's attention immediately. He wants to continue reading surely. A boring opening means a bored reader who has no interest in moving on.
4.
Avoid giving everything away about the character in the first few paragraphs. Instead, consider different ways you can reveal different facets of the characters to your readers without stating them in an obvious way. 5.. If you take on too many, you'll find you won't be able to develop each of them fully in only a few pages.
A. Develop the characters
B. Instead, use short phrases or terms
C. Begin your story in an interesting way
D. If you're motivated and truly love to write
E. Before you write anything, you need an idea for a great story
F. Limit the number of main characters you include in your story
G. Once you've written your outline about the story that you want to tell
Though pigs may never fly, a two-year-old pig in Franschhoek, South Africa is proving they sure can paint! Meet Pigcasso, the world's first known pig artist whose masterpieces are selling for thousands of dollars to benefit Farm Sanctuary S. A. , Africa's only registered shelter for rescued farm animals.
Joanne Lefson, who saved Pigcasso from a slaughterhouse(屠宰场) two years ago, discovered the animal's artistic talent accidentally. The South African activist says, of the numerous toys presented to keep the then four-week-old piglet entertained, it was the paintbrushes that seemed to attract her the most. "They were the only thing she didn't eat," Lefson quips.
The rescuer decided to present the pig with canvas and paint and see what happened. To her delight, Pigcasso began creating works of art that can best be described as "abstract expressionism". Now weighing a hefty(重量）450 pounds, the celebrated pig, who loves to paint the area's scenic landscapes, has a dedicated "studio" at Farm Sanctuary S.A. where she resides. Lefson says, "I do not force her to paint. She paints when she wants to. "
Pigcasso's artwork, which has thus far been sold online, is currently on display at Cape Town's picturesque Victoria ~ Alfred Waterfront. Dubbed "Oink", the pop-up exhibition will run through March 5before heading to London-Paris-Berlin, and Amsterdam. Lefson says its main aim is to highlight the effect of animal agriculture on the planet and inspire change.
While Pigcasso is the first pig and first nonhuman to headline an exhibition, she is not the first animal to create masterpieces. Elephants, sea lions, and even penguins have shown similar artistic talent--in exchange for some treats, of course!
1.Which of the following shows Pigcasso is good at painting?
A. She can fly everywhere.
B. She likes all kinds of toys.
C. She is interested in the paintbrushes.
D. She enjoys eating the paintbrushes.
2.How did Lefson feel when she saw Pigcasso creating works?
A. Pleased. B. Puzzled.
C. Worried. D. Frightened.
3.What can we know from Paragraph 4?
A. Animal agriculture is important.
B. Pigcasso can make a lot of money.
C. Pigcasso will be sold online soon.
D. Pigcasso's artwork will be shown in a few cities.
4.The author mentions elephants, sea lions and penguins in Paragraph 5 to tell us that _____ .
A. they are very naughty.
B. they have artistic skills.
C. they are as strong as Pigcasso.
D. their appearances are similar to each other.
You can't always predict a heavy rain or remember your umbrella. But designer Mikhail Belvacv doesn't think that forgetting to check the weather forecast before heading out should result in you getting wet.
That's why he created Lampbrella, a lamp post with its own rain sensing umbrella.
The designer says he came up with the idea after watching people get wet on streets in Russia. "Once, I was driving on a central Saint Petersburg street and saw the street lamps lighting up people trying to hide from the rain. I thought it would be appropriate to have a canopy(伞蓬) built into a street lamp,"he said.
The Lampbrella is a standard-looking street lamp fitted with an umbrella canopy. It has a built-in electric motor which can open or close the umbrella on demand. Sensors (传感器)then ensure that the umbrella offers pedestrians shelter whenever it starts raining.
In addition to the rain sensor, there's also a 360 motion sensor on the fiberglass street lamp which detects whether anyone's using the Lampbrella. After three minutes of not being used the canopy is closed.
According to the designer, the Lampbrella would move at a relatively low speed, so as not to cause harm to the pedestrians. Besides, it would be grounded to protect from possible lighting strike. Each Lampbrella would offer enough shelter for several people. Being installed at 2 meters off the ground it would only be a danger for the tallest of pedestrians.
While there are no plans to take Lampbrella into production, Belyaev says he recently introduced his creation to one Moscow Department and insists this creation should be installed on the street where a lot of people walk but there are no canopies to provide shelter.
1.For what purpose did Belyaev create the Lampbrella?
A. To predict a heavy rain.
B. To check the weather forecast.
C. To protect people from the rain.
D. To remind people to take an umbrella.
2.What do we know from Belyaev's words in Paragraph 2?
A. His creation was inspired by an experience.
B. It rains a lot in the city of Saint Petersburg.
C. Street lamps are protected by canopies.
D. He enjoyed taking walks in the rain.
3.Which of the following show how the Lampbrella works?
A. Motor→canopy→sensors.
B. Sensors→motor→canopy.
C. Motor→sensors→canopy.
D. Canopy→motor→sensors.
4.What does Paragraph 5 mainly tell us about the Lampbreila?
A. Its moving speed.
B. Its appearance.
C. Its installation.
D. Its safety.
World-famous scientist Stephen Hawking has died at the age of 76. He was often called the most brilliant theoretical physicist since Albert Einstein. But his amazing career actually started as a young man who struggled to get around to doing his homework at Oxford University where he studied physics. He then went on to Cambridge to research cosmology, the study of the origin of universe.
When he was 21, Hawking's life hit a big hurdle. He was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. The disease causes the brain to stop sending messages to a person's muscles. At the time, doctors said he would only live for around 2 years, but he proved them very, very wrong.
And with the help of a special wheelchair and speech computer, Hawking spent much of his time researching the beginning of the universe and black holes. His most famous discovery was probably when he demonstrated that black holes emit some radiation, which has since become known as Hawking Radiation. He also spent a lot of time thinking about what existed before the big bang.
Hawking wrote books that explained his big ideas in ways that could be understood by the average person. In 1988 he published A Brief History of Time. It became really popular and sold more than 10 million copies. However, he wasn't just known for his books. He also had a lot of fun becoming a regular on TV screens around the world. He even had a big Hollywood film made about his life.
Throughout his life Stephen Hawking inspired people to look beyond our planet and expand our knowledge of the universe. His family says that he'll be greatly missed and the legacy of his amazing ideas will live on.
1.Why does the author mention Albert Einstein in Paragraph 1?
A. To tell us Hawking was a great physicist.
B. To compare the two famous people.
C. To show he was Hawking's teacher.
D. To identify a special period further.
2.How did Hawking prove the doctor's wrong?
A. He did many experiments.
B. He made some comparisons.
C. He tried to send signals to his muscles.
D. He lived for long like other common people.
3.What was Hawking famous for most?
A. Big bang.
B. Black holes.
C. Radiation from the black holes.
D. A big Hollywood film about the universe.
4.What does Hawking's family think of him?
A. He'll be forgotten soon.
B. His idea of the universe is valuable.
C. He won't be understood completely.
D. He won't be found by others any more.
San Francisco Fire Engine Tours
San Francisco Winery Tour
Running: February 1st through April 30th
This delicious tour goes through the city on its way to Treasure Island where we will stop at the famous Winery SF. Here you can enjoy 4 pours of some of the best wine San Francisco has to offer. (Included in ticket price)
Departing from the Cannery: Tour times upon request
Duration ( 时长 ) :2 hours
Price: $90
Back to the Fifties Tour
Running: August 16th through August 31st
This tour transports you back in time to one of San Francisco's most fantastic periods, the 1950s! Enjoy fun history as we take you through San Francisco for a free taste of ice cream.
Departing from the Cannery: 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Duration : 2 hours
Price: $90
Spooky Halloween Tour
Running: October 10th through October 31 st Join us for a ride through the historical Presidio district. Authentic fire gear(服装) is provided for your warmth as our entertainers take you to some of the most thrilling parts of San Francisco.
Departing from the Cannery: 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Price: Available upon request
Holiday Lights Tour
Running: December 6th through December 23rd
This attractive tour takes you to some of San
Francisco's most cheerful holiday scenes. Authentic fire gear is provided for your warmth as you get into theholiday spirit.
Departing from the Cannery: 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Advance reservations required.
1.Which of the tours is available in March?
A. San Francisco Winery Tour.
B. Back to the Fifties Tour.
C. Spooky Halloween Tour.
D. Holiday Lights Tour.
2.What can tourists do on Back to the Fifties Tour'?
A. Go to Treasure Island.
B. Enjoy the holiday scenes.
C. Have free ice cream.
D. Visit the Presidio district.
3.What are tourists required to do to go on Holiday Lights Tour?
A. Take some drinks.
B. Set off early in the morning.
C. Wear warm clothes.
D. Make reservations in advance.
假定你是李华，得知学校手语社（the School Sign Language Club）正在招收新成员，你想邀请在中国作交换生的美国好友Henry加入该社团，请给Henry写封信，邀请他加入。内容包括：
1. 邀请加入的理由（如学习手语可以帮助他人；可以交到新朋友等）。
2. 报名方式及截止日期。
注意：（1）词数100左右；（2）可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Henry,
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
