A humpback whale is struggling hard in the sea. The humpbacks can weigh 40 tons and stretch 50 feel from nose to tail. That’s the kind of ______ and size that easily overturn small boats. To jump onto the ______ of one of these giants is ______ to result in a disaster. But that’s just what Sam Synslelien did when he saw a humpback ______ caught in a rope that was ______ to a buoy (浮标) in Central Californians Morro Bay this week.
Sam, along with crewmate Nicholas Taron, had already tried ______ the unfortunate whale to the U.S. Coast Guard 一 but they were told it would be hours before ______ could be sent. ______, the commercial fishermen ______ this whale didn’t have. If the whale was to ______ they had to go get it. There was no other ______ for the whale. They decided to go for it, totally ______ the fear. Turon’s ______ in the rescue was mostly in the ______ cheering department. In the clip, you can hear him directing the operation from the side of the boat while filming the entire ______.
“Swim! Swim!” He yells, “Move! Just get it! Get it!”
The anxious whale was just swimming in counter-clockwise circles, ______ and being held to the bottom. It threw its heavy tail against the boat. But Sam ______ it and jumped onto the whale’s back to save its life. He managed to hang in there, ______ cutting through the rope that ______ the creature. And then with a whoosh (击水声), it dove deep down beneath the great ______. It wasn’t much of a thank you, but Synstelien and Taron were left with a whale of a tale.
1.A. length B. violence C. ability D. weight
2.A. nose B. head C. back D. tail
3.A. willing B. likely C. anxious D. flexible
4.A. hopelessly B. loosely C. curiously D. secretly
5.A. stuck B. directed C. adjusted D. attached
6.A. shipping B. delivering C. reporting D. hunting
7.A. boats B. rescuers C. fishermen D. experts
8.A. Strength B. Advantages C. Patience D. Hours
9.A. figured B. objected C. hesitated D. proved
10.A. paddle B. survive C. relax D. breathe
11.A. barrier B. accommodation C. option D. equipment
12.A. hiding B. exhibiting C. fostering D. ignoring
13.A. interest B. ambition C. role D. contribution
14.A. disturbing B. enthusiastic C. clumsy D. scared
15.A. operation B. creature C. performance D. fighting
16.A. silent B. stressed C. confused D. unconscious
17.A. wrestled B. spotted C. trained D. approached
18.A. eventually B. naturally C. directly D. normally
19.A. prohibited B. injured C. lied D. monitored
20.A. waves B. noises C. ferry D. darkness
Everyone who has lived or worked overseas understands that travel is an enriching and life-changing experience, 1. That frustration often stems from culture shock, but being able to identify the symptoms can help you ease the discomfort and anxiety of living in a new place. There are four main stages of culture shock while studying abroad that occur at different times for each person.
The Honeymoon Stage. This is when everything is new and fascinating about your host country. It’s at this stage that you may fall in love with Italian pizza or the Irish accent. 2. You’re fascinated by similarities and differences between the host country and your home.
The Crisis (危机) Stage. This is when the differences between your home culture and the host country become apparent and feelings of frustration (沮丧)or anxiety occurs. You really want a jelly sandwich to remind you of home, but you realize your host country doesn’t have it anywhere. They don’t know your sense of humor. 3.
4. At this stage, you become familiar with your surroundings and develop a routine. The same concerns will occur, but you will be better equipped to handle them. You have more friends, increased social skills and you’ve even become an explorer of the culture. You’ve regained your confidence, become more independent, competent and culturally sensitive. The Mastery Stage. Congratulations! You’ve adjusted to the host culture. You’ve taken an inward and outward journey that has led to immeasurable personal growth. You’re now able to live and work to your maximum potential.
5. You can confidently speak and understand most colloquial English. You’ve developed meaningful friendships. You’ve settled. You belong.
A. The Depression Stage
B. The Adjustment Stage
C. Nobody knows the real you
D. but it can also be frustrating
E. but it may be costly to live in a new culture
F. You’re no longer distressed by cultural differences
G. You’re thrilled by new sights, sounds, smells and events
Three-quarters of the world’s coffee farms destroy forest habitat to grow coffee in the sun and typically use harmful pesticides (杀虫剂) and chemicals that poison the environment. When forests disappear, migratory (迁徙的) songbirds disappear, too. In order to deal with severe population and habitat loss, Smithsonian scientists created the Bird Friendly certification.
Bird Friendly coffees are shade-grown, meaning the coffee is planted under trees, rather than on the land that has been cleared of all other plants. Coffee experts say shade-grown coffees taste better, because the beans ripen slower than coffee grown in the full sun, resulting in a richer, more complex flavor. Bird Friendly certified coffees grow under bio-diverse shade that provides habitat for migratory songbirds and other wildlife, stores carbon and fights climate change. Bird Friendly coffees are also certified organic, meaning they are grown without pesticides, which is better for people and for the planet.
Bird Friendly producers can also earn more for their crops. The wood and fruit trees on shade coffee farms provide farmers with additional income. Every cup of Bird Friendly coffee purchased rewards these farmers with a little more money for being good stewards of the environment and encourages them to continue conserving Bird Friendly habitat.
Buying Bird Friendly supports the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center’s conservation research aimed at understanding and protecting your feathered friends. You can purchase Bird Friendly certified coffees around the world and protect wildlife and habitat with every cup. Find a store or cafe near you, or better yet, have it shipped to your door when you order online.
1.What is the present situation of coffee farms?
A. One fourth of them have destroyed forest habitat for birds.
B. Pesticides and chemicals used on them poisoned many birds.
C. Farmers have been aware of environment protection.
D. Scientists pay attention to them and have come up with an idea.
2.What’s a characteristic of Bird Friendly coffees?
A. They may have a better taste. B. They have a strange flavor.
C. They take less time to ripen. D. They are grown on unpolluted land.
3.How can Bird Friendly farmers earn more money?
A. By charging consumers more money.
B. By selling fruits and wood from trees.
C. By cutting down trees and selling wood.
D. By serving as stewards of coffee consumers.
4.What does the text suggest coffee consumers do?
A. Consume less coffee. B. Order coffee online.
C. Purchase shade-grown coffee. D. Donate to coffee farmers.
University of New South Wales has launched its new 12-month Women in Maths & Science Champions Program designed to give women the skills and confidence to build their public recognition and set up a connected network of women in maths and science. The first group of 30 female PhD students started in August this year, and the second group of 19 early- career researchers was formally announced yesterday.
Over the 12 months, the champions complete at least 20 hours of related activities as part of a community of representatives who will influence and inspire women to pursue a career in maths and science. The activities are varied, ranging from visiting schools and conducting science presentations, to attending conferences and creating content for social media. At the end of the program, PhD champions have the chance to apply everything they’ve learned to the Postgraduate Research Competition. Above all, participating is a requirement for program completion.
Rose O’Dea, a member of the first group, is a PhD candidate at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences. She said, “I’m excited about the opportunity to work with school children. I hope to inspire some girls so they see not all scientists are older men in lab coals and that science is quite diverse and means different things depending on who you are.”
Dr. Mariana Mayer Pinto is an early-career researcher at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, where she mainly works with marine (海洋的) ecologists. She is originally from Brazil and said that being a woman from a developing country meant she knew the struggles that lack of role models can create. “You can’t be what you can’t see! I always have the hope that I can change the world bit by bit, and if one little girl says she can become a scientist because I talked to them, that’d be awesome, and that would make everything worth it.”
1.What is the program intended to do?
A. Test female PhD’s learning results.
B. Promote the equality of men and women.
C. Set up an organization for women scientists.
D. Improve women’s participation in math and science.
2.What is required if a participant want to complete the program?
A. To persuade as least one female to take up science.
B. To participate in at least 20 hours of related activities.
C. To apply what they have learnt to their graduation paper.
D. To work as a representative to give presentations.
3.What does Rose O’Dea think about science?
A. Varied. B. Inspiring.
C. Unchangeable. D. Exciting.
4.What’s the purpose of the last paragraph?
A. To share how family background matters.
B. To show the overall results of this program.
C. To add an example of how a participant feels.
D. To tell of role models to encourage female students.
About 6 years ago, I was on a plane next to a woman. I was tired and wanted to take a nap. But before I could go into “ignore pattern”, she tapped me on the shoulder to introduce herself.
“Hi: my name is Helga!”
We got to talking and eventually it came up that I had started an organization in high school called R.A.K.E.(Random Acts of Kindness, Etc.). As I described what we did, Helga got very serious and told me that she admired me for that. She told me a story about the last time she had flown. She was on the way to Arizona because she had gotten sudden news that her dad’s health was on the decline. Later her father’s physician called to inform her that her dad had rather suddenly passed away. For the 3-hour plane ride, she sat in silence around strangers.
When she arrived at the airport in Arizona, she walked to the nearest wall, sat down, and cried. And here is the part I’ll never forget about Helga’s story. For 2 hours she sat and wept while thousands walked to and fro in the airport. Helga looked al me and said, “Houston, not a single person stopped and asked if I was okay that day.” It was that day that I realized how much we need each other. It was that day I realized that kindness isn’t normal.
Kindness isn’t normal. That has stuck with me all these years especially now. I work in schools nationwide speaking about sympathy, kindness, empathy (同理心) and love. I’m reminded all the time that, for many of us, kindness is not usually our default setting. We spend so much time worrying about our problems, our lives, our insecurities, getting to our flight so we walk by or ignore people in need of help.
So, I’ve made it my mission to do my part in sharing stories with students, teachers, and parents about our need for character and sympathy. I’m always be on the lookout for the little opportunities that surround me every day to do something nice.
1.What impressed the author most about Helga’s story?
A. Helga’s anxiety over her father’s sudden illness.
B. Helga had no one to talk to on her flight lo Arizona.
C. Helga was ignored by people around her when she cried.
D. Helga couldn’t get over her sadness over her Father’s death.
2.Which can best explain the underlined part “default setting” in paragraph 5?
A. Usual way of doing things. B. Unexpected way to do things.
C. Ignorance to people around. D. Biggest surprise to others.
3.What can we know about the author?
A. He started many clubs in high school. B. He used to be a school teacher.
C. He teaches kids how to behave well. D. He is a promoter of a good cause.
4.What can be a suitable title for the text?
A. Comforting People in Need B. Making Kindness Normal
C. Ignoring Unnecessary Troubles D. Practising Kindness on the Plane
Just as John Lubbock said, we may sit in a library and yet be in all quarters of the earth. Here are some of the coolest libraries of the world.
Stuttgart City Library
Despite a classic white-on-white color, Stuttgart City Library is one of the most visually appealing modern libraries. The amazing modem and simple look is the product of the Korean architect Yi Eun-young. The German library opened in 2011, and cost nearly 80 million euros to construct.
Kanazawa Umimirai Library
Architects from the Coelacanth K&H Architects studio designed the Kanazawa Umimirai Library lo create the best reading environment. Healed floors, an outpouring of natural light, and other features were specifically included lo achieve this goal. The wall, which consists of thousands of tiny openings, allows natural lighting into the building, improving the overall feel of the space. This Japanese library was opened in 2011, and reflects the appearance of many modem and simple spaces.
Library of Congress
In 1800, Congress set up the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.. Fifteen years later, Thomas Jefferson offered his personal library to replace books that were lost when the British set the building on fire in 1814. His books, which took nearly 50 years to collect, varied from texts on science, literature and philosophy, to books in a variety of foreign languages. These days, the Library of Congress offers more than 155 million items and the largest rare book collection in North America.
State Library of Victoria
The Slate Library of Victoria, located in Melbourne, Australia, is one of the largest exhibiting libraries in the world. Though it opened in 1856, major repairs took place between 1990 and 2004. The La Trobe Reading Room is one of the library’s main attractions due to its visually amazing architecture. The lawn at the library’s front attracts hundreds of city folk each day, who gather for lunch or to enjoy the statues there. The library currently contains over two million books, as well as armor (盔甲) of Ned Kelly, a folk hero against the ruling class.
1.Which library has the longest history?
A. Stuttgart City Library. B. Kanazawa Umimirai Library.
C. Library of Congress. D. State Library of Victoria.
2.What’s special about Stale Library of Victoria?
A. It has great architecture.
B. It has a folk hero’s statue in it.
C. It is the world’s largest exhibiting library.
D. It serves as a meeting place for the citizens.
3.What does the first two libraries have in common?
A. They are constructed in the modem style.
B. They cost a large amount of money.
C. They are designed by Korean architects.
D. They feature providing readers with natural light.
