This happened just a few minutes ago and now I want to share it with you. It was not a big ______, but it made me feel very grateful.
I ______ to my local store, which is located at a petrol station. As I entered the forecourt, I noticed that all the pumps were blocked off with tape. I ______ they had just run out of fuel. I went into the store and noticed that the refrigerated and frozen sections were ______.
Something was definitely off, but I briefly stopped to ______ with the cashier as usual and ______ that a cleaner earlier on the day had ______ tripped the wrong fuse (保险丝). I grabbed what I ______ and went to pay, but even the card reader didn’t ______. I tried again and, again without any luck.
I ______ the cashier that I would go outside to use their ATM, but it was also ______. I could only go back to the store where the cashier was dealing with the second ______. He looked up and gave me an inquiring ______. I told him that the ATM had broken down. I suggested leaving the goods there and ______ home to grab some cash.
To my ______, the second customer insisted on ______ the cost of my goods and sending me on my way. It wasn’t a massive amount, but what ______ me the most was that he offered assistance to a ______ stranger. He said it was ______ to help someone out. Thanks to him, I didn’t have to run back home, back to the ______ and back home again.
1.A. issue B. deal C. action D. business
2.A. headed B. turned C. replied D. stuck
3.A. assessed B. declared C. admitted D. figured
4.A. sold B. clear C. robbed D. empty
5.A. chat B. argue C. bargain D. exchange
6.A. gave out B. set out C. ran out D. found out
7.A. occasionally B. accidentally C. constantly D. directly
8.A. needed B. expected C. ordered D. intended
9.A. use B. act C. work D. perform
10.A. suggested B. told C. warned D. reminded
11.A. out of order B. out of work C. out of date D. out of sight
12.A. passenger B. visitor C. customer D. consultant
13.A. accent B. judgement C. look D. instruction
14.A. running B. walking C. driving D. calling
15.A. delight B. amusement C. surprise D. satisfaction
16.A. taking B. covering C. spending D. involving
17.A. inspired B. attracted C. influenced D. touched
18.A. curious B. nervous C. perfect D. funny
19.A. generous B. nice C. willing D. wise
20.A. street B. courtyard C. station D. store
Camping essentials (必需品)
Camping can be a fun and cheap family activity or vacation. But you do need quite a few supplies to manage life in the great outdoors. 1. . And remember to check your camping essentials.
Tent
Unless you’re sleeping under the stars or you have a camper or an RV, don’t forget the obvious one: a tent! Check the measurements and user reviews when you are buying one.
Sleeping Bag and Pillow
Even if the weather looks hot for your camping trip, bring a sleeping bag for every camper. Without a pillow, you would be facing a rocky night’s sleep. 2..
3.
Flashlights are another camping item. Bring multiple flashlights and extra batteries, and also consider buying a camping lantern. Lanterns are great because they shed more light in all directions and stand on their own so that you can play cards or games at night.
The Anti-itch Cream
Keep away from mosquitoes, black flies and other biters. Don’t forget the anti-itch cream to apply after insect bites. 4.. Ask doctors for which products to use.
Campfire Supplies
Matches stored in a plastic bag, dry firewood and dry newspapers are all you need for a campfire. 5.. Each campfire should have its own stone campfire spot and many also provide a cast-iron shelf for cooking on. In addition, there are other camping essentials, such as kitchen items, bottled food and water, toilet paper, first-aid kits, and books and games. All the above can enrich your outdoor camping.
A. Cards or games
B. Flashlights and lanterns
C. Kids also like having a pillow for the long car ride
D. Bring clothes for all types of weather, from hot to rainy days
E. Find out what you’ll need to pack for your camping adventure
F. You and your kids can do a quick hunt for dry wood for your fire
G. Just keep in mind that many sprays contain high levels of chemicals
DNA analysis has revealed family relationships between more than 10 generations of Stone Age people at megalithic (巨石的) tombs in Ireland and Sweden.
The evidence suggests that megaliths, prehistoric large stone structures, sometimes acted as graves for family groups in northwestern Europe thousands of years ago. The latest findings throw new light on the origins and social structure of the groups that built megaliths in this region—a history that has long been hidden in mystery.
For their study, the international team of researchers analyzed the genomes—the complete set of genetic material in a cell—of 24 Stone Age individuals from five megalithic burial sites in Ireland, Scotland and Gotland, a large Swedish island in the Baltic Sea.
This analysis showed that many of the individuals buried at each megalith, who all lived between 3,800 B.C. and 2,600 B.C., according to radiocarbon-dating of their remains, were closely related via family ties.
The results also showed that the individuals buried at the megaliths were related to Neolithic farmers in northern and western Europe but genetically distinct from other hunter-gatherers. This was particularly noticeable at the Ansarve site on the island of Gotland.
“The people buried in the Ansarve tomb are remarkably different on a genetic level compared to the individuals dug out from hunter-gather contexts, showing that the burial tradition in this megalithic tomb, which lasted for over 700 years, was performed by distinct groups with roots in the European Neolithic expansion,” Magdalena Fraser, co-first author from Uppsala University, said in the statement.
1.What’s the significance of the new findings?
A. It reveals the family ties between people in Ireland and Sweden.
B. It implies that many people buried in the tombs were closely related.
C. It indicates the long-hidden mystery concerning DNA analysis.
D. It suggests that the megaliths became tombs thousands of years ago.
2.How did the researchers reach their findings?
A. By interviewing individuals. B. By travelling to different regions.
C. By analyzing genes. D. By studying the burial sites.
3.Which is true according to the latest findings?
A. Some people buried in the tombs were related to farmers.
B. Few people buried in the tombs were genetically different.
C. All the people buried at megaliths had family relationships.
D. People buried in the Ansarve tomb were dug out 700 years later.
4.What’s the main idea of this passage?
A. Megaliths served as tombs thousands of years ago.
B. People buried at the megaliths were recently analyzed.
C. Latest findings shed light on a mystery about burials.
D. Stone-Age people in Ireland and Sweden had close ties.
In February, FEDEX launched a robot capable of replacing a pizza delivery driver by bringing food right to your door, which indicates more companies may soon automate (使自动化) not only processes, but full business lines.
These types of moves could be disastrous to work. Between 1987 and 2017, manufacturing output grew 80 percent, but the number of workers dropped dramatically. This hit cities hard, leading to shrinking populations and the wide difference between urban places we see now. Numerous studies show that automation isn’t equally affecting the workforce across all sectors. While it has negatively impacted a portion of the economy, it has helped to lift up other sectors, such as computer science and health care.
The real question is how you counteract inequality.
To start with, we should train people with the skills they need. To minimize job losses and embrace positive changes, we need to focus on the great value humans bring to the table. Jobs requiring soft skills like time management, active listening, cooperation, and judgment and decision-making, and jobs that are in high-touch industries are much less likely to be automated.
We must make joint efforts to strengthen and fix the holes in the safety net. While the 2020 presidential candidates are starting a conversation about how to accomplish this, cities are already leading by experimenting with basic income, passing higher minimum wage laws, carrying out paid family leave and driving policy solutions that support workers and families.
In the end robots won’t take all the jobs, but they might take yours. What we do about it, though, is up to us.
1.What will possibly happen if companies use robots in full business lines?
A. There will be a sharp drop in manufacturing output.
B. There will be a shrink in population across China.
C. The negative impacts will outweigh the positive ones.
D. The workforce in various fields may be affected differently.
2.Which of the following is more likely to be automated?
A. Bringing dishes to the table in a restaurant.
B. Helping to manage one’s time efficiently.
C. Communicating effectively with co-workers.
D. Helping make the right judgement and decision.
3.How is Paragraph 5 developed?
A. By providing data. B. By giving examples.
C. By comparison. D. By analyzing.
4.What does the underlined sentence in the last paragraph mean?
A. It is up to us whatever we do with the robots.
B. It is up to us what jobs the robots will replace.
C. We need to adapt ourselves to the changes accordingly.
D. We have the confidence that robots will replace no jobs.
I attended a writer’s group to get feedback on my book. But there were so many people there that the discussion was limited. After getting home, my 13-year-old son asked me to read one chapter to him. So I read the chapter about spending my pocket money as a nine-year-old child.
The story took place at a lunch counter, where I dreamed of ordering a banana split. Colorful balloons were hung above the counter and a sign said “Pop a balloon and pay 1 cent to 63 cents for a banana split!” As I was given only 50 cents for cleaning the doghouse, I didn’t dare to ask my parents for any more pocket money without doing more work or risk asking anyone else. So I kept my wish to myself.
Frankie listened carefully, as I read the final sentences of the chapter, “I watched as others selected a balloon to pop and dreamed about the opportunity to take my chance. But it never happened.”
The next morning, Frankie led me to the kitchen. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The table was covered in a pile of balloons. Frankie handed me 50 cents and a fork. “Pop one!” he urged. With tears in my eyes, I broke one. A piece of paper fell out of the balloon.
“What does it say?” Frankie asked. “Fifty cents,” I whispered, too moved to speak loudly. Frankie asked, “Well, do you have 50 cents?” I handed him the money. “OK!” Then Frankie pulled out a banana split from the refrigerator.
I hugged Frankie hard. We took turns popping the other balloons until I finally got the 1-cent balloon. It was a long-time coming, but worth the wait.
It hit me that the first step in making any wish come true is giving it a voice.
1.The author read the chapter to Frankie because .
A. she wanted to get feedback from Frankie
B. Frankie asked the author to read it to him
C. she was used to telling a bedtime story to him
D. Frankie had a strong desire for knowledge
2.What can we infer about the author from the second paragraph?
A. She spent money wisely when she was a kid.
B. She had enough money to do whatever she liked.
C. She earned her pocket money by doing housework.
D. She had no close friends to share her secret wish.
3.Seeing what Frankie did for her, the author felt .
A. comfortable and happy B. puzzled and excited
C. awkward and satisfied D. surprised and grateful
4.The author learned that .
A. it is important to express one’s wishes
B. it is comforting to have a kid around
C. experiences in childhood affect us later in life
D. wishes can come true by just voicing them
World’s best beaches: 2018 TripAdvisor award winners
NO. 1 Clearwater Beach
It lies in America, about a forty-minute drive west of Tampa. It impresses travelers with two and a half miles of sugar-white sand, crystal-clear waters and gentle Gulf wind. The beach offers calm, shallow water, making it an ideal playground for tourists.
*Bargain hotel nearby: Pier House 60 Marina Hotel, from $293 per night (double bed)
*Airfare: As low as $71 round-trip from ORD (Chicago) to TPA (Tampa)
No. 2 Siesta Beach
Just south of Sarasota, Siesta Beach on Siesta Key is known for its eight-mile stretch of sugar-fine, quartz-white sand. It’s also a great spot for kids to collect seashells and sand dollars.
*Bargain hotel nearby: Tropical Beach Resorts, from $295 per might (double bed)
*Airfare: As low as $238 round-trip from EWR (Newark) to
SRQ (Sarasota)
No. 3 Ka’anapali Beach
Among the most visited beach in West Maui, this area is a popular spot for quiet relaxation or water sports. It’s also famous for the daily cliff diving ceremony off of the beach’s northernmost cliffs known as Black Rock.
*Bargain hotel nearby: Lahaina Shores Beach Resort, from
$289 per night (double bed)
*Airfare: As low as $382 round-trip from SFO (San Francisco) to OGG (Kahului)
No. 4 South Beach
People watching is a great pastime in Miami’s South Beach, which draws celebrities and models. Travelers love the wide, fine, white sand-covered beaches as well as the surrounding area, known for wild nightlife and excellent restaurants.
*Bargain hotel nearby: Room Mate Lord Balfour, from $264 per night (double bed)
*Great airfare: As low as $107 round-trip from LGA (New York) to MIA (Miami)
1.How much may they pay at least if Mr. and Mrs. Smith from Chicago visit a beach?
A. $364 B. $435
C. $579 D. $657
2.Siesta Beach is different from other three beaches in that .
A. tourists enjoy an exciting sport
B. fine sugar-white sand covers it
C. children have more great fun
D. many famous persons visit it
3.Charlie is eager to meet his favourite movie star, which beach would you recommend?
A. Clearwater Beach. B. Siesta Beach.
C. Ka’anapali Beach. D. South Beach.
