Being highly successful in any field is pretty rare. It takes a combination of natural talent, luck, determination, and plenty of outside support for someone to make it big in sports, entertainment, or business. But what if competing is all that matters to you, whether you are likely to succeed or not? This was the goal of Michael Eddie the Eagle Edwards, and that he reached that goal was an amazing achievement.
Born in the U.K. in 1963, Michael was an enthusiastic downhill skier whose dream was to compete for Britain in world-class competitions. He would have liked to represent his country in the 1984 Winter Olympics, but there were a large number of downhill competitors, and Edwards didn't qualify. Seeing his chance elsewhere, he switched to ski jumping. Ski jumping didn't cost nearly as much, and there was almost no competition for a place on the Britain team.
But number of hurdles (障碍)could have meant the end of Edwards' dream. He weighed more than most competitors, which put him at a disadvantage. He had no financial support for his training. Poor eyesight meant that he had to wear glasses under his goggles (护目镜)- not a good thing when they steamed up at high altitudes. But he couldn't let any of this discourage him. He saw himself as a true lover of the sport who simply wanted the chance to compete. Winning wasn't the point. Having the opportunity to try was all he cared about. And nothing could stop him from trying.
In the end, Edwards took 55th place in the 1987 World Championships. He then went on to the Calgary Olympics in 1988, where he finished last in both of his events. Many athletes would have been embarrassed by this result, but he is proud of his achievement to this day. His determination to fight against all the odds made him a global hero, and in 2016, the inspiring film Eddie the Eagle was made about his life.
1.What is the purpose of the first paragraph?
A. To add some background information.
B. To uncover the secret of success.
C. To expect an answer from readers.
D. To introduce the topic.
2.Why did Michael Edwards choose ski jumping?
A. It took less skill.
B. The equipment was cheaper.
C. There was little competition.
D. It was easy to win the championship.
3.After the Calgary Olympics, Edwards _________.
A. felt he had reached his goal
B. was embarrassed by his results
C. switched to film making
D. was glad it was over
4.What made Michael Edwards outstanding?
A. His determination to win.
B. His enthusiasm for the sport.
C. His attitude towards the Olympics.
D. His ability to overcome physical disabilities.
The killdeer, a small bird known for its high-pitched(声调高的)call, could lead to the cancellation(取消) of one of Canada’ biggest music festivals.
The first hint of trouble for Ottawa’s Bluesfest, an outdoor festival that draws around 300,000 people each year, came last week after workers at the site found one of the birds.It had laid four eggs nearby, effectively claiming the main stage area as its nesting ground.“This is one of the most challenging problems we’ve been presented with, but we feel we can work through this,” said Mark Monahan, executive director of the festival.“Anything that changes the schedule has a major effect, so we’re taking it very seriously.”
The discovery meant that government officials rushed to protect the nest and the eggs, hiring a security guard to watch over them 24 hours a day.
Environmentalists were also brought in.“We don’t know when the eggs might hatch,” said Monahan. What is known is that the young killdeer will likely leave the nest soon after they are hatched, leading many to hope that the eggs hatch in the next day or so.
The festival is now seeking permission from Environment Canada to relocate(搬迁)the nest some 50 meters away or take it to a wildlife center.Moving the nest would also ensure the bird and its young would be protected during the festival’s 11-day run, said Monahan. It’s highly likely that the festival’s thousands of attendees would cause huge problems for the bird and its eggs.Monahan was confident that the festival would go on as planned, however.“Most of the people we’re working with are looking for a positive solution,” Monahan said.“There is no one saying that the festival can’t go on.”
As news of the dilemma spread, it left residents divided. Some supported the bird, saying that moving the nest might result in the eggs being abandoned.Others expressed annoyance that protecting the eggs of the small bird, which is widespread across North America, was risking an annual festival that contributes millions of dollars to the local economy.
The killdeer’s tendency to build its nest in open fields or flat areas has caused issues in other areas of the US: earlier this year, construction of a health center in Wisconsin was temporarily stopped after a killdeer and its four eggs were discovered.
1.What can we learn about Bluesfest?
A.It is the first music festival in Canada.
B.It is an important event for music lovers.
C.It is a music festival held every two years.
D.It is a challenging outdoor activity in Ottawa.
2.What was especially challenging for Bluesfest this year?
A.Pressure from the government.
B.Disagreements with the public.
C.The need to protect the bird’s eggs.
D.The lack of experience in hosting the event.
3.How did the festival plan to deal with the problem?
A.Move the nest to another place. B.Ask government officials for help.
C.Seek advice from environmentalists. D.Hire security guards to protect the eggs.
4.The underlined word “dilemma” is closest in meaning to “______”.
A.a difficult situation B.an extreme situation
C.a dangerous situation D.an encouraging situation
Here list some biggest and best bookstores in Beijing:
Wangfujing Xinhua Bookstore
It is the one of the best bookstores in Beijing and largest chain bookshop in China with thousands of branches. It offers a large collection of books involving politics, economics, literature, education, art and science, with a total number of nearly 200,000 books. VCDs, DVDs and digital reading materials can also be found in the bookshop.
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 21:30
Location: No.218, Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District (next to Oriental Plaza)
China Bookstore
As one of the best bookstores in Beijing, it is not a very big one, but it offers many traditional Chinese literature works. The new books here are at an 80% discount normally, while there are some second hand books as well at much cheaper prices. Additionally, you will find an impressive selection of books on Chinese painting, calligraphy and photography.
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 17:00 (Weekdays)
Location: No.115, East Liulichang Street, Xicheng District
Beijing Language and Culture University Press Bookstore
This is the best one from which to buy Chinese language learning books of all levels. There are also dictionaries, encyclopedias, linguistic books and reading materials from which to choose.
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 17:00 (Weekdays) 09:00 - 16:00 (Weekends)
Location: Chengfu Rd, Haidian District
Beijing Book Building
There is a great variety of books from which you may choose. In this biggest bookstore in Beijing, you will find books written in English in the basement, and there are many Chinese language learning materials on the third floor. The personnel in the bookshop are very helpful, and they speak English.
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 21:00
Location: No.17, West Changan Avenue, Xicheng District
1.Where are you most likely to find affordable new books at a lower price?
A.Chengfu Rd, Haidian District.
B.No.218, Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District.
C.No.17, West Changan Avenue, Xicheng District.
D.No.115, East Liulichang Street, Xicheng District.
2.Which bookstore has the longest opening hours on weekdays?
A.China Bookstore.
B.Wangfujing Xinhua Bookstore.
C.Beijing Language and Culture University Press Bookstore.
D.Beijing Book Building.
3.What is special about Beijing Book Building?
A.It sells Chinese language learning books.
B.It features the largest variety of books.
C.It has many floors and sections.
D.Its staff can communicate in English.
Write an e-mail to your father, who is on a business trip, telling him about the holiday plans you and your mother have made for your family. Use the information below to help you.
1. where you should go and why
2. when you should travel
3. what activities you can do
4. what you can see
5. the length of time
6. the cost
注意：1.词数100左右。
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
3.开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。
Dear Dad
I’ve looked at several possible places where we can go on holiday and checked Mum’s schedule. We think we should go to_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bye for now
Love
LiHua
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加，删除或修改。每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
Today we went to the beach. We get up early and after a 2-hour bus ride, we arrived. Lucky for us, there was not many people there yet. The sky was blue but the sun was shining. The water was so clear!
We all swam in the sea and had good time. I did not dare to swim very far because I was afraid of be carried away by the ocean.
Before the swim, we lay on the beach. Bill hid both of his leg in the sand, which he thought it was very funny. It was a great day. I’ll ever forget it.
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。
My computer was broken so I couldn’t read your two 1. (e-mail) until today. I’m so sorry 2. (hear) about your problem, but I’m glad you’re feeling better and are recovering.
You are right. We shouldn’t be embarrassed about our weight. I think you look great as you are,3. you’re a wonderful person. I know that the pressure to stay slim is a problem, 4. (especial) for an actress. However, your mother 5. (know) best: nothing is more important 6. health.
It’s the same in China-many people, some of 7. are not overweight at all, are always going on a diet or 8. (take) weight-loss pills, which are often 9.(danger). I hope they can learn 10. your story.
Love
Zhou Ling
