Last summer, over 12,000 fans packed London’s Wembley Arena. Thousands more watched online, shouting and cheering. Were they watching soccer? No, they were watching e-sports or competitive PC gaming.
Millions of people in the UK play PC games for fun. Some of them have become professionals, playing games as their full-time job. The prize at the Wembley event totaled 3 million pounds. It’s not easy being a professional gamer, though. They practice for 10 or more hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week. They do exercises like typing something and then trying to type it faster and faster. They also study videos of other players and plan ways to beat them.
Many people who play games also enjoy watching them. They often watch games on video sites like Twitch and YouTube, and in the UK there’s even a TV channel showing e-sports 24 hours a day. Matches can be exciting to watch. Just like in other sports, there are close games, last-minute victories and creative strategies (策略). Sometimes online viewers can interact with the players through instant messaging. For example, some supporters rename characters in the game with the names of their biggest supporters.
But are e-sports really sports? Are the players athletes? It’s easy to say, “No Way!” After all , professional gamers don’t need to run, jump or throw a hall. At the moment, the UK government classifies e-sports as a kind of game, not as a sport. But many people think that e-sports are sport. They say that players do need physical skills, especially hand-eye coordination (协调), quick action , accuracy and timing. In fact, the governments of China and South Korea do classify e-sports as sports, and professional gamers will soon be able to compete for medals at the 2022 Asian Games.
For many e-sports fans and players, though, the most important thing is that e-sports are growing in popularity and reputation. E-sports are not important at the moment. If e-sports are not probably be soon.
1.What do the British people think of e-sports?
A.They have a great passion for e-sports.
B.They are not willing to be professionals.
C.They prefer watching e-sports online to live.
D.They take e-sports just as a way of entertainment.
2.What are the first three paragraphs mainly about?
A.The fun of playing e-sports.
B.The popularity of e-sports in the UK.
C.How e-sports are different from traditional sports.
D.How to start a career as a professional e-sports gamer.
3.What do many people believe e-sports are sports?
A.They inspire people as much as other sports.
B.They share rules and strategies with other sports.
C.It takes players time and money to learn and practice.
D.Players need to develop physical skills to perform well.
4.What is the author’s attitude toward the future of e-sports?
A.Doubtful. B.Negative. C.Optimistic. D.Indifferent.
My son Leon’s passion (热爱) for surfing began at the age of 13. Before and after school each day, he put on his wet suit, picked up his equipment, swam out beyond the surf line and waited to be challenged by his friends.
One aftenoon, the lifeguard reported over the phone to my husband Wilson that Leon’s eye was badly injured by his board. Wilson rushed him to the emergency room, where he received 26 stitches (缝线) from the comer of his eye to the bridge of his nose. I was on an airplane flying home from a meeting while Leons’ eye was being stitched. Wilson drove directly to the airport after they left the doctor’s office. He greeted me at the gate and told me Leon was waiting in the car.
“Leon?” I questioned. I remember thinking the waves must have been bad that day. “He’s been in an accident, but he’s going to be fine,” said my husband.
A traveling working mother’s worst nightmare (恶梦) had come true. I ran to the car so fast the heel of my shoe broke off. I swung open the door, to see that my youngest son had a patch (眼罩) over his eye and was leaning toward me crying, “Oh, Ma, I’m so glad you’re home.” I cried in his arms, telling him how awful I felt about not being there when the lifeguard called. “Its OK, Mom,” he comforted me. “You don’t know how to surf anyway.”
“What?” I asked, confused by his logic. “I’ll be fine. The doctor says I can go back in the water in 8 days,” said my son.
I wanted to tell him he wasn’t allowed to go near water again until he was 35, but instead I bit my tongue and hoped he would forget about surfing. For the next 7 days he kept pressing me to let him surf again. One day after I had repeated “No” to him for the 100th time, he beat me at my own game. “Mom, you taught us never to give up what we love,” he said. And I gave in.
Back then Leon was just a boy with a passion for surfing. Now he is a man with a responsibility. He ranks among the top 25 professional surfers in the world. Passionate people stick to what they love and never give up.
1.How did the author feel when she knew Leon was at the airport?
A.Delighted. B.Angry.
C.Excited. D.Surprised.
2.What did Leon do after being injured?
A.He still held onto his dream firmly.
B.He decided to follow his mom’s advice.
C.He felt like the accident was a nightmare.
D.He felt disappointed for being unable to surf for long.
3.Which of the following words can best describe Leon?
A.Brave and creative. B.Optimistic and reliable.
C.Responsible and humorous. D.Enthusiastic and determined.
4.What does the author mainly want to tell us through the passage?
A.Hard work will always pay off.
B.It’s dangerous for beginners to surf.
C.We should stick to our passions whatever happens.
D.Parents can’t care about children’s safety too much
Four Family-friendly Autumn Walks in the UK
With the coming of autumn, we have decided to make a list of autumn walks for you and the whole family. These places will include historic buildings, wonderful scenery and wildlife for all to enjoy.
Formby Nature Reserve, Liverpool Formby is a coastal town just north of Liverpool and is luckily one of the few places in Britain where there are a large number of red squirrels. Children will love the excitement of getting to see these cute animals. The paths are well protected, meaning they are fit for pushchairs. And dogs are allowed, too. | Hadrian’s Wall, Newcastle The 73-mile-long Hadrian’s Wall was completed by the Romans in 128 AD after 6 years’ building. Autumn walks along Hadrian’s Wall are an excellent way to educate children on the history of the British isles and really get up close to the styles of Roman buildings rather than just see it in a textbook! |
Lyme Park, Peak District Not only is Lyme Park home to many trees, it is also home to a group of medieval (中世纪的) red deer and a huge Edwardian country manor (庄园). This Peak District walk is quite fit for families, and along the way are playgrounds and tree houses, making sure that the little ones that you are with will never feel bored. | Lakeside Walk at Stowe, Buckinghamshire This place is on the outskirts of London and provides people with perfect chances to escape from the busy city lifestyle. The flat and wide path around the river makes it more than fit for pushchairs or wheelchairs. This walk is short in length, meaning it is a great way to introduce any young one to walking as a hobby. The walk is great all year round. |
1.Where can kids learn about the buildings of ancient Rome?
A.Lyme Park. B.Hadrian’s Wall. C.Lakeside Walk at Stowe. D.Formby Nature Reserve.
2.What do Formby Nature Reserve and Lyme Park have in common?
A.They have old manors. B.They allow pet dogs in.
C.They have cute animals. D.They provide play areas for kids.
3.What is special about the Lakeside Walk at Stowe?
A.It is a bit difficult for wheelchairs.
B.It is quite fit for long-walk lovers.
C.It is especially pleasant in autumn.
D.It is good for a quiet and relaxed stay.
Fire Prevention Information
The University of Adelaide employs a full-time staff of fire prevention professionals. They inspect all campus buildings and test and maintain all sprinkler(喷水灭火装置）systems fire alarms and fire extinguishers (灭火器). They also provide educational programs or fire safety in the residence hall. Whenever you move to a new area, you should locate the fire alarm pull stations and the two exits nearest your room.
Fire Alarms
The floors of all campus buildings are equipped with manual(手动的）fire alarm systems which include fire alarm pull stations and pipes. Most are also equipped with automatic fire alarm systems consisting of heat detectors, smoke detectors and sprinklers. For your safety, never tamper with(胡乱摆弄）these systems. False fire alarms are illegal and may lead to imprisonment.
Fire Drills
A fire drill will be conducted in your residence hall every semester. During a fire drill, please do the following:
·Take your room key and ID, close and lock the door to your room.
·Exit immediately from the nearest emergency exit do not use a lift.
·Meet outside of your residence hall and wait for further instructions.
Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are located on each floor and in each apartment. Use a fire extinguisher only if you have been trained to do so. Irresponsible use of a fire extinguisher can create a dangerous situation for other residents and could result in damage to personal property.
Misuse of a fire extinguisher will result in fines.
Smoke Detector
A smoke detector is on the ceiling in your room. Some buildings also have heat detectors on the ceilings. Do the following to ensure the safe operation of your smoke detector:
·If your smoke detector is working properly, the red light should be on. If the red light is not blinking（闪动），contact residence hall staff immediately.
·Do not cover or block your smoke detector in any way.
·If a smoke detector sets off an alarm and there is no fire or smoke, inform your hall staff.
1.What is the main duty of the fire prevention professionals?
A.To provide part-time jobs for students.
B.To lead the students to the nearest exits.
C.To check and maintain fire prevention equipment.
D.To train teachers to be fire prevention professionals.
2.What do the automatic fire alarm systems include?
A.Pipes and smoke detectors.
B.Smoke detectors and sprinklers.
C.Fire alarm pull stations and pipes.
D.Sprinklers and fire alarm pull stations
3.In a fire drill, the students should ________.
A.rush quickly to a lift
B.gather at the nearest exit.
C.shut the door and leave at once
D.wait for instructions in the hall
4.What do we know about the use of fire extinguishers?
A.Using them wrongly results in punishment.
B.Irresponsible use of them can damage them.
C.Improper use of them can destroy the apartment.
D.Using them without a trainer present is forbidden.
5.To ensure the safe operation of the smoke detector, one should_________.
A.contact the hall staff regularly
B.cover the things that burn easily
C.start the smoke detector in a fire
D.make certain the red light is working
阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事。
An 80-year-old man was sitting on the sofa in his house along with his 45-year-old highly educated son. Suddenly a crow（乌鸦）perched（栖息）on their window.
The father asked his son, “What is this?” The son replied, “It is a crow.”
After a few minutes, the father asked his son for the second time, “What is this?” The son said, “Father, I have just now told you, it’s a crow!”
After a little while, the old father again asked his son for the third time, “What is this?”
At this time some expression of irritation（恼怒）was felt in the son’s tone when he said to his father with a rebuff（生硬回绝）. “It’s a crow, a crow.” A little while later, the father again asked his son the fourth time, “What is this?”
This time, the son shouted at his father, “Why do you keep asking me the same question again and again, although I have told you so many times ‘IT IS A CROW’. Are you not able to understand this?”
A little while later the father went to his room and came back with an old tattered（发皱的）diary, which he had maintained since his son was born. On opening a page, he asked his son to read that page. When the son read it, the following words were written in the diary:
“Today my little son aged three was sitting with me on the sofa, when a crow was sitting on the window. My son asked me 23 times what it was, and I replied to him all 23 times that it was a crow. I hugged him lovingly each time he asked me the same question. I did not at all feel irritated but I rather felt affection for my innocent son,
注意：
1. 所续写短文的词数应为150左右；
2. 应使用5个以上短文中标有下划线的关键词语；
3. 续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；
4. 续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。
Paragraph 1:
After reading the diary
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Paragraph 2:
Feeling ashamed, the son got down on his knees before his father
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语篇语法填空
As an old saying goes, “Friends are like wine, the older, the better.” Because of that, nowadays many people think old friends to be 1. (important) than new ones. For example, if two pieces of advice 2.(give) to solve a problem, one from a new friend and the other from an old friend, people always tend to choose the latter one, although the new friend’s advice may be better.
I, however, 3.(agree) with the old saying, believing that new friends are not 4.(necessary) worse than old friends. Why? Because the 5.(long) of time cannot tell whether your friendship is better or not.
Once you call someone friend, he must be a person 6.is reliable and whose interests are in common with 7.(you). Maybe a friend’s outside look 8.(change) all the time, but the inside characters of him and his interests won’t change at all. It is just these unchangeable characters and interests 9.make him a friend to you. 10., on this point, there is no difference between old friends and new ones.
