How to Pick a Good Book
It’s not news that we spend more time texting and surfing online than ever. But a recent study shows that more teenagers are reading good old-fashioned and ink-on-paper books. Reading is a good way to widen your knowledge and learn about yourself. You probably know how to find the best application programs for your phone. 1.
1.Start with your interests
Reading on your own isn’t like reading for school. 2.It could be ancient martial arts, computers, or fashion design. If you can name the subject, you can find books about it.
2. Find your “type”
3. Books of fiction, like novels or short-story collections, can transport you to another world or help you to imagine something beyond your own experience. Not all fiction is the same. Try some different types of fiction and see which one you prefer. Non-fiction books give you the “who”, “what”, “when” and “why” of something. They tell stories using facts, but that doesn’t mean they are dull.
3.Read the “blurb(简介)”
The reviews and quotes on the back and inside covers of many books are known as “blurbs”. These comments not only give you an idea of what the book is about, but also help you to pick out future books. If you find a book you really like, take a minute to read the blurb and see which authors praised the book.4.
4. 5.
Your local library can provide you with a lot of great books. Explain your interests and mention any writer you like, and the librarian can point you towards books that you will like. Then you can enjoy what you’re reading in a quiet place.
A. Often, they will have similar styles, and you might find you like books by those authors, too.
B. You can pick something that suits your interests.
C. Read in a quiet place.
D. Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction?
E. Ask an expert.
F. It is necessary to work out what the book is mainly about before reading.
G. But do you know how to pick a book that you will really like?
In the office of the German prime minister Angela Merkel, there is a picture of Catherine the Great, the legendary (传奇的) Russian Empress. When asked why she has the picture, Merkel says, "She was a strong woman". Many say the same of Merkel.
The most powerful woman in the world, according to US Forbes magazine, was in China last week. She came to discuss trade and environmental issues with China's top leaders. Germany's first woman leader is known as a brave and practical statesman (政治家).
Even since her time at school, she had the habit of getting everything in order. Every day before doing her homework she would clean the desk and think about what to do next. "I prefer a long time for full preparations to make my decision. But once I decide, I will stand up for what I believe, "Merkel said. Perhaps it was good habits that helped her do well in her studies. At 32, she got a doctor degree in physics and then she worked as a researcher.
However, the life of a scholar couldn't put off her love of politics. While working in labs, Merkel took time off to read political books and at last joined a political party. "Her calmness helped her stand out in the party. She could always find a way out while others felt hopeless," said one of her old friends.
In her first big political job as Minister for the Environment in 1994, her scientific background proved very useful. In 2005 she became Germany's youngest prime minister since the second World War.
Now half way through her four-year term, the 53-year-old woman has made a name for herself both in Germany and abroad. At the EU summit (欧盟峰会) in 2005 when France quarreled with Britain over the EU budget (预算), some people believed the EU was close to breaking down. But Merkel didn't give up. She shuttled (穿梭) between the heads of the two powers and had them reached an agreement.
"Strength comes from composure (镇定) and courage. Many people say I am a strong woman. But I would rather say I have perseverance, "said Merkel.
1.Why does Merkel put a picture of Catherine the Great on the wall of her office? ______
A.Because Catherine the Great is beautiful.
B.Because Merkel wants to be a strong woman too.
C.Because Merkel likes the drawing skill of it.
D.Because it is very expensive.
2.What is the correct order of the following events? ______
a. became the German Chancellor (总理)
b. got a doctorate (博士学位) in physics and then she worked as a researcher
c. joined a political party
d. took part in the EU summit
e. worked as Minister for the Environment
A.bcade B.cbdae C.bcead D.cbaed
3.Which statement is NOT true according to the passage? ______
A.Merkel usually hurries to make a decision when facing difficulties.
B.At the EU summit in 2005, the relationship between French and Britain was in tension (紧张).
C.Merkel is a well-known leader all over the world.
D.She is outstanding because of her calmness.
4.What is the best title for the passage? ______
A.An excellent lecturer B.Germany's iron lady
C.The change of a scholar D.The youngest chancellor
Babysitter Wanted
I am seeking a babysitter for my 6-month-old son. A few hours on Saturdays and Sundays to help me and then other times as needed. He or she should be over 18, responsible, loving, warm, and have some experience in caring for babies. This position also suits a college student with experience looking for a part-time job. The pay is﹩10 an hour.
If this sounds like a good job to you, please reply to rebecharv@aol.com or call 800-4964.
Office Manager Wanted
Our company is looking for a full-time experienced manager to run the business. Strong skills in organization and business management are required for this position. The office manager will be responsible for keeping financial (财务的) records, so he or she should be familiar with computers.
Please reply to jim@californiaaquatics.com or call 800-6978 to apply.
Waiter/Waitress Wanted
A restaurant is looking for an experienced waiter/waitress. Knowledge of wines and experience in dining are necessary. Must work well under pressure and understand the basics of fine dining and customer service.
If you're interested, please contact us at job-tkupe-1329358152@craigslist.org to apply.
This is apart-time job.
Office Cleaner Wanted
Looking for a Part-time job? A position in the Mississauga area needs an office cleaner! Part-time 4 hours a day from 10:00 am — 2:00 pm.
Duties include：
●Cleaning the washrooms
●Cleaning the furniture
●Sweeping the floors
●Other general cleaning experience is necessary. Pay:﹩15 per hour
Reply to: job-p3b7u-1365632206@craigslist.org or call 800-8197.
1.Which of the following position is a full-time job? ______
A.Office manager. B.Babysitter.
C.Waiter/waitress. D.Office cleaner.
2.If a college girl with some experience caring for children wants to apply for a job, where should she send an email? ______
A.job-p3b7u-1365632206@craigslist.org
B.job-tkupe-1329358152@craigslist.org
C.rebecharv@aol.com
D.jim@californiaaquatics.com
3.What can we learn from the passage? ______
A.The office cleaner has to work three hours each day.
B.Experience is necessary for all these four jobs.
C.A babysitter earns﹩5 more than an office cleaner per hour.
D.One can apply for a waiter or waitress by telephone.
Do you find it difficult to put down your mobile phone?
If yes, you’re not alone. These days, many people suffer from the stress of FOMO (fear of missing out). They reach of their mobile phones when they wake up in the morning, and for the rest of the day, they constantly check their social media apps for the latest updates.
Despite the convenience smart phones bring, many people struggle with their digital habits. This is why Google introduced an app called Dashboard for Android operating system. This new app includes well-being functions that aim to help users manage the time they spend on their digital devices.
It all starts with a bird’s-eye view. Dashboard allows users to look at all the details of their phone habits. For example, a user can see how many times they’re unlocked their phone and how many times they’re checked their social media apps, as well as how much time they spend on each app every day.
Once the users see this information, they’ll be able to make some changes. With the App Timer function, users can set a time limit for how long they can use each app for every day.
But even if users become more mindful of their usage, they’re still likely to be drawn in by notification（通知）. Such feature automatically（自动地）silences incoming calls and notifications when a user puts their phone face down.
If people truly want to make full use of their free time instead of losing hours using their smart phones, these new functions are just one way of doing that.
The easiest answer would be just to use your willpower.
1.Who are the target users of Dashboard?
A.People who know little about smart phones.
B.People who have trouble dealing with stress.
C.People who are slow at researching of things online.
D.People who wish to manage the time they spend on their smart phones.
2.What can Dashboard do?
A.Lock the phone at a certain time.
B.Limit some apps to certain users.
C.Limit the time certain apps can be used.
D.Silence app notifications at night.
3.The underlined word “mindful” in Paragraph 6 is closest in meaning to ________.
A.serious B.careful
C.prepared D.creative
4.What does the author think of Dashboard?
A.It’s not very useful. B.It’s perfectly designed.
C.It should include more functions. D.It may be helpful to some people.
Letter One
Dear Editor,
After I finish my homework, I often go online and chat with my friends. Sometimes I play computer games. But my parents hate to see me playing games on the computer. Maybe they have heard too much news about how QQ and computer games harm children. Once I went to a net bar(网吧) to play games after school. But after that I told my parents that I was playing basketball at school. I said so because I didn't want to make them unhappy. I feel bad about it. However, I need to rest for a while by playing computer games after studying for a long time. I really want my parents to understand that. Do foreign parents do the same to their children? Please help me.
Li Ping, Beijing
Letter Two
Dear Li Ping,
I don't think it's strange for parents to keep their children away from anything bad. Foreign parents will do the same as your parents! They may not let their children watch TV for too long a time,or like your parents,they don't want their children to play computer games.
Talk to your parents and be honest to them, I think. Tell them what you are doing and why you are doing so to make them understand you. It's never good to do things behind your parents. They aren't fools as you think sometimes! Our parents seem to know what is the best for us.
Remember: to be honest is the best way.
Good luck,
Rebecca
1.From the passage we can learn that Li Ping often ________.
A. talks with his friends on the Internet
B. plays basketball after school
C. plays computer games at home
D. chats online before homework
2.The boy goes online ________.
A. to get news on QQ B. just to have a rest
C. to show he hates study D. to make new friends
3.The underlined sentence in Letter Two means “________”.
A. You must do everything in front of your parents
B. You must always listen to your parents carefully
C. You should not do anything that makes your parents worry about you
D. You should tell your parents what you do before or after doing it
4.The editor thinks ________.
A. children should play computer games in the net bar secretly.
B. playing computer game can be very helpful to children’s studies
C. children should be honest and try to make their parents understand them
D. foreign parents don’t care for their children as much as Chinese parents
假设你是某高中学生李华，你的美国笔友Tom 来信询问你校学生最喜爱的运动，请你根据下列信息给与回复。
要点包括：
1.运动项目简介，(至少两项)
2.效果或影响，（至少两点）
3.希望了解美国高中生喜爱的运动。
注意：1.词数100左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3.开头已给出，不计入总数。
Dear Tom,
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
