My fiance (未婚夫）and I were excited about shopping for our first home. But our funds (资金) were _______, and none of the houses in our price range seemed satisfactory.
One agent (代理人)_______ a house in particular. Although her description sounded wonderful, the price was _______ our range, so we declined (拒绝). But she kept urging (催促) us to have a look _______.
We finally did and it was _______ at first sight. It was Our Home, small and charming, overlooking a quiet lake. Walking through the rooms and talking with the owners, a nice elderly couple, we felt the warmth and _______ of the marriage within that home. As perfect as it was, the price remained too high for us. But every day, we would sit by the lake, looking at the house and dreaming of _______ it would be like to live there.
Days later, we made a(n)_______ —far below the asking price. Surprisingly, they didn’t _______ us. They renewed their offer ________. It was also much more than we could afford but far ________ than the original asking price.
The next day, we got a ________ message that another buyer had offered a much higher price. Even so, we decided to talk with the ________ directly. We made our final offer, which ________ was thousands of dollars less than the other buyer’s bid. We knew it,________ we had to try.
“Sold!” said the owner. Then he ________: He’d seen us sitting by the lake all those times; he knew how much we loved the place and that we’d ________ the years of work they had put into their home; he realized he would take a ________ by selling it to us, but it was worthwhile; we were the people they wanted to live there. He told us to consider the ________ in the price as “an early wedding present.”
That’s how we found our home and how I learned that when people are ________ they are not strangers, only friends we haven’t yet met.
1.A.needed B.limited C.enough D.large
2.A.recommended (推荐) B.decorated C.sold D.rented
3.A.below B.within C.beyond D.between
4.A.at least B.at most C.at times D.at band
5.A.relief B.concern C.love D.curiosity
6.A.pride B.happiness C.challenge D.desire
7.A.which B.why C.that D.what
8.A.effort B.offer C.promise D.profit
9.A.come across B.look after C.depend on D.laugh at
10.A.instead B.indeed C.aside D.apart
11.A.worse B.better C.less D.higher
12.A.relaxing B.disappointing C.pleasant D.regular
13.A.agents B.buyers C.managers D.owners
14.A.already B.still C.generally D.ever
15.A.so B.or C.for D.but
16.A.apologized B.complained C.criticized D.explained
17.A.check B.analyze C.appreciate D.ignore
18.A.loss B.risk C.chance D.lead
19.A.increase B.difference C.interest D.average
20.A.kind B.polite C.smart D.energetic
It is believed that raisins (葡萄干) were discovered in the Middle East, where they were treasured. Any food that wouldn't spoil in the hot sun was very valuable. Prehistoric drawings in France show that raisins have been enjoyed in southern Europe for thousands of years. 1. In 1000 B.C. the Jews paid their taxes with raisins. Two jars of raisins in ancient Rome could buy one slave boy. 2.
In North America, the original mistake of leaving grapes to wither (枯萎) on the vine was not the only time raisins accidentally became popular. In the 1870s many people were growing grapes in California. 3. Most Americans had never heard of raisins at that time. In September, 1873 a severe heat wave struck the area. Before the growers could pick all their grapes, they withered on the vine. The grapes were lost. One grower took the dried grapes to a grocer in San Francisco. 4. The new accidental raisins grew into a major industry in California. Today almost all the raisins eaten in the United States are grown in California. California produces a third of the world's raisins.
5. Raisins also provide potassium, magnesium, calcium and certain B vitamins. Without added preservatives (防腐剂), raisins will stay fresh, delicious and nutritious if kept in a cool place. Raisins are tiny, portable and above all delicious.
A. They have been used for necklaces and as religious symbols.
B. Raisins are children's favorite snacks.
C. The grapes were either eaten as fresh fruit or were made into wine.
D. The grocer was unwilling to buy the dried grapes.
E. Raisins are high in iron, which is important to children's growing bodies.
F. Roman doctors believed raisins could cure anything from mushroom poisoning to old age.
G. The grocer's customers discovered that raisins made a delicious treat.
The San Francisco Giants added a special pitcher（投球手）for the day. It was small—yet fierce—Hailey Dawson, who has a 3D-printed hand.
The energetic 8-year-old from Nevada was invited to throw out the first pitch at the Giants game on Sunday. Dawson was born with Poland syndrome（综合症）, a disorder in which affected individuals are born with missing or underdeveloped muscles on one side of the body. It affected her hand.
With a traditional prosthetic（假肢）potentially costing thousands of dollars, Hailey’s mom, Yong Dawson turned to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for help. She emailed UNLV engineering, and they accepted the challenge. Brendan O’Toole, chairman of the mechanical engineering department, said he and his team had got a lot of requests, “but this one was different.” They got to work using a 3D-printer.Several prototypes（原型）and fittings later, Dawson got her first hand about four years ago.
Hailey’s mother said the hand had given her daughter a wonderful lift. “When she puts this robotic hand on, it changes her personality and confidence level,” Yong Dawson told CBS San Francisco. “I love seeing that. I just wanted her to have an even playing field.”
When she arrived at AT&T Park on Sunday, Hailey got to hang out with players in the shelter at the side of the sports field. They even let her try on their World Series rings.
Using her 3D-printed hand, Dawson threw out the perfect first pitch. Then with a wave and a smile, she headed into the stands to cheer on her newfound friends on the Giants.
1.What caused the function loss of Hailey’s hand?
A.A serious brain disorder. B.A born physical problem.
C.An awful game accident. D.An unexpected infection.
2.Why did Yong Dawson ask the University of Nevada for help?
A.She couldn’t find a suitable hospital.
B.She knew it had the advanced 3D-printer.
C.She couldn’t afford a traditional prosthetic.
D.She was forced to accept the tough challenge.
3.What is Hailey’s mother’s attitude towards the 3D-printed hand?
A.Skeptical. B.Positive.
C.Ambiguous. D.Cautious.
4.Which of the following is the best title for the text?
A.Mother’s love makes a huge difference
B.A talented young pitcher gets a great future
C.The 3D-printing technology is changing our life
D.A girl with a3D-printed hand throws her first pitch
Decision-making can be extremely difficult. Decision-making styles are significantly different in different cultures.
In any approach to a problem and in any negotiations, the Western world turns to the "I to you" approach while Japan, the "you to you" approach. The former means both sides present their arguments openly from their own point of view. Naturally, often comes a confrontation (冲突) situation, which Westerners are very skillful in dealing with. The latter is based on each side trying to understand the other person's point of view. Thus, the direction of the meeting is a mutual (相互的) attempt to reduce confrontation and achieve harmony.
Besides, Western decision-making goes mostly from top management and often does not consult middle management or the worker. However, in Japan great consideration is given to the thoughts and opinions of everyone at all levels. Based on "bottom-up direction", ideas can be created at the lowest levels, travel upward through an organization and have an effect on the final decision.
Difference in decision-making also comes from different communication styles. The Japanese business person works to achieve harmony, even if the deal fails, and will spend whatever time is necessary to determine a "you to you" approach, communicating personal views only indirectly. They put a thorough job above the Western deadline approach. So the Japanese are thorough in their meetings. Thus Americans are often annoyed by the many meetings in many Japanese businesses. But where the American is pressing for a specific decision, the Japanese is trying to think up a rather broad direction.
On the other hand, once a given agreement is made, it is the Japanese who sometimes wonder at the slow pace in which Westerners carry out the decision. The Japanese are eager to move forward and Westerners, perhaps, lag behind as they take the time for in-depth planning.
1.A Japanese business bases its decision .
A.on top-down direction B.on nothing but its workers' views
C.on bottom-up direction D.only on its top leaders' opinions
2.The text mainly tells us that Japan and the Western world .
A.face great difficulty in making decisions
B.are different in decision-making styles
C.have all members contribute to a decision
D.have two approaches:"I to you" and "you to I"
3.Which of the following is TRUE of the Westerners?
A.They carry out the decision once it is made.
B.There are many meetings in their businesses.
C.They work to achieve harmony in doing business.
D.They are good at handling confrontation situation.
4.The author's attitude towards Japanese decision-making is .
A.positive B.critical
C.negative D.casual
No longer in the pink
The world is going to have to start thinking thoroughly to save its coral reefs. Corals are comeback creatures. As the world froze and melted and sea levels rose and fell over 30,000 years, Australia's Great Barrier Reef, which is roughly the size of Italy, died and revived five times. But now, thanks to human activity, corals face the most complex mixture of conditions they have yet had to deal with.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a rise in global temperatures of 1.5°C relative to pre-industrial times could cause coral reefs to decline by 70-90%. When waters become unusually warm, corals throw out the algae, leaving reefs a ghostly white. This ''bleaching'' is happening five times as often as it did in the 1970s.
Corals need protection from local sources of harm. Their ecosystems suffer from coastal currents, whether dirty water or waste from farms. Plastic and other rubbish block sunlight and spread aggressive bacteria. Governments need to carry out tighter rules on these industries, such as tougher local building codes, and to put more effort into strengthening rules against overfishing.
Many reefs that have been damaged could benefit from restoration. Coral's biodiversity offers hope, because the same coral will grow differently under different conditions. Corals of the western Pacific near Indonesia, for example, can survive higher temperatures than the same species in the eastern Pacific near Hawaii.
Stronger measures to fight against the larger threats corals face should also attract more research. Shading reefs using a polymer film as a sunscreen to cool them is under discussion for parts of the Great Barrier Reef. Other schemes to help corals involve genetic engineering, selective breeding and brightening the clouds in the sky above an area of the reef by spraying salt into the lowest ones, so that they turn away more of the sun's energy. These measures may sound extreme, but people need to get used to thinking big. Dealing with the problems caused by climate change will call for some far-reaching ideas.
1.Thorough thinking is needed to save the coral reefs because __________.
A.corals have come back in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia
B.corals are frozen and melted five times over 30,000 years
C.corals are strong enough to survive human activity
D.human activity are threatening the condition of coral reefs
2.The underlined word ''bleaching'' most probably means _______.
A.warming B.throwing out
C.whitening D.dying
3.Corals are being damaged by the following local sources EXCEPT ___________.
A.coastal water flows B.more sunlight
C.waste from farms D.bad bacteria
4.Some extreme solutions to saving corals are mentioned in the passage in order to ______.
A.encourage people to come up with more ideas
B.introduce some advanced technological progress
C.raise people's awareness of protecting the environment
D.warn people of the threats and risks corals are facing
Singapore Garden Festival (SGF) is the only show in the world to gather the world's top award-winning garden and flowery designers under one roof. This ''must-see'' event will impress you with a wide range of displays and activities that have been planned specially for you. An experience of a lifetime awaits at the Singapore Garden Festival for you and your family. Mark your calendar today!
Jacob Ballas Children's Garden
Worry that your child is bored? Sign him or her up for a guided tour in Jacob Ballas Children's Garden. It will stimulate a sense of wonder in your child as it promises a unique discovery and provides interesting learning experiences in a garden setting. Let your child explore and play so that they will learn to take care of plants and the environment while you admire the exhibits with a peace of mind.
Far East Organization Children's Garden
Your child can have a fun-filled day with interactive games, water play features and educational programs in an abundant natural setting at Far East Organization Children's Garden! The play zone contains play such as a sway (摇摆) bridge and stepping springs, and the Fish Fountain with an interactive landscape of water tunnels and different fish-Shaped sculpture.
Marine Cove Children's Outdoor Playground
Come and bring your child to the 3500-square-metre playground suitable for children of various ages! It is located next to the beach, offering users open spaces and a good view of the sea. Your child can also join in the fun at a play area with talking tubes, fun mirrors and a drum set! The playground also has play equipment for children who have disabilities to play together. This includes special needs equipment such as sensory play panels.
1.Why is Singapore Garden Festival a ''must-see'' event?
A.It is the only show to gather different roofs.
B.It is a grand awarding ceremony for designers.
C.It attracts flowery designers to the competition.
D.It brings together the world-class garden and flowery designs.
2.What can the children do in Jacob Ballas Children's Garden?
A.Have a good view of the sea.
B.Participate in interactive games.
C.Learn to look after the plants.
D.Know about ways to design gardens.
3.Which of the following venues suits disabled children most?
A.Marine Cove Children's Outdoor Playground.
B.Far East Organization Children's Garden.
C.Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden.
D.The Fish Fountain.
