I’ve always been interested in why we do the things we do, so last year I decided I’d like to study psychology. Most courses I found, however, were either too expensive, too long or were impossible to combine with work. I was about to give up 1..
At first, I had no idea what they were talking about, but they explained that a MOOC is a Massive Open Online Course — a new type of course offered completely online to thousands of people, which is designed so that anyone can follow it, regardless of age, location or education — 2.. You can search for hundreds of different subjects, and can usually watch a short introduction video to get an idea of what the course is about.
3.. At first, I didn’t know what to expect or how much time I might spend studying. Each week there were video lectures to watch and readings to do as well as some short assignments. The lectures were really interesting and easy to follow, and it was great to be able to watch them again or pause them to go and do something else. Most MOOCs have online forums (论坛), too, where students can discuss what they are learning. These are often really fascinating because there are so many different opinions, 4.. If you read everything on the forums, you won’t have time to finish the lectures!
5.. There is a huge range of courses on offer in hundreds of subjects, and you have the chance to learn new things and be in contact with many different types of people, all from the comfort of your own home. Why not check out a MOOC and start learning something new today?
A. but they are very time-consuming
B. all you need is an Internet connection
C. when a friend suggested that I try a MOOC
D. I chose a six-week Social Psychology course
E. it is difficult to find a course to combine with work
F. But the advantages of MOOCs for busy people today are obvious
G. In fact, that seems to be one of the problems of this new way of studying
The kindly “Chinese Fortune Grandpa” wearing Han Chinese clothing and holding a fortune bag debuted (亮相) at the Imperial Ancestral Shrine in Beijing on the day after Christmas. The final image of the Chinese gift-giver was selected through a global design competition against “Santa Claus”, according to a report byGuangming Daily.
Many Chinese cities have been filled with Christmas neon lights, Christmas songs, Christmas trees, and the images of “Santa Claus”in recent days. As a matter of fact, foreign festivals are becoming more popular than certain traditional Chinese festivals among the Chinese people, particularly the youth. “Certain traditional festivals have died out because people have forgotten their spiritual meanings, ”said noted writer Feng Jicai. More and more Chinese people are beginning to exchange gifts on Valentine's Day and Christmas. However, many of them know nothing about Chinese New Year pictures or sugarcoated figurines (小糖人), and have never heard suona music. Certain folk customs on the Dragon Boat Festival, Tomb Sweeping Day, and other traditional festivals have gradually disappeared. Under such circumstances, even the “Chinese Fortune Grandpa” is unlikely to defeat “Santa Claus”.
However, it is not a bad thing to some extent. It constantly reminds people to restore the “true face” of traditional festivals. China has listed traditional Tomb Sweeping Day, Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival as legal holidays, which brings more paid leaves to the public, and helps to awake the public awareness of traditional festivals.
In modern society, festival is a carrier of culture and its meaning largely depends on their understandings and usages by people. Compared with foreign festivals, traditional Chinese festivals are not inferior (次于) in cultural meanings, but lack of fashion sought by modern people. If people do not appreciate the historical culture contained by traditional festivals, and only take pleasure-seeking as the most important, the significance of traditional festivals will fade away and the inheritance (继承) of fine traditional culture will be cut off.
1.The second paragraph implies that ________.
A.traditional festivals should co-exist with foreign festivals
B.all the Chinese festivals are disappearing in the near future
C.western festivals are constantly impacting on our festivals
D.the Chinese people have the public awareness of traditional festivals
2.We can learn from the passage that ________.
A.an image designed by the Chinese people will be displayed
B.the Chinese gift-giver was intended to symbolize traditional culture
C.many foreigners know nothing about Chinese festivals
D.the Chinese are beginning to exchange gifts on the Mid-Autumn Festival
3.Many Chinese youth dislike traditional festivals because they think ________.
A.traditional festivals are out of fashion now
B.the historical culture is more difficult to understand
C.western festivals contain more cultural meanings
D.the inheritance will cut off their contact with western festivals
4.What would be the best title of the passage?
A.Gone are Chinese Traditional Festivals
B.True Face of Chinese Traditional Culture
C.Foreign Festivals Popular with Chinese
D.Chinese Fortune Grandpa VS Santa Claus
This could be the perfect gift for the partner, who embarrasses you on the dance floor. Smart socks, which can teach to dance, may be the answer for anyone with two left feet.
The socks have been developed as a running tool to help runners improve their skills. Thanks to the socks, users can accurately record not only how far and fast they run but also how well. It means the user maximizes their performance, and reduces damage to body and prevents hurt. The hi-tech socks are made of special fibers that watch the movements of your feet. They look, feel and can be washed like normal clothes.
Sensors (传感器) record each movement and send it by an ankle transmitter (脚踝发射器) to a smart phone. Then a “virtual coach” application shows the information and can tell the user what they are doing wrong, and help to improve skill in any task with feet.
The socks should be useful to athletes and weekend joggers. “People think running is so easy and of course everybody can do it but not necessarily safely and well,” Dr. Davide Vigano said. A recent study showed that between 60 and 80 percent of runners got hurt per year. This is pretty much more than any other human activity. Researchers say the technology can also be developed to teach people how to dance, play sports such as golf, or even to help to teach women to walk better in high heels.
Mr. Vigano said, “People could all benefit from the idea. We have had interest from all sorts of sports, like skiing, football, cycling and golf. Anything where you have to use your feet can use it. It could even be put in high heels to help women walk in them safely.”
Socks are just the start, and the technology could be used in gloves, hats and boots. The socks, anklet and software package, are expected to be sold for around￡120, which will go on sale in March.
1.What does the underlined part “anyone with two left feet” refer to?
A.People who are disabled.
B.People who are interested in dancing.
C.People who are not good at dancing.
D.People who invented the socks.
2.What’s special about fibers that the socks are made of?
A.They feel much softer than normal clothes.
B.They can monitor the movement of feet.
C.They are expensive to produce.
D.They act as a smart phone for users.
3.Which of the following is NOT mentioned about the socks?
A.They can improve the skill of running.
B.They can help women walk better in high heels.
C.They can teach people to dance well.
D.They can be worn for days without washing.
4.According to Dr. Vigano, ________.
A.everyone can make good use of the smart socks
B.users can run as fast as they like with the socks
C.60 to 80 percent of runners would like to buy the smart socks
D.no runners will get hurt, thanks to the socks
Having experienced a shocking electrical accident, which caused him to become both blind and deaf, James Franco’s world became completely dark and quiet for almost ten years. The loss of sight and hearing threw him into such sorrow that he tried a few times to put an end to his life. His family, especially his wife, did their best to tend and comfort him and finally he regained the will to live.
One hot summer afternoon, he was taking a walk with a stick near his house when a thunderstorm started all at once. He stood under a large tree to avoid getting wet, but he was struck by the lightning. Witnesses thought he was dead but he woke up 20 minutes later, lying face down in muddy water. He was trembling badly, but when he opened his eyes, he could hardly believe what he saw: a tree and muddy road. When Mrs. Franco came running up to him, shouting to their neighbors to call for help, he could see her and hear her voice for the first time in nearly ten years.
The news of James regaining his sight and hearing quickly spread and many doctors came to examine him. Most of them said that he regained his sight and hearing from the shock he got from the lightning. However, none of them could give a compellent answer as to why this should happen. The only reasonable explanation given by one doctor was that, since James lost his sight and hearing as a result of a sudden shock, perhaps, the only way for him to regain them was another sudden shock.
1.The reason why James attempted to kill himself was that ________.
A.a terrible electrical accident happened to him
B.nobody in the whole world cared about him
C.he was struck by the lightning once more
D.he had to live in a dark and silent world
2.What was James doing when he was struck by the lightning?
A.Sheltering from the rain under a tree. B.Putting an end to his life.
C.Taking a walk with a stick. D.Lying on the ground.
3.What does the underlined word “compellent” in Paragraph 3 mean?
A.Gradual. B.Wrong. C.Convincing. D.True.
4.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A.A Terrible Electrical Accident B.What a Sudden Shock
C.An Unforgettable Adventure D.James Franco and His wife
Considering the temperate climate in England, most tourists like to visit London between April and September. Tourists also enjoy what London has to offer during Christmas.
Getting around London
Transportation in London is divided into zones, meaning the further you intend to go, the more expensive it will cost you. You’ll find one of the best subways here, with single rides starting at about $ 2.5. You can also use taxis (keep in mind that black cabs do not accept smart cards), boats, buses as well as commuter trains (市郊火车). To avoid any trouble, you can get yourself a smart card and perhaps load it with $ 50 dollars to cover your weekly travel budget.
London Weather
To enjoy warm weather in London, plan your visit in July as it is the hottest month. January is the coldest month in London.
What you should Know Before Visiting London
Unlike most cities in Europe, life in London is a bit more expensive. Also, make sure you plan ahead so that you don’t miss out on the best tickets, hotels and offers.
BEST OF LONDON
SEALIFE London Aquarium
Enjoy a spectacular experience with underwater creatures at SEALIFE London aquarium. It is perfect for a family fun day.
The Coca-Cola London Eye
A major feature of London’s skyline, the The Coca-Cola London Eye boasts some of the best city views from its 32 capsules. You’ll definitely enjoy the breathtaking experience.
Sherlock Holmes Museum
A perfect place to visit if you love books and music.
1.The peak month to visit London is most likely to be _____
A.January B.March C.May D.October
2.What is good about a smart card?
A.It can be paid for any transport means. B.It can cover any expenses.
C.It is available online. D.It is convenient.
3.If your family want to see a variety of fish, you will go to _____.
A.SEALIFE London Aquarium B.The Coca-Cola London Eye
C.Sherlock Holmes Museum D.London Canal Museum
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。
I serve as a Newport Beach ocean lifeguard and work Tower 15. Two blocks to my right is another guard named Mike, working Tower 17. That afternoon he called me over the phone and said, “Hey, I got a couple kids I have to give them a warning. Keep an eye on us.”
As soon as he hung up the phone, these two kids were in danger. Mike saw it before it’s happening, and he’s running as fast as possible toward the ocean I scanned the water. All I saw was two small noses moving up and down quickly in the waved water.
By then, the mother of the two kids realized what’s happening. She’s on her feet and screaming. I started rushing toward her, but before I was even halfway there, Mike reached the kids — a brother and sister around eight or nine years old. Mike told me later that he got to the boy first, and when he turned to the girl, he had to reach down into the water and caught her by the hair to pull her back up.
When I reached their mother, Mike’s in waist-deep water. These kids were so tired, they couldn’t walk, and so Mike s carrying them: He got one under each arm.
I turned to their mom and said, “Hey, it’s going to be OK. They’re safe.”
Then she looked back and got her first good look at Mike. And a crazy thing happened. I saw a new kind of fear wash over her as though there’s some new, equally dangerous threat on her kids’ lives. Mike had a number of really frightening tattoos (纹身). She rushed up to Mike, took her kids quickly and left without even a thank-you.
注意：1. 所续写短文的词数为80左右；
2. 应使用3个以上短文中标有下划线的关键词语；
3. 续写部分为一段，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。
The next day, the mother turned up on the beach.
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