We are often unable to pay close attention to what we hear. Just like when we try to grab a sponge(海绵) that is full of water, some water will run out of it. But sometimes we try to remember everything a speaker says and try to take in a speaker’s every word as if every word was equally important. We try to remember all the names, all the dates, and all the places. In the process we often miss the speaker’s main point.
Erik Waldman works at a design company. Knowing he had never been good at budgeting his money, he was determined to begin thinking about his economic future. When his employer circulated an e-mail announcing a financial planning workshop(研讨会), Erik signed up right away.
The first session was about retirement planning. Simone Fisher, the lecturer, explained that 7 of 10 Americans between the ages of 22 and 35 do not have a regular savings plan. Erik wrote down every number Simone mentioned.
"If you want to have a retirement income equal to 75 percent of your current salary," Simone continued, "you will need to save at least of 6 percent of your present earnings, taking into account future inflation rates(通货膨胀率). In the meantime, I want to stress that the most important thing is to start saving now."
Erik recorded all the statistics Simone used. When she opened the floor(自由发言) for question, Erik raised his hand and said, "I have two question. When is the best time to start saving for retirement? And how can I figure out my savings target if I don’t know what inflation rates will be in the future?"
This is a typical example of losing the speaker’s point by concentrating on details. Erik had fixed his mind on remembering all the statistics in Simone’s presentation, but he blocked out the man message. Rather than trying to remember everything, we should concentrate on main ideas and evidence.
1.What does the author mean by saying "Just like when we ... run out of it."?
A.We tend to reject what others say.
B.We always try to remember all details.
C.It is difficult for us to remember all things.
D.We often fail to focus on what we are listening to.
2.During the workshop, Erik .
A.got Simone Fisher 's main idea
B.focused on the lecture's details
C.showed little interest in the lecture
D.didn't agree with what Simone had said
3.When hearing Erik's questions, Simone would most probably think .
A.they are very good questions
B.Erik was an excellent listener
C.it was hard to answer the questions
D.his questions were meaningless
4.The passage is written to help those who want to be .
A.a good listener B.a financial planner
C.an excellent lecturer D.a successful employee
Tourism wasn’t as important as it is today. In the past, only people with a good deal of money could travel on holidays to your countries. More people travel today than in the past because there is growing middle class in many parts of the world; that is to say, people now have more money for travel. Special plane fares for tourists make travel less expensive and more attractive than ever before .One person doesn’t travel for the same reason as another. But most people enjoy seeing countries that are different from their own. They also like to meet new people and to taste new food.
Tourism causes many changes in a country and in people’s lives. People build new hotels and restaurants and train native men and women as guides to show visitors interesting places. There’re new nightclubs and other amusements. International tourism is clearly a big business.
1.In the old days _______ could travel to other countries.
A.boys and girls, men or women, young or old
B.either kings or queens
C.both the poor and the rich
D.nobody but those who had money
2.More people travel today than in the past because________.
A.people have become interested in traveling.
B.traveling today is easier than in the past.
C.people now have spare money for travel.
D.great changes have taken place in the world.
3.What makes travel more attractive than before?
A.Travel by air to other countries is much cheaper today.
B.More guides are being trained to show beautiful spots.
C.Modern telegraph(电报) lines make travel less expensive.
D.New hotels and restaurants have been built.
4.Which of the following statements is true according to the article?
A.Tourism won’t bring any changes in people’s mind.
B.People have some trouble in making journey.
C.With the development of tourism, great changes have taken place in many parts in the world.
D.Tourism causes only some changes in clothing.
A new pastor(牧师) named John reopened a church that had been abandoned in a suburb. He found it broken, and in need of a lot of repair work. His goal was to have everything done in time for his first service on Christmas Eve.
He worked hard. However, when John went to the church on Dec. 21, his heart sank: a large area of plaster (石膏) had fallen off the front wall due to a terrible storm the night before. John headed home, and on the way he stopped at a market selling items for charity.
One of the items was an exquisite( 精致的)handmade tablecloth. It was just the right size to cover up the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church. It started to snow. An old woman had missed her bus, and he invited her to wait in the warm church for the next one. As John put up the tablecloth the woman asked him to check the corner for the initials(手写字母). They were her initials: she had made this tablecloth 35 years before. Then the war broke out, and forced her to part with her husband.
John wanted to give her the tablecloth. but she asked him to keep it for the church. John insisted on driving her home which he thought was the least he could do.
What a wonderful service he had on Christmas Eve! John noticed one old man staring at the tablecloth on the front wall. The man said it was similar to one that his wife had made many years before.
John brought the old man to the house where he had taken the woman three days earlier. He helped him climb the three flights of stairs to her apartment, and saw the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever have imagined.
1.According to Paragraph one, we learn that John decided to_______.
A. help people affected by a terrible storm
B. buy goods for charity in the neighborhood
C. repair the abandoned church before his first service
D. do some work for the local people
2.Which of the following is TRUE, according to the passage?
A. The woman’s husband had to leave her because of a war
B. Johns service on Christmas Eve was disappointing
C. Everyone was surprised by the beauty of the tablecloth.
D. John drove the old man home because he was lost.
3.The tablecloth drew the old man's attention because________.
A. he loved its colors B. he had seen it in a church
C. It was like one his wife had made D. it looked strange hanging on a wall
4.What is the passage mainly about?
A. A kind pastor who had difficulty repairing an ancient church
B. A new pastor who gave his first service with a couples help
C. A tablecloth made 35 years ago being discovered by a pastor
D. An old couple being reunited on Christmas Eve through a tablecloth
If you're travelling with kids in London, many London hotels have special services and features to help the family holiday, offering services for kids as well as games, bike hire and free ice cream!
Athenaeum
The five-star Athenaeum is a fantastic family hotel, particularly with the addition of its kids' services. Even before you arrive, they'll be in touch to make sure your kids have their favorite DVDs, treats and anything else to keep them happy. And they can arrange your perfect family activities, from bike hire to theatre tickets.
Chessington Safari Hotel
At Chessington Safari Hotel, kids will love staying in an African adventure-themed room, having breakfast overlooking the animals of the Wanyama Reserve, watching family-friendly movies and getting into the theme park before it opens.
Marlin Apartments
Marlin Apartments operate more than 700 serviced apartments in London. Apartments are all within five minutes walk of the Tube (good for tired little legs!) with flat screen TVs, fully equipped kitchen and free Wi-Fi. One or two bedroom family apartments have extra room for fold out beds in the living area too.
Novotel
Novotel's family rooms are designed to accommodate two adults and two children. Accommodation and breakfast are free for under-16s (up to two staying in their parents' room). You can also enjoy a late check-out at 5p.m. on a Sunday, and while you lie in, the kids can entertain themselves with the Cartoon Network.
The Ritz
Kids at The Ritz are treated just as well as their parents, if not better! Children can enjoy computer games and DVDs, free ice cream and their own bathrobes and slippers. Under-16s can stay for free in their parents' bedroom, depending on the room type.
1.Before you check in Athenaeum, .
A.you should ask about the kids' services
B.you can buy bikes and order theatre tickets
C.you will be asked about what your kids like
D.you must arrange your family activities
2.If your kids love to see animals, you will choose .
A.Athenaeum B.Chessington Safari Hotel
C.Novotel D.The Ritz
3.If you choose to stay at Marlin Apartments, .
A.you can enjoy the best service in London
B.you can enjoy free ice cream
C.you can have an extra room for free
D.you can surf the Internet free of charge
假定你是李华，你校英文报向你约稿。请你写一篇关于你校5月4日举行的室内“五四”表彰活动的新闻报道，要点如下：
1. 活动的目的；
2. 活动的内容（如室内升旗仪式，受表彰学生代表发言等）；
3. 对此次活动的评价。
注意：1. 词数100左右，开头已为你写好；
2. 可适当增加细节以使行文连贯；
3. 参考词汇：疫情 epidemic 五四运动 the May Fourth Movement
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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。
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。
注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
I wented to watch the ballet, the Peony Pavilion last Sunday’s evening, because I think ballet was more or less the same everywhere, I was totally unprepared for its uniquely beauty. I was absorb as soon as the curtain rose. The performance borrowed a lot from Chinese dance and its the music, but the East influences on the ballet was clear, the production was filled in colors and romantic symbols, and challenged my senses in many different way. So much did I enjoy it that it changed opinion about ballet. I can’t wait to going again!
