Born in America, I spoke English, not Chinese, the language of my ancestors. When I was three, my parents flashed cards with Chinese ________ at my face, but I pushed them ________. My mom believed I would learn ________ I was ready. But the ________ never came.
On a Chinese New Year’s Eve, my uncle spoke to me in Chinese, but all I could do was ________ at him, confused, shaking my head. “Still can’t speak Chinese?” He ________ me, “You can’t even buy a fish in Chinatown.”
“Hey, this is America, not China. I’ll get some ________ with or without Chinese.” I replied and turned to my mom for ________.
“Remember to ask for fresh fish, Xin Xian Yu,” she said, handing over a $20 bill. I ________ the words, running downstairs into the streets of Chinatown.
I found the fish ________ surrounded in a sea of customers. “I’d like to buy some fresh fish,” I shouted to the fisherman. But he ________ my English words and turned to serve the next customer. The laugh of the people behind increased ________ their impatience. With every ________, the breath of the dragons on my back grew stronger—my blood boiling—________ me to cry out, “Xian Sheng Yu, please.” “Very Xian Sheng,” I repeated. The crowd burst into laughter. My face turned ________ and I ran back home ________, except for the $20 bill I held tightly in my hand.
Should I laugh or cry? They’re Chinese. I’m Chinese. I should feel right at ________. Instead, I was the joke, a disgrace (丢脸) to the language.
Sometimes, I laugh at my fish ________, but, in the end, the joke is on ________. Every laugh is a culture ________; every laugh is my heritage (传统) fading away.
1.A.custom B.games C.characters D.language
2.A.ahead B.around C.along D.aside
3.A.when B.before C.unless D.until
4.A.success B.study C.time D.attempt
5.A.aim B.joke C.nod D.stare
6.A.cared about B.laughed at C.argued with D.asked after
7.A.right now B.from now C.at times D.in time
8.A.decision B.permission C.information D.preparation
9.A.repeated B.reviewed C.spelled D.kept
10.A.farm B.stand C.pond D.market
11.A.guessed B.forgot C.doubted D.ignored
12.A.by B.near C.with D.from
13.A.second B.effort C.desire D.movement
14.A.forcing B.allowing C.finding D.leading
15.A.bright B.blank C.pale D.red
16.A.open-mouthed B.tongue-tied C.empty-handed D.broken-hearted
17.A.service B.home C.risk D.root
18.A.trade B.confidence C.challenge D.experience
19.A.it B.us C.me D.them
20.A.treasured B.lost C.valued D.reflected
Camping Tips
Camping offers the quietness of escape.1.Because exercise and the beauty of nature can help people relax from their busy life.
Whether you're in the woods, in the desert, or climbing mountains, you'll want to keep some survival skills in mind to make sure of a safe trip.2.Different terrains (地势) carry different challenges. For example, putting up a tent on sand is very different from setting it up on land, and if you don't have the right equipment, you could find yourself sleeping under the stars on a windy beach.
3.For example, everything from poisonous (有毒的) plants to dangerous wildlife. As you plan your trip, ask an outdoors expert at your local sporting goods store for advice, go online to research where you'll be going, or find some books in the library.
A day or so before you leave, check local weather forecasts, so you won't end up in the path of a hurricane, flooding or other natural disasters.4.Besides, it will also help you know whether to give up the area.
If you hike to your campsite, practise walking with your fully packed backpack to get an idea of how the pack fits. This helps to prevent the case when you are too tired to walk with it. It's also a good idea to practice walking in the shoes you'll be wearing.
5.If you're hiking in far areas with no dustbins, you'll need to carry out your rubbish and other things. Make this easier by packing as lightly as you can.
A.Know the camping environment.
B.Taking enough money with you is necessary.
C.Remembering a hiking trip will bring you much pleasure.
D.You'll also need to be prepared for any possible dangers.
E.Knowing the weather will help you find out how you can prepare.
F.And remember that saying “Take only pictures. Leave only footprints”．
G.If it's combined with (与……结合) the exercise of a hiking trip, it's good for body and mind.
Researchers at UCLA Medical Center found that a 12-minute bed-side visit with a dog can help reduce anxiety levels by 24 percent in heart failure patients, compared to a 10 percent drop when patients had a visit from a human volunteer, and no drop in patients who had no visit.
Results of the 76-patient study were presented last week. The study was supported by a non-profit (非盈利)organization which promotes human-animal interaction and connection. In the study, effects of dog and volunteer visits were compared with those of volunteers only, and with patients who had no visits and stayed at rest. Patients were asked to answer a list of questions before and after the visits. The results suggested improved heart function, and the most obvious reaction was seen in anxiety levels.
“The first thing you notice is that the patient’s facial expression, changes to a smile and the pressure of the world seems to be lifted off their shoulders,” study author Kathy Cole said. Feelings of disappointment and helplessness are common among heart patients, Cole said, and just three nights in a hospital is enough to make some patients feel anxious and uncomfortable. During the visit, the furry friend is allowed to lie on the bed next to the patient with its head within two feet of the patient’s. Most patients petted the dog, while others talked about the dog with human volunteers in conversation.
Dogs used in the study are specially trained dogs that go through a series of trainings. There are different kinds of dogs. Researchers used everything from Bernese mountain dogs to small schnauzers. However, a dog doesn’t have to be specially trained to have a calming effect on a person. In fact, the animal doesn’t even have to be a dog in order to help. “As long as the animal has meaning to the patient, or a relationship with the patient, it can help calm the patient,” Cole said.
1.We learn from the text that heart patients benefit most from visits by___________.
A.a volunteer on his own B.a well-trained dog alone
C.a non-profit organization D.a volunteer with a dog
2.The study shows that, for heart patients, __________.
A.their recovery depends on contact with animals
B.their heart pressure reduces if they stay at rest
C.their contact with animals improves their condition
D.their anxiety is reduced if they stay longer in hospital
3.According to Cole, the change of patients’ expression on the face indicates that_________.
A.they are mentally comforted B.they are happy with the experiment
C.their treatment time may be shortened D.their heart function is returning to normal
4.This report concentrates on__________.
A.the treatment of heart disease B.the cure power of animals
C.the relationship between dogs and humans D.the promotion of human-animal interaction
Fifteen years ago, I took a summer vacation in Lecce in southern Italy. After climbing up a hill for a panoramic(全景的) view of the blue sea, white buildings and green olive trees, I paused to catch my breath and then positioned myself to take the best photo of this panorama.
Unfortunately, just as I took out my camera, a woman approached from behind, and planted herself right in front of my view. Like me, this woman was here to stop, sigh and appreciate the view.
Patient as I was, after about 15 minutes, my camera scanning the sun and reviewing the shot I would eventually take, I grew frustrated. Was it too much to ask her to move so I could take just one picture of the landscape? Sure, I could have asked her, but something prevented me from doing so. She seemed so pleased in her observation. I didn’t want to mess with that.
Another 15 minutes passed and I grew bored. The woman was still there. I decided to take the photo anyway. And now when I look at it, I think her presence in the photo is what makes the image interesting. The landscape, beautiful on its own, somehow comes to life and breathes because this woman is engaging with it.
This photo, with the unique beauty that unfolded before me and that woman who “ruined” it, now hangs on a wall in my bedroom. What would she think if she knew that her figure is captured(捕捉) and frozen on some stranger’s bedroom wall? A bedroom, after all, is a very private space, in which some woman I don’t even know has been immortalized(使……永存). In some ways, she lives in my house.
Perhaps we all live in each others’ spaces. Perhaps this is what photos are for: to remind us that we all appreciate beauty, that we all share a common desire for pleasure, for connection, for something that is greater than us.
That photo is a reminder, a captured moment, an unspoken conversation between two women, separated only by a thin square of glass.
1.What happened when the author was about to take a photo?
A.A woman blocked her view. B.Her camera stopped working.
C.Someone asked her to leave. D.A friend approached from behind.
2.According to the author, the woman was probably_______.
A.losing her patience B.enjoying herself
C.waiting for the sunset D.thinking about her past
3.In the author’s opinion, what makes the photo so alive?
A.The rich color of the landscape. B.The perfect positioning of the camera.
C.The soft sunlight that summer day. D.The woman’s existence in the photo.
Teen Art Show
Do you want to see your artwork displayed alongside other teens’ artwork? Don’t miss your opportunity! Showcase(在玻璃橱窗陈列) your paintings, sculptures, photographs and other artworks at the Environmental Educational Center. The show will provide an opportunity for artists to network, provide feedback and become a resource for others.
Location: Environmental Educational Center
Activity fee: $25
Night Fishing
Escape the night and join us as we fish at Desert Breeze Park. No experience needed. We will provide the fishing poles, transportation, the bait(鱼饵), to help you catch a fish and best of all, teens of 14 years and under do not require a license to fish.
Location: Desert Breeze Park
Activity fee: $ 22
Overnight Snow Trip
Join the City of Chandler in an exciting new trip! We will travel up to Camp Tontozona and enjoy great food and a campfire in the early evening. Snow play will be the highlight as we explore the snow-filled meadows(草地)of Woods Canyon Lake and sled down small hills in the area. You will be responsible for your own ski/ snowboard equipment.
Location: Camp Tontozona
Activity fee: $ 30
Paintballing
Come out and play paintball with all your friends! Join the City of Chandler as we go to Temp Indoor Paintball. This is a great way to join in the fun of paintballing for a low cost. All equipment is included. Please wear old clothes because clothes can get dirty easily!
Location: Tempe Paintball
Activity fee: $ 28
1.What can people do in Desert Breeze Park?
A.Go fishing. B.Play with snow.
C.Play paintball. D.Meet with famous artists.
2.What is special about Paintballing?
A.It costs the least.
B.It might make your clothes dirty.
C.People can play with friends.
D.People will enjoy a campfire.
3.In which activity should people take their own ski equipment?
A.Night Fishing. B.Teen Art Show.
C.Paintballing. D.Overnight Snow Trip.
假定你叫李华。一直喜欢唱歌，最近组建了自己的音乐俱乐部。你的笔友David很想了解一下有关情况，请给他回一邮件。
内容包括:
1. 俱乐部情况(名称、组建时间、活动频率等)；
2. 俱乐部带来的好处(交友、放松、积极面对人生等)；
注意:
1. 词数80左右；
2. 开头和结尾均已给出(不计入总词数)；
3. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear David,
I am pleased to share with you some information about my music club.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Looking forward to your reply.
Yours,
Li Hua
