In the fall of 2017, when Paula Aldridge needed to get a job, she found herself at a crossroads. The 50-year-old wasn’t sure she would ever work again, due to health issues.
But Aldridge’s life and career journey started to turn around after she connected with Goodwill of Central Iowa’s skills training programs. These programs are tailored to help people develop the kind of specific, real-world skills they need to get and keep a job, through a combination of detailed instruction and hands-on experience.
When Aldridge first connected with Goodwill in September 2017, she was dealing with several barriers to immediate employment. Transportation was challenging, as she didn’t have a driver’s license or own a car. Aldridge also had a limited work history with long employment gaps (间断) , meaning she missed out on learning important skills, such as working a credit card machine. On top of that, her physical health issues were also a problem.
According to Kayleigh Duff, a career specialist at Goodwill of Central Iowa, the biggest barrier Aldridge had to overcome was from within. “She said outwardly that she had all of this confidence and that she knew how strong a worker she was, but I don’t think she truly believed it herself.”
Thankfully, Aldridge had plenty of people on her side to provide motivation and guidance. She originally started off in the food service training program but was eager to enter the retail (零售) skills program, since she had previously worked at the Salvation Army and Subway. When Aldridge mentioned her interest in retail, Duff recognized that her go-getting attitude would be a perfect match for the program.
The seven-week retail skills training is a systematic program combining classroom instruction with on- the-job experience at a Goodwill store. As Aldridge progressed and graduated from the program, she became more confident in her abilities.
Duff said it was great to see how Aldridge grew into the devoted, driven worker she is today. “She has this strong desire, this longing to succeed. And she knows that she’s able to do that, although she has fallen short in the past.”
1.What can be learned about Goodwill’s training programs?
A.They combine theory with practice.
B.They guarantee a good job for participants.
C.They are designed mainly for the unemployed.
D.They were established in the autumn of 2017.
2.What was the biggest problem Aldridge faced according to Duff?
A.Poor health. B.Poor working skills.
C.A lack of confidence. D.A lack of a driver’s license.
3.Why did Aldridge change her training program?
A.She wanted to attend a more systematic program.
B.She wanted to gain some hands-on experience.
C.She was more interested in retail.
D.She followed Duff’s advice.
4.What’s the main idea of the text?
A.A 50-year-old devotes herself to Goodwill.
B.Goodwill helps a 50-year-old turn her life around.
C.Goodwill training programs spring up around the world.
D.Success is closely linked to appropriate training programs.
Inventions That Will Make Your 2020 a Lot More Interesting
Each year there are countless new products and inventions on the market. Here are some of the most exciting products to come out over the year.
Xbox Adaptive Controller
The Xbox Adaptive Controller is here to make the gaming world more accessible. Microsoft developed the Xbox Adaptive Controller to help those with limited hand and arm mobility (移动的能力) play games. This device connects switches, buttons and joysticks (操纵杆) to create a unique custom controller experience. The product itself was inspired by previous efforts made by groups like the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.
Gravity Blanket
Gravity is in here to help you deal with your anxiety. Starting off as a Kickstarter campaign, the company Gravity has created a therapeutic (治疗的) weighted blanket engineered to be around 10% of your body weight. The super comfortable blanket helps those who have a sleeping problem, and those who may be stressed, or deal with anxiety.
Solar Charged Jacket
If you are a night runner, this one is for you. Created by UK-based sporting goods company Vollebak, the Solar Charged Jacket absorbs light during the day and gives off its “green energy” for those who need to be safe after dark.
LynQ
Getting separated from friends or family members at an event or a festival can be annoying. LynQ helps you find your loved ones when you get separated from the group. Unlike smartphones, this compass does not need any Wi-Fi to stay connected. It is a great tool for family vacations.
1.What do we know about the Xbox Adaptive Controller?
A.It gives users a shared game experience.
B.It makes it easier for users to play games.
C.It is a useful software developed by Microsoft.
D.It consists mainly of remote joysticks.
2.Which of the following is fit for those who find it hard to fall asleep?
A.The Xbox Adaptive Controller. B.The Solar Charged Jacket.
C.The Gravity Blanket. D.LynQ.
3.In what way is LynQ different from a smartphone?
A.It is powered by solar energy.
B.It requires no Internet connection.
C.It is used to improve family relationships.
D.It responds to family members more quickly.
假定你是学生会主席李华，你校计划组织一次“美丽乡村行”活动，请写一则英文通知，内容如下：
1、活动时间和目的。
2、活动内容：欣赏生态美景，体验农活，品尝当地美食等。
3、报名截止日期周五下午六点。
注意：1、词数100左右
2、可适当增加细节使行文连贯
3、参考词汇：美丽乡村行：Beautiful Countryside Tour
Notice
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Students' Union
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。
Dear Mr. Jackson,
I am a student who study in your school. I would like to tell you something about a problem.
I found some equipments on the playground broken when I arrived at there yesterday. I was shocking because we all know we need to keep healthy by doing sports and the present situation doesn't allow us to do so. Beside, they may be injured if the situation is not improved.
I sincere hope you can take necessary measures, that will make us respect you more. I would appreciate if you could consider my advice.
阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
A team of over 30 Chinese surveyors (勘探员) on Wednesday (Mav6, 2020) left a base camp at Mount Qomolangma for a higher spot on their journey 1. the peak, as they try to accomplish a task to remeasure the2. (high) of the world's highest mountain.
The team, 3. (consist) of professional climbers and surveyors from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), 4. (seize) the current weather window and make an attempt for the summit at the 5. (good) time.
Professional surveyors are better at using the 6. (advance) instruments. 7. , the data they obtain 8. (be) more reliable, 9. (science) and convincing.
Due to the fact 10. the air flow is unstable as well as the windy and low-temperature conditions, surveying-oriented drones (无人机) cannot work at the summit of Mount Qomolangma at present.
阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的A，B，C和D四个选项中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
Shoes can tell you a lot about a person. Winsion ______ believed in this. He could fit people into different classes simply by the shoes on their feet.
One day, Winson was ______ on his regular bench at the train station, watching passers-by. Suddenly he ____ something different. Two bare feet walked past, making a (n) ______ sound on the floor. Their bareness made Winson feel ______ by surprise. He had seen many strange feet, but had never seen such feet without any cover. He ______ what kind of man could completely ______ the basic rules of society, sticking his bare feet out for all to see. "A ______ man who was crazy and bad-tempered perhaps."Winson thought.
Winson turned around on the bench and folded his arms tightly to ______ any possible touch. The man, however, took up the ______ made free by Winson's shrinking (退缩).
"It's a rough day, "the shoe-less man said, putting a plastic bag between them, "I had to ______ my shoes." He looked at his bare feet.
"It's my little girl's ______ ," he explained. "She's seven today. All she wanted was a cake, with her ______ on the top."
Out of curiosity. Winson ______ the bag to see the cake. It was a small white cake with the letters "A-m-e-l-i-a" on the top. "It's pretty, isn't it?" the man said, being aware of Winson's ______ . "I just got it for her at the cost of a pair of shoes, ______ you can see."
His ______ sounded like he was about to cry. Winson ______ his head and met the stranger's eyes. They were kind and beautiful eves, sharply contrasting with his bare and ______ feet.
The man was a great father. Winson was ______ of his bad judgement of the mar simply for his lack of shoes.
1.A.never B.almost C.unwillingly D.firmly
2.A.reading B.sleeping C.seated D.stuck
3.A.expected B.spotted C.achieved D.attempted
4.A.unclear B.unfamiliar C.noisy D.beautiful
5.A.overcome B.covered C.influenced D.inspired
6.A.asked B.knew C.wondered D.proved
7.A.explain B.keep C.change D.ignore
8.A.serious B.generous C.dangerous D.famous
9.A.require B.prevent C.lose D.bear
10.A.space B.time C.challenge D.suggestion
11.A.sell B.repair C.throw out D.find out
12.A.idea B.bag C.birthday D.toy
13.A.age B.name C.motto D.photo
14.A.pushed away B.took out C.looked through D.cleaned up
15.A.sorrow B.interest C.embarrassment D.kindness
16.A.so B.if C.but D.as
17.A.song B.story C.lecture D.voice
18.A.raised B.buried C.hit D.shook
19.A.white B.lovely C.disabled D.dirty
20.A.ashamed B.confident C.fond D.afraid
