I’d done it before, and so I had no reason to believe that this time would be any different. I was sure that when I returned home from my mission trip. As always, I’d bring back nothing more some mud on my boots. A hole or two in my jeans and, of course, a lot of great memories.
The summer before my high school graduation, I went to West Virginia with others as volunteers to repair the homes of those in need. Arriving at our destination, my group was assigned the task of rebuilding sections of a home that had been damaged by fire. No sooner had we parked on the home’s dirt driveway than we saw an excited little girl, no more than six years old, standing in the doorway of the family’s temporary home. Shoeless and wearing dirty clothes and the biggest smile I’d ever seen, she yelled, “Ma, Ma, they really came!” I didn’t know it then, but her name was Dakota, and four more days would pass before she’d say another word near me.
Behind Dakota was a woman in a wheelchair — her grandmother, we’d soon learn. I also discovered that my job that week would be to help change a fire-damaged dining room into a bedroom for this little girl. Grabbing our tools, we went to work. Over the following days, I noticed Dakota peeking at us every now and then as we worked. A few times, I tried talking with her, but she remained shy and distant, always flying around us like a tiny butterfly but keeping to herself.
By our fifth and final day, however, this was about to change.
Before I went to work on her home on that last morning, I spoke for a moment or two with the grandmother. I was especially pleased when she told me how much Dakota loved her new room — so much, in fact, that she’d begged to sleep in it the previous night, even though it wasn’t quite ready. As we talked, I noticed something I hadn’t seen before — Dakota was hiding behind her grandmother.
Cautiously, she stepped into view, and I could see that just like her clothes, her face was still dirty. But no amount of soil could hide those bright blue eyes and big smile. She was simply adorable. I wanted so much to hug her, but respecting her shyness, I kept my distance.
Slowly, she began walking toward me. It wasn’t until she was just inches away that I noticed the folded piece of paper in her tiny hand. Silently, she reached up and handed it to me. Once unfolded, I looked at the drawing she’d made with her broken crayons on the back of an old coloring book cover. It was of two girls — one much taller than the other — and they were holding hands. She told me it was supposed to be me and her, and on the bottom of the paper were three little words that instantly broke my heart. Now almost in tears, I couldn’t control myself anymore — I bent down and hugged her. She hugged me, too. And for the longest time, neither of us could let go.
By early afternoon, we finished Dakota’s bedroom, and so I gladly used the rare free time to get to know my newest friend. Sitting under a tree away from the others, we shared a few apples while she told me about her life. As I listened to her stories about the struggles she and her family went through daily, I began to realize how boring various aspects of my own life were.
I left for home early the next morning. I was returning with muddy boots and holes in my Jeans. But because of Dakota, I brought back something else, too—a greater appreciation for all or the blessings of my life. I’ll never forget that barefoot little butterfly with the big smile and dirty face. I pray that she’ll never forget me either.
1.What did the author expect before taking this mission trip?
A.A routine result.
B.An exciting experience.
C.A special memory.
D.A surprising change.
2.The underlined part means that the little girl ________.
A.desired to approach me
B.feared to talk with me
C.resisted accepting me
D.enjoyed meeting me
3.From the appearance description of the little girl, we know ________.
A.she formed a bad living habit
B.she hoped for a better education
C.she was an innocent and lovely child
D.she was strong and calm in the inner world
4.What were probably written on the bottom of the paper?
A.Enjoy your help.
B.Please don’t leave.
C.Help me, please.
D.Hug me close.
5.How did the author feel after unfolding the piece of paper?
A.She worried about the little girl’s future.
B.She decided to keep helping the little girl.
C.She felt a greater affection for the little girl.
D.She got surprised at the little girl’s worthless gift.
6.What does the passage mainly tell us?
A.One must learn to share life experiences.
B.One often wants to lead a meaningful life.
C.One occasionally benefits from the poverty.
D.One should be more grateful for the gift of life.
The newspaper must provide for the reader the facts, pure, unprejudiced, objectively selected facts. But in these days of complex news it must provide more: it must supply interpretation, the meaning of the facts. This is a very important assignment facing American journalists - to make clear to the reader the problems of the day, to make international news understandable as community news, to recognize that there is no longer any such thing as "local" news, because any event in the international area has a local reaction in the financial market, political circles, in terms, indeed, of our very way of life. There is in journalism a widespread view that when you start an interpretation, you are entering dangerous waters, the rushing tides of opinion. This is nonsense.
The opponents of interpretation insist that the writer and the editor shall limit themselves to the "facts". This insistence raises two questions: What are the facts? Are the bare facts enough?
As for the first question, consider how a so-called "factual" story comes about. The reporter collects, say, fifty facts; out of these fifty, his space being necessarily restricted, he selects the ten which he considers most important. This is Judgment Number One. Then he or his editor decides which of these ten facts shall make up the beginning of the article, which is an important decision because many readers do not proceed beyond the first paragraph. This is Judgment Number Two. Then the night editor determines whether the article shall be presented on page one, where it has a large influence, or on page twenty four, where it has little. Judgment Number Three.
Thus in the presentation of a so-called "factual" or"objective" story, at least three judgments are involved. And they are judgments not at all unlike those involved in interpretation, in which reporters and editors, calling upon their research resources, their general background, and heir "news neutralism", arrive at a conclusion as to the significance of the news.
The two areas of judgment, presentation of the news and its interpretation, are both objective and subjective processes. If an editor is determined to give a prejudiced view of the news, he can do it in other ways and more effectively than by interpretation. He can do it by the selection of those facts that support his particular viewpoint. Or he can do it by the place he gives a story - promoting it to page one or dragging it to page thirty.
1.According to the first paragraph, which of the following statements is TRUE?
A.If a reporter makes clear the facts he writes, he will no doubt get into trouble.
B.Journalists must select facts objectively to make current events clear to the readers.
C.The most important task of reporters is to provide unprejudiced facts for the readers.
D.For reporters, interpretation of facts is no less important than presentation of the facts.
2.The beginning of the article should present the most important fact because________.
A.it will influence the reader to continue
B.many readers read only the first paragraph
C.it details the general attitude of the writer
D.it's the best way to write according to the schools of journalism
3.Where a story is presented in a newspaper shows________.
A.the editor's prejudice
B.the reporter's background
C.the story's factual matter
D.the story's effect on the readers
4.Which of the following can best express the author's attitude toward objectiveness?
A.Objectiveness is controlled by editors rather than writers.
B.Properly choosing facts prepares a solid ground for objectiveness.
C.He doesn't think there exists complete objectiveness in news writing.
D.To make clear the news is a way to be objective and responsible for the readers.
When a laptop or smartphone battery starts losing its power, the only options are to buy an expensive replacement, or just keep it plugged in all the time. But a woman Mya Le Thai may have found the answer to this problem.
Thai was frustrated that the batteries for her wireless devices degraded over time, until they failed to charge fully. She did not like having to keep her laptop connected to an electrical outlet to keep it powered on. So, she decided to do something about that problem. At first, she and her team at UC Irvine thought about inventing a new battery. But as they experimented, Thai discovered something that might permit lithium-ion(锂离子) batteries to last forever.
Lithium-ion batteries power most wireless devices. Over time, the batteries lose the ability to hold a charge. Most of these batteries have a life span of about 7,000 charging cycles before they die. One of the reasons lithium-ion batteries degrade is their use of nanowires to carry electricity. Nanowires are extremely thin. A human hair is thousands of times thicker, for example. Nanowires are extremely efficient carriers of electricity, which makes them useful in batteries.
But, Thai had a theory-the nanowires might last longer if covered with a gel(凝胶). She and her team tested this theory. “It was a long process and a lot of work,” Thai said. The team tried many coverings for the wires. PMMA, a type of plastic, was one of them. The nanowires were coated with PMMA and cycled through charges 200,000 times. The PMMA-coated nanowires showed no evidence of damage. The results suggest that batteries could last forever, without losing charging ability.
Thai hopes to continue her research to understand why this gel works so well and to see if any other gel could create better results and she is enjoying the publicity about her discovery. She said she never expected her research to get media coverage. “It’s kind of cool,” she said. “I’m really glad people are showing interest in my work and not just in the work itself, but also in technology and energy.”
1.What can we infer about nanowires?
A.They last only 7,000 charging cycles. B.They are too weak to carry electricity.
C.They are not suitable to use in batteries. D.Their thinness is a cause of batteries degrade.
2.What might be Thai and her team’s breakthrough?
A.Coating nanowires in gel. B.A new kind of battery.
C.New materials for batteries. D.A new way of charging batteries.
3.What may be the best title for the passage?
A.The options of batteries for wireless devices B.A woman invents a life-long battery.
C.Mya Le Thai discovered Nanowires D.The reasons for batteries degrading
Enjoy an amazing time in Lake Tahoe, CA with the fantastic show, Magic Fusion! This fantastic display features a variety of talented magicians who each take to the stage with their own flare, tricks, and illusions(视觉幻想) that will have the audiences who witness the show on the edge of their seats.
Presented by the amazing Loft Theatre, this show has seen the likes of famous magicians such as Robert Hall and Chipper Lowell. Each evening stars a different magician as well, so you can enjoy a variety of talented performers all on the same stage. It is great for all ages, so you can bring the entire family along to be excited and entertained during this 75-minute performance. You never know what you may see, so do not miss out!
The Loft Theatre is Lake Tahoe’s premier place for entertainment and delicious food. Not only is it home to amazing shows that will entertain and thrill, but it is also home to a dining experience that serves up some mouthwatering meals. Before your show, be sure to grab a bite to eat before heading over to enjoy the Loft. It is located in the extremely popular Heavenly Village area of Lake Tahoe next to sparkling fountains and the famous Heavenly Toy Shop. It also features a lounge(休息室) and guests who arrive early can enjoy food, fun, and magicians who will wow you with tricks for that extra dose(量) of entertainment!
For an amazing experience that you will not soon forget, be sure to enjoy this fantastic performance at the Loft Theatre!
Enjoy this amazing show that will keep you guessing with tons of great tricks and illusions to keep you and your whole family entertained. You can be on the edge of your seat with this option of regular seating to witness this fantastic show, or experience the Magic Fusion show in the best seats possible. Order your tickets today!
1.What can we learn about Magic Fusion?
A.It is intended for all the family members.
B.The display will last for one and half hours.
C.Different performers will be performing together.
D.Audiences will be invited onto the stage during the show.
2.The Loft Theatre .
A.lies in a famous largely populated area
B.is well-known for the surrounding scenery
C.serves food before and after the performance
D.provides those who come early with extra show
I landed at the Toronto airport a day late. To my surprise and ____, the rental car service I found on the internet was ____! With the help of other travelers and airport workers who clearly ____ the “lost puppy” look on my face, I found the area with several rental car companies. I started at the end of the ____ and walked my way down as each employee said “sorry, we are ____ “. All I could do was to fight back the ____. The lovely young woman at the last counter, ____, really took pity on me and went around to the back office and ____with a set of car keys and a smile!
Things got tricky on the way. The GPS on my phone would not ____, and there was no highway lighting and no overhead ____for miles and miles. Finally, I found an exit and saw the first signs of ____-a neighborhood! Just about a mile down the road, I found hope-McDonalds! Not my usual dining ____, but at the time I would have eaten ___! So, it’s about 8:30 p.m and I should have happily arrived at my final destination by now. I walk in to get food and more directions; and it’s full of teenagers.
Ironically, I am a Life Coach for Teenagers, but wasn’t “feeling the love” at this moment. My hopes for anyone taking sympathy on me was ____ fast, until I saw Mary. She was standing next to me waiting for her ____. I asked for help. “Don’t worry. I’ll drive you to the ____ that will take you to your destination. Just follow me” she said. I felt ____in my heart because she drove ____ her way for many miles to help me find my way.
I will never forget her ____ and determination to make sure I was going to be OK. My forever McDonald’s ____ , Mary.
1.A.pleasure B.excitement C.terror D.sorrow
2.A.extended B.closed C.improved D.guaranteed
3.A.exchanged B.liked C.shared D.recognized
4.A.row B.room C.office D.airport
5.A.given out B.made out C.sold out D.left out
6.A.tears B.fear C.trouble D.campaign
7.A.therefore B.however C.thus D.besides
8.A.recalled B.negotiated C.withdrew D.returned
9.A.last B.stop C.work D.fail
10.A.signs B.lights C.wires D.clouds
11.A.friendship B.life C.migration D.nature
12.A.habit B.area C.option D.experience
13.A.some B.that C.nothing D.anything
14.A.abandoned B.raised C.growing D.fading
15.A.table B.order C.turn D.offer
16.A.highway B.subway C.station D.company
17.A.comfort B.pain C.warmth D.cold
18.A.beyond B.via C.off D.on
19.A.motivation B.kindness C.patience D.responsibility
20.A.restaurant B.food C.figure D.angel
—Hello, would you please put me through to Mr. Smith?
—OK, ________ a minute, and I’ll check if he’s in his office.
A.excuse me B.bear with me C.forget it D.get it
