From a young age, Michael Platt loved two things: the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and cupcakes. He imagined ways he too could fight for justice. He memorized figures about income inequality and childhood hunger. But he also spent afternoons at his home computer, amazed by YouTube bakers who made perfect cupcakes.
When his parents gave him a pair of Toms shoes for Christmas three years ago, Michael saw a way to connect his twin passions. At age 11, he founded a bakery that operates on the Toms one-for-one model: For every cupcake, cake or cookie that Michael sells, he donates another to the homeless and hungry. Twice a month, he heads to locations to pass out goodies. Michael, now 13, said he especially enjoys handing out cupcakes to kids.
“I know I like cupcakes, but also cupcakes are part of a child’s childhood so they should get them,” said Michael, noting that he always eats one with whippedicing (打发的糖霜) on his birthday.
Michael calls his baking business Michaels Desserts. He left out the apostrophe (撇号) as a reminder that he is baking for others, not himself. “I always wanted to have a purpose for what I do.” he said. “It’s all about helping people--- not just having a purpose for yourself, but thinking about, ‘How does this touch other things? ”
When he started the bakery, he knew that he wanted his business to do more than make money. That’s why the intention of Michaels Desserts is fighting hunger and giving back, which Michael accomplishes through his giveaways. Michael hopes his cupcakes inspire others to work for social equality.
Sometimes, Michael admits, he grows tired of being in the kitchen. Then he remembers the homeless boy he met once while handing out cupcakes. A couple of days afterward, the boy’s father messaged Michael on Facebook to say that his son, encouraged by Michael’s example, now desired to become a baker.
“That inspired me,” Michael said. He smiled and looked down.
1.What inspired Michael’s method of helping the poor?
A.His admiration for Martin Luther King.
B.A Christmas gift his parents gave him.
C.A bakery that runs on a one-for-one model.
D.A baking program he watched on YouTube.
2.Why did Michael name his business Michaels Desserts instead of “Michael’s Desserts”?
A.To attract more consumers.
B.To show its connection with Toms shoes.
C.To remind himself to always think about others.
D.To remind himself to have a life purpose.
3.What does Michaels Desserts intend to do?
A.Provide children with perfect cupcakes.
B.Inspire more people to love baking.
C.Help homeless people.
D.Feed hungry people.
4.Which of the following best describes Michael?
A.Sympathetic and selfless. B.Honest and outgoing.
C.Talented and modest. D.Ambitious and diligent.
Walk in the footsteps of the characters from your favorite books, poems and songs, with the new Walking Fiction app.
Jack, Chicago, USA
“We used Walking Fiction in Paris, France, to learn about Ernest Hemingway-one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. We walked the streets of his 1964 novel, A Moveable Feast, and we sat in Café Les Deux Magots on Boulevard Saint Germain while we were reading parts of the book. Hemingway used to sit there when he lived in Paris in the 1920s.”
Marco, Rome, Italy
“Last year, we visited the real Penny Lane in Liverpool, England, from the Beatles song, Penny Lane, by songwriters Paul McCartney and John Lennon. The lyrics(歌词) of the song were written about that road because Paul and John used to meet at a bus terminal there when they were young.”
Lucy, Dublin, Ireland
“We used Walking Fiction to see a different side of Dublin, Ireland. Today, we’re imagining it’s 16th June, 1904, and we’re walking the streets of Dublin, just like Leopold Bloom, James Joyce’s most famous character from his book, Ulysses. With this app, ordinary events in fiction are really brought to life.”
Ann, London, UK
“We visited Hampshire, England, the home of Jane Austen and the imaginary heroines from her books, such as Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice. We were thinking about the weddings in Austen’s books when we finished her church, St. Nicholas. Jane Austen’s house in Chawton was turned into a museum and we finished our tour there. It was a great day!”
Take a tour in the paths of masters. Download our free app today and start walking!
1.Why did Jack visit Café Les Deux Magots?
A.To buy A Moveable Feast. B.To drink coffee with friends.
C.To experience historical change D.To follow the master’s journey.
2.Whose work is Penny Lane?
A.Hemingway’s. B.Paul and John’s.
C.James Joyce’s. D.Jane Austen’s.
3.Who are Leopold Bloom and Elizabeth Bennet?
A.Characters created by authors.
B.Developers of the new app.
C.Travel lovers from the books.
D.Friends of Lucy and Ann.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.When did Joe begin to work?
A.In 1931. B.In 1948. C.In 1979.
2.What dream did Joe have when he was a boy?
A.Becoming a doctor. B.Becoming a worker. C.Becoming a teacher.
3.Where did Joe study computer math?
A.In the Community College of Philadelphia.
B.In high school.
C.In the University of Pennsylvania.
4.How old was Joe when he completed the work on his master’s degree?
A.At 17. B.At 55. C.At 58.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.When did the woman reserve the room?
A.On the 11th. B.On the 12th. C.On the 13th.
2.How long does the breakfast time last in the Green Hall?
A.One and a half hours. B.Two and a half hours. C.Two hours.
3.What does the woman request be sent to her room?
A.Breakfast. B.A guest book. C.A newspaper.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Why did the woman call the man?
A.To ask him to meet her. B.To tell him about Tom.
C.To borrow his car.
2.Where will the woman be in about one hour?
A.At the man’s place. B.At the airport. C.At the garage.
3.What can we infer from the conversation?
A.The woman has just learned to drive.
B.The woman’s car is in bad condition.
C.The man will go to the airport.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.How often does the man attend evening classes?
A.Twice a week. B.Three times a week.
C.Four times a week.
2.Why does the man take evening classes?
A.To prepare for a new job. B.To kill his free time.
C.To get qualified for his present job.
3.What does the man think of the course?
A.Difficult. B.Boring. C.Useful.
