How do you get yourself to take action now? Here are some powerful suggestions.

Focus intensely on the positive things that your actions will accomplish. 1. Whether it's something you're seeking to accomplish, or something you're seeking to be rid of. picture exactly how your life will be after the work is done. The more intensely you can imagine it, the better.

2. The only real reason you have for avoiding action is because you associate some kind of pain or discomfort with it. Therefore, it helps to associate something even more painful with not taking action. Instead of focusing on the relatively minor pain of taking action, focus instead on the major pain of not taking action.

3. Think of all the reasons you can come up with to not take action, and then destroy all those reasons with a single word —"But." Simply state the excuse, put the word "but" after it, and then finish the sentence. For example, “I’ve never done this before, BUT I can learn." Stick the word "but" in there, and challenge yourself to finish the sentence.

Take the first small step. Don't even concern yourself with committing to the whole project or course of action. Just do something very easy and very small. The point is to find a little momentum（动力）4. Then climb aboard the momentum train, and let it help you keep the effort going.

Make it fun. Realize that just about anything can be fun if you'll think of it as fun and enjoyable. Find a way to make something fun, and not only will you want to do it; you'll also be better at it. 5.

A.You always choose what to do,

B.Lay all your excuses out on the table and deal with them.

C.In your mind, picture in great detail what your actions will bring you.

D.Whatever you must do to achieve success, find a way to enjoy it.

E.Focus on the negative things that will happen if you don't take action.

F.Getting started with your biggest task or most difficult action may seem too much.

G.Once you take that small action, let yourself fully enjoy how great it feels.

    How did we get the alphabet? It was a long process, covering thousands of years.

The first people to write things down carved symbols onto rocks or shells. These symbols represented people or things.

These people who lived a long time ago had simple lives with simple needs. One of the most basic needs was food. Before the introduction of agriculture, people were called Hunter­Gatherers because they hunted animals and gathered nuts and berries for food. To tell each other about how to hunt animals or where to find them, these people drew on cave walls or on animal hides. Soon, people were growing their own crops. They were also using a system of symbols to stand for people, places and things. The best ancient example of this was found in Egypt, where hieroglyphs (象形字) were used. These people believed in many different gods. Each god had its own symbol. Symbols were also used to stand for water, buildings, food, and other parts of life.

But these picture drawings and hieroglyphs represented whole words, not just sounds. How did we get an alphabet? Recent research suggests that the idea of an alphabet was first used in Egypt about 1900 BC. Civilizations that traded with or fought against Egypt were exposed to this alphabet, and the idea spread.

The ancient Greeks adapted this alphabet and created their own. The ancient Romans polished it up to a state almost like our modern alphabet. The idea of stringing letters together to make words was born. You can see by looking at letters from the Roman alphabet that these letters survive almost unchanged in our modern English alphabet.

This was the case in the Western world. Actually, a similar thing also happened in the East. You can see many examples in such areas’ language development.

1.Why did Hunter­Gatherers use drawings?

A.To assist them in searching for food.

B.To put a series of symbols into a system.

C.To warn their companions to hide safely.

D.To record some methods of growing crops.

2.What does the development of the alphabet reflect?

A.The difficulties ancient people have learning languages.

B.The different kinds of religious beliefs in the same god.

C.The poor living conditions and agricultural development.

D.The needs of ancient people to survive and communicate.

3.How did the ancient Romans influence the alphabet?

A.They made improvements to it.

B.They created it all by themselves.

C.They managed to keep it unchanged.

D.They turned it into the modern one.

4.What will the author probably write about next?

A.The effects of the alphabet on global languages.

B.Why the alphabet grew better in Western world.

C.How the alphabet appeared in the Eastern world.

D.A number of examples of language evolution.

    By analyzing the movement of the smile across a person’s face, the software developed by researchers at the University of Bradford can determine whether or not the expression is true. The most significant movements detected by the software were around the eyes, supporting popular theories that a true smile is one that can be seen in a person’s eyes.

“A smile is perhaps the most common of facial expressions and is a powerful way of signaling positive emotions (情绪)” says Hassan Ugail, Professor of Visual Computing at the University of Bradford, who led the research. “Techniques for analyzing human facial expressions have advanced a lot in recent years but distinguishing between true and false smiles remains a challenge because humans are not good at picking up the relevant messages.”

The software works by first mapping a person's face from within a video recording, and identifying the mouth, cheeks and eyes of the subject. It then measures how they move through the progress of the smile and calculates the differences in movement between the video pieces showing true and false smiles. They found significant differences in the way the subjects' mouths and cheeks moved when comparing the true and the false expressions. The movements around the subjects’ eyes, however, showed the most striking difference, with true smiles producing at least 10 percent more movement in these muscles (肌肉).

“We use two main sets of muscles when we smile — the zygomaticus major, which is responsible for the movements upwards of the mouth and the orbicularis oculi which causes movements around our eyes,” explains Professor Ugail. In false smiles it is often only the mouth muscles that move but, as humans we often don’t spot the lack of movement around the eyes.

He adds, “An objective way of analyzing whether or not a smile is true could help us develop improved interactions (互动) between computers and humans. It could also be important to scientists aiming to gain more understanding into human behavior and emotion.”

1.Why is it hard for humans to recognize a false smile?

A.Humans are good at hiding their smiles.

B.The relevant details are hard to catch for our eyes.

C.Humans often put on too many facial expressions.

D.Techniques for analyzing facial expressions are hard to develop.

2.What do the researchers find by the software?

A.People usually use two main sets of muscles when smiling.

B.True smiles produce more muscle movement around eyes.

C.Mouths and cheeks move the same for true and false smiles.

D.True smiles are a powerful way of signaling positive emotions.

3.What can we infer from Professor Hassan Ugail?

A.There are different sets of muscles on every human’s face.

B.The software can improve humans’ behavior and emotion.

C.Humans can spot the movement around the eyes in true smiles.

D.The interactions between computers and humans remain to be improved.

4.What is the best title for the text?

A.Eyes Can Smile

B.Smiles Can Show One's Personality

C.More Smiles, Longer lives

D.True Smiles, False Movements

    Severe plantar fasciitis (足底筋膜炎) meant I’d been a full-time wheelchair user since I was 12. By the time I was 16, I just wanted my leg off. It took six years for the doctors to operate as they insisted on waiting until I was older and in a good enough place mentally. I held off until I finished my degree. Afterward, with an artificial leg fitted, the world felt like a different place. I’d not walked in years. Suddenly I was a lot taller and no longer in any pain.

When I was in a wheelchair I discovered a real love for sport. I started to compete in wheelchair racing, and soon found I was good at discus (铁饼) throwing. I started competing in Tough Mudder (an endurance event series), progressing from walking with crutches to blade (小腿假肢) running. I now compete in sports internationally and have won the silver medal for adaptive judo at the World Judo Games.

At the time of the surgery I worked as an accountant, but I soon realized I didn’t want to be sitting in an office all day as I’d been in a wheelchair for so long. Therefore, as soon as the revision surgery was complete, I handed in my notice.

My career took a different path after I was asked to be a guest presenter for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. Now I speak to schools, colleges and organizations about a wide range of subjects such as disability, discrimination, disability in sport, and perseverance. I share my own personal stories, whether that’s how I lost my leg and what I learned from it, my perseverance, and how I followed my dream.

Now most of my income comes from working as a motivational speaker, which I’ve been doing full time for a year. I love what I do, and if I continue to inspire others to do what they want to in life, then I’m happy.

1.How did the author probably feel after his leg was cut off?

A.Anxious. B.Relieved. C.Hopeless. D.Annoyed.

2.What is the second paragraph mainly about?

A.The author’s passion for sports.

B.Awards the author won playing sports.

C.What sports the author is good at.

D.How the author prepared for Tough Mudder.

3.What do the underlined words “handed in my notice” in Paragraph 3 mean?

A.Quit the job.

B.Asked for leave.

C.Got promoted.

D.Spread the news to others.

4.What’s the main reason for him to be a motivational speaker?

A.It was his dream during childhood.

B.He enjoys the fame it brings him.

C.It brings him money and a sense of fulfillment.

D.He wants more people to care about the disabled.

Chicago Botanic Garden

Events

● Midwest Fruit Explorers

March 31-April 10, 1–4 pm

The Midwest Fruit Explorers presents this hands-on workshop with step-by-step instructions on how to graft (嫁接) and care for fruit trees.

●    Midwest Daffodil (水仙花) Society Show

April 22-28, 10 am–4:30 pm

The Midwest Daffodil Society Show features hundreds of daffodils on display that will be judged by the society. The show includes floral (花卉的) design and photography competitions.

●    Ikebana International Show

May 11-19, 9 am–3:30 pm (Saturday & Sunday only)

The Ikebana International Society presents an exhibition of traditional Japanese flower arranging.

●    Gardeners of the North Shore Show & Sale

The Gardeners of the North Shore host this annual show.

June 27-30, 9 am–4:30 pm

This show includes a judged exhibition with more than 500 entries of anything a home gardener can grow, including flowers, vegetables, herbs (草本植物), and houseplants.

●    Garden tours & trams

Enjoy a tram tour for an overview of popular areas. Return each season to experience different views.

Accessibility at the garden

Service animals

Service animals are welcome. No pets please.

Electronic Convenience Vehicles (ECVs)

They are available for rent in the Visitor Center on an unreserved, first-come first-served basis. The following fees apply: members: $15, nonmembers $20. ECVs will not be rented for indoor use.

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are available free at the Information Desk in the Visitor Center.

Daily Hours: 8 am–7 pm

Garden View Café: 8 am–4 pm

Garden Shop: 10 am–4 pm

1.What can you do at Midwest Fruit Explorers?

A.Design flower patterns

B.Learn about tree planting.

C.Take part in its photography competition.

D.Buy some fruit at a good price.

2.At which show can you enjoy traditional Japanese flowers?

A.Midwest Fruit Explorers.

B.Midwest Daffodil Society Show.

C.Ikebana International Show.

D.Gardeners of the North Shore Show & Sale.

3.What service can visitors enjoy in the garden?

A.They can rent ECVs for indoor use.

B.They can visit the garden with their pets.

C.They can have free coffee from 8 am to 4 pm.

D.They can use free wheelchairs if they need to.

Shoes and trees are  _______(具体的) objects. (根据汉语意思填空)

The prisoners  __________ (企图，尝试) to escape, but failed. (所给词适当形式填空)

The money was collected for a ________(特定的) purpose. (根据汉语意思完成句子)

    Valerie was very worried about her dad. For some time now she had noticed he was _______ his hair. One day, she asked him, “Daddy, every day you have less hair. _______ is that?” Her father smiled and said, “It’s the hair thief. He visits my _______during the night when I’m asleep. One by one he pulls out my hair, and there’s no way to _______him.”

This worried Valerie, but she was _______to help her dad. That night she stayed _______as long as she could. When she was _______her dad and mom had fallen asleep, she took a hammer and went to their bedroom slowly and _______. She didn’t want the hair thief to _______her. When she arrived at her father’s side, she carefully inspected her father’s head in order to catch the hair thief as soon as he __________. Before long, she saw a shadow on her father’s head and she __________it with the hammer.

Her father __________a loud cry and got out of bed at once. He turned the __________on, and trembling with __________, he saw Valerie waving her hammer in the air. “Daddy, I __________got him. But it looks like he __________!” said Valerie. Meanwhile, the mother __________. She burst into __________when she knew what had happened.

So Valerie’s father had to explain that the hair thief didn’t exist, and that losing hair is something that just happens naturally to most fathers. Valerie still __________about her daddy, but she no longer waited for the hair thief. __________, she bought her father a very nice sleeping hat.

1.A.checking B.losing C.touching D.protecting

2.A.When B.Where C.Why D.What

3.A.neck B.face C.ears D.head

4.A.catch B.throw C.hold D.keep

5.A.excited B.determined C.expected D.allowed

6.A.awake B.asleep C.afraid D.alone

7.A.glad B.sorry C.upset D.sure

8.A.sadly B.nervously C.loudly D.quietly

9.A.disappoint B.know C.hear D.catch

10.A.appeared B.left C.returned D.followed

11.A.caught B.felt C.hit D.covered

12.A.came out B.let out C.sent out D.set out

13.A.radio B.television C.computer D.light

14.A.shock B.delight C.care D.hope

15.A.still B.hardly C.nearly D.never

16.A.stayed B.escaped C.failed D.moved

17.A.woke up B.showed up C.looked out D.turned around

18.A.shouts B.tears C.laughter D.cheers

19.A.knew B.thought C.wondered D.worried

20.A.Though B.Instead C.Otherwise D.Besides

How to Enjoy Life As a Teen

The “best years of your life”? Maybe not, but you can learn to make the most of your high school days.

1.. Whether it’s having a computer, having friends, having a good supply of food, a bed to sleep on, family that loves you or simply being born in this world. Remember that the point of life is for you to enjoy it. Be happy, and life will reward you. Remember that these are the last few years you will be able to enjoy yourself without having to worry about the responsibility(责任) of an adult.

Choose your friends wisely. Unlike what many articles state, you don’t have to be popular and have lots of friends to be happy. 2.. Try to have friends that like you who you are, not just because you are wearing a certain brand of shoes or something like that. These are people who shop at the same store as you; not someone who will sympathize(同情，安慰) with you when your dog dies.

3.. Having a healthy body leads to a healthy and happy mind. Being confident in your appearance makes you more confident in other areas. Be sociable. 4.While you only need 4 or 5 close friends, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to meet new people. Participating gives you something to do instead of sitting bored at home and wallowing in self-pity.

5.! If you have a special girl/guy you want to ask out, dance with, etc. just ask! You probably won’t be rejected(拒绝) but if you are, remember that there will always be someone else that likes you for who you are. Don’t go to sleep that night with regret.

A.Go for it.

B.Keep your grades up.

C.Play a sport or work out.

D.Learn to appreciate small things.

E.If you are not good at sports, join a band or choir.

F.In fact, many of the “Friends” you have when you are popular are not true friends.

G.Joining in clubs, activities and sport increases your chances of meeting new friends.