Britain’s oldest man made his first visit to London yesterday at the age of 101. Mr. John Evans had never found the time or money to make the trip from his home in Forest Fach, near Swansea. But, when British Rail offered him an all – expenses – paid birthday treat to the capital he just could not refuse.
He arrived at Paddington Station and smartly turned out in his best suit, favorite Panama hat and a red rose in his buttonhole. “It’s very exciting. There’s no doubt about it,” he said.
Until yesterday he had never been far from home, except for one trip to Aberdeen. “But I’ve been on the seas to that faraway land called Ilfracombe 21 miles from home,” he joked.
Mr. Evans, who spent 60 years working as a miner in South Wales, almost made the journey to London once before, at the turn of the century. “There was a trip to the White City but it was ten shillings return from Swansea – too much I thought. All my money went to the family then,” he said.
During the next two days Mr. Evans will be taken on a short tour of London to see the sights. Top of his list is a visit to the House of Parliament organized by his MP, Mr. Gareth Wardell.
The only arrangement he does not care for is the wheelchair provided for him if he gets tired. “I don’t like the chair – people will think I am getting old,” he said. His secret for a long and healthy life has been well publicized – no wine, no tobacco and no anger.
Before setting off from Swansea with his 76 – year – old son, Amwell, he said jokingly, “I’m glad to see they’ve given me a return ticket.”
1.. The very reason that Mr. Evans didn’t go to see the world is that _______.
A. he had already been on the seas to Ilfracombe
B. he was too busy to go too far away from home
C. he couldn’t afford both the time and the money
D. he believed “East or west, home is the best”
2.. Mr. Evans didn’t like the wheelchair simply because _______.
A. he was not used to traveling in it
B. the wheelchair was of poor quality and not easy to operate
C. he actually preferred walking to sitting in it at home
D. he thought he was still young enough to manage the trip
3.. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Mr. Evans had to work hard to raise his family when young.
B. The trip to London excited Mr. Evans very much.
C. Mr. Evans could not really enjoy the trip because of his age.
D. Humor was one of Mr. Evans’ characters.
4.. The probable explanation to Mr. Evans’ long life lies in _______.
A. his good living habits B. his hard working for the family
C. his sticking to his hometown D. his living conditions near the Swansea
Yao Ming is easily _______ in the crowd because he is very tall.
A. to pick up B. to pick out C. picked up D. picked out
Qingdao is _______ most beautiful coastal city and I think I’ll go there for ______ second time.
A. a, a B. the, a C. the, the D. the, a
American public education has changed in recent years. One change is that increasing numbers of American parents and teachers are starting independent public schools called charter schools.
In 1991, there were no charter schools in the United States. Today, more than 2300 charter schools operate in 34 states and the District of Columbia. 575000 students attend these schools. The students are from 5 years of age through 18 or older.
A charter school is created by groups of parents, teachers and community members. It is similar in some ways to a traditional public school. It receives tax money to operate a number of students. The charter school must prove to local or state governments that its students are learning. These governments provide the school with the agreement, or charter that permits it to operate.
Unlike a traditional public school, however, the charter school does not have to obey most laws governing public schools. Local, state or federal governments cannot tell it what to teach.
Each school can choose its own goals and decide the ways it wants to reach those goals. Class sizes are usually smaller than in many traditional public schools. Many students and parents say teachers in charter schools can be more creative.
However, state education agencies, local education-governing committees and unions often oppose charter schools. They say these schools may receive money badly needed by traditional public schools. Experts say some charter schools are doing well while others are struggling.
Congress provided 200 million dollars for establishing charter schools in the 2006 federal budget. But, often the schools say they lack enough money for programs. Many also lack needed space. District officials say they have provided 14 former school buildings for charter education. Yet charter school supporters say officials should try harder to find more space.
Charter Schools in America
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Definition |
Charter schools are called 1 ___________ public schools. |
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2 _______ between charter school and traditional school |
★ 3 _______ tax money to operate a number of students. ★ Having to make 4. _______ know the students are learning. ★ Getting 5 _________ to operate from government. |
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6 _______ between charter school and traditional school |
★ Not having to obey most laws. ★ Having the 7_______ to decide what to teach. ★ Being free to choose the goals and decide the 8_________ of teaching them. ★ Having smaller class sizes. ★ Having teachers who are more creative |
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The problems |
Education departments’ opposition |
★These schools receiving money badly needed by traditional public schools. ★ Not 9__________ doing well. |
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10 ___________ difficulties |
★ Lacking enough money ★ Lacking needed space |
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1.离比赛结束只剩几分钟的时间，还是平局。
The match was tied with minutes ___________ ___________.
2. 在我看来，我们应该有新的电脑了。
In my opinion, it is about time we ___________ ___________ new computers.
3. 当他们到处转悠时，发现远处有一个人背靠树坐着。
As they were wandering around, they noticed a man ___________ ___________ a tree
in the distance.
4. 要增补一个新的运动项目，就必须淘汰一个当前的运动项目。
In order for a new sport to be added, another sport must ___________ ___________.
5. 鹰队在联赛上铩羽而归，既恼火又愤愤不平。
The Eagles went home _______ and _______ because they did not win the tournament.
1.Days and nights z___________ by and everything changed before my eyes.
2. After a hard day of work, the man arrived home and his face looked tired and w________.
3. Firefighters could use RealCine to train safely, without the risk of getting i_________.
4.In defeat, the Kangaroos found something more ____________（珍贵的）than victory.
5.It was said that he had been __________（允许）into Nanjing University.
6. Single women were allowed to take part in their own c___________ at a separate festival.
7.I have been invited to your school to talk to you about the s____________ of the Olympic games.
8. When the woman could not completed her long distance phone call, she called one of the _____________（操作人员）for help.
9. The woman ___________（起诉）of stealing in a grocery proved innocent at last.
10. He became captain of the Brazilian football team and scored the w_________ goal.
