Recreational tree climbing is taking root in the ecotourism industry, and it's sending guys like Tim Kovar to far off reaches of the globe. Kovar, a tree-climbing instructor, recently returned to the U.S. from Brazil, where he spent time developing a tree-climbing operation thanks to the "slow travel" movement.
Slow travel, is like the slow food movement, the practice of giving fast food in favor of homegrown cooking—the kind that takes hours to prepare and enjoy. Likewise, slow travel urges visitors to experience a place's natural surroundings and learn about the ecology in a way not afforded by extreme games.
"Tree climbing is a slow activity," says Kovar. "It's not something you do quickly and then you're on to the next thing or event." There is no such thing as a quick climb, especially for beginners. This wasn't a race against the clock or the fellow climbers. In fact, tree climbing is unlikely to ever become a feature of the extreme games. Many climbers refuse competition. There has already been so much competition in the world.
"When you stand below the tree, it can be amazing," Rusel DeMaria says, looking affectionately up at Michael's Triumph, a 150-foot-tall tree. But reaching the treetop, he adds, is an entirely different feeling. Likewise, his wife, Viola Brumbaugh, kneels on the ground and asks Michael's Triumph for permission to climb. "It goes a lot smoother that way, "She says.
And climbing has been included into many educational programs. New Tribe offers guided climbs through its school, Tree Climbing Northwest, where "we teach enough tree biology and forest ecology to raise awareness in our students," says New Tribe present Sophis Sparks. "We know that the tree climbing experience deepens personal appreciation for trees. After climbing, people value trees more and are motivated to support preservation. This is not just to preserve their playground."
Perhaps that is why he struggles with the term "recreational tree climbing," saying, "I prefer to call it inspirational tree climbing."
1.What do slow travel and the slow food movement have in common?
A. They take people a long time. B. They are related to the eco-tourism industry.
C. They advocate protecting nature. D. They cost people little money
2.What do we know about tree climbing from the passage?
A. People compete to see who can climb to the top first.
B. It favors the experience of enjoying nature.
C. It is a kind of extreme sport and needs a lot of effort.
D. People view it as a challenge to climb the tallest tree in a forest.
3.Brumbaugh kneels on the ground before climbing trees to ___________________.
A. beg for the safety of climbing B. Expect to climb faster than her husband
C. Show respect for the tree D. ask for permission of her husband
4.Sophia Sparks prefers the term "inspirational tree climbing" because it ____________.
A. provide people with more chances to play outside
B. bring a lot of pleasure to life
C. Deepens personal love between each other
D. Makes people realize they should protect trees
5.What's the best title for the passage?
A. Tree-climbing travelling B. Slow travel movements
C. Dangers of climbing D. Respect for nature
The morning for our snowmobiling (雪上汽车) adventure finally arrived, and we set off on the hour-and-a-half drive to the resort. A fresh powder had fallen the night before, and everything was frosted white. We couldn’t have asked for more perfect conditions. The sun sparkled (闪光) on the snow, and the trails (路线) were completely empty – not another person or snowmobile in sight. We were thrilled at being the only people for miles around … until we got going.
As we drove through the deserted wilderness (荒野), my excitement became stone-cold fear. I had no idea what I was afraid of, or why I was afraid, but suddenly every turn, every hill, every steep (陡峭的) side of the mountain scared me to death. I kept picturing us crashing headlong into a tree or falling off the side of a drop.
But after lunch things changed. We were the only humans who had been there since the snowfall. The peaceful place, the incredible beauty of the landscape, and the almost sacred experience of sharing a mountain with the wildlife touched my very core (核心). My mind cleared and quieted and my muscles relaxed.
As we drove the last leg of the run, I began to resent being afraid to drive. Deep down, I wanted to be in charge of the thing that scared me. It made me angry that fear was keeping me from something I really wanted to do. The day was coming to an end, and the resort was only a few miles away. I knew that if I didn’t take my chance now, I would regret it.
I signaled for my husband to pull over. I wanted to drive, although my heart pounded (重击). I stared off slowly and felt the wind in my face. I smiled and sped up a little. I let out a “Yee-haw!” and went full out, taking my husband on the best ride of the day.
We ended the day on that breathless, carefree, and I felt proud of myself – proud of overcoming my fear.
1.What is the story mainly about?
A. What the author loves about snowmobiling.
B. What difficulties the couple faced during their adventure.
C. What interested the author during her time snowmobiling.
D. How the author overcame her fear during her adventure.
2. What can be concluded from the article?
A. The author was confident as she was driving in the deserted wilderness.
B. The author didn’t get worried until they started to drive through the deserted wild.
C. Aware that she and her husband were the only people around, the author became anxious.
D. The author was so nervous that she almost crashed into a big tree.
3.According to the article, after lunch the author _____.
A. gradually calmed down
B. stopped to enjoy the beautiful scenery
C. saw some wildlife on the mountain
D. was afraid to continue her journey
4.The underlined word “resent” in Paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to _______.
A. consider B. appreciate C. hate D. recognize
5.What message does the story convey?
A. A person’ s biggest enemy is his or her inner self.
B. It’s no use crying over the spilt milk.
C. Take time to enjoy the beauty of nature.
D. Respect and take pride in yourself.
He has vowed that he will not stop building his business until it is worth £100 million. But hard-working Owens can stop for at least a moment's celebration after making his first £1 million at the age of 16. Owens, who has used a computer since the age of seven, began teaching himself basic web design at the age of ten when he was given his first Mac computer. He used his pocket money to fund his first business project, website Mac Box Bundle at just 14 which has made £700,000 since its establishment in 2008. Mac Box Bundle sells a combination of popular Mac applications which are worth up to $400 together for under just $100 and donates 10 percent of the money to charities.
He then established an advertising company Branchr a year later and worked on the business after school and at weekends. Branchr made a surprising £500,000 in its first year. Branchr works as a platform for website owners to sell advertising.
Owens, from Northampton, currently employs eight staff---all adults---around the UK and America as sales and technical assistants. The young man lives with his parents. His mother who is a company secretary said he was inspired to go into business after observing the huge success achieved by Apple's chief executive officers(首席执行官) Steve Jobs.
Owens said, "I think everyone has business sense in them, and they just need to gain experience and be determined to make it. There is no magical formula(法则) for business, It takes hard work, determination and the drive to do something great. My aim is to become a leading name in the world of Internet and mobile advertising and push myself right to the top of the game.
The teenager insists his professional success has not affected his personal life, and says his interests include photography and playing the guitar. "My friends and I don't really talk about my success. To them I'm just a normal teenager and it doesn't change anything between us."
1. What can we know from Paragraph 1?
A. Owens' company is worth £1 million now.
B. Owens learned to use computers at the age of 10.
C. Owens made £700,000 from Mac Box Bundle in 2008.
D. Owens is successful and enthusiastic about public welfare.
2.From Paragraph 2 we know that Branchr _____________.
A. takes up all Owens' spare time
B. offers a platform for advertising business
C. designs practical software for website owners
D. takes up advertising business for Nac Box Bundle
3.Why did Owens come up with the idea of doing business?
A. Because eight adults were ready to help.
B. Because it was easy to establish web companies.
C. Because his parents wanted him to have a try.
D. Because he drew inspiration from Steve jobs.
4.Owens tends to think that ____________.
A. every person has potential talent for business
B. getting experienced in business needs determination
C. it is hard work for people to decide to do something great.
D. he is sure to play a leading part in the world of the Internet.
5.What do Ownes' friends think about him?
A. He sets a good example. B. He does quite well in music.
C. He is a common school boy. D. He puts friendship above anything else.
How to improve my life? Many people think that they have to accept whatever life throws at them. They'll say, "This is my fate, my destiny. I cannot change it."
Of course not! You don't have to suffer needlessly. Your destiny depends on you, not on any other external factors.
I know someone who says she just accepts what life gives her because she has done everything she can to improve it. Guess what her lifestyle is? She wakes up in the morning, goes to work, comes back home, relaxes, chats with people, watches TV, then goes to sleep. Next day, the same routine cycle follows.
Huh! Is this what she calls "doing her best"? She believes she has tried her best and just accepts it in her heart that this is the life that God has intended for her to live; that her luck can only change if God wills it. Of course God wants us to be happy and live our life to the fullest, but we have to do our share of exerting(运用) the effort to live the life of our dreams.
Remember that you reap what you sow. You just don't sit around and wait for a million dollars to fall from the sky. You have to get off the couch, get your eyes off the TV screen, get your hands off the phone. Don’t expect your luck to change unless you do something about it. If something goes wrong, don't just regard it as a temporary setback; but use it as feedback. Learn your lesson, make the most of the situation, and do something to solve the problem. It's not enough to think positively; you also have to act positively.
If someone's life is in the trouble, do you just hope and pray that things will turn out fine? Of course not! You get to do anything you can to save the person. So it is with your own life. It is not enough to hope for the best, but you have to do your best. In other words, don't just stand (or sit ) there, do something to improve your life.
1.According to the woman mentioned in Para.3, her life ____________.
A. Doesn't need improving B. couldn't be improved
C. will be better some day D. Will be worse in the future
2.What does the author think of the woman's life?
A. positive B. satisfying C. colorful D. passive
3.Which of the following statements is the author's opinion?
A. Your temporary problem is not discouraging.
B. Your luck can be changed by your efforts
C. You can only achieve success when God wills it.
D. You should treat yourself in the way you treat friends.
4.In Para.5, the author emphasized the importance of _____________.
A. positive action B. positive thinking C. hope for the best D. intention to succeed
5.The text is mainly written to advise you to ____________.
A. understand yourself B. improve your life
C. believe in yourself D. change your normal way
B
The hostess was to have a party and entertain guests at home. She busied herself so early in the morning, cleaning the house. She was so tired ____26___ she felt pain in her waist and on the back. Drops of sweat fell from her forehead. She did not finish cleaning the house _____27____ dusk.
_____28_____(look) at the clean and tidy drawing room, she released a sigh with a smile on her face. The guests were coming! Entering the drawing room, they_____29_____(attract) by the fresh flowers. Surprisingly pleased, they cheered in praise, "Oh, what beautiful flowers!"
"How colorful and fragrant!"
"Just a look at it, and life is full of pleasure!"
Then they went on to express their thanks ____30_____ the hostess for her _____31_____(delicate) arranged flowers.
With an embarrassed smile, the hostess said," I am glad you like it. Thank you for your praise. I was ___32_____ bit surprised about it. I _____33_____ make detailed arrangement for your honor. I was busy the whole day cleaning and mopping. As to the flowers in the vase, it is a piece of cake. I did it by just lifting my hand. Now you are ______34______(aware) of my hard work and praise _____35____highly for my easiest effort. It is beyond my expectation."
阅读下面短文,按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求,在空格处填入一个适当的词或使用括号中词语的正确形式填空,并将答案填写在答题卡标号为16~35的相应位置上。
A
He is the man who for many people has been a role model. Now your biggest hero deserves a special day when you can express your thanks and let him know ____16___ important he is to you.
The third Sunday of June – which ______17__(fall) on June 19 this year – is Father’s Day.
The idea of Father’s Day came from ___18___ American woman called Sonora Smart Dodd in 1909. Dodd wanted a special day ____19____( honor )her father. He raised six children by _____20___after his wife died. Dodd thought there needed to be a day to honor loving dads.
The first Father’s Day ______21_____(celebrate) on June 19, 1910. In 1924, US President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a _____22_____(nation) Father’s Day. Finally, in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared the third Sunday of June ___23______ Father’s Day.
Here are some ways to show your love and respect:
*Send him a greeting card. Fathers prefer cards ___24_____are not too emotional. So choose one that will make him laugh.
*If he has a computer, cover his desktop ____25___ words like “I love you Dad”.
*A small present, such as a framed photo of your family, can make him feel like a king.