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Everywhere I go, people are speaking on their cell telephones regardless of their surroundings (环境) . This happens when people are walking around a lake or through town, or even driving. I have even seen a person attempting to speak on her cell phone while ordering ice cream at Dairy Queen, thus speaking to two people at once.
As the over-spending of technology increases, people begin to take less joy in the simple pleasures of life—joys that don’t cost money—from observing clouds, playing with children to thinking or reading. And it is not just telephones that take the responsibility; too much value is placed on items (物品) from computers to cars. Many things are purchased (购买) merely(仅仅) to show off. Do you really need a cell phone that plays games, shows movies and takes pictures? No, cell phones should be purchased to use in urgent situations.You do not need to use your telephone when you are at someone else’s house or in a restaurant.
Technology and possessions (财产) do not bring joy. While some technology is necessary, it can get ridiculous(可笑的). Each possession just makes us want more, while simple pleasures can be enjoyed now and then.
Instead of spending our time buying a third television or looking into the newest cell phone models, we should be acting more productively to improve the world by volunteering, for example. Or, we should reconsider playing computer games or taking pictures on our cell phones and read a book or imagine what shapes the clouds are in the sky instead.
1.The author mentions cell phones at the beginning just to show _________.
A.they can be used on any occasion. |
B.people manage to speak to two at a time. |
C.they can put drivers in great danger. |
D.people are fond of personal items. |
2.People have less joy of simple life nowadays mainly because they _________.
A.focus on technology and their belongings. |
B.use cell phones in less urgent situations. |
C.buy private cars just to show off. |
D.place too much value on computers. |
3.We can infer that ________.
A.people have no time to play with their children. |
B.we can take pleasure in using cell phones at any time. |
C.people always desire more possessions. |
D.we depend on volunteers to develop the world. |
We lived in a very quiet neighborhood. Earlier that evening my wife had asked me to go to the 1 to get some soft drinks. It seemed like this would be a good time to let my teenage daughter Holly practice her 2 , so I allowed her to go to the store in my truck.
At dinner my son talked about how much he liked my truck. I 3 having it, but I said: “Guy, my heart is not set on that truck. I like it but it is just metal and won’t 4 forever. Never set your heart on anything that won’t last.
We were talking 5 we heard a loud noise. 6 hearing it, the whole family ran outside. My son shouted; “Dad! Dad, Holly crashed your truck!”
My heart sank and my mind was flooded with conflicting (矛盾的) thoughts. Was anyone hurt? Who else was 7? As I ran to the door, I heard a voice in my heart say: “Here is a chance to show Holly 8 you really love. She’ll never forget it.”
The 9 had happened in my own driveway. Holly had 10 my truck into our family van (搬运车). Because of her 11 , she had confused the brakes (刹车) and the gas pedal (油门). Holly was unhurt 12 but when I reached her, she was crying and saying “Oh, Dad, I’m sorry. I know how much you love this truck.” I held her in my arms as she cried.
Later that week a friend asked what had happened to my truck. I told her the whole story. Her eyes moistened (湿润) and she said: “That happened to me when I was a girl. I 13 my dad’s car completely. When I got home, my dad knocked me to the ground and began to 14 me.”
Over 40 years later, she still felt the 15 of the night, which was a deep wound on her soul.
I remember how 16 Holly was when she crashed our truck, and how I 17 her. One day, when Holly 18 on her life, I want her to know that I love her a thousand times 19 any piece of 20 .
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If we _________ the earth, we must take action before it is too late.
A.will save |
B.are to save |
C.are about to save |
D.are saving |
Cycling is a good way of exercise and is quite easy _________.
A.to do |
B.to be done |
C.doing |
D.being done |
---Did you make a phone call to your parents?
---Certainly. Hardly ____ the destination (目的地) when I phoned them.
A.did I arrive at |
B.have arrived at |
C.had I reached |
D.did I get to |
Given that (鉴于) you feel so stressed , you _____ as well take a weekend break to relax yourself.
A.may |
B.should |
C.had better |
D.ought to |