Little did I know that I was about to see something I would never forget at the Kentucky Association of School Administrators.
They introduced the young musician---Mr Patrick Henry Hughes. He was rolled onto the stage in his wheelchair and began to play the piano. His fingers danced across the keys as he made beautiful music.
About ten minutes into Patrick’s performance, someone came on the stage and said, “I’d like to share a seven-minute video about Patrick Hughes.” Then the lights were turned down.
Patrick Henry Hughes was born with no eyes and a tightening of the joints(关节), which left him disabled for life. However, he was fitted with artificial eyes and placed in a wheelchair. Before his first birthday, he discovered the piano. His mom said, “I could hit any note on the piano, and within one or two tries, he’d get it.” By his second birthday, he was playing records people asked for. His father was ecstatic. “We might not play baseball, but we can play music together.”
Today, Patrick is a junior. His father attends classes with him and he’s made nearly all A’s. He’s also a part of a 214-member marching band(游乐乐队). He’s a blind, wheelchair-bound trumpet player; he and his father do it together. In order to attend Patrick’s classes and every band practice, his father works the night shift(夜班) at United Parcel Service. Patrick says, “My dad’s my hero.”
On stage, between songs, Patrick talked to the audience about his life and about how blessed he was, “God made me blind and unable to walk. BIG DEAL! He gave me musical gifts and the great opportunity to meet new people.”
When his performance was over, the crowd rose to their feet and cheered for over five minutes.
1.The underlined word “ecstatic” could be replaced by “_________”.
A. relaxed B. disappointed C. anxious D. delighted
2.What do we know about Patrick’s father?
A. He taught Patrick to play the piano.
B. He does part-time jobs in the daytime.
C. He accompanies Patrick in class and practice.
D. He expects Patrick to become a famous musician.
3.We know from the text that Patrick Henry Hughes ______________.
A. began to play the piano at age two
B. is in charge of a marching band
C. is now a high school student
D. admires his father greatly.
4.The story of Patrick Henry Hughes mainly teaches us to _______________.
A. develop an interest in music
B. be grateful for what we have
C. be ready to help people in trouble
D. work hard to achieve great success
The concept of solitude(独处) in the digital world is almost non-existent. In the world of digital technology, e-mail, social networking and online video games, information is meant to be ______. Solitude can be hard to discover ______it has been given up. In this respect, new technologies have ______our culture.
The desire to be connected has brought solitude to a(n) as we've known it. People have become so in the world of networks and connections that one can often be contacted they'd rather not be. Today we can talk, text, e-mail, chat and blog (写博客), not only from our , but from our mobile phones as well.
Most developed nations have become on digital technology simply because they've grown accustomed to it, and at this point not it would make them an outsider. , many jobs and careers require people to be . From this point of view, technology has changed the culture of work. Being reachable might feel like a to those who may not want to be able to be contacted at all times.
I suppose the positive side is that solitude is still possible for anyone who wants it. Computers can be shut and mobile phones can be turned off. The ability to be "connected" and " on" has many , as well as disadvantages. Travelers have ended up on mountains, and mobile phones have saved countless lives. They can also make people feel and forced to answer unwanted calls or to unwanted texts.
Attitudes towards our connectedness as a society across generations. Some find today's technology a gift. Others consider it a curse. Regardless of anyone's view on the subject, it's hard to imagine what life would be like daily advancements in technology.
1.A. updated B. received C. collected D. shared
2.A. though B. once C. until D. before
3.A. shaped B. respected C. ignored D. preserved
4.A. edge B. end C. stage D. balance
5.A. sensitive B. intelligent C. reachable D. considerate
6.A. only if B. even if C. as if D. if only
7.A. media B. databases C. monitors D. computers
8.A. bent B. dependent C. hard D. keen
9.A. finding B. protecting C. using D. changing
10.A. Instead B. Otherwise C. Somehow D. Also
11.A. trained B. recommended C. connected D. interested
12.A. burden B. pleasure C. benefit D. disappointment
13.A. slightly B. hardly C. merely D. really
14.A. down B. out C. up D. in
15.A. aspects B. weaknesses C. exceptions D. advantages
16.A. lost B. hidden C. relaxed D. deserted
17.A. excited B. confused C. trapped D. amused
18.A. turn B. reply C. submit D. object
19.A. arise B. spread C. vary D. exist
20.A. without B. beyond C. within D. despite
---Dad, can you tell me why so many students choose to study abroad at a very young age?
---________, darling. I haven never thought about it.
A. Take your time B. You’ve got me there C. Don’t be silly D. Bad luck
It was ___ the quality of life in the future ___ I took this training course, not just to make more money.
A. to improve; that B. improving ; when C. to improve; when D. improving ; that
With a lot of difficult problems _ , the manager felt like a cat on hot bricks.
A. settled B. settling C. being settled D. to settle
Mr Black has two sons, one of ________working as a doctor.
A. them B. who C. whom D. whose
