Bobby Moresco grew up in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen, a tough working-class neighbourhood on Manhattan’s West Side. By tradition he have been a construction worker or a policeman, just like his father and most of his childhood pals. , he wanted out. Attracted by the bright lights from the time Bobby was a teen, he tried to . “I wasn’t a actor, but I had a driving need to do something with my life,” he said.
He moved to Hollywood, promising to find his . But he didn’t make it. For almost 10 years, he drove a taxi and worked as a waiter, volunteering at an actors’ workshop that he opened in Hollywood. But Moresco kept working at his career.
In 1983 his younger brother was murdered in a mob-linked killing. Moresco was forced to give up working and moved back to his neighbourhood. In 1988 he finally wrote a play that was to his life. Called Half-Deserted Streets, it was based on his brother’s and staged at a small theater. A Hollywood producer to see it and asked him to work on a screenplay.
His grew, and he got enough assignments to move back to Hollywood. However, it was never easy. By 2003, he was out of work and out of cash he got a call from Paul Haggis, a director who had befriended him. The two worked on the script and tried some famous studios, but their request was . Moresco believed so in the script that he borrowed money, and sold his house. At last the writers found an independent film producer who would take a chance.
The , slipped into the theatres in May 2005, and quietly became both a hit and an overnight success. It him two Academy Awards — Best Film Editing and Best Writing.
At the age of 54, Bobby Moresco became an success. “If you have something you want to do in life, don’t think about the problems,” he says, “think about the to get it done.”
1.A. must B. should C. can D. need
2.A. Then B. Therefore C. However D. Besides
3.A. study B. drive C. teach D. act
4.A. simple B. strict C. firm D. good
5.A. different B. impressive C. effective D. necessary
6.A. occasion B. treasure C. fortune D. possibility
7.A. afforded B. chosen C. respected D. offered
8.A. early B. worn C. old D. passed
9.A. turned B. pointed C. belonged D. related
10.A. arresting B. injuring C. killing D. shooting
11.A. advised B. happened C. intended D. planned
12.A. influence B. ambition C. success D. reputation
13.A. again B. even C. finally D. still
14.A. before B. when C. since D. while
15.A. let out B. looked down C. taken off D. turned down
16.A. strongly B. hardly C. deeply D. bravely
17.A. actor B. movie C. studio D. director
18.A. gave B. failed C. won D. allowed
19.A. effortless B. enjoyable C. overnight D. optimistic
20.A. ways B. lines C. manners D. actions
If you want to grow, one important thing you should do is keeping a journal. It may seem simple, but it can make a big difference in your life. I have been keeping journals for years. Writing all the lessons I learn and all the ideas I get has become a habit for me. And to be honest, I can’t imagine what my life would be like without it. 1.
◆ It prevents you from losing an idea. Have you ever gotten an idea only to lose it later because you didn’t write it down? 2. But then I developed the habit of writing down every idea that came into my mind as soon as possible. If I’m away from my computer, I usually write it down on a piece of paper that I bring wherever I go. I will then transfer the idea to the journal in my computer.
◆ It helps you review all the lessons you’ve learned. By reviewing your journal, you can quickly see the lessons you’ve learned and the ideas you’ve gotten. 3. You can use the ideas to propel (鞭策) yourself forward.
◆ 4. After keeping a journal for years, you can look back at it and see how far you’ve gone. Things that were big problems in the past might seem small today. The raw ideas you had in the past might have been realized today.
◆ It helps you expand your ideas. When you try to come up with a sentence to express an idea, you are thinking actively about it. 5. In the end, you will expand your ideas.
A. I often experienced that myself.
B. It trains you to express your thoughts.
C. It allows you to see your progress over time.
D. Just use whatever tool you feel comfortable with.
E. Here are some benefits you will get by keeping a journal.
F. Thinking actively helps you connect your idea to another idea.
G. Then you can do whatever necessary to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Unlike chemists and physicists, who usually do their experiments using machines, biologists and medical researchers have to use living things like rats. But there are three Nobel prize-winning scientists who actually chose to experiment on themselves – all in the name of science, reported The Telegraph.
1. Werner Forssmann (Nobel prize winner in 1956)
Forssmann was a German scientist. He studied how to put a pipe inside the heart to measure the pressure inside and decide whether a patient needs surgery.
Experiments had been done on horses before, so he wanted to try with human patients. But it was not permitted because the experiment was considered too dangerous.
Not giving up, Forssmann decided to experiment on himself. He anaesthetized (麻醉) his own arm and made a cut, putting the pipe 30 centimeters into his vein (静脉). He then climbed two floors to the X-ray room before pushing the pipe all the way into his heart.
2. Barry Marshall (Nobel prize winner in 2005)
Most doctors in the mid-20th century believed that gastritis was down to stress, spicy food or an unusually large amount of stomach acid. But in 1979 an Australian scientist named Robin Warren found that the disease might be related to a bacteria (细菌) called Helicobacter pylori.
So he teamed up with his colleague, Barry Marshall, to continue the study. When their request to experiment on patients was denied, Marshall bravely drank some of the bacteria. Five days later, he lost his appetite and soon was vomiting each morning – he indeed had gastritis.
3. Ralph Steinman (Nobel prize winner in 2011)
This Canadian scientist discovered a new type of immune system cell called the dendritic cell. He believed that it had the ability to fight against cancer.
Steinman knew he couldn’t yet use his method to treat patients. So in 2007, when doctors told him that he had cancer and that it was unlikely for him to live longer than a year, he saw an opportunity.
With the help of his colleagues, he gave himself three different vaccines based on his research and a total of eight experimental therapies (疗法). Even though Steinman eventually died from his cancer, he lived four and a half years, much longer than doctors had said he would.
1.The passage is mainly about _________.
A. some dangerous experiments that Nobel prize winners did on themselves
B. difficulties that scientists went through in order to make important discoveries
C. the reasons why some scientists chose to experiment on themselves
D. three Nobel prize winners who did experiments on themselves
2.Which of the following is TRUE according to the article?
A. Forssmann’s experiment ended in failure.
B. Forssmann managed to do his experiment on different kinds of animals.
C. Barry Marshall succeeded by drinking some Helicobacter pylori.
D. Barry Marshall’s experiment on himself confirmed that most doctors’ belief about gastritis was correct.
3.From the text, we can conclude that Ralph Steinman _________.
A. discovered a new type of cancer cell called the dendritic cell
B. tried different therapies containing the dendritic cell on himself
C. knew that he himself would have cancer and die from it
D. believed that he was better than doctors at treating cancer
When you put down your pens at the end of the college entrance exam, 12 hard years of study will have come to an end. Forget your studies for a while. It’s time to enjoy yourselves!
There are many ways to celebrate this special month of graduation. You can have photos taken with your classmates and teachers, or dine out together and exchange gifts.
High school students in Western countries such as the United States and Canada usually have a prom to mark their graduation. It’s to mark the time kids turn into young men and women. After the prom, teenagers either go to college or find a job. It means they are no longer as dependent on their parents as they were before.
At the prom, boys usually dress in dinner jackets and bow ties, though many different types of formal clothes are worn. Traditionally, girls give boys matching boutonnieres (a small collection of flowers they pin to their jackets). Girls traditionally wear formal dresses, or dress to shock or be noticed, in shiny or brightly colored materials.
Common prom activities include dining, dancing, the crowning (加冠) of a prom king and queen, and just talking to friends. In some cases, high school students collect funds for their class prom through the four years of their high school.
High schools in or near large cities may rent ballrooms at expensive hotels or, to be unusual, on a pleasure cruise boat.
But often costs are cut by simply using the school gym. Students make a lot of effort to decorate the gym to make the event special. The music played at the prom will be the most popular kinds, like rock and hip-hop.
The students elect the Prom Queen. She is partnered with a Prom King who is elected similarly. These are great honors that the pair take very seriously. The two dance with each other to celebrate their election.
Sometimes teachers and parents also go to the prom. But others like to go with friends, to whom they are soon going to be saying goodbye.
If you like the idea of a prom, why don’t you and your classmates organize one for your graduation?
1.Which of the following indicates that prom is very important to students?
A. They take pictures at the prom.
B. They wear formal clothes or special clothes.
C. Music is played at the prom.
D. Teachers and parents attend it.
2.Which of the following is an economical way to hold the prom?
A. Renting a ballroom.
B. Taking a cruise boat.
C. Holding it in the school gym.
D. Wearing formal dresses.
3.Why do some students attend the prom with their friends?
A. They will part with their friends in a short time.
B. They don’t like to be accompanied by their parents.
C. They don’t want to depend on their parents.
D. They want to be elected by their friends as the Prom King or Queen.
4.What is the writer’s purpose to write this passage?
A. To tell an interesting experience of high school students.
B. To tell how the western students spend the last days of high school.
C. To introduce several ways of western students’ killing time.
D. To tell how western high school students usually celebrate graduation.
The Calgary Public Library has some great resources to beat boredom and keep your children busy over the summer, whether at home or on the road．
During the school year children are busy with homework and required reading, so summer is a great time for them to relax and read what they choose. Not only is reading a pleasurable way to pass the time, it will also help children keep their skills up over the summer, so they are prepared to go back to school in the fall．
If you are taking a trip this summer, why not let the kids help out with the planning? Borrow a children’s atlas (地图集) to choose your way together and check out some books about your destination before departure. The All about Provinces and Territories series is full of interesting facts about each Canadian province．
Going camping? How about taking along some scary stories to tell around the campfire? Alvin Schwarz’s collections of Scary Tales to Tell in the Dark are sure to make your spine tingle and your teeth chatter. For something a little less horrible, try Velcome: a Very Scary Book, by Kevin O’Malley, which includes such horrors as a plate of mixed vegetables!
Remember to lead by example and pack a book in your own beach bag. If children see you reading, they will understand that books are an important and valuable part of summer and they will begin to copy your habits!
The staff at the Calgary Public Library are always happy to help find that perfect summer read, so stop by your nearest branch, call us at 260-2600, or visit our website at calgarypubliclibrary. com today．
1.What can we infer from the second paragraph of the passage?
A. Summer is the only time for children to relax themselves．
B. Children have little time to read what they choose at school．
C. Children usually get bored of reading during the school year.
D. Required reading prepares children to go back to school in the fall．
2.If you want your children to have a good knowledge of Canada before a trip, you had better refer to _________.
A. All about Provinces and Territories
B. Scary Tales to Tell in the Dark
C. Velcome: a Very Scary Book
D. A Children’s Atlas
3.What’s the probable meaning of the underlined part “to make your spine tingle and your teeth chatter” in Paragraph 4?
A. To interest you and impress you.
B. To excite you and frighten you.
C. To embarrass you and annoy you.
D. To discourage you and disgust you.
4.You should take a book with you to _________.
A. save your own time
B. enjoy your summer holiday
C. set a good example to your children
D. follow your children’s good habits
Finally, I entered the university. Because of my careful savings, I did not have to work during the school year. Then, summer came and it was time to work harder than ever. I continued working as a waitress at night, instructed tennis camps several mornings a week and worked as a secretary for a few hours in the afternoons. I even decided to take a class at a community (社区) college. This class at the community college saved me $650. It was an extremely tiring summer and made me anxious to return to my relatively easy life at the university.
During my second and third years of undergraduate schooling, I decided to work about five hours per week in the campus (校园) admissions office answering phones. This provided a little spending money and kept me from drawing my savings out. I wanted to go to Israel to study for 3 weeks, but I hesitated in making this decision because it would cost me $1,600 more to get the credits in Israel. About two weeks later my Mom called to tell me that I had $1,600 in the bank that I had forgotten about! One of my concerns about this trip was not only the cost, but the loss of time to make money; however, I made as much that summer in the ten weeks when I was at home as I had made during the fourteen weeks when I was at home the summer before. The way everything worked together to make this trip possible was one of the most exciting things that have ever happened to me.
This experience has shaped me in many important ways. The first thing that I learned was the importance of a strong work ethic (伦理). Working long hours did a lot to develop my character and helped me learn the value of a dollar. It also made me learn how to search for creative ways to settle difficult situations.
1.Where did the writer probably work part-time before attending the university?
A. In a restaurant.
B. In the tennis camps.
C. In a company.
D. In the admissions office.
2.The writer took a class at a community college mainly because _________.
A. she wanted to save money
B. life there was relatively easy
C. summer time was tiring
D. it was required by the university
3.The writer’s major concern about the trip to Israel was that _________.
A. her mother would not agree
B. she would fail to get credits in Israel
C. a well-paid summer job would be lost
D. $1,600 couldn’t be drawn out in time
4.The passage is mainly about how the writer _________.
A. made money on the college campus
B. managed to make full use of her vacation
C. was forced to support herself by her mother
D. was shaped by working part-time through college
