阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。
Crying marriage? 1. (surprise), isn't it? Actually, the custom of crying marriage existed a long time ago in many areas of Southwest China's Sichuan Province, and 2. (remain) in fashion 3. the end of the Qing Dynasty. Though not so popular as before, still, the custom 4. (observe) by people in many places, especially Tujia people, who view it as a 5. (necessary) to marriage procedure.
It is very much6. same in different places of the province. According to elderly people, every bride had to cry at the wedding. 7. .the bride's neighbors would look down upon 8. as a poorly cultivated girl and she would become the laughingstock of the village. In fact, there were cases in 9. the bride was beaten by her mother for not crying at the wedding ceremony.
In a word, crying at wedding is a way by custom to set off the happiness of the wedding through falsely sorrowful words. However, in the 10. (arrange) marriages of the old days of China, there were indeed quite a lot of brides who cried over their unsatisfactory marriage and even their miserable life.
Our "Mommy and Me" time began two years ago. My next-door neighbor and fellow .Christie, and I were out in our front yards, watching seven children of about age 6 ride their up and down. "I wish I could take one of my children alone," said Christie.
Then we a plan: When Christie takes one of her children out, I'll her other three. And when she takes care of two of mine, I'll take out.
The children were extremely quick to the idea of "Mommy and Me" time. Christie's daughter, McKenzie, went first. When she returned, the other children showered her with tons of .McKenzie was smiling . Christie looked refreshed and happy. "She's like a child when there's no one else around," Christie shared with me quickly. With her mother all to herself, McKenzie didn't have to make an effort to gain .
Just as Christie had noticed changes McKenzie, I also discovered something different in each of my children during our times. For example, I am always "when my daughter, who is close to me, holds my hand frequently. My stuttering(口吃的)son, Tom, doesn't stutter once during our since he doesn't have to struggle for a chance to speak And the other son, Sam, who's always a when around other children shines as a leader during our times together.
The "Mommy and Me" time us to be simply alone and away with each child—talking, sharing, and laughing, which has been the biggest . Every child to be an only child at least once in a while.
1.A. worker B. sister C. father D. mother
2.A. horses B. bikes C. cars D. toys
3.A. off B. over C. out D. in
4.A. worked out B. threw away C. gave up D. looked into
5.A. see B. watch C. witness D. control
6.A. nobody B. everybody C. someone D. none
7.A. accept B. receive C. refuse D. feel
8.A. emotions B. candies C. faces D. questions
9.A. forcedly B. luckily C. broadly D. strongly
10.A. normal B. different C. similar D. brave
11.A. awards B. attention C. results D. appointment
12.A. in B. on C. over D. off
13.A. lonely B. hard C. alone D. old
14.A. tired B. embarrassed C. disappointed D. surprised
15.A. seldom B. always C. nearly D. constantly
16.A. ceremonies B. meetings C. activities D. challenges
17.A. liar B. lecturer C. defender D. follower
18.A. forbids B. leads C. educates D. allows
19.A. gain B. disadvantage C. suffering D. practice
20.A. fails B. deserves C. plans D. promises
Question: I have recently got a senior position within my company. One of my new tasks is to make monthly progress reports on my department in front of other senior officials. During my first meeting, I presented my ideas and then was open to questions. 1. . My first reaction was to answer defensively. Later, I realized that I shouldn't feel that way. But how can I keep cool and effectively answer questions in this type of settings?
Answer: Congratulations on your new position! Presenting in front of your peers is a hard task in itself, and it becomes much more difficult when a question-and-answer period is required. Question and-answer periods are a great way to clarify the message and strengthen key points. 2. .
●3. .
When a person is asking a question, show interest and a desire to understand the question by listening and asking for clarification*
● Buy time.
When facing a hard question, most people can't give an answer immediately. Buy time by repeating the question in your own words. 4. . These techniques allow you to quickly organize your thoughts as well as to make sure you will be correctly answering the question.
● Suggest a private meeting.
A one-on-one meeting is a calmer setting than speaking in front of your peers. 5. .
A. Here are some ideas that can help you prepare for your next meeting.
B. You may also ask for explanation on the question.
C. It can also be more effective in exchanging ideas.
D. There were many difficult questions.
E. Some ideas can be quite concrete.
F. Restate the question with respect.
G. Show your true interest.
Though the facts that too many people on earth and a too rapid increase in the number added each year are not in argument, we always begin the discussion of "population as global issue" with what most persons mean like this. It was quite right to compare demographic growth to "a long, thin powder fuse(导火线)that bums steadily and hesitatingly until it finally reaches the charge and explodes".
To understand the current situation, which is characterized by rapid increases in population, it is necessary to understand the history of population trends. Rapid growth is a comparatively recent phenomenon. Looking back at the 8,000 years of demographic history, we find that populations have been virtually stable or growing very slightly for most of human history. For most of our ancestors, life was hard, often nasty, and very short. There was high fertility(生育)in most places, but this was usually balanced by high mortality. For most of human history, it was seldom the case that one in ten persons would live past forty, while infancy and childhood were especially risky periods. Often, societies were in clear danger of extinction because death rates could exceed their birthrates. Thus, the population problem throughout most of history was how to prevent extinction of the human race.
This pattern is important to notice. Not only does it put the current problems of demographic growth into a historical perspective, but it suggests that the cause of rapid increase in population in recent years is not a sudden
enthusiasm for more children, but an improvement in the conditions that traditionally have caused high mortality.
Demographic history can be divided into two major periods: a time of long, slow growth which extended from about 8000 B.C. till approximately 1650 A.D. In the first period of some 9,600 years, the population increased from some 8 million to 500 million in 1650. Between 1650 and 1975, the population has increased from 500 million to more than 4 billion. And the population reached 6.2 billion throughout the world by the year 2000, One way to appreciate this dramatic difference in such abstract numbers is to reduce the time frame to something that is more manageable. Between 8000 B.C. and 1650, an average of only 50,000 persons was being added annually to the world's population, At present, this number is added every six hours. The increase is about 800000,000 persons annually.
1.The underlined word "demographic" in Paragraph l means .
A. extinction of human
B. statistics of human population
C. death rate of human
D. development of human population
2.Which of the following demographic growth patterns is most similar to the long thin powder fuse?
A. A slow growth for a long time and then a period of rapid, dramatic increase.
B. Too many people on earth and a few rapid increases in the number added each year.
C. A virtually stable or slightly decreasing period and then a sudden explosion of population.
D. A long period when death rates exceed birthrates and then a short period with higher fertility and lower mortality.
3. During the first period of demographic history, societies were often in danger of extinction because .
A. only one in ten persons could live past 40.
B. our ancestors had little enthusiasm for more children
C. there was higher mortality than fertility in most places
D. it was too dangerous to have babies due to the poor conditions
4.The author of the passage intends to .
A. warn people against the population explosion in the near future
B. find out the cause of rapid increase in population in recent years
C. present us a brief and clear picture of the demographic growth
D. compare the demographic growth pattern in the past with that after 1650
Are you sometimes a little tired and sleepy in the early afternoon? Many people feel this way after lunch. They may think that eating lunch is the cause of the sleepiness. Or, in summer, they may think it is the heat. However, the real reason lies inside their bodies. At that time - about eight hours after you wake up - your body temperature goes down. This is what makes you slow down and feel sleepy. Scientists have tested sleep habits in experiments where there was no night or day. The people in these experiments almost always followed a similar sleeping pattern. They slept for one long period and then for one short period about eight hours later.
In many parts of the world, people take naps in the middle of the day. This is especially true in warmer
climates, where the heat makes work difficult in the early afternoon. Researchers are now saying that naps are good for everyone in any climate. A daily nap gives one a more rested body and mind and therefore is good for health in general. In countries where naps are traditional, people often suffer less from problems such as heart disease.
Many working people, unfortunately, have no time to take naps. Though doctors may advise taking naps,
employers do not allow it! If you do have the chance, however, here are a few tips about making the most of your nap. Remember that the best time to take a nap is about eight hours after you get up. A short sleep too late in the day may only make you feel more tired and sleepy afterward, This can also happen if you sleep for too long. If you do not have enough time, try a short nap - even ten minutes of sleep can be helpful.
1.If you get up at 6:30 am, what is the best time for you to take a nap?
A. About 12:30 pm. B. About l:30 pm.
C. About 2:30 pm. D. About 3:30 pm.
2.What can we infer from the passage?
A. Your body temperature's going down also makes you feel sleepy besides eating lunch:
B. Taking a nap whenever you want will do good to your health.
C. You will feel less sleepy if you sleep for a long time,
D. You will feel sleepy at regular intervals.
3. What would be the best title for the text?
A. Just for a Rest
B. All for a Nap
C. A Special Sleep Pattern
D. Taking Naps in Warmer Climate
1.If Jack, a 12-year-old, is interested in adventure, what film may he see alone?
A. Film directed by Gary Rydstrom
B. Film directed by Ken Kwapis.
C. Film directed by Tyler Perry.
D. Films directed by Brad Peyton.
2. What does the underlined phrase "down-on-her-luck" in Film Three mean?
A. wealthy B. unlucky
C. stubborn D. selfish
3.In Film Four, we can infer that.
A. audiences can also enjoy its 3D edition freely
B. adventurer Sean is also a Greenpeace volunteer
C. the kids may find it hard to catch its language
D. Sean makes a fortune by discovering the treasure
4.What can we learn from the passage?
A. Film Three lasts longest and release earliest of the films,
B. Wesley Deeds fell in love with Lindsey at first sight.
C. Film Two is mainly a film meant for adults only.
D. Shawn develops a secret friendship with Arrietty.
