Being Left-handed in a Right-handed World
The world is designed for right-handed people, but why does a tenth of the population prefer the left? 1.
The answer to it remains a bit of a mystery. Since scientists have noticed that left-handedness tends to run in families, it’s assumed that left-handedness has a genetic(基因的) component to it. 2. In fact, identical twins, who share the same genes, can sometimes prefer to use different hands. There are also plenty of theories on what else might determine which hand you write with, but many experts believe that it’s kind of random.
Historically, the left side and left-handedness have been considered a negative thing by many cultures. 3. In some areas, the left hand became known as the “unclean” hand. In many religions, the right hand of God is the favored hand. For example, Jesus sits at God’s right side. God’s left hand, however, is the hand of judgement. Various activities and experiences become rude or even signs of bad luck when the left hand becomes involved. In some parts of Scotland, it is considered bad luck to meet a left-handed person at the start of a journey. 4.A person giving directions will put their left hand behind them and even physically try to point with their right hand if necessary. 
In some Asian countries, eating with the left hand is considered impolite.
5.People come to realize that left-handedness is natural. People even noticed that many famous people are left-handed, including Benjamin Franklin, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Charlie Chaplin. Some researchers find out that lefties are more creative and can deal with abstract thinking better. The left-handedness is more easily adaptable to the right-handed world as well. Being left-handed is no longer a sad story now; instead, it is a wonderful gift or maybe it is something you should take pride in.
A．In other words, left-handers are born that way.
B．Left-handedness used to be regarded as a disability.
C．The unfavorable associations of the use of the left hand among cultures are varied.
D．Why do they prefer to use their left hand rather than their right hand for ro-utine activities?
E. Why do some parents force their left-handed children to become right-handed when writing?
F. In Ghana, pointing, gesturing, giving or receiving items with the left hand is considered rude.
G. Fortunately, nowadays most societies and cultures no longer reject left-handedness like before.
For as long as they can remember Jynne Martin and April Surgent had both dreamed of going to Antarctica. This winter, they each made it to the icy continent as guests of the National Science Foundation (NSF). But they didn’t go as scientists. Martin is a poet and Surgent is an artist. They went to Antarctica as participants in the NSF’s Artists and Writers program. The NSF is the government agency that funds scientific research in Antarctica. But it also makes it possible for artists, including filmmakers and musicians, to experience Antarctica and contribute their own points of view to our understanding of the continent.
The mixing of science and art in Antarctica isn’t new. Some of the earliest explorers brought along painters and photographers. Edward Wilson was a British painter, doctor, and bird expert who journeyed with Robert Falcon Scott on two separate Antarctic expeditions more than 100 years ago. Herbert Ponting was a photographer who also accompanied Scott on one of those expeditions. In hundreds of photos, Ponting captured the beauty of the continent and recorded the daily lives and heroic struggles of the explorers.
Today’s scientists write articles for scientific journals. Unlike the early explorers’ journals, scientific papers can now be very difficult for non-scientists to understand. Writers in Antarctica work to explain the research to the public. Peter Rejcek is editor, writer, and photographer for the Antarctic Sun, an online magazine devoted to news about the U.S. Antarctic Program. Rejeck began his career in the Antarctic in 2003 by spending a year at the South Pole. He has returned every year since，interviewing，scientists about research at Palmer，McMurdo，and South Pole stations.
There are also scientists in Antarctica who work hard to explain their research to the public. Scientist Diane McKnight wrote The Lost Seal，a children’s book that explains the research she and others are doing in an unusual ice-free area in Antarctica called the Dry Valleys.
Antarctica is full of stories and wonders that are scientific, historic and personal. People such as Martin, Surgent, Rejcek, and Diane McKnight are devoted to bringing those stories to as many people as they can. “Some people are going to be scientists，some people are going to be journalists，some people are going to be artists，but we can all work together.” says Surgent, “to celebrate，this extraordinary place.”
1.What do we know about the NSF?
A. It is a government agency.
B. It only funds scientists in Antarctica.
C. It encourages the understanding of human nature.
D. It enables the mixing of science and art for the first time.
2.Why didn’t some earliest explorers bring writers along?
A. Writers were not funded at that time.
B. Writing can’t capture the beauty of the continent.
C. Writers were not interested in popularizing science.
D. Early explorers ’journals can be easily understood by the public.
3.By mentioning Diane McKnight, the author may try to suggest that ________.
A. scientists should explain their research to children
B. writers are not necessary since scientists can tell stories as well
C. telling stories to children is more important than knowing the truth
D. no matter what role we play, we can work together to appreciate Antarctica
4.What would be the best title for this article?
A. Antarctica: A Land for All
B. The NSF: A Program for All
C. Antarctica: A Land of Beauty and Stories
D. The NSF: A Program for Artists and Scientists
Our room was on the second floor but you could still hear the roar of the ocean and see the stars at night. I used to take long walks along the water. The food in town was wonderful and the people were very friendly. The area was very quiet and peaceful, and fairly deserted.
The last evening of our vacation, however, we all heard strange footsteps following closely behind us as we were walking up to our room in the holiday centre. We turned around and noticed a fairly young man moving very rapidly across the beach and getting closer to us. He was tall and wore a baseball cap. We couldn’t see his face and he was approaching us very rapidly. The man’s actions made my dad very nervous. Dad warned us that we’d better try to make it to our hotel room as quickly as possible. I didn’t like my dad’s voice; I could hear fear in it. It was late and we were all alone. We didn’t have any cell phones on us. I never saw Dad as worried as he was then and I knew that something was terribly wrong. The sense of fear started to overwhelm Mom and me. We had had such a good time in town. Now, the night was rapidly turning into a dangerous situation.
We could hear the man’s footsteps getting closer. Dad’s face was almost pale. The so-called intruder (侵入者) had moved nearer and nearer when all of a sudden, the nearby vending(自动贩卖) machine started going crazy and spitting out cans of soda! The noise actually scared the intruder and he ran out of sight. My parents were shaking, but we all turned around to see who had put money into the vending machine downstairs, and actually saved us, but no one was around at all. Not a soul.
It’s one vacation I will never forget.
1.Where did the author spend her vacation?
A. Near a lake.B. At the seaside.
C. In a village.D. In a mountain.
2.What happened on the last evening of their vacation?
A. They were followed by a stranger.
B. Their cell phones were missing.
C. Their money was stolen.
D. They lost their way.
3.The underlined word “overwhelm” in Paragraph 2 means ________.
A. controlB. moveC. exciteD. impress
4.What helped them get out of the trouble?
A. Their quick action.
B. Other people’s kind help.
C. The young man’s warning.
D. The noise from the vending machine.
On a cold winter day in Denver, I waited in line to see my hero, Jack Canfield, the co-author of the best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series and the author of The Success Principles. What Jack had become was a version of what I wanted to be.
During his talk, Jack took out his wallet, pulled out a hundred-dollar bill, and said, “Who wants this?”
Hands shot up in the audience; people leaned forward to see whom Jack would choose. But I ran up the stairs to the stage and grabbed the bill from his hand. He turned to me and said, “Yes, that’s it! Instead of waiting around for opportunities, simply take the initiative and create what we want!”
After this week, I asked for his personal e-mail address and sent him e-mail sharing my views and dreams. He kindly e-mailed back simple encouragement such as “Keep thinking and playing bigger; it’s much more fun that way. Love, Jack.” Then I got occupied with other things in life and I stopped e-mail Jack.
A year later, my dream gradually faded. I had this idea if I got back in touch with Jack. I e-mailed him again and again but got no response. As I sat down at my computer to check my e-mail for the fifth time in 15 minutes, an inspiration came like lighting: What was I doing? Was I waiting for the prize of life? I knew I needed to do something about all this waiting. I was going to write a book, which I would call “Waiting for Jack”!
It all sounded good, but then reality hit. Some nights I cried and wanted to give up. I wrote and rewrote. Even though I could feel the fear, I did it anyway. Fortunately, three years later, Waiting for Jack turns out a best-seller on Amazon!
We all have a “Jack” for whom we wait—whether it’s a person, a place or a thing. Now I would like to ask you: what are you waiting for?
1.From the first paragraph we can learn that the author _________.
A. wanted Jack to autograph her book
B. wanted to be as successful as Jack
C. wanted to make friends with Jack
D. wanted to get help from Jack
2.It can be inferred from the passage that Jack Canfield is probably a person who ________.
A. enjoys playing a lot
B. likes showing off his wealth
C. seldom takes risks
D. welcomes challenges in life
3.How did the author lose contact with Jack?
A. She and Jack had an argument.
B. She had no time to contact Jack.
C. Jack was too proud to get along with.
D. She was too upset with her broken dream.
4.What might be the theme of the book Waiting for Jack?
A. The disappointment of waiting for her hero Jack.
B. The need to keep waiting for the prize of our life.
C. The importance of taking action to achieve a goal.
D. The harm of blindly worshipping others as heroes.
The following safety risks may result in serious injury or death to the user of the MINI Cooper S:
This product contains small parts that are for adult assembly (组装) only. Keep small children away when assembling. Remove all protective materials before assembly. Be sure to remove all packaging materials and parts from underneath the car body.
Battery posts contain lead known to the state of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Never open the battery.
Body parts such as hands, legs, hair and clothing can get caught in moving parts. Never place a body part near a moving part or wear loose clothing while using the vehicle. Always wear shoes when using the vehicle.
Using the vehicle near streets, motor vehicles, drop-offs such as steps, water (swimming pools) or other bodies of water, hills, wet areas, in alleys, at night or in the dark could result in an unexpected accident. Instead, use the vehicle on the highway. Always use the vehicle in a safe, secure environment.
Using the vehicle in unsafe conditions such as snow, rain, loose dirt, mud, or sand may result in unexpected action, for example tip over.
Using the vehicle in an unsafe manner. Examples include but are not limited to:
Pulling the vehicle with another vehicle or similar device
Allowing more than two riders
Pushing the user from the back
Traveling at an unsafe speed
Always use common sense and safe practices when using the vehicle.
Store the vehicle indoors or cover it to protect it from weather. Water will damage the motor, electric system, and battery.
1.When assembling, you should ________.
A. open the battery on the spot
B. ignore the packaging materials
C. keep small children off the spot
D. take away all protective materials
2.According to the text, it is safer to ________.
A. have at least four passengers
B. push the user from behind at the start
C. drive on the highway instead of on hills
D. wear loose clothes while using the vehicle
3.Where can you probably find the text?
A. An official report.B. A popular magazine.
C. A physics textbook.D. A product handbook.
假设你是光明第一中学的学生李华，你在某英文论坛上看到一个帖子。澳大利亚中学生Martin想来中国旅游，你向他推荐了光明市，请根据以下提示写一封电子邮件。
内容包括：1. 自我介绍；2. 推荐理由；3. 你的祝愿
注意：1.文章开头已给出，不计入总词数；2. 字数：100字左右
Dear Martin,
I’m very glad to have read the post that you put on the English Forum.__________________
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Yours,
Li Hua
