The Advantages of Hobbies
Hobbies provide entertainment and a chance lo continuously learn something new and develop a skill set.1.
Hobbies are praised as a key to stress reduction.Becoming lost in the mental concentration or physical action which you are deeply interested in helps you shift focus from the parts of life that are stressful.2.And in turn you are more peaceful when working on other work.
3.Many people set goals with their hobbies that provide them satisfaction when these goals have been achieved.These goals can be simple,like improving a golf score,writing a certain number of pages for a novel each day or seeing an entire collection of classic films.
Hobbies provide a sense of community when you meet other people who enjoy similar activities.4.More populated cities typically have numerous clubs or groups for people to share their knowledge and enthusiasm about a particular hobby.Becoming a member of one of these organizations allows greater growth within your hobby,as well as a chance to make new friends.
Having a hobby can develop a talent that makes a person feel proud and satisfied.For example,a tennis hobby developed at a young age can lead lo a career as a professional athlete one day.5.For example,writer Vladimir Nabokov also collected butterflies,which allowed him to do better in his chosen fields because he used learned skills from one to improve the other.
A.There are a variety of hobbies.
B.Hobbies provide a sense of achievement.
C.Some hobbies affect other aspects of your life.
D.Focusing on something enjoyable can calm the mind.
E.They also provide many other social and health benefits.
F.Having a hobby increases the chances to interact with like-minded people.
G.Some hobbies containing physical activities offer an enjoyable way to stay healthy.
Shopping is a big part of the holiday season,when families and friends gather together and exchange gifts.While the popularity of shopping online has grown,such practices are not always eco-friendly or timely,as gifts bought online must be packaged and shipped,wasting valuable resources and time.
The benefits of shopping locally go beyond convenience and reduce your carbon footprint.The following are a few ways that shopping locally this holiday season can directly benefit your community and the people who call it home.
When men and women shop locally,they are putting money back into their local communities.Local businesses may be owned by your neighbors,and it can be comforting to know that your holiday shopping dollars are going to support a neighbor instead of a large company.Local businesses also employ your neighbors,so shopping locally can strengthen the local economy by creating jobs.
Local businesses go a long way toward creating a neighborhood identity,and that identity can create a stronger sense of community among you and your neighbors.In addition,a unique community identity can make your town more attractive to outsiders,and can also attract more people to local businesses in your neighborhood.
The gifts you buy when shopping locally can also benefit your community.Gifts purchased from small local businesses tend to be more unique than items bought from national chains,as smaller retailers tend to sell more home-made items than their national competitors.Recipients of such items may find such gifts more thoughtful than mass produced items bought from national chains.
The accessibility of customer service is another benefit of shopping locally.When you buy something from national chains,especially during the holiday season when such businesses may have to deal with orders,making contact with customer service departments can be a test of patience.A long wait on the phone or online can make the process of contacting customer service departments extremely frustrating.But such frustration is rare when shopping from local businesses,as consumers can simply buy their products in the store.In addition,shopping locally makes it more convenient for friends and family members who also live in your community to return their gifts.
1.The author referred to shopping online in the passage to .
A. imply it is convenient to shop online
B. show it has been popular with the public
C. imply shopping locally is better than that
D. tell people they should stop wasting resources
2.It can be inferred from the third paragraph that .
A. local businesses are in poor management
B. shopping locally can help some people get jobs
C. a large company usually gains much profit
D. few people support local businesses
3.If people love the products from a local business, .
A. the business will raise the price of its products
B. the products will be sold in the distant places
C. it will help develop the community a lot
D. the community will turn into a tourist destination
4.What does the underlined word “Recipients” mean in the passage?
A. The persons who receive something.
B. The persons who donate something.
C. The persons who sell something.
D. The persons who purchase something.
Michael Jackson (1958-2009) spent many of his later years alone in a mansion called Neverland.The name “Neverland” is taken from the children’s story Peter Pan.It’s about boy who never grows up.Cruel critics of Jackson thought he was like Peter Pan,but that he was childish rather than childlike.They laughed at his taste,his clothes and his pet chimpanzee,Bubbles.
But perhaps Jackson acted like a child because he hadn’t had a proper childhood.He began to work as a professional singer at the age of 9,performing with a group made up of his brothers.Besides working with this group. The Jackson Five,be also had a solo career.He didn’t choose to make music like this;he was under a lot of pressure from his father and the music business.He started young and began to sell lots of records while he was still young. With this kind of pressure,who can blame him for living in his own way once he’d become an adult and gotten rich enough lo do what he liked?
His great originality came from the fact that he wrote,performed and recorded music that appealed to different communities.Before there had been “white” music and “black” music.But Jackson made “crossover” music,songs that had parts of funk,rock ‘n’ roll and disco in them.He broke down a lot of barriers with this approach.A great example of this “crossover” style is the song Beat It.It has guitars like rock music,but it also has a beat like disco music.
If you look up the Beat It video on the Internet,you’ll understand another reason for his fame.He made imaginative music that went well with equally imaginative videos.Beat It is,in part,about a war between young gangs. Jackson and his team made a great job of showing the rival gangs facing each other.You also see great dancing,and Jackson shows off his strong sense of fashion.Jackson was as much a video artist as a music artist.
This is why he was such a hit not just in the United States,but also globally.People loved his music and videos everywhere.He had a great effect on so many household names.Britney Spears,Justin Bieber and many others.In all of them you can find the combination of catchy danceable music and great videos that Jackson started.His music videos were must-see TV,and young would-be artists learned that it took more than just holding a microphone if they really wanted to make it big.
“When I was just starting out,many first producer used to make me listen to Michael Jackson’s live performance of Who’s Loving You (1969).He would make me watch and listen to that for hours back to back,“said American singer Beyonce,just one of many singers to be inspired by Jackson.
He was,for many of the younger generation,the first to cross over and explode onto the pop charts.“ I felt like he set the standard for artists.I don’t care what genre you make music in,you should always try to be like Michael Jackson,”said American singer Bruno Mars.That is why was called “The King of Pop” and why he lives on in the hearts of hundreds of millions.
1.Why did Michael Jackson act like a child?
A. Because he liked Peter Pan so much.
B. Because he was childlike and childish.
C. Because he lived in a mansion called Neverland.
D. Because he didn’t live a proper life in his childhood.
2.What can we learn from the comments of Beyonce and Bruno Mars?
A. Beyonce and Bruno Mars were asked to exactly what Michael Jackson did.
B. Beyonce and Bruno Mars attach great importance to becoming famous.
C. Michael Jackson lives in the heart of millions of fans.
D. Michael Jackson is a very influential super star.
3.How can we describe Michael Jackson?
A. Childlike and popular. B. Creative and talented.
C. Influential and responsible. D. Imaginative and generous.
As computers become more popular in China,Chinese people are increasingly depending on computer keyboards to input Chinese characters.But if they use the computer too much,they may end up forgetting the exact strokes of each Chinese character when writing on paper.Experts suggest people,especially students,write by hand more.
Do you write by hand more or type more?In Beijing,students start using a computer as early as primary school. And computer dependence is more widely spread among university students.Almost all their assignment and essays are typed on a computer.
All the students interviewed say they usually use a computer.
It’s faster and easier to correct if using a computer.And that’s why computers are being applied more and more often to modern education.But when people are taking stock in computers increasingly,problems appear.
“When I’m writing with a pen,I find I often can’t remember how to write a character,though I feel I’m familiar with it.”
“I’m not in the mood to write when faced with a pen and paper.”
Many students don’t feel this is something to worry about.Now that it’s more convenient and efficient to write on a computer,why bother to handwrite?
Many educators think differently.Shi Liwei,headmaster of a famous primary school in the capital said,“Chinese characters enjoy both practical and aesthetic value.But those characters typed with computer keyboards only maintain their practical value.All the artistic beauty of the characters is lost.And handwriting contains the writer’s emotion. Through one’s handwriting,people can get to know one’s thinking and personality.Beautiful writing will give people a better first impression of them.”
To encourage students to handwrite more,many primary schools in Beijing have made writing classes compulsory（必修的）and in universities,some professors are asking students to turn in their homework and essays written by hand.
1.The underlined expression “taking stock in” in paragraph 4 probably means .
A. getting bored with B. getting dependent on
C. becoming crazy about D. getting curious about
2.The students interviewed prefer to write using a computer mainly because .
A. they can correct the mistakes they make quickly and conveniently
B. they are usually asked to e-mail their homework and essays
C. they find it not easy to remember how to write a character
D. computers have become a trend and fashion in China
3.Which of the following statement is NOT true of the advantage of handwriting?
A. Handwriting contains the writer’s emotions.
B. Chinese characters enjoy both practical and aesthetic value.
C. Handwriting can impress people well and build one’s self-confidence.
D. The writer’s thinking and personality are shown in his or her handwriting
4.Which of the following can best serve as the title of the passage?
A. To Type or to Handwrite.
B. The Importance of Handwriting and Typing.
C. Writing by Computer Will Replace Writing by Hand.
D. Practical and Aesthetic Value of Chinese Characters.
Experience the newly opened Grand Canyon West Skywalk in Colorado.Departing from Grand Canyon’s South Rim by Airplane to Grand Canyon’s West Rim,you will land and take a ground tour to the Skywalk! Walk on air for 70 feet over the edge of Grand Canyon West.
This Skywalk has been open since March 28,2007.Daily visitor-ship to the Skywalk has been over 4000 people. Please be patient to enjoy your moment on the Skywalk.
After you have experienced the one and only Grand Canyon Skywalk Glass Bridge from where you can enjoy the scenery better,you will return to the Grand Canyon West airport and take your Airplane for a flight back to the South Rim of the Canyon.This is a tour never to be forgotten as you will have walked on air over the Grand Canyon.
Tour Itinerary
Tour Time | 5.7 Hours | The Grand Canyon Skywalk |
Flight from Grand Canyon South Rim to Grand Canyon West | 1 Hour | Experience a bird’s-eye view of the Grand Canyon as you make your way to Grand Canyon West. |
Light Lunch at Guano Point at Grand Canyon West | 2 Hour | You’ll be taken by bus to Guano Point with breathtaking views of the western part of the Grand Canyon where the Colorado River makes its way into Lake Mood.Every table for lunch has a view. |
Walk on the World-famous Skywalk | 1.5 Hour | Finally you’ll board your bus to Eagle Point,home of the Grand Canyon Skywalk.Now it is time for you to walk on air for 70 feet over the Grand Canyon. |
Flight Back to Grand Canyon South Rim | 1.2 Hour | After time on the Skywalk,you’ll return to the Grand Canyon West Airport and return to Grand Canyon South Rim in time for dinner and sunset. |
1.The purpose of the passage is to .
A. attract visitors to America
B. introduce the Skywalk to readers
C. describe the beauty of Grand Canyon
D. speak highly of Grand Canyon South Rim
2.Why is the bridge in the passage made of glass?
A. Because it can differ from others.
B. Because it is cheaper.
C. Because it gives visitors a better view.
D. Because it looks more wonderful.
3.According to the Tour Itinerary,the route is .
A. South Rim →Guano Point →West Airport →Eagle Point →West Airport →South Rim
B. South Rim →West Airport →Guano Point →Eagle Point →West Airport →South Rim
C. South Rim →West Airport →Eagle Point →Guano Point →West Airport →South Rim
D. South Rim →West Airport →Eagle Point →West Airport →Guano Point →South Rim
4.How does the author find the tour over the Grand Canyon?
A. Boring. B. Expensive.
C. Impressive. D. Adventurous.
最近你校开展了“敬重父母”的活动， 请你根据下表提示， 以“Learning to Respect Our Parents ”为题为21st Century 写一则报道。字数：120字左右
主题 | Learning to Respect Our Parents |
宗旨 | 敬重父母是中华民族的传统美德(traditional moral value) |
现状 | 大多数学生都是独生子女， 只注重自己， 不顾父母 |
决定 | 开展“敬重父母” 活动 |
措施 | 制定了10条规定，如：要记住父母的生日， 并向父母表示祝愿；父母回家时要与他们打招呼； 离家出门前要告诉父母你要去做什么。。。。。。 |
效果 | 受到家长和社会各方面的好评和赞扬 |
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