Lying alongside mountains of smelly garbage under the South American sun, Cateura is a long way from the conservatories of Prague or Vienna. Yet the township, which grew out of Paraguay's largest dump(垃圾场), is gaining a reputation as a hothouse for musical talent and for its youth orchestra(管弦乐队) that plays instruments made from garbage. "The world sends us garbage. We send back music," says Favio Chavez, leader of the "Recycled Orchestra," during a recent visit by the group to Los Angeles. Orchestra members, poor children from Cateura, play violins fashioned from oven trays and guitars made from dessert dishes. The orchestra provides the youngsters an outlet and an escape, a chance to go beyond the mess of their slum(贫民窟) through the music of Mozart, and even Sinatra. "In the beginning, it was difficult to play," says the l0-year-old violinist Celeste Fleitas." But Favio helped me learn over time. From Favio, I have learned to be more responsible and value the things I have."
The destination for more than 1,500 tons of waste each day, the community has no safe drinking water and little access to electricity or sanitation(卫生设施). Illiteracy is severe, and the children of the township often fall into drugs, violence and crimes.
Favio Chavez, a musical talent, came to Cateura as an environmental technician in 2006 and started a youth music school. He knew shop-bought instruments were beyond the means of villagers whose sheds are worth less than a violin, so he approached a carpenter to make some out of waste from the dump.
The orchestra caught the eye of Paraguayan filmmaker Alejandra Amarilla. She uploaded a short piece of the orchestra to YouTube in 2012, hoping to secure crowdfunding for what would become Landfill Harmonic, a documentary released across the United States this month and promoting the youngsters on a tour of the world's music halls later on.
1.What is the best title of the text?
A. Youngsters carry tunes from garbage to victory
B. A music talent hit the road to the world stage
C. A town for music fans
D. An orchestra on a global tour
2.What do we know about Cateura?
A. It has raised people's awareness of recycling trash
B. It has caught more attention through the orchestra
C. It recycles more than l,500 tons of rubbish per day
D. It provides its children with better schooling conditions
3.Why did Alejandra Amarilla upload a piece of the orchestra to YouTube?
A. To assist the youngsters with a world tour
B. To collect funding for a documentary
C. To organize carpenters to make instruments
D. To catch the eye of the Paraguay government
4.What can we learn from Favio Chavez?
A. To work in a team weighs more
B. To recycle things is to conserve things
C. To be creative is a quality of a leader
D. To own nothing is no excuse to do nothing
All over the world mothers and fathers teach their children manners. Other children may have manners that are not like yours. There are all kinds of manners.
Many years ago, children who had good manners were seen and not heard. They kept quiet if grown-ups were talking. Today, well-mannered children have more freedom.
Sometimes good manners in one place are bad manners in other places. Suppose you are a visitor in the land of Mongolia. Some friends ask you to eat with them. What kind of manners do they want you to have? They want you to give a loud “burp(打嗝)” after you finish eating. Burping would show that you like your food. In some countries, if you give a loud burp, you are told to say “Excuse me, please.” In many places people like to eat together. But in some parts of Polynesia it is bad manners to be seen eating at all. People show good manners by turning their backs on others while they eat. What are manners like in an East African town? The people try not to see you. They are being polite. You may see a friend. He may not see you at all. If you are polite, you will sit down beside him. You will wait until he finishes what he is doing. Then he will talk to you. Suppose you visit a friend in Arabia. You should walk behind the other tents until you come to his tent. If you pass in front of the other tents, you will be asked into each one. The people will ask you to eat with them. And it is bad manners if you say no.
Manners are different all over the world. But it is good to know that all manners begin in the same way. People need ways to show that they want to be friends.
1.How did polite children behave?
A. By looking into adults’ eyes while talking
B. By keeping silent while adults were talking
C. By slipping into the house without being heard
D. By not opening their mouths until spoken to
2.Which custom should we follow in order to look well-mannered?
A. Saying “Excuse me” on burping in Mongolia
B. Inviting guests to dinner together in Polynesia
C. Talking with a friend before he completes things in East Africa
D. Accepting an eating invitation in Arabia
3.What can we infer from the text?
A. Hear much, speak little
B. Love me, love my dog
C. When in Rome do as the Romans do
D. Do what you ought to and come what can
There is a lot to learn about the creations of Beatrix Potter—not only is she the author and illustrator of one of the world's most famous children's books,The Tale of Peter Rabbit,but also a pioneering conservationist with the spirit of a scientist.
"Potter grew up as the daughter of a wealthy Victorian family,but along with her brother who filled an entire floor of their large house in London with all sorts of animals,"said Anne Lundin,a retired professor for the UW-Madison School of Library and Information Studies.
"As an adult,she was a frustrated botanical illustrator and scientist.That field was not open to her because she was female,"Lundin said.Potter was urged to tum the charming illustrations and stories she wrote in letters to children into books.She wrote 23 books in all—a body of work that has inspired plays,ballets,films and an astonishing amount of merchandise.
"The Tale of Peter Rabbit is probably the most famous children's book in the world,which was published in 1902 and has really stood the test of time.It's been translated into 36 languages.The parents and grandparents will share it with the next generation,"said Lundin.
Potter also made a mark on the world through her land conservation."In many ways,she was like Peter Rabbit, venturing into a world of adventure and risk.She withdrew from London as soon as she started making some money on her books to the Lake District and became an extremely important farmer and conservationist.She preserved and passed on 15 farms and over 4,000 acres,which were given back to the country as gifts in the 20th century,"said Lundin.
Even though she was born 150 years ago,she was amazingly modern—her embracing of the natural world, commented Jennifer Blatchley Smith,an artistic director of the show Peter Rabbit Tales to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Potter's birth.
1.What helped Beatrix Potter to write The Tale of Peter Rabbit successfully ?
A. Her life and work experiences.
B. Her specialty in animated（动画）pictures.
C. Her success in becoming a botanical scientist.
D. Her interest in animals in childhood alone.
2.What does the word "frustrated" in the third paragraph mean?
A. Disappointed. B. Devoted.
C. Motivated. D. Inspired.
3.What is Beatrix Potter?
A. A botanist and artist.
B. An extremely important farmer and successful scientist.
C. A writer,conservationist and farmer.
D. An artistic director.
4.Why does the author write the article?
A. In celebration of Potter's 150th birthday.
B. In honour of Potter's new contributions.
C. In praise of Potter's spirit of selflessness.
D. In support of Potter's book promotions.
Goodreads recommends the following books you want to read for the event to come.
1.The Lyrics: 1961-2012
By Bob Dylan
Simon & Schuster,$60
What it's about: This heavy,well-timed publication contains lyrics by the songwriter who just won the Nobel Prize in Literature,from his first album,Bob Dylan,through Tempest.
What's to love: The times may be changing,but Dylan's fans are a constant,traditional devotees who will want this epic collection for their shelves,to sit beside those beloved old large papers.
2.Taylor Swift: This Is Our Song
By Tyler Conroy
Simon & Schuster,$28
What it's about: An elegant fanzine celebrating all things about Taylor Swift,especially the pop star's countless fans. What's to love: Mom and/or Dad,the fan of Taylor Swift,will think you're pretty cool if he or she discovers this temple to Taylor under the Christmas tree (even if it is a book).
3.Misty Copeland
By Gregg Delman
Rizzoli,$39.95
What it's about: Star-figure female ballet dancer Misty Copeland strikes a pose(95,to be exact) in photos taken between 2011 and 2014,in the casual setting of dance studios.
What's to love: Since becoming the first African American woman to be named a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre,Copeland has become a cultural phenomenon,and Delman's arresting pictures capture（捕捉）her muscular power and elegance.
4.@ NatGeo: The Most Popular Instagram Photos
By National Geographic
National Geographic,$19.95
What it's about: National Geographic's popular Instagram account(nearly 63 million followers) comes to book form in this title filled with eye-popping images from around the world.
What's to love: Here's proof that NatGeo's talented photographers have conquered social media while maintaining the usual quality of their work.And for fans of more traditional coffee-table-size books,check out National Geographic's Wild,Beautiful Places:Picture-Perfect Journeys Around the Globe ($40).
1.Which author is noted for literature achievements?
A. Bob Dylan. B. Tyler Conroy.
C. Gregg Delman. D. National Geographic.
2.For what event are the books most probably recommended?
A. New Year's Day. B. Christmas Day.
C. One's anniversary. D. Literature awards.
3.How much would a photographer normally spend on his favourite books listed?
A. $39.95. B. $19.95.
C. $59.9. D. $99.9.
4.Which book would a pop star's fan probably buy?
A. The Lyrics: 1961-2012 .
B. Taylor Swift: This Is Our Song.
C. Misty Copeland.
D. @ NatGeo: The Most Popular Instagram Photos.
假定你是李华,你的英国笔友David寒假期间想来你所在的城市学习汉语,让你帮他选择培训学校。请用英语给他写一封电子邮件,推荐一所理想的培训学校,并告知他学习时间、课程内容、食宿、交通及学费等情况。
注意:1.词数100左右;
2.可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯;
3.开头和结尾已为你写好,不计入总词数。
Dear David,
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2.只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
My father is the man I respect most. Strict as he may be, however he never fails to show her care and consideration. Once I broke a neighbor window. Seeing nobody around, I ran away immediately. When Dad came home, he noticed my uneasiness and asked me what has happened. I could only tell him a truth. Instead of scold, he praised my honesty and then encouraged me to apologize our neighbor. I learned from this incident that not only does Dad take care of my health and he also teaches me what to be a good citizen. How luckily I am to have such a good father!
