I am a volunteer in the Friendly Visiting Program. I visit a(n)______ who does not seem ______ because her son and grandchildren live upstairs with her.______, she has a special disease and ______ this condition she cannot ______ the house alone. For whatever reasons, her family is too nervous or ______ to take her out of the house with her oxygen tank. I will admit at first I was ______ too! But she is a fiercely independent lady and can ______ it with ease.
Since her loneliness comes from staying ______ so long, we meet about every other week. We go to IHOP and I get to ______ her amazing stories such as when she first moved to Boston from Ireland,______ she first met her husband and about her large family. She often ______ at the end of our meetings, saying I had no ______ to cut in. I am a chatty person but with her all I want to do is ______. Often, her family members have heard these ______ and may take them for granted, but for me they are ______ and interesting. We often stay at IHOP for 2 hours ______ the free flowing coffee.
It is nice to know that when I drop her back off at home she is not ______ lonely. But I also see the real ______ our meetings make. There have been times when, because of her ______ issues, we have not seen one another for a month or two and we miss each other terribly. I feel very lucky to have a friend like her.
1.A. teacher B. gentleman C. doctor D. elder
2.A. friendly B. happy C. lonely D. kind
3.A. Therefore B. However C. Otherwise D. Instead
4.A. due to B. instead of C. beyond D. out of
5.A. occupy B. repair C. leave D. decorate
6.A. eager B. glad C. shocked D. inconvenient
7.A. painful B. nervous C. carefully D. voluntary
8.A. finish B. handle C. face D. cure
9.A. indoors B. silent C. upstairs D. healthy
10.A. tell B. write C. hear D. record
11.A. why B. that C. which D. how
12.A. apologizes B. complains C. cries D. responds
13.A. place B. desire C. chance D. doubt
14.A. laugh B. listen C. sit D. speak
15.A. stories B. songs C. suggestions D. poems
16.A. familiar B. new C. similar D. necessary
17.A. giving away B. looking forward to C. focusing on D. taking advantage of
18.A. completely B. possibly C. regularly D. truly
19.A. trouble B. progress C. difference D. adjustment
20.A. marriage B. family C. address D. health
How to Store Strawberries
You’ve scored some beautiful strawberries and brought them home with great care. You’ve washed a few and eaten them immediately, but what to do with the rest? 1. These simple tips for storing strawberries guarantee the least waste:
First things first, don’t wash the strawberries until you’re ready to eat them. Strawberries are ready to absorb water.2.
If you plan on eating or cooking with the berries within a day and it’s not too terribly hot in your kitchen, you can leave the strawberries out at room temperature. Put them in a pretty bowl within easy eyesight so people remember to eat them.
3. Take a shallow bowl or plate with a clean kitchen towel. Place the unwashed strawberries in more or less a single layer and refrigerate them. Stored this way, very fresh strawberries will keep for several days. The closer you can create this dry and un-pressed situation, the better.4.
If you’re not planning on using the strawberries within a few days, you’d better freeze them rather than keep them all fresh. Frozen strawberries are perfect for baking up in cakes, and other treats.5. They say frozen strawberries hold their shape better. Besides, whenever you have strawberries about to be not at their best, you can also place them in the freezer. By the end of strawberry season, you’ll likely have enough of them to make jam.
A. There are different answers to this question.
B. They say frozen ones are to be more easily stored.
C. Actually, many bakers prefer frozen berries to fresh ones.
D. Again, don’t wash them until you’re going to use them!
E. And once they’ve met with water, they are quick to rot away.
F. For overnight storage, however, you’d better refrigerate them.
G Strawberries can go bad easily, especially when not stored correctly.
A dragonfly barely an inch and a half long appears to be animal world’s most productive long distance traveler - flying thousands of miles over oceans as it migrates from continent to continent - according to a newly published research.
Biologists who led the study say the evidence is in the genes. They found that populations of this dragonfly, called Pantala flavescens, in Texas, eastern Canada, Japan, Korea, India, and South America, have genes so similar that there is only one likely explanation. Apparently — somehow — these insects are traveling distances that are extraordinarily long for their small size, breeding (繁殖) with each other, and creating a common worldwide gene pool.
But how do insects from different continents manage to meet and hook up? Ware says it appears to be the way their bodies have evolved. “These dragonflies have adaptations such as increased surface areas on their wings that enable them to use the wind to carry them.”
Dragonflies, in fact, have already been observed crossing the Indian Ocean from Asia to Africa. “They are following the weather,” says Daniel Troast, who analyzed the DNA samples in Ware’s lab. “They’re going from India where it’s dry season to Africa where it’s wet season, and apparently they do it once a year.”
Wetness is a must for Pantala to reproduce, and that, says Ware, is why these insects would be driven to even attempt such a dangerous trip, which she calls a “kind of suicide.” The species depends on it. While many will die on the route, as long as enough make it, the species survives.
For the moment, the details of this extraordinary insect travel are an educated best guess. Much more work is needed to bring many loose ends together. Ware and Troast hope that scientists can work on plotting those routes.
1.What proves Pantala flavescens are the world’s longest-distance flyers?
A. Scientists have tracked the dragonfly across the world.
B. There are many Pantala flavescens in various continents.
C. The same dragonfly was found both in Asia and America.
D. Pantala flavescens in different continents have similar genes.
2.What helps Pantala flavescens fly over so long distance?
A. Their special body shape.
B. Their ability to use wind.
C. Their small and light body.
D. Their large and strong wings.
3.What is necessary for Pantala flavescens to reproduce?
A. Damp weather. B. Enough sunshine.
C. Dry environment. D. Warm nests.
4.What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 5 refer to?
A. The weather. B. The insect.
C. The wind. D. The trip.
“Auld Lang Syne” is a song that everyone drunkenly sings, which marks the start to a brand new year. No one ever seems to know the words (something about forgetting old acquaintances?) or what they mean (why would we want to forget people?), but, in America, it’s as much a part of New Years’ tradition as wine. But why?
The lyrics (歌词) to the song come from a poem written by the great Scottish poet Robert Bums in 1788. Its title is believed to be an old Scottish way of saying “a long time ago.” Phrases like “In the days of auld lang syne” also appear in other Scottish fairytales and poems, usually as a way of saying “Once Upon a Time.”
While it still causes confusion, it is believed that the opening lines of the song are meant to be rhetorical (夸张的); “Should auld acquaintance be forgotten, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgotten, and auld lang syne?” therefore means we should have a drink in honor of whatever is passing, and remember old friends.
When the Scots immigrated to America in the 19th century, they brought the song with them. But its great popularity can be largely due to the Canadian bandleader Guy Lombardo.
In 1965, he explained how he himself came to associate the song with the end of the year to Life Magazine:
“Auld Lang Syne is our theme song—and was long before anyone ever heard us on the radio. In our particular part of western Ontario, where there’s a large Scottish population, it was traditional for bands to end every dance with Auld Lang Syne. We didn’t think it was known here.
If you want to see the singer in action, check out his final performance on the eve of 1977, after performing for 48 years in a row.
1.How might people feel when first hearing the song Auld Lang Syne?
A. Confused. B. Moved.
C. Energetic. D. Comfortable.
2.Why do people sing Auld Lang Syne when New Year is coming?
A. To hope for good luck. B. To celebrate the New Year.
C. In honor of Robert Bums. D. In memory of the past.
3.Why is Guy Lombardo mentioned in the text?
A. He created the song Auld Lang Syne.
B. He made the song Auld Lang Syne more popular.
C. He brought the song Auld Lang Syne to America.
D. He was the first to sing the song Auld Lang Syne.
4.What might be the best title for the text?
A. What does Auld Lang Syne Mean?
B. Who Makes Auld Lang Syne Popular?
C. How does Auld Lang Syne Come into Being?
D. Why do People Sing Auld Lang Syne on New Year Eve?
Sometimes we experience pain that seems just too big to feel, too frightening to face - it looks like a tsunami. So, we run. My tsunami came when I was nine years old.
I was woken up by my mother’s screams - “Bob? Bob?! BOB!” I ran to my parents’ bedroom. My father was on all fours, unconscious. My mother was crazy - desperately trying to figure out how to stop what was happening. I ran to the phone - 9-1-1, the neighbors, anyone - “help us!” Soon rescue came, but my father didn’t come back to life.
When my friends came to comfort me, I remember “pulling myself together” as I walked toward them, determining to show them that I was fine.
The more I denied my pain, the more I was praised by the adults around me-”Oh, look how strong she is!” So, I kept saying “I’m fine.” Over and over and over. I said it enough - performed it enough - that I even fooled myself. I believed that I was okay.
But pain doesn’t just “go away” - that whole “time heals” thing is a total crock. 30 years after my father died, when I looked around for an explanation for all the years of destructive behavior, I couldn’t find the root of the pain in my life because I had covered it up so well. All the “I’m fine” - 30 years of them - buried the pain of that nine years old girl.
Her pain had been trying to come out, to be heard, to be healed.
And, finally, it was.
After years of treatment, I found my way back to that night where the pain started, back to the tsunami. This time, I didn’t run. It hurt - it still hurts - but now, when it hurts, I let the pain come. Fm not scared to say, “I’m not fine” - because I know, eventually, I will be.
1.What did the author do when her father was in danger?
A. She ran out to look for rescue. B. She kept calm and asked for help.
C. She offered first aid to him at once. D. She was too afraid to do anything.
2.Which of the following can best replace the underlined word “crock” in Paragraph 5?
A. fact B. theory
C. experiment D. lie
3.Why was the author praised?
A. She behaved politely.
B. She seemed to be confident.
C. She could look after herself.
D. She could handle the blow properly.
4.What lesson can we get from the author’s experience?
A. Hiding our pain can be harmful.
B. Expressing pain is not very easy.
C. Being strong means hiding one’s pain.
D. Children are good at covering up their pain.
Below are several programs designed for students.
ARCC Gap
ARCC Gap has been offering programs for young adults since 1983. ARCC Gap Semester programs are an opportunity to live and learn in some of the greatest classrooms on earth. Our Semester programs take students on a journey of discovery of local peoples, places, cultures and ideas.
Program Locations: International — Africa, Asia, Latin America, and India
Phone: 415-332-5075
Email: gap @ adventurescrosscountry.com
Thinking Beyond Borders
Thinking Beyond Borders’ gap year programs are specifically designed for students who like learning and are eager to create meaningful social change in the world. We combine working with inspiring local leaders, and engage readings and discussions to create an exciting, supportive, and transformational learning environment.
TBB’s full-year and semester options include a 7-country Global Gap Year.
Program Location(s): International — Global, South America, Asia
Phone: 203-993-0236
Camps International
Our inspirational AGA programs give you the chance to live with the communities you will be supporting and work with locals on service projects that make a significant and lasting difference to people’s lives. You can also contribute to protecting the environment and endangered wildlife.
Program Locations: Kenya, Borneo, Cambodia, Ecuador, Peru and our newest locations Costa Rica, Nicaragua
Phone: 44 1425 485 390
Email: rcig@campsintemational.co.uk
Raleigh International
For more than 30 years Raleigh International has been running life-changing Expeditions to some of the most remote places on the planet.
A Raleigh Expedition is overseas volunteering. Our 5, 7 or 10-week Expeditions provide exposure to different people, new cultures, situations, and environments. This is your chance to create a real change in the communities that need it most, and to develop a range of skills for yourself.
Program Locations: Africa, Asia and India
Phone: 00 44 (0)207 183 1270
1.What do ARCC Gap and Thinking Beyond Borders have in common?
A. They are to bring about social changes.
B. They are designed to train young leaders.
C. They have a history of about three decades.
D. The participants will travel to different continents.
2.What is the advantage of taking part in Camps International?
A. Gaining the chance to get support.
B. Knowing more about national affairs.
C. Developing the awareness of serving others.
D. Having a good command of a foreign language.
3.How can we get in touch with Raleigh International?
A. By fax. B. By phone.
C. By email. D. In person.
