When I moved to Senegal in 2007 to work for a charity organization, the first thing I did was to hit the streets. Dakar, the capital, leans out into warm Atlantic wind. It has a relaxing atmosphere that makes it a favorite destination.
Not far from the city center, it also has one of Africa’s biggest slums(贫民区)and its share of beggars. Street kids would tail me, begging. During a previous trip to Senegal, I was once cheated by a man. I'd wondered for years whether to give money to beggars in West Africa.
Near my apartment, I passed a group of young men in wheelchairs whom I took to be beggars. Head down, I walked by them quickly. As the months went by, I'd often come across them. I’d often see them at an outdoor basketball court near my office. They’d sit on the ground with their chairs upside down, tightening and adjusting wheels, waiting until the other guys left so they could play.
I'd stay and watch them warm up. They played with speed, rolling down the court as fast as I could run. A few weeks later I introduced myself to them with the help of Mafall, who was one of the guys and could speak a little French. I started spending more time with them and eventually became something like an assistant coach.
The players quickly grew on me. I started referring to them as “my guys” to my colleagues. It was the most fun I’d had since I got to Dakar. Life on the street had made my players strong and they didn’t back down easily. I was proud of them.
Toward the end of the season, Mafall invited me to where he lived—found many of the players there, with their wives and children. I learned that most of them were born with disabilities. As Mafall and I chatted, I knew something had changed. They were no longer beggars. They were basketball players, my guys, and my friends.
1.It can be inferred from the text that the disabled young men ________.
A. used to beg in the streets B. often helped the local charity.
C. were not friendly toward foreigners D. played basketball as well as normal guys.
2.Why did the writer walk by the young men with head down?
A. To be afraid of being recognized by them.
B. To prevent himself from being stolen.
C. To be afraid of being cheated by them.
D. To be careful enough to find his way home.
3.Why did the author call the disabled young men “my guys”?
A. They often played tricks on the author.
B. They were loved by the author.
C. They used to cheat others when begging.
D. They always quarreled while training.
4.What is the whole text mainly about?
A. The author refused to be cheated by beggars in Dakar.
B. The author helped the locals in Senegal out of poverty.
C. The author coached the young men in Senegal to play basketbal1.
D. The author helped to change some disabled young men in Dakar.
Here are some apps that may be helpful to you. Link to the apps and you can manage your course load, prepare for exams and even get you to class on time.
Rescue Time
Rescue Time offers a detailed look at how you’ve spent your time—the good and the bad. This desktop application runs in the background, tracking everything you do on your computer, and delivers a report on how you’re spending your time. The free version tracks the time you spend on websites and applications, lets you set goals and sends weekly reports. At $9 per month, it adds the ability to track time away from your computer and lets you block websites that may affect your productivity.
Math Alarm
Want to make sure you get to class on time and squeeze in a little extra math practice as well? That’s exactly what Math Alarm, a free iOS app, can help you do. Set the alarm for the time you need to rise, and you’ll have to answer a math problem in order to turn it off. The problems aren’t tricky but they are enough to awake your brain so that you’re more likely to wake up.
Cliffs Notes
Teachers hate them, students love them. The Cliffs Notes Study Guide app is free for iOS devices, but actually available only for some contemporary well-known novels. If your course load includes another classic novel, you’ll have to pay $2 for each study guide you need. The available titles include a wide selection, ranging from The Outsiders to Paradise Lost and Their Eyes Were Watching God, but students in need of help with some lesser known titles may be out of luck.
1.What extra help can students get from Rescue Time’s paid service?
A. It can help you block websites that can distract their attention.
B. It can keep track of the time when they surf the websites.
C. It can send a weekly report to their parents.
D. It can help the students to set proper goal.
2.What can we learn about Math Alarm?
A. Without a Math Alarm, you’ll be late for schoo1.
B. You can set your alarm by answering a math problem.
C. You have to solve a math problem before turning it off.
D. It can help you solve complex math problems.
3.What’s the disadvantage of the Cliff Notes Study Guide app?
A. It only covers three famous books.
B. It is forbidden to use by the teachers.
C. It charges too much for each novel.
D. It only contains those contemporary well-known novels.
听下面一段独白,回答以下小题。
1.How many French songs should DJs play according to the new rule?
A. 40 percent. B. 60 percent. C. 90 percent.
2.Why are the radio bosses and DJs unhappy about the new rule?
A. More people will not listen to their radio.
B. No people will listen to their American songs.
C. The English language will get deeper into their culture.
3.What is the purpose of the new rule?
A. To protect American culture. B. To protect French culture. C. To protect British culture.
4.What’s the French musicians’ attitude toward the new rule?
A. They hate it. B. They don’t care. C. They’re for it.
听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。
1.How long will the man probably stay in China?
A. Half a year. B. At least one year. C. Less than one year.
2.What is very difficult for the man to learn Chinese?
A. Knowing the four tones. B. Writing the Chinese characters. C. Getting interested in the language.
3.Why does the woman suggest the language-exchange program?
A. The man has long been interested in it.
B. She wants to make friends with the man.
C. They can help each other in language learning.
4.When do the speakers plan to begin their lessons?
A. Tonight. B. This Sunday. C. Next Sunday.
听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。
1.How long will the woman stay in New York?
A. For two years. B. For three years. C. For four years.
2.From whom did the man know where the woman is?
A. The woman’s brother. B. The woman herself. C. The woman’s team-member.
3.What’s the probable relationship between the two speakers?
A. They are teammates. B. They are lovers. C. They are coach and player.
听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。
1.Where did the woman buy the local products?
A. The local museum. B. The market. C. The post-office.
2.What will the woman do tomorrow?
A. Buy some paper-cuts. B. Learn to make paper-cuts. C. Send paper-cuts to her friends.