This is our country, America. The country where everyone is supposed to have a shot at financial success. The country of dreams and ambition. Yet, caused by the endless pursuit of individual profit, our country is a mess. And we owe it all to capitalism.
We live in a society where people are forced to live without health coverage. A country where the poor can hardly feed themselves while the rich decide which one of their 10 homes to stay at for the night. All of these sad things arise out of capitalism.
Sadly, our country values little more than money. It motivates our decisions and even influences entire political parties. We have gotten to the point in society where a human life comes secondary to our financial security. Any rational society would value life above all else and realize that health is a basic human right. Yet in our world, money comes first.
I never once have claimed to be an economist and have no interest in debating the financial advantages of any economic system. Yet socialism surely looks better than what we have.
If we lived in a socialist society, we would be a country without such an unfair wealth distribution. We would value friendship over business and we would treat one another as humans. Most importantly, however, is that money would stop controlling our lives and we could act how humans should act.
Capitalism has created an “every man for himself” existence. Everything is a battle for limited resources and fuels. We have become so accustomed to the life value that we will do whatever we have to look out for ourselves. Yet is this really the kind of life we want?
We have become so illusioned. We are tired of the misdirection. All economic systems have their issues, but I feel like ours is turning our country into something it shouldn’t be. The good of man falls secondary to money. In our world, it is all about dollars and cents, which, unfortunately for most, makes no sense.
1.In the author’s opinion, the root cause of the present situation in his country is __________.
A. money B. people’s value
C. social unfairness D. social system
2.According to the passage, which is NOT the characteristic of capitalism?
A. individualism B. endless pursuit of wealth
C. humanism D. great gap between the rich and the poor
3.How does the author feel about his country?
A. concerned B. angry
C. skeptical D. hopeless
4.Which of the following would the author agree with?
A. Socialism is perfect.
B. Health is equally important as wealth.
C. The pursuit for wealth should be restricted.
D. Life should be placed at the top of our considerations.
5.Which of the following might be the best title of the passage?
A. How to Save America B. Capitalism Is in Trouble
C. Why Is America in Trouble D. America Is in Trouble
Over 130 schoolmates from the Society for Science & the Public’s high school science competitions gathered for a panel (座谈小组) discussion. Hosted by Society President Maya Ajmera, the panel consisted of science professionals and Society schoolmates.
Ajmera started the event by asking the successful women panelists about young scientists faced when entering the professional world.
Hackman, a health policy reporter for the Wall Street Journal, admitted that in following a career inscience, some scientists dislike the long, seemingly dull lab hours when they could follow a job with more“shine”.
About what was hoped for in their career, Angel, who founded Science from Scientists, encouraged the audience to ask themselves, “What influence did I have? What did I leave behind?” She hoped her company, whose task was to help children in grades 4 — 8 develop a love for math and science, will live beyond her. “Even if you help one person,” she reflected, “you have already made a difference”.
As for their support systems, they agreed on the value and support of the family in their professional development, Hackman shared her background as a first generation Iranian American and how her parents who knew little about science had fled the Iranian Revolution. While working with mother to complete herSTS project, Hackman was surprised and grateful because while her mother did not understand the research,her willingness to learn and help made all the difference.
The panelists’ stories and advice surely inspired the younger generations to follow a career in STEM.Ajmera was glad to see the diversity among the panelists and the audience, encouraging everyone tocontinue breaking barriers. Though a career path in the STEM is not always easy, it can be rewarding, especially when you have a great team behind you.
1.What challenge do young scientists have?
A. Their work is tiring and boring. B. Their task is hard and stressful.
C. Their work is mainly done in labs. D. Their advantages are often ignored.
2.What does Angel suggest to the audience?
A. Struggling to succeed. B. Leaving positive influence.
C. Determining to be scientists. D. Offering more help to the poor.
3.Why does Hackman mention her background?
A. To ask people to love their family. B. To show why she took up science.
C. To call on people to value science. D. To show the importance of family support.
4.What does the last paragraph mainly tell us?
A. The greatness to be scientists.
B. The effects the panel discussion has.
C. The need to break barriers in science.
D. The diversity among the panelists and the audience.
Though not as much as in the past, grandparents are the teachers of the Navajo (纳瓦霍人) youth. They make young people aware of life at an early age. The parents allow them the privilege of teaching the children, and the grandparents take great pride in raising them.
Young children often stay with their grandparents for years at a time, developing a close and trusting relationship. The grandparents teach them Navajo legends and the principle of life, emphasizing both new culture trends and the preservation of traditions.
The grandparents are also the leading figure in teaching the youth the arts of weaving, caring for the live stock, using herbal medicine, and other arts and crafts.
The children are taught to respect their elders, care for them, help them and learn from them. Young people are urged to listen with care to the words of their elders and keep as much wisdom as possible. Grandparents often go to social gatherings and traditional events, and young people have opportunities to learn more about their culture and traditions.
I lived with my grandmother for thirteen years, and she raised me in the old ways of our people. Although I was going to school, she taught me as much as she could about our traditions. If I had a chance, I would listen again to her wise teachings, expressed with kindness in a soft voice that touched my heart.
We used to plant corn and pumpkin every summer. They never grew big enough to feed us, but we planted them anyway. I asked my grandmother why. She said, “Grandson, our plants will be far more beautiful than the flowers outside the fence.” I didn’t understand until one day I saw their beauty as I was coming over the hill with her. She said, “Anything that is a part of you is always far more beautiful than the things which you pass by.” We had some beautiful years together. I’m glad she is a part of me and I’m apart of her.
Children used to be well disciplined, possessing more respect for culture, traditions and beliefs than they do now. The world of the Navajo has been influenced by the western world, and the grandparents have less control and influence than they used to. But the young people who have been touched by their teachings have glimpsed a way of life beyond what most people know today.
1.What can be inferred from the first paragraph?
A. Grandparents are the source of traditional culture.
B. Parents hate to take the trouble to raise their children.
C. Early schooling isn’t very popular with the young Navajo.
D. Children learn about the meaning of life from their grandparents.
2.The underlined word “figure” in Paragraph 3 probably means “________”.
A. persons B. pioneers
C. examples D. representatives
3.Why did the author’s grandmother plant corn and pumpkin?
A. She had to feed her family members.
B. She tried to make full use of her garden.
C. She wanted her grandson to learn a life lesson.
D. She expected her grandson to learn about farming.
4.What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?
A. To honor his beloved grandmother.
B. To stress the greatness of the Navajo.
C. To share with readers a Navajo culture.
D. To show the influence of Navajo traditions.
Where Is Spring Break
Where is Spring Break going to be? The options are endless. Do you want to get your blood pumpingfrom thrilling travels? Look no further! These tours and destinations will keep you on your toes all week long.
Panama: This underrated destination is a little-known secret of the most travelers! Through this touryou’ll get to hike, snorkel (浮潜) and explore all the best sights this beautiful country has to offer! Eight daystours for $ 250 / day.
Canada: This diverse country is full of options. Explore the East of Canada and visit cities such asMontreal, Quebec or Toronto. If you’re feeling adventurous, explore the Western part of the country with aCanadian Rockies Tour. During this twelve days tour you will hike a glacier to beautiful scenery and wanderthrough postcard-worthy villages. Tours to Canada for $200 / day.
Iceland: Check off one of the seven wonders of the world with a tour of the Northern Lights and GoldenCircle. Spend seven days full of adventure like hiking glaciers, snowshoeing through Thingvellir NationalPark, relaxing in the Geysir Hot Springs and of course experiencing the glory of the Northern Lights! Sevendays tours for $ 300 / day.
South Africa: Discover the diverse culture and wildlife that makes up South Africa. Your tour planincludes a journey along the coast known as “Rainbow Nation.” Here you will enjoy beautiful scenery, ahunting travel through Addo Elephant National Park and the wildlife in Tsitsikarnma National Park. Ninedays tours for $230 / day.
1.Which destination costs tourists the most money?
A. Panama. B. Canada.
C. Iceland. D. South Africa.
2.What can be learned from the text?
A. Tourists can take a hot shower only in Iceland.
B. Tourists can hike glaciers in both Canada and Iceland.
C. Canada offers Rockies Tour for tourists to explore the East.
D. Tourists can enjoy a hunting travel through Tsitsikamma National Park.
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。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. 每处错误及其修改仅限一词。
2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Last night a strong wind as well as a heavily rain struck our area. News came that the trees in the park two kilometers away from our school was blown down. This afternoon, they set off the park to do some cleaning. The head of the park met us or gave us some advice on how to clear away the falling trees, branches and leaves. Some times later, we were working hard when it begins to rain. Because few of us had taken along umbrellas or raincoats, so we were all wet. A rain lasted about an hour and it was a pity that they had to stop our work.
语法填空
On a cold evening with snow floating in the air, I got 1.(stick) on the road because of a flat tire(轮胎) .I attempted 2.（seek）help from the passing cars, but no one stopped. As I was about to give up hope, a man 3.（drive）an old dirty car came to my aid. To be honest, I was scared when he first approached me. Eying him up and down, I thought to myself, ‘There is a very good chance 4. he may rob me, ”He seemed to have sensed my discomfort so he tried to ease my 5.（anxious）by introducing himself. His act of kindness made me feel ashamed to have questioned his intentions. 6.was really considerate of him to stop to help a perfect stranger like me, especially in such terrible weather. Thus, after the spare tire was fitted, I asked 7. much I owed him. I wanted to pay him back. 8.(surprising), he did not take my offer but rather told me to pass the act of kindness forward and help more people 9. need. As he said those words, I noticed him wearing a smile of contentment. Helping others seemed a very 10.（nature）thing to him. I witnessed the true beauty of human nature in him.
