In one of my college classes, we were required to do an act of kindness. My project included ________lunch for an elderly person. When I________the elderly person with the food I cooked, it never________to me that it would result in a new friendship and the discovery of a________.
The person I visited was Bill, who was unable to________much. A nurse came regularly to help him move to and from the wheelchair because he has no________. Bill said he was delighted to see me and it was a________for him to eat a meal with me because he usually eats________. He said the food was great, but he enjoyed having________even more than the food.
Bill had had a________life when working on the railroad and had many________stories to tell about his travels to many places. I was________a trip because of his stories. I had once________about traveling by train. However, I would________be going by train after meeting Bill.
Perhaps the biggest________of this project was that I suddenly realized that I am________of working with the elderly. Spending time with them was fun-they have so much life experience to_____. On the one hand, I am a good________. On the other hand, older people want someone to know their inner world, so it is a perfect________. I decided to focus my studies on the________. Hopefully in the future, I will work with them to help even more people like Bill.
1.A. buying B. delivering C. packing D. preparing
2.A. called on B. came across C. picked up D. turned to
3.A. happened B. appealed C. occurred D. proved
4.A. travel plan B. career path C. holiday destination D. cooking skill
5.A. talk B. eat C. sit D. walk
6.A. money B. relatives C. neighbours D. time
7.A. treat B. fancy C. privilege D. waste
8.A. slowly B. little C. alone D. unhappily
9.A. family B. company C. fun D. health
10.A. painful B. hopeful C. peaceful D. colorful
11.A. adventurous B. fresh C. absorbing D. satisfying
12.A. intending B. pretending C. allowing D. requiring
13.A. argued B. hesitated C. thought D. cared
14.A. unbelievably B. undoubtedly C. unexpectedly D. unhurriedly
15.A. aim B. impression C. problem D. bonus
16.A. aware B. proud C. fond D. certain
17.A. share B. discuss C. treasure D. gain
18.A. student B. cook C. learner D. listener
19.A. choice B. deal C. match D. game
20.A. old B. poor C. disabled D. homeless
Zoo animals VS animals in the wild
Zoo animals usually live longer than their wild counterparts. This is because they have access to medical care and better nutrition in zoos. Moreover, there is a lack of predators(捕食者). 1.Elderly wild animals lose their strength, ability to find and digest food and often lose their social standing in their species social structure. Zoos are learning how to care for old animals.
Boredom is a big problem for animals in zoos and something animals in the wild do not have to face. Animal experts believe that a small place produces boredom. 2.They also provide companions and hide pieces of food so the animals have to search for it as in the wild.
3. A case in point is the Asiatic wild horse. The species was hunted to extinction in the wild by 1969. The entire world population now lives in zoos and nature preserves. The largest population is kept at the National Zoo in Washington. D.C. All of those animals were zoo-born.
Animals living in the wild may come into contact with people. The animals may hunt livestock(家畜)or eat farmers’ crops. 4.In good zoos, people can see that these animals are not just able to make trouble, but lead complex lives. This can help people save the animal and the habitat needed to keep the animal alive in the wild.
Animals often reproduce better when they are in the wild. 5. One of the remarkable examples is the female giant panda. Using artificial(人工的) means has helped raise the worldwide panda population. Also, by trying to recreate the animal’s natural living condition as mush as possible, zoo animals will breed.
A．The goals of zoos have changed.
B．However, some animals are an exception
C．As a result, they are considered harmful and are hunted.
D．If they live in the wild, they have to battle against them.
E．Even so, it often leaves one to wonder if the animals live well.
F．For some species, living in zoos is the only way the species can survive.
G．So good zoos have replaced all metal cages for those animals that used to live in large areas.
Sugar gliders(蜜袋鼯)are small, cute, and unique little animals. Sugar gliders are a long-term commitment, living up to 14 years with good care, and require a special diet, lots of attention, and space. Baby sugar gliders start life off in their mother’s pocket, just like kangaroos.
All wild sugar gliders are from Australia, Indonesia, and New Guinea where they live in tree tops. Sugar gliders in the wild live in social family units called colonies. This social life is very important to all sugar gliders and they enjoy the companionship and communication from their own species.
Sugar gliders can make lovable, playful, and entertaining animals, but regular interaction with them is very important if you want the glider to be friendly, especially if having a colony of them. Sugar gliders will get along with other gliders that they live with. While these glider relationships are very important, you’ll still want to make sure your glider is also friendly with you if you want to handle them.
Sugar gliders are quick, love to climb, will glide from place to place if space allows it, and like to stay in a nest during the day to sleep. They cannot be potty (便盘) trained but they seldom bring owners cleaning trouble.
Sugar gliders can be very noisy. The noises that a sugar glider makes are usually to show that they are upset, frightened, hungry, or to express other feelings. “Crabbing” is the most often heard sound of an upset glider and this warning should be noticed or you may be in for an unkind bite. You will hear this sound if you wake a sleeping glider up during the day since they are nocturnal, you also might be at the risk of losing a good rest.
Pet sugar gliders have fairly strict dietary requirements. The perfect diet for a sugar glider is still a widely argued topic but more and more research has been done over the years to determine some of the best options.
1.Which of the flowing is required for keeping a pet sugar glider according to the text?
A. Long-time care B. Joyful toys
C. A special pocket D. Technical knowledge
2.What do you know about sugar gliders from the text?
A. They like to make noises B. They are normally quite clean
C. They are always very friendly D. They live in caves in the wild
3.Why do owners need regular interaction with sugar gliders?
A. To create harmony for sugar gliders
B. To lengthen sugar gliders’ life
C. To give sugar gliders a sense of security
D. To form a bond with sugar gliders
4.What does the underlined word “nocturnal” in paragraph 5 probably mean?
A. in high spirits B. in poor condition
C. active at night D. noisy during the day
With the explosion of consumer choices in recent history, the latest must-haves would surely need to be upgraded more often than every 10 years. In 2002 a computer and basic mobile phone would have been enough for most people, but now? The public need a trendy notebook computer and a smart phone with WiFi connection to feel they are up-to-date. So when will we have enough things? When will we finally be happy? Well, it looks like the things we buy today will barely keep us satisfied for a few months.
In the eyes of some psychologists, far from making us happy, greater consumer choice creates many serious psychological problems. A fundamental principle of the society is that more freedom is better and more choice in the marketplace means more freedom. Therefore more choice leads to more happiness. This is not the case, however.
Imagine you go to a café offering chocolate and vanilla ice cream. You choose the chocolate and eat it happily. But what if the café serves 50 kinds of ice cream? You choose chocolate and then start to worry, “maybe blueberry would have been better, perhaps the half-fat ice cream would have been healthier. Stupid me, all these choices and I didn’t make the best one! ”
In China’s major cities we have now passed the point where more consumer choice is making us happier. We are annoyed by all the options we have, disappointed because our expectations are so high and angered at ourselves when we don’ t make a perfect choice every time.
A newspaper reporter tells a story about traveling on a plane with high-speed Internet access. He thought this was amazing—the newest piece of technology he had heard of. Then the service went down. The man next to him was angry and swore. The reporter thought, “How quickly the world owes him something he knew existed only 10 seconds ago!”
1.What is the text mainly talking about?
A. Hi-tech and consumer needs.
B. Computers and smart phones.
C. Wireless products and WiFi connection.
D. Diverse choices and consumer satisfaction.
2.What may some psychologists think of the consumer demand in the café?
A. The consumer has mental problems.
B. More choice means more freedom.
C. Variety leads to unhappiness.
D. The shop provides too many choices.
3.Why was the man next to the reporter quite annoyed?
A. The net connection was interrupted. B. Someone owed him money.
C. The air hostess offered poor service. D. The pleasure lasted only 10 seconds.
4.What does the underlined word “swore” in the last paragraph probably mean?
A. Fell asleep. B. Said rude words.
C. Made promises. D. Became amazed.
Several years ago, most young Britons wanted a career in law, to be a doctor, or , if they were creative enough, to take up singing. But today, things stand differently.
According to a survey by Tesco Mobile, a UK telecoms company, the “dream job” of young people aged between 16 and 25 in the UK is a video blogger, or “vlogger”. The survey, carried out among 1,002 people, found that as much as 40 percent of them put vlogger as their number one choice on a list of ideal careers. The single factor contributing to this change is undoubtedly the internet and social media. They have made it so much easier to reach a global audience, without having to enter a career in show business in the traditional way.
“In years that have gone by, the biggest stars were recommended and trained by the Hollywood studios; now, anyone with a computer camera can become an idol,” a Tesco Mobile spokesperson said in a news release. “From fashion to comedy, these self-made stars document their hobbies to an adoring fan-base. Vloggers are the big stars of today because they are normal people interacting with their fans about everyday life.”
However, what people see is only the bright side of being a vlogger and they ignore the fact that only those who are successful gain fame and fortune. For every success there are a hundred others who never get off the starting block. There are the dreams that come true and the dreams that are destined to remain dreams.This is why despite the popularity of vloggers, some young people chose to follow careers that don’t necessarily earn them fame, but allow them to make good use of the internet to share their hobbies.
Young Israeli David Leshaw, for example, runs a business called the Finishers Club. It’s an online platform for runners to keep a record of their races. He told the career website Zippia that his job allows him to express his passion, and is always a learning experience. And that’s enough for him.
1.Why do so many young Britons choose to be vloggers?
A. Because being vloggers is an ideal career.
B. Because vloggers can become idols easily.
C. Because being vloggers is popular nowadays.
D. Because vloggers are bound to be rich and famous
2.What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 4 mean?
A. Most vloggers can achieve their dreams
B. One should realize the dreams one by one.
C. Vloggers who are successful can gain fame and fortune
D. Not all the vloggers have accomplished the dreams
3.The example of Israeli David Leshaw in the last paragraph serves to .
A. call on young people not to be vloggers B. explain the popularity of vloggers
C. help readers take a correct attitude D. state the advantages of his career
4.What is the author’s attitude toward being vloggers?
A. Objective B. Critical
C. Positive D. Negative
See our editors’ top 5 picks in print books and Kindle books, and discover our editors’ picks for the best books of the year.
# 1 Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
In Killers of the Flower Moon, David Grami revisits a shocking series of crimes in which dozens of people were murdered in cold blood. Based on years of research and new evidence, the book is a masterpiece of narrative nonfiction.
Kindle: $14.99 Hardcover: $ 17.37 Paperback: $15.36
# 2 Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Little Fires Everywhere explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, and the fierce pull of motherhood — and the danger of believing that following the rules can avoid disaster,
Little Fires Everywhere is the perfect gift for the holidays!
Kindle: $13.99 Hardcover: $ 20.96 Paperback: $ 12.95
# 3 Bear Town by Fredrik Backman
It is a novel about a forgotten town bothered by scandal and the amateur hockey team that might just change everything into a better place. Winning a junior ice hockey championship might mean everything to the residents of Beartown.
Kindle: $10.99 Hardcover: $ 12.95
# 4 Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
Profoundly intimate and powerfully inventive, Exit West tells an unforgettable story of love, loyalty, and courage that is both completely of our time and for all time.
Kindle: $12.99 Hardcover: $ 15.73 Paperback: $11
# 5 Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Harari
Yuval Noah Harari, author of the international phenomenon Sapiens, returns with an equally original and attractive book, turning his focus toward humanity’s future, and our quest to upgrade humans into gods.
Kindle: $17.99 Hardcover: $ 28.95 Paperback: $22.99
Please SIGN IN here to see more picks from our editors.
1.Which author’s book would make a good Christmas gift?
A. Yuval Harari. B. Mohsin Hamid.
C. David Grann. D. Celeste Ng.
2.Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. Killers of the Flower Moon is a sci-fi for staff in FBI
B. Bear Town tells the story of a hockey team’s growth.
C. Exit West is a love story that will not be out of date.
D. Homo Deus is as famous as Sapiens internationally.
3.Where would you most probably find this text?
A. In a magazine. B. On a website.
C. In a brochure. D. In a book ad.
