The 14-year-old, Amit Dodani, a talented speaker and persuasive debater at school, suffered as a child from a speech disorder.
He began working with a speech therapist (理疗师) when he was 6 years old, but it was his decision to try out for debate team at the end of seventh grade that helped him most.
“That experience changed my life,” he wrote after his team went on to nationals. “It gave me hope, and helped me see my own true potential.”
Since he launched MynameMystory last year, the site has attracted national and even international attention. Amit’s mom said her son’s website is meant to send a message that no one is alone in their experience, showing how people overcame their challenges and how others can, too.
“The big thing that clicked in Amit was the belief that people are really needed (to help each other) in this country,” she said. “I wasn’t surprised he wanted to do this, because at such a young age he had this spirit in him.”
In addition to the website, Amit also wanted to expand the idea of sharing stories. So he asked his friends and classmates to donate books to distribute to local hospitals. He hoped to collect perhaps 1,000, but in just two weeks, he received more than 2,300 donations.
“There was an absolute connection between the website and books,” Amit said. “But books are something that can really make a difference to someone who is in the hospital and can’t go to school.”
Amit said he’s hoping to organize a large live event for MynameMystory at the end of this year at Chaminade High School in West Hills. Those who shared their stories on the website will be invited to speak and encourage others to share their stories of overcoming challenges.
“We’re hoping for big things,” Amit said. “We have a lot of events planned out for the future. The goal is basically to inspire people in a different way.”
1.What helped change Amit’s speaking ability most effectively?
A. His speech therapist. B. His mother’s care
C. His debating experience. D. His teacher’s efforts.
2.What’s the purpose of Amit’s setting up the website MynameMystory ?
A. To attract national and international attention.
B. To show others how he overcame his challenges.
C. To encourage people to take part in debating.
D. To deliver his idea that people can help each other.
3.Why did Amit decide to donate books to sick children?
A. They are not allowed to visit the website.
B. Website and books have no connection.
C. They shouldn’t be left out in studies.
D. Books have a special influence on them.
4.What’s the main idea of the text?
A. Amit never stops working for his dream.
B. A young boy is helping others in his own way.
C. Don’t neglect the small things in life.
D. MynameMy story helps build up self-confidence.
Climbing Without Ropes
The popular image of the mountain climber is of a person carefully climbing a steep cliff with a network of safety ropes, but it is not the only kind. Many climbers now enjoy bouldering. It's more accessible and better for the environment.
What is bouldering? Bouldering is a sport that involves climbing on, over, and around boulders up to approximately twenty feet above the ground. Participants employ no safety ropes. | ||
Why boulder? ● improve your climbing skills by focusing on basics ● places to climb, such as climbing walls at gyms and parks, easy to find ● less time commitment to bouldering than to mountain climbing ● intellectual and physical enjoyment as one solves problems |
| Bouldering Terms crimp: a very small handhold foothold: a place where one may place a foot to aid in climbing boulder jug: a very large handhold that is easy to use problem: The path up a boulder is referred to as the "problem" that one must solve. The "solution" is the sequence of moves one makes up and over a boulder. |
Here is an example of a climber addressing a bouldering problem.
Figure 1: The climber has two routes she could take, one to the left and one to the right. The left one appears easier because it has a jug within easy reach, but look what happens if she chooses that direction. She gets stuck on the rock and has to go back down. Sometimes that is even more difficult than going up.
Figure 2: The climber takes the one to the right this time. Using a foothold and placing her right hand in a crimp, she is able to lift herself up and locate other handholds. After only a few moves, she is able to throw her leg over the top of the boulder and pull herself up.
1.According to the passage, bouldering __________.
A. is an indoor sport B. needs maps and equipment
C. has no safety protection D. is a steep cliff climbing
2.Bouldering becomes popular because __________.
A. it challenges the limits B. it costs less
C. it builds minds and bodies D. it is a team game
3.According to the example, the right route is _________.
A. tough but to the top B. a dead end
C. a shortcut D. lined with jugs
4.The passage is likely to appear in _________.
A. a book review B. a science report
C. a newspaper advertisement D. a sports magazine
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What does the Golden Rule ask people to do?
A. Develop personal rules.
B. Respect their families and ancestors.
C. Treat others as they wish to be treated.
2.Which is a teaching of Confucius?
A. Governments should be moral.
B. Husbands should respect wives.
C. People should memorize rules of behavior.
3.How did Confucius teach lessons?
A. Through arguments.
B. Through reasoning.
C. Through personal examples.
4.What does the speaker say about Confucius’ influence?
A. He used to be even more important.
B. He has influenced many cultures.
C. He has little effect on people today.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Which decorations are on the sofa?
A. The Christmas ones.
B. The Halloween ones.
C. The Thanksgiving ones.
2.What did the man use to get the box out?
A. A pole. B. A chair. C. A ladder.
3.Where might the conversation take place?
A. In the basement.
B. In the bedroom.
C. In the living room.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.How old was Jonathan’s mother when she started doing laundry?
A. 8 years old. B. 10 years old. C. 16 years old.
2.Which temperature will Jonathan use for now?
A. Hot. B. Cold. C. Warm.
3.What is the “light” spin cycle used for?
A. Jeans and towels.
B. Most of Jonathan’s clothes.
C. Sheets and pillow cases.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is Anna’s chemistry grade now?
A. B. B. B+. C. D.
2.When does Anna’s study group meet?
A. After school.
B. On the weekends.
C. During lunch hour.
3.Who is Anna speaking to?
A. A study group member. B. Her teacher. C. Her father.
