The past is good for two things: the happy memories, and the lessons it provides. Take some time to think and create two lists: One, your Top Five Most Important Lessons Learned in the Year. And two, your Top Five Favorite Memories of the Year. 1.
Take some time to think
2. But you just invested 8760 or so hours of your life in the previous year. To pull what is worth pulling from it, to give it proper perspective and proper closure, it surely deserves some of your focused conscious energy.
3.
Maybe you lost half your investments this year. Or your job. Or your house. Or you faced health challenges. You may dwell on the negative, self-defeating questions like “How could I be so stupid?” or “How could God let this happen to me?” But a child doesn’t touch fire, get burned, and then spend the rest of his days – or even hours – thinking bitterly how this could have happened to him. He learns not to touch the fire and twenty minutes later he is happily playing again. 4.
Don’t bang on the beehive（蜂窝）
When discussing the past year I have already heard so many people stating how bad it was. I hear them recalling all the bad memories. It is like banging on a beehive. Because here is a universal law: whatever you seek, you will find plenty of. 5. Likewise, if you are focused on good memories, the beauty in the world, and things to feel grateful for, they will nourish your mind, your heart, and allow your life to blossom.
A. Learn from the past experiences
B. First and foremost, bear in mind that the key aspect of this experience is to “take some time to think”.
C. No matter how much you have invested, sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is let go.
D. In today’s go-go faster-faster world, you may be attracted to rush through this experience, to treat it like another task to get off your to-do list.
E. Remember the wisdom of a child
F. If you are focused on bad memories, problems, and things to complain about, they will drown your mind and your heart, and sting your life.
G. Now before you race off to do this, read the rest that provides important perspective on doing this.
When one tried to unify gravity with quantum mechanics(量子力学), one had to introduce the idea of ‘imaginary’ time. If one can go forward in imaginary time, one ought to be able to turn round and go backward. This means that there can be no important difference between the forward and backward directions of imaginary time. Yet there is a big difference between the forward and backward directions of ‘real time’ in ordinary life. Imagine a cup of water falling off a table and breaking into pieces on the floor. If you take a film of this, you can easily tell whether it is being run forward or backward. You can tell that the film is being run backward because this kind of behavior is never observed in ordinary life.
The explanation that is usually given as to why we don’t see broken cups gathering themselves together off the floor and jumping back onto the table is that it is forbidden by the second law of thermodynamics(热力学). This says that in any closed system disorder, or entropy(熵), always increases with time. In other words, it is a form of Murphy’s law: things always tend to go wrong! An intact cup on the table is a state of high order, but a broken cup on the floor is a disordered state. One can go readily from the cup on the table in the past to the broken cup on the floor in the future, but not the other way round.
The increase of disorder or entropy with time is one example of what is called an arrow of time, something that tells the past from the future, giving a direction to time. There are at least three different arrows of time. First, there is the thermodynamic arrow of time, the direction of time in which disorder or entropy increases. Then, there is the psychological arrow of time. This is the direction in which we feel time passes, the direction in which we remember the past but not the future. Finally, there is the cosmological arrow of time. This is the direction of time in which the universe is expanding rather than contracting.
1.How does ‘imaginary time’ differ from ‘real time’ according to the passage?
A. Imaginary time is more important than real time in science.
B. Directions mean less to imaginary time than to real time.
C. One can go backward in real time but can’t in imaginary time.
D. It is harder to tell directions of real time than of imaginary time
2.What’s the purpose of writing about a cup of water falling off a table?
A. To define the forward and backward directions of real time.
B. To tell the backward direction from the forward direction of real time.
C. To show real time is more scientific than imaginary time in ordinary life.
D. To prove there’s a big difference between the directions of real time.
3.Why don’t we see broken cups gathering themselves together off the floor and jumping back
onto the table?
A. It doesn’t agree with the second law of thermodynamics.
B. Things will quickly go wrong for entropy increases with time.
C. There is an interchange between a state of high order and a disordered state
D. All above.
4.The underlined word in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to ______.
A. universal B. physical
C. technological D. geographical
In recent years more and more Chinese schoolchildren are required to wear uniforms at school. Do American children wear school uniforms? In fact, American schoolchildren often wear uniforms if they attend religious or other private schools. Most public schools do not require uniforms. But over the last ten years or so, more of them have moved in that direction, including high schools. Another option is that students may just have to dress alike — for example, white shirts and dark colored pants or skirts. Even schools that do not require uniforms generally have a dress rule about what they consider acceptable. Schools commonly forbid clothing that shows images or words causing displeasure, or simply too much skin. Hats may be forbidden because, for example, different colors may be connected with bad guys.
Some parents like the idea of uniforms. Some say it means they do not have to spend much on clothing for their kids. Others, though, argue that uniforms represent an unnecessary cost.
There are also debates about whether uniforms or other dress rules go against civil rights. Students and parents have taken legal action against school dress requirements. Several years ago, a middle school was asked to stop its dress rule unless families had a way out of it. The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California brought the case for the families of several students who had been punished by the school. Most attention centered on a girl who wore socks with the Tigger character from Winnie the Pooh. The school said its clothing policy, including no pictures of any kind, was needed to control a growing problem with gangs. The families argued that the policy went against free speech rights as protected by the United States and California constitutions.
The United States Supreme Court says student expression is protected as long as it does not harm the work and the rule of a school. But some educators believe dressing alike helps improve student learning. They believe that uniforms help create a sense of unity and reduce the risk of fights. They also say uniforms make it easier for security reasons to tell if someone belongs to the school or not.
1.According to the passage there is a trend in the USA that ______.
A. most public schools do not require uniforms
B. most public schools move in the direction of requiring uniforms at church
C. most schools require the students to be dressed in white shirts and dark colored pants
D. more and more schools have a dress rule about what are suitable for schoolchildren
2.Which of the following is NOT a reaction mentioned to the dress rule?
A. Some parents like the rule which means they could spend less on clothing for the kids.
B. Some parents think the rule has nothing to do with them.
C. Some parents say that uniforms are an extra cost for them.
D. Some others argue that uniforms or other dress rules go against civil rights.
3.What is the girl’s problem?
A. She brought her pet called Tigger to school.
B. She put Tigger into her socks in class.
C. She wore socks with pictures.
D. She had a problem with some gangs.
4.School dress requirements can benefit schools and students except to help ______.
A. the court protect student expression
B. students focus on their studies
C. make a united effort to avoid fights
D. strengthen campus security
When Sir Ector saw Arthur pulled the sword out of the stone and then pushed it back, he rubbed his eyes. “I can’t believe it!” he cried. Then he fell on his knees before Arthur. “Father, please do not kneel before me. Tell me what you mean!” Arthur said with great confusion.
“Listen, then,” said Sir Ector. “Years ago the wise magician, Merlin, carried a baby in his arms. That baby was you. Merlin told me to bring you up as my own son. Now I can guess. You must be the late king ⸺ King Uther’s son. Who else could have pulled out the sword? Arthur, we must let all England know you are qualified to be the new king.”
“I would rather be your son than be a king!” cried Arthur.
“On Christmas the Bishop(主教) will give everyone a chance to pull the sword. You must take your turn and show everyone that you are the only person who can pull the sword out.”
On Christmas Day the great crowd of knights(骑士) and lords gathered before the church. They pulled and pushed, but no one could make the sword move.
Down the street came Merlin. Behind him came Sir Ector with Arthur. “Who are these men?” asked the Bishop. “Here is one who will try the sword,” said Merlin. He laid his hand on Arthur’s shoulder. “Here, lords of England, is the true son of King Uther!” Arthur stepped upon the stone and laid his hand on the sword. Smoothly and easily he pulled it out. He held it high so all could see.
So Arthur became King of all England. Some of the lords did not want him, and he had to fight them. As the years went by, he became stronger and greater. Knights came from all lands to be in his court. At Camelot Arthur started the famous Knights of the Round Table. These were the greatest of all the knights. They made their names famous for all time.
1.Sir Ector fell on his knees before Arthur because ______.
A. Sir Ector wanted to ask for forgiveness from the new king
B. Merlin told Sir Ector to respect Arthur as if he were the King
C. Arthur pulled the sword out and Sir Ector knew who he was
D. Arthur was so powerful that Sir Ector admired him very much
2.Arthur found it ______ when Sir Ector said he was qualified to be the new king.
A. believable B. unacceptable
C. enjoyable D. unchangeable
3.What did Arthur do as King of all England according to the passage?
A. Fighting the foreign countries. B. Making the famous table.
C. Developing the national economy. D. Gathering the greatest knights.
4.What is the best title for the passage?
A. Arthur Becomes King B. Arthur Trains Knights
C. Arthur Defeats Enemies D. Arthur Loves Swords
Through your childhood and, let’s be honest, most of your adult life, you may have wondered ⸺ how do you get to Sesame Street? After 50 years, the answer has finally been revealed.
New York City’s Official Sesame Street
In the past, there was guessing about the true location of the street, like Harlem or Alphabet City since both neighborhoods resembled Sesame Street in appearance and population makeup. Recently, in honor of the children’s television show’s 50th anniversary, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio declared that West 63rd Street between Central Park West and Broadway will now officially be known as Sesame Street, close to the Sesame Workshop office.
A Year-long Celebration for the 50th Anniversary
Since 1969, the children’s television show Sesame Street has been a pioneering force in media and education, dealing with issues like racism, loss, poverty and living with a disability. With a mission to help kids everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder, Sesame Street has brought the life-changing benefits of early learning to children across the globe for 50 years. Today, we reach kids in 150 countries and 70 languages and we’re celebrating our landmark anniversary with fans and families all year long!
Events and Activities Throughout 2019
Fans and families around the world can join their favorite furry friends in celebrating Sesame Street’s past, present, and future, with:
A 50th television season which focuses on the power of possibilities, empowering kids to take safe risks and learn from their mistakes.
A nationwide road trip where Sesame Street characters and friends host community events in ten cities around the country.
A research report that will explore an important issue facing kids and families today.
Celebrity and fan-fueled social media campaigns showcasing favorite Sesame Street memories.
New corporations across fashion, lifestyle, and themed entertainment for fans of all ages.
A November star-studded prime-time special, whose contents include new takes on classic scenes and visits from Sesame Street icons.
1.Where is the official Sesame Street?
A. In Harlem or Alphabet City. B. Around the corner of the West 63rd Street.
C. At the Sesame Workshop office. D. Between Central Park West and Broadway.
2.What benefits are children able to get from the television show?
A. They can learn to solve all life problems in the childhood.
B. They will definitely become smarter, stronger and kinder.
C. They may get positive help meaning much to their later life.
D. They are likely to make friends with kids from 150 countries.
3.Which of the following is not an event or activity to celebrate the 50th anniversary?
A. A new season of the television show . B. A 10-city journey for lucky fans.
C. A special TV program in November. D. A report good for kids and families.
假如你是晨光中学的李津。最近，你得知你的外国朋友Tom每天都用快餐作为午餐，你觉得这不是个好习惯，请你给他写一封信，建议他尽量少吃快餐。
文中应包括：
1. 常吃快餐的危害
2. 提出建议
参考词汇：营养nutrition
注意：
1. 词数不少于100；
2. 可以适当增加细节，使内容充实、行文连贯；
3. 开头和结尾已给出，但不计入总词数。
Dear Tom，
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Best Wishes
