Taking Chances
My mother recently read me a speech she had made at a local high school， hoping to ____ my endless quest for answers to everything．
Ever since I was very young ， __________of making mistakes ， I've asked countless times，"What should I do？" I don't remember clearly when I__________ only to do things the "right" way，and made "doing it the right way" my motto．
However， sometime during my high school years， I __________ ． Maybe it was when I decided to try for the lead in "Beauty and the Beast．" Never mind that I would have to memorize _______and rehearse movements ， I would take the chance that I might ___________． On the day of tryouts， my heart was pounding；my hands were _________badly when I got up to sing．But when I opened my mouth ， the sound was loud and __________． I reached for the high notes that sometimes were _________ my reach． I was trying to do my best even though I might fail．_______ I didn't!
The audition （试镜） was definitely an ___________part of the process ． I realized that if I wanted to live life to the fullest， I had to take_________．
Now ， I do take these chances ， with baby steps ， every day ； voicing my opinions in class discussions or debates，_________ for a high note in church choir， riding my horse over a three ﹣foot jump．
Three years ago， I broke my back when I fell from my horse．The __________meant I couldn't try out for basketball， which I loved． And， the day I __________ out for track was the first day my doctor allowed me to do any physical activity at all． The coach didn't take me， so I started running with my mom ． No stop ﹣watches ． No cheering crowds ． I didn't _________the track team， but I didn't fail， either．
I have finally learned to ___________myself ， like taking a tough science course ． And I have come to realize that even though my parents， friends and teachers don't always have the__________ to "What should I do？"， they will be there to _________me when I try．
"Life is learning to deal with Plan B，" my mother __________ in her speech． But I now know that the Plan A's I make for my life will become easier and easier with every chance I take．
1.A.seek B.satisfy C.excite D.tolerate
2.A.afraid B.aware C.certain D.free
3.A.afforded B.agreed C.promised D.decided
4.A.survived B.learned C.changed D.quitted
5.A.lines B.texts C.lessons D.roles
6.A.stay B.leave C.fail D.join
7.A.hurting B.shaking C.suffering D.struggling
8.A.powerful B.gentle C.innocent D.distant
9.A.against B.within C.outside D.beyond
10.A.Otherwise B.Thus C.But D.Therefore
11.A.ordinary B.independent C.additional D.important
12.A.chances B.turns C.measures D.sides
13.A.looking B.waiting C.hoping D.reaching
14.A.event B.injury C.disease D.experience
15.A.worked B.tried C.looked D.held
16.A.visit B.admire C.make D.take
17.A.help B.enjoy C.push D.save
18.A.answer B.approach C.response D.access
19.A.teach B.watch C.trust D.support
20.A.planned B.stated C.expected D.discussed
Directions: Read the following passage. Fill in each blank with a proper sentence given in the box. Each sentence can be used only once. Note that there are two more sentences than you need.
Most of us would like to have a bright, “white” smile—filled with teeth that would make a Hollywood actor proud. Studies show that up to 52 percent of people are dissatisfied with the color of their teeth. 1. Globally, rows of pearl-white teeth shine out from magazines and cinema screens.
It is hardly surprising, then, that we tend to think that white teeth are not only attractive but also healthy. However, new studies have revealed that pearly teeth don’t always mean great oral health.
2. It can be based on our genes and ages. As you get older, your teeth often become yellower as the enamel（牙釉质）—the hard white outer layer of teeth—begins to wear away. Eating, drinking, smoking and taking certain medications might also discolor your teeth. These stains don’t actually indicate a problem with dental health. You can have pearl-white teeth and still have cavities（龋齿的洞）. Likewise, you can have perfectly healthy teeth that are yellowish or even brownish. 3.
There is even one type of stain that some researchers believe might protect against tooth decay. This is the “black stain” which you sometimes see along teeth at the edges of the gum line（牙龈线）. It can look like a series of dark dots. While the cause of the black stain has been in debate for more than a century, some studies have found that children with the stain are less likely to have tooth decay. It’s thought that some microbes in the stain might be somehow protective.
So what if you still want pearl-white teeth, regardless of what they say about your health? There is a wide range of products you can use. Some kinds of toothpaste promise a whitening effect. Most of them contain substances that rub stains off your teeth. Others add some blueish substances to your yellowish teeth, resulting in a bright white color. 4.
Of course, unless you continue using the product or receiving the whitening treatment, the whiteness will only last for as long as you avoid the foods and drinks that cause the stains in the first place. But now you know that even without that Hollywood white smile, it doesn’t mean you don’t have healthy teeth.
A.Many of the experiments on tooth color have been conducted in laboratory test tubes, rather than in the mouths of living people.
B.In countries such as the United States, tooth whitening is one of the most commonly requested dental treatments.
C.The color of our teeth is influenced by a number of factors.
D.It is no surprise that the red wine leaves the strongest stains.
AB. There are also professional whitening treatments, but whitening can cause temporary sensitivity in some people’s teeth or gums.
AC. Of course, in some cases, discoloration can indicate decay or other diseases, so it is worth getting stains checked out by a dentist.
One of the most inspiring quotes I ever heard was by Brian Tracy. He said: “The difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is that successful people fail many more times than unsuccessful people.” I personally experienced the wisdom of that understanding right after my first book was published. Like many authors，I expected hundreds of bookstore customers lining up for me to sign copies for them. I’m afraid to say, it didn’t quite happen like that.
My first signing was arranged at the largest bookstore in the city. Filled with anticipation，I was put into a private signing room in the beautiful store. Despite a nice sign placed outside the room exhibiting images of both me and my book, not a single customer entered the room. As each minute passed, I became increasingly anxious.
Do they not like the title? I wondered. Do they not like the book cover?
After 90 minutes of this torture, I was absolutely distraught.
For the four years writing the book, I had felt a sense of mission and purpose like never before in my life. Working a full 8-hour day in my clinic, I had to get into bed by 9:30 pm every day, so I could wake up at 5:30 in the morning and have two hours of writing before heading into my clinic. Before I ever began each writing session, I would close my eyes for 10 minutes and then whisper, “Please grant me the words to touch just one person’s life”
Now, sitting there alone at my first book signing，I wondered if my entire life wasn’t just a big joke. At that moment, just when I couldn’t feel any worse, a middle-aged couple walked into the room. I managed to hide my emotions and introduced myself and my book. There was something different about the way they were looking at me that I couldn’t quite identify. But I didn’t know what else to say. The couple turned to each other, and the husband nodded to his wife. She then told me, “I think we’ll get the book.” My heart began to pound. But I realized the woman was trying to say something else.
“The reason we’re buying it，” she said hesitantly, “is because our son committed suicide two years ago. Maybe your story will help us get over it.”
At that moment, I knew if I never sold another copy of the book, my four years of writing it had served its purpose. Although I would have many more challenging years until my book caught on and sold well, this couple’s story was all the motivation I needed at that point to keep me moving ahead. Thanks to them, I would come to the realization that the greatest of lives are made all in the same way: One challenge... one hurdle... one step... and one small victory at a time.
1.The writer quotes Brian Tracy to emphasize the importance of _________.
A.conscience B.success
C.confidence D.perseverance
2.The word “distraught” (paragraph 4) probably means ________.
A.bored and impatient B.cheerful and proud
C.upset and disappointed D.miserable and ashamed
3.What can be inferred from paragraph 5?
A.The writer had to quit his job to make time for his writing.
B.The writer was not sure about the purpose of his writing at first.
C.The writing was completed with great self-discipline and efforts.
D.The process of writing the book was full of pains and frustration.
4.By saying “my four years of writing it had served its purpose”, the author probably means that _________.
A.he had succeeded in selling his first book to the couple
B.he had managed to touch someone’s life with his book
C.he was quite satisfied with the feedback of his readers
D.he had found someone who appreciated his writing
Like a tired marriage, the relationship between libraries and publishers has long been dull. E- books, however, are causing heartache. Libraries know they need digital wares, but many publishers are too cautious about piracy(盗版) and lost sales to co-operate. Among the big six, only Random House and Harper Collins license e-books with most libraries.
Publishers are wise to be nervous. Owners of e-readers(电子阅读器) are exactly the customers they need: book-lovers with money. If these people switch to borrowing e-books instead of buying them, what then? Electronic borrowing is awfully convenient. Unlike printed books, which must be checked out and returned to a physical library miles from where you live， book files can be downloaded at home. The files disappear from the device when they are due.
E-lending is not simple, however. There are lots of different and often incompatible(不兼容的) e-book formats, devices and licenses. Most libraries use a company called OverDrive, which secures rights from publishers and provides e-books and audio files in every format. Yet publishers and libraries are worried by Over Drive’s global market dominance(优势), as the company can control fees and conditions. Publishers were annoyed when OverDrive cooperated with Amazon, the world’s biggest online bookseller, last year. Owners of Amazon’s Kindle e-reader who want to borrow e-books from libraries are now redirected to Amazon’s website, where they must use their Amazon account to secure a loan.
According to Pew, an opinion researcher, library users are a perfect market for Amazon. Late last year Amazon introduced its Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, which lets its best customers borrow free one of thousands of popular books each month.
Library supporters argue that book borrowers are also book buyers and that libraries are vital spaces for readers to discover new works. Many were cheered by a recent Pew survey»which found that more than half of Americans with library cards say they prefer to buy their e-books.
So publishers keep adjusting their lending arrangements in search of the right balance.
Random House raised its licensing price’s earlier this year, and Harper Collins limits libraries to lending its titles 26 times.
1.It can be inferred from Paragraph 1 that ________.
A.several big publishers have sold e-books to libraries
B.most publishers are hesitant to cooperate with libraries
C.libraries are eager to keep strong relationship with publishers
D.libraries and publishers face the same problem of e-books’ piracy
2.Why are publishers worried that people will switch to electronic borrowing?
A.E-books must be checked out and returned to libraries regularly.
B.There is no time limit for the book files downloaded on the device.
C.There are lots of different and incompatible e-book formats available.
D.Book sales may drop sharply because of convenient electronic borrowing.
3.We can learn from the text that ________.
A.Amazon is adopting measures to win more customers
B.e-books can be lent at libraries as many times as you like
C.Over Drive distributes e-books and audio files to publishers
D.over half of Americans are borrowing e-boo from libraries
4.What is the best title for the text?
A.The Hopeful Future of Publishing Business
B.The Uncertain Economics of Lending E-books
C.The Dull Relationship between Libraries and Publishers
D.The Close Cooperation between OverDrive and Amazon
Essentially, everyone has two ages. a chronological（按时间计算的）age, how old the calendar says you are, and a biological age, basically the age at which your body functions as it compares to average fitness or health levels.
“Chronological age isn’t how old we really are. It’s merely a number,” said Professor David Sinclair at Harvard University. “It is biological age that determines our health and ultimately our lifespan. We all age biologically at different rates according to our genes, what we eat, how much we exercise, and what environment we live in. Biological age is the number of candles we really should be blowing out. In the future, with advances in our ability to control biological age, we may have even fewer candles on our birthday cake than the previous one.”
To calculate biological age, Professor Levine at Yale University identified nine biomarker(生物标志) that seemed to be the most influential on lifespan by a simple blood test. The numbers of those markers, such as blood sugar and immune(免疫的) measures, can be put into the computer, and the algorithm（算式;算法）does the rest.
Perhaps what’s most important here is that these measures can be changed. Doctors can take this information and help patients make changes to lifestyle, and hopefully take steps to improve their biological conditions. “I think the most exciting thing about this research is that these things aren’t set in stone,” Levine said. “People can be given the information earlier and take steps to improve their health before it’s too late.”
Levine even entered her own numbers into the algorithm. She was surprised by the results. “I always considered myself a very healthy person. I’m physically active; I eat what I consider a fairly healthy diet. But I did not find my results to be as good as I had hoped they would be. It was a wake-up call,” she said.
Levine is working with a group to provide access to the algorithm online so that anyone can calculate their biological age, identify potential risks and take steps to improve their own health in the long run. “No one wants to live an extremely long life with a lot of chronic（慢性的）diseases,”
Levine said. “By delaying the development of mental and physical functioning problems, people can still be engaged in society in their senior years. That is the ideal we should be pursuing.”
1.By saying “we may have even fewer candles on our birthday cake than the previous one” in Para. 2, the author means .
A.we don’t have to celebrate our birthday every year
B.we are chronologically older than last year
C.we might be less happy than the previous year
D.we may be biologically younger than the year before
2.According to Prof. Levine, what is the most exciting thing about her research?
A.The measures are not fixed.
B.Health services can be set up.
C.The problems are not that serious.
D.The research results are written in stone.
3.What does the author want to tell us by Levine’s example in Para. 5?
A.It is necessary to change our diet regularly.
B.The test results may give us wrong information.
C.Waking up early in the morning is good for our fitness.
D.The algorithm can reveal our potential health problems.
4.The ultimate goal of Levine’s research is to .
A.free people from chronic diseases
B.work out a solution to genetic problems
C.keep people socially active even in old age
D.provide people with access to scientific theory
Choosing where to live may be one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when you move to Sydney, but you’ll have plenty of help.
Temporary arrival accommodation
Before you move to Sydney, we recommend that you book a temporary place to stay. Once you get here, you can look for longer-term accommodation.
--sydney.edu.au/accommodation/short-term
On-campus-residential colleges (fully catered饮食全包的)
The University has eight residential colleges on the Camperdown/Darlington Campus, including International House, a residential community of global scholars. Colleges provide comfortable, fully furnished single rooms and daily meals, along with sporting, cultural, leadership and social programs. They also include on-site tutorials(辅导课) in addition to campus-based classes.
--sydney.edu.au/colleges
On-campus residences (self-catered饮食自理的)
The University has two self-run residences—Queen Mary Building (QMB) and Abercrombie Student Accommodation—on the Camperdown/Darlington Campus. Both just under a year old, they house up to 1000 students. These residences provide modern single-study rooms with large common living, learning and study spaces, shared kitchens, a theatre, gyms, soundproofed music rooms, art studios, sky lounges and rooftop gardens.
--sydney.edu.au/campus-life/accommodation/live-on-campus.html
Off-campus living
More than 90 percent of our students live off campus. The University is close to many dynamic and multicultural suburbs such as Annandale, Newtown, Chippendale and Glebe. A great place to search is our large online database of properties.
--sydney.edu.au/campus-life/accommodation/live-off-campus.html
1.Where can you find a place to live temporarily?
A. On “sydney.edu.au/colleges”.
B. On “sydney.edu.au/accommodation/short-term”.
C. On “sydney.edu.au/campus-life/accommodation/live-on-campus.html”.
D. On “sydney.edu.au/campus-life/accommodation/live-off-campus.html”.
2.What do students living in QMB have access to?
A. Their own kitchens.
B. On-site tutorials.
C. Daily meals.
D. Gyms.
3.What is the most popular choice among students?
A. Living off campus.
B. Living in host families.
C. Living in self-catered flats on campus.
D. Living in fully catered houses on campus.
