If you are a fruit grower — or would like to become one — take advantage of Apple Day to see what’s around. It’s called Apple Day but in practice it’s more like Apple Month. The day itself is on October 21, but since it has caught on, events now spread out over most of October around Britain.
Visiting an apple event is a good chance to see, and often taste, a wide variety of apples. To people who are used to the limited choice of apples such as Golden Delicious and Royal Gala in supermarkets, it can be quite an eye opener to see the range of classical apples still in existence, such as Decio which was grown by the Romans. Although it doesn’t taste of anything special, it’s still worth a try, as is the knobbly(多疙瘩的) Cat’s Head which is more of a curiosity than anything else.
There are also varieties developed to suit specific local conditions. One of the very best varieties for eating quality is Orleans Reinette, but you’ll need a warm, sheltered place with perfect soil to grow it, so it’s a pipe dream for most apple lovers who fall for it.
At the events, you can meet expert growers and discuss which ones will best suit your conditions, and because these are family affairs, children are well catered for with apple-themed fun and games.
Apple Days are being held at all sorts of places with an interest in fruit, including stately gardens and commercial orchards(果园). If you want to have a real orchard experience, try visiting the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale, near Faversham in Kent.
1.What can people do at the apple events?
A.Attend experts’ lectures.
B.Visit fruit-loving families.
C.Plant fruit trees in an orchard.
D.Taste many kinds of apples.
2.What can we learn about Decio?
A.It is a new variety.
B.It has a strange look.
C.It is rarely seen now.
D.It has a special taste.
3.What does the underlined phrase “a pipe dream” in Paragraph 3 mean?
A.A practical idea.
B.A vain hope.
C.A brilliant plan.
D.A selfish desire.
4.What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?
A.To show how to grow apples.
B.To introduce an apple festival.
C.To help people select apples.
D.To promote apple research.
Grandparents Answer a Call
As a third－generation native of Brownsville, Texas, Mildred Garza never planned to move away.Even when her daughter and son asked her to move to San Antonio to help with their children, she politely refused.Only after a year of friendly discussion did Ms.Garza finally say yes.That was four years ago.Today all three generations regard the move as a success, giving them a closer relationship than they would have had in separate cities.
No statistics show the number of grandparents like Garza who are moving closer to adult children and grandchildren. Yet there is evidence suggesting that the trend is growing.Even President Obama’s mother-in-law, Marian Robinson, has agreed to leave Chicago and move into the White House to help care for her granddaughters. According to a study by grandparents.com, 83 percent of the people said Mrs.Robinson's decision will influence grandparents in the American family.Two－thirds believe more families will follow the example of Obama’s family.
“In the 1960s we were all a little wild and couldn't get away from home far enough or fast enough to prove we could do it on our own,”says Christine Crosby, publisher of Grand, a magazine for grandparents. “We now realize how important family is and how important it is to be near them, especially when you’re raising children.”
Moving is not for everyone. Almost every grandparent wants to be with his or her grandchildren and is willing to make sacrifices, but sometimes it is wiser to say no and visit frequently instead.Having your grandchildren far away is hard, especially knowing your adult child is struggling, but giving up the life you know may be harder.
1.Why was Garza’s move a success?
A.It strengthened her family ties.
B.It improved her living conditions.
C.It enabled her to make more friends.
D.It helped her know more new places.
2.What was the reaction of the public to Mrs.Robinson’s decision?
A.17% expressed their support for it.
B.Few people responded sympathetically.
C.83% believed it had a bad influence.
D.The majority thought it was a trend.
3.What did Crosby say about people in the 1960s?
A.They were unsure of themselves.
B.They were eager to raise more children.
C.They wanted to live away from their parents.
D.They had little respect for their grandparents.
4.What does the author suggest the grandparents do in the last paragraph?
A.Make decisions in the best interests of their own.
B.Ask their children to pay more visits to them.
C.Sacrifice for their struggling children.
D.Get to know themselves better.
“I honestly have no idea how that cat got up there. It’s a hundred-foot metal pole （杆）. There’s no way he climbed that thing.” Jim said to the worried woman. He wasn't even her cat, but she was passing by and saw him, immediately calling the fire station to come to save him. Jim saw a lot of strange things as a fireman, often sad or upsetting （令人不快的）things, but this was new.
“I suppose we could get a blanket and see if we can convince the poor cat to jump down. But he doesn't really look scared...” Jim said to the woman.
"Dave, get over here!" Jim called over his shoulder to the fire truck driver. Dave walked over and looked where Jim was pointing.
“How did he get up there?”
Jim shrugged （耸肩）,similarly puzzled, “Do you suppose we could get a blanket and convince him to jump? ”
Dave shrugged in response, “I don't see why not.”
Jim looked up at the black mass on the top of the flagpole, the American flag waving proudly beneath him. It was a cat, and he regarded the people gathering below as if they were his subjects （臣民）and he their king, his yellow eyes scanning his surroundings with apparent disinterest.
When a blanket was spread out below the cat, Jim and Dave began striking the flagpole. The cat looked down, and then gazed into the sky as if he was looking for something. Jim and Dave followed his gaze. Suddenly, out of the clear sky, appeared a dark figure .The figure moved towards the flagpole. It was an eagle! As it got closer, the cat jumped down from the pole swiftly onto the ground, and then got lost in the bushes.
Jim, Dave, and the old woman were left with their mouths open. They all agreed it was the best way to get him down.
1.Why did the woman call the fire station?
A.Because the pole was on fire. B.Because her cat was missing.
C.Because she felt it was strange. D.Because she wanted to save the cat.
2.What did the firemen plan to do at first?
A.To strike the pole. B.To spread a blanket.
C.To shout at the cat. D.To shrug helplessly.
3.What does the underlined word "him”in paragraph seven refer to?
A.The cat. B.Jim.
C.The king. D.Dave.
4.Who made the cat get down from the pole?
A.An eagle. B.The firemen.
C.The king. D.The people around.
Monthly Talks at London Canal Museum
Our monthly talks start at 19:30 on the first Thursday of each month except August. Admission is at normal charges and you don’t need to book. They end around 21:00.
November 7th
The Canal Pioneers, by Chris Lewis. James Brindley is recognized as one of the leading early canal engineers. He was also a major player in training others in the art of canal planning and building. Chris Lewis will explain how Brindley made such a positive contribution to the education of that group of early “civil engineers”.
December 5th
Ice for the Metropolis, by Malcolm Tucker. Well before the arrival of freezers, there was a demand for ice for food preservation and catering, Malcolm will explain the history of importing natural ice and the technology of building ice wells, and how London’s ice trade grew.
February 6th
An Update on the Cotsword Canals, by Liz Payne. The Stroudwater Canal is moving towards reopening. The Thames and Severn Canal will take a little longer. We will have a report on the present state of play.
March 6th
Eyots and Aits-Thames Islands, by Miranda Vickers. The Thames had many islands. Miranda has undertaken a review of all of them. She will tell us about those of greatest interest.
Online bookings:www.canalmuseum.org.uk/book
More into:www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson
London Canal Museum
12-13 New Wharf Road, London NI 9RT
www.canalmuseum.org.uk www.canalmuseum.mobi
Tel:020 77130836
1.When is the talk on James Brindley?
A.February 6th. B.December 5th.
C.November 7th. D.March 6th.
2.What is the topic of the talk in February?
A.The Canal Pioneers. B.An Update on the Cotsword Canals
C.Eyots and Aits-Thames Islands D.Ice for the Metropolis
3.Who will give the talk on the islands in the Thames.
A.Miranda Vickers B.Malcolm Tucker
C.Chris Lewis D.Liz Payne
假定你是李华，你的美国中学生朋友Peter希望成为2022年北京冬奥会志愿者，他向你写信询问冬奥会的相关情况，并求助怎样学好汉语。请你给他回信，要点如下：
1. 收到来信，获悉求助；
2. 冬奥盛会，京张合办；
3. 学好汉语的两条建议。
注意：1. 词数100左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Peter,
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Yours,
Li Hua
假如你是李华，你校举办英文演讲比赛，主题为“吸烟有害健康”。请你就此主题写一篇演讲稿。
注意：词数100左右。
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