This March, the 90th annual National Spelling Bee will feature its youngest competitor in history, 5-year-old Edith Fuller of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Edith qualified（取得参赛资格）for the national competition when she _______ her regional competition on Saturday, beating more than 50 other elementary and middle school _______. In the competition, she _______ spelled 37 words, including "perestroika'', "nisei" and her final winning _______, "jnana". Edith's mom, Annie Fuller, told the Tulsa World she only learned of her daughter's _______ skills last summer, when she correctly spelled "restaurant'' _______ having never been taught how.
"We knew there was something _______ there," Fuller said. After that, Edith and her mom began _______ for the competition, _______ words she misspelled along the way to ________ their spellings and meanings. "Learning the words was so ________. She was able to learn about ________ countries and cultures and different kinds of food," Fuller said.
Despite her ________ spelling genius, Fuller said she was simply ________ that Edith was able to ________ the four-hour competition. "The ________ is that she likes to move around, so I'm ________ she sat still for so long. It's fun to ________ her story with everyone. I knew she'd be a novelty（新奇的人）, so I'm ________ she held her own," Fuller said.
And the 5-year-old champion is feeling pretty great about the coming ________, too.
1.A.won B.missed C.watched D.copied
2.A.teachers B.parents C.students D.workers
3.A.hardly B.correctly C.impossibly D.immediately
4.A.chance B.plan C.result D.word
5.A.writing B.spelling C.listening D.speaking
6.A.in fear of B.in face of C.in spite of D.in case of
7.A.special B.interesting C.important D.valuable
8.A.Acting B.caring C.hoping D.preparing
9.A.looking up B.bringing up C.putting up D.picking up
10.A.recognize B.learn C.find D.understand
11.A.exciting B.moving C.boring D.educational
12.A.similar B.difficult C.different D.foreign
13.A.daughter's B.son's C.husband's D.student's
14.A.disappointed B.worried C.impressed D.amused
15.A.come out B.stick out C.break out D.give out
16.A.question B.reason C.excuse D.idea
17.A.frightened B.delighted C.puzzled D.surprised
18.A.share B.compare C.help D.communicate
19.A.doubtful B.unbelievable C.proud D.confident
20.A.future B.competition C.success D.progress
Do you have trouble accepting yourself when you make mistakes? Do you find it hard to learn from your mistakes, so that you keep falling into the same old habits? 1., especially if we're coming from a background where "excellence（卓越）" is confused with ''never making a mistake". Here are steps you can take to accept your mistakes more actively.
Accept your mistakes
2.. It's also a valuable source of instruction and will enrich your life. It can teach you to try new things. For example, you may want to learn how to cook. Start out, and say to yourself "I'm new at cooking and I'll probably make mistakes".
Know the force of habit
Sometimes, mistakes are not caused by an effort on our part, but the lack of it. Things that we do frequently, such as driving to work or making breakfast, can become so habitual that we don't focus on them. This is actually helpful, because it allows us to spend energy on other things that require more attention. 3..
Tell mistakes from bad decisions
It's important to know the difference between mistakes and bad decisions. Mistakes are simple errors. 4.. Mistakes are understandable and may require less focus on correcting. You should accept bad decisions just like mistakes, but you must pay more attention to them.
5..
It's important to avoid getting trapped（困住）in what you're doing wrong. Try to balance self-criticism with celebrating what you do well. They can be things you're already good at or some areas where you're seeing improvement. There's no point trying to improve if you can9t appreciate the result of your efforts.
A. Focus on your strengths as well
B. Bad decisions are more by design
C. Making mistakes is part of human beings' life
D. There are many kinds of mistakes we often make
E. It can be challenging to accept that we've made mistakes
F. Avoid making mistakes is the best way to be successful
G. However, sometimes this habit can lead us into making mistakes
The influence of America is increasing in my country. Spanish people drink Coca-Cola, wear blue jeans, watch Hollywood movies, listen to American music, and eat fast food, and they do these things every day.
I think that American movies are a good way to spread American culture because people are often influenced by what they see in the movies. Most of the programs and documentaries (纪录片) we watch on TV are from America, and most of the movies we go to see are made in Hollywood. In the last few years, the government has tried to protect the Spanish movies. Now, in our cinemas, at least twenty percent of the movies which are shown must be from Spain or from other countries in Europe.
American culture is a part of Spanish life now. It’s certain that many things from America are as much a part of people’s lives as Spanish things. For example, Coca-Cola is as familiar to everybody as any typical Spanish product. I’ve known about Coca-Cola for my whole life.
However, it’s different for Western fast food. For example, I don’t think McDonald’s is as successful in Spain as it is in other countries. In my opinion, one of the reasons may be the lifestyle of the Spanish people. The Spanish people normally eat at home.
On the other hand, maybe McDonald’s hamburgers will eventually replace the famous Spanish tapas. It’s true that in every city in Spain you can find a McDonald’s, and it is more popular among the Spanish children than among the adults. In any case, it’s obvious that American culture is becoming more and more a part of our lives every day.
1.What can we learn from the first paragraph?
A. The influence of America on Spain can be found everywhere.
B. Most Spanish people don’t like to listen to their own music.
C. Fast food spreads from Spain to the United States.
D. Some Spanish actors go to America to improve their acting skills.
2.What plays an important part in the spreading of American culture in Spain?
A. American novels.
B. Hollywood movies.
C. McDonalds.
D. American music.
3.Why did the government set some rules for the films shown in Spain?
A. To protect foreign culture in Spain.
B. To earn more money from Spanish films.
C. To safeguard native movies.
D. To unite European Communities.
4.What do you think Spanish tapas might be?
A. The name of a drink.
B. The name of a restaurant.
C. A clothing brand.
D. A certain kind of food.
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has welcomed home two paintings by the Dutch master, more than 14 years after they were ripped (扯) off the museum’s wall in a nighttime theft. Museum director Axel Rueger called their return “one of the most special days in the history of the museum”. The paintings were discovered last year by Italian police while they were searching an Italian criminals’ farmhouse near Naples for evidence of drug dealing. They were in a box and hidden behind a wall in a toilet when they were found.
The paintings were considered among the artworks most searched for in the world. After years in darkness, they can now shine again. They are back on display at the museum before being taken to the conservation studio for repair. Fortunately, they suffered surprisingly little damage as thieves who had climbed up a ladder and broken a window to get into the museum in 2004 ripped them out of their frames.
“It is not only a surprise that the works have been recovered but it’s even more surprising they are in relatively unharmed condition,” Rueger said.
The museum director was on vacation when the call came last year from Italian authorities who believed they had recovered the paintings. He didn’t celebrate right away. He’d had calls like this before.
“I was hopeful but also a little hesitant. Over these years, we had so many occasions when people phoned us, contacted us, claiming that they knew something about the whereabouts (下落) of the works and each time it was false, the trace went cold,” he said. “So… the way has been full of disappointment.” But museum experts sent to Italy to check the authenticity (真实性) of the works quickly turned Ruegers doubts into delight.
Rueger said the paintings are now back at the museum, which is home to dozens of works by Van Gogh. “I’m very confident that everything is safe in the museum from now on,” he said.
1.How were the stolen paintings found?
A. The police found them by accident. B. The arrested thieves gave information.
C. Some drug dealers offered clues. D. The police knew the hidden place.
2.What surprised Rueger most about the lost paintings?
A. They were stolen at night. B. They were found at last.
C. They suffered little damage. D. The search took 14 years.
3.When Rueger got the call, he ________.
A. didn’t believe it at all B. felt quite satisfied
C. planned to celebrate D. doubted the news
4.What does the underlined part in Paragraph 6 probably mean?
A. Rueger gradually lost interest in the search.
B. The number of false calls was greatly reduced.
C. Rueger felt cold because of too many false calls.
D. The chance to find the paintings became small.
A new study, conducted by a British company — Mindlab International, has found that listening to music at work increases accuracy（准确度）and speed, The Telegraph reported. Perhaps, some parents disagree with this idea, saying, "Turn off the music and concentrate!" Well, if that's the case with your parents, you might now be able to make them believe that you have science on your side.
The company gave 26 participants a series of different tasks for five days in a row, including spell checking, mathematical word problems and data entry. The participants completed these tasks while listening to music or no music at all.
The results showed that while music was playing, 88% of the participants produced their most accurate test results and 81% completed their fastest work. David Lewis, chairman of Mindlab International, told The Telegraph, "Music is a very powerful management tool if you want to increase not only the efficiency（效率）of your workforce but also their emotional（情绪的）state... they are going to become more positive about the work."
However, you may have a list of your favorite songs, but not all kinds of music match all homework. "For maths or other subjects involving numbers or attention to detail, you should listen to classical music," the study found. In the study, pop music enabled participants to complete their tasks 58% faster. If you are reviewing your English writing, pop music will be the best choice, as it is the best kind for spell checking. It cut mistakes by 14%, compared to listening to no music. After finishing your homework, do you often spend time in checking your answers? Maybe some dance music is suitable for you.
1.What did the participants have to do in the study?
A.Persuade their parents to listen to music.
B.Listen to the same music together.
C.Finish tasks with music or without music at all.
D.Choose the most suitable music for different tasks.
2.The author describes the study conducted by Mindlab International mainly by ______.
A.giving examples using research delta
B.describing how it was conducted
C.comparing its results with previous studies
D.following the order of time
3.What does the underlined word "they" refer to in Paragraph 3?
A.Workforce. B.Results.
C.Tests. D.Tools.
4.When you are reviewing your English writing, what kind of music is the best choice?
A.Classical music.
B.Pop music.
C.Dance music.
D.Rock music.
A music festival is a community event mainly about live performances of singing and instrument playing that is often presented with a main idea. On the list are the music festivals for fans around the world. Find your favourite now!
Field Day
January 1, 2018, Sydney
Field Day means New Year’s Day for young people in Sydney. Seen as the city’s original (独特的) outdoor party, it’s a gathering of friends coming together for a great fun-filled first day of the year. There’s an air of hope and active energy on a perfect summer’s day.
Envision Festival
February 21 - 26, 2018, Uvita
The Envision Festival is an annual event in Costa Rica that wants to provide a chance for different cultures to work with one another to create a better community. The festival encourages people to practise art, music and dance performances. At the same time, our connection (联系) with nature is expected to be strengthened.
McDowell Mountain Music Festival
March 2-4, 2018, Phoenix
The McDowell Mountain Music Festival is Phoenix’s musical celebration of community culture. Since its founding in 2004, it is the only 100% nonprofit (非营利的) music festival designed to support, entertain and educate the community. The festival attracts thousands of visitors each year from around the country, and it is an opportunity to experience true culture.
Old Settler’s Music Festival
April 19 -22, 2018, Tilmon
The Old Settler’s Music Festival is a nationally known music festival for American music. The festival is held in Tilmon, Texas at the height of the wild flower season. The Old Settler’s Music Festival offers great music and activities for the whole family.
1.In which city can people enjoy a fun New Year’s Day?
A.Sydney. B.Uvita.
C.Phoenix. D.Tilmon.
2.What is special about the McDowell Mountain Music Festival?
A.It encourages people to receive education.
B.It is not held lo make money.
C.Old provides a chance for friends to meet each other.
D.If focuses on culture spread.
3.Which festivals are connected with nature?
A.Field Day and Envision Festival.
B.Envision Festival and McDowell Mountain Music Festival.
C.Old Settler’s Music Festival and McDowell Mountain Music Festival.
D.Envision Festival and Old Settler’s Music Festival.
