One evening, Catherine was at home as usual. As her____swung between what she was going to do with her life and their dinner plans for the evening, she was unexpectedly ___by an urgent call from her sister “Get over here! Turn on NBC and check these guys out. They are just like you…” One Facebook message and a phone interview later, Catherine____herself on a bus with 8 strangers in the middle of the sweltering desert heat of Utah, picking up trash and ___awareness about zero-waste and climate change.
With a deep____of the environment and a desire to make a __ , Catherine, Davey, and a group of self ___“environmental pick-up artists” went on a coast to coast road side trash pick-up. As they walked, sometimes only______0.9 miles in an entire day, they ____ and steadily made their way across the United States for three years, picking up a total of 201,678 pounds of trash.
Catherine and Davey____with us wonderful stories of hope and inspiration that fueled their___to continue their journey. After spending weeks silently______how she would have enough _____to fly home for their two-week spring break, Catherine found a blank, unidentified envelope____with $850 cash in the desert. Just enough to get her home and back. After their bus____outside of Denver, they unexpectedly got ____ and arrived in Yosemite National Park three weeks later, just in time for the “Yosemite Facelift” where____ from all over the state came together with a______of cleaning up trash all over the park.
Being at the right place at the right time became almost normal, and they realized that much of what they ____was more than just a coincidence. Together, their team learned to simply ____themselves to their task, and surrender to the journey.
1.A.thoughts B.balance C.hands D.position
2.A.blamed B.interrupted C.frightened D.moved
3.A.found B.cheered C.dropped D.taught
4.A.abandoning B.raising C.shaking D.hiding
5.A.pride B.trust C.love D.fear
6.A.plan B.promise C.mistake D.difference
7.A.corrected B.repeated C.described D.discovered
8.A.driving B.fixing C.riding D.covering
9.A.slowly B.secretly C.helplessly D.frequently
10.A.heard B.shared C.wrote D.read
11.A.problems B.costs C.efforts D.choices
12.A.depending on B.replying to C.worrying about D.meeting with
13.A.money B.food C.time D.room
14.A.equipped B.supplied C.decorated D.filled
15.A.set off B.broke down C.headed for D.held on
16.A.rest B.help C.understanding D.practice
17.A.volunteers B.members C.tourists D.reporters
18.A.purpose B.question C.decision D.lesson
19.A.introduced B.expected C.experienced D.examined
20.A.turn B.limit C.compare D.devote
Simple ways to improve your written English
Lots of people think it is really difficult to improve their written English. Don't worry, here are some simple steps that you can take to improve your written English.
Increase your vocabulary(词汇)
To express yourself clearly，you need a good active vocabulary. That's not just being able to know lots of words-it means actually being able to use them correctly.1.
Tip: When you learn a new word, try to learn all the forms of that word.
·2.
People often say that we learn to write best by reading. Reading in English is useful in many ways. It is a great way to get an idea of the different styles of writing and see how to use words appropriately.
Tip:3.Learning shouldn't be boring. Read each text several times to make sure you understand how to use new words and expressions in the text.
·Improve your grammar
Grammar is very important because it improves the quality(质量)of your writing.
Tip:4.The first time, look for general mistakes and the second time look for mistakes with the particular grammar point you are studying at the moment.
·Just do it!
The best way to improve your writing is to get a pen and paper and write. Be prepared to write several versions(版本)of each text.5.
A. Read widely and often.
B. Know much about your readers.
C. Always check your writing twice.
D. Remember, practice makes perfect!
E. Choose books or articles that interest you.
F. Use simple languages and shorter sentences to show your ideas.
G. Do this by learning new words with example sentences, not just word lists.
The weather affects many aspects of people's daily life. Knowing and understanding what the weather is doing is useful.
However, the weather is also one of the most unpredictable elements in the world. Although many people watch the morning news and gather the information about the weather, this is often wrong. Whole days can be ruined by believing that the weather will be one thing, when it turns out to be another. However, owning wireless weather stations allows the owners to monitor the weather for themselves.
Not only will these weather stations allow the owners to see what the weather is doing, but it is personalized(个性化)to them and their area. Wireless weather, stations are specifically prepared for the immediate neighborhood. Plans will be able to be made, and important decisions will no longer be ruined by bad weather.
Although these weather stations are typically seen in homes, they can also be used very easily on farms and fishing boats. Both farmers and fishermen rely on the weather for their business and using up-to-date weather information is quite indispensable. By using the wireless weather stations, it can determine for them when to harvest crops and head back to the shore. Because of the size of the weather station, they can be moved very easily and used wherever necessary for people.
The wireless weather stations are great for all homes, especially for areas that suffer from extreme weather conditions. The up-to-date, instant weather reports will allow a person to monitor what the weather is doing and if the bad weather is heading in their direction. Extreme weather tends to come very quickly; therefore, any information that is received is helpful.
The weather stations are very simple to set up and are run by solar panels(太阳能板), ensuring they will work even if there is a power-cut. They are far smaller than those in previous years and give a couple of very simple read-outs for the owner. They are easy to use and fascinating to understand.
1.From paragraph 2, the author intends to .
A.show us how unpredictable the weather used to be
B.show how people got weather information in the past
C.make it clear how popular the morning news is
D.explain the value of having wireless weather stations
2.What does the underlined word “indispensable” in Paragraph 4 mean?
A.Necessary. B.Indifferent. C.Attractive. D.Impossible
3.What can we learn about a wireless weather station?
A.The information it provides is slow but more specific.
B.It is economical and saves money in the long run.
C.It's hard to set up but can be moved from one place to another.
D.It can continue to work even if there is a power failure.
4.What’s the main idea of the text?
A.The weather-the most unpredictable element in the world.
B.Good reasons for having wireless weather stations.
C.The weather and its effects on people's daily life.
D.The importance of knowing and understanding the weather.
Twenty-five years ago, most young Britons wanted a career in law, to be a doctor, or, if they were creative enough, to take up singing. But today, things stand differently.
According to a survey by Tesco Mobile, a UK company, the “dream job” of young people aged between 16 and 25 in the UK is a video blogger, or “vlogger”. The survey, carried out among 1,002 people, found that as much as 40 percent of them put vlogger as their number one choice on a list of ideal careers.
This change is undoubtedly as a result of the Internet and social media. They have made it so much easier to reach audience of the world, without having to enter a career in show business in the traditional way.
In the past, the biggest stars were trained by the Hollywood studios; now, anyone with a computer camera can become a star. Vloggers are the big stars of today because they are normal people interacting with their fans about everyday life.”
However, what people see is only the bright side of being a vlogger and they fail to notice the fact that only those who are successful earn fame and fortune. For every success there are hundreds of others who never get off the starting line. There are the dreams that come true and the dreams that remain dreams forever.
Although being vloggers is popular, some young people choose to follow careers that don’t necessarily earn them fame, but allow them to make good use of the Internet to share their hobbies. Young Israeli David Leshaw, for example, runs a business called the Finishers Club. It’s an online platform for runners to keep a record of their races. His job allows him to express his enthusiasm, and is always a learning experience. And that’s enough for him.
1.What is the passage mainly about?
A.Most young Britons choose to be vloggers as their job.
B.The Internet is influencing young Britions’ career choice.
C.The Internet is taking the place of traditional studios.
D.Young Britons can not find jobs without the Internet.
2.Why do more and more young Britons choose to be vloggers?
A.Vloggers can earn little fame and money on the Internet.
B.There is too much competition in the traditional show business.
C.The Internet makes it convenient to become vloggers.
D.Anyone with a computer will surely become a star.
3.What can we infer from the fifth paragraph?
A.Only a few vloggers can be successful.
B.A vlogger can not earn fame and fortune.
C.People often see the bright side of being a vlogger.
D.Dreams will always remain to be dreams.
4.What do young people like David do on the Internet?
A.Learn from others. B.Become an online hit.
C.Hold running races. D.Mix jobs with hobbies.
I stopped to watch my little girl busy playing in her room. In one hand was a plastic phone ; in the other a toy. I listened as she was speaking to her make-believe little friend and I’ll never forget the words she said, even though it was imagined.
She said, “Suzie’s in the corner because she’s not been very good. She didn’t listen to a word I said or do the things she should.” In the corner I saw her baby doll well dressed. It was obvious that she’d been put there to sit alone and think.
My daughter continued her “conversation”, as I sat down on the floor. She said, “I’m all fed up and I just don’t know what to do with her any more. She cries whenever I have to work and wants to play games too. She tries to help me with the dishes, but her arms just cannot reach... And she doesn’t know how to fold towels. I don’t have the time to teach. I have a lot of work to do and a big house to keep clean. I don’t have the time to sit and play - don’t you know what I mean?”
And that day I thought a lot about making some changes in my life, after listening to her innocent words which cut me like a knife. I hadn’t been paying enough attention to what I hold most dear. I’d been caught up in responsibilities that increased throughout the years.
But now my attitude has changed because in my heart I realize that I’ve seen the world in a different light through my little darling’s eyes. So let the cobwebs(蜘蛛网) cut the corners and the dust bunny rabbit rule the floor. I’m not going to worry about keeping up with them anymore.
I’m going to fill the house with memories of a child and her mother, for we have only one childhood and we will never get another.
1.Who is Suzie?
A.The girl’s phone. B.A baby doll. C.The author. D.The girl’s friend.
2.How did the author feel when hearing her little girl’s words?
A.Interested. B.Moved. C.Uncomfortable. D.Unbelievable.
3.The passage leads us to believe that .
A.the author wants her little girl to have a happy childhood.
B.the author has become lazy because of her daughter.
C.the author cares nothing about her daughter’s happiness.
D.the little girl doesn’t hate her mother any more.
4.What might be the best title?
A.How to deal with my daughter. B.My lovely daughter.
C.Only one childhood. D.A world of children.
While it’s books that make a library, being in lovely surroundings may provide inspiration and help you work a little bit harder. Here are some of the coolest libraries of the world.
Library of Birmingham – Birmingham, U.K.
The new Library of Birmingham is said to be not only Britain’s biggest public library, but also the largest in Europe. Designed by Dutch architects, this replacement for the Birmingham Central Library was opened in 2013 and has a wealth of resources within its walls, including adults and kids’ libraries, music collections, a Shakespeare Memorial Room, and even a gym room. Gardens crown the roof, while the changing seasons bring variations in the shadows and reflections inside.
National Library of France – Paris, France
The National Library of France, which now contains an astonishing collection of 30 million, dates back to the 14th century and this royal library was set up at the Louvre by King Charles V. The Library was moved to Rue de Richelieu site in 1868, with major design work carried out by French architects Henri Labrouste and, following his death, Jean-Louis Pascal. Here, the reading rooms are elegance itself. There are more than just books to be found.
State Library of New South Wales – Sydney, Australia
The public State Library of New South Wales holds the honor of being the oldest institution of its kind in Australia. It was originally set up as the Australian Subscription Library in 1826, but it wasn’t until 1942 that its permanent home was ready. Designed by Sydney architect Walter Liberty Vernon and completed in 1910, the magnificent sandstone Mitchell Wing is one of the architectural highlights.
Seattle Central Library – Seattle, Washington, USA
Seattle Central Library’s distinctive design ensures it stands out. Architect Rem Koolhaas is one of the names attached to its design. Architects sought to envelop the 11-story building with “a layer of transparency”, using a skin of glass and metal. The finished article houses about 1.45 million books and other things, as well as more than 400 computers available for public use. The building, which opened in 2004, was included on the American Institute of Architects’ list of America’s 150 favorite buildings in 2007.
1.Which of the following library has the longest history?
A.Library of Birmingham B.Seattle Central Library
C.State Library of New South Wales D.National Library of France
2.What can you do in Library of Birmingham?
A.Take some exercise. B.Act a play.
C.Attend a concert. D.Enjoy new technology.
3.What do National Library of France and Seattle Central Library have in common?
A.They have computers available.
B.They were moved to a new place.
C.They were designed by more than one person.
D.They won awards for architecture.
