Give yourself a test. Which way is the wind blowing? How many kinds of wildflowers can be seen from your front door? If your awareness is as sharp as it could be, you’ll have no trouble answering these questions.
Most of us observed much more as children than we do as adults. A child’s day is filled with fascination, newness and wonder. Curiosity gave us all a natural awareness. But distinctions that were sharp to us as children become unclear; we are numb(麻木的) to new stimulation(刺激), new ideas. Relearning the art of seeing the world around us is quite simple, although it takes practice and requires breaking some bad habits.
The first step in awakening senses is to stop predicting what we are going to see and feel before it occurs. This blocks awareness. One chilly night when I was hiking in the Rocky Mountains with some students, I mentioned that we were going to cross a mountain stream. The students began complaining about how cold it would be. We reached the stream, and they unwillingly walked ahead. They were almost knee-deep when they realized it was a hot spring. Later they all admitted they’d felt cold water at first.
Another block to awareness is the obsession(痴迷) many of us have with naming things. I saw bird watchers who spotted a bird, immediately looked it up in field guides, and said, a "ruby-crowned kinglet" and checked it off. They no longer paid attention to the bird and never learned what it was doing.
The pressures of "time" and "destination"（目的地）are further blocks to awareness. I encountered many hikers who were headed to a distant camp-ground with just enough time to get there before dark. It seldom occurred to them to wander a bit, to take a moment to see what’s around them. I asked them what they’d seen. "Oh, a few birds," they said. They seemed bent on their destinations.
Nature seems to unfold to people who watch and wait. Next time you take a walk, no matter where it is, take in all the sights, sounds and sensations(感觉）. Wander in this frame of mind and you will open a new dimension to your life.
1.What idea does the author convey in Paragraph 3?
A.To avoid jumping to conclusions.
B.To stop complaining all the time.
C.To follow the teacher's advice.
D.To admit mistakes honestly.
2.The bird watchers’ behavior shows that they __________.
A.are very patient in their observation
B.are really fascinated by nature
C.care only about the names of birds
D.question the accuracy of the field guides
3.Why do the hikers take no notice of the surroundings during the journey?
A.The natural beauty isn't attractive to them.
B.They focus on arriving at the camp in time.
C.The forest in the dark is dangerous for them.
D.They are keen to see rare birds at the destination.
4.In the passage, the author intends to tell us we should __________.
A.use our senses to feel the wonders of the world
B.get rid of some bad habits in our daily life
C.open our mind to new things and ideas
D.try our best to protect nature
A qualified doctor who rarely practised but instead devoted his life to writing. He once said, “Medicine is my lawful wife and literature is my lover.”Russian writer Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was a great playwright(剧作家) and one of the masters of the modern short story.
When Clekhov entered the Moscow University Medical School in 1879,he started to publish hundreds of comic short stories to support his family. After he graduated, he wrote regularly for a local daily newspaper.
As a writer he was extremely fast,often producing a short story in an hour or less. Checkhov’s medical and science experience can be seen through the indifference many of his characters show to tragic(悲剧的) events. In 1892,he became a full-time writer and published some of his most memorable stories.
Chekhov often wrote about the sufferings of life in small towns of Russia. Tragic events controlled his characters who were filled with feelings of hopelessness and despair.
It is often said that nothing happens in Chekhov’s stories and plays.He made up for this with his exciting technique for developing drama within his characters. Chekhov’s works combined the calm attitude of a scientist and doctor with the sensitivity of an artist.
Some of Chekhov’s works were translated into Chinese as early as the 1940s.One of his famous stories,“The Man in a Shell ”，about a school teacher’s extraordinarily orderly life was selected as a text for Chinese senior students.
1.Anton Pavlovich Chekhov ________ .
A.had a lawful lover
B.wrote only short stories
C.used to be a lawyer
D.was a capable doctor
2.In 1880, Chekhov .
A.became a full-time writer
B.studied medicine in Moscow University
C.practiced medicine in his hometown
D.published his most memorable stories
3.According to the passage,which of the following words can’t be used to describe Chekhov?
A.Sensitive.
B.Calm.
C.Quick-minded.
D.Warm-hearted.
4.Which of the following is the right order of the events?
a. became a doctor
b. became a full-time writer
c. started to publish comic short stories
d. wrote regularly for a local daily newspaper
e. entered the Moscow University Medical School
A.e c a d b B.d a b c e
C.e c b a d D.a e c b d
The stories we share with one another are important. They show wisdom and provide inspiration. They are important to our development. But sometimes people choose not to tell.
Consider the negative effects of not sharing a story in the news: People are wondering if public health officials are holding back too much information about the recent outbreak of Ebola.
There is a danger in holding back stories that ought to be told. Bobette Buster said it like this, “The fact is, history has shown us that stories not told can become like a dangerous genie (妖怪) left in a bottle. When they are finally uncorked, their power to destroy is set free.”
There are a number of reasons why we hide parts of our story: they often show our weaknesses or expose our disadvantages; they require courage and strength to share; and of course, there are some stories that should be kept secret—especially those that embarrass someone else.
Most of us have two selves: the one we display on the outside and the one we actually are on the inside. And the better we get at hiding the stories that show our true selves, the more damage we may be causing to ourselves and to others.
Honesty and openness is important: it proves we are trustworthy. It displays we are human. We are not perfect or better. It highlights the importance of hard work and personal development. Hard work may not allow us to overcome our disadvantages completely. But with hard work, we do not have to be restricted to our mistakes.
Does this mean we admit every weakness, every disadvantage, and every secret regret to everybody we meet? No, of course not. There is a time and a place and a certain level of relationship necessary for some stories to be told in an appropriate manner.
1.What’s the function of the example in Paragraph 2?
A.It reflects that people are concerning about the spread of Ebola.
B.It shows the bad effect caused by sharing a story.
C.It proves not sharing a story can cause trouble.
D.It concludes that one should share a story at a proper time.
2.Which is close in meaning to the underlined word “uncorked” in Paragraph 3?
A.freed B.broken
C.unfolded D.untouched
3.One of the reasons why people are unwilling to share experiences is that _______.
A.story-sharing highlights the importance of hard work
B.people are used to exposing their weaknesses
C.people sometimes have no courage to share their stories
D.some stories make themselves feel sad
4.The writer aims to convince us to _______.
A.be open to people close to you by sharing some secrets
B.share stories appropriately for the good of others and ourselves
C.remove the dangers that can be caused by untold stories
D.realize the importance of being honest when making friends
Food Parts You Should Never Throw Away in the Garbage
Pineapple Core
When you carve out the core of a pineapple, don't throw it in the garbage. You can use the pineapple core for all kinds of recipes, and there are tons of vitamins and minerals hiding within. To use the pineapple core: chop it and add it to fruit salad, blend it into smoothies, cut it into cubes and freeze for later use, or simply add it to water or even tea to improve flavor.
Kiwi Skin
If you never thought you could eat kiwi in the way you eat a peach, think again. That skin really is good for you and contains a lot of vitamin C, and in fact, it's also higher in fiber than the rest of the fruit. Of course, that rough, ugly skin isn't for everyone, so if you don't like it, try adding a whole kiwi to a smoothie to hide the taste of the skin.
Banana Peel
Most of us eat the banana without giving the soft peel a second thought. Here's why that's a mistake: banana peel contains tryptophan(色氨酸), which increases "the happiness hormone" to help with mood regulation and nerve system. There are a few creative ways to use the peel. Cook or boil for at least 10 minutes to soften. You can add it to smoothies, stir-fries, or soups. And, for a treat, simply slice and bake a banana with the skin on.
Watermelon Skin and Seed
The delicious, red inside makes for a refreshing snack or juice, but you're able to get some powerful nutrients in the skin and seeds as well. Cut out the white part under the green outside and use it in your cooking. It has vitamin C and B6, to keep you healthy. As for the seeds, you can roast them in the oven. Then add them to salads or to nut snacks.
1.Which of the following has a larger amount of fiber than its other parts?
A.Pineapple cores.
B.Kiwi skin.
C.Banana peel.
D.Watermelon skin and seeds.
2.Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A.All the food above can be added to smoothies.
B.Kiwi skin can be roasted in the oven.
C.Banana peel can help lift people's moods.
D.The green part of watermelon has vitamin C and B6.
3.Where can we most probably read this text?
A.In a botany instruction.
B.In a medicine brochure.
C.In a fruitarian's recipe.
D.In a nutrition report.
Many kids help out around the house with chores(家庭杂务) such as emptying the dishwasher， putting laundry away， and taking out the trash. In exchange， some kids get allowances(补贴) or other rewards such as extra computer time.
But some people do not think that kids should get rewards for doing chores. Susie Walton， a parenting educator and family coach， believes that by rewarding kids， parents are sending a message that work isn't worth doing unless you get something in return. “Running any kind of household is a team effort，” Susie said，“a home is a living space for everyone in the family. It's important for kids to see that we all have responsibilities in the house， and that families decide together how they want their home to look， and how they are going to keep it looking like everyone wants it to look.”
Other people believe that getting a cash allowance or other rewards motivates kids to do chores， and it also teaches them real world lessons about how we need to work to earn money. There are also new applications that give kids points and digital gifts that can be redeemed(兑取) either online or in the real world. With the Chore Monster app kids earn digital points by completing chores that they can turn in for real-life rewards such as extra Xbox time or a trip to the mall. “Our goal is to encourage kids to earn rewards” says Chris Bergman， founder of Chore Monster，“Kids need positive reinforcement(强化) to help motivate them.”
What do you think? Should kids be rewarded for doing chores? Or should kids help out around their homes without getting anything in return? Write a 200-word response. Send it to tfkasks4you@timeforkids.com. Your response may be published in a future issue of Time For Kids. Please include your grade and contact information of your parent or teacher if you want your response to be published. The deadline for responding is February 18.
1.How does the author start the passage?
A.By listing some evidence.
B.By presenting some facts.
C.By comparing different views.
D.By stating his own experiences.
2.Which statement is true according to Susie Walton?
A.Kids should be rewarded for doing chores.
B.Parents decide what kids can do for the family.
C.Kids have the responsibility to share housework.
D.Kids can get extra computer time for doing chores.
3.The purpose of writing the text is to .
A.invite readers to express their opinions
B.inform readers of two different opinions
C.call on readers to reflect on their behavior
D.present the author's viewpoint about parenting
It’s a common belief that the roles actors play might somehow reflect their true personalities. It’s usually not true, but British actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge, 34, is an exception.
Just like Fleabag, the character she played in the comedy-drama series of the same name, Waller-Bridge feels that her life is a mess. “It’s just really wonderful to know that a dirty and messed up woman can make it to the Emmys,” she said. She may be “messed up”, but Variety magazine calls her an “all-around icon”.
Last month, Waller-Bridge took home three Emmy awards for her work on Fleabag — best writing in a comedy series, best lead actress, and best comedy series.
Her success is partly because of her family. Waller-Bridge was brought up in a free environment. Her mother always told her, “You can be whatever you want if you imagine it.” So Waller-Bridge broke all the rules about what a “good” girl should do. “Our laws and moral codes don’t apply — she lives without fear of consequence,” The Sun noted.
That fearlessness extends to being authentic (真实的) in her writing and acting. Unlike the can-do heroines and strong, successful women in many TV dramas, Waller-Bridge shows a flawed but real character. The character Fleabag was a screw-up who always found a way to say or do the wrong thing. “It resonated with the lives of stressed-out women everywhere in reality — doing their best to find balance in their lives,” a viewer wrote on US movie website.
Villanelle in Killing Eve, another hit TV series developed by Waller-Bridge, was a little bit violent but showed no interest for the rules others created, which make many people see themselves in her.
“People have been scared to write characters like these. But I think, now, women are so relieved to have this new template (样板). And, aren’t we all a bit of everything?” Waller-Bridge said in an interview with Indian Express.
With such courage and sincerity, Waller-Bridge is, without a doubt, a “golden girl” in Hollywood, Australian news website The New Daily commented.
1.What is the article mainly about?
A.What helped Waller-Bridge succeed in comedy.
B.The popularity of the comedy-drama series Fleabag.
C.What inspired Waller-Bridge to take up writing and acting.
D.The similarities between Phoebe Waller-Bridge and the character she plays on Fleabag.
2.How did Waller-Bridge’s parents influence her growth?
A.They pushed her to follow social codes.
B.They constantly encouraged her to be herself.
C.They always reminded her to be curious and fearless.
D.They taught her to write and act when she was young.
3.The underlined phrase “resonated with” in Paragraph 7 probably means “__________”.
A.messed up B.paid attention to
C.had great effects on D.was in agreement with
4.What do Villanelle in Killing Eve and Fleabag in Fleabag have in common?
A.Both are courageous and organized.
B.Both are much alike in character.
C.Both successfully find balance in their lives.
D.Both are rebellious but strong and successful.
