Lady Gaga’s latest film became an instant hit over the weekend, helping push theaters to an October ticket-selling record.
A Star Is Born, actor-turned-director Bradley Cooper’s remake of a Hollywood classic in the late 1930s, went beyond the previous expectations of movie analysts by roughly 30 percent.
The original production is such a great Hollywood myth that it’s no wonder Hollywood keeps telling it. Whatever the era, the director or the headliners, it tells the story of two lovers on dramatically different paths: a famous man who’s racing to the bottom and a woman who’s soaring to reach the top.
Mr Cooper does a lot right in this movie AStarLsBorn, beginning with the casting of Lady Gaga, whose relaxing, naturalistic performance is the key to the movie’s force.
A post-Madonna pop artist was known for her elaborate (精心制作的)makeup and costumes, which she adopted no more here.
This unmasking of Lady Gaga makes her character seem genuine or say natural, a quality that the movie is in favor of and that serves as a kind of everlasting first principle.
1.What does the author think of the new movie?
A.Boring. B.Recommendable.
C.Ridiculous. D.Amusing.
2.The underlined word “soaring” in the third paragraph probably means ________.
A.rising B.competing
C.advancing D.performing
3.What can we learn about the movie?
A.The remakes of the movie adopt different plots.
B.The movie tells the story of two friends on different paths.
C.Natural performance is considered as the only principle in this movie.
D.The movie is more impressive than what movie analysts expected.
4.What is the best title for the passage?
A.A Hollywood Movie—A Star Is Born
B.Lady Gaga Is on the Edge of Potential Oscar Glory
C.A Latest Film of Lady Gaga Won the Oscar Award
D.The Box Office of Bradley Cooper’s New Movie
Bookstores are a traveller's best friend: they provide convenient shelter in bad weather, and they often host readings and other cultural events. Here is a look at world’s six greatest bookstores.
Adrian Harrington—since 1971. Rare books; rare first editions; leather bound sets and general antiquarian (古玩). Address: 64A Kensington Church Street, Kensington, London, England, U.K.
Another Country—Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany. Another Country is an English Language second hand bookshop which is mostly used as a library. They have about 20,000 books that you can buy or borrow. Some regular events are held at the shop, such as readings, cultural events, social evenings and film nights.
Atlantis Books—Oía, Santorini, Greece. Atlantis Books is an independent bookshop on the island of Santorini, Greece, founded in 2004 by a group of friends from Cyprus, England, and the United States. Throughout the year it has hosted literary festivals, film screenings, book readings, and good old fashioned dance parties.
Bart’s Books—Ojai, California, U.S.A. “The World’s Greatest Outdoor Bookstore”, a bookstore founded by Richard Bartinsdale in 1964. Shelves of books face the street, and regular customers are asked to drop coins into the door’s coin box to pay for any books they take whenever the store is closed.
10 Corso Como—Milan, Italy. Extensive selection of publication on art, architecture, design, graphics and fashion, along with a strong emphasis on photography. It was founded in 1990 in Milan, Italy, by Carla Sozzani.
The Bookworm—A bookshop, library, bar, restaurant and event space, now with four divisions in three cities—Beijing, Suzhou and Chengdu. The interconnecting rooms with floor-to-ceiling books on every wall are light and airy in summer, yet warm and comfortable in winter.
1.Which of the following bookstores has the longest history?
A. Adrian Harrington. B. Atlantis Books.
C. Bart’s Books. D. 10 Como Bookshop.
2.What can you do in Atlantis Books?
A. Attend a festival. B. Learn photography.
C. Enjoy rare books. D. Buy books anytime.
3.How is The Bookworm different from the other bookstores?
A. It is used as a library. B. It hosts all sorts of activities.
C. It focuses on photography. D. It has branches in different cities.
Directions: Write an English composition in 120-150 words. The composition must be based on the information given below.
随着网络的发展,信息化已经成为教育改革的一种趋势。本学期初,“上海市高中名校慕课平台”正式上线运行。全市中学生可登录该网络平台浏览课程信息并选择感兴趣的课程学习。随着慕课(MOOCs: massive open online courses)的兴起和流行,你认为它会取代传统的学校教育模式吗?为什么?
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Directions: Translate the following sentences into English, using the words given in the brackets.
1.你上周推荐的那本书很值得一读。 (worth)
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2.你最好随身带把伞以防下雨。(case)
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3.我们达成了一项协议,这至少给了这家公司一个在竞争中生存的机会。(survive)
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4.我从来没有想过在面试时我会那么紧张,连话都说出来。(occur)
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5.只有不断探索未知的事物,我们才能在科技方面取得更大的进步。(Only)
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Global Positioning Systems are now a part of everyday driving in many countries. These satellite-based systems provide turn-by-turn directions to help people get to where they want to go. But, they can also cause a lot of problems, send you to the wrong place or leave you completely lost. Many times, the driver is to blame. Sometimes a GPS error is responsible. Most often, says Barry Brown, it is a combination of the two.
We spoke to Mr. Brown by Skype. He told us about an incident involving a friend who had flown to an airport in the eastern United States. There he borrowed a GPS-equipped car to use during his stay. Barry Brown: “ And they just plugged in an address and then set off to their destination. And, then it wasn’t until they were driving for thirty minutes that they realized they actually put in a destination back on the West Coast where they lived. They actually put their home address in. So again, the GPS is kind of ‘garbage in garbage out’.”
Mr. Brown says this is a common human error. But, he says, what makes the problem worse has something to do with some of the shortcomings, or failures, of GPS equipment. Barry Brown: “One problem with a lot of the GPS units is that they have a very small screen and they just tell you the next turn. Because they just give you the next turn, sometimes that means that it is not really giving you the overview that you would need to know that it is going to the wrong place.”
Barry Brown formerly served as a professor with the University of California, San Diego. While there, he worked on a project with Eric Laurier from the University of Edinburgh. The two men studied the effects of GPS devices on Driving by placing cameras in people’s cars. They wrote a paper based on their research. It is called “The Normal, Natural Troubles of Driving with GPS.” It lists several areas where GPS systems can cause confusion for drivers. These include maps that are outdated, incorrect or difficult to understand. They also include timing issues related to when GPS commands are given.
Barry Brown says to make GPS systems better, we need a better understanding of how drivers, passengers and GPS systems work together.
1.In Para. 2, Mr. Brown mentioned his friend in the conversation to ______.
A.laugh at his stupid friend B.describe an example of human error
C.build up his own reputation D.prove the GPS system is only garbage
2.Which of the following statement would Barry Brown be most likely to agree with?
A.GPS units are to blame for the most GPS service failure.
B.We should introduce higher standard for the driving license.
C.Cameras are urgently needed to help improve GPS systems.
D.Some shortcomings of GPS equipment are more likely to result in service failure.
3.According to Barry and Eric, which of the following is NOT among the areas of GPS systems that may confuse drivers?
A.Wrong maps. B.Out-dated maps.
C.Difficult instructions. D.Timing of GPS commands.
4.What would be the best title for the text?
A.Driving with GPS Can Be Difficult.
B.Driving Confusions Can Be Caused By Small Screen.
C.Driving without GPS Should Be Much More Convenient.
D.GPS Equipment In Driving: To Be Deserted Or Improved.
Beginning college is exciting: new ideas to explore, new challenges to meet and many decisions to make.Your future begins here.
However,you will find college life is different from your previous school environment.Many of us can be easily overwhelmed(压垮)by the details of running a well-balanced life.While some of us may have the know-how, I guess there are more of us who can benefit from learning about the experiences of others who have walked the college halls before you.
The following you may find of use about life on campus.
* Plan well.There are so many new things to do at a new college or university.Give yourself time to make new friends and become familiar with the campus, but don’t forget why you are there.Give some time for social activities and manage your time wisely.
* If you don’t have a “system” for planning your time now (like a day timer, a computer data book), get one.Most of all, don’t depend on your memory.
* Don’t miss the guidelines.The restrictions, rules and regulations of all kinds can usually be found in your student handbook.Consider them well-balanced food for thought.What dates are important? What pieces of paper need to be handed in? What can/ can’t you do in class? What can/ can’t you do in your student residence(住处)? Who has right for what? What do you need to complete to graduate?
* Write the word “STUDY” on the walls of our bedroom and bathroom, and maybe it will help to write it on a piece of paper and stick it on the telephone, TV and the kitchen table.Consider this—you are paying thousands of dollars for your courses.You pay every time you have to repeat or replace a course.
* Build your identity.This is the time for you to decide what to do and what not to do.Take as much time as you need to explore new ideas.Do not be afraid of the beyond.This is learning to make good choices.
1.What is the main purpose of the passage?
A.To offer advice on college life.
B.To explain why college life is exciting.
C.To describe the importance of college life.
D.To persuade you to go to college.
2.According to the passage, why is it exciting to begin college life?
A.Because you will have more freedom at college.
B.Because you will no longer be afraid of the beyond.
C.Because you prepare for your future career and life there.
D.Because professors there will provide you with many new ideas.
3.The underlined word “know-how” refers to .
A.an understanding of how things are going at college
B.practical knowledge about how to behave and what to do at college
C.college halls where rules and regulations are presented
D.an environment completely different from the one you’re used to
4.According to the passage, college students ________ .
A.needn’t learn from those who went to college before them
B.spend as much time as possible on social activities
C.should know what they have fought for on campus
D.are supposed to repeat or replace at least one course