It was a painful time for me, for I suffered from an illness and might never be able to have a child. As my 40th birthday approached, I began, for the first time, to notice babies and their happy, smiling mothers wherever I went.
One night, I came to a cafe to kill the boring time. An elegantly dressed, sightly older woman was seated next to me.
“Would you like to see a picture of my daughter?” she asked me, handing me a photo of a smiling Chinese girl. The child was about seven years old and was wearing a Snow White costume. That's Melanie, now in the first grade," she said. I could hear the motherly pride in her voice. “She's pretty,” I said. "I love her costume." The woman explained that she felt strongly about teaching her daughter about Chinese customs and maintaining ties to her shoes. “What made you decide to adopt her?" I asked. "I didn't want work to be my whole life," she said.
I'm not sure if she saw the tears in my eyes as I replied, I don't either, but I'm afraid it's too late." I was 51 when I adopted Melanie, she said. "And it's the most rewarding, exciting thing I've ever done."
When my husband and I returned from China with our nine-month-old daughter, Madeline, in November 2017, Jill was one of the first people I e-mailed. I did it!" I wrote. “I’m a mother and she's beautiful"
“Congratulations,” she wrote back. We recently reconnected on Facebook, and I told her, “You changed my life.”
1.What can be inferred from Paragraph 1?
A.The author regretted her marrying too early.
B.The author was recovering from a serious disease.
C.The author didn't have a child of her own due to some illness.
D.The author had been eager to be a happy mother for a long time.
2.Which words can best describe Jill according to Paragraph 3?
A.Elegant and generous. B.Caring and considerate.
C.Friendly and determined. D.Practical and independent.
3.What can we learn about the author from the text?
A.She wouldn't devote her whole life simply to work.
B.She appreciated the picture drawn by Melanie.
C.Her husband was against her adopting.
D.Her dream was eventually realized in the company of Jill.
4.What is the author's purpose in writing the text?
A.To stress the influence of the kindness.
B.To show us the hidden beauty in our world.
C.To call on us to adopt more homeless children.
D.To share her meaningful adoption story with us.
Talent shows are common on Chinese television, but instead of casting starry-eyed(幻想的) hopefuls, a new series pairs young famous actors with big-name veterans who are ready to teach them a lesson.
The Birth of Performer first appeared on Zhejiang Satellite TV in October and has already received 330 million online views for just its first two episodes. The show has caused debate on social media about the acting skills of some stars.
A flood of investment in China’s TV and film industry has driven up paychecks for popular young attractive persons and soap opera sweethearts, but some stars have been slammed by critics and the public for lacking professionalism and acting skills.
＂People wonder why some actors don’t take acting seriously with more and more money pouring in,＂Wu Tong wrote. However, he said that he had met many devoted young actors through the show, whose A-list cast of mentors(导师) includes Zhang Ziyi, who starred in the Oscar-winning kung fu epic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; and comedy queen Song Dandan.
One highlight from the first episode saw Zhang appear to become angry when she disagreed with her fellow judge-mentor Liu Ye over the performance of contestant Zheng Shuang.
＂Do you know what acting is?＂Zhang questioned Liu. In response, Liu slammed his phone on the table — and then his shoe.
As the audience and contestants were left stunned(震惊的), Zhang turned to Liu and warmly said, ＂Give me a hug.＂The two mentors explained that their quarrel was intended to show how to act out a scene of conflict — but later, online commentators speculated(推测) that Zhang was concealing her genuine irritation.
1.What can we learn about The Birth of Performer according to Paragraph 2?
A.Only the young love it. B.It proves popular.
C.The performers are excellent. D.There are fewer stars present.
2.What does the underlined word ＂slammed＂in Paragraph 3 mean?
A.Praised. B.Employed.
C.Criticized. D.Applied.
3.By mentioning Zhang Ziyi, Wu Tong wants to show _______.
A.she is famous worldwide
B.she earned a lot of money
C.she is devoted to performance
D.she has drawn public attention
4.How did Liu react when Zhang Ziyi questioned Zheng Shuang’s performance?
A.He consulted with her patiently.
B.He behaved rather rudely.
C.He had words with her.
D.He fought against her.
Here we introduce some rental houses to you.
Apartment Levant in Komiza
Overlooking one of the most beautiful fishing villages in Croatia, our two-storey house also gives you a full view of Komiza bay as well as neighboring island of Bisevo.The apartment has a wide，covered balcony and a small garden with lemon trees. It is only 10 minutes’ walk from the centre of the village, although it is on the edge of the village, with forests behind the house.
Apartment Domina
Located in the centre of the city, the apartment is protected as a historical site. All other facilities are at your fingertips such as restaurants, shops and museums. The apartment is fully equipped and air-conditioned, having a kitchen with a dishwasher, a satellite TV and the free Web access. It contains a bedroom with a double bed and antique furniture. Besides, the apartment offers pet-friendly accommodation.
Apartment Tonka
The apartment is located in an old stone house in the centre of Komiza. It offers two bedrooms, each with a separate bathroom, and a living room with a furnished kitchen. The house is only a couple of minutes away from the old harbor, along the old town’s street where you can enjoy Komiza’s rich cultural history. The bus stop is less than 200 meters away, near the fruit and vegetable market.
Pearl of Issa
This two-bedroom apartment is only a few minutes’ walk from beautiful beaches, shops, restaurants, cafés and bars. It consists of two bedrooms, a fully equipped modern kitchen, a dining room and a resting area with a sofa, which can be used as an extra sleeping place for one person, a bathroom and a balcony with comfortable garden furniture and barbecue equipment.
1.What can we learn about Apartment Levant in Komiza?
A. It is the most beautiful fishing village in Croatia.
B. It offers a chance to admire the whole Komiza bay.
C. It’s inconvenient to go to the centre of the village.
D. It lies in the center of the village with forests around.
2.Which of the following does Apartment Domina provide?
A. Portable washing machines. B. Modern furniture.
C. Free Internet use. D. Friendly pets.
3.Which of the following apartments contain two bedrooms?
A. Apartment Tonka and Pearl of Issa.
B. Apartment Domina and Pearl of Issa.
C. Apartment Tonka and Apartment Domina.
D. Apartment Domina and Apartment Levant in Komiza.
阅读下面短文，根据其内容写一篇60词左右的内容概要。
A class pet can be an invaluable experience for elementary school children. The pet can teach responsibility, build a connection to the classroom, serve as a motivator, and be something for the children to love. If the teacher is willing to take on the added responsibility of caring for an animal in addition to all of the children in the classroom, a class pet can be a wonderful addition to a class.
Many factors need to be taken into consideration when choosing a class pet. It cannot be too big, as classrooms generally have limited space. Cost should also be considered since the teacher will likely have to pay for the pet, its food and its habitat. It must also be somewhat hardy (耐寒的). Each particular type of animal has its advantages and disadvantages, and a teacher must weigh these and make a decision about which one is right for his or her class.
Birds are physically more delicate (娇养) than many other animals. They will not survive in drafts (气流) and need a somewhat regulated temperature in their environment. Many birds are quite social and do best with other birds or when being handled routinely by people who can be appropriate with them. Young children are not likely to have the skill to handle a bird without harming it, making it a poor choice for a class pet.
Some reptiles are beautiful to look at but are delicate, afraid of cold, light sensitivity or poisonous and shouldn’t be handled by children. Others are more hardy but require expensive habitats. Most snakes eat rats and mice, which may be a frightening thing for small children to witness.
A hardy fish, such as a betta, is a good low-cost option for a class pet. They are obviously not huggable or able to be caught by children. Besides, they are inexpensive, have relatively long life spans, and can be kept in a simple fish bowl.
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假如你是李华，学校最近要组织一次英语演讲比赛，主题为“垃圾分类益处多”。请你根据此话题写一篇演讲稿。要点如下:
1.你的观点；
2.你的建议。
参考词汇:垃圾分类garbage classification
注意:
1.词数80左右；
2.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯
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阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。
Giving is the greatest kindness. Kindness is to the soul 1.sunshine is to the crop. Winston Churchill once 2.(observe) that “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” Through selfless service, volunteers are the glue that holds a community together. Many activities 3.(volunteer) aid the elderly, disabled and children. No one is 4.lonely island in the sunshine of joyful giving.
Moreover, volunteering is a two-way street of giving and receiving. Sometimes we get 5.(lock) into the “rat race” of life and the 6.(certain) of success discourages us. However, volunteering can be an escape from the routine of life.
Given the significance of volunteerism, it’s time we 7.(roll) up our sleeves and extend a helping hand. In respect 8.my own experience, I work as a volunteer at the local animal shelter, 9.I continue taking care of my furry friends. I hope my efforts can inspire people around me to devote 10.(they) to volunteerism and create a circle of virtue we need.
