When you hear the word “birthmark”, you probably think of one of those black or brown spots that you have on your body. For me, it’s different―I have them on my lips and inside my mouth. I’m used to being asked, “What are those black marks on your lips?” When I tell people they’re birthmarks, they usually say, “That’s strange.” I used to consider them ugly. However, my mom calls them beauty marks.
In pictures, I used to hide my birthmarks by pursing (噘起) my lips so I wouldn’t ave to deal with people’ s questions, As I was growing up, people wore me out with them. Some people would ask me the same questions even before knowing my name. In society I feel like we judge people by their looks before their personality.
My birthmarks are caused by a genetic condition from my mom’s side of the family, My mom’s mom has birthmarks on her lips, and my mom’s uncle and my uncle have some on their bodies. Every year I plan to have procedure to remove them. But when imagining the process, I always get nervous and give up.
My cousin faces a similar challenge. She has a huge birthmark that takes up her whole arm. She’s never tried to hide it or change her appearance. Once, her grandmother told her that the birthmark looked extremely prominent and suggested that she should wear long sleeves more often. If my cousin had actually taken that suggestion, she wouldn’t be such a person as she is.
Inspired by my cousin, I am finally accepting who I am and now I don’t hesitate when someone asks me about them either. I say, “They’re beauty marks” and smile without pursing my lips.
1.How did the author feel when asked about the birthmarks?
A.She felt excited to show her difference.
B.She felt annoyed to give others an answer.
C.She was scared to be made fun of by people.
D.She was bored to be faced with the question.
2.Who has the similar birthmarks like the author?
A.Her mother. B.Her grandmother.
C.Her cousin. D.Her uncle.
3.What can be inferred about the author’s cousin?
A.She dislikes talking about her birthmark.
B.She never judges others by their looks.
C.She is more confident than the author.
D.She has taken her grandma’s suggestion.
4.What does the underlined word “prominent” in paragraph 4 mean?
A.Brilliant. B.Symbolic.
C.Harmful. D.Impressive.
Los Angeles is always a popular holiday destination. To fully enjoy your travel there, you should know its food, weather, and also traffic. While driving in L. A. is similar to that in other areas, there are a few specific rules to note.
HOV lanes (车道)
On many L. A. freeways, one or more lanes at the far left are used as high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. They usually have limited access and you can only enter or exit where there is a break in the double yellow line. Most HOV lanes require a minimum of two people in the car; some require three. Vehicles towing trailers (拖车) are NOT allowed in the HOV lane, regardless of how many people are in them.
Toll (收费) lanes
On certain freeways, the HOV lanes are double-purposed as toll lanes for people driving alone who have a FasTrak, an electronic toll collection system. Therefore, you also have to have one in that lane as a HOV, which is inconvenient if you’re just visiting. FasTrak is in effect on parts of the 110 freeway between the 405 and 10 freeways, and on parts of the 10 freeway east of Downtown L. A.
Cell phones
It is against the law to talk on a cell phone while driving without using a hands-free device. Holding a cell phone to your ear while driving will land you with a ticket.
Alcohol
Driving under the influence is taken seriously in L.A. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08%, but you can be charged with lower levels if they show you can’t function normally. Placing an opened bottle of alcohol in the passenger area while driving (or sitting) is illegal. Any opened container of alcohol has to be transported in the trunk.
1.What do you know about HOV lanes?
A.They encourage people to share cars.
B.They are on the far right of freeways.
C.They are intended for larger vehicles.
D.They allow cars to enter over the double yellow line.
2.Which is surely against the road rules in L. A.?
A.Driving on the 110 freeway with a FasTrak.
B.Putting the cell phone in the car while driving.
C.Riding with an opened bottle of alcohol in back seats.
D.Going below the blood alcohol limit of 0. 08%.
3.Where is the text most probably taken from?
A.A traffic law. B.A road map.
C.A guidebook. D.A report.
阅读下面短文, 根据内容写一篇 60 词左右的内容概要。
Alipay Ant Forest has been awarded the United Nation’s highest environmental honor - the ''U.N. Champions of the Earth'' award. The statement was issued by UNEP(联合国环境计划署) on September 20.
The Ant Forest was started in the Alipay app in August 2016. It encourages users to adopt low-carbon activities - such as paying online and walking or taking buses to work instead of driving. Such behavior produces virtual ''green energy points. '' With enough energy points, users can grow a virtual(虚拟的) ''tree'' on their mobile phone. Then the virtual tree is planted by Alipay in areas that need reforesting.
By August 2019, Alipay Ant Forest has attracted over 500 million users. Their low-carbon behavior has resulted in 122 million trees in arid areas in China, including regions in Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Qinghai and Shanxi. The influence has also traveled beyond China. Inspired by Alipay Ant Forest, the Philippines' leading mobile wallet service GCash added GCash Forest to its App in June 2019. Local users are encouraged to contribute to reforestation and environmental protection by adopting low-carbon activities in their daily lives.
''Alipay Ant Forest shows how technology can change our world, '' said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UNEP. ''Although the environmental challenges we face are disappointing, we have the technology and the knowledge to defeat them. '' she said.
Champions of the Earth is the U.N. 's flagship global environmental award. It was established in 2005 to recognize outstanding figures that have had a positive effect on the environment.
''We are truly honored to receive this Champions of the Earth award,'' said Eric Jing, Chairman and CEO of Ant Financial. ''Alipay Ant Forest reflects our belief that technology can and should be used for social good. Its popularity shows that the public is ready to take action to fight climate change, '' he said.
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假设你是李华。你校英语俱乐部将举办课本剧展演, 你将在” The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”中扮演Huck，在准备过程中你遇到一些问题。请你给美国笔友 Paul 写一封 80 词左右的E-mail，向他征求建议。
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阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(不多于 1 个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。
China's first documentary on1.(it) overall counter-terrorism(反恐) efforts in Xinjiang aired Thursday night2.(cause) wide discussions among the audience with never-seen-before real crime scenes of terrorism,3. highlighted the high prices China has paid and the country's resolution in wiping off terrorism.
A lot of the video and audio clips in the English-language documentary 4.(make) public for the first time as solid evidence of the horrible crimes 5.(commit) by terrorists in Xinjiang. It also revealed hard evidence of interactions 6. terrorists and overseas masterminds(幕后策划者).
''The authorities did not publish the video and details of terrorist7.(attack) in Xinjiang before, out of concern that they may cause panic. This proves China had paid a high price in fighting terrorism before, and the international community should have 8. clear understanding of this, '' Li Wei, a counter-terrorism expert said.
Li noted that the video and audio films justify China's Xinjiang policies in countering terrorism, including 9.(start) the vocational education and training centers, which have been10. (high) effective in fighting extremist forces.
After Grandma passed away, Grandpa moved in with us from China in 1983. Although we___ different languages, we still communicated well in our own way.
Playing Monopoly(大富翁) with my brother and I created a___ bond between us.
Although he failed to figure out the _______ or much of what my brother and I said, he got a kick out of___ with us.
I think of Grandpa when I play games with my sons. Truthfully, I don’t care if I win or lose these games. What___ is spending time with children and understanding their___ .
Grandpa would spend his days sitting on the couch, staring out the window and singing ___. I often thought he was____, but as I age, I find peace in taking moments to stare out a window. Maybe I got that from him.
He passed away the night before his 80th birthday. One of my biggest______ is not spending more time with him. What I learned from my grandpa was to____ simple pleasure in life, see a single leaf fall from a tree and play games with my sons.
I think it’s time to visit Grandpa’s grave.
1.A.exchanged B.spoke C.learned D.loved
2.A.close B.similar C.mysterious D.free
3.A.laws B.opinions C.lessons D.rules
4.A.shopping B.staying C.traveling D.singing
5.A.exists B.permits C.matters D.differs
6.A.answers B.decisions C.problems D.interests
7.A.quietly B.skillfully C.perfectly D.regularly
8.A.relaxed B.sleepy C.stressed D.bored
9.A.concerns B.mistakes C.regrets D.puzzles
10.A.enjoy B.select C.picture D.remember
