The Song Dynasty(960-1279) is often referred to as the Chinese Renaissance(文艺复兴). For about three and a quarter centuries, under its rule, China enjoyed a period of economic growth with great artistic and intellectual achievements.
One of the most important factors in the Song Renaissance was the printing press which made for a rebirth of classical Confucian learning. By the 10th century,printers were producing a large number of copies of the classical Confucian texts. With this increase in the production of books, education spread and became widely available.
Printing also had its greatest influence on the Chinese political system. In the Song Dynasty, govemment examinations became the most important way to political power in China. For almost 1,000 years, China was govemed by men who had done very well in examinations. Thousands of students studied for the exams, and thousands of inexpensive books were required. Without printing, such a system would not have been possible.
The Song period was also the golden age of Chinese painting. Emperor Huizong(1101-1125) was a talented painter who encouraged the arts. A royal painting academy was created and many fine artists were supported. The period is best known for nature subjects and landscape paintings. Guo Xi used perspective in his paintings and The Quict Valley is one of his best-known works. One of the greatest landscape painters of the period was Fan Kuan. His masterpiece, Travelling among Mountains and Gorges, is one of the most famous Chinese paintings. Completed around the year 1000, it was inspired by the power of nature and the relative insignificance of humans.
1.When was the Chinese Renaissance?
A.Immediately after the Renaissance in Europe. B.During the Song Dynasty.
C.At the time of Confucius. D.in the year 1,000.
2.What contributed to spreading the ideas of Confucius?
A.The spread of education to the middle classes.
B.People’s new interest in classical texts.
C.The development of painting.
D.The printing press and a wide availability of books.
3.How did people become politicians at the time?
A.Only members of the wealthy class could go into politics.
B.A small number of powerful families ran the country.
C.Only members good at painting were supported by the royalty.
D.There was a special exam system to select politicians.
4.From the passage we can know the painter of Travelling among Mountains and Gorges is ＿＿＿．
A.Guo Xi
B.Emperor Huizong
C.Fan Kuan
D.Confucius
As the Camp Fire continued, killing at least 85 people and displacing thousands more in Northern California, Madison waited there.
Gaylord, the Anatolian shepherd mix’s owner, was not able to get to her home in Paradise, when the fire began to spread, meaning Madison was left behind. For weeks, all Gaylord could do was pray for Madison’s safety, according to California-based animal rescue organization Paw Print Rescue.
Sullivan, a volunteer with the organization, had already helped locate Madison’s brother Miguel in a different city. But Madison was even more difficult to find. Sullivan spotted Madison a few times in a canyon (峡谷), apparently guarding his land, and put out fresh food and water regularly in hopes that the dog would turn up, according to a Facebook post by Sullivan. She even placed an article of clothing that smelled like Gaylord near the home “to keep Madison’s hope alive until his people could return,” Sullivan wrote.
When the evacuation (疏散) order was lifted last week and Gaylord went back to her home—which had been ruined by the fire—her prayers were answered: Madison was there, seemingly protecting what little remained of his family’s home. “Well, I’m so happy to report that Gaylord was allowed to return to her home today and THERE MADISON WAS!!!! He had stayed to protect what was left of his home, and never gave up on his people!” Sullivan wrote in the comment on her Facebook post. “I’m so happy I’m crying as I write this! He didn’t give up through the storms or the fire!” she added.
Soon afterward, Madison was reunited with Miguel for the first time since the fire broke out. An emotional Gaylord said in an interview with the network that she was overcome with joy to see Madison waiting for her. She also expressed how grateful she was to Sullivan. Gaylord said fighting through tears, “You could never ask for better animals. He is the best dog.”
1.What did Madison do during the Camp Fire?
A.He rescued Sullivan.
B.He waited for Gaylord.
C.He stayed with Miguel.
D.He ran away from Paradise.
2.Why did Sullivan place an article of clothing smelling like Gaylord near the home?
A.To keep Madison warm.
B.To get Madison to turn up.
C.To help Madison remember his owner.
D.To encourage Madison not to give up.
3.Where was Madison finally found?
A.In a different city. B.In a canyon.
C.At a camp. D.At his home.
4.What quality is emphasized in this story?
A.Patience. B.Unity.
C.Devotion. D.Wisdom.
If you've always wanted to start your own herb or vegetable garden but don't have the yard space or the "green thumb" to pull it off, there's now another option. The OGarden Smart is an indoor gardening system that grows up to 90 plants at one time—20 of which are safe to eat.
Strawberries, green beans, peppers, green onions, and cherry tomatoes are just a few of the fruits and vegetables the OGarden can grow. Up to 30 potted plants can be placed on a lower shelf, where the seeds are allowed to germinate (发芽). Once they germinate, the plants can then be moved to the turning wheel up above, which holds up to 60 plants at a time. It takes about 30 to 40 days to harvest the produce, depending on the type of plant grown.
The system is self-watering and uses automatic LED lights to provide the right amount of sunlight, no matter what season it is. The only work that's required is planting the seeds and refilling the water tank once a week.
The OGarden Smart is the second product introduced by company co-founders Pierre Nibart and Pierre-Etienne Bourget, of Quebec, Canada. The original OGarden appeared in 2017, and the Smart upgrade adds a few new features, including automatic watering, automatic LED lighting, and a water warning system. Some reviewers of the original OGarden commented that the system is easy to use, and that the vegetables taste better than store-bought produce.
The OGarden Smart will set you back $859 Canadian dollars (about $650 USD) if you order it on Kickstarter at a discounted rate, but the company's founders are quick to point out that it will help you save money in the long-run. The system lets you grow organic (有机的) produce at a small part of the price you'd pay at your local grocery store.
To see some of the buying options available, check out the project's Kickstarter page. Any orders that are placed will be delivered this May.
1.What is the OGarden Smart?
A.A self-watering system.
B.A water warning system.
C.An indoor gardening system.
D.An automatic lighting system.
2.What can you learn about the OGarden Smart from the passage?
A.It can be used all year round.
B.It grows up to 60 plants at a time.
C.It is designed for people who have a yard.
D.It moves the plants from the shelf automatically.
3.The OGarden Smart can help you save money in the long-run mainly because of its _______.
A.automatic upgrade
B.free after-sales service
C.low energy consumption
D.harvest of organic produce
Two birthdays, One mistake
Zackary Johnson has a birthday coming up in a few days, so it wasn’t surprising to have an envelope addressed to him last week.
His mom, Glenda, ____ immediately that it was spelled “Zachary” Johnson. She didn’t find that unusual because many people spell Zackary’s name ____. But the sender’s pre-printed label made her confused. That name didn’t ____ up to anyone of her friends or relatives. She asked her husband, “Do you ____ this name?” “Nope,” Steve responded and became somewhat ____.
Still, they agreed to ____ the envelope to their son to see what was in it. Zack opened it to ____ $20 in a birthday card that said “Happy Birthday, Zachary!” He was ____and was ready to go shopping!!
However, the ____ increased for Glenda. The card was unsigned. She was wondering why a ____ would send money to her son and ____ he would know it was Zack’s birthday. A variety of scenes can go ____ parents’ minds, especially when they hear stories about Internet crimes. They knew they would have to make some inquiries not only to give them ____, but also to protect their son.
“I know who that fellow is! He is an old farmer that lives out on Hillberry Road.” Glenda’s dad said when he was informed of the ____.
So the couple quickly drove out into the country and found the house. ____, no one was home. Steve decided to leave a brief but ____ message that the call should be returned as soon as possible.
The next day the old farmer called. The farmer’s great grandson, Zachary Johnson, had recently moved with his parents to Heavenly Drive. That’s the street where Zackary Johnson ____. The farmer was sure surprised by the ____ of events. He figured he’d have to send another card to his grandson. But Zackary Johnson, who is turning eleven years old in a few days, did the right thing. He and his parents ____ their way down Heavenly Drive to the home of Zachary Johnson who is turning four years old in a few days. They ____ Zachary’s great grandfather’s card with the $20. Plus, Zackary Johnson wished Zachary Johnson a very Happy Birthday.
1.A.expected B.guessed C.added D.noticed
2.A.hesitantly B.incorrectly C.quickly D.naturally
3.A.match B.back C.call D.build
4.A.sign B.like C.bear D.recognize
5.A.embarrassed B.discouraged C.concerned D.ashamed
6.A.present B.return C.address D.drop
7.A.hold B.find C.reach D.pay
8.A.relieved B.relaxed C.amused D.excited
9.A.unease B.anger C.regret D.sadness
10.A.relative B.friend C.stranger D.farmer
11.A.who B.what C.when D.how
12.A.over B.beyond C.through D.against
13.A.faith B.peace C.satisfaction D.confidence
14.A.secret B.crime C.conclusion D.situation
15.A.Amazingly B.Unfortunately C.Interestingly D.Undoubtedly
16.A.urgent B.updated C.warning D.flexible
17.A.walks B.travels C.lives D.moves
18.A.turn B.order C.error D.trend
19.A.changed B.made C.pushed D.cleared
20.A.held B.showed C.delivered D.purchased
阅读下列短文，根据短文内容填空。在未给提示词的空白处仅填写 1个适当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。
When I was a child, I was a picky eater. There were many 1. (food) that I didn’t like to eat. But there is one meal I have always loved: grilled（烤的）cheese and tomato soup. It’s just two pieces of toasted bread with cheese in the middle,2. (serve) with a bowl of tomato soup. This kind of food 3. (call) “comfort food”. “Comfort food” is simple, easy-to-make and delicious. It always 4. (taste) great. Your parents might make meals like this for you when you are not feeling well.
阅读下列短文，根据短文内容填空。在未给提示词的空白处仅填写 1个适当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。
I lost my wallet after going shopping last Friday evening. But I didn’t realize it was missing until five hours later. I couldn’t remember 1. I lost it. I stayed up all night and worried about my wallet. The next day, I went back to the shops that I2. (visit) and asked about my wallet. A manager at one store came over and said, “Someone turned this in last night. We thought you might come back to look for it,3. we kept it for you.”
