Everywhere inside Valerie Tolman's home in Missouri City are signs that she has a big heart. There are family photos, including those of two biological and two adopted children who are all now grown; her two rescue dogs, Ivy and Ellie, are close by and, in an upstairs bedroom, are four kittens she's looking after. Her love of animals and passion for helping strays (走失的宠物) find homes earned her the Missouri City Volunteer of the Year award in 2017.
Tolman, a former newspaper reporter and software-industry analyst, started the volunteer program at the Missouri City Animal Shelter in 2014 after she retired. She later formed the Friends of the Missouri City Animal Shelter, a nonprofit to expand the group's efforts to keep animals healthy, alive and adoptable. ''I like living things, and it breaks my heart to think something is suffering - animals or humans, '' Tolman said.
She even challenged city officials about the lack of funding (资金提供) for the shelter, and encouraged the public to complain (投诉) in letters and emails to the City Council. Eventually, the council budgeted $250,000 for the shelter. ''I fought city hall and won, '' she said. ''The animals are in such better shape. I'm proud of that. ''
But she's most proud of her efforts to send high school students from low-income families to college. She and her husband Davis Tolman, a retired petroleum geologist, started a scholarship for first-generation college students in 2001. Tolman said 5l students have received full tuition (学费), including books, through the program. Although the graduation rate for the scholarship receivers is 54 percent, Tolman said all of the students tended to become successful in life simply because they attended college. Most of the students are the first in their families to go to college.
''It has a ripple effect, and even though some may not finish, there is a feeling that anything is possible, '' she said. ''We now have nurses, teachers and engineers because of this program. ''
1.What makes Tolman do volunteer work?
A.Her satisfaction of material rewards.
B.Her sense of duty.
C.Her love for creatures.
D.Her inspiration from other people.
2.What can we infer about the City Council in Paragraph 3?
A.It asked the public to build shelters for strays.
B.It annoyed the public by its inaction.
C.It didn't have enough money to build shelters.
D.It had paid little attention to strays before.
3.What can we learn about the scholarship receivers?
A.They all graduated from college with a degree.
B.They tended to manage their life more easily.
C.They helped spread the idea of the program.
D.They supported their families when in college.
The cheerful smiles and legendary strength of the Sherpas(夏尔巴人) have been an essential part of Mount Everest climbing expeditions(探险) from the very beginning. Indeed, very few significant successes have been achieved without them.
When Western mountaineers first set their sights on the world’s highest peak, they found in the Sherpas a people ideally suited to the hardship of high-altitude climbing, unfailingly positive, stout at altitude, and seemingly resistant to cold.
Sherpas did not venture into the high peaks until European mountaineers began arriving to climb in the world’s greatest mountain range. Mount Everest, known as Chomolungma or “Goddess Mother of the Land” to the Sherpas, was long considered as a living place of the gods where humans were not allowed to go.
Although Everest now sees many a human footprint, the Sherpas still regard the mountain as a holy place. All modern expeditions begin with a Puja ceremony in which Sherpas and other team members leave offerings and pay respect to the gods of the mountain, hoping to remain in their good graces throughout the climb.
Sherpas were first employed as porters, tasked with carrying large amounts of equipment to supply the military-style expeditions of the day. The early climbers were amazed at the strength of these people, from the fittest of mature men to the young and elderly. In addition to their heavy loads, some of the women even carried along their babies. The whole troop of Sherpas slept outside, using only rocks for shelter, as temperatures dropped well below freezing.
Stronger Sherpas soon graduated from porter status and began to undertake challenging climbing. Those who distinguished themselves were awarded the Tiger Medal, and many desired this honor and the higher pay rate it afforded. Despite the potential dangers, the Sherpa people remained enthusiastic about taking part in Everest expeditions, which even then were becoming an important source of income for a poor mountain folk.
1.Sherpas didn’t go into the high peaks before Europeans’ arrival mainly because ________.
A.they enjoyed staying at low altitudes B.they were short of proper equipment
C.they were unaware of their potentials D.they considered the mountain as holy
2.By mentioning the “rocks” in Paragraph 5, the writer emphasizes _______.
A.the intelligence of the Sherpas B.the challenges for the climbers
C.the physical ability of the Sherpas D.the wild landscape of Mount Everest
3.Which of the following can best describe the Sherpas according to the text?
A.Talented for high-altitude climbing. B.Adventurous and crazy about wealth.
C.Generous and willing to help climbers. D.Professional in treating altitude sickness.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.Where does most of Stephen and Jenny’s money come from?
A.Beef and chicken. B.Milk and eggs. C.Sheep.
2.How often does Stephen cut the wool off the sheep?
A.Three times a year. B.Twice a year. C.Once a year.
3.Why didn’t Jenny’s sweaters sell well?
A.They were too expensive.
B.They weren't easy to wash.
C.They weren't sold at a right time.
4.What do we know about Jenny’s socks?
A.They are popular. B.They have six sizes. C.They are made at home now.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.When does the man usually read?
A.At night. B.Early in the morning. C.When traveling on the bus.
2.How many hours does the man spend reading per week?
A.About three hours. B.About four hours. C.About five hours.
3.What kind of books does the man like?
A.Love stories. B.Travel books. C.Science fiction.
4.What does the woman think of love fiction?
A.It helps her relax. B.It wastes time. C.It can teach her a lot.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What are the speakers discussing?
A.A weekend meeting. B.A good advertisement. C.The product marketing.
2.How many people attended the event?
A.50. B.100. C.250.
3.What does the man suggest doing next time?
A.Advertising online. B.Using television ads. C.Holding an event on Saturday
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the woman doing?
A.Having a phone interview.
B.Asking about a job offer.
C.Informing the man of an appointment.
2.When will the woman come back?
A.Next Monday. B.Next Tuesday. C.Next Friday.
