The Daffodil Lesson
It was a bleak rainy day, and I had no desire to drive up the winding mountain road to my daughter Caronlyn’s house. But she had insisted that I come see something at the top of the mountain.
So here I was, reluctantly making the two-hour journey through fog that hung like veils. By the time I was how thick it was near the summit. I’d gone too far to turn back. Nothing could be worth this, I thought as I inched along the dangerous highway.
“I’ll stay for lunch, but I’m heading back down as soon as the fog lifts,” I announced when I arrived.
“But I need you to drive me to the garage to pick up my car” Caronlyn said. “Could we at least do that?”
“How far is it I asked.
“About three minutes”, she said I’ll drive--I’m used to it
After ten minutes on the mountain road, I looked at her anxiously. "I thought you said three minutes."
She grinned. “This is a detour（绕道）”
Turning down a narrow track, we parked the car and got out. We walked along a path that was thick with old pine needles. Huge black-green evergreens towards over us. Gradually the peace and silence of the place began to fill my mind.
Then we turned a corner and stooped-and I gasped in amazement.
From the top of the mountain, sloping for several acres across folds and valleys, were rivers of daffodils in radiant bloom. A profusion(大量) of color-from the palest ivory to the deepest lemon to the most vivid salmon-blazed like a carpet before us. It looked as though the sun had tipped over and spilled gold down the mountainside. At the center there was a waterfall of purple flowers. Here and there were coral-colored tulips. Western bluebirds frolicked（嬉戏）over the heads of the daffodils, their tawny breasts and sapphire wings like a flutter of jewels.
A riot of question filled my mind. Who created such beauty?Why?How?
As we approached the home that stood in the center of the property, we saw a sign that read: “Answers to the Question I Know You Are Asking.”
The first answer was “One Woman-Two Hands, Two Feet, and Very Little Brain.: The second was:” One at a Time,” The third:” Started in 1958.”
As we drove home, I was so moved by what we had been, I could scarcely speak. “She changed the world,” I finally said, “one bulb at a time. She started almost 40 years ago, probably just the beginning of an idea, but she kept at it.”
The wonder of it would not let me go. “Imagine,” I said, “if I’d had a vision and worked at it, just a little bit every day, what might I have accomplished?”
Carolyn looked at me sideways, smiling. “Start tomorrow,” she said.
“Better yet, start today.”
1.The passage is mainly about .
A.a successful gardener B.an inspiring gardening lesson
C.a worthwhile travelling experience D.an unexpected countryside scenery
2.The author gasped in amazement because .
A.the road twisted and turned along the mountain
B.the fog crowning the mountain lifted eventually
C.the owner of the filed came to answer her questions
D.the vast stretch of daffodil field took her breath away
3.What can be inferred from the story?
A.The beautiful daffodil field was all along the road.
B.The author and her daughter planned the journey well.
C.The owner of the field spent a lot of time working in the field.
D.The author planned to work in the daffodil field the next day.
4.What lesson did the author learn from this trip?
A.East or west, home is best. B.It is never too old to learn.
C.Birds of a feather flock together. D.Rome is not built in a day.
Railair Link |
Healthrow Airport (All terminals) → Reading Dec 1st, 2014 to Jan. 31st, 2015 |
Mondays to Fridays |
Terminal 4 depart Terminal 2 depart Terminal 3 depart Terminal 1 depart Reading arrive |
0635 0645 0652 0700 0750 0730 0720 0727 0735 0835 0750 0800 0807 0815 0905 0820 0830 0837 0845 0935 then at the same minutes past each hour until 2150 2200 2207 2215 2305 2250 2300 2307 2315 0005 |
Saturdays and Sundays (Also Bank Holidays) |
Terminal 4 depart Terminal 2 depart Terminal 3 depart Terminal 1 depart Reading arrive |
0650 0700 0707 0715 0805 0720 0730 0737 0745 0835 0750 0800 0807 0815 0905 then at the same minutes past each hour until |
2150 2200 2207 2215 2305 2250 2300 2307 2315 0005 |
For more information please telephone Reading 0734 6756778 The British Railway Board accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracy in the information contained in this guide, which may be altered at any time without notice. Published by InterCity, a business section of the British Railway Board. |
Railair Link |
Reading → Heathrow Airport (All terminals) Dec 1st, 2014 to Jan. 31st, 2015 |
Mondays to Fridays |
Reading arrive Terminal 4 depart Terminal 2 depart Terminal 3 depart Terminal 1 depart |
0530 0615 0617 0620 0630 0600 0645 0647 0650 0700 0630 0730 0732 0735 0745 0700 0800 0802 0805 0815 0730 0830 0832 0835 0845 0800 0900 0902 0905 0915 0845 0930 0932 0935 0945 0915 1000 1002 1005 1015 then at the same minutes past each hour until 2045 2130 2132 2135 2145 2145 2230 2232 2235 2245 |
Saturdays and Sundays (Also Bank Holidays) |
Reading arrive Terminal 4 depart Terminal 2 depart Terminal 3 depart Terminal 1 depart |
0545 0630 0632 0635 0645 0615 0700 0702 0705 0715 0645 0730 0732 0735 0745 then at the same minutes past each hour until |
2045 2130 2132 2135 2145 2145 2230 2232 2235 2245 |
Customers should check in at the Railair waiting-room at Reading Station at least 15 minutes before departure of the coach. Please purchase a ticket before boarding the coach. |
1.On December 25th, 2014, the first coach from Heathrow Terminal 1 to Reading departs at ______.
A.7:15 B.7:00
C.6:50 D.6:35
2.If you are to reach Terminal 2 of the Heathrow Airport before 10:00 a.m., you need to get to Reading Station not later than _________.
A.8:20 a.m. B.8:45 a.m.
C.9:00 a.m. D.9:15 a.m.
3.The information leaflet is produced by _________.
A.Reading B.InterCity
C.Railair Link D.Heathrow Airport
4.According to the timetable, all passengers should _________.
A.buy return tickets B.buy their tickets on the bus
C.buy the tickets online D.buy their tickets in advance
The art of public speaking began in ancient Greece over 2,000 years go. Now, twitter, instant messaging, e-mail, blogs and chat forums offer rival approaches to communication - but none can replace the role of a great speech.
The spoken word can handle various vital functions: persuading or inspiring, informing, paying tribute, entertaining, or simply introducing someone or something or accepting something. Over the past year, the human voice has helped guide us over the ups and downs of what was certainly a stormy time.
Persuasion is used in dealing with or reconciling different points of view. When the leaders met in Copenhagen in December 2009, persuasive words from activists encouraged them to commit themselves to firmer action. Inspirational speeches confront the emotions. They focus on topics and matters that are close to people's hearts. During wars, generals used inspiring speeches to prepare the troops for battle.
A speech that conveys knowledge and enhances understanding can inform us. The information must be clear, accurate, and expressed in meaningful and interesting way. When the H1N1 pandemic（流行病）was announced, the idea of "swine flu" scared many people. Informative speeches from World Health Organization officials helped people to keep their panic under control so they could take sensible precautions.
Sad events are never easy to deal with, but a speech that pays tribute to the loss of a loved one and gives praise for their contribution can be comforting. Madonna's speech about Michael Jackson, after his death, highlighted the fact that he will continue to live on through his music.
It's not only in world forums where public speaking plays an important role. It can also be surprisingly helpful in the course of our own lives.
If you're taking part in a debate you need to persuade the listeners of the soundness of your argument. In sports, athletes know the importance of a pep talk（鼓舞士气的讲话）before a match to inspire teammates. You yourself may be asked to do a presentation at college or work to inform the others about an area of vital importance.
On a more personal level, a friend may be upset and need comforting. Or you might be asked to introduce a speaker at a family event or to speak at a wedding, where your language will be needed to move people or make them laugh.
Great speaking ability is not something we're born with. Even Barack Obama works hard to perfect every speech. For a brilliant speech, there are rules that you can put to good use. To learn those rules, you have to practice and learn from some outstanding speeches in the past.
1.The author thinks the spoken word is still irreplaceable because _______.
A.it has always been used to inspire or persuade people.
B.it has a big role to play in the entertainment business.
C.it plays important roles in human communication.
D.it is of great use in everyday-life context.
2.Which of the following statements is INCORRECT about the role of public speaking?
A.Speeches at world forums can lead to effective solutions to world problems.
B.Speeches from medical authorities can calm people down in times of pandemics.
C.The morale of soldiers before a battle can be boosted by senior officers' speeches.
D.Speeches paying tribute to the dead can comfort the mourners.
3.According to the passage, which of the following best explains the author's view on "great speaking ability"?
A.It comes from observing rules.
B.It can be perfected with easy effort.
C.It can be acquired from birth.
D.It comes from learning and practice.
4.What is the main idea of the passage?
A.Public speaking in international forums.
B.The many uses of public speaking.
C.Public speaking in daily life context.
D.The rules of public speaking.
Green Collar Section
What is ecotourism? According to the International Ecotourism Society, ecotourism can be defined as responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and _______ the well-being of local people. That is to say, most ecotourism experiences are _______ at helping people to foster an appreciation of the environment, the conservation of wildlife, plants and resources, and respect and understanding of native _______.
Ecotourism is socially important because it provides a way for people to travel responsibly, and to learn about and respect the environment of these natural places. Ideally, ecotourism professionals organize and _______ an experience that demonstrates local environmental sustainability and cultural sensitivity for travelers.
At the university level, ecotourism programs are usually found in environmental science and recreation management departments. Students learn basic knowledge about different _______ of tourism (such as accommodation, transportation, business, organization, and hospitality) as well as conservational issues (such as _______ protection for wildlife and rational _______ of resources). And in more advanced programs, students will focus on nature-based education, such as and ecological issues. _______, it is also helpful, and sometimes _______, to be fluent in a foreign language, or students will not be able to hold a global insight. After graduation, it is also ________ for students to receive further career training programs, such as Group Dynamics for Ecotourism, Green Event Planning, Natural Resource Assessment and Planning, Intercultural Communications, Wilderness & Remote First Aid, etc, in order to become better adaptable to the updating job requirement.
As the threat to our planet ________ in many communities, their inhabitants are becoming more interested in the natural world around them and in ways to conserve the environment. Ecotourism is growing at three times the ________ of the tourism sector itself, and demanding more knowledgeable workers ________ to sustainability.
Jobs in ecotourism can be highly risky and adventurous, but also limited by season. Green travel employes generally work for private companies, government and pubic institutions, and nonprofits. Salaries in ecotourism ________ from field to field, but it helps to have a degree and some experience. Group leaders and travel guides are responsible for guiding tours through the ecosystems of various destinations ________ pointing out the benefits of green travel and a green lifestyle. Leaders and guides come from a wide range of backgrounds. Many will have experience in the tourism industry, while some will be scientists looking for positions in education.
1.A.dominates B.cultivates C.ruins D.sustains
2.A.bound B.aimed C.intended D.destined
3.A.peoples B.languages C.bonds D.habitats
4.A.alter B.taste C.execute D.undergo
5.A.properties B.advantages C.opinions D.respects
6.A.deserve B.reserve C.preserve D.conserve
7.A.exhaustion B.fulfillment C.advantage D.exploitation
8.A.Moreover B.Therefore C.Likewise D.After all
9.A.controlled B.requested C.selective D.compulsory
10.A.applicable B.obliged C.critical D.subtle
11.A.turns down B.turns up C.turns off D.turns on
12.A.rate B.width C.scale D.extension
13.A.devoting B.contributed C.adapting D.committed
14.A.count B.different C.range D.vary
15.A.while B.because C.even if D.if
President Donald Trump's first state dinner excluded Democratic members of Congress and the media, which was criticized by many as a(n) _________ from tradition.
A.departure B.benefit C.escape D.lesson
Letting virtual assistants, such as Amazon's Alexa, take care of your home is a(n) _________ for disaster to some, because AI-infused systems may demonstrate unpredictable behaviors that can be disruptive, confusing, offensive, and even dangerous.
A.topic B.shortcut C.cure D.recipe
