While many people dream of mermaids, few people actually try to become one. How can someone become a mermaid if they don't exist? Just ask Dana Richardson, who is a professional mermaid in Hawaii!
“As a child, I always felt very connected to the ocean and played mermaids in the water,” says Dana. “My love of the ocean took me to different types of work such as a lifeguard, swim instructor, boat crew member, underwater photographer, boat captain and surfer. I just decided to take it to the next level and grow a tail.”
Dana doesn't mean literally. In 2008 she began making mermaid tails from materials including shiny fabric that she wears while free-diving in the waters around Kona, Hawaii. Free-diving means diving without any protective equipment. It requires you to hold your breath while swimming deep underwater. As she dives in, Dana not only like a mermaid; she experiences what it is like to swim like one too.
The waters around Dana's home in Kona are filled with wildlife, including dolphins and whales. Kona is by a sheltered sea where the waters are calm for swimming. For ten years Dana has been swimming with the creatures of Kona. Some of them have even learned to recognize her.
Dana knows how to swim with sea life because she is a trained marine naturalist She understands the behavior of sea life and knows how to safely interact with it. Every morning when she swims with sea life she gets to experience her other “home”. The ocean beneath the depths really is another world. Watching how the world works so gracefully in the circle of life underwater is a beautiful thing?
For Dana Richardson being a mermaid just makes sense. “I always felt more comfortable underwater than on land,” she says. Would you like to follow your dream, even if it seems impossible? Dana Richardson reminds everyone, “One person can truly make a difference. By following your heart and offering the world your unique gifts, you will inspire others to do so. The world needs you!”
1.When the author was a child, she .
A.always played with mermaids B.felt very linked to the ocean
C.grew a beautiful mermaid tail D.tried different types of work
2.What do we know about Dana's mermaid tail?
A.She wears mermaid tails while free-diving.
B.She makes mermaid tails mostly from shiny fabric.
C.She has to hold her breath while wearing tails.
D.She is a mermaid with a tail as she dives in.
3.Which can best describe the relationship between Dana and sea life?
A.Aggressive. B.Embarrassing.
C.Harmonious. D.Unfamiliar,
4.What would be the best title for the text?
A.The Protection of the Ocean B.The Description of Sea Life
C.The Characteristics of Mermaids D.The Story of Realizing a Dream
I dropped out of college after my freshman year. Three years later, I quit a dead-end job and returned college. I saw school as my way out. But I quickly found myself facing the same roadblocks that had caused me to quit before: I was confused with college-level algebra and a heavy workload of reading and writing assignment. Moreover, I was unsure of my career direction. I was ready to drop out again. Then a smartly-dressed woman walked confidently to the front of my English composition class. “Look at you! Look at each and every one of you,” she said. “You’re here to change your lives for the better. And you’re going to make it!” I can’t remember the rest of the speech, but it changed the course of my college career and my life.
Mrs. Smith didn’t know me from any of the other 40 faces in her classroom, but I felt she speaking directly to me. Having trouble keeping up with the workload? Break it down into small pieces, and set up a schedule that suits you. If college algebra is too difficult, drop back to introductory college math. As for English composition, she gave us writing assignments we could relate to. “Go for the best, kid. You’re worth it,” she’d say.
I graduated from that college and went on to get my bachelor’s degrees. Today, as a college instructor, each fall when I stand in front of a new class, I think of Mrs. Smith and how much teachers can affect their students. She couldn’t have known it when she gave that pep talk, but she made a huge difference in my life.
1.Why did the author want to quit school again?
A. He wanted to return to hid former job. B. He decided on his future career.
C. The academic pressure seemed unbearable. D. Many changes took place in his life.
2.How did Mrs. Smith help the author?
A. She made him feel relaxed. B. She helped him with algebra.
C. She talked to him directly. D. She brought him courage and faith.
3.What can we infer about the author?
A. He learnt to be a better teacher.
B. He didn’t finish his college education.
C. He became Mrs. Smith’s favorite student.
D. He didn’t understand the writing assignments.
4.What can be the best title for the text?
A. Always believe in yourself.
B. Never quit before trying.
C. Experience is worth valuing.
D. A lady changed my life in time.
Welcome to our website. Here are some magazines to recommend this week.
Cover: $56.00
Sale Price:$25.00
Alarm celebrates independent thinking in music, art, film and fashion through in-depth writings. Each issue of Alarm features interviews, reviews and life stories of famous people in the artistic world. It also provides the latest news on famous bands, artists, film makers and fashion trends.
Cover Price: $47.40
Sale Price: $12.00
Alternative Press celebrates music and youth culture. It features the latest music news and releases, and includes interviews with new bands as well as famous bands. The magazine is written for fans of electronic, industrial, punk, underground, rock, experimental and other musical types. It also offers columns about new technology, book reviews and film reviews.
Cover Price: $39.92
Sale Price: $12,00
Sound & Vision is for people with a great interest in music and video. It is also for people who want to know how to reproduce video. The magazine tests new technology and explains how to uy and use music equipment.
Cover Price: $23.70
Sale Price: $12.00
Plex is a lifestyle magazine. It covers everything with hip-hop culture. Articles cover music, fashion, film and sports. It also has a buyer's guide to the hottest gear, clothes and gadgets. Plex combines two magazines into one. It is not only a lifestyle magazine but also a product guide.
1.Alarm would most probably attract people who love reading .
A.serious writings on music B.simple humorous stories
C.reviews of novels D.stories written by famous artists
2.What discount can you get if you buy Alternative Press on the website?
A.about 38%. B.about 55%.
C.about 75%. D.about 70%.
3.Which magazine will suit a hip-hop fan?
A.Sound & Vision. B.Alarm.
C.Alternative Press. D.Plex.
假定你是李华，你的美国的笔友Peter来信询问你如何做好新型冠状病毒的自我防护以应对美国爆发的新型冠状病毒。请你给他回封信，内容包括：
1. 写信目的；
2. 提出建议；
3. 表示安慰。
注意：1. 词数100左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
新型冠状病毒：the novel virus
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧)，并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线(\)划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词;
2.只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。
This morning, when I looked out the window, I excitedly found it was snowing heavy. Attracted by the beautiful sight, so I decided to go out to take some photos. As I walked on the path in front of our building, I saw a boy suddenly slipping on the snow-covered ground. It was at that moment when I realized what I should do. Immediately, I run back home to get a broom(扫帚) and started to sweep the path. I worked so hard that he sweated a lot. An hour later, a thick snow was cleared away. Looked at the clean path, my neighbor all smiled and gave me the thumbs up.
阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
Experts say there are several ways to deal with stress. They include deep breathing and a method of guided thought called meditation. They also include exercise，eating healthy foods，getting enough rest and balancing the time 1.（spend）working and playing. Exercise is one of 2. most effective stressreduction measures. Running, walking or playing sports causes physical changes 3. make you feel better. Exercise also improves the body's defense system 4. disease. And studies have found that 5. helps protect against a decrease in mental ability.
Doctors say deep，slow breathing is also helpful. Many 6.（medicine）studies have shown that clearing the mind through quiet meditation 7.（help）you become calm. This causes lower blood pressure，reduces muscle tension 8. decreases heart rate.
Experts also say keeping stress to yourself can make problems 9.（bad）. Researchers have linked the 10. (fail) to identify and express emotions to many health conditions. These include eating disorders，fear disorders and high blood pressure.
