Why Old Books Are Better Than New Books
Books, both old and new, are great things, but our culture emphasizes that“newer” things are often better. It's hard to say no to your favorite contemporary writer or an amazing up-and-coming author's latest publication, but it's always worth picking up an old book between reading newer ones.1..
They are free
The old classics are usually free or deeply discounted at used book stores.2..The first obvious place would be your local library, which I think is the most important institution of our time. There are some lovely“free bookstores” online such as Project Gutenberg and Bartleby, which provide free e-books.
They show a different way of life from another time
Older books are valuable because they show life from another time.3. .Everyone knows about these stories. Each book has a tale to tell from that point in history. In this sense, reading an old book is almost like visiting an interpretative museum.
4.old classical books have stood out of time, but new books are still in a contemporary period with readers. "The ages bear evidence to the accuracy of their ideas, "Michael Hyatt writes about old books.5..There is no test for old novels to pass because the best ones have been passed on by many generations.
A.You'll remember it forever
B.They don't need to prove themselves
C.It doesn't mean it has lost its relevance
D.There are many ways to find these free books
E.Here's why old classic books stand out from new books
F.Ideas constantly float through our heads daily, but the best stand the test of time
G.Many books are stories or fairy tales from the past, like Beowulf and To Kill a Mockingbird
“Federal weather forecasters are predicting a‘near normal’number of storms this hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November l. Between nine and 15 named storms are predicted to form in the Atlantic this year, ”said Neil Jacobs, administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“Of those, between four and eight are predicted to become full-blown hurricanes, with winds capable of removing shingles（木瓦）and taking down power lines, ” Jacobs said Thursday at a news conference to announce the forecast. “And between two and four storms are expected to strengthen into so-called major hurricanes, with winds strong enough to break trees and tear off roofs.”
Gerry Bell, the lead hurricane forecaster at NOAA, said people shouldn't be fooled into satisfactions by the word “normal”.“Nine to fifteen named storms are a lot, ”he said. “Two to four major hurricanes are a lot. So the key message is：We're expecting a near-normal season, but you need to start getting prepared for the hurricane season now.”
This year's outlook is shaped by two competing meteorological （气象学的）phenomena. On one hand, the climate pattern known as El Nino （厄尔尼诺）is happening this year, which generally prevents hurricane activity in the Atlantic. At the same time, the water at the surface of the tropical Atlantic and the Caribbean is warmer than usual. That warm water acts like an engine for hurricanes, fueling their creation and making them bigger and wetter.
While ocean temperatures change under normal climate conditions, global warming is also causing ocean waters to get hotter. The overall global surface temperature has already risen more than 1 degree Fahrenheit compared with pre-industrial times. That suggests increasing hurricane risk, as big and wet storms become more likely.
1.How many storms may take place at least this year？
A.4. B.9. C.15. D.24.
2.What can be the effect of the full-blown hurricanes？
A.Blowing off shingles. B.Destroying houses.
C.Causing earthquakes. D.Taking down dams.
3.What can we know from Gerry Bell's words？
A.People were often fooled by the NOAA.
B.There will be less major hurricanes this year.
C.There has been a near-normal hurricane season.
D.People should prepare for the coming hurricanes.
4.What is the direct cause of hurricanes？
A.El Nino phenomenon. B.The increasing population.
C.Environmental pollution. D.Warmer water of the ocean.
It's tough to see or hear of a friend in crisis. One idea to keep in mind is that it is healthy for the distressed person to feel what he or she feels in the moment. When a person in crisis feels understood, he or she feels less alone and connected to the person who understands.
A person who experiences empathy(同理心)from a friend who can “go there”for a few minutes in order to authentically understand while still maintaining a strong and supportive attitude may be relieving and healing. While a friend is telling you about the circumstance, the first and most important step is to listen for feelings, not ways to solve the problem.
For example, a friend is terribly upset because her husband is threatening to leave her. After fully honoring the feelings, it is important to ask the friend what would help. Maybe it is a good cry and some ice cream. Perhaps it's a glass of wine and a walk. Everyone has different ways of dealing. Be respectful and ask the friend what she needs or wants, not what you prescribe.
Take a second example, say a close friend is being misrepresented by other friends. The friends are gossiping about her. During a conversation with her, listen for feelings. Honor her hurt and shock. The same equation is useful with a partner.
Helping a friend or partner in crisis not only helps the person, but creates closeness and trust in the relationship, making opening up in the probable future. In addition, the person who is empathizing feels positive because he or she was able to help. When a person is truly able to comfort and reassure a loved one, he or she feels vital and useful, strengthening the relationship.
1.What should we do first when we know a friend is in crisis？
A.Keep away from him/her.
B.Buy him/her a glass of wine.
C.Understand how he/she feels.
D.Show him/her ways to solve the problem.
2.What does the underlined word “it” in paragraph 3 refer to？
A.A way to solve the crisis. B.A way to relieve a bad mood.
C.A way to listen for feelings. D.A way to honor the feelings.
3.How does the author prove his/her idea？
A.By listing data. B.By quoting sayings.
C.By giving examples. D.By conducting surveys.
4.What does the text mainly talk about？
A.How to keep a loved one. B.How to make new friends.
C.How to work with your partner. D.How to help a friend in trouble.
Over the past 20 years, Zhang Bi has donated her blood more than 130 times to help people in need.
Zhang, 44, an employee of a company in Yichang, Hubei province, first donated blood in 1998 while studying at Wuhan University of Technology. “It was in the summer when I was with my classmates, and medical workers were promoting the idea of voluntary blood donations, ” she recalled. To mark her upcoming graduation with a degree in international trade and commerce, she decided to donate 200 milliliters of blood. “In fact, I was jittery at first, ”she said. “But with the nurse explaining things and providing guidance, I gained basic knowledge and finally calmly finished the blood donation.”
After graduation, she began to donate blood once or twice a year. In May 2001, an incident touched Zhang and deepened her understanding of voluntary blood donation. Her brother, a traffic policeman, was attacked and got hurt in a lung after dealing with an illegally operated motorcycle. He suffered blood loss and needed massive blood, but for lack of supplies in the blood bank, all the police officers in the city volunteered to donate blood. “Finally, with the help of the volunteers, my brother was saved, ”she said.
From then on, she began to donate blood every six months, the maximum allowed, according to the Blood Donation Law. In 2006, Zhang's father had a heart surgery and needed blood. Zhang had donated so much blood that she had earned enough “credits” for receiving the blood her father needed from the blood center.
Yi Xiaomei, an official at the Yichang Blood Center, said there are more than 400 regular blood donors in the city. “They have made great contributions to blood donation in the city, ” Yi said. “Zhang Bi, as a typical example, tries her best to guarantee the quality and quantity of blood.” Zhang said donating blood is not only good for the recipient Abut improves her own mental and physical well-being. “I hope I can continue as long as my physical condition can meet the donor requirements, ”she said.
1.What does the underlined word “jittery” mean in paragraph 2？
A.Excited. B.Curious.
C.Nervous. D.Embarrassed.
2.What played an important part in saving Zhang Bi’s brother？
A.The blood in the blood bank.
B.The help of the police officers.
C.Zhang Bi’s donation of blood.
D.The contribution of an official at the Blood Center.
3.What can be inferred from the last paragraph？
A.Blood Center has no limit in donating blood.
B.Yichang has the best and most blood donors in China.
C.Blood donors make a little money from blood donation.
D.Donating blood benefits both the recipient and the donor.
4.What's the best title for the text？
A.A Blood Donor Proves Love not in Vain.
B.Our Society Needs Women's Contribution.
C.An Accident Changed a Traffic Policeman.
D.Blood Donors Promoted Voluntary Blood Donation.
Tromso：the Arctic's most cosmopolitan（国际的）city
Tromso is a cosmopolitan place defined by pubs, a lively music scene and an events calendar that includes everything from traditional native festivals to the Arctic's largest pride celebration.
Mild temperatures and a 2-month-long night
Tromso, about 70, 000 permanent residents, has relatively mild temperatures, which might help explain Tromso’s current popularity as an Arctic destination. Like other places in the Arctic, Tromso experiences polar night, during which the sun never rises above the horizon. Polar night does have several hours of dark during the“daytime”, even on the shortest day of the year.
A gateway to the Arctic
Some people come here to cross"the Arctic"off their life list. For domestic tourists as well as international visitors, the attractions include the chance to go skiing in the mountains right outside the city. If you aren't a ski-jumping fan, the city also has some of the world's northernmost professional sports activities for you to take part in, including a soccer team that plays in Norway's top league. Snowshoeing, dogsledding and winter hiking are also on the agenda.
One of Europe's coolest music destinations
There are regular traditional music concerts in the Tromso Cathedral. The weekend-long Insomnia Festival takes place here each October and the DJ Music Festival each November. Though it began as（and remains） an electronic music festival, other genres （流派）from Norway and Europe are also represented.
Wintertime events and festivals
After the sun returns in January, Tromso hosts Sami Week to celebrate the region's native people. Films, reindeer racing and other cultural events are part of the activities. The Arctic Pride takes place each November in Tromso, calling itself the Northernmost Pride Festival in the world. It features lectures, shows, a parade, parties and concerts.
1.Why is Tromso popular as an Arctic destination according to the text？
A.It can broaden people's horizon.
B.The climate there agrees with tourists.
C.The shortest daytime appears there.
D.It has the same polar night as other polar cities.
2.What can travellers probably do in Tromso？
A.Go skiing right inside the city.
B.Enjoy electronic music just from India.
C.Play soccer with some professional athletes.
D.Go hiking with their friends at home and abroad.
3.In which activity or festival public speakers are needed？
A.The Arctic Pride. B.The Sami Week.
C.The Insomnia Festival. D.The DJ Music Festival.
请阅读下面文字，并按照要求用英语写一篇150词左右的文章。
Li Jiang:Have you heard this? Local governments throughout China are encouraging the use of serving chopsticks.
Su Hua:Yes, I have. Chinese eating tradition has once again come under the spotlight when it comes to public health.
Li Jiang:But it seems people have different opinions.
Su Hua:What do you think?
Li Jiang:I think it’s time to change our eating practice.
Su Hua: But I am used to sharing food with my family and friends using my chopsticks.
Li Jiang:You see. People will finally come to realize that the serving chopsticks are much better for health.
Su Hua: I agree, but using individual chopsticks reflects the Chinese food culture.
（写作内容）
1.用约30个词概括上述信息的主要内容；
2.你是否同意使用公筷，用2-3个理由或论据支撑你的看法。
（写作要求）
1.写作过程中不能直接引用原文语句；
2.作文中不能出现真实姓名和学校名称；
3.不必写标题。
（评分标准）
内容完整，语言规范，语篇连贯，词数适当。
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