At the time,I attended a private school called Maryvale College.I was the champion of the Maryvale sports day every single year.and my mother won the moms’trophy(奖杯)every single year.Why?Because she was always chasing me to kick my ass,and I was always running not to get my ass kicked.Nobody ran like me and my mom.
She was a thrower,too.Whatever was next to her was coming at you.If it was something breakable,I had to catch it and put it down.If it broke,that would be my fault,too,and the ass-kicking would be that much worse.
We had a Tom and Jery relationship.me and my mom.She was the strict disciplinarian(纪律执行者)；I was naughty as shit.She would send me out to buy groceries,and I wouldn’t come right home because I’d be using the change from the milk and bread to play arcade(街机)games at the supermarket.I’d drop a coin in,time would fly,and the next thing I knew there’ d be a woman behind me with a belt.It was a race.I’d take off out the door and through the dusty street, clambering over walls.ducking through backyards.It was a normal thing in our neighborhood. She could go at a full sprint(冲刺)in high heels,but if she really wanted to come after me she’d kick her shoes off while still going at top speed.
When I was little she always caught me,but as I got older I got faster,and when speed failed her she’d use her wits.If I was about to get away she’d yell,”Stop!Thief!”She’d do this to her own child.She’d yell”Thief!”knowing it would bring the whole neighborhood out against me,and then I’d have strangers trying to grab me and tackle me,and I’d have to duck and dive them as well.all the while screaming.”I’m not a thief!I’m her son!”
1.Why did the author’s mom often chase him and kick his ass?
A.Because he didn’t get a trophy on the sports day.
B.Because he didn’t get a high mark in the school.
C.Because he failed to obey his mom’s disciplines.
D.Because he failed to buy groceries for the family.
2.The underlined phrase”a Tom and Jerry relationship”in paragraph 3 indicates that
A.they are close friends
B.they play run and catch every day
C.they are born enemies
D.they play hide and seek every day
3.Why did the author’s mom yell”Stop!Thief!”when chasing him?
A.Because she really wanted to win the race.
B.Because she wanted to catch and punish him.
C.Because he stole his mom’s money to play games.
D.Because he stole something from the neighborhood.
4.Which of the following best describes the author’s mom?
A.Violent and stubborn.
B.Reasonable and gentle.
C.Energetic and friendly.
D.Strict and responsible.
Being able to tell human faces apart is a skill that almost every person has,although some are far better at it than others.But a new study says that this is not just a skill that humans have. Even fish can do it.
Following up on research studying different species’(物种)abilities to recognize human laces(sheep,dogs,cows,horses,and birds have all been tried),the researchers from the University of Oxford decided to pick an animal that does not have an evolved neocortext,the part of the brain that processes sight and sounds,and doesn’t have a close relationship with humans.That way,there would be no reason why these test subjects(实验对象)would have a past history of identifying human faces.
So they picked the archerfish,a reef fish variety that shoots water into the air to knock its prey(猎物)out of the sky.They used this adaptation to have the fish spray water at a face on a monitor hanging over their tanks for a reward.Most of the fish were able to pick apart their learned face,even when colors were taken away.
This study gives more support to the assumption that distinguishing between faces is not just a skill that big-brained organisms are born with.It is possible that a good percentage of recognizing faces is learned over time.The development of neocortext may contribute only to quickly processing a large number of faces in varying situations.
But more work needs to be conducted to find a deeper link to this possible learned behavior. The sample size of this study was very small-only eight fish were used altogether.Also,the faces displayed were only white,female faces from a German database,shown in a front view, with no expressions.Other animal trials have shown that some species,like pigeons,respond more to different angles and varied expressions.
1.The archerfish were picked as test subjects because they
A.have no evolved neocortext
B.have close relationship with human
C.have a skill of spraying water for a reward
D.have a past history of recognizing human faces
2.What is the finding of the research?
A.Some animals possess the ability to tell human faces apart.
B.Some animals gain the ability to recognize faces by learning.
C.The fish’s ability to tell human faces apart is a natural skill.
D.The fish’s ability to recognize human faces is related to neocortext.
3.What is likely to be done for further research?
A.To show more faces in a front view.
B.To display more white,female faces.
C.To test more fish samples to gather more data.
D.To test pigeons’ response to varied expressions.
4.Where is this text most likely from?
A.A diary. B.A biography. C.A mystery. D.A magazine.
The virus,COVID-19 has brought us health and economic challenges.Our major concern is strengthening the importance of family,community,health care and food security.But the good news is that while society adapts to a new normal,nature is continuing to provide us with vital services.Wetlands are filtering(过滤)drinking water and holding back floods.The roots of cottonwoods are binding soil and keeping it from being washed away along rivers and streams. Urban trees will soon multiply their service of purifying air and shading our streets and homes. All point to nature’s important role in our well-being,and that we need nature’s services now more than ever.
Perhaps the most important service that nature provides is how contact with the natural world can benefit us.There is clear evidence that spending time in nature improves our well-being.Even just looking at pictures of wildlife,virtually exploring nature and making plans to visit natural areas once it is safe to do so can help to improve our mental health.
If there is a silver lining in our current situation,it may be that this time of physical distancing represents an opportunity to renew our connections to the people we love,our communities and to nature.In every community across the country,birds are still migrating, wildflowers are blooming and many animals are preparing for their next generation.This time offers an opportunity to learn about the extraordinary wildlife that shares our country and communities.Nature is the foundation of our society.Discovering,knowing and sharing your relationship with nature is significant.Use this time to connect with nature.Help your children to find this connection and a love for the natural world.This relationship will change you.And you can change the world.
1.What do the first and second paragraphs mainly talk about?
A.The adaptation to a new normal.
B.The importance of our well-being.
C.The services nature has offered us.
D.The challenges the virus has brought.
2.What does the underlined phrase in paragraph 4 probably mean?
A.A hot potato. B.A bright side. C.A turning point. D.A stepping stone.
3.In this time of physical distancing,the author advises us to
A.purify air and drinking water
B.conserve wetlands and wildlife
C.participate in community gatherings
D.reflect on our relationship with nature
4.What is the author’s attitude towards the current situation?
A.Positive. B.Hopeless. C.Fearful. D.Cautious.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Tickets
Lyric Theatre 214 West 43rd Street New York,NY 10036
Experience J.K.Rowling’s magical universe like never before.
This show is presented in two parts.
You may buy tickets for each part together or separately.
Show Information
GalaPro,a free app for on-demand captioning(说明文字)and audio description that you can use on your personal smartphone device.GalaPro makes theatre accessible for audience who are hearing or sight challenged,or just don’t want to miss a word of the show.
1.What age range is the play intended for?
A.Ages 4 and up. B.Ages 10 and up. C.Ages 4 to 15. D.Ages 10 to 15.
2.What can we learn from the passage?
A.The cursed child refers to J.K.Rowling.
B.The whole play lasts 5 hours and 35 mins.
C.Latecomers will not be admitted to the theater.
D.Audience might take different seats during the play.
3.What is GalaPro according to the passage?
A.A special caption. B.A handy application. C.An audio description. D.A smartphone device.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.Who did the speaker go on a cookery course with?
A.Her cousin. B.Her sister. C.Her mother.
2.Which course did the speaker choose?
A.The one-day course. B.The three-day course. C.The one-week course.
3.What surprised the speaker when she started her course?
A.The course was popular. B.There were many teenagers. C.Many teachers were there to help.
4.Which place did the speaker visit?
A.A restaurant. B.A market. C.A supermarket.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Where are the speakers?
A.In a theater. B.In a studio. C.In a cinema.
2.What does Peter think of classical plays?
A.They are boring. B.They are challenging. C.They are wonderful.
3.What helps Peter remember the words in a play?
A.The talent he was born with.
B.The training he got at university.
C.The experience he gained on stage.
4.How does Peter feel about watching his performances on TV?
A.Satisfied. B.Embarrassed. C.Disappointed.
