My dad was a farmer. He never regarded anyone as a ______. He could really talk to any person, and his favorite thing to do was to ______ their income. Once we were at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, and my dad was sitting with me as I was waiting for my ______. A Russian woman who could not speak a word of English sat next to my dad, but that did not ______ him. At last, he found out her business, how many children she had and of course how much she made.
I was a shy person and used to be somewhat ______ by this. My mom was a very ______ person as well, so she was ______ by this too. But my mom told me a story about how she was in the doctor’s office with dad and ______ he was his usual self-talking to others all the time in the waiting room. My dad even started talking to a young man in a wheel chair who could neither ______ nor move his arms or head. He ______ could do nothing. But my dad still kept asking him questions and finally got the young man to smile in ______. And he carried on like that with the ______ man until he was called back to the doctor’s office. Then the father of the young man came over, ______ my dad’s hand and said, “Thank you for ______ to my son, most people just turn away when they see him.” Hearing that, I realized that my father’s ______ of talking could make a difference.
1.A.leader B.partner C.visitor D.stranger
2.A.look into B.set down C.find out D.add to
3.A.boat B.flight C.train D.ferry
4.A.attract B.shock C.encourage D.stop
5.A.embarrassed B.touched C.excited D.frightened
6.A.outgoing B.private C.honest D.active
7.A.moved B.inspired C.bothered D.threatened
8.A.whether B.when C.why D.how
9.A.act B.smile C.talk D.drive
10.A.gradually B.actually C.entirely D.merely
11.A.conclusion B.surprise C.power D.response
12.A.confident B.disabled C.nervous D.disturbed
13.A.shook B.struck C.rubbed D.scratched
14.A.sticking B.opening C.speaking D.reacting
15.A.love B.way C.content D.tone
Where do you see yourself in five years? While some of us might have answers to that, the reality is that most of us don’t. That is totally OK. We may not stress too much about the future. 1..
◆Stop worrying about what hasn’t happened yet
We’ve all done it. Worrying about a situation that hasn’t happened yet is only going to ruin all the good things that are happening now. 2.. If it is really eating you up, try thinking about what you can do right now to avoid any negative situations you might be worried about.
◆3.
Saving for a house, but your friend invites you on a last-minute group getaway? Go for it! Group holidays with all your friends don’t come around often. As you get older and people start their families, they are less likely to happen. Good memories will always be precious.
◆Surround yourself with people that make you feel good
In order to fully live in the present, surround yourself with people that make you feel good. 4.. If you find yourself doubting your achievements and feeling less than someone because they have a nicer car or a better job, take a step away from them for a while until you feel better.
◆Put yourself first and stop trying to please everyone else
5.. Looking after yourself before anyone else is the most important. Work towards the goals you want to achieve, not the ones others want you to achieve. Just make sure that anything you do is done for you!
A.Take things as they come
B.You are your own number one
C.Try hard to make more friends
D.You can always take care of others
E.Here are some tips about how to live in the now
F.It is so easy to get caught up in other people’s lives
G.Focusing on the future too much makes the present less valuable
Teenagers who travel around the world alone have been making headlines quite often. A young person alone in a dangerous situation attracts attention and sponsors. Young sailors also attract various views. For example, Jessica Watson was asked by the government to cancel her voyage, yet the Prime Minister called her “a hero for young Australians” when she returned. It seemed there is confusion about the competence and independence of young people.
The popular psychologists tell us that teenage brains are likely to make wrong judgments. But such ideas often do not apply to specific individuals. Between the ages of 14 and 18, teenagers vary greatly in their abilities. The amount of independence that each is allowed should be determined not simply by their age but by discussion with the related, responsible adults. Some teens are certainly inexperienced and capable of childish mistakes, but the ones who attempt dangerous journeys normally do so by winning the confidence of hard-headed and well-qualified adult supporters.
But it’s also wrong to think that any 16-year-old can desire to get achievements as unusual as Jessica Watson’s. Watson calls herself “an ordinary girl who had a dream”. Her intention is to encourage teenagers but this idea can have the opposite effect of making them feel not good enough because great achievements are beyond them. Should all teens have such dreams? Actually, individuals face varying circumstances that restrict their dreams.
Teenagers who travel around the world alone should not be judged by preconceived (事先形成的) views about young people. Nor should young “ordinary” teenagers feel pressure to long for extraordinary personal goals. In fact, I believe the example of solo sailing overstresses individualism. The teenage years are when most of us “ordinary” people learn that we can achieve great things in cooperation with others.
1.What can we learn about Jessica Watson?
A.She was criticized by the government.
B.She eventually canceled her voyage.
C.She has traveled around the world.
D.She made a successful voyage.
2.What can be inferred about teenagers from the text?
A.They have similar abilities.
B.They make decisions on their own.
C.They always make wrong judgments.
D.They need supports of responsible adults.
3.Who does the underlined word “them” in Paragraph 3 refer to?
A.Parents. B.Teenagers.
C.Psychologists. D.Adults.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A.Divided Opinions on Young Adventurers
B.Problems Faced by Adventurous Teens
C.Various Ways to Become Independent
D.Pressure to Achieve Personal Goals
The snow in Antarctica is turning green and scientists say climate change may be to blame. According to a study at the Cambridge University, microscopic algae blooms (藻类爆发) across the surface of the snow is slowly turning Antarctica’s winter white landscape green. Although microscopic, scientists say they’re able to see the “green snow” from space when the algae blooms all together.
Researchers created a large-scale map of green snow algae along the Antarctic coast using a combination of satellite data and on-the-ground observations over the course of two summers. The study found that the green snow algae bloomed in warmer areas where the average temperatures are just above 0℃ during the southern hemisphere’s (半球的) summer months from November to February.
“As Antarctica warms, we predict the overall mass of snow algae will increase,” said Dr Andrew Gray, lead author of the paper, and a researcher. Researchers say larger blooms of algae can be found north of the Antarctic and South Shetland Islands, where it can spread to higher ground as the snow melts.
The team also discovered some sea birds and mammals influenced the distribution of algae. Over 60% of algae blooms were found within three miles of a penguin settlement. Scientists hypothesize this may be due to their droppings, which act as a “highly nutritious fertilizer.”
“This is a significant advance in our understanding of land-based life on Antarctica, and how it might change in the coming years as the climate warms,” said Dr. Matt Davey in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Plant Sciences, who led the study.
1.What is turning the Antarctic snow green?
A.The melting of snow.
B.The blooming algae.
C.The beautiful landscape.
D.The balanced temperature.
2.Where is microscopic algae most likely to bloom in Antarctica?
A.North of the Antarctic.
B.West of the South Pole.
C.South of the Antarctic.
D.Around the southern hemisphere.
3.What does the underlined word “hypothesize” in Paragraph 4 probably mean?
A.Confirm. B.Support. C.Assume. D.Warn.
4.What can we learn from the text?
A.Penguins feed on microscopic algae.
B.Antarctic algae grow under the snow.
C.Ground observation lasted for four months.
D.Animal droppings contribute to the algae blooms.
As the coronavirus (冠状病毒) outbreak continues, many Americans are fearful of using public transportation. They are also looking for ways to get exercise without going to a gym. So, it may not be surprising that the pandemic (疫情) has led to a major increase in bicycle sales.
In the US, bicycles at big stores have sold out. And small bicycle stores cannot keep up with demand for “family-style” bicycles: the low-cost, easy-to-ride models. “The bicycle industry is seeing its biggest sales increase since the oil crisis of the 1970s,” said Jay Townley, an industry expert. He compared the sale of bicycles to the rush to buy products like toilet paper at the start of the pandemic.
The rise in bicycle sales is not happening just in the US. Italy has created bicycle paths for the growing number of people who want to avoid public transportation. In London, city officials plan to ban cars from some central roads. Bike shop owners in Manila say demand is even stronger than what they see at Christmas time.
Of course, you can only buy a bicycle if you can find one. In the US, the shortages now mean it may take many months to get a bicycle. High demand is not the only reason for the shortage. Many bicycle factories were shut down to stop the spread of COVID-19. The increase in bicycle demand began in March as countries began to close down. In April, the sale of bicycles increased 200 percent in the US.
Joe Minutolo is the co-owner of Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop in Maine. He said he hoped the increased sales meant a change in the way people think about transportation. “People are having a chance to rethink things,” he said, “Maybe we’ll all learn something out of this, and something really good will happen.”
1.What causes the increase in bicycle sales?
A.Shortage of public transportation.
B.Outbreak of the coronavirus.
C.People’s desire to defeat disease.
D.People’s fear of natural disasters.
2.What change has the pandemic caused in Italy?
A.More bikes are sold than at Christmas time.
B.“Family-style” bicycles are in great need.
C.Cars are banned from some central roads.
D.New bicycle paths have been built.
3.What can we know from Paragraph 4?
A.It’s impossible to buy a bike.
B.Bike factories were closed in April.
C.High demand for bikes began in March.
D.It takes many months to produce a bike.
4.What is Joe Minutolo’s attitude towards the increased sales of bicycles?
A.Doubtful. B.Positive. C.Uncertain. D.Critical.
Obviously, you want to make the most of your precious time, to squeeze every last drop out of the days. Here we’ve rounded up the best events for you to enjoy in June in Shanghai.
■Shanghai International Literary Festival
The literary event champion of Shanghai is back! Every type of author is set to appear at this year’s gathering, including legendary Chinese American writer Amy Tan (The Joy Luck Club and The Bonesetter’s Daughter), Internet business expert Duncan Clark (Alibaba: The House That Jack Ma Built), the Anthill founder Alec Ash (Wish Lanterns: Young Lives in New China) and many more. Stay tuned for our full festival preview and author features.
June 10~22, various times, RMB 85 or RMB 150 (for literary lunches). Glam.
■Vivienne Westwood
The iconic (人像的) fashion designer is the subject of this exhibition of Chinese modern art and environmental-friendly fashion inspired by Westwood’s strong attitude towards a climate revolution. Participating artists include Sun Xun, Wu Junyong and Zhang Ruyi.
Until June 28, free entry. Chi K11 Art Museum.
■Dog Day Saturdays
On the first Saturday of the month, The Rooster (Jing’an) throws a backyard party where dogs are welcome. There will be free hot dogs. Flying Dog Beers and dog treats for the little buddies. Donations will also be collected for local animal rescue group, Best Friends China.
June 6, 3~5p.m., RMB 50. The Rooster (Jing’an).
■Mom to Mom Sale
Sell or stock up on clothes, toys, books, strollers and other family goods at this twice-a-year market organized by Shanghai mothers. Sellers will contribute 15 percent of all their profit to the charity group, Heart to Heart.
June 21~22, 10 a.m.~2 p.m. Free entry. Shanghai Racquet Club.
1.Who could you possibly meet at Glam on 21, June?
A.Jack Ma. B.Sun Xun. C.Amy Clark. D.Alec Ash.
2.Which event is most likely to attract the environmentalists?
A.Mom to Mom Sale.
B.Dog Day Saturdays.
C.Vivienne Westwood.
D.Shanghai International Literary Festival.
3.What do Dog Day Saturdays and Mom to Mom Sale have in common?
A.They take place at the same time.
B.They support charity work.
C.They are organized annually.
D.They are free of charge.
