I sat on the park bench beneath the branches of a tree, feeling _______. The world seemed to be against me.
A young boy _______ me, out of breath. He stood right before me with his head bowed down and said with great _______ , "Look what I found!" In his hand was a flower, but its petals (花瓣) were all _______ .Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play, I _______ a small smile and then looked away.
Instead of leaving, the boy sat down next to me. He placed the flower to his _______ and said, “It smells pretty and it's beautiful, too. That's why I _______ it. Here, it's for you.”
I _______ I must take it, or he might never leave. So I reached for the flower. _______ , he didn't place it in my hand. Instead, he held it in midair. It was then that I noticed the boy was ________ .
I heard my voice. ________ , tears shone in the sun as I thanked him for giving me the best one. "You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play, unaware of the ________ he'd had on my day.
I sat there and ________ how he managed to see a sad woman under the tree. Perhaps he'd been blessed with true sight in his ________ . At that moment I knew for all of those times I myself had been blind. I vowed (发誓) to see the beauty in life, and ________ every second that's mine.
1.A.cheerful B.content C.angry D.upset
2.A.approached B.found C.chased D.frightened
3.A.voice B.sorrow C.excitement D.curiosity
4.A.fresh B.old C.worn D.fallen
5.A.hid B.forced C.developed D.showed
6.A.face B.nose C.mouth D.hand
7.A.searched B.bought C.picked D.held
8.A.assumed B.hoped C.dreamt D.suspected
9.A.Sadly B.Surprisingly C.Obviously D.Aimlessly
10.A.lame B.dumb C.deaf D.blind
11.A.rising B.dropping C.trembling D.floating
12.A.flower B.manner C.visit D.impact
13.A.wondered B.imagined C.recalled D.checked
14.A.body B.hand C.head D.heart
15.A.count B.appreciate C.spare D.operate
While everyone enjoys listening to good music, not many of us are what the world calls "musician" —the ones with the ability to play a musical instrument. This could be due to not having the chance to learn as kids or simply due to lack of proper instruction. 1. And here are four good reasons as to why everyone should learn to play a musical instrument.
It teaches patience. 2. It is the daily efforts of everyday practice that can help a musician learn how to play without mistakes. Most musicians go through years of regular practice that may include doing daily musical exercises and dealing with progressively difficult musical pieces, which in turn help them acquire the virtue of patience.
It promotes a sense of achievement. The process of learning how to play an instrument can be both time consuming and tiring. 3. The more time and effort you put into mastering an instrument, the greater your sense of achievement will be.
4. Playing a musical instrument can bring the joy factor into your life. Music has the special ability to bring joy, peace peace and fulfillment that help lift the spirit and make life enjoyable for everyone involved.
It regulates mood. Research shows that creating music reduces stress. Playing music can also act as an emotional way to express your feelings. 5.
A.It brings pleasure.
B.It improves listening skills.
C.However, music is something that is never too late to learn.
D.Overcoming this directly results in a sense of achievement and pride.
E.Playing an instrument is not something that can be learned overnight.
F.Regularly playing any instrument is a great form of exercise for the brain.
G.Creating your own music can change your sadness or joy into a real work of art.
Severe heat waves have killed more than 100 people in India this summer and are predicted to worsen in coming years, creating a possible crisis as large parts of the country potentially become too hot to be inhabitable (适宜居住的).
Heat waves in India usually take place between March and July and abate (减弱) once the rains arrive. But in recent years these hot waves have become more severe, more frequent and longer.
India is among the countries expected to be worst affected by severe heat, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Experts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) say that even if the world succeeds in limiting the rise in average global temperatures, parts of India will become extremely hot.
Last year, there were over 480 official heat waves across India. During that period, more than 5,000 people died. This June, temperatures of 48 degrees Celsius hit Delhi. Churu nearly broke the country's heat record with a high of 50.6 degree Celsius. Bihar closed all schools, colleges and coaching centers for five days after severe heat killed more than 100 people. The closures were accompanied by warnings to stay indoors during the hottest time of the day.
India is trying to develop a heat action plan. The city of Ahmedabad, in Gujarat introduced the country's first action plan in 2013, and its text messages, extra drinking stations and advice to keep out of the sun are credited with saving more than 2,000 lives.
At the same time, India is seeking long term solution The country has planned to cut its carbon emissions (排放) by 33% to 35% in 2030.
1.What's the possible crisis for India?
A.It will rain less and less.
B.Drinking water will run out.
C.Some places will be too hot to be livable.
D.More people will be killed in coming years.
2.What dos paragraph 4 mainly talk about?
A.The heat record was broken. B.People are warned to stay indoors.
C.More heat waves hit India this year. D.The heat waves brought great loss.
3.Which of the following are the measures India has taken to fight severe heat?
①Avoiding carbon emissions.
②Building more drinking stations.
③Sending messages about severe heat.
④Giving advice to stay away from severe heat.
A.①②③ B.②③④ C.①②④ D.①③④
4.What is the suitable title for the text?
A.Heat Waves Hit India B.India Suffered a Lot
C.Global Warming Affected India D.A Plan to Fight Severe Heat
The first graffiti was probably drawings on walls appearing in caves thousands of years ago. Later the Ancient Romans and Greeks wrote their names and poems on buildings. Modern graffiti seems to have appeared in Philadelphia in the early 1960s, and by the late sixties it had reached New York. The new art form rally took off in the 1970s, when people began writing their names, or "tags", on buildings all over the city. In the mid-seventies it was sometimes hard to see out of a subway car window, because the trains were completely covered in spray paintings known as "masterpieces".
The term "graffiti" was first used by The New York Times and the novelist Norman Mailer. Art galleries in New York began buying graffiti in the early seventies. But at the same time that it began to be regarded as an art form, John Lindsay, the then mayor of New York, declared the first war on graffiti. By the 1980s it became much harder to write on subway trains without being caught, and instead many of the more established graffiti artists began using roofs of buildings or canvases (油画布).
The debate over whether graffiti is art or vandalism (破坏公物) is still going on. Peter Vallone, on the New York City Committee, thinks that graffiti done with permission can be art, but if it is on someone else's property it becomes a crime. On the other hand, Felix, a member of the Berlin based group Reclaim Your City, says that artists are trying to get it back from advertisers, and that graffiti represents freedom and makes cities more lively.
The Frenchman Blek le Rat and the British artist Banksy have become world-famous by producing graffiti works. Works by Banksy have been sold for over f 10000. Graffiti is now sometimes big business.
1.What might have happened to the subway car window?
A.It was dirty with paint.
B.It was covered by graffiti.
C.It was broken by some children.
D.It was marked with people's names,
2.What do we know about graffiti?
A.Modern graffiti probably started in New York.
B.Art galleries in New York first used the term "graffiti".
C.The mayor of New York considered graffiti as an art form.
D.Graffiti artists were not allowed to paint on subway trains in the 1980s.
3.What is Felix's attitude towards graffiti?
A.Approving. B.Critical. C.Neutral. D.Indifferent.
4.What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A.Graffiti is developing very fast.
B.All graffiti artists can make a big fortune.
C.Graffiti has earned international fame for some artists.
D.Some graffiti artists produce works to earn much money.
In my opinion, classical music is a bit like mushrooms! You don't see the link? Let me explain. When I was a young girl, I didn't like mushrooms. They had a horrible texture and no taste at all, and I used to pick them out of every dish in which my mum tried to hide them. But gradually, as I got older, my view changed. I started to enjoy mushroom-flavoured things like soups and sauces, and eventually I found I could eat mushrooms without grimacing. And now I even quite enjoy them! So my mum's prediction that I would "grow into them" has proved quite correct.
Similarly, I always thought of classical music as a boring genre that only grown-ups liked. Whenever my parents played it in the car, I would count down the minutes until we could change it to my preferred genre: pop. But while at university, I found that calming orchestral music was just the thing for library revision playlists—it had no lyrics (歌词) to distract me, and the pieces tended to be very long: perfect for long work sessions!
Recently, my developing relationship with classical music reached a new level when I voluntarily chose to go to a ballet. Admittedly it was the dancing that originally attracted me, but once there I thoroughly enjoyed the music too. It was The Nutcracker, and I was surprised by just how much of the music I recognised! The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, The Russian Dance, The Waltz of the Flowers—they all sounded familiar. I didn't know how I knew them, I just knew that I did! And I loved them. My parents would be proud.
1.Why does the author think classical music is a bit like mushrooms?
A.Because they are both boring.
B.Because they both interest grown-ups.
C.Because they are both great.
D.Because they both take time to get used to.
2.What does the underlined word "grimacing" in paragraph 1 mean?
A.Using hands. B.Changing facial expression.
C.Taking care. D.Feeling extremely embarrassed.
3.What did the author think of classical music while at university?
A.It was too long. B.It was very popular.
C.It was great background music. D.It was perfect for relaxation.
4.What do we know about the author in paragraph 3?
A.She was familiar with the dance.
B.She became a fan of classical music.
C.Classical music became her favorite.
D.Her parents were unhappy with her change.
Are you looking for somewhere special to go this weekend? Do you want to try something new? Check out one of these hot new restaurants.
Your Local Caff
Remember when cafes served full English breakfasts sausages, beans, fried bread, bacon and eggs—with a strong cup of tea? Well, this place sill does and you can have your breakfast at any time you like during the day while you listen to your favourite tunes from the 1980s.
A Taste of Tuscany
Whether you'd like a great value-for money lunch or a relaxed evening meal in stylish surroundings, this is the place for you. The chefs have all been trained in Italy and they make both traditional and contemporary dishes. We recommend the pasta and seafood.
Cheesy Bites
A restaurant that only serves cheese, but hundreds of cheeses from many countries and in lots of different forms. They serve reasonably priced lunches but dinner can be expensive. Lovely food and a very elegant dining room, looking onto an amazing flower garden.
The Chocolate Box
The owner of this small cafe used to cook all kinds of food, but then she realised she preferred desserts to anything else. If you want meat or fish, don't come here. They only do desserts! Lots of different sweets. Chocolate lovers will be excited by the range of chocolate cakes.
Last Days of the Raj
A centrally located Indian restaurant, perfect for eating before or after the cinema or a show. In summer enjoy your meal in the beautiful garden. The most popular dishes are lamb and chicken cooked with mild, medium or hot spices. For brave customers there is extra hot!
1.Who might be interested in A Taste of Tuscany?
A.A bacon lover. B.A music lover.
C.A seafood lover. D.A chocolate lover.
2.What is special about Cheesy Bites and The Chocolate Box?
A.The food is cheap.
B.Strong tea is served.
C.The dining room is lovely.
D.Only one kind of food is served.
3.Which restaurant will you go to if you want to have spicy food?
A.Last Days of the Raj. B.A Taste of Tuscany.
C.Your Local Caff. D.Cheesy Bites.
