My favourite inventor is Wang Xuan. As we all know, Wang Xuan was 1. of the most famous computer scientists and inventors. He invented the technology for printing Chinese characters. As a result, he is known 2. “The Father of the Chinese Language Laser Typesetting”.
Since there is a big difference3. Chinese and English writing systems, laser typesetting of the Chinese language was a serious problem for scientists all over the world. For this reason, Wang Xuan decided 4. try to come up with a solution. In 1975, he began researching laser typesetting and electronic publishing systems. Finally, he achieved it. Now, Wang Xuan's amazing invention is used all over the world. And it 5. been especially helpful to the Chinese newspaper publishing industry. He made great contributions to our country.
Word Bank
laser typesetting激光照排
Inventions make our life easier and better. A big invention makes us feel it all the time. There are also small inventions around us which are _____ and interesting.
Do you ever find it annoying to look for the TV remote? Are you tired of _____ shoes when playing different sports? Don't worry. Students at Clayton Middle School in the US might be able to _____ you.
Dylan Glick, an 8grade student, thought_____ the idea of a “retractable remote”. The remote has a rope to connect with its resting place. _____ people push a button on the remote, the rope will give the remote back to its resting place.
“It is something that I would use, and I'm sure_____ parents would use, too.” said Glick. He said that sometimes at night when he wants to go to bed, he needs at least ten minutes _____ the remote. So he came up with the _____．
Allison Bicking, also a student in Grade Eight, had_____ similar idea. Bicking is a soccer player. She ______ spiked shoes when she practices running. If she plays soccer after she runs, she has to change her shoes.
To solve the______， she designed many kinds of shoes. Finally, she invented “speedy spikes” after three months' hard ______. The spikes are retractable with a small button on each shoe. If you push the button, the spikes will come out or go back into the shoe ______， making the shoes suit different kinds of sports. It seems that inventing something is not ______. Inspirations always come from your daily life, so keep your eyes open. Maybe the next great ______ who will make a difference to our life is you!
Word Bank
retractable remote 可伸缩遥控器
spiked shoes 钉鞋inspiration灵感
1.A.strange B.common C.useful D.dangerous
2.A.washing B.changing C.buying D.selling
3.A.help B.find C.see D.hear
4.A.about B.at C.on D.of
5.A.Although B.When C.Because D.Until
6.A.my B.her C.our D.their
7.A.find B.finding C.found D.to find
8.A.choice B.idea C.purpose D.plan
9.A.a B.the C.an D./
10.A.lends B.designs C.wears D.draws
11.A.question B.trouble C.mystery D.event
12.A.life B.study C.work D.task
13.A.quickly B.finally C.clearly D.happily
14.A.funny B.necessary C.successful D.difficult
15.A.doctor B.scientist C.inventor D.reporter
[素材选自One Story A Day Book 7]
蚕丝业的发展
Silk was discovered by the Chinese more than 3，000 years ago. It was said that the wife of the Yellow Emperor accidentally dropped a silkworm cocoon into her tea. The hot water caused the cocoon to break. 1. From then, the silk industry began. At first, only the rich were allowed to wear silk.
As early as 300 AD, Chinese businessmen sold silk to the Indians. By 200 BC, the Koreans had learned how to make silk. 2. From there, knowledge of silk production spread across the world.
3.
The silkworm begins its life as a moth. The moth's life is about ten days, during which it lays eggs that change into silkworms. Silkworms eat a lot. In their short lives, 20，000 silkworms will eat more than one ton of mulberry leaves, their main food.
4. The finished cocoon contains 350 metres of silk. That might seem like a lot, but consider this: 5，500 silkworms have to spin 5，500 cocoons to make one kilogram of silk. People raise silkworms for silk production. The Chinese have perfected the art of making silk, gaining knowledge over many centuries.
Today, silk production remains an important economic risk in China. 5. Silk no longer costs an arm and a leg, but it is still highly prized.
Word Bank
silkworm cocoon 蚕茧moth蛾子
spin旋转 version变形
A.As it broke apart, she realized its beauty.
B.In its final stage of life, the silkworm spins a cocoon.
C.Here's a simple version of how this amazing little thing does its work.
D.A 12，000kilometre road going from China to Europe was built because of silk.
E.While versions have recently entered the market, the beauty of naturally produced silk is not matched.
As I entered an international high school, I felt free and beautiful. This international school seems to meet my needs.
I had a traditional education background. I went to public schools, received normal education and 1. required to follow rules like every other student. Later, I began to wonder whether this education was truly suitable for me.
However, in the new school my high hopes were not met. For a while, I found myself in a surprising situation 2. I faced before. In my new school, we had many chances to try new things. But if I failed, I 3. be responsible because I put myself in such risk. Finally, 4. led me to get into trouble again.
As time went by, I started to find my own balance. I'm lucky enough 5. have a chance to bring great value from both systems together. As a result, I have built a system for myself.
Ashley was fashionable, and the “Queen Bee” in my school.
I looked up to her. I listened to the music she listened to, wore the clothes she wore. I even took art class though I had really wanted to take theatre. I finally fitted in_____ group.
One day, I skipped out of my last class a few minutes early to _____ seats for our group at the dining hall. Concentrating on my homework, I didn't notice they had sat down behind me. Before I _____ say a word, I realized what they were talking about.
I listened silently. “She's such a loser，” one girl said.
Another girl added, “Ashley, she_____ follows you, trying to copy you.”
“I wish she would leave us alone. We were in the same summer school and now she thinks we're best friends.” The once familiar voice sounded so_____ and strange.
I couldn't help crying_____. I felt heartbroken for the very first time. I _____ we were friends.
I ran home. My mother just_____ me while I sobbed for hours. The advice she gave me was so _____, and I had heard it a million times, “Just be yourself and people will like you for ______ you are.” Then and there I ______ to find myself back. That was exactly what I did.
Over the next month, I went through a lot of______. I bought new clothes that I wanted to wear. I no longer went to art class ______ them, and took theatre. I began making new friends. I developed my own ______.
I had an amazing school year.______ I look back, I think it was the year when I discovered the person I was going to be. Despite the pain I felt that day, it was a gift they had given me.
Word Bank: skip跳过 sob啜泣
1.A.my B.her C.his D.our
2.A.get B.buy C.sell D.move
3.A.will B.could C.shall D.might
4.A.once B.always C.hardly D.never
5.A.serious B.special C.weak D.cold
6.A.sadly B.shyly C.excitedly D.nervously
7.A.found B.reminded C.realized D.thought
8.A.holds B.held C.is holding D.will hold
9.A.funny B.simple C.useful D.different
10.A.where B.what C.how D.who
11.A.failed B.forgot C.decided D.continued
12.A.pains B.doubts C.changes D.troubles
13.A.with B.about C.against D.without
14.A.skills B.habits C.projects D.opinions
15.A.Before B.Unless C.When D.If
One day, Tom’s teacher, Miss Mark, held a class meeting. “There will be a flag day next Saturday. Does anyone want to join this meaningful event (活动)?” asked Miss Mark. Tom was interested in raising money for homeless children but he was not brave enough to talk to the strangers, so he kept quiet in his seat.
“Tom. You haven’t sold flags before,” said Miss Mark suddenly. “Would you like to have a try?”Tom was hesitant(犹豫的)，but he finally nodded.
On the flag day, Tom and Angela sold flags in a busy street. “Ex-cuse me, Could y-o-u pl-ea-se buy ...?” said Angela softly to the first person she met. The man smiled and put five-dollar coin into Angela’s collection bag. Then she said thanks and put a flag under his shoulder. “I did it!” said Angela happily. “It’s your turn now.”
Feeling nervous. Tom began to shake. Soon, he saw a young lady walking towards him. The lady was smiling and holding a few coins in her hand. She asked, “Are you selling flags for Fund for the Homeless Children?” Tom’s face became red and said yes. Then the lady made the donation(捐赠) and Tom gave her a flag. “You made it!” laughed Angela.
In the next couple of hours, Angela and Tom sold flags quickly and bravely. At last, their collection bags were so heavy that they had to hold them with both arms. They felt very proud.
1.Why did Tom keep quiet in his seat?
A.He had other plans.
B.He didn’t like Miss Mark.
C.He was not interested in the activity.
D.He was not brave enough to talk to the strangers.
2.When Miss Mark asked Tom to have a try, he finally .
A.laughed B.nodded C.refused D.cried
3.Where did Tom and Angela sell flags?
A.In a busy street. B.In their school.
C.In a tall building. D.In a small garden.
4.How much did the first man pay Angela for the flag?
A.Five dollars. B.Ten dollars.
C.Fifteen dollars. D.Twenty dollars.
5.How did Tom and Angela feel after they sold the flags?
A.Bored. B.Shy. C.Confident. D.Sad.
