It is official: Jim Parsons is the new poster child for geekdom.
The actor, who recently won his first Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for his portrayal of Sheldon Cooper on the hit television show The Big Bang Theory, is the hotness right now.
Parsons is a big hit on the Web as a trending topic on Twitter and has a devoted fan base who spread their adoration via Facebook and fan sites.
Parsons is considered by many to be a central part of the sleeper success that has been The Big Bang Theory. The sitcom about two brilliant physicists and their group of friends started out slowly building buzz when it first appeared on CBS in 2007.
Since then, the show has grown into a big success for the network, even raking in fans abroad with its international distribution. In May, The New York Times reported that Warner Bros., which produces and distributes the show, had entered into “what is believed to be one of the most profitable TV deals ever” with TBS and local Fox stations.
Audiences just can’t seem to get enough of the character of Sheldon Cooper, who is as socially dysfunctional as he is bright. Admirers take to Facebook fan pages to post their favorite Sheldon quotes, including: “I’m not insane (crazy), my mother had me tested!” and “They were threatened by my intelligence and too stupid to know that’s why they hated me.”
Fans can visit Jim Parsons Online, and there is even a site, SheldonShirts.com, dedicated to the many shirts worn by the character, complete with links to where to buy them. Mary Waring created the site because of her husband’s interest in Sheldon Cooper’s shirts. And with his character’s nerdy character and addiction to all things “Star Trek,” Parsons is also a hit with fan boys and fan girls.
1.The underlined phrase “raking in” means ___________.
A. earning the support of
B. making fun of
C. classifying
D. comforting
2.Where are you most likely to find this passage?
A. In a biography.
B. In a magazine.
C. In a talk-show program.
D. In a textbook.
3.What we can infer from the passage?
A. Parsons was dreaming about the success before the comedy.
B. Mary Waring was interested in Sheldon Cooper’s shirts so she set up a website.
C. Before The Big Bang Theory, Parsons was not very popular.
D. Sheldon Cooper is a character who is intelligent as well as sociable.
4.What is the suitable title of the passage?
A. The Big Bang Theory Catching our Eyes
B. Sheldon Cooper Adored by Vast Audiences
C. Jim Parsons: Hot on Web
D. “Star Trek” loved by boys and girls
Eat to Excel
How fit are you? Do you look after yourself?
Do you eat healthily or do you eat anything you like? Premier League football
club Aston Villa are encouraging their players and local children to eat
healthy food. They know that what you eat is the key to success.
How fit is a footballer?
Could you run ten kilometers in 90 minutes? A professional footballer can. Footballers have to be strong, quick, skillful and creative in their moves. Every Premier League club makes sure it has a good coaching scheme and a well-planned fitness program. They also ensure that players have the practice and training that will prepare them for matches. What else do you think clubs pay special attention to? A good stadium? Anything else? What about the food they eat?
Eating the right thing
A good diet is a fundamental part of sport these days. Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill’s sport and health experts have chosen a secret weapon --- organic food (food grown without chemicals). Fitness manager Jim Henry eats with his players and said: “I chose to switch to organic food for Aston Villa because I’ve read studies showing that organic food has higher levels of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.” He believes that the best way to get these is to eat the very best fresh food.
What to eat after the match
Head chef at Aston Villa, lan Edge, feeds players with the best food as soon as they finish an away match. He says: “Food is very important to sports stars and particularly after a game. There is an hour of opportunity when they need to eat to get the best muscle strength, so I hand out meals on the coach on the way home. If we can make one per cent difference to the players by using organic food, then it is worth it.”
Teaching healthy eating
Everyone at Aston Villa enjoys organic food at their training ground. But the club is also worried about the unhealthy diet among local children who prefer sweets and unhealthy fast food. As part of their work in the community, Aston Villa has opened up their kitchen and invited children from local schools to come and learn how to cook with the help of the Villa head chef. Villa midfielder, Nigel ReoCoker, visited the children on the opening day. “The kitchen promotes healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle.” he said.
A final word from the kitchen
Head chef Ian says: “Footballers know how important food is to their profession and nine times out of ten, they go for the healthiest option.” Do you watch your diet? If you do and you keep yourself fit, you can be a winner!
1.Every Premier League Club provides footballers with ______________.
A. a good coach
B. a fitness center
C. proper practice and training
D. a delicious diet
2.According to Jim Henry, ___________________.
A. he believes the studies he has read about organic food
B. he will only eat organic food with his players
C. he thinks food is especially important after a game
D. he chose organic food as a secret weapon for footballers
3.We can learn from the passage that ___________________.
A. people can make one percent difference to players by using organic food
B. only a few footballers pay attention to the healthy eating
C. footballers in Aston Villa usually eat on their way to the match
D. footballers in Aston Villa usually eat some food within an hour after a match.
4.Why has Aston Villa invited children from local schools?
A. Because they want to teach kids how to cook delicious food.
B. Because they want to teach kids to play football.
C. Because they are fond of the kids in the community.
D. Because they intend to promote healthy eating.
完形填空(共20小题；每小题l.5分，共30分)
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
The Man Who Achieved Everything He Could
Once upon a time, there lived a man who wanted to achieve everything he was capable of achieving. He was obsessed with this desire --- he ate, slept, and walked with one and only dream: to die, having accomplished every single thing he was able to accomplish.
There were so many things he could do. He felt like the whole world could be his, 36 he set his mind to it.
He knew that his 37 had no limits. He knew that he could accumulate 38 that would dwarf (使相形见绌) that of ancient kings; he knew that he could 39 books that would shake the minds of generations; he knew that he could 40 things that would forever change the lives of millions of people. He lived, constantly feeling the power within --- and that power knew no bounds.
There was only one problem: having such a potential, but only one 41, he had to make a choice. He had to decide where to 42 all of his ability. Making that decision was extremely hard, for any 43 meant cutting off some future achievements. In the meantime, he went to school, graduated, found a job, married, and 44 children. And he spent every minute of his spare time trying to decide 45 he should bring his potential into full play.
Time went by, and he grew 46. Some roads he used to dream about became closed to him. But there was still so much he could accomplish.
One day, a sudden chest pain made him come home early. He dragged his feet to the bathroom. There, feeling 47, he looked in the mirror. A worn-out, gray-haired man stared back at him. He looked 48 into these eyes and, all of a sudden, 49 one simple truth. The next moment, the pain came again, and his heart stopped 50 forever.
The truth that came upon him was rather simple: People only flatter themselves (自以为是，自鸣得意) by thinking that they could have 51 this or that if not for such-and-such circumstances. Yet this is nothing but 52 . You simply lack something that is 53 for achieving that goal you’ve never reached — a talent, a skill, willpower, 54 something else. In fact, 55 you don’t achieve is something you’re not capable of achieving.
1. A. before B. since C. if D. though
2. A. wisdom B. potential C. world D. freedom
3.A. courage B. interest C. knowledge D. power
4. A. write B. read C. buy D. edit
5. A. invent B. acquire C. adopt D. destroy
6. A. step B. life C. chance D. condition
7.A. promote B. accumulate C. increase D. apply
8. A. choice B. mistake C. failure D. effort
9.A. assisted B. loved C. raised D. punished
10. A. why B. where C. when D. whether
11. A. greedier B. wiser C. older D. cruder
12. A. sleepy B. weak C. satisfied D. comfortable
13. A. carelessly B. secretly C. angrily D. closely
14. A. realized B. remembered C. reminded D. created
15. A. fueling B. starting C. beating D. moving
16. A. learned B. achieved C. undertaken D. doubted
17.A. reality B. history C. imagination D. record
18. A. unimportant B. necessary C. unbelievable D. ordinary
19.A. and B. even C. or D. as
20. A. what B. which C. that D. how
It is hard to say what kind of person he is. Sometimes he is very friendly; at other times he ___ be very cold.
A. can B. must C. will D. shall
In my opinion, ___ matters is not one’s looks, but one’s inner thoughts.
A. that B. it C. what D. this
It’s a small gas station that has snacks,drinks,cigarettes,and candies.The young man behind the counter(柜台) knows his 16 by name and what they normally want to buy.He treats children and adults with equal 17 .He reads science fiction behind the counter when business is 18 .
One day , three people rushed in and grabbed food off the shelves as fast as they could , 19 not intending to pay for it . He hit the “panic button”, then went over the counter and 20 the front door . It was obvious that they were homeless, and equally obvious that they were’t going 21 with their ill-gotten gains (不义之财).They 22 the food and simply crowded together in panic-knowing the police were 23 the way.
Imagine what they must have felt like when they were told they didn’t have to steal if they were that 24 . “We have food in the back expired(到期) but still 25 to eat . If you need food , you 26 have some .”
They were told to 27 what they had dropped and put it back , and then asked to straighten out the mess. They were doing just that 28 the police arrived. The officers were told the situation was under control and the police were no longer 29 .
This wasn’t what they had 30 . They were being treated as human beings who could right the wrong they’d done. Shocked , they quickly followed orders to take turns and use the restroom to clean up.
Soon three 31 people walked out with all the 32 their arms could hold. They were 33 that , if they needed to come back again , they were to ask and not just grab.
And then the young man went back to read until the next customer came in . He would be the 34 person in the world to claim he was a hero . But he gave three people something they were in desperate need of –a 35 amount of self-respect and a little bit of hope.
1.A frends B neighbors C customers D passengers
2.A respect B pride C wisdom D right
3. A slow B busy C heavy D swift
4.A bravely B reasonably C hardly D obviously
5.A opened B locked C closed D broke
6.A nowhere B somewhere C anywhere D everywhere
7.A hid B lifted C swallowed D dropped
8. A in B on C off D by
9.A anxious B cautious C courageous D hungry
10. A safe B easy C sweet D unique
11.A must B can C should D need
12.A hold up B hand out C pick up D hand in
13.A when B after C before D since
14.A popular B necessary C reliable D admired
15.A wanted B desired C expected D admired
16. A dirtier B cleaner C cleverer D quicker
17. A money B cigarettes C drinks D food
18.A reminded B warned C ordered D persuaded
19.A first B last C best D worst
20.A large B fair C small D full
