Kay and Charles Giddens sold their home to start a bed and breakfast. Four years later, the couple now dishes out banana pancake breakfasts, cleans toilets, serves homemade cookies to guests in a bed and breakfast surrounded by trees on a mountain known for colorful sunsets.
“Do I miss the freeways? Do I miss the traffic? Do I miss the trees? No,” says Ms. Giddens. “This is a phenomenon that's fairly widespread. A lot of people are rethinking their lives and figuring out what they want to do.”
Simple living ranges from cutting down on weeknight activities to sharing housing, living closer to work and commuting(通勤) less, avoiding shopping malls, borrowing books from the library instead of buying them, and taking a cut in pay to work at a more pleasurable job.
Vicki Robin, a writer, tells us how she deals with the changes in her budget, now far less than what she used to make.
“You become conscious of where your money is going and how valuable it is,”Ms. Robin says. “You tend not to use thing up. You cook at home rather than eat out. You find your life is not a mess anymore, and you discover your living costs have gone way down.”
Janet Luhrs, a lawyer, quit her job after giving birth and leaving her daughter with a babysitter for two weeks.“It was not the way I wanted to raise my kids,”she says.“Simplicity is not just about saving money ; it's about me sitting down every night with my kids to a candlelit dinner with classical music.”
Ms. Luhrs now edits a magazines called Simple Living, which publishes tips on how to buy recycled furniture and shoes, and organize potluck（家常便饭）dinners instead of fancy receptions.
“Simplicity is about conscious living and creating the life you want. The less stuff you buy, the less money goes out the door, and the less money you have to earn,” Ms. Luhrs explains.
It feels like every time my mother and I start to have a conversation, it turns into an argument. We talk about something as simple as dinner plans and suddenly, my mother will push the conversation into World War III. She'll talk about my lack of a bright future because I don't plan to be a doctor. And much to her disappointment, I don't want to do any job related to science, either. In fact, when I was pushed to say that I planned to major(主修) in English and communications, she nearly had a heart attack.
"Why can't you be like my co-worker's son?" she bemoans all the time. Her co-worker's son received a four-year scholarship and is now earning 70,000 dollars a year as an engineer. I don't know what to answer except that I simply can't be like Mr. Perfect as I've called the unnamed co-worker's son. I can't be like him. I'm the type of person who loves to help out in the community, write until the sun goes down, and most of all, wants to achieve a career because I love it, not because of fame (名声) or salary.
I understand why my mother is worried about my future major. I've seen my mother struggle to raise me on her small salary and work long hours. She leaves the house around 6:30 am and usually comes home around 5 pm or even 6 pm. However, I want her to know that by becoming a doctor, it doesn't mean I'll be successful. I'd rather follow my dreams and create my own future.
增加：在缺词处加一个漏词符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线（__），并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1）每处错误及修改均仅限一词；
2）只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
A charity sale was held in our school playground in last Sunday. We prepared many things making by hand, such as kites and model planes. We also brought old toys or second- hand books to sell. When the activity started, lots of students participated in them and chose their favorite items. In end, we made 2,000 yuan in all. We donate the money to the community to help children who couldn't attend school.
I had a wonderfully experience. I am proud of which we have done. If everyone makes a contribution for the charity, the world will become much good than it used to be.
|
A.successfully B. awarded C.acknowledged D. evaluated E. properties F. adopted |
Tu Youyou, whose research led to the discovery of artemisinin, a crucial new treatment for malaria, was Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. The discovery was extremely difficult. In their research, she and her team examined over 2000 old medical texts, and 280000 plants for their medical . They different methods to draw out the extract from the wormwood. First they tested a collection of dried wormwood leaves, and then tried boiling fresh wormwood and using the liquid obtained from this to treat malaria, but both did not work. Finally they drew out the extract by using a lower temperature.
When high school student Katie Shipley was born with a serious brain disease, doctors said she wouldn't live to go to school.
Now, Katie is not only about to graduate from Southridge High School in Oregon, but she was also named the school's prom (高中毕业舞会) queen.
Knowing Katie's wishes for prom queen, her friend Courtney Travis began reaching out to find her the prom king she needed to make her a queen. Courtney found Michael Parks, who also thought it was a great idea.
"I really got to know Shipley," said Michael. "When you take the time to get to know other people, it really gives you a great chance to live for more than yourself."
Courtney took a picture of the couple together and put it on her Twitter, explaining their plans for the prom. "It became very popular in the school," she said.
Their efforts paid off, and Katie was very excited to be named prom queen.
On the day of the prom, Katie wore a very beautiful dress. Her grandmother, Joan Fraley, who also went to the prom, said the night will stay with her always.
"I was standing there and the children were shouting her name," she said. "They called her name as the new prom queen—I started crying. I'm greatly thankful to the students of Southridge High School. "
Katie repeated that feeling.
"I just want to say thank you to my friends for all they did for me. I love you all."
Todd Corsetti, the principal (校长) at Southridge High School said that seeing Katie as prom queen and the energy and help of his students is one of his "proudest moments. "
"I think teenagers have great hearts and are really looking to make the world a better place," Todd said. "As we finish our school year, it's a great legacy (遗产) to leave the other classes who come after them. "
With the amazing development in China, all China's major cities have good transport networks. There are the tour buses, mini buses, taxis, as well as public buses.
Buses in Chinese towns are always (crowd). The fare depends on distance, and is payable to the (conduct) of buses.
A taxi is often most convenient means of travel in the city. They are available at airports, railway stations and hotels and even in urban areas. The total fare depends on the starting meter price, can range from 5 to 12 yuan, and the distance. Extra fees (charge) for waiting and low speed driving during traffic jams. If you take a taxi after 11 pm, a 20 percent surcharge (apply) over the basic fare.
The minibus is a compromise between the (relative) expensive taxis and full public transport. Their charge is a little more than that of the bus, about 2 yuan or more (depend) on distance, but it is very convenient, because it can stop any point you want along the route.
Tour buses, normally (equip) with air conditioning and TV, are managed by travel agencies, hotels and airports and provided for short tours. A tour guide is usually present on such buses.
71.For the Japanese festival Obon,people should go to clean graves and light incense i______
m_________ o_____ their ancestors.
72.They are putting too much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which p_____ heat f____ escaping from the earth into space.
73.The fact is that I earned my passage by working as an unpaid hand, which a________ f____ my appearance.
74.The earth became so v___________ that it was not clear whether the shape would last or not.
75.The country, covered with cheery tree flowers, looks a____ t______ it is covered with pink snow.
76.I look forward to___________(结合) our ideas so that we can provide a balanced menu with food full of energy and fibre.
77.They fell in love and __________ ___________(不久以后) they got married.
78.When he was in trouble, he ____________（寻求）advice from his lawyer.
79.You think you are clever; ________ _________ _________（正相反），I think you are foolish.
80.Anyone has ___________（长处）and weaknesses.
The 911 rescue team found the _________________ boy extremely ________________.
A. missing, scaring B. missed, scared C. missed, scaring D. missing, scared
As far as I know, he has ever s______________( 遭受 ) from a serious illness. ( 根据中英文提示单词拼写 )
Cycling is well known to improve individual health and fitness; it also benefits the wider population in terms of economy, transport and environment. The EU promotes cycling via many measures primarily to achieve sustainable (可持续的) clean and energy efficient transport systems. However, despite the fact that benefits outweigh the risks by 20:1, many consider the risk too great and that the fear of danger on the road needs to be handled. Cycle lanes (车道) have been used to improve cyclists' safety and encourage more cyclists onto the road. This research in transport aims to study the effect of cycle lanes on cyclists' safety where passing space given by overtaking (超车) vehicles is concerned.
In this study, the authors used a bicycle equipped with cameras to record vehicle overtakes in varying road situations to determine whether cycle lanes, colour block cycle lanes or no cycle lanes affect passing distances and cyclists' safety. Their 3 comparisons measuring vehicle passing widths found greater overall distances given with a cycle lane than without. Colour block vs. uncoloured cycle lanes showed little or no difference, as did no cycle lanes vs. colour block cycle lanes. Colour block lanes had a slight negative effect suggesting that drivers are more careful when cycle lanes have less definition (清晰度).
Interestingly, the authors conclude that other factors have a far greater effect on cyclists' safety than presence or absence of cycle lanes. Road width, parking, opposing vehicle flow and speed were key influences on decreased passing widths. The authors also note that driver behaviour is a hugely important factor and urge more research in this area. "In order to reduce risk and encourage more cycling, reducing and calming the existing motorised traffic must be explored first." They suggest, "Lane width is the most significant variable (变量) to achieve a sufficient vehicle passing distance. The narrow cycle lanes (<2m) may be not enough. Reconsideration of the entire road design and further exploration of driver behavioural factors is required. "
28. What is the main purpose of the EU's promoting cycling?
A. To reduce air pollution. B. To build better transport systems.
C. To improve people's health, D. To help people save money on transport.
29. According to the study, colour block lanes may______.
A. make drivers a bit careless B. cause no overtaking
C. get cyclists to feel safer D. lead to greater passing distances
30. In the researchers' eyes, the first step to encourage more cycling is to______.
A. redesign and rebuild the roads in a city
B. do more research in public bicycle programs
C. restrict the number of vehicles running on road
D. make strict traffic rules to control driver behavior
31. The authors of the research think that driver behavior______.
A. needs further exploring B. is an unimportant factor
C. makes cycle lanes narrower D. is the most significant variable
The teenage Snowboarder.
I was born in Denver, USA ． and started snowboarding aged eight when my dad took me to a resort in the mountains.About two hours from Denver.The hill looked unbelievably steep and scary. So My dad had to do a lot of persuading to get me on a board. Because I was so young. I hadn't even thought of asking him if I could start snowboarding? But he was already into it and wanted me to love it, too----He made it look so simple, and in the end I managed just fine.
After this experience, it wasn't long before I’d developed a love of sport and had improved my ability too. I started competing aged ten. Some people entered loads of competitions and ended up getting bored of snowboarding. But my love of taking part and winning got stronger as I got older, which always help me to push myself harder. I enjoyed not having a fixed plan and sometimes this went well ,like when I became the first female ever to get a perfect 100 at a local competition. I wasn't sure I'd even attempted the jumps that got me the score until I actually set off. That achievement increased my trust in my own abilities.
During the summer I focused on training and my studies while there's no snow. Although I trained daily, it's nice not having to stick to quite a strict diet like I did in the winter. I also got to spend lots of time with my friends then. It's the best way of dealing with not being able to do what I loved so much and what I was really good at.
Now. I have to think carefully about my future. Snowboarding is such a huge part of my life now. But I also feel it's important to have something else I can do. just in case I don't succeed as a professional snowboarder or I get injured. I'm wondering whether becoming a doctor is a possibility. if my active life allows time for doing a college degree, it's impossible to imagine myself growing tired of the sport. But I can't go on snowboarding my whole life.
1 ． How did the author feel before her first snowboarding down a hill?
A ． pleased B ． inspired.
C ． annoyed D ． frightened
2 ． What happened to the author after taking part in competitions?
A ． She lost confidence in her own abilities.
B ． She developed an interest in snowboarding.
C ． She planned for every competition carefully.
D ． She ended up getting bored of snowboarding.
3 ． What can be inferred about the author from the passage?
A ． She got injured in the last competition..
B ． She had to be on a strict diet in summer.
C ． she might work as a doctor in the future.
D ． she will be a life-long professional Snowboarder.
阅读下面短文，按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求，在空格处填入一个适当的词或使用括号中词语的正确形式填空，并将答案填写在答题卡标号为1—10的相应位置上。
Lake Titicaca, a famous lake in South America, is located on the border between Bolivia and Peru. But the lives of the ancient people who once lived around the lake and __1__ culture was thought to be highly advanced, have long remained a secret. Recently __2__, scientists taking part in an exploration project at the lake have found __3__ they believe to be a 1000-year-old temple __4__ the water.
Divers from the study group have discovered __5__ building scientists think is the remains of a temple built by the people who once lived beside the lake. The project leaders hope to begin raising important materials from the site later this week _6__ bad weather forces a change in their plans.
"The scientists have not yet had the opportunity to study the materials carefully," said project director, John Aubi. "But some __7__ (put) forward the idea that the remains date from this period because of their __8__ (similar) to those found elsewhere."
The research team has so far this year made more than 200 dives into water 30 meters deep. During these dives, __9__ have been recording the ancient remains on film. There will be a meeting, __10__ (start) later this year to review the film.
He wrote ______ song, which turned out to be rather popular with ______ young.
A．the; the B．a; 不填 C．a; the D．the; 不填
假设你是李晓平，是“江苏中学”的学生。请你围绕“建设和谐社会’’的主题，根据下面所给出的要点提示，用英语给全省中学生写一封倡议书。
要点提示：1．人与社会：祖国、家乡、学校，热爱关心
2．人与人：家人、师长、同学，诚信互助
3．人与自然：能源、环境、动植物，爱惜保护
4．你的态度：（内容由考生自己拟定）
注意：1．词数：100左右。倡议书的开头、结尾以及提示句已为你写好，不计人词数。
2．内容可适当发挥，注意行文连贯。
A Letter to High School Students in
Dear fellow students,
Our government is aiming to build a “harmonious society” （和谐社会）.I think it is every citizen’s duty to work hard to achieve this goal.
As high school students ,what should we do?
As for myself,
Dear fellow students ,let’s start fight now and spare no effort to do a little bit every day ,every hour, and every minute!
Li Xiaoping
From
