I was never very neat, while my roommate Kate was rather organized. Each of her objects had its 1, but mine always hid somewhere. She even labeled (贴标签 ) everything. I always looked for everything. 2time, Kate got neater and I got 3. She would push my dirty clothing over, and I would lay my books on her tidy desk. We both got 4 of each other.
One evening war 5 . Kate came into the room. Soon, I heard her shouting, "Take your 6 away! Why under my bed!" Deafened, I saw my shoes flying at me. I7 to my feet and started shouting. She shouted back louder.
The room was filled with 8. We could not have stayed together for a single9 but for a phone call. Kate answered it. From her end of the conversation, I could 10right away her grandma was seriously ill. When she 11, she quickly hid under her covers, sobbing(呜咽). 12, that was something she should not go through alone. All of a sudden ,a 13 feeling of sympathy(同情) rose up in my heart,
Slowly, I collected the pencils, took back the books, 14 my bed, cleaned the socks and swept the floor, 15 on her side. I was so buried in my work 16 I even didn't notice Kate had sat up.
She was watching, her tears dried and her 17one of disbelief. Then, to my surprise, she 18 out her hands to catch mine. I looked up into her eyes. She smiled at me. "Thanks."
Kate and I stayed 19for the rest of the year. We didn't always agree, but we learned the key to 20together: giving in, cleaning up and holding on.
Five Simple Ways to Increase Your Intelligence
Your IQ, which stands for Intelligence Quotient, is a scientific assessment(评估)of your intelligence. While there are limits based on native intelligence levels, recent studies have shown that it's possible to increase your intelligence. Your brain needs exercise just like a muscle. If you use it often and in the right ways, you will become a more skilled thinker and increase your ability to focus. Here are five simple techniques to exercise your brain.
Minimize(使减少到最低程度)television watching.When you feel like relaxing, try reading a book instead. If you're too tired, listen to some music. When you're with your friends or family, turn your television off and have a conversation.
Time spent exercising always leads to greater learning because it improves productivity during the time afterwards. Using your body clears your head and creates a wave of energy.
Read Challenging Books. If you want to improve your thinking and writing ability, you should read books that make you focus.Besides, it will make you think in more precise, elegant English.
Nothing makes it harder to concentrate than lack of sleep. You'll be most rejuvenated(恢复活力的)if you go to bed early and don't sleep more than 8 hours.
Take time to reflect. Spending some time alone in reflection gives you a chance to organize your thoughts and prioritize(优先处理)your responsibilities..
A. Early to Bed, Early to Rise.
B. Take some time to exercise
C. Think of new ways to do old things
D. Reading a classic novel can change your view of the world
E. Watching television doesn't use your mental ability or allow it to recharge
F. Afterwards, you'll have a better understanding of what's important and what isn't.
G. Just as sitting at your desk all day is bad for your physical self, sitting in the same mental seat all the time is bad for your bran.
假定你是李华,与留学生朋友Bob约好一起去书店,因故不能赴约。请给他写封邮件,内容包括:
①表示歉意;
②说明原因;
③另约时间。
注意:
①词数100左右;
②可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。
Yesterday, a salesman called me to sell his phone plans. I was at work and while I usually don't like spending time on those things, I 1 myself that I couldn't talk yet and 2 that he call me back at 6 pm.
That's what he did. So we talked about 20 minutes. He 3 to me his different phone plans. While listening to him, sometimes I was 4 in my thoughts. I gave several "hmm hmm", as a sign of agreement and to 5 that I was still there. Sometimes, I felt a bit 6. But I stayed calm and 7 until the end of the discussion.
Finally, he said the following to me:" Thank you, Olivia. You are the first person in a long time with whom I had an enjoyable conversation. 8, people shout at us and slam down the phone. Today, since 10 am, I hadn't had a phone 9 without an offense (触怒). I know you had a long day at work and you could have 10 in front of your TV. But you listened so carefully to me. I am 11 and I sincerely thank you."
It set me thinking. He had been the12 of verbal violence (语言暴力) all through his working day. Physical 13 do not exist in this situation but dehumanization (非人性) seems to happen. 14, he was only doing his job. I felt a sense of 15 that I hadn't treated him so rudely.
Hollywood movies are regularly filled with sex and violence. They can be exciting films but sometimes all you want is a 1ittle 1ight-hearted entertainment.
Have you heard of Bollywood? All singing, all dancing and unrealistic, it is the perfect alternative to normal Hollywood movies. Bollywood is the Indian film industry, based in Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay. Yet Bollywood is the largest producer of films in the world. This year the Indian Filmgare Awards, Bollywood's Oscars, turn 50 years old.
The typical Bollywood movie usually has the following ingredients(组成成分): a cup of romance, a tea-spoon of comedy, a dash of international sight-seeing, served with a huge slice of singing and dancing. There will also be one brave hero, one beautiful heroine and one bad guy.
Bollywood films are full of ideal things and free of daily worries. The actors change clothes and locations within a single song. But the ạudience don't mind. To Indian movie lovers, especially the poor, such films are a gateway to heaven and the stars are their gods. The films take them to a magical world away from their everyday troubles. The films tell them the impossible is possible and that true 1ove conquers all.
Behind the beautiful scenes, Bollywọod still emphasizes(重视) traditional family values. In most films, if two lovers want to break an arranged marriage, they can't just run away. They must win over their parents.
Bollywood is a decent(正派的) refreshing replacement for those over-stimulating(评价过高的) Hollywood films. They will take you to a brighter, cheerier and more colorful world where it's still cool to dance around a tree and sing a love song.
A. Bollywood has gradually won its reputation(名声) on the world stage.
B. There is never any mention of politics, poverty or war.
C. Most Chinese school kids have probably never seen an Indian film.
D. Bollywood films are mostly comic romances with 1ight-hearted incidental(附带的) music.
E. Bollywood pays great attention to traditional values.
F. The result is a fun-filled musical.
G. So if you're tired of all that Hollywood actions, check out the following Bollywoọd films.
If you ever visit an English village, make sure to look out for morris dancing(莫里斯舞). Undoubtedly one of the strangest traditions of English culture, morris dancing is a form of folk dancing that dates back to the 15th century. If you ever get the opportunity, you really have to see it.
Men and women wearing old-fashioned, shabby(破烂的)clothing dance in the streets of towns and villages across the country during the holiday periods. Women wear long skirts and men wear short trousers with bells attached to them. They dance to traditional folk music which is often played on traditional musical instruments.
Some groups carry heavy black sticks with which they beat against each other while they dance. Other groups wave handkerchiefs in the air while they perform. The dances are usually performed near a pub so that when they're over, the dancers and audience can sing some traditional folk songs over beer. The celebrations will often continue long into the night.
Morris dancing is a great English tradition but it's facing a big crisis. As the years go by, fewer and fewer young people are joining morris dancing groups. The dancers are getting older and older and eventually, if not protected, the tradition will die out within the next few decades.
If you've ever had the fortune to see morris dancing, you may understand why teenagers aren't rushing to sign up. Frankly, it's not exactly the coolest thing for an 18-year-old to do. Why dress up in bells and funny costumes when you could be going camping, playing sports or doing anything else?
However, it would be a great shame to lose such a fun and lively part of England's history and culture. So here's a toast to the next generation of would-be morris dancers! Let's hope they don't leave it too late.
阅读下面短文,在空白处填入 1 个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
Queen of the UK or England?
The Queen of the United Kingdom can be called the British Queen, 1 . (unofficial). People who call her the Queen of England will 2 . (regard) to be uneducated, as there has not been an English Queen since 1707. The problem comes from the confusing names of the United Kingdom (UK), Great Britain, England, Scotland, Wales, 3 . Northern Ireland.
The UK covers all of 4 . last four countries. Therefore, any people from the four places can be referred to as from the UK. However, they’d probably prefer being referred to as from England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, because the individual country's name 5 . (stand) for different history and culture. If they have an obviously recognizable accent ( 口音 ), it would be much better 6 . (describe) them with one of the four names. If they don't, stay safe and say the UK or British. Then they’ll probably tell you 7 . they're from.
But never refer to someone who is from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland as from England. Depending on which of the four countries they’re from, they will show their 8 . (reaction) in different ways:
People who are English won't care much.
Welsh will care and think you're a little bit silly.
Scots will become 9 . (annoy) and think you are stupid.
About 50% of people in Northern Ireland will become extremely 10 . (madness).
——______the note ______ to Mr Smith?
——No, It is still in my pocket.
A. Is…being given B.Was…given C. Has…been given D. Hasn’t…been given
S. T. Harvey wrote a children’s book Miracle, a fictional story about trying to fit in when you stand out. Since it was released earlier this year, the book 61 (appear) in classrooms and libraries 62 the country, bringing with it 63 powerful message about the importance of kindness.
64 (base)on a true story, the book tells about a boy named Auggie, 65 was born with a misshapen face that has required many 66 (operate) in the 10 years since his birth. 67 being homeschooled since kindergarten, he starts fifth grade at a public school. It isn’t easy being the new kid, especially since Auggie looks different from everybody 68 . The book takes readers on a journey, as Auggie and his community learn about __69 (friend) and acceptance.
Harvey worked as an art director and graphic designer for more than 20 years before she 70 (inspire)to write Miracle. Now she is using the book to promote the impact of kindness.
When traveling around the world, I came across a beautiful town called Trancoso in Brazil. The people in the town were friendly and warm. What I 41 liked was that everyone gives the 42 acknowledgement(打招呼)when seeing each other 43 a wave or a stare. So as I was walking down the streets, people gave me the thumbs up. This 44 my day.
When I was lying on the beach, a man walked up to me to sell me some hats. I loved the hats but didn't have any money 45 me. He saw that I was 46 the hats, so he gave me the hat and said he would see me again to get the money and that there was no 47. This was such a(n) 48 way to sell something. Of course I accepted the 49 and still take the hat with me wherever I go because the hat makes me remember how 50 people could be.
Later on that day another man came over to me and asked 51 I wanted to eat in his restaurant. I accepted his offer 52 and followed him. It was the perfect restaurant for the town, 53 ten tables. The dishes were delicious and he paid 54 to each dish's taste and color. When it was time to 55, he only took cash and I only had a card. With the 56 ATM about seven miles away, I didn't know what to do. He 57 to me and said, “Just pay before you leave town.” This was the second time in one day that I had been given something without immediate pay. How surprising it was!
What I 58 from these experiences is that there are people out in the world 59 main focus(关注点)isn't money but making other people happy with their 60.
41.A.usually B.secretly C.really D.certainly
42.A.nod B.thumbs up C.smile D.handshake
43.A.instead of B.more than C.because of D.such as
44.A.started B.sang C.made D.took
45.A.of B.for C.in D.on
46.A.ready for B.interested in C.concerned about D.careful with
47.A.doubt B.question C.discussion D.rush
48.A.useful B.normal C.easy D.difficult
49.A.choice B.plan C.help D.offer
50.A.nice B.rich C.mean D.strange
51.A.if B.when C.what D.how
52.A.carefully B.calmly C.happily D.patiently
53.A.booking B.seating C.resting D.placing
54.A.time B.money C.care D.attention
55.A.pay B.order C.leave D.count
56.A.quickest B.best C.nearest D.farthest
57.A.smiled B.shouted C.waved D.pointed
58.A.remembered B.learned C.realized D.guessed
59.A.where B.whose C.who D.that
60.A.energy B.confidence C.support D.generosity
Most painters discover a style of painting that is fit for them and stick to that, especially if people admire their pictures. But Picasso, the great Spanish painter, was like a man who had not yet found his own particular style of painting. He kept on struggling to find the perfect expression till his death in 1973.
Some of Picasso's paintings are rich, soft colored and beautiful. Others are ugly and cruel and strange. But such paintings allow us to imagine things for ourselves. They force us to say to ourselves, “What does he see that makes him paint like that?” And we begin to look under the surface of the things we see.
Picasso painted thousands of pictures in different styles. Sometimes he painted the natural look of things. Sometimes he seemed to break them apart and throw the pieces in our faces. He showed us what the mind knows as well as what the eyes see. At the age of 90,he remained as curious about the world as he had been when he was young. That is why people have called him “the youngest painter in the world.”
39. The ugly cruel and strange paintings by Picasso _______.
A. make us try to notice something hidden in the things
B. allow us to ask questions about them
C. force us to question anything we see
D. cause us to think what Picasso saw was different from what we see
40. The underlined sentence “Sometimes he seemed to break them apart and throw the pieces in our faces” means _____.
A. sometimes he tore his pictures into pieces
B. he broke something he was painting and threw them away
C. sometimes he showed some broken pictures to others
D. things in some of his pictures seem to be in disorder
41. Why have people called Picasso “the youngest painter in the world?”
A. Because he observed things with the eye and the mind.
B. Because he looked young when he was old.
C. Because he never stopped painting he was old.
D. Because he never gave up looking for something new.