It's no news that there are places in this world where children are lacking basic life necessities. Even though there are organizations1to give children happiness in the world, they can't be everywhere. This brings a(n)2: who will stand in the gap and give these children a3life on earth?

    Rajesh Kumar Sharma, a 43-year-old4decided to open a free school in New Delhi, India for5children. The idea struck him when he visited the Delhi metro station and6that many children were playing there7attending school. When he questioned their8working at the site, they replied that there were no schools nearby and no one9.All they wanted for their children was to get a job to10the family income.11that he had to quit college due to12limits, Rajesh did not want the same fate (命运) to happen to these children. So he created a13school beneath the tracks of the station for them.

    Five days a week, with a torn mat to sit on and part of a14painted as a blackboard, Rajesh spares two hours to15while his grocery store is attended to by his brother. His students are16child laborers and farm workers who hardly had the17to decide their own fate.

    Since the school started, it is been18by anonymous (匿名的) donors who provide clothing, books and stationery (文具) for the children. Rajesh has been able to influence his community as more parents are 19their children to study. He shows us that nothing is impossible if you put your 20into it.

    Once, when I was a teenager, my father and I were standing in line to buy tickets for the circus. Finally, there was only one family between us and the ticket counter.

    This family made a big impression on me. There were eight children, all probably under the age of twelve. You could tell they didn't have a lot of money.

    Their clothes were not expensive, but they were clean. The children were well-behaved, all of them standing in line, two-by-two behind their parents, holding hands. They were excitedly talking about the clowns, elephants, and other acts they would see that night with their brothers or sisters in a low voice.

    One could sense they had never been to the circus before. It promised to be highlight of their young lives. The father and mother were at the head of the pack, standing proud as could be. The mother was holding her husband's hand, looking up at him as if to say, "You are my knight in shining armor."

    He was smiling and responding in pride, looking back at her as if to say, "You got that right." The ticket lady asked the father how many tickets he wanted. He proudly responded, "Please let me buy eight children's tickets and two adult tickets so I can take my family to the circus."

    The ticket lady gave the price. The man's wife let go of his hand, her head dropped, and his lips began to shake. The father leaned a little closer and asked, "How much did you say?"

    The ticket lady again gave the price. The man didn't have enough money.

How was he supposed to turn and tell his eight children that he didn't have enough money to take them to the circus?

    Actually we were not wealthy in any sense. So I understand how the kids would feel. I felt sorry for them.

注意：

1）所续写短文的词数应为150左右；

2）续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；

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    Seeing what was going on, my dad put his hand in his pocket, pulled out a $20 bill and dropped it on the ground.

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    That day my father and I went back to our car and drove home without any tickets.

Cell Phones: Hang Up or Keep Talking?

Millions of people are using cell phones today. In many places it is actually considered unusual not to use one. They find that the phones are more than a means of communication—-having a mobile phone shows that they are cool and connected.

    The explosions around the world in mobile phone use make some health professionals worried. Some doctors are concerned that in the future many people may suffer health problems from the use of mobile phones. In England, there has been a serious debate about this issue. Mobile phone companies are worried about the negative publicity of such ideas.

    On the other hand, why do some medical studies show changes in the brain cells of some people who use mobile phones? Signs of change in the tissues of the brain and head can be detected with modern scanning(扫描)equipment. In one case, a traveling salesman had to retire at a young age because of serious memory loss. He would often forget the name of his own son. This man used to talk on his mobile phone for about six hours a day, every day of his working week, for a couple of years. His family doctor blamed his mobile phone use, but his employer's doctor didn't agree.

    The answer is radiation. High-tech machines can detect very small amounts of radiation from mobile phones. Mobile phone companies agree that there is some radiation, but they say the amount is too small to worry about.

    As the discussion about their safety continues, it appears that it's best to use mobile phones less often. Use your mobile phone only when you really need it. Mobile phones can be very useful and convenient, especially in emergencies. In the future, mobile phones may have a warning label that says they are bad for your health. So for now, it's wise not to use your mobile phone too often.

A. Use your regular phone if you want to talk for a long time.

B. They will possibly affect their benefits.

C. In many countries, cell phones are very popular with young people.

D. He couldn't remember even simple tasks.

E. What do the doctors worry about?

F. They say that there is no proof that mobile phones are bad for your health.

G. What is it that makes mobile phones potentially harmful?

    A neighborhood watch is an  (organize) group of people who have volunteered to help prevent crime in their neighbourhood. They do this by  (keep) an eye on their neighbors' households, patrolling the streets and contacting the police when they see wrong  (activity). Neighbourhood watches have  of history, but they (introduce) to modem American cities after the public was shocked ( hear) how a woman was murdered in New York city while a number of witnesses stood by and did nothing. (recent), however, some people have strongly objected to the organization after n neighborhood watchman shot to death a black teenager,  was on his way home in the evening. The shooting has led to a new suggestion  neighborhood watchmen shouldn't carry guns while on patrol. Many neighborhood watch committees disagree  this idea, saying that it will discourage volunteers from patrolling more dangerous districts. Besides, since Florida state law allows the carrying of guns, such advice is useless.

    Imagine you're at the supermarket checkout. You pay the cashier, load your food into the cart, then take one third of your newly purchased items outside and throw them into the trash. This may sound unbelievable, but millions of us worldwide do this regularly, although in a more non-direct way.

    In the West, most of this food is thrown away by businesses that are unable to sell it, or by consumers who buy too much. And the majority of this food, despite being past its shelf life, is still perfectly fit for human consumption. So where do these excess products end up?

    “We receive food from various sources, including food banks, restaurants, cafes, food photographers, and events” says Adam Smith, founder of The Real Junk Food Project. The British company recently made headlines in the UK after it became the country's first “food waste supermarket”, offering products that would otherwise have ended up in waste. Most of its customers are low-income families, or even college students who find it difficult to afford food.“We ask our customers to pay what they feel in time, money or skills. We do have people coming with the intention of paying and if it carries on like it does, it will pay for the cost of the warehouse,” Smith explains.

    Some shops across Europe are also taking action. France recently passed a law that says all supermarkets must now donate all of their unsold produce to charities, while the Italian government has also put similar measures in place. Hundreds of cafes that serve meals made from surplus food have been set up across the continent too, selling dishes at bottom prices or even giving them away for free.

    So what can we do to prevent our dinner ending up in the bin? “Buy less. Or at least shop smarter,” said Smith. After all, the best place for food is in our stomachs, not the trash.

A 90-year-old has been awarded "Woman Of The Year" for  (be) Britain's oldest full-time employee—still  (work) 40 hours a week. Now Irene Astbury works from 9 am to 5 pm daily at the pet shop in Macclesfield, which she opened with her late husband Les. Her years of hard work have  (final) been acknowledged after a customer nominated (提名) her to be Cheshire's Woman Of The Year.

Picking up her "Lifetime Achievement" award, proud Irene declared she had no plans to retire  her 36-year-old business. Irene said, "I don't see any reason  (give) up work. I love coming here and seeing my family and all the friends I  (make) over the years. I work not because I have to,  because I want to. "

Granddaughter Gayle Parks, 31— works alongside her in the family business —said it remained unknown as to who nominated Irene for  award. She said," We don't have any idea who put grandma forward. When we got a call saying she was short-listed, we thought it was a joke. But then we got an official letter and we were blown away. We are so proud of her. It's  (wonder). "

    From the moment you open your eyes in the morning, you can feel sweat (汗水) running down your body, even if you're barely moving at all. That's what most people in China felt like this summer. In fact, the entire northern hemisphere (半球) saw high temperatures in July. The Arctic Circle (北极圈) was no exception (例外). Temperatures in the city of Norilsk, which is in the Arctic Circle, reached a record high of 32℃, The Atlantic reported. Temperatures there are usually just 10℃ at this time of the year.

    The heat wave in the Arctic is mainly a long-term result of global warming, according to the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences. In fact, while the whole world is getting warmer, the Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet. This is called the polar amplification effect (极地放大效应).

    The most direct impact (影响) of Arctic warming is the melting of Arctic ice. According to NASA, Arctic sea ice is now disappearing at a rate of 13.2 percent every 10 years. NASA said that if this continues, the Arctic will have no ice by the year 2040. This has put some Arctic animals, like polar bears, in danger. The ice that the bears live on has shrunk (缩小), the Toronto Star reported.

    Melting ice can also cause sea levels to rise in the long term. Since 1993, sea levels have risen at a rate of 3.2 cm every 10 years, the Guardian reported. Some countries, such as Tuvalu (图瓦卢) in the South Pacific Ocean and Maldives (马尔代夫) in the Indian Ocean, are at risk of disappearing into the sea.

British Cycling had recently hired Dave Brails ford as its new director. At the time, professional cyclists in Great Britain had1nearly one hundred years of mediocrity(平庸). In fact, their2 had been so poor that one of the top bike companies in Europe3to sell bikes to the team because they were afraid that it would hurt sales if other professionals saw the British people using their bikes.

What made Brails ford different from previous coaches was his4of searching for a tiny improvement in everything they do. The whole principle came from the idea that if you5everything you could think of that goes into riding a bike, improve it by 1 percent and you will get a6 increase when you put them all together.

Brails ford and his coaches began by making small 7. They redesigned the bike seats to make them more8. They asked riders to wear electrically heated over-shorts to9ideal muscle temperature while riding and used biofeedback sensors to10how each athlete responded to a particular workout.

But they didn't stop there. They11to find 1 percent improvements in overlooked areas. They hired a(n) 12 to teach each rider the best way to wash their hands to reduce the13 of catching a cold. They even painted the14of the team truck white, which helped them15little bits of dust that would normally slip by16but could affect the performance of the 17tuned bikes.

As these and hundreds of other small improvements were 18, the results came faster than anyone could have19. Just five years after Brails ford took over, they20the road and track cycling events in all the important Games.

Remind him not let the information to others .

Pumpkin (南瓜) carving at Halloween is a family tradition. We visit a local farm every October. In the pumpkin field, I compete with my three brothers and sister to seek out the biggest pumpkin. My dad has a rule that we have to carry our pumpkins back home, and as the eldest child I have an advantage-I carried an 85-pounder back last year.

This year, it was hard to tell whether my prize or the one chosen by my 14-year-old brother, Jason, was the winner. Unfortunately we forgot to weigh them before taking out their insides, but I was determined to prove my point. All of us were hard at work at the kitchen table, with my mom filming the annual event. I’m unsure now why I thought forcing my head inside the pumpkin would settle the matter, but it seemed to make perfect sense at the time.

With the pumpkin resting on the table, hole uppermost, I bent over and pressed my head against the opening. At first I got jammed just above my eyes and then, as I went on with my task, unwilling to quit, my nose briefly prevented entry. Finally I managed to put my whole head into it, like a cork (软木塞) forced into a bottle. I was able to straighten up with the huge pumpkin resting on my shoulders.

My excitement was short-lived. The pumpkin was heavy. “I’m going to set it down, now,” I said,and with Jason helping to support its weight，I bent back over the table to give it somewhere to rest. It was only when I tried to remove my head that I realized getting out was going to be less straightforward than getting in. When I pulled hard, my nose got in the way. I got into a panic as I pressed firmly against the table and moved my head around trying to find the right angle, but it was no use. “I can’t get it out!” I shouted, my voice sounding unnaturally loud in the enclosed space.

注意：

1）所续写短文的词数应为150左右；

2）至少使用5个短文中标有下划线的关键词语；

3）续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；

4）续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。

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It was five or six minutes though it felt much longer.

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The video was posted the Monday before Halloween.

    Herbal medicine (草药), which has been used for medicinal purposes, is the use of plants to treat diseases. Many herbalists use the entire plant, from the flowers, stems, leaves, and roots, in the form of everything from teas to pills. These plants contain natural, chemical things that can treat the body for a variety of diseases- such as allergies, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, chronic fatigue, and cancer, among others.

    Nowadays an increasing number of people prefer to adopt these plants to treat their diseases because, compared with chemical medicine, herbal medicine has its own advantages. Herbal medicine and remedies (治疗) are more effective than chemical medicine for certain diseases. The chemical medicine given by a chemist could have certain negative side effects. However, many of the herbal medicine and remedies do not have negative side effects. If any, they are softer than chemical medicine. Obesity is the cause of many of the health problems. Herbal medicine can help weight-loss more effectively and improve overall health.

    However, the cure using herbal medicine and supplements (营养品) would take some time, and therefore people are supposed to possess enough patience. Worse still, herbal medicine contains a variety of ingredients (成分) and people have to be sure that their body agrees with the ingredients and that it is not allergic (过敏).

    A point worth mentioning here is herbal remedies and medicine for certain illnesses may have negative side effects. These side effects may not be shown at once, but would take months or even years. In the early stages, if the herbal medicine is not agreeing with you, it is wise to stop using it.

    When used correctly and directed by doctors, herbs can help treat a variety of diseases. But keep in mind that the herbal medicine industry is not regulated, so herbal products are often misleading and may contain additives (添加剂) and that are not listed on the label (标签). Some herbs may cause allergic reactions or interact with other drugs, and some are poisonous if used improperly or at high doses (剂量). Taking herbs on your own increases your risk.

    In your life, sometimes you may be asked to speak in front of a large group of people.Although it sounds a little scary, even those with stage fright can speak successfully to the group with adequate preparation.

    Practice your speech before the big day. If possible, practice the speech in front of a friend or family member to get used to saying it to real people.If you feel you must have note cards, limit the amount to about three cards.This will force you to keep your speech concise and help you keep your eyes focused on your audience.

    Remember why you've been invited to speak.If you're battling fear over speaking to a large group of people, keep your mind on the fact that you were selected for this important role.The speech organizers must have seen something valuable in you or your expertise.

    Remember that fear of public speaking is very common. Most of the people in the audience would be feeling the same fear and stress that you do in your position.Knowing this may make you feel better.

     What you say should be tailored to why you're there and who you're speaking to in order to avoid sounding general.If speaking to a charity group, mention the good work certain specific individuals have done for the cause.If speaking at a business conference, briefly state why you want to help these people.

    Keep eye contact with the crowd. Pick one person in each section and look at him while you're speaking.After each important point in your speech, switch your focus to another section.When you focus only on one person at a time, the size of the crowd isn't as frightening.

A．A good memory is really helpful.

B．Show appreciation to your audience.

C．Mention your audience in your speech.

D．The more you have it memorized, the better.

E．In fact, it's normal to feel nervous or stressed out before a big speech.

F．Separate the crowd into three sections mentally as you get up to speak.

G．The knowledge of other people's respect for you should reduce some of the fear.

She was cleaning out the closet (壁橱) when she found it. It was at the back of the top shelf, for how long? Eight years? Nine? It was Ted's old shirt from his single days, part of his "going out" outfit（服装） that he thought was so fashionable from the recent past and cool, but which was really ugly.

That was a term she had learned from Ted himself, back when he'd just left the army. He was a kid from South Dakota who thought parachute pants (萝卜裤) were in style at least a decade after they'd been branded as a regrettable thing of the Eighties. And really, how could he be expected to know what was stylish? Growing up, his mom bought all his clothes at WalMart（沃尔玛）. He joined the army at 18 and basically never wore anything but uniforms after that.

When she first met him, he had no idea how to dress himself, a fact pretty much summed up by this shirt. It was brownish-yellow（褐黄色） colored, with huge paisleys (佩斯利花纹). It felt rough （粗糙的）and stiff（僵硬的）, and it wrinkled（有皱纹的） easily.

She remembered that he wore it when they went to the Green Mill(绿磨坊) once early in their dating days, and how he checked himself out in the car window as they headed out. She remembered too that he whispered in her ear, "I'm with the prettiest girl in this place." His smile was sweet. How drawn to him she was, god-awful shirt and all!

It wasn't until months after they got married that she finally gave him complaint about the shirt. "You wear it for a long time. And it is unfashionable," she said. "Oh, the bloom（花朵） is really off the rose now. I see," he said smiling. But he'd still pull it out occasionally, putting it on.

Then, one day when he was at work and she was home, she pulled it out and threw it up onto the topmost（顶端的） shelves.

Now this shirt was in her hands, still just as awful as she remembered. But it was precious（宝贵的）. She sighed, as she folded it carefully and put it in their closet.

The Valley Art Center energizes and encourages art appreciation in people of all ages and backgrounds through education, inspiration, and opportunities to experience the visual arts. We support art students and artists through quality curriculum and programming along with exhibition space. We promote the growth of each individual's potential and the advancement of the arts in the community.

Basic Oil Painting

This course, with a four-hour format, is for serious artists of all levels from beginners to advanced learners. Guidance will be offered on issues such as composition, colors, tools and techniques, but the emphasis of the course will be on thinking creatively. Individual attention will be available whenever needed. The course will end up with a group discussion of the students' works.

IMPORTANT: students will be responsible for bringing all necessary materials, including any desired photographic reference. Supply list is available online. And don't forget your lunch. $192/$173.

Digital Photography for the Fraidy Cat

Learn the basics of digital photography. We will start with understanding what those symbols on your camera mean. We will explore how to set your own film speed, aperture (孔径) and shutter (快门) speed. We will also learn when to use a flash. We will explore taking action shots, landscapes and family portraits (全家福). In this class you will practice and apply what you have learned using your camera! $96/$86.

Drawing for the Fraidy Cat

Everyone can draw! If you have ever wanted to learn how to draw or just want to refresh yourself in drawing basics, then this is the class for you. This class will focus on building drawing skills through the use of line, value, perspective, and composition. Students will work on a variety of projects with different drawing mediums to develop their personal style. A list of suggested supplies is available online. $96/$86.

Enamel on Metal

In this art form, drawing skills are not required for this colorful and expressive craft. Beginners learn several basic classical techniques and those with experience are guided in other techniques of choice. For those who are making jewelry, this is another form to add to your artist's toolbox!

All equipment and supplies are included in the first project fee of $8, payable to the instructor at the first class. $96/$ 86.

My teacher held up a piece of broken glass and asked, "Who broke this window？"

Thirty boys tried to think about not only what they had done, but also what our teacher might have found out. She seldom became angry, but she was this time.

"Oh，" I thought. I was the one who broke the window. It was caused by a naughty throw of a baseball. If I admitted guilt, I would be in a lot of trouble. How would I be able to pay for a big window like that? I didn't even get an allowance. "My father is going to have a fit，" I thought. I didn't want to raise my hand, but some force much stronger than I was pulled it skyward. I told the truth, "I did it." It was hard enough to say what I had done.

My teacher took down a book from one of our library shelves and I had never known my teacher to strike a student, but I feared she was going to start with me.

"I know how much you like birds，" she said as she stood looking down at my guilt­ridden face. "Here is that field guide about birds that you are constantly checking out. It is yours now. It's time we got a new one for the school anyway. You will not be punished as long as you remember that I am not rewarding you for your misdeed, but I am rewarding you for your truthfulness."

I couldn't believe it! I wasn't being punished and I was getting my own bird field guide—the very one that I had been saving up money to buy.

The lesson my teacher taught me stays with me every day, and it will echo forever.