Today we’ll talk about the history of blue jeans. For many people, blue jeans stand for (代表) American culture.
The history of blue jeans usually began with a man named Levi Strauss. He did not invent jeans. But he is the first person to produce and sell them in large numbers. Levi Strauss was born in Germany. In 1847, he and his family moved to the United States. He opened a small store and sold jeans. These pants were especially useful for miners (矿工) in California. They needed strong clothing. Levi Strauss worked with Jacob Davis, who had invented a step for making rivets (铆钉) for jeans. They helped make the blue jeans stronger.
In 1873, Strauss and Davis received a patent (专利) to own this invention. Nineteenth century workers would probably be surprised to know that their pants would one day become fashions. Today, jeans are worn by people of all ages. Jeans come in many colors other than blue and in many styles and prices. Fashion designers even create very costly jeans.
Writer James published a book called Jeans: A Cultural History of an American Icon (偶像). In the book, he says jeans serve as a sign for two American values, creativity and rebellion (叛逆). Why did Jacob use rivets for jeans?
| A．Because they made the blue jeans stronger. |
B．Because they had a history. |
| C．Because they are fashionable. |
D．Because they were dear. |
Which of the following is WRONG about blue jeans?
| A．Miners like to wear strong clothing. |
| B．Jeans have only one color — blue. |
| C．James wrote a book about jeans. |
| D．Levi Strauss is the first person to produce jeans in large numbers. |
The two American values are rebellion and _____________.
| A．protection |
B．ambition |
C．friendship |
D．creativity |
What’s the main idea of the passage?
| A．Jeans are popular. |
B．Jeans become fashions. |
| C．The history of blue jeans. |
D．Levi Strauss was a German. |
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,
May I draw your attention to the "Safety in Flight" booklet(小册子), which you'll find in the pocket on the back of the seat in front of you? We do ask you to read it. You'll also find a magazine, which you may find interesting. Smoking is not allowed during the flight. If you have any questions during the flight, please do not hesitate to ask the two flight attendants. We are taking off soon, so would you now please make sure that your seat belts are safely fastened? We wish you a pleasant flight. Thank you.
根据短文内容，判断正（T）误 (F)。
Do you have a nickname(昵称)? Most of us do by our looks, clothing, or personality. But for cities, the meaning of their nicknames has much more than that.
Many big cities have nicknames, such as New York—The Big Apple, London— The Great Smog, and Rome—The Eternal City. Why do cities have such nicknames?
In the 1920s,there were many races in New York．People called the prizes of these races apples. Writer John J. Eitz Gerald first called New York the Big Apple, because New York is the place that many people dreamed of going to the biggest prize of all.
For Rome, as the name suggests, the answer is simple. Romans believed that no matter what happened to the world, Rome would go on forever. Rome has been an important center of power {权利) for more than 2, 000 years.
As for London, in the Victorian period it had problems with its air. Later in 1952, serious air pollution made 10,000people fall ill . But now the air of London has become better
Sound interesting？Does your city have a nickname?How do most of people get their nicknames?
What is London's nickname?
Who first called New York the Big Apple?
How long has Rome been an important center of power?
Why did 10, 000 people in London fall ill in 1952?
Jessie felt her life so boring one summer day. She was tired of watching TV, she read all her books, and her friends were on vacation. She wanted something different to do. Suddenly, she saw the lawn mower(割草机) sitting in the yard.
“Mom,” she shouted, “I think I will mow the lawn.” Her mom ran into the yard and said, “Oh no, you don’t. You’re too young to mow the law.”
“I’m fourteen years old and know how to do it,” Jessie said. “Besides, it would help Dad out, and he won’t have to worry about it over the weekend.”
Mom thought for a while and then decided to let Jessie give it a try. After all, she was home and would keep an eye on her. Jessie already knew how to start the lawn mower from watching her dad. Jessie checked the gas(汽油) to make sure it was full, and put on her gardening gloves to protect her hands. Mom watched from the kitchen window. Jessie really does know how to mow the lawn. She was very careful around the flowers and trees. When she finished, she felt so good, but she was so hot. Mom brought her some ice tea and said, “You sure did a great job. Dad will be very surprised.”
Later that day, Dad came home and said to Jessie’s mom, “You didn’t have to mow the lawn. I was going to do it on Saturday. It looks great. Thanks.”
“I didn’t mow it. Jessie did.”
“Wow, our little girl is growing up!” Dad told Jessie what a great job she had done.
“It was fun, and I will do it again next week,” said Jessie.
The neighbor next door came by and asked Jessie if she wanted to mow his lawn and make some money. “Sure!” said Jessie. Jessie began mowing his lawn. Two other neighbors asked so, then another three. Jessie was now mowing lawns for them all and making some money. She was no longer bored! “I won’t have time to spend my money,” she laughed to herself.In order to do something different, Jessie decide to _______.
| A．read books | B．travel |
| C．mow the lawn | D．watch TV |
What does “keep an eye on” mean?
| A．保护 | B．注视 | C．培养 | D．瞄准 |
Before Jessie mowed the lawn, she ______.
| A．washed her hands | B．bought some gas |
| C．read some instructions | D．put on her gloves |
How did Jessie’s father feel when he knew Jessie had mowed the lawn?
| A．Proud. | B．Angry. |
| C．Relaxed. | D．Worried. |
What does the text mainly tell us?
| A．Neighbors should learn to help each other. |
| B．Mowing the lawn is a good way to make money. |
| C．Doing something helpful can make people happy. |
| D．Children should help their parents at an early age. |
Martin Lynch, an American businessman, had been going on vacation to a small Mexican fishing village for a number of years. One morning while going for a walk along the beach, he saw his friend Pablo Perez, a local fisherman. Martin watched Pablo unload his boat and pack the fish in a box.
Martin noticed Pablo was smiling and looked very happy. He could also see several large fish in the boat. Martin greeted Pablo and asked how long it took to catch the fish. “Just a few hours,” replied Pablo. Martin asked, “Why didn’t you stay longer and catch more fish?” “I have enough for my family,” Pablo said. “And what do you do with the rest of your day?” asked Martin. “I take a nap, play with my children, spend time with my wife, and go into the village to see my friends and play cards, I have a full and busy life.” Martin explained that if Pablo worked longer hours and caught more fish, he could make more money. With the extra money, Pablo could buy more boats and catch money more fish. By selling the fish, Pablo could open his own factory and sell direct to supermarkets.
“Then what?” asked Pablo. “Well you would probably have to move to Mexico City to run the business. Finally, you would be able to sell your business and make millions of dollars,” replied Martin. “How long will that take?” asked Pablo.
Martin thought for a while and said it would probably take at least 15 years.
“And then what” asked Pablo.
“Well, that’s the best part,” Martin said. “You will be able to retire, buy a house near the ocean, sleep longer, play with your children, spend more time with your wife, see your friends, and play cards.”What is the story mainly about?
| A．A businessman and a fisherman have become friends. |
| B．A businessman learns how to fish from a fisherman. |
| C．A businessman wants to become a businessman. |
| D．A businessman gives advice to a fisherman. |
What makes the Mexican fisherman happy is ______________.
| A．many friends to visit him |
| B．a full and busy life |
| C．more boats and more fish |
| D．the house near the ocean |
How can the fisherman make more money in the businessman’s view?
| A．By buying a supermarket. |
| B．To move to Mexico City. |
| C．By selling his own business. |
| D．To work longer and catch more fish. |
The underlined word “unload” in the passage means ____________.
| A．put … into | B．take … away from |
| C．break down | D．set off |
We can infer from the passage that ____________.
| A．the fisherman will stay the same with his life |
| B．the fisherman will leave the village for Mexico City |
| C．the business man will buy the fisherman’s boat |
| D．it takes all day for the fisherman to catch large fish |
Chuck Wall teaches management and human relations at Bakersfield College. He walked into class one day and told his students that their homework was to perform one act of random(任意的) kindness. His students did not understand the homework and didn’t know what to do, but the professor would not answer their questions. He encouraged his students to work it out for themselves.
One week later, the students entered the classroom excited to share their stories. One student told of giving away blankets to the homeless. Another reported on helping a dog to find its owner, and another student had been trying to find a long, lost friend. Students were energized (给予活力) by the homework assignment and wanted other people to be kind too. With the support of local businesses, the students made stickers to put on cars that invited people to do something kind for others. They sold the stickers and decided to donate the money to a center for the blind---not surprising as Professor Wall is blind.
Since then, similar kindness activities have been started in schools around the world. Many schools organize a Random Acts of Kindness Week, around November 13th, to celebrate World Kindness Day. Some schools use each day of Random Acts of Kindness Week to perform a different kind act, such as making a new friend, helping someone, doing community service, or raising money for a charity. Students learn to consider other people and thank about how small actions can make the world a better place.The professor’s homework was to ask his students _________.
| A．to write about kindness. |
| B．to be kind to strangers |
| C．to spend time helping others |
| D．to go out to raise money |
We learn from the passage that ________.
| A．Chuck’s students are not clever enough |
| B．the students didn’t do Chuck’s homework |
| C．Chuck Wall is an unusual teacher |
| D．no students enjoyed Chuck’s homework |
It is certain that _________.
| A．the students got good grades in Chuck’s class |
| B．kindness activities are not widely accepted |
| C．Chuck Wall was not good at designing homework |
| D．the students only helped people they knew |
In kindness activities students learn _________.
| A．to deal with difficult things |
| B．to do great things every day |
| C．to know about the world |
| D．to consider other people |
Which is the best title of the passage?
| A．Learning Kind Things |
| B．Teaching Kindness |
| C．World Kindness Day |
| D．Bakersfield College |