Her frozen fingers touched the flame trying to feel alive. She could feel the warmth but it was a cold heat, as if the candle was rejecting her.
Her arms turned red because of the cold, her short sleeved shirt not giving her enough warmth. The winter air grabbed(抓住) at her arms, causing her pain, but she didn’t mind. She knew she should put her jacket on, it was winter in Connecticut, but that would be giving up. Up here, in this tree she felt safe.
She looked at the candle, surrounded by hardening wax(蜡). She placed her fingers gently on the warm green wax. This candle was a reminder of her life inside that house, a life she would have to return to eventually.
As a child, she had gotten this candle. She spent all she had on it. The beautiful crystal box (水晶盒)had caught her eye. Five whole nickels(五分币) had brought her that candle.
She gave it to her mother for Mother’s Day. Her mother had managed a smile and put it on a shelf. “It’s very pretty, honey! I will put it right here.” Since then that candle had never been moved, never been lighted, sitting dusty on a cluttered shelf that no one could see. Later on, her parents got divorced.
By now the candle was colder than the air and the darkness was complete. The snow on the ground made the night lighter and less satisfying than it had been before the first snowfall. She liked the darkness because she felt safe in it. From the glances of her friends who liked the girl she used to be. From the boys who could never figure out who she was. From her guidance counselor(顾问) whose endless worried looks never made her feel any better.
No one was outside at this time of night. She was alone in the world, just how she liked it. Just as she was about to lean back against the branch, she heard a sound.
She heard footsteps breaking the ice in the snow, heading toward her. He was making his way toward the white fence at the edge of the building, right against the road. Normally she would have ignored this person and stayed on her branch faraway from human contact, but this figure had something with him. He trudged(吃力地走) toward the white fence carrying a case. The figure reached the fence, opened the case and took out a shiny object.
She took her eyes off this figure only long enough to climb down the tree to get a better view of him. She reached the bottom and saw that the person had turned to face the street, sitting on the white fence that she and her friends once sat on. She stepped carefully on the ice, making her way toward him.
And then a beautiful sound of music came from the shiny object. She stopped and listened to it. She started walking towards the guy again. Just as she was about to step onto the snow banks, she slipped on the ice crashing to the ground. The figure turned around in surprise and a sudden recognition fell upon them both.The girl was hiding in the tree at deep night to ______.
A.keep herself from the cold | B.wait for the boy to come |
C.want to be left alone | D.seek safety from any hurt |
From the story, we can learn that ______.
A.the girl suffered a lot in her life |
B.the girl’s parents divorced because of her |
C.teachers and friends treated the girl badly |
D.the girl used to stay in the tree when feeling sad |
The underlined word “it” in the story refers to ______.
A.leaning back against the branch | B.being alone in the world |
C.not being disturbed at night | D.it being dark with snow around |
From the end of the story, it can be known that the girl _______.
A.knew the person | B.knew what the object was |
C.realized her wishes | D.would never feel alone any more |
Active participation in the classroom is not only accepted but also expected of the student in many courses. Some professors base part of the final grade on the student’s oral participation. Although there are formal lectures during which the student has a passive role (I.e., listening and taking notes), many courses are organized around classroom discussions, students questions, and informal lectures.
A professor’s teaching style is another factor that determines the degree and type of student participation. Some professors prefer to control discussion while others prefer to guide the class without controlling it. Many professors encourage students to question and challenge their ideas. Students who make statements that contradict the professor’s point of view should be prepared to prove their positions.
Ideally, the teacher-student relationship at universities is characterized by trust. The “honor system” demands that the student be honest in all areas of school work. Thus, cheating on tests, presenting others’ ideas as original, and turning in homework done by someone else are all forbidden.
Violation of the honor system can result in a student’s failing a course, having a record of the violation placed in the student’s school files, or even being driven out from the university. Students who cheat may lose the respect of other students, particularly those who study for exams and work independently. When leaving the classroom while students are taking an exam, an instructor may or may not say, “I expect you all to obey the honor system.” Even if the words are not stated, the student is expected to work alone and not to share answers.
1. In many courses, teachers__________.
A. allow the students to participate
B. require the students to participate
C. both A and B
D. neither A nor B
2. If a student does not agree with the professor in a lecture, the student is encouraged to __________.
A. remain silent
B. challenge the professor
C. leave the class
D. tell the professor immediately that he is wrong
3. If a professor believes in the “honor system,” it implies his _________.
A. suspicion of the students
B. distrust of the students
C. trust in the students
D. pride in the students
4. Violations of the honor system do not include __________.
A. cheating
B. failing a course
C. sharing answers
D. handing in homework done by another student
Section B
Directions: Read the following four passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage you have just read.
(A)
Matsushita, the world’s largest provider of consumer electronics, has decided to move in on Hollywood. Last weekend, Matsushita company leaders met with movies VIPs from MCA, Inc., the entertainment community that produced the movies as “Jaws” and “E.T. the Extra-terrestrial”. If the negotiations are successful, Matsushita will pay somewhere between $6 billion and $7.5 billion for MCA, by far the largest U.S. buying by a Japanese company.
The deal is larger than last year’s $5 billion buying of Columbia Pictures by Matsushita’s competitor, Sony Corporation. The movement by the Japanese companies shows Tokyo’s growing interest in the entertainment world. It is surprising for both sides of the Pacific Ocean. Why does a disciplined, no-nonsense nation like Japan want to get into show business? The answer is quite simple: To make money. Japanese corporation leaders feel the global potential of the entertainment business and recognize that there is an increasing market for movies and television in the rapidly industrializing world.
1. The movement of buying American entertainment companies by the Japanese shows that____ _.
A. American movies are better than Japanese
B. Japan has growing interest in the entertainment world
C. Japanese market is larger than American market
D. Japanese people are richer
2. A disciplined nation like Japan wants to get into show business because _____
A. they want to make money
B. they want to learn from American people
C. they want to entertain their people
D. they want to win in the competition
3. Matsushita would pay ______ for MCA.
A.$5 billion
B.$6 billion
C.$7.5 billion
D. Somewhere between $6 billion to $7.5 billion
Prisoner Mitchell King had a visitor— his wife. King was serving a six-year prison term in Auckland, New Zealand for armed robbery. But his wife didn’t want to be away from him for that long. So they held hands and they stuck. She’s rubbed her palms with super glue.
Their new-found closeness was short-lived. And their separation painful. Her technique is not one I'd recommend(introduce) for a closer relationship.
But if you want more closeness; if you desire relationships that are deeper and broader, more meaningful and longer-lasting, then remember the word "TRAVEL."
T is for TRUST. Trust is the glue that holds people together (not Super Glue). A relationship will go nowhere without it.
R is for RESPECT. "Do not save your loving speeches for your friends till they are dead; speak them rather now instead," writes Anna Cummins. It's about respecting others and letting them know that you value them.
A is for AFFECTION. Sometimes affection means love. Sometimes it means a touch. Always it means kindness.
V is for VULNERABILITY(harm). Though we may feel afraid to let another too close, no relationship will go anywhere without risking vulnerability. Entrepreneur Jim Rohn says, "The walls we build around us to keep out the sadness also keep out the joy." And the love.
E is for EMOTIONAL INTIMACY(亲密). Learn to be open. Learn to communicate freely. What kinds of relationships you make are largely determined by how openly you have learned to communicate.
L is for LAUGHTER. Victor Borge got it right when he said, "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." It's also the most enjoyable.
For relationships that can really go somewhere, just remember the word "TRAVEL." Then enjoy the trip!
1.The author intends to _________ by showing us the example in Paragraph One.
A. condemn the wife for her silly behavior
B. introduce new ways for closer relationships
C. tell us King and his wife would never be separated
D. encourage us to follow the wife’s technique
2.The underlined word “it” in Paragraph Four refers to?
A. Trust. B. Glue.
C. Closeness. D. TRAVEL
3.Which of the following agrees with what Jim Rohn says?
A. Walls should be built to keep out the sadness.
B. It’s unnecessary to avoid vulnerability for closer relationships.
C. Love will be kept out if you let another too close.
D. We shouldn’t let another too close because of vulnerability.
4.What does Victor Borge really mean by his word in the ninth paragraph?
A. Laughter will keep the shortest distance.
B. Laughter will make a closer relationship.
C. No relationship will go without laughter.
D. Laughter is necessary to make friends.
5.What would be the best title for this passage?
A. Relationships.
B. The story of a prisoner.
C. A technique for good relationships.
D. Tips on closer relationships.
Thursday, January 3 |
|
Book a Librarian One-on-One Computer or Internet Training Session |
Location:Main Library Training Center(5th F1.) Address:100 Larkin St.(at Grove) Library Sponsored Public Program Event Time:4 p.m.-6 p.m. Description: Do you need personalized help Using a computer or the Internet? During the month of January,the library is offering limited one-on-one training sessions(培训课程).Sessions are limited to 30 minutes and require signing up in advance.Call(415)557-4400 to book an appointment or for more information. |
Friday, January 4 |
|
Beyond Journal Writing for Teens |
Location:Main Library Paley Rm.(3rd F1.) Address:100 Larkin St.(at Grove) Library Sponsored Public Program Event Time:4 p.m. --- 5:30 p.m. Description: In this nine-week(January 4 through February 29)class,you will have the opportunity to develop and share your writing(poetry, biography and more)in a supportive group led by a Writers Corps teacher.Open to teen writers aged 13-19. For information,communicate with Betsy Levine,Teen Librarian,at (415)557-4497 or Dmail blevine@sipI.org. |
Tuesday, January 8 |
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Power Panels and Films by World Savvy |
Location:Main Librarv Koret Auditorium Address:100 Larkin St.(at Grove) Library Sponsored Public Program Event Time:5 p.m.-8 p.m. Description: World Savvy,The Global Film Initiative team up to take you on a world tour through explorations of art,media and film.Come and share how film and media affect youth,education and our global community at large.To book a position,communicate with Jennifer Collins at(415)557—4268 or jennifercollins@sfpl.org. |
Wednesday, January 9 |
|
Business Counseling Sessions |
Location:Main Library(Fourth Floor Business Center) Address:100 Larkin St.(at Grove) Library Sponsored Public Program Event Time:10 a.m.-3 p.m. Description: SCORE—Service Corps of Retired Executives(行政人员)offers free,one-hour business counseling(咨询)sessions from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. To schedule an appointment with a SCORE counselor, call(415)744-6827.Cosponsored by the Business,Science and Technology Center. |
1.If a boy wants to improve the skill of writing poems he can call
__________.
A.(415)744-6827 B.(415)557-4268
C.(415)557-4497 D.(415)557-4400
2.Who would be most likely to attend the event on Wednesday, January 9?
A.A science teacher B.A retired worker.
C.A school headmaster. D.A supermarket owner
3.Which event doesn’t need booking in advance?
A.One-on-One Computer or Internet Training Session.
B.Beyond Journal Writing for Teens.
C.Power Panels and Films by World Savvy.
D.Business Counseling Sessions.
Bicycles are a great way to get around. They’re fun to ride, especially down hills. And, as you speed along the road, you might also think of ways in which you could improve your bike— make it safer, more efficient, or more comfortable. In fact, the two-wheeled machines make for some cool science projects.
This year's Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), held last May in Cleveland, featured(had)three bicycle projects from three countries. Like many of the other experiments presented at ISEF, the bike projects showed that some of the most interesting scientific research often begins by taking a closer look at things you care about.
Renato Angulo Chu had even grander ambitions. The 12th-grader from Lima, Peru, wanted to address some of his country's economic troubles.
"I see a problem in my country," Renato said. "If you go to the forests in Peru, in some places you cannot find electricity. If you go with my bicycle, you can turn on the lights."
Renato, 16, spent 3 years designing his special Multibike. The device looks like a fixed exercise bike. It has wires fixed along the frame and a blender strapped(fastened) to the back. Turning the pedals operates the blender. The same principle can be used to sharpen knives or sweep city streets.
The Multibike can work either as a fixed bike or as a bicycle able to travel city streets and country roads. It's made from inexpensive materials, and the user gets exercise while pedaling to operate a machine.
"You pedal the bike, and you can mix any drink you want," Renato said. More importantly, he added, the same concept could be used to bring light to houses in remote regions of the rainforest.
1. What can we learn from the first paragraph?
A. Bicycles are the best way to go about
B. Bikes should be made more comfortable to ride.
C. You can improve your bicycle for science research.
D. Many inventions are connected with the bicycle.
2. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. ISEF is an exhibiton displaying bicycle experiments designed by students.
B. Looking closely at things you are concerned about can lead to scientific research.
C. Renato’s improvement of the bicycle has solved the country’s great problem.
D. Renato’s special bicycle will soon be put into use in remote areas.’
3. The underlined word “address” in the third paragraph probably has the same meaning as _______.
A. make address written B. give up C. work at D. speak at
4. Renato’s special Multibike has all the following EXCEPT ________.
A. making knives sharp
B. mixing any kind of drinks
C. producing electricity
D. operating a machine with its own electricity