Here’s a movie—a sharp, sugar-rush of fun that’s guaranteed to entertain the entire family.
With some terrific computer-generated effects, a great cast and a fun-packed storyline, Robots is the best animated film (动画片) since The Incredibles. Yep, it really is that good.
Set in a world populated by robots, Ewan McGregor plays Rodney Copperbottom, a young robot who leaves his small-town home to pursue his dream of becoming an inventor.
But after arriving in Robot City, his hopes of getting a job at Bigweld Industries are destroyed when he learns the firm has been taken over by the evil Ratchet (Greg Kinnear).
Egged on by his controlling mum, Madame Gasket (Jim Broadbent), Ratchet plans to reduce half of Robot City’s citizens to scrap metal by refusing to sell the spare parts they need to survive.
Instead, he wants to make a fortune selling expensive upgrades that few can afford. As he says, “Why be you when you can be new?”
Aided by a few misfit robots known as the Rustles—including Robin Williams as the cowardly' (胆小的）Fender (“I’m made of a metal called Afraidium”)—Rodney must track down the firm’s founder, Bigweld (Mel Brooks), and convince him to save the city from Ratchet’s plans.
The first thing that’ll strike you about the movie is the thought that's gone into creating Robot City. It’s a wondrous world full of mechanical marvels including wind-up cars and walking streetlamps.
Also terrific are the special effects. This might be an animated movie but at times you’ll catch yourself thinking it’s really a live-action film.
Of course, there have been plenty of animated movies that looked the part but were let down by a weak storyline (see Shark Tale, for example).
But Robots grips (扣人心弦) right from the start thanks to a heart-warming and thoroughly engaging plot that never bores.
My only complaints are with Williams who, as usual，has a one-in-10 success rate with his jokes. Also a letdown is a romantic subplot between Rodney and a shapely robot called Cappy (Halle Berry) that doesn’t go anywhere.
Complains aside, this is a mechanical marvel that’ll have you bolted firmly to your seat.
BEST QUOTE(引述): Fender: “Even though you had a discouraging day, just remember there’s another one coming tomorrow.”
BEST BIT: Check out those amazing images.
WORST BIT: Robin Williams, character does an unfunny Britney Spears dance routine.
IF YOU LIKED…Ice Age, The Incredibles, Toy Story... YOU’LL LIKE THIS.This piece of writing is a _______.
| A．commercial advertisement | B．film review |
| C．movie poster | D．literary essay |
The cast of Robots is made up of all the following actors or actresses EXCEPT _______.
| A．Ewan McGregor | B．Robin Williams |
| C．Britney Spears | D．Halle Berry |
What is Shark Tale an example of?
| A．A great cast. | B．A poor plot. |
| C．Special effects. | D．Clumsy animation. |
EVERYBODY in this world is different from one another. But do you know that understanding differences can help you better manage your money?
As we grow up, we gradually develop a set of our own values or beliefs. These are influenced by society, our family, the education we receive and so on. Once this value system is set up, it’s not easy to change later in life.
Financial experts say that everyone also has their own belief of how to manage their finances. This is part of our value system and it has a great impact on the way we look after our money.
According to our different values, experts put us in three categories. They are: the ant, the cricket and the snail.
The ant—works first
Just like ants who work heart and soul in summer in order to store food for winter, these people don’t care about enjoying the moment. They work very hard and save money they earn so that they can enjoy life when they get old and retire. The ant loves to save but they could make more out of their money if they were willing to invest in some funds and stocks with low risk.
The cricket—fun first
The cricket wants to enjoy everything now and doesn’t think too much about the future. They even borrow money when they really want something. Many young people now belong to this group. These people have little savings. When they get old, they might have problems. They should learn to save and buy insurance.
The snail—lives under pressure
The snail refers to people who make life difficult for themselves. They take big long-term loans from the bank in order to buy things such as luxury houses. They are happy to take big loans even though they are not sure they can afford it. This can cause problems in the future. They should plan more carefully.We can learn from the text that _____.
| A．spending money is a wiser way |
| B．your way of managing money is a reflection of your value or belief |
| C．saving money is a good way to manage money |
| D．we spend money because we have earned it |
Of the three types of people, the one that has no weakness is _____.
| A． the cricket | B．none of them |
| C．the snail | D．the ant |
If you had three dollars, you would spend all of it. Which type do you belong to?
| A．None of them | B．The snail |
| C．The ant | D．The cricket |
The text tells us mainly about _____.
| A．spending nature |
| B．living behaviors of small animal |
| C．our own values and beliefs |
| D．understanding differences |
Welcome to Pocono Whitewater
There’s something fun here at Pocono Whitewater for every level of adventurer！We have mild to wild whitewater rafting (漂流)，family trips，and bird-watching boating...Choose one adventure now. It’s up to you! We have trips available daily. Give us a call today!
Dam Release Whitewater Rafting
Experience the best whitewater on the Lehigh River! Surrounded by forests and
mountains，you will enjoy 12 miles and 5 hours of Class Ⅲ whitewater rafting and outstanding scenery. This is a fun and thrilling trip that everyone from aged 12 and up can do! While paddling (划桨) in the Swift water，you’ll shout and laugh.
Dam Release Whitewater Rates：
★Individual (aged 12 & up)：＄61.00
★Group (at least 8 people)：＄31.00
Rates Include：all necessary rafting equipment，life jacket，free parking，bus service to/from the river & professional river guides.
Family Style Whitewater Rafting
Bring along the whole family this summer and enjoy 8 miles and 5 hours long of Class Ⅰ whitewater rafting. Mild water of the Lehigh River is simply perfect for beginners，school groups，and kids aged 4 and older. This is just perfect for enjoying the passing scenery，kicking your feet over the edge of the raft，or taking a swim in the river!
One of the most unique things about this trip is a free riverside barbeque (烧烤)! Our workers will cook and serve you a picnic lunch—hot dogs，potato salad，fruit，etc.. The classic family picnic!
Family Style Rafting Rates：
★Adult：＄39.00
★Child (aged 4～14)：＄33.00
★Group (at least 8 people)：＄30.00
Rates Include：all necessary rafting equipment，life jacket，free parking，bus service to/from the river，and a barbeque lunch. However，river guides not included.Which of the following people is suitable for Dam Release Whitewater Rafting?
| A．A 14-year-old girl | B．An 8-year-old girl. |
| C．A 6-year-old girl. | D．A 4-year-old boy. |
We can infer that ________.
| A．the lower the class is，the faster the rafting is |
| B．the higher the class is，the safer the rafting is |
| C．the lower the class is，the milder the water is |
| D．the higher the class (等级) is，the milder the water is |
If ten college students are to participate in the Dam Release Whitewater Rafting，how much money will be paid in total?
| A．＄610. | B．＄390. |
| C．＄330 | D．＄310. |
Family Style Whitewater Rafting is unique in that ________.
| A．it offers all necessary rafting equipment |
| B．it provides a barbeque lunch for free |
| C．it provides good scenery |
| D．it allows people to swim in the river |
This July, Wang Chen, a student from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, won the International University WEICHI Tournament 2013 in Shanghai, which saw competitors from 54 universities around the world, including Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Compared with the busy sports ground, it seems a bit dull, but Wang and his peers enjoy an intense brain workout(劳动). Wang is an amateur seventh-degree master player — the highest degree amateur players can attain. “I had hoped to win first place, but when it came true, I couldn’t believe it,” says Wang. Wang began studying weichi when he was 7 years old. “I was a quiet boy and my parents thought weichi would help develop my logical thinking ability,” he says. He began to attend the Chinese Rank Promotion from the age of 10. “I failed for nine years, and them I gave up. I entered university and became an amateur player,” says Wang.
What this hobby brings Wang is not only a sense of achievement, but also independence. He has won 10 national and international championships, which have brought the young student a handsome sum of money. When he won the national amateur competition in 2011, he received 100,000 yuan in prize money. With awards from contests, Wang covers his expenses and tuition fees all by himself.
Wang is busier than most of his peers. A look at his calendar shows that he will attend competitions in Guizhou and Taiwan at the end of August, after attending an international competition only this July. But Wang admits he has little in common with his classmates. “I feel a bit lonely sometimes,” he says.
On campus Wang spends more time on exploring his skills. Wang now regards playing weichi as a hobby. He is the captain of the weichi team on campus, which has five members. He organizes them to research the latest formations once a week. Wang says his next project is to promote weichi among his peers on campus. “Many young people in China don’t understand this kind of sports and I want to promote it,” says Wang.What’s the best title of the passage?
| A．The Achievement and Dream of the “Weichi Prince” |
| B．Wang Chen Won the International University WEICHI Tournament 2013 |
| C．Weichi Brings Wang a Sense of Achievement and Independence |
| D．Wang Chen’s Life |
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．54 countries attended the International University WEICHI Tournament 2013 in Shanghai. |
| B．Wang Chen began to attend the Chinese Rank Promotion from the age of 7. |
| C．In 2013, Wang Chen received 100,000 yuan in prize money. |
| D．Wang Chen has won 10 national and international championships nowadays. |
What can we learn from this passage?
| A．Family plays an important role in shaping world-rank players. |
| B．As long as you have the same loneliness as Wang Chen, you are sure to succeed. |
| C．Wang Chen doesn’t get on well with his classmates. |
| D．Perseverance helps to make a top player. |
Five boys are suspected of starting a fire that destroyed their school on the eve of the new term. Police said yesterday that five boys — one aged 11, two 12-year-olds, one aged 13 and one 15 — arrested on suspicion of starting the fire had been released until later this month. Parents said the five pupils all attended St Mary’s.
Pupils witnessed their schoolwork being destroyed in the fire at Leyland St Mary’s Catholic Technology College in Lancashire. The 1950s science block was reduced to the ground in Sunday’s fire, which created clouds of smoke visible for miles. It is reported that the library and sports hall were also destroyed beyond repair. Strong winds and a shortage of water prevented 125 firemen trying to bring it under control. Firefighters were expected to remain at the scene until late this afternoon. Staffs were due to attend the school yesterday for an inset(培训)day, and pupils pupils were to return for lessons after the holidays today.
St Mary’s head teacher Kathy McNicholas fought back the tears as she watched her school go up in flames last night. She said, “This is so upsetting to watch. It’s heartbreaking. It’s very distressing for the staff and the children. Everyone had been looking forward to coming back for the new school year.” Finding somewhere around 730 children won’t be easy. A few of the staff have turned up to see if there is anything they can do and they have all been shocked and saddened by what has happened. “It’s tragic because we have only just had a lot of refreshment work done to the school during the summer break. It was a big investment. The community around here very much looks after its school.”
Plans were being drawn up to provide alternative classrooms for 730 children, with parents warned to keep them at home for at least the rest of the week. Which part of St Mary’s Catholic Technology College was burned to the ground in the fire?
| A．The library. | B．Sports hall. |
| C．The science block. | D．The passage doesn’t tell us. |
The underlined word “distressing” in the third paragraph can be replaced by “”.
| A．excited | B．surprised |
| C．annoyed | D．embarrassed |
From the whole passage, we can know that .
| A．the education of England is worse |
| B．St Mary’s Catholic Technology College had no trouble finding enough classrooms |
| C．a shortage of money prevented more than 100 firemen controlling the big fire |
| D．the pupils had to stay at home before the alternative classrooms were found |
What’s the main idea of the passage?
| A．Five boys started a fire that destroyed their school. |
| B．The firemen failed in controlling the fire. |
| C．The staff and the children were upset. |
| D．The school planned to take measures to solve the problem. |
In modern society there is a great deal of argument about competition. Some value it highly, believing that it is responsible for social progress and prosperity; others say that competition is bad; that it sets one person against another; that it leads to unfriendly relationship between people.
I have taught many children who held the belief that their self-worth relied on how well they performed at tennis and other skills. For them, playing well and winning are often life-and-death affairs. In their single-minded pursuit of success, the development of many other human qualities is sadly forgotten.
However, while some seem to be lost in the desire to succeed, others take an opposite attitude. In a culture which values only the winner and pays no attention to the ordinary players, they strongly blame competition. Among the most vocal are youngsters who have suffered under competitive pressures from their parents or society. Teaching these young people, I often observe in them a desire to fail. They seem to seek failure by not trying to win or achieve success. By not trying, they always have an excuse: “I may have lost, but it doesn’t matter because I really didn’t try.” What is not usually admitted by themselves is the belief that if they had really tried and lost, that would mean a lot. Such a loss would be a measure of their worth. Clearly, this belief is the same as that of the true competitors who try to prove themselves. Both are based on the mistaken belief that one’s self-respect relies on how well one performs in comparison with others. Both are afraid of not being valued. Only as this basic and often troublesome fear begins to dissolve can we discover a new meaning in competition.What does this passage mainly talk about?
| A．Competition helps to set up self-respect. |
| B．Opinions about competition are different among people. |
| C．Competition is harmful to personal quality development. |
| D．Failures are necessary experiences in competition |
Why do some people favor competition according to the passage?
| A．It pushes society forward. |
| B．It builds up a sense of duty. |
| C．It improves personal abilities. |
| D．It encourages individual efforts. |
What is the similar belief of the true competitors and those with a desire to fail ?
| A．One’s worth lies in his performance compared with others. |
| B．One’s success in competition needs great efforts. |
| C．One’s achievement is determined by his particular skills. |
| D．One’s success is based on how hard he has tried. |
Which point of view may the author agree to?
| A．Every effort should be paid back. |
| B．Competition should be encouraged. |
| C．Winning should be a life-and-death matter. |
| D．Fear of failure should be removed in competition. |