Linda Evans was my best friend—like the sister I never had. We did everything together: piano lessons, movies, swimming, horseback riding.
When I was 13, my family moved away. Linda and I kept in touch through letters, and we saw each other on special time—like my wedding(婚礼) and Linda’s. Soon we were busy with children and moving to new homes, and we wrote less often. One day a card that I sent came back, stamped “Address (地址) Unknown. ” I had no idea how to find Linda.
Over the years, I missed Linda very much. I wanted to share (分享) happiness of my children and then grandchildren. And I needed to share my sadness when my brother and then mother died. There was an empty place in my heart that only a friend like Linda could fill.
One day I was reading a newspaper when I noticed a photo of a young woman who looked very much like Linda and whose last name was Wagman —Linda’s married name. “There must be thousands of Wagmas,” I thought, but J still wrote to her.
She called as soon as she got my letter. “Mrs Tobin!” she said excitedly, “Linda Evans Wagman is my mother. ” Minutes later I heard a voice that I knew very much, even after 40 years, laughed and cried and caught up on each other’s lives. Now the empty place in my heart is filled. And there’s one thing that Linda and I know for sure: We won’t lose each other again! The writer went to piano lessons with Linda Evans _______.
A.at the age of 13 |
B.before she got married |
C.after they moved to new homes |
D.before the writer’s family moved away |
They didn’t often write to each other because they _______.
A.got married |
B.had little time to do so |
C.didn’t like writing letters |
D.could see each other on special time |
There was an empty place in the writer’s heart because she _______.
A.was in trouble |
B.didn’t know Linda’s address |
C.received the card that she sent |
D.didn’t have a friend like Linda to share her happiness or sadness |
The writer was happy when she _______.
A.read the newspaper |
B.heard Linda’s voice on the phone |
C.met a young woman who looked a lot like Linda |
D.wrote to the woman whose last name was Wagman |
They haven’t kept in touch _______.
A.for about 40 years |
B.for about 27 years |
C.since they got married |
D.since the writer’s family moved away |
The breaking news of Mo Yan's Nobel Prize in Literature on Thursday evening soon aroused public curiosity of the 57-year-old Chinese writer: Why was he favored by the Swedish Academy?
Less than half an hour after the announcement from Stockholm, Mo's works turned to “sold out" status at China's major online book sellers.
One lucky buyer wrote in an online comment: "Rushed to purchase, but to my shame, I have not read any of his novels.”
Although Mo was entitled one of the top China's literature awards before the Nobel Prize, he is not the most popular novelist in China, in either the book market or in reputation.
Chinese media seemed to be shocked as some journalists were reported to be on their way overnight to Gaomi City of East China's Shandong Province, Mo's birthplace where he stayed with his family.
Born in 1955 into a rural family, Mo dropped out of school and became a farmer when he was a teenager. He joined the army and devoted himself to writing. Mo's novels were translated into several languages.
For more than a century, Nobel Prize has been regarded by the world as recognition to an individual or even a nation's cultural and scientific advances.
“I think the reason why I could win the prize is that my works present lives with unique Chinese characteristics, and they also tell stones from a viewpoint of common human beings, which transcends(超越)differences of nations and races," Mo said on Thursday evening to Chinese journalists.
Mo also said many folk arts originated from his hometown, such as paper cuts and traditional new year paintings, have inspired and influenced his novels.
Mo's prize may give powerful encouragement to the country's writers as the more reflective of Chinese lives their works are, the more possible they arise as world literature.From this passage we know that the news of Mo Yan's Nobel Prize in Literature was.
A.a shock to online booksellers |
B.curiosity to the Swedish Academy |
C.contrary to the belief of the Chinese media |
D.beyond the expectation of most Chinese people |
The "one lucky buyer" mentioned in the third paragraph admitted that he _.
A.had not yet read Mo Yan's novels |
B.had written an online comment |
C.regretted not reading Mo Yan's Novels |
D.failed to buy a copy of Mo Yan's novels |
The underlined word "they" in the last paragraph refers to.
A.the Chinese writers | B.the Chinese writers' works |
C.the Chinese lives | D.Mo Yan's novels |
What can we infer from this passage?
A.Mo Yan will win another Nobel Prize in the near future. |
B.Folk arts originated from Mo Yan's hometown will also be awarded Nobel Prize. |
C.Nobel Prize will no longer regarded by the world as recognition to an individual. |
D.Mo Yan's success will encourage the Chinese writers to win more Nobel Prizes. |
My name is Nick Vujicic.I was born without any limbs(四肢).But one of my most _ videos on YouTube shows footage(视频片段)of me skateboarding, surfing, playing music, and best of all, hugs from all smts of great people.
All in all, those are pretty ordinary that just about anyone can do, right? So _ do you think that video has been viewed millions of times? My theory is that people are to watch it because in spite of my physical limitations, I'm living I have no limits.
People often expect someone _ a severe disability to be inactive, maybe even angry.I like to_ them by showing that I lead a very adventurous and fruitful life.
Among the hundreds of _ on that video, here's one typical remark: "Seeing a guy like this being happy makes me wonder why I feel for myself sometimes---or feel not funny enough, or whatever. How can I think thoughts like that when this guy is living without limbs and still being happy ! ?"
I found happiness when I realized that imperfect I may be, I am the perfect Nick Vujicic. I'm designed Cod's plan.That's not to say that there isn't for improvement.
I'm always trying to be better so I can better _ the world!
I do believe my life has no _.I want you to feel the same way about your life, no matter what your challenges may he. As we our journey together, please take a moment to _ any limitations you've placed on your life.Now think about what _ would be like to be those limitations.What would your life be if anything were possible?
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Last night’s meteor(流星) shower left many people in the community dissatisfied and demanding answers. According to Gabe Rothsclild, Emerald Valley’s mayor, people gathered in the suburbs of the city, carrying heavy telescopes, expecting to watch the brightly burning meteors passing through the sky. What they found instead was a sky so brightened by the city’s lights that it darkened the light of the meteors passing overhead.
“My family was so frustrated,” admitted town resident Duane Cosby, “We wanted to make this an unforgettable family outing, but it turned out to be a huge disappointments.”
Astronomers---scientists who study stars and planets----have been complaining about this problem for decades.They say that light pollution prevents them from seeing objects in the sky that they could see quite easily in the past. They call on people and the government to take measures to fight against it.
There is yet a population besides professional and amateur star observers that suffers even more from light pollution. This population consists of birds,bats frogs,snakes,etc. For example,outdoor lighting severely affects migrating(迁徙的)birds. According to the International Dark-Sky Association. “100 million birds a year throughout North America die in crashes with lighted buildings and towers.”
Countless more animals casualties(伤亡)result from the use of artificial lighting. Clearly, people enjoy the benefits of lighting their evenings,but some scientists think it can be harmful for humans,too. They worry that exposure to light while sleeping can increase person’s chances of getting cancer.
Emerald Valley is only one community that is becoming aware of the negative effects of hight pollution. For years, Flagstaff,Arizona, has enforced lighting regulations in its city in order to help astronomers at the Lowell Observatory. Similar efforts have been made worldwide, and a movement is underway to remind us to turn off lights when we are not using them, so that other creatures can share the night.It happened last night that __________ .
A.the city light show attracted many people |
B.the meteors flew past before being noticed |
C.the city’s lights affected the meteor watching |
D.the meteor watching ended up a social outing |
What do the astronomers complain about?
A.Light pollution has remained unsolved for years |
B.Their observation equipment is in poor repair |
C.Meteor showers occur less often than before |
D.Their eyesight is failing due to artificial lighting |
What the author concerned about according to Paragraph 4?
A.Birds may take other migration paths |
B.Animal’living habits may change suddenly |
C.Varieties of animals will become sharply reduced |
D.Animals’survival is threatened by outdoor lighting |
Lighting regulations in Flagstaff,Arizona are put into effect to__________.
A.Lessen the chance of getting cancer |
B.ensure citizens a good sleep at night |
C.create an ideal observation condition |
D.enable all creatures to live in harmony |
What message does the author most want to give us?
A.Saving wildlife is saving ourselves |
B.Human activities should be environmentally friendly |
C.Great efforts should be made to save energy |
D.New equipment should be introduced for space study |
The deserts of the world are not all covered with sand. Many of them have surfaces of rock or clay or small stones. They are not flat, either. They often have high hills and deep valleys. There is some plants’ life in many parts of the desert. There is little rain in the desert, but it does fall often enough for most plants.
The deserts of the world are not uninhabited(not lived by people). People also live outside oases(绿洲), but these people are not farmers. They have camels, goats, donkeys, sheep, etc. These animals can live on the desert plants and do not need much water.
The people of the desert have to move constantly from place to place, they must always look for grass or desert plants for their animals. They usually live in tents. When there is no more food for their animals, they fold up their tents, pat them on their camels and donkeys, and move to another place. In good years, when there is enough food for their animals, they trade their skins and their goats and camel hairs with the people of oases for wheat and fruit. But in bad years, when there is not enough food for their animals, the people of the desert would attack the oases people. But they are also hospitable, no man in the desert would ever refuse to give a stranger food and water.According to the passage, deserts are mostly made up of _______.
A.clay | B.rock |
C.stones | D.sand |
The underlined word “hospitable” has the meaning of being _______.
A.brave | B.cruel |
C.strange | D.kind |
In the desert _______.
A.it rains in spring only |
B.there is some rain, but far from enough |
C.it rains for a short time every month |
D.the rainfall is just enough for the plants |
People live _______.
A.only inside the oases |
B.only outside the oases |
C.both inside and outside the oases |
D.in places with regular rainfalls |
From the passage we know that life _______.
A.is hard in deserts |
B.is happy in deserts |
C.is impossible in deserts |
D.in deserts in much better now |
Travel is fun and exciting, but it’s not if you get sick. You may think, “Not me, I won’t get sick in my holiday.” But, for many people, that is what happens.
Of course you don’t want to spend your holiday sick in bed. So what can you do to stay in good health? There are three things you should remember when you travel: relax, sleep, and eat well.
A holiday must be a time for relaxing. But very often it is not. Think about what you do when you are a traveller. There are many places to visit: museums, shops, parks, churches. You may spend most days walking around these places. This can be very tiring. You may have a terrible headache after a few hours. If this is the way you feel, you should take a rest. Don’t ask your body to do too much. A tired body means a weak body. And a weak body gets sick easily. So sit down for a few hours in a nice place. In good weather, look for a quiet park bench(石凳). Or you can stop at a cafe. You can learn a lot by watching people while you rest.
Sleep is also important. If you want to stay healthy, you need to get enough sleep. You may have trouble sleeping at night when you travel. There may be too many noises in your hotel or the bed may be uncomfortable. If this is true, don’t be afraid to change rooms or hotels. Or you may get enough sleep for another reason. You may want to stay out late at night. In many cities, the nightlife can be very exciting. Then you should plan to sleep for an hour during the day. The extra(额外) hour can make a big difference。
Finally, if you want to stay healthy, you must eat the right kinds of foods but you need to be careful about how much you eat. Lots of food is not good for you.
So, remember this, if you want to enjoy your holiday, take care of yourself. Give your body some rest. Get enough sleep and eat good, healthy food.This passage is about ______
A.how to stay healthy when you travel |
B.how exciting travel is |
C.relaxing when you travel |
D.what you eat when you travel |
Travel is ______
A.the best way to relax | B.very tiring |
C.never any fun | D.unhealthy |
Your body needs sleep to_____
A.enjoy the nightlife | B.stay strong and healthy |
C.change hotels | D.learn a lot about a new place. |
Why can you have a terrible headache while visiting these places?
A.Because you don’t like these places |
B.Because some place makes you feel headache |
C.Because you feel boring to visit these places. |
D.Because there are so many places to visit. |
You can change your rooms or hotels, if______.
A.you want to stay out late at night |
B.you want to eat different food |
C.your hotel is noisy |
D.you can’t get on well with the manager in the hotel |