A few years ago, I took a sightseeing trip to Washington D.C. I saw many of our nation’s treasures, and I also saw a lot of unfortunate people like beggars and homeless folks in the streets.
Standing outside the Ronald Reagan Center, I heard a voice say, “Can you help me?” When I turned around, I saw an elderly blind woman with her hand extended(伸出). In a natural reaction, I reached into my pocket, pulled out all of my loose change and placed it in her hand. I didn’t even look at her. I was annoyed at being bothered by a beggar.
But the blind woman smiled and said, “I don’t want your money. I just need help finding the post office.”
Immediately, I realized what I had done. I acted with prejudice(偏见)—I judged another person simply for what I thought she was.
The thing I had forgotten about myself is that I am an immigrant. I left Honduras and arrived in America at the age of 15. Through the years, I have been a dishwasher, cashier, mechanic and pizza delivery driver among many other jobs, and finally I became a network engineer.
In my own life, I have experienced many open acts of prejudice. I remember a time, at age 17— I was a busboy, and I heard a father tell his little boy that if he did not do well at school, he would end up like me.
But now, living in my American middle-class lifestyle, it is too easy to forget my past, to forget who I am and where I have been, and to lose sight of where I want to be going. That blind woman on the street of Washington D.C. cured me of my blindness. She reminded me to always keep my eyes and heart open.When the author came to America at first ______.
A.he usually did some work with a little payment. |
B.he used to beg for some money on the street. |
C.he lived a comfortable life as a network engineer. |
D.he was respected by others all the time. |
According to the passage, what did the author regret?
A. That he gave all his change to the blind woman.
B. The way he treated the blind woman.
C. That he came to Washington D.C. for a visit.
D. That he didn’t tell the woman the way to the post office.The father mentioned in the passage wanted ______.
A.to encourage his son to make a living by himself |
B.his son to become a busboy in the future |
C.his son to work harder at school |
D.to remind his son to depend on himself at school |
We can infer all of the following statements from the passage EXCEPT ______.
A.He disliked being bothered by beggars. |
B.He was delighted to give away his money to beggars. |
C.He once suffered a lot. |
D.The blind woman didn’t beg for money at that time. |
What does the author want to tell us through this story?
A.Don’t dream up ways to get what you want. |
B.Money is the root of all evils. |
C.An easy life makes a person forgetful. |
D.Be good to others all the time. |
If you go to Brisbane, Australia, you can easily get a small book called Discover Brisbane free.Here is something about banks on page 49:
ANZ Banking Group
Cnr.Greek & Queen Sts ………………………………………………238 3228
Bank of New Zealand
410 Queen Street …………………………………………………… 221 0411
Bank of Queensland
229 Elizabeth Street ………………………………………………… 229 3122
Commonwealth Banking Group
240 Queen Street …………………………………………………… 237 3111
National Australia Bank Ltd
225 Adelaide Street ………………………………………………… 221 6422
Westpac Banking Corp
260 Queen Street …………………………………………………… 227 2666
Banking hours are Mon.-Thu.9:30 am to 4 pm.Fri.9:30 am to 5 pm.All banks close Sat.Sun.& Public Holidays.You can find ANZ Banking Group on ________________.
A.Queen Street |
B.Elizabeth Street |
C.the corner of Greek Street and Queen Street |
D.the corner of Queen Street and Elizabeth Street |
On Saturdays, you can go to _____________ to put your money in or take your money out.
A.ANZ Banking Group |
B.Bank of Queensland |
C.National Australia Bank Ltd |
D.none of the banks |
In Australia, the banks have their longest service hours on _____________.
A.public holidays | B.Fridays | C.Saturdays | D.Sundays |
“Cool” is a word with many meanings.Its old meaning is used to express a temperature that is a little bit cold.As the world has changed,the word has had many different meaning.
“Cool” can be used to express feelings of interest in almost anything.
When you see a famous car in the street,maybe you will say,“It's cool.”You may think,“He's so cool,”when you see your favorite footballer.
We all maximize(扩大) the meaning of “cool”.You can use it instead of many words such as “new” or “surprising”.Here's an interesting story we can use to show the way the word is used.A teacher asked her students to write about the waterfall(瀑布)they had visited.On one student's paper was Just the one sentence,“It's so cool.Maybe he thought it was the best way to show what he saw and felt.
But the story also shows a scarcity(缺乏)of words.Without “cool”,some people have no words to show the same meaning.So it is quite important to keep some credibility(可信性).Can you think of many other words that make your life as colorful as the word “cool”? I can.And I think they are also very cool.We know that the word "cool" has had ________.
A.only one meaning | B.no meanings |
C.many different meanings | D.the same meaning |
In the passage,the word “express” means “________”.
A.see | B.show | C.know | D.feel |
If you are _______ something,you may say,“It’s cool.”
A.interested in | B.angry about |
C.afraid of | D.unhappy with |
The writer takes an example to show he is ______the way the word is used.
A.pleased with | B.strange to |
C.worried about | D.careful with |
In the passage,the writer suggests(暗示)that the word “cool”________.
A.can be used instead of many words |
B.usually means something interesting |
C.can make your life colorful |
D.may not be as cool as it seems |
An old man died and left his son a lot of money. But the son was a foolish young man, and he quickly spent all the money, so that soon he had nothing left. Of course ,when that happened, all his friends left him. When he was quite poor and alone, he went to see Nasreddin, who was a kind, clever old man and often helped people when they had troubles.
My money has finished and my friends have gone, said the young man. What will happen to me now?
Don't worry , young man, answered Nasreddin. Everything will soon be all right again. Wait ,and you will soon feel much happier.
The young man was very glad .Am I going to get rich again then? he asked Nasreddin.
No, I didn't mean that, said the old man. I meant that you would soon get used to being poor and to having no friends.An old man died and left his son_______.
A.nothing | B.some gold | C.much money | D.only a house |
When the son was________, he went to see Nasreddin.
A.short of money | B.quite poor and sick |
C.in trouble | D.quite poor and alone |
The young man was very glad because Nasreddin said that________.
A.he would become rich again | B.he would soon feel much happier |
C.he would become clever | D.he would have more friends |
Nasreddin meant the young man______.
A.would get rich again |
B.would get used to having nothing |
C.would get used to being in trouble |
D.would get out of poorness |
What this story tells us is________.
A.that money is everything |
B.that money makes the mare go |
C.to save each penny |
D.that misfortune tests the sincerity of friends |
Do you know that girls are seven times more likely than boys to be unhappy and twice more likely to commit suicide(自杀)and that girls are three times more likely than boys to have a negative attitude?Twenty percent of the girls in the US between the ages of 12 and 17 drink alcohol(酒)and smoke cigarettes.
So what is mental(心理的)health?Mental health is how we think,feel,and act in order to face life’s problems.
A young girl’s mental health affects her daily life and future. Like physical health,mental health is important at every stage of life. Caring for and protecting a young girl’s mental health is important to ensure that she grows up to become the best she can be.
Many children experience mental health problems that are painful and can be serious. Mental health problems affect at least one in every five young people at any given time. Unluckily,about two thirds of all young people with mental health problems are not getting the help they need. Mental health problems can lead to school failure,alcohol or other drug abuse(滥用),family violence,or even suicide.
There are many signs that may point to a possible mental health problem in a child or teenager. If you are worried about a child or have any questions,look for help at once. Talk to your doctor,a school teacher,or other mental health experts who are trained to know whether your child has a mental health problem. You can also call 18007892647 for a list of warning signs.What is implied in the first paragraph?
A.More and more girls are committing suicide. |
B.Boys are usually physically stronger than girls. |
C.Girls are more likely to have mental health problems than boys. |
D.Children in America are lacking in parental care. |
In the author’s opinion,________.
A.mental health is more important than physical health |
B.mental health is important no matter how old you are |
C.people with mental health problems will never succeed |
D.it’s easier for children to have mental health problems than adults |
According to the passage,which of the following people would most probably call 18007892647?
A.People who are sure they have mental health problems. |
B.Children who have mental health problems and want help. |
C.Parents who want to know whether their children are doing well at school. |
D.Parents who want to know whether their children have mental health problems. |
The purpose of this passage is to________.
A.tell parents what to do if they find that their children have mental health problems |
B.explain why so many children have mental health problems |
C.tell people how bad it is to have mental health problems |
D.ask parents to pay more attention to their children’s mental health |
I will probably remember one June day seven years ago for the rest of my life. My father had been complaining that my brother and I were watching too much TV, but we ignored him. Then one day we came home and the television was gone.
When I asked my father about the missing TV, he said watching television was a waste of time. Without it, we would have time for other things.
I decided he was wrong. Is there life without TV? How can we spend the week without all those shows and soaps? I was sure my life would be boring without TV, I used my best debating skills to argue with him, but he would not give in.
However, I found other ways to spend my time finally, Each day I ran around the street. This reminded me of my love for athletics, which I still enjoy. I joined Volunteers, and I built lasting friendships. Most importantly, I discovered an artistic world I never knew. I started taking art contests, and was shocked when I won. Then I took piano lessons. I began to like listening to AM radio, reading news magazines.
Living without TV has taught me how to manage my time, so that I can do many things in one day. I am proud to have learned I don’t need television.
Looking back, I think my father did the right thing. “You are smart. You could do anything that you put your heart to.” he used to say. He believed in us. His actions showed me a much more colorful side of life without TV and the value of having a goal and sticking to it.My father was angry and took the television away because _______.
A.we asked him to do so |
B.my brother and I did not need it |
C.he needed some money |
D.my brother and I watched too much TV |
What did I do after the TV was missing?
A.I went to my friend’s house to watch TV. |
B.I stayed at home all day. |
C.I asked my father to buy a new television. |
D.I did many useful things. |
_______ is NOT what I did after the TV was missing?
A.Running around the street |
B.Sleeping day in and day out |
C.Listening to the radio |
D.Taking art contests |
The author mainly tells us that _______.
A.life without TV can be very colorful |
B.life would be boring without TV |
C.people can’t spend the week without shows and soaps |
D.watching television was a waste of time |