As prices and building costs keep rising, the ‘do-it-yourself’ (DIY) trend (趋势) in the U.S. continues to grow.
‘We needed furniture (家具) for our living room,’ says John Ross, ‘and we just didn’t have enough money to buy it. So we decided to try making a few tables and chairs.’ John got married six months ago, and like many young people these days, they are struggling to make a home at a time when the cost of living is very high. The Rosses took a 2-week course for $280 at a night school. Now they build all their furniture and make repairs around the house.
Jim Hatfield has three boys and his wife died. He has a full-time job at home as well as in a shoe making factory. Last month, he received a car repair bill for $420. ‘I was deeply upset about it. Now I’ve finished a car repair course. I should be able to fix the car by myself.’
John and Jim are not unusual people. Most families in the country are doing everything they can to save money so they can fight the high cost of living. If you want to become a ‘do-it-yourselfer’, you can go to DIY classes. And for those who don’t have time to take a course, there are books that tell you how you can do things yourself.We can learn from the text that many newly married people ________.
A.find it hard to pay for what they need |
B.have to learn to make their own furniture |
C.take DIY courses run by the government |
D.seldom go to a department store to buy things |
John and his wife went to evening classes to learn how to ________.
A.run a DIY shop |
B.make or repair things |
C.save time and money |
D.improve the quality (质量) of life |
When the writer says that Jim has a full-time job at home, he means Jim ________.
A.keeps house and looks after his children |
B.does his own car and home repairs |
C.does extra work at night |
D.makes shoes in his home |
Jim Hatfield decided to become a do-it-yourselfer when ________.
A.he had to raise the children all by himself |
B.the car repair class was not helpful |
C.he could not possibly do two jobs |
D.his car repairs cost too much |
What would be the best title for the text?
A.the Joy of DIY |
B.You Can Do It Too! |
C.Welcome to Our DIY Course! |
D.Ross and Hatfield: Believers in DIY |
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 |
|
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:M![]() 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. |
.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 |
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. |
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. |
As we all know,it was Thomas Jefferson who wrote the Declaration of Independence (独立宣言).He wrote it in two weeks,and after a few changes,it was accepted by the Congress.As a result,he became famous in America's history.
Born in Virginia,Thomas Jefferson,a brilliant student at school and almost talented lawyer later,was much interested in politics.
Jefferson was elected Governor of Virginia in 1779,and he was sent to France as the Representative of the American Government in 1784.Sixteen years later,at the age of 57,he was elected president after Washington and Adams.
Far from a handsome man,he was is tall with long arms and big hands.Jefferson,who was an amusing talker in conversation,but a poor speaker,was generally good-natured.
Jefferson was regarded as a defender(捍卫者)of freedom Of America.As a president,he protected the right of speech.Interestingly enough,in his eight years as president,:Jefferson never said “No” to a bill(议案)!which the Congress had passed.He did a lot in organizing the new University of Virginia.
Thomas Jefferson died on July the fourth,1826,the fiftieth anniversary of America’s independence.Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
A.Thomas Jefferson | B.Lincoln | C.Washington | D.Adams |
We are most likely to read this passage in.
A.a daily newspaper | B.a popular advertisement |
C.a history book | D.an important notice |
Which of the following statements about Jefferson’s personality is true?
A.He was a shy and slow learner when he was at school. |
B.He was not an easy person to get along with at all |
C.He was not only very talented but also very handsome. |
D.He was an amusing talker,but not good at speaking in public. |
Jefferson’s greatest contribution in America’s history is that.
A.he was for the right of free speech |
B.he was sent to France as the Representative |
C. he wrote the Declaration of Independence |
D.he organized the new University of Virginia |
Thomas Jefferson was elected president of the United States in the year of .
A.1779 | B.1784 | C.1800 | D.1826 |
The students in America usually begin high school at the age of 13 or 14. Some leave at the age of 16. But most finish the 4-year high school study. They do not get their first full-time work or begin college studies until they are 17 or 18 years old.
The high school day is about 7 hours long. Part of the day is made into classes of about 50 minutes long. The students have lunch in the middle of the day. American students study English, history, math, science, art and languages. Some also learn job skills. They can learn how to use a computer or how to mend a car. Other students may learn by working in an office, a hospital or other places one day a week.
Jean Wilton Anderson is 16 years old. She lives with her parents and two younger brothers in Bethesda, Maryland, near Washington D.C. Jean studies at Walt Whitman High School. There are abou
t 1,500 students at the school. Most of them will go up to colleges.
Jean wakes up early every morning. She begins school at about 7:30. This is her third year of high school. Every day she takes classes to learn English, world history, physics and trigonometry(三角学). She also has a class
about different religions(宗教).And she plays the violin in music class. School ends at about 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Yet, Jean stays 2 or more hours longer every day for sports. Jean arrives home at about 5 o’clock in the afternoon. She eats dinner. Then she starts her homework. Students in America have their way of talking. They use the word “like” all the time. Jean and her girlfriends wear blue jeans and shirts or sweaters every day. The boys at her school also wear blue jeans. But they like to wear blue jeans that are several sizes too large for them.
Like students of her age in most parts of the country, Jean begins to drive a car. She does not have her car. She must use the family’s car. Most of the students in high school have their own cars. Many of them drive their cars to school every day. Which of the following is not true to the high school?
A.The school day usually lasts for 7 hours. |
B.The students only have 6 subjects to learn. |
C.Each class will last for 50 minutes. |
D.The students can learn some skills out of the school. |
Jean Wilton Anderson __________________.
A.has a four-people family | B.lives in the city of Washington |
C.has studied in the high school for 3 years | D.drives her own car at the age of 16 |
Which of the following is not true?
A.Students in high schools use the word “like” very often |
B.The boy students wear blue jeans as the girls. |
C.Many high school students go to school in their own cars. |
D.Boy students wear jeans of larger size because they grow fast |
In the 13th century, the famous Italian traveler, Marco Polo, traveled a long way to China. During his stay in China, he saw many wonderful things. One of the things he discovered was that the Chinese used paper money. In western countries, people didn’t use the paper money until 15th century. However, people in China began to use paper money in the 7th century.
A Chinese man called Cai Lun invented paper almost 2,000 years ago. He took the wood from trees and made it into paper. He then put these pieces of paper together and made them into a book.
Now paper still comes from trees. We use a lot of paper every day. If we keep on wasting so much paper, there will not be any trees left on the earth. If there are no trees, there will be no paper. Every day, people throw away about 2,800 tons of paper in our city. It takes 17 trees to make one ton of paper. This means that we are cutting nearly 48,000 trees every day. Since it takes more than 10 years for a tree to grow, we must start using less paper now.
So how can we save paper? We can use both sides of every piece of paper, especially when we are making notes. We can use cotton handkerchiefs and not paper ones. When we go shopping, we can use fewer paper bags. If the shop assistant gives us a paper bag, we can save it and reuse it later.
Everyone can help to save paper. If we all think carefully, we can help protect trees. But we should do it now, before it is too late. When he was in China, Marco Polo ____________.
A.discovered Cai Lun invented paper | B.learned to make paper |
C.saw many wonderf![]() |
D.read a lot of books |
Which of the following is not a way of saving paper?
A.To use both sides of every piece of paper |
B.To use fewer paper bags when shopping |
C.To use cotton handkerchiefs instead of paper ones |
D.To grow more trees |
Which of the following is not true?
A.If we keep on wasting paper, we will have no paper to use one day. |
B.The Chinese used paper money much earlier than people in western countries. |
C.About 48,000 trees can be used to make 2,800 tons of paper. |
D.It is never too late to plant trees for paper. |
Which of the following is the best title for the passage?
A.Saving Paper | B.The History of Paper |
C.Cotton Handkerchiefs Back Again | D.Cai Lun, the Inventor |
Spiderman is one of the most famous comic book heroes of all time.He was created by Stan Lee in 1963 and was first introduced to the world in the pages of Marvel comic books.
Spiderman’s story is the story of Peter Parker,a child who lost his parents and lives with his aunt and uncle.Peter is a shy,quiet boy wearing glasses and has few friends.One day,on a high school class trip to a science lab,he gets bitten by a special spider.Soon Peter realizes he has amazing powers:he is as strong and quick as a spider and also has a type of sixth sense.He no longer needs his glasses and he can use his super power to fly through the city streets! Remembering something his Uncle Ben has told him,that“with great power,there must also come great responsibility(责任),”Peter decides to use his powers to fight enemies who do cruel things to people.And so,Spiderman is born.
Life is not easy for Peter even though he is a superhero.He is in love with Mary Jane but cannot tell her about his amazing powers.Besides,his best friend Harry hates Spiderman! Peter is also short of money and time.He has to sell photos of Spiderman(himself!)to a newspaper and he keeps losing his other jobs because he’s so busy saving people! Yet he has to fight different kinds of cruel enemies.
Who created Spiderman?
A.Stan Lee. | B.Marvel. | C.Peter Parker. | D.Superman. |
What happened to Peter Parker after he was bitten by the spider?
A.He could not see with his eyes. | B.He became a spider. |
C.He developed spider-like powers. | D.He was sick. |
.What does“with great power,there must also come great responsibility”mean?
A.Powerful people can do whatever they like. |
B.People with power are always good. |
C.Powerful people should have a responsibility to do good. |
D.Powerful people are to blame for all the bad things that happen. |