We don’ t always get a second chance to achieve our dreams. But some people are lucky, like Matthew McConaughey. Once almost unknown, the actor has recently found himself back on the list of the best actors in Hollywood. His new movie Interstellar is just another sign that his career reinvention has been an incredible success. “The film relies on McConaughey’ s performance to hold together the emotional story of a father and his daughter against the background of space travel and the end of the world,”Forbes commented.
But only years ago, the Texas native was often the butt of jokes(笑柄)about being too handsome. In 1993, after meeting with director Richard Linklater, McConaughey starred in Dazed and Confused. And a Hollywood career was born, mostly in romantic comedies. For a long time, the whole world believed McConaughey was just a handsome guy with comic talent.
But McConaughey stopped starring in that type of movie, and began to use his looks differently. Slowly he built up his reputation as a serious actor. In 2013, McConaughey was offered to play an AIDS activist in Dallas Buyers Club. The role saw the normally muscular actor losing 50 pounds in order to appear sick. His performance won him an Oscar for Best Actor.
The actor gave thanks to someone he has always looked up to as a hero during his Oscar acceptance speech. When he was 15, the actor said, he decided that his hero would be himself in 10 years. But 10 years later, he pushed the deadline ahead another decade. Then 10 years later, another decade.“My hero’ s always 10 years away,” he said. “I’ m never going to attain that. That keeps me with somebody to keep on chasing.”Or perhaps constantly chasing the chance to be his own hero has given him a second chance to follow his dreams.Why was McConaughey often the butt of jokes in his early career?
A.He was limited to handsome roles. |
B.He was unknown to the audience. |
C.He played in romantic comedies. |
D.He was handsome and emotional. |
What role won Mc Conaughey an Oscar for Best Actor?
A.A caring father. | B.An AIDS activist. |
C.A serious buyer. | D.A strong hero. |
What can we learn about McConaughey?
A.He was born in Hollywood. |
B.He has become a hero of his own. |
C.He wasn’ t famous until recently. |
D.He isn’ t content with his achievements. |
Which of the following can be the best title?
A.McConaughey, a Romantic Comedian |
B.McConaughey, a Man Making a Hit |
C.McConaughey, a Man Daring to change |
D.McConaughey, Handsome and Talented |
Keep your pets inside as much as you can when the weather is bad. If you have to take them out, stay outside with them. When you're cold enough to go inside, they probably are too. If you must leave them outside for a long time, make sure they have a warm, solid shelter against the wind, thick bedding, and plenty of nonfrozen water....Why are pet owners asked to stay with their pets when they are out in cold weather?
A.To know when to bring them inside. |
B.To keep them from eating bad food. |
C.To help them find shelters. |
D.To keep them company. |
Facial expressions carry meaning that is determined by situations and relationships. For example, in American culture (文化) the smile is in general an expression of pleasure. Yet it also has other uses. A woman's smile at a police officer does not carry the same meaning as the smile she gives to a young child.A smile may show love or politeness.It can also hide feelings.It often causes confusion(困惑) across cultures. For example, many people in Russia consider smiling at strangers in public to be unusual and even improper. Yet many Americans smile freely at strangers in public places (although this is less common in big cities). Some Russians believe that Americans smile in the wrong places; some Americans believe that Russians don't smile enough. In Southeast Asian cultures, a smile is frequently used to cover painful feelings. Vietnamese people may tell a sad story but end the story with a smile...What would be the best title for the text?
A.Cultural Differences |
B.Smiles and Relationships |
C.Facial Expressiveness |
D.Habits and Emotions |
Microsoft has a problem:It desperately wants the remaining Windows XP users to upgrade to a newer version of the operating system but a good many of them still haven’t started.The latest numbers from NetMarket show that Windows XP still accounts for around 29.5%of all desktops in use even though Microsoft is due to end support for the l3-Year-old platform on April 8th.ZDNet reports that Microsoft plans to force remaining XP users to start next week by sending them notices reminding them again that it will end XP support within a month.
However, as Computerworld reports,Microsoft may have a tough time convincing some Windows XP users to upgrade because it's trying to sell them on Windows 8,the newest operating system that has angered many longtime PC users by removing the traditional Start menu and by adding the interface(界面)a special feature.Computerworld writes that many Windows users expressed anger last month when Microsoft asked them to help switch as many people as they could from Windows XP to Windows 8 partly because Microsoft hasn’t offered any sort of discount for Windows XP users making the switch.
This is particularly tiresome, these users said,because switching from XP to Windows 8 won’t just require a software upgrade but will instead likely force them to buy new machines capable(能够)of running Microsoft’s new operating system.Some users were also annoyed that Microsoft only mentioned Windows 8 and not Windows 7 as upgrade possibilities.
In the end,it looks like when Microsoft ends support for Windows XP next month there will still be a large part of the desktop PC world using the platform.Hackers who have been saving up all their best new malware(恶意软件)for the day when Windows XP support ends are about to have a field day.What problem does Microsoft have now?
A.Windows XP is out of date and needs improvement. |
B.Windows 8 runs worse than Windows XP. |
C.No people like to upgrade their operating system. |
D.Lots of users refuse to switch from XP to Windows 8. |
How will Microsoft remind users ofthe stop of XP support?
A.By sending them notices. |
B.By sending them daily emails. |
C.By adding the interface a special feature. |
D.By removing the traditional Start menu. |
Which is probably one of the reasons why users dislike Window 8?
A.Microsoft hasn’t offered any discount for it. |
B.They like Window 7 more than Window 8. |
C.Microsoft refuses to offer them a new machine. |
D.It’s impossible for them to use the new operating system. |
What does the underlined phrase “have a field day” probably mean in the last paragraph?
A.Show up without warning. |
B.Make rapid progress. |
C.Make full use of the opportunity. |
D.Come to an end completely. |
What can be inferred from the text?
A.Windows XP will completely be out of use in a month. |
B.Windows XP will still be in use for a period of time. |
C.Windows 8 will have a longer history than Windows XP. |
D.Windows 7 will easily be attacked by Hackers. |
Going to college and living away from home for the first time can be terribie.Students tend to have higher academic achievements in college when they enjoy living in the dormitory.Most colleges and universities have many programs that help first-year students adjust to studying and living in a new community.Take advantage of these programs and make new friends as you adjust to your college life.
.Greet and meet everyone in the dorm.Find out their class schedules and hobbies.You may be able to find study partners this way.Most students are just like you being away from their home the first time.Don't be afraid toknock on your neighbors'doors and introduce yourself.The residence(居住区)staff will also help you in adjusting tocollege iife.Get to know them as soon as possible.
Get along with your roommate.Your roommates can be eitherr your lifelong friends or enemies.Try to be friends to them.Respect each other, including their space.Do not use your roommates’ belongings without permission.Communicate among each other regarding your daily schedule, study or sleep habits and off campus guest visits. Always say hello.
Get involved.To adjust to college life away from home,you need to got involved in college activities.Join clubs.Attend events that are hosted by your residence life and academic departments.Attend those events with your new friends. Most colleges have many events throughout the semester.Student union is a great place to meet new friends and learn about the upcoming events.
Call home when you need to.College life can be very exciting in the beginning. Most students get lonely and homesick during the middle of the semester or during festivals,It is normal to feel sad.Call home or even visit home when you need to. Talk to your friends back home.Understand that many people love and support you and they are very proud of you.What does the text mainly tell us?
A.Advice on how to adjust to college life. |
B.Things that can be done in a dormitory. |
C.Places to live in when going to a college. |
D.Ways of making friends with roommates. |
What can be proper to fill in the blank in Paragraph 2?
A.Greet people everywhere. | B.Meet new friends. |
C.Share your hobbies. | D.Adjust to college life. |
Which of the following is not proper in getting along with your roommates?
A.Say hello to them frequently. |
B.Respect them and their space. |
C.Use their belongings secretly. |
D.Know about their living habits. |
According to the text,when you feel homesick at college,you can .
A.find study partners | B.join clubs |
C.call your parents | D.talk to new friends |
In which part of a website might the text appear?
A.Style and fashion. | B.Science and technology. |
C.Sports and health. | D.Culture and education. |
The 16 operations W.Mitchell received after the motorcycle accident burned more than 65% of his body at age 46 left him unable to pick up a fork,dial a telephone or go to the bathroom without help.But Mitchell never believed he was defeated.“I am in charge of my own spaoeship,” he said.“It’s my up,my down.I could choose to see this situation as a setback or afstarting point.”
Mitchell bought himself a home in Colorado,a plane and a bar.Later he teamed upwith two friends and co-founded a wood burning stove company that grew to be the second largest private employer in his state.Six months later he was piloting the plane.Then four years after the motorcycle accident,the plane Mitchell was piloting crashed back onto the runway during takeoff, permanently paralyzing(使…瘫痪)him from the waist down.
Still determined,Mitchell worked day and night to regain as much independence as possible.He was elected Mayor of Crested Butte,Colorado, to save the town from mineral mining that would ruin its beauty and environment.
Despite his shocking looks and physical challenges, Mitchell began white water rafting(漂流),fell in love and married, earned a master’s degree in public administration and continued flying,environmental activism and public speaking.
Mitchell’s unshakable positive mental attitude has earned him appearances on the “Today Show’’and “Good Moming America” as well as feature articles in Parade, Time, The New York Times and other publications.
Mitchell has done all these things and more afar two horrible accidents left his face beyond recognition,his hands flngerless and his legs thin:and motionless(不动)in a wheelchair.Then what can't we healthy guys achieve?What can we learn from the first paragraph?
A.Mitchell couldn’t face the fact that he was defeated. |
B.The operations Mitchell received made him hopeless. |
C.Mitchell was optimistic about what happened to him. |
D.Mitchell was in his spaceship when the accident occurred. |
What did Mirehell do after his first accident?
A.He learned to pilot a plane. |
B.He was employed by a company. |
C.He began to drive a spaceship. |
D.He made another two new friends. |
What was the result of Mitchell’s plane crash accident?
A.His body under the waistcouldn’t move. |
B.He was elected mayor of Crested Butte. |
C.He became the hero of many publications. |
D.More than half of his body was burned. |
After the two horrible accidents, Mitchell.
A.stopped flying,environmental protection and public speaking. |
B.co-founded a wood burning stove company with his friends. |
C.stopped to open mineral mining in Crested Butte. |
D.earned a master’s degree in public administration. |
What has earned Mitchell appearances in many famous publications?
A.His shocking looks. | B.His strong determination. |
C.His physical challenges. | D.His outstanding speaking talent. |