Meryl Streep is an American actress who has worked in theatre, television and film. She is regarded as one of the most talented actresses of all time. The following is a list of movies that Meryl Streep has been involved with:
Kramer vs. Krammer (1979)
In the film, Meryl plays a mother caught up in a custody dispute (拘留纠纷). Her co-star, Dustin Hoffman, said, “She’s extraordinarily hardworking. I think she thinks about nothing else but what she’s doing.” Meryl won her first Oscar for her performance in this film.
Sophie’s Choice (1982)
Meryl plays Sophie, a Polish war survivor. To prepare for the role she learned to speak German and perfected a Polish accent. Film critic Roger Ebert said, “This is one of the most astonishing and yet one of the most natural performances I can imagine.” Meryl won her second Best Actress Oscar for her performance.
Out of Africa(1985)
Meryl is Karen Blixen, a Danish woman living in Kenya in the early 20th century. The story follows Karens attempts to run a coffee plantation and her love affair with big-game hunter Denys. The film is based on the memoirs(回忆录) of the real Karen Blixen.
A Cry in the Dark (1995)
This is based on the true-life case of the disappearance of baby Azaria. Meryl plays Linda Chamberlain, a mother who is wrongly accused of killing her own child. After spending four years in prison, it was found that wild dogs had taken away the baby. Meryl won Best Actress at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival.
The Bridge of Madison County (1995)
This movie is based on one of the biggest bestsellers of the 20th century (the book sold 50 million copies worldwide). Meryl plays Francesca Johnson, an Italian war bride living in 1960s Iowa. It’s about her brief affair with photographer Robert Kincaid.
Mamma Mial(2008)
This is a romantic comedy based on the stage musical Mamma Mial, featuring the music from 1970s Swedish pop group ABBA. Meryl plays Donna Sheridan, a hotel owner on the Greek island of Kalokairi. Mamma Mial made over U.S. $ 600 million worldwide. Apparently, Meryl had seen the musical in 2001 and was completely absorbed in it. She had no idea that seven years later she’d be in the movie version.For which of the following films did Meryl have to learn a new language?
A.Kramar vs. Kramar |
B.A Cry in the Dark |
C.Sophies Choice |
D.The Bridges of Madison County |
Which of the following films are based on true-life stories?
A.Out of Africa & A Cry in the Dark. |
B.Kramer vs. Kramer & Sophies Choice. |
C.Sophies Choice & The Bridge of Madison County. |
D.The Bridges of Madison County & Mamma Mia |
It can be learned from the text that the movie Mamma Mial .
A.was first shot in 2001 |
B.probably has audiences screaming with laughter |
C.has won Meryl a lot of awards |
D.is based on a popular book |
What do we know about Meryl?
A.She enjoyed the musical Mamma Mial greatly. |
B.Her first film was Kramer vs. Kramer. |
C.She has won one Oscar to date. |
D.Shes more interested in films than TV programs. |
What can be inferred from the text?
A. Mamma Mial is about the story of the pop group ABBA.
B. The Bridges of Madison County was set in Italy.
C. Roger Ebert thinks Meryls best film is Sophies Choice.
D. Dustin Hoffman speaks highly of Meryl.
Americans can travel almost anywhere they choose. But to protect its people, the government lists a few dangerous places where Americans cannot go. These places are unfriendly countries or countries at war. There, the travelers might not be safe. These countries are listed in a small book called a passport(护照).
This passport is a government request for the safety of its traveling people. It is also a government’s pledge(保证) that the people will obey the rules of the host country. To receive a passport from the government, a traveler must prove that he is an American citizen. An American cannot go abroad without a passport. Only certain close countries such as Canada and Mexico do not ask for passports
Stuck(贴) inside the passport is the traveler’s picture. Children traveling with their parents are included in one parent’s book.
Thousands of people from the United States visit other countries every year. An American traveler might carry plane tickets, money, clothing and many other things. But the most important thing that he carries in another country is his passport.Why does a traveler need a passport?
A.It helps the country to protect the people |
B.It helps the traveler to know where he will go |
C.He needs to have his picture taken more often |
D.He needs something more to carry when he travels |
A passport is not needed when an American goes to_____.
A.European countries | B.Dangerous areas |
C.Canada or Mexico | D.Russia and China |
It can be inferred from the text that_____.
A.Americans abroad need nothing except a passport |
B.children can’t travel to foreign countries |
C.a traveler is not safe in most countries |
D.Americans travel abroad a lot |
Which is best supported by the text?
A.A passport is needed whenever an American is traveling |
B.Everyone in American can get a passport from the American government |
C.The American travelers abroad must obey the rules of foreign countries |
D.The American government allows its people to work in dangerous countries |
An old problem is getting new attention in the United States—bullying. Recent cases included the tragic case of a 15-year-old girl whose family moved from Ireland. She hanged herself in Massachusetts following months of bullying. Her parents criticized her school for failing to protect her. Officials have broughtcriminal charges againstseveral teenagers.
Judy Kuczynski is president of an anti-bullying group called Bully Police USA. Her daughter Tina was also the victim of severe bullying starting in middle school in the state of Minnesota. She said,“Our daughter was a very outgoing child. She was involved in all kinds of things and had lots of friends. And over a period of time her grades fell completely. She started having health issues. She couldn't sleep. She wasn't eating. She had terrible stomach pains and didn't want to go to school.”
Bullying is defined as negative behavior repeated over time against the same person. It can involve physical violence, or it can be verbal—for example, insults or threats. Spreading lies about someone or excluding a person from a group is known as social or relational bullying.
And now there is cyber-bullying, which uses the Internet, e-mail or text messages. It has easy appeal for the bully because it does not involve face-to-face contact and it can be done at any time.
The first serious research studies into bullying were done in Norway in the late 1970s. The latest government study in the UnitedStateswasreleasedlastyear. Itfoundthatabout one-third of students age twelve to eighteen were bullied at school.
Susan SwearerisapsychologistattheUniversityof Nebraska-Lincoln and co-director of the Bullying Research Network. She says schools should treat bullying as a mental health problem to get bullies and victims the help they need. She says bullying isconnectedtodepression, anxiety andanti-social behavior and bullies are often victims themselves. From the case of Tina, we can know that ________.
A.bullying is rare |
B.victims suffer a lot |
C.schools are to blame |
D.personalities are related |
Which of the following is NOT bullying?
A.To beat someone repeatedly. |
B.To threaten someone verbally. |
C.To isolate someone from friends. |
D.To refuse to help someone in need. |
Why is cyber-bullying appealing to the bully?
A.Because it can involve more people. |
B.Because it can create worse effects. |
C.Because it is more convenient. |
D.Because it can avoid cheating. |
According to Susan Swearer, ________.
A.bullies are antisocial |
B.bullies should give victims help |
C.students are not equally treated |
D.bullies themselves also need help |
Unlike traditional commercials, Public Service Advertisements(PSA)are primarily designed to inform and educate rather than sell a product or service. The goal of a PSA is not to make a big sale, but rather to change public opinion and raise awareness for a problem.
Smokey Bear has been a recognized symbol of the protection of America’s forests from fire. It is created to educate the public about the dangers of wildfires. Smokey Bear was started in 1944 with the slogan, “Smokey Bear Says—Care will prevent 9 out of 10 forest fires”. Smokey Bear’s later slogan, “Remember! Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires”, was created in 1947 by the Advertising Council in America. In April 2001, the message was changed to “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires”.
The wildfire prevention campaign with Smokey Bear is one of the longest and most successful campaigns in advertising history. The Advertising Council often was in partnership with other organizations and groups to create various advertising for Smokey Bear since 1944.
The Advertising Council teamed with Walt Disney Company to create a series of PSAs. The ads feature(以···为形象)characters form the classic film Sleeping Beauty and aim to reach parents and children. The lovely Bambi also appeared in the advertisements. Mickey Mouse is much more popular throughout the country.
Those PSAs, which appear on television, on the radio, in the newspaper and on the website continue to remind Americans about the importance of wildfire prevention have helped to reduce the number of acres burned annually by wildfires. According to recent survey, Smokey Bear and his famous words of wisdom “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires” are recalled by 3 out of 4 adults.
In addition to the PSA campaign, Smokey Bear has his own U.S. postage stamp and website for more information about wildfire prevention. From the website, you can also learn all about wildfires and how we can protect our forests.PSA are primarily designed to.
A.educate the public | B.change people’s status |
C.discuss a problem | D.sell products or services |
Which of the following is true of the Smoky Bear?
A.It is one recognized symbols of Walt Disney cartoons. |
B.It firstly appeared in America in 1944 with no slogan. |
C.It is created to warn Americans of the dangers of wildfires. |
D.Its slogan changes every three years. |
How does the author support his topic in Paragraph 4?
A.By summing up. | B.By giving examples. |
C.By comparison. | D.By asking questions. |
According to this text, Smoky Bear.
A.helps a lot to reduce wildfires in America |
B.isn’t popular among the American pupils |
C.has set up its own website to advertise products |
D.becomes the symbol of the Advertising Council |
Shopping green can make an important contribution to protecting the planet and conserving its resources.
Today’s consumer faces a wider range of choices than ever before, Add to that the steady stream of sales campaigns, and shopping smart only gets harder. To buy economically and reduce waste, safeguard health and protect the environment, you’ll need to follow some basic principles and have a clear idea of what you want.
1. Do Your Homework
Before making any major purchase, take the time to research it. Plentiful resources are usually available online. Avoid buying in a hurry, and don’t be persuaded by overenthusiastic salespeople. Sleep on it if necessary—you won’t regret giving yourself some extra time to think.
2. Take the Long View
Consider the running costs as well as the initial price of any item you buy. Many environmentally friendly products cost more to buy, but save you money in the long run. Choose items that are made to last. For example, pick a sofa that has a hardwood or steel frame rather than one made of softwood, which may break easily.
3. Skip the Disposable Option
Buy reusable products like washable cloth towels, handkerchiefs, serviettes(餐巾)and cleaning cloths rather than paper, single-use varieties. Avoid other disposable supplies like cups, glasses, and chopsticks, too.
4. Take the Local Route
Buy local products that are in season. It’s usually cheaper and fresher and has less harm to the environment. Markets and roadside stands are good sources. Some supermarkets also buy from local producers. Support it if you have one.
5. Avoid Wasteful Packaging
Better not buy products that have too much packaging. It’s estimated that approximately 10 percent of every shopping bill is actually paying for packaging—which you normally just throw away! Moreover, significant amounts of energy are used in the production of packaging. Purchasing refillable and renewable containers can also help cut this kind of waste.What could be the best title for this passage?
A.Protection of the Planet |
B.Green Shopping Principles |
C.Environmentally Friendly Products |
D.Resource Conservation |
The underlined phrase “sleep on it” has the similar meaning with.
A.think it over | B.forget about it |
C.set it aside | D.put it into action |
Why does the author advise us to buy lasting products?
A.Because they are less expensive to buy. |
B.Because they save money in the long run. |
C.Because they will never break. |
D.Because they are local products. |
Which of the following can be considered green shopping?
A.Following the stream of sales campaigns. |
B.Buying disposable chopsticks. |
C.Focusing on packaging. |
D.Purchasing from local markets. |
In 1883. John Roebling was inspired by an idea to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York with the Long Island. However, bridge building experts throughout the world thought this was an impossible mission and told Roebling to forget the idea, but Roebling could not ignore the vision he had in his mind of this bridge. After much discussion and persuasion he managed to convince his son Washington, an up and coming engineer, that the bridge in fact could be built.
The project started well, but when it was only a few months underway a tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling. Washington was injured and left with a certain amount of brain damage, which resulted in him not being able to walk or talk or even move.
"We told them so." "Crazy men and their crazy dreams.'' "It's foolish to chase wild visions." Everyone had a negative comment to make and felt that the project should be scrapped since the Roeblings were the only ones who knew how the bridge could be built. In spite of his handicap, Washington was never discouraged.
One day he was lying on his bed in hospital, seeing the sky and the tops of the trees outside for just a moment with the sunlight streaming through the windows, and a gentle breeze bowing the flimsy white curtains apart when an idea hit him. He decided to make the best use of the only finger he could move. Thus, he slowly developed a code of communication with his wife.
He touched his wife's arm with that finger, indicating to her that he wanted her to call the engineers again. Then he used the same method of tapping her arm to tell the engineers what to do. It seemed foolish but the project was under way again.
For 13 years Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife's arm until the bridge was finally completed.Which of the following is true of Washington and his father?
A.They are hardworking and courageous. |
B.They are stubborn and bold. |
C.They are creative and persistent. |
D.They are curious and modest. |
In the third paragraph, the underlined phrase ''wild vision" refers to______.
A.the tragic accident |
B.the building of the bridge |
C.the brain damage |
D.the discussion and persuasion |
From the passage, we know that _______ when Roebling proposed building the bridge.
A.people all over America supported him |
B.almost no bridge experts in the world supported him |
C.his friends were strongly in favor of his idea |
D.many people considered it would be a great project |
The passage suggests that______.
A.NO pains, no gains. |
B.Many hands make light work. |
C.A lighted heart is a good medicine. |
D.Passion creates wonder. |