Robert has never had an art lesson or even visited a museum in fact. he has spent a good part of his life mopping floors. But when he began painting on canvas (帆布) at age 60—after years of sketching (素描) people on the subway -he knew he had found his passion. “I was very lonely” he said, “It made me feel good to create something beautiful.”
Now, Robert, 75, is debuting (首秀) his collection of colorful scenes and landscape at New York City’s Outsider Art Fair, the premier showcase for self-taught artist. “It feels great to say I am an artist. I was always told that I didn’t have any talent. I became something from nothing.” adds Robert.
Abandoned by his parents to an orphanage at age 7, Robert was on his own by the time he was 15, working the counter at a Schrafft’s restaurant in Manhattan and street-bustling for money on the side. At Scharafft’s, one of his regular customers was a former school teacher Marian O’Conner, who taught him to read and later left him enough money to buy a modest apartment. “She told me someday I would be something,” said Robert, who considered O’Conner his second mother. “So I kept going.” In 2009 artist Daniel Belardineli discovered Robert’s work on the walls of the town hall and arranged his first art show. “It was like a left blow,” he said, “I saw these raw drawings that jumped out with emotion.” Whatever comes next, for Robert it has all been worth it. “I have had a lot of hard times,” said Robert, “But my art kept me going. Good thing happen to those who wait.”
1.Why did Robert begin painting on canvas?
A.He was inspired by an art museum.
B.He was told that he was talented in painting.
C.He felt passionate about painting beauty in life.
D.He was invited to the New York City’s Outsider Art Fair.
2.What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 2 mean?
A.He lived up to the expectation. B.He knew nothing about painting.
C.He rose to fame from an unknown. D.He had no trouble becoming famous.
3.According to Daniel Belardineli, Robert’s painting is probably____.
A.subtle and life-like B.dull but meaningful
C.healing and peaceful D.primitive but powerful
4.What would be the best title for the text?
A.A natural born artist B.A lonely orphan
C.A caring teacher D.A lucky dog
If you are traveling abroad, whether for business or pleasure, sooner or later you will find yourself in a local restaurant. The following dos and don’ts may help you behave properly in different countries.
France
“People don’t only insist on outstanding food and fine wine--they also set great store by good manners for eating at least in up-market restaurants,”. says Stephane Calmeyn. The French are old-fashioned about paying the bill to. “Women are often given a menu with no topics.” says Calmeyn.
Brazil
“In many restaurants, the bill is already equally divided by the number of people in your party.” Brazilian people traditionally keep track of how much they owe. “You collect your empty bottles under or next to the table, so that you can simply count them up at the end of the night” says Zampil.
Norway
In Norway it is perfectly acceptable to lean across someone to get the salt, pepper or butter “We call it Norwegian arms. The custom means you aren’t constantly troubling other guests to pass you this or that.” explains Carina Mælen. Another thing you are allowed to do is toast with an empty glass. “Because a toast is considered a symbolic action, and there is no need to always wait until every last person has filled their glass.” says Mælen.
Argentina
You won’t catch people sharing a table with strangers in an Argentinian restaurant, “They expect to be free from strangers’ attention.” says Daniel Weigandt. Invited to a friend’s home for dinner? “Whatever you do, don’t be early or even punctual. Ideally you should get there 10 to 15 minutes late!”
1.What is traditional about dining in France?
A.The bill is often equally divided. B.Gentlemen usually settle the bill.
C.Customers collet their empty bottles. D.People make a toast with empty glasses.
2.Why do people have Norwegian arms at table?
A.They prefer not to bother others. B.They consider it as a symbolic action.
C.They can’t wait to fill their gasses. D.They would like someone to pass the sauce.
3.Which of the following countries values privacy most?
A.Brazil. B.France. C.Norway. D.Argentina.
4.What is the purpose of the text?
A.To offer travelling tips to visitors. B.To introduce different table manners.
C.To encourage people to eat heathy food. D.To recommend restaurants in some countries.
阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写。使之构成一个完整的故事。
One Saturday morning, Jeremy woke up to a quiet house. Usually at this time, Mom was making breakfast and cleaning the kitchen, but not today.
Jeremy knocked at her bedroom door. "Mom?" he called anxiously. "Don't come in. Jeremy," answered a weak voice. "I have a terrible cold. I don't want you to get sick. You can have cereal for breakfast and watch cartoons. I'm going to stay in bed."
Jeremy poured some cereal and milk into d bowl and ate breakfast. Mom must feel very bad if she was staying in bed all day. How could he help? Jeremy thought to himself. Saturday was the laundry day. He had watched Mom do laundry many times, so he knew where to find the soap and how to pour it into the machine. Jeremy opened the door to the washer and put all of his clothes inside. Then he closed the door and pressed the big button that said "START". Jeremy looked through the round, glass window. Water was pouring in, and the machine was starting to spin, making this clothing tumble around. That was easy! His eyes twinkled with pleasure.
Jeremy watched cartoons until he heard the washing machine beep. He took out a few damp clothes at a time and moved them into dryers. Everything seemed clean, and Jeremy felt proud. Then he paused in surprise when he pulled out a pink shirt. He didn't own a pink shirt. Where did it come from? He reached further into the washer and took out more pink clothes. And all of his underwear had turn pink! What happened?
The last thing Jeremy pulled out of the washer was a bright sock. When he picked it up, he noticed that the sock turned his hand red. "The sock must have turned all of my white clothes pink!" Jeremy thought.
注意:
1. 所续写短文的词数应为 100 左右；
2. 应使用 5 个以上短文中标有下划线的关键词语；
3. 续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；
4. 续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。
Paragraph 1
Jeremy didn't want to bother Mom while she was sick.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2
The next day, Jeremy wore one of his new pink shirts to breakfast.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
假定你是李华，你的新西兰朋友 Lucas 发邮件向你询问厦门鼓浪屿的有关景点。请你回复邮件，内容包括：
1. 景点介绍：林巧稚纪念馆、马约翰纪念馆、郑成功雕像、钢琴博物馆(任选 2 个)；
2. 表达期待。
注意:1. 词数 80 左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
参考词汇: 鼓浪屿 Kulangsu; 纪念馆 memorial
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am enveloped by an instant sweet happiness before falling down in exhaustion. Hands held high, I_______ cross the finishing line, out of_______ . It's a deep and longed-for sense of_______ , coming from handling three sports in one and surviving to tell the sweaty tale. All around me people_______ because they’ve achieved something unforgettable, some smiling, some in tears.
_______still, there is the sense of purpose triathlon (铁人三项赛) offers. Running, swimming and cycling provide a(n)_________from existential anxiety as the demanding training schedules leave little_________for reflection on the bigger life questions. Ali Hendry-Ballard, 47, first tried triathlon during a_______period in her life. "I really needed something_______to focus on while going through major life changes," she said, "Though I'd never been interested in ________, I started jogging and soon became fascinated. I started doing half marathons and very quickly________ myself training for a triathlon. There's something that________ all sides of my personality. I've never been in tune with my body, or felt so________ of both its strengths and its limitation."
For me too, triathlon has ________ an increased awareness of what is and isn't possible, physically and spiritually. I must fight against the________ of being left behind. The belief carried me through the course of any race that I can ________ whatever comes my way. It has helped me to become a ________ person. Triathlon takes every bit from its devotees as much as it gives and yet, somehow, you end up giving even more than it________ . It's a greedy pastime and ________ determined types. Yet it's also a social, ________ hobby that can offer fresh chances to travel, experience and dream.
1.A.carefully B.suddenly C.finally D.recently
2.A.breath B.sight C.control D.touch
3.A.satisfaction B.gratitude C.direction D.responsibility
4.A.talk B.chant C.wait D.celebrate
5.A.Easier B.Worse C.Closer D.Deeper
6.A.stage B.feedback C.escape D.image
7.A.doubt B.room C.hope D.reason
8.A.difficult B.rewarding C.stable D.limited
9.A.creative B.positive C.ordinary D.familiar
10.A.music B.sport C.travel D.writing
11.A.prevented B.imagined C.risked D.found
12.A.appeals to B.goes against C.carries away D.takes over
13.A.free B.proud C.aware D.cautious
14.A.broken down B.resulted in C.benefited from D.held back
15.A.anger B.desire C.fear D.injustice
16.A.select B.recognize C.predict D.handle
17.A.thinner B.rougher C.stronger D.kinder
18.A.gains B.avoids C.beats D.requires
19.A.bothers B.attracts C.changes D.spoils
20.A.fun-filled B.time-saving C.new-born D.long-lost
Staying Motivated When Studying
Some people say that the hardest step in studying is to get started. Other people, however, find it difficult to stay motivated, especially when the end seems a long way away. This situation arises. There is no single strategy that will work for everyone. However, 1. and you can see if they work for you in supporting ongoing motivation.
Keep your end goal in mind
One of the best ways to stay motivated is to remember why you are studying in the first place. “Getting good exam results” is not necessarily very motivating. Instead, you need to look beyond that to what the exam results will get you,2. The more detail you can provide for your goal, the easier it will be to keep in mind.
Get into a study routine
It is generally easier to stay motivated if your studying becomes part of your everyday life. For example, you might choose to get up an hour earlier, and spend that hour studying each day. That way, 3., because you know that it is set aside for a purpose. Your friends and family will also get to know when your study time happens, and hopefully avoid you then.
4.
Especially when you first start studying, you will not necessarily know what works for you. It is therefore worth trying different ways of doing, to see which you find most productive. You may find it helpful to vary your style of working. You could, for example, try working in different places. You could also try different types of activities. Options include reading over your notes, writing a mind map, making up songs or poems to help you remember facts.
5..
There are plenty of people to tell you that they have the answer to staying motivated while studying.They may have the answer for them, but only you can work out the answer for you.
A.There is no “one size fits all”
B.Try various study approaches
C.Break the task down into different parts
D.there are plenty of options that you can try
E.it is easier to avoid being distracted during your study time
F.A system of short-term goals and suitable rewards may be needed
G.whether that is a place at your chosen school or university, or a new job
