Imagine that while walking through a park one day, you begin to notice strange things all around you. People in colorful clothes from centuries ago walk on the paths. A magician is doing amazing tricks. Musicians play strange music on strange instruments. Knights on horseback show their skills in riding competitions. The smell of roasting meat begins to make your mouth water. A pleasant voice shouts, “Good morrow!”
What is going on? Have you traveled back in time? In a way, yes. You have found yourself in the midst of a Renaissance fair! Since the 1960s, Renaissance fairs have grown in popularity in the US and Canada. Communities in at least 44 states and two Canadian provinces now hold annual Renaissance fairs. Over 200 fairs are held every year, with 40 in California alone. The first Renaissance fair was started in the 1960s by a school teacher in southern California named Phyllis Patterson. She wanted to give her students a real-life history experience, so she created the “Renaissance Faire” in her backyard. The rest, as they say, is history.
Since Renaissance fairs are “living history”, you might think they are designed to be mainly educational. It’s true that some people try to make the fairs as genuine as possible. However, for many others, the key word is entertainment. With all the musicians and magicians walking about, you will definitely be entertained. A renaissance fair will be a feast for your eyes and your ears, not to mention your stomach.
You can enjoy sampling the food and drink while watching parades and live animal displays. Browse through the booths and admire the artwork and handicrafts. You are sure to be both educated and entertained. If you’re wondering how to dress to attend a Renaissance fair, that’s up to you. Some people go all out and dress up in costumes. Others just go in their normal, everyday clothes. However you dress, you’re sure to be overwhelmed by the sights and sounds and smells of a Renaissance fair. And if you have ever wanted to travel back in time, here’s your chance.
1.What is the first paragraph about?
A.A chapter of a war novel. B.A sight of the local market.
C.A scene of Renaissance fairs. D.A slow walking in the park.
2.Why did Phyllis start a Renaissance fair?
A.To help her students become the master of history.
B.To allow her students to play in her backyard.
C.To give her students an experience of life.
D.To make her students experience history.
3.As well as educating, Renaissance fairs are intended for ________.
A.fun B.communication C.business D.adventure
4.The last paragraph suggests that ________.
A.you are taught to make art work
B.you are free to dress for the fairs
C.you have to look after live animals
D.you can enjoy food free of charge
5.The main idea of the passage is that ________.
A.Americans and Canadians like fairs more
B.attending Renaissance fairs is to be educated
C.Renaissance fairs are more popular than ever
D.California is where modern fairs were born
You never said “I’m leaving” You never said “goodbye” You were gone before I knew it And only God knew why | In Life I loved you dearly In death I love you still In my heart you hold a place That no one could ever fill |
A million times I needed you A million times I cried If Love alone could have saved you You never would have died | It broke my heart to lose you But you didn’t go alone For part of me went with you The day God took you home |
1.The text is probably a(an) ________.
A.a letter B.a novel C.a poem D.a diary
2.The purpose of writing the text is to ________ to his father.
A.show his love B.say goodbye
C.show his anger D.say sorry
3.From the text, we can know the writer is ________.
A.sad B.angry C.happy D.shocked
“A bird with a broken wing will never fly as high.” I’m sure that John would agree with this saying, ________ he felt this way almost every day in school.
By high school, John was the most famous ________ in his town. He was always absent, didn’t answer questions and got into ________. He had failed almost every exam by the time he entered his senior year, yet was passed on each year to a higher grade level. Teachers didn’t want to ________ him again the following year. John was moving on, but definitely not moving ________.
I met John for the first time at a weekend leadership training program since John was one of 405 students who signed up. At the start of the training, John was just standing ________ the circle of students, against the back wall. He didn’t ________ join the discussion groups. But slowly, the interactive games ________ him in.
The ice really melted (融化) when the groups started building a list of positive and negative things that had occurred at school that year. John ________ some constructive ideas on those situations. The other students in John’s group ________ his comments. All of a sudden John felt like a ________ of the group, and before long he was ________ like a leader. By the end of the training, he had joined the Homeless Project team. The other students on the team were impressed with his passionate concern and ideas. They ________ elected John co-chairman of the team.
John started showing up at school every day and answered questions from teachers for the first time. He led a second project ________ 300 blankets and 1,000 pairs of shoes for the homeless shelter.
A bird with a broken wing only needs ________. Once healed, it can fly higher than the rest.
1.A.if B.until C.as D.though
2.A.storyteller B.troublemaker C.dream-seeker D.peace-lover
3.A.fights B.debt C.difficulties D.work
4.A.love B.pet C.have D.follow
5.A.in B.up C.away D.back
6.A.around B.onto C.among D.outside
7.A.hurriedly B.easily C.readily D.warmly
8.A.drew B.led C.sent D.put
9.A.changed B.expressed C.reserved D.noticed
10.A.refused B.ignored C.welcomed D.gathered
11.A.founder B.heart C.leader D.part
12.A.dressed B.treated C.born D.shaped
13.A.still B.again C.hardly D.even
14.A.buying B.collecting C.donating D.making
15.A.raising B.feeding C.mending D.donating
--- I lost my wallet last week, what’s worse, all my pocket money was in it.
---That is ________.We should learn the importance of avoiding risks with a plan B.
A.Every dog has its day B.Never offer to teach fish to swim.
C.It never rains but it pours. D.Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
--- I am wondering ________.
--- Since 2001.
A.when you got married B.how long you have been married
C.whether they have got married D.how long they have married
Not knowing what to ________ the newborn baby, the young lady called her mother for help.
A.look after B.do with C.deal with D.provide for
