高考越来越近了，很多高考生家长都为孩子请来高考保姆（nurse），学校挂高考倒计时牌，每天上午、下午第一节课前，由老师带领全班学生喊口号……对于家长和学校的这些做法人们褒贬不一。
请根据以上说明、写作要点和写作要求，为校刊“英语角”版面写一篇短文。
写作要点：
1．赞成者观点；
2．反对者观点；
3．自己的观点。
写作要求：
1．短文词数不少于100；
2．开头部分已写好，不计入总词数；
3．可根据情况增减细节，详略得当；
4．不能使用真实姓名和学校名称。
参考词汇：倒计时牌countdown board 口号slogan
With less than 60 days before the College Entrance Examinations, _________________
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假如英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌的以下作文。文中共有10处错误，每句中最多有两处。错误涉及单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏词符号∧，并在此符号下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线＼划掉。
修改：在错词下面划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1、每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2、只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。
Patience is of great importance in our daily life. Once I waited a bus to come at a stop.
30 minutes past, but no bus came. Both upset and annoyed, I decided to walk on feet. But no sooner had I left when the bus arrived. I thought if I had waited for one more minute, I would have caught it. If I chose to take a next bus, I would have to wait for other 30 minutes. Only then do I realize my problem. Being impatient will possible waste all the effort that we have put it in. Now whenever I am close to lose my patience, I’ll think of this experience.
根据对话情景和内容，从对话后的选项中选出能入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
Americans use the term “college students” to mean students either in colleges or universities. Not only that, Americans almost never say “going off to university” or “when I was in university. ”That sounds British. 1.
College, university: what’s the difference? 2. . Both offer undergraduate degrees in the arts and sciences, for example. And both can help prepare young people to earn a living.
But many colleges do not offer graduate studies. Another difference is that universities are generally bigger. 3.
Another place of higher education, especially in technical areas, is an institute, like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Yet even an institute of technology can offer a wide choice of programs and activities.
Modern universities developed from those of Europe in the Middle Ages. The word “university” came from the Latin universities, describing a group of people organized for a common purpose. 4. . In England, colleges were formed to provide students with places to live. Usually each group was studying the same thing. So college came to mean an area of study.
The first American universities divided their studies into a number of areas and called each one a college. This is still true. 5. . For example, Harvard College is the undergraduate part of Harvard University.
Programs in higher learning can also be called schools, like a school of engineering or a medical school within a college or university. You know, learning all these terms is an education in itself.
A. A college can also be a part of a university.
B. There are more universities than colleges in the USA.
C. They offer more programs and do more research.
D. “College” came from collegium, a Latin word with a similar meaning.
E. Universities and colleges offer students different opportunities.
F. Instead, they say “going off to college” and “when I was in college.”
G. Colleges and universities have many things in common.
It was reported last week that developers could take photos from Apple mobile and Google Android devices without the phone owners knowing that the images were being taken. In Apple’s case, developers can also obtain the location information for each photo.
Senator(参议员) Charles Schumer said in a telephone interview that his office had spoken with officials at both Apple and Google on Monday.
“We asked them if they could find a way on their own to prevent Apple from having access to private information,” Mr. Schumer said. “They were friendly and open to the idea that this ought to be changed.”
On Sunday, Mr. Schumer said that he planned to send a letter to the Federal Trade Commission asking the agency to investigate Apple and Google after the privacy concerns came to light. Claudia Bourne Farrell, an F.T.C. spokeswoman, said the agency had received the letter but she could not comment further.
“It worries people to think that one’s personal photos, address book, and who knows what else can be obtained and even posted online without permission,” Mr. Schumer wrote in his letter to the F.T.C. “If the technology exists to open the door to this kind of privacy invasion, then surely technology exists to close it, and that’s exactly what must happen.”
Mr. Schumer said if Apple and Google could not come to an agreement to fix the problem, then he would be forced to take the issue further.
He said other companies had been willing to work with his office to fix issues. “I’m optimistic that we can get this changed without any regulation,” he said. “If it’s not changed, then we’ll turn to the F.T.C., and if that doesn’t work then we’ll consider legislative approach.”
The F.T.C. has warned companies to try to be more vigilant(警醒的) in their efforts to protect consumers when it comes to privacy.
1.The senators spoke with officials at both Apple and Google___________.
A. to urge them not to invade consumers’ privacy.
B. to discuss whether it is illegal to have access to private information.
C. to stop them from developing the technology of taking photos.
D. to keep them from obtaining the location information for each photo.
2.Which of the following statements is true?
A. Privacy invasion from Apple has existed for a long time.
B. Mr. Schumer takes the privacy concerns caused by Apple and Google seriously.
C. Privacy invasion from Google has existed for a long time.
D. Apple and Google have decided to make a change.
3.Mr. Schumer’s letter to the F.T.C. mainly shows that the technology to open the door to privacy invasion___________.
A. causes privacy invasion to happen frequently.
B. can be used if permitted.
C. causes people to worry about the safety of their personal information .
D. causes personal information to be posted online without permission.
4.If the privacy concerns can’t be solved with the help of the F.T.C., ___________.
A. The senators will force the companies not to invade privacy.
B. The companies will be closed.
C. The companies will be fined.
D. The senators will turn to legislation.
5.Where can we read about the passage?
A. In a newspaper. B. In a magazine
C. In a science report. D. In a textbook.
Chinese writer Mo Yan has won the 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature, announced the Swedish Academy in Stockholm on Thursday. The win makes Mo Yan the first Chinese citizen to win the Nobel in its 111-year history. Informed of his win today, the author, who was having dinner at home, was “overjoyed and scared”.
Born in 1955 to parents who were farmers, Mo Yan — a pen name for Guan Moye, grew up in Gaomi, Shandong province in eastern China. At the age of 12, he left school to work, first in agriculture, later in a factory. In 1976 he joined the army and during this time began to study literature and writing.
He published his first book in 1981, but found literary success in 1987 with Hong Gaoliang Jiazu, which was successfully filmed in the same year, directed by famous Chinese director Zhang Yimou. In his writing, Mo Yan draws on his youthful experiences and on settings in the province of his birth and his works show the life of Chinese people as well as the country’s unique culture and folk customs. Mo Yan is known as a productive writer. In addition to his novels, he has published many short stories and essays on various topics. Despite his social criticism, he is seen in his homeland as one of the most famous contemporary authors. Dozens of his works have been translated into English, French, Japanese and many other languages.
The awarding ceremony has been held on December 10. The winner has won a medal, a personal diploma and a cash award of about $1 million.
1.How did Mo Yan feel when he was told about the news?
A. Excited and proud. B. Worried and cautious
C. Uncertain and shocked. D. Happy and surprised
2.One of Mo Yan’s characteristics of writing is that he ________.
A. focuses on social problems in the country
B. writes about topics he is familiar with
C. describes his characters in a unique way
D. explains difficult matters in simple words
3.What’s the best title for this passage?
A. Mo Yan Wins Nobel Prize in Literature
B. An Introduction to Nobel Prize
C. How Mo Yan Gets Nobel Prize
D. A World Famous Writer, Mo Yan
In the hit film The bucket List, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman meet in hospital in California after they have been diagnosed with cancer. Between them they cook up a “bucket list” ------ a to-do list of all they want to do before they kick the bucket. The movie makes you wonder what would be on your bucket list. So let’s pack up some and see what it would cost to go out and have a little fun.
THE PYRAMIDS, GIZA, EGYPT
On to the pyramids, surely on anyone’s bucket list. Exotik Tours can take you there on a variety of trips, including their popular Egypt Express which includes three nights in Cairo and a three-night Nile Cruise (乘船游览). From $1,384, including four-and five-star accommodation, 12 meals and a ton of sightseeing.
www.exotiktours.com 416-646-3347
TAJ MAHAL, AGRA, INDIA
One of the world’s most fascinating images, India’s Taj Mahal makes even Nicholson and Freeman look calm. Toronto’s Goway Travel has many suggestions for India, including a three-day independent visit to Agra. Stay at the attractive Oberoi AmarVilas overlooking the Taj. Include two breakfasts, touring and airport transfer from $1,420.
www.gowaytravel.com 416-322-1034
THE GREAT WALL, CHINA
If the Great Wall of China is on your bucket list, check into Tour East Holiday’s four-day Amazing Beijing Tour for $580 per person, four-star accommodation, sightseeing including the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, breakfasts and two lunches, transportation and guide.
www.toureastholidays.com 416-929-0888
THE HIMALAYAS, NEPAL
And on to the Himalayas. Talk about something truly majestic (壮丽的). See the top of the world on GAP Adventures’ Everest Adventure tour, a 15-day exploration including Everest Base Camp, teahouse lodge stays, and walking through Sherpa villages. Incredibly affordable at just $665 plus local payment of $250. GAP Adventures warns that this is a physically demanding trip.
www.gapadventures.com 416-260-0999
1.The underlined phrase “kick the bucket” in Paragraph 1 means ____.
A. come to life B. play a game
C. list interesting places D. pass away
2.According to the passage, where can you enjoy a view of the whole Taj Mahal?
A. In Sherpa village. B. Near the Forbidden City
C. At Oberoi AmarVilas D. Through Egypt Express
3.If you take on the Everest Adventure tour, you should be aware that ____.
A. it is a tiring trip
B. the sights may not be so good.
C. you may not be used to the food there
D. it is an expensive trip
4.Which of the following websites may offer you more information about Agra?
A. www.exotiktours.com B. www.gowaytravel.com
C. www.gapadventures.com D. www.toureastholidays.com
