Do you have any skiing equipment you no longer need? A ski school in the far north of India could put it to good use.
In March we published a photo story about the extraordinary Zsnskar region in northern India，which is cut off from the outside world for more than seven months of the year，and only accessible (可通行的)via a frozen river．We also included information about the limited use of skiing in the region and the recent creation of the Zanskar Ski School:
“Despite the difficulties of travelling through the region when the snow comes，skiing hasn’t traditionally been used as a means of transport by the locals，largely because trees don't grow here, so there is little in the way of raw materials from which to make skis．In 1995, a group of British scientists in the region noticed the lack of skis and one of them returned to set up the Zanskar Ski School in Padam．The school provides lessons for a small fee and rents skis to the local people. Among the benefits that the school hopes to bring are improved education—children often find it difficult to get to school through the deep snow—and the possibility of offering ski tours to tourists in the future．So far，more than 300 local people have received training，and local doctors and policemen regularly borrow skis.”
But what we weren't able to include in the article is that the ski school is always on the look out for old skiing equipment—particularly of a size suitable for children—and, I thought. Now the European ski season is drawing to a close，there might be a few of you out there who have some old equipment you'd like to see go to a good home．If that's the ease you can get in touch with the school via their website www.zanskarski school.org.
1.What's the purpose in writing the text?
A. To raise money to develop this area
B. To attract more tourists to the area
C. To appeal to more locals to attend the school
D. To ask people to give away their skis to the school
2.The local people don't use skiing to go about because .
A. it is against the local custom
B. they don't have the wood to make skis
C. trees are in the way of the skiing route
D. it is dangerous to go skiing in this region
3. Who would be the most helpful to the school now?
A. People having old skiing equipment．
B. Students in the Zanskar Ski School
C. Locals in Zanskar region
D. Tavellers enjoying skiing
4.What can be the best title for the text?
A. An extraordinary region in India
B. A home for old skis
C. A good means of transport
D. A popular sport—skiing
We are looking for energetic volunteers who might be willing to volunteer their time. It’s a great way to build your volunteer experience, get involved in your community, meet new people and show your pride.
Computer Teacher
The computer teacher will be responsible for teaching older adults computer skills, including basic skills such as turning on computer or more media skills such as setting up email. This position requires patience, dedication and long hours on your feet. Computer skills needed. Ask Mandy, 01313377227.
Meals on Wheels
Do you have time in your schedule to make a difference in the lives of seniors in your community? Meals on Wheels drivers deliver nutritious lunchtime meals to homebound seniors on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Our aim is to help seniors who are unable to go out themselves due to age or disability. A valid driver’s license and personal vehicle is required. Call Lucy,（781）2727177.
Tree Nursery Volunteer
Tasks are different according to season, but may include: collecting tree seeds from ancient woodland, preparing seeds for sowing, planting trees and tree aftercare. Some of the work is physical and outdoors, others such as seed preparation can be done indoors. No experience is necessary, but a knowledge or interest in botany would certainly be helpful. Ask Amrita, 07748623073.
Photography Volunteer
If you have a talent for photography, this may be the role for you. We need someone who can take great photos for posters and websites. We especially need photos of our events and volunteers. This is a great opportunity to gain valuable work experience. You’ll also gain the satisfaction of seeing your work being displayed on the National Trust website and in literature. Ask Sarah, 01248600954.
1.If you are interested in teaching, you can get in touch with ________.
A. Mandy B. Lucy C. Amrita D. Sarah
2.What do Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver for the seniors?
A. Breakfast. B. Lunch. C. Supper. D. Snack.
3.Which kind of voluntary work doesn’t require special experience or skills?
A. Computer Teacher. B. Meals on Wheels.
C. Tree Nursery Volunteer. D. Photography Volunteer.
My l4-year-old son, John, and I spotted the coat at the same time in a second-hand clothing store. It stood out among big and old coats. It had beautiful tailoring and an unbelievable price: $28. I looked at my son and we both said nothing, but John’s eyes shone. Dark, woolen topcoats were popular with teenage boys, but they could cost several hundred dollars new. This coat was even better. John tried it on and turned from side to side, eyeing himself in the mirror. The fit was perfect.
John wore the coat to school the next day and came home with a big grin. “Did the kids like your coat?” I asked. “They loved it,” he said.
Over the next few weeks, John changed. He was polite, less argumentative, more thoughtful, and on the whole much happier. “Good dinner, mom,” he would say every evening. Without a word of objection he would carry in wood for the stove. One day when I suggested that he might start on his homework before dinner, John, who always put things off, said: “You’re right. I guess I will.” When I mentioned this incident to one of his teachers, she joked that the coat must have changed him.
John and I both know we should never mistake a person’s clothes for the real person within them. But there is something to be said for wearing a standard of excellence for the world to see, for practicing standards of excellence in thought, speech, and behavior, and for matching what is on the inside to what is on the outside.
1.What does the author try to express in the first paragraph?
A. The coat looked like a magical coat.
B. They were good at shopping.
C. The coat was a real bargain.
D. They had the same taste in clothes.
2.What does the underlined word “grin” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?
A. A wide smile. B. A worried look.
C. A jealous spirit. D. A joking tone.
3.After John wore the new coat, the author found he _______.
a. was happier and better-behaved
b. received more praise from his teachers
c. was willing to follow suggestions
d. made rapid progress in study
e. would say sweet words to please her
A. a, b, c B. a, c, e C. b, d, e D. c, d, e
4.What message does the author intend to deliver in the article?
A. We should not judge people by their appearance.
B. Life is full of possibilities when we are young.
C. It’s beneficial to try different things in our lives.
D. What we wear could help shape who we are inside.
I had been playing hockey（冰球）for about 10 years. I was always the one sitting at the end of the bench, and 36 got into a game. I went to all the 37 and showed up even when it was so 38 that your ‘breath froze’ and when the other players had decided to stay home. I felt I had 39 enough and thought of quitting.
I finally decided to 40 the news to my mom that I was leaving the team. My mom may have looked like a tiny and quiet lady but on 41 my words, she said, “Remember, ‘A quitter never wins and a winner never quits.’ Your mother didn’t raise 42 , so think about yourself in a 43 way and see yourself as a winner!” So I worked harder than ever at getting in better shape, 44 my shot（投球） accuracy and changing my 45 .
Once in a match, we 46 our first game badly. What’s worse, one of our best players got hurt. I was sitting at my 47 place, at the end of the bench, when the coach came over and told me I was going 48 . I was nervous, excited and terrified all at the same time.
The opposing team was fast and I had to admit I was a little 49 . But my mom’s words 50 out in my head like a church bell. Instead of being afraid, I was “pumped” and I very quickly found that all my 51 work was paying off. I was as fast a skater as anyone else on the ice, and I seemed to get the 52 to score. The crowd went quiet. All the time I spent on the ice when everyone had gone home had 53 me for this moment.
Won! I won!
The lesson I learned from my mom’s 54 has stayed with me over the years. I hear them whenever I am faced with a challenge, or whenever I 55 myself.
1.A. once B. seldom C. usually D. evenB
2.A. meetings B. shows C. matches D. practices
3.A. cloudy B. wet C. cold D. windy
4.A. suffered B. explained C. planned D. escaped
5.A. write B. break C. read D. speak
6.A. noticing B. gathering C. hearing D. analyzing
7.A. talkers B. dreamers C. attackers D. losers
8.A. positive B. familiar C. brief D. convenient
9.A. testing B. improving C. questioning D. affecting
10.A. aim B. taste C. habit D. attitude
11.A. lost B. controlled C. practiced D. continued
12.A. usual B. safe C. secret D. private
13.A. off B. in C. by D. up
14.A. annoyed B. awkward C. scared D. bitter
15.A. put B. rang C. gave D. stood
16.A. exact B. extra C. creative D. casual
17.A. chance B. message C. order D. note
18.A. spared B. requested C. prepared D. sent
19.A. actions B. reasons C. words D. promises
20.A. judge B. express C. comfort D. doubt
—The weather here in summer is so changeable. Please take an umbrella when you go out.
—________.
A. Well, don’t worry B. Well, it just depends
C. Oh, take it easy D. OK, just in case
Our teacher looked here and there on the playground ________looking for something.
A．even though B．as if C．even if D．only if
