Mondays are generally pretty busy for me. On one of these Mondays, I get ready to go to work thinking about all the things I have to on that day and walk down to get to my car scolding myself for being late to work, but the car was nowhere to be found. I right across my apartment the previous night but it wasn’t there that morning.
This was at 8.00am in the morning. I made to all the towing places, police stations all the time thinking that it was towed by By around 10.00am, I couldn’t find it anywhere and the cops decided that it was stolen. After filing a report with them, I finally get to work thinking how my day was completely .
Later in the day I went to pick up a rental car at Enterprise to realize that my license was missing too along with my car. I told the enterprise guy the whole and he was so sorry for me that he to take me to the nearest DMV(车管局)and get a duplicate (副本的) . I was totally dumbstruck. I didn't know why this complete
stranger would want to _ some time off his day to help me. He actually took me to DMV, got a duplicate and then _ me a car, I was the whole day because of the sequence of events that happened to me but somehow this simple act of kindness from a complete stranger made it all it. It cheered me up and made me forget all the misfortunes of the day. I was so by this kind act that the next day I made sure someone else got a similar , I took some smiley shaped chocolates and them cm some of my colleague’s desks.
There is still a lot of goodness out there in the world. We just need to take the time to _ it.
1.A. typical B. ordinary C. strange D. pleasant
2.A. make B. explain C. accomplish D. arrange
3.A. excitedly B. surprisingly C. interestingly D. hurriedly
4.A. stayed B. looked C. walked D. parked
5.A. calls B. trips C. surveys D. contributions
6.A. cops B. doctors C. thieves D. officials
7.A. normally B. eventually C. actually D. finally
8.A. made up B. took up C. put up D. messed up
9.A. still B. even C. quite D. only
10.A. message B. secret C. story D. process
11.A. declined B. offered C. hesitated D. approved
12.A. license B. card C. paper D. ticket
13.A. spend B. leave C. take D. get
14.A. lent B. presented C. purchased D. rented
15.A. delighted B. annoyed C. disappointed D. amused
16.A. worth B. worthy C. personal D. special
17.A. moved B. changed C. turned D. appealed
18.A. honour B. respect C. alarm D. surprise
19.A. forgot B. threw C .left D. exposed
20.A. make B. achieve C. live D. realize
What is a fair wage? 1. These are some of the questions the United Nations International Labour Organisation(ILO) has recently investigated.
With a global population of over seven billion, is it actually possible to measure an average amount?_ 2._ Using the total wage bill from over seventy countries, they have multiplied the amounts by the number of earners in each country. The economists then tallied up the results and divided them by the total number across the world The result was a world average wage equivalent to $1,490 a month. _3._
This figure might seem very high because they calculated the amount using purchasing power parity dollars, which takes into account the fact that it is cheaper to live in some countries than others. _4._
Calculating an average sum like this might not be a completely fair representation, but these figures do help us to understand how the world is developing, both economically, in the quality of life people are experiencing and their standard of living.
But the result shows that the average wage is still relatively low and there remains a huge difference in levels of affluence around the world. _5._ Is this fair? For many, pay equality still seems very far out of reach.
A. The ILO has now tried to work out the sums.
B. The ILO used statistics from over 70 different countries
C. Why aren't more people in the world offered pay equality?
D. That is approximately $75 a day for a 20-day working month.
E. Some people live on just two dollars a day, while others are earning more than a million dollars a year.
F. When someone works for themselves, what are they called?
G. The data also did not include the huge number of people who appear in poverty statistics or who are self-employed.
The term “to extend an olive branch” means to make an offer of peace or reconciliation(和好). This term has Biblical origins, coming from the section of the Old Testament that deals with the flood; the sign that the flood is over is an olive branch brought back to the ark(方舟) by a dove. Olive branches were also symbols of peace in Ancient Greece and Rome, and they continue to be used in various works of art that are meant to suggest peace.
Some people have suggested that the olive was a very deliberate and well-considered choice as a metaphor(比喻）for peace, because olive trees famously take years to mature. War is typically very, hard on the trees because people cannot take the time to nurture them and plant new ones. Therefore, the offer of an olive branch would suggest that someone is tired of war, whether it be an actual war or a falling out between friends.
In Ancient Greek and Roman times, people would offer actual olive branches. In Rome, for example, defeated armies traditionally carried olive branches to indicate that they were giving in, and the Greeks used them into weddings and other ceremonies. In the modem era, the branch is usually metaphorical, rather than actual, not least because the plants can be a bit difficult to obtain.
Many people agree that peace negotiations (谈判）at all levels of society are a good idea. Between nations, obviously, it is important to extend an olive branch to ensure mutual safety and to help the world run more smoothly. This act can also be important on a personal level, as resolving conflict and learning to get along with others is viewed as an important life skill in many cultures.
At some point m their lives, many people will be advised to extend an olive branch to settle a dispute or resolve an issue. Some people believe that it takes an immense amount of courage to take this action, as it often comes with an admission of wrongdoing and regret.
1.According to the Bible,___________
A. an olive branch suggests flood is coming.
B. the ark is made of olive tree wood.
C. an olive branch means flood is over
D. a dove loves to settle on the olive branch.
2.The olive is considered a good choice as a metaphor for peace for the following reasons EXCEPT .
A. olive trees famously take years to mature
B. olive branches make people tired of war
C. war is typically very hard on the trees
D. people cannot take the time to nurture them while at war
3.Why are actual olive branches seldom used in modem times ?
A. Olive trees are being protected now.
B. Olive tress are planted only in certain countries.
C. Olive tress can be far to seek.
D. There is no need to use real olive branches.
4.It can be learned from the text that to extend an olive branch________
A. is not important on a personal level
B. is only important between nations.
C. takes a lot of courage.
D. is an important life skill m many cultures.
Two sculptures of life-size lions, each weighing about 5 tons in ancient times, have been discovered in what is now Turkey. The discovery of the massive lions, along with other pieces such as a large stone basin about 7 feet in diameter, left the archaeologists with a mystery ——what were they intended for?
A search of the surrounding area revealed no evidence of a Hittite settlement dating back to the time of the statues. Also, the steep size of the sculptures meant that the sculptors likely did not intend to move them very far.
Summers assumes that, rather than being meant for a palace or a great city, the lions were being created for a monument to mark something else- water
“I think it's highly likely that that monument was going to be associated with one of the very abundant springs that are quite close,” he said in the interview, ”There are good parallels (平行线) for association of Hittite sculptural traditions with water sources”
Indeed one well-known monument site, known as Eflatun Pnar, holds a sacred pool that "is fed by a spring beneath the pool itself,” write Yiit Erbil and Alice Mouton in an article that was published in the most recent edition of the Journal of Near Eastern Studies. The two researchers were writing about water religions in ancient Anatolia (Turkey).
"According to the Hittite cuneiform(楔形文字)texts, water was seen as an effective purifying element,” Erbil and Mouton write, "used in the form of cleaning or even full baths during ritual performances, its cleaning power is self-evident."
To the Hittites the natural world, springs included, was a place of great religious importance, one worthy of monuments with giant lions. "These things (water sources) were sacred, just as their mountains were sacred,” Summers said.
1.According to the text ,how did the two life-size lions impress the archaeologists?
A. Very massive B. Well-constructed
C. Unbelievable D. Mysterious
2.According to Summers' assumption, why were the lions carved ?
A. They were intended to be moved far away,
B. They were used as a monument in honor of their ancestor.
C. They were created as a monument to mark water.
D. They were built to mark their territory.
3.What can be inferred from the text ?
A. Water was highly valued by the Hittites.
B. There was a serious shortage of water in ancient Anatolia
C. Lions were of great religious importance
D. The Hittites used to fight over water resources.
4.What would be the best title of the text ?
A. The Hittite cuneiform
B. What were the lions intended for?
C.A confusing archaeological find
D. Digging up lions
A group of Mississippi hunters who shot and killed an alligator (短吻鳄) weighting 910 pounds on Sunday, were amazed when they discovered that the animal already bore injuries caused by musket (步枪)from the Civil War era. A total of 9 bullets was found, and the various tests and analysis have confirmed that they were indeed fired at the animal in the 19th Century.
Nine of the wounds on the animal are believed to have been caused by Enfield Pattern 1853 muskets. These old injuries were concentrated around the animals tail and hind legs, suggesting that the alligator could have possibly been used as a target for shooting practice by Confederate troops.
The huge animal also bore five other bullet wounds from three different calibers (口径）of hunting guns, as well as many dents and scars, which shows that it survived many firearm injuries in the past. It did not however, survive the six 50-caliber bullets fired at him by the group of amateur hunters from Jackson, who were finally able to take it down.
The bullets were confirmed as true musket from between 1850 and 1870. This incredible animal brings a whole new view on this large animal native to the southeastern United States. American alligators have been known for years to live well over 50 years and were thought capable of possibly living as long as 70 or 80 years, but this one was estimated to have been 185 years old at the time of its death.
Others like turtles, have been known, to have lifespans of over 150 years, but it is the first of crocodile of such an old age ever found. It is also one of the biggest alligators ever killed in the United States. The heaviest ever recorded, weighing in at an unbelievable 1,011.5 lbs, was pulled out of a river in Alabama in August of this yea.
1.Which of the following facts about the nine wounds is amazing ?
A. They didn’t cause death to the alligator.
B. They were concentrated around the animals’ tail and hind legs
C. They left many dents and scars on the alligator.
D. They were left by musket from the Civil War era.
2.What can be learned about American alligators?
A. They have a lifespan of over 150 years.
B. They can live as long as 70 or 80 years.
C. They weigh as much as 910 pounds on average.
D. They are the biggest alligators of all
3.What can be inferred from the passage ?
A. People’s understanding of American alligators may be changed
B. Rivers in Alabama must be full of such huge alligators
C. American alligators are in danger of dying out.
D. The six 50-caliber bullet is the most powerful one.
Introduction
Blenheim Palace is one of the Europe’s largest and greatest palaces. It was built between 1705 and 1722 as a reward of the British government to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, for defeating King Louis XIV’s army at Blenheim, a small Bavarian village on the Danube River.
The palace was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, which displayed strength and arm glory. It is the largest non-royal building in England and is now listed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Winston Churchill
In 1874, the palace was the birthplace of the duke's most famous descendant. Winston Churchill, who was to become the UK's Prime Minister (some would say Britain’s greatest 20th-century politician ) and Nobel prize winner for literature. It is also in Blenheim that Winston got married to Clementine Hozier in 1908.
A lasting exhibition is devoted to the man’s life, work and writings. Winston and his wife are buried in Bladon Church within the palace.
Opening Hours & Admission
Blenheim is still the home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough and is therefore not open all year round (although the park is). The palace opens its doors to visitors from 12 February to 11 December. Entry to the palace, park and gardens cost £11.50 during the low season and £13 during the peak season (Easter weekend and from 28 May to 11 September), or £6/£8 for the park and gardens only.
The park is open all-year round from 9am to 4:45pm (last entry). Admission is £2.50 for adults and £1.50 for children.
Note that numerous discounts exist for seniors, students, children and groups. Please refer to the official website for more details.
1.What can be learned, about Blenheim Palace?
A. It is the Europe’s largest and greatest palaces.
B. It is the largest royal building in England.
C. It is now one of the world’s heritage sites.
D. It was built in honor of Prime Minister Winston Churchill
2.What does the underlined word in the text mean?
A. A house keeper.
B.A child or a child’s child.
C.A family doctor
D. A grand parent
3.Why can not people visit Blenheim Palace all the year round?
A. They are too busy to afford the time.
B. Repairs are badly needed for the palace.
C. Some seasons are not convenient for visitors.
D. The 11th Duke of Marlborough still lives there.
4.If a couple and their five-year-old daughter visits the park, how much need they they pay ?
A. ￡6.5 B.￡7.5 C.￡l1.5 D.￡13
