When I was 13 my only purpose was to become the star on our football team. That meant ____ Miller King, who was the best ______ at our school.
Football season started in September and all summer long I worked out. I carried my football everywhere for ______.
Just before September, Miller was struck by a car and lost his right arm. I went to see him after he came back from ______. He looked very ______, but he didn’t cry.
That season, I ______ all of Miller’s records while he ______ the home games from the bench. We went 10-1 and I was named most valuable player,______ I often had crazy dreams in which I was to blame for Miller’s ______ .
One afternoon, I was crossing the field to go home and saw Miller ______ going over a fence—which wasn’t ______ to climb if you had both arms. I’m sure I was the last person in the world he wanted to accept ______ from. But even that challenge he accepted. I ______ him move slowly over the fence. When we were finally ______ on the other side, he said to me, “You know, I didn’t tell you this during the season, but you did ______ .Thank you for filling in for ______ .”
His words freed me from my bad ______ . I thought to myself, how even without an arm he was more of a leader. Damaged but not defeated, he was ______ ahead of me. I was right to have ______ him. From that day on, I grew ______ and a little more real.
1.A. cheering for B. beating out C. relying on D. staying with
2.A. coach B. student C. teacher D. player
3.A. practice B. show C. comfort D. pleasure
4.A. school B. vacation C. hospital D. training
5.A. pale B. calm C. relaxed D. ashamed
6.A. held B. broke C. set D. tried
7.A. reported B. judged C. organized D. watched
8.A. and B. then C. but D. thus
9.A. decision B. mistake C. accident D. sacrifice
10.A. stuck B. hurt C. tired D. lost
11.A. steady B. hard C. fun D. fit
12.A. praise B. advice C. assistance D. apology
13.A. let B. helped C. had D. noticed
14.A. dropped B. ready C. trapped D. safe
15.A. fine B. wrong C. quickly D. normally
16.A. us B. yourself C. me D. them
17.A. memories B. ideas C. attitudes D. dreams
18.A. still B. also C. yet D. just
19.A. challenged B. cured C. invited D. admired
20.A. healthier B. bigger C. cleverer D. cooler
A new report says plastics are responsible for $13 billion in damage to the oceans and the undersea environment. The findings were announced recently at a United Nations conference．1..
Plastic thrown away carelessly makes its way into rivers and other waterways. 2.. After a while, it collects in the sea. And plastic never goes away. Plastic is not biodegradable—destroyed by bacteria or natural processes. Instead, it just breaks up into smaller pieces over time. The oceans contain a lot of chemicals and other pollutants(污染物).3..That means harmful material may get into our food supply.
4.. Human beings cause pollution and they can take steps to stop it. They can use fewer single use product containers and throw plastics away correctly. Plastic recycling programs also works—where old bottles and other plastics are collected, broken down and used to make new products. We could reuse bottles in our households many times if we wish to, rather than end it after the first use. We could, when we get rid of that plastic, recycle it and reuse it, which replaces the need for raw materials.
The report also calls on companies to improve methods for using plastics. 5.. And it calls for information about the way plastic is thrown out or removed from use. By putting a new value on plastic, industry has a special reason to clean up the environment.
But all of the companies must join to deal with the problem.
A. Then, fish may eat the plastics.
B. But people can make a big difference.
C. Plastics should be gathered together and reused.
D. It is convenient to use plastic bags in everyday life.
E. It asks for them to better measure and control plastic use.
F. The plastic eventually reaches coastal areas and ocean waters.
G. The report tells about harm to sea life and what might be done to improve the situation.
Greece’s finance minister says his country’s financial situation is “terribly urgent” and the crisis could come to a head in a couple of weeks. Yanis Varoufakis gave the warning after eurozone finance ministers met in Brussels to discuss the final €7.2bn tranche(援助资金) of Greece’s €240bn EU/IMF bailout(紧急援助).
Ministers said Greece had made “progress” but more work was needed.
The Greek government is struggling to meet its payment obligations（责任）.Earlier, Greece began the transfer of €750m (£544m, $834m) in debt interest to the International Monetary Fund - a day ahead of a payment deadline.
“The liquidity（资产流动性） issue is a terribly urgent issue. It’s common knowledge, let’s not beat around the bush,” Mr Varoufakis told reporters in Brussels. “From the perspective of timing, we are talking about the next couple of weeks.”
Greece has until the end of June to reach a reform deal with its international creditors. Its finances are running so low that it has had to ask public bodies for help. The crisis has raised the prospect that Greece might default（违约） on its debts and leave the euro.
In a statement, the eurozone finance ministers said they “welcomed the progress that has been achieved so far” in the negotiations,” but added: “We acknowledged that more time and effort are needed to bridge the gaps on the remaining open issues.” Eurogroup chairman Jeroen Dijsselbloem said there had to be a full deal on the bailout（紧急财务援助） before Greece received any further payments. “There are time constraints(限制；约束) and liquidity constraints and hopefully we will reach an agreement before time runs out and before money runs out.” he said.
There had been fears that Greece would default on its IMF debt repayment due on Tuesday. However, a Greek finance ministry official was quoted as saying that the order for repayment had been executed（实施） on Monday. Almost €1bn has been handed over to the IMF in interest payments since the start of May.
It is unclear how the government came up with the funds, but the mayor of Greece’s second city Thessaloniki revealed last week that he had handed over cash reserves in response to an appeal for money.
1.What is Yanis Varoufakis?
A. He is Greece’s finance minister.
B. He is an expert in the eurozone.
C. An official of the International Monetary Fund.
D. He is Eurogroup chairman.
2.Which of the following could be the worst result if Greece defaulted on its debts?
A. The International Monetary Fund would cancel the debt of Greece.
B. The EU would help Greece rebuild its financial system.
C. Greece might have to leave the eurozone.
D. The eurozone would accept Greece.
3.Which of the following is the best title of the passage?
A. The EU Get Challenged.
B. The International Monetary Fund Reform.
C. The EU Face Economic Crisis.
D. Greece Two Weeks from Cash Crisis
4.What can we infer from the last two paragraphs?
A. People fear that the International Monetary Fund can’t pay Greece for debt repayment.
B. Greece succeeded in paying interest payments to the IMF.
C. It is unclear how the government came up with the funds.
D. The mayor of Greece’s third city handed over cash reserves in response to an appeal for money.
You're not doomed to toss and turn every night. Although you might not be able to control all of the factors that relate to your sleep, you can adopt habits that encourage better sleep. Start with these simple sleep tips.
No. 1: Stick to a sleep schedule
Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on weekends, holidays and days off. Being consistent reinforces （加强） your body's sleep-wake cycle and helps promote better sleep at night. If you don't fall asleep within about 15 minutes, get up and do something relaxing. Go back to bed when you're tired.
No. 2: Pay attention to what you eat and drink
Don't go to bed either hungry or stuffed. Your discomfort might keep you up. Also limit how much you drink before bed, to prevent disruptive middle-of-the-night trips to the toilet. Nicotine, caffeine and alcohol deserve caution, too. The stimulating effects of nicotine and caffeine — which take hours to wear off — can ruin quality sleep.
No. 3: Create a bedtime ritual
Do the same things each night to tell your body it's time to wind down. This might include taking a warm bath or shower, reading a book, or listening to light music. Be careful of using the TV or other electronic devices as part of your bedtime ritual. Some research suggests that screen time or other media use before bedtime has impact on sleep.
No. 4: Get comfortable
Create a room that's ideal for sleeping. Often, this means cool, dark and quiet. Consider using room-darkening shades, earplugs, a fan or other devices to create an environment that suits your needs.
Your mattress and pillow can contribute to better sleep, too. Since the features of good bedding are subjective, choose what feels most comfortable to you. If you have children or pets, set limits on how often they sleep with you — or insist on separate sleeping quarters.
No. 5: Limit daytime naps
Long daytime naps can affect nighttime sleep — especially if you're struggling with poor sleep quality at night. If you choose to nap during the day, limit yourself to about 10 to 30 minutes and make it during the mid-afternoon.
If you work nights, you'll need to make an exception to the rules about daytime sleeping. In this case, keep your window coverings closed so that sunlight — which adjusts your internal clock — doesn't interrupt your daytime sleep.
No. 6: Include physical activity in your daily routine
Regular physical activity can promote better sleep, helping you to fall asleep faster and to enjoy deeper sleep. Timing is important, though. If you exercise too close to bedtime, you might be too energized to fall asleep. If this seems to be an issue for you, exercise earlier in the day.
No. 7: Manage stress
When you have too much to do — and too much to think about — your sleep is likely to suffer. To help restore peace to your life, consider healthy ways to manage stress. Start with the basics, such as getting organized, setting priorities and dividing tasks. Give yourself permission to take a break when you need one. Share a good laugh with an old friend.
Nearly everyone has an occasional sleepless night — but if you often have trouble sleeping, contact your doctor. Identifying and treating any underlying causes can help you get the better sleep you deserve.
1.Which of the following is helpful to have quality sleep at night?
A. listening to light music before bed
B. working out in the gym only in the day time
C. using expensive pillows that sell well
D. drinking lots of water instead of coffee before bed
2.Which of the following sleep tips is not mentioned in the passage?
A. Control your daytime sleep time.
B. Adopt healthy ways to handle stress.
C. Follow a flexible sleep timetable.
D. Schedule your daily physical activities.
3.According to the passage, in what situation do you need to contact your doctor?
A. You can not nap in the day time.
B. You frequently have trouble sleeping.
C. You do not fall asleep within 15 minutes.
D. You have too much to think about before bed.
4.What’s the purpose of this passage?
A. To provide advice on promoting better sleep at night.
B. To inform readers of different sleep habits before bed.
C. To offer tips on various relaxing activities before bed.
D. To convince readers of the importance of quality sleep at night.
New Zealand will create one of the largest marine protected areas in the world, spanning an area of 620,000 sq km.
The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary (保护区) will be one of the world’s most significant fully protected ecosystems, the prime minister of New Zealand, John Key, told the UN General Assembly in New York.
The sanctuary is in the South Pacific Ocean, about 1,000 km north-east of New Zealand, and expands a marine reserve that surrounds some small islands. The area is considered important in terms of biodiversity, featuring nearly 35 species of whales and dolphins, 150 types of fish and three of the world’s seven sea turtle species. It is also geologically significant, including the world’s longest chain of underwater volcanoes and the second deepest ocean trench, into 10 km underwater — deeper than Mount Everest’s height. The scale of the sanctuary will dwarf (矮化) any previous New Zealand’s protected area, spanning twice the size of the country’s mainland. It will cover 15% of New Zealand’s economic zone.
Commercial and recreational fishing will be completely banned, as will oil, gas and mineral prospecting (勘探), exploration and mining. Key’s government aims to pass legislation establishing the sanctuary next year.
"The sanctuary is a world-class, unspoiled marine environment and New Zealand is proud to protect it for future generations,"Key said."New Zealanders value our coasts and oceans, which are an important part of our culture, economy and environment and we are committed to managing them sustainably. Creating protected areas will support not only our own fisheries, but those of our Pacific neighbors, adding to New Zealand’s efforts to help grow Pacific economies through the responsible management of their ocean resources."
Nick Smith, New Zealand’s environment minister, said the sanctuary might impose a cost upon the mining industry but that it is important to protect the ocean before exploration takes place."New Zealand needs to use its vast ocean resources for jobs and exports in industries like fishing, aquaculture, minerals and energy, but we also need to set aside special areas where nature comes first and marine life is fully protected,"Smith said.
New Zealand will monitor the area via its navy and satellite technology. The Kermadec region will join three other key areas in the Pacific protected by the US, the UK and Australia.
Matt Rand, director of the Pew Charitable Trusts’ Global Ocean Legacy (遗产) campaign, welcomed Key’s announcement."New Zealand will create the gold standard of conservation areas in the sanctuary, preserving one of the few ly unspoiled areas of ocean on Earth,"he said."This commitment is an exciting step toward meeting global goals to safeguard at least 30% of the ocean through fully protected marine reserves."
1.Why is the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary important in biodiversity?
A. It has a superior geographical location.
B. It has many different kinds of sea animals.
C. Its environment is suitable for the growth of marine life.
D. It is the only unspoiled area of ocean remained on Earth.
2.Which of the following will Key probably agree on?
A. People are allowed to fish for fun in the sanctuary.
B. All Pacific countries should be responsible for ocean resources.
C. New Zealanders attach great importance to protecting the sanctuary.
D. New Zealand has made great achievement in creating protected areas.
3.What can we infer from what Nick Smith said?
A. New Zealand should develop its marine industry in special areas.
B. The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary may affect New Zealand’s mining industry.
C. New Zealand hasn’t figured out how to make full use of its ocean resources.
D. Measures should be taken immediately to protect the ocean after explorations.
Camels are large animals living in dry areas. There are two species of camels; the Arabian camel with a single hump(驼背) from the dry desert areas of West Asia, and the Bactrian camel with two humps from Central and East Asia. Camels are over 7 feet tall and weigh over 1,600 pounds. They will live up to 40 to 50 years. Most camels are domesticated(驯化) and fed by people. Camels are plant-eaters．
Camels are very strong animals with wide, padded feet. They have thick leathery pads on their knees and chest. Camels have nostrils(鼻孔)that can open and close, protecting them from the desert environment. Bushy eyebrows and two rows of long eyelashes protect their eyes from sand. Their mouth is extremely tough, allowing camels to eat thorny(带刺的)desert plants. Their widened feet help them move without sinking into the sand. Their thick coats reflect sunlight, and also protect them from the intense heat from desert sand. Their long legs help by keeping them further from the hot ground．
Camels can go without food and water for 3 to 4 days. They do not store water in their humps as is commonly believed．The humps are actually a container of fat. Camels are incredibly well-adapted to their environment. When conditions heat up, camels can increase their own body temperature, which prevents sweating and therefore water loss. They may not sweat at all during the day．
Camels are sometimes called“ships of the desert”because people ride them around the hot, dry deserts of the world．However, the number of camels is becoming smaller for various reasons．
1.According to the passage, camels usually live in ________．
A. Asia B. Africa
C. America D. Australia
2.Paragraph 2 is mainly about ________．
A. camels are useful animals B. camels are clever animals
C. camels’ body structure and function D. camels’ characteristics and habits
3.The reason why camels lose little water in deserts is that they ________．
A. get water from green foods B. can adjust their temperature
C. store enough water in the humps D. can manage without water
4.What will the author probably talk about following the last paragraph?
A. Ways to protect camels． B. Habitats of camels．
C. Reasons for raising camels． D. Functions of camels．
