My mother has always been involved in early-childhood education. She often set the scene for children to ______ the joy of physical activity, getting them excited and ______ to learn.
Mum was so proud of me after I ______ the triathlon at the 2000 Olympics, but before the dust ______, she grabbed me, saying: ‘"Now this is your ______. Use it.” She wasn’t speaking from an economic point of view but talking about the ______ of my being a role model, encouraging kids to ______ their dreams.
Since the Olympics, I have ______ more than 100 schools. I talk to the kids about “living a life less ______ a concept passed on to me by my parents—the idea of ______ being average. I tell them that what you believe, you will ______.
As I was a kid, my mother came to every ______ ---not to pressure me but to ______ me. One of my favorite sports-related memories was when I was ______ in the Canadian Triathlon Championships. As I ran by a big truck, I saw my mother ______ on top of one of its huge wheels, cheering for me. I find it sad when people say their parents have never seen them ______.
When I was at the University, I completed only one semester and then decided to ______ so I could race professionally full-time. Mum was the first person I called. It was a ______ moment. I wasn’t sure how she would react.
“Mum, I have this opportunity, and I think I’m going to take it. What do you think?”
She was as ______ as ever. It turned out to be a good ______.
Supporting your children, trusting their decisions, giving well-thought-out advice—those are definitely important qualities.
1.A. experience B. evaluate C. express D. expect
2.A. afraid B. ready C. relaxed D. reluctant
3.A. won B. chose C. played D. watched
4.A. rose B. settled C. flew D. appeared
5.A. luck B. time C. crossroad D. opportunity
6.A. demand B. happiness C. courage D. importance
7.A. display B. follow C. appreciate D. abandon
8.A. served B. attended C. visited D. started
9.A. energetic B. colorful C. miserable D. ordinary
10.A. never B. always C. seldom D. usually
11.A. neglect B. achieve C. suspect D. assume
12.A. practice B. school C. game D. kindergarten
13.A. support B. reward C. instruct D. comfort
14.A. surfing B. jumping C. jogging D. running
15.A. sitting B. speaking C. standing D. performing
16.A. compete B. succeed C. separate D. compromise
17.A. drop in B. drop off C. drop out D. drop back
18.A. magic B. nervous C. critical D. serious
19.A. attractive B. talkative C. imaginative D. supportive
20.A. consideration B. intention C. suggestion D. decision
Technological innovation (创新) may not give you a warm feeling. 1.. Messaging apps are examples of technology that are helping bring people together. It’s ready to continue improving our lives as innovation allows technology to really understand how we live.
2..
Some of the most popular and widely adopted innovations make things we’re already doing easier. A well-designed piece of technology can transform something that consumes time into a worry-free swipe of your finger, giving you more time to spend with friends and family.
Proving that you really are you
Developers keep finding new and brilliant ways to prove our identities online. With fingerprints and voice recognition, technology keeps getting better at proving we are who we say we are.3.. The more trust we have, the easier it will be to fully embrace the empowering aspects of fintech (金融科技) and having control of our financial data.
Helping make good ideas a reality
Crowdfunding (众筹) technology keeps breaking down barriers that may have previously kept good ideas from being realized. Here is how it works: You pitch (拋) your project to people through an online platform.4.. By connecting dreamers and inventors to a new type of capital, technology is giving more creative ideas their opportunity to become a reality.
Adding even more quality to quality time
As technology continues improving, it becomes easier to build and maintain a connection with someone who isn’t in the same location as you.5.. And think about how great it will be when you can interact with your friends and relatives in virtual reality. It will be the next best thing to being together in person.
A. Sparing some time to make researches
B. Freeing up more time for friends and family
C. However, when at its best, it opens our eyes to many things
D. Actually, it can do wonders to deepen our interpersonal connections
E. That technology can make it easier to trust the connections we make online
F. If they are interested in your project, they donate money to fund your project
G. Think about how much easier it is to connect via video conferencing than before
Most of us don’t reach for that gnarled (多瘤的) carrot when selecting our produce at the local supermarket. That’s exactly why Americans waste up to 40% of edible food every year. This unbelievable number has sparked the “ugly food” movement, inspiring many companies to sell ugly fruit and vegetables to consumers, rather than throwing them in the trash.
One San Francisco organization is taking a unique approach. The Salvage Supperclub hosts fancy dinners inside dumpsters (垃圾箱) where they serve dishes entirely prepared with food that would have otherwise gone to waste.
Josh Treuhaft, founder of these ugly food dinners, originally came up with the idea to bring about the awareness of America’s food waste problem. “There is undeveloped potential in their food that for some reason, not to their own fault, is going to waste,” he told Seeker’s Laura Ling.
Treuhaft isn’t alone in his effort to reduce America’s food waste. A change.org request last year called for Whole Foods to become part of the ugly food movement. They sold misshapen (畸形的) fruits and vegetables in Northern California stores.
Selling imperfect produce is still relatively rare right now, which can be partially attributed to a supply issue rather than a lack of willing participants. Raley’s, a Sacramento-based grocery chain, started an ugly food pilot program called “Real Good”, but discontinued it after 90 days saying they had “some challenges sourcing the product” A grower might have large amounts of ugly produce one year due to terrible weather, but much less the next year if the weather is better. Harvests constantly vary and retailers are more likely to buy ugly produce in large number rather than just a few pounds at a time.
This is why organizations like the Salvage Supperclub are playing an important role in the prevention of food waste. The Salvage Supperclub takes it a step further by not only buying the ugly product, but turning it into a good dining experience as well.
1.What does the underlined words “edible food” in Paragraph 1 refer to?
A. Healthy food. B. Expensive food.
C. Food suitable to eat. D. Food grown locally.
2.Why does the Salvage Supperclub have dinners inside the dumpsters?
A. To share their fancy ideas.
B. To warn people not to waste.
C. To show waste should be reused.
D. To advise people not to throw dumpsters.
3.What makes Raley’s stop its “Real Good” after 90 days of its operation?
A. Lack of sources of product.
B. Retailers’ pursuing larger profit.
C. Bad harvests due to bad weather.
D. People’s unwillingness to buy imperfect produce.
4.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A. Joining in the Ugly Food Movement.
B. An Unusual Dining Experience.
C. Making Full Use of Ugly Food.
D. The Food Waste Problem in America.
If you’re DIY-minded, you can build your own solar power system. In some you can even build your own solar panels, although the amount that you can effectively DIY home solar depends on how much you want to power. Making your own solar panel is a time-consuming process and requires some electrical skills. However, it can also be very regarding—leaning to build your own panel is a great way to understand how electricity in generated.
Before you can build your own solar panels, you first need to understand how solar cells generate electricity. Once you’ve bought individual solar cells (they can be purchased online), the basic process for building your own solar panel goes like this: Prepare the backing for your panel. Many DIY solar panel builders prefer to use a wooden board as the base for their solar cells.
You’ll need to drill holes m the board so that the wires for each cell can pass through. Wire your solar cells together. This requires some experience for electrical work. Use a soldering iron (烙铁) to attach wire to the solar cells and then link each of the cells together. Attach cells to your backing. If possible, attach each solar cell to the backing individually. This makes it easier to replace a single cell in the event that becomes damaged or is not operating properly.
At this point you have a functional solar panel that can produce electricity when the sun shines. However, a solar panel by itself is not useful. If you are trying to generate electricity to power devices in your home, you need to pair your panel with inverter (转换器) that will turn direct current (DC) power from the sun into alternating current (AC) power used in most electronic devices.
1.What does the author think of building DIY solar panel in paragraph 1?
A. It is easy. B. It is necessary.
C. It is common. D. It is worthwhile.
2.What’s the first step of building your own solar panel?
A. Master the advanced knowledge of science.
B. Buy individual solar cells.
C. Prepare the backing for your panel.
D. Drill holes in the wooden board.
3.Why are solar cells connected to the wooden board separately?
A. To produce more power.
B. To pass through the wooden board easily.
C. To attach cells to the backing tightly.
D. To substitute damaged cells easily.
4.What can be inferred from the text?
A. People with electrical skills have advantages over those without in DIY solar panels.
B. A functional solar panel can give power to your home devices directly.
C. How to pair an inverter depends on how much power you want to power.
D. A wooden board is a must for your own solar panels.
When my son was first diagnosed with Autism (自闭症), it was a very hard time for us. However, in some ways it was a relief, because we finally had a name for what was going on in our lives, but it also meant years more of uncertainty, and we didn’t know what the future held.
When I shared the news with my coworkers, I was so surprised and happy to receive so much immediate love and support from them. They were focused on what we needed, as opposed to how it would affect my ability to make it to work.
One co-worker, Jackie, in particular, was amazing to my family and me. She called me into her office a few days later, and gave me a “worry stone” It gives you something to focus on when you’re worried, rubbing your thumb (拇指) around on this stone. It was a lovely gesture.
She then extended a permanent offer to drive us to any appointments or tests we needed. Considering the fact that we lived 90 minutes from where most treatment took place, this was a tremendous offer. She made it very clear to me that this offer included last minute trips or emergencies. Anytime we needed to go anywhere, she was willing to be our transportation. She said that we needed to be able to focus on our son instead of having to divide our attention between the road and him.
We never did need to take her up on her wonderful offer, but knowing it was there and that she was so willing to help made it feel like we were much less alone.
1.What does “a relief” refer to in the first paragraph?
A. My son’s recovery from the disease.
B. The help from my co-workers.
C. Knowing what my boy’s problem is.
D. The sign of a better future.
2.Why did the co-work offer to drive for us?
A. She is a mare experienced driver.
B. We live far away from the hospital.
C. She lives very close to our house.
D. She wishes to reduce our worries.
3.What does the writer think of the offer by Jackie?
A. It’s a great comfort.
B. It’s a last-minute offer.
C. It’s not necessary.
D. It’s a difficult decision for her.
4.What might be the best title for the text?
A. Years of Uncertainty
B. The Most Generous Woman
C. In Time of Need
D. A Story of Sacrifice
Attractions in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Island
The site of the original British settlement and the main focus of most tourists. Most of Hong Kong’s highest skyscrapers and the financial center can be found here. Overall, Hong Kong Island is more modem and wealthy and dramatically less dirty than the other areas of Hong Kong. The Peak is the tallest point on the island, with the best views and highest real estate values in the world.
Kowloon
The peninsula to the north of Hong Kong Island, with great views of the island. It offers a chaotic mix of malls, street markets, and residential houses. It has a great view of Hong Kong Island. With over 2.1 million people living in an area of less than 47 square kilometers, Kowloon is one of the most densely populated places in the world. Kowloon includes TsimShaTsui, the location of many budget hotels and MongKok, a shopping district.
New Territories
Named by British officials when leased from the Chinese government in 1898，the New Territories contain a curious mix of small farms, villages, industrial installations, mountainous country parks and towns that have the size of populations in some cities.
Lantau Island
A large island west of Hong Kong Island. You will not find many peaceful villages, but once you get over the stray dogs and the ramshackle buildings you will find beautiful mountains and beaches. The airport, Disneyland, and the Ngong Ping cable car are located here.
Outlying Islands
Well-known weekend destinations for the locals, the Outlying Islands are most of the islands surrounding Hong Kong Island. Highlights include Lamma, well known for its seafood and Cheung Chau, a small island that used to be a pirates, den (贼窝), but now attracts seafood aficionados, windsurfers and sunbathing day trippers.
1.Where should you go if you want to have seafood?
A. Kowloon.
B. New Territories.
C. Lantau Island.
D. Outlying Islands.
2.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. New Territories has towns with a large population.
B. Kowloon has many expensive hotels and a shopping district.
C. Lantau Island has most of the islands surrounding Hong Kong Island.
D. Hong Kong Island has the highest skyscraper of Hong Kong.
3.Where can this article probably be found?
A. A story book.
B. A news report.
C. A travel guide.
D. A science magazine.
