Trained dogs might just be the proof that they really are men’s best friends not only because they can fill laundry baskets, but because they can now use washing machines with just a simple bark.
Thanks to the new washing machine —--- the ‘‘Woof to Wash”，a lot of people can benefit from the invention, which enables trained dogs to unlock the machine with a footpad and start it with a simple bark. A doggy footpad and a microphone system have been added, which can recognize a dog’s bark，which means that dogs are able to unlock the machine by pressing the pad with their paw, pull a rope with their mouth to open the machine, and close the machine again with their nose, before starting the washer by barking.
Dr. John Middleton is a great inventor. The disabled owners who are blind or have autism (孤独症)problems or learning difficulties, can’t use the present-day washing machines. So he thought there’s a lot of demand for the new washing machines to make things easier. Then he saw a video from the charity Support Dogs, where a dog makes the bed and loads the washing machine. He was completely blown away by the video at that moment. He was inspired that he could invent a machine which the dog could operate. Mr. Middleton said, “I’m happy I saw the video. A normal washing machine can be very challenging, so the single program machine is very helpful. But a lot of people also have speech problems, so a voice-activated machine is handy. ’’
The Support Dogs charity was set up in 1992. Dogs are trained here using voice commands and hand signals, so that they can help their owners fetch post, turn on light switches, open doors, assist in dressing and undressing, as well as do a complete laundry cycle. It has trained over 200 dogs to date throughout the country and relies fully on volunteer donations.
We hope the new washing machine can help more people. And we sincerely welcome the sponsorship of any type of business which is kindly willing to help. If you would like to sponsor, please contact us!
1.What do we know about the “Woof to Wash” machine?
A. It enables smart dogs to have a bath by themselves.
B. It enables trained dogs to do the washing with a bark.
C. It enables untrained dogs to become popular pets at home.
D. It enables dogs to be trained in the Support Dogs at home.
2.Who would benefit a lot from the new invention?
A. Disabled dog owners.
B. Dog trainers.
C. Famous inventors.
D. The Support Dogs charity.
3.What can we infer from the underlined sentence in Paragraph 3?
A. Mr. Middleton once got hurt by the dog in the video.
B. Mr. Middleton wanted to have a similar dog in the video.
C. Mr. Middleton was deeply impressed by the video.
D. Mr. Middleton wanted to make the same video.
4.What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?
A. To help protect animals.
B. To prove dogs useful.
C. To collect suggestions.
D. To attract sponsorship.
How many times do you check your Facebook page in a day to see whether your latest post has got another “like” or “thumbs up”?
Although you might be embarrassed to admit how many times you do this, don’t worry —-- psychological findings have shown it’s completely normal. In fact, the pleasure we derive from receiving a “like” is equal to that of eating chocolate or winning money, and we can’t help wanting more. According to the findings, which observed 32 teens aged between 13 and 18, the feedback circuit in the teens’ brains is particularly sensitive, and the “social” and “visual” parts of their brains were active when they received “likes” on the social network. The research also showed that though the thumbs up might come from complete strangers, the good they derive from them worked all the same.
So, does it mean we should try our best to win as many thumbs up as possible? Not necessarily so if we know the reasons behind our desire for attention. In “why do people long for attention” by M. Farouk Radwan, he explained several cases in which people naturally longed for attention. Radwan said people who were an only child, who were used to being the center of attention in their house, may try to copy these conditions. Feeling “overlooked and unappreciated” might also lead you to long for attention. Other times, the state of being jealous or wanting to cover your mistakes may also contribute to such longings.
In fact, too much desire for attention can create anxiety, and in turn ruin your happiness even when you get it. So what can we do about it? The answer is quite simple. “If people could adopt goals not focused on their own self-esteem but on something larger than their self, such as what they can create or contribute to others, they would be less sensitive to some of the negative effects of pursuing self-esteem,” wrote psychology professor Jennifer Crocker.
So perhaps the answer to our addiction to “likes” is simply to focus on something larger than ourselves —-- a hard, but a worthy one.
1.Which of the following can replace the underlined word “derive” in Paragraph 2?
A. deliver B. give
C. prevent D. get
2.What’s the reaction of receiving “likes” on the social network to the brain?
A. The brain becomes more nervous.
B. Some parts of the brain are active.
C. The brain becomes less sensitive.
D. The brain becomes cleverer.
3.Who wants to get more attention according to the passage?
A. the only child.
B. The old who lives happily with children.
C. The young who feels anxious.
D. Teens who want to discover their mistakes.
4.What’s Crocker’s suggestion about the negative effects of getting self-esteem?
A. Doing an interesting matter.
B. Working harder than ever before.
C. Having a bigger goal than their self.
D. Not checking your Facebook page in a day.
Ask people in the UK what the words “Sunday roast” mean to them, and they’ll probably take you back to their grandmothers’ dining rooms --– maybe with a few stories of “the greatest puddings” and “the best ever steak”. But now the traditional Sunday roast seems to have been left back in the old days. According to the Daily Mail, just one in 50 British families sits down to this weekly meal together.
There are many reasons why the roast is becoming less popular. In the busy modern world, where breakfast is a slice of toast eaten on the way to work or school and lunch is a quick sandwich in front of the computer screen, people just don’t seem to have the time or patience to make a roast.
And Sunday was once a day when people could easily go to the kitchen to cook. Nowadays, people are often out shopping or at the cinema until it’s far too late to start thinking about heating the oven(烤箱) up.
However, a recent article from The Telegraph warned against being carried away by our tight schedules: “It would be a shame to let this fine old tradition disappear.”
The Guardian further explained that the eating of the big meal is only the half of it. The Sunday roast also makes for relaxed morning activities in the kitchen, and the table becomes the perfect place to share good food and chat with family and friends. “For busy moms and dads, even if you can manage to turn off your mobile phone and the TV only once a week and turn the Sunday roast into a real family event, children can have fun cooking the food and clearing up together.”
1.The best title for the passage is probably _____.
A. Sunday—Best Time for Family
B. Sunday Roast Dying Out
C. It’s the Perfect Time for Us
D. Let’s Sit Down Together
2.Why do people pay less attention to Sunday roast?
A. They have a busy lifestyle.
B. They have no interest in cooking.
C. They don’t think it worthwhile.
D. They are living in the modern society.
3.What does the underlined word “it” in the last paragraph refer to?
A. A recent article.
B. A traditional kitchen.
C. The fine old tradition.
D. Sunday morning activity.
4.How does the author feel towards Sunday roast’s dying out?
A. Doubtful. B. Positive.
C. Sorry. D. Uncertain.
If you are heading for Paris this year, be sure to include at least one of these shopping malls in your schedule.
Au Printemps
Tel: 01133014282
Located near the Paris Opera, this huge store is well-known for household goods as well as its fashion. The store also offers many services to overseas visitors, including shipping, translation and a personal shopping service. Au Printemps, whose name means springtime, hosts several free fashion shows each week. The store’s beauty department has one of the world’s largest selections of perfumes.
Galeries Lafayette
Tel: 01133014283
The Galeries Lafayette was built in 1906. It is as much fun to look at as it is to shop in this 10-storey shopping palace. In fact, the flagship store is the second most visited attraction in Paris, after the Louvre Museum. This shopping palace specializes in women’s clothing. Make sure to take in the view from the tea shop on the top floor; it’s well worth the visit.
Le Bon Marche
Tel: 01133014439
This stylish Left Bank department store was Paris’ first such store. Designed by Gustave Eiffel, Le Bon Marche is particularly known for its food hall, its wedding shops and its selection of modern clothes.
La Forum des Halles
Tel: 01133014476
This modern, underground shopping center was built in 1979. La Forum des Halles, the three-storey-tall shopping center offers everything from souvenirs to haute couture（高级女子时装）to entertainment, such as first-run movies and street performers. The shopping center is attached to the busy La Halle-Chatelet metro station and can be easily reached from all over Paris.
1.Which of the following places attracts the most visitors according to the passage?
A. The Louvre Museum.
B. The Paris Opera.
C. La Forum des Halles.
D. Au Printemps.
2.Which of the stores pays its special attention to women’s dressing?
A. Le Bon Marche.
B. Au Printemps.
C. La Forum des Halles.
D. Galeries Lafayette.
3.We can learn from the passage that .
A. Au Printemps is famous for its food hall
B. La Forum des Halles is next to the metro station
C. the clothes in Le Bon Marche are usually very cheap
D. the tea shop that is worth visiting is on the ninth floor of Galeries Lafayette
假设你是李华，你们班的英语老师要求每个同学在课堂上分享自己交友的经验。请你根据所给提示，用英语写一篇发言稿。
1. 你是如何看待友谊的；
2. 你是怎么选择朋友的；
3. 你是如何维持与朋友之间的友谊的。
注意: 1. 词数120左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（＼）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，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。
I am interested at swimming very much. At first, I went swimming just to keep health. Now my dream was to swim for my country in the Olympics. Though practicing in the pool is very bored, but I still work very hard in order to realize my dream. Because my hard work, I have already come first in much important competitions. In the competitions, I’ve made lot of friends and we’re very close. It’s much easier to have friends which are swimmers because they also have to get up early to practice like you and they understand this kind of life.
