Since having my son, I have found that I am always lucky enough to be surrounded by people willing to help.
When he was eight weeks old, I had a(n) ______ to meet with a TV producer in New York City to talk about my career. It was Monday. Could I, a young mother with a newborn, ________ from my home outside Boston to meet him on Wednesday? It was a _______ chance. So I said yes.
Honestly, it was _______. My son hated being in the car seat and ate very _______ during the long ride. _______we spent a comfortable Tuesday night at my parents’ house in Connecticut, which is halfway between Boston and New York. When we _______New York, I handed my son over to my friend from college. A dad himself, he _______him in a coffee shop during my_______. Everything went fine thanks to his help.
When my son was four months old, my best friend was going through a difficult time. So I decided to fly to Florida to ______her. Without my husband, who had to work, I was _______to fly with the baby. But I figured it couldn’t be _______than driving to New York when he was a newborn, and I had gotten through that.
_______, people I met on our trip were endlessly_______. On the flight down, the airline worker got me an extra_______because the flight wasn’t full. A nice lady sitting close to us _______him while I went to the bathroom. Taxi drivers helped me fasten his car seat and loaded the awkward pushchair in their trunks. To_______my son, my friend borrowed a lot of toys. We spent four ________days in Florida.
If you want an opportunity to see the _______in people, try taking a baby on a trip. In my experience, when face-to-face, most people sincerely want to _______each other.
1.A. wish B. trip C. appointment D. opportunity
2.A. walk B. drive C. fly D. ship
3.A. reasonable B. realistic C. rare D. slight
4.A. exciting B. boring C. tough D. plain
5.A. quickly B. hurriedly C. rudely D. frequently
6.A. And B. But C. As D. So
7.A. arrived B. visited C. left D. missed
8.A. hunted for B. looked after C. laughed at D. called on
9.A. working B. meeting C. showing D. preparing
10.A. accept B. save C. wake D. comfort
11.A. upset B. puzzled C. nervous D. surprised
12.A. easier B. worse C. longer D. later
13.A. Amazingly B. Strangely C. Amusingly D. Instantly
14.A. useful B. hopeful C. cheerful D. helpful
15.A. cup B. seat C. blanket D. meal
16.A. taught B. moved C. watched D. loved
17.A. please B. attract C. know D. support
18.A. busy B. wonderful C. safe D. quiet
19.A. good B. fun C. secret D. smile
20.A. make friends with B. catch up with C. take care of D. get hold of
Four Habits to Help You Succeed
We all want to succeed, whether it is in losing weight or learning the guitar. For those who have tried and failed, success seems difficult to understand. Why does one person succeed while another person fails? 1.
1. Identify your core values.
Finding your core values is in line with creating inner motivation.2. Pick a handful of things and write them down. Remind yourself of your values every day, and reflect on whether you are honouring those values through your work.
2.Pick a goal and focus on it.
Choose one goal to start something large enough that will give you a sense of achievement, while adjusting well to your core values. Focus is key here. 3. If you perform many tasks at a time, you might never complete your projects because they will take far too long.
3.Set a deadline for success.
Set a date for success. Identify when you hope to achieve your goal. 4.
By setting a time limit, you are making the process more real.
5.
Failure can’t be avoided when you take risks. Many people give up far too early. Use failure. Treat it as a good thing, and move on.
A．The more focused you are on one goal, the higher chance you have of success.
B．Make the right decision.
C．I have made a list of four habits to help you set goals and achieve them.
D．Stick to your goal.
E．Keep it realistic, while not giving you too much time.
F．Sit and reflect on what you value most.
G．Push yourself to be courageous, and take that next step.
The Independent Project at the Monument Mountain Regional High School in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, is attracting huge interest in the education field. The program is a new concept that has developed a wide variety of students’ abilities and excited their interest in education and self-directed learning. They are a group of students that , instead of being educated through the normal school courses, have created their own subjects and project-based interactive learning.
The students are almost completely independent. They choose a goal that they want to accomplish and work on for the whole year. These goals have included some impressive attempts such as writing a novel, writing a play , learning the piano and more. Along with these larger attempts , the students meet every day to ask questions about other subjects like natural sciences , social sciences, etc. Although most of them say that they don’t like math, they did eventually develop an interest in math through this independent learning technique.
The education program, which has attracted a huge variety of students, allows the students to learn and develop research skills and questioning techniques and allows them to truly be interested in the subjects they are diving into . They also teach each other what they have learned , which allows them to develop different way of presenting and gathering material that they have researched.
I wish that I could have participated in such a project during my high school career, like writing a novel. I am currently studying English as well as education to pursue a teaching degree. I would love to adapt independent driven projects into a classroom in the future.
This project also raises some crucial questions. Do we need to rethink the structure of the education system itself? Are too many students being simply fed through a conveyor belt(传送带) that we blindly see as working toward their education? I think that the education system needs some improvements , and different learning styles need to be addressed immediately.
Individual differences in learning are huge keys to the functioning of a classroom. This project takes the idea to a whole new level. This is an extremely important event in the development of the American education system and I think everyone needs to keep an eye out for more programs like this.
1.What can we learn about the Independent Project？
A. There is little involvement from teachers.
B. Normal school courses are also available.
C. The students meet every week to discuss their courses.
D. It was designed to improve the students’ interest in math.
2.By saying “Are too many students --- toward their education?” the author seems to imply that ________.
A. teachers are really important for students.
B. different learning styles should be encouraged.
C. the project works like a conveyor belt of information.
D. knowledge can be better conveyed in smaller classes
3.What is the passage mainly about ?
A. The benefits of interactive learning B. Individual differences in learning.
C. A group of independent students. D. An unusual education program.
Zero gravity looks cool. But what about the thing no one likes to talk about? Yes, that is right: going to the bathroom. Zero gravity makes this everyday task quite a challenge. Astronauts have to be toilet-trained all over again.
The Apollo astronauts raised themselves off the seat of their chairs and stuck a clear plastic bag to their back sides with sticky strips. A second astronaut watched closely to be sure no waste matter escaped the seal. (You would not want that stuff floating around the cabin!) When the deed was done, the astronaut cleaned up with a piece of plastic attached to the inside of the bag, removed the bag, dropped a disinfectant(消毒剂) pill in with the waste matter, and put the whole thing, sealed, into a special container.
Donald W. Rethke, an engineer for Hamilton Standard Space Systems, developed a more private way to answer nature’s call: the space toilet. It is somewhat like the kind of toilet one would find on commercial airplanes--with unique adaptations for zero gravity, of course. For instance, it has thigh bars that keep the astronaut from floating off the seat.
The astronaut (male or female) defecates (排便) in a bag and urinates (排尿) in a hose. Solid and liquid wastes are kept separated because at least 85% of the urine is recycled and, yes, after careful filtration(过滤), used for drinking and other purposes. (Water is always in demand in space.) A vacuum sucks the waste materials into the toilet, where the waste is compacted into hamburger-like patties for easy storage. Although not exactly like an earthbound visit to the toilet, it is at the very least much more private than in the early days of space travel.
1.According to the first paragraph, the lack of the gravity can turn something as simple as _______ into a major challenge.
A. eating B. answering nature’s call
C. sleeping D. going to the restroom
2.How did astronauts use toilet systems in the Apollo days?
A. None of the waste was separated as it is now.
B. Solid waste was compressed and stored on board.
C. The toilet units used water to remove the waste through the system.
D. The astronauts each used their own private restroom.
3.To ensure the user remains seated, the toilet comes equipped with _______
A. a plastic bag B. a sticky strip
C. a wide hose D. a thigh bar
4.What can be inferred from the fact that most of the astronauts’ urine is recycled?
A. The recycled water tastes better. B. Water is limited on the space shuttle.
C. It is very convenient to get their urine recycled. D. Space science includes recycling urine.
“Iris scan (虹膜扫描) ， please,” the bank’s computer voice tells you . You step up and the computer reads your eye , comparing it to the stored file it has of your iris. The images had better match—otherwise you won’t be able to get your money.
Iris scanning and other technologies , such as fingerprint and voice scanning , have appeared in many science fiction movies in the past. Today , these advanced technologies are part of the real world. They are common at work, the bank, the airport, and your local prison. The iris scan, fingerprint scan, and voice scan are all examples of biometrics( 生物测定学) a fast developing area of automatic personal identification technology . Basically , biometrics uses various ways to verify a persons identity , based on the individual’s unique characteristics ,including fingerprints , voices, irises, body heat patterns, facial images, handprints , signatures and so on.
Biometrics identification systems have a number of advantages over password systems. The primary advantage is that an individual has to be physically present in order to be identified. Another important advantage is that there are no passwords to remember , forget, lose or steal.
The voice scan is the simplest and most affordable form of biometrics . It only requires a computer, a microphone and the correct software. The software records a subject’s voice and then compares it to a stored voice sample for identification purposes.
For additional safety, fingerprint and handprint scans can also be employed . Fingerprint scans take the image of a fingerprint and compare it to a stored file of prints. Handprint scans identify the unique features of a hand.
Iris scans currently give the highest level of accuracy among all the available biometrics systems. Another technology , full facial scans , is currently in use at border crossings and airports. Facial scanning equipment can actually track and identify moving faces within a crowd.
The potential of biometrics is exciting and encouraging . With continued development , testing , and application , current technologies will become even more effective in the future. Soon , the days of password and car keys will be gone . Just don’t leave home without your fingerprints!
1.The first paragraph serves as a(n) __________.
A. example B. explanation
C. comment D. conclusion
2.The underlined word “verify” in Paragraph 2 probably means “_____”.
A. protect B. confirm
C. develop D. change
3.Which is the most accurate form of biometrics?
A. The voice scan B. The fingerprint scan
C. The iris scan D. The facial scan
4.What is the author’s attitude towards the future of biometrics?
A. He is uncertain about it . B. He feels doubtful about it .
C. He is worried about it . D. He feels hopeful about it .
Part-Time Store Sales Association
Are you an energetic salesperson with a gift for offering exceptional customer service? This position needs you to develop relationships with a variety of customers.
REQUIREMENTS:
Candidates should be proficient in both English and French;
*High school diploma;
* Working knowledge of store operations;
*Ability to work varied shifts including nights , weekends ,and holidays;
* Good verbal and written communication skills;
*Must possess a valid driver’s license;
* Candidates must be authorized (批准) to work permanently in the United States;
* Candidates who receive a job offer will be required to meet all health requirements and pass background checks;
Part-Time Customer Support Center Representative
We are seeking a customer support representative who will respond to many customer questions about the company’s products and services.
REQUIREMENTS:
*College degree preferred;
*Excellent customer service skills;
*Excellent verbal communication;
*Excellent attendance;
* Dependable;
This position offers a part-time work schedule; Four consecutive(连续的) hours per day, Monday-Friday between 7 am and 7 pm (plus one Saturday per month , 8am-5pm)
Part-Time Resident Assistant
We work together to make a real difference in the lives of our residents. If you share our family values, we’d love to meet you.
REQUIREMENTS:
* Ability to real , write and speak English;
*Ability to communicate effectively with residents, families staff and the general public;
*Must have a desire to work with the elderly;
*Must meet all health requirements and pass background checks.
Part-Time Kitchen Helper
As a part-time kitchen helper, you’ll be responsible for food preparation, serving meals, setting tables , washing dishes , and completing cleaning duties. If you have a desire to help others, join us as we try to provide a positive physical and social environment for our residents.
REQUIREMENTS:
*Must be able to read , write and follow oral and written directions;
* Obtain Food Handles Permit (as required by state regulations);
* Ability to communicate effectively with residents, families , staff and the general public;
* A desire to work with the elderly;
*Must meet all health requirements and pass background checks.
1.How long may a customer support representative work at most during a week?
A. 32 hours B. 28 hours
C. 24 hours D. 20 hours
2.As a part-time kitchen helper, one needs to _________.
A. possess a valid driver’s license B. like working with the elderly
C. have a high school diploma D. work on weekends
3.The four jobs all require applicants to ___________.
A. have a college degree
B. be healthy and energetic
C. have good communication skills
D. be authorized to work permanently in the U.S.
4.Which job requires the applicant to master two languages?
A. A part-time customer support center representative.
B. A Part-Time Store Sales Association
C. A Part-Time Resident Assistant
D. A Part-Time Kitchen Helper
