OPENINGS AND PREVIEWS

Antlia Pneumatica

In a new play by Anne Washburn, directed by Ken Rus Schmoll, a group of estranged friends gather at a Texas farm house to bury one of their peers. (Peter Jay Sharp, 416 W. 42nd St. 212-279-4200. In previews.)

Bright Star

Steve Martin and Edie Brickell wrote this bluegrass-and-Americana musical, in which a magazine editor meets a soldier returning from the Second World War. Walter Bobbie directs. (Cort, 138 W. 48th St. 212-239-6200. In previews.)

The Crucible

Ivo van Hove directs Arthur Miller’s classic drama about the Salem witch trials, starring Saoirse Ronan, Ben Whishaw, Ciaran Hinds, and Sophie Okonedo. (Walter Kerr, 219 W. 48th St. 212-239-6200. In previews.)

Dry Powder

John Krasinski, Claire Danes, and Hank Azaria star in Sarah Burgess’s play, in which an executive at a private-equity firm (私人股本公司) tries to rebound from a P.R. disaster. Thomas Kail directs. (Public, 425 Lafayette St. 212-967-7555. In previews. Opens Oct. 28, 2017)

The Father

Frank Langella stars in a play by the French writer Florian Zeller, translated by Christopher Hampton and directed by Doug Hughes for Manhattan Theatre Club, about an eighty-year-old man who is losing his grip on his own life story. (Samuel J. Friedman, 261 W. 47th St. 212-239-6200. Previews begin Oct. 28, 2017)

It was a Friday morning, 7:30a.m. I felt too lazy to drive my car so I asked my son to book a taxi. In five minutes, the taxi reached the entrance gate, waiting for my arrival. I just saw the car number and entered inside the car. I was so busy that I didn’t pay any attention to the driver. I was searching for an important paper from my bag, so I said, “Please, go quick! I’m in a hurry!” The voice came, “Yes, Ma’ am!” I was surprised when I heard a female voice! I stopped my work for a second and looked at the drive. The driver was a young lady. Maybe, around thirty or thirty-two! For the first time, I saw a lady driving a taxi!

Hundred times, I had traveled in a taxi, but I never saw any lady driving a taxi, I didn’t know why I became so enthusiastic about knowing why she had chosen this profession. So I started the conversation, “If you don’t mind, can I ask you some questions?” “Yes, ma’am! No problem.” “I guess, you are well qualified!” “Yes, ma’am. I have completed my education. I have done my MBA course.” “Oh, my God! Why did you then choose this profession, instead of going for an academic career?”

She smiled and the way she expressed her views made me amazed! Very politely, she said “Driving was my passion (热情) from my childhood, ma’am! Of course I do respect each and every job. In this case, at least I fulfill my desire! I love driving! I don’t mind for a big or small job. I want a job where I can get satisfaction. I get offers from M.N.C but I prefer this one because I like it! I know, I can’t get enough money out of it, yet as I tell you ‘I love driving!’ That’s it.”

A ROBOT companion for older people aims to promote activity and deal with loneliness by urging them to take part in digital and physical activities.

The ElliQ robot, made by Israel-based start-up Intuition Robotics, will be published at the Design Museum in London this week. ElliQ is a small desktop device that consists of a domed (拱形的) “body” and a separate detachable (可拆卸的) screen.

Created in collaboration with Swiss designer Yves Behar, the robot is able to encourage a degree of social engagement. Similar to home assistants like the Amazon Echo, people can simply talk to it, and there are visual clues that could be particularly helpful for those with hearing difficulties.

A key purpose of ElliQ is to act as an easy platform to access existing services such as social media, and messaging programs. For example, the device could alert the users that their grandchild has posted a new photo on Facebook, show it to them on the screen.

ElliQ can recommend activities voluntarily. It might ask if you’re interested in watching a video, for instance, or suggest a walk. It can also act as reminder to take medication.

Having a robot constantly offer suggestions could obviously get annoying, so the device uses machine learning to tailor these suggestions to individual preferences. If a suggestion is met with a positive response once, ElliQ might try it again. If not, it might change for a different tack.

Career criminals begin their antisocial behavior during their toddler (学步的儿童) years and may go on with a life of crime if their behavior isn’t challenged, scientists have discovered. While most children grow out of their bad behavior by adulthood, a study found those who had “callous unemotional (冷漠无情的) characteristics” could grow up to have problems with the law later in life. Behavior characteristics such as a lack of sympathy and lying in childhood could have an impact years on.

Luke Hyde, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, said, “These are signs for parents and doctors to watch out for, as they may signal more than just the terrible twos.” He said, “Parents both take care of their child and provide their child’s genes so it’s been difficult to know if we’re seeing that parenting causes callous unemotional behaviors, or if it is just a sign of the genes being passed to the child.”

The research also discovered that strict parenting is linked to the development of antisocial behavior. Scientists looked at 561 families in an adoption study that examined biological mothers’ antisocial behavior. The scientists found children of antisocial mothers were also more likely to exhibit the same behavior characteristics, despite having limited or no touch with them as they were adopted as babies.

“The really exciting take-home message from this study is that small, day-to-day positive interactions (互动) that parents have with their young children can make a huge difference in children’s development,’’ said Leslie Leve, a professor at the University of Oregon who co-led the data collection.

“Even when children have inherited (遗传) a very challenging set of behaviors, hearing ‘good job’ or receiving encouragement can help protect them from developing serious problems coming from their inherited difficulties,” he added. The study, worked on by scientists from the University of Michigan, Penn State University and the University of Oregon has been published in the American Journal of Psychiatry. Researchers will follow the group of children through early adolescence to determine if these behaviors still continue to exist from the toddler years.

Did you feel like the negative remark was more influential than the compliments that you received earlier? If the answer to the question is “Yes”, then you are not alone.     16    

When negative remarks come about, you remind yourself that it is only someone’s opinion and everyone is entitled (使享有权利) to express their opinions. They have the right to say anything they want to say.    17    . You can choose to do whatever you feel necessary with that person’s opinion. When I was a kid, I heard a saying — “A barking dog won’t stop a moving carriage.” That is to say if a carriage is moving and a dog is running after it while barking, the carriage won’t stop because of that dog’s barking.

As to campus bullying, I suggest an exercise to kids who are being bullied at school.     18     Take a deep breath, in through your nose. Exhale out of your mouth, and pretend there is a drinking straw (吸管) in your mouth so that you exhale air in a straight line. This short exercise will be calming, and allow you to stay cool.

    19    . I personally do not know anyone who is calm. What I’m suggesting is that you learn to productively deal with other people’s negatively, and take control of your emotions and thoughts. In an article in Psychology Today, Dr Raj Raghunathan says, “The difference between ordinary people and extraordinary people is simple. Extraordinary people choose to listen to their positivity and ignore other people’s negativity.”    20    . So you should learn how to deal with negative remarks and not let them control your emotions and thoughts.

My uncle was a quiet, cheerful man. He was ___with fishing, and it was one of our young life to ___him on his trip to the Country Brook. We were quite willing to work hard in the cornfield to finish the ___day’s labor in season for an afternoon leisurely walk through the woods and along the brook side.

I well remember my first fishing trip. I have ___been happier than when I received that first fishing pole from my uncle’s hand. It was a ___, sweet day of early summer; the long afternoon shadows of the trees lay cool across our path.   My uncle, who knew by long experience where the best place that pickerel (梭子鱼) frequently visited, ___placed me at the most favorable point.   I throw out my line as I had seen others, and waited ___for a bite. Nothing came of it. ＂Try again. ＂ said my uncle. Suddenly the bait (鱼饵) ___out of sight.   Thinking ＂a fish ___＂, I made a strong pull.   Unfortunately I brought up a tangle of weeds.   Again and again, I cast out my line with ____arms, and drew it back empty. Feeling ____, I looked at my uncle. ＂Try once more,＂ he said, ＂we fishermen must have patience. ＂

Suddenly something tugged my line. ＂Uncle!＂ I cried, looking back in uncontrollable ____, ＂I’ve got a fish!＂ ＂Not ____,＂ said my uncle.   As he spoke, the scared fish ____into the middle of the stream. I had lost my prize.   Therefore, overcome with bitter disappointment, I sat down in silence. My uncle refitted my bait, and told me to try my ____once more.

＂But remember, boy,＂ he said, with his wise smile, ＂never ____of catching a fish ____he is on the dry ground. Similarly, it is no use bragging of anything until it’s done, nor then, ____, for it speaks for itself. ＂

Whenever I hear people boasting of something, I always remember the ____by the brook side and the ____caution of my uncle: ＂NEVER BRAG OF YOUR FISH BEFORE YOU CATCH HIM. ＂

The Han Dynasty is one of the most important     41    (dynasty) in Chinese history. There are many     42    (wonder) achievements during this period. It was the first Chinese dynasty     43    (open) its door to other cultures     44    its foreign trade was prosperous. The Silk Road opened up in the Han Dynasty     45    (lead) to the Middle and Western Asia and     46    Rome. Various forms of art blossomed during the period     47    many great works on literature, history and philosophy appeared. The publishing of China’s first dictionary was completed in 100AD; it contains 9000 Chinese characters. At     48    same time, great progress     49    (make) in science and technology was really amazing. The Han Dynasty lasted 400 years. However, the rulers, corruption (腐败) eventually resulted in     50    (it) destruction.

2.只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。

As a Chinese high school student to graduate in this year, I sincerely apply to a chance to study in your university. I’m eighteen but will finish my three years of study in high school soon. I studied Chinese, English, math, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, history and other subject, of which science subjects are my favorites. I’m also good at English. I can communicate fluent with native speakers in English.

Beside, I go in for various out-of-class activities. I like play football, table tennis, and so on. I’m also member of many clubs for music and opera. I’m a volunteer in my neighborhood.

I’m looking forward to hear from you. And please contact me by e-mail: lihua@qq.com.

Yours sincerely,

Li Hua

I’m more than glad to hear that_______________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua.