As the first black female representative of Alabama in Congress, Terri A. Sewell said she was raised to accomplish anything she wanted. “I never saw my limitations when it came to being a woman in anything, let alone political power.” Sewell recently said to The Washington Post. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t go through the challenges that face most women in politics.
Terri was brought up in Selma. She was the first black student to have the highest grades of Selma High School. Sewell spent her childhood summers in Alabama with her grandparents. Her grandfather, a minister and farmer, guided her to acquire a love for her homeland, appreciation of hard work, and the importance of her faith. Her grandfather gave her a deep understanding of the history of black people.
Sewell graduated with honors from Princeton University. During the summers while in college, she was a leader on the college campus, serving in various roles including class vice-president, class representative... Upon graduating from college, she was chosen as one of the “Top Ten College Women in America”. At the age of 25, she published her master’s paper on the election of the first black members of British Parliament (英国议会).
After graduation, Sewell served as a law clerk in Birmingham, Alabama. Sewell began her legal career in 1994 at the Wall Street law firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell. Sewell provided free legal services for the homeless, girls of color in NYC high schools.
Sewell returned to Alabama in 2004 to assist her mother in the care of her father. As the first black female partner in a Birmingham law firm, Sewell has distinguished herself as one of the only black public finance lawyers in the State of Alabama. She served as a lawyer helping to raise money for public projects for some of the state’s most troublesome public affairs. Sewell made educational finance a particular focus ofher practice, representing the historically black colleges in Alabama, as well as other higher education institutions.
Terri Sewell also served as co-chair of the Women’s Fund “Voices Against Violence” campaign, which inspired women to help women to overcome domestic violence (家庭暴力). The campaign raised more than $70, 000 in four months to fight domestic violence in Birmingham.
“She has always been an overachiever. ” This is what her mother said about her.
1. What can we know about Sewell’s grandfather?| A．He led Sewell to politics personally. |
| B．He helped shape Sewell’s life values. |
| C．He inspired Sewell to gain voting rights. |
| D．He urged Sewell to challenge herself. |
| A．She based her master’s paper on a personal interview. |
| B．She worked part-time for The Washington Post. |
| C．She got involved in various events actively. |
| D．She was elected chairwoman of the Student Union. |
| A．Caring and responsible. |
| B．Creative and energetic |
| C．.Determined and modest. |
| D．Honest and aggressive(上进的). |
| A．The key to Terri A. Sewell’s success |
| B．Racial equality: a long-term goal |
| C．A rising star in the U. S. Congress |
| D．Terri A. Sewell: a woman in power |
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【推荐1】In June of 2021, during the pandemic, the hospitals in New York City were crowded with healthcare workers and a group of nurses flying from the West Coast to lend a hand. One of the young nurses was assigned a mother of six children. She was on a ventilator (呼吸器), quarantined (隔离) from her husband and frightened. The young nurse, Carly, decided to cheer her up by bringing a group of nurses together to sing “My Girl.” With a tube in her throat and needles in her arm, the young mother cried and raised a few fingers to say thank you.
With a simple hand gesture, the mother expressed her gratitude. “That little thank you changed me forever,” Carly says. “I went because I wanted to make a difference. I came home, grateful for what I learned.”
Gratitude moves us to be kinder. A woman who lost her husband during the pandemic felt lonely. Her neighbors, grateful for over 50 years of friendship, expressed their gratitude by delivering a box of fresh produce to her house every Monday during lockdown. It’s our gratitude that becomes the power to create good acts.
In the early morning quiet, when we are awakened by the uncertainty of the coming day, we can find peace by mentally listing the things we are grateful for. And we reach a new place in our life that we accept and appreciate. What’s next is to share. Send a thank-you note. Make a call. Look around. There is always someone to thank. By doing so, we become something new that makes a difference to someone’s life.
1. Why did the nurses sing a song?| A．To remove the fear. | B．To cheer the mother up. |
| C．To relieve their stress. | D．To encourage workers. |
| A．The mother’s thank. | B．Patients’ pain. |
| C．Horrible pandemic. | D．Kind nurses. |
| A．Time tests friendship. | B．Friendship defeats pandemic. |
| C．Gratitude leads to kind acts. | D．Good acts tie all together. |
| A．Thank someone. | B．Accept our life. | C．Find peace. | D．Change ourselves. |
【推荐2】Everyone has heard the phrase, “giving up is not an option”. Many disregard it and do not believe in it. But this small yet effective phrase gives a strong message. There will always be something that interrupts or causes inconvenience in the journey to achieve the dreams. But that should not drive one away from the path that they are on. Fitting the context perfectly is the story of Ian William.
Popularly known as the “Social Golfer", Ian William is an accountant, lecturer, author, and a former golf player. He dreamed of playing golf at childhood. He would often observe players playing from a distance. He worked hard and changed his financial limitations. Then he began practicing in various golf matches. Due to his devotion and love for the sport, he picked up the techniques quickly and soon began playing as a professional. He also dreamed of participating in the Senior Golf Tour in the coining year.
However, in 1996, Ian was diagnosed with a tumor in the left part of his brain, which affected his hearing from the right side and damaged his balance nerve. He underwent two surgeries in 1997 with a smile and a hope to be cured. Although the surgeries were successful, Ian caught meningitis while recovering from it. Apart from being hopeful and optimistic, there was no other way Ian could cope with the situation.
Just as things had begun to normalize, in 2006, Ian's body was affected by a major stroke. This stroke numbed the left side of his body. His life-long dream of participating in a golf tournament could not be fulfilled anymore.
Ian took his time to recover and came back even stronger. He wanted to inspire millions with his journey and decided to share his experiences through a book. Ian has now published his 3rd book Still Crazy After All These Years in 2020.
1. What does the underlined word “that” in paragraph 1 refer to?| A．The option. | B．The message. | C．The barrier. | D．The dream. |
| A．William showed talent in golf as a child. |
| B．The lack of money prevented him practicing golf at an early age. |
| C．William's road to becoming a professional golfer was smooth. |
| D．Talent and ambition made William learn quickly. |
| A．Doctors' comfort | B．Family's support. |
| C．Advice from the books. | D．Hope and optimism. |
| A．Move forward whatever happens. | B．Love wins over illness. |
| C．Seize every opportunity to learn. | D．Luck favors ready minds. |
【推荐3】More than four decades ago，British scientist Robert Edwards first witnessed the miracle of human life growing inside a test tube at his Cambridge lab. Since that groundbreaking moment，more than four million babies have been born through IVF（in vitro fertilization）（体外受精）and in 2010 his great contribution to science was finally recognized as he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
The prize for Dr. Edwards，who was given a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Award in 2008，includes a ₤ 900，000check. The Nobel Assembly described IVF as“a milestone in modern medicine”.
With the help of fellow scientist Patrick Steptoe，the Batley-born physiologist developed IVF — leading to the birth of the world's first test-tube baby. Dr. Steptoe died 10 years later but their work has given hope to millions of couples.
It was a scientific breakthrough that transformed-the lives of millions of couples. They said，“His achievements have made it possible to treat infertility，a disease which makes humans unable to have a baby. This condition has been afflicting a large percentage of mankind including more than 10%of all couples worldwide.”
Louise Brown，the world's first test-tube baby，made international headlines when she was born in Oldham，Greater Manchester，in 1978 to parents Lesley and John who had been fruitlessly trying for a baby since 1969.
IVF is the process where egg cells are fertilized outside the body before being implanted in the womb（子宫）. After a cycle of IVF，the probability of a couple with infertility problems having a baby is one in five — the same as healthy couples who conceive（怀孕）naturally.
Professor Edwards，who has five daughters and 11 grandchildren，began his research at the University of Cambridge in 1963，after receiving his PhD in 1955. He once said,“The most important thing in life is having a child. Nothing is more special than a child.”With the help of Patrick Steptoe, Prof. Edwards founded the Bourn Hall Clinic in Cambridgeshire, which now treats more than 900 women a year. Each year, more than 30,000 women in Britain receive IVF and 11,000 babies are born as a result of the treatment.
But his work attracted widespread criticism from some scientists who said it was“unethical and immoral”.
Martin Johnson, professor of Reproductive Sciences at the University of Cambridge, said the award was “long overdue”. He said,“We couldn't understand why the Nobel Prize has come so late but he is delighted — this is the cherry on the cake for him.”
Professor Edwards was too ill to give interviews but a statement released by his family said he was“thrilled and delighted”.
1. What is Robert Edwards' great contribution to science?| A．Enabling millions of couples to live a better life. |
| B．Seeing the wonder of the first test-tube baby. |
| C．Helping couples with infertility to have test-tube babies. |
| D．Challenging a disease which stops humans having babies. |
| A．troubling | B．developing |
| C．improving | D．confusing |
| A．Because he thought it of great importance to have a child in life. |
| B．Because the birthrate around the world was unexpectedly low then. |
| C．Because a special child did make a difference to an ordinary family. |
| D．Because his fellow scientist wanted to give hope to the unlucky couples. |
| A．Professor Edwards deserved the prize for his breakthrough |
| B．different opinions were voiced on Professor Edwards' contribution |
| C．some people envied Professor Edwards for his being awarded |
| D．the prize was late because the contribution was first considered immoral |
【推荐1】The year just keeps getting better for the young writer Sierra Blair. She published her new book at a tourist spot and received high praise from some important officials.
“I hope that through her writing we are able to stimulate the young people in our school systems to read and write more. One of our challenges is reading and writing abilities and it is clear that the talent is there, so it’s only a matter of exploring it. I’m very impressed and also grateful to her parents for giving her support in taking this important step of publishing,” said Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education during a face-to-face conversation. Sierra caught media attention last year after publishing her first book on Amazon. The newest and independently published children’s book Roman and the Pink Flamingos was inspired by Sierras three-year-old brother, Roman.
“It’s scary(可怕的) to bring something to the public that you’ve put a lot of work into and someone could easily damage it and say, ‘It’s not good enough.’ Luckily, I have my family and others in my corner to meet people in power and I can get positive feedback(反馈) from them, which makes me feel like I’m on the right path,” said Sierra.
During the conversation, the Governor General Dame Pindling asked about the book and the creative process involved in bringing works to life. She hoped Sierra would not only write children’s novels but work deeper into the construction of the nation one day, writing down what she observed. “She encouraged me in my creative interest and praised me for being independent in my professional development. I deeply enjoyed our conversation,” said Sierra.
Sierra wasn’t the only one to be visited by the Governor General.
1. What does the underlined word “stimulate” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．Force. | B．Warn. |
| C．Allow. | D．Encourage. |
| A．Because her choice was wrong. |
| B．Because her family did not support her. |
| C．Because her book might get bad reviews. |
| D．Because her writing was not good enough. |
| A．Grateful and sensitive. |
| B．Confident and ordinary. |
| C．Creative and independent. |
| D．Determined and practical. |
| A．Sierra’s plans for new books. |
| B．Sierra’s stories behind writing. |
| C．An interview from another reporter. |
| D．A visit to another person by the Governor General. |
【推荐2】When she won the first ever season of American Idol 11 years ago, critics believed she had little chance of staying on top. Too “girl next door”, they said. Not stylish enough. Not thin enough, either.
But Kelly Clarkson, 31, has proven them all wrong with her string of worldwide hits, from Because of You to the recent Catch My Breath.
Being the first Idol winner in the US was not easy. In the past decade since that victory, Clakson has had to deal with the media’s scrutiny of her weight and personal style. “Everyone’s like, ‘You’re a pop star. You should be smaller’.” Clarkson told People Magazine. “But I’m the pop star. I’ll make the rules.”
Since middle school, Clarkson has been aware of the power of her voice. She first joined the school choir (合唱队) at age 13 when a teacher heard her singing in the hallway and demanded that she join. “Singing gave me confidence,” Clarkson told the Orange County Register, a newspaper in California. “Friends at school were nervous because they didn’t know what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives, but I had a peaceful feeling inside, because I knew. ”
Despite her enormous publicity, Clarkson has remained true to her down-to-earth personality. “The reason some winners fade away is that they’re trying to model themselves on somebody else. If we already have the original, why would we need a copy? You need to be offering something new, something that’s uniquely you, ”she told the Daily Mail. Around her rib cage (胸腔) is her new tattoo (纹身), indicating how strong she has become from all that she’s been through. It reads: “What doesn’t kill you.”
1. How did critics think of Kelly?| A．Unique. |
| B．Plain. |
| C．Beautiful-looking. |
| D．Extraordinary. |
| A．By losing weight. |
| B．By winning some medals. |
| C．By giving some worldwide concerts. |
| D．By publishing some very famous songs. |
| A．Tough inspection. |
| B．Extreme curiosity. |
| C．Complete exposure. |
| D．Accurate calculation |
| A．Being very confident. |
| B．Having a definite life goal. |
| C．Having tattoo around her cage. |
| D．Having down-to-earth personality. |
【推荐3】You may be familiar with the following famous people, but have you heard of their graduation speeches, in which they either share their unforgotten experiences or give you some great inspiration.
Michael Dell, University of Texas at Austin
And now you’ve accomplished something great and important here, and it’s time for you to move on to what’s next. And you must not let anything prevent you from taking those first steps. … You must also commit to the adventure. Just have faith in the skills and the knowledge you’ve been blessed（赐予）with and go.
J.K. Rowling, Harvard University
Half my lifetime ago, I was striking an uneasy balance between my ambition and the expectation from my parents who were not rich…But what I feared most of myself at your age was not poverty, but failure. The fact that you are graduating from Harvard suggests that you know little about failure, you might be driven by a fear of failure quite as much as a desire for success.
Steve Jobs, Stanford University
Sometimes life’s going to hit you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith…Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work, and the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking and don’t settle.
Bill Gates, Harvard University
We need as many people as possible to have access to the advanced technology to lead to a revolution in what human beings can do for one another. They are making it possible not just for national governments, but for universities, smaller organizations, and even individuals to see problems, see approaches and deal with the world’s inequities（不公平）like hunger, poverty, and so on.
1. What Michael Dell said is to urge us to ________.| A．listen to our heart | B．learn from our mistakes |
| C．follow others’ example | D．pursue our dreams |
| A．Failure. | B．Hunger. |
| C．Poverty. | D．Appearance. |
| A．Master as much advanced technology as possible. |
| B．Work together to rid some global problems. |
| C．Make contributions to the environment. |
| D．Take responsibility for their own behavior. |
