I was traveling with students in Barcelona, walking through the famous street La Rambla, when I noticed two guys making fun of me. I could see them in the reflection of a mirrored building, making gestures with their hands to suggest how much bigger I was than the thin girl standing next to me. They painted her figure in the air like an hourglass. Then they painted my shape like a ball. They were saying something, too, but there was only one word I could make out: Gorda. Fat woman.
I've been hearing comments like this for much all my life. Maybe someone else would have yelled at them, or shrunk inside. But I don't get upset when this happens.
I pulled out my camera, and set up a shoot.
I suspect that if I met with these narrow-minded people, my words would have no effect. So, rather than using the attackers' actions to beat myself up, I just prove them wrong. The camera gave me my voice.
For about a year, I'd been taking pictures of strangers' reactions to me in public for a series I called "Wait Watchers." My goal is to capture a wide range of social groups so I travel as much as I can. I've photographed in Spain, Peru, Chicago, New York and Memphis. I set up my camera in plain sight on a tripod(三脚架)or bench, or an assistant will take hundreds of photographs in several minutes. I then comb the images to see if I captured a reaction.
And I don't get hurt when I look at the images. I feel like I am pushing the stare back on to them to let people see their stare. I'm fine with who I am and don't need anyone's approval to live my life. I only get angry when I hear someone comment about my weight but I don't get the shot.
Since the project started getting media attention, I've received hundreds of emails from people thanking me. There are so many people in the world who feel they have the right to criticize someone for the way they look. I got an email from a 15-year-old girl in Belgium who said my images made her-feel better and not care about what others think. "That made me proud. As for what the images mean, viewers may interpret the images as they see fit. I'm just trying to start a conversation.
1. Where were the two guys when the author noticed them?| A．Outside the building. | B．On the top of the building. |
| C．Next to a mirror in the building. | D．In front of a mirror in the building. |
| A．Pictures of strangers. | B．Pictures of social groups. |
| C．Reactions to her from students. | D．Reactions to her from various people. |
| A．She pays no attention to what others think about. |
| B．She is often made fun of for her appearance. |
| C．She realizes her making fun of others is wrong. |
| D．She is beginning to feel proud of her appearance. |
| A．Upset. | B．Guilty. | C．Unlucky. | D．Confident. |
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【推荐1】I used to ride my bike to work on quiet Sundays，and then gave it up when my work schedule changed. Concerns about traffic on the streets of Washington, D.C took away my confidence, but National Bike to Work Day made me try again.
This morning, at 6:45. I wheeled my bike out of the garage and joined a nation of first-timers and old-timers on National Bike to Work Day.
I bought a new bike last year with the intention of cycling regularly to the office. I started riding right away, but set the goal realistically low: just once a week.
In my favor was the fact that I worked on Sundays, a perfect riding day because of the low traffic. And so I enjoyed a series of nearly deserted morning rides from my bungalow in a Washington. D. C. neighborhood to the Monitor’s bureau., just two blocks from the White House.
But then I no longer needed to work on Sundays. And my bike stayed parked in the garage. The last part of my cycle route covered busy urban streets, and I worried about traffic.
Today made me give bike commuting (通勤) a second try. However, some of the cyclists roared (呼啸而行) down the path quite fast, and I nearly caused an accident; downtown, I made a wrong turn, and ended up on a busy street; unlike Sundays, I had to pack a change of work clothes; besides, there was no shower.
Bike commuting is on the rise in America, but I’m a fair—weather rider, easily influenced by rain or snow. This morning did little to calm my worries about commuter traffic. One of the problems is my inexperience, and I’m willing to learn from that. But I can see now that if commuter biking is to really take off, cities and workplaces need to encourage it, from bike lanes (车道) to workplace showers.
1. What did the author say about cycling to work on Sundays?| A．It made her a regular cyclist. | B．It took too much time. |
| C．It was very pleasant. | D．It made her nervous. |
| A．The long—distance cycling. | B．Her poor skill at cycling. |
| C．Terrible weather. | D．Heavy traffic. |
| A．Ashamed. | B．Shocked. | C．Confused. | D．Discouraged. |
| A．Cycling—friendly environment. | B．Rain or snow on workdays. |
| C．More freedom. | D．A new bike. |
【推荐2】One steamy July afternoon in central Arkansas, I was working on an important project in my home office with a dear friend and colleague. My trusty printer was churning out (快速生产) a time-sensitive report when it simply stopped. After fifteen minutes of trying to repair, I decided to buy a new printer. Upon our return, my heart froze to see my house on fire.
Despite having spent much of my life writing, I was still lost for adequate words to describe the sick, sinking feeling of seeing your home, business, and belongings going up in flames along with photographs and memories collected over a lifetime. But the panic that filled my shocked heart in that awful moment was for the nine cats that shared my home after being rescued from situations of abuse and abandonment.
Responding to an early security-system warning, the amazing firefighters arrived in record time, but the chemical-laden smoke had already caused deaths. I examined and kissed each cat goodbye, extremely grateful that they had passed gently, without injuries or burns.
Only animal lovers really understand the unbelievable impact that the loss of one beloved four-legged family member can have on your heart, mind and soul. The loss of so many dearly loved creatures sent me reeling (发蒙).
After staying with another great friend for a couple of weeks, I was relocated to a furnished apartment. One evening, about a month after moving in, I was occupied in writing a mystery novel when a falsetto “meow” sounded from outside the apartment door. Was it my mind playing tricks again? More than once I had heard, seen or felt the brush of one of my departed furry roommates. The meow grew louder and more insistent. Curious, I opened the door.
Sitting on the doorstep was a kitten (小猫) with an exotic black coat and alert amber eyes. A neighbor walking by picked him up and began petting him. When I remarked how cute her kitten was, she explained that he had been born under a bridge and looked around for food. This kitty－loving neighbor was quick to offer an extra litter box if I was interested in giving him a home. My immediate reaction was a facetious (开玩笑的) “that’s all I need!” After all, my resolution(决心)had been well reasoned and remained firm. But without hesitation she put the adorable kitten down. I thanked her and closed the door, resolved to just let him stay until a real home could be found.
That night, as I slid between the sheets of the still unfamiliar bed in the still unfamiliar apartment, the energetic little fur ball jumped onto the bed, yawned dramatically, and nestled by my side. Those who have never shared a sleep with a creature or two may not relate, but that was the first night since the fire that I actually slept. Stubbornly determined not to open myself to more animals—to more pain—I had refused to admit how desperately I missed having a warm fuzzy cuddled (依偎) close.
Needless to say, the cat community knew the precise prescription for healing far better than I. The name Starlight (Star for short) seemed perfect because that night he brought some light back into my life.
Star adores wrestling rubber bands, races up and down the stairs, darts outside anytime the door opens, suddenly appears everywhere I don’t want him to be, holds onto the broom while I’m trying to sweep, and rolls in catnip or whatever else happens to be on the floor. In hindsight (事后看来), a better name might have been “Star, Stop It!”
In the five years since the fire, we have been through a lot, Starlight and I. We returned to the house, managed to keep the business alive, brought the mystery novel to the final edits before it’s submitted in hopes of publication, and made a lot more resolutions. Star helped me through a massive, yet untraditional, healing of spirit. The memories of the kitties that passed in the fire now spark only warmth in my heart and win some smiles. Every single day, I appreciate the serendipitous (有意外收获的) nature of the Universe that sent me hope in the form of a little black furball.
So take a little advice from my furry friend: no matter how hopeless things may become or how fixed your resolution may be, open the door whenever opportunity knocks. It just might be a star to light your way.
1. What probably caused the author to open the door?| A．The idea of seeing his beloved four－legged family member again. |
| B．The impact of the loss of loved creatures on his mind and soul. |
| C．The brush of his departed furry roommates playing tricks on him. |
| D．The curiosity about the novel written in memory of his cats. |
| A．The author desired to make friends with a cat-loving neighbor. |
| B．The author made a decision not to take in any animals. |
| C．The author didn’t consider a cat-loving neighbor as a friend. |
| D．The author made a decision to adopt other animals. |
| A．he never shared a sleep with a kitten | B．he refused to admit missing a kitten |
| C．he determined to open himself to pain | D．he accepted the kitten and slept with it |
| A．The Dream for Kittens | B．Ways to Remove Sadness |
| C．The Power of Resolutions | D．Starlight to Give Hope |
【推荐3】Almost every night for more than 10 years，Kirk Alexander，48，ordered a late dinner from his local restaurant Domino’s Pizza.But for the past two weeks，he hasn’t called for even once.
“A few of my staff mentioned that we hadn’t seen his order in a while.Then I found that it had been 12 days since he last ordered，which is not like him，” Domino’s general manager Sarah Fuller said，feeling she could no longer ignore Kirk’s recent absence.
Sarah has known Kirk since 2009 when she started working at the Domino’s Pizza as a delivery driver (送餐员) and often made the short trip to Kirk’s home about six minutes away.She knew Kirk worked from home，and neighbors said he seldom left.She also knew that he suffered some health problems in the past.Something，Sarah worried，was wrong.
Around 1 a.m.on May 8，Sarah sent delivery driver Sean Hamblen to visit Kirk’s home.Sean arrived at Kirk’s home and knocked on the front door several times.There was no answer.He later noticed that the lights and the TV in the home were on.When he called Kirk’s phone，it went straight to voice mail.
Sean drove back to the restaurant to tell Sarah and they decided to call 911.Soon，officers arrived at Kirk’s home.So did Sarah and Sean.They heard a man calling for help from inside.Officers broke down the door and found Kirk on the floor in need of medical attention at once after suffering from a heart attack (心脏病发作).One day later，they might have been too late.
So is keeping an eye on regular customers (老顾客) part of Domino’s business plan? Not really.“Kirk is part of our family here and we feel like we need to do something.” Sarah said.
1. Why did Sarah send a delivery driver to visit Kirk?| A．Because she was worried about Kirk. |
| B．Because her staff asked her to do so. |
| C．Because she wanted Kirk to order meals. |
| D．Because she knew Kirk had a heart attack. |
| A．He called 911 at once. |
| B．He heard Kirk calling for help. |
| C．He didn’t get any reply from Kirk. |
| D．He tried to break into Kirk’s house. |
| A．An order saved Kirk’s life |
| B．Domino’s Pizza served as a life savior |
| C．Regular customers of Domino’s Pizza |
| D．Helping others means helping ourselves |
【推荐1】Lucy Flores teaches preschool students how to read letters and write their names. After school, Flores goes home and does the same for her dad. Flores’ father, Luciano Flores, stopped attending school after first grade.
She said she tried to teach her dad to read and write when she was younger, but it didn’t go well. She doubled down on her own education and became the first person in her family, on both parents’ sides, to graduate from college.
With her teaching background, Lucy Flores gave it——teaching her dad——another shot. And this time she said he was “excited” to learn. After four months of working together for two hours, three days a week after they are both done with work, Lucy Flores said, “My dad can now write his own name and is reading some books on his own.”
As she has taught her dad, Lucy Flores has shared their journey on social media, where nearly 100,000 followers are tracking their progress. “I don’t know to this day if he understands how many people are watching him and following him.” said Lucy Flores. “But I took it as an opportunity that would encourage him even more. I know that it has.” Followers on social media share lesson plan ideas and have sent school supplies and books to the family, according to Lucy Flores.
In addition to watching her dad’s progress and inspiring others to never give up on their dreams, Lucy Flores said the most pleasant part of teaching her dad was the change in their own father-daughter relationship. “In reality, he and I did not get along well,” said Lucy Flores,who described her dad as being quiet and not one to share his feelings or sit down and play with her as a kid.
Luciano Flores said that he was excited to continue to focus on learning letters and numbers and to spend time with his family.
1. Why did Lucy Flores teach her dad?| A．She tried to practise her teaching methods. |
| B．She wanted to kill time with her dad. |
| C．She intended to help her dad get a college diploma. |
| D．She attempted to improve her dad’s ability to read and write. |
| A．Try. |
| B．Book. |
| C．Assessment. |
| D．Studio. |
| A．To inspire her students. |
| B．To make her dad famous. |
| C．To motivate her dad further. |
| D．To seek more help from her dad’s followers. |
| A．Exhausting. |
| B．Rewarding. |
| C．Demanding. |
| D．Amusing. |
Things were very bad that particular winter. Then a letter came from where her sewing machine was bought, saying that they would have to pick up her machine the next day unless payments were brought up to date. I remember when she read the letter I became frightened; I could picture us starving to death and all sorts of things that could come to a child‘s mind. My mother did not appear to be worried, however, and seemed to be quite calm about the matter. I, on the other hand, cried myself to sleep, wondering what would become of our family. Mother said God would not disappoint her, that he never had. I couldn‘t see how God was going to help us keep this old sewing machine.
The day when the men came for our machine arrived. There was a knock at the kitchen door. I was frightened as a child would be, for I was sure it was those men who would take away our sewing machine. Instead, a nicely dressed man stood at our door with a darling baby in his arms.
He asked my mother if she was Mrs. Hill. When she said she was, he said, "I‘m in trouble this morning and you have been recommended by the druggist and grocer down the street as an honest and wonderful woman. My wife was rushed to the hospital this morning, and since we have no relatives here, and I must open my dentist office, I have nowhere to leave my baby. Could you possibly take care of her for a few days?" He continued, "I will pay you in advance." With this he took out ten dollars and gave it to my mother.
Mother said, "Yes, yes, I will be glad to do so," and took the baby from his arms. When the man left, my mother turned to me with tears streaming down a face that looked as though a light was shining on it. She said, "I knew God would never let them take away my machine."
1. The turning point in the story may refer to ______.
| A．a letter to the family |
| B．the man’s coming for help |
| C．the man’s wife being rushed to the hospital |
| D．the nicely dressed man’s trouble |
| A．The people around him recommended the mother to him. |
| B．He was familiar with the mother. |
| C．The mother had sewn for him. |
| D．The mother was hired by the man. |
| A．his wife stayed in hospital |
| B．he was confused when in trouble |
| C．he had few men to turn to for help |
| D．he was a dentist |
| A．God can solve all the problem. |
| B．The sewing machine is my only support. |
| C．Never give up when in trouble. |
| D．Everybody should believe in God. |
The car started to move very slowly. The man looked at the road and saw a curve(拐弯处) coming his way. Terrified, he started to pray, begging for his life. He had not come out of shock when, just before the car hit the curve, a hand suddenly appeared through the window and moved the wheel. The man, paralyzed with fear, watched how the hand appeared every time the car was drawing near a curve. Finally, although terrified, the man managed to open the door and jump out of the spooky(怪异的) car. Without looking back, the man ran through the storm all the way to the nearest town. In a state of complete horror, the man walked into a nearby bar and asked for two glasses of Scotch whisky.
Then, still shaking with fright, he started telling everybody in the bar about the horrible experience he just went through in the spooky car. Everyone in the bar listened in silence and became frightened, with hair standing on end, when they realized the man was telling the truth because he was crying and he was certainly not drunk!
About half an hour later, two other young men walked into the same bar and one said to the other,“Hey, there’s a stupid man who jumped into the car while we were pushing it!”
1. When the car was first drawing near a curve, the man .
| A．felt very curious | B．was extremely frightened |
| C．cried for help | D．remained as calm as possible |
| A．His reasonable behavior. | B．His vivid description. |
| C．His simple appearance. | D．His honest attitude. |
| A．it is unsafe for people to take a free ride |
| B．the man was telling a lie to his listeners |
| C．the car probably broke down on the way |
| D．the two young men were familiar with the man |
