【推荐1】My hands were shaking uncontrollably. I tried incredibly hard to focus on the words that I spent hours putting down on paper. I tried to conquer my fear of speaking in public on numerous occasions throughout my life. During college and at my first few jobs, I would get ridiculously nervous when I had to give a presentation or lead a meeting. Public speaking had been my nemesis for as long as I could remember.

Then in my mid-thirties, I decided to join the public speaking group Toastmasters. At every meeting, we were rated and forced to compete with other speakers for an award. You would think that I would walk away from these experiences as a polished speaker, but nothing seemed to work.

It wasn’t until recently, when science and scientific institutions were being attacked for unfair reasons during the pandemic, that I decided I must speak out. Science has made this country a place where dreams come true — this is why we all need to protect science. In addition, as a science writer, I try to get readers to understand how science is related to their daily lives.

So I ended up on that frightening stage on that sunny Saturday in April — Earth Day. Despite the body shakes and fear, I persevered. That day, I looked out into the crowd of like-minded science supporters and I felt comfort.

Reaching that milestone goal of getting through a speech truly changed me. At almost forty, I learned that passion can set off a flame in my heart to do things I never dreamed possible. The darkness that led to my speech is sure to lead to new opportunities and adventures.

1. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “nemesis” in Para. 1?

A．Strength.

B．Confusion

C．Preference.

D．Struggles.

2. What happened to the author when leaving Toastmasters?

A．Things got worse for him.	B．Nervousness remained with him.
C．He became a polished writer.	D．He began to feel more competitive.

3. What made the author want to speak out on Earth Day?

A．He must rise up to defend science.

B．It was a good chance to learn science.

C．It was a project organized by Toastmasters.

D．He couldn’t have people attacking his fellow scientists.

4. What lesson did the author draw from his successful speech?

A．Frustration can be a stepping stone to success.

B．Love motivates us to achieve the unachievable.

C．Science can lead us to make wonderful changes.

D．Any difficulty can be overcome with great effort.

【推荐2】It’s good to make mistakes, and here is why.
First of all, mistakes are a clear sign that you are trying new things. It’s always good to try new things because when you are trying new things you are growing. If you never try anything new, how can you improve? How can you expand? The simple answer is “You can’t.” Look around you. With very few exceptions, either everything you see in your world or every single detail of every single thing is the result of someone trying something new．
Another good thing about mistakes is this: When you are making mistakes, you are learning．Consider this: Edison failed 10,000 times before he perfected the light bulb. When asked how it felt to fail that many times, he said that he hadn’t failed 10,000 times, but rather had learned 10,000 things that didn’t work．
Finally, when you make a mistake you are much closer to success. Why? Because when all is said and done, you will have tried some numbers of things before you succeed．Every time you make a mistake you eliminate one of those things and are one step closer.But this all doesn’t mean that you should go ahead without considering the consequences（后果） of a mistake. Quite the contrary, when you try something new you have to be willing to set some reasonable limits so that in the event that it doesn’t work out the way you want it to, you will be in a position to try again．
We all have limited time and money so don’t blow them all on one approach to a problem. Realize that it probably won’t be perfect the first time and allocate （分配） these resources properly so you can learn, make corrections, and try it again．If you accept and use your mistakes in this way ,you can make great progress in your business and your career．
There is an old saying that goes, “If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not trying hard enough.”
So go ahead and make mistakes. And learn. And grow. And succeed．
1. From the second paragraph, we can conclude that _______．

A．mistakes are unnecessary for development

B．we are afraid of trying new thing

C．it’s common for people to make mistakes

D．mistakes are better than not trying

2. The underlined word “eliminate” means _______．

A．avoid

B．remove

C．accept

D．solve

3. According to the article, one thing you should pay attention to about making mistakes is_____．

A．avoiding making the same mistakes

B．accepting the punishment willingly

C．taking consequences into consideration

D．trying things out one by one

4. What would the writer probably suggest we say to ourselves when we make a mistake?

A．Never mind, I can always try again．

B．I’d better stay out of trouble．

C．Ok! Now I can learn something．

D．Look at this mess. Anyone would be upset．

【推荐3】As I walked into the primary school, I looked down at my new black shoes. I stood at Mrs. Blackstone’s door. Before I tried the great escape, the door opened. “We’ve been waiting for you!” Mrs. Blackstone, my new fifth grade teacher, said loudly. With a smile my mom walked away and I was left taking center stage in front of a group of students.

Over the next few days, Mrs. Blackstone made it her job to find me a new best friend. During history lessons, when I didn’t want to speak in front of the class, she’d not only call on me but have me stand up to address my classmates.

One spring afternoon, Mrs. Blackstone asked me to stay after class. “I’d like to speak with you, Amanda.” My mind raced. Had I got a bad grade? Had I hurt anyone’s feelings? “Are you enjoying your new school?” She sat comfortably behind her desk. “I want to tell you something, between you and me, not to be shared with anyone else.” She continued, “I see something special in you. The way you communicate with others , and the kindness you show－I think you have great potential (潜力) to be something important.” I listened carefully to every word. “I have been a teacher for over twenty-five years; I can see it. But you must believe in yourself. That’s very important. Remember that and you’ll go far,” she said.

Her voice was music to my ears that day. I walked out of her office, not staring at my shoes, but looking straight ahead with my head high. My teacher saw something special in me! Years later, her words still remain inside of me.

1. The author went to school unwillingly most probably because she______.

A．didn’t like the school at all.

B．often got low grades at school.

C．was treated badly by her classmates.

D．wasn’t used to the new environment.

2. When the author was asked to stay after class, she felt______.

A．annoyed.

B．embarrassed.

C．tired.

D．nervous.

3. Why did Mrs. Blackstone have a good talk with the author?

A．To tell the author her potential.

B．To encourage the author to believe in herself.

C．To help the author to realize her mistakes.

D．To make the author feel cared and loved.

4. What can we learn from the passage?

A．The author came from a poor family.

B．The teacher sang a song to the author.

C．The author never forgets what the teacher said.

D．The author no longer cared for anybody but herself.

【推荐2】St Moritz, the showiest of Switzerland’s Alpine resorts (旅游胜地), is no ordinary ski town. It’s responsible for winter tourism as we know it today. It was a small band of English holidaymakers that changed Switzerland forever. In 1864 a bet took place between hotelier Johannes Badrutt and the vacationers on a damp September evening in St Moritz. As they sat around the fire at the Engadiner Kulm Hotel, concerned about returning to the foggy London winter, the Swiss manager saw a golden opportunity.

“You holiday here in summer,” he challenged them over a bottle of red wine. “Why not enjoy the mountains year-round? Winter is so pleasant that on fine days you can even walk without a jacket.” Attracted by the promise of clean skies against a backdrop of towering peaks, the Englishmen were pleased to accept it; up until then, St Moritz had been a modest hiking destination in July and August. But if Badrutt’s promise proved false, the hotelier would pay for their journey and winter-long stay. How could they lose?

Come mid-December, the group of men returned to Switzerland. Towards the end of their week-long journey, sitting on a horse-pulled sledge and wrapped head-to-toe in furs, they went through the 2,284m Julier Pass in southeastern Switzerland. But by the time of their arrival in St Moritz, the skies had cleared, they were sweating abundantly, and Badrutt, jacketless and with his shirt sleeves rolled up, was there to greet them.

Of course, Badrutt won the bet. Word quickly spread throughout Britain about St Moritz’s distinctive climate—dry and sunny with a high degree of snow certainty. Year-round tourism landed the Alpine town of St Moritz.

That Badrutt almost single-handedly marketed this undeveloped winter wonderland is a little unbelievable. The first tourist office in Switzerland had been established in the same year as the bet. Other resorts like the ones in Davos and Grindelwald were also popping up then. The story of St Moritz is, in some ways, also a tale of social transformation. But what Badrutt did made the Swiss mountains accessible in a way that no one else had done before, so his role as pioneer cannot be downplayed.

1. What can we infer about Johannes Badrutt?

A．He had a good sense of business.

B．He was a man with some disabilities.

C．He disliked living in mountains.

D．He was addicted to gambling.

2. How did the British vacationers react to the bet?

A．They refused it because they thought it was unfair.

B．They’d rather pay for their winter journey by themselves.

C．They thought that a jacket-free walk was possible.

D．They were sure that Badrutt would lose the bet.

3. What finally made Badrutt the winner of the bet?

A．His warmest welcome.

B．The hotelier’s courage and wealth.

C．The vacationers’ passion for travelling.

D．The unique climate of St Moritz.

4. What does the author think of the success of St Moritz?

A．Davos and Grindelwald helped a lot.

B．He owes it completely to the bet.

C．Badrutt played an important role.

D．The success was made by tourist office.

【推荐2】I’m Andrew Siegel and this is my garden. This is where my family and I grow a lot of different vegetables and flowers. Gardening has been really important to my family because it gives us a chance to spend time outside together, away from all the electronics.

Especially for my five-year-old, it really gives her a chance to be in touch with nature-all the little animals, insects and things that come out here.

We find that a lot of the things that we plan for in the garden don’t always go the way that we’d like them to, and some of the things that we don’t plan for become what we enjoy the most that year. So it’s something that my family and I have learned: To appreciate (欣赏) all of it.

My advice for gardening beginners is to just start. Get a pot, get a little bit of dirt, get a tomato plant or whatever plant you want and just get started. I think sometimes it seems challenging. Trust me, it does not need to be perfect. You will enjoy every little thing you get out of it.

Gardening has taught me patience, something I don’t naturally have a lot of. It takes weeks, takes months for you to put into your work and the patience comes out in the end. You learn not only to be patient in that end product, but you’ve also learned that, after years of gardening, the end product is just part of it.

The journey of growing has become much more important to me than the actual product that we get in the end. Nothing has been so valuable as the time I spend out here. I’m by no means in a farmland, but I do have my own little piece of what I consider heaven, and I’ve really learned to appreciate every little moment — every insect, every plant, every flower — and when you can appreciate it in that way, there’s nothing better.

1. Who does the underlined word “five-year-old” in paragraph 2 refer to?

A．The writer.

B．The writer’s daughter.

C．The insect.

D．The flower.

2. How would gardening beginners feel?

A．Quite easy.

B．Comfortable.

C．Perfect.

D．Very difficult.

3. What is the most important for Andrew Siegel in gardening?

A．Planting different vegetables and flowers.

B．Staying at home together with her family.

C．Enjoying the whole process of growing.

D．Harvesting what the family planted.

4. What does the text mainly talk about?

A．The pleasure of gardening.

B．The advice on gardening.

C．Being in touch with nature.

D．Being perfect in life.

【推荐3】I am here to announce my retirement from the game of basketball. ____________________________________
Mentally, I'm exhausted; I don't feel I have a challenge. Physically, I feel great. The last time in 1993 I had other agendas. I felt that I wanted to play baseball and I felt that at my age, it was a good opportunity and time to do it. And with the death of my father, and I was basically trying to deal with that.
Actually I talked to Jerry last year once the season ended and I told Jerry at that time, mentally, I was a little exhausted. I didn't know if I would play next year. I wanted to put him on awareness so that he could possibly prepare going into next season. And Jerry, once we had our conversation, wanted me to take time as I did in 1993 to make sure that it was the right decision because it was going to be the final decision. I retired the first time when Phil Jackson was the coach. And I think that even with Phil being the coach I would have had a tough time, mentally finding the challenge for myself. Although he can somehow present challenges for me. I don't know if he could have presented the challenge for me to continue on to this season. Even though middle way of this season I wanted to continue to play a couple more years, but at the end of this season I was mentally drained and tired. So I can't say that he would have restored that. I will support the Chicago Bulls. I think the game itself is a lot bigger than Michael Jordan.
1. The underlined sentence tells us Michael Jordan will retire from any games.
2. Michael Jordan once made an announcement of his retirement.
3. Michael Jordan isn’t strong enough to continue his games.
4. Michael Jordan thinks the game itself is more important than the player.
5. The main reason for Michael Jordan’s retirement is that the coach have had him suffered a tough time.

【推荐1】From the tropical paradise of United States’Miami to South China’s innovative city Shenzhen, The Lonely Planet released a list of top 10 cities which are worth visiting in 2019.It covers a mix of well-known and less-known destinations.Those places include second place Shenzhen,China;Novi Sad,Serbia in third place;Miami,Florida in fourth place,and Kathmandu,Nepal rounding out the top five.Let’s have a brief look at some of these attractive places.

Copenhagen,Denmark

With its modern design,15 Michellin-starred restaurants and highly bike-friendly culture,it is not surprising that Denmark’s capital has topped The Lonely Planet’s top 10 cities list.

Copenhagen’s street food scene is developing fast in Refshaleon, a former industrial area with a food and craft market,Reffen.

Novi Sad Serbia

While Novi Sad is not a noted as the capital of Belgrade,it’s much more fashionable.It’s home to the country’s annual EXIT! Festival,which is held each July at the 18^th century-era Petrovaradin Fortress.

The festival contributes to a vibrant music and arts scene and a youthful atmosphere.2019 European Youth Capital was held in Novi Sad.It may be a practice run for 2021,when the city will observe the important title of European Capital of Culture.

Kathmandu,Nepal

Three years after it was struck by a destructive earthquake,Kathmandu is welcoming visitors to a city which is much quieter,by design.

With cars banned from the historic center and motor horns banned across the Kathmandu Valley,it’s much quieter than it used to be in the past.

1. In which city can you enjoy riding bikes?

A．Shenzhen,China	B．Kathmandu,Nepal
C．Novi Sad,Serbia	D．Copenhagen,Denmark

2. In Novi Sad,Serbia you can_________________.

A．experience a quieter life style

B．visit the food and craft market,Reffen

C．try delicious food in Michellin-starred restaurant

D．appreciate energetic music and art with the young people.

3. Where does the passage most probably come from?

A．A science report

B．A book review

C．A magazine

D．A realistic novel

【推荐2】Shakespeare’s Globe Exhibition & Tour is a unique international resource to explore Shakespeare’s work. Open all year round, it gives you an opportunity to learn more about the most famous playwright, Shakespeare, and helps you seek to further the experience and international understanding of him.

Group Visits to the Exhibition & Tour

Opening Hours

Theatre Tours:     Monday - Sunday          9:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Exhibition:          Monday - Sunday          9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Groups of 15 people or more are required to pre-book their visit, and each group will have its own guide for free. To make a reservation, please fill in a Group Request Form and return it to us via email.

Exhibition and Tour Prices

Adult:                                   $15.00

Senior (60+):                        $13.50

Student (with valid ID):         $11.50

Child (5-15):                          $ 8.00

Complimentary:                    Every 16th person free

Getting here

Shakespeare’s Globe 21 New Globe Walk, London SEl9DT, UK

Visitors are advised to arrive by public transport or by taxi. There is a car park on Thames Exchange on the north side of Southwark Bridge (open 24 hours, seven days a week). Cabs may be found all year round on Southwark Bridge. It may also be possible to pick one up from outside the entrance hall on New Globe Walk.

Where to eat

Swan at Shakespeare’s Globe serves modern British seasonal food for dinner, afternoon tea or drinks in our beautiful bar and restaurant set over two floors, available for pre- and post-theatre dining.

Swan Restaurant

Monday- Friday:    12 noon - 2:30 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.- 10:30 p.m.

Saturday:               12 noon- 3:30 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.

Sunday:                  12 noon- 9: 00 p.m.

1. When can you pay a visit to the exhibition?

A．Friday at 12:00 p.m.	B．Monday at 8: 00 a.m.
C．Saturday at 5: 30 p.m.	D．Sunday at 7: 00 p.m.

2. If a group of 20 children visit the Exhibition & Tour, what is required for them to do?

A．They need to hire a guide themselves.

B．They must be accompanied by an adult.

C．They have to pay $160 for tickets in total.

D．They need to email for a reservation in advance.

3. What can we know about Swan Restaurant?

A．Afternoon tea is not served on Sunday.

B．It serves traditional seasonal food for diners.

C．It is closed from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on workdays.

D．It serves three meals, drinks and afternoon tea.

【推荐3】Jack was born without eyes. He was very lucky as he grew up having other kittens (young cats) to socialize (交往) with, and was used to people from the moment he was born. However, when it came time to find the kittens homes, no one knew where Jack would end up.

That’s when I got an e-mail from my friend. All she asked was “Do you still want one of the kittens? There’s one here with no eyes and no one would like to take him”. Without thinking I told her that I did want the kitten.

When we first brought him home, Jack stayed mostly in my room. After about a day he had no issues running around and climbing on everything. At times he gets lost in the house, he’ll stop. But we just call his name and talk to him and it isn’t long before he finds his way back to us.

A few weeks after getting Jack, we got a new cat named Bear. Jack and Bear have become best friends. It doesn’t matter that he can’t see. He always knows when Bear is around. He’ll run across the yard straight to Bear and wrap his front legs around his neck in a big hug. They run after each other around and wrestle (摔跤). They’ll lie down in the grass together when tired.

Jack is truly an inspiration. I’ve owned lots of kittens in my life, but Jack is the happiest and most playful. He doesn’t feel sorry for himself. He doesn’t need pity. I think Jean, owner of Gumbo, another eyeless cat, said it best when she told me that cats don’t have disabilities; they have adaptability.

1. Why did Jack come to the author’s home?

A．The author cared for an eyeless cat.

B．The author didn’t mind whether he was blind.

C．No other young cats kept him company.

D．The author’s friend begged the author to take him home.

2. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A．Jack often wrestles with Bear indoors.

B．Jack likes to play with a new eyeless cat.

C．Jack quickly adapts to the new environment.

D．Jack is good at talking and playing with people.

3. What does the underlined word “issue” in Paragraph 3 mean?

A．Trouble.

B．Fun.

C．Luck.

D．Business.

4. What does the passage mainly tell us?

A．A cat has nine lives.	B．All is well that ends well.
C．God helps those who help themselves.	D．A good beginning makes a good ending.