【推荐1】Last year, I worked in a middle school near my mother’s house, and I stayed with her for a month. During that time, I helped her do some housework and buy some food.

After the first week, I noticed that the food was eaten up very quickly. Then I began keeping an eye on my mum. To my surprise, I found that she would put some of the food into a paper bag and go out with it at about nine every morning. And finally, I decided to follow her. I saw her taking the food to the street children. She would also spend a lot of time talking and playing with them.

One day, I talked to a neighbor and found out that my mum was well-known in the area. The children were very friendly with her and even thought of her as their own mother. Then it hit me ---why wouldn’t she want to tell me about it? Was she worried that I would stop buying food if I found out?

When my mum got home, I gave her a big hug. I told her she didn’t need to keep it a secret from me. She told me something about the children. Some of them lived with an old lady in a small house. Others slept on the street. For years, she was helping the poor street children by giving them food. After she told me everything, I was so moved by how selfless she was. She helped others in need. As her son, I was so proud of my mum.

I continued to buy food for my mum after that. But I always added one more bag for her other children.

1. After the first week, the writer noticed that________.

A．the food was eaten up quickly	B．his mum followed the children
C．the food was put into a big box	D．his mum stopped buying food

2. The street children thought of the writer’s mum as their________.

A．old grandma	B．own mother
C．new neighbor	D．dear teacher

3. How did the writer feel about his mum after she told him everything?

A．He was angry with her.	B．He was worried about her.
C．He was proud of her.	D．He was confident in her.

4. The writer added one more bag of food to __________.

A．become well-known in the area.	B．help the poor street children
C．make friends with the children	D．get a hug from his mother.

【推荐2】Last year, I went WWOOFing (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) at a beautiful organic farm in the south of La Reunion. With WOOFing, volunteers exchange their time and work for food and board. I slept in a cabin in the woods with hedgehogs (刺猬) digging about in the bushes, all different coloured birds singing in the morning and endless rows of palm trees offering shade from the sun.

For me, one of the best ways to get to know a new place is to work with the land, live with the locals and share meals together. It has got to be one of the best ways to travel. It is a mutually beneficial exchange where everyone involved prioritizes people and our planet above profit. You get the time and space to deepen a connection with local communities and nature.

There is a lot to learn and each farm has its own unique way of doing things, depending on the environment, climate and soil. At the farm in La Reunion we planted palm trees to harvest the core of the trunk which can be eaten in salads. Before staying with the farm I had only eaten heart of palm from cans which were nothing in comparison to the real thing, fresh from the ground. When potting up the very beginnings of the palm trees, I felt grateful to be a part of the start of the trees’ cycle. I was filled with awe that something so small could grow into something so big and strong.

Of course, not everyone is able to travel far afield, due to various restrictions or responsibilities back home. The great thing about the skill-share philosophy behind WWOOFing, which prioritizes people above profit, is that it’s something we can all do from our own backyard. That can be swapping French lessons with a neighbour for babysitting, or cooking a meal in exchange for a yoga class. The focus shifts from money to how we can best support each other in our communities. A fair exchange can make a big difference in the world.

1. The author loves WWOOFing mainly because       .

A．he can get to know new places and people

B．it is one of the best ways to travel

C．he can make profits at the beautiful organic farm

D．he can connect with local communities and nature

2. What does the underlined word “prioritizes” in Paragraph 2 mean?

A．Take something more seriously.

B．Treat something more carefully.

C．Consider something more important.

D．Take something for granted.

3. Why does the author mention “palm trees ’’again in Paragraph 3?

A．To show that he learns a lot by volunteering on the farm.

B．To introduce the growing process of palm trees.

C．To express his interest in growing plants on the farm.

D．To show his amazement at the growth of palm trees.

4. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．We should exchange what we have with our neighbors.

B．We can save money by swapping labor with our neighbors.

C．We can benefit each other by exchanging our time and work.

D．We should volunteer to work on a farm to experience nature.

【推荐1】BLOOD DRIVE ＆ MARROW（骨髓）REGISTRATION
“These patients deserve a chance at a normal, happy future and they rely on the kindness of the strangers to make that happen.
— Daisy, Isabelle’s Mother

Isabelle is the daughter of Daisy and Saman Mirzaei. In January 2008 Isabelle was diagnosed（诊断）with a genetic blood disorder，beta thalassemia. Isabelle’s body
is unable to produce healthy red blood cells. As a result, Isabelle has been receiving blood transfusions (输血) every 4-6weeks since she was 11 months old. A lifetime of regular transfusions can lead to serious medical problems. Her only chance at a normal, healthy life is to have a marrow transplant.   Isabelle is an only child, so doctors have started a search for an unrelated marrow donor through The Match Registry. The Mirzaei family asks that you consider helping patients like Isabelle by registering to be a marrow donor and give the gift of life, the gift of blood.
Held at Wiley Hall
_____________
Behind Heathman Dormitory/Butterfield Rd.
_________
Don’t forget to bring your driver’s license or another form of identification when you donate.
Visit www.ribc.org to make an appointment, Sponsor Code 3390.
FREE Kingston Pizza ! ! !
Marrow Donors:                                                               BE THE MATCH
bethematch.org
·be 18 to 44 years old                 
·in good health
·give a swab(化验标本)of your cheek cells for marrow typing
·FREE—sponsored（赞助）by Michael’s Fund
WWW. ribc. org             800-283-8385
The Rhode Island Blood Center distributes blood products to hospitals
in Rhode Island and Southern New England.
1. We can learn from the passage that__________.

A．the blood drive is organized by Isabelle's mother

B．Isabelle receives blood transfusions regularly

C．Isabelle has been ill for 11 months

D．doctors will sponsor Isabelle's family

2. To be a marrow donor, you must_____________.

A．be a relative of the patient	B．carry a driver's license
C．be at least 18 years old	D．apply to Michael's Fund

3. Those who want to help patients like Isabelle can ___________.

A．come to Wiley Hall every Wednesday

B．visit www. ribc. org for an appointment

C．contact their parents at 800-283-8385

D．call at hospitals in Rhode Island

【推荐2】What’s On?

Electric Underground

7.30pm－1.00am     Free at the Cyclops Theatre

Do you know who’s playing in your area? We’re bringing you an exciting evening of live rock and pop music from the best local bands. Are you interested in becoming a musician and getting a recording contract(合同)? If so, come early to the talk at 7.30pm by Jules Skye, a successful record producer. He’s going to talk about how you can find the right person to produce your music.

Gee Whizz

8.30pm-10.30pm     Comedy at Kaleidoscope

Come and see Gee Whizz perform. He’s the funniest stand-up comedian on the comedy scene. This joyful show will please everyone, from the youngest to the oldest. Gee Whizz really knows how to make you laugh! Our bar is open from 7.00pm for drinks and snacks(快餐).

Simon’s Workshop

5.00pm-7.30pm       Wednesdays at Victoria Stage

This is a good chance for anyone who wants to learn how to do comedy. The workshop looks at every kind of comedy, and practices many different ways of making people laugh. Simon is a comedian and actor who has 10 years’ experience of teaching comedy. His workshops are exciting and fun. An evening with Simon will give you the confidence to be funny.

Charlotte Stone

8.00pm-11.00pm        Pizza World

Fine food with beautiful jazz music; this is a great evening out. Charlotte Stone will perform songs from her new best-selling CD, with James Pickering on the piano. The menu is Italian, with excellent meat and fresh fish, pizzas and pasta(面食). Book early to get a table. Our bar is open all day, and serves cocktails, coffee, beer, and white wine.

1. Who can help you if you want to have your music produced?

A．Jules Skye.	B．Gee Whizz.
C．Charlotte Stone.	D．James Pickering.

2. At which place can people of different ages enjoy a good laugh?

A．The Cyclops Theatre	B．Kaleidoscope
C．Victoria Stage	D．Pizza World

3. When will Charlotte Stone perform her songs?

A．5.00pm-7.30pm.	B．7.30pm－1.00am.
C．8.00pm-11.00pm.	D．8.30pm-10.30pm.

【推荐3】A Journey to the Yosemite Firefall

Each year, thousands of people are attracted to the Yosemite National Park in California for a chance of seeing —and photographing ——the unique “firefall”. The amazing “firefall” comes to life only when there is enough water from the melting（融化）snow to keep the Horsetail Fall flowing and when the light of the setting sun hits the waterfall at the right angle. It can only be seen for a short time in February on clear sunny days.

This year, the weather isn’t stopping the “firefall” from happening, but it is making the journey to see it more difficult.

“What would have been a 10-minute walk turned into a two-hour hike through deep snow,” photographer Ryan Fitzsimons said about his recent trip to see the phenomenon. “Our clothes were all wet by the time we got to a viewing site. But the heavy snow made the sight much more beautiful since the waterfall is much bigger this year.”

Another photographer Andy Heitz was making his first trip to see the “firefall”. He had to wait five hours in the extreme cold for his turn to take a picture.

“I got to the site at about 12:00 at noon. The place was already filled with hundreds of people waiting to see and photograph the ‘firefall’. I was so lucky that I shot a really wonderful burner! I was completely amazed with what I saw,” he said. “You know, only on a couple days of the year in February and when the sun sets down at the perfect angle to shine on Yosemite’s Horsetail Fall can we see the ‘Fire Fall’. I’ll never forget what I have seen.’’

The “firefall” should continue to be there from 20 to 24 February. But park officials said that there’s no guarantee（保证）that visitors will see it on any given day.

1. When might be the best time to take pictures of the “firefall”?

A．Early in the morning.	B．At noon.
C．Late in the afternoon.	D．At night.

2. Why might the “firefall” disappear between 20 to 24 February this year?

A．There wouldn’t be enough snow.	B．It might be too cloudy.
C．The waterfall might not freeze.	D．The snow might melt too fast.

3. What does the underlined word “burner” in paragraph 5 refer to?

A．A worker in the kitchen.

B．The fire in the Yosemite National Park.

C．A part of a cooker or stove.

D．The unique Horsetail Fall in the setting sun.

4. What is the main purpose of this text?

A．To introduce an attraction.	B．To give suggestions for a trip.
C．To advertise a park in the US.	D．To explain what is a “firefall”.

【推荐1】One day my wife and I went shopping at the shop. We took the car as we had a lot of things to buy because my brother and his family were going to spend the weekend with us. We stopped the car in front of the shop. An hour later we came back to the car with a lot of things. Then the trouble started. We couldn’t open the car door.“Oh dear,” said my wife. “What are we going to do?”“Let’s ask the policeman,” I said. The policeman was very kind and glad to help us. A few minutes later he got the door open. Just at that moment an angry man came up and shouted. “What are you doing with my car?” We looked at the number of the car and our faces turned very red.

1. The husband and wife went shopping _________.

A．in their car

B．by bus

C．on foot

D．It didn’t mentioned

2. __________ opened the car door in the end.

A．The policeman

B．The wife

C．The husband

D．The wife and the husband

3. The owner of the car was very angry ________.

A．to find his car opened by others	B．not to find his car
C．to see a policeman standing by his car	D．to see his car broken

4. They didn’t know it was a wrong car till ____________.

A．they saw a man coming	B．they heard the man’s shout
C．they saw a policeman coming	D．they saw the number of the car

【推荐2】Great places where you can travel for the coming 2020 New Year’s Eve you'll never forget:

Sydney

Sydney, Australia, is the first major international city to greet the New Year at midnight. The major fireworks display takes place at Sydney Harbour with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge providing a spectacular (壮观的) backdrop.

Taipei, Taiwan

New Year^’s Eve in Taipei, the capital city of the island of Taiwan, is a visual spectacle. The city’s tallest building, Taipei 101, is the launching pad for an unforgettable fireworks show. Prime spots to take in the event include National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and the Xinyi Commercial District, which gets quite crowded.

Cape Town

Cape Town is one of the most beautifully situated cities in Africa and the world. New Year’s Eve fireworks make it all the more spectacular. If you’re looking for a place with delicious food and a view of the festivities, Baia Seafood Restaurant is a good choice. If you’re in the mood for a party, Cape Point Vineyards is one of many places to consider.

Las Vegas

Vegas is lit up year-round, but it goes all out for New Year’s Eve. The street is closed off to vehicles, and pedestrians take over for an unforgettable festival. At midnight, various casinos (赌场) launch an impressive fireworks off the roofs of their buildings.

For further information, you can click on here, the website https: //edition. cnn. com/travel/

1. Where do the major fireworks display take place in Sydney?

A．Sydney Harbour.	B．The Opera House.
C．Harbour Bridge.	D．Taipei 101.

2. Which of the following places is almost lighted throughout the year?

A．Sydney.	B．Taipei.
C．Cape Town.	D．Las Vegas.

3. Where would you be most likely to find the text?

A．On a website.	B．On a notice board.
C．In a company brochure.	D．In a college newspaper.

【推荐3】Music died here last spring，or rather，it was killed by members of the school committee who ignored the importance of music and drama as part of the high school curriculum.

The committee decide that teaching students how to take a standardized test is more important than a curriculum in which students can explore their interests in the arts.Because the school system is running out of funding，it needs to make sure that students pass the test or even more money will be lost.If students fail the state standardized test，it is not the fault of drama and music classes.They are failing because the“academic”classes are in deficiency in a way.

It is painful to think of how many students will be discouraged from singing，acting，and playing instruments because school programs are no longer offered.Many families cannot afford private music lessons，and many potential musicians and artists may not find their callings if they are not exposed to the arts in school.The fact that the school committee thinks the arts are not worth the investment will certainly make some students believe the arts are not worth their time or support and the cycle will continue.

Teaching for a test does not shape students into well rounded people.It blocks the natural sense to create and express feelings through the arts—there is more to life than the analytical thinking that math and English provide.What happens after a test？Sure，a student might graduate，but they will have limited knowledge—certainly not a good preparation for the real world.

1. Music and drama are removed from the high school curriculum in that________.

A．some students fail the state standardized test

B．fewer and fewer students love to attend them

C．the school curriculum has been changed

D．the school is afraid of losing financial support

2. What does the underlined part mean in the second paragraph?

A．Not enough.	B．Too many.
C．Too boring.	D．Not proper.

3. It can be learned that the arts can________.

A．motivate students in creativity and expression

B．make students round­shaped people in future

C．provide students with careful thinking

D．prevent students from graduating from high school

4. In what way does the author describe the passage?

A．Humorously.	B．Bitterly.
C．Excitedly.	D．Mildly.

【推荐1】Texas rancher(牧场主) Charles Goodnight had a problem. He needed skilled cowboys to drive his herd of two thousand longhorn cattle to New Mexico to be sold. He couldn't offer high wages. He couldn't promise easy jobs or even nice weather. But he decided that decent, warm meals might entice men to work for him.

In the mid-to-late 1800s, cattle drives sometimes took three to four months, and once the drive began, there were no stores for hundreds of miles. All the food and supplies needed for the trip were carried on two-wheeled carts. Usually, the cowboy's food was boring and unappetizing.

Goodnight went to work and solved the problem. His invention of a mobile kitchen, the chuck wagon(四轮马车), got its name from the cowboy word for food, "chuck." Goodnight took an old army wagon and rebuilt it with Osage orange, a wood so tough that Indians used it to make bows. The wagon's iron axles were stronger than the wooden ones found on standard wagons, and the wider wheels lasted longer. Besides food, coffee sugar and eating utensils, it held everything from first-aid supplies to needles and thread. It even contained cooking stove.

The first chuck wagon was an instant success. Eighteen cowhands joined Goodnight and his partner, Oliver Loving, to drive the cattle to New Mexico for a handsome profit. The route they took—later called the Goodnight-Loving Trail—became one of the most heavily used cattle trails in the Southwest.

The chuck wagon soon was the backbone of all successful cattle drives. Other ranchers created their own moving kitchens, and eventually the Studebaker Company produced chuck wagons that sold for $75 to $100 apiece, about $1,000 today.

The chuck wagon was much more than a mobile kitchen. Sometimes called "the trail drive's mother ship," it was like a magnet that drew the men together. The wagon and the ground around it were the cowboy's home. There he enjoyed hot meals, a warm fire, and good companionship. He could also get a bandage, a haircut, or horse liniment for his sore muscles. And there, under the stars and around the chuck wagon, he crawled into his bedroll each night.

1. Who does the underlined word “entice” in paragraph 1 mean?

A．Inform	B．Direct
C．Enable	D．Attract

2. Why were cattle drives in the mid-to-late 1800s so tough ?

A．All the cattle were carried on two-wheeled vehicles.

B．Fresh food supplies were hard to find on the drive.

C．There were not enough cowboys to drive the cattle.

D．There was no place to store food and necessary supplies.

3. What do we know about Goodnight’s chuck wagon from the text?

A．It was stronger than the ordinary wagons.

B．It was mainly used to provide first aid.

C．It could be changed into a sleeping area.

D．It was sold to other ranchers by Goodnight.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．The Cowboys’ Problem

B．Goodnight-Loving Trail

C．The Cowboys’ Home on Wheels

D．Exciting Cattle Drives in the West

【推荐2】Here's a story I collected from a total stranger.

“Well, I am Lucy. I was 11 when my family arrived at Fern lake overlook on Trail Ridge road in Rocky mountain national park.

It was so beautiful to look miles across the Rockies and thousands of feet below into the valley.

My parents were busy getting lunch out of the trunk so I climbed over the wooden fence to get closer to the cliff edge for a better view.

I started down a little hill but soon started sliding on loose rocks.

I fell on my butt (屁股), but kept going faster and faster to what seemed the edge of the world (a 2,000 foot drop). In seconds I knew I was going to die. My feet and legs went first over the edge at a high speed. Then suddenly I felt two hands push hard on my chest and stopped me dead. My heart was racing and I slowly inched my body back to where I finally could make it back up the hill.

My father was waiting there and screaming at me for doing such a dangerous act.

I tried to tell him and my mom about the hands that saved my life, but to this day they don't believe me. They thought I was just trying to get out of trouble with a made up story.”

We parted ways, but I assured her that I believed every word of her story.

That's why I always ask people to share their miracles.

Each real story makes my day.

1. What can we infer from the text?

A．Lucy was the author of the text.

B．Lucy was a lucky dog.

C．Lucy ran along the wooden fence to have a good view.

D．Lucy went to Fern lake to enjoy the scenery alone.

2. Who saved Lucy?

A．Her parents.	B．God.
C．The unknown hands.	D．Lucy herself.

3. Why did her parents think the accident unbelievable?

A．They thought the story was too amazing.

B．They thought it was just an excuse to get free of trouble.

C．They thought Lucy was good at making up stories.

D．They thought Lucy should be responsible for herself.

4. What does the writer think about the story?

A．It is a science fiction.	B．It is a fact.
C．It is a joke.	D．It is a diary.

【推荐3】The popularity of Chinese-owned video-sharing service TikTok (抖音) continues to grow among young people in the United States. In 2019, experts say the service more than doubled its American user base to 37 million. TikTok is especially popular with teens and young adults.

The service lets users create and share their short videos that they think interesting and useful, and many of them are under 15 seconds. The TikTok app offers a wide choice of sounds, brief parts of songs and special effects tools to help create a video. Some TikTok-based memes are very popular. Videos often include popular songs from well-known artists and TikTok has even helped launch the careers of new music stars.

TikTok is considered a competitor to the video-sharing app Snapchat, as well as Facebook’s Instagram service. Snapchat and Instagram also mainly interest young users with a wide mix of photos and videos centered largely on fashion, pop culture and humor.

Last year, TikTok was the second-most downloaded app from Apple and Google stores. Only WhatsApp was downloaded more. Research company Sensor Tower guesses people have downloaded the TikTok app 1.65 billion times.

TikTok has been used by many major companies to reach young people who use little or no traditional media. One of those companies is American-based e. l. f. Cosmetics. The makeup company’s chief marketer, Kory Marchisotto, said that TikTok is “where the Gen Z party is”. Gen Z is a name used to call the generation born between the late 1990s and the early 2000s. “That’s where they’re all hanging out,” Marchisotto said.

Companies appearing on TikTok can make money through advertising. Often, the companies create user “challenges” as part of their ad campaigns. In challenges, users are invited to publish their own videos in which they perform similar dance moves. One campaign by e. l. f. Cosmetics, for example, asked people to wink and move their lips while following a song. TikTok users created 3 million videos that received more than 4 billion view.

1. Which word can best describe the videos created on TikTok

A．Traditional.

B．Formal.

C．Various.

D．serious.

2. Which was downloaded most from Apple and Google stores last year?

A．TikTok.

B．Snapchat.

C．Instagram.

D．WhatsApp.

3. What can companies do on TikTok?

A．Challenge their competitors.	B．Make advertisements.
C．Hold music concerts.	D．Promote users’abilities to make videos.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．China’s TikTok Keeps Growing Among US Youth

B．TikTok Helps Users Create and Share Short Videos

C．China-based TikTok achieves great Success

D．Companies Benefit Much from TikTok