【推荐2】Every year in America, high­school students who want to go on to college take a national examination called the Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT for short. Their score is an important factor in determining which colleges will admit them. The Scholastic Aptitude Test measures one's mathematical ability and use of the English language. Traditionally, the English part involved grammatical questions and paragraphs that test reading comprehension.

But the SAT folks have added a single question, to be answered in an essay, handwritten on the spot. That's an interesting way to test writing ability, but content aside. Have you ever seen young people's handwriting lately? Or anyone's for that matter, in this age of computer keyboards? Students write numbers and sign their names on bank checks. They scribble class notes in what can generously be described as the written word.

Yet today's kids are asked to write, thoughtfully and clearly, for several minutes on this SAT test. Good luck to the text scorers who must work out difficultly the scrawl (潦草的笔迹) of young people who've been typing on computers since the age of three! Teachers insist that good handwriting can not only help one's score on the SAT, but also, later on in life, impress potential employers. And don't forget, we all have to use handwriting from time to time, as computers go down when the power goes out.

Then how to improve the handwriting? Well, with a few simple steps you can improve your handwriting. Position the pen. You should hold the pen between the forefinger and the thumb. You should then rest it near the first knuckle (指节) of the middle finger. The rest of your fingers should be curled (卷曲) under your hand and your hand should remain relaxed.

Evaluate your writing. What do you like and what don't you like about the way you write? Make changes to your letters till you like how they look.

Take your time. Make sure that, while you are writing, you take your time. Speed can definitely make your writing terrible. If it is worth writing well, then take your time.

Practice. Practice it a lot; it's not enough to do it once and hope for the best. It has to be something you work at to make great improvements.

1. At present, the SAT tests students on ________.

A．math, English, reading and writing.

B．math, grammar, reading and handwriting.

C．math, foreign language and writing.

D．math, foreign language and handwriting.

2. The underlined word “scribble” in Paragraph 2 probably means ________.

A．writing quickly and roughly.

B．typing simply and correctly.

C．painting clearly and neatly.

D．describing properly and well.

3. According to the text, good handwriting can ________.

A．help students pass the test.

B．make a student more popular.

C．show students' ability.

D．assist students in getting a job.

4. The author mainly wants to tell us that ________.

A．writing seems to be very important in the SAT.

B．those who will go to college have to take the SAT.

C．students should practice handwriting more often.

D．kids don't know how to write in the computer age.

【推荐1】

Each time you are about to visit a Schengen (申根) country like France and Italy, you as a foreigner will be asked to prove yourself to have a booked flight itinerary and/ or flight reservation for a Schengen visa. Sometimes, you might have to present the actual flight ticket for your intended destination.

Yet, you risk losing your money from paying the real flight ticket, even by knowing that your visa can be denied. You are also questioning;

Where and how to get this flight itinerary and confirmed flight reservation?

Is it possible to pay for the flight reservation and flight ticket after I get awarded a visa? Can I reserve a flight ticket without paying the full price?

And many other serious questions!

Go easy, because all your above worries will be gone, once you read our simple explanations in the following parts of this article!

1. From this passage what might well be required to present for your Schengen visa application each time?

A．Your credit cards.	B．Your bank information.
C．Your real flight ticket.	D．Proof of your booked flight ticket.

2. What information is NOT printed in the ticket-itinerary in the picture?

A．Flight information.	B．Ticket price.
C．Special meal needs.	D．A bank account.

3. What will the following parts of this article be mainly about?

A．Helping with worries about a flight itinerary/ reservation.

B．Explaining why applicants need a booked flight ticket.

C．Teaching how to protect your money in application.

D．Listing all the other requirements for a Schengen visa.

【推荐2】The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest and most beloved science museums in the U.S.

Why Visit

In 1824, the Franklin Institute opened in Independence Hall in memory of Benjamin Franklin and his scientific achievements. In 1934, with the construction of the current building and the nearby Fels Planetarium, it became a hands-on science museum.

Today, it holds the distinction of being Pennsylvania’s most visited museum. In the museum’s rotunda (圆形厅), a 20-foot-tall marble statue pay respect to the Founding Father and famous scientist.

Must-See

While the entire museum offers interactive fun, highlights include the high-tech Your Brain exhibit which offers a glimpse into the inner workings of the human brain; Sports Zone, which focuses on the scientific aspects of sports; Two Escape Rooms, where participants solve puzzles and riddles before time runs out; and the on-sile Virtual Reality Demonstration Space.

Pricing

General Admission to the Franklin Institute includes access to three floors of hands-on science exhibits including permanent interactive exhibits, Live Science programs, the Joel N. Bloom Observatory and one show in the Fels Planetarium. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.

To purchase tickets, please click the ticket price to be directed to our online ticketing page where all the ticket prices are available. If you prefer to order tickets over the phone, please call 215 -448 -1200(9:00 am-5:00 pm).

Member Tickets

Members of the Franklin Institute receive exclusive (独有的) ticketing benefits, including discounted prices and no service fees. Please select your Membership level before purchasing member tickets.

1. What is the original purpose of the Franklin Institute?

A．To show respect to the Founding Father.

B．To honor Franklin and his achievements.

C．To attract more visitors and make profits.

D．To remind visitors of the famous scientist.

2. What can be inferred from Pricing?

A．Tickets for science exhibits are sold out.

B．Interactive exhibits are strongly recommended.

C．Discounts are available for most visitors.

D．The ticket prices are listed on the website.

3. What type of writing is this text?

A．A museum guide.	B．A science show review.
C．A brief announcement.	D．A scientific report.

【推荐3】Running to the Library

There are literally thousands of books about running, each with their unique stories and angles. Here are four that might interest you.

Advanced Marathoning—2nd Edition

by Pete Pfitzinger, Scott Douglas($38.13)

Shave minutes off your time using the latest in science-based training for serious runners. Advanced Marathoning has all the information you need to train smarter and arrive on the start line ready to run the marathon of your life.

Including marathon-pace runs and tempo runs, Advanced Marathoning provides only the most effective methods of training. You’ll learn how to improve your running workouts with strength, core, flexibility, and form training.

Determined to Win: The Overcoming Spirit of Jean Driscoll

by Jean Driscoll($10.99)

Jean Driscoll was named 25th of the top 100 women athletes in the century by Sports Illustrated for Women. Born with spina bifida (脊柱裂), Jean was never supposed to walk. But because of her intense determination, she not only learned to walk but to fly—in a wheelchair across the finish line.

In her autobiography, Jean chronicles(按事件发生顺序记载) her flight from physical paralysis to true spiritual freedom. She shows us what perseverance can achieve.

Boston Marathon Portraits: Pictures of Inspiration

by Raymond Britt($19.99)

Boston Marathon Portraits features dramatic images of an exceptional race: the Boston Marathon. On race day, Boston comes alive with anticipation, excitement and determination. This book presents these emotions and the action of the Boston Marathon, focusing on striking scenes and photos of runners before the race, at the starting line, the finish line and when the celebration of finishing begins.

Women Runners

by Irene Reti, Bettianne Shoney Sien($11.18)

This anthology(选集) of literary fiction, poems, and essays by women runners captures the essence of running, and the many hopes and dreams of women.

1. Which book would be your best choice if you were looking for tips on marathon training?

A．Determined to Win: The Overcoming Spirit of Jean Driscoll

B．Boston Marathon Portraits: Pictures of Inspiration

C．Advanced Marathoning—2nd Edition

D．Women Runners

2. Which category does Determined to Win: The Overcoming Spirit of Jean Driscoll fall into?

A．Science fiction.

B．Biography.

C．Self-help book.

D．Historical fiction.

3. What is Boston Marathon Portraits: Pictures of Inspiration about?

A．Development of marathon.	B．Effective training methods.
C．Essays written by runners.	D．Amazing photos of runners.