【推荐1】How to Survive a Flood: Flood Safety Tips

Flooding is a common natural disaster in the world. It is usually caused by heavy or sudden rainfall. Review the following flood safety guidelines to know what you should do to increase your chances of survival.

    1     If you live in an area that is often flooded—or even if you don’t — it’s a good idea to be prepared for the worst.

Pay close attention to official flooding updates. And know the difference between a flood “watch” and “warning”.     2     But a flood warning means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon. In this case, you should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.

Have an emergency survival kit on hand.     3     Things such as water, food, a flashlight, radio, phone chargers and a first aid kit should all be included.

Be aware that flash flooding can occur.     4     Do not wait for instructions to move. When a flood warning is issued for your area, leave. Head for higher ground and stay there until you are told that the area is safe.

Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can sweep you off your feet. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving.     5    

Turn around, and don’t drown! If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. People often underestimate the force and power of water.

A．Make preparations in advance.

B．Actually, these two words are quite different.

C．That’s why the moving water is dangerous.

D．It should be filled with at least three days of supplies.

E．A flood watch means a flood is possible in your area.

F．Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.

G．If there is possibility of such a flood, move at once to higher ground.

【推荐2】Since I sometimes watch movies and write reviews, I decided to draw up some kind of a plan for writing reviews.

·    1     The title of the movie must be present in the title since this is a keyword. But the “Interstellar movie review” headline is really boring. There should be some intrigue (神秘气氛) in the title, at least a little. Let’s say “Interstellar or separation from daughter for 30 years”.

· Add interesting facts. In the first sentence, include a surprising fact or opinion about the film.     2     From the first lines, he / she needs to get an idea of the nature of the review and the quality (品质) of the movie in order to read on.

· Write for readers, not for yourself.     3     No need to indulge in narcissism (沉浸在自恋中)—“wow, I know a lot of smart words!” A review is not a way of self-expression, but is written to guide readers in the ocean of movie production.

· Add emotions.     4     A review written with emotion is much more interesting than boring and static (静态的) facts. So make notes for yourself and record what you like and what causes dissatisfaction when you watch a movie.

It is very interesting to write a review of a movie and it is not so difficult.     5     Just give it a try, you will definitely have a great review!

A．The article should be “alive”.

B．Share background information.

C．Come up with an interesting title.

D．You need to catch the reader’s attention quickly.

E．All you need to do is to follow the plan and everything will be fine.

F．You must remember the review is written for the readers of the review.

G．Moreover, writing a review provides for the author's understanding of the work.

【推荐3】Four Easy Stress Relievers for Students

Being a student can be very stressed. Hours of homework, studying for tests, writing papers, and making time for your friends can leave you feeling exhausted. If you are feeling stressed out, you can shake out all the anxiety and find other things to do.     1    

Take a Break

The first thing to do when you feel stressed is take a deep breach. Try meditation (冥想) which has been found to ease anxiety and mental stress by making you focus on your breathing. Play some calming music and take yourself away from your work for a little while.     2     Studies have found that a 20-minute nap is ideal to ease stress and boost your mood.

Exercise

    3     Whether it is a quick walk across campus or around the block, a sweaty gym session or doing an online workout in your living room, the exercise will increase your energy, sharpen your focus, enhance your mood and improve your memory. So make a little time for a walk with a friend or a jog around your neighborhood each day. A great work out can also motivate you to get back to your work with a new, positive attitude.

    4    

If you are feeling overworked, try using a different part of your brain to spark some creativity. Bake a new recipe, do a puzzle or play a board game to stimulate your brain in a new different way. These challenges can form new connections in your brain and make you smarter.

Change Your Environment.

You can turn stress into opportunities by changing your environment. Head to the other side of your school, walk around a library or a building which you have never been in.     5    

A．Challenge Yourself.

B．Seize Various Opportunities.

C．Try some of these “brain break” ideas.

D．Find a spot with lots of sunlight to help your mood.

E．A power nap might also be the answer to your stress.

F．According to Forbes, exercise makes you smarter.

G．Changing your environment can make you feel motivated to get to study.

【推荐1】I started powerlifting when I was 65. I worked in real estate in Michigan for about 35 years, and when I retired I decided to lose a bit of weight. A friend’s husband, Art Little, who is a personal trainer, invited me to his gym. He introduced me to powerlifting and he is still my trainer now.

The first time I went, he gave me a broomstick to lift. The next day I told myself I wouldn’t return, but I heard a voice in my head telling me to go back. So, I ended up returning day after day. After a few weeks, my trainer encouraged me to go to a tournament to watch others compete. I was really amazed, but there was no one of my age. I asked my trainer if he thought I could do it, and he said, “Oh, sure.” The first time I competed was at a state meet. I was amazed that I won, because the others had been doing it far longer. I just came in after two months’ practice and defeated them all. After that, I knew powerlifting was for me.

My trainer had me going to the gym three times a week. I improved so quickly because I was consistent. If I was supposed to be there on Monday, I would be there, regardless of whether it was a holiday, or rainy or snowy day. I didn’t miss a day—and that’s how I’m up to the weight I’m lifting now, although the gains happened slowly. Each year, I was getting better.

I’m 79 now and I tell people of my age that they can do this, too; they just have to be consistent and start with something small.

1. Why did the author go back to the gym?

A．She felt ashamed of her behavior.

B．The trainer persuaded her to go back.

C．The broomstick was easy for her to lift.

D．The inner power from her heart made her to go on.

2. What was beyond the author’s expectations?

A．She could go to the gym and practice.	B．She had a win in the competition.
C．She gained confidence from the trainer.	D．She was the oldest one in the competition.

3. Which of the following words could describe the author?

A．Diligent and curious.	B．Determined and smart.
C．Hard-working and humorous.	D．Persistent and devoted.

4. What does the passage mainly talk about?

A．No pains, no gains.	B．Better late than never.
C．A little labor, much health.	D．Do things consistently.

【推荐2】A few months ago, a friend gifted me a robot sweeper that’s programmed to move around a room and clean as it goes.

When the box arrived, I was afraid the device would detect me and suck up (汲取) data along with the dog hair and dust. But the instructions were easy, and I finally decided not to care.

I powered up the sweeper, watched it leave its docking station to work, and quickly fell in love with my newly shiny floors. I kept shooting its working videos. “I think you’re giving more attention to it than to us,” joked my son.

One day, I returned home and discovered that our front door had blown open and the robot rolled into the yard, trying to clean the flower beds. Even when its brushes were blocked with leaves, bugs and mud, its little wheels bravely kept turning.

The robot acted properly as it was programmed to clean “dirty” things. In a kitchen, dirt can be garden debris (碎片) such as leaves and mud. In a garden, this kind of dirt does not need to be removed. The context is important. The problem for robots is that reading this context is difficult.

This accident inspired me to think more about AI (artificial intelligence). As far as I am concerned, AI is simply well trained and reproduces what it has learned. And it is undeniable that robots are increasingly being given powerful intelligence. Some experts even predict that we will soon see not only AI-enabled robots designed to solve problems according to their instructions, but also those with the ability to judge how they should respond when they are in a different setting.

Maybe this will happen in the near future.

1. What was the author’s concern about the robot sweeper at first?

A．Its after-sales service.	B．Its working efficiency.
C．The privacy of her family.	D．The readability of its instructions.

2. How did the author feel about the robot sweeper after using it?

A．Enthusiastic.

B．Regretful.

C．Uncertain.

D．Cautious.

3. What was the root cause of the accident happening to the robot sweeper?

A．Its program went wrong.	B．It lacked critical thinking.
C．Its wheels were badly designed.	D．It failed to work on rough surfaces.

4. What does the sixth paragraph mainly talk about concerning AI?

A．The accident.	B．Some experts’ thinking.
C．Its appeal to the author.	D．The author’s opinion.