While helping out at her children’s swimming lessons, author A. M. Dassu noticed that one boy always put on his socks too soon afterwards. He inspired her to write a picture book that she called Soggy Socks.
Today, many years later, Dassu has published lots of children’s books. Every day, after taking her children to school, Dassu goes to her desk to write. “I leave my phone upstairs so I don’t get distracted, and try to write 800 words every day,” she says. Dassu believes that the key to being a successful writer is not necessarily talent but “getting your bottom on the seat”.
The cyclist with far to go
After 527 days, Liam Garner has completed an amazing achievement. He has cycled almost 20,000 miles from Alaska, in the very north of the US, to Ushuaia-the world’s southernmost city-in the South American country of Argentina. Garner, who was17 years old when he set off, said his trip was inspired by a book he read about a similar journey.
Garner always wanted to have a “big adventure”. During his trip, Garner travelled through 14 countries. He camped outside, stayed in hostels or was hosted by local families. He faced some challenges, including an accident that meant he had to take some time off. However, he recovered and finally reached his goal of being the youngest person ever to cycle from Alaska to Argentina.
A plastic-waste warrior
Licypriya Kangujam won an international award which celebrates people who spark global change. Licypriya, who is 11 and from India, won it for her Plastic Money Shop, where people can trade in their single-use plastic waste for useful items such as stationery, rice or young trees to plant.
1. What is the key to being a successful writer according to Dassu?| A．Talent. | B．Experience. | C．Education. | D．Effort. |
| A．The distance he covered. | B．The challenges he faced. |
| C．The age when he completed the trip. | D．The means of transportation he chose. |
| A．Business. | B．Environment. | C．Finance. | D．Economy. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Two European Summer Must “Seas”
When you think of summer, the beach, clear water, sunny skies, and relaxing days are a few things that come to mind, and two of the best places to experience these summer feels are two gorgeous European bodies of water: the Mediterranean Sea and the Adriatic Sea! These two incredible Seas hold some of my favorite travel memories, and I would revisit each one in a heartbeat!
The Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea can be accessed from various European countries as well as a few North African countries. And while many think of visiting Ibiza, Malta, or the Greek islands to experience the Mediterranean, my Mediterranean beach days came while visiting the seaside city of Marseille in the South of France! Marseille was a lovely city with easy access to the Sea, also with pretty sandy beaches. The gorgeous crystal clear blue water made it unlike any beach day in America! Not only were the beaches amazing, but the city of Marseille was adorable and filled with numerous cute shops and seaside restaurants. And the Mediterraneanstyle food was delicious!
The Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is equally as stunning and surely worth a visit! The Croatian coast has numerous beach clubs, some private and some public, that tourists are able to visit and you can experience the beauty of the Adriatic Sea there! Zrce Novalja, a Croatian seaside town I visited, was impressively featured by the rather rocky beach in place of sand. The rocks were small and smooth, making swimming in the sea and wading in the water just as easy as sandy beaches! Plus, the locals in Croatia are also extremely friendly, making the experience even more memorable.
1. The writer's trip to the two seas was full of ________.| A．unbearable hardships | B．various adventures |
| C．wonderful experiences | D．funny events |
| A．Ibiza. | B．Malta. |
| C．The Greek islands. | D．Marseille. |
| A．Its beach clubs. | B．Its beautiful sea. |
| C．Its rocky beach. | D．Its friendly locals. |
【推荐2】Museum Guide for London
London’s museums are among the best in the world and the incredible choice can be overwhelming. So this is a list of the 4 top London museums visitors should aim for.
The British Museum
You can explore the whole world and go back through history by visiting the British Museum. Whatever your interest is, whether it’s a specific country or era, you will be amazed by what you can see by wandering around here. Founded in 1753, it houses more than 8 million exhibits.
Hours: Fri 10: 00 AM — 8: 30 PM; Sat — Thu 10: 00 AM — 5: 30 PM
Phone: +44 20 7323 8299
Natural History Museum
If you want to get up close and personal with massive dinosaurs, then this is the place for you! The most amazing thing about the Natural History Museum for visitors is that it is free! Plus, there are 70 million specimens, among which 28 million are insects.
Hours: Sun — Sat 10: 00 AM — 5: 50 PM
Phone: +44 20 7938 9123
Science Museum
Founded in 1857, the Science Museum is packed full of buttons to push, levers (操纵杆) to pull and things you should touch and explore as interactivity is the key here. From space rockets to huge old steam engines from the industrial revolution, which will appeal to the scientific types as it offers fascinating stuff for all.
Hours: Wed 12: 00 AM — 11: 59 PM; Thu-Tue 10: 00 AM — 6: 00 PM
Phone: +44 20 7942 4000
Museum of London
At the Museum of London you can journey back in time to pre-historic London and then work your way through to the present day via all the major events in London’s rich past, among which one features “War, Plague and Fire”. Much of what is on display has been found locally, which helps bring it all to life.
Hours: Sun-Sat 10: 00 AM — 6: 00 PM
Phone: +44 20 7001 9844
1. Which museum can you call for further information if you are a lover of animals?| A．+44 20 7938 9123 | B．+44 20 7001 9844 |
| C．+44 20 7942 4000 | D．+44 20 7323 8299 |
| A．The British Museum. | B．Natural History Museum. |
| C．Museum of London. | D．Science Museum. |
| A．Explore the history of the whale world. |
| B．Discover the major events throughout London’s history. |
| C．Enjoy the stay with real dinosaurs. |
| D．Appreciate the huge old steam engines from the industrial revolution. |
【推荐3】Children love gardening. Here are 4 unique and memorable presents that are sure to be appreciated:
1. Big Kid’s Garden Tool Set
If you really want your kids to help out with the yard work, this garden tool set for children is a great idea. Coming with four pieces—rake, hoe, shovel, and leaf rake—this set is designed and sized for kids five years and up. Each tool is made with a metal head and a wooden handle—these are real tools that they can use in the garden. These kid’s garden tools are perfect for preparing garden beds for planting or cleaning up leaves in the fall.
2. Grow Light System
Here’s the next best thing! The Jump Start T5 Grow Light System is ideal for seedlings, cutting, lowers and other house plants. The super efficient T5 lights help with the growth by providing 15-200 more heat than traditional grow lights. It features simple lamp (夹子) for cay lamp height, adjustment, and the fixture has an internal reflective finish that directs more light to plants. The equipment won’t take up too much spa and it’s no too expensive.
3. Hydroponic Herb Garden Kit
If your kids are a little more high tech and less willing to get their hands dirty, you can still get them into gardening. Fully hydroponic, this self watering planter makes it easy to grow select herbs, veggies, and fruit without a traditional garden. This is a great option for a classroom or apartment dwellers who don’t have a yard. It’s also good for parents who don’t have a green thumb but want to teach their children about growing plants and food.
4. Electric Pressure Washer
The Sun Joe Electric Pressure Washer can perform a variety of cleaning tasks outdoors. Remove oil from concrete, rust from steel and caked mud on equipment. Its 34-inch spray (喷射) length and rear wheels provide easy access to hard-to-reach areas such as 2-story buildings.
For more information, call Anaclerio at 708-864-6584 or Carlisle at 708-205-9141.
1. What is the main purpose of writing this text?| A．To share information about gardening. | B．To introduce some services. |
| C．To announce gardening plans. | D．To sell gardening gifts. |
| A．It can help the plants grow faster. | B．It can decrease your living cost. |
| C．It can protect you from being hurt. | D．It can help you do the cleaning. |
| A．Big Kid’s Garden Tool Set and Grow Light System. |
| B．Hydroponic Herb Garden Kit and Electric Pressure Washer. |
| C．Grow Light System and Hydroponic Herb Garden Kit. |
| D．Electric Pressure Washer and Big Kid’s Garden Tool Set. |
You probably know who Marie Curie was, but you may not have heard of Rachel Carson. Of the outstanding ladies listed below, who do you think was the most important woman of the past 100 years? | |
Jane Addams(1860-1935) Anyone who has ever been helped by a social worker has Jane Addams to thank. Addans helped the poor and worked for peace. She encouraged a sense of community(社区)by creating shelters and promoting education and services for people in need In 1931,Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. |
|
Rachel Carson(1907-1964) If it weren’t for Rachel Carson, the environmental movement might not exist today. Her popular 1962 book Silent Spring raised awareness of the dangers of pollution and the harmful effects of chemicals on humans and on the world’s lakes and oceans. |
|
Sandra Day O’Connor(1930-present) When Sandra Day O’Connor finished third in her class at Stanford Law School, in 1952, she could not find work at a law firm because she was a woman. She became an Arizona state senator(参议员) and, in 1981, the first woman to join the U.S. Supreme Court. O’ Connor gave the deciding vote in many important cases during her 24 years on the top court. |
|
Rosa Parks(1913-2005) On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rasa Parks would not give up her seat on a bus to a passenger. Her simple act landed Parks in prison. But it also set off the Montgomery bus boycott(抵制). It lasted for more than a year, and kicked off the civil-rights movement. |
|
| A．Her social work. |
| B．Her teaching skills. |
| C．Her efforts for a prize. |
| D．Her educational background. |
| A．The poor financial conditions. |
| B．Her lack of proper training in law. |
| C．Her little work experience in court. |
| D．The unfair practice against women. |
| A．Rosa Parks. |
| B．Jane Addams. |
| C．Rachel Carson. |
| D．Sandra Day O’ Connor. |
| A．They are highly educated. |
| B．They are truly pioneers. |
| C．They are rather creative. |
| D．They are peace-lovers. |
【推荐2】Sylvester Stallone had been a struggling actor before he achieved his great success as an actor and screenwriter, starting in 1976 with his role as boxer Rocky Balboa, in the first film of the successful Rocky series.
Stallone was so poor at one point that he sold his wife’s jewellery (珠宝). He ended up becoming homeless, sleeping in a bus station, and struggled to afford food. He even managed to get a small amount of money in his pocket by selling his dog for $25.
Soon after, Stallone decided to take his career into his own hands and write a movie role for himself. After watching a boxing match, Stallone wrote the script (脚本) for Rocky very quickly, and soon a studio wanted to buy the screenplay to make.
Stallone was offered $125,000 for the Rocky script, but the trouble for the studio was that Stallone wanted to star in the movie. Stallone was penniless, but he still turned down $125,000 in order to chase his dream.
After being refused on the idea that he “looked and talked funny”, Stallone was then offered $250,000 for the screenplay. He refused unless he could star. He was then offered $350,000. Again he refused.
The studio wanted this screenplay so badly, but was not willing to risk the money on this unknown actor. Stallone stayed strong, and eventually the studio gave him a small amount for the script and let him star.
With his fortunes up, Stallone went to buy back his dog, but the guy he sold it to would not sell him back. Stallone offered the man $1,000 for the dog, but the man refused. Eventually, the man accepted $15, 000 for the dog.
And this is why Stallone has deserved his success and why he is on this list of the best inspiring stories — because he was willing to do whatever it takes to get his dream.
1. What do we know about Stallone from paragraph 2?| A．He lived a very hard life. | B．He didn’t want to work hard. |
| C．He made a living by selling dogs. | D．He didn’t get on well with his wife. |
| A．He wasn’t a responsible actor. | B．He asked too much for his script. |
| C．They had already found a famous star. | D．They thought he wasn’t the right person. |
| A．Humorous. | B．Honest. | C．Determined. | D．Creative. |
| A．Stallone’s Rocky Series | B．Stallone’s Well-written Script |
| C．Stallone’s Road to Success | D．Stallone’s Journey to Fortunes |
【推荐3】Failure isn’t the end, unless you let it be. Don’t believe me? Here are four people who lived through failure before going on to become names known around the world.
Walt Disney
Disney began his career by being fired by a newspaper for not being creative enough. Later, his Mickey Mouse cartoons were rejected because they were considered to be “too scary for women”. Also, The Three Little Pigs was turned down because it only had four characters. Thankfully, we have the Disney Company today because Disney chose not to listen to any of his critics and press forward towards his dreams.
Stephen King
King is a best-selling writer whose work has been made into several motion pictures. However, his first work was rejected 30 times, which led to King throwing it in the trash. Thankfully, his wife persuaded him to keep working at it, and—from that poor start—Carrie was born.
Milton Hershey
The man who blessed us with the sweet milk chocolate treat we all love wasn’t a hit the first time around. He once worked for a local candy factory. But when he went out on his own, he failed miserably. Then he returned to the family farm and perfected the art of making delicious milk chocolate candy, which we enjoy today.
Theodor Geisel
This author struggled to write a novel that publishing companies would call “pure rubbish” several times — 27 to be exact. The man just wouldn’t quit, though. One fateful night, he ran into an old friend who was a children’s literature editor. The friend agreed to publish Geisel’s work. Better known today as Dr. Seuss, Geisel was never again called a failure after his first book became a hit.
1. Why is the Disney Company known to us nowadays?| A．Disney was rejected many times. | B．Disney improved his works later. |
| C．Disney got fired and began his career. | D．Disney ignored critics and fought for his dreams. |
| A．His big family farm. | B．His successful art career. |
| C．His delicious milk chocolate candy. | D．His experience in making milk chocolate. |
| A．They have a gift for making money. | B．They suffered several defeats on the path to success. |
| C．They are creative and highly educated. | D．They were successful at the very start. |
