Shawn Triplett knew there was a desperate need to help the children of Mayfield, Kentucky, after a deadly storm struck the town.
Mayfield was one of the towns hardest hit after a line of storms crossed the central US on Friday night and Saturday morning. Triplett- a Mayfield resident and a former soldier — was in Chicago that Friday night. Alarmed by the weather reports, his wife and two young children went to stay in a hotel of the nearby town, Paducah, without suffering the storms and ultimately out of the path of the tornadoes(龙卷风).
Able to return home the next morning, Triplett was shocked by how the town was destroyed and wanted to help however he could. He arrived at the volunteer center, where he was asked to guide a photo-journalist through streets filled with remains. That night, the two returned to shelters where they saw many suffered families including one woman comforting her son over their lost Christmas.
“It was very heartbreaking, too much for me to handle, ” he said. Therefore, he decided that more needed to be done for the children affected by the storm. Noticing that supplies available were essentials such as generators (发 电机) and bottled water, he turned to his friends on social media for donations so that he could go to Walmart and purchase toys and gifts for the kids. Around $2, 000 were raised, and the store gave Triplett a discount upon learning of his efforts. As word spread on websites, more donations poured in. He was able to return the following day and another $6,000 was spent on toys and board games, he said. Forty pairs of shoes were also picked up at a local Shoe Sensation. Triplett and other volunteers will wrap and distribute the toys for any child or family in need. He credits the kindness of everyone who tried to help and get families back on their feet right before the holidays.
1. Why were Triplett and his families safe from the disaster?| A．They were rescued by soldiers. | B．They didn’t come back to Mayfield. |
| C．They were helped by an aid agency. | D．They happened to be travelling in Chicago. |
| A．A volunteer cleaning the street. | B．A boy crying for his lost families. |
| C．A photo-journalist taking pictures. | D．A mother calming her child down. |
| A．First-aid kits. | B．Emergency food. | C．Essential supplies. | D．Entertainment items. |
| A．Generous and hard-working. | B．Brave and energetic. |
| C．Sympathetic and warm-hearted. | D．Foresighted and determined. |
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【推荐1】For many years, Bruce Bexler dreamed of going where no human had gone before. He wanted to cut a path through unexplored lands and discover rare species.
That might sound like an impossible dream, but Bexler turned it into a reality.
In December 2015, he and a team of Australian scientists explored an isolated rainforest on the island of New Guinea. They were the first people to enter the region. “As time was limited, we were dropped in by helicopter. Once we were on the ground, there were no trails anywhere; it was really hard to get around,” Bexler says.
Within minutes of landing, the team spotted a black chicken-like bird with strange orange skin hanging from its neck. The scientists soon determined that the unusual creature was a type of honeyeater — the first new bird species to be sighted on New Guinea in 60 years.
The honeyeater wasn’t the only surprise for the scientists. They discovered more than 40 previously unknown plant and animal species — 13 birds of paradise, 20 frogs, four butterflies, and five palms. “We were like kids in a candy store,” Bexler recalls. “Everywhere we looked, we saw amazing things we had never seen before.”
The newfound species didn’t shy away from the scientists. Two long-nosed echidnas — primitive egg-laying mammals — let the visitors pick them up and take them back to camp to study them.
Bexler thinks the animals weren’t frightened because they had never seen humans before. “In almost all parts of New Guinea, animals are hunted for food, and because of this, they are very cautious of people,” he explains. “This area gives scientists a place where they can go to study the behaviors of animals that have not yet learned to be afraid of people.”
Scientists believe the area is probably the largest untouched forest in Asia. Bexler and his team did not have enough time to study the area completely. They hope to return to record more undiscovered species. “We just scratched the surface,” Bexler says. “Anyone who goes there will come back with a mystery.”
1. Which word best describes Bruce Bexler?| A．Modest. | B．Adventurous. |
| C．Optimistic. | D．Confident. |
| A．They didn’t have enough food and were hungry. |
| B．They were very excited about what they saw. |
| C．They were behaving like naughty children. |
| D．They knew that if they kept searching, they’d find sugar. |
| A．The scientists seemed to be very friendly. |
| B．The scientists were good at handling animals. |
| C．The animals had been well-trained by the local people. |
| D．The animals had no experience or fear of people. |
| A．The best way to explore the area is by helicopter. |
| B．The area has not been visited by scientists for many years. |
| C．The area still contains many plants and animals unknown to science. |
| D．The locals are unwilling to allow the scientists to enter the deep woods. |
【推荐2】Many have had the same thought as Shannon St. Onge when looking at the approach of snow on a weather forecast—that they have time to finish their jobs. As the director of finance at the First Nations University of Canada, she had to drive 25 kilometers from her home to the city of Regina to attend an important meeting.
As she was leaving, the winter snow began to fall. Taking a dirt road for better traction (牵引) on her tires, she quickly became lost, with no ability to see the edge of the road from a rolled-down window. After a while she stopped and called 911.
“The operator took my information and told me to wait out the storm as my tank was full and I was warm. I waited almost 14 hours and nobody has called me yet to check in,” she wrote in a Face-book post.
“Would the gas tank last until morning? What if I was hit by another vehicle? What if I didn’t make it home at all?” St. Onge wondered.
Determined to ensure the safest end, she went out in the storm and discovered her location on a road sign, and then found a neighborhood Facebook group for the area she was passing through—warning others of her plight through a Google Maps pin.
That was when 80-year-old Andre Bouvier Sr., a retired rescuer, got a call about St. Onge’s situation. He went out to find her, on foot, since he couldn’t manage to start his tractor.
On the way he found three other stranded (被困) vehicles. He walked the quarter mile there and back, and led the helpless cars one by one to his home. Bouvier let the survivors sleep at his house, where they ate and laughed, and departed the next morning after he had cleaned the driveway.
1. Why did St. Onge take a dirt road?| A．She was familiar with it. | B．She could refuel on the road. |
| C．She took the dirt road to save time. | D．She thought dirt road could increase traction. |
| A．Wrong turn. | B．Poor sense of direction. |
| C．Difficult situation. | D．Bad weather. |
| A．Patient and gifted. | B．Brave and selfless. |
| C．Proud and determined. | D．Adventurous and ambitious. |
【推荐3】There has been a battle raging in my living room—a deep-rooted standoff (对峙) that began when I was a child of about nine. That is the age I was when my parents purchased a second-hand piano to support my continuing musical training.
Some may characterize it as a love-hate relationship, even though I believe the bond between us is more than that. Of course, on the “hate” side there were plenty of frustrating hours spent practicing, the forced performances for relatives and the trimmed fingernails. And the obligation I had to shoulder, as my family sacrificed a lot for me to have piano lessons, because I had talent. My teachers said so and, truthfully, my heart said so, too. But all too often it felt like a burden.
There was also love on that piano bench. There were times when I could feel the music ring through me. I could feel it vibrate (震动) through my fingers. The connection between two people when we were performing a duet was beautiful. When my music landed on my audience it made me want to play forever.
But my musical talent did not survive my teenage years because of my desire for freedom. When I had a home of my own, the piano mostly sat unloved or at least unused, feeling fingers on the keys only during Christmas and when my own children took piano lessons.
And yet here I am, writing about my piano. I’m about to move house and despite my emotions, there just isn’t space for the piano.
It feels like I am giving away the family pet. So here I sit playing my last tune before the movers take the piano away and surprisingly there lies a growing desire for something else. It is time to clear the air to let in a different melody. Time to say, “Thank you for being part of my life,” take a bow and leave the stage... with one final note rising up alongside the dust in a sunbeam.
1. The battle between the author and her piano started when she _______.| A．was a teenager. | B．had her own home. |
| C．was about nine years old. | D．was forced to perform for relatives. |
| A．She had great artistic talent. |
| B．She enjoyed the vibrations through her fingers. |
| C．She could feel the music ring through her. |
| D．She liked the connection with her partner when playing a duet. |
| A．Delighted. | B．Contradictory. | C．Indifferent. | D．Sad. |
| A．The piano is just a burden to the author. |
| B．The author’s parents wanted her to be a pianist. |
| C．Practising playing the piano made the author more confident. |
| D．The author’s parents loved her in their preferred way. |
【推荐1】Twelve-year-old Mathew Flores is different from other kids. He loves junk mail, and these ads were the only reading materials he could find. Once he asked his mailman if he could offer him some.
The question surprised the mailman. He asked the boy the reason, and then shared the story on Facebook. “Today while delivering mail, I saw a boy reading ads, and he asked me for more mail. In fact, he wants to go to the library, but his family is very poor and he doesn’t have money to take the bus.”
The mailman then asked his Facebook friends if they could give some books to the boy. He wrote, “Most kids want computers or mobile phones! But what he wants is books. It’s great to see his unusual wish, and you may have seen him smile when I said I could help him!” “He is counting on me,” he said. “So I am counting on you!”
The mailman thought the Facebook post might bring in 50 to 60 books. But it was passed on quickly. People from around the world, including the UK, Australia and India, have sent books. Hundreds of books have been delivered to the boy’s door, with hundreds more still on their way.
When books first started arriving, Flores was surprised at what happened. “I thought they were mistaken, but they indeed were for me.” He says that he can’t wait to share the books with other kids, and has promised to read every one.
1. To help Flores, the mailman ________ .| A．took him to the library | B．paid for his bus tickets |
| C．offered him some junk mail | D．posted his story on Facebook |
| A．He is honest. | B．He is hardworking. |
| C．He is warmhearted. | D．He is confident. |
| A．An unexpected gift | B．A junk mail |
| C．An excellent job | D．An interesting book |
【推荐2】Are you worried about the planet and tired of waiting around for things to change? Go ahead and take a closer look at the various options available to volunteer. for the environment!
Sustainable Agriculture
If you decide to volunteer for a sustainable agriculture project, you’ll definitely learn some interesting sustainable farming techniques. You will be learning these techniques from locals or teaching them to the local farmers so they can implement (实施) these techniques on their own.
Best Places to Volunteer: Central or South Africa, India, Nepal, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Marine Conservation
Volunteers’ for marine conservation should naturally be attracted to water. It’s important that you don’t fear diving and have a strong interest in learning to dive during your stay. While volunteering, your task as a volunteer will be to help research, maintain and grow the unique marine biology.
Best Places to Volunteer: The Bahamas, Cuba, Peru, South Africa, Indonesia, Spain and Italy.
Nature Conservation
Conservation projects are dedicated to protecting the natural environment of a specific location. Tasks here may vary greatly depending on the program but it will require volunteers to study the environment and learn about the local wildlife species. You’ll be monitoring the environment and retrieving data while taking action to preserve the local species of animals and plants.
Best Places to Volunteer: Madagascar, the Maldives, South Africa, New Zealand and Russia.
Renewable Energy and Water
Projects focused on energy and water create ways for communities to access sustainable energy and water sources. These programs are dedicated to designing system improvements and creating a sustainable supply of energy and water. It’s important for conservation volunteers to evaluate the needs of the community and implement actions to solve these issues.
Best Places to Volunteer: Peru, Costa Rica, EI Salvador, India and Cameroon.
Requirements: With so many subcategories and such a wide series of organizations, the required skill set will vary for each program. English is the main language on all projects so it’s important that conservation volunteers have a good understanding of English. For projects in South America, you will find it helpful to have a basic knowledge of Spanish.
1. If you want to volunteer for three projects in the same country, which country is the best choice?| A．Peru. | B．South Africa. | C．Indonesia. | D．India. |
| A．Volunteers can learn farming techniques by carrying out these techniques on their own. |
| B．Volunteers should assess the requirements of the community to solve the issues of energy and water supply. |
| C．Volunteers at different conservation projects can perform the same tasks to protect the natural environment. |
| D．Volunteers can sign up for marine conservation project even if they are afraid of the water. |
| A．Farming techniques. | B．Marine biology. |
| C．The English language. | D．Data retrieving. |
【推荐3】On a Saturday afternoon, you find most kids outside playing games. Kids were made for the outdoors, with their endless energy and the easy way in which they make friends. It’s not different for Kameron, an ordinary, fun-loving 7-year-old girl who loves to draw out the world’s longest hopscotch(跳格子) on the sidewalk.
In between jump-rope games, basketball shootouts and skateboard races, Kameron takes time to do something special for her neighbors. Kameron’s community is home to a good mix of young families and elderly neighbors whose children have long since left home. Kameron first started waving to them. Most of them smiled back.
Then Kameron decides that some of them need a little pleasure. So she runs home, takes her violin and makes the rounds. “Can I play you a song?” she asks, after knocking on the door.
Gustav smiles wide. He has beautiful white hair and a soft accent. He grew up in Scandinavia and is a wood finisher. His wife Vivian has a smile that fills their tiny home. She stands awkwardly, and has difficulty moving about. It looks terribly uncomfortable. Vivian has had muscular dystrophy (肌肉萎缩) for over 20 years. Gustav is her full-time caregiver. They’ve replaced their daily walks with afternoon drives, but even those are getting too difficult for Vivian.
Gus lets Kameron in, and Vivian takes hold of both their arms and pulls to her chair. On the table beside her is a photo of her with Gus when they were young and energetic, traveling around Europe, Egypt and Iceland. In the photo, Vivian is very beautiful, and Gus is handsome.
“Want me to play your favorite song?” Kameron asks. “Of course,” Gus answers. It is the only song Kameron knows.
The small violin rests seriously under Kameron’s chin(下巴). She plays as best she can. Vivian beats her knee obviously to keep rhythm(节奏) for Kameron. Gus holds Vivian’s other hand. It’s not the performance that is moving, but the memories it brings.
1. What is Kameron special compared with other kids?| A．She likes playing outside. | B．She cares about the elderly. |
| C．She has plenty of energy. | D．She can draw on the sidewalk. |
| A．To sing a song to them. | B．To learn the violin from them. |
| C．To cheer them up with music. | D．To invite them to go to a concert. |
| A．Go for a walk. | B．Make a drive. |
| C．Stay at home. | D．Do woodworking. |
| A．The love between them. | B．Vivian’s reaction to the music. |
| C．Kameron’s performance. | D．Thinking back to past experiences. |
