The jack fruit is a delicious fruit found throughout certain parts of Asia. But there is more to the fruit than just its taste. When considering the fruit’s English name, it is easy to become overwhelmed with questions like: “Who is Jack? And why does he have his own fruit?”
Surprisingly, “jack fruit” isn’t a person’s name at all. The fruit’s name originally comes from the southern Indian word chakka pazham, with India thought to be the fruit’s place of origin. Portuguese explorers who journeyed to this region went on to call it jack, which leads us to the current English name of jack fruit, according to National Public Radio(NPR). Unfortunately, no one called Jack has been proven to be involved at any point in this process.
There is another food, however, that was directly named after a person—the sandwich. In the 18th century, playing card games late into the night became fashionable in British high society. John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, started the habit of ordering pieces of cold beef between two pieces of bread in order to get a late-night snack without having to leave the gaming table or use a knife and fork.
This newly-created snack kept hands clean so card players could continue on without dirtying their cards. The midnight snack quickly became popular among everyday people, and before long everyone was making their own sandwiches. That is how the sandwich was invented and got its name.
Away from the world of food, there are more examples of names inspired by people. Long johns, the warm trousers that keep us warm in winter, are said to have been named after the US boxer John L. Sullivan who took to wearing a similar type of garment in the ring (比赛).
There are many other interesting etymologies(词源) in the English language like these. So the next time you find an interesting name, why not explore its history too?
1. What does the underlined word “overwhelmed” in the first paragraph probably mean?| A．Puzzled. | B．Excited. | C．Worried. | D．Annoyed. |
| A．A place in India. | B．An Indian word. |
| C．A Portuguese explorer. | D．A discoverer of the fruit. |
| A．It was named after a popular card game. |
| B．It was once eaten as a snack in the daytime. |
| C．It was first popular among the UK’s middle class. |
| D．It was created for the convenience of playing cards. |
| A．To raise readers’ interest in etymology. | B．To introduce things named after people. |
| C．To stress the importance of learning history. | D．To explain the effects of people’s names on food. |
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【推荐1】In the United States, when one becomes rich, he wants people to know it. And even if he does not become very rich, he wants people to think that he is. That is what “keeping up with the Joneses” is about. It is the story of someone who tried to look as rich as his neighbors.
The expression was first used in 1913 by a young American called Arthur Momand. He told this story about himself. He began earning $125 a week at the age of 23. That was a lot of money in those days. He got married and moved with his wife to a very wealthy neighborhood outside New York City. When he saw that rich people rode horses, Momand went horseback riding every day. When he saw that rich people had servants, Momand and his wife also hired a servant and gave big parties for their new neighbors.
It was like a race, but one could never finish his race because one was always trying to keep up. The race ended for Momand and his wife when they could no longer pay for their new way of life. They moved back to an apartment in New York City.
Momand looked around him and noticed that many people do things just to keep up with rich lifestyle of their neighbors. He saw the funny side of it and started to write a series of short stories. He called it “Keeping up with the Joneses” because “Jones” is a very common name in the United States. “Keeping up with the Joneses” came to mean keeping up with rich lifestyle of the people around you. Momand’s series appeared in different newspapers across the country for over 28 years.
People never seem to get tired of keeping up with the Joneses. And there are “Jonses” in every city of the world. But one must get tired of trying to keep up with the Joneses because no matter what one does, Mr. Jones always seems to be ahead.
1. Some people want to keep up with the Joneses because they _______.| A．want to be as rich as their neighbors | B．want to be happy |
| C．don’t want others to know they are rich | D．want others to know or to think that they are rich |
| A．live outside New York City | B．live in New York city |
| C．live in apartments | D．have many neighbors |
| A．an important name | B．a popular name in the United States |
| C．his neighbor’s name | D．not a good name |
| A．impossible | B．interesting | C．correct | D．good |
| A．Objective | B．Positive | C．Negative | D．Supportive |
【推荐2】They say there is power in names and nowhere is that truer than China, where Chinese characters often carry a deep significance. For any brand planning to enter the Chinese market, choosing the right Chinese name is usually a top priority.
In choosing their Chinese name, brands should consider something that is memorable, easy to pronounce and with no negative meaning in the multiple Chinese dialects, and that conveys a sense of the brand’s DNA. This can be a challenge for luxury fashion houses, as their name often comes with its own heritage(传统) and meaning. However, they also have the advantage that they may enjoy a certain degree of brand recognition in China.
Brands have three main options when it comes to choosing a Chinese name. The majority choose a simple transliteration(音译), choosing a series of characters with sounds that are closely similar to the pronunciation of the brand’s original name. For example, Dior’s Chinese name is“迪奥”(di’ao).The two characters, while meaningless in combination, respectively mean “to enlighten” and “mysterious”, a smart choice for this brand.
Since more and more Chinese people are travelling abroad and they tend to pick up a short form, for instance, LV for Louis Vuitton, brands might wonder whether it is even necessary to spend considerable time and energy coming up with an official Chinese name. Nevertheless, most marketers still advise that brands select an official Chinese name. “Although brands only use their English name on their shop front, they still need a Chinese name, as their customers, sales assistants and floor managers usually won’t use the English name,” argues Louis Houdart, CEO of China-based branding agency Creative Capital.
Houdart adds that it is important for brands to establish and popularize their Chinese name, otherwise they might run the risk of customers’ coming up with their own understanding and pronunciation, messing their brand’s image and leaving it open to copyright infringement(侵权).
1. What’s the bright side for luxury fashion houses while choosing a Chinese name?| A．It’s possible for those brands to be recognized by Chinese customers. |
| B．It’s lucky to decide a Chinese name that can be accepted by Chinese consumers. |
| C．It’s easy for them to contain their heritage and meaning in their Chinese name. |
| D．It’s unnecessary for those brands to spend energy choosing a proper Chinese name. |
| A．Giving the name a short form “BV”. | B．Translating the name into宝格丽. |
| C．Ignoring Chinese customers’ demand. | D．Sticking to the English name. |
| A．Diane Von Furstenberg is usually referred to as “DVF” instead of a Chinese name. |
| B．It is essential for brands to set up their Chinese name and make it understandable. |
| C．Louis Vuitton has never meant to come up with an official Chinese name so far. |
| D．Chinese consumers get fairly used to pronouncing those brand’s names in English. |
| A．Behind the Right Chinese Name | B．The Influence of Famous Brands |
| C．The Power of Brand Recognition | D．The History of Famous Brands |
【推荐3】When people ask about my experience of learning Cantonese, I recount a journey driven by unending curiosity and a strong desire to connect with a dynamic culture.
Growing up in a Russian family, my fascination with languages grew thanks to my father, a language expert. It’s during a cultural appreciation class in junior high that I was first introduced to the world of Hong Kong films, famous for their characteristic action-packed dramas and storytelling styles. However, what really amazed me was the uniqueness of the language, Cantonese, which sparked a urgent need within me to explore it and the rich culture behind. This marked the beginning of a thrilling linguistic journey.
Learning Cantonese posed challenges, such as unfamiliar characters, complex tones, and different grammar structures, yet I persevered. Immersed in textbooks and available online courses, I practiced the tones everyday until my pronunciation flowed naturally. Cantonese dramas and music also played a role in familiarizing me with its rhythm.
To truly grasp the essence of Cantonese, I knew that studying alone wasn’t enough — I needed firsthand experience. So, I took a gap year to pack my bags for Hong Kong, a city featuring the lively heartbeat of Cantonese culture. Buried in its busy streets and daily conversations, from casual chats to food ordering, I found myself enveloped in a linguistic wonderland. Within a few months, my Cantonese proficiency flourished, fueling a surge of confidence.
My explorations extended beyond the streets. I enrolled in formal language classes that offered professional guidance. Through hard work, I successfully completed all the courses in Cantonese Linguistics. From then on, I’ve been passionately committed to spreading the Cantonese culture, ensuring its richness reaches a wider audience.
Today, I continue my Cantonese voyage with unflagging enthusiasm. It has transformed into more than just a linguistic pursuit; it grants me a passport to sincere connections, profound insights, and heartfelt admiration for its one-of-a-kind culture.
1. What motivated the author to start his linguistic journey?| A．His father’s intentional arrangement. |
| B．His teacher’s positive encouragement. |
| C．His strong interest in Chinese movies. |
| D．His great passion for cultural exploration. |
| A．To participate in a language workshop. |
| B．To take a bite of the diverse local food. |
| C．To fully comprehend the spirit of Cantonese. |
| D．To stay well informed about studying abroad. |
| A．Demanding but strategic. |
| B．Effortless and enjoyable. |
| C．Challenging but creative. |
| D．Adventurous and eventful. |
| A．Education is the passport to the future. |
| B．Language is the road map of a culture. |
| C．Opportunity favors the prepared mind. |
| D．Success belongs to those with curiosity. |
【推荐1】What are two things that make humans different from animals? One is language and the other is music. It’s true that some animals can sing. However, the songs of animals like birds are very limited. It’s also true that humans, not animals, have developed musical instruments.
Music is a strange thing. It’s clearly distinct from language. However, people can use music to communicate things — especially their emotions. When music is combined (组合) with speech in a song, it’s a very powerful form of communication.
If music is truly different from speech, then we should process music and language in different parts of the brain. The scientific evidence suggests that this is true. For example, Vissarion Shebalin, a Russian composer, had a stroke (中风) in 1953. It injured the left side of his brain. He could no longer speak or understand speech. He could, however, still compose music until his death ten years later. On the other hand, sometimes strokes cause people to lose their musical ability, but they can still speak and understand speech.
By studying the physical effects of music on the body, scientists have also learnt a lot about how music influences the emotions. But why does music have such a strong effect on us? That is a harder question to answer.
Geoffrey Miller, a researcher at University College, London, thinks that music and love have a strong connection. Music requires special talent, practice and physical ability. That’s why it may be a way of showing your fitness to be someone’s mate. For example, playing a musical instrument requires fine muscular control. You also need a good memory to remember the notes. And playing those notes correctly suggests that your hearing is in excellent condition. Finally, when a man sings to the woman he loves, it may be a way of showing off.
However, Miller’s theory still doesn’t explain why certain combinations of sounds influence our emotions so deeply. For scientists, this is clearly an area that needs further research.
1. What can we learn from the first paragraph?| A．Music is a common language. | B．Humans are advanced animals. |
| C．Music is closely related to humans. | D．Animals can use music to communicate. |
| A．Different. | B．Direct. | C．Free. | D．Far. |
| A．Music is another form of language. |
| B．Music can inspire people’s creativity. |
| C．Gifted people have more opportunities to succeed. |
| D．’The brain processes music and language separately. |
| A．It was advanced at that time. | B．It made a valuable contribution. |
| C．It sill needs to be improved. | D．It will be confirmed by younger scientists. |
【推荐2】For years, life went something like this: We’d grow up in one place, head off to college, then find a city to live in for a few years to pursue a job or higher education. The end goal was to find somewhere to settle down, buy a house, start a family, and begin the whole cycle all over again. But a new model for living is emerging: Some people are increasingly opting to move from city to city throughout their entire lives, sometimes as frequently as every month.
Just ask Alex Chatzielefteriou, who has had a front-row seat watching this evolution unfold. Six years ago, he launched a startup called Blueground that rents out beautifully designed, fully furnished apartments for a month at a time, at rents that are cheaper than hotels. Today, the company has 3,000 properties in six U.S. cities, along with Dubai, Istanbul, London, Paris, and Chatzielefteriou’s native Athens, and a staff of 400.
The company just landed $ 50 million in Series B funding, bringing its total investment to $ 78 million, to continue its rapid expansion. It hopes to have 50,000 properties in 50 cities over the next three years, and the goal is to make each one feel unique and cozy, rather than standardized, like what you might find in a traditional hotel.
Chatzielefteriou first came up with the idea for Blueground while he was working as a management consultant for McKinsey. “The accommodation of choice for consultants is the hotel,” he says. “I had to spend five years in a hotel room, living in 12 different cities. I loved seeing the world, but I didn’t love feeling like I didn’t have a home.”
As he spoke to his friends and coworkers, he realized that many people were dejected with this lifestyle that meant living out of a suitcase in the same few hotel chains that all began to blend together. And what’s more, hotels aren’t a particularly cost-effective solution for companies either. In Chatzielefteriou’s case, McKinsey sometimes paid $10,000 or more for him to stay in a major city for a month, which was far more expensive than local rents.
1. Chatzielefteriou launched the company Blueground for the following reasons except ________.| A．he wants to feel like home when exploring the world |
| B．many people around him are tired of hotels |
| C．hotels are comparatively more expensive |
| D．he doesn’t have a real home |
| A．An apartment that costs dearly but is fully furnished. |
| B．An apartment that is standardized and commonly seen. |
| C．An apartment that has its own style and is comfortable to live in. |
| D．An apartment that is simply designed with only necessary furniture. |
| A．frustrated | B．confused | C．inspired | D．satisfied |
| A．An introduction of a new hotel for consultants. |
| B．An introduction of a creative company founder. |
| C．An introduction of new accommodation for travelers. |
| D．An introduction of the history of a promising company. |
Here is a way to kill mice without spending a lot of money. It is a simple but effective kind of mouse trap. The method is first used by some farmers in the west African country of Mali. An agricultural expert in Mali reported about the Mali mouse trap in a magazine. The expert reported that his gardener caught 150 mice in just one night. The gardener used four traps. The trap is easy to make. First, remove the top from a 20 liter metal or plastic container(容器). Put it in a hole in the ground. The top edge of the container should be the level with the surface of the ground. Fill the container with water to within eight centimeters of the top. Add tiny pieces of grain wastes. They should float on the water. Also put some wastes on the ground near the trap. During the night, mice will come out to eat the grain wastes. They will fall into the container and drown. Replace the food in the trap every night．
1. According to the passage，_____ used the mouse trap first.
| A．an agricultural expert in the west Africa |
| B．farmers in the United States |
| C．all American gardener |
| D．farmers in Mali |
| A．A simple and effective method used by farmers to kill mice |
| B．How to kill mice |
| C．Methods used by farmers to kill mice |
| D．Farmers have problems with mice |
| A．A special grain storage building |
| B．Chemical poisons |
| C．A mouse trap |
| D．A hole in the ground |
A． | B． |
C． | D． |
