“What’s in a name?” According to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, there is not too much. “That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” But Shakespeare may have been wrong. In most cultures, names matter a great deal.
Americans choose names for their children with care. Parents usually think about the impression a name gives, not its meaning. Most Americans would consider a “Jennifer” more attractive than a “Bertha”, for example. The last name, or, surname, must also be considered when choosing a first and middle name. A name like Lester Chester Hester would sound poetic, but odd. Parents would avoid names that remind them of people they don’t like. On the other hand, people might name their children after a respected elderly relative or even a famous person. The popularity of certain names can change with each new generation. Names that were once common, like Fanny or Elmer, sound old-fashioned today. But other names-like John and David, Mary and Sarah-have stood the test of time and continue to be favorites.
People in America don’t always call their friends and relatives by their given names. Instead, they often use nicknames. Sometimes nicknames are short forms of a longer name. For instance, a girl named Elizabeth may be called Lisa, Beth or Betsy. As children grow up, they may decide for themselves which nickname they wish to be called. Some people just go by the initials of their first and middle names, like B.J. or R.C. And of course, people may call their children or their sweethearts other special nicknames. Often they have a “sweet” flavor, like Honey or Sugar.
What’s in a name? A world of significance. So if you’re choosing an English name for yourself, take care to choose a good one. A made-up name could sound strange to native English speakers. And a translation of your Chinese name may not make an appropriate name, either. But a good name can leave a positive and lasting impression. As an American politician once said, “In real life, unlike in Shakespeare, the sweetness of the rose depends upon the name it bears.”
1. What does the underlined sentence in paragraph 2 mean?A.People change names in order to be popular with the new generation. |
B.Names will change by themselves in order to be popular. |
C.Some names may no longer be popular among the new generation. |
D.No names can stand the test of time. |
A.the impression a name gives is more important than its meaning |
B.you can name after a well-known person |
C.surname should be paid attention to |
D.you can create a name that is special |
A.nickname | B.the first letter |
C.short form | D.title |
A.Bertha | B.Fanny |
C.Yunyun | D.Elizabeth |
A.Names have great significance to Americans. |
B.Names change when time goes by. |
C.Chinese people should be careful when choosing their English names. |
D.Roses smell sweet by any other name. |
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【推荐1】Qiang embroidery (羌绣) has a long and rich history, dating back to the Han Dynasty when it was adopted for use on clothing. It makes use of many kinds of stitches (针法). The Qiang people adore nature, so they embroider plants and animals on clothing. Flowers, grasses, fruits, vegetables, animals and human figures are used as inspiration for the embroidery’s most common patterns. This type of embroidery features a bold use of brilliant colors. Qiang embroidery is usually practiced by women. A pair of embroidered shoes can take as long as ten days to produce, making the practice a test of both skill and patience.
Fifty-something Chen Yunzhen, from Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County in Sichuan Province, is a master of Qiang embroidery. As the local tourism industry began to develop, Chen decided to promote the embroidery as a brand to attract more tourists. Many local women, encouraged by Chen, began to earn their living through Qiang embroidery. As part of her efforts to stop the endangered technique from disappearing, Chen began visiting the surrounding regions to teach embroidery. In 2014, she set up a Qiang embroidery workshop that has since provided free training to over 20,000 people. Over 500 local embroiderers make a living through the workshop.
To breathe new life into Qiang embroidery, Chen has continued to keep an open mind, introducing new products like personal accessories (配饰), notebooks and bags in addition to the traditional clothes. Chen’s two daughters returned to their hometown to help support her efforts after graduating from university. With her daughters’ youthful sense of innovation (创新), Chen has combined metalwork and Qiang embroidery to create earrings, rings and necklaces that are popular among young consumers. She is also considering live streaming to promote her handmade products.
According to Chen, the Qiang people do not have a written language, so Qiang embroidery must be well preserved and developed as part of efforts to sustain (传承) its culture. For Chen, Qiang embroidery is much more than a piece of art to appreciate. “If you allow it to convey its real value, it will improve more people’s lives and drive rural revitalization (乡村振兴),” she said.
1. What do we know about Qiang embroidery?A.It costs a lot of money to produce. |
B.It includes all kinds of elements from nature. |
C.It adopts light colors with unique stitches. |
D.It is the most ancient embroidery art in China. |
A.She takes the lead in carrying forward Qiang embroidery. |
B.She trains young students in embroidery skills at a school. |
C.She improves her living conditions by running a workshop. |
D.She is devoted to preserving various endangered techniques. |
A.The popularity of Qiang embroidery in China. |
B.Chen’s efforts to innovate Qiang embroidery. |
C.The difficulties of passing on Qiang embroidery. |
D.Chen’s achievements in creating handmade products. |
A.A symbol of Qiang culture. |
B.A mirror of Qiang history. |
C.A great work of Chinese traditional clothes. |
D.An effective tool for improving Chinese economy. |
【推荐2】Minor Snow(小雪), the 20th solar term of the year, begins this year on Nov. 22 and ends on Dec. 6. Minor Snow refers to the time when it starts to snow, mostly in China’s northern areas.
Light snow
As an ancient Chinese book puts it, “In Minor Snow, the weather is cold and it is going to snow.”
Wearing hats and scarves
In China, starting in Minor Snow, the wind blows from the northeast a lot.
Drinking soup
Indoor heating begins to work, which means most people might find their nose and mouth feel a bit dry. This accumulation (积累) of “inner heat” in one’s body can cause problems.
Making preserved pork
After Minor Snow, the temperature declines sharply and the air becomes dry.
A.Because it’s still not bitterly cold |
B.Various soups are more appealing |
C.The solution is to drink more hot soup |
D.It is the best time to start making preserved pork |
E.Whether preserved pork is healthy remains unknown |
F.Here are four things you should know about Minor Snow |
G.The temperature in most areas in the north drops to zero degrees and below |
【推荐3】After living, studying and traveling in Rome for over nine months, I finally flew back "across the pond" to America. While the reunion with my friends and family was unbelievable, I began to feel the so-called "reverse (反向的)culture shock".
Before experiencing any psychological distress(忧虑)upon re-entry, I noticed all of the obvious physical and cultural differences between Italy and Indiana-one of which occurred in Walmart. As I walked down the seemingly endless aisles, I was confused. When I finally found the cream cheese, I just stopped and stare. "Is it really necessary to sell over ten different flavors of the same product?" I thought. 1 immediately recalled the small grocery store, Carrefour, a block away from the Rome Global Gateway. While the store was small compared to Walmart, it still sold everything I ever wanted. It seemed that Walmart is a perfect example of over-indulgence(放纵)and materialism, two known negative qualities of American culture.
Because I struggled to communicate with the locals of Rome, who spoke very little English, I was unexpectedly pleased to have the ability to talk to anyone once again. Personally, I have never been the type to strike up conversation with strangers, yet I found myself enjoying conversation with others I hadn’t met before in public. It feels good to no longer be the "outsider" walking on eggshells so as not to offend anyone or say something with the wrong accent or incorrect grammar.
While attending a Student Safety Summit for Notre Dame students traveling abroad, one of the speakers noted that living in a foreign country will "change you in ways you can't even imagine yet," including the way you interact with others, how you dress, what you eat, and how you perceive(感知)the world. Before living abroad, I thought to myself that nothing could influence my sense of identity, let alone the way I dress! However, those words have stuck with me, and I believe the speaker was right!
1. What puzzled the author at Walmart?A.It was not selling a common product. | B.Its cream cheese had a terrible flavor. |
C.It was located very close to its competitor. | D.It was unnecessarily rich in product varieties. |
A.Proud. | B.Curious. | C.Unsupportive. | D.Uninterested. |
A.speaking with an accent | B.not talking to strangers |
C.keeping his identity secret | D.correcting others’ grammar |
A.How to Prepare for Culture Shock | B.Keeping Your Identity During Travel |
C.Dealing with Reverse Culture Shock | D.How to Follow Foreign Customs as You Travel |
【推荐1】Do you know how it is when you see someone yawn and you start yawning too? Or how hard it is to be among people laughing and not laugh yourself? Well, apparently it’s because we have mirror neurons (神经元) in our brains.
Put simply, the existence of mirror neurons suggests that every time we see someone else do something, our brains imitate it, whether or not we actually perform the same action. This explains a great deal about how we learn to smile, talk, walk, dance or play sports. But the idea goes further: mirror neurons not only appear to explain physical actions, they also tell us that there is a biological basis for the way we understand other people.
Mirror neurons can undoubtedly be found all over our brains, but especially in the areaS which relate to our ability to use languages, and to understand how other people feel. Researchers have found that mirror neurons relate strongly to language. A group of researchers discovered that if they gave people sentences to listen to (for example: “The hand took hold of the ball”), the same mirror neurons were triggered when the action was actually performed (in this example, actually taking hold of a ball).
Any problems with mirror neurons may well result in problems with behavior. Much research suggests that people with social and behavioral problems have mirror neurons which are not fully functioning. However, it is not yet known exactly how these discoveries might help find treatments for social disorders.
Research into mirror neurons seems to provide us with ever more information concerning how humans behave and interact. Indeed, it may turn out to be the equivalent for neuroscience of what Einstein’s theory of relativity was for physics. And the next time you feel the urge to cough in the cinema when someone else does-well, perhaps you’ll understand why.
1. What is the passage mainly about?A.Existence of mirror neurons. | B.Functions of mirror neurons. |
C.Ways to find mirror neurons. | D.Problems of mirror neurons. |
A.why we cry when we are hurt. |
B.why we yawn when we feel sleepy. |
C.why we cough when we suffer from a cold. |
D.why we smile when we see someone else smile. |
A.cut off. | B.set off. | C.built up. | D.broken up. |
A.relate to human behavior and interaction. |
B.result in bad behavior and social disorders. |
C.control human physical actions and feelings. |
D.determine our knowledge and language abilities. |
【推荐2】Want to know what is coming soon to a cinema near you? Probably not a 1.5-hour-long movie, as in the old days. On October 20th comes Killers of the Flower Moon. At nearly three and a half hours, its length is nearly double that of the average film last year. Even movie fans struggle to concentrate for that long and some viewers even nod off. Afterwards there is a mad dash for the toilets. When does watching a film become such a slog?
The Economist analyzed over 100,000 feature films released internationally since the 1930s, the start of Hollywood’s golden age, using data from IMDb, a movie database. The average length of productions rose by around 24%, from one hour and 21 minutes in the 1930s to one hour and 47 minutes in 2022. For the ten most-popular titles, the average length grew to around two and a half hours in 2022, nearly 50% higher than in the 1930s.
One driver of this trend is that studios want to squeeze the most out of their costly intellectual property (知识产权), but they are competing with streaming platforms for eyeballs. The hope is that a spectacular, drawn-out “event” movie will draw audiences away from the small screen and into cinemas. This approach has often paid off: Avengers: Endgame Marvel’s three-hour superhero masterpieces, was the highest-grossing (票房最高的) film in 2019. Last year long movies series made up most of the highest-grossing films in America.
Another explanation for longer films has to do with directors’ growing influence. Who would dare tell the likes of Mr. Nolan to cut out his masterpieces? Moreover, streaming platforms, which do not have to worry as much about the length because viewers can pause whenever they like, may attract big names by promising them sufficient fund and creative freedom. Netflix funded and released three-hour The Irishman in 2019, a film that would have benefited from a decisive editor, Irish or otherwise.
1. The underlined part “a slog” in paragraph 1 refers to a(n)___.A.pleasure | B.effort | C.conflict | D.feast |
A.The average length affects the popularity of films. |
B.Great advances have been made in film industry. |
C.Hollywood starts a golden age of feature films. |
D.The average duration of movies has stretched. |
A.Competition for the target audience. | B.Thirst for more classic productions. |
C.Influence of streaming platforms. | D.Preference for decisive editors. |
A.Movie Enthusiasts | B.Movie Marathons |
C.Movie Production | D.Movie Influence |
【推荐3】Sea life near Turkey is being threatened by a layer of brown foam on the ocean s surface.
The actual name for the foam is mucilage (黏液). Scientists first noticed and described mucilage in 2007, when it was found near Turkey. Then, it was also found in other parts of the Aegean Sea, near Greece.
This year’s outbreak of mucilage is the worst ever recorded. It’s been developing for seven months and is now covering large parts of the Sea of Marmara. The Sea of Marmara is an “inland sea”, surrounded by land belonging to Turkey, and connected to the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea.
There are many different kinds of algae (海藻), and it’s natural and normal for algae to grow in the ocean or in other bodies of water. But when there is lots of food for the algae, and other conditions are just right, there can be “an algae bloom” which results in algae growing quickly and in huge numbers And in very bad situations, mucilage is the result.
There are two main causes for the present outbreak of mucilage. One is the heavy pollution sewage, fertilizers, and other chemicals- flowing into the Sea of Marmara. The second cause is higher water temperatures because of climate change.
The mucilage causes problems in lots of different ways. For one thing, by covering the ocean’s surface, it stops sunlight from reaching all the sea life below. “This mucilage is now covering the sea surface like a tent canvas,” says Muharrem Balci, who teaches biology at Istanbul University. Because there is so much algae, it takes up lots of oxygen from the seawater. That means that there’s very little oxygen left for the other sea creatures that depend on it. The BBC reports that divers in the area are seeing large numbers of dying fish. After a while, the mucilage falls to the bottom of the ocean, where it covers the sea floor threatening to poison creatures that live there, like crabs and mussels. This year, the mucilage has been found as deep as 30 meters below the surface.
1. What do we know about mucilage?A.It generally doesn’t last long. |
B.It had never existed before 2007. |
C.It is mainly formed in inland seas. |
D.It was first noticed near Turkey. |
A.A good harvest of algae. | B.The increasing use of algae. |
C.The explosive growth of algae. | D.A continuing popularity of algae. |
A.It can greatly threaten sea life. |
B.It has drawn attention worldwide. |
C.It will lead to food shortages for humans. |
D.It benefits some sea creatures but harms others. |
A.New kinds of algae are found in Turkey |
B.Turkey’s coastal waters are covered with mucilage |
C.Marmara has seen an increase in water temperatures |
D.Endangered sea creatures in Marmara have been protected |
【推荐1】Welcome to one of the largest collections of footwear (鞋类) in the world that will make you green with envy. Here at the Footwear Museum, you can see exhibits (展品) from all over the world.You can find out about shoes worn by everyone from the Ancient Egyptians to pop stars.
![](https://img.xkw.com/dksih/QBM/2019/9/20/2294940006047744/2295029653512192/STEM/83f4f9cb6e3d4e779e58d756e0d18baf.png?resizew=554)
1. Where would you find a famous singer's shoes ?
A.Room 1 | B.Room 2 |
C.Room 3 | D.The Footwear Library. |
A.All exhibits in each room have the same shape. |
B.All exhibits in each room share the same theme. |
C.All exhibits in each room belong to the same social class. |
D.All exhibits in each room are made of the same material. |
A.Room 2 is the most visited place in the museum. |
B.Researchers come to the Footwear Library for data. |
C.The oldest exhibits in Room 1 were made in the 1950s. |
D.Room 3 has a richer variety of exhibits than the other two. |
【推荐2】Fulton’s dog named Lucy got to pick out her own toy at the store, and Fulton says Lucy has been known to pick very large stuffed animals. In the video, Lucy picked up a Lambchop toy about twice her size and carried it out of the store with unbelievable determination.
She carried that toy right out of the door of the pet store while Fulton filmed every moment. When Fulton posted the video on her Facebook page, she wasn’t expecting to receive such a strong response (反应).
Since posting, Lucy’s video has been viewed over 21 million times and caused more than 49,000 comments. Fulton wrote on her Facebook, “This is not the first shopping trip for Lucy. We don’t do this on a regular basis but occasionally! The more she has shopped, the bigger the toy gets and the bigger the toy gets, the higher the price! But her papa didn’t say a word about how much the one she picked out was. YES, she is spoiled (宠坏的).”
She continued, “We want to thank everyone that has viewed, liked, shared and commented about the video I posted about our Lucy during her shopping trip for a new toy! This happened while we were on vacation in Daytona Beach, Florida. Our kids told us that the video had got around rapidly. It is amazing.”
Fulton was truly shocked at how much attention Lucy’s vedio received since she is used to posting pictures and video of Lucy on her Facebook all the time.
“It’s amazing to see that a video of a precious little dog can bring so many smiles and laughter for peopole,” says Fulton, who is retired from the Henderson County Schools in Kentucky. “I am receiving so many nice comments from people all over the world.”
1. What is the most interesting part of the story?A.The dog controls its master. |
B.The dog chooses a toy by herself. |
C.The dog loves shopping very much. |
D.The dog films her shopping experience. |
A.Lucy prefers more expensive toys |
B.Fulton’s husband is angry with Lucy |
C.Fulton complains about Lucy’s behavior |
D.Fulton has to pay more and more for a toy |
A.She thinks they are confusing. |
B.She believed they are helpful. |
C.She feels grateful to those people. |
D.She finds they match her expectations. |
A.A pleasant surprise. | B.Great respect. |
C.A good opportunity. | D.Immediate recognition. |
The answer depends largely on cultural values as well as personal experiences.To the Egyptians,green was a color that represented the hope and joy of spring,while for Muslims,it means heaven.Red is a symbol of good luck in many cultures.In China,children are given money in a red envelope to bring good fortune in the New Year.For many nations,blue is a symbol of protection and religious beliefs.Greek people often wear a blue necklace hoping to protect themselves against evils.
People's choice of colors is also influenced by their bodies' reactions toward them.Green is said to be the most restful color.It has the ability to reduce pain and relax people both mentally and physically.People who work in green environment have been found to have fewer stomach aches.
Red can cause a person's blood pressure to rise and increase people's appetites.Many decorators will include different shades of red in the restaurant.Similarly,many commercial websites will have a red "Buy Now" button because red is a color that easily catches a person's eye.
Blue is another calming color.Unlike red,blue can cause people to lose appetite.So if you want to eat less,some suggest that eating from blue plates can help.
The next time you are deciding on what to wear or what color to decorate your room,think about the color carefully.
1. Muslims regard green as a symbol of heaven mainly because of their .
A.cultural values |
B.commercial purposes |
C.personal experiences |
D.physical reactions to the color |
A.To relax people physically. |
B.To increase people's appetites. |
C.To encourage people to make a purchase. |
D.To cause a person's blood pressure to rise. |
A.Colors and Human Beings |
B.The Cultural Meaning of Color |
C.Colors and Personal Experiences |
D.The Meaning and Function of Color |
【推荐1】Every girl dreams and Li Xie is no exception. She has read dozens of books on how to be a ballerina and Swan Lake is her favorite. She hopes one day her dream will come true. She has taken ballet lessons and all her teachers confirm she is a good student.
One day,she saw an advertisement that a famous ballerina troupe will be performing in her hometown.Her thoughts ran wild,“I must meet up with the leader of the troupe and show him my skills,"she murmured to herself. She dressed herself in her ballerina costume and managed to evade the guards and hid in the dressing room. To her luck,the leader entered and she timidly knocked at the door.She bravely approached him and handed him a bunch of red roses and in her excitement the thorns pricked her hand but she did not make much ado about the pain. The leader observed her action as she told him her dream. “Alright, you dance and I will give you my verdict."But halfway through the dance he stopped her and said,“I'm sorry. You're not good enough!”On hearing this, Li Xie ran as fast as her legs could carry her and was ashamed.She gave up her dream.
Many years later,she heard that the same ballet troupe was performing in her town again. Bitter memories of the leader's harsh words came flooding back to her. This time she was determined to find out why the leader had told her she was not good enough when all her teachers thought otherwise.“I remember your gift of roses and how the thorns had pricked your fingers but you carried on bravely. If only you had treated ballet like that and had not given up so easily; therefore,you still deserve my verdict!”
1. What did all of Li Xie's teachers think of her?A.She needs to be better. |
B.She was born a ballet dancer. |
C.She should be more persistent. |
D.She is qualified for ballet dancing. |
A.avoid | B.convince | C.approach | D.submit |
A.She didn't feel it at all. |
B.She let out a painful cry. |
C.She ignored it on purpose. |
D.She attracted the leader's attention. |
A.Well begun is half done. |
B.Doing is better that saying. |
C.He that climbs high falls heavily. |
D.Dreams belong to those who stick to them. |
【推荐2】San Francisco,known as “The City by the Bay",packs a lot of fun.
View of Golden Gate Bridge from Baker Beach
As one of the most famous sights in all of San Francisco,the Golden Gate Bridge is an absolute must-see. There are a few good spots to view it from,but my personal favorite is Baker Beach. This is also a particularly good spot to buy a meal from a local market,lay down a blanket and enjoy a picnic in the view of the famous bridge.
Visit the Musee Mecanique
Fisherman's Wharf(码头)is one of the most touristy areas of San Francisco and the overpriced,crowded sights can be tiring. But on Wharf 41,there's a unique attraction: the Musee Mechanique. This museum has one of the largest collections of old indoors game machines in the world,which offers great amusements. Entry is free and it's only a couple of quarters to play the games.
Eat at Spark Social Food Trucks
With such a various population,it can be difficult to decide what cuisine to enjoy for dinner. Luckily at Spark Social Food Trucks in the Mission Bay,you can try a little bit of everything!Not only is the food delicious,but the food truck has a community feel with weekly events and free desserts.
Have Tea at the Japanese Tea Garden
If you desire for some calm on the somewhat noisy streets of San Francisco,the Japanese Tea Garden is perfect. Located in Golden Gate Park,the garden looks exactly like Japan. And you can enjoy tea in the traditional tea house overlooking a lake.
1. What does the Musee Mechanique offer?A.Peace. | B.Picnic spot. |
C.Amusements. | D.Delicious foods. |
A.Wharf 41. | B.The Mission Bay. |
C.The Baker Beach. | D.Golden Gate Bridge. |
A.Its tea is from Japan. | B.It is a quiet place. |
C.It is the best tea house. | D.It was built by Japanese. |
【推荐3】British birdwatcher are used to bad news. House sparrow numbers have fallen from an estimated 30m to 10m since 1966. Curlews (杓鹬)have become a rare sight, their numbers sharply declining by 50% in 15 years. Cuckoos(布谷鸟), once-frequent visitors from Africa, have decreased by 63% in the south-east in the past two decades. Earlier springs that confuse migrant birds, more efficient farming and the transformation of ruined buildings (good for nesting) into modern homes have all contributed to these woes.
But data released by the British Trust for Ornithology(BTO), a research charity, suggest some are rising. Tracking bird populations by means of regular surveys, the figures give the clearest picture of 49 species across Britain.
Blackcaps(黑顶林莺), small woodland birds native to Germany and eastern Europe, are unwilling to return after their summer short visits: Since 1967 numbers have increased by 177%. The little egret(小白鹭), a white heron-like bird, arrived from continental Europe in 1989 and now numbers over 5,000. Wood pigeons(斑尾林鸽), once found shyly singing in forests, have bravely moved into cities and suburbs.
Environmental and agricultural changes have helped as well as confused birds. Modern farming techniques allow grain to be planted in the autumn rather than the spring; that helps wood pigeons feed in winter. Warmer winters mean rivers and ponds are less likely to freeze, providing the little egrets with food. James Pearce-Higgins of the BTO says that blackcaps benefit particularly from the increasing popularity of berry bushes in people’s gardens.
Birders complain nonetheless. Some of the species booming, such as carrion crows(食腐乌鸦)and buzzards(秃鹰), are disliked. And migrant birds that extend their visits may provide competition for some bird natives. They are “muscling in and getting the first claim on breeding sites”, says Richard Cowser of the Sussex Ornithological Society. I like their human counterparts(同行), residents of a small island stricken by global winds, British birds will have to learn to compete.
1. The underlined word “woes” in Paragraph 1 probably means____________.A.Tragedy | B.construction | C.damage | D.migration |
A.The access to people’s gardens. | B.Modern farming methods. |
C.The different environmental patterns. | D.Rebuilding of abandoned houses. |
A.All bird lovers are satisfied with the situation of birds increasing. |
B.Migrant birds lengthening their stays cause threat to the local birds. |
C.Black caps whose home is Germany and eastern Europe refuse to stay in Britain. |
D.More than 5000 little egrets arrived in Britain from continental Europe in 1989. |
A.A travel brochure. | B.An annual report. |
C.A personal journal. | D.A magazine article. |