On one occasion, while visiting my parents, I happened to meet the little boy who lived next door. It was obvious that his mother had told him not to come over uninvite. He was standing on the very edge of his yard with an anxious look on his face, seemingly about to burst.
My father waved him over and performed the introductions. “Eliot, this is my son, Gary. Gary, meet my little friend, Eliot.” To my delight, he reached out his small hand and I accepted the formality(遵守礼节) with a smile.
Unlike most children, this teenager was not shy of meeting a stranger. As a matter of fact, he turned out to be quite a chatterbox. Eliot had me laughing as I listened to the excitement in his voice..for, as you know, it was a big deal to find a toad (蟾蜍)! His descriptions were priceless as I asked the obvious questions concerning the capture(捕捉). He was pleased that I showed interest in his adventure and gladly explained its details.
Since Eliot seemed so willing to invest in our budding friendship, I asked him a question, “Do you like banjo music?” He got very excited and answered me with a hearty “Yes!”
I took out my banjo from the car, but when I sat next to him and started playing, Eliot looked at me with a puzzled expression. He asked me “What’s that?” in all seriousness.
My dad and I smiled. The boy who just “loved” the banjo didn’t recognize that I was holding one and that what I was playing was “banjo music”.
I realized that his heart was in the right place. Eliot just wanted to please his new friend with that “Yes”, thinking it was what I wanted to hear.
Well anyway...Eliot likes the banjo for real now. And I like Eliot.
1. When Eliot saw the author, he _______.| A．came into the yard to greet the author | B．gladly introduced himself to the author |
| C．showed no interest in visiting a stranger | D．was eager to get to know the author |
| A．serious | B．shy | C．talkative | D．dishonest |
| A．Eliot hoped to make profits by making friends with the author |
| B．Eliot would like to spend money in developing friendship |
| C．Eliot looked forward to developing friendship with the author |
| D．Eliot was regretful for not making friends with the author |
| A．Because he hoped that the author was in high spirits. |
| B．Because he believed banjo music was very beautiful. |
| C．Because he was really fond of such strange music. |
| D．Because he hoped the author would teach him the music. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Though online friends are great to have for many reasons, there’s nothing like a friend you can see face to face. Then how can we turn online friends into real ones? Here are some tips.
You might be surprised at how many people are looking for friendship in this world. So your idea of a meeting somewhere out may be welcome. If your suggestion about meeting in person has been ignored, give it some time.
Meet at a coffee shop or other public places.
Coffee shops are a good place to meet online friends because they’re centrally located and you can come and go easily.
Meet as a group.
Follow up.
So you’ve had your meeting at the coffee shop. What’s the next?
Remember one or two meetings won’t give you a sense of the person. You will need to get to know them slowly over time.
| A．Meet your online friends when free. |
| B．Suggest the idea of an offline meeting. |
| C．You can also meet many people in the coffee shop. |
| D．Perhaps your request has come too early to be comfortable. |
| E．Be careful not to bring a friend along when meeting someone. |
| F．You should think about how you feel meeting your friend in person. |
| G．Even if you’re sitting there waiting for someone, you won’t feel uncomfortable. |
【推荐2】Ever wonder why you get along better with some people over others? Or who might become your lifelong friends or romantic partners?
The sunny person
Ever heard of the saying that you are a mix of your five closest friends? When you surround yourself with sweet and caring people, you also catch their positive energy.
The adventure seeker
What’s life without a little adventure?
The natural psychologist
When you’re having a bad day, it’s good to have someone who understands you. Good listeners make the best friends because they have high emotional intelligence, read you well and provide authenticity（真诚）. Often these natural psychologists would like to ask you some questions that help you think about your problems.
When you surround yourself with people who value logic and problem-solving, they can encourage you to use critical thinking instead of just trapping yourself in conflicts. If you’re especially the type of person to depend on others to make you feel better, being around logicians can help you become more independent and practical. They will remind you that working through challenges is more rewarding than passively daydreaming.
| A．The enthusiastic logician |
| B．The man of action |
| C．Instead of telling you what to do, they would rather guide you to potential solutions |
| D．Befriend someone who is ready to step out of his comfort zone and travel around |
| E．People who are positive and optimistic can actually benefit your health |
| F．Anyhow at least here are four types of people worth keeping in your life |
| G．Just like rare precious stones, good partners can be hard to find |
【推荐3】Friendship makes life more enjoyable and enriches one’s everyday experiences. Finding friends can be challenging but can often be achieved by approaching others with common interests. As we move through life, we find that there are many things out of our control.
Why friends are so important?
Having solid friendships is important for two main reasons. First, they make life more enjoyable. We get to share the beautiful aspects of life with people who we love, which can enrich our everyday experiences.
This might sound silly, but finding friends can be challenging! Through my personal experience, I learned that it was important to enjoy life instead of struggling for excellence all of the time. Friendship comes into existence where two souls have a lot in common and are found close in reading clubs or fitness centers, etc.
Is the friendship more one-sided?
| A．Where do we find friends? |
| B．What draws people together as friends? |
| C．Second, our friends help us through the difficult times. |
| D．Today we’ll focus on the following questions on how to choose friends. |
| E．This forced me to seek out other ways to form connections with people. |
| F．The most beautiful friendship is pouring time and energy into both sides. |
| G．We can’t choose our parents, or control the things happening in the world. |
【推荐1】Oregon firefighters battling wildfires across the state have a new force on their team: a Baby Yoda doll, which has become a symbol of hope and joy among the first responders who have been tirelessly fighting the historic fires that have wiped out communities and killed at least nine people since early September.
It all began when five-year-old Carver Tinning and his grandmother Sasha Tinning from Scappoose, Oregon, came across the toy while searching for items to donate to Oregon firefighters.
The toy, along with a note saying, “Thank you, firefighters. Here is a friend for you, in case you get lonely. Love, Carver.” was handed to donation drive volunteers on September 12, 2020. The thoughtful gift brought tears to their eyes. “The fires were close to us, and everyone was really high on emotion,” says volunteer Tyler Eubanks. “We were all really inspired that Carver wanted to give a companion to the men and women who were out there risking their lives to fight the wildfires.”
Eubanks delivered the toy to a group of firefighters working to control a 25-acre fire in Colton, Oregon. He had initially intended to take a few pictures of the Baby Yoda in action for Carver, and then bring back the toy to the donation site. However, the firefighters decided to hold on to the doll and share it to lift the spirits of troops across the state and also of colleagues fighting fires in Colorado.
“He’s been a really big morale boost,” said Jaebyn Drake, a firefighter with the Oregon Air National Guard. “A lot of the people on my crew, I showed them the note and everything, and they just loved it. A couple of people broke down in tears ... It just really meant a lot to us, and it was really emotional for a lot of people.”
1. What can we know from Tyler Eubanks’s words?| A．He was a firefighter. | B．He was really touched. |
| C．He participated in rescue. | D．He was in charge of reception. |
| A．Because he lost in touch with Carver. |
| B．Because the firefighters exhibited in public. |
| C．Because he was occupied in taking pictures. |
| D．Because the firefighters determined to keep it. |
| A．Skeptical. | B．Objective. | C．Approving. | D．Conservative. |
| A．Small Toys Make a Big Difference |
| B．A Five-year-old Child Drew Wide Attention |
| C．Oregon firefighters Are Fighting with wildfires |
| D．Baby Yoda Joins Firefighters in Battling Wildfires |
【推荐2】On Wednesday afternoon, a handsome, wealthy attorney renowned for handling wealthy clients came into the restaurant. At least that’s how Lawrence described himself to me in his introduction. He was dressed in a sharp navy suit, white shirt and silk tie. He asked, “How long have you been waiting tables?”
Jokingly, I replied, “I’m new, so forgive me if your meal lands on your lap.”
He replied, quite sternly, “Don’t make excuses for your mistakes.” I thought he was joking, but his face lacked even the hint of a smile. In the same tone, he said, “Come to dinner with me Saturday night.”
I ignored his invitation, which seemed more like a demand, and asked, “How long have you been an attorney?”
“As long as I’ve wanted.”
Confused and curious, I prodded: “What kind of answer is that?”
“The only one you’re going to get.” Lawrence placed his order: filet mignon, green beans instead of broccoli. Staring at me straight-faced, he added, “I’ll have bottled water. ”
As soon as I brought his food to the table, he took his fork and inspected the filet. “Saturday night I’ll take you to a restaurant that makes this one look like fast food.”
“I enjoy fast food; it’s unpretentious,” I responded. “Besides, I haven’t agreed to any date.”
After he asked for the bill, I carefully removed his glass, plate and utensils, trying not to drop anything on him or the floor. As I cleared the table, he asked, “So, are we on for this weekend?”
Something about him was interesting. So as not to appear too eager, I replied with a tentative, “I guess so.”
Phone in hand, he asked, “What’s your name and number? I’ll call for your address.”
I took out my phone and said, “First, you tell me yours.”
He paid with cash, and instead of a tip, left a note stating he would make it up to me on Saturday night.
He waited until Saturday morning before calling to ask for my address. I told him to park in the upper tier of the parking garage next to my apartment building.
“Why can’t I just pick you up at your apartment?” he asked.
“I don’t know you well enough for that. Is that a problem?”
“No, but it’s weird.”
“Not to me.”
“OK, I’ll meet you there. Do you have any nice clothes to wear?”
“Lawrence, you better shape up before tonight, or this date isn’t going to take off. I look good in anything.”
“OK, OK, calm down.”
I arrived early, and the adrenaline was rushing through my veins as I waited for Lawrence in the parking garage. The minutes passed slowly until I heard the sound of a car engine approaching from below.
Lawrence had arrived in a black stretch limousine.
Waiting for Lawrence were three FBI agents—colleagues of mine—with cameras. Lawrence wasn’t an attorney; he was an unemployed jewelry store employee who stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise. His ex-fiancée went to the police after he broke off their engagement. But her story hadn’t been enough; we needed evidence.
I ran the prints from Lawrence’s glass and utensils— they matched perfectly with the ones found in the store’s safe. In the trunk of the limo, Lawrence had suitcases packed for a getaway. Hidden inside one was a small sack of jewels: rubies, diamonds, pearls, sapphires and emeralds.
As I walked towards the limo, I heard Lawrence pleading, “Please, I needed the money to pay bills!”
I yelled back, “Don’t make excuses for your mistakes!”
1. What did the author think of Lawrence’s introduction?| A．Convincing. | B．Unbelieving. | C．Ambiguous. | D．Joking. |
| A．she didn’t want to be connected with him | B．she thought him to be distant |
| C．he wasn’t the man she had affection for | D．she wanted to trick him into giving himself away |
| A．To avoid embarrassment. | B．Not to land anything on his lap. |
| C．To get the evidence for his crime. | D．Not to break them. |
| A．Kind and friendly. | B．Easygoing and clever. |
| C．Distant and cautious. | D．Brave and wise. |
| A．Familiar words. | B．A thief. |
| C．A mistake. | D．A story of a famous attorney. |
【推荐3】Born in Beijing in September 1930, Yuan Longping began his career as an agricultural researcher in the 1950s. He often said in interviews that he was driven to increase rice output in China because of the hunger he had witnessed. “My lifetime pursuit is to ensure all people stay away from hunger,” he once said. In the decades that followed, Yuan was associated with some of the most important breakthroughs in his field.
As early as 1964, Yuan theorized that a male-sterile (雄株不育) grain could be crossed with other plants to boost yields (产量), but it was not until 1973 that he developed the first hybrid rice thanks to the discovery of a wild rice species that made the breakthrough possible. Mass cultivation of the crop began in 1976 and proved key to China being able to feed one-fifth of the world's population with just 9 per cent of its limited land.
In 1995, he produced a two-line hybrid rice and was tasked by the government to improve yields still further. He later developed a single line hybrid rice. In 1996, the agriculture ministry tasked Yuan to start a program to breed “super rice”, plants of much higher yields.
Various hybrid rice has yields that tend to be about 20 per cent higher than those of traditional rice, and have been planted in 16 million hectares, or more than half of China's rice acreage. China could feed 70 million more people thanks to Yuan's research.
Yuan was awarded the World Food Prize in 2004, for “pioneering research that helped transform China from food shortage to food security within three decades”.
China first exported hybrid rice to the United States in 1979 and has reached agreements on the technology—sometimes called “rice diplomacy”—with several developing countries, including the Philippines, Pakistan and Madagascar. According to the China National Hybrid Rice Research and Development Centre, about 8 million hectares overseas has been planted.
In his later years, he was also involved in research in China and Dubai into growing crops in seawater.
In 2019, Yuan was awarded the Medal of the Republic, the country's highest honour, for his contribution to China's food security and scientific development of agriculture, as well as increasing the world's food output.
1. What made Yuan decide to devote himself to his research?| A．Being eager to win a prize. | B．Being proud of being interviewed. |
| C．Witnessing the starvation in China. | D．Making the breakthroughs in his field. |
| A．In 1964. | B．In 1973. |
| C．In 1976. | D．In 1995. |
| A．The hybrid rice increased the food output. |
| B．China first exported hybrid rice to Pakistan. |
| C．The rice was planted in seawater. |
| D．He ensured safety of people. |
| A．Yuan changed the rice diplomacy of China. |
| B．Hybrid rice increased 9% of limited land. |
| C．8 million hectares of rice were planted by Yuan. |
| D．Yuan used his research to meet food security. |
With over 500 instructors and 20 years of experience, we are the leader in the field of teaching foreign languages. We now have positions open in Osaka starting September/October 2009 for instructors of English, German, Spanish and French.
Teach many different kinds of classes using the latest technology in small classes of up to 3 students.
Accommodation (住宿), and other necessary documents (文件) will be ready before you leave.
Applicants will teach their first language only.
Excellent teacher training programs.
If you are young with a university degree and are willing to experience different cultures, apply (申请) now. Experience in teaching is an advantage but not specially required. Knowledge of the Japanese language is not necessary but good English skills and practical computer knowledge are basic requirements.
Apply with C. V. and send letters to:
NOVA France, Mr. Sampy (IHT3/2)
34, Bd. Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France
Fax: 33148014804
Or visit our website: www. teadyp. com
The manager expects to meet and talk with successful applicants in Paris in June and July.
1. What is the purpose of the text?
| A．To introduce a language school in Japan. |
| B．To hire language teachers to work in Japan. |
| C．To describe working conditions in Japan. |
| D．To make clear the requirements for Japanese teachers. |
| A．teach English only in Osaka |
| B．receive a degree from a university |
| C．have free accommodation |
| D．get trained for the job |
| A．to see the manager of NOVA France | B．to take some computer courses |
| C．to write a letter to Japan | D．to find a place to live |
| A．have some working experience | B．know how to use computers |
| C．present good teaching plans | D．speak several languages |
【推荐2】Many on the Mountain
We often see people waiting in lines at supermarkets, theatres and amusement parks. Surprisingly, some people even have to wait in line at the summit (顶峰)of Qomolangma in the Himalayas.
The best time to climb the Himalayas is during the months of April and May, as well as some days in September and October. "In these periods of recent years, the path contains rocks and deep crack from melting ice due to the warm weather, which make expeditions up the mountain more dangerous,said Apa, an experienced Nepalese guide. During this year's climbing season, crowds of climbers became stuck in a long line near the summit. The line is above the mountain's highest campsite — about 8,000 meters above sea level.
However, most people can only spend a few minutes at the summit without extra oxygen supplies. Twenty-one mountaineers have died in the Himalayan mountains so far this year, according to Gripped, a magazine dedicated to mountain climbing. Eleven of these climbers died on Qomolangma.
This death count marks a four-year high. Overcrowding, inexperience and poor weather have been the most common causes of death, USA Today reported.
After these tragedies, one question remains: Why do so many people risk their lives to climb the mountain? The answer differs from climber to climber. Studies suggest that people who take risks tend to perceive themselves differently than people who avoid risky activities. But for adventurers who are drawn to the Himalayas, reaching the summit of Qomolangma is a lifelong dream, according to Discovery News.
''Qomolangma is like a light to bugs that attracts people once they hear about it. It represents the ultimate for many people, '' US mountaineer Alan Arnette said. Technological advances have also encouraged more people to climb the mountain. People can get high-tech safety equipment more easily than before. And with the internet, climbers know better than ever about how to reach the summit safely, Yahoo Travel noted.
1. What happened during this year's climbing season on Qomolangma?| A．Many climbers got stuck due to a snowstorm. |
| B．Climbers had to wait in line near the summit. |
| C．The highest campsite was closed for safety reasons. |
| D．There were not enough oxygen supplies for climbers. |
| A．21 climbers have lost their lives on Qomolangma this year. |
| B．This year's climber death count is four times more than last year's. |
| C．Climbers who have less experience may have a higher risk of death. |
| D．Climbers can only spend a few minutes at the summit of Qomolangma. |
| A．Think. | B．Change. | C．Pretend. | D．Promise. |
| A．The risks on Qomolangma. |
| B．Mountaineers lifelong dream. |
| C．Causes of mountaineers, deaths. |
| D．Reasons for climbing Qomolangma. |
【推荐3】China’s artistic swimming duo (双人表演) Ms Jiang and her twin sister made history on Tuesday by gaining a sixth gold at the Asian Games, the most earned by any athletes in artistic swimming in its history. What makes the twin sisters’ achievement more remarkable is the fact that both of them returned from giving birth to baby daughters to do so.
"I’ve been their coach for over 20 years," said Ms Zheng. Women’s Duet coach, "ever since they were 8 years old. When they came back after having babies, their training plans were completely changed. I think they have already showed that female athletes can return to their best form after having a baby. "
The twin sisters announced their retirement after finishing a third at the 2013 China National Games. They went on to get married on the same day and their baby daughters arrived in 2015 and 2016. And after a three-year absence, the twins decided to come back to the pool.
"I think to reach a mature state in artistic swimming, athletes have to go through years of training. What keeps us going is our love of the sport," said one of them.
The 31-year-old twins won a well-deserved gold at the 2017 China National Games. At the third Asian Games, they claimed their sixth gold at the multi-sports meet to be a record in artistic swimming at the Games, and a result their coach wasn’t sure could happen when they first decided to come back.
"Because of our love of the sport, we overcame many hard times, especially the physical obstacles. After all, we’re no longer young. But now I think we are even better than before," said the other.
To be a mother while training and competing at the highest level means this gold medal seems much more than any of the others from before.
1. Why was the twins' achievement regarded to be extraordinary?| A．They won six gold medals at the Asian Games. |
| B．They got trained by plans that were totally different. |
| C．They got the most medals in artistic swimming in history. |
| D．They returned from giving birth to baby daughters to do so. |
| A．Skeptical. | B．Determined. |
| C．Confident. | D．Unclear. |
| A．Practice makes perfect. | B．Failure is the mother of success. |
| C．Knowledge comes from practice. | D．Nothing is too hard for a determined mind. |
| A．A sports textbook. | B．A research paper. |
| C．A news report. | D．A sports brochure. |
【推荐1】Carter was a British archaeologist(考古学家), and he also like to paint as a hobby. He was an excellent archaeologist and discovered many ancient tombs and mummies. His most famous finding was the lost tomb of Kin Tutankhamen.
Howard Carter began to work for a man called Lord Carnavon, a rich man and also an archaeologist who needed the help of a great archaeologist like Carter to locate tombs. They were a good team that did the most excavating(挖掘). They proved to be great together!
The most important of Carter’s findings was discovering the tomb of the famous King Tutankhamen. It was important because Tutankhamen was not yet excavated. The king was around 17 years old when he died and was only king for a couple of years. Tutankhamen tomb was buried 3,000 years ago and Caner was the first to excavate it. Carter had a map which told where the Kings were buried. He searched all over the area excavated but nothing of Tutankhamen was found. The only place not searched was under the tomb of King Ramses.
The tomb of Ramses was a place many people came to see. Carter decided to excavate under the tomb and all his workpaid off.Finally, he found it, the tomb of the King Tutankhamen! Carter called his good friend Lord Carnavon to see it. It was beautiful. The King’s tomb had three coffins(棺材)in it. Tutankhamen’s coffin was made of gold, and the tomb was also full of gold and all kinds of jewelry. Five thousand objects were found in total, all of which were in very good condition. This was the excavation that made Howard Carter and Lord Carnavon famous.
Of course, even if there wasn’t any gold in the tomb of Tutankhamen, they would still be famous because he found something people thought was lost forever. Carter didn’t give up and finally all his efforts paid off. Some people say good things come to those who wait and work hard. That saying is true for Howard Carter.
1. Why was King Tutankhamen’s tomb described as the lost tomb in Paragraph 1?| A．It was long forgotten by people. |
| B．It was lost by the ancient Egyptians |
| C．It remained buried and unknown to the world. |
| D．It was hidden from people by King Tutankhamen. |
| A．King Tutankhamen died a hero of Egypt. |
| B．Carter grew rich thanks to the jewelry discovered in the tomb. |
| C．The unusual location made King Tutankhamen’s tomb hard to find. |
| D．Carter was the first archaeologist to search for Tutankhamen’s tomb. |
| A．pay back all the money borrowed from others. |
| B．Show off one’s work to others. |
| C．Finish the work without difficulties. |
| D．Be successful and bring good results. |
| A．encourage people to wait patiently and work hard |
| B．introduce a British archaeologist Howard Carter |
| C．tell people how Tutankhamen tomb was discovered |
| D．talk about the friendship between Howard Carter and Lord Carnavon |
【推荐2】The Ebola virus, which has killed more than 670 people in West Africa, is a “threat” to the UK, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has told the BBC.
A woman is being treated for ‘ Ebola-like’ symptoms at the Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital in Hong Kong after recently returning from a strip to Africa.
The woman has been given the all-clear after testing negative for Ebola, according to South China Morning Post.
The 39-year-old woman was kept in isolation while undergoing tests, but a hospital source said she did not have the virus and was in a stable condition.
Ebola virus first emerged in 1976 in outbreaks of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in Zaire and Sudan. Ebola that broke out in Zaire has one of the highest case fatality rates (病死率) of any human virus, roughly 90%.
Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea, fever, weakness, headache and sore throat. Those struck down can also suffer internal and external bleeding. The virus is spread through human contact. There is no cure.
1. Which city in the text has the highest death rate by Ebola?| A．Hong Kong. | B．London. |
| C．Sudan. | D．Zaire. |
| A．The woman was tested positive for Ebola. | B．People suffering Ebola virus will not bleed. |
| C．Ebola virus can be got from person to person. | D．Scientists have found the solution to the virus. |
| A．a news report | B．a story |
| C．a notice | D．an advertisement |
【推荐3】We have a tendency to think highly of mankind’s impressive complex inventions. But sometimes, it’s the simple technologies that truly change the world. These little-known inventions maybe don’t appear incredibly complex at first glance, but they improved the lives of countless people.
A smokeless solar cooker for developing countries
The problem: Cooking in the developing world often requires large amounts of costly fuel and creates harmful smoke.
The solution: The Infinity Bakery and other similar solar ovens aim to reduce disease and save energy by offering an affordable, sun-powered cooker to developing communities. The oven, which concentrates the sun’s rays, is made from recycled oil drums, wood, bamboo and clay, so it can be produced locally and quickly.
Water pipes that monitor their own leaks
The problem: We lose between $12.5 million and $92 million worth of clean drinking water every year in the U.S. due to leaking pipes, according to a 2005 study by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The solution: “Smart Pipe” technology, which is still in development, would use sensors to monitor leaks in public water systems, making our water use more efficient. If brought to scale, this type of innovation could help communities detect leaks when they occur, and fix them early.
A shower that reuses its own water
The problem: Showers waste a tremendous amount of water and require a huge amount of energy. Every year, 1.2 trillion gallons of water are used to shower in the U.S. alone, according to the EPA.
The solution: The OrbSys shower promises to reduce water use by 90 percent and energy use by 80 percent. The OrbSys recycles shower water by pumping it through a filter in a closed-loop system, and the clean water that comes out of the filter only needs to be reheated minimally. The device could result in dramatic water and energy savings if used on a large scale.
1. Why is the Infinity Bakery fit for developing countries?| A．This kind of oven can be easily made and costs little. |
| B．There is much more sunlight in developing countries. |
| C．It can produce more food without giving off smoke. |
| D．Developing world is rich in the materials to make it. |
| A．It is used in developing countries. | B．It saves water by recycling. |
| C．It has not been put into practice. | D．It can fix the leaks by itself. |
| A．Energy-saving. | B．Sun-powered. | C．Water-based. | D．Environment-friendly. |
| A．New Ways Found to Protect Environment |
| B．Simple Inventions to Change the World |
| C．Developing World Benefits from New Inventions |
| D．Modern Technology Improves Living Condition |
