1 . French author Annie Ernaux, who has mined her own biography to explore life in France since the 1940s, was awarded this year's Nobel Prize in literature on Thursday for work that lights up cloudy corners of memory, family and society.
Ernaux’s autobiographical books explore deeply personal experiences and feelings - love, sex, abortion, shame -within a changing web of social and class relationships. Much of her material came out of her experiences being raised in a working-class family in the Normandy region of northwest France.
Anders Olsson, chairman of the Nobel literature committee, said Ernaux is “an extremely honest writer who is not afraid to confront the hard truths.”
“She writes about things that no one else writes about, for instance her abortion, her jealousy, her experiences as an abandoned lover and so on. I mean, really hard experiences,” he said after the award announcement in Stockholm. “And she gives words for these experiences that are very simple and striking. They are short books, but they are really moving.”
Ernaux is just the 17th woman among the 119 Nobel literature laureates (文学奖得主) and is the first French literature laureate since Patrick Modiano in 2014. As one of France's most well-received authors and a prominent feminist voice, she expressed surprise at the award, asking a Swedish journalist who reached her by phone: “Are you sure?”
“I was working this morning and the phone has been ringing all the time but I haven't answered,” she told the TT news agency.
Olsson said Ernaux had used the term “an ethnologist of herself” rather than a writer of fiction. Her more than 20 books, most of them are very short, chronicle events in her life and the lives of those around her. They present uncompromising portraits of sexual encounters, abortion, illness and the deaths of her parents.
In the book that made her name, “La Place” (A Man's Place), published in 1983 and about her relationship with her father, she writes: “No lyrical reminiscences, no triumphant displays of irony. This neutral writing style comes to me naturally.”
1. Where would this passage most probably appear?A.An autobiography. | B.A news website. |
C.A text book. | D.A biography. |
A.Because her work is short and really moving. |
B.Because she is gifted in neutral writing style. |
C.Because her work uncovers some cloudy social aspects. |
D.Because she is one of the most well-received authors. |
A.Ernaux lives a hard life. | B.Ernaux doesn’t write fiction. |
C.Ernaux only writes her own life. | D.Ernaux mostly records realistic events. |
A.Pioneering and strong-minded. | B.Honest and self-centered. |
C.Sympathetic and talented. | D.Optimistic and good-tempered. |
2 . A Japanese company recently released a white crust (吐司皮) milk bread that it hopes will stop the habit of removing the crust when making sandwiches.
Did you know that the vast majority of milk bread sandwiches made daily in Japan have their crusts removed? Although crusted sandwich lovers do exist, the general idea is that the fluffy (蓬松的), white part of Japanese bread is tastier than the brown crust. This concept dates back to a time long ago when the crust was harder to chew (咀嚼) through, but things are definitely a lot different today. The crust is nice and soft, but people still seem to prefer crustless sandwiches. That results in a lot of food waste, but one company hopes to change that with a new white crust bread.
Tokyo Chef Sugimoto and his team at the Imperial Hotel Co., Ltd. spent six months developing a new type of bread that eliminates the need to get rid of the crust. People have been coming up with all sorts of ways to recycle bread crusts in order to control food waste, but Sugimoto’s idea was to create a crust that didn’t have to be thrown away in the first place.
Although Imperial Hotel did not fully reveal the secret behind its new white crust bread, it did mention that it is baked slowly at a lower temperature than regular bread, which results in a white color all through the bread and a more moist texture (材质).
Imperial Hotel used to serve crustless milk bread sandwiches to its customers, but starting on October 1st of this year, they will switch to this new white crust bread, thus decreasing its food waste considerably.
The white crust bread will be served in the Imperial Hotel’s restaurants and at banquets, but people will also be able to purchase it from a luxury bakery that has been operating since 1971.
1. What makes people always prefer crustless sandwiches?A.Changed taste. | B.Nice colors. | C.Soft texture. | D.Fixed habits. |
A.Enlarge. | B.Satisfy. | C.Erase. | D.Ignore. |
A.The white part is tastier but harder to chew. | B.Chef Sugimoto is the first one to recycle crusts. |
C.The regular bread asks for a higher temperature. | D.The Hotel will serve crustless sandwiches after October. |
A.To satisfy customers’ needs. | B.To deal with the bread waste. |
C.To develop a new type of bread. | D.To provide a new option for luxury bakeries. |
3 . The winter break is just about to end. Soon we will be back at school. It’s with both happiness and sadness. I look very much forward to seeing my friends and starting practice again, but it also means I’m officially(正式地) half way through the exchange year. With school starting there are new things to try out and experience. For example? I’m starting a new sport, Track. It’s similar to Cross Country, which I did from August till November.
Being here for half a year now? I can easily tell the differences between my two schools. The hardest or most different part for me was to have the same schedule every day here. Honestly, I prefer to have different classes every day, as I did in my home country. However, I have fallen in love with the Friday football games. Football is one of my favorite sports now. Before I came, I knew nothing about it. Now I love it, especially to watch it with my host parents. I have also been so lucky to go to two college football games.
Before I left school in December, I had a couple of tests called Mid-term Test. They all went pretty smooth, mostly because I didn’t have too many hard classes. My favorite class was English, and also my hardest. Personally I really liked English, where I could write essays(文章), challenge writing skills and improve English talking.
Only four days of winter break is left. A part of me wants to be on a break forever, and the other part expects to get started again, start a new sport and see my friends and classmates.
1. Why does the author feel sad before school starts again?A.Her homework is not finished. | B.The exchange year will end soon. |
C.Her school life will get harder. | D.The new sport no longer attracts her. |
A.The courses are richer. | B.The teachers are kinder. |
C.The meals are healthier. | D.The holidays are longer. |
A.Having a talk in English. | B.Playing video games. |
C.Watching football matches. | D.Visiting her relatives. |
A.Classes. | B.Tests. | C.Games. | D.Students. |
4 . I’ve heard such a story. On a Friday
The next night, the young artist took out a large piece of
The young violinist asked, ”Did you
The violinist took out a lottery ticket. “Is it?” he asked.
The man was too
Someone asked the violinist why he returned the lottery ticket to the man. He said, ”Although I don’t have much money, I live happily; but if I lose honesty, I won’t be happy forever."
1.A.morning | B.afternoon | C.noon | D.night |
A.quiet | B.beautiful | C.shocking | D.interesting |
A.slowed down | B.sped up | C.passed by | D.went away |
A.paper | B.glass | C.plastic | D.cloth |
A.working | B.sliding | C.singing | D.playing |
A.poems | B.articles | C.words | D.texts |
A.important | B.fantastic | C.dangerous | D.lovely |
A.talked | B.cared | C.expected | D.guessed |
A.came | B.rushed | C.walked | D.left |
A.damage | B.discover | C.forget | D.lose |
A.proudly | B.worriedly | C.seriously | D.carefully |
A.tired | B.disappointed | C.excited | D.surprised |
A.bought | B.made | C.drew | D.sold |
A.handed out | B.took out | C.lifted up | D.picked up |
A.destroyed | B.noticed | C.guided | D.caught |
5 . Sharon, Aged 22
The most important thing to keep in mind when going into high school is to be yourself. Besides, I don’t know what your middle school was like, but high school teachers will not care about things such as how much homework you already have in one night. It’s best to just learn to deal with things and manage your time wisely so you can achieve everything you need.
Frank, Aged 21
I think almost every kid feels both nervous and excited before their first day. You will probably love it. I know I did. You should join in some sports or activities that will make your high school experience more enjoyable. Good luck!
Eddie, Aged 20
When I started high school I was really nervous too, especially since I had been home-schooled all through middle school and didn’t really know anyone, I suppose the best advice would be to just relax. The first couple of days can be a little bit hard, but things will become easier after you know it.
David, Aged 19
I’m not going to lie. The first day is kind of frightening. But you’ll get used to it. Don’t be afraid of anyone; upperclassmen will pick on you more if you let them know you’re afraid. Just take it easy. Making some friends and staying with them will greatly help you get used to high school quickly. After the first week it’s really not bad at all. Don’t worry.
1. What can we infer from Sharon about high school?A.Teachers are quite strict. |
B.Students often stay up at night. |
C.Teachers provide little care for students. |
D.Students should make good use of their time. |
A.Excited | B.Bored. | C.Worried. | D.Relaxed. |
A.Frank. | B.David. | C.Sharon. | D.Eddie. |
6 . Life will be peaceful if you always do kind things. I teach my daughters to develop a habit of
We live in a rural (乡村的) area. Most of what we
My daughters and I regularly
One day I saw a stranger picking up rubbish on the road. He
There are many other ways to
A.watching | B.helping | C.welcoming | D.teaching |
A.great | B.unusual | C.easy | D.sad |
A.dream | B.see | C.need | D.develop |
A.environment | B.weather | C.area | D.beauty |
A.disadvantages | B.favorites | C.wishes | D.answers |
A.comfortable | B.necessary | C.modern | D.excellent |
A.sky | B.village | C.city | D.street |
A.pick up | B.look for | C.take away | D.throw away |
A.surprised | B.tired | C.excited | D.angry |
A.understand | B.experience | C.forget | D.enjoy |
A.covered | B.lowered | C.shook | D.raised |
A.sport | B.idea | C.result | D.question |
A.describe | B.buy | C.provide | D.make |
A.clean | B.cross | C.repair | D.draw |
A.suddenly | B.impossibly | C.easily | D.hardly |
7 . A 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit the Northern California coast on Monday, bringing significant shaking but likely slight damage to the less-populated area.
The earthquake occurred just after noon and was centered off the coast about 337 kilometers northwest of San Francisco, just off a tiny town called Petrolia that’s home to fewer than 1,000 people. The nearest population center, Eureka, is about 72 kilometers north. That left only about 25,000 people in the range of strong or very strong shaking, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), though residents as far away as Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area reported feeling trembling.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s office of emergency services closed a few roads. The USGs said the earthquake caused losses about less than $ 10 million and no deaths had been reported. The area last suffered an earthquake of a similar magnitude in 1993, when one person died.
“The shaking lasted for about 20 seconds. Glass bottles fell off the shelves at the store, breaking into pieces on the floor, but no one was hurt,” Petrolia General Store manager Jane Dexter said. “It was bigger than anything I’ve felt in my life, ” she added.
California’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) said 2,500 people were told about the earthquake before shaking began through the state’s early warning system called My Shake. “It is a very useful tool to announce warning tips. It saved us indeed. Yet, we still have to remain very careful...as large aftershocks (余震) will occur along the North Coast over the next few days, ” OES Director Mark Ghilarducci said in a statement.
1. What can we learn about the earthquake on Monday?A.It occurred on the Northern California coast. |
B.It brought significant damage to the area. |
C.It caused strong shaking in the whole nation. |
D.It destroyed a small town completely. |
A.The store had to be rebuilt. |
B.She never felt such a big earthquake. |
C.Some workers got badly injured. |
D.No one would go shopping at the store. |
A.Unloading the warning system. |
B.Keeping staying in shelters. |
C.Working from home over the next few days. |
D.Watching out for the aftershocks. |
A.A weather forecast. | B.A lab report. |
C.A news report. | D.A travel guide. |
8 . Are you worried about moving up to Senior High school? It can be a new experience, but you shouldn’t worry. We’ve put together a guide on how to survive the first week.
You’re not alone!
Remember everybody else in your year is on the same boat. They may not realize it, but they’re just as nervous as you are. Moving to Senior High school is an opportunity, not a problem. Things are different and all you need to do is be polite and learn the new rules.
Teachers are ready to help!
If you’re unsure what to do or are worried about anything then you had better ask for help. Teachers are probably the best people to turn to as they’re experienced in helping new students. Some Senior High schools also have a “friends system”. If your school has this, then you will be paired with an older student. They will look out for you and help you if you have any problems or questions.
All change
There are lots of differences between Junior High school and Senior High school. You’ll have a homework diary or a student planner. You will have your lessons with different teachers in different rooms. You will have homework for different subjects on different days, so make sure you get organized. Make sure you have a copy of your school timetable written down so you know which rooms your classes are in and on which days you will have your different subjects.
Other points
If you’ve got an elder brother or sister at the school then ask them for advice.
Be yourself! It sounds simple, but people will know you much better if you just act naturally.
Having early nights makes a difference and you’ll find it easier to get up in the morning!
1. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined sentence?A.Other students have similar feelings to yours. |
B.Other students have to learn boating with you. |
C.Other students will help you solve your problems. |
D.Other students will teach you politeness and new rules. |
A.teachers won’t blame them as parents do |
B.teachers are good at helping solve problems |
C.teachers are equal to every student |
D.parents are too busy to help them |
A.To tell students the importance of learning. |
B.To warn students not to ignore friendship in Senior High school. |
C.To make a difference when moving up to Senior High school. |
D.To help new students to get used to the life in Senior High school. |
9 . My husband, our children and I have had wonderful camping experiences over the past ten years.
Some of our
Another time, we rented a boat in Vallecito Lake. The sky was clear when we
Now, every year when my husband pulls our camper out of the garage, we are filled with a sense of
A.ideas | B.jokes | C.memories | D.discoveries |
A.camped | B.drove | C.walked | D.cycled |
A.annoyed | B.surprised | C.disappointed | D.worried |
A.unhurt | B.unfortunate | C.uncomfortable | D.unafraid |
A.due to | B.instead of | C.apart from | D.as for |
A.worked | B.happened | C.mattered | D.changed |
A.signed up | B.calmed down | C.checked out | D.headed off |
A.arranged | B.interrupted | C.completed | D.recorded |
A.wind | B.noise | C.temperature | D.speed |
A.find | B.hide | C.start | D.fix |
A.luck | B.answer | C.wonder | D.signal |
A.patiently | B.tirelessly | C.doubtfully | D.helplessly |
A.sorry | B.brave | C.safe | D.right |
A.relief | B.duty | C.pride | D.excitement |
A.failure | B.adventure | C.performance | D.conflict |
10 . The elderly residents (居民) in care homes in London are being given hens to look after to stop them feeling lonely.
The project was dreamed up by a local charity (慈善组织) to reduce loneliness and improve elderly people’s wellbeing. It is also being used to help patients suffering dementia, a serious illness of the mind. Staff in care homes have reported a reduction in the use of medicine where hens are in use.
Among those taking part in the project is 80-year-old Ruth Xavier. She said: “I used to keep hens when I was younger and had to prepare their breakfast each morning before I went to school. ”
“I like the project a lot. I am down there in my wheelchair in the morning letting the hens out and down there again at night to see they’ve gone to bed.”
“It’s good to have a different focus. People have been bringing their children in to see the hens and residents come and sit outside to watch them. I’m enjoying the creative activities, and it feels great to have done something useful.”
There are now 700 elderly people looking after hens in 20 care homes in the North East, and the charity has been given financial support to roll it out countrywide.
Wendy Wilson, extra care manager at 60 Penfold Street, one of the first to embark on the project, said: “Residents really welcome the idea of the project and the creative sessions. We are looking forward to the benefits and fun the project can bring to people here.”
Lynn Lewis, director of Notting Hill Pathways, said: “We are happy to be taking part in the project. It will really help connect our residents through a shared interest and creative activities.”
1. What is the purpose of the project?A.To ensure harmony in care homes. | B.To provide part-time jobs for the aged. |
C.To raise money for medical research. | D.To promote the elderly people’s welfare. |
A.She has learned new life skills. | B.She has gained a sense of achievement. |
C.She has recovered her memory. | D.She has developed a strong personality. |
A.Improve. | B.Oppose. | C.Begin. | D.Evaluate. |
A.It is well received. | B.It needs to be more creative. |
C.It is highly profitable. | D.It takes ages to see the results. |