1 . LegalShield is the alternative way of working with a lawyer/law firm. We have been offering prepaid legal plans to consumers for over 47 years. One low monthly price with no long-term commitments provides legal coverage for you and your entire family.
The truth is that most lawyers charge hundreds per hour for their services. It takes time and effort to find the right one, and when you do, they’re always busy, hard to access and charging for every second of your time (even on email). You can stop watching the clock and start speaking to a lawyer with a prepaid legal plan from LegalShield for only $24.95 per month.
With a LegalShield protection plan, you only have to pay a small monthly fee in exchange for round-the-clock legal protection. When you have a legal issue, need help with a contract, or just want advice, our lawyers are just a call or click away.
Step 1: Enroll & Download
Enroll in your LegalShield plan. Once a member, you’ll be instantly matched with a premier local law firm that meets your unique legal needs. Then, download our app, and access all our legal resources anytime, right from your phone.
Step 2: Use the App for All Your Legal Needs
Open up the App anytime a legal need or question arises. Whether it’s an emergency or just a proactive plan for the future, the App is your place to address it.
●Download free legal forms and contracts
●Ask a legal question
●Complete your will or estate plan
●Access prenuptial agreements, divorce papers and more
●Upload a speeding ticket
●Contact your law firm
You can also view your exclusive member perks and discounts on the App, so be sure to check this area regularly.
Step 3: Get Legal Help When You Need It
If you ever need emergency help, your App can connect you with legal assistance anytime, day or night. With the App, you always have legal counsel ready and waiting — right in your back pocket.
1. What do we know about LegalShield?| A．It serves people over 47 years old. |
| B．It offers 24-hour legal protection. |
| C．It protects you from having trouble. |
| D．It provides better post-paid service. |
| A．It’s more money-saving and convenient. |
| B．It’s more professional and time efficient. |
| C．It’s more accessible in all conditions. |
| D．It can answer more questions over the phone. |
| A．get extra service for free |
| B．pay for their service by hour |
| C．pay less than $24.95 per month for service |
| D．get the help from the best lawyers nationwide |
(Bloomberg)----Douyin, the Chinese-market version of ByteDance Ltd.’s TikTok video-sharing app, had more than 600 million daily active users in August,
The service
ByteDance has seen its international hit TikTok banned in India,
Reputable Douyin creators are able to set up their own in-app stores -- featured prominently on their profile pages and linked to during their online sessions ---- that sell everything
1. When did Andrea start playing tennis?
| A．At the age of 6. | B．At the age of 8. | C．At the age of 10. |
| A．It offers free services. | B．It teaches students aged 5 to 18. | C．It has a history around 50 years. |
| A．A student. | B．A worker. | C．The president. |
| A．Self-discipline （自律）. | B．Mental toughness. | C．Independence. |
China’s two sessions( 两 会 ), a key event on the country’s political calendar,
Apart
First and the foremost, the world will keep an eye on how China builds a prosperous society and achieve
In 2019, China achieved a GDP
In the two sessions, national lawmakers and political advisers will be discussing how to make advances in economic development while implementing regular epidemic prevention,
Meanwhile,
5 . For top students from low-income families, applying to colleges is particularly difficult. One approach makes this whole process easier? Provide an adviser for them.
That's the idea behind CollegePoint, a program to help gifted students go to schools that match their intelligence. When a high school student takes a standardized test—the PSAT, SAT or ACT—and they score in the 90th percentile, and their families make less than $ 80, 000 a year, they get an email from the program offering them a free adviser. The advisers listen, guide and answer students' questions.
Connor Rechtzigel, an adviser in Minnesota, sees the importance of his role, for research shows that low-income students are far more likely to undermatch because they don't think they have what it takes to get in and because many don't even know what schools are out there. He helped high school senior Justice Benjamin, the first in his family to apply to college, thinking about what his ideal learning experience was. Finally, Justice narrowed in on smaller schools where he could study environmental science and made his final choice: Skidmore College in New York.
Figuring out how to pay for college is a major part of what CollegePoint advisers do. Nakhle, an adviser in North Carolina, is working with Hensley, an Ohio high school senior who can't get extra financial help from her family. They spent a lot of time comparing and analyzing her financial-aid award letters, which made her decision much clearer. Finally, the Ohio State University offered an option where she would pay nothing. Staying in-state wasn't her first choice, but it was the best option for her.
1. What is the second paragraph mainly about?| A．How CollegePoint works. | B．The history of CollegePoint. |
| C．Ways to apply for a free adviser. | D．The challenge of choosing colleges. |
| A．Thinking highly of their abilities. | B．Knowing little about colleges. |
| C．Lack of enough learning experience. | D．Failure to pass the entrance exam. |
| A．She didn't want to stay far from home. | B．Her favorite major was provided there. |
| C．She would show her talents to the full. | D．The university met her financial needs. |
| A．Steps for Students to Choose Suitable Colleges |
| B．CollegePoint—How to Be a Financial Adviser |
| C．Advisers Helping College Students to Score High |
| D．CollegePoint—Helping Students Select Ideal Colleges |
6 . US student Ariana Levin, 15, has an unusual way of memorizing speeches: She turns the words into lyrics and sings them.
Then she delivers her speech to the local Gavel Club, which launched (成立) this year to help teenagers to practice public speaking.
“I’m very passionate about music,” says Levin, a sophomore (高二学生) at Walt Whitman High School. So forgetting a speech isn’t her main concern. “My main thing is stuttering (口吃),” she says.
But monthly rehearsals (彩排), presentations and competitions have taught her to take a moment to pause, she says. In that way, she avoids “ums” or “uhs”, which are noted by a club member given the task.
Gavel Clubs are a new initiative (方案) of the Jack and Jill organization in the US. The organization provides opportunities such as leadership development, financial literacy (素养) and volunteer service for kids aged between 2 and 19 years.
“We do group activities to build our character and get us ready for the outside world,” says Chandler Perry, 17, a senior at Friends Academy in New York.
“It’s important for children to be able to enjoy public speaking,” says Mondi Kumbula-Fraser, the Eastern regional director overseeing (监督) 59 Jack and Jill chapters (分部). They’ll use the skill in college and job interviews, she says.
The students gain confidence in an “open and caring environment,” says Mecca Baker, a mother of twin daughters.
On March 10, Perry took part in a competition held by the local chapter.
For her speech, Perry talked about pets and what they do for their owners. “The toughest part was the first time I had to get up on the stage,” Perry says. “I told myself this is only three minutes of my life and I only have three minutes to be the best I can be. I feel like this could help me in my future.”
Taylor Fernandez, of North Babylon, says that he puts on a suit and tie to give his speeches and that he’s learned to project (投射) his voice and to move around the stage to emphasize (强调) what he has to say.
1. What can we know about Ariana Levin from the first four Paragraphs?| A．She helps teenagers to practice public speaking. |
| B．She improves her speaking skills in a local club. |
| C．She often forgets words when giving a speech. |
| D．She prefers public speaking to music. |
| A．are recommended to take part in speaking competitions |
| B．take one-to-one speech training classes |
| C．can learn some practical skills |
| D．get the chance to become the leader of a chapter |
| A．Worried. | B．Doubtful. | C．Supportive. | D．Critical. |
7 . A handwritten letter by a little boy asking Santa for a “very good dad” has captured hearts worldwide.
The boy, known only as “Blake” in the letter, wrote, “Dear Santa, We had to leave our house. Dad was mad. We had to do all the chores. Dad got everything he wanted. Mom said it was time to leave and she would take us to a safer place where we don’t have to be scared.”
“Blake is a 7-year-old boy in one of our shelters, and his mom found this letter in his backpack...” Posted by SafeHaven of Tarrant County on Wednesday, December 18, 2019.
“I’m still nervous. I don’t want to talk to the other kids,” he continued. “Are you going to come this Christmas? Can you bring a dictionary, and a compass and a watch?”
The most heart-wrenching part of the letter was the last line that read, “I also want a very very very good dad. Can you do that too?”
Officials with SafeHaven of Tarrant County, a group seeking to help end domestic (家庭的) violence, posted Blake’s letter to its Facebook page. Now, some of the child’s wishes have come true. All of the gifts he asked for have been donated by people in the community. Though SafeHaven received more than 10,000 gifts this year, they want to shine a light on the bigger issue of domestic violence.
“To us, it was kind of a story that we’ve heard all the time,” Kathryn Jacob, the organization’s president and CEO, told Today. “Like tonight, we have 73 kids in the shelter. Blake is just one of many.”
1. The little boy asked Santa for a “very good dad” because ________.| A．his dad was too strict with him | B．he was forced to do all the chores |
| C．he was ill-treated by his dad | D．his dad didn’t buy him any gifts |
| A．It has received a lot of concern so far. | B．It provides services for homeless children. |
| C．It posted Blake’s letter without permission. | D．Part of its goal is to earn money. |
| A．To advertise their shelter. | B．To introduce their shelter. |
| C．To tell more information about Blake. | D．To draw attention to domestic violence. |
8 . International Students House
International Students House （ISH）, a unique club and accommodation center founded in 1965, offers a range of services to aid students while they are studying in London. It is located in the heart of London's West End and is close to all public transport facilities.
Accommodation
♦Comfortable accommodation for up to 450 people in single, twin, 3/4 bedded and multi-bedded rooms
♦44 self-contained flats for married students and families
♦ Long and short stays welcomed
Membership
Club membership is open to all full-time students. Membership costs are kept to an absolute minimum to enable the widest possible access. You can join for as short as one month and for up to one year at a time. Membership entitles you to use the various facilities of the House. It has:
• Restaurants
• Clubs and societies
• Study rooms
• Dance, music and films
• Fitness training
• Student bars and coffee shops
• Travel and much more!
The best way to check out all we have on offer is to drop in any Tuesday evening between 7.15 pm and 8:30 pm for Open House in the Club Room. This is an opportunity for you to meet the staff and other club members, enjoy a free cup of coffee and find out all about what's going on. You can take advantage of special membership offers. (Useful tip: Bring along 3 passport-size photographs if you wish to take out membership.)
The Students Adviser
Thanks to the support of STA Travel and in association with the London Conference on Overseas Students (LCOS), ISH now provides the service of the Students Adviser. This new welfare service is open to all students at London's academic institutions. It aims to provide welfare support to help students overcome any personal or practical difficulties they may be experiencing while studying in Britain. One of the key features of the service is that the Students Adviser can be seen during the evenings until about 8:00 pm, Monday to Thursday.
1. What can be learned about ISH?| A．It has a history of almost 50 years. | B．It is designed for married students. |
| C．It offers flexible accommodation options. | D．It is far away from public transport facilities. |
| A．Make acquaintance with the staff | B．Obtain special membership offers. |
| C．Study or work in London. | D．Come with the required photos. |
| A．Its service is free for students in Britain. | B．It is accessible on weekdays. |
| C．Its purpose is to raise academic standards. | D．It gets aid from STA Travel. |
9 . Voluntary organizations
Horizon School Peru
Area: Peru
We are a non-profit organization based in Trujillo, Peru. We provide free English classes for the nearby area, which we believe can help the community get out of poverty. By learning English, people here will be able to get more job chances.
As a volunteer, you will have to teach English both in Horizon and at a local public school. It’s also a chance to explore Trujillo and the local beach town. Volunteers will get to experience the Peruvian culture and cooking as well as the language. Please get in touch with us at contact@horizonperu.com.
Do-it.org.uk
Area: the United Kingdom
If you want to make a difference, meet new people or learn new skills through volunteering, then look no further than do-it.org.uk — a volunteering website of the UK, which provides over a million chances to volunteer.
Just enter your postcode (邮编) and interest at www.do-it.org.uk, look through the chances and apply online. It’s as simple as that.
Aim Abroad
Area: India
Aim Abroad is a non-profit volunteer organization based in India. International volunteers are welcome to take part in the programs for the improvement of society. For more information, please visit www.aimabroad.org.
Adventist Nepal
Area: Nepal
We are a non-profit organization lying in Kathmandu, Nepal, with the purpose of providing volunteer services in Nepal in the field of education, health, human rights, writing, travel, etc. If you are interested in working as a volunteer and looking for help, please feel free to get in touch with us at info@adventistnepal.org. We also provide home stay service for visitors.
1. What are volunteers in Horizon School Peru required to do?| A．Attend English classes. | B．Offer free English lessons. |
| C．Experience the local culture. | D．Talk in English with the locals. |
| A．Aim Abroad. | B．Do-it.org.uk. |
| C．Adventist Nepal. | D．Horizon School Peru. |
| A．Their aim is to help the poor. | B．They only accept local volunteers. |
| C．Their volunteers must have many skills. | D．Volunteers can apply for positions online. |
10 . How Disney grew its $3 billion Mickey Mouse business — by selling to adults
In March 2019, Gucci began selling a $4,500 purse in the shape of Mickey Mouse’s head. Between the creature’s round black ears is a small handle embossed (凸印) with the word “Gucci.” On the brand’s website, a male model stares seriously into the camera without the slightest trace of irony (讽刺) that he is, in fact, carrying around the head of a children’s cartoon character.
It’s perhaps the most luxurious Mickey Mouse products designed for adults.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Mickey Mouse and his friends sold $3 billion in merchandise (周边商品) in 2018, a figure that includes both adult and children’s products.
This brings up the question: Why would adults wear items decorated with the face of a smiling rodent in the first place? What accounts for the enduring appeal of this anthropomorphized (拟人化的) mouse, while other Disney characters, such as Anna from Frozen, hardly ever appear in adult products?
Mickey Mouse was big business almost as soon as he made his debut (首次亮相) in Walt Disney’s animated short Steamboat Willie (《汽船威利号》) in 1928. Within five years, Mickey was earning $1 million a year in merchandise sales. These products were largely targeted at children, including stuffed toys, trains, and nursery (托儿所) wallpaper.
Everything changed in the years after World War II.
All the marketing worked. In 1947, products featuring Disney characters brought in $100 million in revenue (收益) in merchandise. In addition to kids’ products, many of the items sold were for adults, such as radios and phonographs (留声机).
By and large, though, the symbolism Mickey represents is the one Disney has put forth: that of innocence and positivity.
| A．Over the decades, Disney is always sensitive about how brands portray Mickey when it licenses his face. |
| B．Why was this effective at getting adults’ attention? |
| C．This is perhaps why adults seem drawn to him during times of trouble. |
| D．At that point, demand for products bearing Mickey’s face among adults decreased. |
| E．But it’s just one of many that has flooded the market. |
| F．Disney kept developing the character to make him more and more universally appealing. |
| G．Disney’s goal was clearly to make the character universally known and loved. |
