1 . Work is a part of living—my grandparents understood that. They lived and worked on a central Pennsylvania farm that has been in my family for 150 years. Hess Farm, at that time, was self-sufficient. They raised beef cattle for meat, chickens for eggs and hogs for pork and lard. Dairy cows were kept for milk and the cream from which Grandma made butter and cheese. That little yard they had became a garden.
The Depression, therefore, didn’t make a dramatic change in their lives. But it did bring an unending flow of men out of work, drifting from job to job, to the farm. The first man to show up on the kitchen porch was ragged-looking, but polite. He took off his hat and quietly explained that he hadn’t eaten for a while. Grandpa stood watching him a bit, then said, “There’s a pile of firewood stacked against the fence behind the barn (畜棚). I’ve been needing to get it moved to the other side of the fence. You have just about enough time to finish the job before lunch.” With that, he stuck out his rough hand to the stranger.
Grandma said a surprising thing happened. The drifter got a shine in his eyes and, behind his beard, he smiled. He hurried to the barn in a near trot (小跑). She set another place at the table and baked an apple pie. During lunch, the stranger didn’t say much, but his shoulders straightened when he left. “Nothing ruins a man like losing his self-respect”, Grandpa later told me.
Soon after, another man showed up asking for a meal. This one was dressed in a suit and carried a small, worn suitcase. Grandpa came out and then offered a handshake. “There’s a stack of firewood along the fence down behind the barn I’ve been meaning to get moved. It’d sure be a help to me. And we’d be pleased to have you stay for lunch.”
The fellow set his suitcase and neatly laid his coat and vest on top. Then he set off to work.
Grandma says she doesn’t remember how many strangers they shared a meal with during those Depression days—or how many times that pile of wood got moved.
1. What is the result of the Depression?| A．Some people earned a lot of money. |
| B．A large number of people went abroad. |
| C．Many people were laid off. |
| D．Quite a few people died of a strange disease. |
| A．He pretended to be generous. |
| B．He pretended to be mean. |
| C．He shared meal with everyone who came to his door. |
| D．He gave meal to the poor without losing their self-respect. |
| A．They shared a meal with only two people. |
| B．They shared a meal with twenty people. |
| C．The passage doesn’t mention the number. |
| D．They didn’t share a meal with anyone. |
| A．The stranger was full after lunch. |
| B．The stranger earned his bread through his own work. |
| C．The stranger wanted to show his gratitude. |
| D．The stranger wanted to stretch his body. |
2 . Summer Camps in America
Maine Camp Experience
Belgrade Lakes, Maine
Phone：1-877-926-2463
At Maine Camp Experience, kids connect with nature. Kids have fun, make lifelong friendships, learn new skills and achieve independence. The camps provide sailing, swimming, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball, wakeboarding, water skiing, yoga, etc. Campers of the summer programs are welcome to our winter programs in San Pedro, Belize.
Camp Pocono Trails
Readers, Pennsylvania
Phone：800-365-0556
Camp Pocono Trails is a health camp for kids, teens, young adults and families. We offer cooking classes, basketball, football, boating, fitness training, drama, arts, dance and field trips to NYC. Campers come back each year to have fun, reconnect with friends and keep the progress they have made. If you'd like to discuss your long-term health goals, or even if you just want to learn how to feel better, give us a call today.
Pierce Camp Birchmont
Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
Phone：516-621-5035
Pierce Camp Birchmont was founded by the Pierce family in 1951 and three generations of the Pierce family have owned and directed the camp ever since. As a traditional summer camp, Pierce Camp Birchmont offers over 40 activities such as arts and crafts, fishing, football, gardening, golf, hiking, horseback riding, etc.
Rolling River Day Camp
East Rockaway, New York
Phone：516-593-2267
Since 1993, RRDC has provided children with great camp experiences. Rolling River is a one-day camp that is owned and run by a local family. Directors Rhonda Goodman and Mark Goodman and their three children have created innovative programs. Exciting events such as hip hop nights, fall festivals and holiday camps connect families with RRDC.
1. What can kids do at Maine Camp Experience?| A．Try water sports. | B．Play with sports stars. |
| C．Have fun with parents. | D．Join winter programs for free. |
| A．1-877-926-2463. | B．800-365-0556. |
| C．516-621-5035. | D．516-593-2267. |
| A．Both are day camps. | B．Both are long-term camps. |
| C．Both are traditional camps. | D．Both are family-run camps. |
3 . Life under lockdown is strange and lonely but people are finding ways to come together and support those in need by volunteering. Here are just a few more ways you can take part in.
NHS Responders
After asking retired medical professionals to return to work, the government has also put out a call for 250,000 volunteers to support the NHS (National Health System). You can apply to be a community response volunteer, collecting and delivering supplies for those in isolation; a patient transport volunteer, helping patients who are dismissed from hospital get home and settled; and an NHS transport volunteer, to assist with delivery of medical supplies.
GAIL'S Bakery
As well as baking breads and pastries for the general public, GAJL's is supplying front-line NHS teams with fresh food, and they need more help to get it where it needs to be. If you want to lend a hand, drop them an email.
Re-engage
Re-engage is a voluntary group that helps reduce loneliness among old people and given that so many people are isolated because of the virus outbreak, they need more volunteers to become call companions. If you want to join them in the telephone befriending service, contact them at 18112256.
A Plate For London
This online platform helps match volunteers with Londoners in need . Now they are focusing on doorstep deliveries of food parcels and hot meals to children who rely on free school meals and those who have lost their jobs as a result of the widespread disease.
1. What is the duty of a patient transport volunteer?| A．Picking up patients. | B．Sending patients home. |
| C．Moving patients to clinics. | D．Delivering supplies for patients. |
| A．NHS Responders. | B．GAIL’s Bakery. |
| C．Re-engage. | D．A Plate For London. |
| A．The aged. | B．The volunteers. |
| C．The patients. | D．The unemployed. |
4 . “Are personal sad stories a must to win talent shows?” “Shouldn’t talent be judged on the basis of itself without needing a sad story of struggle to win?” These are questions Sanya Malhotra posed on a recent Facebook post.
This morning I came across this interesting post by Sanya Malhotra. She revealed that she loved dancing and dreamt of becoming an actress, but got defeated in “Dance India Dance” because her background story wasn’t sad and inspiring enough. That’s when she started doubting her artistic gift.
This really set me thinking. Why are people attracted to sob stories? Why do we always appreciate only those people who have achieved something after going through a lot of hardships? Why does the headline of a newspaper “Taxi-driver’s Son Stands First In UPSC Exam” find more readers? I think it is because most people, who are in a similar situation, find it comforting that someone has succeeded with so many hardships. I know it is really very difficult for people with financial, health, or family problems to overcome obstacles and succeed. I really feel proud of them and I am often touched and inspired by their stories.
Now come back to what Sanya has said. I think this is a talent show rather than a story-telling competition. When it comes to a competition of singing or dancing or any fine arts, all the competitors should be judged without any bias (偏见). No one should lose because they don’t have a sad story of struggle to tell. It’s very unfair. They can be given opportunities otherwise, but should not be judged because of their stories.
Maybe, the TV channels do it to attract more viewers, because the most important element of any reality show is these touching stories. But as Sanya has said, it’s unfair to those who haven't such a story and are equally talented.
1. What do we know about Sanya Malhotra?| A．She entered a talent show. | B．She won “Dance India Dance”. |
| C．She had a sad story to tell. | D．She was rejected in a film. |
| A．experienced many hardships | B．is a famous actress in Indian |
| C．has a great gift for gymnastics | D．used to be confident in her artistic talent |
| A．A Millionaire Donated Money To Harvard University. |
| B．A Gifted Indian Teenager Won “Dance India Dance”. |
| C．An Armless Girl Was Admitted To Harvard University. |
| D．A Freshman Paid Off Loans By Getting A Part-time Job. |
| A．Winners Should Be Determined By Public Judges |
| B．Sanya Malhotra Displayed A Great Artistic Gift |
| C．Competitors Should Not Be Judged By Sob Stories |
| D．Talent Shows Competitors Can Tell Their Stories |
5 . Bradley McConachie, a 33-year-old Australian is actually a student in international relations completing his PhD through Griffith University. He came to Beijing for a cooperative research at Beijing University two years ago. Such an academic life was colorful with a chance offered by the cultural exchanges project, “I'm in China".
Bradley was lucky to win the most "likes" for his photo story about his life in China and became one of 20 winners to visit locations by the project this summer. All the winners’ experiences were filmed to produce a reality show, My Chinese Working Day, which will be broadcast by mid-September.
Bradley was chosen to work as a recreational manager for a Chinese wedding. The film crew took them to many “amazing sites" and the staff at the resort taught them a lot about how to incorporate modern Chinese features while still keeping traditional customs.
“I would have to say two things stick out as the most memorable： the helicopter ride and talking with the staff at the hotel about how they organize weddings here in China," he said. That was Bradley's first time to be in a helicopter, and he was too absorbed with the “stunning" view of the coastline.
“I think it is so important to show other Australians the different landscapes China has to offer. I think so many Australians, when they think about China, imagine the historical sites of Beijing and the exciting things to see in Shanghai but have no idea about other beautiful places, like Sanya or the many other places people have been taken to in this TV series. It was nice to experience these little touches. I was happy to be a part of that experience!” Bradley said.
1. What made Bradley's life more colorful?| A．Obtaining his PhD. |
| B．The cultural exchanges project. |
| C．The research about Beijing University. |
| D．The interest in international relations. |
| A．He produced the reality show. |
| B．His life in China was interesting. |
| C．He was one of the top 20 winners. |
| D．He liked photo stories most. |
| A．Fantastic. | B．Confusing. |
| C．Agreeable. | D．Extreme. |
| A．It's difficult to produce moving TV series. |
| B．Beijing and Shanghai are historical sites. |
| C．Sanya is worth visiting for foreigners. |
| D．Many Australians know little about China. |
6 . Student Accommodation (住处) to Let in London
One - bedroom flat
Riverside Gardens, W6 £ 1,250 pcm
This one - bedroom top floor flat is located at Riverside Gardens in Hammersmith. It is perfectly located for shopping and entertainment. Walking distance to Hammersmith Broadway, Ravens Court Park & the River Thames.
Key features (特点): Spacious living area; Fully equipped kitchen
Two - bedroom flat
New Orient House Chelsea, SW6 £ 1,148 pcm
This flat has easy access to West Brompton station where a quick change to the District Line will allow you to make good use of the London Underground. This means that you are within easy access of 21 higher education institutions including Imperial College London and Kings College London.
Key features: Excellent social spaces: movie room, games area and dining area
Private halls
Nido West Hampstead, NW6 £ 1,664 pcm
Our modern student accommodation is near West Hampstead Tube Station, allowing you to easily explore London. It is close to all major universities in the city. Our house team will look after you during your stay, all you need to worry about is living your best student life.
Key features: In - house gym (健身房)
Rooms for the 2019/2020 academic year start from just £ 229 pp/pw.
(pcm: per calendar month pp/pw: per person per week)
1. What will Tom who works part - time in a restaurant by Ravens Court Park probably choose?| A．The flat next to West Brompton station. | B．An apartment at Nido West Hampstead. |
| C．The flat at Riverside Gardens. | D．The flat at New Orient House Chelsea. |
| A．Nature lovers. | B．Party lovers. |
| C．Shopping fans. | D．Gym fans. |
| A．£ 1,250. | B．£ 1,148. | C．£ 916. | D．£ 229. |
7 . The Museum of London is starting to unearth what might turn out to be as many as 3,000 human skeletons(遗骸) under a train station in the United Kingdom’s capital. The bones were exposed when workers began building a new entrance to a train station in London, England.
As the first city burial(埋葬) ground in London, Bedlam was probably used between 1569 and 1738. Its name comes from the nearby Hospital of Saint Mary of Bethlehem, which people also called Bedlam. Often, the people buried in Bedlam could not afford to be buried anywhere else. The burial ground also served as an overflow cemetery(墓地). That means that if other cemeteries became full, a person would be buried in Bedlam instead. It is believed that there could be a total of 20,000 skeletons in the overall burial ground.
Experts think studying the skeletons may help them learn about London’s past, including questions about the Black Death, a deadly disease that had a terrible influence on much of the world. It started in the mid-1300s and swept through Asia, Africa, and Europe. Historians believe almost 50 million people died of the disease, including many of those buried at Bedlam. “Sixteen sixty-five saw the very last recorded period of the disease,” says Jay Carver, the leading expert on the project. Carver and his team believe the Bedlam bodies may explain why the outbreak suddenly stopped.
The dig site also sits above an even older Roman(古罗马的) road (between the 2nd and 3rd century A. D. ). Archaeologists(考古学家) have already found a large number of objects from Roman times, including horseshoes and urns. Nick Elsden, the project manager for the site, says, “This is the UK’s largest archeology project, in what is one of the oldest areas of the city, so we stand to learn a great deal.”
1. The underlined word “exposed” in Paragraph I probably means “________”.| A．studied | B．found |
| C．returned | D．searched |
| A．served as a cemetery for poor people | B．used to be a train station |
| C．got its name thanks to Jay Carver | D．was once taken up by Germen |
| A．Sadness. | B．Anger. |
| C．Regret. | D．Expectation. |
| A．History of the Black Death | B．Skeleton secrets in London |
| C．The Museum of London | D．A Roman road in Bedlam |
