1 . When I met and married a Japanese man in New York, I thought he would learn a bit more English and we would continue to live our lives there. But in life’s twists and turns, we ended up living in Tokyo! I was the one who needed to learn Japanese and fast ! There is no experience quite as lonely as living in a foreign country without a grasp of the language. Especially to make friends and to break that loneliness, it is the first and foremost goal to attain… always an uphill climb, while totally awkward!
I was a trained English Language teacher, and while I lived abroad I did that work, and when we moved back to America I planned to continue it. The country’s financial difficulties at the time, however, saw deep cuts to the English as a Second Language positions in the schools and to refugee language programs. So I simply took a job in a department store, at its Child Playroom.
But this store was located near a major company that hired some of its workforce from many other countries. Often a preschooler in my playroom could not speak a word of English, and would look so lost and lonely !My heart flew to them! We interacted with each other a lot. We would play English language games and they would teach their language to me.
Years later, when a small girl who had come from South America could speak good English, she said to me, “Teacher, remember when I called you Maestra?” Another child whose language was only Russian originally —we built a robot from blocks and fed it block food and leaned English words that way—would come years afterwards and continue to play that same game! These moments became my life compass—due north is that place where when persons are different, Love Matters !
1. What was the author’s challenge after marriage?| A．She had to give up her job. | B．She lost all her best friends. |
| C．She needed to learn a new language. | D．She was forced to live overseas. |
| A．She set up her own company. | B．She lost interest in teaching. |
| C．Better teachers were needed. | D．Teaching jobs were greatly reduced. |
| A．They learned each other’s languages. | B．They took language tests. |
| C．They cared for each other. | D．They encouraged each other in learning. |
| A．Tiring. | B．Helpful. | C．Simple. | D．Humorous. |
2 . If you're British or live in a Commonwealth nation, Christmas doesn't end on December 25.The day after Christmas is known as Boxing Day, and the relaxing holiday is a chance to allow the celebration for one more restful day.
But its name has nothing to do with the sport of boxing, and unlike the popular idea, did not appear from a need to return unwanted gifts or clean up trash produced by Christmas gifting.
There are several theories as to how that charitable tradition became known as "boxing".Some historians link the use of the term to boxes of donations that were laid in churches during the pre-Christmas season of Advent in the early days of Christianity during the second and third centuries A.D.The day after Christmas, the boxes were opened and the money was given away to the poor.
Another possible story for Boxing Day has to do with a tradition that formed in 19th century Victorian England, where servants sacrificed（牺牲）time with their own families to cater to their employers on Christmas.On the day after Christmas, employers would give the servants a rare day off and send them home with leftovers from the family's Christmas feast for their service.
Though the reasons are lost to history, Boxing Day charity eventually fell out of tradition---and was replaced with physical and material pleasures.Today, the holiday is linked with sports, with major football rugby, and cricket matches and horse races taking place on December 26.
December 26 is also a big shopping day throughout the UK and the Commonwealth.The holiday kicks off what is known as " Boxing Week" , during which retailers（零售商）try to move old stock and shoppers compete for one last bargain of the year.In recent years, though, the American tradition of Black Friday---massive sales that take place the day after Thanksgiving each November---has become popular in the United Kingdom and has largely overshadowed Boxing Week.
1. What kind of festival was Boxing Day probably in the beginning?| A．A charitable festival. | B．A religious festival. |
| C．A sports festival. | D．A business festival. |
| A．Take care of. | B．Depend on. |
| C．Put up with. | D．Pick up. |
| A．It has become an online shopping day. |
| B．It has been replaced by Black Friday. |
| C．It only covers popular sports events. |
| D．It has become less important than before. |
| A．When Did Boxing Day Come into Being? | B．Why Did People Celebrate Boxing Day? |
| C．How Is Black Friday Celebrated in the UK? | D．Why Is Black Friday Popular in the UK? |
3 . Part of the importance of the practice of capacity building is that too many of us think our intellectual capabilities and focus are fixed. However, Benjamin Hardy, a psychologist and author, recently presented groundbreaking research that suggests that we can often change by changing our environment.
“Because people's lives become routine, you begin to see very predictable behaviors and attitudes,” Hardy says. This is why personality is viewed as stable and predictable over time. Hardy's book, Personality isn't Permanent, digs into this concept.
We regard our childhood, teenage years and 20s as our foundational learning periods. It can be common to think we can't learn as effectively as we grow older. But Hardy argues that we really stop learning because we stop trying new things.
In our young lives, we experience a number of “firsts”, ranging from social experiences to leaning opportunities. Absorbing new experiences is crucial to ensuring we keep expanding our minds and changing our personalities.
Learning new things is a great starting point to changing your personality for the better. Also consider making substantial changes to your professional environment. This can manifest in several ways. If you're a successful leader maybe you'd like to share your knowledge with others by coaching, writing or speaking. Anything that pushes you outside the limits of your normal work life can ensure you keep growing and changing.
In Personality Isn't Permanent, Hardy discusses a study from Harvard psychologist Dr. Ellen Langer. In 1981, Langer and her graduate students selected a group of men in their 70s and placed them in an environment modeled to look like the 1950s. It featured a black-and-white television, mid-century furniture and magazines from the era. As Hardy explains, “The goal was to trigger their minds and bodies to exhibit the energy and biological responses of a much younger person.” It actually worked.
1. Why do people think personality is fixed?| A．Because life becomes regular and foreseeable. | B．Because people refuse to read new books |
| C．Because the brain becomes less effective. | D．Because people's intelligence turns stable. |
| A．Reread a fantastic book. | B．Devote fully to daily work. |
| C．Learn a new kind of sport. | D．Talk with an old friend. |
| A．Construct | B．Distinguish. | C．Predict. | D．Appear. |
| A．The facilities in Harvard need improving | B．Younger persons accept new things better |
| C．Langer's study consumed a lot of energy. | D．The participants' performance improved. |
4 . If you're looking to buy cheap theater tickets, then you've come to the right place! Whether it is on Broadway, or a show at your local theater, here at Sizzling Tickets we've got some great deals for you!
Aladdin the Musical
Run Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes, including one intermission（幕间休息）of 15 minutes
Audience: All ages
This musical comedy provides generous family entertainment with lively dance routines and constant action. Well-loved songs such as A Whole New World and Prince Ali will have members of the audience singing along. This timeless story and its beauty, energy and magic will take your breath away.
Lion King the Musical
Run Time: 2 hours and 45minutes, including one intermission of 15 minutes
Audience: AU ages
The Lion King musical was first staged on Broadway in 1997, when it achieved great success. In fact, the Lion King musical has won several awards over the years for the way that this popular story has been displayed and the cartoon characters really come to life in a very exciting way when they reach the stage.
The Book of Mormon
Run Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one 15 minutes' intermission
Audience: Young teens and older
Winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical and many other awards, the Book of Mormon is entertaining from start to finish and looks set to stay on Broadway in the near future.
Phantom of the Opera
Run Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission of !5 minutes
Audience: All ages
The box office revenue（票房收入）for this show is higher than for any other movie or stage production. Some people love it so much that they have seen it twice, perhaps even again and again. The opera has been playing continuously at Her Majesty's Theatre in London since its first performance in 1986. And it's not just audiences that love the show. Phantom has won many awards, including Olivier Awards and Tony Awards.
1. If you want to see a play longer than 2 hours and 30minutes, you can choose.| A．Aladdin the Musical | B．The Book of Mormon |
| C．Lion King the Musical | D．Phantom of the Opera |
| A．has won numerous awards | B．is telling an unhappy story |
| C．is suitable for all ages | D．will not be played on Broadway in the future |
| A．Aladdin the Musical runs for 2 hours and 15 minutes with two intermissions. |
| B．Lion King the Musical has well-loved songs for audience to sing along, |
| C．The Phantom of the Opera was first staged on Broadway. |
| D．The Phantom of the Opera is worth seeing repeatedly. |
5 . A simple mosquito bite can mean serious illness or death. So we spray large areas with chemicals to wipe out mosquitoes. But this has a bad influence on the whole ecosystem and your health. Now there’s a new device (装置), which claims to keep you and your loved ones mosquitofree：
What are we talking about?
Mosquitron, a brand new type of bug (虫子) catcher, designed by two German engineers, is perfect for clearing your home of all annoying and dangerous flying pests!
How does it work?
◆It is easy to set up; plug it in — and away you go!
◆It lures (引诱) the flying pests near using a safe, completely harmless UV light.
◆A reverse fan sucks the insects through a oneway trapdoor.
◆Once trapped in the drying basket, they are dried to death by the fan within 2 minutes.
◆You can simply empty the dead bugs into the trash, without even touching them.
◆No need for batteries or any chemicals.
How much does it cost?
It’s now ＄179.99. It may seem expensive at first, but when you consider most devices need regular, expensive refills and don’t work for more than 10 minutes, this is a pretty good deal. In fact, competitor products using the same UV technology are priced at over ＄250! Now you can buy it from the supplier’s website with 50% off and with free shipping for a limited time by clicking here. Note: The device can only be returned or exchanged if it arrives damaged, and you must pay in advance.
1. What is the characteristic of a Mosquitron?| A．It is easily recharged. |
| B．It is batterypowered. |
| C．It is almost silent when operating. |
| D．It kills mosquitoes with UV light. |
| A．A high discount. | B．A cheap delivery. |
| C．Return without reasons. | D．Cash on delivery. |
| A．A review. | B．An advertisement. |
| C．An instruction. | D．A report. |
6 . Inventors are always at work, dreaming up new technologies. Some inventions help us solve problems. Others make life easier, or more fun. Here, TFK(Time for Kids) presents 3 of our favorite inventions. See how they make us live a better life.
Stopping Sickness
Christine Schindler is an engineer. She wanted to help stop the spread of foodborne illnesses. So she created PATHSPOT. It uses light to scan a person’s hands for harmful germs. Restaurant employees hold their hands beneath the scanner. Then the scanner judges whether they must be rewashed. About 100 locations have started using the product since it launched in May.
Talking Eyes
For people who are blind or have other visual problems, the ORCAM MYEYE 2 could be a game changer. It might also prove useful for people with reading difficulties. Described as “talking glasses,” this AI device can be attached to any eyeglass frame. It can identify faces. It can also read text aloud. Fitting all this power into such a small device is like “putting an elephant in a small closet,” says Amnon Shashua, the inventor of the technology. Now the device can be bought online.
Sport-safe
Research shows that playing football increases the risk of brain injury. Still, about a million kids under the age of 13 play football, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. That’s where the VICIS ZERO1 YOUTH football helmet comes in. It has thick, force-absorbing support on the front and sides, where kids are likely to take the hardest hits on the field. Players on 1,500 youth teams have worn the helmet.
1. What is the function of Pathspot?| A．Killing the germs on hands. | B．Checking if hands are clean. |
| C．Rewashing employees’ hands. | D．Stopping the reproduction of germs. |
| A．Low-noise. | B．Portable. |
| C．Single-function | D．Power-saving. |
| A．It is available to the public now. | B．It improves kids’ football skills. |
| C．It is designed for kids under 13 only. | D．Its front and sides are the hardest. |
7 . An electric flying vehicle called Skai was on display yesterday near Los Angeles， California． Skai is made by Alaka'i Technologies． The vehicle has six rotors（旋翼） on top． Inside， there are seats for five passengers． To many people， Skai looks like a cross between a giant drone（无人机） and a car． Alaka'i Technologies hopes the vehicle will one day serve as a flying taxi， a cargo carrier， and an ambulance．
Other companies， such as Boeing and Airbus， are also designing electric aircraft． They are using batteries to power them． But batteries can weigh the vehicles down．
Skai uses hydrogen fuel cells to power its rotors． Hydrogen fuel cells are a lighter alternative to batteries． They allow the vehicle to transport 1，000 pounds． They might also be less damaging to the environment． "It's the cleanest form of energy on the planet，" Bruce Holmes told Digital Trends， a technology news website． Holmes is on the board of Alaka'i Technologies．
A test flight will take place near the company's Massachusetts headquarters． But it may be years before the autonomous aircraft is cleared to carry passengers． Skai must first meet regulations． These regulations are set by the Federal Aviation Administration （FAA）．
"The technology is interesting， but the regulatory （监管的） road will be very long，" Thaddeus Lightfoot said． Lightfoot is a lawyer． He helps companies deal with FAA rules．
Alaka'i Technologies is hopeful that Skai will get FAA approval to fly passengers soon． In the meantime， the company's CEO， Stephen Hanvey， says the craft could be used to transport food and water． It could also serve as a mobile cell tower in places struck by natural disasters．
1. Which of the following can replace the underlined word "cross" in paragraph 1？| A．mixture． |
| B．container． |
| C．equipment． |
| D．instrument． |
| A．It costs a lot． |
| B．It saves energy． |
| C．It is not readily available now． |
| D．It will soon get approved by FAA． |
| A．It is quite light． |
| B．It uses batteries． |
| C．It transports food and water． |
| D．It lands autonomously． |
| A．Car with wings． |
| B．Car of less weight． |
| C．Car with hydrogen fuel． |
| D．Car in the sky． |
8 . For Stevens Point locals in the US, the city is flooded with delicious fried fish. Here are four top choices for the community to have a try.
Hilltop Pub&Grill
Hilltop Pub&Grill first opened in the 1980s and took the Stevens Point community by storm with its delicious food and unique decoration style. Its fried fish are beloved due to the use of “high-quality North Atlantic fish, with a light beer batter (面糊)”.
The Final Score Bar&Grill
The Final Score Bar&Grill aimed to become a local hot spot in 2001 when Jim Billings, the owner, took charge of the business. Billings feels that their five batter choices set them apart from their neighboring bars. Besides, various wines are available.
Point After Pub&Grill
Point After Pub&Grill started serving delicious food and cold beers in a welcoming environment in 2009. But its history runs much longer. “Before it was Point After Pub&Grill, it had been Northside Bar for 30 plus years,” explained Molski, the owner. Molski feels that the pub’s four special batter choices and other fish specials are what help make it an area landmark.
Two Harps Pub
This Irish pub opened its doors to the public in 2017 and has been drawing fans and locals ever since. “I had done my career for a long time and was kind of bored with it,” said Nick Moore, the owner. “And this opportunity fell into my lap, so I went with it. It really made sense to open up an Irish bar.” The growing pub advises guests to try a cold beer with their Friday fried fish.
1. What makes Hilltop Pub&Grill popular with customers?| A．The convenient location. | B．The special food. |
| C．The high-quality service. | D．The unique wine. |
| A．They are both run by the same company. | B．They are both famous for great wines. |
| C．They both feature some particular batter. | D．They were both founded ten years ago. |
| A．It is the newest among the four pubs. | B．It offers free cold beers to customers. |
| C．It only provides fried fish on Fridays. | D．It has a unique decoration style. |
9 . In 2015, researchers from Australia's Deakin University published one of the first studies measuring food's physical effect on the left hippocampus(海马体), a seahorse-shaped brain region crucial for memory, learning, and decision making. It is also one of the first areas to shrink in people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia (痴呆).255 people filled out diet surveys and then underwent MRI scans(磁共振扫描成像) that measured their brains. Four years later, they returned for another scan in response to a request from the researchers.
The study found that the left hippocampus was bigger and heavier in the healthy eaters than in the unhealthy ones, regardless of age, sex, weight, exercise habits, or general health. That means eating the right foods and skipping the wrong stuff could help protect against declines in thinking and memory that lead to dementia. Healthy eating doesn't just prevent brain decline. It raises scores on thinking and memory tests, according to a study published in March 2019 that tracked 2,621 American women and men for 30 years."Green leafy vegetables have good effects that may protect both females and males against cognitive(认知的）decline and dementia," says lead researcher Claire McEvoy, RD, of the Centre for Public Health at Queen's University Belfast in Northern Ireland.
Even a little healthy food goes a long way. According to a 2018 Rush University study that tracked 960 people for 4.7 years, participants who ate just 1.3 extra servings of green leafy vegetables a day showed cognitive abilities similar to those of people 11 years younger.
How are these power foods working with your brain cells? Animal and test-tube experiments suggest that compounds in healthy diets help new cells make copies of DNA when they divide and multiply. Meanwhile, high-fat, high-sugar processed foods harm brain cells.
While food serves as an important brain protector, experts say brain supplements(补品)aren't all that effective. Studies show that they don't make brain cells active in a significantly positive way.＂Let the buyer be cautious," says David Hogan, MD, a specialist at the University of Calgary.A study of nootropics(益智药) in the November 2019 Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that the unapproved drug-piracetam(乙酰胺吡咯烷酮) was found in four out of five brands tested, at levels that could cause side effects such as depression.
1. Why did the researchers have the 255 people return for another MRI scan four years later?| A．To test whether they had Alzheimer's disease. |
| B．To see what effects diets had on the left hippocampus. |
| C．To study how they kept healthy in the four years. |
| D．To deepen their research into Alzheimer's disease. |
| A．Healthy eating helps to reduce the risk of dementia. |
| B．Unhealthy diet is a major contributing factor in cognitive decline. |
| C．Age and sex have nothing to do with our general health. |
| D．Plant-based diets have greater effects on women than men. |
| A．Brain supplements are as helpful as healthy diets. |
| B．We'd better take brain supplements for convenience. |
| C．We should be careful when taking brain supplements. |
| D．Brain supplements have as many side effects as processed foods. |
| A．Yes to Green Leafy Vegetables |
| B．Yes to Nootropics |
| C．No to Intelligence |
| D．No to Dementia |
10 . Everyone needs friends.There is an old saying, "Friends are God’s way of taking care of us." But how do you find real friendship and keep it?
The American writer Sally Seamans tells young students some smart ways to make friends.Sally says finding friendship is just like planting a tree.You plant the seed(种子)and take care of it to make it grow.
First, you should choose a friend.What makes a good friend? It is not because a person has money or good looks.A good friend should be kind and patient(耐心).For example, if you have a bad day, a good friend should listen to your complaints and do his best to help.To make a good friend, you cannot be too shy.You should make each other happy and share your lives.
But things cannot always be happy.Even the best friends have fights.What should you do when you have a fight with your friend? You have to talk to him or her.When there is no one around, have an honest talk.If he or she doesn't want to talk, you could write a letter.
There are three steps to being friends again:
Tell him or her how you are feeling; say what your friend has done wrong, and explain why you did this or that.Remember that friendship is the most important thing in your life.
1. Sally wants to tell students the ways to .| A．make friends | B．plant trees | C．get happy | D．keep fit |
| A．be lovely and cool | B．have good looks |
| C．have lots of money | D．be kind and patient |
| A．buy a present for | B．never say a word to |
| C．write a letter to | D．have dinner with |
| A．Teenagers and friendship. | B．Finding and keeping friendship |
| C．The trouble of growing up. | D．Good friends around you. |
