1 . What do we mean when we talk about repair? The most commonly repaired items at home are wooden furniture and table lamps and other small lights, but many people express a level of discomfort for lack of knowledge about the skills required to repair them. However, we live in a time when many of the objects we buy come with limited lifespans(寿命) —especially technological and electrical goods.
Although some objects may require specialist aid, plenty of worn things around the home can be repaired there, if you know what you’re doing. “One hundred years ago, everyone needed to repair things themselves,” an expert says. “So many people had the skills, and they were passed down from generation to generation. And not only the skills, but also the tools. The tools almost became the memories of that repair and carried their own stories.”
Repair often feels pleasant because it is a moment of fixing. The holes can be filled. The gaps will be smoothed over. The language of repair has great significance in describing things: mending, fixing, restoring, rebuilding, piecing together. All are words we use for the objects around us, but also ones we apply to ourselves. We feel a little happy in the idea that few things are truly beyond salvage.
Repair is attractive for many reasons. It helps us think about how to care for the things we own. It makes us mindful of what we waste, and what we should hold on to. It reminds us to bend in closer and see the changes, the points where the needle went through the surface and pulled together something new.
1. How do many people feel when it comes to repairing things?A.Very confident. | B.A little scared. |
C.Particularly interested. | D.Slightly uneasy. |
A.Most worn things need to be repaired by specialists. |
B.The repairing tools were once passed down for generations. |
C.Words about repairing can not be used for people. |
D.The process of repairing is often disappointing. |
A.Reach. | B.Description. | C.Repair. | D.Reason. |
A.Indifferent. | B.Positive. | C.Doubtful. | D.Curious. |
2 . The bell for lunch rang at Glendale Primary School. However, instead of heading to the canteen like all the other children did, Jonah, a new student at the school, went to the library. Other than the noise of the air-conditioner, the library was quiet and there was barely a soul in sight. Far in a corner, he spotted Mrs Lim, the librarian, who was too busy shelving some books to pay any attention to him. The library was near to the canteen. Jonah could hear children laughing and chatting. He wished he was outside playing with some friends but he did not let this bother him.
Suddenly, Jonah heard a sound in the corner. He looked around and saw a pair of eyes looking at him from behind, the bookshelves. Jonah turned back, eyes as wide as saucers (茶碟). “Oh dear!” he whispered. He peeked (窥视) over his shoulder again and saw a smaller boy walking towards him.
The boy pulled out the chair next to Jonah and sat down. “I’m Henry. Why are you reading here when you could be playing with your friends instead?” asked he. “Uh...” Jonah looked around the library, avoiding Henry’s gaze (注视). He did not want Henry to know the real reason why he was in the library. What would Henry think of him if he knew Jonah did not have any friends? It would make Jonah feel more uncomfortable.
As Jonah turned the page, he realized Henry was still sitting there, watching him steadily.
“I know how you feel. Just say hello to someone today,” Henry encouraged Jonah. “I promise they’ll respond. Once you’ve made the first move, it just gets easier.”
Jonah appreciated the advice and thanked him before making his way out of the library. In the hallway outside the library, a boy from Jonah’s class was crouched on the floor, picking up pens and pencils that had dropped out of his pencil case. Jonah remembered what Henry had advised him to do.
“Hello, I’m Jonah. Let me help you,” he offered.
The boy looked up at him. “Thank you! My name is Ruben.”
Victory at last, Jonah thought, feeling proud of himself.
1. What can we know from the text?A.The thought of playing outside bothered Jonah. |
B.The library was not crowded at lunchtime. |
C.The librarian was annoyed by the noise outside. |
D.Jonah had had lunch before going to the library. |
A.He turned too quickly and felt a little dizzy. |
B.He was shocked by the pair of eyes peeking at him. |
C.He was too thin because of lacking enough nutrition. |
D.He didn’t expect the smaller boy would come to him. |
A.Jonah’s not having any friends in the school. |
B.Henry’s impoliteness in asking the question. |
C.Jonah’s shyness after he found Henry’s gaze. |
D.Henry’s thought of Jonah if he knew Jonah’s real situation. |
A.He had never doubted or forgotten Henry’s advice. |
B.He had completed a good deed of helping a classmate. |
C.He had managed to overcome his fear and shyness. |
D.He had met a classmate who was in the same situation. |
3 . When you walk in a Chinese city early in the morning, you’re likely to see groups of people exercising in the park. You’ll see them moving through a series of slow graceful movements. As their bodies flow from one exercise to the next, their minds are focused only on their deep, relaxed breathing.
Tai chi is part of national cultural heritage (遗产) which Chinese people take pride in. This ancient mind-body exercise is known as tai chi, and you don’t have to live in China to benefit from it. According to a survey in 2007, more than 2 million Americans are currently practicing tai chi.
Tai chi is called a mind-body type of exercise because it combines meditation, focused breathing, and physical movement. Because it’s also a low-impact (低强度的) exercise, it may be particularly suitable for older adults, but it’s a beneficial exercise for people of all ages.
Tai chi developed in China as a type of martial art. Today tai chi is used to develop fitness, meditation, balance, breathing, and well-being.
If tai chi is something you might like to try, look for a tai chi class near you. Keep in mind that training programs are different in many ways. You might want to ask around for a recommendation or try a class before you sign up. Ask potential tai chi instructors about their training and experience.
Tai chi is generally considered a low-risk exercise that is both safe and enjoyable. If you have any physical or medical problems, talk with your health care provider before starting any exercise program. And remember, although tai chi has many benefits, it can’t take the place of regular medical care.
1. Why does the author give the example in paragraph 1?A.To describe a scene. |
B.To introduce the topic. |
C.To summarize the text. |
D.To guide the readers around the city. |
A.Some foreigners are interested in tai chi. |
B.Tai chi makes people happy, wise and energetic. |
C.Chinese people don’t take tai chi seriously now. |
D.Tai chi was considered a way to lengthen one’s life. |
A.Hard training. | B.Deep thinking. |
C.Body stretching. | D.Violent exercising. |
A.Old people. | B.The patients. |
C.Young people. | D.People of all ages. |
A.Different Schools of Tai Chi around the World. |
B.Tai Chi—a National Heritage and Wonderful Exercise. |
C.Chinese Martial Arts—the Origin and Forms of Tai Chi. |
D.The Advantages and Disadvantages of Practicing Tai Chi. |
4 . Mental health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, yet it is often ignored in our fast- paced society.
Studies have shown that a person with good mental health lives longer and has a higher quality of life. The effects of positive mental health on the body are plenty, including reducing the risk of diseases and improving overall physical well-being.
Our mental state has a significant impact on relationships. People with good mental health are more likely to be kind and understanding.
Mental health is as essential as physical health in maintaining a fulfilling life. If we run into trouble, don’t keep it to yourself.
A.Turn to friends or families. |
B.They strongly connect with others. |
C.Physical health has been a problem. |
D.So ways to keep positive must be found. |
E.And a clear mind can help make smart choices. |
F.The mind actually needs as much care as the body. |
G.Mental health is vital for keeping emotional balance. |
The famous Chinese folk song, Jasmine Flower (茉莉花), has reached a
“When
Having been appointed
6 . Do you know that every year volunteers collect millions of rubbish on beaches around the world? More and more people are searching for ways to reduce plastic use. A few small changes of your daily habits can quickly lead to less plastic waste.
Choose reusable bags instead of plastic bags.
Take your dinner set with you. It’s helpful to carry a diner set and a cloth napkin in your bag.
Keep reusable bags or boxes nearby. Plastic-free living is easier if your reusable bags or boxes are easy to get, so make sure you keep them in your bag, car, or at your office.
A.That way, you’ll never have to use a plastic bag while you’re busy. |
B.Use reusable water bottles. |
C.If you have to use a straw, try a paper one. |
D.At the store, try shopping for things without single-use plastic bags. |
E.A for kanda spoon are small enough and they don’t take up much space. |
7 . Winnie the Pooh was a source of comfort for me while I was growing up. Not only did he help me get to sleep, he also helped me understand the importance of
I have spent the past five months in isolation (隔离). In that time, I have
Winnie the Pooh’s words have taught me a lot of things. Most
A.knowledge | B.education | C.technology | D.friendship |
A.realize | B.wonder | C.doubt | D.expect |
A.chance | B.wealth | C.comfort | D.detail |
A.witnessed | B.recorded | C.avoided | D.experienced |
A.risks | B.surprises | C.projects | D.challenges |
A.informs | B.convinces | C.warns | D.reminds |
A.weather | B.distance | C.failure | D.disagreement |
A.adapt | B.discuss | C.escape | D.communicate |
A.wasted | B.arrived | C.changed | D.bounced |
A.trips | B.games | C.trains | D.parties |
A.abstract | B.obvious | C.childlike | D.accessible |
A.play | B.wisdom | C.time | D.love |
A.impression | B.product | C.situation | D.background |
A.smarter | B.prettier | C.braver | D.greater |
A.commonly | B.certainly | C.recently | D.importantly |
A.food | B.support | C.information | D.treatment |
A.felt | B.missed | C.delayed | D.touched |
A.picked up | B.put down | C.thought of | D.held onto |
A.divided | B.placed | C.measured | D.shared |
A.fresh | B.faraway | C.close | D.valuable |
8 . Sailing is one of the most interesting and exciting ways to enjoy large bodies of water. You can sail wherever you find enough water and a little wind.
When you sail, your boat is powered by the wind caught by the sail. You control the boat by using a rudder (舵) and more complicated skills. Through handling the sails, sailors can control the force of the wind.
Sailing is a rather complex art.
Sailing is an amazing way to broaden your horizons.
A.Sailboats come in all sizes. |
B.The sport of sailing has a long history. |
C.The truly adventurous can sail around the world. |
D.You will find new ways to enjoy water sports on a boat. |
E.Thus, they can change the direction and speed of the boat. |
F.You will understand why many people love to spend money on their boats. |
G.The best way to learn the complexities of sailing is by taking a few classes. |
9 . Strawberry U-Pick at the Boyd Farm
Strawberry U-Pick Season is starting! For now, we are open Monday to Friday from 10 a. m. to 3: 30 p. m. and every weekend from 9 a. m. to 5: 30 p. m. !
Not only do we have our u-pick strawberry fields, we also have fresh produce, prepicked strawberries, snacks and other farm goodies for you to buy. We also have lots of fun activities for the family—hayride with the cows, horse ride, animals to pet and feed, swings, slide, sand pile, corn hole, corn pile and more!
AdmissionAdmission is $5/person (3 and under free)
Admission includes:
◆Access to u-pick fields
◆Access to swings, corn hole, sand pile, slide, corn pile and petting zoo
◆1 pound of free-to-take-home strawberries
Admission does not include:
◆Hayride with the cows—$5/person
◆Horse ride—$3/person
◆Animal feed—$2/cup
Important information
★Please don’t leave children unattended in strawberry fields and please don’t walk on the plant beds.
★We recommend bringing something to carry berries home to cut down on waste, but we will have plastic bags if needed.
★Usually strawberry season runs through April. This is entirely weather dependent, however.
★We recommend sunscreen / hat / water / closed-toed shoes!
★Pets are not allowed in the fields due to Food Safety regulations.
1. When is the Boyd Farm open to the public in April?
A.9 a. m. Monday. | B.5 p. m. Tuesday. |
C.4p. m. Friday. | D.10 a. m. Sunday. |
A.Hayride. | B.Horse ride. |
C.Corn pile. | D.Feeding animals. |
A.Bringing their pets. | B.Wearing open-toed shoes. |
C.Playing in strawberry fields. | D.Taking their own strawberry containers. |
10 . My first job at KCRW was Ruth Seymour’s assistant. Soon after, I became Assistant General Manager and worked closely with her for 16 years. Therefore, I have had the opportunity to observe her and the enormous impact she had on KCRW and the other radio stations.
Ruth did nothing conventionally and nothing she created was a reaction to anything. She created KCRW not to gain the most listeners or to win any awards but to be an intellectual force for arts, culture and smart ideas. She wanted to start the conversation, not just contribute to it.
Ruth had the highest artistic standards, which is why KCRW aired radio dramas like the 10-hour Babbitt and 30-hour Ulysses. She created Jewish Short Stories From Eastern Europe and Beyond in two audio collections that featured famous actors reading the work of Jewish authors like Sholem Aleichem, Philip Roth and Isaac Bashevis Singer. KCRW sold more of those collections than anything else in our history.
Ruth went to a newsstand every day and read articles from New York Times, word for word, on the air at noon because ordinary people couldn’t easily get that paper then. She discovered people who matched her intellect at dinners or parties and gave them on-air shows on journalism, literature, film, art, theater, travel, dance or music.
She said it best, “I wanted to do the program as an act of love and respect.”
When she came to KCRW in 1977, she found herself building the station in a junior high classroom right off the playground. Now KCRW could be heard across Los Angeles. Most powerfully, the radio format (总体安排) she created continues to be used by radio stations — news of the day, debates of ideas, art, artists, food, literature and film.
Outspoken and fearless women leaders were rare in the 1960s and 1970s — in fact, women couldn’t get credit cards apart from their husbands until 1974 — which is why her achievements are so singular.
1. Why did Ruth broadcast Ulysses and Babbitt?A.The listeners loved them. |
B.They were award-winning works. |
C.The authors were her friends. |
D.They were artistically important. |
A.Ruth’s widely-felt influence |
B.Ruth’s hard working conditions. |
C.Inspiration of Ruth’s programs. |
D.The variety of Ruth’s radio formats. |
A.Strange. | B.Reproducible. | C.Remarkable. | D.Lasting. |
A.By making comparisons. | B.By listing examples. |
C.By following time order. | D.By conducting surveys. |