I had a secret. I had been considering the decision for some time, but hadn’t discussed it with anyone. As an English Language Arts teacher in my fourth year, I had to leave my beloved profession.
I kept praying for a sign to stay, but my father was very ill and needed someone to take care of him. Although many students liked my class and I had received hundreds of letters from former students appreciating my influence on their lives, I still made this difficult decision.
It was nearing the end of what I had come to think of as my last year. A senior named Lyric, who was my assistant, asked if I could meet him and another student named Ari for dinner to discuss how to prepare for college. I agreed but didn’t think anything of it.
It was on a Saturday evening and my schedule for that day was already packed. I attended an academic conference that morning and then spent the next four hours at the boys’ basketball game where I was the assistant coach of the school team. By the time the game ended, I had about an hour to get to the dinner. I was so tired that I almost called Lyric to re-schedule. But I had promised, so I got in my car and headed to the restaurant.
As I was walking up to the restaurant, I saw Lyric, Ari, and Sal, another former student, all dressed up. I asked Lyric, “Why are you guys so dressed up?” He responded, “Follow us and you’ll see. “The three of them led me to the outside patio (露台) where there was a long table full of some forty students. They had decorated the patio with fairy lights and flowers, and the table was adorned (装饰) with a beautiful tablecloth and candles. They had even prepared my favorite dishes and drinks!
注意:
1.续写词数应为150左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Paragraph1
When they saw me, they all stood up and started clapping.
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Paragraph2
A week later, I was voted Teacher of the Year.
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2 . When reading, my mother likes to slice a paragraph or a sentence out and attach it to the wall of her kitchen. She picks boring sentences that puzzle me. But I prefer copying favorite bright lines into a journal in soft, gray No. 2 pencil, word by word.
She doesn’t know any of this. There's nothing shocking: for our chatting. we seldom begin certain conversations though we talk on the phone weekly, sometimes making each other laugh so hard that I choke and she cries. But what we don't say could fill up rooms. Fights with my father. Small failures in school. Anything that really upsets us.
My mother has never told me “I love you, Lisa.”—as if the four-word absence explains who I am—so I carry it with me, like a label on me. The last time she almost spoke the words was two years ago, when she called to tell me a friend had been in hospital. I said, “I love you, Mom.” She stopped for a while and then said, “Thank you.” I haven't said it since, but I've wondered why my mother doesn't until I've found a poem that supplies words for the blank spaces I try to understand in our conversations:
Don’t fill up on bread. I say absent-mindedly. The servings here are huge.
My son, middle-aged, says: Did you really just say that to me?
What he doesn’t know is that when we’re walking together, I desire to reach for his hand.
It's humble, yet heartbreaking. After copying it down in my journal, I emailed it to mom, adding “This poem makes me think of you.” My mother doesn’t read poetry—or at least, she doesn’t tell me, and I felt nervous clicking “Send”.
She never mentioned the poem. But the next time I went home for vacation, I noticed something new in the kitchen fixed to an antique board: the poem. The board hung above the heater, the warmest spot in the kitchen. The poem still hangs there. Neither my mother nor I have ever spoken about it.
1. What's the function of paragraph 1?A.To stress the theme. | B.To establish the setting. |
C.To represent the characters. | D.To create the atmosphere. |
A.Shaky. | B.Distant. | C.Reserved. | D.Intense. |
A.It reminded her of mom's love. |
B.She wanted to apologize to mom. |
C.It suited mom's taste of literature. |
D.She needed an interpretation from mom. |
A.A memory of golden days. |
B.Daughter’s gratefulness to her. |
C.A decoration in the plain kitchen. |
D.Daughter's understanding of her. |
3 . I’ve been in an 18-year love-hate relationship with a black walnut tree.
It’s a unique tree. In late September or early October, falling fruits as hard as baseballs threaten the skulls (头骨) of you, your children, your neighbors and those that reside next door to them. Umbrellas in the yard are a must while dining in early August, and as for me, I wear my bike helmet while working in the garden.
The black walnut also releases a chemical substance through its roots as a competitive strategy. It’s poisonous to several common plants. There have been many new plant varieties that I brought home with hopes that maybe the black walnut would accept them, but they failed to flourish.
What does work are native plants that naturally grow in the area. Native plants are important to have around since they provide beneficial pollinators (传粉者) like birds, bees and butterflies with seeds and contribute to a healthy and biodiverse environment. Native plants for this area are generally easy to grow, so they experience less stress.
Have I thought of getting rid of this giant pain in my tiny backyard? Yes, however, getting rid of this tree standing at 50 feet with an 87-inch trunk is next to impossible. It’s also protected under the law. Rightfully so. Trees are important to the urban forest and for all of those that inhabit it.
Sometimes I think about my life without the black walnut. I can’t imagine a spring without the birds who arrive every year and loudly sing their songs before dawn. I’d miss falling asleep on lazy weekend afternoons as I look up into its leaves.
Every spring, I wonder what the season holds: What are the chances of being knocked unconscious while barbecuing? Like any good relationship, I’ll never be pleased. I’m stuck with this tree, so I’ll listen to its needs and give it the space it requires. In return, my walnut offers a habitat for wildlife and a reminder.
1. Why does the author wear a bike helmet while working in the garden?A.To protect the injured skull. | B.To prevent herself from sunburn. |
C.To avoid being hit by the nuts. | D.To reduce the chance of getting bitten by bees. |
A.It attracts beneficial pollinators. |
B.It lets out poison to drive away pests. |
C.It produces a chemical fatal to some plants. |
D.It competes for nutrition with similar species. |
A.The volume of its fruits may bring inconvenience. |
B.The tree outcompetes the native plants in the garden. |
C.The tree is home to numerous birds and other creatures. |
D.The presence of the tree takes up much space of the garden. |
A.it’s better to give than to take |
B.trees and plants have their own ways to flourish |
C.even a good relationship is not always trouble-free |
D.acceptance, instead of resistance, is the better way to be |
4 . Non-Credit Courses
The Pre-College Program offers non-credit courses. Students will experience college-level courses given by some of our college’s leading experts and will receive written feedback (反馈) on their work at the end of the course. Pre-College students will also receive a grade of Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory and a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the program.
All non-credit courses meet from 9:00 a. m.-11:30 a. m. daily and may have additional requirements in the afternoons or evenings.
COURSE: Case Studies in Neuroscience
·June 11— July 2
·Leah Roesch
Using student-centered, active-learning methods and real-world examples, this course is designed to provide a fuller understanding of how the human brain works.
COURSE: Psychology of Creativity
·June 15—June 28
·Marshall Duke
Why are certain people so creative? Is it genetic (遗传的), or a result of childhood experience? Are they different from everyone else? This popular psychology course highlights the different theories of creativity.
COURSE: Creative Storytelling
·June 21 — July 3
·Edith Freni
This college-level course in creative storytelling functions as an introduction to a variety of storytelling techniques that appear in different forms of creative writing, such as short fiction and playwriting.
COURSE: Sports Economics
·July 19 — August 1
·Christina DePasquale
In this course we will analyze many interesting aspects of the sports industry: sports leagues, ticket pricing, salary negotiations, discrimination, and NCAA policies to name a few.
1. Who is the text intended for?A.The general public. | B.College freshmen. |
C.Educational experts. | D.High school students. |
A.Sports Economics. | B.Creative Storytelling. |
C.Psychology of Creativity. | D.Case Studies in Neuroscience. |
A.Leah Roesch’s. | B.Edith Freni’s. |
C.Marshall Duke’s. | D.Christina DePasquale’s. |
5 . Humanities departments(人文院系)in America are once again being cut down. Earlier this month, the State University of New York(SUNY)StonyBrook announced a plan to abandon several of the college’s well-known departments for lack of fund. The University of Pittsburgh has cut its German and classics.
These are hard times. Instead of Shakespeare or French, there will be(perhaps there already are)college classes in how to cut corporate spending.
I don’t believe that the humanities can make you a decent person.
A.These subjects are under attack |
B.Students need practical skills to find jobs |
C.Defenses of the humanities have appeared |
D.This problem has also arisen internationally |
E.Therefore, courses in the humanities are beneficial |
F.It helps us learn how to think and live in a harmonious society |
G.But they can expand our sense of what humans can accomplish and create |
6 . Virtually, there is nothing that man cannot do. Only what he has to do is keep doing and doing without being discouraged. Success will come someday or other, though it may apparently be the conception about something that it cannot be done.
What the world-famous scientist Sir Isaac Newton had done by twelve years’ constant hard work was burnt out by his pet dog. But that could not discourage him a little.
All the great men in history have written their names in golden letters by means of perseverance.
A.Every action has its reaction. |
B.It is a unique precondition to success in life. |
C.In human life, perseverance plays a very important role. |
D.Their success will always remain as perfect examples to us. |
E.Columbus has left us an adventurous story of perseverance. |
F.The task that is easily done at the first attempt is undoubtedly very easy. |
G.He was able to do it again through years of hard work and perseverance. |
7 . The Rise of “China-chic”
Over past years, guochao, or “China-chic” has been gaining popularity among Chinese consumers. Guochao conveys the cultural heritage and values of China.
The idea of guochao was first borrowed from some international brands, and began to win over Chinese consumers in 2015.
In its third stage, guochao became more common in everyday life. Over the past decade, guochao has expanded from consumer goods to experiential products. As consumers are showing greater interest in cultural identity and creativity, productions like the TV program National Treasure, and the dance show Night Banquet in Tang Dynasty Palace integrate cultural and historical elements with the latest audio-visual technologies.
Nowadays, guochao is moving to the next stage. No matter how the trend evolves, Chinese people’s positive attitude toward the country’s development and their recognition of and growing confidence in national culture won’t change.
A.The trend grew in the following years |
B.They give the viewers a totally new experience |
C.The next stage saw the rise of China’s native fashion trends |
D.It also expresses national pride and confidence in a new era |
E.The second period of guochao mainly features hi-tech sectors |
F.Its success will rely first and foremost on gaining cultural confidence |
G.The concept of “Made in China” was recognized as the representation of Chinese culture |
8 . On an extremely cold December night, fire trucks arrived in the sleepy little town of Manton, Michigan and shot to Chittle’s home. Was it because of a fire or a child climbing too high to a dangerous place? Rather, it was for helping make a dream come true.
Outdoor activities and a slow pace of life are a mainstay in this rural town. When people were unable to leave the community, Scott Chittle decided they needed a safe place to come together and something joyful during the winter months. And what is a better outdoor activity to get people outside than ice skating?
To fulfil his dream, Chittle downloaded instructions on how to build an ice rink and then ordered a 3,000 square foot waterproof cloth and some wood to create walls online. It took 12 fire trucks to get enough water to fill the plot.
It took a little time and some neighborly persuasion as Chittle went door to door to convince people to come to see his creation, and soon Chittle’s backyard ice rink became a Manton hot spot. Children were skating and shooting, a fire was burning, and hot chocolate was steaming in to-go cups. “When things were tough, it was a place,” says Chittle’s neighbor Audrey Hooker. “It was fantastic because we just came together and became calm and happy instead of concerned.”
But the goodwill didn’t stop with Chittle. When the community heard how much money he used to make this project happen, everyone stepped forward. A fundraiser brought in about $1,300, and letters flooded to Chittle’s home stuffed with cash. “Almost 30 complete strangers knocked on my door to just shake my hand and say thank you, most of them handing me money as well and three asking for a hug,” says Chittle. “This has been a community thing. It’s more than me. I want to show the rest of the world what a little effort and the best intentions can do.”
1. Why did fire trucks come to Manton?A.To deal with an emergency. | B.To send water to the community. |
C.To ensure people’s safety in the town. | D.To help with Chittle building the ice rink. |
A.Persuade his neighbors to make donations. | B.Purchase a piece of land behind his house. |
C.Turn to the Internet for tips and materials. | D.Research the popular lifestyles in Manton. |
A.It made the community popular in Mantan. | B.It slowed down the pace of the residents’ life. |
C.It offered people there comfort and company. | D.It inspired the residents to do outdoor activities. |
A.Everyone could make a difference to society. | B.Chittle received acts of kindness from others. |
C.The community got better due to the ice rink. | D.Chittle had goodwill to the whole community. |
9 . Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) recently announced that they have figured out how to engineer a biofilm (生物膜) that harvests the energy in evaporation (蒸发) and changes it to electricity. This biofilm, which was announced in Nature Communications, has the potential to revolutionize the world of wearable electronics, powering everything from personal medical sensors to personal electronics.
“This is a very exciting technology, says Liu Xiaomeng, a graduate student in electrical and computer engineering in UMass Amherst’s College of Engineering and the paper’s lead author. “It generates real green energy, and unlike other so-called ‘green-energy’ sources, its production is totally green.”
That is because this biofilm—which is a sheet of bacterial cells and as thin as a sheet of paper—is produced naturally by an engineered version of the bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens. G sulfurreducens is known to produce electricity and has been used previously in “microbial batteries” to power electrical equipment. But such batteries require that G sulfurreducens be properly cared for and fed a constant diet. By contrast, this new biofilm, which can supply as much energy as a comparably sized battery, works continuously, because it is dead. And because it is dead, it doesn’t need to be fed.
The secret behind this new biofilm is that it makes energy from the moisture (水分) on your skin. While we daily read stories about solar power, at least 50% of the solar energy reaching the earth goes toward evaporating water. “This is a huge, undiscovered source of energy,” says Yao Jun, professor of electrical and computer engineering at UMass Amherst, and the paper’s one senior author. Since the surface of our skin is constantly moist with sweat, the biofilm can “plug into” it and change the energy locked in evaporation into sufficient energy to power small equipment. “Our next step is to increase the size of our film to power more intelligent wearable electronics,” says Yao, and Liu points out that one of the goals is to power entire electronic systems, rather than single equipment.
1. Which of the following can biofilm do according to the first paragraph?A.Update wearable electronics. | B.Get power from evaporation. |
C.Supply energy to microbial batteries. | D.Transform the way of generating electricity. |
A.It is comparatively thinner. | B.It is environmentally friendly. |
C.It adopts a rare energy source. | D.It decreases the cost in usage. |
A.By interacting with solar power. | B.By making electricity out of sweat. |
C.By gaining energy from electronic system. | D.By employing water to generate electricity. |
A.Intelligent. | B.Flexible. | C.Delicate. | D.Promising. |
1. 表达问候;
2. 写信目的;
3. 期待回复。
注意:1. 词数100左右;
2. 可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。