1 . We all have memories of what our fathers enjoyed, and all the fun we had with him: travelling, reading, or exploring the neighborhood hiking trail. Each of us has treasured stories and memories of times with dad.
The charm of storytelling,the fun of traveling, the immersion in a book...these are the gifts of a lifetime my father helped me unwrap.
My father, turning 75 this year, is still a storyteller, but his exploration of the world has turned virtual. Like almost all children, I spent my twenties walking away from his stories since I was always “occupied with my work.”
Have you ever put your ear to a seashell and heard the waves whooshing in there? On the outside, it is a hard shell — pitted, untidily edged and boldly patterned.
A.I am no exception. |
B.A father brings the world to us. |
C.In some ways, this describes fathers. |
D.However, a father can sometimes be hard on us. |
E.Inside are some valuable contents that should be treasured. |
F.Now older and wiser, I restarted listening attentively to his tales. |
G.As I look back on my childhood, I see loads of books and miles of travel. |
2 . Scientists have discovered how plants manage to live alongside each other in places that are dark and shady. Plants in the deep darkness of a thick forest, where natural supplies are not very great in amount, won’t attempt to top their neighbors in growth as those in moderate (中度的) shade do. In deep shade conditions, it would be a waste of energy and harmful to survival because green shoots would never be able to top their larger neighbors in growth.
So how do plants prevent such growth in deep shade conditions? The secret lies in the clocks insides them, say scientists from the John Ines Centre and the University of Bristol.
They have discovered that when plants notice deep shade, this changes the expression of genes parts of the circadian clock (昼夜节律时钟) — the inner daily timer found in plants and other things. These clock parts perform an additional role in preventing plants from lengthening and overtopping neighbors.
The work identifies a previously unknown role of the circadian clock in controlling plant development and the findings may have possible effects on both natural plant populations and crops. Professor Antony Dodd of the John Innes Centre said, “The biological clock of plants plays a big part in their development and fitness. This work casts new light on a new role of the circadian clock in adapting plants to competition with other plants in their environments.” “It also gives us new insights into how plants adapt to very deep shade, where resources are very limited,” said Professor Kerry Franklin at the University of Bristol.
This work provides evidence for the firmness of the circadian clock in stressful environments, and information that may be useful in developing new generations of crops in a challenging climate.
1. What do plants normally do in moderate shade?A.Struggle to preserve energy. | B.Compete for limited resources. |
C.Try to outgrow their neighbors. | D.Depend on each other to survive. |
A.By changing their gene expression. | B.By making them realize light change. |
C.By helping them adapt to the darkness. | D.By controlling their growth in deep shade. |
A.To share a new discovery about plants. | B.To introduce the role of the circadian clock. |
C.To explain plants secret of living in forests. | D.To compare plants living in certain condition. |
A.How plants face a challenging climate |
B.Why plants respond to different shade levels |
C.Why the circadian clock is vital to plants' growth |
D.How plants become good neighbors in times of stress |
3 . Most Famous Paintings in the World
Among the millions of paintings that are created and shown in galleries and museums all around the world, a very small number of them go beyond time and make history. Below are some examples.
The Persistence of Memory — Salvador Dali. Painted in 1931, The Persistence of Memory is one of the most recognizable pieces in art history. This work is known to make people reflect on their way of life and the way they spend their time, and it is also thought that Albert Einstein’s well-known Theory of Relativity gave Dali the idea for this wonderful painting.
Girl with a Pearl Earring — Johannes Vermeer. Considered by many to be “the Dutch Mona Lisa”, this beautiful painting features an unnamed young woman looking over her shoulder to stare directly at the viewer. It was completed in 1665 and is exhibited in the Mauritshuis in The Hague, the Netherlands.
Guernica — Pablo Picasso. The famous painting by Picasso was completed in 1937. It was painted in Paris following the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. The painting is on permanent display in the Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid, Spain.
Starry Night — Vincent van Gogh. Painted in 1889, Starry Night is one of the most famous paintings in modern culture, which is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. It is based on van Gogh’s direct observations as well as his imagination, memories, and emotions and was the inspiration for the song Vincent (also known as Starry, Starry Night).
1. What do we know about The Persistence of Memory?A.It was finished in the 1920s. | B.It centers on people’s lifestyle. |
C.It reflects the painter’s memories. | D.It may be inspired by a famous theory. |
A.The Persistence of Memory. | B.Starry Night. |
C.Girl with a Pearl Earring. | D.Guernica. |
A.They are everlasting artworks. | B.They share the similar theme. |
C.They are on permanent display. | D.They give ideas for music creation. |
4 . How to Stop Spam Calls for Good
If you made a list of the little things that bothered you the most, phone call scams would no doubt be at the top. Telemarketers, or more often, automated robot-callers, have tricks for interrupting you at the worst possible moment.
Fact is that robot-callers are never going to stop trying to reach you. Their schemes bring in hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of dollars annually. And unfortunately, older people are more likely to fall prey to these scams.
Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry
Your first move: Join the Federal Trade Commission’s National Do Not Call Registry. You can get on the list by calling 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you want to register.
Use spam-filtering apps and tech
You probably know that a caller who insists you owe money to the IRS or says you’ll be arrested if you don’t settle a debt is a scammer. But your 10-year-old kid and your older parents and grandparents may be tricked. And remember: Knowing how to stop spam calls is just one step toward avoiding scams; don’t forget to explain how to stop spam texts to your loved ones, too.
A.Warn family members |
B.Report to the police at once |
C.Follow these steps to pull the plug on them once and for all. |
D.If you have multiple numbers to input, register them at DoNotCall. gov. |
E.Spam calls can reach you anytime and anywhere when you use your smartphone. |
F.They’re annoying, but that’s not the only reason you should know how to stop spam calls. |
G.The National Do Not Call Registry will prevent a lot of unwanted calls, but it won’t stop all of them. |
5 . When I was growing up in Minnesota, Joe Versus the Volcano was one of my favorite movies. I
I had come
It wasn’t long before the airlines canceled all flights. When
For two days, I wandered
Like the people of La Palma, I
As I finally left, I realized how
A.seemed | B.pretended | C.refused | D.longed |
A.recording | B.checking | C.reporting | D.focusing |
A.guessed | B.realized | C.agreed | D.imagined |
A.excited | B.disappointed | C.prepared | D.confused |
A.rock | B.ash | C.lava | D.smoke |
A.covering | B.blocking | C.breaking | D.destroying |
A.managers | B.actors | C.tourists | D.residents |
A.driven | B.forgot | C.cleaned | D.missed |
A.broad | B.beautiful | C.empty | D.crowded |
A.panicked | B.satisfied | C.relaxed | D.inspired |
A.ability | B.chance | C.talent | D.right |
A.studying | B.noticing | C.writing | D.experiencing |
A.relied on | B.appealed to | C.dealt with | D.believed in |
A.lent | B.gave | C.sent | D.sold |
A.upset | B.smart | C.anxious | D.grateful |
6 . Most young people are always on their phones, which may upset many people.
Each teen spent at least an hour of one-on-one time with their oldsters. Based on their
Some of the oldsters actually wanted to take part in e-commerce (电子商务), and needed help to
In addition to arranging group lessons for all of the seniors to
The eighth graders earned their “Silver Award,, for their job. After experiencing the
A.Otherwise | B.Therefore | C.However | D.Besides |
A.service | B.praise | C.invitation | D.donation |
A.keep | B.untie | C.share | D.unlock |
A.technological | B.medical | C.psychological | D.physical |
A.record | B.teach | C.recall | D.investigate |
A.get back | B.set up | C.check out | D.pay off |
A.patience | B.luck | C.fun | D.trouble |
A.write | B.phone | C.text | D.read |
A.sweet | B.simple | C.rare | D.common |
A.play | B.live | C.talk | D.review |
A.amazed | B.experienced | C.confused | D.respected |
A.success | B.arrangement | C.change | D.pressure |
A.performances | B.clinics | C.clubs | D.competitions |
A.organized | B.managed | C.visited | D.funded |
A.needed | B.refused | C.enjoyed | D.deserved |
Some inventors have developed a face mask with a remote-controlled mouth. Many people, who thought it can effectively protect them
The new masks would
8 . Simple Tips to Increase Self-Confidence
Having confidence begins with having a mind full of confident thoughts. A mind is controlled by you, therefore believing only the things that will bring you things you desire. Almost anyone in the world can have confidence.
Set goals
It’s a great idea to keep a “Goals Book” and every time something enters your mind you’d like to achieve, list it in the book. Soon you’ll see a pattern among all your goals.
People usually can’t tell you how you should live your life when it’s just an expression of their own shortcomings. Don’ allow the shortcomings of others to affect your life negatively. No one but you knows your interests and ambitions. Work in the direction of your true loves and ignore everything that enters your mind going against your own desires.
Challenge your beliefs
Get started
Don’t expect changes right away and have patience in knowing that it takes time to be the person you wish to be. The wonderful thing about becoming a more self-confident person is that little benefits start taking shape almost immediately.
As you achieve confidence, and find little moments of confidence coming closer and closer, all the things you desire will come to you easier than you ever imagined.
A.Follow your heart |
B.They keep coming one after the other |
C.Believe in a power greater than yourself |
D.When you make conclusions about your goals |
E.If you maintain a confident position long enough |
F.And, it is entirely easier than you may have once believed |
G.Examine all of your beliefs and determine if they are in line with the life you desire |
9 . On a sunny afternoon, Andreas Fath climbed out of a river in Paducah. A small crowd was on hand to witness his setting a new world record. This man had just finished swimming the entire length of the Tennessee River—1,049 kilometers. And he did it in just 34 days!
As a chemist from Hochshule Furtwangen University, the 52-year-old man had taken on this swim for science. His primary goal was not to get his name into Guinness World Records. What really drove this swim was a desire to make people aware of the seriousness of water pollution.
Fath’s crew included his family. Martin Knoll, who helped organize Fath’s swim, also took par t. Knoll is an environmental scientist at the University of the South. He describes this swim as a vehicle for getting people interested in water quality and how we pollute water without realizing it.
It took Fath 34 days to swim the river’s length. Along the way, his crew took measurements of the water’s temperature and pH. They also recorded weather and the speed of the river’s currents (涌流). As for the Tennessee River, they collected daily water samples. A small plastic device attached to one leg of Fath’s wet suit sampled the chemical pollutants (污染物) through which he swam. Finally, Fath’s goal is to use such data to know what on earth results in water pollution. Then he wants to find ways to keep those chemicals out of the water.
Back in Germany, Fath and his students have finished examining their data. They plan to publish their findings soon. Identifying materials that hide in the river isn’t only important for the animals that live there. “It’s also a way to protect human health,” says Fath.
1. What was the main purpose of Andreas Fath’s long swim?A.To make history. | B.To set a new world record. |
C.To bring attention to water pollution. | D.To provide inspiration for scientific research. |
A.It was tiring. | B.It was painful. | C.It was interesting. | D.It was meaningful. |
A.To identify the sources of pollution. | B.To learn a lot more about the currents. |
C.To know chemicals’ effects on water. | D.To get pollutants removed from the water. |
A.Analyze the collected data. | B.Get the findings published. |
C.Study how to improve health. | D.Identify materials in other rivers. |
10 . Bill worked as a fireman for 17 years. He’s been proud of his bravery in risking his life to
Bill’s wife Daisy
After several months, Daisy was suddenly woken up by Coco’s
“He’s always there watching me, helping me,
A.find | B.save | C.cure | D.guide |
A.devoted | B.adapted | C.exposed | D.attracted |
A.strength | B.intelligence | C.skills | D.devices |
A.remembered | B.feared | C.predicted | D.agreed |
A.toy | B.box | C.pig | D.dog |
A.enter | B.purchase | C.desert | D.choose |
A.show | B.performance | C.sale | D.adoption |
A.lay | B.barked | C.emerged | D.fled |
A.laughter | B.tears | C.cry | D.anger |
A.broken | B.panicked | C.moved | D.delighted |
A.better | B.worse | C.wrong | D.right |
A.common | B.only | C.regular | D.frequent |
A.at peace | B.at work | C.in place | D.in danger |
A.making sure | B.turning out | C.determining | D.doubting |
A.seldom | B.never | C.hardly | D.ever |