1 . Down comforters (羽绒被) are frightening pieces to wash. They’re huge, expensive and filled with delicate material.
Start with a spot treatment. If you’re washing your comforter because it’s dirty, spot-treat it first. Most food and dirt spots should respond to regular washing agent. But for old or tough spots, soak the area and leave it overnight. Whichever remover (去污剂) you choose, please remember: “
Wash it at least twice.
Dry it well. Thoroughly drying your comforter helps ensure the down inside stays fluffy (蓬松的). You don’t want to cook the down with high heat and damage it, though.
A.Run it through the dryer |
B.Keep your comforter fresh |
C.Follow the directions on the bottle strictly |
D.But you can wash your comforter yourself |
E.Dry your comforter on low or medium heat |
F.Washing it many times may actually help you |
G.Confirm your comforter is machine washable first |
2 . My earliest reading memory takes me back to being five years old, sitting in my grandfather’s cozy study. He would read to me from his French-translated copy of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. I was so familiar with the stories that I could correct him word-for-word if he tried to change something.
Growing up, my favorite book was Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes. It was a treasure for an imaginative and lonely child like me. The book was filled with magical elements: a magical carousel, monsters, and the charming scent of autumn leaves lying in the sun. The language was as crisp and sweet as an October apple, awakening in me a deep passion for words and the magic they could bring out. I’ve reread it regularly and it never fails to satisfy me.
In my adult years, I revisited Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. When I first read it at 16, I perceived it as a love story. However, rereading it as an adult, I was struck by how different it seemed to me, and how much of the humour I’d missed. Now I love its poetry. And the love story not only exists between the characters but between Brontë and the North York Moors.
James Joyce’s Ulysses was a book I came back to after 40 years. Initially, at 15, I found it ugly, depressing, and dull, and I hated it. It took me four decades to return to it, and this time, I found myself understanding and beginning to appreciate it. I could see the details, the mythic parallels, the references to different writing styles, and the groundbreaking technique.
Though some exceptional books can develop and grow alongside us, others fall by the wayside. I’ve revisited so many childhood favourites only to find the magic gone, but I’m usually happy to leave the book behind. I’ve taken from it what I need.
1. What was the author’s earliest reading memory?A.Copying the stories of Rudyard Kipling. |
B.Reading Something Wicked This Way Comes. |
C.Studying Ulysses for writing styles. |
D.Listening to The Jungle Book in French. |
A.The complex plot. | B.The characters. |
C.The humour and poetry. | D.The love story. |
A.Remain unchanged over years. | B.Lose their original attraction. |
C.Gain widespread popularity. | D.Are left by the side of the road. |
A.The Changing Power of Reading |
B.The Development of Reading Taste |
C.The Lifelong Journey of Rereading Classics |
D.The Childhood Memories in Reading Habits |
3 . Quite often my mother would
One evening as I was setting the table, Marge, a neighbor woman,
“No, it’s all right,” replied my mother. “We’re not expecting company.”
“Well then,” said Marge with a(n)
“Because,” my mom answered, “I’ve prepared my family’s favorite meal. If you
“Well yes, but your beautiful china will get chips,” responded Marge.
“Oh well,” said Mom
Mom walked to the cupboard and
We all laughed. At that moment, I knew for sure that the china held for mother a number of love
A.beg | B.request | C.push | D.stop |
A.occurred | B.started | C.covered | D.exchanged |
A.remembered | B.admitted | C.questioned | D.observed |
A.settled down | B.came across | C.dropped by | D.passed on |
A.knocked | B.beat | C.lay | D.hit |
A.aiming | B.laughing | C.glaring | D.glancing |
A.company | B.delivery | C.cooks | D.strangers |
A.annoyed | B.puzzled | C.exhausted | D.depressed |
A.buy | B.set | C.polish | D.repair |
A.guest | B.neighbor | C.family | D.boss |
A.coolly | B.calmly | C.cautiously | D.casually |
A.mistake | B.trouble | C.debt | D.price |
A.turned in | B.tidied up | C.took down | D.threw away |
A.helpful | B.harmful | C.grateful | D.graceful |
A.accidents | B.stories | C.explanations | D.dishes |
4 . NYCRUNS Brooklyn Half Marathon
Join us on Sunday, April 28, 2024, for the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Half Marathon! Starting in North Brooklyn, the route offers stunning waterfront views and passes under the historic Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Brooklyn Bridges. Experience the vibrant streets of Brooklyn, from Fulton Street & Flatbush Avenue to the grandeur of Grand Army Plaza, and finish in Prospect Park.
Registration:
Fees for NYCRUNS members are $135 if registered by December 13th. Non-members pay $150. Register early to secure your spot in this unforgettable race! NYCRUNS members can enjoy a $10 discount on the registration fee. Additionally, up to 50% of the race fee can be covered using Race Credit.
Amenities:
NYCRUNS is known for putting on running events of the highest quality. After the race, celebrate your achievement with the official race shirt and an incredible medal with pride! When you finish, enjoy fresh Brooklyn bagels, NYS apples and more!
Awards:
Top finishers in various age groups will be recognized. Prize money will only be awarded to athletes who complete the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Half Marathon in a gun time faster than the qualifying time. Athletes may be subject to drug testing to ensure a fair and equal field.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Non-profits interested in group volunteering, please contact us.
Transportation:
Public transportation recommended.
Closest stations: L train to Bedford Avenue, G train to Metropolitan Avenue.
Register today and be a part of this unforgettable Brooklyn experience!
1. What is the starting point of the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Half Marathon?A.Prospect Park. | B.North Brooklyn. |
C.Williamsburg Bridge. | D.Manhattan Bridge. |
A.$75. | B.$135. | C.$150. | D.$200. |
A.A shirt and a finisher’s medal. | B.Prize money based on the age. |
C.Free transportation services. | D.A gift from NYS Apple Stores. |
5 . As I write this, a Bob Seger song is stuck in my head. It’s been playing on repeat ever since I heard it in a movie. I hated it a lot when it first came out years ago, and I still really hate it now. Why, oh why, does an earworm happen? This phenomenon, known as an earworm, is both fascinating and annoying. Earworms are a type of auditory imagery, where we perceive a tone without actually hearing it. When a familiar song is heard and suddenly stopped, some areas of the brain become overly activated in expectation of hearing the rest of the song, and then it fills in the missing pieces.
Anyone can experience earworms, but certain personality characteristics, like openness to experience, may increase their frequency. You may have seen a popular TikTok recently of a guy saying earworms aren’t normal but are instead symptoms of ADHD (多动症) or OCD (强迫症). That’s generally not the case. “It is entirely normal to experience earworms: Over 90% of participants in large-scale surveys report having had earworms at least once a week, and they are not a symptom of any other underlying mental condition,” says Jakubowski. Interestingly, earworms aren’t all bad. Research indicates that they can enhance our ability to recall past events, as the repetitive nature of the song strengthens our memory.
There are several strategies to get rid of earworms. Listening to the entire song can help resolve the unfinished loop. Alternatively, distracting yourself with another melody or engaging in activities that require focus can also be effective. Chewing gum or eating something crunchy may interrupt the song playing in your head. Despite these strategies, sometimes the best approach is to simply accept the presence of the earworm and let it fade away naturally. In my case, trying to actively rid myself of the song only made it more persistent. It seems patience is key when dealing with these stubborn musical guests in our minds.
1. What is an earworm?A.A type of insect that affects hearing. | B.A song that gets stuck in your head. |
C.A medical condition related to the ears. | D.An element missing in a song. |
A.They cannot be controlled or stopped. | B.They indicate underlying illness. |
C.They only occur in certain individuals. | D.They are normal phenomena. |
A.To enhance memory recall of earlier incidents. |
B.To increase musical creativity and imagination. |
C.To expand openness to new experiences. |
D.To improve focus and concentration. |
A.Concerned and worried. | B.Scientific but negative. |
C.Annoyed but accepting. | D.Excited and fascinated. |
A Cheating Incident
Raj looked into the teacher’s stony face as she raised an eyebrow. With his forehead bathed in sweat, he attempted to hide the book beneath his desk, but in vain. The watchful teacher had already caught sight of his behavior. She swiftly snatched the book away and ordered him to stand till the time was up, a period that seemed to stretch endlessly.
To Raj’s regret and disappointment, he had forgotten to study for the important quiz. It was CAI, the crucial stage of his academic year, and Raj was having his Science paper. He closed his eyes as he tried to recall. Then, it dawned on him. A week earlier, his Science teacher had clearly informed the class, “Next week, we’ll be having a quiz focusing on Interactions and Matter. Make sure you study these topics thoroughly.” Raj blamed himself for letting such vital information slip his mind among the chaos of daily school life.
With the clock ticking, he was briefly glancing through the pages of his textbook, desperately trying to absorb any last-minute knowledge before the quiz began. However, just as he was doing so, the teacher severely instructed everyone to pack away everything except their pencil cases. Raj let out a low sigh, despair settling heavily in his chest.
As the teacher handed out the papers, he felt nervous and his hands grew icy and slick with sweat, showing his anxiety. Drops of sweat stood out on his forehead as he tried to focus. Thoughts of being a failure ran through his mind. He moved his body from side to side in his seat as he thought of the notes he had secretly hidden in his pencil case.
Finally, the teacher announced, “Class, the time is 10: 00 a. m. We will stop at 11: 00a. m. sharp. You may begin, now.” The noise of flurrying papers was heard as students attentively turned to the first page. Raj rapidly filled out the multiple-choice section without much consideration, his heart pounding faster with each tick of the clock.
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。
When he came to the open-ended questions, he sighed desperately from the bottom of his heart.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Once the time was up, the teacher took him to the headmaster’s office.
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Maze Fist, also known as Mi Zhong Quan, is a traditional martial art from China. It
Maze Fist masters use complex footwork
Deeply
8 . Marva Collins’ journey as a teacher began in the 1960s, when she was assigned to teach at a public school in Chicago. At the time, the school was plagued (困扰) by violence, low academic standards, and a
Despite these
Collins also
Collins’ impact on education was recognized by educators across the world, and she was
A.variety | B.lack | C.combination | D.network |
A.acknowledged | B.employed | C.recommended | D.labeled |
A.challenges | B.prejudices | C.differences | D.doubts |
A.stood up | B.ran away | C.set out | D.went on |
A.learning | B.joking | C.listening | D.singing |
A.unusual | B.mysterious | C.convenient | D.effective |
A.expressed | B.graduated | C.weighed | D.scored |
A.attend | B.apply | C.pursue | D.witness |
A.admitted | B.emphasized | C.assumed | D.indicated |
A.allowed | B.commanded | C.encouraged | D.warned |
A.accordingly | B.generously | C.literally | D.randomly |
A.advised | B.permitted | C.invited | D.persuaded |
A.honesty | B.discipline | C.motivation | D.success |
A.wisdom | B.training | C.delight | D.belief |
A.demands | B.struggles | C.continues | D.promises |
9 . Want to know your true self? Here are 4 useful strategies of self-discovery to use.
Listen to praises and absorb them.
If you have a tendency to brush off praises, stop! Knowing your own strengths is a foundation of self-confidence.
Notice what you are thinking.
Just be mindful of the thoughts that arise on a minute-by-minute basis.
It is the ability to see a hard problem as a challenge rather than a stress. When you don’t have to be perfect, you can accept your mistakes, which could lead to a potential learning experience and help you figure out what you could do differently the next time.
Listen to other people, but make and live by your own decisions.
Only you know what is best for you in the long run. When you make your own decisions—however they tun out, you pave the way for self-knowledge.
Practice courage.
You may know yourself, but can you be yourself? Example: Someone is critical of something you did and yells at you.
A.You can defend yourself. |
B.Become friends with your mistakes. |
C.Become a person taking in the good. |
D.Develop a healthy suspect of “shoulds.” |
E.They can guide you toward a better understanding of yourself. |
F.Keep a journal or take time to reflect. |
G.Surround yourself with good people who accept you. |
10 . Jennifer Destefano answered a call from a number she did not recognize. “Mom, I messed up,” her daughter’s voice told her, crying. “These bad men have me.” A man proceeded to demand money, or he would drug her daughter and leave her in Mexico. But while she kept him on the phone, friends managed to reach her daughter, only to discover that she was, in fact, free and well on a skiing trip in Arizona. The voice used on the phone was a fake.
Voice cloning’s influences will be huge. For several years, customers have been able to identify themselves over the phone to their bank and other companies using their voice. Not even a gifted mimic(巧于模仿的人) could fool the detection system. But the arrival of cloning will force adaptation in order to prevent cheating.
Creative industries could face the impact too. Voice actors’ skills, trained over a lifetime, can be copied in a matter of seconds. But some actors may, in fact. find cloning congenial. Val Kilmer, who has lost much of his voice to throat cancer, was delighted to have his voice restored for “Top Gun: Maverick”.
Another industry that will have to come to cope with the rise of clones is journalism. Now who will trust a story based on an audio clip(片段)? Slightly easier to manage might be the false positives: recordings claiming to be someone but which are fakes. The opposite problem—the false negatives—will arise when public figures deny authentic recordings. Proving that a clip is genuine is bard, perhaps even impossible. Journalists will need to show how they obtained and stored audio files.
The term “fake news” had existed long before voice cloning. Now, ever more people caught in a crime are likely to defend themselves. “It wasn’t me. ” And many people will have even more reason to believe them.
1. What does Jennifer Destefano’s experience indicate?A.The high frequency of fake news. | B.The rising crime rate in Mexico. |
C.The danger of voice-cloning technology. | D.The value of bravery in an emergency. |
A.Illegal. | B.Ridiculous. | C.Horrible. | D.Agreeable. |
A.Late Beetles’ songs have been restored by voice cloning. |
B.A pop star declares an authentic recording untrue. |
C.Journalists prove their reports with audio clips. |
D.The police identify a criminal through voice. |
A.Voice cloning is increasingly used in journalism |
B.Voice cloning is challenging our traditional ideas |
C.Voice cloning is impacting different aspects of our life |
D.Voice cloning is re-establishing life styles for the better |