It was a dark and stormy night. The ferocious wind shook the windows wildly, as though someone outside were beating on the glass. It was also New Year’s Eve. We were having our annual party and had a house full of people just starting to celebrate.
Suddenly, we heard loud explosions. Looking outside and up into the hills, we saw sparks (火花) flying from electrical transformers (变压器). One area after another went dark up in those hills. Then there was the loudest explosion of them all and our house went dark too. I tried to find every candle we had and lit them. The candles made everything look lovely. But we had problems. We had fifteen people standing around and we still had to cook dinner. How would we do that without electricity? The barbecue! Why not cook on the barbecue? We men went outside, some holding flashlights and others cooking. We did a wonderful job. The women stayed inside and got the salads ready. Everything was delicious. There were still a few hours to go before the beginning of the new year, so we all sat around the dining room table and sang up until a few minutes before midnight. We couldn’t watch the ball drop in Times Square on television but that wouldn’t stop us from celebrating. I stood on a chair and, with the help of someone’s watch to tell us the time, we all counted down and I dropped a tennis ball! We all screamed Happy New Year. We didn’t need electricity for that!
Nowadays, we still get together with the same group to celebrate the New Year and we still talk about that special night. I don’t think we have ever laughed so much as we did on that New Year’s Eve.
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注意：词数不少于60。
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注意： 词数不少于60。
提示词：3D打印机 3D printer
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Social media can be a convenient way to extend your network, staying in touch with your grandma, or sharing photos of your new puppy. Nevertheless, social media can be temible for your health. It’s our use of it that’s out of control.
British anthropologist and evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar developed the idea that 150 people is the maximum number of meaningful connections anyone can have. You may have 800 friends on Wechat, but we’re not connecting with them in person. Your QQ connections may be vast, but how many of them do you have meaningful interactions with?
If you’re using social media to feel more connected, a recent study published in the American Joumal of Health Promotion suggests that it’s not working, and it an also contribute to unfavorable connections and even depression. Positive interactions on social media don’t help people feel happier. Negative interactions, on the other hand, bring more feelings of sadness. The same goes for comparison, which social media encourages. Another study, published by the American Psychological Association, shows comparing yourself to others via social media also has negative effects, leading to symptoms of depression.
Reaching for your cell phone as a mental break is also a bad idea. Research by Rutgers University compared participants in the midst of completing a task who took a break with their cell phones, with paper and pencils, and who took no break at all. Those who used their cell phones during their break solved 22% fewer problems and took 19% longer to complete their tasks than those under the other two conditions.
So how should you manage your social media usage?
First, know your time and purposes of use. Use the tracking function on your device to find out how much you’re using it and what you’re using it for. After this, get away from your device unless you have to use it. As tough as it might be, turn off and tune into the world around you.
Then, be in charge of your device, rather than let it be in charge of you. Your phone s rings or vibrations don’t mean you must respond to them. Remind yourself that you’re in charge, not your device or the people on the other end of it who’ve just contacted you.
Finally, consider using your device as a relationship builder. Use your apps to find your friends and make your dinner reservation so you can catch up face-to-face your favorite restaurant, where you’ll keep your phone out of sight.
When you’re in control of your digital consumption, social media becomes a tool to enrich your life and not a distraction (分心) that makes you feel miserable.
假设你是 West Middle School的交换生李华，在学校网站看到这篇文章，请你给编辑写一封邮件，告诉他你从文中了解到的内容，以及你未来的做法。文章开头、结尾已给出，请抄写在答题卡作文区。
Dear editor,
I am Li Hua, an exchange student from China.
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Your,
Li Hua
The Hand
Thanksgiving Day was coming. The first grade teacher gave her class a fun assignment—to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful.
Douglas was the teacher’s true child of misery, frail (脆弱的) and unhappy. While other children were playing at the playground, Douglas would like to stand close by her side. When asked to draw a picture of something for which Douglas was thankful, he drew a hand. Nothing else. Just an empty hand.
His abstract image (抽象图) excited the imagination of his classmates. Whose hand could it be? One child guessed it was the hand of a farmer, because farmers raise turkeys. Another suggested a police officer, because the police protect and care for people. Still others guessed it was the hand of God, for God feeds us.
When the children had gone on to other assignments, the teacher paused at Douglas’ desk, bent down, and asked him whose hand it was.
The little boy looked away and muttered, “It’s…”
……
Brushing aside a tear, the teacher went on with her work.
请你以故事中的主人公 Douglas的身份接续故事，告诉老师画中是谁并说明原因。文章的开头和结尾已给出。
The little boy looked away and muttered, “It’s
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Brushing aside a tear the teacher went on with her work.
The Youngest Skier To The South Pole
On Friday December 9th, a 16-year-old skier, Ameba Hempleman-Adamsreached the South Pole with her father after skiing 97 miles and spending 17nights on the ice. On the final day they skied 14 miles and afterwards Ameba said she felt “elated and tired” on reaching the South Pole.
“The biggest challenges were the freezing cold and eating only dried food. The best bit has been experiencing what Dad does on expeditions (探险). It’s the first time I’ve been on a difficult long journey with him and now I know what it’s like. The trip brought me closer to Dad, but I also had to put up with his snoring (鼾声) which was terrible.”
She added, “Would I do it again? I’m not sure. I’ll have to think about that after a few nights’ sleep! At times it’s been really hard: I’ve got aching shoulders, and my back’s been sore from pulling my sledge (雪橇), I’ve got blisters (水泡) on my feet from the boots and I’ve got a cold burn on my nose from my sunglasses. 43 ”.
She said the most extraordinary part of the trip had been the breath taking scenery and the sense of isolation in the Antarctic landscape. “I’ve really missed my friends while I’ve been away and want to thank them for all their messages of support.”
Friends and relatives who posted comments on Ameba’s expedition website paid tribute (致敬) to her positive attitude which, they said, would be an inspiration to others.
Her father, David, said “Ameba has done amazing well. I’m proud of her. She showed real determination. She was tough and she pulled her sledge the whole way. It was a special experience to share those 97 miles with her.”
假如你是建华中学的学生王新，在网上看到了Ameba的故事，决定给她写封邮件，交流分享你的想法。内容包括：1. 你对她的旅行有何看法并说明原因；2. 分享你的旅行经历。
Dear Amelia,
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Yours,
Wang Xin
The big day had finally arrived. I had won the local speech contest (比赛), representing Madison Middle School. Here it was the state competition. I waited backstage for the host to announce My name.
Even though I had practiced much, I was extremely nervous. My heart was thumping, my palms were sweating, and my mouth was dry. “Calm down,” I told myself. Still, picturing an audience of teachers, parents and classmates made me want to disappear totally.
Mr. Patrick, who taught me to give speeches, reminded me, “You’ll do great. You’re prepared. You’ve come this far.”
Mr. Patrick was right. I was ready for this, and besides, I won first place in the earlier contests. Yet, when I pictured all eyes on me waiting for me to mess up, my heart was gradually sinking into my stomach.
“You can’t back out now,” I told myself as Mr. Nichols, the host, announced my name and the title of my speech, “My Hero.”
请你写出接下来主人公演讲的过程，以及演讲结束后激动的心情。
The big moment came.
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Vincent Van Gogh
Born in the Netherlands in 1853, van Gogh led a simple life in a small town until the age of 16. He then left school and joined a company of art business in the larger city. During the next seven years, van Gogh bought and sold paintings in the Netherlands, London, and Paris. He eventually realized that dealing with others’ artwork was not his dream. He soon discovered that his dream was to become an artist himself.
He spent much of his time in learning the basic skills of drawing. He believed that to become a great painter, one must first master the ability to draw. It was only after he was comfortable in this area that he began to use oil paints. That is when van Gogh developed a style for color that made him one of the most respected artists of all time.
Van Gogh’s paintings are amazing representations (代表) of his view of the world. He used his brush and oils to make layers that built the painting until it was almost three-dimensional (三维). This quality makes people want to reach out and touch the painting.
Perhaps one of the most memorable examples of van Gogh’s use of color and brush style is his painting The Starry Night. The sky swirls across the canvas (画布), while the stars glow with unearthly brightness. Each brushstroke (笔画) creates the movement and lights. Under the sky rests a village painted with smaller strokes and finer detail, giving the impression of peace. A large tree in the foreground suggests that the view is enjoyed from the top of a hill, which offers a glimpse of the majesty (庄严) of the night sky. The Starry Night displays the gift of van Gogh’s ability to create a powerful image with simple brush and oils.
Van Gogh spent only the last ten years of his life painting. Yet van Gogh today is considered one of the greatest artists of all time. His influence is strong; many painters mimic his style and use of color. His artwork can be found in museums all over the world.
假如你是建华中学的学生王新，看到21世纪英文报征稿启事，题目为“The Person I Admire Most”。请你投稿，内容包括：介绍一位你所崇拜的人（如梵高等），并说明崇拜他（她）的原因。文章题目已给出，请抄写在答题卡作文区。
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Help Hermit Crabs
Hermit crabs are nature’s recyclers. They eat waste and help keep oceans and shores clean. Unlike other crabs, the hermit crab has a thin outer shell over its soft tail. This makes the hermit crab easy prey for hungry predators (天敌). Hermit crabs stay safe by living in old seashells. A hermit crab is picky (狡猾); it tries on many shells until it finds one that fits just right. In recent years, however, many hermit crabs have had trouble finding their perfect homes. What is the problems There are not enough shells to go around!
One reason for the seashell shortage is that ocean water is not as clean as it once was. This has caused chemical changes to sea water. Some sea animals, like snails, are affected by these changes. Now there are fewer snails making shells. People visiting the beach often take shells home as souvenirs (纪念品). This is another problem. Other people even take shells for their own pet hermit crabs! They do not realize that hermit crabs in the wild need those shells too.
Now people are working to solve this hermit crab housing shortage. They are teaching beach-Boers to leave seashells where they belong--at the seashore! Some people even make fake seashells that they hope the hermit crabs will like. For example, a group called Project Shelter invited people who visited their website to create different designs for hermit crab shells.
These designers had a lot to consider. What kind of material should be used to build a seashells. The material must be light enough for the hermit crab to carry, but strong enough to protect the crab from predators. The man-made shells could not contain glue or any other substance (物质) that might harm a hermit crab. Another challenge with building a hermit crab home was the opening to the shell. Too big would mean the crab would not feel safe. Too small would be uncomfortable, and the crab would not want to move in.
The Project Shelter shells are placed in the wild for hermit crabs to find. Lucky hermit crabs can move into these new dream homes.
假设你是交换生李华，在网上看到hermit crabs的文章。请你给当地居民写一封倡议信。
内容包括：1.介绍hermit crabs遭遇的困境；
2. 提出倡议并说明理由。
I am Li Hua.an exchange student from China. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
