'This is crisis teaching': students with disabilities are neglected as coronavirus shuts schools
Homeschooling your children during the Covid-19 pandemic(流行病) is hard. For parents whose children have a disability, it's a 'herculean(困难的) task'
As her mom tells it, Sesame Street(儿童节目) is Aubrey's first and only love. Her affection for the program's cast of puppets, for Elmo in particular, is so aggressive and pure that her parents have to restrict her access to it because she gets so peculiar after watching it.
Aubrey, whose real name her parents asked be withheld to protect her privacy, is a 16-year-old student in Los Angeles. As a teenager living with autism(自闭症), routine is the bedrock of her day.
But in the days of a spiraling coronavirus crisis, predicting what comes next is all but impossible. “Think about how we are with uncertainty and multiply it by a million. For her not knowing is almost unbearable,” said her father, Pirouz Kavehpour.
Today, with 124,000 of the nation's schools closed due to coronavirus, Kavehpour has joined the ranks of millions of parents turned into homeschool teachers overnight – no easy feat for any working parent, but especially challenging for parents whose children have disabilities.
It remains unclear when schools across the country will reopen. California officials already indicated they won't restart this academic year and a handful of other states have closed doors until fall. And as classrooms shift to online learning, many of the services guaranteed to the nation's roughly 7 million children with disabilities have been effectively suspended.
Federal law promises to give students educational services that address individual needs. But it's unclear when children with disabilities will get the kind of face-to-face help they had been getting at school before.(Adapted from the Guardian BY Jerry)
It was the summer when I turned 18. I was filled with excitement because of my new freedom of driving. I drove carefully with my new license. Along with this new privilege came new responsibilities. I would perform the same routine — call my parents and tell them where I was going, who I was with, and when I would be home. It became a typical cycle.
I had been working all day in the hot sun. I was exhausted and ready for a nap. But my stomach told me something different. So I called my friend Mike and made our way into town. After our meal, we had no idea that our day would soon change for the worse.
It takes one moment to shift your life upside down. I vividly remember I was driving fast. Too fast. I came to the conclusion two years later, that the mistake would be with me for the rest of my life.
Mike and I were driving down a dusty gravel(沙砾) road. I was driving a shiny black Saturn, which was the car I admired for long. I was very proud to be driving it. It was perfect in my eyes. I could see the rolling hills in the distance. Tall pine trees traveled on both sides of the road. With the music playing, we were enjoying ourselves. Somehow, without realizing it, I sped up the car.
Coasting（滑行) freely in my car, we came across a loose spot of gravel. My tyres were stuck in it and desperate to escape. My car started fishtailing. In panic, I pressed hard on the brakes（刹车） and instantly the car lost control. I got into panic, frozen with terror. Looking to the right, I took a glimpse of Mike. His body had leaned toward me. He was trying to prepare himself for the coming crash. The car was rushing left to right, coasting along the gravel like it was ice. Moments later, the front of my car crashed head-on into a tree.
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2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
I heard a loud sound of my car hitting the tree.
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Luckily enough, Mike and I were not so seriously hurt.
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Nowadays, an increasing number of young Chinese spend money because they are “lazy”. According to a report issued in December by China’s e-commerce platform Taobao on China’s “lazy economy”, Chinese people spent 16 billion yuan on products and services online in 2018. The post-1995 generation was the “laziest” as its consumption increased by 82 percent, compared with that in 2017.
The so-called lazy economy refers to a new type of consumption of products and services which are designed to save time and labor. According to the report, many people of the post-1995 generation buy high-tech electronic devices such as floor mopping robots and automatic window cleaners, which save the trouble of doing household chores. Meanwhile, take-out food delivery services are also popular among people born after 1995.
Young people are willing to spend money on such products because they want to enjoy hard-earned leisure time after a busy and stressful day at work or school, reported Global Times. Because they need to focus on their studies or jobs, these so-called lazy people tend to use their leisure time more efficiently. For example, Wei Duo, a 21-year-old college student, is a frequent user of take-out food delivery services. “I once had a birthday cake delivered to my friend who lives far from my home. It cost me 50 yuan but it saved me almost half a day that would have been needed to deliver it myself My friend was also happy because she got to eat the cake instantly.” Wei told the Global Times.
While the “lazy economy” might be convenient for young people, it might also create problems. The lazy economy’ on campus is expressed in things like people buying food or other things without leaving the dormitory. As a result, they stay in their dormitories all day long, playing on computers and smart phones. According to Jinan Daily, this situation could lead to young people becoming less sociable and even developing problems of communicating with others. Young people should be alert (警觉的) to it.
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In the summer of 2002, Linda was about to enter sixth grade after having recently moved. Being new to town, her mother decided to sign her up for Girl Scouts(女童子军). The benefits of the Girl Scouts were well-known:developing leadership skills, creating a strong sense of self, encouraging healthy relationships among others. One of the most important parts of the program involved developing healthy relationships, often leading to unbreakable bonds, sometimes through the Buddy(伙伴) Program.
Soon Linda joined Pisgah Girl Scout Camp in Brevard, North Carolina, where she was paired with a buddy named Rose in a four-person tent. At camp, Linda and Rose's lives were closely connected together. As a Girl Scout, Linda was taught to have someone to rely on, to know where she is going, to talk over things, and to make friends. Little did she know how important that single skill would be in her life.
One afternoon, a storm blew in and sent the girls all to their tents. Lightning(闪电) struck a tree outside the girls' tent. As bad luck would have it, Linda had been standing on her metal bed at the time. Lightning traveled from the metal clothesline between that tree and another one-burning all the bathing suits-went down into the tree roots, which were tied up into the floorboards of the tents, and hit her bed. Very soon, two-thirds of Linda's body was burned. Linda was lying on the floor badly burned and unable to move.
The other three girls in the tent were frightened to death. They screamed and ran from the tent, not noticing what was happening to Linda, but Rose quickly realized her buddy was not among them.
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2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Without a second thought, Rose went back to look for Linda, only to find her on the floor of the tent.
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They finally got back in touch, and together, they toured the camp where they had got to know each other.
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A Really Determined Person Will Always Succeed
Many job seekers feel limited by the choices they made at college or university. They may think that because they studied marketing, all they can ever do is work in marketing. All the evidence shows that, in fact, employers are less interested in acquired knowledge than the ability to think and learn. It is also very difficult to predict the needs of society. For example, if a person chose to study dentistry because there was a lack of dentists when they were in high school, that may not be the case when they graduate. The needs of employers and the economy can change very quickly, and often unexpectedly.
Of course, if it is a very tough time economically, it is hard to find employment straight after university, but it is by no means impossible. It might take several months longer to find a job after graduating, but there is work out there. My chosen career has always been competitive, but I never thought about the other people going for the same jobs. It may be human nature to compare your progress to your peers, but perhaps the best advice would be to try not to. Be focused on what you want and how you are going to get it. After all, it may appear that a friend who has a really well- paid job is doing well, but how do you know what their job is actually like?
A really key piece of advice is never get downhearted by rejection, because there will probably be a lot. You can achieve your dream job, whatever it is. You must never give up. Be prepared to work hard and for long hours without necessarily climbing up the career ladder. There is a lot to be said for learning your ' trade' from the bottom up. At the start, there will probably be little money, but it will be worth it in the end. The best jobs are not supposed to be easy—that is what makes them challenging. And if you like a challenge, just keep your head down and go for it.
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A Narrow Escape
There was a huge three-acre pond just a few kilometers from where we stayed. Since moving into our new home in the countryside, my brother, Jim and I used to often slip out to the pond where we would meet another friend. Dad had warned us not to risk staying anywhere near the pond area, particularly after a friend informed him that a crocodile（鳄鱼）had been spotted there. We paid no attention to his advice, though. This was our favorite playground and we were certainly not going to give it up.
On this particular afternoon, the three of us had just finished swimming, Jim and Syed were unwillingly making their way towards the spot where they had left their clothes. I stayed back and was bathing in the waist-deep water when I suddenly became aware of small waves forming on the surface of the water. I raised my head and looked at the waves. My eyes caught a motion in the water. A log, I thought. Then I saw it—its nose and mouth and its two wild eyes. "Jim..." I wept. Then I screamed with all my strength.
Jim turned his head in my direction and immediately recognized the danger. "Get out of the water, Jeff. Hurry! It's just behind you."
I struggled clumsily in the water. After a few falls and rises, I reached the edge of the pond. I looked over my shoulder. Moving swiftly towards me was a giant crocodile. I froze. Then suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my leg. Meanwhile, Jim and Syed screamed and started throwing stones at the crocodile and managed to draw its attention away from me. The crocodile went for them now. As it opened its jaws, I could see its pointed teeth. I tried to move but a stabbing pain（刺痛）short through me. I fell down heavily onto the ground, lying in a pool of blood.
注意：
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2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Meanwhile, our screams were heard by two hunters who were not far away from us.
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When I regained consciousness, I found myself in a totally unfamiliar environment.
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“What a lovely place for a summer vacation, said my friend Allison, as we stood on the cliffs of the coast. I nodded as my eyes rested on the lighthouse of a cliff （悬崖）connected to the mainland. Suddenly I heard a voice, <4Good morning,“ Turning around, I saw Allison's sister, ten-year-old Jenny. "What do you want to do? We have the whole day free,” she shouted.
“What about rowing our boat to the lighthouse?” I suggested.
The idea was met with favor and we went down the rest of the way to the beach. There our boat lay pulled up on the beach. Allison and Jenny quickly got into the boat as I pushed it into the calm waters.
We set out at a slow speed towards the lighthouse. We were about one fourth of a mile away from the lighthouse when, to my surprise, a huge black cloud was forming out at the sea and rapidly heading for our way. We looked and my heart almost stopped beating. I began rowing for the shore at a speed which would have won my race I ever entered.
Big waves danced on the sea which I had seen so calm an hour before.
“Better put our life jackets on!” Allison advised.
Jenny quickly reached under her seat and pulled out three life jackets. She put one on, and then handed another two to Allison and me. Rowing quickly, I couldn't stop to put mine on. Jenny did the task. I tried my best to row, but with waves crashing against the boat, it was no easy task.
“Do you think we will turn over? cried Allison's voice above the wind.
How I wanted to say no. Instead, I told the truth, t4We might, so prepare to swim for it.”
Jenny didn't say anything, but I knew she was frightened. Suddenly she cried out, “A big wave is coming!”
注意：
1.续写词数应为150词左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Allison tried to turn the boat so we would hit the wave head on, but it was in vain.
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When I awoke I didn't know where I was.
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It was late, about 10:15 p.m., when Janice arrived at the Bellport, New York train station. She’d just returned from visiting her mother who lives in Philadelphia. Brought up by the single mother alone since 4 years old, Janice made it a rule to visit her every other month. She quickly got off the train, walked into the parking lot and jumped into her car. All these were so familiar to her since she had traveled the route so many times. After a short break, Janice happily began the 20-minute drive home. She knew that her husband and seven-year-old son were eagerly waiting for her return.
She was practically driving on automatic pilot: a left onto Station Road, then a left on Montauk Highway, and then ― wham! Out of nowhere on that awful night, a minivan (小面包车) hit Janice’s car, knocking her backward some 100 feet onto the railroad tracks. Janice sat in the car, injured but mostly just shocked by the impact (撞击) and by the vehicle’s airbags. Realizing what had happened after a few seconds, she was scared and tried to escape from the car. But she failed to open the door. Hopeless, she could only pray that someone might pass by and save her.
As it happened, Peter was getting ready for bed. He’d just closed his book and was going to bed when he heard the loud sound of metal on metal and shattering (破碎) glass coming from not far outside his bedroom window. A volunteer firefighter and retired teacher, Peter, 64, never stopped to think. He grabbed a flashlight and ran out of the door in his nightclothes, knowing that there could be a car accident nearby and it was difficult for the police to reach there in a short time on such a dark night.
The first car he came upon, 2,000 feet from his front yard, was the minivan that had hit Janice’s. Peter rushed over to check if the driver was alive. Once he concluded the driver was OK, he looked around and spotted Janice’s car on the railroad tracks.
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。
All of a sudden, he heard a sound: the bells signalling an on-coming train.
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As a volunteer firefighter, Peter calmly ran to the passenger side.
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Pam Bales planned a six-hour hike through New Hampshire^ Mount. On the dashboard （汽车仪表板） was a detailed plan ensuring she could return before the arrival of some forecasted bad weather. Different from former hike, though, this time, she had packed for almost every accident and intended to walk alone.
At about 8 a.m., she'd checked the weather forecast. Bales knew from experience that her hike was realistic. Besides, she had two emergency plans and extra layers of clothing to better protect her core temperature as conditions changed.
Bales felt excited as she walked up into snowy paths. She was wearing a fleece tank top （绒衣）and hiking pants, and no gloves or hat because the air was mild. Thirty minutes later, she climbed into colder air and deeper snows. She now was in a quarter-zip fleece top and gloves. At 10 a.m.? the weather was showing its teeth. Bales added more layers to resist cold winds and dense fog. Making her way across the snow-covered ridge, she noticed something: a single set of footprints made by a pair of sneakers. Not giving them much thought, she walked on.
By 11 a.m.? Bales was getting cold. She decided to return to her car. On her way down, she again spotted the sneaker tracks, which suddenly made a hard left-hand turn off the trail. Now she felt genuinely alarmed. She was sure the hiker lost his way in the low visibility. If Bales continued to follow the tracks, she'd add risk and time to her return. But she couldn't let this go. She turned to the left and called out, “Hello!" Nothing.
Bales followed the tracks, rounded a slight comer and saw a man sitting motionless. He wore tennis sneakers, shorts, a light jacket and fingerless gloves. His skin was pale and he had a glazed （呆滞的）look on his face. uOh5 hello/5 Bales approached and said, "What's your name?” The man didn't react. Obviously, nothing was connecting for him and he was in really big trouble.
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。
Bales stopped being a curious and concerned hiker, and began a full-on rescue mission.
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Over the next hour, the man began to move and speak.
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On a sunny Saturday in June, Alyson, 3, squealed(尖叫) with laughter as she and her mother, Marlen, played hide-and-seek in the front yard of their home. With Marlen close behind, tiny Alyson flashed into the backyard of an elderly neighbor. About halfway across the yard, Alyson suddenly disappeared, seemingly swallowed whole by a barely visible opening in the ground. Marlen screamed.
The neighbor’s caretaker, Luz, 26, was preparing dinner in the neighbor’s kitchen and assumed the shrieks were the sounds of children playing. But she ran outside anyway and found Marlen sobbing and Alyson’s sister Damary, 25, kneeing on the grass, dialing 911.
“Alyson fell in the hole！” Damary cried to Luz. Luz gave a quick glance down the hole in disbelief and saw only darkness. Then she heard Alyson’s wails(哭泣) from deep underground. “Hang on there, sweety. We’ll get you out soon.”
Luz ran inside the house and down to the basement for a ladder,which happened to be not very long. She then settled for a gray extension cord(延长线) to use as a rope with which to rappel(用绳索下降) into the hole. Back in the yard, she and Damary used their hands to dig at the hole, widening the opening from 7 inches in diameter to about 20 inches.Marlen sat on the grass,too distracted to help.
At the thought that Alyson might get hurt and was too young to grasp and climb the rope on her own, Luz made up her mind to go down herself. When the police detective Aaron arrived a few minutes later, Luz was already in the hole up to her waist.
“Get out of here,” the officer told Luz, lifting her up by the arm. “It’s dangerous for you.”
“It’s more dangerous for the Baby,” she argued, “She’s going to die.”
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。
The detective begged Luz to wait for help, but she determined.
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Minutes later, the Fire Department and Rescue Squad arrived.
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