The type of things we remember are different. Although we tend to remember good things in our lives, bad things have a way of sneaking up (悄悄接近) on us. One such thing I remember happened when I was 10 years old.
I decided to ride my bicycle over a near-by stream. I carefully planned the adventure, and asked my friends to go there and have a watch. This was going to be my moment! I started riding down the hill, picking up speed and then pulled up on the handlebars (自行车把手) at the precise moment and landed face-first into the muddy stream! That painful moment is one that I will never forget. As long as I live, I will remember the pain and embarrassment at that moment. When we do something stupid or thoughtless, it has a way of sticking with us. Fortunately, good momories have a way of over-riding the bad ones. I have memories that I gladly remember, like what happened today.
I had my first conversation with my son today. It was not anything profound. It was a simple connection between father and son. It was one of those bonding moments that you can’t plan or force. They just happen on their own. I was walking into the living room where my son sat in bed watching television attentively. Then he looked up at me and pointed to the television and babbled (含糊的说) something. I asked him if he was watching SpongeBob (海绵宝宝) and he nodded his head and said,“Yes”. It was at that moment that his eyes lit up and it was as if we both realized we had communicated. And how happy I was! Sure, at eighteen months, he probably did not realize what communication was like, but his joy at that moment was evident. It was a moment I will remember all my life.
Good or bad, memories can last a lifetime. As for an unpleasant memory, though we can’t forget it we can get lessons from it and it is like a mirror that will warn us against making such mistakes again. As for a good memory, we should try our best to enjoy it during our lifetime. Such moments are the treasures that we store up forever.The author will always remember what happened when he was ten because he .
| A．drew up a careful plan before taking a ride |
| B．made a fool of himself in face of his friends |
| C．hurt himself seriously while riding down the hill |
| D．succeeded in taking a big adventure over a stream |
The underlined word “profound” in Paragraph 3 probably means “ ” .
| A．needing much thought |
| B．simple and easy to solve |
| C．very funny or interesting |
| D．that often takes place |
Why was the author so happy when hearing his son’s answer “YES”?
| A．Because his son respected the author and was very understanding. |
| B．Because it was the fist time he communicated with his little son. |
| C．Because his little son didn’t make trouble and behaved quite well. |
| D．Because his son could understand the meaning of SpongeBob. |
The author mainly tells us in the last paragraph that .
| A．one’s memories can last all one’s lifetime. |
| B．we should forget the unpleasant memories. |
| C．good memories are the treasures of our life. |
| D．how we should deal with our memories. |
There is a very instructive incident involving the life of Alexander, the great Greek king. Alexander, after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home. On the way, he fell ill and it took him to his death bed. With death staring him in his face, Alexander realized how his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth were of no consequence. So, he lay helplessly waiting to breathe his last. He called his generals and said, "I will depart from this world soon, I have three wishes, please carry them out without fail."
"My first desire is that," said Alexander, "My physicians alone must carry my coffin." After a pause, he continued, "Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn（撒满） with gold, silver and precious stones which I have collected." The king continued， "My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept hanging out of my coffin.” Alexander's favorite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart. "Oh King, we assure you that your wishes will all be fulfilled. But tell us why do you make such strange wishes?"
At this Alexander took a deep breath and said, “I would like the world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt. I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realize that no doctor can really cure any body. They are powerless and cannot save a person from the clutches of death. So let people not take life for granted.
The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way to the graveyard is to tell people that not even a bit of gold will come with me. I spent all my life earning riches but cannot take anything with me. Let people realize that it is just a waste of time to chase wealth.
And about my third wish of having my hands hanging out of the coffin, I wish people to know that I came empty-handed into this world and empty-handed I go out of this world.” With these words, the king closed his eyes. Soon he let death conquer him and breathed his last.The first paragraph suggests that Alexander _________.
| A．was conquering many kingdoms. |
| B．realized that what he got in his life was nothing to him at all. |
| C．wanted to leave as he came empty-handed. |
| D．regarded his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth as the most important things. |
The underlined word “clutches” in paragraph 3 means “_______”.
| A．sentence | B．attention |
| C．control | D．shadow |
The author intends to ________.
| A．tell us the story of Alexander |
| B．introduce readers to the instructive lessons of Alexander |
| C．stress the powers of Alexander the Great |
| D．persuade people to realize what Alexander said |
What would be the best title for the passage?
| A．The Death of Alexander. |
| B．The Greed of Alexander |
| C．Three Wishes of Alexander |
| D．The Life of Alexander |
There are some strange driving laws in different countries.
| Countries |
Laws |
| Vietnam |
If you’re in Vietnam without a Vietnamese driver’s license, you risk a prison sentence of up to three years. |
| Russia |
In Moscow, if your car is dirty enough to draw dust art, you will be fined about 2,000 rubles (about US $55). Worse yet, it’s illegal to wash your car by hand in public places — forcing you to take it to one of the few car wash facilities. |
| Thailand |
Drivers —male or female — can’t drive shirtless, whether it’s a car, a bus, or a tuk-tuk cab. |
| France |
France requires its drivers to carry a portable breathalyzer(酒精测量仪) at all times when driving a car. The one-time breathalyzer cost around US$5, and if you don’t have one, you will be fined US$15. |
| Cyprus |
Raising your hands in the car can get you fined of US$35. The law states a driver can be fined if the person “is in an irregular position inside the car or raises his hand from the steering wheel unnecessarily. |
| Japan |
Politeness isn’t just the culture in Japan; it’s part of driving laws. Splashing a person by driving through a puddle(水坑) with your car will cost you over US$60. The country is also strict with its DUI(酒驾) laws — riding with or lending your car to a driver who gets caught drinking and driving can lead to a fine costing thousands of dollars. |
Where should you go to wash your car when you are in Moscow?
| A．The car wash facilities. |
| B．Any public place |
| C．Your home |
| D．The forest |
What can get you fined for in Cyprus?
| A．Forgetting to carry a portable breathalyzer. |
| B．Not having a Cyprus driver’s license. |
| C．Putting your hands above your head when you are driving. |
| D．Driving without a shirt. |
If you are fined thousands of dollars in Japan, you may have been ____.
| A．in an irregular position in your car |
| B．sitting in a car with a drunk driver |
| C．splashing a person with mud |
| D．impolite to other drivers |
This text can most likely be found in _______.
| A．a law document |
| B．a fashion magazine |
| C．an international newspaper |
| D．a column on interesting cultures |
Bobbi Kristina Brown's family has been gathered around her since she was hospitalized on Saturday after being found unconscious in the bathtub of her suburban Atlanta townhome.
Whitney Houston's only child is now at Emory University Hospital and is still fighting for her life, as a family statement said on Monday.
Nothing has changed, despite reports that are popping up and painting a more serious picture.
Fox News reported Wednesday that the situation is horrific. "It's now a matter of when the family wants to let go and accept that she's pretty much not going to make it," a source told FOX411. "They've left it up to the family as to how long they want to keep her alive."
People Magazine is also reporting that a doctor told Brown's family on Wednesday that nothing more could be done. "Everyone is coming to the hospital to say goodbye," said a family member.
And the Daily Mail says Brown has been taken off life support.
But Bobby Brown issued a statement late Thursday denying these reports.
"If we issued a statement every time the media published a false report regarding this matter, that's all we would be doing 24 hours a day. This is false, just as is the vast majority of the other reporting that is currently taking place," he said, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
A source close to the family tells USA TODAY that it's wrong to say the family is gathering to say goodbye, because the family has been there since the beginning, so nothing is any different today for them.
Also, Brown is "not brain dead," as has been reported.
And, as for other stories saying that the Houston family is feuding with Bobbi Kristina's dad, Bobby Brown? Those aren't true either. They "are NOT fighting," says our source.According to Fox News, Bobbi Kristina is _________.
| A．within an inch of life |
| B．on the way to success |
| C．left aside by her family |
| D．in a good state |
Bobby Brown holds the opinion that _________.
| A．they are busy issuing statements all day |
| B．the family is saying goodbye to Kristina |
| C．he is getting along well with the Houston family |
| D．most journalists are getting the wrong end of the stick. |
Which can be the best title of the passage?
| A．An Accident In The Bathtub |
| B．Kristina, We’re Still Praying And Waiting On A Miracle |
| C．False Reports From Different News Media |
| D．Bobbi Kristina’s Final Days |
Picking a university is a tense period of asking yourself which institution is most relevant. That's why university rankings play such a vital role in students searching for their next academic direction. Rankings are also an inescapable part of the reputation and brand image of universities. "No university website is complete without the claim to be in the top 100 for something or other," reported the BBC. The reason is simple: Rankings help them to attract students, staff and research investment.
Currently there are numbers of university rankings, and each has its own list of criteria. But the main categories are the same: academic reputation, graduates' performance and faculty resources.
However, experts point out the ranking process isn't entirely reliable. Mark Kantrowitz, a US financial aid researcher, said university rankings were mostly just for show. He wrote in The New York Times. "It may give your parents better bragging rights, but that's about it."
Moreover, it's not difficult to see the limitations of university rankings. Many rankings focus on the number of times research work is cited (引用) by other researchers. It helps British and US universities to dominate global rankings because English is the favored language of academia, John O'Leary, a member of the QS academic advisory board, told The Gunrdian,. Also, rankings such as QS mainly focus on the qualities of the university rather than its students. "Any university ranking is likely to help students make better decisions about where to study, but the need to balance them with other more human factors is also important," said Phil Moss, an education and admissions consultant. "Advice from graduates or current students can be as valuable in providing a genuine insight into the experience or quality of a particular degree program. It can also add an element that rankings can never convey-the actual emotion of a university experience."Why do universities consider rankings important?
| A．Rankings make them more appealing. |
| B．Rankings are students' only reference. |
| C．Rankings can increase their academic level. |
| D．Rankings help them complete their websites. |
What does the underlined "It" in paragraph 4 refer to?
| A．Acadenuc research work. |
| B．The number of researches. |
| C．The way of ranking universities. |
| D．The limitation of university ranking. |
According to John O'Leary, what helps British and US universities rank well?
| A．The wide use of English in academia. |
| B．Their outstanding qualities. |
| C．Their graduates' excellent performance. |
| D．The academia's favor to them. |
Besides ranking, what does Phil Moss suggest you should refer to if you're picking a university?
| A．Investment in education. |
| B．Guidance from professors. |
| C．Information on websites. |
| D．Suggestions from students. |
In US, the potato is one of the most widely consumed crops. French fries are commonly found in typical American fast-food burger joints and cafeterias. French fries were introduced to the US when Thomas Jefferson served them in the White House during his presidency from 1801 t0 1809. Potato chips are popular with consumers as well.
The humble potato is more than just a kind of food. In many ways it's part of the American pop culture. Let's take a look at some pop culture potatoes.
Mashed Potato dance
The Mashed Potato dance is a craze that began in 1962. The name of the dance came from the song it accompanies, Mashed Potato Time, performed by American R&B singer Dee Dee Sharp. The move vaguely resembles that of the Twist dance style, by Sharp's fellow Philadelphian,
Chubby Checker.
Hot Potato!
Hot Potato! is an action puzzle video game released in 2001. In the game the player must drive a bus and clear the road of alien potato beings. The potato beings are either red or blue; when two like-colored potatoes touch each other, they disappear. .Over the years, Hot Potato! has received mostly positive reception from critics.
Mr. Potato Head
Mr. Potato Head is an American toy invented by George Lerner in 1949. The toy consists of a plastic potato model and a variety of plastic parts like hands, feet, ears and mouths. In 1952, Mr. Potato Head became the first toy advertised on television. This commercial revolutionized marketing and caused a boom that solidified this toy's place in American pop culture.Which is the newest to the American pop culture?
| A．French fries. | B．Mashed Potato dance. |
| C．Hot Potato! | D．Mr. Potato Head. |
What can we infer from the text?
| A．French fries were popular in US when first served in the White House. |
| B．Mashed Potato Time came from Mashed Potato dance. |
| C．Players can play Hot Potato! on their phone. |
| D．Mr. Potato Head can be taken apart. |
Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
| A．Enjoy American Fast Food |
| B．Have Fun with Potatoes |
| C．Different Uses of Potatoes |
| D．American Food Culture |
粤公网安备 44130202000953号