Any introduction to Peking Opera would not be complete without telling of Mei Lanfang. During his stage life, he combined the traditions of the past with his own creations, shaping a style of his own and giving birth to “The Mei Lanfang School”. He was also the first artist to introduce Peking Opera to an overseas audience, making it popular to the world.
Mei Lanfang began his stage life at the age of 8. His teacher said he showed little hope because of his boring eyes. To improve this, he exercised them day after day. Thanks to his efforts, he managed to change his dull eyes into a pair of bright and expressive eyes and win national fame before the age of 20.
In over 50 years on the stage, Mei Lanfang played no less than 100 different characters in the performance. He also wrote many new plays, designing the dances himself. The many dances he created form part of the great treasure that he left to Peking Opera.
In 1930, Mei Lanfang started on a successful US tour. There his brilliant performances impressed the audience, making them realize that Peking Opera was a theatrical form of great value.Mei Lanfang was the first artist to introduce Peking Opera to ________.
| A．China | B．audience |
| C．the world | D．schools |
How long did it take Mei Lanfang to exercise his eyes into bright and expressive?
| A．About 8 years. | B．About 10 years. |
| C．About 12 years. | D．About 14 years. |
What is the main idea of the passage?
| A．The history of Peking Opera. |
| B．Mei Lanfang’s early stage life. |
| C．The performance of Peking Opera by Mei Lanfang. |
| D．Mei Lanfang’s great contributions to Peking Opera. |
An Invisible Smile
Mr. Dawson was an old grouch, and everyone in town knew it. Kids knew not to go into his yard to pick a delicious apple. Old Dawson, they said, would come after you with his gun.
One Friday, 12-year-old Janet was going to stay all night with her friend Amy. They had to walk by Dawson's house on the way to Amy's house, but as they got close, Janet saw him sitting on his front porch and suggested they cross over to the other side of the street. Like most of the children, Janet was scared of the old man.
Amy said not to worry. Mr. Dawson wouldn't hurt anyone. Still, Janet was growing more nervous with each step closer to the old man's house. When they got close enough, Dawson looked up with his usual frown (皱眉), but when he saw it was Amy, a broad smile changed his entire face as he said, "Hello Miss Amy. I see you've got a little friend with you today."
Amy smiled back and told him Janet was staying overnight and they were going to listen to music and play games. Mr. Dawson said that sounded fun, and offered them each a fresh picked apple off his tree. They gladly accepted. Mr. Dawson had the best apples in the whole town.
When they left, Janet asked Amy, "Everyone says he's the meanest man in town. How come he was so nice to us?"
Amy explained that when she first started walking past his house he wasn't very friendly and she was afraid of him, but she pretended he was wearing an invisible smile and so she always smiled back at him. It took a while, but one day he half-smiled back at her.
After some more time, he started smiling real smiles and then started talking to her. Just a "hello" at first, then more. She said he always offers her an apple now, and is always very kind.
"An invisible smile?" questioned Janet.
"Yes," answered Amy, "my grandma told me that if I pretended I wasn't afraid and pretended he was smiling an invisible smile at me and I smiled back at him, sooner or later he would really smile. Grandma says smiles are contagious."
If we remember what Amy's grandma said, that everyone wears an invisible smile, we too will find that We're always on the go trying to accomplish so much, aren't we? It's so easy to get caught up in everyday life that we forget how simple it can be to bring cheer to ourselves and others. Giving a smile away takes so little effort and time, let's make sure that we're not the one that others have to pretend to be wearing an invisible smile. Kids were scared of Mr. Dawson because _____.
| A．he was wearing an invisible smile |
| B．he would fire them with a gun |
| C．he was mean with his apples |
| D．he was always very cold |
We can infer from the passage that_____.
| A．Janet was so lovely a girl that Mr. Dawson couldn't resist her smiles |
| B．Janet and Amy were going to invite Mr. Dawson to listen to music and play games |
| C．Mr. Dawson was friendly to Amy because she always wore an invisible smile |
| D．it was Grandma's advice that helped bring Amy and Mr. Dawson closer |
The underlined word "contagious" in Paragraph 9 means _____.
| A．infectious | B．supportive | C．moving | D．meaningful |
What is the main message that the writer intends to send us readers?
| A．Always wear an invisible smile. |
| B．Smile whenever we can. |
| C．Try our best to transform others. |
| D．Pretend that we are happy even if we are not. |
Walking is the exercise of choice for most dieters. You don't need a gym membership to do this effective exercise. Here's how to prepare:
The only equipment you really need is a decent pair of walking shoes. What matters most is comfort. When you're shopping for shoes:
●Wear the socks you plan to exercise in. That way you'll get the best fit.
●Try on both shoes. Most people's feet aren't exactly the same size. Choose a pair that fits your larger foot.
●Allow a little extra room. Feet swell when you walk, so buy a pair with about a thumb's width between your longest toe and the toe of the shoe.
Sure, walking comes naturally. But the following tips will help you stay comfortable and get the most out of your walk:
●Look ahead. Keep your neck straight and your head held high. If you have to look down to see where you're going, lower your eyes, not your head.
●Move both arms. Let your arms swing naturally at your sides, and you'll burn up to 15 percent more calories by keeping your arms moving.
●Don't carry unnecessary weight. Some people try to get in extra exercise by carrying a couple of light dumbbells(哑铃), but fitness-walking experts say that's risky: The weights can pull you off balance and tighten muscles in your back or legs.
Walking is one of the safest activities. Still, the following tips may be helpful:
●If you're walking at night, wear a piece of reflective clothing.
●If the path is dimly lit, bring a good flashlight.
●When the weather's hot, be sure to drink some water before you set out and better take a bottle of water with you if you plan to walk quite a long time.
●If your path is rough, protect your ankles. Consider wearing a comfortable bandage for support. According to the text, which of the following is correct?
| A．Wearing a piece of reflective clothing can make you look smart. |
| B．Moving both arms while walking can help you lose more weight. |
| C．You should buy shoes with a little extra space for your smaller foot. |
| D．Losing weight by walking is always easy and effective without any danger. |
What are possibly necessary if you walk through our town and then up a hill along a winding path on a hot evening?
a. good walking shoes b. reflective clothing c. light dumb-bells
d. a flashlight e. a bandage f. a bottle of water
| A．a, b, c, d, e, f | B．a, c, d, e, f | C．a, b, d, e, f | D．a, d, e, f |
What can be inferred about the author of the text?
| A．He/She once got his/her legs injured while walking carrying light dumb-bells. |
| B．He/She might live in a small town with dimly lit streets. |
| C．He/She needs just a decent pair of walking shoes while walking. |
| D．He/She is quite experienced in the exercise of walking. |
"This past year has been one of great celebration for many. The enthusiasm which greeted the Diamond Jubilee was, of course, especially memorable for me and my family.
It was humbling that so many chose to mark the anniversary of a duty which passed to me 60 years ago. People of all ages took the trouble to take part in various ways and in many nations. But perhaps most striking of all was to witness the strength of fellowship and friendship among those who had gathered together on these occasions.
On the barges and the bridges and the banks of the river there were people who had taken their places to cheer through the mist, undaunted by the rain. That day there was a tremendous sense of common determination to celebrate, triumphing(战胜) over the elements.
That same spirit was also in evidence from the moment the Olympic flame arrived on these shores. The flame itself drew hundreds and thousands of people on its journey around the British Isles, and was carried by every kind of deserving individual, many nominated for their own extraordinary service.
As London hosted a splendid summer of sport, all those who saw the achievement and courage at the Olympic and Paralympic Games were further inspired by the skill, dedication, training and teamwork of our athletes. In pursuing their own sporting goals, they gave the rest of us the opportunity to share something of the excitement and drama.
We were reminded, too, that the success of these great festivals depended to an enormous degree upon the dedication and effort of an army of volunteers. Those public-spirited people came forward in the great tradition of all those who devote themselves to keeping others safe, supported and comforted.
For many, Christmas is also a time for coming together. But for others, service will come first. Those serving in our armed forces, in our emergency services and in our hospitals, whose sense of duty takes them away from family and friends, will be missing those they love.
At Christmas I am always struck by how the spirit of togetherness lies also at the heart of the Christmas story. A young mother and a dutiful father with their baby were joined by poor shepherds and visitors from afar. They came with their gifts to worship(崇拜) the Christ child. From that day on he has inspired people to commit themselves to the best interests of others.
This is the time of year when we remember that God sent his only son 'to serve, not to be served'. He restored love and service to the centre of our lives in the person of Jesus Christ.
It is my prayer this Christmas Day that his example and teaching will continue to bring people together to give the best of themselves in the service of others.
I wish you all a very happy Christmas. "Who most probably is the maker of this speech?
| A．Queen of Great Britain. | B．King of Great Britain. |
| C．Prime Minister of Great Britain. | D．Mayor of London. |
What might be the main purpose of this speech?
| A．To make a summary of what has been done in the past years. |
| B．To offer congratulations on the arrival of Christmas. |
| C．To hold an anniversary celebration of an event. |
| D．To express respect for and loyalty to God. |
Which of the following is NOT mentioned by the speaker?
| A．Enthusiasm and Friendship. |
| B．Dedication and effort. |
| C．Sacrifice and service. |
| D．Civilization and peace. |
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．The speaker was too busy to attend the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. |
| B．Volunteers played a key role in the success of the Diamond Jubilee. |
| C．The speaker showed great respect for those still at work at Christmas. |
| D．The strength of the Christmas story lies in the worship of Jesus Christ. |
Father was a hardworking man who delivered bread as a living to support his wife and three children. He spent all his evenings after work attending classes, hoping to improve himself so that he could one day find a better paid job. Except for Sundays, Father hardly ate a meal together with his family. He worked and studied very hard because he wanted to provide his family with the best that money could buy.
Whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. Though he often longed to spend more time with his family, he weighed his contribution to his family above everything else.
The day came when the examination results were announced. To his joy, Father passed, and with distinctions too! Soon after, he was offered a good job as a senior supervisor which paid handsomely.
Like a dream come true, Father could now afford to provide his family with life’s little luxuries like nice clothing, fine food and vacation abroad.
However, the family still did not get to see Father for most of the week. He continued to work very hard, hoping to be promoted to the position of manager. In fact, to make himself a worthily candidate for the promotion, he took another course in an open university.
Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. Though he often longed to spend more time with his family, he weighed his contribution to his family above everything else.
Father’s hard work paid off and he was promoted. Happily, he decided to hire a maid to relieve his wife from her domestic tasks. He also felt that their three-room flat was no longer big enough. It would be nice for his family to be able to enjoy the facilities and comfort of a condominium. Having experienced the rewards of his hard work many times before, Father resolved to further his studies and work at being promoted again. The family still did not get to see much of him. In fact, sometimes Father had to work on Sundays entertaining clients.
Over again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. Though he often longed to spend more time with his family, he weighed his contribution to his family above everything else.
As expected, Father's hard work paid off again and he bought a beautiful condominium overlooking the coast of Singapore. On the first Sunday evening at their new home, Father declared to his family that he decided not to take any more courses or pursue any more promotions. From then on he was going to devote more time to his family, and it was a promise.
Father did not wake up the next day.Father worked and studied very hard because ________.
| A．he had to support his family |
| B．he wanted to bring his family a better life |
| C．he was enthusiastic in attending classes |
| D．he had to so as to reduce his family’s complaint |
What CAN’T Father get through his hard work?
| A．Better housing | B．Higher education | C．Family time | D．Vacation abroad |
How would the family feel when "Father did not wake up the next day"?
| A．To their joy, Father can have a good rest in the end. |
| B．Thank God, Father can stay home with them. |
| C．They should have stopped Father from working so hard. |
| D．There is no point working hard for a better life. |
What is the function of the italicized(斜体)paragraphs in this passage?
| A．To imply a sad ending to the story. |
| B．To show how stubborn Father was. |
| C．To make readers feel how hard Father worked. |
| D．To make readers show sympathy for Father. |
Each summer, you hear news about a sports player being rushed to the hospital or passing out because the heat was just too much. If you follow some basic safety tips, you’ll be safe and happy playing outside for years to come.
Drinking water is crucial to your health in the heat. This is the first thing that everyone says when it is hot outside. You should not drink soda, coffee, or iced tea when you’re playing outside, and for a few hours after you get inside too.
Be sure to take enough breaks to let your body rest. If you feel that your coach don’t let you take enough breaks in the heat, don’t wait until you feel awful to march to the sidelines. Once you feel bad, it’s usually too late. Just be honest with your coach when you need breaks. He’ll understand.
When you do have a break, don’t sit in the sun. With the sun beating down on you, you’ll only heat up and sweat more. Try to grab a seat in the shade under a tree, or even better, go indoors for a little while. Cooling yourself down can help you stay active longer.
The signs of dehydration（脱水）can be tough to recognize. They include a dry or sticky mouth, dry skin, a headache, and dizziness（头晕）. You might not always feel thirsty, so watch out for the signs of dehydration, and get yourself into the shade and get some water before it gets worse.
The earlier in the day you start your workout or practice, the cooler it will be. If you can start practice before the sun comes up, you have a few good hours to practice in the cool hours of the morning. Also, the earlier you practice, the earlier you can be done, which gives you some good recovery time when the heat gets bad in the afternoon. If you need more practice time, a good idea is to take a break when the heat is bad and come back to the field later in the evening, when the sun is setting.
As long as you pay attention to the above, playing sports safely in the heat isn’t a difficult thing.
Title: Some safety tips while playing sports in the heat
| Drinking water in time |
●Drinking water is crucial and necessary when you play outside. ●Some drinks are not |
| Taking enough breaks |
●Breaks can ●Take a rest before it is too late. ●Take a break in the shade or go |
| ● ●Get into the |
|
| Choosing |
●Practice before ●Do extra exercise in the evening with the sun |
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