Big Blue Whale
Nicola Davies
Illustrated(为……作插图) by Nick Maland
Nicola Davies provides a look at nature’s largest living creature in Big Blue Whale. The text often uses examples from the child’s world to help youngsters understand this great creature. For example, the blue whale’s skin is “smooth like a hard-boiled egg” and its eye is “big as a teacup”. Nick Maland’s pen-and-ink illustrations capture the majesty of the blue whale, of which only 10,000 remain.
Ages 3 to 8, $ 19.99.
Life in the Coral Reef
Bobbie Kalman & Niki Walker
Photographed by Tom Stack
This educational book has outstanding photographs and illustrations. The bright colors are attention grabbing. The importance of the coral reefs(珊瑚礁) in the ecology of the earth is explained as well as how the coral reefs are being harmed and destroyed. The author then offers solutions and suggestions to help prevent the destruction of these beautiful natural resources.
Ages 7 up, $ 16.95.
North American Endangered Species
Colleayn O. Mastin
Illustrated by Jan Sovak
This is a beautifully illustrated book by the award winner Jan Sovak featuring fifteen North American animals that are in danger of becoming extinct. Each animal is introduced with a short poem, followed by factual information and why the species is considered to be endangered.
Ages 6 up, $ 9.95.
Whale
Vasilli Papastavrou
Photographed by Frank Greenaway
This reference book takes a close look at the fascinating world of majestic sea mammals including whales, dolphins, seals, and sea lions. The author describes how whales adapt to sea life and explores whale communication, socialization, behaviors and reproduction, life cycles, habitats and physical characteristics.
Ages 10 up, $ 19.00.What do we learn from Big Blue Whale?
| A．The number of the blue whale is increasing. |
| B．Many animals are in danger of dying out. |
| C．There used to be more than 10,000 blue whales. |
| D．The blue whale has strong survival abilities. |
What is special about North American Endangered Species?
| A．It uses examples from the child’s world. |
| B．The author introduces animals with poems. |
| C．It contains bright colors. |
| D．It takes a close look at sea animals. |
Who has won an award as an illustrator or a photographer?
| A．Nick Maland. | B．Tom Stack. |
| C．Jan Sovak. | D．Frank Greenaway. |
A child who wants to learn about how whales communicate will buy .
| A．Big Blue Whale | B．Life in the Coral Reef |
| C．North American Endangered Species | D．Whale |
I made a pledge(发誓) to myself on the way down to the vacation beach cottage. For two weeks I would try to be a loving husband and father.
The idea had come to me as I listened to a talk on my car radio. The speaker was quoting a Biblical (圣经的) passage about husbands being thoughtful of their wives. Then he went on to say, “Love is an act of will. A person can choose to love.” To myself, I had to admit that I had been a selfish husband. Well, for two weeks that would change.
And it did. Right from the moment I kissed Evelyn at the door and said, “That new yellow sweater looks great on you.”
“Oh, Tom, you noticed,” she said, surprised and pleased. Maybe a little puzzled.
After the long drive, I wanted to sit and read. Evelyn suggested a walk on the beach. I started to refuse, but then I thought, “Evelyn’s been alone here with kids all week and now she wants to be alone with me.” We walked on the beach while the children flew the kites.
So it went. Two weeks of not calling the Wall Street firm where I am a director; a visit to the shell museum though I usually hate museums. Relaxed and happy, that’s how the whole vacation passed. I made a new pledge to keep on remembering to choose love.
There was one thing that went wrong with my experiment, however. Evelyn and I still laugh about it today. On the last night at our cottage, preparing for bed, Evelyn stared at me with the saddest expression. “What’s the matter?” I asked her.
“Tom, ” she said in a voice filled with sadness, “do you know something I don’t?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well…..that checkup(体检) I had several weeks ago….. our doctor ….. did he tell you something about me? Tom, you’ve been so good to me….. am I dying ?”
It took a moment for it all to sink in. Then I burst out laughing.
“No, honey,” I said, wrapping her in my arms. “You’re not dying; I’m just start to live.”The writer thought he was a _______ husband in the past.
| A．lovely | B．loyal | C．strict | D．selfish |
From the story we may infer that Tom drove to the beach cottage _______.
| A．with his family | B．with Evelyn | C．alone | D．with his children |
The underlined words “one thing” in the text refer to the fact that _______.
| A．he praised her sweater, which puzzled her |
| B．she insisted on visiting a museum, which he hated |
| C．he knew something about her illness but didn’t tell her |
| D．he was so good to her that she thought she must be dying |
It was an autumn morning shortly after my husband and I moved into our first house. Our children were upstairs unpacking, and I was looking out of the window at my father moving around mysteriously on the front lawn. My parents lived nearby, and Dad had visited us several times already. “What are you doing out there?” I called to him.
He looked up, smiling. “I’m making you a surprise.” Knowing my father, I thought it could be just about anything. A self-employed jobber, he was always building things out of odds and ends. When we were kids, he always created something surprising for us.
Today, however, Dad would say no more, and caught ups in the busyness of our new life, I eventually forgot about his surprise.
Until one gloomy day the following March when I glanced out of the window. Any yet… I saw a dot of blue across the yard. I headed outside for a closer look. They were crocuses (番红花), throughout the front lawn. Lavender, blue, yellow and my favorite pink --- little faces moved up and down in the cold wind.
Dad! I smiled, remembering the things he had secretly planted last autumn. He knew how the darkness and dullness of winter always got me down. What could have been more perfectly timely to my needs?
My father’s crocuses bloomed each spring for the next four or five seasons, bringing the same assurance every time they arrived: hard times was almost over. Hold on, keep going, light is coming soon.
Then a spring came with only half the usual blooms. The next spring there were none. I missed the crocuses. I would ask Dad to come over and plant new bulbs. But I never did.
He died suddenly one October day. My family was in deep sorrow, leaning on our faith. I missed him terribly.
Four years passed, and on a dismal spring afternoon I was driving back when I found myself feeling depressed. “You’ve got the winter depression again and you get them every year.” I told myself.
It was Dad’s birthday, and I found myself thinking about him. This was not unusual --- my family often talked about him, remembering how he lived his faith. Once I saw him give his coat to a homeless man.
Suddenly I slowed as I turned into our driveway. I stopped and stared at the lawn. And there on the muddy grass and small gray piles of melting snow, bravely waving in the wind, was one pink crocus.
How could a flower bloom from a bulb more than 18 years old, one that had not blossomed in over a decade? But there was the crocus. Tears filled my eyes as I realized its significance.
Hold on, keep going, light is coming soon. The pink crocus bloomed for only a day. But it built my faith for a lifetime.According to the first three paragraphs, we learn that _________.
| A．the writer was unpacking when her father was making the surprise |
| B．the writer knew what the surprise was because she knew her father |
| C．it was not the first time that the writer’s father had made a surprise |
| D．it kept bothering the writer not knowing what the surprise was |
Which of the following would most probably be the worst time of the year as seen by the writer?
| A．Spring. | B．Summer. | C．Autumn. | D．Winter. |
The writer’s father should be best described as_________.
| A．a full-time gardener with skillful hands |
| B．a part-time jobber who loved flowers |
| C．a kind-hearted man who lived with faith |
| D．an ordinary man with doubts in his life |
At the end of the passage, crocus was viewed as the symbol of _________ by the writer.
| A．faith | B．family | C．love | D．friendship |
As the school year comes to an end, many senior students of school across the nation will not just be starting another summer of holidays to provide a break during semesters. Leaving their safe havens (安全港), many of them are to take their first step into the world of adulthood, attending fast-paced, crowded universities, taking up part-time or full-time employment. Many may even move from family homes in their pursuit of educational fulfillment or the “perfect” job opportunity.
One ceremony that has become part of coming of age has been the senior prom (毕业舞会). The senior prom is an opportunity for youth to celebrate the entrance into the world of adulthood with color and formality. However, there is far more behind the social event than ever noticed.
What is formal? Formal means to present one’s self to others in a way which is “with form”, with shape, polite, inoffensive and organized. We see the example of a formal letter; it uses proper grammar and sentence structure in order to be respectful, while at the same time serving a purpose or getting an important message across.
In our society, what is formal? Very little. On average, clothing, language, behavior --- all is very informal. Individuals who are formal (polite, inoffensive, organized) in their daily dealings with people are often looked upon as boring. Yet in certain situations, individuals play with the concept of formality not truly to achieve respectfulness and order but because it becomes fashionable to do so. While a prom may seem, on the surface, like a fun opportunity to behave formally, it is actually a flowery version of Halloween.
On the occasion of the spring prom, we see flowering youth taking on the formalities of “adult”. Fine dress, careful makeup, luxury cars all become part of being an adult. But being “adult” isn’t that way.
In our society we have a wrong idea of what adulthood actually is. It has always been my understanding that adulthood and maturity (成熟) are not based upon one’s ability to hold a cigarette in a certain way or tie a bow tie. Adulthood comes with understanding of one’s place in the universe; it comes with the knowledge of how to interact with our fellow human beings; it comes with the ability to take responsibility for one’s own actions --- whether good or bad.The “safe havens” (Paragraph 1) most probably refers to ______.
| A．families | B．high schools | C．mother countries | D．hometowns |
In paragraph 3, the example of letter is given in order to ______.
| A．show the importance of communication |
| B．discuss the purpose of a formal letter |
| C．explain what real “formal” is like |
| D．complain today’s letters are too formal |
By describing a prom as “a flowery version of Halloween” in the fourth paragraph, the writer means it is ______.
| A．great fun | B．out of fashion | C．actually informal | D．beautifully decorated |
The writer holds the opinion that being an adult means one can______.
| A．put on heavy makeup | B．better get on with others |
| C．learn to smoke cigarettes | D．buy a luxury car or dress |
| Father’s day Sunset Live Music Dinner Cruise Sunday, June 20th, 2010 6:30pm-8:30pm Join us abroad the 95’ Dana Pride for our special Father’s Day Dinner Cruise. Enjoy a unique evening of fun on the water, complete with live music by Mike O’ Brien and a delicious barbecue dinner. Adult ---$ 59 Kids (3-12)---$29 Two and under are Free. LOCATION: Dana Point Harbor BOOK ONLINE OR CALL: 916---496---5794 |
| Rancho Days Fiesta July, 17, 2010 Celebration the history of Saddleback Valley, there will be children’s activities including free crafts projects. Help make and taste homemade ice cream and butter, warm bread from the oven. Dip water and grind (磨碎) corn while learning about the early days of Orange County. Admission is $ 3 for children 3 to 12 years old and $4 for adults. LOCATION: Heritage Hill Historical Park INFORMATION: 919---923---2230 |
| Annual Silverado Counter Fair and Art Festival October 3-4, 2010 The 39th Annual Silverado Country Fair explores the wonders of the area’s Old West rustic (乡村的)culture, great live music, tasty food, handmade arts, crafts and family games under the oak-trees below Orange County’s famous Saddleback Mountain. Daytime adult admission: $4/ Kids under 12: only $2 Saturday Night Music Fest (联欢): $ 5 for everyone LOCATION: Silverado Community Center INFORMATION: 919---997---3968 |
| Starr Ranch Sanctuary October 24-25, 2010 Audubon California’s Starr Ranch Sanctuary invites you to our fall classes for adults. Join our wildlife biologist for two peaceful days at beautiful 4,000 acre Starr Ranch in southeast Orange County and experience nature hands-on as a wildlife researcher. Cost: $ 95 for those not camping (including dinner) $100 for those camping ( dinner and breakfast provided) LOCATION: Starr Ranch Sanctuary RESERVATIONS OR INFORMATION: 916---858---0309 |
Which event is the most suitable for one who wants to enjoy dinner in a boat with live music?
| A．Father’s day Sunset Live Music Dinner Cruise |
| B．Rancho Days Fiesta |
| C．Annual Silverado Counter Fair and Art Festival |
| D．Starr Ranch Sanctuary |
At Rancho Days Fiesta, you can ______.
| A．pay to join in camping |
| B．join in activities for the whole family |
| C．experience the early life of the Orange County |
| D．taste food made in the local factories |
How much will a couple have to pay if they go to Saturday Night Music Fest with their 10-year-old son?
| A．$ 12 | B．$15 | C．$10 | D．$5 |
阅读解析
In the case of mobile phones, change is everything. Recent research indicates that the mobile phone is changing not only our culture, but our very bodies as well.
First, let’s talk about culture. The difference between the mobile phone and its parent, the fixed-line phone, is that a mobile number corresponds to a person, while a landline goes to a place. If you call my mobile, you get me. If you call my fixed-line phone, you get whoever answers it.
This has several implications（含义）. The most common one, however, and perhaps the thing that has changed our culture forever, is the “meeting” influence. People no longer need to make firm plans about when and where to meet. Twenty years ago, a Friday night would need to be arranged in advance. You needed enough time to allow everyone to get from their place of work to the first meeting place. Now, however, a night out can be arranged on the run. It is no longer “see you there at 8”,but “text me around 8 and we’ll see where we all are.”
Texting changes people as well. In their paper, “Insights into the Social and Psychological Effects of SMS (Short Message Service) Text Messaging", two British researchers distinguished between two types of mobile phone users: the “talkers” and the “texters”－those who prefer voice to text messages and those who prefer text to voice.
They found that the mobile phone’s individuality and privacy gave texters the ability to express a whole new outer personality. Texters were likely to report that their family would be surprised if they were to read their texts. This suggests that texting allowed texters to present a self-image that differed from the one familiar to those who knew them well.
Another scientist wrote of the changes that mobiles have brought to body language. There are two kinds that people use while speaking on the phone. There is the “speakeasy”: the head is held high, in a self-confident way, chatting away. And there is the “spacemaker”: these people focus on themselves and keep out other people.
Who can blame them? Phone meetings get cancelled or reformed and camera- phones intrude（侵入）on people’s privacy. So, it is understandable if your mobile makes you nervous. But perhaps you needn’t worry so much. After all, it is good to talk.The “meeting” influence of a mobile phone refers to the fact that ________.
| A．people can arrange their meeting place and time more flexibly |
| B．people have to make a firm plan about when and where to meet |
| C．people are able to meet someone at any place and any time |
| D．people have to attend phone meetings than ever before |
According to the two British researchers, the Social and Psychological Effects are most likely to be seen on ________.
| A．talkers | B．the “speakeasy” | C．the “space maker” | D．texters |
According to the passage, who is afraid of being heard while talking on the mobile?
| A．talkers | B．the “speakeasy” | C．the “spacemaker” | D．texters |
Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?
| A．the Influence of Short Message Service |
| B．Changes Caused by Mobile Phone Use |
| C．Changes in the Use of the Mobile |
| D．Body Language and the Mobile Phone |
粤公网安备 44130202000953号