I vividly remember walking back to my house after collecting the afternoon mails. I saw a credit card statement, another credit card statement and our bank statements. It was in that moment that I felt a deep tension.
I realized that even though I had married a man who I absolutely loved and adored, I really didn’t have a clear sense of how he handled money and how the two of us were going to combine our different approaches to handling money in our marriage. I was more organized and detailed, but he was more of a laid-back type. I knew that getting on the same financial page was a key factor in creating a successful marriage and financial future.
I asked my husband if he would be willing to set up a time each week to talk about our finances and develop a plan for getting rid of our credit card debt. My husband said he would be willing to do this. Admittedly, he was skeptical — but willing.
We came to refer to our weekly meetings as our Financial Dates. We didn’t really have a clue as to what we were doing. All we knew was that we needed to give our finances serious attention. Some Dates were filled with tense conversations. Other Dates were filled with laughter, joy and creativity. However, we kept showing up for our Dates and we never gave up. What started out as a means for survival became a powerful connecting thread in our relationship. Something shifted within us.
Instead of our finances becoming a source of divisive tension that pulled us apart, they became
the glue that held us together as we became a unified team.
I still recall the day that we excitedly crossed off our last credit card payment on the chart we had created. We had finally arrived. We were free. We had been given wings to fly.
Now, whenever I feel huge stress I ask myself, “How am I contributing to what is happening right now?” This gives me the ultimate power to take action. Even though my husband and I don’t have any guarantee against future challenges, I am left with something deep within that is unshakable and that can never be taken away — the memory of our past successes and the power to integrate (整合) these lessons in my day-to-day life.Why did the author feel nervous when collecting the afternoon mails? _______
| A．She was not sure about her marriage. |
| B．She didn’t know how to handle money. |
| C．She could feel the pressure of the huge debt. |
| D．She was reminded of the quarrels in the family. |
Which word can replace the underlined word “laid-back” in the second paragraph?_____
| A．relaxed. | B．skeptical. |
| C．lazy. | D．confident. |
What can we learn from the Financial Dates? ______
| A．They showed the couple clear direction at first. |
| B．They left the couple nothing but deep sadness. |
| C．They were once interrupted but quickly continued. |
| D．They strengthened the couple’s relationship at last. |
We can infer that when faced with stress the author will _______.
| A．try to change the situation |
| B．focus on what contributes to it |
| C．get power from the memory |
| D．feel free to do what she likes |
Heavy downpours last month in Rhode Island led to widespread flooding, causing millions of dollars in property damage and leaving thousands homeless. The floodwaters also poured vast amounts of raw sewage (污水) into the rivers and streams that flow into Narragansett Bay.
It sounds like the makings of an environmental nightmare, but in fact it’s just the opposite. To scientists’ delight, the sewage-loaded floodwaters have caused a well-timed growth of phytoplankton, the microscopic creatures that form the foundation of marine food chains. With more food available for fish, clams and other sea creatures, the bay’s fisheries industry is expected to benefit.
In decades past, Narragansett Bay typically experienced a late winter/early spring algal (海藻) bloom that fed creatures up and down the water column. But in recent years, the waters of Narragansett Bay have warmed greatly, interrupting this seasonal event.
Mark Berman, an oceanographer with the National Marine Fisheries Service, said the flood seemed to have sent the bay back to its normal state.
However, local, state and federal officials in Rhode Island have been battling other algal blooms that, by contrast, are causing widespread harm to the Narragansett Bay ecosystem. During summer months, sewage and agricultural runoff flows into the bay, causing large blooms. But instead of becoming food for sea creatures, much of the phytoplankton is consumed by bacteria, which grow fast in the warmer waters. The rapid bacteria growth leads to hypoxia – a decrease of oxygen in the water that can cause large fish kills. One such die-off occurred in 2003, when millions of oxygen-starved fish washed up on the beaches of Narragansett Bay.
The flood’s positive impact will probably be a one-time event, Mr. Berman said. Meanwhile, efforts to curb the harmful summer blooms continue; in 2008, for instance, Providence completed a $359 million sewage tunnel under the city designed to reduce the polluted storm overflow into Narragansett Bay. Scientists believe that the raw sewage flowing into the bay will _______.
| A．pollute the island’s environment | B．cause lots of property damage |
| C．increase the fisheries production | D．destroy the food chains in the bay |
The potential benefit of fisheries industry relies on the _______.
| A．warm temperatures of the bay | B．growth of phytoplankton |
| C．large summer alga blooms | D．consumption of oxygen by bacteria |
People struggle against the summer blooms because they will ________.
| A．pollute the local natural environment | B．increase the production of fishery industry |
| C．cause large fish kills of the bay indirectly | D．provide too much food for sea creatures |
It can be inferred that _______.
| A．money spent on the summer blooms has been wasted |
| B．the government is investing to promote the local fisheries |
| C．research of oceanology should be encouraged |
| D．opinions on the raw sewage impact are currently contradictory |
The underlined word “curb” in the last paragraph can be defined as “______”.
| A．control | B．consume | C．cause | D．cure |
Your House Will Take Care of You In Old Age
Have you ever thought what your life would be like in old age? Everyone talks about the “aging” society with large numbers of elderly people needing home care. Now German researchers have set up a “smart” house, programmed to help the elderly live at home with dignity. Scientists at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute say the house combines existing technology with future-oriented technology.
For example, the “smart” bathroom has a touch screen mirror that can remind people to take their medicine, wash their hands or brush their teeth. The hardware behind Fraunhofer’s electronic bathroom is not new, and the software runs on a regular personal computer.
When the medicine cabinet is opened, a display in the middle of the mirror tells the person how many pills to take. The mirror is linked to a care provider, who can remotely check whether a patient at home is actually taking medicine and brushing his or her teeth. As many elderly people have arthritic(关节炎的) conditions that make it difficult to operate water taps, the mirror also has displays that turn the water tap on or off or control the water temperature.
The bathroom is only the start. Kitchens, bedrooms and all other parts of the “intelligent” home will become “user-friendly” to meet all kinds of individual needs. Sensors in doors, toilets, taps, light switches and carpets detect every activity and record them electronically. Doctors or care staff can see from the computer records what personal hygiene tasks have been completed, how often the elderly person visits the bathroom or uses the toilet. In case of an emergency, the computer automatically alerts the chosen contact person or calls the care center. The ‘smart” bathroom has a touch screen mirror ________.
| A．that can help the elderly brush their teeth | B．which is linked to a nursing house |
| C．behind which is a medicine cabinet | D．that can remind people to do many things |
The underlined word “them” in the last paragraph refers to ________.
| A．every activity | B．doors, toilets, taps, light switches and carpets | C．individual needs | D．sensors |
The house mentioned in the passage can be described as _________.
| A．smart but expensive | B．intelligent and convenient |
| C．smart and environmentally-friendly | D．fashionable and energy-saving |
How is the passage mainly developed?
| A．By inferring | B．By listing examples. | C．By comparing. | D．By introducing a practical method. |
The author of the text mainly _________.
| A．calls on people to care for the old | B．encourages the old to live with dignity |
| C．introduces a new house | D．promotes a new house |
For a small but increasing number of young women in modern-day China, true love is all about the numbers. A potential suitor may have a good sense of humor and reasonable good looks, but what they say really matters is if he owns an apartment and how many square feet it is. A sizable bank account is also a must, and, some say, so is a luxury car。
At least, that’s the way things look if you watch Chinese television these days. The latest reality-TV scandal to shock the nation involves Ma Nuo, a 22-year-old model from Beijing who appeared on China's most popular dating show, If You Are the One. She rejected an offer from a male contestant to take a ride on his bike. "I'd rather cry in a BMW (宝马) car than laugh on the backseat of a bicycle," Ma told her suitor with a giggle.
The televised words swept the Internet and made an instant celebrity of Ma, who becomes one of the most talked-about women in the country. The reaction among young Chinese was especially severe, reflecting growing anxieties over the widening gap between rich and poor, shifting societal values and public attention on the difficulties of finding a mate in a country where men are expected to outnumber women by 24 million in a decade.
As disgusted as they have been by some of the contestants, viewers continue to watch religiously. Why are people still tuning in? "Audiences like programs because they are honest. They show the current reality of Chinese society," says Yan Mu, one of the founders of Baihe.com. Young people are so focused on making money and building their careers these days, they have little time to devote to dating, he says. "Many people feel pressure from their parents and peers," Yan adds. " It can be a struggle to find a partner." Money may not buy you love. But on China's reality shows, it can at least get you a date.The underlined words“numbers”in the first paragraph include the following except_______
| A．the age and degree | B．the size of the house | C．the sum of the deposit | D．the price of the belonging |
What does Ma Nuo mean by saying“I’d rather cry in a BMW car than laugh on the backseat of a bicycle.”in the second paragraph?
| A．When she is in a BMW car, she will cry | B．When she is on a bike, she will laugh |
| C．She prefers money to true love | D．She prefers true love to money |
Why do many young men take part in TV dating shows?
| A．because they think they may get true love from them |
| B．because they think China’s reality shows can at least give them a chance to date |
| C．because their parents and peers force them to do so |
| D．because viewers like dating shows |
Which one of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．some contestants have been disgusted because they are dishonest |
| B．young people are too busy to take part in dating shows |
| C．some people are worried that societal value are changing |
| D．Ma Nuo rejected the bike offered by the contestant |
What is the best title of the passage?
| A．China’s TV Dating Show | B．Date for Love or money |
| C．Date Makes You a Celebrity | D．Popular TV Dating Show |
While i
n Banff, make time for a walk around town. A special treat is to go up the mountainside on the Banff Gondola for a surprising view of the valley below .Here is The Pines, whose cook has developed a special way of mixing foreign food such as caribou, wild boar, and reindeer with surprising sauces.
Best time to visit is during the off-season, from early May to mid-June, or in October .This way you can avoid sharing the high way with mobile（移动的）homes which can be pulled by cars .But whatever the season, take some lunch with you from Banff, because there are only a few food stops on the road.
Forty minutes north of Banff ,side by side with the Banff National Park ,sits world-famous Lake Louise .This surprisingly small body of water is attractive with towering mountains around it .Glaciers ,huge masses of ice ,moving very slowly against rocks ,produce what is called glacier rock flour ,making its water dark to see .It is worth taking a walk around the grounds of the Chateau Lake Louise ,another beauty ,proud of its early 20th century history.
Back on the road , and it’s time to continue north past the astonishing Columbia Icefield, then turn off the highway and take the short road to the base of the Athabaska Glacier .You can rent ice cleats（夹板）and do some climbing or do a more pleasant snowmobile tour .Either way, you can enjoy endless beautiful sights.
Finally you’ll reach Jasper ,the usual turning around the place for the Banff-Jasper loop（回路）.It’s worth riding the Jasper Skytram, and be sure to visit the wonderful Jasper Park Lodge ,also dating back to the 1920s.If you can have lunch there ,do it .The restaurant has an adventurous menu and their wine list would put a smile on any visitor’s face.According the passage, The Pines is a ________.
A．place in which you ca n see many mobile homes |
| B．mountain where you can get a good view of the valley |
| C．town which happens to be near the Banff National Park |
| D．restaurant where you can ask for some special kinds of food |
What will probably happen when visitors come at the end of June?
| A．They may have trouble finding a restaurant. |
| B．They may come across traffic jams. |
| C．They may travel more easily with cars. |
| D．They may do much more sightseeing. |
Similar to the Chateau Lake Louise, ________.
| A．the Banff National Park is to the west of Banff |
| B．the Columbia Icefield lies between Lake Louise and the Banff National Park |
| C．the Jasper Skytram has a history of more than 80 years |
| D．the Jasper Park Lodge was built in the 1920s |
Besides the beautiful sights in Jasper Park Lodge ,visitors to Jasper can enjoy themselves by ________.
| A．taking the Jasper Skytram and eating in the restaurant |
| B．taking the Banff-Jasper loop and Jasper Skytram |
| C．having a lot of food to order in the restaurant |
| D．taking the Jasper Skytram back to Banff |
The gray-haired lady can’t wait to leave the building to search for her dad .Unless watched, she will walk in the streets in an effort to find her father, who died 30years ago.
Not all cases of Alzheimer’s disease look like this ,but Alzheimer’s is a serious disease that is said to be the fourth or fifth leading cause of death for people over age 75.
It is said that about three percent of the U.S. population over age 65 have Alzheimer’s .In the early stages, people may exhibit short term memory loss. Some may experience changes in personality, easy to be angry .As the disease progresses, patients might lose the ability to move and may be unable to speak or move at all. This progressive disease generally lasts 8 to 10 years before death occurs.
While no one is certain what causes these changes in the brain’s nerve fibers （神经纤维）,their effect is certain .Alzheimer’s destroys not only the patients ,but also spouses（配偶）,friends and families.
What should you do if you notice progressive memory loss in yourself or a loved one? Have the person examined by a doctor who is a specialist in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Though many reasons other than Alzheimer’s disease may cause memory loss ,its early diagnosis（诊断）and treatment may delay some of the most serious effects.
What feeling will you likely experience should a loved one suffer from Alzheimer’s disease? A person will often go through the various stages of sadness, shock, anger, and so on. If the spouse develops the disease, you may experience hurt and disappointment when he or she doesn’t remember you are married.
Life for the Alzheimer’s patients and their loved ones will never be the same as the disease progresses, bringing a deep sorrow, loss and even anger towards God. No matter what feelings are present, facing them honestly will serve one better than burying them.What can be inferred from the passage about the gray-haired day?
| A．She has been living with her father. |
| B．She was sad about the death of her father. |
| C．She can’t search for her father without being watched. |
| D．She suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. |
When people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, ________.
| A．their families and friends will suffer from the same disease |
B．their families and friends wil l experience mental sufferings |
| C．they will certainly die in 8 to 10 years |
| D．they will forget everybody but their spouses |
Memory loss occurs ________.
| A．from Alzheimer’s disease and nothing else |
| B．from sadness ,shock ,anger ,and so on |
| C．for a number of reasons |
| D．with changes in personality |
From the passage we know that_____.
| A．early treatment may stop Alzheimer’s disease occurring |
| B．it is still unknown what causes the changes in the brain’s nerve fibers |
| C．nerve fibers in the brain will cause Alzheimer’s disease |
| D．when one suffers from Alzheimer’s disease ,he will be buried |
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