Romanticism (浪漫主义) was a literary, artistic and intellectual movement that originated in Europe towards the end of the 18th century. And it reached its peak from 1800 to 1840.
Romanticism urged people to look at nature and surroundings from a scientific point of view. It was also a rebellion against scientific rationalization (合理化 ) of nature. It permitted a person's imagination and freedom in art. The concept of romanticism was present in all the major art forms, like literature, the visual arts and music.
Friedrich Schlegel, a German philosopher, writer and critic, used the term “Romantic” for the first time to name a new school of literature which arose in opposition to “Classicism”. Though the concept of Romanticism was identified much earlier, critics believe that Romanticism in English literature dates from the Lyrical Ballads. The romantics were very interested in mystery, ambition and adventure.
In the visual arts, the term Romanticism refers to a trend that appeared in the 19th century, which was characterized by opposition to the classical forms and its rules. Romanticism in the visual arts focused more on the spiritual and emotional representation of nostalgia(怀旧). Romantics used objects, like wild trees, moonlight, and so on, to convey their ideas and concepts.
In music, Romanticism was characterized by the freedom of forms and an emphasis on the emotions. It was German composers who used romanticism widely and developed this concept. Many famous composers worked in smaller forms of music that had flexible structure; for instance, ballads, solo piano music, and so on.
Romanticism influenced the literature and arts of the 18th and 19th century. The popularity of this movement declined gradually with passing time, but it has a significant place in the history of literature and art development.
Dear Jenny,
I’ve got the letter you wrote to me December 5th last Friday. I’m very happy to hear that you’re doing well.
It’s been about two months since you left. I’m very glad hear that your new job is interesting, but I’m sorry to hear that you don’t like Washington. I think you’ll like better once you make more friends there. Good luck to you!
Thank you very much your invitation, I’m very sorry that I can’t go to your Christmas party on December 24th my grandfather will come here that day to celebrate Christmas our family. Please forgive (原谅) me! I hope you can come to New York to spend New Year holiday with us.
Yours,
Lucy
Things adults should learn from kids
Children can teach adults a lot. In other words, there are many things adults can learn from children. For example, kids tend to show love. Every action they do for parents, friends, pets, and people they like, is filled with love. They don’t think twice before loving, and they just love. So adults can learn this: the best way to receive love is to first give it. Unfortunately, most of us have developed the habit of questioning everything. We often try too hard with love, and connect it with weakness. Actually, the only way to experience love is to have the smallest expectations, and love your dear ones unconditionally(无条件地).
Kids never hide feelings. They cry when they hurt themselves, and express displeasure when things don’t go their way. On the contrary, we adults always try to hide our feelings, and never express ourselves sincerely. We often feel happy for others with negative thoughts in our hearts. Crying or expressing oneself is what normal people do. Never hold back tears or happiness. If you want to cry, cry your eyes out, and if you are happy or pleased about something, don’t be afraid to show or share it.
Kids are curious (好奇的) little beings, who always try to understand their surroundings by completely involving themselves in every task they do. They have a huge appetite for knowledge, and ask lots of questions every day. This curious nature guides their life, and often leads them to simple yet wonderful discoveries. Are adults as curious as kids? Well, most of us aren’t. Also, they no longer have the thirst for knowledge, and don’t even ask questions if they don’t understand something. Adults often forget that it isn’t talent or skill but our curiosity and a huge appetite for knowledge that makes us worthy.
Kids live in the present, and give 100% to any task they are doing. They never worry about the future, and since they are so busy enjoying their present, life is great today. However, with a job, money, and relationships, it does get hard for an adult to enjoy life. The best thing to do here is to change oneself, and if that isn’t possible, we can live like a child. Just don’t be worried about the future, because it isn’t in your control. The only thing you can control is your present, so work hard toward it.
As kids treat everyone equally, they make friends soon and also play a lot with them. Through playing, they make a lot of astonishing discoveries about their friends and surroundings. They also learn a lot about life, because they are out in the open and are playing with all their hearts. So how long has it been since you played outdoors for fun as an adult? Not some serious sporting event or activity, just kicking a ball, running in the park, or any other silly game! Playing doesn’t mean that you have to achieve a purpose. Sometimes, it is healthy to just have some fun.
Paragraph outlines |
Main points |
Show love. |
Adults should learn to give love first instead of love. In order to experience love, adults should less and love others unconditionally. |
Never hide emotions. |
Children aren’t afraid to display their emotions while adults always to express themselves sincerely. It’s normal to express oneself, so try to show or share your emotions, you are happy or sad. |
Be curious. |
Kids are curious and are for knowledge, so they ask questions every day. Most adults don’t ask questions even if they feel about something. Actually, our depends on our curiosity and desire for knowledge. |
Live in the present. |
Kids live in the present happily, while adults have in enjoying life with many things to consider. Change yourself, or enjoy your present without worrying about the future that can’t be . |
Play more. |
Children and learn a lot through playing. Adults should also play outdoors for fun just like kids. |
语法填空
Last weekend our school held a sports meeting. ________(Realize) it was our last high school sports meeting, we decided to make it an unforgettable experience for all of us.
We first attended the opening parade, for _________ our class had made a lot of ____________(prepare). _______ our excitement, our parade performance was a great success. After the parade, the games started. My classmates attended _______(vary) events such as running, high jump and long jump. Due to the hard training they __________(do) before, their performances were very _________(impress). On the stand, my classmates applauded and cheered for the athletes, some _______(raise) their cameras to capture the exciting moments. Finally, the result ___________( announce). It was ____________(amaze) that our class won the second place. Our efforts paid off! Cup in hand, we took a picture together.
I believe this sports meeting will remain a precious memory for all of us as time goes by.
The 2014 Nobel Prize in physics went to three scientists who gave lighting a big change by inventing blue LED lights. A big change in lighting efficiency is under way around the world.
Save and green
LEDs use less energy than other forms of lighting. A typical LED bulb(灯泡) can produce around 83 lumens per watt — a measure of how much brightness you can get from a unit of electrical power — much more efficient than other lighting facilities.
LEDs produce light by passing electric current through a semiconductor, while traditional bulbs pass current through a wire. The wasted heat energy is chiefly why traditional bulbs are so much less efficient.
LEDs also last about 30 times longer than traditional bulbs, and many LED bulb products promise up to 25,000 hours of use — more than 17 years if you used one for about four hours a day.
Lighting the world
The lighting application is not only in homes. LEDs are also being used for street lights, public holiday and decorative displays, commercial buildings, and other large energy users.
Car lighting is another application where LEDs are making progress. LEDs used to be used only for daytime running lights, but now many new cars have LED headlights for night-time use.
LEDs also hold promise for bringing light to the more than 1.5 billion people around the world without access to electricity, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences noted. Indeed, several proposed solutions to energy poverty include the distribution of LED lights, particularly solar-powered ones.
Digital displays
Without blue LEDs, the world wouldn’t have back-lit smart phones, TV and computer LCD screens, blu-ray(蓝光) players, many forms of lighting, and countless other products.
In the electronics industry, LEDs provide back lighting for the liquid crystal displays (LCDs) in many smart phones, laptops, and televisions. The LEDs are more energy efficient and allow for very thin displays.
Blu-ray players use blue LED lasers(激光) to read data off a digital optical disc. When these systems switched from using an infrared(红外线) laser to a blue LED laser, it became possible to store five to 10 times as much data.
LEDs are now being explored for their potential to transmit(传送) data from the Internet across open space, similar to WiFi. Such a system could transmit a lot more data than WiFi alone. This high bandwidth is possible because LEDs can turn on and off millions of times per second.
The rise of LED lighting came at a time when people were just starting to be concerned about global warming. Because of LEDs’ energy efficiency, using them for the world’s lighting would have “an extreme impact” on society.
I___________ for Blue LED Lights to win the 2014 Nobel Prize in physics
●They_______ big changes in lighting.
II________ of LEDs
●Save and green
1. Compared with other forms of lighting, LEDs are much more efficient because of the different_________ they pass electric current
2. LED bulbs can be used 30 times longer than traditional bulbs.
●Lighting the world
1. Besides_ ___________ of LED bulbs they can also be used as street lights and car headlights.
2. Because of their high efficiency, LEDs, especially solar-powered ones, promising to light areas____________ electricity.
●Digital displays
1. Many smart phones, laptops and televisions use LEDs to back-light their LCD_________.
2. By using blue LED lasers, blu-ray players are likely to___________.
3. People are now exploring more_________ uses of LEDs such as transmitting data.
III Conclusion
LED lighting will_________ on environmental protection.
Born in 1930, Yuan Longping graduated from Southwest Agricultural College in 1953. Since then, ________ (find) ways to grow more rice has been his life _____. As a young man, he saw the great need ______ increasing the rice output. At that time, hunger was a _____ problem in many parts of the countryside. Yuan Longping searched for a way to increase rice harvests without _____ the area of the fields. Yuan Longping grows _______ is called super hybrid rice. In 1973, he became the first agricultural pioneer in the world _________ (grow ) rice that has a high output. This special strain of rice makes ____ possible to produce 20% more of the crop in the same fields. He is now ___ his knowledge in many less developed countries to increase their rice harvests. Thanks to his research, the UN has more tools in the battle to rid the world _____ hunger.
Gratitude means thankfulness, noticing simple pleasures, and acknowledging everything that you receive. It shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present. Psychological research has shown the surprising life improvements gained from the practice of gratitude.
Two psychologists, Michael McCollough and Robert Emmons, conducted an experience on gratitude and its effect on well being. The results of the study indicated that daily gratitude exercises resulted in higher reported levels of enthusiasm, determination, optimism, and energy. In addition, those who practiced gratitude experienced less depression and stress, were more likely to help others, worked out problems more regularly, and made greater progress toward achieving personal goals.
Therefore, it's important to practice gratitude. Here are a few reminders.
A common method is to get yourself a cute little notebook and write down 3-5 things that you're grateful for at the end of each day. They can be small things, or bigger things.
You can also send a handwritten letter or make a phone call to a person for whom you are thankful, expressing the gratitude. It will surely brighten their day, and in turn, yours.
Besides, for some, it may be a good idea to express their gratitude in person. It doesn't need to be formal. Just a simple gesture of thanks is only needed to feel the benefits of this kind of gratitude.
Finally, there are certain times you can devote to gratitude. For example, at the beginning of your meals, or at bedtime, or when your parents get home from work. Committing to a specific time establishes a practice of gratitude.
Once you become accustomed to looking for things to be grateful for, you will find that you begin to appreciate simple pleasures, which can make a day and even change a life.
Title |
Gratitude |
Introduction |
Gratitude means being grateful and can help people. _____ on what they receive instead of what they don't have. |
______of gratitude exercises |
■Feeling more ______, optimistic, determined, and energetic. ■Becoming less depressed and stressed, but more willing to be ______. ■Working out problems more regularly. ■Achieving your ______ goals more easily. |
_____to practise gratitude |
■Putting down whatever you feel grateful for every day. ■Writing to or calling whoever you want to______ gratitude to. ■Giving thanks personally in a_____ way. ■Devoting a proper _____ to gratitude. |
Conclusion |
■_____ can make you and others happy and even change your life |
Good morning, everyone,
I am Li hua from Xingguang Middle School. The topic of my speech is “Let’s Ride Bicycles”.
As (know) to us all, the improvement of people’s living standards, cars(become)a popular means of transport, (bring) great convenience to our life. , they have also caused some problems such as air pollution and traffic jams.
How can we solve the problems then? As far as I(concern), bicycles is a good solution. For one thing, bicycles don’t need any petrol and they are energy-saving. For, bicycles are (environment) friendly because they won’t give off waste gas. What’s more, riding bicycles is a good way for us to exercise and it is beneficial to our health.
, let’s take the(responsible) to build up a carbon city by riding bicycles. Come on and join us!
Thank you!
任务型阅读(共10小题:每小题1分,满分10分)
请认真阅读下面短文,并根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格里填入最恰当的单词。
注意:每空格1个单词。
Living in a foreign country is fun, but it isn’t always easy. There are many differences between cultures and although some of these differences are unimportant, they can cause a lot of embarrassments. I spoke to a few foreign friends about how they experienced culture shock in China.
Aubin arrived two months ago from Europe to take part in a language programme in Shanghai. Before he left, he was actually taught the differences between European and Chinese cultures, including everything from table manners to classroom behavior. However, some things have still taken him by surprise. For example, he couldn’t understand why waiters did not want to accept the tips he gave them after meals in restaurants. I had to explain to him that people don’t usually tip in China and that this comes from the Confucian (儒家的,孔子的) idea that one must avoid accepting any undue(不适当的) income.
Another friend, Julia, came to Guangzhou from London to teach at a language school. After a month, she told me that she was really let down(失望的) by her students. I asked her why and she told me that they were so quiet that she was the only person talking in class and it felt like the children were punishing her by making her talk to the walls! I explained to her that the children were simply respectful, but she said that it would be more respectful if they answered her questions.
And it is not only the West and the East that have cultural differences. Even Korea and China, two countries that are very close to each other, have differences too. “I thought Chinese and Korean people were similar in some ways,” said my friend Ji-Hyun in perfect Chinese, “but I was wrong. In ancient times the Chinese used to take their shoes off before entering a house. They don’t do that anymore, but Korean people still do! I keep getting that wrong even though I’ve been here for five years!”
Luckily, whether we take our shoes off or not, or leave unnecessary tips, the world still runs perfectly. In my opinion, cultural differences should simply be seen as a way of making life interesting. Imagine how boring it would be if we all did everything in exactly the same way! Learning to understand and respect differences is, after all, what life is all about.
Living with differences |
|
Theme |
People will meet a ___ culture while living in a foreign country, which can make them feel ___. |
____ of foreign friends in China |
Aubin couldn’t understand why waiters refused to ______ the tips he gave them after meals in restaurants. |
Julia felt really _____ because no one talked in class except herself and thought that if the students ____her, they should answer her questions. |
|
Ji-Hyun believed there were some similarities between Chinese and Korean people and thought it was wrong that people wore their shoes when they ________ a house. |
|
___________ |
We should consider cultural differences as a way to ______ life interesting. We would be ____ with life if we did everything in the same way. |
请认真阅读下列短文,并根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格里填入一个最恰当的单词。注意:每个空格只填1个单词。请将答案写在答题纸上相应题号的横线上。
Disability aids are vital to those who suffer problems with executing work with two hands.These are people who have been disabled due to some major sickness or some other problems.In order to help them carry on their work in the normal way, disability aids are manufactured.This helps them make their life a lot easier than what it would have been without these aids.The kind of disability aids that an individual might require depends on the person only.It is the problem that a person faces that decides the aids that he/she will use for carrying out their respective jobs.The following is the list of a few disability aids that come of significant use.
The first and foremost aid is the stocking aid, aiding the individuals suffering from the problem of bending down to reach the foot and wear their own socks.These stocking aids have a gutter(槽) that is made up of plastic material.These gutters are shaped in a certain way along with the attachment of cotton tapes in it.The sock is then put over the gutter.The foot is placed inside the gutter.The cotton tapes help in pulling the socks up the leg and subsequently the sock.In this manner, the sock is worn by a person who has problems wearing it by bending one’s back and reaching the foot.
There are openers that help the people who have problems with their hands or wrists to open bottles of ketchup, jam and other such bottles and jars that necessitates the use of hands and fingers.
The third type of disability aids that comes to our minds are lifts.Now what are lifts? Lifts are certain machines that help in lifting people from specific areas, such as a bathtub or a set of stairs.These lifts are of varied types and come for numerous applications.It is for the individual to decide the type that he/she requires to use.
For people, who have problems in balancing their upper bodies in a stable manner, there is something known as grab rails.These grab rails are installed for those who have mobility problems in their upper bodies.These rails come in varieties of shapes, sizes and angles.These grab rails are available to home users as well, in their different variations.One can purchase and fix one to their homes according to one’s specificities.These grab rails require the act of screwing and drilling in order to fix them to their appropriate place.The prices of these rails also vary according to the variation of their shapes and sizes.
A portable book holder is a much sought-after disability aid.It can be used by anybody for that matter, not just the disabled.These portable book holders are light-weight and can be easily moved about.These holders relieve the strains on one’s hands, necks and shoulders that might occur due to the handling of a book.The holders are provided with extended legs that help in placing the reading material at suitable distance.
Thus with the help of these disability aids, the old and disabled people can make their lives much more convenient and comfortable that would otherwise have been a cumbersome and complex one.
Disability Aids
Theme |
Disability aids are important to people with disabilities from some major sickness or other problems. |
|
Different of aids |
Stocking aids |
They can be used to help individuals whose bodies are not enough to reach their feet to put on socks by themselves. |
Openers |
They can be used to aid the disabled to open the bottles when the use of hands or wrists is a |
|
Lifts |
They can be used to lift people from specific areas.They come in of types and are numerously. |
|
Grab rails |
They can be used to keep their balance in a stable manner after proper |
|
Book holders |
They can be used to help with the of strains on one’s hands necks and shoulders when reading. |
|
these disability aids,the life of the old and disabled would become cumbersome and complex |
It is not easy to find true friends.Even if you’ve connected with someone,how do you really know he is a true friend?And often you will find that someone who you thought you could trust may have let you down.There are ways you can know if a friendship is true and how you can hold onto that friend.
Generally speaking,a true friend is someone who will be there for you no matter what happens.They will stand by you through bad and good times.They will accept you for who you are without trying to change you,and they will be there to help you grow in new ways.
A true friend will keep you secrets for you trust him.They will be honest and be someone you can depend on.They will listen and be someone you can talk things over with,even if they may not have advice to share with you.
However,friendship is a two-way street.To find true friends and keep them,you must in turn be the same as well.Be there for them in their hard times and share the good times with them.Be someone your friends can depend on as well and offer them the same thing they give to you.A friendship will fall apart fast if only one person is giving and putting all the effort.If you are the only one making an effort,be honest and it works.
Actually,there will be barriers in the road but that is the test of true friendship.If it can survive those barriers,it will be stronger and better than ever.Just as St Thomas Aquinas put it,“There is nothing on this earth more prized than friendship.”
Things You Should Insist on No Matter What People Say
Life can get pretty crazy at times. Happiness is dependent upon ourselves,and there are some things in life you should always insist on doing,no matter what others have to say about it.Here is a list of some things you should always do.
1.Learn from your mistakes
No matter what people say,you will make mistakes in your life.Life is a learning process in itself.Some people will make you feel bad about your mistakes,or insult you for making them. Accept your mistakes fully and really figure out what went wrong.
2.Embrace change and creativity
A popular proverb is,“You cannot solve a problem in the same state of consciences that created it.” Change and creativity are vital in today’s world.Things are always changing,so why should we be any different?
3.Appreciate what you have
This can take away from our happiness.Sometimes you just need to sit back and be happy about where your life is right now,and what you have to show for it. Sure people might tell you it’s not good enough,but don’t listen to them.It is good enough,and it gives you a sense of pride when you can enjoy the things you already have in life.
4.Listen to your heart
Sometimes you just need to follow your instincts and do what your heart tells you. There are some situations,like relationships,that rely more on your heart than on your head.People will surely tell you differently,but you should always insist on listening to what you want and feel. Again,you are the one who lives with your choices,and you are the one that has to live with the“what ifs.”
Chinese parents are very generous when it comes to educating their children. Not caring about the money, parents often send their children to the best schools or even abroad to England, the US or Australia. They also want their children to take extra-course activities where they will either learn a musical instrument or ballet, or other classes that will give them a head start in life. The Chinese believe that the more expensive an education is, the better it is. So parents will spend unreasonable amount of money on education. Even poor couples will buy computers for their sons or daughters.
However, what most parents fail to see is that the best education they can give to their children is usually very cheap.
Parents can see that their children’s skills vary, skilled in some areas while poor in others. What most parents fail to realize though, is that today’s children lack self-respect and self-confidence.
The reasons are that parents are only educating their children on how to take multiple-choice tests and how to study well, but parents are not teaching them the most important skills: they need to be confident, happy and clever.
Parents can achieve this by teaching practical skills like cooking, sewing and doing other housework.
Teaching a child to cook will improve many of the skills that he will need later in life. Cooking demands patience and time. It is an enjoyable but difficult experience. A good cook always tries to improve his cooking, so he will learn to work hard and gradually finish his job successfully. His result, a well-cooked dinner, will give him much satisfaction and a lot of confidence. These activities are not only teaching a child to work, but rather to think, and to use his mind. And that is more important.
Maybe you are an average student. You probably think you will never be a top student. This is not necessarily so, however. Anyone can become a better student if he or she wants to. Here’s how.
1).Plan your time carefully. When you plan your week, you should make a list of things that you have to do. After making this list, you should make a schedule of your time. Don’t forget to set aside enough time for entertainment. A weekly schedule may not solve all your problems, but it will force you to realize what is happening to your time.
2).Find a good place of to study. Look around the house for a good study area. Keep this space, which may be a desk or simply a corner of your room, free of everything but study materials. No games, radios, or television! When you sit down to study, concentrate on the subject.
3) Make good use of your time in class. Listen to everything the teachers say. Really listening in class means less work later. Taking notes will help you remember what the teacher says.
4). Study regularly. When you get home from school, go over your notes. Review the important points that your teacher mentioned in class. If you know what your teacher is going to discuss the next day, read that material. This will help you understand the next class. If you do these things regularly, the material will become more meaningful, and you will remember it longer.
5). Develop a good attitude about tests. The purpose of a test is to show what you have learned about a subject. They help you remember your new knowledge. The world won’t end if you don’t pass a test, so don’t be over worried.
There are other methods that might help you with your studying. You will probably discover many others after you have tried these.
How to become a better student
General methods |
How to |
Advantages |
Plan your time carefully |
Make a list |
Force you to realize is happening to your time |
Make a |
||
Find a good place to study |
Free of everything but Study |
You can on the subject |
Make good use of your time in class |
Listen to everything the teachers say |
Really listening in class means work later. |
Taking |
||
Study regularly |
your notes |
Help you it better, remember it longer |
Read the new material |
||
Develop a good attitude about test |
Don’t be worried |
Remember your new |
(共10小题;每小题1.5分,满分15分)
阅读下面材料,在空白处填入适当的内容(不多于3个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。
Smith: Mary, have you got the result of the exam?
Mary: No. How is it?
Smith: Terrible. It seems that only half of the students passed the final exam.
Mary: Really? The exam _ been very difficultthis time.
Smith: Well, I’m really (surprise) too. There are many students who definitely didn’t fail. According to Carl, there are eight boys in his class who failed, (include) himself and Gorge.
Mary: Oh! Gorge is of the top students in the college. What about his sister, Catherine? Did she pass?
Smith: Oh, yes. It seems that she (get) good marks.
Mary: That’s (absolute) unbelievable! Gorge was much better student than his sister, and has been working so hard for the last few months.
Smith: It seems (fair), doesn’t it? But, from I’ve heard, perhaps he worked too hard. He was ill during the week of the exam.
Mary: Oh, I see. These things happen, sometimes. I suppose the teacher will take his illness into account and give him a pass.
Smith: Well, there is a rumor going around the head of the Department is leaving.
Mary: Because of the bad result, you mean?
Smith: Well, I suppose so. I’m not sure. Maybe Mr. Dustin is going to be the new Department Head.