Thomas Alva Edison was awarded more patents on inventions than any other American. When he died in 1931, Americans wondered how they could best show their respect for him. One suggestion was that the nation observe a minute or two of total blackout. All electric power would be shut off in homes, streets, and factories. Perhaps this suggested plan made Americans realize fully what Edison and his inventions mean to them. Electric power was too important to the country. Shutting it off for even a short time would have led to complete confusion. A blackout was impossible.
On the day of Edison's funeral, many people silently dimmed their lights. In this way they honored the man who had done more than anyone else to put the great force of electricity at his countrymen's fingertips.This selection says that Thomas Edison ________.
| A．was the only important American inventor |
| B．received the first American patent |
| C．received more patents than any other American |
| D．was the first American inventor |
People decided to honor Edison when ________.
| A．he made the first electric light |
| B．electric power was 100 years |
| C．the country realized electricity's importance |
| D．he died in 1931 |
The suggested plan was to ________.
| A．turn off the lights in factories and schools |
| B．observe a few minutes of total silence |
| C．dim all electric lights |
| D．shut off all electricity for a short time |
Even at school there had been an unhealthy competition between George and Richard.
“I’ll be the first millionaire in Coleford!” Richard used to boast.
“And you’ll be sorry that you knew me,” George would reply “because I’ll surely be the best lawyer in our town!”
After graduation, George never became a lawyer and Richard was anybody but a millionaire …. Instead, it happened that both men opened bookshops on opposite sides of Coleford High Street, while it was hard to make much money from books then, which made the competition between them worse. Eventually, Richard closed down his, dreaming of making a fortune elsewhere.
Now, with only one bookshop in the town, business was better for George. But sometimes he sat in his narrow old kitchen and gazed out of the dirty window, thinking about his former rival (竞争对手)。Perhaps he missed him?
George was very interested in old dictionaries, and he had recently found a collector in Australia who was selling a rare first edition. When the parcel arrived, the book was in perfect condition and George was quite delighted. But while he was having lunch, George glanced at the photo in the newspaper that the book had been wrapped in. He was astonished — the smiling face was older than he remembered but unmistakable! Trembling, George started reading: “Bookends Company has bought ten bookstores from its competitors. The company, owned by multi-millionaire Richard Pike, is now the largest bookseller in this country.” George and Richard were at school.
| A．roommates | B．good friends | C．competitors | D．booksellers |
How did George feel about Richard after his disappearance?
| A．He envied Richard’s good fortune very much. |
| B．He thought about Richard from time to time. |
| C．He felt unlucky with no more rival in the town. |
| D．He was unhappy of Richard’s disappearance. |
George got information about Richard from .
| A．a dictionary collector in Australia |
| B．one of Richard’s competitors |
| C．some rare edition of a dictionary |
| D．the wrapping paper of a book |
What happened to George and Richard in the end?
| A．Both George and Richard became millionaires by selling books. |
| B．Both of them realized their original ambitions, which were the same. |
| C．George established a successful business while Richard was missing. |
| D．Richard became a millionaire while George had no great success. |
Even a child knows that nodding the head means “Yes”. But some people will probably be puzzled when they first come to India. When they talk to an Indian, he often shakes his head. They might think that the Indian does not like what he said, but on the contrary he is expressing agreement.
The Indians have a habit of shaking their heads slightly when they talk to somebody. It doesn’t mean “No”, but “Yes”.
If a person doesn’t know this, it might cause misunderstanding.
At one time a foreigner in Indian told his driver who was an Indian to take him to his office. The driver shook his head. The foreigner repeated his request and the driver shook his head again. At last, the foreigner shouted angrily, “Drive me to my office at once!” The driver said in a low voice, “Yes, sir,” smiling and shaking his head again at the same time.Generally speaking, nodding the head means _______, and shaking the head means _______.
| A．Yes; No | B．No; Yes | C．Yes; Yes | D．No; No |
Why did the Indian driver shake his head when the foreigner asked him to drive him to his office? Because _________.
| A．the Indian driver had something important to do |
| B．the foreigner promised to give him only a little money |
| C．the driver felt uncomfortable at that time |
| D．in India shaking the head means agreement |
Why did the foreigner become angry? Because _______.
| A．the Indian driver didn’t want to send him to his office |
| B．he misunderstood the meaning of shaking the head in India |
| C．he asked the driver to send him to his office, but the Indian driver didn’t say any words |
| D．the Indian driver asked him for a lot of money |
The underlined phrase “on the contrary” means ________.
| A．just the opposite | B．clear difference between two things |
| C．doing what you want to do | D．on the other hand |
Taking the dog to the beach on a hot summer's day is a great way to relax. But not all beaches are dog friendly. So if you're looking to take your dog to the coast this summer, here's a few of the country's most dog-friendly beaches.
| Sunshine Beach Where: Noosa, Queensland Only a 10-minute drive from Noosa, Sunshine Beach also welcomes dogs with open paws. Once known as Golden Beach, its long white beaches make it a paradise for anyone who loves fishing, boating, surfing or just relaxing on the beach with family and friends. Restrictions (限定): Dogs can freely explore the shoreline from Noosa National Park to the path leading from Seaview Terrace. |
| Tallow Beach Where: Byron Bay, New South Wales With white sand that stretches (延伸) for miles, and clean, clear waters washing its shores, Byron certainly doesn't want for beautiful beaches — and Tallow Beach is no exception. This seven-kilometer-long beach stretches all the way to Broken Head Reserve. Restrictions: The beach's dog-friendly area starts near Jarman Street and stretches north to the outside of Arakwal National Park. |
| Muirs Beach Where: Coles Bay, Tasmania One of the few beaches that falls outside of Freycinet National Park, Muirs, is a great family beach that welcomes dogs, too. Compared to famous sheltered beaches of Freycinet, it is more open to the waves from the Tasman Sea, making it ideal for windsurfing. The beach itself is very long, so there is plenty of space to let your dog run free. Restrictions: Dog owners must respect the environment and use the poop bags provided at the entrance to the beach to get rid of any dog waste.Fines apply (运用). |
| Yorkeys Knob Beach Where: Queensland Located just 15 minutes from Cairns, Yorkeys Knob Beach is a great spot to relax with your dog. Named after a local fisherman called "Yorkey" who lived on the rocky hill (“knob”), this wonderful little beach is one of the best-kept secrets in Tropical North Queensland. It is ideal for swimming and snorkelling in the summer season. Restrictions: The southern end of the beach is the "dog off-chain" end where your dog is allowed to run free; dogs must be on a chain in all other areas of the beach. |
What can we learn from the underlined sentence?
| A．Tallow Beach is not popular in Byron Bay. |
| B．Beautiful beaches are not important in Byron Bay. |
| C．Tallow Beach is the most beautiful beach in Byron Bay. |
| D．Tallow Beach is one of the beautiful beaches in Byron Bay. |
On Muirs Beach, if people do not get rid of dog waste, .
| A．it’s just fine to let it be |
| B．they have to clean the beach |
| C．they’ll get punished by paying money |
| D．they have to provide poop bags at the entrance to the beach |
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
| A．All beaches welcome people together with their dogs. |
| B．Tallow Beach was named after a local fisherman. |
| C．Yorkeys Knob Beach is a good place for windsurfing. |
| D．Dogs can run free only on some of the beaches mentioned above. |
Free Fun Guides
| Free Admission to Hundreds of Museums Sept.25 What a weekend! This Saturday, Sept.25, hundreds of U.S. museums admission free for the Smithsonian’s annual Museum Day. Unlike previous Museum Day celebrations, you must sign up for a free ticket that admits two people to any of the participating museums. That means filling out a form and having the ticket emailed to you. Not bad for a freebie that will give you admission to museums such as the Adler Planetarium in Chicago and the Air & Space Museum in San Diego. Some participating museums are closed on Saturday, so they offer free admission on Sunday, Sept.26, instead. |
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| Free Admission to National Parks & Public Lands Would you rather visit a National Park for free instead of a museum for free? The choice is yours on Saturday, Sept.25, as all 392National Parks and all other national public lands are admission free for National Public Lands Day. The fee-free day for national parks, forests, monuments and other public lands falls on the same day as the Smithsonian Museum Day, when hundreds of U. S. museums are also admission free. If you love the outdoors, consider signing up or just show up for one of the volunteer projects at the public lands sites on Saturday. Spend the morning helping clean up and restore our national natural treasures, then spend the afternoon just enjoying and exploring them. |
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| Free Books for Kid @ Barnes & Noble! If your kids love to read—and we hope they do!—be sure to sign them up for Barnes & Noble’s summer reading programs so they can earn a free book! It’s easy for kids ages 12 and under to participate. For Barnes & Noble’s Passport to Summer Reading program, just download and print out your passport. Read any eight books, log them into the passport and bring it to any Barnes & Noble by September 7. Choose your free book from the list on the back of the passport. |
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| FREE Night of Theater Across the U. S in October Hark! ‘Tis a chance to see this thing called the play, and not just Mr. Shakespeare’s! It’s the annual run of the Free Night of Theater, when hundreds of theaters in 120 U. S. cities give away thousands of tickets to local productions. While the kickoff date is October 15, many of the theaters start releasing their free tickets by Oct. 1 or in waves during the month of October for performance dates throughout the month. Ticket seekers are limited to two tickets for one performance. Find your city on the Free Night of Theater Website and check the listings for performances, their dates and their ticket giveaway times and locations. |
|
What is new about this year’s Museum Day?
| A．People can visit a museum for free | B．Two museums offer free admission |
| C．People will get free tickets online | D．Some museums open for free on Sunday |
How is National Public Lands Day different from the other three events?
| A．It comes on Sept. 25 | B．Visitors may offer help |
| C．All can visit the parks for free | D．Visitors may choose what to do |
How can kids get a free book?
| A．By choosing one of the books they have read | B．By downloading and printing out a passport |
| C．By reading eight books at any Barnes & Noble | D．By listening to B & N’s free online stories |
Which of the following shows the similarity between Museum Day and Free Night of Theater?
| A．They take place once a year | B．They last for the same length of time |
| C．The tickets can be used in any U.S cities | D．The same number of free tickets is given away |
The main purpose of the passage is to .
| A．help people who are very poor | B．introduce ways to save money |
| C．give guidance on how to have some fun | D．provide information about free things to do |
237 West Palmdale Boulevard
Fresno, California 93706
AmToy Corporation
Suite 15
TransAm Building
San Francisco, California 94115
November 20,2010
Dear Sirs,
As a concerned parent, I am writing to protest your recent advertisement for Electro-Robo seen in local media in California. Specifically, I am referring to newspaper and magazine ads (attached to this letter) published the week of November 15.
Children respond to your type of advertising in an immature way; that is, they are unable to understand how expensive some toys are for middle class parents. Further, your product is violent in nature. Your advertisement gives children the impression that it’s fine to have “two guns and laser eyes.” You also suggest that children need your toy to protect them “when you go outside.” This is not a healthy attitude for children to have.
I hope you will stop advertising your product in such a way that may harm our children.
Sincerely yours,
(Mrs.) Alma Hernandez
President, Parents for Non violent Toys
Enclosed Advertisement:
| It’s Here! Ready for You, Now! It’s Electro Robo! Every boy dreams of being in control of a robot, and AmToy can make your dream come true! Electro-Robo is the world’s first fully automatic robot with radio control. Standing 80 centimeters tall, Electro-Robo is like a friend at home. He can walk, talk, and even shake your hand! He has two guns and laser eyes to help you defend yourself when you go outside with him. Every boy needs Electro-Robo! Ask your Mom and Dad to buy Electro-Robo for your birthday or for Christmas, which is coming up soon. Imagine that you are in control of your friend for life, Electro- Robo! Available at all toy stores and department stores NOW! |
What is the purpose of the letter?
| A．To complain about a broken toy. | B．To order a gift for Christmas. |
| C．To oppose the advertising. | D．To apply for a job in a toy company. |
Why does the writer of the letter feel that Electro-Robo is violent?
| A．It bears arms. | B．It is expensive to buy. |
| C．It is 80 centimeters tall. | D．It is controlled by radio waves. |
Electro-Robo can do all the following EXCEPT________.
| A．shaking hands | B．sitting down | C．talking | D．walking |
Shift Happens by Robert Holden
Price: $ 6.49
It’s an excellent book that will greatly improve your life. It has insightful (富有洞察力的) wisdom that is easy toapply in everyday life. It’s written in a very thoughtful and humorous way. Read it when you are stressed and it will help you remember what is important in your life.
Balancing Work & Life by Robert Holden
Price: $ 10.50
The book deals with the key challenges of our life. It is a must-read for anyone who is trying to balance work success, family joy and daily life.
★Practical techniques show you how to set your goals and make proper choices.
★Clear text and illustrations (图表) cover every aspect of defining success and achieving balance.
★Accessible (易懂的) charts and diagrams explore different choices for taking actions and provide examples.
Happiness Now by Robert Holden
Price:$8.00
This book explains what holds us back from being happy in our lives. Holden analyzes these similar questions and inthe process you will become more informed about what’s really going on in your mind. This is a must-have book for anyone wanting to understand how your thoughts keep you from your happiness.
The Secrets of Relationships by Renshaw
Price: $9.50
Are you looking for a satisfying relationship? If so, you should read this book and discover:
★The secret of findingthe right partner
★The secret of communicating successfully
★The secret of getting along well with others
★The secret of getting what you want
This book is your passport to a whole new relation-ship experience.
Order online now and you can get a 20% discount.
For more information, please click here.
If you find it hard to get along with others, which book can offer you help?
| A．Happiness Now | B．Balancing Work & Life |
C．Shift Happens | D．The Secrets of Relationships |
All of these books mainly help people ______________.
| A．to make friends easily | B．to improve their quality of life |
C．to find a better job | D．to achieve their goals |
If you want to buy two copies of Balancing Work & Life and one copy of Happiness Now online, how much would you have to pay?
| A．$29 | B．$23.20 | C．$26.50 | D．$22.40 |
In the United States, 30 percent of the people have a “weight problem”. To many people the cause is obvious (明显的): they eat too much. But scientific evidence (证据) does little to support this idea. Going back to America of 1910, we find that people were thinner than today, yet they at
e more food. In those days people worked harder physically, walked more, used machines much less, and didn’t watch television.
Several modern studies, moreover, have shown that fatter people don’t eat more on average than thinner people. A 1979 study of 3,545 London office workers showed that fat people eat less than slim (苗条的) people.
Studies also show that slim people are more active than fat people. A study by a research group at Stanford University found the following interesting facts:
The more the man ran, the greater loss of the body fat.
The more they ran, the greater increase in food intake.
Thus, those who ran the most ate the most, yet lost the greatest amount of body fat. Nowadays many Americans have the problem that ______.
| A．they are too slim | B．they work too hard |
| C．they are too fat | D．they lose too much body fat |
According to the passage, how many people in 900 Americans have a “weight problem”?
| A．150. | B．300. | C．600. | D．270. |
Is there any scientific evidence to support the idea that eating too much is the cause of a “weight problem”?
| A．Yes, there is plenty of evidence. |
| B．Of course, there is some evidence to support this. |
| C．There is hardly any scientific evidence to support this. |
| D．We are not sure. |
The Americans in 1910 ________.
| A．ate more food and had more physical activities |
| B．ate less food but had more physical activities |
| C．ate less food and had less physical activities |
| D．had more problems |
Recreational tree climbing is taking root in the ecotourism industry, and it's sending guys like Tim Kovar to far off reaches of the globe. Kovar, a tree-climbing instructor, recently returned to the U.S. from Brazil, where he spent time developing a tree-climbing operation thanks to the "slow travel" movement.
Slow travel, is like the slow food movement, the practice of giving fast food in favor of homegrown cooking—the kind that takes hours to prepare and enjoy. Likewise, slow travel urges visitors to experience a place's natural surroundings and learn about the ecology in a way not afforded by extreme games.
"Tree climbing is a slow activity," says Kovar. "It's not something you do quickly and then you're on to the next thing or event." There is no such thing as a quick climb, especially for beginners. This wasn't a race against the clock or the fellow climbers. In fact, tree climbing is unlikely to ever become a feature of the extreme games. Many climbers refuse competition. There has already been so much competition in the world.
"When you stand below 
the tree, it can be amazing," Rusel DeMaria says, looking affectionately up at Michael's Triumph, a 150-foot-tall tree. But reaching the treetop, he adds, is an entirely different feeling. Likewise, his wife, Viola Brumbaugh, kneels on the ground and asks Michael's Triumph for permission to climb. "It goes a lot smoother that way, "She says.
And climbing has been included into many educational programs. New Tribe offers guided climbs through its school, Tree Climbing Northwest, where "we teach enough tree biology and forest ecology to raise awareness in our students," says New Tribe present Sophis Sparks. "We know that the tree climbing experience deepens personal appreciation for trees. After climbing, people value trees more and a
re motivated to support preservation. This is not just to preserve their playground."
Perhaps that is why he struggles with the term "recreational tree climbing," saying, "I prefer to call it inspirational tree climbing."What do slow travel and the slow food movement have in common?
| A．They take people a long time. | B．They are related to the eco-tourism industry. |
| C．They advocate protecting nature. | D．They cost people little money |
What do we know about tree climbing from the passage?
| A．People compete to see who can climb to the top first. |
| B．It favors the experience of enjoying nature. |
| C．It is a kind of extreme sport and needs a lot of effort. |
| D．People view it as a challenge to climb the tallest tree in a forest. |
Brumbaugh kneels on the ground before climbing trees to ___________________.
| A．beg for the safety of climbing | B．Expect to climb faster than her husband |
| C．Show respect for the tree | D．ask for permission of her husband |
Sophia Sparks prefers the term "inspirational tree climbing" because it ____________.
| A．provide people with more chances to play outside |
| B．bring a lot of pleasure to life |
C．Deepens personal lo ve between each other |
| D．Makes people realize they should protect trees |
What's the best title for the passage?
| A．Tree-climbing travelling | B．Slow travel movements |
| C．Dangers of climbing | D．Respect for nature |
Senior First Aid
Registration(注册) Details: PARASOL EMT Pty Limited (ABN 39 072 488 914)
Recognition Period: 01/01/1997 to 30/03/2008
Purpose: The aim of this course is to develop a student’s competence(胜任) and confidence in providing emergency first aid. This includes calling for help, the ability to respond to first aid situations, decision-making, and basic life support functions. This course covers adult and child conditions.
Target Audience: This course is suitable for anyone requiring a first aid certificate(证书) for the workplace, recreational purposes, sporting, or home use.
Format(形式): A mixture of theoretical and practical elements(成分), with at least 50% of time spent on practical skills.
Requirements: Be at least 14 years of age.
Learning Objectives:
● Apply(运用) Life Support Skills
● Apply First Aid Management Skills for Burns
● Demonstrate the identification and management of bleeding and wounds.
● Describe the recognition and management of internal bleeding
● Manage an Emergency (Basic)
● Apply First Aid Management for bone and joint(关节) injuries
● Manage Emergency Situations
● Apply First Aid Management skills for bites, stings and poisoning.
● Manage an acute illness
● Describe the recognition and management of an eye injury
● Describe the basic structure and function of the human body.
● Apply First Aid Management skills for chest, abdominal(腹部的) and head injuriesThe underlined part “target audience” probably means _______.
| A．what performance the audience want to see |
| B．all kinds of audience who are to be attracted by the course |
| C．people are suitable to be engaged in first aid work |
| D．a limited group that the course is aimed at |
According to the ads after you finish this course, you will probably do all the following EXCEPT _______.
| A．you can deal with common animals’ bites and stings |
| B．you can do an operation on the chest and head |
| C．you can give first aid when someone hurt his leg badly |
| D．you can tell whether a person is bleeding inside his body |
What is the main purpose of the advertisement?
| A．To make a person competent to give first aid. |
| B．To develop the students’ ability to give first aid. |
| C．To persuade the students to take part in the first aid course. |
| D．To tell the students more about basic structure and function of the human body. |
Driver Wanted
Clean driving license(执照).
Must be of smart appearance.
Age over 25.
Apply to(申请): Capes Taxi, 17 Palace Road, Royston.
Air Hostesses for International Flights Wanted
Applicants(申请者) must be between 20 and 33 years old.
Height: 1.6 m to 1.75 m.
Education to GCSE standard.
Two languages. Must be able to swim.
Apply to: Recruitment(招聘) office, Southern Airlines, Heathrow Airport West. HR 37 KK.
Teachers Needed
For private language school.
Having college education.
Teaching experience unnecessary.
Apply to: The Director of Studies, Instant Languages Ltd. 279 Canal Street, Royston. What prevents Jack, an experienced taxi driver, working for Capes Taxi?
| A．Fond of beer and wine. |
| B．Punished for speeding and wrong parking. |
| C．Unable to speak a foreign language. |
| D．Not having college education. |
Ben, aged 22, fond of swimming and driving, has just graduated from a college.
Which job might be given to him?
| A．Driving for Capes Taxi. |
| B．Working for Southern Airlines. |
| C．Teaching at Instant Languages Ltd. |
| D．None of the three. |
What prevents Mary, aged 25, becoming an air hostess?
| A．She once broke a traffic law and was fined |
| B．She can’t speak Japanese very well. |
| C．She has never worked as an air hostess before. |
| D．She doesn’t feel like working long hours flying abroad. |
Which of the following is not mentioned in the three advertisements?
| A．Marriage. | B．Male or female. |
| C．Education. | D．Working experience. |
When I was about 12, I had an enemy, a girl who liked to point out my shortcomings(缺点). Sometimes she said I was thin. Sometimes she said I was lazy. Sometimes she said I wasn’t a good student. Sometimes she said I talked too much, and so on. I tried to put up with(忍受) her as long as I could. At last, I became very angry. I ran to my father with tears in my eyes.
He listened to me quietly, and then he asked, “Are the things she said true or not? Mary, didn’t you ever wonder what you’re really like? Go and make a list of everything she said and mark the points that are true. Pay no attention to the other things she said.”
I did as he told me and to my surprise, I discovered that about half the things were true.
I brought the list back to my dad. He refused to take it. “That’s just for you,” he said. “You know better than anyone else the truth about yourself. When something said about you is true, you’ll find it will be helpful to you. Don’t shut your ears. Listen to them all, but hear the truth and do what you think is right.”
Many years have passed. The situation often appears in my mind. In our life we often meet with some trouble and we often go to someone and ask for advice. For some advice you will treasure(珍惜) all your life!What did the writer’s father do after he heard her complaints(抱怨)?
| A．He agreed with her “enemy”. |
| B．he let her continue to put up with her “enemy”. |
| C．He told her to write down all her “enemy” had said about her. |
| D．He told her not to pay attention to what her “enemy” had said. |
The writer felt ______ when she did the things as her father had told her.
| A．surprised | B．angry | C．disappointed | D．sad |
Which of the following can we know from the passage?
| A．The “enemy” thought the writer was pretty. |
| B．The “enemy” thought the writer studied hard. |
| C．The writer and her “enemy” became best friends at last. |
| D．The writer is grateful to her father. |
Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?
| A．My Parents |
| B．A Serious Criticism(批评) |
| C．What People Say About You Is Always Right |
| D．The Best Advice I Ever Had |
One thing that British and Chinese cultures share is a love for fine tea. Today, when we think of Western tea culture, we often think of the English and beautiful china tea cups.
Afternoon tea
People believe that an English lady, Anna, first introduced the idea of afternoon tea. In the 18th and 19th centuries. the English ate only two main meals each day ,breakfast and a heavy supper that would last for several hours in the evening. As a result, people often got very hungry during the long wait between these two meals. To solve this problem, Anna came up with the clever idea of inviting some friends to join her for an afternoon meal between four and five o’clock. This meal included cakes and sandwiches. and tea was served(提供)to wash down the food. In order to make this afternoon meal important, fine china cups and plates, and silver teapots. knives, forks and spoons were used .Soon, afternoon tea parties became popular social occasions. Today, afternoon tea parties continue to play an important part in the social life in modern Britain.
Will you come for coffee?
Coffee also has an important role in British culture. People often use the words“Will you come for coffee?” to mean “Would you like to come to my home for a chat?” Normally, several different drinks such as tea, hot chocolate or a soft drink like orange Juice will be served as well as coffee. and you will be asked what you would like. However, you will not normally be offered wine at a "coffee" party.
Coffeehouses and the London Stock Exchange
In the 17th century London, coffeehouses were busy and noisy places. Businessmen and bankers went to coffeehouses to do their business, as well as to drink coffee. In fact, the London Stock Exchange(股票交易所) is believed to have started from these coffeehouses
One day, a poor boy who was trying to pay his way through school by sending newspapers door to door, was so hungry that he decided to beg for a meal at the next house.
However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?”
“You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Then I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” With these words, Howard Kelly left that house.
Years later the woman became badly ill and was finally sent to the hospital in a big city. Dr. Howard Kelly, now famous, was called in. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Dressed in his doctor’s clothes, Dr. Kelly went into her room and recognized her at once. From that day on, he gave special attention to her, and decided to do his best to save her life.
At last the woman was saved. Dr. Kelly asked the business office to pass the final bill to him. He looked at it and then wrote something on the side. The bill was sent to the woman’s room. She was afraid to open it because she was sure that it would take the rest of her life to pay for it off. Finally she looked, and the note on the side of the bill caught her attention. She read these words:
“Paid in full with a glass of milk, Dr. Howard Kelly.”
Tear of joy flooded her eyes.
No one can change the weather. Nobody can control the weather. But if we read correctly the signs around us, we can tell what the more important changes in the weather will be. This way of telling what the weather will be like on the following day or two is called weather forecasting(天气预报).
For many centuries and in all countries, people have studied the weather and tried to make weather forecasting. Rings around the sun are a sign of coming rain. That many people feel their joints(关节) hurt is a sign of wet weather. Some birds fly high if fine weather is coming, but they fly near the ground if rainy or stormy weather is on the way. If you see a rainbow during rainy weather, this is a sign that the weather will become clear and fine. Such rainbows come in the evening. If the stars twinkle clearly at night, then fine weather will continue. If a fog appears in the morning just above a river, then the day will be warm. If the sunset is mostly red in colour, then the following day will be fine. If a rainbow appears in the morning, rainy weather will probably come.
Most of the above sayings have been made by the people who have used their eyes and brains to make weather forecasting.
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