It took multiple weddings for Christine Law to realize what she needed to do. In the summer of 2014, her schedule was packed with friends, marriage celebrations—flowers --- filled occasions that got her thinking, “Where do all the flowers go after the party?” More often than not, they were thrown out. Law, then 27, was confident she could find a better use for them.
By August, she had a plan: convince couples and companies hosting events to donate their flowers, which she would pick up and deliver within 48 hours to seniors across the city. She wanted to bring beauty into the lives of the elderly. She drew on her experience volunteering with non-profits in order to set up her own organization, which she called Floranthropie. Not having enough bouquets (花束) for all 150 people of a health center, Law asked the staff to provide a list of patients who needed cheering up most, “The first woman I approached thought it was a mistake, and that the flowers couldn’t possibly be for her,” says Law. “I said they were a gift, and we talked for a half hour.”
In addition to health centers, Floranthropie focuses on community groups devoted to the elderly. Theleme is a volunteer for Les Petits Fieres, an organization that aims to help the elderly who don’t have a support system. The group receives a dozen or so bouquets from Floranthropie monthly, and then redistributes them. “Our motto is ‘flowers before bread,” says Theleme. “We don’t focus on primary care, but rather on nourishing (滋养) the spirit. Floranthropie helps that. It’s amazing what a big difference a small bouquet can make.”
In the beginning, most of Floranthropie’s donations came through word of mouth. These days, Law receives messages from strangers via her organization’s Facebook page and has connected with corporations and flower wholesalers. Law hopes to expand Floranthropie nationally, but at this point is happy to be able to oversee each delivery personally.
1.What made Christine Law set up Floranthropie?
A. The Waste of flowers. B. The loneliness of seniors.
C. The persuasion of other friends. D. The warm atmosphere of weddings.
2.What was the woman’s first reaction to Christine Law’s flowers?
A. She was moved. B. She was excited.
C. She was worried. D. She was surprised.
3.What can we infer about Floranthropie from Laetitia Theleme’s words?
A. It should focus on primary care.
B. It is benefiting more than the elderly.
C. It is doing something of great importance.
D. It should cooperate with more non-profits.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A. Volunteer Your Time B. Don’t Throw Them Out
C. Special Delivery Makes Your Day D. Brighten Seniors’ Lives With Flowers
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
I was never very neat, while my roommate Kate was extremely organized. Each of her objects had its place, but mine always hid somewhere. She even labeled(贴标签) everything. I always looked for everything. Over time, Kate got neater and I got messier. She would push my dirty clothing over, and I would lay my books on her tidy desk. We both got tired of each other.
War broke out one evening. Kate came into the room. Soon, I heard her screaming. “Take your shoes away! Why under my bed!” Deafened, I saw my shoes flying at me. I jumped to my feet and started yelling. She yelled back louder.
The room was filled with anger. We could not have stayed together for a single minute but for a phone call. Kate answered it. From her end of the conversation, I could tell right away her grandma was seriously ill. When she hung up, she quickly crawled(爬under her covers, sobbing. Obviously, that was something she should not go through alone. All of a sudden, a warm feeling of sympathy rose up in my heart.
Slowly, I collected the pencils, took back the books, made my bed, cleaned the socks and swept the floor, even on her side. I got so into my work that I even didn’t notice Kate had sat up. She was watching, her tears dried and her expression one of disbelief. Then, she reached out her hands to grasp mine. I looked up into her eyes. She smiled at me, “Thanks.”
Kate and I stayed roommates for the rest of the year. We didn’t always agree, but we learned the key to living together: giving in, cleaning up and holding on.
1.What made Kate so angry one evening?
A.She couldn’t find her books
B.She heard the author shouting loud
C.She got the news that her grandma was ill
D.She saw the author’s shoes beneath her bed
2.The author tidied up the room most probably because .
A.she was scared by Kate’s anger
B.she hated herself for being so messy
C.she wanted to show her care
D.she was asked by Kate to do so
3.How is Paragraph 1 mainly developed?
A.By analyzing causes B.By showing differences
C.By describing a process D.By following time order
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
If English means endless new words, difficult grammar and sometimes strange pronunciation, you are wrong. Haven’t you noticed that you have become smarter since you started to learn a language?
According to a new study by a British university, learning a second language can lead to an increase in your brain power.Researchers found that learning other languages changes grey matter.This is the area of the brain which processes information.It is similar to the way that exercise builds muscles.
The study also found the younger people learn a second language, the better the effect is.
A team led by Dr.Andrea Mechelli, from University College London, took a group of Britons who only spoke English.They were compared with a group of “early bilinguals” who had learnt a second language before the age of five, as well as a number of later learners.
Scans showed that grey matter density (密度) in the brain was greater in bilinguals than in people without a second language.But the longer a person waited before mastering a new language, the smaller the difference was.
“Our findings suggest that the structure of the brain is changed by the experience of learning a second language,” said the scientists.
It means that the change itself increases the ability to learn.
Professor Dylan Vaughan Jones of the University of Wales, has researched the link between bilingualism and maths skills.“Having two languages gives you two windows on the world and makes the brain more flexible,”he said.“You are actually going beyond language and have a better understanding of different ideas.”
The findings were matched in a study of native Italian speakers who had learned English as a second language between two and 34.Reading, writing, and comprehension were all tested.The results showed that the younger they started to learn, the better.“Studying a language means you get an entrance to another world,” explained the scientists.
1.The main subject talked about in this passage is_________.
A.science on learning a second language
B.man’s ability of learning a second language
C.findings that language learning can help brain power
D.language learning and maths study
2.The last sentence of the second paragraph is intended to______.
A.say language learning is also a kind of physical labor
B.prove that one needs more practice when he (she) is learning a language
C.show the importance of using it when you learn a language
D.make people believe language learning helps grey matter work well
3.We may know from the scientific findings that_______.
A.the earlier you start to learn a second language, the higher the grey matter density is
B.there is no difference between a later second language learner and one who doesn’t know a second language
C.the experience of learning a second language has bad effect on people’s brain
D.the ability of learning a second language is changing all the time
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
There was a time when I thought my dad didn’t know a thing about being a good father. I couldn’t ______ him ever saying the words “I _______you.” It seems to me his only purpose in life was to say “No” to anywhere I wanted to go and anything I wanted to do, including getting a _________Some parents bought their kids cars when they got their driver’s licenses. Not my dad—he said that I’d have to get a job and buy my own.
So that is what I did. I got a job at a very nice restaurant and _______every penny I could and________I had enough to buy my car, I did! The day I brought that car home, my dad was the first one I wanted to________it off to. “Look, dad, a car of my own. If you ever want a ride, I’ll only________you five dollars.” I offered with a smile. “I see,” was all he said.
One day, there was something wrong with my father’s truck. So he needed a ________to work. The sun wasn’t even up when we left the house, _______it was already getting warm out. It was going to be a(n) ________day. As I dropped my dad off, I_______him, dressed in his work clothes, getting his _____ from the truck (车尾箱) of my car. Watching his sun weathered face, and even from a distance I could tell there were ________lines than I ever remembered being there before. I realized how hard my dad works for the family. My father is a cement finisher (水泥修整工).
In that instant, it_________to me that he actually got down on his hands and knees to sweat over hot concrete (混凝土) to make a living for his family. And he did this day in and day out, however hot it got. Never, not once, had I heard him _____ about it. To him we were “worth” it. And never once did he “ _____” us for it.
When he closed the trunk, his tools set off to the side, he walked over to my window to _____me five dollars. I rolled down the window and said “Good-bye, dad. Keep your five dollars. It’s my ______. Don’t work too hard. I love you.”
His _______ met mine, then glanced away in the direction of his waiting tools, he_______ his throat and said, “Oh, and… me, too.”
1.A.like B.remember C.forget D.care
2.A.ignore B.admire C.love D.hate
3.A.car B.friend C.job D.present
4.A.spent B.earned C.kept D.saved
5.A.when B.if C.because D.though
6.A.kick B.take C.turn D.show
7.A.pay B.charge C.offer D.provide
8.A.ride B.leave C.trip D.hurry
9.A.as B.although C.but D.since
10.A.ordinary B.hot C.work D.special
11.A.helped B.followed C.left D.watched
12.A.tools B.clothes C.luggage D.bag
13.A.fewer B.more C.longer D.deeper
14.A.happened B.seemed C.occurred D.appeared
15.A.talk B.complain C.ask D.speak
16.A.forgive B.thank C.praise D.charge
17.A.hand B.pass C.lend D.take
18.A.help B.advice C.treat D.reply
19.A.hands B.smile C.voice D.eyes
20.A.cleaned B.wiped C.cleared D.felt
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
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。
As a player,Lang Ping brought honour to her country . As1.coach, she led her team to medals in mang games .As a person, she is loved by fans at home and abroad .When her team was preparing for the 2015 World Cup ,her 2. (determine) was tested .The team 3. she had built was falling apart . One of the best players had been 4. (injure) , and the team captain had to leave because of heart problems.5. (lose) two important players was a big challenge , but Lang Ping didn’t lose heart .Two weeks later ,they were world champions !
Michael Jordan6. became known as “Air Jordan ” changed basketball with his graceful moves and jumps. Jordan’s skills were7. (impress) , but the mental 8. (strong )that he showed made him unique . In the final seconds of a game , Jordan always seemed to find a way9. (win).Jordan says that the secret to his success is learning from his failures. Losing games taught him to practise harder and never give 10. . In life ,Jordan has learnt to share his success with others .
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
完成单词 根据单词首字母或汉语提示填入单词正确形式
1.he is hoping to ________ （参加比赛）in the London marathon .
2.He wasn’t really crying ; he was only p_______ .
3.Between the two parts of the concert is an interval, when the _______（听众）can buy ice cream.
4.Evan is now taking a more ________ （积极的）attitude .
5.Children’s c________ themselves to others online may lead to lower self-identity and confidence .
6.The number of families seeking ________（庇护）rose by 16 percent .
7.It was the second air _______（灾难）in the region in less than two months .
8.He turned as someone t________ him on the shoulder.
9.Of the six people injured in the crash , only two s_________ .
10.Car drivers have to obey traffic rules that tell them the right things to do on the road to avoid ______ （碰撞）
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
近几年全球地震频发。地震会造成包括房屋倒塌,人员伤亡等在内的一系列的不良后果。所以在发生地震时如何保护自己便成了一个重要的话题。请你以“How to Survive in an Earthquake”为题写一篇文章。
内容要点:
1.地震来临时请不要惊慌,如果在室外请远离大树、高楼、高压线等物。
2.如果在室内,要尽量躲在桌子等坚固家具下面,并且注意保护好头、颈部。
3.逃生时千万不要选择乘坐电梯。
注意:词数100左右,可适当增加细节以使行文连贯。
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
难度: 中等查看答案及解析