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In Florida. a group of parents known as"the break moms"has been fighting to pass a law guaranteeing the state's elementary-school students at least 20 minutes of daily free play.
In a survey of school-district administrators, roughly a third said their districts had reduced outdoor play in the early 2000s. Disadvantaged kids have been the most likely to be shortchanged (克扣). According to a 2003 study, just 56 percent of children living at or below the poverty line had break, compared with 83 percent of those above the poverty line a similar disparity (差异) existed between black children and their white peers.
The benefits of break might seem obvious-time to run around helps kids stay fit. But a large body of research suggests that it also promotes cognition (认知). Many studies have found that regular exercise improves mental function and academic performance. And an analysis of studies that focused specifically on break found positive associations between physical activity and the ability to concentrate in class.
In one series of experiments. researchers controlled break start times. Some days children were let out at 10 am. and other days at 10: 30. The kids attentiveness decreased when they had to wait longer for break and refreshed themselves after they played. And when fourth-graders in a break-free school were given a weekly break. Another group of researchers found that they had an easier time staying on task and were much less restless. These experimental findings are supported by an analysis of 10,000 questionnaires filled out by third-grade teachers: Even a single 15-minute daily break was connected with more-positive ratings of classroom behavior.
Perhaps most important, break allows children to design their own games. to test their abilities,to role-play and to settle their own conflicts-activities that are key to developing social skills and managing complicated situations. Initial results from an ongoing study in Texas suggest that elementary-school children who are given four 15-minute breaks a day are significantly more sympathetic toward their peers than are kids who don,t get break.
1.What causes "the break moms" to start a fight?
A. Pupils lack of outdoor play. B. Poor school management.
C. Absence of education laws. D. Inequality among students.
2.In one series of experiments,researchers find that .
A. children behave better when let out earlier
B. kids waiting longer are unable to stay focused again
C. third-graders have difficulty in focusing on task
D. fourth-graders are more concentrated without a break
3.What can we infer if we can ensure children a certain amount of daily break?
A. They escape from life conflicts
B. They may strengthen dependence
C. They are more considerate towards others
D. They are eager to manage complicated situations.
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As is known to all, the financial crisis firstly broke out in the United States,_____ the group of developed countries.
A. belonging to B. belonged to C. belongs to D. is belonged to
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An international group of coffee experts has considered Ethiopia’s coffee as the best in the world. Coffee is a top export of the country. But at home, it is seen as national pride. Ethiopians feel good about their coffee, and enjoying a drink with friends is a long tradition.
International coffee experts travel the world to find the best coffee. They keep returning to Ethiopia. Some people say the climate produces quality beans. Morton Wenner is a coffee importer. He said, “Ethiopia has different ancient types of coffee. They are planted in places with perfect soil, perfect altitude, and climates that are really suitable for coffee processing, such as drying and things like that.”
Finding the best quality beans is often an issue of taste. The process is known as cupping — tasting and comparing coffee from different roasted beans, grading and then pricing them.
But before international experts come to taste, coffee beans are studied in small coffee laboratories. Helen Assefa, a lab technician, describes the process, “When the coffee comes to the lab, we assess its quality first by recording the details. Then we weigh the wetness level and screen the beans for analysis. After that we polish the coffee beans and taste the samples. At the end we check for imperfect beans.”
Ethiopia is making big profits on its coffee reputation by exporting coffee to more than 120 countries. The country has an export income of more than $840 million a year. But not all the best coffee leaves Ethiopia. Forty percent of the coffee grown in the country stays there. It remains an important part of everyday life at work, at home and at ceremonies just to celebrate that special cup.
1.Where does the Ethiopian’s pride mainly come from?
A. Traditional practices. B. Food export. C. International experts. D. Best coffee.
2.Ethiopia produces best coffee because of ____________.
A. the special coffee taste B. the long-standing tradition
C. the satisfactory mild climate D. the favorable growing environment
3.Which of the following describes the process of studying coffee beans in the lab?
a. polish and taste
b. weigh the dampness level
c. record quality facts
d. analyze the beans
e. check for imperfection
A. d-c-b-a-e B. c-b-d-a-e C. e-c-a-b-d D. c-d-a-b-e
4.What can we learn from the last paragraph?
A. Coffee is essential in Ethiopians’ daily lives.
B. Coffee is the most profitable industry in Ethiopia.
C. Most of the coffee production remains in Ethiopia.
D. Ethiopians often hold ceremonies to celebrate harvest.
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_______ has been known that ______ other waste found in the ocean, the plastic does not break down.
A. As; dislike B. It, unlike
C. What, unlike D. That, dislike
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Naples is known for being the birthplace of Margherita pizza.1.the chefs in the city tried to break records2.their excellent skills. A group of chefs3.attempt) to make the longest pizza in the world.
The pizza measured two kilometers, for4.the chefs used 2,000 kg of flour, 1,600 kg of tomatoes and 2,000 kg of cheese. The pizza was made in 18 hours by more than 60 chefs,5.(weigh) five tons.
The 6.(large) pizza on record had a total surface area of 1,261.65 square meters. The pizza7.(name) Octavia respect for the first Roman emperor Octavian.
According to tradition, the Margherita pizza was first baked in Naples for the Bourbon Queen Regina Margherita by8.local chef in 1889. He used tomato, mozzarella and hasil to represent the 9.(colour) of the Italian flag, before naming his culinary(烹饪的)10.(create) after the Queen-Pizza Margherita.
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Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida and has a large number of shopping malls to suit different tastes for tourists and guests to shop. Here are some great places where you can shop in Jacksonville.
Gateway Town Center
The venerable Gateway Town Center is one of Jacksonville’s oldest shopping malls, providing an eclectic mix of exciting stores and fun amusements! Gateway Town Center is located at 5184 Norwood Avenue and owns a mixture of retail boutiques (时装店), like Footlocker and Ashley Stewart. You can visit Gateway Town Center Mondays through Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 6:00.
St. Johns Town Center
The newest and trendiest shopping destination in the city is St. Johns Town Center. This center has all your national favorites like Dillard’s, Barnes & Noble and Target as well as a great restaurant selection. St. Johns Towns Center is open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.
Regency Square Shopping Center
On 9501 Arlington Expressway stands the Regency Square Mall. Children like riding on the mall’s mini train while adults like to shop and socialize. Movie fans will like knowing that the Regency Square Mall has a 24 screen AMC theater. You can visit this mall from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and Sundays from noon to 6:00 p.m.
River City Marketplace
River City Marketplace located in Jacksonville is the largest shopping mall in the city with 70 shops including such stores as Lowes, Wal-Mart Super Center, Pet Smart and Old Navy. All these shops can be found at the open-air plaza. The mall’s 14 screen Hollywood theaters are a great attraction for movie buffs. River City Marketplace’s hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sundays.
1. If you want to enjoy a good dining during shopping you can go to __________.
A. St. Johns Town Center B. River City Marketplace
C. Gateway Town Center D. Regency Square Shopping Center
2. Children would like to visit Regency Square Shopping Center probably because __________.
A. they can buy a lot of wonderful toys
B. they can take the mini train there
C. they can play their favorite computer games
D. they can make many friends
3.On Sundays you should visit River City Marketplace at __________.
A. 10:00 a.m. B. 8:30 a.m.
C. 9:00 a.m. D. 6:30 p.m.
4.This passage is probably taken from __________.
A. a textbook B. a science magazine
C. an advertisement D. an announcement
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Faison worked in the state of Florida as a lawyer for large companies until 2012, when he moved to Virginia to start a farm business. But now, instead of raising crops, he is raising the earnings of local farmers.
Faison seems at ease with life on a farm. Members of his family have been farming for many years. When his grandparents died, he and his brothers and sisters inherited their farm. He says that began the process of trying to decide what they were going to do with it.
Four years ago, Faison left his job as a lawyer in Miami and returned to the family farm in Virginia. Slowly, he began to learn about the economic issues farmers face.
“A lot of small farmers are struggling. And they’re working very hard, but they’re not able to drive the income from farming to make it economically viable.”
Faison said he met with several farmers who raise animals naturally-in other words, they do not give them hormones (激素) or antibiotics (抗生素).
After the meetings, Faison created a company called Milton’s Local，named for his grandfather. Today, his work day is very different from his work as a lawyer.
Milton’s Local sells and transports all-natural meat from local farms to stores and restaurants. Faison says the company helps farmers increase their earnings, supports the local economy and satisfies the buyers of these meat products.
Milton’s Local products have been sold at the Arlington store for more than a yean People like the products, not just because they are natural but because they come from local farms.
That is good news for James Faison. He now works with more than 30 small farms in Virginia and North Carolina. He hopes Milton’s Local will expand，become more profitable and help more small farmers.
1.Why did Faison abandon his job as a lawyer?
A. Because he was tired of being a lawyer.
B. Because he was attempting to do something with their family farm.
C. Because his grandparents asked him to help on their family farm.
D. Because he was worried about his brothers and sisters to inherit their farm.
2.What problem did Faison find about farmers?
A. Farmers can’t make great profits in farming. B. Farmers can’t spend much on food.
C. Farmers can’t struggle on their farms. D. Farmers can’t feed animals naturally.
3.Faison set up the Milton’s Local to .
A. help increase his earning B. save the local economy
C. make a good bridge between customers and farmers D. help farmers sell their products
4.Where can we find this passage?
A. In a poster. B. In a novel.
C. In a history book. D. In a life magazine.
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As is known to us all, ___ in a good atmosphere is what all parents wish for.
A. the children educated
B. the children are educated
C. the children’s being educated
D. the children to be educated
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Time magazine has chosen “The Guardians”，a group of journalists who____ for their work, as Person of the Year, for taking great risks in pursuit of greater truths.
A. will target B. have targeted
C. will be targeted D. have been targeted
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When a pencil is partly in a glass of water, it looks as if it _______.
A．breaks B．has broken
C．were broken D．had been broken