On a summer day, John was sitting on a beach in Hawaii with his parents. The six-year-old child suddenly said he was so lucky because he had so many toys to play with at home.
His surprised parents replied that he was lucky, since a lot of kids didn’t have any toys at all. “How can that be?” John said, confused, but then he said that he would like to get toys for those children. His parents naturally thought their son was just kidding. But as soon as they returned home, John began using his pocket money to buy toys for other kids and asking his friends to do the same. His parents responded by organizing pizza suppers for other families interested in helping other children that can’t afford to buy toys. John thought that he just wanted to cheer those kids up.
John’s parents started to find a place that would allow children as young as six and seven to volunteer. They finally find a day care center for disabled children to let John and his friends visit. They went and played with these kids, playing around the room as if they belonged there.
John and his friends named their work Kids Cheering Kids. John and his friends visited kids at some childcare centers, helping out with a party they organized. They also prepared a performance for children with disabilities. Their activities have drawn public concern.
The spirit of helping is as fresh as it was that day in Hawaii. “The whole purpose,”
John says, “is to make the kids feel better.”
【小题1】Why did John get toys for the children who didn’t have any toy at all?

A.Because he wanted to make them happy.
B.Because he wanted to show off his toys.
C.Because he wanted to share his toys with them.
D.Because he wanted to make friends with them.
【小题2】What was John’s parents’ attitude towards his plan?
A.Positive.B.Critical. C.Doubtful.D.Puzzled.
【小题3】What do we learn about Kids Cheering Kids?
A.It’s a children’s game enjoyed by John and his friends.
B.It’s a project started by John to help other kids.
C.It’s a program performed by John and his friends.
D.It’s an after-school activity planned by John’s friends.
【小题4】What would be the best title for the passage?
A.An unforgettable vacationB.A valuable experience
C.Let kids cheer kidsD.Let kids learn to share

The history of English Coins

English coins have developed and changed over time. In the early 1600s' coins were made using the hammer struck method. Hammered coins or cast coins where the primary way coins were made and thus limited the number of coins that may be placed into circulation (流通). Hammered coins were made as far back as the first millennium BC with continued in use until the 1500s to the 1700s. English coins underwent a change in about 1663.

Hammered English coins were made using a blank quantity of metal that was the required weight and placing it between two dies. A die is a mold (模子) that allows the metal to get cut to a certain size and shape.The metal die contained an image that when hammered without delay would mold the image on each side of the coin. The unit was customarily place on a log or other firm surface which was known as a pile. One person held the die while a second person struck it.

There were several issues with this kind of coin making. For one thing, it was extremely slow and work in depth. Comparatively few coins might be made and placed into circulation. A second problem was that hammered coins had many irregularities. When several coins were placed together in a container and shaken about they were damaged as well. That is why older English coins might have chips(缺口) and rough edges.

During the 17th century hammered coins were replaced with milled (轧有花边的) coins. While France was the first country to start producing coins that were made entirely by machine, Britain wasn't far behind. Britain, in fact, began to manufacture coins on a trial basis in the mid?1500s, but it wasn't until the end of 1662 that English coins were made completely by machine.

The screw press (螺旋压力机) was the first machine to produce coins as an alternative to hammered coins. Leonardo da Vinci was the person who invented the screw press in the 15th century. It was powered by a water mill. Early on efforts were made to protect the coins by edging. You'll see that English?made coins have milled edges.

Milled English coins were much more standard in size and shape as well. The speed at which milled coins could be created allowed the coin circulation to grow and a greater number of coin types to be developed.

English coins were used in this country during the royally period. Hammered coins were produced and used up through the end of the 18th century and were given out across the colonies. English coins went through quite a lot of changes as can be seen in old coins that have been started in the US over time.

__1.__of English coins????????????? Time & Major Events

Hammered

coins????????????? The hammer struck method used to make coins has a history dating back to the first millennium BC.

At least two people are needed to carry out the work, with one _2.__the die and the other striking it.

__3._

The number of coins made and placed into circulation this way was _4.__.

Older English coins were quite __5._with many having chips and rough edges.

Such coins were placed into circulation across the colonies and __6._ in use through the end of the 18th century.

Milled coins????????????? During

the 15th

century????????????? Leonardo da Vinci _7.__the screw press, the 1st machine to produce coins.

????????????? In the

mid?1500s????????????? Britain __8._manufacturing coins.

????????????? In the

17th

century????????????? France became the first country to start producing coins made entirely by machine_9.__ by Britain, whose machine?made coins were featured by milled edges, but were more regular in size and shape.

The coin circulation began to grow.

Milled coins appeared as a(n) __10._ to hammered coins.

 

Several years ago, I had to replace a receptionist for my unit. Before I advertised for the position, I was approached by another manager, and asked if l would consider a transfer from his staff instead of opening a new competition. My natural question was to ask who he wanted me to consider and why.

     It appeared from his description of this employee, Maria, that she was having a lot of problems performing her duties, and had difficulties with her boss, and did not appear to respond to any attempts he, the manager, had made to settle the issues. Now, after listening to his explanation, I really had severe doubts. What crossed my mind, after this discussion, was that he wanted me to take a problem off his hands.

     I told him I would think about it and would let him know the next day. As promised, after thinking more about this potential performance issue, I decided that I would agree to speak with Maria privately before I made any decision.

     And, what I found out during this interview, left me deep in thought. As it turned out, the    performance issue appeared to result from working for a boss who never extended a good morning greeting, never gave a word of encouragement, and was constantly changing the work load and routines. The end result was a totally ruined employee who was unconfident, hated to see a new work day start.

     I decided to accept her transfer to my unit. What started out as a shy, withdrawn and frightened employee turned out to be one of the most productive and loyal employee that I had ever worked with. Maria couldn't do enough and was constantly asking for more and for more responsibility. I was more than happy to give her what she needed-praise for work well done, respect as a person, and encouragement for doing well in anything she dealt with.

     Sometimes, we are guilty of holding others back from accomplishing or doing or developing as they should or could. It may be a wise idea that we all look in the mirror, from time to time, to see what we are really like.

1.What can we learn about the writer from the first paragraph?

A. He is a manager in the company.

B. He doesn't like his receptionist.

C. He likes to compete with others.

D. He wants to find another position.

2.After hearing his colleague's description of Maria, the writer thought that Maria_______.

A. attempted to settle the issues

B. was a problem to her boss

C. shouldn't stay in the company

D. could get on well with others

3.Why did Maria fail to perform well in her previous job?

A. Her previous job was not suitable for her.

B. She had difficulty responding to her manager.

C. Her boss didn't inspire her working enthusiasm.

D. Her boss showed no trust in her ability.

4.The writer accepted Maria's transfer to unit probably because he thought that________.

A. she was a ruined employee 

B. she would need his protection

C. she would turn out to be a good employee  

D. she was a shy and frightened employee

5.The writer probably believes that a good boss should________.

A. praise and award his employees a lot   

B. respect, praise and encourage his employees

C. greet his employees and give them much work    

D. always give his employees guidance in working

 

违法和不良信息举报电话:027-86699610 举报邮箱:58377363@163.com

精英家教网