My transportation was unexpectedly smooth and I arrived at the meeting half an hour earlier. I kept my eyes on the restaurant door. Several customers entered, but not my friend. At 6:00 pm, she sent me a text message: “Urgent work to finish. Will be 20 minutes late.”

I had left my book in the office, so I spent the time thinking of my experiences of being late in China. On my first visit in 1985, punctuality was deeply rooted in the Chinese hearts. There were no traffic jams then.

As a teacher in Canada, I always insisted on punctuality. I would open the classroom door to a late student for the first time and the second, but not the third. During the six years I worked for CCTV, I had a Chinese friend whom I often saw at lunch time, or after work. We used to meet at the subway station nearby. He was always late by 10-20 minutes. To my question, “You were busy?” he would surprisingly answer, “ No.” Once I asked him to check the clock in his office, he smiled.

In March 2015, I got permanent residence (居住权) in China. The ceremony was scheduled for 9:00 am at the Public Security Bureau on the Second Ring Road. I told my driver I had to get there by 8:40 am. “No problem,” he replied. But he thought he had time to drop someone off at the airport before picking me up. I desperately waited for him. Then, to rub salt into my wound, he had to stop at the exit of a gas station. Finally, I entered the room at 9:07 am ── the last guest to arrive!

1.What can we learn from the passage?

A. The author is always late for work or any activities.

B. The author dislikes making friends with unpunctual persons.

C. The author hates being late from the bottom of heart.

D. The author can do something to deal with unpunctuality.

2.If the author’s student comes late for the third time, _______.

A. he will let him/her remain outside

B. he will open the door for him/her again

C. he will shout at him/her loudly

D. he will tell him/her to take care next time

3.How did the Chinese friend feel when the author asked him to check the clock?

A. Excited. B. Embarrassed.

C. Satisfied. D. Shocked.

4.Why didn’t the author arrive at the ceremony on time?

A. Because the gas was running out.

B. Because his driver met a guest at the airport.

C. Because there was a big traffic jam on the road.

D. Because the driver estimated the time wrongly.

Researchers are placing robotic dogs in the homes of lonely old people to determine whether they can improve the quality of life for humans.Alan Beck, an expert in human-animal relationship, and Nancy Edwards, a professor of nursing, are leading the animal-assisted study concerning the influence of robotic dogs on old people's depression, physical activity, and life satisfaction.“No one will argue that an older person is better off being more active, challenged, or stimulated(刺激),” Edwards points out.“The problem is how we promote that, especially for those without friends or help.A robotic dog could be a solution.”

In the study, the robot, called AIBO, is placed for six weeks in the houses of some old people who live alone.Before placing AIBO in the home, researchers will collect baseline data for six weeks.These old people will keep a diary to note their feelings and activities before and after AIBO.Then, the researchers will review the data to determine if it has inspired any changes in the life of its owner.

“I talk to him all the time, and he responds to my voice,” says a seventy-year-old lady.“When I'm watching TV, he'll stay in my arms until he wants down.He has a mind of his own.”

The AIBOs respond to certain orders.The researchers say they have some advantages over live dogs, especially for old people.Often the elderly are disabled and cannot care for an animal by walking it or playing with it.A robotic dog removes exercise and feeding concerns.

“At the beginning, it was believed that no one would relate to the robotic dog because it was metal and not furry,” Beck says.“But it's amazing how quickly we have given up that belief.”

“Hopefully, down the road, these robotic pets could become a more valuable health helper.They will record their masters’ blood pressure, oxygen levels, or heart rhythms.AIBOs may even one day have games that can help stimulate older people's minds.”

1.The purpose of Beck and Edwards’ study is to______.

A. understand human-animal relationship

B. find the causes of old people’s loneliness

C. make lonely old people’s life better

D. promote the animal-assisted research

2.In the research, the old people are asked to______.

A. note the activities of AIBOs

B. keep AIBOs at home for 12 weeks

C. analyze the collected information

D. record their feelings and activities

3.What is the advantage of AIBO over live dogs?

A. It can watch TV with its owner

B. It can help the disabled people

C. It responds to all the human orders

D. It is easier to keep at home

4.The author seems to suggest that the future robotic dogs may______.

A. keep old people active

B. cure certain diseases

C. change people's beliefs

D. look more like real dogs

The malls were filled with people seeking gifts for their loved ones. Some of the malls remained open around the clock, partly to satisfy our needs to buy gifts.

Behind the materialistic aspect of shopping for gifts lies the idea of caring, being attentive to the desires of special people in our lives. However, to use a well-worn play on words: it is our presence, not our presents, that truly counts. Many of us, unfortunately, can be so inattentive, even in the presence of our loved ones, that we might as well not be there at all.

Attention is one of the greatest gifts we can give each other. Companies around the globe spend billions every year on advertising to catch our attention for just a short moment at a time. Whole industries — media, entertainment, education — rely on the precious gift of our attention for their continued existence. A baby lacking attention for a long time is likely to be psychologically unhealthy.

In earlier times, both diet and attention could be left unregulated (没人管的) without major cause for concern. There were natural checks and balances: limited availability of food meant few got fat, for example. Similarly, in bygone times we might have spent a few hours communicating with the village storyteller; today, watching an entire TV series, while speaking to nobody, is common. In traditional societies, with smaller population, everyone would get a fair deal of attention. On many issues we might go to see Grandma or Grandpa; now we have Google and Wikipedia.

“She just wants attention.” people tend to think little of those doing things simply for attention. But the truth is that human beings need attention, and giving attention to each other is, to a large extent, what human civilization is based upon. This perhaps explains the runaway success of social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. While we use such sites for “micro Hogging”, “idea voicing” and “status updates” — the reality is that we are often doing no more or less than fulfilling our basic human drive for attention exchange.

I friend you, you friend me, I retweet you, you retweet me. The charming ease with which we can now get and give attention is why many people appear overly attached to their smartphones. It is also a vicious (恶性的) circle. As ever more people are busy exchanging attention online, there is increasingly less attention to be paid in the real world, which forces more people to seek their attention exchange online, or else risk attention-starvation.

The very nature of attention exchange is being rapidly transformed, and there is a danger that some of us will develop unhealthy practices. Just as eating red meat every day is a bad idea, so it is with too much attention exchange. The biological consequences of our technological advancement in food production are highly visible; heart disease, diabetes and obesity. The consequences of our transformed attention exchanges will be psychological and social, and so may take longer to identify, but they will be equally damaging.

Face-to-face attention is becoming rarer, and therefore more valuable. In a sense it is priceless. And it is a gift that can be given all-year-round.

1.In the first two paragraphs the author __________.

A. offers advice to attention givers

B. analyses the present problems

C. states the necessity of presents

D. puts forward his point of view

2.What can we infer from Paragraphs 6-7?

A. More people will risk attention-starvation in future.

B. The nature of attention exchange is rarely changed.

C. Technological advancement contributes to all diseases.

D. Transformed attention exchanges do harm to society.

3.The writer’s purpose for writing the passage is to __________.

A. advocate more focus on real life attention

B. analyze the necessity of attention giving

C. give practical tips on attention exchange

D. recommend some social networking sites

I work as a volunteer(志愿者) for an organization that helps the poor in Haiti. Recently I took my son Barrett there for a week, hoping to him.

Before setting out, I told Barrett this trip would be tiring and . For the first two days, he said almost nothing. I worried the trip was too ________ for a 17-year-old. Then, on day three, as we were ________ over high rocky mountains, he turned to me and grinned(咧嘴笑), “Pretty hard.”

After that there was no turning back. A five-year-old girl, wearing a dress several sizes ________ large and broken shoes, followed Barrett around, mesmerized (着迷). He couldn't stop ________ . Later he said________ , “I wish I could speak French.” I was ________ —this from a boy who hated and ________ French classes throughout school.

Usually silent, he ________ Gaby, our host, and kept asking questions about the country and its people. He blossomed (活泼起来).

________ , the moment that really took ________ breath away occurred in a village deep in the mountains. I was ________ a woman villager for an article. 135 centimeters tall, she was small in figure but strong in ________. Through determination, she had learned to read and write, and ________ to become part of the leadership of the ________ .

Learning her story, Barrett was as ________as I by this tiny woman's achievements. His eyes were wet and there was a ________ of love and respect on his face. He had finally understood the importance of my work.

When leaving for home, Barrett even offered to stay ________ as a volunteer. My insides suddenly felt struck. This ________ achieved all I'd expected. Soon he will celebrate his 18th birthday. He'll be a man.

1.A. comfort B. please C. attract D. educate

2.A. rough B. dangerous C. troublesome D. violent

3.A. little B. much C. fast D. slow

4.A. moving B. running C. climbing D. looking

5.A. too B. very C. even D. so

6.A. joking B. crying C. shouting D. smiling

7.A. patiently B. regretfully C. lightly D. cheerfully

8.A. ashamed B. disappointed C. determined D. surprised

9.A. took up B. went in for C. fought against D. called off

10.A. befriended B. disregarded C. avoided D. recognized

11.A. Thus B. Even C. Meanwhile D. However

12.A. my B. his C. our D. her

13.A. asking B. interviewing C. arranging D. describing

14.A. brain B. wish C. will D. health

15.A. appeared B. struggled C. hesitated D. failed

16.A. village B. city C. organization D. state

17.A. pleased B. bored C. puzzled D. touched

18.A. combination B. composition C. connection D. satisfaction

19.A. in B. behind C. out D. away

20.A. interview B. flight C. article D. trip

Many people think of guys as being carefree when it comes to their appearance. But in fact, a lot of guys spend plenty of time in front of the mirror. They care just as much as girls do about their body image.

Body image is a person's opinions and feelings about his or her own body and physical appearance. 1. You appreciate your body for its capabilities and accept its imperfections.

2. Here are some ideas.

Recognize your strengths. Different body types are good for different things. What does your body do well? Maybe your speed, strength, or coordination makes you better than others at a certain sport. That may be basketball, table tennis, mountain biking, dancing, or even running. Or perhaps you have non-sports skills, like drawing, painting, singing, playing a musical instrument, writing, or acting. 3.

Exercise regularly. Exercise can help you look well and feel good about yourself. Good physiques (体形) don’t just happen. 4. A healthy habit can be as simple as exercising 20 minutes to 1 hour three days a week. Working out can also lift your spirits.

Respect your body! Practicing good habits regular showering; taking care of your teeth, hair, and skin; wearing clean clothes, and so on can help you build a positive body image.

5. Your body is just one part of who you are. Your talent for comedy a quick wit (智慧) and all the other things make you unique. So try not to let small imperfections take over.

A. Use this as an opportunity to discover what you’re good at.

B. Be yourself.

C. Having a positive body image means feeling satisfied with the way you look.

D. Just explore talents that you feel good about.

E. They take hard work, regular workouts, and a healthy diet.

F. The good news is that self-image and body image can be changed.

G. So, what can you do to develop a positive body image?

Tips for cooking on a Tight Schedule

From my experience, there are three main reasons why people don’t cook more often: ability, money and time, 1._Money is a topic I’ll save for another day.So today I want to give you some wisdom about how to make the most of the time you spend in the kitchen.Here are three tips for great cooking on a tight schedule:

1.Think ahead.The moments when I think cooking is a pain are when I‘m already hungry and there is nothing ready to eat.So think about of the coming week.When will you have time to cook? Do you have the right materials ready?_2.

2.Make your time worth it.When you do find time to cook a meal, make the most of it and save yourself time later on.Are you making one loaf of bread? 3. it takes around the same amount of time to make more of something.So save yourself the effort for a future meal.

3.4. This may surprise you, but one of the best tools for making cooking worth your time is experimentation.It gives you the chance to hit upon new ideas and recipes that can work well with your appetite and schedule.The more you learn and the more you try, the more ability you have to take control of your food and your schedule.

Hopefully that gives you a good start.5. and don’t let a busy schedule discourage you from making some great changes in the way you eat and live!

A. Try new things.

B. Ability is easily improved.

C. Make three or four instead.

D. Understand your food better.

E. Cooking is a burden for many people.

F. Let cooking and living simply be a joy rather than a burden.

G. A little time planning ahead can save a lot of work later on.

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