A sure way to destroy your chances of learning how to write skillfully is to believe that writing is a “natural gift” rather than a learned skill. People with such an attitude think that they are the only ones for whom writing is unbearably difficult. They feel that everyone else finds writing easy or at least tolerable. Such people often say, “I’m not any good at writing” or “English was not one of my good subjects.” They imply that they simply do not have a talent for writing while others do. The result of this attitude is that these people try to avoid writing, and when they do write, they don’t try their best. Their writing fails chiefly because they believe that they don’t have the “natural talent” needed to write. Unless their attitude changes, they probably will not learn how to write effectively.

A realistic attitude about writing must build on the idea that writing is a skill. It is a skill like driving, typing, or cooking; and, like any skill, it can be learned. If you have the determination to learn, you will develop your writing skills by practicing extensively.

Many people find it difficult to do the active thinking that clear writing demands. It is frustrating to discover how much of a challenge it is to transfer thoughts and feelings from one’s head onto a sheet of paper. But writing is not an automatic process: We will not get something for nothing — and we should not expect to. For almost everyone, skillful writing comes from hard work — from determination and sweat. The good news is that the skill of writing can be mastered, and if you are ready to work, you will learn what you need to know.

1.Why do some people think writing is difficult?

A. They have no time to practice writing.

B. They believe few people can write well.

C. They have no good teachers to help them.

D. They don’t think writing can be learned.

2. It can be inferred from Para. 1 that ______.

A. “natural gift” is the determining factor in one’s success

B. diligence can result in success

C. a person without “natural gift” is sure to fail in writing

D. attitude determines what one will be

3. What is the topic of the passage?

A. Why writing is important.

B. Whether writing is a born gift.

C. Benefits of essay writing.

D. How to improve writing skills.

My brother and I were driving home together .We something interesting on the way. Because of the conversation, my brother took a turn.

Unfortunately, the turn took towards a bridge and we had no way to turn back. My brother the bridge toll (通行费 ) and drove on. He was frustrated by the mistake and the needless waste of $4.

When we reached an exit slip-way, my brother that a young guy pulled over to the side of the road. I was busy trying to which way we went next when my brother pulled over and asked the guy if he needed any . And he did. He had a flat tire and needed a wrench(扳手) to get it off.

My brother him a wrench, and then began to help him the tire. The young man said that this had been a week for him; earlier he had gotten into a minor car accident, and now this flat on his way home from work. But he called us “breath of fresh air”, and kept us because he really would have been stuck we hadn’t come along.

After we had finished the job he thanked us and pulled out $20 and to give it to us. “No,” my brother said. “We were supposed to get on that bridge. Yet we took a wrong turn. But now we know we did. It was to help you. Thank you for turning our mistake into an opportunity to .”

My brother’s reaction in the situation is a(n) for everyone and we felt so good the rest of the day.

1.A. playedB. talked aboutC. sawD. listened to

2.A. wrongB. leftC. slowD. sudden

3.A. itB. usC. himD. me

4.A. ignoredB. doubtedC. paidD. refused

5.A. finallyB. clearlyC. surprisinglyD. unluckily

6.A. orderedB. explainedC. announcedD. noticed

7.A. find outB. make outC. point outD. block out

8.A. adviceB. helpC. foodD. money

9.A. returnedB. soldC. gaveD. showed

10.A. makeB. changeC. fixD. buy

11.A. normalB. busyC. funnyD. bad

12.A. severeB. dangerousC. unexpectedD. disappointed

13.A. greetingB. thankingC. callingD. praising

14.A. ifB. afterC. asD. though

15.A. againB. alsoC. tooD. once

16.A. pretendedB. waitedC. triedD. agreed

17.A. frequencyB. sometimesC. seldomD. never

18.A. whenB. whereC. howD. why

19.A. enjoyB. learnC. serveD. rest

20.A. wayB. opportunityC. promiseD. lesson

Researchers are placing robotic dogs (机器狗) 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 (使……成为现实) 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 activity 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. make lonely old people’s life better

C. find the causes of old people’s loneliness

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. record their feelings and activity.

D. analyze the collected information

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

A. It is easier to keep at home.

B. It can help the disabled people.

C. It responds to all the human orders.

D. It can watch TV with its owner.

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

A. cure certain diseases

B. keep old people active

C. change people’s beliefs

D. look more like real dogs

Carnival does not take place only in Louisiana. There are many celebrations around the world.

In Brazil, the celebration is supposed to go on from the Saturday before Mardi Gras(四旬斋前的最后一天)to Mardi Gras Day, but in some Brazilian cities the celebration can last seven or eight days. Just like New Orleans, not many important things are decided in Brazil from New Year’s Day to Mardi Gras Day because everyone is preparing for or celebrating carnival. Most Brazilian parades have a subject, which could be political and historical. The parades had to have a subject related to Brazil until 1996. Some cities in Brazil do not have a street carnival but they might have an indoor ball.

Bolivia has carnival parades for children and then more parades for adults. The children dress up in costumes and march in the streets. The adults make traditional dance groups and dance in the streets. But the main part of Bolivia’s carnival is getting wet. Almost everyone gets wet from water balloons and water buckets. In Oruru, Bolivia, their carnival is held in the last ten days of the carnival season. People there participate in crafts and dancing, but their main carnival event is a ceremonial parade that lasts for twenty hours and parades for four kilometers. Over 20,000 dancers are involved as well as 10,000 musicians. This parade attracts at least 400,000 people.

The carnival in Venice, Italy is often regarded as the most carefully prepared carnival and lasts the ten days before Lent (四旬斋). Many events are held in the canals including shows, concerts, dances, and water processions(队列). The official ending to the celebration is the ball held in St. Mark’s Square.

1.What’s the best title of the passage?

A. Carnivals around the world. B. History of carnival.

C. Customs of carnival. D. Carnival parades.

2.From the passage we learn that in Brazil .

A. all urban residents celebrate carnival for a week

B. people prepare for or celebrate carnival after Mardi Gras Day

C. the parades should have a subject related to Brazil

D. not all cities have a street carnival

3. The most important feature of the celebration of carnival in Bolivia is that .

A.children wearing costumes march in the streets

B. adult dance groups dance in the streets

C.people participate in crafts and dancing

D.nearly all people are sprayed with water

4.Which of the following statements shows that the author pays special attention to the carnival in Bolivia?

A. The time of celebrating carnival in Bolivia is mentioned.

B. There are details and numbers about carnival celebrations in Bolivia.

C. Events or performances for carnival celebrations in Bolivia are mentioned.

D. Participants in the carnival celebration in Bolivia are mentioned.

5.Which of the following areas or countries prepares the most carefully for their carnival according to the passage?

A. Louisiana. B. Bolivia.

C. Venice. D. Brazil.

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