“My work is done.” Those words were some of the last penned by George Eastman. He included them in his suicide note. They mark an ignoble end to a noble life, the leave taking of a truly great man. The same words could now be said for the company he left behind. Actually, the Eastman Kodak Company is through. It has been mismanaged financially, technologically and competitively. For 20 years, its leaders have foolishly spent down the patrimony of a century’s prosperity. One of America’s bedrock brands is about to disappear, the Kodak moment has passed.

But George Eastman is not how he died, and the Eastman Kodak Company is not how it is being killed. Though the ends be needless and premature, they must not be allowed to overshadow the greatness that came before. Few companies have done so much good for so many people, or defined and lifted so profoundly the spirit of a nation and perhaps the world. It is impossible to understand the 20th Century without recognizing the role of the Eastman Kodak Company.

Kodak served mankind through entertainment, science, national defense and the stockpiling of family memories. Kodak took us to the top of Mount Suribachi and to the Sea of Tranquility. It introduced us to the merry old Land of Oz and to stars from Charlie Chaplin to John Wayne, and Elizabeth Taylor to Tom Hanks. It showed us the shot that killed President Kennedy, and his brother bleeding out on a kitchen floor, and a fallen Martin Luther King Jr. on the hard balcony of a Memphis motel. When that sailor kissed the nurse, and when the spy planes saw missiles in Cuba, Kodak was the eyes of a nation. From the deck of the Missouri to the grandeur of Monument Valley, Kodak took us there. Virtually every significant image of the 20th Century is a gift to posterity(繁荣) from the Eastman Kodak Company.

In an era of easy digital photography, when we can take a picture of anything at any time, we cannot imagine what life was like before George Eastman brought photography to people. Yes, there were photographers, and for ly large sums of money they would take stilted(不自然的) pictures in studios and formal settings. But most people couldn’t afford photographs, and so all they had to remember distant loved ones, or earlier times of their lives, was memory. Children could not know what their parents had looked like as young people, grandparents far away might never learn what their grandchildren looked like. Eastman Kodak allowed memory to move from the uncertainty of recollection, to the permanence of a photograph. But it wasn’t just people whose features were savable; it was events, the sacred and precious times that families cherish. The Kodak moment, was humanity’s moment.

And it wasn’t just people whose features were savable; it was events, the precious times that families cherish. Kodak let the fleeting moments of birthdays and weddings, picnics and parties, be preserved and saved. It allowed for the creation of the most egalitarian art form. Lovers could take one another’s pictures, children were photographed walking out the door on the first day of school, the person releasing the shutter decided what was worth recording, and hundreds of millions of such decisions were made. And for centuries to come, those long dead will smile and dance and communicate to their unborn progeny(子孙). Family history will be not only names on paper, but smiles on faces.

The cash flow not just provided thousands of people with job, but also allowed the company’s founder to engage in some of the most generous charity in America’s history. Not just in Kodak’s home city of Rochester, New York, but in Tuskegee and London, and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He bankrolled(资助) two historically black colleges, fixed the teeth of Europe’s poor, and quietly did good wherever he could. While doing good, Kodak did very well. Over all the years, all the Kodakers over all the years are essential parts of that monumental legacy. They prospered a great company, but they – with that company – blessed the world.

That is what we should remember about the Eastman Kodak Company. Like its founder, we should remember how it lived, not how it died. History will forget the small men who have scuttled this company. But history will never forget Kodak.

1.According to the passage, which of the following is to blame for the fall of Kodak?

A. The invention of easy digital photography

B. The poor management of the company

C. The early death of George Eastman

D. The quick rise of its business competitors

2.It can be learnt from the passage that George Eastman .

A. died a natural death of old age.

B. happened to be on the spot when President Kennedy was shot dead.

C. set up his company in the capital of the US before setting up its branches all over the world.

D. was not only interested in commercial profits, but also in the improvement of other people’s lives.

3.Before George Eastman brought photography to people,.

A. no photos has ever been taken of people or events

B. photos were very expensive and mostly taken indoors

C. painting was the only way for people to keep a record of their ancestors.

D. grandparents never knew what their grandchildren looked like.

4.The person releasing the shutter (Paragraph 5) was the one .

A. who took the photograph

B. who wanted to have a photo taken

C. whose decisions shaped the Eastman Kodak Company

D. whose smiles could long be seen by their children

“Your son is one of the sickest kids we’ve ever had in intensive care,” was what the nurse said to me after we had arrived in an ambulance, 20 minutes from Kingston Hospital to the Evelina in Westminster. The journey was the longest of my life. I had been told that my six-month-old son, my friend, my whole heart, was going to die. And I spent the whole time in the blue-lit vehicle wondering how on earth I would lift my wife from the black hole she was about to be plunged (投入) into.

The nurse who gave me that bad news was to become a great friend. She told me that the noise my son was making in the back of the ambulance was the sound that babies made before they died. There were many more horrible words and terms. But my son survived.

It wasn’t just George who endured. In the three weeks of his hospital stay, I slept 20 hours in total. My wife hardly slept. I lost over two stone in weight in the five days he was in intensive care. And we’ve been treating him for three years now. I have collapsed 20 times—the fear, the anxiety and exhaustion. Even now, we wake at least five times a night, often staying awake to treat him for as long as an hour.

My son has Type 1 diabetes (糖尿病). It’s a little known condition. George had a simple, everyday virus. It caused his immune system to attack his pancreas. Now he needs constant insulin (胰岛素) to stay alive. I wanted to raise awareness for George’s condition. I wondered how I could do it. I’ve run a couple of marathons. But a marathon was never really going to get people’s attention the way I hoped. Two marathons, back to back? Maybe three? Could I do it? How much could I endure?

I started running at the age of 19 when I thought my heart was broken. I couldn’t cope with the pain and I went for a run. I kept on going for a run. Each time I came back, it would hurt a bit less. It wasn’t so long before I had completely forgotten about my broken heart. But I couldn’t stop running. I found that any stress, frustration, anxiety would reduce when I went out on the road.

When we finally brought my son home from hospital, my wife told me I had to go for a run. She knew that I had not allowed myself to show the emotions I’d been feeling. I fought very hard not to break. It was my worst nightmare (噩梦) playing out, but it was also my wife’s. I did not want them to see the fear that I was feeling. When I got back from that first run, my wife simply said “Better?” and it was.

I’m often asked how I motivate myself for running such distances. They assume I think about my son. But I can’t really. If I did, I would weep the whole way round. The hard part of endurance running is mental. It’s strange to choose an event that you will never win. The race will always be larger than the individual. And if you don’t respect the distance, you will pay for it. The biggest mistake any long distance runner makes is to think about the finish line. Each time you do, the body falls apart. Actually, the brain falls apart.

I know I can run two marathons. I also know that the third marathon will break me. And I will be staring at another sort of black hole. It will be then that I think of my son, and all that he endured and continues to endure every day. I know that I will start to think of giving up, the pain will be so great. My brain will fall to bits and my body will too. So I will picture my son. And I’ll remember that he didn’t give up. He never gives up. Why should I?

1.Having heard what the nurse said to him, the writer must have felt .

A.desperate and fearful

B.special and different

C.bitter and lonely

D.disturbed and annoyed

2.The writer says he has collapsed 20 times because .

A.long distances of marathon made him worn out

B.he has to stay awake every night to care for his son

C.treating a sick son needs great efforts physically and mentally

D.his son’s condition is becoming more and more serious than expected

3.According to Paragraph 4, the writer’s running marathon aims at .

A.improving his son’s immune system

B.receiving encouragement from the public

C.raising awareness of his son’s rare disease

D.making himself strong enough to stand great pain

Beaches are not only great for lying on and doing water sports, and in fact one of the best ways of enjoying them is a classic beach walk. Here at iWantSun. Co. Uk, we’ve been searching the globe to find you the world’s best and most glorious beach walks, and here’s our pick of the top.

The Footpath of the Gods, Amalfi Coast, Italy

The name says it all really and you truly do feel up there to walking along this wonderful mountain coastal path, which offers some of the most striking views on the planet. The path begins at town of Bomerano to charming Positano along the UNESCO World Heritage area of the Amalfi Coast. The whole walk will take you approximately four and a half hours to complete and pass over narrow rocky paths, past sheer cliffs and shining blue bays.

Sydney’s Great Coastal Walk, Australia

Sydney’s coastline is one of the most beautiful and diverse in the world. Here you have national parks, historic sites, steep cliffs, sparkling beaches and quiet bays all in one place. Sydney’s Great Walk runs all the way from Barrenjoey in the north to Royal National Park in the south and takes an incredible seven days to complete. However, if you’re not up to doing the full walk, then there are many different parts of the walk that you can do right in the city. Walking from the city’s famous Bondi Beach to the sweeping curve of Bronte Beach takes just an hour, which takes in some top scenery.

Great Ocean Walk, Australia

The Great Ocean Walk stretches 104 km along Victoria’s famous Great Ocean Road, located on the southern coast of Australia, from the resort town Apollo Bay to the magnificent Twelve Apostles. The Twelve Apostles are the area’s famous stone landmarks which stand out like giants from the sea. The walk passes through a range of landscapes and sights, from national parks, famous surfing spots and deserted beaches, to wild coastlines, cascading waterfalls, lush forests, historic lighthouses and ghostly shipwrecks. Day walks and shorter three-hour walks such as the Wreck Beach Walk or the Lighthouse Cemetery and Lookout Walk can also be enjoyed.

So next time when you’re looking for a beach holiday don’t just think about the resorts and the sand, but consider a more active sun holiday, discovering some of the best beaches in the world.

1.The author intends to tell us ______.

A. the world’s best places for beach walks

B. the wonderful beaches in the world

C. the ideal tourism resort for health

D. the beautiful beaches in Australia

2.When you arrive at the Amalfi Coast ______.

A. you must be fed up with the footpath

B. you will be fascinated by the scenery

C. you can start walking from Positano

D. you may be trapped in narrow rocky paths

3.What is the distinct characteristic of Sydney’s Great Coastal Walk?

A.It takes about more than five hours to complete.

B.It starts from Royal National Park in the south.

C.It provides visitors a variety of great landscapes.

D.It really has the longest coastline in the world.

4.According to the fourth paragraph we can know that _______.

A.Apollo Bay is at the end of the Great Ocean Walk

B.the Twelve Apostles exists below the surface of the sea

C.the Wreck Beach Walk can also give visitors pleasure

D.most visitors can finish the 104 km walk in three hours

根据短文内容,从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项,选项中有两项为多余选项。

How to Calm Your Teen's Nerves before an Exam

Stress is a feeling of physical, mental and emotional strain of tension which disturbs or interferes with normal physiological balance. Stress can be overwhelming(压倒一切的) for anyone, but it can be especially difficult for a teen that has not yet developed effective coping skills. A major source of teen stress is school exams, and test anxiety is not uncommon. So, how can parents help their teen stay calm before an exam?

Recognize when your teen is under stress.

Teens can feel an immense pressure to do well on exams. For some teens, just the idea of taking the test can bring them into a panic(恐慌). 1. Emotional symptoms include: excessive(过多的) of uncontrollable drying, aggression or mood swings, and panic attacks.

What should parents do?

--Be involved

Parents need to be involved in their teen's work. What they look for is your presence--to talk, to dry, or simply to sit with them quietly. Communicate openly with your teen. 2.

--Help them get organized

Help your teen think about what she has to study and plan accordingly. 3.

--Give them a nutritious diet

It's important for your teen to eat a healthy, balanced diet during exam times to focus and do her best. __4._ If this happens, encourage your teen to eat light meals or sandwiches. A healthy diet, rather than junk food, is best for reducing stress.

--Show a positive attitude

5. If you panic, blame, or apply to much pressure, your teen will have an undue increase in their stress levels. Make your teen feel accepted and valued for her efforts. Most important, reassure your teens that things will be all right, no matter what the results are.

A. Together, you and your teen can work out a time-table in which she can study for what she knows will be on the test.

B. A parent's attitude will dictate their teen's emotions.

C. Physical symptoms of stress and anxiety include: lack of sleep, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite of irregular eating.

D. Encourage your teen to relax.

E. Encourage your teen to express his worries and fears, but don't let them focus on those fears.

F. Your teen may also make negative comments about themselves.

G. Exam stress can make some teens lose their appetite.

阅读下面短文,从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

My dad always collected coins. He was delighted when the new U.S. state coins were _________ .He would walk to his long-time bankers and make sure they put at least a _________ of new coins aside for him. He gave them to every family member. It gradually became a special family __________ to get coins from Dad.

When my dad _________, I felt such a sense of emptiness. My father and I had been so close. Iwas lost without his _________ and support. I wondered if I would ever feel my dad around me again, __________ me. It was right after Hurricane Katrina and I was doing a motivational meeting for aboutthree hundred volunteers. At the end of the event, I felt so grateful as I looked at these __________individuals. To my _________ , when I glanced at the floor, I saw nothing _________ a coin, from NorthCarolina, the state in which my dad was born and _________ .

Then two months later, I went back to visit my mom. While I was there, I went to the bankto ___________ a check. The bank manager, who had known me, called me into her office, showing methe coins for all the states my dad had _________ .

Ever since that time, I have always found coins at the most _________ times, when I neededsupport the most. Amazingly, nowadays when I need emotional support during a _________ time, a coin will always show up in a(n) _________ place.

It has now become a tradition in my family. Every time a coin appears in our house, oneof my kids says, “Oh, it’s _________! ”We all feel a sense of _________ every time a single coin turnsup in an unexpected place. We have all _________ it as a _________ of love, guidance and support fromDad — and every new coin we find makes us _________ .

1.A. delivered B. sold C. discovered D. issued

2.A. pack B. roll C. bunch D. pile

3.A. tradition B. memory C. decision D. interest

4.A. missed B. disappeared C. died D. dropped

5.A. guidance B. promise C. expectation D. belief

6.A.watchingover B. bringingup C. waitingfor D. listeningto

7.A.concerned B. devoted C. embarrassed D. relaxed[

8.A. delight B. confusion C. astonishment D. relief

9.A. from B. but C. with D. for

10.A. raised B. brought C. grown D. played

11.A. spend B. sign C. pay D. cash

12.A. ordered B. collected C. received D. shared

13.A. boring B. adventurous C. Precious D. extraordinary

14.A. complicated B. nervous C. disturbed D. tough

15.A. strange B. annoying C. satisfying D. hard

16.A. money B. Grandpa C. toy D. belief

17.A. proud B. comfort C. Success D. inspiration

18.A. thought B. explained C. Accepted D. consulted

19.A. result B. praise C. message D. need

20.A. change B. gain C. improve D. smile

One day, I received a call from a colleague. He was about to give a student a zero for his answer to a physical problem, while the student claimed a perfect score. I was elected as their arbiter(仲裁人). I read the examination problem: “Show how it is possible to determine the height of a tall building with the aid of a barometer(气压计). ”The student had answered; "Take the barometer to the top of the building, attach a long rope to it, lower it to the street, and then bring it up, measuring the length of the rope. The length of it is the height of the building.”

The student had really answered the question completely, but the answer didn't confirm his competence in physics. I suggested the student try again. I gave him six minutes to answer the question, warning that the answer should show some knowledge of physics. Five minutes later, he said he had many answers and dashed off one, which read:“Take the barometer to the top of the building and lean over the edge of the roof. Drop the barometer, timing its fall with a stopwatch. Then, use the physical formula(公式)to calculate the height of the building.”

At this point, my colleague had to accept it, and then the student made almost full marks. I couldn't help asking the student what the other answers were. He listed many others, and then added, "Probably the best is to take the barometer to the administrator and said to him, ‘Sir, here is a fine barometer. If you tell me the height of the building, I will give it to you.”,

Then, I asked the student if he really did not know the conventional(传统的) answer to this question. He admitted that he did, but said that he was fed up with high school and college instructors trying to teach him how to think.

The name of the student was Bohr who later was famous all over the world. He won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1922.

1.The student got a zero at the beginning because _____.

A. the teacher wasn't satisfied with him

B. his answer wasn't complete or correct

C. the teacher didn't fully understand his answer

D. his answer didn't show his knowledge of physics

2.We know from the passage that _____.

A. the student knew the expected answer

B. the administrator told Bohr the height

C. the author preferred Bohr's last answer

D. the teacher was a very stubborn person

3.We can learn from the passage that _____.

A. instructors can teach students how to think

B. arbiters can help students to get high scores

C. students should be given more freedom in thinking

D. teachers should make students use physical formulas

4.What was Bohr's attitude toward his schooling?

A. Optimistic B. Critical C. Approving D. Neutral

The role of a newspaper is to present and comment on the news. It is vital for keeping people well-informed on current affairs. In most Western countries, journalists try to shape the ideas and opinions of their readers, since in Western countries all newspapers are independent of the government. Some newspaper owners support liberal ideas including economic policies that help poor people. Other owners want policies such as lower taxes for rich people and less money to be given to poor people. You can almost judge the political ideas of a person in the West by looking at the newspaper he reads.

All newspapers report national and international news. They give the facts but also provide opinions on controversial issues in the editorials and columns of opinion. The readers of the newspaper can also comment on these editorials or articles. There are many informative articles too as well as reviews of new films and books, etc. These are very important, for if a film or book gets good reviews it will often become more successful.

All these articles require many journalists who are experts in different areas of life. All these articles come together and are checked by the chief editor of the newspaper. When he or she has made a decision on the articles, the newspaper is prepared for printing. All this work means that the journalists must work together as a team because there is a lot of pressure when you work in a newspaper office. There are constant deadlines and articles have to be fitted round advertisements, photographs and much, much more.

1.What does the underlined word “be fitted” mean?

A. be suitable B. be put

C. be read D. be measured

2.What articles comment on controversial issues?

A. Editorials and opinion columns.

B. News stories.

C. Some of the informative articles.

D. Jokes and humour.

3.Which is true about the journalists in Western countries?

A. There’s no time limit for their report articles.

B. They have no right to influence the readers’ opinions.

C. A newspaper can come out with just a journalist working individually.

D. Journalists must submit their articles before the due date.

4.Why are good reviews important to books?

A. Good reviews are excellent introduction to books.

B. Readers especially favour books with good reviews.

C. Good reviews can make readers feel relaxed and comfortable.

D. Good reviews can bring a large circulation(发行量) of the books reviewed.

 0  134477  134485  134491  134495  134501  134503  134507  134513  134515  134521  134527  134531  134533  134537  134543  134545  134551  134555  134557  134561  134563  134567  134569  134571  134572  134573  134575  134576  134577  134579  134581  134585  134587  134591  134593  134597  134603  134605  134611  134615  134617  134621  134627  134633  134635  134641  134645  134647  134653  134657  134663  134671  151629 

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