In the fall of 1985. I was a bright-eyed girl heading off to Howard University, aiming at a legal career and dreaming of sitting on a Supreme Court bench somewhere. Twenty-one years later I am still a bright-eyed dreamer and one with quite a different tale to tell.
My grandma, an amazing woman, graduated from college an the age of 65. She was the first in our family to reach that goal. But one year after I started college, she developed cancer. I made the choice to withdraw from college to care for her. It meant that school and my personal dream would have to wait.
Then I got married with another dream: building my family with a combination of adopt and biological children. In 1999, we adopted our first son. To lay eyes on him was fantastic---and very emotional. A year later came our second adopted boy. Then followed son No. 3. In 2003, I gave birth to another boy.
You can imagine how fully occupied I became, raising four boys under the age of 18. Our home was a complete zoo---a joyous zoo. Not surprising, I never did make it back to college full-time. But I never gave up on the dream either. I had only one choice: to find a way. That meant talking as few as one class each semester.
The hardest part was feeling guilty about the time I spent away from the boys. They often wanted me to stay home with them. There certainly were times I wanted to quit, But I knew I should set an example for them to follow through the rest of their lives.
In 2007, I graduated from the University of North Carolina. It took me over 21 years to get my college degree!
I am not special, just single-minded. It always struck me that when you’re looking at a big challenge from the outside it looks huge, but when you’re in the midst of it, it just seems normal. Everything you want won’t arrive in your life on one day. It’s a process. Remember;little steps add up to big dreams.
1.When the author went to Howard University, her dream was to be ( )
A. a writer B. a teacher C. a judge D. a doctor
2.Why did the author quit school in her second year of college? ( )
A. She wanted to study by herself.
B. She fell in love and got married.
C. She suffered from a serious illness.
D. She decided to look after her grandma.
3.Which of the following can best describe the author ? ( )
A. Caring and determined.
B. Honest and responsible.
C. Ambitious and sensitive.
D. Innocent and single-minded.
科目:高中英語 來源:2016屆北京市西城區(qū)高三下學期第一次模擬考試英語試卷(解析版) 題型:閱讀理解
Despite the anxiety that Jones’ Host—said by some to be the first digital novel—caused in 1993, publishers weren’t too concerned that e-books would one day replace printed books. However, that attitude was changed suddenly in 2007 when Amazon’s Kindle came onto the market, which led to e-book sales jumping up to 1,260%. Since then, e-books’ popularity has continued to steadily rise. The publishing industry seemed to have lost all possible ability to regain its position. Will printed books eventually become a thing of the past?
According to Mike Shatzkin, founder and CEO of the Idea Logical Company, printed books just for plain old reading will, in 10 years from now, be unusual. “Not so unusual that a kid will say, ‘Mommy, what’s that?’ but unusual enough that on the train you’ll see one or two people reading something printed, while everyone else is reading off of a tablet.” And Shatzkin believes that the demise of print is sure to happen, though such a day won’t arrive for perhaps 50 to 100 or more years.
Robert Stein, founder of the Institute for the Future of the Book, however, believes that books won’t disappear entirely, at least not anytime soon. “Print will exist, but it will be in a different field and will appeal to a very limited audience, as poetry does today. Like woodblock printing, hand-processed film and folk weaving (編織), printed pages may assume an artistic value,” he says. He imagines that future forms of books might be developed not by conventional publishers but by the gaming industry. He also predicts that the distinction between writer and reader will be made less obvious by a social reading experience in which authors and consumers can digitally interact with each other to discuss any passage, sentence or line.
Is there anything we risk sacrificing, should print really disappear entirely? According to Maryanne Wolf, director of the Center for Reading and Language Research at Tufts University, electronic reading can negatively affect the way the brain responds to text, including reading comprehension, focus and the ability to maintain attention to details like plot and order of events. “My worry is that we’ll have a short-circuited reading brain, excellent for gathering information but not necessarily for forming critical, analytical deep reading skills,” Wolf says.
The field, however, is in an early stage, and findings about the negative effects of e-reading are far from certain. In light of this, Wolf hopes that we continue to maintain a “bi-literate” society—one that values both the digital and printed word. “A full reading brain circuit is a huge contribution to the intellectual development of our species. Anything that threatens that deserves our attention.”
1.How did publishers feel about the rising e-book sales inspired by the Kindle?
A. Worried. B. Excited. C. Curious. D. Skeptical.
2.The underlined word “demise” in Paragraph 2 probably means ______.
A. rise B. death C. growth D. decline
3.According to Robert Stein, paper books will exist because of ______.
A. the artistic value
B. the digital interaction
C. the growing popularity
D.the conventional design
4.It can be concluded from the last two paragraphs that Wolf holds that _______.
A. e-reading will weaken the power of our brain
B. digital books and paper books should not co-exist
C. e-reading will make us more critical and thoughtful
D. we should not risk losing a full reading brain circuit
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英語 來源:2015-2016學年江西宜春市高二下期第一次月考英語試卷(解析版) 題型:完形填空
完形填空,閱讀下面短文,從短文后各題所給的四個選項 (A、B、C和D)中,選出可以填入空白處的最佳選項,并在答題卡上將該項涂黑。
Footracing(競走) is a popular activity in the United States. It is not only seen as a compe- titive sport, but also as a _________ to exercise. Though_________ runners may spend months training to compete, other runners and walkers_________ not train at all. _________not competing to win might run in an effort to beat their own time, or _________to enjoy the fun and exercise. People of all _________ , from those less than one year old to those in their 80s, _________ into this sport. The races are held on city streets, on college campuses, _________ parks, and in suburban areas, and commonly 5 to 10 kilometers in _________ .
The largest footrace in the world is the 12-kilometer Bay to Breakers_________ that is held in San Francisco every spring. This race_________ on the east side of the city near San Francisco Bay and ends on the _________ side at the Pacific Ocean. In 1993 there were 80,000 people _________ in this race through the streets and hills of San Francisco. In the _________ are the serious runners who compete to win, and_________ might finish in as little as 34 minutes. Behind them _________ the thousands who take several hours to finish. In the back of the race are those who wear various clothing just for_________. There was a group of firefighters who were all _________in a long line and were carrying a fire—hose(消防水龍帶). One year there was a wedding _________ , in which the bride dressed in a long white gown and the groom wore a tuxedo(晚禮服). They _________ flowers to by-standers, and were actually married at some point along the route.
1.A. plan B. design C. way D. approach
2.A. serious B. amateur C. famous D. ordinary
3.A. must B. might C. could D. should
4.A. Others B. These C. Those D. Ones
5.A. simply B. finally C. partly D. certainly
6.A. walks B. ages C. sorts D. nations
7.A. turn B. enter C. break D. look
8.A. across B. over C. through D. on
9.A. size B. length C. depth D. height
10.A. ground B. city C. race D. ceremony
11.A. holds B. goes C. begins D. carries
12.A. north B. west C. east D. south
13.A. singing B. helping C. watching D. running
14.A. beginning B. course C. front D. process
15.A. who B. what C. which D. as
16.A. stay B. are C. fall D. is
17.A. medal B. fun C. win D. prize
18.A. wrapped B. followed C. separated D. tied
19.A. party B. dinner C. day D. invitation
20.A. threw B. presented C. sold D. donated
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英語 來源:2015-2016學年北京市高一3月月考英語試卷(解析版) 題型:語法填空
閱讀下面材料,在空白處填入適當?shù)脑~(1個單詞)或用括號內單詞的正確形式填空(不超過3個單詞)。
If you go out to the fields at night in spring or summer, you can hear frogs singing 1.____ (happy) here and there. It seems as if they were performing a field group singing.
The frog is a good and useful creature that benefits human beings. They can catch fast-moving 2.__ (insect). Each frog eats a large number of pests that are harmful to crops. This little creature is regarded 3.____ “the natural enemy of pests”.
But now frogs 4.___ (get) fewer and fewer. This is because they are killed and put 5.___ the table as a delicious dish by their chief enemy, human beings. It is a shameless and cruel act, isn’t it?
The cause responsible for the rapid 6.__ (reduce) of frogs is that farmers use insect killer to kill pests and frogs get killed as a result of drinking poisoned water while 7. __ (eat) poison-killed insects.
Something must be done without delay 8.__ (save) frogs. If we don’t punish those 9.____sell and kill frogs to make money, then one day all of us 10.__ (punish) by nature for failing to keep them.
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英語 來源:2015-2016學年北京市高二下學期3月月考英語試卷(解析版) 題型:書面表達
書面表達
假如你叫李華,以前在鄉(xiāng)下一所中學讀書,現(xiàn)在是某市一所重點中學的學生。最近有同學對你說其他同學討厭你。因此,你向某報編輯(editor)寫信傾訴你的苦惱。
你的具體表現(xiàn)如下:
1.學習努力,盡量與同學友好相處。
2.不講究吃穿。
3.上課認真聽講,積極發(fā)言,不恥下問
4.與人為善,從不傷害別人。
注意:1.字數(shù):100詞左右;可以適當增加細節(jié);
2.開頭已給出,不計入總詞數(shù)。
Dear Editor,
I’m now studying in a very good school in a city. .......
Yours,
Li Hua
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英語 來源:2016屆江西贛州市高三3月摸底考試(一模)英語試卷(解析版) 題型:短文改錯
短文改錯
假定英語課上老師要求同桌之間交換修改作文,請你修改你同桌寫的以下作文。文中共有10處語言錯誤,每句中最多有兩處。錯誤僅涉及一個單詞的增加、刪除或修改。
增加:在缺詞處加一個漏字符號(^ ),并在其下面寫出該加的詞。
刪除:把多余的詞用(\)劃掉。
修改:在錯的詞下畫一橫線,并在該詞下面寫出修改后的詞。
注意:1. 每處錯誤及其修改均僅限一詞;
2. 只允許修改10處,多者(從第11處起)不計分。
The other day, as I walked to school, I passed small construction area. It was not far away in my school. I notice a man bringing a bunch of things: shoes, blankets, some canned food, and clothing. Perhaps the items were gathered from his family and some of his friend. He started laying it down for people to take. Certainly, I was curious about what things would be going. But I rushed there after school. I saw that much of the items were taken by others. I have read lots of inspired stories of kindness. This is probably the sweetest act of kindness I’ve been witnessed so far.
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英語 來源:2016屆江西贛州市高三3月摸底考試(一模)英語試卷(解析版) 題型:閱讀理解
Alice Kwak
2551 Lancey Street, Toronto
Ontario M2O 2R5
P. (566) 734-4470
E-mail: akwak@cvva.ca
Ms. Rory Saunders
Human Resources Manager
Trinity Client Publications
881 Second Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M20 3K2
Dear Ms. Saunders,
I am writing in regard to the Administrative Assistant position that is available at Trinity Client Publications.
I have just completed the Office Administration program at Frayer College and am excited to try my skills in the real world. I have a good knowledge of basic computer programs, and have writing, editing, and critical thinking skills. I work well with tight deadlines, and am a highly-motivated self-starter.
At past jobs I have checked and corrected letters, taken notes, and made plans. I also communicated with customers. I am efficient and accurate in all my work. Please consult the enclosed resume(簡歷) for additional information about my work experience.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. If you have any questions you can reach me at (566) 734-4470 or at akwak@cvva.ca.
Sincerely,
Alice Kwak
1.Who is Rory Saunders?
A. A copy editor.
B. A Job Center employee.
C. A human resources manager.
D. A teacher at Frayer College.
2.In which of the areas does Alice Kwak claim to have experience?
A. Using database. B. Editing letters.
C. Arranging travel. D. Organizing meetings.
3.How does Alice describe herself?
A. A creative manager. B. A famous writer.
C. A team player. D. A self-starter.
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英語 來源:2016屆黑龍江哈爾濱六中高三下期開學考試英語試卷(解析版) 題型:閱讀理解
BEIJING — China's education authority will tighten the widely criticized policy of “extra credits” for the national college entrance examination to ensure a fairer chance for all exam-takers.
Under the policy, high school students who win awards in national Olympic competitions could get ‘‘extra credits’, up to 20 points for the national college entrance exam. Students with talent in sports and students who are from ethnic groups can also benefit from this policy. The extra credits have increased these students' chances of being admitted by famous universities. Some parents were found to have helped their children fabricate(偽造)award experiences or falsify qualifications to get extra credits.
“It has harmed education equality,” the ministry said.
Xiong Bingqi, vice-chief of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, said the policy is designed to help students who have special talents but may be weak in academic performance to have a chance to receive higher education. It will still be needed but it is time to make the rules fairer," he said.
The ministry said it will reduce the range of competitions whose winners can get extra credits, and limit the winners, privileges.
The new policy will apply to students who begin high school in 2011, it said.
Chen Lei, a mother of a 10-year-old girl, said she welcomed the ministry's policy adjustment as she does not want her daughter to become an Olympic competition geek.
But not all the Chinese parents welcomed the new policy. “It is like a thunderbolt for me. My 13-year-old son has spent so much time studying Olympic math, and participated in so many technological competitions during vacations. It is useless now,” said Dong Wen, a 43-year-old mother.
A student said, “Many students have changed the current study plan, and they can abandon the competition. I will be interested in learning the courses which can improve my abilities.”
Yuan Guiren, minister of education, told China Daily that the reform is an attempt to consider the overall quality of an applicant. “But the country will not stop the national college entrance examination as it is still the most objective way to evaluate talent in China,” he said.
1.It can be inferred from the passage that_____.
A. high school students with talent in sports are weak in academic performance
B. students who win awards in Olympic competitions can't get extra credits in 2011
C. the number of competitions whose winners can be awarded extra credits will be smaller
D. he extra credits have reduced students' chances of being admitted by famous colleges
2.What does the underlined word “geek” probably mean?
A. a winner B. a smart learner
C. a competitor D. a dull student
3.Which person in the passage was strongly against the new policy?
A. Xiong Bingqi B. Chen Lei C. Dong Wen D. Yuan Guiren
4.What might be the best title for the text?
A. “Extra credits” policy in China to be adjusted
B. Promotion of national Olympic competitions
C. Advice on the national college entrance exam
D. Chinese government to push education reform
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英語 來源:2015-2016學年江蘇揚州中學高一下期3月考英語試卷(解析版) 題型:閱讀理解
Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Amy. I am 9 years old. I have a problem at school. Can you help me, Santa? Kids laugh at me because of the way I walk and run and talk. I have cerebral palsy. I just want one day when no one laughs at me or makes fun of me.
Love,
Amy
At radio station WJLT in Fort Wayne, Indiana, letters poured in for the Christmas Wish Contest. When Amy’s letter arrived at the radio station, manager Lee Tobin read it carefully. He thought it would be good for the people in Fort Wayne to hear about this special third grader and her unusual wish. Mr. Tobin called up the local newspaper.
The next day, a picture of Amy and her letter to Santa made the front page of the “News Sentinel”. The story spread quickly. All across the country, newspapers and radio and television stations reported the story of the little girl in Fort Wayne, Indiana, who asked for such a simple, yet remarkable, Christmas gift—just one day without teasing.
Suddenly the postman was a regular at the Hagadorn house. Envelopes of all sizes addressed to Amy arrived daily from children and adults all across the nation. They came filled with holiday greetings and words of encouragement. Some of the writers had disabilities; some had been teased as children. Each writer had a special message for Amy. Through the cards and letters from strangers, Amy glimpsed a world full of people who truly cared about each other.
Many people thanked Amy for being brave enough to speak up. Others encouraged her to ignore teasing and to carry her head high.
Amy did get her wish of a special day without teasing at South Wayne High School. Teachers and students talked together about how bad teasing can make others feel.
That year, the Fort Wayne mayor officially proclaimed December 21st as Amy Jo Hagadorn Day throughout the city. The mayor explained that by daring to make such a simple wish, Amy taught a universal lesson. “Everyone, ”said the mayor, “wants and deserves to be treated with respect, dignity and warmth. ”
1.Amy’s letter showed that ________ .
A. her school wasn’t a good place for students like her
B. her schoolmates cannot understand her disability
C. she wanted to win Christmas Wish Contest
D. she was often ignored in and out of class
2.The postman was a regular at the Hagadorn house because ________ .
A. he had to send letters to Amy daily
B. he was quite curious about Amy
C. he went to encourage Amy frequently
D. he was moved by Amy’s story
3.We may infer from Amy’s story that ________ .
A. people are easy to turn their eyes to the disabled
B. Amy will still be made fun of by others
C. the news media played an important role in helping Amy
D. there are few disabled people in Amy’s country
4.The Fort Wayne mayor officially proclaimed Amy Jo Hagadorn Day ________ .
A. to tell how bad teasing can make others feel
B. to encourage people to carry their heads high
C. to call on the public to treat everyone properly
D. to explain how brave Amy was by making her wish
查看答案和解析>>
湖北省互聯(lián)網違法和不良信息舉報平臺 | 網上有害信息舉報專區(qū) | 電信詐騙舉報專區(qū) | 涉歷史虛無主義有害信息舉報專區(qū) | 涉企侵權舉報專區(qū)
違法和不良信息舉報電話:027-86699610 舉報郵箱:58377363@163.com