Madison Williams was studying in her bedroom in Dublin, Ohio, in August 2016 when the door burst open. It was her mother, Leigh Williams, with a(an)1 story: “A little boy fell into a septic tank (化粪池), and no one can 2him.” Then she made this3 of her 13-year-old daughter: Can you help?
Madison and Leigh ran to a neighbor's yard, where they found the boy's 4mother and other adults surrounding a septic tank opening. Its diameter was5 wider than a basketball. The boy had 6 in and was drowning in the sewage (污水).
Madison quickly7 the situation. She was the only one who could 8through the small hole. Without 9 she told the adults, “Lower me in.” Inside, the tank was dark, and the air10 In the process of finding the boy, her left wrist was injured by a hidden pole so11 that the hand was useless. But Madison went on skimming the surface of the sewage, hoping to 12 the boy. “Every once in a while, I'd see his little toes she says. “Then I would try to grab them.” After several failed13 she finally managed to grasp his foot tightly with her14 hand. “Pull me up!” she shouted to the others above. Ten minutes after Madison had entered the tank, she and the boy were15 out.
But the boy wasn't out of16He had been taken away from oxygen long enough that he wasn't breathing. He was 17 on his side, and an adult gave him several hard beats on the 18 one right after the other, until the boy coughed up liquids. It was only when Madison heard him cry that she knew he was all right.
It took Madison longer to 19 than the boy. She experienced months of physical treatment for her wrist, which, says neighbor Mary, made the girl's actions more 20.
The four best films in China in the first quarter of 2018
Quite a few films both at home and abroad have brought a wave of heated discussions on the Internet in the first three months of 2018.
If you're looking for some good films to see, here are some recommendations. While the subjects of these films are different，they all have fascinating storylines, a star-studded cast and thought-provoking themes. Let's take a look at them.
Wonder
Country: United States
Release Date: Jan 19, 2018
Genre: drama
Starring: Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay
Director: Stephen Chbosky
Recommendation Index: ★★★★★
On the theme of “We all are different and want to be treated with kindness,” the film earns its tugs at the heartstrings. The movie was praised by audiences for hitting the soft spot as a heartwarming story that manages to avoid turning too sentimental.
Forever Young
Country: China
Release Date: Jan 12, 2018
Genre: drama
Starring: Zhang Ziyi, Huang Xiaoming, Wang Leehom
Director: Li Fangfang
Recommendation Index: ★★★★
The film, once planned as a tribute to mark the centenary celebrations of Tsinghua University in 2011, weaves four stories set in different eras to look at the history of the college.
Secret Superstar
Country: India
Release Date: Feb 16, 2018
Genre: musical drama
Starring: Zaira Wasim, Aamir Khan
Director: Advait Chandan
Recommendation Index: ★★★★
The film deals with social issues including feminism, gender equality and domestic violence. From Dangal to Secret Superstar to the latest comedy-drama film Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Indian films have developed a solid fan base in China.
The Ex-File: The Return of the Exes
Country: China
Release Date: Dec 29, 2017
Genre: romantic comedy
Starring: Han Geng, Zheng Kai
Director: Tian Yusheng
Recommendation Index: ★★★
The Ex-File: The Return of the Exes, the finale of the hit romance franchise produced by Huayi Brothers and New Saint Film Studio, revolves around bittersweet stories of two young businessmen who break up with their girlfriends. It is the first movie in 2018 that has achieved huge success at the box office.
When her classmates were having a good time, Molly sat at the picnic table alone. She remained awkward around her classmates. She seemed unsure of what to do or say, yet I could see her eyes longing for acceptance. Many students had already decided that her friendship would not be worth the energy required to overcome the awkwardness. Others teased her. Most ignored her except for one.
Brianna, the class clown, was making the other students laugh, as usual. “Brianna, do you see Molly down there? Would you mind walking down there and inviting her to come up here with the rest of us?”
Brianna sighed. I could tell she didn't want to sacrifice precious minutes of her own recess (休息) to do what I was asking of her, but I also knew her heart. She often thought of others before herself— a rare character for anyone, much less a kid.
Knowing this choice was hard for her, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a D-buck, our class currency. Though bribery (行贿) was not the ideal way to handle this situation, I needed her cooperation.
“Here, I'll pay you for your time.”
She offered an insincere smile, grasped the green paper, and headed down the hill.
As the rest of the children screamed and laughed, my eyes locked on Brianna as she neared the picnic table. Molly could be difficult, and I wouldn't have been surprised if she sent Brianna back alone, refusing her invitation. When she encouraged herself to a standing position, I sighed with relief.
A minute later, I felt a tap on my shoulder. “Here, Mrs. D.” She handed me the D-buck.
“Why?” I asked.
“I shouldn't keep this,” Her eyes fell to her feet, guilt radiating from her quiet voice. “I don't want Molly to think I only went to get her so I could earn a D-buck. She's my friend.”
A moment later, they were all laughing again, and who should I see among them, laughing for the first time that week? Molly.
Most birds produce short, simple calls, but songbirds also have the ability of many complex vocal (发声的) patterns that help them attract mates, defend territory (领地), and strengthen their social bonds. Each songbird species has its own unique song patterns, some with characteristic regional dialects. Experienced listeners can even distinguish individual birds by their unique songs.
A lot of what scientists know about bird song comes from studying zebra finches. A baby male zebra finch typically learns to sing from its father or other males, starting while it's still a baby bird in the nest. First comes the sensory learning stage, when the baby finch hears the songs sung around it and commits them to memory. The bird starts to vocalize during the motor learning stage, practicing until it can match the song it memorized. As the bird learns, hearing the tutor's song over and over again is helpful — up to a point. If it hears the song too many times, the imitation (模仿) becomes worse -- and the source matters. If the song is played through a loudspeaker, he can't pick it up as easily. But hide the same loudspeaker inside a toy painted to look like a zebra finch, and his learning improves.
What if the baby never hears another zebra finch's song? Interestingly enough, it'll sing anyway. Isolated finches still produce what are called innate songs or isolate songs. A specific tune might be taught, but the instinct to sing seems to exist in a songbird's brain. Innate songs sound different from the “cultured” songs learned from other finches - at first. If isolate zebra finches start a new colony, the young birds pick up the isolate song from their fathers. But the song changes from generation to generation. And after a few generations, the melody actually starts to resemble the cultured songs sung by zebra finches in the wild.
Kung fu is one of a number of Chinese martial arts designed to improve the body and the mind. It is perhaps one of the most widely known martial arts, because many films include its techniques. There are hundreds of styles taught all over the world, although they can be loosely divided into two camps: Shaolin style kung fu, and other techniques, some of which have a history that outdates the Shaolin order.
Shaolin kung fix has its origins in the fifth century. Like some other martial arts, it began in religious temples, where the monks sought a mind and body discipline (训练方法). In addition to the fighting style, it also includes mental exercises and religious practices designed to balance the whole body.
Shaolin temples resembled universities, integrating a wide range of subjects of study. Therefore, traditional Shaolin styles such as Wing Chun, Crane, Praying Mantis, and Hung Gar took knowledge from fields outside martial arts, such as the healing arts and meditation. Supporters for Shaolin styles believe that they are more rounded martial arts styles, and that learners will benefit from them on a whole body level.
Other fighting styles, some of which predate the Shaolin style, are also lumped under the kung fu umbrella. They include Pa-Kua, Eagle Claw, and Eight Drunken Immortals styles. These disciplines are not considered to be Shaolin style because they did not originate in temples and are focused primarily on fighting techniques.
Whether Shaolin or otherwise, kung fu is characterized by self defense strategies that turn the energy of an attacker against him or her. Although the techniques may vary, most styles teach throws, kicks, punches, and the use of weapons. In addition to the physical discipline, most place a great importance on respect, honor, and living a balanced life.
Have you ever noticed how terrible weather seems to drag your spirits down?But there are various things you can do to keep your spirits up until spring.
A snowy, icy, cold, or rainy world can be beautiful and often has sounds and smells of its own. If you're an artist, or photographer, winter provides a great deal of inspiration and different colors to work with. Even if you don't feel that creative, simply watching a winter scene from the comfort of your home can be a pleasant way to relax and enjoy the peace.
Take part in winter activities.
If you're a beginner to these snow sports, try learning in areas where you won't be worried about more experienced people crowding you out. Local parks are ideal starting points to encourage you to get out and give new winter sports a go.
Winter comes with the shortest days and lowest light of the year. Go out if you can. If you can't, or if you're so far from the equator as to have little or no daylight, use bright lights and perhaps light or white walls.
Stay active.
As much as possible, get yourself outside. Take at least a short walk. If the weather does not permit, move around inside. Walk up and down your stairs if you have them It also regulates such things as sleep and diet. Move around at least a bit each day.
A. Go out.
B. Brighten up.
C. Find things to enjoy about winter.
D. Enjoy skiing, sledding, or ice-skating.
E. There's nothing you can do about the weather.
F. Making snowmen is a fun activity for both kids and adults.
G. Exercise gets your body temperature up and your blood flowing.
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1．每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2．只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
On my way home from school last Friday, I saw a little dog on the sidewalk looking hopelessly. I was held it firmly up in my arms, took it home and feed some milk to it. However, my mom was unwilling to keep them, saying there was enough pets for us, two cats and a dog. I begged my mom not to let it go. Finally, we agreed that it would be deciding by my dad, whom didn't return home from work. Just then the girl and her father drove near, searching for their lost pets. When they thanked us taking care of the dog, I felt very happy.
Last summer, as soon as school was over, I thought maybe I could spend the summer a way different from previous ones. But how? Perhaps I could takepart-time job and make some money. I (offer) an interview soon after I filed my application to Kentucky Fried Chicken. The interview was three days ahead. (prepare) for it, I went through Interview Skills, a book prepares readers for job interviews. My mom and dad tried to help by (give) me simulated (模拟的) interviews one after I was all ready the day before the interview.
I answered all of the manager's questions (perfect). After all, my mom and dad had expected all of them and I just needed to repeat the answers I had prepared. Besides, I had carried myself well through the interview. My facial (express), my voice, my…… all were excellent. I felt the job was already mine. That night I calculated how money I would make, and I planned the ways I would like to spend it.
