In 1977, a dead author of detective stories saved the life of a 19-month-old baby in a most unusual way. The author was Agatha Christie, one of the most successful writers of detective stories in the world.
In June 1977, a baby girl became seriously ill in Qatar, near Saudi Arabia. Doctors were unable to find out the cause of her illness with confidence, so she was sent to Hammersmith Hospital in London. She was then only semi-conscious and on the "Dangerously Ill" list. A team of doctors hurried to examine the baby only to discover that they, too, were confused by the very unusual symptoms (症状). While they were discussing the baby's case, a nurse asked to speak to them.
"Excuse me," said Nurse Marsha Maitlan, "but I think the baby is suffering from thallium (铊) poisoning(中毒)."
"What makes you think that?" Dr. Brown asked. "Thallium poisoning is extremely rare."
"A few days ago, I was reading a novel called A Pale Horse by Agatha Christie," Nurse Maitlan explained. "In the book, somebody uses thallium poison, and all the symptoms are described. They're exactly the same as the baby's."
"You're very thoughtful and you may be right," another doctor said. "We'll carry out some tests and find out whether it's thallium or not."
Tests showed that the baby had indeed been poisoned by thallium, a rare metallic substance(物质) used in making special glass. Once they knew the cause of the illness, the doctors were able to give the baby the correct treatment. She soon recovered and was sent back to Qatar. Later it was reported that the poison might have come from an insecticide (杀虫剂) used in Qatar.
The world's first subway was built in London in 1863. At the time, the government was looking for a way to reduce traffic problems in the city of London. The poor areas of the city were so crowded with people that it was almost impossible for horse carriages to get through. The city officials were interested in trying to make it possible for workers to live outside of London and travel easily to work each day. If people had a cheap and convenient way that they could depend on to go to and from work, they would relocate their homes outside of the city. This would help ease(减轻) the pressure of too many people living in the poor parts of London. From these problems, the idea of the London Underground, the first subway system, was born.
The plans for building the Underground met with several problems and delays, but the fast track was finally opened in January 1863. A steam train pulled the cars along the fast underground track which was 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) long. About 30，000 people got on the subway the first day. Riders were treated to comfortable seats (standing up while the train was moving was not allowed), and pleasant decorations inside each of the cars. However, the smoke from the engine soon filled the air in the tunnels(隧道) with ash and soot(煤灰), as well as chemical gases. Fans had to be put in the tunnels later to keep the air clean enough for people to breathe. Even with its problems, riding in the Underground did catch on. It carried 9 million riders in its first year.
In the years of my growing up, Dad was hard on me. He made sure I made my bed and did my homework. As a school girl and young adult, I feared him and felt bitter about him. He seemed unhappy with me unless I got straight A's and unhappy with my boyfriends if their fathers were not as "successful" as he was. Whenever I went out with him on weekends, I used to struggle to think up things to say, feeling on guard.
He would call in advance to make sure there was no alcohol(酒精) at the party. I got so angry with him for laying down the law. I would scream, "I hate you!" Dad would yell back, "Good! I don't care!" Deep down I knew he did.
One time at a party, I drank too much alcohol and got so sick. I said, "Call my dad." Next thing, Dad was carrying me to the car. I woke up the next morning, thinking I would definitely be criticized(批评). As expected, I got a roasting, but I now understand why I need discipline(纪律).
Dad was 29 when he got his big roles in films. I had an early start at the age of nine with a role in a 1990s TV series, but it wasn't until I finished film studies that I pursued my career as an actress. Like those early days for Dad, I faced lots of rejections. Working in such a competitive industry, I've sometimes thought, "I can't do this any more."
Once, after a trip to Hollywood, I returned to Australia so depressed and spent months in my bedroom painting, listening to Eckhart Tolle's music and trying to find myself again. Dad sat me down and said, "Alice, I know it's hard, but it's all about persistence(坚持不懈)."
Now I get to work with Dad a lot, which I love. We are both enthusiastic about acting, which comes from us being so interested in people. If it weren't for Dad, I wouldn't be where I am today. He's my biggest fan, and when you have that in your life you can go a long way.
What Teenagers Can Do To Earn More Respect
As teenagers continue to grow and develop into young adults, the transition(过渡) into adulthood has begun. With so many physical and emotional changes going on, certain manners are often forgotten and other adult traits(特点) are not yet accepted as a way of life. By doing the following things, you will earn more respect.
Contribute to the household(家庭)
At the very least, clean up after yourself. As a teenager, you are old enough to clean up after yourself. When you make a mess, clean it up. All chores(家务) that you do help to reduce the load of the person who did them before. Now that you're old enough and capable, why shouldn't you contribute to the household?
Be responsible
Whether they are basic things, like brushing your teeth or doing your homework, or more involved chores that contribute to the household, simply fulfill (履行) your responsibilities on time. When adults know that they can rely on you, their trust and respect for you will increase.
Solve more of your own problem without asking for help
Instead of taking the easy approach and asking for help, make an effort to solve your problems on your own first. The "easy way" is only easy for you, but it is an extra task for the person from whom you are seeking help. Seek help only after you have make an honest effort to solve your own problems. When you become a good problem solver, you increase your valve to the community.
A. Everyone has certain responsibilities.
B. By being aware of these manners and traits, you can manage them sooner.
C. The people doing the chores before will greatly appreciate the help.
D. This includes, but is not limited to, your dishes and your room.
E. It will make your life more pleasant.
F. Depending on the problem, 15 minutes of effort is usually a good guideline.
G. When speaking to a group, speak loud enough.
Mum said they might not be back until after eleven. My brother Greg and I 1 to play hide -and- seek (捉迷藏). But there was not much 2 except in the front room. The 3 was that we were not allowed in there by ourselves. 4, we just took the risk.
Once there, both of us were cautious and moved about 5 for some while. Then, when I hid behind a tapestry(壁毯), 6 by my brother, I jumped out. With a sense of 7, I felt my right elbow (手肘) striking (撞击) something hard. We heard a crash. Even 8 we dared to look, we knew that the vase lay broken.
When Mum and Dad came home and viewed the pieces, we knew any 9 would only serve to fuel their anger. Mum ordered us to sit on the bare floor, beside the ruin. She cried, "How 10 the two of you have done this?" Greg and I, too 11 to cry, could voice no answer. After a while, she 12 us and stayed there alone by herself, much like a statue.
Greg and I 13 throughout that night, struggling to decide what we might do to 14for it. We hoped with the money we had saved we might just have 15 to buy a vase. The next day, we set off to search 16 every local shop until we found a good copy.
When we 17 home in silence, we 18 Mum and Dad with what we'd bought. Dad 19 out, took it from Greg and then passed it to Mum. She sighed, "You broke our Ming vase." But we believed they knew we were 20.
Once James Thornhill, a famous English painter, was asked (paint) some pictures on the walls of the king's palace in English. Then workers were sent for and big platform(平台) was made the help of a worker, Thornhill started painting on the platform. They worked for a whole year at last the pictures were ready.
Thornhill was happy when he looked at the pictures, for they were (real) beautiful. He looked at them for a long time, and then took one step back and looked again. Now the pictures were even (much) beautiful. He took another step, then another. Finally, he was at the very edge of the platform, but he did not know it because he (think) of his pictures.
The worker saw everything. " should I do?" he thought. "Thornhill is at the very edge of the platform. If I cry out, he will take another step, fall off the platform and surely be killed." So the worker quickly took some paint and threw at the picture. "What are you doing?" cried the painter, (run) quickly forward to his pictures.
We lived not far from the sea, but I had never been allowed by my parents to play in the sea water. It was said that there was weed(水草) at the bottom of the water along the beach and of course it was dangerous to swim in the water. But I didn't believe it and that day, I agreed to play with my friends on the beach. I had to lie to my parents since I would never get a chance to go out if I told them I would go to play on the beach without them in sight.
After breakfast, I read a book in my room for some time to wait from my mum to leave the house. But she kept working in the kitchen. I couldn't waste time any more. Otherwise(否则，要不然), Bobby and Jimmy would be angry.
I went downstairs slowly and tried to walk casually(随意地) towards the back door. Mum asked me without looking up from her work of dishwashing, "Where are you going?' I answered without hesitation(毫不犹豫地), "I am going to the outside on the grass to play with Jack and Tim." After I got out of the room, I breathed a sigh of relief(松了一口气). My plan had worked out fine so far. I climbed the fence and jumped onto the muddy field a few feet away from my house and started running towards the bus stop at top speed. I was on the beach scanning the crowd for my friends Jimmy and Bobby about ten minutes later. After a while, I saw them near a coconut (椰子) tree. I ran towards them and got into my swimming trunks(游泳裤). For about an hour, we played volleyball happily. Suddenly, Bobby hit the ball too hard and the ball fell onto the sea. Just as Bobby was going to pick up the ball, the tide(潮水) came in and carried the ball further and further away from the shore. I wanted to show off my swimming skills, so I declared (宣布) to help get the ball for them.
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I dived into the water and started swimming at a steadypace(以稳定的速度).……
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I struggled to keep afloat (漂浮的) but it was no use.……
