Dear Editor of Macquarie Dictionary,
My name is Wendy, a second generation Chinese-Australian migrant and a mother of two young children. I'm writing to express my disappointment in one of Macquare Dictionary's entries, namely the definition of the word "monolid".
In both the paper version (7th edition) and online version of the Dictionary, Macquarie defines "monolid" as: "An upper eyelid(眼睑) without a fold, perceived by some in Asia to give an appearance of laziness. "This definition has disturbed me and many Asians living in Australia. Linguistically(从语言学角度), the term "monolid" is a pretty unbiased description of a physical characteristic that involves no feelings, common to over 50% of people of East Asian origin. It's no different to other terms describing a physical feature including "blonde" or "freckle".
Take a minute and consider this. Would it be appropriate if the definition of "blonde" became "having fair or light-coloured hair, thought by some in Western countries as possessing little or no intelligence"? Or would it be appropriate if the definition of "freckle" was "a small brownish spot in the skin or face, thought by some as creating an ugly appearance"?
In addition, it is also inappropriate that Macquarie Dictionary—a dictionary of choice by many Australian schools—defines a term in a way which may create negative racial connection for Australian children of East Asian origin. Both my kids are born with monolids, a constant reminder of their cultural background. It therefore breaks my heart to imagine a scene where they turn to the dictionary to find that their physical feature is associated with "laziness". What if they get teased by their school friends that they are born "lazy"? What if my sensitive older son starts hating himself and his race classification for being associated with something negative?
For the reasons above, I urge Macquarie Dictionary to adjust the current definition of "monolid". Looking forward to hearing from you
Regards, Wendy
A new study suggests household cats can respond to the sound of their own names. No surprise to most cat owners, right? But Japanese scientists said that they've provided the first experimental evidence that cats can distinguish between words we say. So your cats are kind of like dogs, whose communication with people has been studied a lot more, and who've been shown to recognize hundreds of words if they're highly trained.
Atsuko Saito of Sophia University in Tokyo says there's no evidence cats actually attach meaning to our words, not even their own names. Instead, they've learned that when they hear their names they often get rewards like food or play, or something bad like a trip to the ve（t兽医）. And they hear their names a lot. So the sound of it becomes special, even if they don't really understand it refers to their identity.
Saito and colleagues describe the results of their research in the journal Scientific Reports. In four experiments with 16 to 34 animals, each cat heard a recording of its owner's voice, or another person's voice, which slowly recited a list of four nouns or other cat's names, followed by the cat's own name. Many cats initially reacted— such as by moving their heads, ears or tails—but gradually lost interest as the words were read. The crucial (关键的) question was whether they'd respond more to their name. Sure enough, on average, these cats perked up when they heard their own name as if delicious food would be offered.
Kristyn Vitale, who studies cat behavior at Oregon State University in Corvallis but didn't participate in the new work, said the results "make complete sense to me.' 'Vitale, who said she has trained cats to respond to verbal commands, agreed that the new results don't mean that cats actually make sense of their names. It's more like being trained to recognize a sound, she said.
Understanding what teens are talking about has been a great problem for parents and teachers for ages.
One high school teacher in Massachusetts found a smart solution.
James Callahan of Lowell High School created a spreadsheet （电子表格） of all the spoken terms students have used along with his attempt to define them, and people on social media are having a field day. "I often overhear students in the hallways or classrooms using words or slang terms in their personal conversations," Callahan told reporters. "In order to understand them better and form a relationship with them on a personal level, I started asking them what certain words meant."
He even posted online a photo of a four-page document titled" Callahan's Generation Z Dictionary". In the left column, he typed out vocabularies like "sis" and "snack". In the right column, he attempts to define each vocabulary using a formal interpretation of what the students say. For example, "secure (d) the bag" translates loosely into "money received".
Some people applauded the professor's interest in teenage culture." The typical teacher-student relationship involves a rigid power structure, but in my experience, I have found that students are more engaged and perform better if I am able to reach where they are," Callahan said. Some students say Callahan showed the document in class so that the class could help him update the definitions of "bops" and "jams". "Mr. Callahan asked if any enjoyable song is a ‘bop' and someone clarified, saying that the song has to be modern with the element of dancing," one of his students said. "Mr. Callahan asked if an old song or a rock &roll piece can be a 'bop' to which a student answered, matter-of-factly: 'No. That is a jam.'"
Surprised at and excited about the fact that the dictionary went viral online, Callahan said the unofficial guide to teenage breaks up the lesson, gets the students involved and provides them with some ownership of the dictionary. "Language is so flexible, and every generation creates their own vocabulary bank of slang. The students created it and I am sort of just the recorder!"
Being content with what you do and your life can be troublesome these days. However, you can start being satisfied with what you have with some steps.
There are times when some friends simply get too busy and with the passage of time visits and meet-up become less frequent. If there is anything that can help you be more content with your life, social media is certainly not the answer. That is simply so much better than letting your time just fly by in front of electronic devices.
Finishing reading a book is also a good idea. We all know reading excites the mind. It can also improve your focus, concentration and communication skills. The reason we did not ask you to start reading a book is that finishing reading a book is far more satisfying than simply reading halfway through it.
If you are stuck in a 9-to-5 job, then you need to seriously reconsider your physical activity. As time flies by, we all get older. So, exercise or join a sports club if you can. Exercising will not only improve your overall ability but also make you look good and know your true strength.
However, simply giving your change to a homeless person wouldn't cut it. You need to find a cause that you deeply care about and then commit to it wholeheartedly. This will give you an opportunity to see how your small acts of kindness can bring out the best in you and the society.
A. Being selfless brings you more satisfaction.
B. You'd better start reading an interesting book.
C. Instead, you need to connect with an old friend.
D. So, pick up a nice book now and make it into a habit.
E. It is a great way to channel your energy in the right direction.
F. It works well in reducing stress and increasing your knowledge.
G. What you do with your body today can help you stay healthy in the future.
Woody Davis had always been generous and kind. He never earned much money, but always1to everybody and aided others. A local resident said he wouldn't ask for2for the services he provided." I wrote a check to him and3it secretly in his pocket. You can't hand it to him because you will meet with4."
Folks in town are5for the good deeds he's done over the last 50 years. Last year, they decided to try and return some of that 6. They started by cutting his firewood for winter. A couple of guys7his old and broken truck. Woody's son, Clint Davis, said he didn't know how much the community8his father until now. He said all the work his dad did for people has been9ten times and that anyone can't buy the10that people have poured out for his dad.
Unfortunately, Woody's days were11. About a year ago, Woody contracted ALS(肌萎缩侧索硬化症).
When CBS News12him in January, his health was declining rapidly. He was already 13to lift and talk, but his spirit was completely14. Woody told the reporter that he could hardly15help offered by local people. "I feel lucky that I am dying slowly," Woody said. His words seemed16. Woody explained that he was glad17he got to see how people felt about him and what he18meant to them before he died.
The funeral was on Tuesday. About 700 people showed up to pay their last19. After the service, people gave Woody the20wave he had given them every day.
To become an astronaut, for many (enthusiasm) space explorers around the world, is a childhood dream. Have you ever wondered one becomes a NASA astronaut?
It begins with filling out an application. The US space agency received more than 18,000 applications from when (announce) late last year that it was looking for a new class of astronauts. Selection manager Anne Roemer said the process is not easy task." It's very hard. We should review all the files to make sure they meet the basic (require)," Roemer said.
Applicants must be a US citizen and have a bachelor's degree in engineering, science, computer or mathematics. They also need at least three years of (relate) experience or to be an experienced pilot. being able to pass a physical test, NASA also likes applicants to have certain personality traits." I think leadership and teamwork are much importance," Roemer said, "Communication certainly plays a role, is pretty common skill even in other professions."
Since the first group of seven astronauts were selected from the military in 1959, only 338 others (choose) as NASA astronauts.
Ally curled(蜷曲) herself up in his father's favorite chair. "Nothing will ever be the same again," she whispered, staring at the small American flag on his desk. It was the flag which Chief Russell had given to her after the funeral last summer, when he hugged her and told her how proud the Police Department was of her dad's work for them. His tears had warmed Ally's cheeks; her own tears were still frozen inside her heart.
Ally looked at her father's picture on the bookcase. It was one of her favorite shots. Dad was sitting in the middle of a stream, wet through but grinning proudly. "I miss you, Dad," she said softly .By this time last year she had already taken dozens of pictures. Ever since she could remember, she and Dad had been a team, searching the woods behind the house each weekend for a glimpse of the special wood warbler(林中莺).
Ally reached for the first photo album she and Dad had put together. On the cover a tiny orange bird with blue-gray wings and sharp black eyes peered out of the photo her father had clipped from a local newspaper. Ally smiled, remembering the excited look on his face when he first showed her the pretty bird. "Ally, I bet if we search real hard, we'll see this little guy together some day."
They'd never spotted the warbler, but her father had an amazing way of making each outing seem special.
Staying with Dad, Ally felt comfortable, "If only I could get that good feeling back," she thought, sighing.
Staring at the bird, suddenly, she knew exactly what she had to do. Grabbing the little flag, she placed her camera around her neck and hurried outside. Ally stuck the flag among the flowers in the garden. "Please let me see the warbler," she murmured to herself. She gave her worried Mom a kiss and then set off into the woods.
注意：1）所续写短文的词数为150左右；
2）应使用5个以上短文中标有下划线的关键词语；
3）续写部分分两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；
4）续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。
Paragraph 1:
Familiar smells of the earth rose up to greet her.
Paragraph 2:
Determined to start out the next morning, she was about to head home when a ringing birdsong floated down to her.
