Exploring Italy's Timeless Treasures
Italy, a country steeped in history and beauty, is home to numerous iconic landmarks that attract millions of visitors each year. Let's start our journey to discover its most renowned attractions.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
Constructed as a bell tower in the 12th century, it gradually leaned due to unstable ground. The sight of visitors posing to ＂hold up＂ the tower has become an iconic image, while climbing its winding stairs offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Piazza dei Miracoli.
Pompeii
Buried under volcanic ash for centuries, the ancient city of Pompeii is an extraordinary archaeological （考古的） site. Exploring its remarkably preserved ruins offers a glimpse into daily life during Roman times, making it an incredible historical destination.
The Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracts the tourists with its vibrant and soft-toned Cliffside （悬崖边的） villages, such as Positano and Ravello. Visitors can taste the region's delicious cuisine, stroll along scenic paths, and enjoy the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean.
The Colosseum
Rome's most famous landmark, the Colosseum, is an ancient stadium that was once used for exciting fights and shows. As you step inside, imagine the cheers of the Roman crowds and marvel at the engineering marvels of the time.
Join us on this extraordinary adventure, where Italy's rich heritage comes alive and creates memories that will last a lifetime. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to witness the splendor of these legendary sites firsthand. Book your ticket today and let the wonders of Italy charm your senses！
My high school English teacher used to tell us stuff like, "Learning a foreign language can change you forever. " Despite being an obvious attempt to make. us passionate about her subject, it really is true that learning a new language can change your personality.
Later, I moved from Italy to England. Here, I started speaking and writing 10 times more English than I had ever done before. The more I spoke, the more my teacher's prophecy was fulfilled. I wasn't only changing; my Italian-speaking self and my English-speaking self had become two very different individuals.
Blogging is where the signs of this effect first showed. Every time I write something in Italian, my mother tongue, it leads me to profound thoughts. When I reread my old posts, I can imagine myself drinking delicious wine and lips chanting "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables （悲惨世界）. Whenever I blog in English, on the other hand, it's a different story. I feel like my mind is experiencing wild adventures or sliding down rainbows.
This personality divide also started to show in different social situations. At Italian-speaking parties, I'm dressed in the normal black suit so I can mix up with other guests, careful not to make eye contact with strangers. Surprisingly, I don't have this problem at English-speaking parties. It's just that I feel more free, more funny whenever I speak English.
Later, I came across an interesting article from the New Republic. Over the past several decades, scientists have studied whether speaking different languages makes us any different. All their findings seem to suggest that-indeed, bilingual or trilingual people's personalities slightly differ depending on which language they are using.
But it's not the terms we know （or don't know） that shape our personalities. Maybe we can have the whole Oxford Dictionary in our brain, but it. isn't until we pour all that into the ear of someone who's willing to listen, react and respond, that language really has an impact on who we are.
When you walk through a neighborhood, what do you see? In the United States, it will likely be a few trees and bushes among large areas of grassy lawns（草坪）. These big green carpets might look pretty. But a plain expanse of grass is an ecological wasteland. It's filled with just one type of plant—a species that doesn't support insects, birds or other wildlife the way a natural ecosystem would.
Lawns started in England back around the Middle Ages. At that time, most people had to grow their own food. A big expanse of grass would serve as a display of wealth; these people could afford to have land without crops. The grasses planted back then were native to England. They grew well with that nation's soils, ample rains and cool temperatures. Those same grasses now cover lawns across the world, from Europe and the United States to Australia. Although they did well in England, they're not as well adapted to places with different climates and levels of soil nutrients.
That means it can take a lot of work to maintain these yards. People tend to add fertilizers to keep their lawns green. They water regularly, because these grass species can't handle hot summers or places with little rain. People may even use chemicals to keep out weeds and pests.
All those activities use up or pollute much-needed fresh water. Both are problems, especially in the face of ongoing drought. Pesticides and fertilizers washed away by rain or watering can also harm the ecosystems in streams.
That's why a growing number of people are rethinking lawns. What does that mean? Allowing a greater variety of plants and animals to thrive in these spaces could save water, experts say. It could also reduce chemical pollution. Yards planted with more diverse species could make for healthier ecosystems with more pollination and pest control. In the end, such changes should benefit people and wildlife alike.
In 1985, the world was alerted that in the atmosphere a giant hole was forming in the Earth's protective ozone （臭氧） layer. World leaders swiftly gathered and two years later, the United Nations agreed to ban the chemicals responsible for wearing away the layer that protects Earth from the sun's ultraviolet （外线） radiation.
Known as the Montreal Protocol （议定书）, it was a win for the ozone layer. But unknown to the world at the time, it was also about to prevent a climate disaster. As new research shows, the chemicals, known as the ODSs, are also responsible for causing 30 percent of the temperature increase we saw globally from 1955 to 2005.
The Montreal Protocol regulates nearly 100 ozone-eating chemicals, which popularized in the 1930s for mass use in refrigerators. They tend to accumulate in the atmosphere and drift wherever the wind takes them. Once they reach the stratosphere （平流层）, they begin to break down. They're "shattered by photons （光子）, "explains Dennis Hartmann, a climate scientist. That is what causes the hole in the ozone layer.
In the troposphere （对流层）-which fewer photons reach-the ODSs then serve as long-lasting greenhouse gases: Back in 1987, scientists knew ODSs trapped some solar radiation, but only recently have scientists been putting together the evidence that ODSs are actually one of the most damaging warming factors of the past half century. By banning the ODSs, the Montreal Protocol unintentionally prevented I℃ of warming by 2050.
With the Montreal Protocol, world leaders came together around an urgent cause. In the process, we accidentally removed the second -largest forcer of global warming. "The unplanned benefits for the global climate", says Susann Tegtmeier, an atmospheric scientist, "can be considered a very welcome and very positive side effect. "
While it's taken a lot more talks to begin removing the main driver of climate change—carbon dioxide-the Montreal Protocol proves the power of group action and shows how tackling environmental misery together can help us in ways we didn't expect.
Staying alone can be both a challenging and rewarding experience. It offers a unique opportunity for self-reflection, personal growth, and independence. When we are alone, we can connect with our inner selves and discover our strengths and weaknesses.
In the quietness of being alone, we can escape the noise and distractions of the outside world. It allows us to slow down, be present, and appreciate the simple moments in life. For example, we can read a book, listen to music, or pursue a hobby. Without the pressures of social interactions, we can focus on our own thoughts and feelings, gaining a deeper understanding of ourselves.
Being alone also encourages independence and problem- solving skills. It teaches us adaptability as we go through challenges and uncertainties. We become more self-dependent and capable of handling various situations on our own.
Taking time away from the constant demands of others allows us to focus on our own needs and refuel our energy reserves. It's important to recognize that taking time for ourselves is not selfish, but rather a necessary part of self-care. By recharging our batteries, we ultimately become more productive and fulfilled in our personal and professional lives.
While staying alone can be beneficial, humans are social beings by nature. We desire companionship, support, and shared experiences. It is important to reach out to loved ones, build meaningful relationships, and engage in social activities that bring us happiness and fulfillment.
In conclusion, staying alone can be a transformative experience. Embracing the state of being alone can lead to personal growth, inner peace, and a deeper understanding of ourselves. So, let us not fear being alone but embrace it as an opportunity for self-reflection and self-empowerment.
A. Being alone can increase your sense of connection to other people.
B. In fact, there are many disadvantages to being alone.
C. We can take the time to engage in activities that bring us joy.
D. When there is no one else around to rely on, we learn to make decisions independently.
E. It enables self-entertainment, independence, and refreshment in our own company.
F. However, it is essential to strike a balance between staying alone and social connection.
G. Moreover, staying alone allows us to recharge and refresh.
The Queen's Gambit is a TV series about a chess genius inspired by a doorkeeper. Now, a（n） 1 version of The Queen's Gambit is playing out at a school in Maine.
David Bishop 2 the school day as a full-time doorkeeper, but after work, he grabs his chess boards and begins his second 3 :part- time chess coach.
The 61- year- old doorkeeper has 4 both elementary and middle school teams to state championship titles this year. One of his players, 11- year-old Avery Zhang, 5 the state champion for grades K-5 this year.
6 Mr. Bishop enjoyed chess and was good at it, he didn't join his high school chess club, 7 he would be labelled as a nerd（呆子）. These days, thanks to the growing 8 of chess after The Queen's Gambit, those stereotypes （刻板印象） no longer apply.
But unlike the TV series' doorkeeper, Bishop is 9 not just one girl but dozens of kids of all skill levels and backgrounds. His one worry is that there aren't as many girls 10 chess. There's only one female on his middle school champion team right now. He's hoping to 11 that situation by getting kids into the 12 at earlier ages.
Bishop also emphasizes to his young players that chess is about 13 winning. "I tell my kids that chess 14 your life, " he told the Daily News. "Whether in life or in chess, if you work hard^if you' re not discouraged by failure, you will be 15 ."
The Park Hyalt Ningbo drew us to visit this city in China that we may otherwise have not yet discovered. We planned to book a First Class ticket to Ningbo but when tickets for that cabin were sold out, we chose Business Class. We had no knowledge aboutthe train cabins and seats would look like, so we were more than （pleasant） surprised to see that as we boarded the train. Inside, the spacious leather seats （surround） by a hard shell which gives a small feeling of （private）.
We enjoyed traveling the CRH in Business so much we decided to book the same class ticket our trip back to Shanghai on our return. This time however when we boarded the train there was a small automatic door to our left and the cabin had only 9 Business Class seats. This （small） cabin felt much more private. The ride was smooth and peaceful. There was also a train attendant came around with water, juice and a light snack. It was great to have so much space for our luggage as well.
This is one of those cases where it really made sense for us to spend a little bit more for a far better experience. If we find ourselves （board）a CRH train again in the future, I would choose the Business Class ticket again.
I started reading to myself, as well as out loud to Mother and other family members, between the ages of three and four. By the time I turned five, I was reading "chapter books," like the Bobbsey Twins. I read whenever books came my way, usually by my mother taking me to the town's small but book-packed library on Saturdays. Along my journey as a reader, there were other helping hands that develop my love for books-Mrs. Eleanor Harrison, my first-grade teacher. When I started first grade, making friends became a challenge for me. My rich vocabulary made me easy to be labeled as a bookworm（书呆子）, causing other children to shy away from playing with me. My mother explained that there would be "stuff" I already knew while others didn't. Reading was one such skill-I could read while none of my classmates were able to. Therefore, when we moved to a new city, and I found myself in a new school, I decided to pretend that I didn't know many words either, just to fit in.
On the first day of school, my mother walked me there and introduced herself to Mrs. Harrison, my new teacher. After that, I walked to school and back home by myself. However, around a month later, something significant happened. One afternoon, when I came home from school, my mother told me that my teacher, Mrs. Harrison, had called and wanted to have a meeting with her. I immediately asked if I was in trouble since I had only heard of teachers calling parents when there was all issue.
"She didn't say so, " responded Mother, as thoughts raced through my mind, "She said she wanted to talk to me about you. " Mother pulled me to their -one of her healing hugs. I trusted my mother. I knew she loved me. I blurted out, "So, you think this will have a "happily ever after" ending?" Mother kissed me on the top of my head, just as she often did, and smiled saying, "Yes. I'm sure it will be alright. "
注意：
1. 续写词数应为 150 左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Paragraph 1: The day of the meeting came.
Paragraph 2: "I like that idea!" Firmly, I nodded yes.
