Dear Mr. Whitacre,
I fell in love with a "flying Dutchman"…literally. In the summer of 2011, I moved to the Netherlands not knowing anyone except my husband, not knowing how to speak the language, and leaving behind my friends, family, and everything I knew that represented me. But as they say, "Love is blind."
In the beginning, I spent many months "alone in my head." My mother-in-law didn't speak English (or Italian). This, however, didn't stop her from trying to communicate with me. At first, sounds of vague meanings coupled with hand gestures was our way of having a conversation.
It wasn't until I discovered she was a choral (合唱的) director for a women's group in the community that we then began communicating on a whole different level. From my early days in school, I was always part of a school choir for over a decade.
We shared a love of music! Dien (my mother-in-law's name) taught me many beautiful Dutch songs. I sang in her choir throughout the years that followed. And then by chance, I came across a TED-Talk featuring you, Mr. Whitacre discussing your music and the virtual (虚拟合唱团) choir. Within minutes, I researched when the next project would start and to my surprise, it was Virtual Choir4" Fly To Paradise." I couldn't wait to tell my mother-in-law!
The next 2 weeks we spent practicing our parts and perfecting our video submissions. It was pure joy for us. Something we shared a love for, encouraging each other, spending hours together, and making a permanent bond as a mother and daughter-in-law.
Music has always been a part of my life. Its significance is greater than anything most people are aware of. Our participation in your virtual choir is one I will never forget. And it goes without saying, I am grateful for you, your music, and its ability to connect us all.
Tunnels are passageways that are built under the ground. They can also be made under a sea or a river. Some tunnels are dug through high mountains.
For hundreds of years, tunnels have been built all over the world. People use these tunnels to travel from one place to another. Some tunnels are used as waterlanes. Coal and gemstones are also brought from under the ground through long tunnels.
In the past, people dug tunnels using picks and shovels. Rocks and soil were loaded into one-wheel barrows and then onto horses and carts. This work was very tiring.
Today, engineers do a lot of planning before they start to build a tunnel. They use computers to check the level of the water and the types of rock under the ground. When they are sure the area is safe, huge machines are used to dig out the soil.
These machines have an enormous cutting wheel at the front. The wheel slowly grinds (磨碎) through the rock and soil to make the tunnel. Soil that is not needed is carried away in large trucks. As the tunnel becomes longer, it is lined with huge pipes so the walls and roof do not callapse.
Long tunnels have powerful lights to help drivers see the road ahead. Water sprinklers (洒水装置) are fitted to help keep people safe if a fire breaks out in the tunnel.
In large cities, tunnels are built under very busy roads. , People can drive through these tunnels. This makes it quicker to travel to different parts of the city.
Some trains have to wind slowly and carefully over steep mountain slopes. But, in places where there are tunnels, trains can travel quickly through the mountain to reach the other side.
The COVID -19 pandemic has changed life as we knew it just a few weeks ago. Millions of people worldwide are now under required or voluntary lockdowns. All public attractions, including museums and aquariums, are closed, and the usually crowded streets of popular tourist destinations are empty. An unexpected silver lining during these challenging times for humans is that many animals are finally getting a chance to leave their normal habitats and move about freely.
The first animals to take advantage of human absence were Annie and Edward, two penguins who live at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium. A video released on March 15, 2020, showed the couple eagerly duckwalking around, exploring the aquarium's various exhibits. The video, which instantly became popular, inspired other institutions to share short videos of their four-legged creatures playing as well.
The Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio joined the fun trend on March 16, 2020, with a "Home Safari" live-stream series-the first staring its adorable baby panda, Fiona. "Let us help make your children's hiatus from school fun and educational," zoo officials announced. "Join us for a Home Safari Online Live each weekday at 3 pm, where we will highlight one of our amazing animals and include an activity you can do from home.
Meanwhile, the San Diego Safari Park has kept their webcams (网络摄像头) rolling, allowing fans to enjoy lovable animals without leaving home. Animals in the wild are also lively as humans stay indoors. The absence of cruise ships is bringing large numbers of dolphins to a port in Cagliari, while groups of wild turkeys are happily walking on the streets of Oakland.
Though the animals indeed appear to be having a good time, the heartwarming videos and images shared on social media, are also bringing much -needed cheer to millions of humans worldwide. Stay strong and healthy! We are all in this together!
Take a Break from Technology
In today's world we are constantly surrounded by technology. It's true to say that technology makes our lives easier. Otherwise we put ourselves at risk of developing hundreds of health problems. Over the summer the days are longer, sunnier and free from school. With all this free time, why not put it to good use and do something that doesn't involve technology?
There are hundreds of possibilities: crafts, cooking, learning a musical instrument or a new sport. Maybe you've always wanted to try out that recipe, but haven't had time? Perhaps you fancy learning how to knit, so you can have a new sweater for the autumn? You could use your free time to learn something new.
If you just fancy relaxing, why not head to a beach? Take along your favourite book and relax on the sand or go for a walk along the coastline (just make sure you're aware of the tides!). If you don't live near a beach, you could go to your local park.
Whatever you choose to do with your summer, try something new!. Also, you might make new friends along the way. Next time you find yourself aimlessly channel -hopping, have a think at what else you could spend your time doing.
A. To start with, you could learn a new skill.
B. Technology has become an important part of our lives.
C. And perhaps it'll lead to an exciting opportunity in the future.
D. You might surprise yourself and find a hidden talent within you.
E. Why not take along a picnic, or try and identify some of the local wildlife?
F. However, increasingly scientists are saying that we need to give ourselves a break.
G. In our increasingly technology-driven world, have we become addicted to technology?
An entire American town gathered together to buy a new car for Peters, a pizza deliveryman for 31 years. They wanted to give him an incredible1
Though it may be not a2career, Peters knows he's3his suited position. "There were people in my family that were like, maybe you should consider your4stability a little more," he said. "But it's my purpose in life-trying to make people5. You know, when you're delivering to somebody, you may be the only face they6all day. "
Whenever folks saw Peters and his 28 -year -old Oldsmobile7their way, they knew they would be served with a8. Langley, one of Peters' longtime9customers said, "He's a very10individual. We call him ‘Mr. Smiley.' Learning that, he turned to the community to11Peters. It would guarantee he 12 his appointed routine.
Within three days they13$19,000，enough to buy Peters a new car to see him through a lot more
14. It felt almost like a15when he first learned his loyal customers were16a car to him. He'll remember the awesome experience for the rest of his life. He's simply17. He just hopes that all those who made this happen will be18.
Every time the guy19his loyal customers with a smile，so the community's generous show of gratitude came as no surprise. "That's the type of20he has on people," Langley, who's been having pizzas delivered by Peters for 20 years，said.
I used to frequently visit an old age home(manage) by the little sisters of the poor in our city Hyderabad. A. P., India. There I met a gentleman by the name of Kurien in his late(eighty). He served the Indian army and retired. He has one son who is well educated and also married.
Mr. Kurien felt down with the life in his housedecided to move into this old age home here in Hyderabad. We both began to share a lot of thoughts whenever we met and slowly it was a(day) affair that I used to spend some time with him discussing what he was doing in the army, camp fun etc.,he used to share with lots of joy.
I used to carry with me some snacks which we both used to sit under a tree and eat. I saw him really very happy in my(present). One day he told me with tears in his eyes "I really found a very good friend in you. I feel like(live) some more years to spend happy time with you.
As we departed, I told him, "Do not worry. We will have enough time together in the future." I had an official meeting and could not go to the old age home the next day. The day after when I reached the home, his room(lock). I enquired and found that he was no more. He diedvery night we both met last.
I really miss him. I have not given him anything worthwhile exceptI used to listen to his words and share his thoughts.
It was on September 5th, my birthday, that we left Cambridge and moved away. We went to the seaside，to our holiday house，which was now to be our permanent home.
I remember the day was cold and grey, in falling slowly but constantly. My father drove in silence. No one spoke and all we could hear was the sound of the tyres on the wet road When we got to the small house near the sea, my mother quietly started to unpack the few things we had brought with us. Carol, Julie and I went down to the beach. We said we were going to look for crabs in the rockpools but actually, we just wanted to get away from our father and his cold silence.
We climbed along the rocks by the side of the beach. Julie and Carol became interested in some shells they found in one of the pools. I wandered away, lost in my private thoughts. It was my birthday, but no one had said "Happy Birthday" to me. I had not received any cards or presents.
I walked down to the seashore, where the waves were breaking lazily against the muddy sand. Suddenly, I saw something green sticking out of the water. I looked at it more carefully. The green thing moved closer and closer to the shore, and when it was almost near enough for me to touch, I realized what it was.
It was a bottle. I went over and picked it up, all the time looking at it. It seemed old, and had no label on it. Then 1 realized there was something inside. Slowly, I pulled out the wet cork from the top of the bottle. Inside was a piece of paper. With great care, 1 took out the folded paper and opened it.
Written on it were these words:
"To whomsoever finds this bottle, I promise you a new friend."
注意：
1）所续写短文的词数应为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）续写部分分为两段，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
I stared at the paper and then looked around.
Paragraph 2
As I opened my eyes, I found my father standing right beside me.
