The Girl Who Fell From the Sky

From its opening lines – “ ‘You my lucky piece,’ Grandma says.... Her hand is wrapped around mine” – Heidi W. Durrow pulls us into her first novel, a moving story encircling us as firmly as that protective grandmotherly grip.

When we meet Rachel Morse, the daughter of an African-American GI and a Danish woman, she is just moving into the Portland, Oregon., home of her strong-minded paternal grandmother and her warm, classy Aunt Loretta. We soon learn that Rachel has survived a fall from a nine-story apartment building in which her mother, brother, and baby sister all died. Three months earlier, Rachel’s mother had left her alcoholic husband in Germany, following her “orange-haired” lover to Chicago. But Nella hadn’t been prepared for boyfriend’s drinking and racism, or for the looks and questions she gets as the mother of three brown children.

Rachel’s “new-girl feeling” in her grandmother’s home goes beyond her recent tragedy. Having grown up with a Scandinavian mother in the more colorblind society of an overseas Army base, this is her first time in a mostly black community. Her light-brown skin, “fuzzy” hair, and blue eyes raise questions about her racial identity that are entirely new and puzzling to her.

Starting sixth grade in her new school, Rachel notes, “There are fifteen black people in the class and seven white people. And there’s me. There’s another girl who sits in the back. Her name is Carmen LaGuardia, and she has hair like mine, my same color skin, and she counts as black. I don’t understand how, but she seems to know.” Several years later, in high school, her status remains uncertain. “They call me an Oreo. I don’t want to be white. Sometimes I want to go back to being what I was. I want to be nothing.”

Winner of the Bellwether Prize, created by Barbara Kingsolver to celebrate fiction that addresses issues of social injustice, “The Girl Who Fell From the Sky” comes at a time when bi-racial and multicultural identity – so markedly represented by President Obama – is especially topical.

But set in the 1980s and focusing on one unusually sympathetic girl overcoming family tragedy and feeling her way through racial tensions, Durrow’s novel surpasses topicality.

Like Rachel, Durrow is the light-brown-skinned, blue-eyed daughter of a Danish mother and an African-American father enlisted in the Air Force. With degrees from Stanford, Columbia Journalism School, and Yale Law School, it’s no wonder she gives her heroine discipline and brains.

Rachel’s life, however, is clearly not Durrow’s. No, there’s alcohol and drug addiction; deaths by fire, trauma, and infection. There are mothers who lose their children, and a saintly drug counselor who loses his beloved girl-friend. Through it all, what makes Durrow’s novel soar is her masterful sense of voice, her assured, delicate handling of complex racial issues – and her heart.

After hearing the blues music for the first time, Rachel feels what her mother called hyggeligt – “something like comfort and home and love all rolled into one.” She wonders what might have happened if her mother had known about such soulful music, “that sometimes there’s a way to take the sadness and turn it into a beautiful song.”

This, of course, is precisely what Durrow has done in this powerful book: taken sadness and turned it into a beautiful song.

1.What should be the direct cause of Rachel coming to Portland, Oregon?

  A. Her mother left her alcoholic father.

  B. A deadly tragedy happened to her family.

  C. Her grandmother wants her to come and stay with her.

  D. There was too much racism where she used to live with her mother.

2.Durrow’s life is different from Rachel’s in that _____________.

  A. Durrow has to struggle through her life, depending on herself.

  B. Durrow is troubled in her life by racism, living in a poor neighborhood.

  C. Durrow has come through life much easier, with a better family background.

  D. There’s alcohol and drug addiction in Durrow’s suffering-laden neighborhood.

3.Why does the writer of the book review mention President Obama in this writing?

  A. To show the progress in America’s black community.

  B. To highlight the racial harmony in the United States.

  C. To indicate Obama’s influence in helping Durrow win the Bellwether Prize.

  D. To remind readers of the background when the novel was written and won the Bellwether Prize.

4.The blues music Rachel hears is, deep at the bottom of her heart, most suggestive of ______.

  A. bravery          B. hope           C. sadness         D. beauty

Cricket

About the game:

Cricket is a game played between two teams, generally of 11 members each. Essentially, it is single combat, in which an individual batsman does battle against an individual bowler, who has helpers known as fielders. The bowler throws the ball from one end of the 22-yard pitch in an attempt to dismiss (send out) the batsman by hitting a target known as the wicket at the other end, or by causing the batsman to hit the ball into the air into a fielder's grasp. The batsman attempts to defend the wicket with the bat and to score runs, by striking the ball to the field boundary, or far enough from the fielders to allow the batsman to run to the other end of the pitch before the ball can be returned. There are always two batsmen on the field, each to take a turn as required. When all but one of the batting team, altogether eleven of them, have been dismissed, the teams' roles are switched. After all the players required to bat on both sides have done so either once or twice (which can take from a few hours to five days) the total number of runs accumulated determines the winner. But sometimes there isn't one.

Important terms of cricket:

Batsman: A player who uses a bat to hit, or guide the ball after it has been bowled, usually for the purpose of scoring runs.

Boundary: Indicates the outer limit of the playing area.

Bowler: Refers to a player who’s primarily good at throwing a ball to a batsman. The basic goal is to get the ball past the batsman and break the wicket behind him with it and thus cause the batsman to be dismissed.

Catch: If a fieldsman catches a struck ball before it touches the ground, that is a catch and the batsman is out.

Fielder: A player placed within the field, with the object of stopping the batting team from scoring runs, also called “fieldsman”.

Four: If the ball is hit to bounce or roll over the boundary, this is a "boundary four"; four runs are added.

Run: The method of scoring during a game of cricket. Also refers to a single unit of score.

Six: If the batsman hits the ball clear over the boundary on the fly, six runs are added to the score.

Umpire: A person appointed to rule on plays in cricket.

1.What’s the right order of the four kinds of people (1—4 ) on the cricket ground (see picture on the right ) ?

A. bowler; umpire; batsman; fielder          B. batsman; umpire; fielder; bowler

C. fielder; bowler; batsman; umpire          D. bowler; umpire; fielder; batsman

2.What happens when the batsman hits the ball, which first touches the ground inside the pitch and rolls quickly over the boundary to one of the viewers outside the cricket ground?

A. The batsman gets dismissed.             B. The batting side gets four runs.

C. The batting team gets six runs.           D. The bowler’s team gets four runs.

3.We can learn from the passage that ________.

A. the side which has all its batsmen dismissed wins the game

B. the side which dismisses all batsmen of the other side wins the game

C. the side which gets more runs than the other side wins the game

D. the side which dismisses more of the other side’s batsmen wins the game 

Ocean Acidification: 'Evil Twin' Threatens World's Oceans

The rise in human emissions of carbon dioxide is driving dangerous changes in the chemistry and ecosystems of the world's oceans, international marine（海洋的）scientists have warned. "Ocean conditions are already more extreme than those experienced by marine organisms and ecosystems for millions of years," says the latest issue of the journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution. "This emphasizes the urgent need to adopt policies that markedly reduce CO2 emissions."

Ocean acidification, which the researchers call the 'evil twin of global warming', is caused when the CO2 emitted by human activity, mainly burning fossil fuels, dissolves into the oceans. It is happening independently of, but in combination with, global warming. Evidence gathered by scientists over the last few years suggests that ocean acidification could represent an equal -- or perhaps even greater threat -- to the biology of our planet than global warming. More than 30% of the CO2 released from burning fossil fuels, cement production, deforestation and other human activities goes straight into the oceans, turning them gradually more acidic.

"The resulting acidification will impact many forms of sea life, especially organisms whose shells or skeletons are made from calcium carbonate（碳化钙）, like corals and shellfish. It may interfere with the reproduction of plankton species which are a vital part of the food web on which fish and all other sea life depend," he adds.

The scientists say there is now persuasive evidence that mass extinctions in past Earth history, like the "Great Dying" of 251 million years ago and another wipeout 55 million years ago, were accompanied by ocean acidification, which may have delivered the deathblow to many species that were unable to cope with it. "These past periods can serve as great lessons of what we can expect in the future, if we continue to push the acidity the ocean even further" said lead author, Dr. Carles Pelejero, from ICREA and the Marine Science Institute of CSIC in Barcelona, Spain. "Given the impacts we see in the fossil record, there is no question about the need to immediately reduce the rate at which we are emitting carbon dioxide in the atmosphere," he said further.

"Today, the surface waters of the oceans have already acidified by an average of 0.1 pH units from pre-industrial levels, and we are seeing signs of its impact even in the deep oceans," said co-author Dr. Eva Calvo, from the Marine Science Institute of CSIC in Spain. "Future acidification depends on how much CO2 humans emit from here on -- but by the year 2100 various projections indicate that the oceans will have acidified by a further 0.3 to 0.4 pH units, which is more than many organisms like corals can stand," Prof. Hoegh-Guldberg says.

"This will create conditions not seen on Earth for at least 40 million years."

"These changes are taking place at rates as much as 100 times faster than they ever have over the last tens of millions of years" Prof. Hoegh-Guldberg says. Besides directly impacting on the fishing industry and its contribution to the human food supply at a time when global food demand is doubling, a major die-off in the oceans would affect birds and many land species and change the biology of Earth as a whole profoundly, Prof. Hoegh-Guldberg adds.

1.What is the biggest cause of the ocean acidification according to the report?

   A. the increase of carbon dioxide emission by human beings

   B. The worsening of global warming

   C. The disappearance of the world’s forests

   D. The decrease of marine life

2.In what way according to the report does ocean acidification affect the majority of marine life?

   A. It affects their reproduction          B. It destroys their food chain

   C. It affects the growth of their young    D. destroys their habitats

3.Which of the following statements is NOT true about ocean acidification?

   A. Ocean acidification has made ocean conditions most extreme in millions of years.

   B. Ocean acidification may do more damage than global warming to human and plant life in the long run.

   C. Ocean acidification is suspected of having caused mass extinctions of life in past Earth history.

   D. The effects of ocean acidification are not now but will be felt in the foreseeable future.

4.From the report we can clearly feel that the situation with ocean acidification __________.

   A. is quite optimistic                B. remains well under control

   C. looks more than urgent            D. is already out of control 

请认真阅读下列短文，并根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格里填入一个最恰当的单词。注意：每个空格只填1个单词。请将答案写在答题卡上相应题号的横线上。

You probably already know that you can lose weight by limiting those foods that add pounds as well as to cut back on portion sizes. But if you’re an emotional eater, you’ll still turn to food if you don’t deal with your feelings.

What is Emotional Eating?

Basically, emotional eating is eating for reasons other than hunger. In other words, rather than reaching for food because your body tells you it needs food, you are addicted because your emotions need to be satisfied. Instead of the gradual urge you get when you’re physically hungry, emotional eating strikes you suddenly. While you can usually wait to eat because you’re physically hungry, you feel an immediacy to fill an emotional emptiness. Instead of filling the empty space with healthy choices, emotional eaters use food for comfort. For women, it’s usually ice cream or chocolate, while men reach for steak and French fries.

Emotional Eating Leaves You Feeling Guilty

Besides blow up your stomach, emotional eating does harm to your mind. When you eat for physical reasons you don’t feel guilty. But when you grab for food when you’re not even hungry, just because you’re feeding your emotions, you feel guilty afterward.

Recognizing the “Red Lights” with “HALT”

A good rule of thumb when you’re lured（诱惑）into emotional eating is to remember to HALT. Besides being reminded to halt before you do any damage, remember what HALT represents.

“H” is for hungry---Sometimes you can feel physical hunger when you’re on the point of an emotional eating. But rather than reaching for those comfort foods loaded with fats, and sugar, make better choices such as proteins, fruits and vegetables.

 “A” is for anxious---It’s easy to fall into emotional eating when you’re worried and tense. Rather than turning to food, do whatever works to calm your nerves. Call a friend, pray, or keep a record of your feelings. Just don’t reach into the fridge.

“L” is for lonely---Too often emotional eaters use food for companionship. Instead of comforting yourself with food, join a group of caring people who understand your problem. Twelve-step groups such as Overeaters Anonymous are excellent for connecting with others who struggle with your the same food addictions as you do. Not only will you receive tools for recovery, but you’ll also realize you’re not alone.

“T” is for tired---When exhausted, either physically or emotionally, emotional eaters turn to food. Instead, get some rest or eat something good for you.

Breaking the Addiction

Often emotional eaters aren’t even aware that they’re overeating because something is troubling them. What’s more, when they realize they’re eating because their emotions are running wild, sometimes they don’t even know why they’re upset. Whenever you feel the temptation to eat out of your emotions, replace it with constructive activities such as calling a friend, walking your dog, gardening or exercising...

Most importantly, find out the reason(s) why you overeat. It’s not so much what you eat, but what’s eating you. Unless you get to the root of why you overeat you won’t conquer your food addiction. 

Emotional Eating

你是外教布朗，在中国一中学从教已两年，现在用英文写一篇150字左右的E-mail 回家给儿子Tom，给儿子介绍中国的清明节（Tomb-sweeping Day）人们的活动情况，并讲讲自已对中国清明节的感受。

注意：1. 对所给材料适当整理，逐一陈述，合理连接，不要简单翻译。

2.词数150左右。开头已经写好，不计入总词数。

3.文中不得提及所在学校及本人姓名。

Dear Tom,

       ▲                                                                  

                 ▲                                                       

                              ▲                                                 

 — We are moving to Miami next week, Marilyn!

   — ________

    A. Take your time.                              B. All the best!           

C. Well done!                               D. That’s OK.

 Viewers will have ________ second chance to see Saturday’s concert on ________ Channel 4 tonight.

  A. a; the             B. the; the         C. the; 不填            D. a; 不填

 Do I have to go to your shop to pick the cake myself, ________ you will deliver it for free?

A. or                   B. and              C. so               D. then

 ________ to the trial, this small electronic device was only developed for military use.

A. Superior     B. Fundamental          C. Previous     D. Accessible

 Orange-uniformed emergency workers are searching the smoking ruins for three people _______ buried when the structure was shaken to the ground.

  A. to fear                B. fearing              C. feared           D. fear