The One and Only Ivan [hardcover]

Katherine Applegate （Author）

Patricia Castelao （Illustrator）

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Product Details

Reading level: Ages 8 and up

Hardcover: 320 pages 

Publisher: Harper Collins

Languages: English

ISBN-10: 0061992254

ISBN-13: 978-0061992254

Shopping weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Book Description

Release Date: January 17, 2012

Age level: 8 and up

Grade Level: 3 and up

Ivan is an easy-going gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to human watching him. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he’s seen and about his friends. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango.

Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it is up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.

Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy (辛辣) to create Ivan’s unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art and hope.

1.The book is suitable for readers who are _____.

A．3-5years old       B．5-7 years old       C．7-8 years old       D．more than 8 years old

2.The ad is likely to appear _____.

A．in a novel         B．in a newspaper     C．on TV             D．on the Web

3.How much do you have to pay for just one copy of the book?

A．$16.99           B．$7.65             C．$15.99           D．$9.34

4.Which of the following is not true according to the passage?

A．The book was released on January 17, 2012.

B．Ivan is a bad-tempered gorilla.

C．Ruby’s arrival changes Ivan’s life.

D．The book is written in the first person narration.

 

Most of us seem to reach our peak of alertness (警觉) around noon. Soon after that, alertness declines, and sleepiness may set in by mid-afternoon.

Your short-term memory is best during the morning—in fact, about 15 percent more efficient than at any other time of day. So, students, take notice: when you are faced with a morning exam, it really does pay to review your notes right before the test is given.

However, long-term memory is different. Afternoon is the best time for learning materials that you want to recall days, weeks or months later. Politicians, business executives or others who must learn speeches would be smart to do their memorizing during that time of day. You should try to do most of your studying in the afternoon, rather than late at night. Many students believe they memorize better while burning the midnight oil because their short-term recall is better during the early hours of the morning than in the afternoon. But short-term memory won’t help them much several days later, when they face the exam.

By contrast, we tend to do best on tasks related to the process of knowing, understanding, and learning numbers during the morning hours.

What about sports? During afternoon and early evening, you’re able to react the quickest to an outside stimulus—like a baseball speeding toward you. Studies have also shown that late in the day, when your body temperature is peaking, you will consider PE easier and less tiring—whether it actually is or not. That means you are more likely to work harder during a late afternoon or early evening workout, and therefore benefit more from it.  

In fact, all of your senses—taste, sight, hearing, touch and smell—may be at their keenest during late afternoon and early evening. That could be why dinner usually tastes better to us than breakfast.

While all of us follow the same general pattern of ups and downs, the exact timing varies from person to person. It all depends on how your “biological” day is structured. Each of us can increase our knowledge about our individual rhythms. Learn how to listen to the inner beats of your body; let them set the pace of your day. You will live a healthier and happier life.

1.What does the underlined “it really does pay” mean?

A．It will cost a lot.                         B．It requires price.

C．It is very painful.                        D．It is worthwhile.

2.If there is an English exam two weeks later, you should go over English ____________ for days before that.

A．in the afternoon                        B．in the late evening

C．in the early morning                     D．right before the exam

3.From the passage, it can be inferred that ______________.

A．we eat more food at noon

B．we feel most tired if we exercise in the evening

C．it is a good choice to study math in the morning

D．we feel most sleepy before noon

4.Which would be the best title for the passage?

A．What’s Your Best Time of the Day for Different Tasks

B．How to Live a Healthier and Happier Life

C．How to Study Efficiently

D．How to Keep Your Best State of Learning

 

Gallows humor（黑色幽默）seem like a mistake, or at least in poor taste. But psychologists say that gallows humor can be an important way to relieve stress. “Humor makes you feel in control and it can give you that feeling that everything is okay even when it's not,” says James M. Jones, a psychology professor at the University of Delaware.

Psychologists say that just because you're laughing doesn't mean you’re wasting time. Occasional teasing among colleagues, particularly if it revolves around things associated with the job, can boost creativity, departmental cohesiveness（凝聚力）and performance.

“There are a lot of stressors out there,” says Ed Dunkelblau, a psychologist with the Institute for Emotionally Intelligent Learning in Chicago. “But gallows humor is a way of making difficult things a little less difficult.”

This is true as long as the humor is used for the right purpose. The main point of it should be inspiring people --- not laughing at them. “Anything that would lift morale（士气）in terms of the company would be good humor,” says Thierry Guedj, a professor of business and psychology at Boston University. “Before you say or do anything, think about, ‘How is this helping my employees’ morale?’”

You want to give your employees and co-workers a sense of belonging, so don’t make observations that are aggressive. Most obviously, Dr Guedj says, don’t make comments about people’s physical appearance, or faith. If you have any doubt, it's appropriate, don't go through with it.

Or you can take aim at the one person you know won't be offended（冒犯）:Yourself. “If there's going to be a joke or story, it should be you,” Mr. Dunkelblau says. For example, if you're a marketing manager reviewing a failed campaign that you led, begin with a line like, “The guy who gave permission to this deal might just be looking for work next week.”

“People with the ability to laugh at themselves can give other people permission to laugh at themselves too,” Mr. Jones says. “And if you can laugh at yourself, you feel better about yourself.”

1.According to the text, gallows humor has the following functions EXCEPT ________.

A. improving performance

B. reducing pressure

C. leading to a big mistake

D. making people more creative

2.What is Ed Dunkelblau’s attitude towards gallows humor?

A. Negative.          B. Positive.         C. Uncertain.          D. Neutral.

3.Which of the following would Dr. Guedj most probably agree with?

A. Gallows humor allows people to laugh at others.

B. Gallows humor is the basic source of morale.

C. Anything that may lift morale can be called gallows humor.  

D. Gallows humor may sometimes be used for the wrong purpose.

4.When people use gallows humor, they should ________.

A. show a sense of belonging

B. observe who is aggressive

C. try to avoid irritating others

D. doubt about the result of humors

5.What can we infer from the text?

A. Laughing at ourselves can help relieve the stress of others.

B. People tend to laugh at others rather than themselves.

C. People who laugh at themselves are hard to be friends with.

D. People can’t avoid offending others with gallows humor.

 

_______ her fashion taste caught public attention, criticism came just as quickly, with many saying her rebellious look was only get more media exposure.

A．Once             B．As               C．In spite of that      D．While

 

Much ____ he has a good taste for China’s Football Matches, he can’t avoid being influenced by the side effects of the football gambling.

A．that he claims      B．does he claim      C．it is that he claims   D．as he claims