Thanksgiving is an important festival in North America. We interviewed several students from the US and Canada. Here is what they have told us about their Thanksgiving experiences.
Josie from New York, USA
“In America, Thanksgiving is celebrated every year at the end of November. It is to remember the first group of people from Europe to live in America. When they first arrived, they found the environment strange. But they learned to survive after some native American friends showed them how to grow and find food. Thanksgiving is meant to be a traditional celebration.”
Todd from California, USA
“Thanksgiving is the first day of Christmas shopping. That means we have four weeks to buy Christmas presents for our families and friends. For me and my friends, the most important part of the festival is the big football game on TV. The match is watched by millions of people all over America. Thanksgiving is seen as an exciting day for football!”
Ian from Saskatoon, Canada
“In Canada, Thanksgiving is held on the second Monday in October. On the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day, many people go to church. Thanks is given for all the good things that happened to them during the year. I always give thanks for the nice big turkey I'm going to have at the family dinner! Like all festivals, Thanksgiving is about food!”
Katie from Maritimes, Canada
“On Thanksgiving Day, we have dinner with all our cousins, aunts and uncles. It is always very busy. Sometimes we have two Thanksgiving dinners because we go to both our grandparents' houses. The dinner is usually attended by more than twenty people at each house! My mother and my aunts do all the cooking but the washing-up is done by me and my cousins. And that's not an easy job! But I don't mind because Thanksgiving is meant to be a time to give thanks.”
Years ago, the American writer Kurt Vonnegut often said there was one story that would always make a million dollars: Cinderella.
Cinderella made more like $ 70 million in ticket sales when it opened last weekend. But the movie got a mixed reaction. David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter praised the movie and said, “Anyone will find something to enjoy in it.” Steven Rea of The Philadelphia Inquirer called the movie “a winning re-do”. Richard Corliss of Time magazine wrote that “Disney finally got Cinderella right. ” Other people were not as happy with the movie. Sara Stewart of the New York Post wrote, “This Cinderella is all dressed up with nowhere very interesting to go.”
Although different people think differently towards the movie, what is clear, however, is the movie's business success. It is not only popular in the theaters but also in sales. And Disney has widened its usual market for Cinderella products.
There are products connected to the Disney movie targeted (面向) not only at little girls, but women, too. For example, the famous shoe designer Jimmy Choo worked with Disney to create Cinderella's shoes”. You can buy them for about $ 5,000. At that price, you would not want to lose one at the party, even if that is the way you get your prince (王子).
The make-up (化妆品) company MAC quickly sold all its products connected to Cinderella. HSN is a popular website selling clothing and objects for the home. The marketer is now also selling Cinderella products.
So, is there anything left for the children, those people we think of as the traditional audience (观众) for the age-old tale? Yes, you can find toys and other children's products at the American store JCPenney. Of course, you can also visit a Disney store.
Saber Miresmailli was on vacation in London when, caught in a bit of traffic on London Bridge, he decided to take a photo of Tower Bridge.
“I noticed the couple,” he said. “At that moment, I did not see anyone from the wedding party or a photographer with the couple, so I took several pictures. Usually, my pictures are not very good given the fact that I don't use flash and I don't stop to compose (构图)-so when we get back after two weeks, I was very surprised to find this one turned out so well.”
Miresmailli said, “I thought to myself, if it was me getting married, I would have wanted the picture.” So he posted the photo on Facebook and attached a few friends with the hope of finding the couple and passing them the picture. What happened next, he said, “was crazy”. “I received more than 2,000 requests from perfect strangers and lots of positive and negative emails.” Until this afternoon, almost 230,000 people had shared his Facebook post on the photo.
There's also been an uncertain identification of the couple. It's likely that their names are Laura and James. “If it's the right couple,” Miresmailli said, “they are on their honeymoon in Bali and have no idea about the photo. I believe they will be shocked to find out about their fame.”
Miresmailli said he's been drowned by the interest in the photo. “I just want to give them their picture and go back to work and tend my tomatoes,” he said.
a. received requests and emails
b. posted the photo on Facebook
c. noticed a couple
d. took a photo
e. was caught in traffic
f. attached some friends
His Excellency
Kim Jong Un
Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Dear Mr. Chairman,
We greatly appreciate your time, patience, and effort with respect to our recent negotiations and discussions relative to a summit (峰会) long sought by both parties, which was scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore.
We were informed that the meeting was requested by North Korea, but that to us is totally irrelevant (不重要的). I was very much looking forward to being there with you.
Sadly, based on the unacceptable and unfriendly statement, I feel it is not proper, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting.
Therefore, please let this letter to serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place.
You talk about your nuclear capabilities (能力), but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used.
I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me, and ultimately, it is only that dialogue that matters. Some day, I look very much forward to meeting you.
In the meantime, I want to thank you for the release of the hostages (人质) who are now home with their families. That was a beautiful gesture and was very much appreciated.
If you change your mind having to do with this most important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write. The world, and North Korea in particular, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth. This missed opportunity is a truly sad moment in history.
Sincerely yours,
Donald J. Trump
President of the United States of America
How to write an email?
While many people are accessible by email, sometimes it is difficult to determine how exactly to write an email to them. Here are some tips for you to follow.
Write an appropriate subject line. The subject line should tell the recipient (接收者) immediately what the email is about. Remember that your wording also has to be brief.
It is best to be more formal rather than informal, so when writing to someone you have never met or written to before, a “Dear Jane Smith” is appropriate. When addressing someone whom you are a little familiar with, a “Dr. Smith” is okay until they tell you to address them by their first name, in which case a simple “Jane” will be okay.
Within the first two sentences of your email, your recipient should know exactly why you are writing to him. Sometimes an introduction may have to precede (先于) the sentence that states why you are writing, and sometimes it has to follow.
Use appropriate language. You may be used to using informal language in certain social settings. Even when dealing with colleagues or friends you are familiar with, do not immediately fall back on informal language.
Keep it simple. People may get dozens and even hundreds of emails a day.In that way, they can save much of their time when reading emails.
A. Use proper greetings.
B. Express your ideas clearly.
C. State your purpose at the beginning.
D. Be as specific as possible when writing the subject.
E. However, an email may not be the best place to use such language.
F. It is important to check the language to avoid spelling and grammar mistakes.
G. It is always easier for them if you keep your email as short and brief as possible.
In spite of the fun and laughter, 13-year-old Frank Wilson was not happy. It was 1 that he received all the presents he wanted. And he also 2 the big Christmas dinner with family members.3, Frank was not happy because this was his first Christmas without his brother, Steve, who during the year, had been killed in a car accident. Frank 4 his brother.
Frank said good-bye to his relatives, and explained to his parents that he was going to see a friend. Since it was cold outside, Frank 5 his new plaid jacket. It was his favorite gift. He placed the other presents on his new sled (雪橇). Then Frank 6.
As Frank went down the street toward home, through one front window, he saw a room with old 7 hanging over an empty fireplace. A woman was seated nearby, crying. The stockings 8 him of the way he and his brother always 9 theirs side by side. The next morning, they would find presents.
Then Frank had a10. He knocked on the door. “Yes?” the 11voice of a woman asked. “May I come in?” asked Frank. “You are very welcome,” she said.12his sled full of gifts and thinking he wanted to 13 gifts. “But I have no food or gifts for you. I have 14 for my own children.” “That's not why I am here,” Frank replied. Please 15 whatever presents you would like for your children from the sled.” “Why, God bless you!” the 16 woman answered gratefully. She selected some candies, a toy airplane and a doll. Finally, the stockings were 17. “Thank you so much!” the woman Said. “You are welcome,” Frank said and left.
Frank's18was full of happiness. Then he gave his jacket to a poor boy. At last, he19 all his gifts. Now Frank was worried how he could 20 to his parents that he had given his presents to others.
Charlie Chaplin, born in a poor family, showed an (astonish) talent as a performer as soon as he could walk. His father died when he was young, leaving his family even (badly) off. Later, he wrote, directed, produced and (star) in a series of funny movies. He grew popular for his charming character, the little tramp,was a homeless man with a moustache, large trousers, worn-out shoes, a small round black hat and a walking stick. This character was a social (fail) but could make people laugh even when they felt depressed, as they could feel more content their lives. He was loved for his optimism and determination to overcome all difficulties. Take The Gold Rush for example. Chaplin and his friend expect (find) gold but they have not been (fortune). Instead, they are caught in a small house, where they are hungry and have to eat boiled leather shoes. His subtle acting is so convincing you will believe it is one of the best meals he has ever had. No one was ever (bore) watching him make terrible situations funny. Charlie Chaplin was a great actor who could always inspire people with great confidence.
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1．每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；2．只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Henry Adams, the American businessman, was rescued and taken to London by accident. Wander down the street, he was penniless and hunger. Then he was invited into a big house, which the two wealthy brothers made a secret bet. While Henry was staring at the food leaving on the table, he answered their questions honest. The two brothers were pleased to find the person they wanted, so they gave him an envelope with money in it and Henry promised not to be open it until 2 o'clock. Henry went into a cheap restaurant to stuff his stomach. Everybody was rude to him if he was in rags. When Henry paid the bill with one-million-pound banknote, all the people doubted that the note was genuine or not. But later they changed their attitude completely and became polite.
注意：
1）词数100左右；
2）文章的开头和结尾已给出，不计人总词数；
3）可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Good morning, everyone! I feel greatly honored to speak here.
That's all. Thank you for listening.
