Elizabeth Blackwell was born on February 3, 1821 in England. While she was growing up, two of her brothers and six of her sisters died. Elizabeth decided to become a doctor.
Her father was a sugar businessman. He encouraged equality (平等) between boys and girls so, unlike most girls, Elizabeth had the same education as boys.
One night, when Elizabeth was eleven, a fire destroyed her family's business. The family became so poor that Mr Blackwell decided to go to America. When the family reached New York, Mr Blackwell tried to start a new business, but failed. In 1837, he died.
After being refused several times by medical schools, Elizabeth was finally accepted by Geneva Medical College in New York, largely as a joke. People there, even women, thought she was indecent (下流的) and asked her to leave. But with great determination, Elizabeth graduated with high honors. After graduation, Elizabeth went to Paris to learn more about medicine. Elizabeth returned to America in 1851. There she helped other women become doctors and opened a medicine store. Then, she begged her rich friends to give money to build a hospital.
Elizabeth's dream came true in 1857 when the New York Infirmary For Women and Children opened its doors. It was the first true hospital for women, run by women doctors in the world. In 1868, the hospital opened a medical college for women. After that, Elizabeth received a letter from Europe asking her to come to her homeland and do for the women of Europe what she had done in America. She returned to England in 1869. There she served for forty years, which made her a hero.
a. She opened the first hospital for women.
b. She opened a medicine store in America.
c. Her family moved to New York.
d. She graduated from a medical school.
e. She returned to England to serve.
f. Her family's business was destroyed.
g. She went to Paris to study medicine.
Winston Churchill once observed that “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." Through selfless service, volunteers are the glue holds a community together. Many activities (voluntary) aid the elderly, disabled and children. No one is a lonely island in the sunshine of (joy) giving. Moreover, volunteering is a two-way street of giving and (receive). It arouses our passion to explore new interests. Sometimes we get locked into the "rat race" of life and volunteering can be an escape the routine of life. Given the significance of volunteerism, it's time that we rolled up our sleeves and (extend) a helping hand. For (I) part, I work as a volunteer at the local animal shelter, I continue taking care of my funny friends. Besides, I am planning to deliver meals on wheels to housebound people who live in our community. I hope my efforts can inspire people around me (engage) in voluntary activities and create a circle of virtue we need. Work together, and I believe what we do will make a (different) to the world.
While driving around the corner of our townhouse, I always noticed an old man sitting by his front yard. He seemed cold and1. One morning, while I was driving past him with my daughter, I decided to 2 him. At the beginning, he looked 3 and looked around — there was 4 there. Then, I saw his hand go up 5 and he waved back shyly." Why did you wave at him? We don't 6 him," my daughter said.
I told her that it was just an act of kindness that didn't7 anything, and it gave both him and me a sense of 8. She told me she had thought waving to a stranger was 9, but next time she would 10 it. It seemed not bad.
Interestingly, we lived close to the old man, so we11 him rather often. Whenever we drove by, both of us would wave at him and, pretty soon, the old man 12 waving at everyone who passed by his home.
One day, my daughter's friend came to visit and said that she just saw a(n)13 old man who waved at her in a 14 way. She mentioned that she waved back at him 15 she didn't know him, and it was really 16 and even made her day. Upon hearing this, my daughter told her the 17 of how all the waving began. Her friend responded, "Tell your mom that's really 18!"
Her friend's response taught my daughter that an act of kindness could be very19 and effortless if you really wanted to do it. It showed us how giving happiness 20 both the giver and the receiver.
