Mr. Peter Johnson, aged twenty-three, fought for half an hour to escape from his trapped car yesterday when it landed upside down in three feet of water. Mr. Johnson took the only escape way — through the boot(行李箱).
Mr. Johnson's car had finished up in a ditch(沟渠) at Romney, Kentucky, after slidding on ice and hitting a bank. "Fortunately, the water began to come in only slowly," Mr. Johnson said, "I couldn't force the doors because they were jammed against the walls of the ditch and dared not open the windows because I knew water would come flooding in. "
Mr. Johnson, first tried to attract the attention of other motorists by sounding the horn(喇叭) and hammering on the roof and boot but failed. Then he began to use his own efforts to escape.
Later he said, "It was really a half penny that saved my life. It was the only coin I had in my pocket and I used it to unscrew(旋松) the back seat to get into the boot. I hammered hard with a hammer trying to make someone hear, but no help came. "
It took ten minutes to unscrew the seat, and a further five minutes to clear the boot. Then Mr. Johnson found a wrench(扳手) and began to work on the boot lock. Fifteen minutes passed by. "It was the only chance I had. Finally it gave, but as soon as I unlocked the boot, the water and mud poured in.
His hands and arms cut and hurt, Mr. Johnson got to Beckett Farm nearby, where he was looked after by the farmer's wife, Mrs. Lucy Bates. Trembling in a blanket, he said, "That thirty minutes seemed like hours. " Only the car wheels could be seen, the police said last night. The vehicle had sunk into two feet of mud at the bottom of the ditch.
Here's a simple question—answer it honestly, because your response could promote the level of pleasure in your daily life, put off dementia (痴呆), and even help you live longer. How many hours did you spend reading last week?
Recently, when researcher Mathew P. White and his workmates at the Yale School of Public Health dug into 12 years of information about the reading habits and health of more than 3,600 men and women, a hopeful pattern became known. Book readers who report more than three hours of weekly reading are 23 percent less likely to die than those who read only newspapers or magazines.
To understand why and what each of us can do to get the most out of our words, start by asking the same question the Yale team did. What is it about reading books that increases our brain power while reading newspapers doesn't?
For one, the researchers suggest that chapter books encourage "deep reading". Unlike，say, going through a page of headlines, reading a book forces your brain to think creatively and make connections from one chapter to another, and to the outside world. When you make connections, so does your brain. Over time, these neural (神经的) networks can promote quicker thinking, which provides greater protection against dementia.
Secondly, reading books, especially novels, has been confirmed to increase empathy (共鸣) and emotional intelligence. Developing social tools such as empathy and emotional intelligence can lead to more and more positive human interaction, which in turn can lower stress levels—both of which are proven to help you live longer and healthier.
That's not to say that magazines, newspapers, and online articles are of no benefit. Reading anything that fills your mind seems to bring about mental benefits. When it comes to words, addiction is encouraged. Because it pays to increase your word power—today, tomorrow, and for the rest of your life.
People have many different ways to relax during break time at work or school. Smartphones are probably the number one choice for a quick mental vacation. Although it might seem like a good time, the result is opposite, according to a recent psychological study from Rutgers University.
For the study, more than 400 students were asked to finish a set of 20 word puzzles. Halfway through the task, the students were divided into three groups. One group was allowed to take a break and use cellphones to buy things online. The second group was asked to have a rest and buy things using a computer.
The last group didn't take any break at all.
Surprisingly, the group that used their cellphones during the break went back to work feeling the most tired and least motivated to continue. They also had the hardest time solving the remaining word puzzles.
Terri Kurtzberg, co-author of the study, explained that they assumed looking at cellphones during a break would be no different from any other break—but instead, the phone may cause increasing levels of distraction that make it difficult to return focused attention to work tasks.
“Cellphones may have this effect because even just seeing your phone activates thoughts of checking messages, connecting with people, and more, in ways that are different from how we use other screens like computers, and laptops,” Kurtzberg said.
This is echoed by a recent study from the US University of Chicago. It found that even if cellphones are turned off or turned face down their mere presence has a bad effect on a person's cognitive (认知的) function.
After months of expectation and secrecy, the official mascot of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games—a giant panda-inspired cartoon character—made its first public debut with cheers at Beijing's Shougang Ice Hockey Arena.
The panda is named “Bing Dwen Dwen” in Chinese. Bing means “ice” in Chinese, while Dwen Dwen suggests “health and cleverness”—characteristics also shared by pandas. Pandas are perhaps the most recognized animal species in China, organizers said.
“Pandas combine China's traditional culture and its modern appearance together with winter sports elements in a fascinating image that shows our great expectations for the Games and shows that we welcome the world,” said Beijing Mayor Chen Jining, who also serves as an executive president on the organizing committee.
“I have already seen the mascot and from what I've seen, it's a wonderful choice,” IOC President Thomas Bach said before introducing the character. ” “The mascot really takes in the best elements and characteristics of China and the Chinese people. It will be a great ambassador(大使) for the country and the 24th Winter Olympics. ”
The ring of light surrounding the mascot's face is suggestive of ice and snow tracks, as well as the flowing “ribbons” of the National Speed Skating Oval. The oval is one of two new competition sites in downtown Beijing expected to become a landmark of the Games, according to its chief designer Cao Xue.
The introduction of the mascots marks the key point of a journey that began in August 2018, when Beijing organizers started a global design competition for the mascots. A total of 5,816 designs were received from 35 countries, and were reviewed by Chinese and international experts in a comprehensive evaluation and selection process.
The new mascot will serve as spirited symbol of the Games that will take place in the three zones of downtown Beijing, the suburban district of Yanqing and co-host city Zhangjiakou in surrounding Hebei province.
Who doesn't dream of a bright, beautiful, pearly-white smile? It's something most of us long for - after all, great teeth are a sign of good health, fortune, and youth. It's people's lifestyles that are contributing to poor tooth health. Here we have listed the worst habits for your teeth.
Avoiding your dentist (牙医)
How often do you go to the dentist? According to reports, around percent of the population in Britain do not visit their dentists as often as they should. This is unfortunate as seeing a dentist regularly is often your first line of defence against more severe dental diseases.
For some reason, most people get into the habit of moving their brushes back and forth over their teeth. Now, you may think that this is getting rid of all the germs (细菌) but there are actually better methods you should employ. Instead of back and forth, you should be using short, circular movements to brush your teeth.
Not flossing (用牙线清洁牙齿) regularly
However, this simply isn't the case. Though regular brushing gets rid of the germs on the surface of your teeth, it often has little impact on the food stuck between your teeth, which is all germs need. This is why it is important to floss at least once a day.
Sipping sugary drinks all day
By drinking sugary drinks throughout the day, your teeth are being exposed to sugar for greater amounts of time which can lead to higher levels of tooth decay(蛀蚀) and other oral health issues. So, what should you do？Well, to start with, try to reduce your intake of sugary drinks as much as possible.
A. Using your toothbrush incorrectly
B. Not brushing your teeth regularly
C. Unfortunately, it isn't a gift that is offered to many.
D. If you are like Britons, then the answer is probably "not much at all".
E. Most people think that brushing their teeth is more than enough to keep germs away.
F. Always try to choose sugar-free drinks - water is of course the best choice for your teeth.
G. By getting rid of this harmful habit of drinking too much sugary drinks, you can surely improve the health of your teeth.
I took a job as a receptionist for a pet doctor almost five decades ago. As an eager animal lover, I accepted the 1 on condition that I wouldn't have to assist with any wounded animals. I couldn't bear to see any creature in 2.
At the end of my first week, we were closing the office for the day when a young man ran up to us holding a severely 3 Doberman pinscher puppy (杜宾犬) in his arms and 4 us to save his life. The four-month-old puppy had been hit by a car. The doctor and I ran back into the 5 room. The doctor worked 6 for what seemed like hours, stitching (缝合) him back together again.
That was the 7 part. The puppy had broken many bones, including his backbone. Even if he 8 the next few days, we were quite sure he would never walk again.
That day forever 9 my life. The doctor guided me, and I became his 10 in all things medical. One of my first jobs was to give that Doberman puppy daily physical treatment. I remember moving his 11 legs to try to keep his muscles from weakening. Weeks went by until one day, I felt this little 12 push back ever so slightly. And he continued to push back till he could finally use his legs.
Fast-forward about a year, I walked into the clinic's crowded waiting room and called the name of the next client. 13, a huge Doberman standing quietly with his owner on the opposite side of the room broke loose and rushed toward me. I found myself 14 against the wall with this huge dog 15 on his back legs, his front paws on my shoulders, 16 my face with countless and 17 kisses!
I still tear up in 18 at the display of love and 19 the dog had for me that day all those years ago. I went on to be a pet doctor for 14 years until retirement. In all the time that has passed and all the experiences I have had, I've 20 met a dog who didn't know it had been rescued in one way or another.
Imagine having opportunity to sing together with hundreds of other people while you are at home alone. Anyone can take part in a virtual choir from anywhere—all you need is a video camera and an Internet connection. It has proved to be a positive influence the lives of many people. Eric Whitacre came up with the idea of a virtual choir when he received a video of a girl (sing) one of his works in 2009. (inspire), he asked his fans to make (video), which he then joined together into one (perform). Thus his first virtual choir (form). It has received millions of views on the Internet. Since then, the virtual choir (become) a worldwide phenomenon. Whitacre's next effort was the Virtual Youth Choir for UNICEF, was first seen on stage in 2014 in the UK. The virtual choir will make a (good) place for people around the world to sing with one voice.
1）简述“世界读书日”（发起时间及目的）；
2）讲述读书的益处；
3）呼吁同学们多读书, 读好书。
注意：1）词数80左右；
2）可适当增加细节, 以使行文连贯。
