Bristol Old Vic
When the Theatre Royal (now Bristol Old Vic) was built, electricity hadn't been discovered. For over 250 years the people who have owned, worked inside and visited the theatre have kept records about their activity. These are kept safe at the University of Bristol Theatre Collection, and you'll discover a range of documents which record the history of the theatre, from its foundation in 1764 up until the present day. Here are some of them.
BEGINNING
In 1764 businessmen Alexander Edgar and Thomas Symons suggested building a new theatre between Baldwin Street and the back of Coopers' Hall in King Street. The estimated cost was £2,000 to be split among 40 subscribers, but the building work cost more than expected. Owning shares allowed them to influence decisions about the theatre.
SILVER TICKET
Each of the original Bristol Old Vic shareholders was given a silver ticket that promised sight of any performance held at the theatre. As the holders were clever businessmen, they insisted that the silver tickets could be loaned or traded. This enabled them to make some extra money but made it extremely difficult for the theatre managers to keep track of who was allowed to see shows for free.
250TH BIRTHDAY
In May 2016, the theatre celebrated its 250th birthday! As the oldest continuously-working theatre in the English-speaking world, it deserved a proper party, so Bristol-based Limbic Cinema was hired to create a film of the theatre's historical highlights which was projected (放映) onto the theatre itself.
Sarah was not an early riser. But what made the annoying early morning hours bearable was the comforting smell of fresh coffee floating in the air. Her favorite coffee shop was just a few minutes away from her apartment.
One sunny morning, Sarah rushed to get dressed. Having a job interview, she felt anxious, afraid to be late. She grabbed her car key, dashed out of the door and made her way to her familiar coffee shop as usual. As she joined the line of cars at the drive through, the smell of roasted coffee beans and the thought of the first taste of coffee were her little daily luxury. The line inched forward, and soon, Sarah found herself at the drive-through window. She reached for her purse to pay, but before she could hand over her credit card, the coffee shop assistant smiled and said, "Your coffee has been covered by the car ahead of you." Sarah was taken aback. "Really?" she asked, feeling astonished and grateful. The assistant nodded. The unexpected act of kindness put a smile on her face, making her upcoming interview feel a little relaxing.
As she exited the drive-through, Sarah glanced in her rear view mirror (后视镜) at the next car approaching the coffee shop window. An idea began to come into her mind. Maybe she could do the same and brighten someone else's morning. She decided to return to the coffee shop. Inside, she approached the cashier and said, "I'd like to pay for the coffee of the person in the car behind me." The assistant smiled and nodded again.
As Sarah eventually left the coffee shop, Sarah couldn't help but wonder how the next driver would react. A wave of satisfaction washed over Sarah as she witnessed the continuation of the coffee chain. She knew she had just initiated a chain of generosity and kindness.
A new study warns that more than a fifth of all reptile (爬行动物) species are threatened with extinction, which may have a bad impact on the planet.
The largest ever analysis of the state of the world's reptiles, published in Nature, has showed that 21% of the reptile species are facing extinction. The study says from lizards to snakes, such a loss could have disastrous impacts on ecosystems around the world.
Although many reptiles live in dry environments such as deserts, most species occur in forests, where they suffer from threats such as logging of land for agriculture. 30% of the forest-dwelling reptiles are at risk of extinction, compared with 14% in dry habitats. Hunting is also a major threat to reptiles, especially turtles and crocodiles, many of which are at risk of extinction. Another major contributing factor is the introduction of invasive species.
"If we removed reptiles, it could change ecosystems fundamentally, with unfortunate knock-on effects, such as increases in pest insects," said Neil Cox, co-leader of the study. "Biodiversity, including reptiles, supports the ecosystem services that provide a healthy environment for people."
Our hope is that this first-ever assessment of the world's 10,000-plus reptiles helps put them in the spotlight and goes some way to highlighting this diversity, and just how much we have to lose. As well as controlling rats, mosquitoes and other pests, reptiles deliver many other benefits. "They help spread seeds, especially in island environments," said researcher Hoffmann. "We've also achieved many medical advances from studies of reptiles."
The results of the study are not all doom and gloom. Scientists have found, surprisingly, that if they set out to protect places where threatened birds, mammals and amphibians (两栖动物) live together, they'll meanwhile protect many more threatened reptiles.
We all love butterflies. Their beautiful wings attract us, and their presence lights up our garden. Well, that's our view of butterflies, but have you ever wondered what plants think of them?
The butterflies' eggs lie on the underside of the leaves. The eggs themselves don't damage plants. However, upon coming into contact with the eggs, the plants become oversensitive. It means that once a plant recognizes a pest, it will cause death in the contacted plant part. When these dead leaves or partial leaf parts break away from the plant, the eggs on them fall off. Along with the hypersensitivity response, plants also produce something special, which can attract animals to cat the eggs, thus preventing damage in the future.
After the baby butterflies come out of their eggs, the caterpillar (毛虫) stage begins. Most caterpillars feed on the leaves of the plants, damaging some of the plants in your own garden. Incredibly, they are major plant pests that bring about major losses to farmers. The next stage is pupa (蛹). The caterpillars begin their change into an adult. They don't depend on the energy that the leaves provide. Finally, they become adult butterflies that have wings and move from one plant to the other. They feed on the sweet liquid produced by flowers.
While on their search for food, the butterflies carry pollen (花粉) on their body. They are key pollinators that place pollen from one flower to another in ecosystem. Plants that have flowers will create some special features to draw these pollinators' attention. Certain plants have flowers giving off smells that can charm butterflies when they are looking for a mate. Some plants even have flat flowers to assist butterflies when landing.
Butterflies aid in pollination during their final adult stage. Thus, they change into beneficial insects to plants. This change makes butterflies an important friend of plants, despite being a hated enemy in previous life cycle stages!
Self-criticism (自我批评) is a mental habit of negatively analyzing and judging ourselves and our actions. If we don't find a way to overcome self-criticism, we won't be able to live a happy and satisfying life. .
top Negative Though
Thought stopping is one of the best secrets of how to overcome self-criticism. Interrupting your thoughts helps you change how you think about yourself, thus helping you feel better. . However, with enough practice, you will make it.
Another strategy is o replace negative self-criticism thoughts with positive realistic statements. For instance, if you set a goal, be realistic about it by giving yourself enough time to achieve it. In fact, having a constant desire to achieve immediate success can ruin your confidence.
Avoid Perfect
Another secret is to let go of the need to be perfect. It's all right to set high standards for yourself. . In addition, desiring to be perfect in everything you pursue can prevent your progress.
top Comparing Yourself to Others
. However, it's important to note that comparing yourself to your peers, friends, or family can increase dissatisfaction and unhappiness. That said, the best tip on how to overcome self-criticism is to practice self-acceptance.
A. Be realistic
B. Focus on strength
C. It's normal to feel like that everyone has a better life than you
D. Remember it's from your mistakes that you get to improve yourself
E. If you've been stuck in negative thoughts, here's what you need to do
F. It's important to note that changing your negative thought patterns can take time
G. However, falling short of your goals and expectations can make you feel worthless
Dressed in a kachhad, a traditional Nepalese clothes, Umesh Balal walked into his meetings at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) on climate change in Dubai with a sense of determination,
Balal, who has physical disability, was there to publicly 1 inclusion of disability rights in the climate change conference an aspect that he said has long been 2 by organizers of the world's largest annual meeting on climate issues.
As a student, Balal was 3 about science and involved himself in research on environmental science. Those were his first few interactions that 4 the climate related issues to him. Being from a mountainous region, Balal 5 more about how climate change had 6 people there, which led him to develop climate anxiety.
The more Balan 7 himself to climate science, the more he learned about the impact of climate change. People with more resources have better chances of 8 the climate crisis. But the less developed countries, for the 9 communities, usually don't have the same opportunities, which will push them further into the 10 .
And it is even harder for people with 11 . Many people with disabilities in Nepal don't have 12 to proper education or opportunities for growth. As a result, they aren't able to advocate for their rights.
In an interview, Balan said, "13 , I am honored that I come from a supportive family, where I had a chance of good education which 14 me to grow in life. This is what I 15 for others, to change the way they live their lives."
An exhibition titled "Symbiosis of the Chinese Zodiac (生肖)" opened at the Tocumen International Airport in Panama on Dec 19 and would run until Jan 20.
Sally Huang, Chinese Panamanian artist and a doctor of art from Beijing Normal University, presented thirteen paintings, combine the freehand brushstrokes of traditional Chinese paintings with the beautiful colors of Latin America, and presented the zodiac animals. Also there were some sculptures of zodiac animals display, which wer created by Chinese artist Zhang Yong, graduating from the Central Academy of Fine Arts.
The exhibition was included in the project Painting Our Canals (运河), which (sponsor) by the Beijing Culture and Arts Fund this year. The Beijing Culture and Arts Fund is a nonprofit fund (found) by the Beijing Bureau of Culture and Tourism to provid support in the three major fields of stage art, cultural exchange and (intera), and the cultivation (培养) of art talents.
The lead institution applying for the project was Beijing Normal University, (feature) a series of events themed on the canal culture in both China and Panama, also inviting artists from both countries (attend) the exhibitions as well as hosting academic forums.
The opening ceremony was joined by representatives (代表) from both countries, such as the Chinese ambassador to Panama and the vice-minister of culture in Panama.
The ambassador (particular) expressed some congratulations to the artists in his speech, while emphasizing that China and Panama should work together to promote (globe) peace and development.
注意：1. 写作词数应为80左右；2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Dear David,
……
Yours,
Li Hua
Beth was in hospital with viral pneumonia (肺炎). She felt down and she missed her parents terribly, who were far away in Europe on business. She lay in her bed crying when one nurse came in and recognized her sadness and loneliness. The nurse looked at the pale little girl worriedly, knowing that one of the greatest setbacks to recovery is often depression. Like the rest of the medical staff, she was overworked and couldn't sit and keep Beth company all the time. Then she had a brilliant idea! Maybe she could kill two birds with one stone! Just at the end of the corridor (走廊), she had a patient who was just as lonely as Beth...
The nurse walked into Georgiana Halston's room and smiled, "Didn't you tell me you have a granddaughter, Mrs Halston?" Georgiana, who was lying on the bed and looking listlessly (没精打采地) out of the window, sighed. "Yes. I have a 7-year-old granddaughter, but she is in Canada. And she hardly calls me, because I don't know what she like and she think it boring to chat with me."
"Well," the nurse said. "I have a 7-year-old down the corridor who is very lonely and needs a friend. I wonder if you could cheer her up a bit and be that friend?"
"But my leg hurts," Georgiana said. "I can't walk. You know that."
"I know that your doctor want you out of bed and to walk around," the nurse retorted. "If you don't move, you'll end up bedridden!"
Georgiana had been diagnosed with a form of bone disease and got a big operation. She was still in bed, but she should be up to exercise her leg. However, the truth is that she was afraid her leg would suffer terrible pain. After the nurse left, Georgiana lay on her bed for a long time, feeling sad for herself. Georgiana looked at the walker next to her bed and sighed. The matter of the lonely little girl haunted her.
注意：1. 续写词数应为150左右；2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Then Georgiana picked her walker and headed for the girl's room. …… A while later, the nurse appeared in Beth's room. |
