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If you’re shopping around for a new laptop to start the year off right, consider one of these following picks for budget-conscious students.
For Chatty Cathys
Sony’s 15.5” VAIO E Series laptop ($399.99) has a second-gene
ration Intel Core i3-2370M processor, 4GB of system memory (RAM) and 500 GB hard drive. Built into the machine is an HD webcam to make it easy to have a video chat with family and friends. And while the camera has a microphone, integrated Bluetooth means you can also wear a headset for even clearer audio. This Windows 7 Home Premium laptop also includes a DVD burner, ACID Music Studio and more.
Math blaster
Students studying math or statistics or business might appreciate a laptop with a dedicated numeric keypad along the right-hand side of the keyboard. That’s what you’ll find in Toshiba’s satin black 15.6-inch Satellite laptop ($399.99). You’ll also find one USB 3.0 and 2 USB 2.0 ports. This entry-level PC has a second-gen Intel Core i3-2370M processor, 4GB of system memory and 500 GB hard drive.
Personalize that PC
If you’ve got a bit more cash to spend, the newest Dell Inspiron 15R ($499.99) delivers a lot of bang for the buck. You get 6GB of system memory, 500GB hard drive. But students might also like the option to change up its look. While the laptop comes standard in silver, you can personalize it with additional lids for $30 a piece (e.g. red, blue or pink). Other highlights include Bluetooth.
Bigger is better
Especially if it’s going to be used primarily as a desktop replacement, a larger screen laptop is the way to go. For $449.99 you can pick up a 17.3-inch HP Pavilion laptop, with a good-looking LED-backlit high-definition widescreen display (1600 x 900 resolution) ideal for movies, games and photos. This computer houses a second-gen Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB of system memory, 500GB hard drive, DVD burner, and more.
1.If you often have video chats with others, you’d better buy ________.
A. Dell Inspiron 15R
B. 17.3-inch HP Pavilion laptop
C. Toshiba’s 15.6-inch Satellite laptop
D. Sony’s 15.5”VAIO E Series laptop
2.Toshiba’s satin black 15.6-inch Satellite laptop is different from others in that ________
A. it has three USB ports
B. its hard drive is 500GB
C. its system memory is 4GB
D. it has a larger keyboard
3.What would be the best title for this passage?
A. The development of technology.
B. Several school laptops for students
C. The changes of the modern computers
D. The future laptops for the young generation
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Unique New Year's Traditions from Around the World
How do you celebrate New Year’s? If I had to take a guess，you probably celebrate New Year’s surrounded by family and friends，enjoying drinks of your choice and watching the ball drop with Dick Clark．1.Listed below are five of the top ten“Unique New Year Traditions from Around the World．”
1．Breaking Dishes on Neighbor’s Door
A strange Danish New Year tradition，depending on how you look at it, is throwing dishes at neighbor’s door．2.The family with the tallest tower of broken plates，glasses，cups and other crockery is considered to be the luckiest person because it symbolizes their large amount of loyal friends．
2．Talking to Spirits
Talking to spirits is a part of Mexican belief．Mexicans strongly believe that they can communicate with the souls of their dead loved ones．3.And this is not done at home on an individual basis but is a legal Mexican practice．Taos Inn，in New Mexico for example，offers 15 minutes session of spiritualism and meditation for ＄15.6．Not a bad price for some helpful guidance！
3．Wearing Polka Dots
Imagine streets full of people wearing polka dots and dining room tables full of round shaped food and fruits on one single day of the year．4.Philippines believe that this will bring them prosperity by associating the round dots to coins and wealth．
4．Burning Scarecrow Dummy
Ecuador has a unique custom of crafting Scarecrows and then burning them at midnight．They adorn them and fill the scarecrows with newspapers and pieces of wood．As midnight approaches，everyone gathers outside their home and each family burns their own scarecrow．5.The scarecrow also scares away bad luck，which in rurn，fills their new year with luck and happiness．
A．New Year’s Eve is considered the best time to communicate with dead spirits to convey a message or ask for guidance．
B．It is also believed in the Irish culture that this act will help them get rid of bad luck．
C．Have you ever imagined how New Year’s would look in another country?
D．This all actually happens in the Philippines on New Year’s Eve every year．
E．Strangely，this makes them happy instead of annoying them．
F．We all want to start a new，fresh year with renewed enthusiasm and hope．
G．The tradition says that this destroys all the bad things that took place in the past months．
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If you are like millions of people around the world, the New Year brings with it new goals. But you get busy. Yet, your goal remains important. 1.
♦ Identify specific goals.
As you identify your goals, be specific. If a goal is too general, it may be hard to pursue, let alone achieve it. 2. That's a fine idea. Yet psychologists might say as a goal, it is too general. To make the goal more specific, you could sign up for a regular exercise class.
♦3.
Experts say writing down your goals is important. It gets the goals out of your brain and into the real world. Some psychologists suggest that writing a goal on paper is better than typing it on a device or saying it into your phone. Your brain receives information differently when it comes from handwriting. Writing has another benefit: You can post your goals somewhere as a reminder.
♦ Break down big goals into small ones.
4. Some can be quite big. And for those bigger goals, experts suggest breaking them down into smaller ones. Say you want to work for yourself. You decide to start your own comp any that supplies food for special events. That is a very big goal. But it is made up of many smaller goals. So, identify them, write them down and set for yourself time limits.
♦Tell a friend.
Telling someone your goals is also helpful. If someone else knows about your goals, you are held responsible for any pregress or lack of progress. You feel the pressure of your friend ‘s op inion of you. That can be a big pressure! 5.
A. Write your goals down.
B. Not all goals are created equal.
C. Keep your life goals as a reminder.
D. Say your goal is to get in better physical shape.
E. You are bound to achieve your goals if you are detennined.
F. So how can we find time to work on these larger life goals?
G. Many people do not want to let others down, especially friends and family.
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For many in the UK, if the New Year means anything, it means starting with a clean beginning and turning over a new leaf. And to do this, many of us make New Year's resolutions—a list of ways that we intend to improve ourselves in the year ahead. We reflect on our past transgressions and decide not to do them again. Stopping smoking is ever popular, as is a vow to take up more exercise or spend more time with family. But where does the idea of a New Year's resolution come from?
The answer might lie 4,000 years ago in ancient Babylonia (巴比伦王国), according to History.com. The Babylonians are believed to be the first to hold recorded celebrations for the New Year. The 12-day-long celebration, allowed them not only to reaffirm (重申) their loyalty to the king, but also to promise to the gods to pay their debts and return borrowed objects. For their good behavior, they believed the gods would cast favor upon them for the year to come.
The Romans too had similar traditions. New Year's Day was a time when senators would swear they had maintained the laws and city leaders and soldiers would take an oath (宣誓) of loyalty to the emperor. Incidentally, the month of January, is named after the Roman god Janus. He is the god of beginnings, transitions and time, among other things and is described as having two faces—one looking to the past and the other facing forward to the future.
The Romans may be long gone, but their legacy lives on. Come the turn of the year and we look at self-improvement, review our past mistakes, confess our wrongdoings and try to sharpen up in general. Ultimately, much like the Babylonians and Romans, we seek to reaffirm the best parts of ourselves, while leaving the worthless behind.
Whether you're looking at a quick behavioral change, or huge personality improving, you're taking part in an old tradition. I wish you all the best sticking to your resolutions. Happy New Year!
1.The underlined word ''transgressions'' in the first paragraph means '' ''.
A.childhood B.wrongdoings
C.careers D.achievements
2.What did the Babylonians do during the 12-day-long celebration?
A.They strengthened their loyalty to the king again.
B.They borrowed objects from gods.
C.They took up more exercise.
D.They kept the laws and stayed with families.
3.What physical feature does the Roman god Janus have?
A.Janus is the god of beginnings. B.Janus is the god of transitions and time.
C.Janus has two faces. D.Janus looks to the past.
4.The main idea of the passage is .
A.the way to celebrate New Year B.the origin of the New Year's resolution
C.the old story of Romans D.the approach to changing people's behavior
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---I decided to travel round Yunnan for a year.
---_______? You have just started a new job.
A. Come on B. How come C. Why not D. What for
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---I decided to travel round Yunnan for a year.
---_______? You have just started a new job.
A. Come on B. How come C. Why not D. What for
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If you are heading for Paris this year， be sure to include at least one of these shopping malls in your schedule．
Au Printemps
Tel： 01133014282
Located near the Paris Opera， this huge store is well-known for household goods as well as its fashion． The tore also offers many services to overseas visitors， including shipping， translation and a personal shopping service． Au Printemps， whose name means springtime， hosts several free fashion shows each week． The store's beauty department has one of the world's largest selections of perfumes．
Galeries Lafayatte
Tel： 01133014283
The Galeries Lafayette was built in 1906． It is as much fun to look at as it is to shop in this 10-storey shopping palace． In fact， the flagship store is the second most visited attraction in Paris． After the Louvre Museum． This shopping palace specializes in women's clothing． Make sure to take in the view from the tea shop on the top floor； it's well worth the visit．
Le Bon Marche
Tel： 01133014439
This stylish Left Bank department store was Paris' first such store． Designed by Gustave Eiffel， Le Bon Marche is particularly known for its food hall， its wedding shops and its selection of modern clothes．
La Forum des Halles
Tel： 01133014476
This modern， underground shopping center was built in 1979． La Forum des Halles， the three-storey-tall shopping center offers everything from souvenirs to haute couture（高级女子时装）to entertainment， such as first-run movies and street performers． The shopping center is attached to the busy La Halle-Chatelet metro station and can be easily reached from all over Paris．
1.Which of the following places attracts the most visitors according to the passage？ ______
A. The Louvre Museum． B. The Paris Opera．
C. La Forum des Halles． D. Au Printemps．
2.Which of the stores pays its special attention to women's dressing？ ______
A. Le Bon Marche． B. Galeries Lafayette．
C. La Forum des Halles． D. Au Printemps．
3.We can learn from the passage that ______ ．
A. Au Printemps is famous for its food hall．
B. La Forum des Halles is next to the metro station．
C. the clothes in Le Bin Marche are usually very cheap．
D. the tea shop that is worth visiting is on the ninth floor of Galeries Lafayette．
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If you are heading for Paris this year, be sure to include at least one of these shopping malls in your schedule.
Au Printemps
Tel: 01133014282
Located near the Paris Opera, this huge store is well-known for household goods as well as its fashion. The store also offers many services to overseas visitors, including shipping, translation and a personal shopping service. Au Printemps, whose name means springtime, hosts several free fashion shows each week. The store’s beauty department has one of the world’s largest selections of perfumes.
Galeries Lafayette
Tel: 01133014283
The Galeries Lafayette was built in 1906. It is as much fun to look at as it is to shop in this 10-storey shopping palace. In fact, the flagship store is the second most visited attraction in Paris, after the Louvre Museum. This shopping palace specializes in women’s clothing. Make sure to take in the view from the tea shop on the top floor; it’s well worth the visit.
Le Bon Marche
Tel: 01133014439
This stylish Left Bank department store was Paris’ first such store. Designed by Gustave Eiffel, Le Bon Marche is particularly known for its food hall, its wedding shops and its selection of modern clothes.
La Forum des Halles
Tel: 01133014476
This modern, underground shopping center was built in 1979. La Forum des Halles, the three-storey-tall shopping center offers everything from souvenirs to haute couture（高级女子时装）to entertainment, such as first-run movies and street performers. The shopping center is attached to the busy La Halle-Chatelet metro station and can be easily reached from all over Paris.
1.Which of the following places attracts the most visitors according to the passage?
A. The Louvre Museum.
B. The Paris Opera.
C. La Forum des Halles.
D. Au Printemps.
2.Which of the stores pays its special attention to women’s dressing?
A. Le Bon Marche.
B. Au Printemps.
C. La Forum des Halles.
D. Galeries Lafayette.
3.We can learn from the passage that .
A. Au Printemps is famous for its food hall
B. La Forum des Halles is next to the metro station
C. the clothes in Le Bon Marche are usually very cheap
D. the tea shop that is worth visiting is on the ninth floor of Galeries Lafayette
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If you are heading for Paris this year, be sure to include at least one of these shopping malls in your schedule.
Au Printemps
Tel: 01133014282
Located near the Paris Opera, this huge store is well-known for household goods as well as its fashion. The store also offers many services to overseas visitors, including shipping, translation and a personal shopping service. Au Printemps, whose name means springtime, hosts several free fashion shows each week. The store’s beauty department has one of the world’s largest selections of perfumes.
Galeries Lafayette
Tel: 01133014283
The Galeries Lafayette was built in 1906. It is as much fun to look at as it is to shop in this 10-storey shopping palace. In fact, the flagship store is the second most visited attraction in Paris, after the Louvre Museum. This shopping palace specializes in women’s clothing. Make sure to take in the view from the tea shop on the top floor; it’s well worth the visit.
Le Bon Marche
Tel: 01133014439
This stylish Left Bank department store was Paris’ first such store. Designed by Gustave Eiffel, Le Bon Marche is particularly known for its food hall, its wedding shops and its selection of modern clothes.
La Forum des Halles
Tel: 01133014476
This modern, underground shopping center was built in 1979. La Forum des Halles, the three-storey-tall shopping center offers everything from souvenirs to haute couture(高级女子时装)to entertainment, such as first-run movies and street performers. The shopping center is attached to the busy La Halle-Chatelet metro station and can be easily reached from all over Paris.
1.Which of the following places attracts the most visitors according to the passage?
A. The Louvre Museum. B. The Paris Opera.
C. La Forum des Halles. D. Au Printemps.
2.Which of the stores pays its special attention to women’s dressing?
A. Le Bon Marche. B. Au Printemps.
C. La Forum des Halles. D. Galeries Lafayette.
3.We can learn from the passage that ________.
A. Au Printemps is famous for its food hall
B. La Forum des Halles is next to the metro station
C. the clothes in Le Bon Marche are usually very cheap
D. the tea shop that is worth visiting is on the ninth floor of Galeries Lafayette
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If you still know little about the “IMF”, it’s time you started to read about it, for it has been a hot issue of the whole world．
The International Monetary Fund （IMF） is one of the international financial（金融的） institutions, which works for global growth and economic stability．It provides policy advice and financing to members in economic difficulties and also works with developing nations to help them achieve economic stability and reduce poverty．The“ IMF” currently has a near-global membership of 185 countries．
To become a member, a country must apply for it and then be accepted by a majority of the existing members．On joining, each member of the IMF is assigned a quota（配额）, based broadly on its relative size in the world economy．The IMF’s membership agreed in May 2008 on a rebalancing of its quota system to reflect the changing global economic realities, especially the increased weight of major emerging markets （新兴市场） in the global economy, such as China, India and Russia．
The following diagram gives more information about major international financial institutions．
1.The main cause of the IMF’s decision to make changes in its quota system is ______．
A．the shortage of resources B．global growth and economic stability
C．the changing economic situations D．the need to accept new members
2.The main purpose of the IMF is to ______．
A．prevent the member countries from getting into wars
B．collect money from rich countries to help poor ones
C．provide assistance to its member countries when necessary
D．make sure the world economy develops in a healthy way
3.Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A．The quota an IMF member country gets depends on the size of the country．
B．India together with China is proposing an increase in emergency funds．
C．The more money a member contributes to the IMF, the more say it has in it．
D．The International Development Association is meant to support developed countries．
4.From the diagram we can see the present IMF is most probably under the control of _______．
A．the US B．Russia C．Japan D．any EU member state
ration Intel Core i3-2370M processor, 4GB of system memory (RAM) and 500 GB hard drive. Built into the machine is an HD webcam to make it easy to have a video chat with family and friends. And while the camera has a microphone, integrated Bluetooth means you can also wear a headset for even clearer audio. This Windows 7 Home Premium laptop also includes a DVD burner, ACID Music Studio and more.