C
I dropped out of college after my freshman year. Three years later, I quit a dead-end job and returned college. I saw school as my way out.
But I quickly found myself facing the same roadblocks that had caused me to quit before: I was confused with college-level algebra and a heavy workload of reading and writing assignment. Moreover, I was unsure of my career direction. I was ready to drop out again. Then a smartly-dressed woman walked confidently to the front of my English composition class. “Look at you! Look at each and every one of you,” she said. “You’re here to change your lives for the better. And you’re going to make it!” I can’t remember the rest of the speech, but it changed the course of my college career, and my life.
Mrs. Smith didn’t know me from any of the other 40 faces in her classroom, but I felt she speaking directly to me. Having trouble keeping up with the workload? Break it down into small pieces, and set up a schedule that suits you. If college algebra is too difficult, drop back to introductory college math. As for English composition, she gave us writing assignments we could relate to. “Go for the best, kid. You’re worth it,” she’d say.
I graduated from that college and went on to get my bachelor’s degrees. Today, as a college instructor, each fall when I stand in front of a new class, I think of Mrs. Smith and how much teachers can affect their students. She couldn’t have known it when she gave that pep talk, but she made a huge difference in my life.
28. Why did the author want to quit school again? A. He wanted to return to hid former job.
B. He decided on his future career. D. Many changes took place in his life.
C. The academic pressure seemed unbearable. 29. How did Mrs. Smith help the author? A. She made him feel relaxed. C. She talked to him directly.
B. She helped him with algebra. D. She brought him courage and faith.
30. What can we infer about the author? A. He learnt be a better teacher. B. He didn’t finish his college education. C. He became Mrs. Smith’s favorite student. D. He didn’t understand the writing assignments. 31. What can be the best title for the text? A. Always believe in yourself. C. Experience is worth valuing.
B. Never quit before trying.
D. A lady changed my life in time.
D
Flat Holm is picturesque landmass located in Britain’s Bristol Channel. The area’s low energy needs have therefore been fulfilled using old-fashioned solar panels（板）and a diesel generator（柴油发电机）. The beautiful island is now, however, becoming increasingly popular with tourists wishing to explore the rural landscape and view the island’s seabird colonies.
Though this is welcome news, meting the island’s growing energy needs without damaging its environment has a challenge. Flat Holm team leader Natalie Taylor says, “It’s really important that we have a really high functioning system. From an environmental point of view, we want to reduce the use of diesel generators so that we can have as small an ecological footprint as possible.”
Fortunately, UK-based startup Renovagen had the perfect solution. The company’s Rapid Roll Solar PV system consists of flexible solar panels that can be unrolled like a carpet from a trailer（拖车）and instantly put to work. According to the company, a small panel can provide 11kw of power within two minutes.
The technology is the brainchild of Renovagen’s Managing Director John Hingley, who came up with the idea after seeing something used as a backup battery for mobile devices about five years ago. In addition to being easy to unfold, the rollable panels are also more cost-effective to transport. Hingley says, “Compared with traditional rigid panels, we can fit up to 10 times the power in this size container.”
The solar panel “carpets,” laid on the island in early October, are being used to provide electricity to its pub and lighthouse. In addition to providing power to remote islands like Flat Holm, Hingley hopes the Rapid Roll technology will be useful in areas affected by natural disasters. A good example is Puerto Rico, where most people have been without electricity since Hurricane Maria destroyed the power lines. 32. What leads to Flat Holm’s increasing energy needs? A. Its growing number of tourists. C. The damage to its environment.
B. Its remote location. D. The power system failure.
33. Where does the difficulty lie to increase energy supply to Flat Holm? A. Reusing diesel generators. C. Abandoning old solar panels.
B. Protecting its environment. D. Reducing transport cost.
34. How do the new solar panels differ from the old ones? A. They cost less.
B. They are smaller. D. They are hard to operate.
C. They are portable.
35. What gave Hingley inspiration of the Rapid Roll technology? A. A natural disaster.
B. A similar invention. D. Traditional rigid panels.
C. His life on the island.
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