Hosting the Olympics requires large spending. But in many cases, efficiently utilizing（利用） the post-event venues to maximize ongoing economic benefits is one of the major considerations for the host country. Here are four cities that took different approaches to make full use of their structures of the Olympics.
London, Britain
The Olympic Village for the London Summer Games was transformed into 3, 000 high-end apartments and has a nearly 95％ occupancy rate. The area of London, called East Village, is seeing several retailers moving in and the development of a playground, and outside exercise areas.
Beijing, China
Built for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, the Water Cube is now Asia's largest waterpark, called Happy Magic Water Cube, equipped with 13 waterslides, a wave pool and a spa. The second floor also has several restaurants, bars and a museum of Olympic history.
New York, America
The Olympic Village in Lake Placid no longer welcomes athletes now, but instead, it houses criminals as the Federal Correctional Institution. It's not surprising, though, because having a second public purpose for new buildings was the only way to get funding from the government.
Helsinki, Finland
Originally constructed in 1937, the Tennispalatsi, or Tennis Palace was first used as a basketball venue in the 1952 Summer Olympics. Now, however, it has been transformed into a popular tourist destination as a cultural center with an art museum and a movie theatre.
About 30 years ago, an acoustic neuroma（听神经瘤） was found inside my body. The removal of the neuroma caused my temporary balance issues and permanent hearing loss in one ear. Apart from this, I was fine.
Unexpectedly, the neuroma came back years later. It had to be removed again. Otherwise it would threaten the rest of my brain. When I awoke from the second operation, I had stroke-like symptoms. The whole right side of my body almost stopped functioning, and still does.
Overnight my whole identity had changed. I used to effortlessly leap up the stairs two at a time, but now it takes fifteen minutes to struggle. Attempts at the recovery of the old me proved to be fruitless. My family role also shifted from a father to a dependent child, and coupled with my communication problems, this led to increased frustration（沮丧）and anger.
There were concerns too about whether I would ever be accepted again in the wider world. Soon after this I just managed to swim in a pool. A ten-year-old boy I didn't know came up and asked me if I had been on the water slide yet. As politely as possible, I said no, and we struck up a conversation about it. For the first time a stranger was speaking to me as an equal like before. Though insignificant then, it opened doors to a whole new way of being seen, and seeing myself.
To make sure the neuroma did not reappear, I received radiation treatment for two hours regularly, during which I loved listening to music by Tom Waits, an eccentric（古 怪的） singer most people dislike, but I don't care. For me, life after brain injury is like Waits'odd works. Out of failure, ugliness, and horror-the most unpromising raw material-a beautiful diamond can be created that shines out even more brightly because of its dark surroundings.
When we ignore small tasks deliberately, they balloon from tiny checklist items into big annoyances. It could be a quick email or some boring paperwork-something that will only take a few minutes and yet, somehow, for some reasons, you keep on putting it off.
This is procrastination（拖延症）. People who procrastinate tend to delay tasks on purpose until the last minute, or past due date, although they're fully aware of the negative results. Typically, procrastination is caused by the lack of the ability to organize and plan how to divide time between different activities, but emotions can also be a factor, says Fuschia Sirois, a professor at the University of Sheffield.
It's easy to understand why we procrastinate on big tasks. They can be physically or mentally demanding and require lots of time and energy. However, small tasks can lead to a particularly annoying form of procrastination. This could be something as simple as making a phone call to a stranger. You are so unwilling and afraid that you might mess it up. This makes worry sit in your mind, reduces your ability to solve the problem and then leads to procrastination. "We don't procrastinate on tiny tasks because they slip our mind; rather, we make a conscious choice to put off something that might arouse doubt, fear or feelings of incompetence, says Sirois.
Another reason is that small tasks often don't have hard deadlines. So, it's easier to have an avoidance reaction because, unlike the big tasks, there's nothing to push us.
So, how to get small things done? Sirois suggests we should move our attention from emotions to actions. "Sometimes, things are coloured by our emotions, " he explains. Once you actually begin a task, you might find it less stressful than you thought when you were procrastinating. And since a tiny task won't take long, rather than scheduling it, just get cracking. Don't let tiny things become big monsters.
Last month, a part of the Negro River in the Amazon rainforest reduced to a depth of just 12. 7 metres, its lowest level in 120 years, due to the lack of rainfall. In Lake Tefé, about 500 kilometres away, more than 150 river dolphins were found dead, not because of the low water levels, but probably because the lake had reached temperatures close to 40 C.
"The Amazon rainforest in northern Brazil is experiencing a tough time and it is the sum of three things, says Luciana Gatti, a researcher at Brazil's National Institute. "The first is deforestation, which is turning rainforest into a drier, hotter place, she says.
"Additionally, El Ninio climate pattern has begun and it makes things worse, "adds Gatti. El Niño is a phenomenon which occurs every two to seven years. During El Niño, winds that usually blow from east to west along the equator（赤道） are weakened or even turn the other way round. This leads to the change of rainfall in South America, causing dry air in the north, where the rainforest lies, and damp air in the south. As a result, countries in the south are currently greeted by heavy rains, while the Amazon is experiencing the lowest rainfall levels from July to September in 40 years.
The third factor is the unusual warming of the water in the northern Atlantic Ocean. The warming of these waters causes the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone（热带辐合带）, a region of intense cloud and rain formation, to shift north. The ITCZ takes the storms with it, away from Brazil, and causes less rainfall than usual.
Although it is hard to predict when the next drought might strike the Amazon, studies show that climate change is messing with the timing of El Niño. "The tendency is that we have stronger and more frequent crises, Gatti says. This could be a disaster for the Amazon rainforest, already hit by deforestation and a warming, drying climate. "The forest's tipping point is coming closer-and it's coming quick.
The appeal of clay（黏土）, with its physicality and boundless creative potential, has attracted artists, technicians, and hobbyists for centuries. This essay will explore how making pottery offers countless benefits for mental health, including stress relief, sensory engagement, acceptance of imperfection, and self-expression.
Engaging with clay is a comforting activity that can reduce stress and anxiety. The focus and concentration required to sculpt clay can quiet the mind and promote relaxation. In addition to its healing benefits, making pottery provides a comforting sensory experience. This process also involves repetitive motions such as throwing, shaping, and coloring, which can provide a sense of control and accomplishment, boosting self-confidence and reducing negative thoughts.
We may spend hours beautifying our pieces, choosing colors that speak to us, and hoping they will look as we envision after firing. Sometimes they do, especially for the fortunate or skilled. But often, we must learn to accept imperfection. As the experienced potter Meg Biddle puts it, "It's finding that balance between control and unpredictability that gives me joy.
Creating with clay is an overall experience that engages our hands, fine motor skills, and imagination. It is an extension of ourselves, allowing us to shape the clay with raw emotions while making detailed decisions.
In conclusion, pottery offers countless benefits for our well-being, including stress relief, creative expression, and the ability to let go. As we transform clay into a beautifully finished piece of art, we also take a step closer to our own transformation. Pottery is not just an art form.
A. Working with clay means taking your time. B. But pottery is more than just a creative pursuit. C. It's also a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. D. Its touching nature allows the body and mind to unwind. E. Working with clay also teaches us to accept unpredictability. F. Through pottery, we have our external and internal desires expressed. G. The benefits of sculpting clay outweigh the long and tiring process involved. |
Andy Wang is a Chinese student at Lawrence University with an excellent college application. However, what sets him apart is his1 as a popular author and founder of a nonprofit organization.
At the age of 18, Wang2 his first book, High School Encounter-Seattle. The book describes his3 as an international student, especially how he4 the new culture difficultly. Writing became his way to reflect on himself and explore his5 in a foreign country.
Wang's book came from his blog and6 received widespread attention. Believing that nothing is more powerful than a learned mind, Wang7 the charity "Andy Reading Fund" to provide8 books and resources for rural students in China. All earnings from his book were presented as9 to the fund. To date, he has successfully10 over $7, 500 and donated to several schools.
In his latest project, Wang is looking to11 100 student representatives to sponsor 100 students in need,12 more students to help those less fortunate.
Although he has not yet decided on a major, Wang is13 to promote his Fund at the University, where he is one of the only 19 Chinese freshmen.
Ken Anselment, the head of Admissions, regards Wang to be a（n）14 member, highlighting his innovation, and his15 for others as qualities that go in line with the university's values.
During the Tang Dynasty, poet Li Bai wrote a poem about the tough journey to Shu, comparing it to scaling the vast blue sky. The Shu Roads are named the ancient state of Shu. The builders of the expressway （link）Jigzhi County in Qinghai Province to Barkam County in Sichuan Province know how complex it is to build a road in the region.
Extending for 219 kilometers, the expressway lies at height of over 3, 300 metres. This means that the annual average temperature is just 1. 4 ℃ , and can drop as low as -36 ℃. Since the construction began in 2020, this extreme climate （limit）work to roughly six months a year. The （hard） section was the 5.5-km Shenzuo tunnel, running through weak and jointed rock masses and (exceptional） complicated land conditions. Ma Kelin, the only female project manager, has learned a tough lesson since she joined the project. It took her over a month （recover）from vomiting and breathlessness.
The expressway, with an （invest）of 30. 2 billion yuan, will open to traffic by the end of next year. Many of those live along its length are waiting, expecting it to contribute to economic development. The local authority plans an area of 12 square kilometers for potential (tourist） attracted by the new road.
Josie and I wanted a dog more than anything else on the earth. We wished for one every time we threw coins in a fountain or watched the evening star drop behind the trees. However, our mother believed that we were still too thoughtless to take on the task of raising a pet. She had witnessed our forgetfulness on household chores and getting into small conflicts. In her eyes, these were signs that we lacked the necessary responsibility.
One summer night, as we sat together on the roof, Josie saw something. She pointed down toward a dark shadow, "What's that?"
For one astonishing second, Josie and I stared at each other. Then we rushed down onto the doorway. There in our yard stood a black dog. Josie made a little kissing noise and held out her hand. The dog came to us slowly, taking a few steps forward, then a step back, not sure whether to trust us. She was so skinny that I could just feel every bone, and her coat was messy.
"We're going to have a dog!" My inside was full of excitement, just like before Christmas or our birthday.
"What's a good name?" said Josie.
The perfect name wrote itself in my mind, "Shadow!"
The next day, we piled together all, the pocket money we had to buy all kinds of dog foods and hid it in various places because we were afraid Mom wouldn't approve that if she knew we were feeding a homeless dog.
That night, after our parents were asleep, we silently slipped downstairs to feed Shadow. We carefully poured the dog food into the bowl, trying to make as. little noise as possible. Shadow, who had been waiting eagerly by our side, wagged （摇晃） her tail. As we placed the bowl on the floor, a creaking （吱吱的） sound filled the house. Suddenly, the kitchen light was switched on, illuminating the room and revealing our 'shocked faces.
注意：1. 续写词数应为150左右；2. 请按所给格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
It was our mother, standing there surprisingly.
Mom decided to give us a chance to prove we could be responsible owners.
