Read a Timeline

Every family has a history. A timeline can show events in a family's history. A timeline is an ordered group of words and dates that shows when events happened. 

Learn the skill   

Step1 The title tells what the timeline is about. The timeline has a line divided in equal parts. Each park stands for 10 years.

Step2  Look at the first and last numbers on the timeline. The numbers are years. The events on the timeline happened between these years.

    A survey of young people around the world looked at their ideas of today's teenagers．It shows how different they are to those of their parents and grandparents．The survey wanted to try and understand the next generation （ 一 代 人 ） of adults better and these are some of the results．They show that there are many more （A） similarities between young people around the world than differences．

   ①   

    Gap years （间隔年） between school and university are becoming more and more common．Today's teenagers want to travel to different countries and experience different cultures．They regard this as an important part of their character development．

   ②   

    For most teenagers，family and friends are the most important side of life．According to the survey，60 percent of British young people said their relationship with their family was of the highest importance to （B） them ．

   ③   

    75percent of teenagers in Western Europe expect to have enough money to live when they are adults．They are a happy generation．Eight out of ten believe they will have a good profession with a job they enjoy．They also expect that they will be happy and healthy．

   ④   

    Young people now are hungry  for all kinds of information on mass media.57percent of teenagers in the UK read at least one magazine every week，which is one of the highest totals in the world．

    With more and more cars on the road, traffic jams (堵车) are inevitable. Traffic jams can lead to more accidents as there are more cars, with more people trying to get to their destination, all the while getting worse. Although it's impossible to avoid traffic jams altogether, there are some tips you can follow to reduce the amount of time on the road.

    Check for traffic jams before you leave. You can listen to the radio for traffic news, or check on the Internet to get up-to-minute information on traffic. If the route you want to take is heavy with traffic, you can choose another.

    Look for a different route all the time. Most traffic jams happen on busy roads. Using country roads could avoid a lot of traffic. Although the distance you may have to travel is further, it can work out quicker.

    Set your car radio to receive traffic bulletins. Many new car stereo systems (汽车音响系统) are equipped with a radio system by which you can hear the traffic channel. This way you can get the latest traffic information and change your journey if necessary.

    __________. Most traffic jams usually occur(发生) during rush hour, so try to avoid this time period if possible. Some jobs offer flexible working hours so that you can travel to work outside of rush hour. Some jobs even allow you to work at home so as to avoid moving altogether. Ask your manager to see what you can do if traffic is a problem for you.

    Use public transport instead. The easiest way to avoid traffic jams is to take buses or the underground instead of driving your own car. Not only will you avoid traffic jams but you will most likely be saving money.

    Kitty came into my life twenty years ago. When my son, Josh, and I were walking by "The Stock Exchange" store in our hometown, we saw a basket full of little cats in the window. We talked about getting a cat as a friend to our new little dogs, Asja. It was easy to choose. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}She has attractive eyes and the sweetest face.

    In her new home in the woods, Kitty spent many afternoons climbing trees and playing with the bushes. She easily made friends with Asja. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Kitty was Josh's cat. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}My love to her came as a surprise because I had never had a cat as a child. I loved to pick her up, holding her into my arms. I danced with her around the room while listening to my favorite music. Every time I took out my yoga mat, she was right under my nose, making her appearance known.

    Now Kitty is no longer here with us. The house feels very different. Many times during the day, I find myself stopping to remember if she needs to be fed, or if her water needs to be changed. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} I now realize just how much a part of my life she really was.

    Kitty stayed as long as she could-twenty years, three months. And as lucky as I was to have her for so long. There will never be a time when I will not miss my Kitty girl. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. She is always in my heart.

B. They shared the basement apartment for many years.

C. Kitty was the most beautiful one among the little cats.

D. At bedtime, I remember that she is no longer there for a good night kiss.

E. However, she became more and more my cat as Josh grew into adulthood.

    Last month I got the chance to take part in an underwater research project in an area of the Gulf of Mexico called the Flower Gardens. A team of professional researchers were trying to learn more about the fish and other animals that live in this part of the sea. The Flower Gardens are a long way from the shore(海岸) and we spent three days on a boat.

    The team used a piece of underwater equipment to collect information. This underwater equipment is called a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). The ROV could measure water depth and temperature and it also had a camera that sent live film back to the boat. The ROV was great fun. It was controlled by a computer on the boat, and I was allowed to operate it a few times.

    However, the thing I enjoyed most was diving into the water. At first, I was quite frightened—mainly because I couldn't see land in any direction. But as soon as I jumped into the water, I wasn't afraid anymore. It was amazing to see the colourful fish swimming around and I could see all the way to the Flower Gardens, which are almost 30 metres down.

    I will never forget the Flower Gardens. The trip was like a holiday but I also learnt new things about science and research projects. The team were very friendly and everyone was happy to explain what they knew about the sea. It was a great opportunity and it has made me think about my goals in life. The experience will surely encourage me to work harder to become a scientist.