Two women captured our hearts; both were dying of brain cancer. Both taught us to cherish life — that nothing is greater than the human spirit.
Brittany Maynard, 29, fought for the right to die with dignity. Lauren Hill, 19, fought for a dream — to play in a college basketball game before she dies. Their stories are sad and tragic, yet inspirational, courageous and beautiful. For a brief moment, both women took us away from the negative political advertisements blasting from our TVs and gave us the most important message of all: to enjoy our time on Earth.
Maynard conveyed a stirring message about being allowed to die on her own terms; Hill’s cause was infectious as she conveyed a never-give-up spirit.
On Saturday, Maynard who suffered from terminal brain cancer took her last breath. She had moved to Oregon to end her life under that state’s Death With Dignity Act. Before taking medication that ended her life, Maynard signed off, saying, “Goodbye to all my dear friends and family that I love.” “It is people who pause to appreciate life and give thanks who are happiest. If we change our thoughts, we change our world! Love and peace to you all.”
A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Maynard had enjoyed traveling the world before her diagnosis. “The world is a beautiful place,” she said. “Travel has been my greatest teacher, my close friends and folks are the greatest givers.”
She died surrounded by those who loved her most. A once taboo topic — letting a terminally ill patient die on his or her terms — was thrust into the spotlight. As news of her death spread, her story went viral by Sunday afternoon. Mourners tweeted and memorialized her across social media.
21. What is Brittany Maynard’s dream?
A. To play in a college basketball game. B. To die in a way she preferred
C. To persuade us into travelling D. To share her story with others
22. Both women conveyed a message that______.
A. nothing is more vital than life B. everyone has the right to end his/her life
C. it is unnecessary to fear death at all D. travelling is of great use to staying healthy
23. How did Brittany feel before her death?
A. Forgetful B. Fearful
C. Grateful D. Heartbroken
24. What does the underlined word “tweeted” in the last paragraph mean?
A. Talked about the hot topic on the Internet B. Wrote something on the Internet
C. Said goodbye to someone D. Expressed thanks to someone
BACB
A. Profits enlarging B. Technology developing C. Education investing D. Benefits transferring E. Dominance disappearing F. A nation rising |
The following is an imaginary diary entry written by US president. This diary is part of Global Trends 2025, which was written by the US National Intelligence Council
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The
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The
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Global wealth and economic power will shift from West to East.
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The transition from old fuels to new will be slow, as will the development of new technologies that present feasible alternatives to fossil fuels or help eliminate food and water problems. All current technologies are inadequate, and new ones will probably not be commercially possible by 2025