【推荐3】Life is a series of choices whose consequences we cannot always foresee. Harry Saleem, an obese man with too much money and power, faced a choice. Outside his office waited his personal doctor who has brought him significant news about the only medicine that could save his life. On the other side of the world, one of his engineers waited for his decision on an important matter of business.

His secretary urged him several times to bring the doctor in but received only an indifferent reply from the billionaire: “No, let the fool wait.” “Business comes first!” Growled Saleem who was still obsessed with making money, despite the health problems caused by his huge weight. He raised a fat finger, and one of his staff hurried to switch on a large television set whose screen flashed to life, and Saleem’s engineer appeared. The man talked by satellite directly to his master although they were thousands of miles apart: “It’s all ready to blow, Mr Saleem,” he said. “Just say the word.”

His engineer was standing above Pakan Valley in South America which had been a rain forest just a few months ago, but then Saleem’s men came, cutting down all the valuable trees and forcing the villagers to move out. Across the bottom of the valley, a dam had been built which would provide power for the planned factories which would bring Saleem vast profits. Therefore, he saw no reason to delay and ordered the engineer to press the button. The camera panned away into the distance, and then a cloud of dust rose up, followed shortly by a dull explosion. A roaring river changed its course, and water flooded into the doomed Pakan Valley.

”Good, that’s that. Turn it off. Now get that doctor in here,” he commanded. The doctor came in with a worried look and started to examine his wealthy patient. “You’re doing very well, Mr Saleem,” he said finally. “The new medicine is saving your life but the only difficulty is getting more of it.” “Can you get more? Money is no problem,” Saleem said. “Tell me what you need, and we’ll get it.”

”The main ingredient of this medicine came from a newly discovered plant—a small, green orchid,” the doctor explained. “We’ll need many of them to make enough medicine. They are very rare. There’s only one place in the world where they grow.”

“Where?” demanded the businessman, impatiently.

The doctor smiled. “Well, lucky the orchids come from some land which you own, sir, so there won’t be any difficulty finding them. They’re from a place in South America known as Pakan Valley.”

1. Why did Saleem postpone the appointment with the doctor?

A．He was busy planning the building of a dam.

B．He was about to interview an important engineer.

C．He was about to attend an important online meeting.

D．He didn’t care about the advice of his secretary.

2. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A．Life is composed of unforeseeable consequences.

B．Saleem is an obese billionaire who cares a lot about money.

C．Saleem’s engineer was waiting for a final word about a project.

D．The construction of the dam took the local biodiversity and ecology into consideration.

3. Which of the following is the word of the closest meaning to the underlined word “doomed” in the third paragraph?

A．fatal

B．declined

C．lucky

D．destined

4. What might be Saleem’s reaction when he heard what the doctor said?

A．Staying as calm as he used to be.

B．Getting angry by the doctor’s word.

C．Growing impatient by the doctor’s persuasion.

D．Getting shocked by the medical advice and what he had just done.

【推荐1】Many people, some even at a very young age, set the goal of graduating from college. One American woman in Texas waited a long time for her chance to reach that goal.

The woman, 85­year­old Janet Fein, received her bachelor’s degree (学士学位) from the University of Texas in December, 2018.

Fein has had a full life. She raised five children and then had a career as a secretary (秘书) until she retired at age 77. But even then, she was not ready to take it easy and rest during a well­earned retirement. She decided to major in sociology.

Fein grew up in the Bronx area of New York City. In high school, she just wanted to finish and get a job. After graduating early, at the age of 16, she went to work as a secretary.

After getting married, she spent 18 years staying home with her children. She held several jobs throughout her life, including being a secretary at a Dallas hospital. That is the job she retired from in 2011. She received an associate degree (专科学位) in 1995. But she also wanted to earn a bachelor’s degree. Fein took part in a state program that lets people who are 65 and older take free classes at public universities in Texas.

She kept going to class even as her health condition worsened. During her studies, it became necessary for her to use a walker to get around and she required oxygen. She also developed knee problems. So, Fein took online classes to finish the last part of her degree requirements.

Renee Brown is one of Fein’s caregivers. She says Fein has also inspired her. At 53, she plans to begin nursing school to further her career. Brown says Fein told her, “Renee, you can do it. If I can do it you also can do it, and you will feel so good about it.”

1. When did Janet Fein start to work?

A．In 1933.	B．In 1950.
C．In 1995.	D．In 2012.

2. What does she study for her bachelor’s degree?

A．Sociology.	B．Secretary.
C．History.	D．Health.

3. What does the underlined word “inspired” probably mean in the last paragraph?

A．Shock.	B．Disappoint.
C．Employ.	D．Encourage.

【推荐2】Jane got some terrible illness when she was four. After years of treatment (治疗), she finally became healthy.

Two years ago, while Jane was watching the Olympics, a dream came into her sweet little head — to be a swimmer.

She practiced hard and finally joined the local swimming team. The team practice, however, was a difficult start. She coughed for her first few weeks. Hearing her coughing heavily one night, I decided to pull her from it all. But Jane woke me up early the next morning, wearing her swimsuit ready to go! I told her she shouldn’t swim after a whole night’s coughing, but she just refused to rest at home.

From that day on, Jane kept swimming and didn’t miss any practice. She wanted to be the best swimmer someday.

My girl was growing and changing right before my eyes into this strong-minded person. There are moments when she felt upset of course — often she would be the last swimmer in the race. It was difficult for Jane to accept that she wasn’t a winner ever. But that didn’t stop her from trying.

Then came the final awards ceremony (颁奖仪式) at the end of the year. Jane didn’t expect any award but was still there for her friends. As the ceremony was nearing the end, I suddenly heard the head coach (教练) saying loudly, “The highest honor (荣誉) goes to Jane!”

It was the greatest moment of my daughter’s life. With all she had been through in her ten years, this was the hour of true success.

1. From Paragraphs 1-3, we can NOT know that ________.

A．Jane began to have a dream to be a swimmer two years ago

B．Jane finally joined the swimming team by practicing hard

C．coughing didn’t stop Jane from practicing swimming

D．Jane still received the medical treatment during the team practice

2. Jane felt upset when ________.

A．she missed swimming practice	B．her mother didn’t go to watch her practice
C．she lost her race	D．she didn’t get any award

3. In the author’s eyes, Jane might be very ________.

A．strong-minded and hard-working	B．careful and understanding
C．talented and serious	D．unlucky and unhealthy

4. What can we NOT learn from the passage?

A．Jane kept trying for her dream even when she had difficulty.

B．The author once wanted Jane to stop practicing swimming.

C．Jane finally became the best swimmer of the team.

D．The author might be very proud of her daughter at last.

5. The best title of the passage could be “________”.

A．The Last Swimmer

B．The Best Award

C．The Real Lose

D．A Girl’s Dream

【推荐3】A mother of nine who started medical school when her youngest child was 4 years old graduated with her degree and planed to be a neurosurgeon.

Sarah Merrill, now 41, said her journey to medical school began at 17. She then met her husband and got married. Merrill first thought about going to school part-time to get a degree, but later she decided to follow her dream of attending medical school. Certainly, it was a challenge. Speaking of her successfully returning to university, Merrill owed it to her family largely. “When I was accepted by Mayo Clinic Ali x School of Medicine, we moved from Pennsylvania to Arizona,” said Merrill, who is moving to Indiana with her family to begin her residency (实习期) in neurosurgery. “In fact, they volunteered these movements. I know it was tough for all of us.”

Merrill and her children often have “homework parties” where they study for their own courses. Merrill’s choice has given a kind of stimulus to her children. Merrill felt touched knowing her 11-year-old daughter wants to become a surgeon and overhearing her son tell his friends his mom’s going to be a cool brain surgeon, though he doesn’t understand that really.

Merrill’s next step into a neurosurgery residency will take her into a male-dominated field where only 5% of board-certified neurosurgeons are women. Dr. Michele Halyard at Mayo Clinic Ali x School of Medicine said Merrill was known as a focused student. Halyard said, “If you can deal with nine children patiently, the residency should be a piece of cake because no amount of stress will make you fail.”

Merrill had considered choosing a more family-friendly career, but, again, she chose to follow her original dream. It’s the same advice she would give to all. “Set the goal which you’re really enthusiastic about, and it helps to think small. If you know what your interest is, focus on the next step. Then you’ll get where you want to go.”

1. Why does Merrill mention their house moving?

A．To stress the support of her family.	B．To show her determination to be a doctor.
C．To reflect difficulties in attending college.	D．To describe the process of pursuing her dream.

2. What does the underlined word “stimulus” mean in Paragraph 3?

A．Comfort.

B．Development.

C．Choice.

D．Inspiration.

3. What do Halyard’s words in Paragraph 4 mean?

A．Merrill can make it in the residency.	B．Merrill will have more stress to handle.
C．Being mom ensures Merrill a better doctor.	D．Staying focused and sensible is key to success.

4. What does Merrill mainly suggest in the last paragraph?

A．Starting with small things.	B．Being true to your passion.
C．Choosing a family-friendly career.	D．Having the courage to dream big.

【推荐1】Rain or shine, Tsering Chopa treks (艰苦跋涉) for long hours to deliver mail. For 18 years, the Tibetan mailman has been an important link between a remote, high-altitude settlement and the rest of the world. At 5,373 meters above sea level, Pumachangthang in Nakarze county of the Tibet autonomous region is China’s highest township(乡镇). The oxygen level is less than 40 percent and the annual average temperature is –7℃ . However, these weren’t the biggest challenges for a postal service. The area of the township is about 1,500 square kilometers, but its population is less than 2,000. The distance from the county town is some 70 km and a single trip to all the six villages can be as long as 160 km. The dogged perseverance required to get the job done under such conditions needs no further explanation.

The busiest time for Tsering Chopa is between July and August each year, when students are waiting for their admission letters from various universities. He recalls once he had to deliver mail to one student whose family had already moved away. He had to quiz neighbors several times to find the new address. It was summer and the usual road to the village was blocked because of rain. He trekked for more than 20 km and grappled with shortness of breath all the way to finally deliver the letter. “I don’t mind the hardships because it is not easy for students from remote villages to get college admission. It was my duty to deliver the mail on time,” he says.

One night in February 2019, a local resident Nyima Tsering’s daughter had fainted and desperately needed help. Knowing that, the mailman arranged for a car right away and sent her to the county hospital. He also gave some cash to the family for the girl’s treatment. Nyima Tsering’s daughter recovered soon, and Tsering Chopa became an idol in the village. “I will never forget his compassion and kindness,” says the grateful father.

In 2019, Tsering Chopa received the China Youth May Fourth Medal. “It is an acknowledgment of what I do and a token of encouragement as well,” he says. “And I want to help more people living in remote areas. I want to bring the world closer to them and take them closer to the world.”

1. Which is the most challenging part of Tsering Chopa’s work?

A．Trekking for long distances.	B．Suffering from cold temperatures.
C．Standing extremely bad road conditions.	D．Adapting to the high-altitude environment.

2. What words can best describe Tsering Chopa according to paragraph 2?

A．Optimistic and cautious.	B．Generous and intelligent.
C．Courageous and ambitious.	D．Persistent and responsible.

3. How did Tsering Chopa help Nyima Tsering?

A．Tsering Chopa fixed his car for free.

B．Tsering Chopa saved his daughter’s life.

C．Tsering Chopa delivered his admission letters quickly.

D．Tsering Chopa drove him to a hospital for treatment.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Hardship Makes a Good Postman	B．A Mailman Shows Kindness to Students
C．A Postman in Tiebet Bridges Huge Gap	D．Post Service Creates a Convenient Life

【推荐3】Delvin Washington was having a difficult speech therapy (治疗). Over half a year ago, Washington was preparing for the biggest day of his young life ---graduating from high school. But on a cloudy day in May, he had a serious car accident. He survived, but his life changed forever. He recently began all-day physical rehabilitation (康复治疗). He is relearning almost everything, from the names of his best friends to simple physical tasks.
His friends and family have given him a lot of support. While Washington lay in a coma in hospital, friends and family filled his room during visits. They celebrated his 18th birthday in July while he was still unconscious.Two days after Thanksgiving, eight friends from high school visited Washington at his home. The friends looked through photos on Facebook, showing them all to Washington. As he sat in his wheelchair, friends asked him to recognize the people in the photos, helping him recover his brain.
Washington’s popularity doesn’t come from nowhere. He was determined to become a police officer after college and behaved like a respectable police officer at school.His high school principal (校长), Eric Markinson, said Washington was always a gentleman. “He was incredibly gracious (和善的) and incredibly helpful,”he said.
His accident has damaged Washington’s brain. It has caused his left side, from his face to his feet, to all but shut down. His personality has also changed. The serious police-officer behavior is gone. He laughs a lot and smiles when he sees children, his mom said.
Now Washington is working hard on all-day rehabilitation. So far, he has made tremendous (巨大的) improvement, said his therapist Lindsay Sims.“I try to live as independently as possible,”Washington said slowly but firmly.
1. What happened to Delvin Washington last May?

A．He started to make improvements in his speech therapy.

B．He was seriously injured in a car accident.

C．He graduated from high school with good grades.

D．He suffered a heart attack and went into a coma.

2. What can we know about Washington’s friends?

A．They helped Washington make up for the lesson s he had missed.

B．They worked together to collect money for Washington on campus.

C．They helped Washington realize his dream of becoming a police officer.

D．They regularly visited Washington and helped him with his rehabilitation.

3. Which word can best describe Delvin Washington?

A．strong—willed	B．energetic
C．pessimistic	D．depressed

4. What is the article mainly about?

A．Washington’s friendship with his friends.

B．Washington making great efforts to achieve his dream.

C．What makes Washington so popular at school.

D．How Washington is recovering his brain.