Every April I am troubled by the same concern that spring might not occur this year. The landscape looks dull, with hills, sky and forest appearing grey. My spirits ebb, as they did during an April snowfall when I first came to Maine. “Just wait,” a neighbour advised. “You’ll wake up one morning and spring will just be here.”

And look, on 3 May that year I awoke to a green so amazing as to be almost electric, as if spring were simply a matter of flipping a switch. Hills, sky and forest revealed their purples, blues and greens. Leaves had unfolded and daffodils were fighting their way heavenward.

Then there was the old apple tree. It sits on an undeveloped lot in my neighbourhood. It belongs to no one and therefore to everyone. The tree’s dark twisted branches stretch out in unpruned (未经修剪的) abandon. Each spring it blossoms so freely that the air becomes filled with the scent of apple.

Until last year, I thought I was the only one aware of this tree. And then one day, in a bit of spring madness, I set out to remove a few disorderly branches. No sooner had I arrived under the tree than neighbours opened their windows and stepped onto their porches(门廊; 走廊). These were people I barely knew and seldom spoke to, but it was as if I had come uninvited into their personal gardens.

My mobile-home neighbour was the first to speak. “You’re not cutting it down, are you?” she asked anxiously. Another neighbour frowned as I cut off a branch. “Don’t kill it, now,” he warned. Soon half the neighbourhood had joined me under the apple tree. It struck me that I had lived there for five years and only now was learning these people’s names, what they did for a living and how they passed the winter. It was as if the old apple tree was gathering us under its branches for the purpose of both acquaintanceship and shared wonder. I couldn’t help recalling Robert Frost’s words:

The trees that have it in their pent-up buds

To darken nature and be summer woods

One thaw led to another. Just the other day I saw one of my neighbours at the local store. He remarked how this recent winter had been especially long and complained of not having seen or spoken at length to anyone in our neighbourhood. And then, he looked at me and said, “We need to prune that apple tree again.”

1. By saying that “my spirits ebb” in paragraph 1, the author means that _______ .

A．he feels relieved	B．he is tired
C．he is surprised	D．he feels blue

2. The apple tree mentioned in the passage is most likely to _______ .

A．be appealing only to the author

B．have been abandoned by its original owner

C．be regarded as a delight in the neighbourhood

D．have been neglected by everyone in the community

3. According to paragraph 4, why did the neighbours open their windows and step onto their porches?

A．They wanted to get to know the author.

B．They were concerned about the safety of the tree.

C．They wanted to prevent the author from pruning the tree.

D．They were surprised that someone unknown was pruning the tree.

4. It can be inferred that the author’s neighbour mentioned in the last paragraph most cared about _______ .

A．when spring would arrive	B．how to pass the long winter
C．the pruning of the apple tree	D．the neighbourhood gathering

University Shotokan Karate Club

Learn Karate-self-defence and fitness

The university karate club was founded in 1962. All grades from beginners to advanced are welcome. The classes are suitable for both men and women, and several women have obtained their black belts.

TUESDAY AND THURSDAY 6: 00 p. m. -8: 00 p. m.

WEAVER HOUSE GYM

FIRST LESSON FREE

Hardly any of us have experienced real violence, but, over the last five years, attacks on innocent people have increased. Each of us has some ability to defend ourselves, and by learning a form of self-defence, we are not only increasing that ability, but also doing something to build our own sense of respect. Karate will show you a lot of simple and effective techniques to protect yourself, giving you increased self-confidence.

Far too many people think martial arts are about violence. Martial-arts training is based on a lot of respect, self-discipline, self-control and non-violence. We learn basic etiquette, courtesy and tolerance. Good manners and consideration for others are expected at all times.

Karate is the practice of blocking and striking techniques for the purpose of self-defence, health and self-development. Karate exercises the entire body. Techniques are practised on both sides of the body; therefore, muscle imbalances do not occur, and the strength, coordination, flexibility and agility of both sides of the body are improved. Regular training in karate improves the body’s physical endurance and flexibility. It also helps concentration and produces the mental calm and assurance that come from knowing we can defend ourselves.

Karate has many benefits but they do not come easily or overnight. Training requires ongoing commitment and hard work. Some of you will give up, but a few of you will get your black belts.

5. The passage is mainly intended to _______ .

A．attract readers to join the club	B．tell readers the benefits of karate
C．encourage people to get their black belts	D．correct people’s misunderstanding of karate

6. What can be learned about University Shotokan Karate Club?

A．It offers 4 hours of lessons every week.

B．Members don’t need to pay for the lessons.

C．It tests members to see what level they are at.

D．More men than women have been its members.

7. According to the passage, which of the following statements about karate is true?

A．It focuses as much on self-defence as on attack.

B．It makes people healthy physically instead of mentally.

C．It involves people’s arm muscles more than thigh muscles.

D．It cultivates people’s respect for themselves as well as for others.