【推荐1】Another person’s enthusiasm（热情）was what set me moving toward the success I have achieved. That person was my stepmother.

I was nine years old when she entered our home in the countryside of Virginia. My father introduced me to her with these words: “I would like you to meet the fellow who is well known for being the worst boy in this county and will probably start throwing rocks at you no later than tomorrow morning.”

My stepmother walked over to me, raised my head slightly upward, and looked at me right in the eye. Then she looked at my father and replied, “You are wrong. This is not the worst boy at all, but the smartest one who hasn’t yet found a way to give out his enthusiasm.”

That statement began a friendship between us. No one had ever called me smart, My family and neighbors had built me up in my mind as a bad boy. My stepmother changed all that.

She changed many things. She persuaded my father to go to a dental school, from which he graduated with honors. She moved our family into the county seat, where my father’s career could be more successful and my brother and I could be better educated.

When I turned fourteen, she bought me a secondhand typewriter and told me that she believed that I could become a writer. I knew her enthusiasm, and I saw how it had already improved our lives. I accepted her belief and began to write for local newspapers and finally reached the goal she set for me. I wasn’t the only beneficiary. My father became the wealthiest man in town. My brother and stepbrothers became a physician, a dentist, a lawyer, and a college president.

1. What does the author mean by “I wasn’t the only beneficiary”?

A．His stepmother bought typewriters for other family members, too.

B．Not only he but also his family gained from his stepmother’s enthusiasm.

C．Other family members’ enthusiasm has great effects on his stepmother.

D．There were other boys who behaved as badly as he did.

2. According to the author, ______ before his stepmother came into his life.

A．his father had been away from home for a long time

B．people had noticed his intelligence

C．he knew how to release his enthusiasm properly

D．he was considered a rude boy with wild behaviors

3. The author’s stepmother did all the following EXCEPT ______.

A．giving some writing lessons to him at home

B．moving the family into the centre of the county

C．planning the future for each family member

D．praising him from the bottom of her heart

4. Which of the following best serves as the title of the passage?

A．Enthusiasm, a Source of Authority

B．Enthusiasm, a Gift from my Father

C．Enthusiasm, a Trend in Families

D．Enthusiasm, a Power for Success

【推荐2】If Albuquerque Police Officer Ryan Holets had his way, this story would never have got so much attention. CNN would not have learned that Holets, while on duty, had agreed to adopt a baby from a homeless drug addict.

Holets values his privacy and didn’t do it for the attention. He did it just because he knew it was the right thing to do.

On Sept. 23, Holets responded to a call about a possible theft from a convenience store in Albuquerque. By the time he arrived, the thief was no longer there, but Holets spotted a woman in a grassy area behind the store about to inject a needle into her companion’s arm. The woman, Crystal Champ, was eight months pregnant.

After a short conversation, he learned Champ longed for her child to go to a good family. Holets offered to do just that.

When Sergeant Jim Edison learned what Holets did, he was floored. In his 10 years as a police officer, he has seen many “heroic acts” but none like what Holets did, Edison said.

Edison awarded Holets for his outstanding service for the city, but felt that wasn’t enough. It’s his job to reward his officers and encourage them to do the right thing, so Edison signed Holets up to do an interview for CNN’s “Beyond the Call of Duty”series without telling him.

“Every day Edison calls me to ask for forgiveness.” Holets said laughing, “And I keep assuring him that we're fine. We didn’t quite realize it would get this response, and neither did he. But we all realize it’s a really good thing, and some really good things can come of it.”

One of Holets’s conditions when he agreed to CNN’s interview was that his superiors would not set up a GoFundMe page for his family. “We don’t want anybody to say we've used this occasion to enrich ourselves,” Holets said. He instead urges those who want to offer support to donate to a local drug recovery center or adoption organization.

1. What was Holets doing when he met Champ?

A．He was on his way home.

B．He was looking into a theft.

C．He was making a telephone call.

D．He was buying things in a store.

2. What does the underlined word “it” in paragraph 7 refer to?

A．the encouragement	B．the telephone
C．the interview	D．the forgiveness

3. Why did Edison call Holets to ask for forgiveness?

A．He did wrong to Holets.

B．He didn’t keep his promise.

C．Holets didn’t get promoted as expected.

D．He made Holets become the focus of attention.

4. What did Holets expect people to do?

A．Raise money for families like his.

B．Support the police’s routine work.

C．Make donations to adoption organizations.

D．Set up an organization to help the homeless.

【推荐3】Robert and Peter study in the same university. They do everything together and help each other. But they often play jokes on each other. The school year was over last month and they decided to travel through the country in America. They drove a car and could stop wherever they were interested in and started whenever they wanted. Of course they enjoyed themselves. It was very hot one day and they were both hungry and thirsty. They stopped in front of a restaurant by the road. They came in, sat down at a table and ordered some dishes. Robert looked around and found there was a small bowl on the table. He thought there was some ice cream in it and took a spoonful of it and put it into his mouth. Immediately he knew it was mustard (芥末), but it was too late. Tears ran down his face, but he pretended nothing had happened. The other young man, seeing his friend crying, asked, “What are you crying about, Robert?”

“I’m thinking of my father who was hanged twenty years ago,” was a reply.

After a while Peter made the same mistake. Tears ran down his cheeks ,too. And his friend asked him why.

“I wonder why your father hadn’t been hanged before he got married!”

1. Robert didn’t tell Peter it was some mustard in the bowl because________.

A．he didn’t know his friend hated it.	B．he wanted his friend to repeat the mistake.
C．he thought his friend knew what it was.	D．he thought his friend was interested in it.

2. Peter made the same mistake because________.

A．he was too hungry to wait for their dishes.	B．he often took some mustard.
C．he was much braver than his friend.	D．he wasn’t afraid to be played a joke on.

3. The writer mainly wants to tell us________in this passage.

A．not to trust your friend	B．not to mistake mustard for Ice cream
C．it’s wrong to lie to friends	D．a joke

【推荐2】An old man walked slowly into a restaurant with his cane (拐杖). His old jacket and shoes made him unusual that day.

A young waitress named Mary watched him move towards a table by the window. She ran over to him, and said with a smile, “Here, sir. Let me give you a hand.” Without saying a word, he gave her a smile. She pulled the chair away from the table and helped him sit down. Then she put his cane against the table so that he could reach it. In a soft, clear voice, he said, “Thank you, miss.”

“You’re welcome, sir,” she replied. “I’ll be back in a moment, and if you need anything, just wave at me!”

After he had finished a good meal. Mary brought him the change. She handed him his cane, and walked with him to the front door. Holding the door open for him, she said, “Come back and see us, sir!” The old man turned around and smiled.

When Mary went to clean his table, she was shocked. Under the plate, she found a business card, a 100-dollar bill and a note. The note said, “Dear Mary, I respect (尊敬) you very much, and you respect yourself, too. It shows the way you treat others. You have found the secret of happiness.” In fact, the old man was the owner of the restaurant. That was the first time that she, or any of his waitresses, had seen him.

1. The old man looked     

A．young

B．handsome

C．unusual

D．common

2. As soon as the old man entered the restaurant, Mary greeted him .

A．politely

B．slowly

C．sadly

D．angrily

3. Mary told the old man to     when he needed something.

A．ring the bell

B．wave at her

C．shout at her

D．phone her

4. Mary was shocked when she found a business card, a 100-dollar bill and a note       .

A．on the chair

B．on the ground

C．under the bowl

D．under the plate

5. The old man was

A．Mary’s father	B．Mary’s neighbour
C．the boss of the restaurant	D．a waiter of the restaurant

【推荐3】Edward rose early on the New-year morning. He looked in every room and wished a Happy New Year to his family. Then he ran into the street to repeat that to those he might meet.

When he came back, his father gave him two bright, new silver dollars. His face lighted up as he took them. He had wished for a long time to buy some petty books that he had seen at the bookstore.

He left the house with a light heart, expecting to buy the books. As he ran down the street, he saw a poor family. “I wish you a happy New Year.” said Edward, as he was happily passing on. The man shook his head. “You are not from this country.” said Edward. The man again shook his head, for he could not understand or speak his language. But he pointed to his mouth, and to the children shaking with cold, as if (好像) to say, “These little ones have had nothing to eat for a long time.” Edward quickly understood that these poor people were in trouble. He took out his dollars, and gave one to the man, and the other to his wife. They were excited and said something in their language, which doubtless meant, “We thank you so much that we will remember you all the time.”

When Edward came home, his father asked what books he had bought. He hung his head a moment,but quickly looked up. “I have bought no books,” said he, “I gave my money to some poor people, who seemed to be very hungry then.” He went on, “I think I can wait for my books till next New Year.” “My dear boy,” said his father, “here are some books for you, more as a prize for your goodness of heart than as a New-Year gift.”

“I saw you give the money cheerfully to the poor German family. It was nice for a little boy to do so. Be always ready to help others and every year of your life will be to you a Happy New Year.”

1. Why did the poor man shake his head when Edward spoke to him?

A．He couldn't understand the boy.

B．He wouldn't accept the money.

C．He didn't like the boy's language.

D．He was too cold to say anything.

2. How much did Edward give the poor family?

A．One dollar.

B．Two dollars.

C．Three dollars.

D．Four dollars.

3. We know that Edward________from the passage.

A．got a prize for his kind heart

B．had to buy his books next year

C．bought the books at the bookstore

D．got more money from his father

【推荐1】The Chaucer Heritage Trust was founded in 1992 and aims to further interest, understanding and appreciation of the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, his life and times and influence. This year the Trust is holding The Canterbury Tales Writing Competition around the country. Students are invited to submit pieces of original writing inspired by Geoffrey Chaucer's most famous work: The Canterbury Tales.

Who Can Take Part?

The competition is open to all schools and college communities including pupils who are home educated and any other young people’s community organizations.

The three age groups are:

Junior-up to 11 years old

Intermediate-12-15 years old

Senior--16-19 years old

Competitors must include their date of birth on the entry form.

Competition Guidelines

Choose ONE of the following:

Write a poem about a journey.

Write a short story which explores an important issue through animal characters.

Write an entry for an imaginary pilgrim(朝圣), based upon a modern-day occupation. For example, “The Nurse”, “The Banker” or “The Politician”.

Word Count

The maximum word count is 500 words.

Deadlines

All entries must be submitted by 31 January 2019.

Other rules

All entries must be the original work of the student(however, rewritings of existing stories are acceptable if original in presentation and content).

The decision of the judges will be final.

How to Enter

You can submit your entry at www.chaucer:org.uk/submityourentry

Further Information

For further information please contact Dr Charles Farris at farris@chaucer org.uk

1. Why was the Trust founded?

A．To discover talented writers.

B．To seek excellent original works.

C．To hold a writing competition annually.

D．To help people learn more about Geoffrey Chaucer.

2. Which of the following could participate in the competition ?

A．A college teacher.	B．A professional writer.
C．A nine-year-old student.	D．A twenty-year-old college student.

3. What can be learned about this competition?

A．Competitors can hand in only one entry.

B．The characters in the entries must be animals.

C．The word count should be more than 500 words.

D．Competitors should email their entries to Dr.Charles Farris.

【推荐2】South Africa is the water-lovers' paradise. Whether you want to be by the sea, on the sea or even under it, there are countless ways to get your ocean experience. Almost all of them are located on South Africa's east coast, where the Indian Ocean keeps water warm.

Thompson's Bay, Ballito

Drive 40 minutes north of Durban to reach the unique coastal town of Ballito. Popular with holidaymakers, Ballito has a choice of pretty beaches—and the best for swimming is Thompson's Bay. This scenic cove （小海湾）is sheltered from the wind and characterized by its calm waters, interesting rocky outcrops and a fascinating geological hole-in-the-wall. There's a walled tidal pool for those who are nervous to swim in the open ocean, making this spot a particularly good choice for families.

Umhlanga Rocks, Durban
Located a 20-minute drive from central Durban, the resort town of Umhlanga is a proper getaway for people
with good incomes and visitors in the know(知内情的). The main Umhlanga Rocks beach boasts safe swimming waters and endless golden sands, again protected by lifeguards and shark nets. A paved walkway provides direct access to the town's beachfront shops, restaurants and bars.
Gonubie Beach, East London

The coastal town of Gonubie is seen by many as a suburb of East London, one of the largest cities of the Eastern Cape. Its picture-perfect beach offers great swimming areas in the open sea. The Gonubie River reaches the sea at this point, too, and offers another bathing spot on days when the surf in the sea is bigger than usual. All along the river's green banks, you'll find a series of shaded spots perfect for summer picnics and barbecues.

Kelly’s Beach, Port Alfred

Further south on the Sunshine Coast, the laid-back town of Port Alfred is home to Kelly’s Beach, which was awarded Blue Flag status for 2017-2018. A 400-meter stretch of pale brown sand, the beach and its waters are exceptionally clean. Two viewing decks come in handy during whale-watching season, or for admiring spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

1. If you are planning a family trip to South Africa, which beach suits you best?

A．Thompson's Bay, Ballito.	B．Umhlanga Rocks, Durban.
C．Gonubie Beach. East London	D．Kelly's Beach, Port Alfred.

2. What's special about Umhlanga Rocks in Durban?

A．It is free for children.	B．Its target crowd is the rich.
C．It has a walled tidal pool.	D．It has pale brown sand.

3. What could you do when meeting violent waves on Gonubie Beach?

A．Go swimming in the open sea.	B．Go bathing at another bathing spot.
C．Go surfing in the open sea.	D．Go camping by the riverside.

【推荐3】Here’s the bad news: Men are hurting, and, according to many researchers, masculinity (男子气) is what is hurting them and making it hard for them to maintain friendships. Society tells men to hide their feelings and expects them to be aggressive, so many men lose their friendship when growing up. The good news is that those skills can be recovered!

There are a lot of experts who can help, and here’s what they recommend:

1.Accept your own desire and normalize it for the people in your life. Way, an expert, recommends sharing articles about masculinity and friendship so that you can start these conversations! Concentrate on them and don’t forget you have the entire Internet at your fingertips, friend!

2. Model vulnerability. Say the thing that frightens or worries you, like “I’m afraid nobody will go to my party,”or”I miss my grandma every day.” Doing so will make it easier for other people to follow your lead. We are all on the elevator to a society where emotional availability is normalized, and I want you to press “door open”.

3. Ask more questions. People sometimes feel they might be prying (爱打听的) if they ask someone about themselves—especially when their friend is sharing something tough. But if you get curious in moments of vulnerability you will open the door to all kinds of growth in your relationship. Take the opportunity to really see your friend and show them they matter by following up.

4. Get close with the children in your life. Way’s research says that the top priority that helps children (especially boys) grow up to have enriching friendships is to be close with an adult relative who was not afraid to express emotions. So， if you are a father，stepfather，or thinking about becoming one， or if you have nieces or nephews, take the opportunity to be close to them and help them grow up to be good friends, too.

1. What is the common concept of being a man?

A．To have no friends at all.

B．To maintain friendships.

C．Not to show true feelings.

D．Not to hurt others aggressively.

2. Which is NOT recommended according to the passage?

A．A man should show his vulnerability in front of his fellows.

B．A man should accept and normalize people’s desire in his life.

C．A man should take the opportunity to be close to child relatives.

D．A man should show his friends they matter by asking questions.

3. What might be the best title of the passage?

A．Ways to Help Men Have Friendship.

B．How to Express True Feelings.

C．Ways to Become a True Man.

D．How to Be Brave to Have Friends.

【推荐1】Castle Rock, Colorado, is in the Front Range between Denver and Colorado Springs. The town was first settled in the 1870s and named for the rock formation on its western edge. More than 5,400 acres of open space, 250 acres of parks and 57 miles of trails surround the town. Castle Rock offers many activities throughout the year.

Douglas County Fairgrounds

The Douglas County holds a rodeo every August. Many activities are held in the city during the rodeo, including 4-H exhibits, animal shows and the farm yard, a hands-on educational area providing information about animals and agriculture. Local singing and dancing acts perform on the Community Stage. Carnival rides and games ensure that children have fun.

Town Recreation

Activities Castle Rock Recreation Center features 84,000 square feet of fun, including a leisure pool complete with water slides, spa and lazy river. Rent one of the meeting rooms and host your child’s birthday party. Introduce your child to cooking basics through classes such as Little Chefs, Holiday Cooking Arts, Just Desserts and Iron Chefs. Discounts with membership cards.

Metzler Ranch Park

Metzler Ranch Park features many outdoor activities for children. Kids can join a youth baseball or softball league, ride a bike along the paved path or swing and climb on the playground equipment. Bring your child’s in-line skates and glide along one of two in-line hockey rinks or try out skills at the lighted skate park. Discounts book online.

Theatre of Dreams

Theatre of Dreams is a 72-scat theater that presents magic and illusion entertainment. Two professional magicians founded the theater. Children especially enjoy the family-oriented shows. The facility can be rented for special events such as birthday parties and bar mitzvahs. Reserve in advance.

1. Which of the following offers ice sport?

A．Town Recreation.	B．Metzler Ranch Park.
C．Theatre of Dreams.	D．Douglas County Fairgrounds.

2. What do Town Recreation and Theatre of Dreams have in common?

A．They have various classes for kids.	B．They offer discounts for the members.
C．They provide service for special events.	D．They are not open to kids unaccompanied.

3. Who would most probably be interested in Castle Rock?

A．College graduates.	B．Retired citizens.
C．Newly-married couples.	D．Parents with kids.

【推荐2】Have you experienced surfing on the shore? Have you ever seen a dog surfing on the shore? Visitors to Waikiki Beach may do a double-take at the four-legged surfer boarding on shore, but the regulars aren’t amazed at all. They know the eight-year-old dog is Bugsy, a local legend, whose owner, David Yew, taught the dog to surf.

Yew, 39, got the idea while he and Bugsy were out walking on the beach and came upon a statue of a surfer. Yew put the dog down on the surfboard to take a photo, and the scene looked so natural that Yew was inspired to take the next step. Soon enough, the two were surfing together. Bugsy ran right to the front of the board with his paws.

The two ride an 11-foot, rubber-padded longboard. He loves the water and dog-paddles. However, Bugsy wasn’t always so active. Two days after Yew, a doctor of emergency medicine, adopted the 12-week-old puppy from shelter, Bugsy came down with cough, which progressed to pneumonia（肺炎）. Yew rushed the dog to the ICU of a vet hospital where he stayed until Yew could no longer afford to keep him there. Bugsy needed further treatment, so Yew built his own ICU in his apartment. He covered an empty fish tank with plastic to use it for treatments. Finally, Bugsy pulled through.

Since then, the doctor and the dog have been inseparable. "Saving Bugsy’s life created unconditional trust between us,” Yew says. “He knows I’ll take care of him no matter what.” That may be what fuels Bugsy’s spirit. The pair surf together every week and have shared other adventures, including skydiving.

1. What does the underlined words in Paragraph I probably mean?

A．To have a try to surf with	B．To take two pictures with
C．To give double tips to	D．To be surprised to stare at

2. The reason why Yew built his own ICU is that ____.

A．Bugsy preferred to lie in a fish tank	B．he knew how to cure Bugsy of its illness
C．the vet hospital abandoned treating Bugsy	D．he couldn’t pay for the further medical cost

3. Which of the following can best describe Yew?

A．Competent and honest.	B．Diligent and well-off.
C．Good-natured and adventurous.	D．Modest and thoughtful.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Inseparable pair surfers.	B．The whole life of a pet dog.
C．Animals’ love for humans.	D．Adventures of a surfing dog.

【推荐3】From Antigua to Zanzibar, these spots promise an incredible trip for 2019.

Antigua, Guatemala

“Antigua is worth every penny, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have to empty your wallet,” says Hudson. There are plenty of budget-conscious activities. It won’t cost you a coin to visit Santo Domingo del Cerro, an outdoor sculpture park. Wanting something sweet? Head to ChocoMuseo. Admission is free and so are the samples!

Odessa, Ukraine

Odessa is having a bit of a tourism boom nationwide-not that we’re surprised, given its sandy beaches and pastel-colored buildings-but it’s still fairly under the order for international audiences. You can also count on this port city for affordable fun. Tickets to the Odessa Opera House start at a mere $ 2!

Bogotá, Colombia

“Travelers on budget will find Colombia’s vast capital far more of a bargain and every bit as fascinating,” says Hudson. “It’s free to visit Museo de Oro and on Sundays many of the big roads are closed to accommodate food carts, street entertainers, and pedestrians.”

Zanzibar

Zanzibar attracts vacationers with its white sand beaches, greenish-blue tides, colorful coral reefs, and oceanfront seaside. Of course, wandering in historic Stone Town is pretty appealing too. Either way, you needn’t spend a penny in this amazing place. It’s also worth noting that Jozani Forest is the only place in the world you can see endangered red colobus monkeys.

1. Which of the following requires admission fee?

A．ChocoMuseo.	B．Odessa Opera House.
C．Museo de Oro.	D．Stone Town.

2. Where can you enjoy seaside scenery and visit historical sites?

A．Antigua, Guatemala	B．Odessa, Ukraine
C．Bogotá, Colombia	D．Zanzibar

3. What do the four destinations have in common?

A．They are coastal cities.

B．They welcome street entertainers.

C．They are inexpensive to visit.

D．They will make your wallet empty.