【推荐1】Every school has an ugly girl. In my primary school, it was me.

From first grade through fourth, I had to wear heavy orthopedic(整形外科的)shoes because of my weak ankles, I sounded like overweight elephant wearing bricks whenever I took a single step.

“Hey, Bigfoot!”

“Geez, you're going to start an earthquake!”

Then in sixth grade I had to start wear glasses, Mom asked for the least expensive ones and that made me look like a fool.

“Four eyes!”

“Couldn't you cover up more of your faces? Why stop at the eyes?”

In Seventh, I started competing on the city swim team, thinking that if I got a killer body, nobody would notice my face. Wrong again. I loved being fast and winning ribbons now and then, but now I had red, wet eyes from the chlorine(氯) in the pool. I also did not develop a killer body.

I changed my strategy at Eighth grade, the last year of middle school. I offered my help to anyone who needs. I worked for other girls, so they could hang out with their friends. My new program began to work. People who would never have acknowledged my existence before were suddenly seeking me out.

I'd been feeling pretty good until one day I went to Christine's house to help her fill envelopes. Going into each envelope was invitation to Christine's birthday party; it was a big event at a fancy hotel. Complete with dinner. She asked me to help her address these envelopes. There was no envelope for me.

My heart was broken. I tried to escape from all the eyes. High school had to be better, right? Yes and no. Now that I'm here, I know there are still lots of shallow people judging you on what you're wearing or how cool your hair is, but there are also kids who talk to you because they liked your answers or just as you're kind, honest, and a good friend.

I still do kind things because I like the feeling I get when I am helping people. I, with my friends, went to Children's hospital, playing games and reading to the sick kids.

I still had wet red and not a smart look, but you cannot tell me I am not beautiful. Every time I visit hospital, five-year-old Terry grasps my hand, "Morri, you are so nice. I want to grow up to be just like you."

1. Why was Morri laughed at by her classmates when she was in primary school?

A．She had weak ankles and eyesight.

B．Her glasses couldn't cover up her face.

C．She couldn't get along well with them.

D．She looked like an overweight elephant.

2. Which of the following is the real reason for Morri competing on the city swim team?

A．To win more ribbons.

B．To shift others' attention from her face.

C．To develop a killer body.

D．To have red wet eyes.

3. From what Morri experienced in the last year of middle school, we can learn that ________.

A．her classmates thought highly of her

B．she was popular among her classmates

C．she was often cheated by her classmates

D．her classmates just made use of her

4. The passage is intended to encourage people to ________.

A．address as many as invitation envelopes as possible

B．take more sport activities including swimming

C．take others' comments into careful consideration

D．take positive attitude towards disadvantages in life

【推荐2】When I was about 12 years old, my older brother, James, smuggled (偷运) a BB gun into the house. Our parents had told us many times that we were not allowed to bring home guns or knives, even if they were just toys. Having any form of weaponry (兵器) in our home was strictly forbidden.

James brought me to his room. He opened his closet door and look out a shoebox that was buried beneath a heap of clothes. The BB gun was inside. I was immediately attracted by the shiny barrel (枪管).

“Can I shoot it, James?” I asked, hopefully.

“No way,” James said, taking it from me and putting it back.

One day, when no one was home, I went into Jame’s closet and took it out. For some incomprehensible reason -- I have no idea what I was thinking I went to the front window of the second floor in our row house. I cracked the window open. I pointed the gun outside and shot. I quickly shut the window and looked outside secretly.

In a matter of seconds, old Mr. Schlosberg came out of his grocery store. He looked back at his store window. He looked up the street. He looked down the street. Then he looked straight across to our house.

Thankfully, James made it home before Mother or Father.

As he stepped through the door, I could hear old Mr. Schlosberg call his name. “James, James,” he called. “Come here, son.”

After several minutes, James ran back across the street and into the living room. I had retreated into the kitchen. “Alma!” he screamed. “Get out here! You cracked Mr. Schlosberg’s window with my BB gun!”

“Oh, please, James,” I begged. “Don’t let him tell Mother. She will hit my bottom real good!” James sighed. He wiped my tears and went back across the street to Mr. Schlosberg’s. I don’t know what James said to that man, but there was never a mention of the incident again.

Years later, I found out James had used the money he got from his newspaper route to pay for Mr. Schlosberg’s cracked window. He only got one cent for every paper he delivered. He managed to pay back the debt just before he went off to fight in World War II.

Since that day, I have never touched a gun: a BB gun, a water gun, a real gun, or any other type.

1. The word “retreated” in the middle of the passage is closest in meaning to “_________”.

A．rushed happily	B．moved excitedly
C．wandered unhurriedly	D．escaped quietly

2. What did Alma expect from James after he shot Mr. Schlosberg’s window?

A．To deal with the problem.	B．To talk with his parents.
C．To throw away the gun.	D．To tell the truth.

3. Which of the following best describes James as a brother?

A．Responsible and strict.	B．Brave and determined.
C．Responsible and caring.	D．Naughty and determined.

4. The best title of the passage is

A．A Warmhearted Brother	B．A BB Gun
C．A Cracked Window	D．An Incident

【推荐3】72-year-old Darlene Mullins recently graduated from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. Darlene left school nearly 55 years ago in the name of love. She was studying at the college and met her husband-to-be, John Mullins, in 1962, The two knew they would marry each other the moment they met. She finished her freshman year with 25 credits and married John in 1963. Her husband graduated in 1964 and began working.

Darlene took care of the household and was a stay-at-home mother to their son and daughter. The family lived in six states over the years, due to John's successful career in business. Darlene eventually began a career in retail as their children grew older. Though she remained busy, she always longed to finish school. She always told her children to make sure they finish what they started and she kind of felt it was time to live up to her own dream.

John was very supportive when she told him she was going back to school. He knew the day would come when she decided to finish her degree. He told her whenever she was ready they would go. The couple moved back to Nashville in 2013 when Darlene re-enrolled. She had to adjust to the technological advances in the classroom, saying that she was determined to finish no matter how long it took. After completing four years, Darlene graduated with a degree, “I feel like God has given me a second chance.” she said‘ She hopes that her story   can inspire others to pursue a degree.

1. Why did Darlene decide to leave university early?

A．She was tired of school life.

B．She met a boy she loved a lot.

C．Her family was too poor then.

D．Her friend John Mullins left her.

2. What happened to Darlene during the 55 years after leaving school?

A．Her husband's career failed eventually.

B．The whole family lived in the same city.

C．She often longed to go back to school.

D．Her children advised her to finish school.

3. How did John respond to Darlene’s decision to go back to school?

A．He did his best to help her,

B．He managed to hold her back.

C．He told her that it was impossible.

D．He asked her to continue her career.

4. What does the author want to tell us?

A．Never leave school too early.

B．It's nothing to leave school early.

C．It's often great to put family first.

D．It's never late to return to school.

【推荐2】There exist cruel wars, fighting and sadness in the world today, so it's not only necessary, but also essential to have a good sense of humor just to help us get through difficult times in our lives. Putting a smile on someone's face when you know they are feeling depressed makes them feel good and warms their heart.

How would you feel if you could not joke with your wife/husband, child, co-worker, neighbor, close friend, or even just someone that you are standing in line with at the corner store? I am always saying things that make others smile or laugh, even if I don't know the person I'm joking with. My grandma always found humor in everything she did, even if it was the hardest job anyone could imagine. This not only relieves stress in any situation, but also is a common manner to speak to others that are around you.

I know of a few people that don't have a funny bone in their bodies, as they say. Everyone around them could be rolling on the floor after hearing a great joke but they would sit there without the slightest smile on their faces. They don't get the joke that makes others laugh. I am busting a gut while they just sit there, looking at me as if I were from outer space. How can people not get a really funny joke?

Laughing is essential to keep our stress levels under control. Without humor, we would find ourselves with a lot of psychological problems, or on a lot of medication to keep ourselves from going crazy. There is too much sadness, which will bring little light into our lives.

Therefore, I believe our best medicine is to get together, tell some jokes and have some fun together.

1. How does the author answer the question in the second paragraph?

A．By using facts and descriptions.

B．By using evidence and the argument.

C．By using examples and the conclusion.

D．By using stories and persuasion.

2. According to the passage, why is laughing necessary and essential?

A．Because it can lift people's spirits.

B．Because it can help people get on well with others.

C．Because it can help get rid of the cruelty in the world.

D．Because it makes people more confident.

3. By writing the passage, the author mainly intends to _____.

A．talk about his own understanding of humor

B．encourage people to be humorous in daily life

C．introduce a practical way to get through hard times

D．convince people of the power of being optimistic about life

【推荐3】I have forgotten the name of the old lady, who was a customer on my newspaper route when I was a twelve-year-old boy back in 1954. Yet it seems like just yesterday that she taught me a lesson in forgiveness that I can only hope to pass on to someone else some day.

On a Saturday afternoon, a friend and I were throwing stones onto the roof of the old lady’s house. I found a smooth rock and sent it. The stone headed straight for a small window on the old lady’s back door. At the sound of broken glass, we took off from the old lady’s yard.

I was too scared about getting caught that first night. However, a few days later when I was sure that I hadn’t been discovered, I started to feel guilty for her misfortune.

She still greeted me with a smile each day when I gave her the newspaper, but I was no longer able to act comfortably when seeing her.

I decided to save my paper delivery money, and in three weeks I had the seven dollars that I thought would cover the cost of her window. I put the money in an envelope with a note saying that I was sorry for breaking her window and hoped that the seven dollars would cover the cost of repairing it.

The next day, I handed the old lady her paper. She thanked me for the paper and gave me a bag of biscuits she had made herself. I thanked her and ate the biscuits as I continued my route.

After several biscuits, I felt an envelope and pulled it out of the bag. When I opened the envelope, I was shocked. Inside were the seven dollars and a short note that said, “I’m proud of you.”

1. What work did the author do at the age of 12?

A．Collecting old papers.

B．Delivering newspapers.

C．Picking rocks.

D．Repairing roofs.

2. Why did the author and his friend escape from the old lady’s yard?

A．They broke the old lady’s back door.

B．They heard the old lady shouting.

C．They broke the old lady’s window.

D．They were seen by the old lady.

3. What did the author do to make up for his mistake?

A．He saved some money to cover the cost.

B．He gave the old lady papers for free.

C．He apologized in the old lady’s presence.

D．He bought cookies for the old lady.

4. According to the passage, the old lady was a person who was _________.

A．strict

B．patient

C．mean

D．generous

【推荐1】Tail Spin

Two dolphins race around in a big pool in the Ocean Park. The smaller dolphin, Grace, shows off a few of her tricks, turning around and waving hello to the crowd. The most amazing thing about her, however, is that she’s even swimming at all. She doesn’t have a tail.

Grace lost her tail as a baby when she got caught up in a fish trap. When the dolphin arrived at the Ocean Park in December 2005, she was fighting for her life. “Is she going to make it?” Her trainer, Abbey Stone, feared the worst. Grace did make it — but her tail didn’t. She ended up losing her flukes and the lower part of her peduncle.

Over the past six years, she has learned to swim without her tail. Dolphins swim by moving their flukes and peduncle up and down. Grace taught herself to move another way-like a fish! She pushed herself forward through the water by moving her peduncle from side to side.

The movements put harmful pressure on Grace’s backbone. So a company offered to create a man­made tail for her. The tail had to be strong enough to stay on Grace as she swam but soft enough that it wouldn’t hurt her.

The first time Grace wore the artificial tail, she soon shook it off and let it sink to the bottom of the pool. Now, she is still learning to use the tail. Some days she wears it for an hour at a time, others not at all. “The new tail isn’t necessary for her to feel comfortable,” says Stone, “but it helps to keep that range of motion (动作) and build muscles.”

Now, the dolphin is about to get an even happier ending. This month, Grace will star in Dolphin Tale, a film that focuses on her rescue and recovery. Her progress has inspired more than just a new movie. Many people travel from near and far to meet her. Seeing Grace swim with her man­made tail gives people so much courage.

1. When Grace first arrived at the Ocean Park, her trainer worried about her ________.

A．physical build	B．potential ability
C．chance of survival	D．adaptation to the surroundings.

2. A man­made tail is created for Grace to ________.

A．let her recover faster	B．make her comfortable
C．adjust her way of swimming	D．help her perform better tricks

3. The story of Grace inspires people to ________.

A．stick to their dreams	B．treat animals friendly
C．treasure what they have	D．face difficulties bravely

4. Where does the text probably come from?

A．a pet advertisement	B．A news story
C．a novel	D．a travel guide

【推荐2】When I was nine years old, I loved to go fishing with my dad. But the only thing that wasn't very fun about it was that he could catch many fish while I couldn't catch anything. I usually got pretty upset and kept asking him why. He always answered, "Son, if you want to catch a fish, you have to think like a fish." I remember being even more upset then, because I'm not a fish! I didn't know how to think like a fish. Besides, I reasoned, how could what I think influence what a fish does?

As I got a little older I began to understand what my dad really meant. So, I read some books on fish. And I even joined the local fishing club and started attending the monthly meetings. I learned that a fish is a cold-blooded animal and therefore is very sensitive to water temperature. That is why fish prefer shallow waters to deep waters because the former is warmer. Besides, water is usually warmer in direct sunlight than in the shade. Yet, fish don't have any eyelids (眼皮) and the sun hurts their eyes. The more I understood fish, the more I became effective at finding and catching them.

When I grew up and entered the business world, I remember hearing my first boss say, "We all need to think like salespeople." But it didn't completely make sense. My dad never once said, "If you want to catch a fish you need to think like a fisherman." What he said was, "… you have to think like a fish." Years later, with great efforts to promote long-term services to people much older and richer than me, I gradually learned what we all need is to think more like customers. It is not an easy job. I will show you how in the following chapters.

1. Why was the author upset in the fishing trips when he was nine?

A．Because he could not catch a fish.	B．Because his father was not patient with him.
C．Because his father did not teach him fishing.	D．Because he could not influence a fish as his father did.

2. What did the author's father really mean?

A．To read about fish.	B．To learn fishing by oneself.
C．To understand what fish think.	D．To study fishing in many ways.

3. According to the author, fish are most likely to be found___________.

A．in deep waters on sunny days	B．in deep waters on cloudy days
C．in shallow waters under sunlight	D．in shallow waters under waterside trees

4. After entering the business world, the author found________.

A．it easy to think like a customer	B．his father's fishing advice inspiring
C．his first boss's sales idea reasonable	D．it difficult to sell services to poor people

【推荐3】The first Ml choir rehearsal(彩排)of the school year took place in the school hall. All the students joined together to sing. I watched as my elder sister and her grade came in and took their places next to us on the stage. Meanwhile, I could hear laughing.             Some students were pointing at a girl standing next to my sister. I’d never seen this girl before. A girl whispered in my ear, “ Did you know she’s wearing diapers(纸尿裤）？”
After school that evening, I asked my sister about the girl I’d seen. She told me her name was Theresa and that she was a very nice girL .“ Why were those kids being mean to her? I asked, “Because they’re stupid，” she said.
One day, I was walking home from school when I heard voices behind me. “There’s the little idiot’s (傻子)sister. Does your sister wet her pants too?” I walked a little faster and then I felt a atone hit me in the back. When I got home, I ran down to             my sister’s room.
I pushed my way into her room, screaming at her. “Why do you have to be that girl’s friend? I don’t see anyone else being nice to her, ” Janelle yelled back, Because she is a wonderful person and she is dying!” I will remember those words as long             as I live. Theresa wet her pants because she had an illness, which was killing her. My sister was the only one nice enough to be her friend and stick up for her. A few months later, Hieresa passed away.
I felt proud that Janelle was my sister. Throughout the years I watched her, and she always made friends with everyone. It didn’t matter if they ware fat, thin, brilliant or not. She never left anyone feeling isolated or alone. It was she who changed             me and taught me to never look at anyone in the same way again.
1. Why did other students make fun of Theresa?

A．Because she was dying very soon.

B．Because she was not good at singing,

C．Because she behaved in an unusual way.

D．Because she was usually dressed poorly.

2. What was the turning point of the story?

A．Janelle became a friend of Theresa.

B．Theresa suffered from a serious illness.

C．The author lost her temper to her classmates.

D．The author was told the truth about Theresa.

3. What is the message conveyed in the story?

A．We shouldn’t look at anyone shallowly.

B．Making friends teaches us more things.

C．Disadvantaged people need our sympathy.

D．Understanding is important among friends.

4. What might be the best title for the passage?

A．A Great Hero to Me

B．A Girl in Need of Help

C．An Unforgettable Rehearsal

D．An Embarrassing Experience

【推荐1】I was in the seventh grade, and we had moved to New Jersey in November. By then, everyone already had had their own friends, and no one wanted to talk to a new girl. To make things worse, they put me in ''Section L''. I found out later that everyone called Section L ''Loserville''. It was sort of an open secret that it was the section for troublemakers and not-so-smart kids. When I found out, I wanted to scream. I had always been a good student and had amazing friends, and now everyone thought I was a loser!

I did text my friends in Illinois almost every night, especially my best friend, Ana. At first my friends wanted to hear all about it. But then some stopped texting back once I said something about how miserable I was. One night when I was texting with Ana, I complained about another friend who had just done that. Anas texts came really fast for the next few minutes and they surprised me. She said that she was tired of hearing about how bad everything was in New Jersey, too. She said she did not want to hurt my feelings but that I needed to stop feeling so sorry for myself all the time, and I had to try to make things better.

The next day, I thought a lot about what Ana had said. She was right!

I wish I could say that everything changed overnight after that, but it didn't, I was still stuck in ''Loserville'', and some people were still mean (苛刻) to me, even though I tried to just stay out of their way.

But what did change was me — I stopped feeling so sorry for myself and did something about making friends. I signed up to make sets for the school play. I met a lot of new people there, and suddenly I had friends to say hi to in the halls!

I still miss Illinois sometimes, but life in New Jersey isn't so hard anymore. Even though I couldn't change my situation, I could change my attitude — and that made all the difference.

1. ''Loserville'' is a section for ________.

A．smart students	B．low achievers
C．class leaders	D．new comers

2. The writer complained all the time in the new environment because ________.

A．Ana didn’t text back to her	B．she was a good student
C．her friends hurt her feelings	D．she was unfairly treated

3. What made a difference in changing the situation?

A．She managed to go back to Illinois.	B．She ended the friendship with Ana.
C．She began to make friends with others.	D．She fought back with her classmates.

4. The best title for the passage can be ________.

A．Everlasting Friendship	B．Say Goodbye to ''Loserville''
C．An Incident at School	D．Unhappiness in ''Loserville''

【推荐2】A team of global body language experts has come up with this list of the best body language courses.

1. Body Language For Businessmen

This course is particularly useful to businessmen. It will teach you how to use body language to increase your success, influence, and income. By the end of the course, you will understand the role of body language in business success and get a Certificate of Completion after completing the course.

2. Body Language Course

This beginner level course is useful to anyone eager to learn how to use body language to communicate effectively. The course discusses topics like the significance of communication and tips of improving body language. The course is delivered by award-winning instructors.

3. Digital Body Language

This course teaches how to improve your digital personal brand. It discusses a variety of topics like power of face, personality and confidence, drawing attention, and web page essentials. By the end of the course, you will perfect online presence, master body language online and level up your digital brand.

4. How To Make A Great First Impression

This course will make you realize how eye contact, a smile and handshake can increase your chances of improving the first impression you make on the other person, which is quite useful for anyone starting a new job. By the end of the course you will pick up the skills and confidence you need to make a good first impression.

1. Which of the following courses may best suit a senior manager?

A．Digital Body Language

B．Body Language Course

C．Body Language For Businessmen

D．How To Make A Great First Impression

2. What can you learn if you take Digital Body Language?

A．How to change your characters.

B．How to protect yourself online.

C．How to build up a successful company.

D．How to improve personal influence online.

3. Who is more likely to attend How To Make A Great First Impression?

A．A news reporter.	B．A job seeker.
C．A lab researcher.	D．An interviewer.

【推荐3】Who can be volunteering?

A Ugandan NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) was formed by members of a rural community in South-west Uganda in 2007. They developed a local school for children aging from 3 to 15 from poor families, and started community based projects that will equip the young villagers with the skills and knowledge to face a safer and brighter future.

The project itself is well integrated into the community and those undertaking volunteering work are always given a warm welcome, especially by the local children who love spending time with volunteers from all ages and backgrounds.

Volunteering at Uganda Lodge is suitable for families, gap year teenagers, seniors etc.

For medical students we can offer you official medical elective course scores with no additional fees charged. Staying at Uganda Lodge could also count for the residential section of the Gold Award and Queens Scout Awards.

What can I do?

You need to speak English. Even if you are not a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) teacher (although useful!), you can go into the classrooms and make a meaningful difference. Experienced teachers can take over a whole class if they wish, after consulting with the teacher on content.

We now have over 500 students in the Ruhanga Development School and they are in urgent need of teachers. English conversation is needed for the older children in particular, also showing picture books etc. or simply talking to babies helps inspire their mental and physical growth.

Children at our kindergartens and primary schools do love help from our volunteers to learn new rhymes and songs, talk about pictures in books or get inspirations with craftwork and painting.

Find out more about our programme:

Website: ugandalodge.com

Email: ann@ugandalodge.com

1. What is the main purpose of the passage?

A．To praise volunteers.	B．To raise money.
C．To seek help.	D．To introduce a school.

2. After the programme, optional course credits can be awarded to

A．medicine-major students	B．education-major students
C．IT-major students	D．English-major students

3. Who is most wanted at present according to the passage?

A．An American lady who cares about international sports events.

B．A British college student who loves to communicate with kids.

C．An Australian teenager who enjoys reading English books silently.

D．A Canadian white collar manager who does well in performing art.