【推荐1】My son Leon’s passion for surfing began at the age of 13. After school each day, he put on his wet suit, paddled out beyond the surf line and waited to be challenged by his companions.

One afternoon, the lifeguard reported over the phone to my husband Wilson that Leon’s eye was badly injured by his board. Wilson rushed him to the emergency room. He received 26 stitches(缝针) from the corner of his eye to the bridge of his nose.

I was on an airplane flying home. Wilson drove directly to the airport after they left the doctor’s office. He greeted me at the gate and told me Leon was waiting in the car. “Leon?” I questioned. I remember thinking the waves must have been terrible that day, “He’s been in an accident, but he’s going to be fine.”

A traveling working mother’s worst nightmare had come true. I ran to the car so fast that the heel of my shoe broke off. I swung open the door, and my son with the patched eye was leaning forward crying, “Oh, Ma, I’m so glad your’e home.” I cried in his arms telling him how awful I felt about not being with him. “It’s okay, Mom,” he comforted me, “You don’t know how to surf anyway.” “What?” I asked, confused by his logic. “I’ll be fine. The doctor says I can go back in the water in eight days.”

I wanted to tell him he wasn’t allowed to go near water again until he was 35, but instead I bit my tongue and prayed he would forget about surfing.

For the next seven days he kept pressing me to let him surf again. One day after I had repeated “No” to him for the 100th time, he beat me at my own game. “Mom, you taught us never to give up what we love.” I gave in.

Back then Leon was just a boy with a passion for surfing. Now he ranks among the top 25 professional surfers in the world.

1. What does the underlined part “he beat me at my own game” mean?

A．He decided to follow the author’s advice.

B．He persuaded the author with my common method.

C．He was upset about not being able to surf.

D．He felt like he’d experienced a nightmare.

2. What can we infer about the mom according to the passage?

A．She is a working mom who rarely supports her son’s hobby.

B．She immediately told her son to stop surfing after the accident.

C．She fell into grief when she saw her injured son.

D．She placed her son’s safety second to his dream.

3. Which of the following words can best describe Leon?

A．Strong-willed and creative.	B．Considerate and persistent.
C．Optimistic and reliable.	D．Responsible and sensitive.

【推荐2】This little South American penguin swims 5,000 miles to a beach in Brazil every year in order to be reunited( 团 聚 ) with the man who saved its life. It sounds like something out of a fairy tale, but it's true!

71-year-old retired fisherman Joao, who lives in an island village just outside Riode Janeiro, Brazil, found the small penguin lying on rocks at his local beach in 2011.The penguin was covered in oil and running out of time fast. Joao saved the penguin, naming it Din Din, cleaned the oil off its feathers and fed him a daily diet of fish to rebuild its strength. After a week of recovery, Joao tried to release the penguin back into the wild. “He stayed with me for 11 months and then, just after he changed his coat with new feathers, he disappeared," Joao recalled.

The little guy wasn’t gone long though and just a few months later, he was back at the same beach. He saw Joao fishing and followed him home, staying with him for the rest of that year. Amazingly, each year Din Din spends about eight months with Joao and is believed to spend the rest of the time breeding( 繁 殖 ) on the Patagonia coasts. It’s   thought that Din Din swims up to 5,000 miles to return to Joao. "I love the penguin like it's my own child and I believe the penguin loves me," Joao told Globo. "No one else is allowed to touch him. He pecks (啄) them if they do. He lies on my lap, lets me give him showers, and allows me to feed him."

Professor Krajewski, a biologist who interviewed the fisherman, told The Independent, "I have never seen anything like this before. I think the penguin believes Joao is part of his family and probably a penguin as well." When he sees him, he wags his tail like a dog. It’s lucky for Joao and Din Din, because it is illegal in Brazil to keep wild animals as pets.       Krajewski said,

“Professionals who work with animals try to avoid relationships like this so they can send the animals back into the wild. But in this single case the authorities(当局) allowed Din Din to stay with Joao because of his kindness.”

1. Every year Din Din swims a long distance to a beach in Brazil to .

A．avoid being killed	B．meet his rescuer
C．find a place to have babies	D．find much more fish

2. When Din Din was found in 2011, .

A．he was dying

B．he was running on the beach

C．he was resting on a rock

D．he was cleaning oil off his feathers

3. What makes Professor Krajewski surprised?

A．Din Din’s love toward Joao.	B．Joao keeps staying with Din Din.
C．Din Din’s swimming performance.	D．Joao considers Din Din his own child.

4. What can we learn about Joao from the passage?

A．He is not allowed to keep the penguin as a pet by the authorities.

B．He overprotects the penguin by keeping him away from others.

C．His contact with the penguin is encouraged by professionals.

D．His kindness wins the penguin's trust.

【推荐3】A well-dressed man came to a famous jewelry shop. He explained that he wished to buy a pearl for his wife’s birthday. The price didn’t matter, since business had been very good for him that year. After examining a nice black one that cost $ 5,000, he paid for the pearl in cash, shook hands with the jeweler and left.

A few days later the man returned and said that his wife liked the pearl so much that she wanted another one just like it. It had to be exactly the same size and quality, because she wanted a pair of earrings made. “Could you give me any advice on how to get such a pearl?” said the man. The jeweler regretfully replied, “I would say it’s exactly impossible to find one exactly like that pearl.”

The rich man insisted that the jeweler advertise in the newspapers, offering $ 25,000 for the matching pearl. Many people answered the advertisement but nobody had a pearl that was just right.

Just when the jeweler had given up hope, a little old lady came into his store. To his great surprise, she pulled the perfect pearl from her purse. “I don’t like to part with it,” she said sadly, “I got it from my mother, and my mother from hers. But I really need the money.”

The jeweler was quick to pay her before she changed her mind. Then he called the rich man’s hotel to tell him the good news. The man, however, was nowhere to be found.

1. The man paid $ 5,000 for the black pearl without bargaining because        .

A．he loved his wife deeply

B．his business had been successful

C．he wanted to make the jeweler believe him

D．he was anxious to get it

2. The man told the jeweler to get him another pearl that must be        .

A．exactly the same size as the black one

B．exactly as large and nice as the black one

C．exactly as expensive as the black one

D．exactly the same quality as the black one

3. Many people answered the advertisement because they wanted          .

A．to sell their own pearl at a price

B．to help the rich man’s wife

C．to get in touch with the rich man

D．to see the perfect pearl

4. The little old lady was probably        .

A．the man’s partner	B．short of money
C．unwilling to sell the pearl	D．the man’s wife

【推荐1】“Aw, isn't it cute?”
That, right there, is the officially accepted response to any animal contact（接触） the world over. Animals are cute. They're there to be photographed, loved, and occasionally fed. But you know what? Not all animals are cute, or lovely, or even nice. Some of them are a real pain in the neck.
When you travel, you come into contact with all sorts of animals you’ve never heard of before. Some of them are amazing creatures that you'll talk about for the rest of your life. Some of them are just annoying. So, at the risk of causing anger among animal lovers around the world, here are some of the world's most annoying animals.
Vervet monkeys, South Africa
You'll immediately notice two things about Vervet monkeys: they have a bright blue bottom; and they'll steal any food that's not locked in a bank safe. I recently spent some time in South Africa, and watched as monkey after monkey dived in from the trees and stole everyone's food. Get your own food, Vervets! My sandwich was expensive!!
Kea parrots, New Zealand
I have never seen one of these birds before but from what I've been told they are more annoying than a spoilt kid. From biting the paint off your car doors to stealing people's passports, Keas are probably the most curious, and therefore annoying, animals in the world. And they're New Zealanders. That makes sense!
Kangaroos, Australia
Another well-known food-stealer, kangaroos are loved by tourists, eaten by Australians, and generally enjoy making trouble for others. Go on a camping trip anywhere in Australia, and watch how long your bags of food last. Turn your back for 15 minutes and the camp will look like thieves have turned the place upside down.
Grizzly bears, USA
They look pretty cute, grizzly bears. You almost want to go up and give them a hug. Unfortunately, it wouldn't end well. In fact, one of the world's most huggable creatures is also the one most likely to kill you just because it can. Oh, and it'll steal your picnic basket, too.
1. The author uses the underlined expression “pain in the neck” to suggest .

A．these animals may bite you on the neck

B．these animals can cause people a lot of trouble

C．people should be fearful of these animals

D．these animals may cause some serious illness

2. Which of the animals is the most dangerous according to the writer?

A．Vervet monkeys.	B．Grizzly Bears.
C．Kangaroos.	D．Kea Parrots.

3. Which of the following is not correct according to the passage?

A．When people see the cute animals they might take photographs of them.

B．Sometimes people will feed the cute animals.

C．Australians eat kangaroos.

D．Spoilt kids are not annoying at all.

【推荐2】A group of wandering wild elephants have become an overnight Internet sensation in China and globally.

While the original group is made up of 16 elephants, two decided to return home after a week. The rest have continued their journey northward, stopping only for a short break in November 2020 to allow a newly-born elephant and its mother to recover.

Since leaving the reserve, the elephants have walked over 500 kilometers. Along the way, they have entered farms for food and water, walked through urban streets, and even paid a visit to a car dealership and a retirement home. No animals or people have been hurt. However, they have destroyed more than $1 million worth of crops.

Researchers are not sure why the elephants decided to leave or where they are headed. While they are known to leave their habitats in search of food, this is the longest migration of wild elephants recorded in China. Because of the extreme distance traveled, some guess that the elephants may be lost. Elephant expert Chen Mingyong said that the herd's leader possibly "lacks experience and has led the whole group off track."

However, other scientists think the elephants were forced to move due to deforestation（砍伐森林）, Successful conservation efforts have almost doubled the elephant population in the Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve and the surrounding regions. However, their natural habitat has been greatly reduced to make room for agricultural development.

"As their populations increase, they search for more food for the growing herd," Becky Shu Chen said. "You could say that the increase in agricultural land and plantations in their region is, for elephants, like finding a big sweet shop, right on their doorstep.”

The wandering herd's search for a suitable home has not gone unnoticed by the millions of locals That eagerly follow their daily movements on social media. Adam Chang, assigned to deliver food to the elephants, says, "Before this meeting, I just felt curious about animals. Now. I think I would volunteer in animal rights groups to preserve those giant creatures."

1. Why did the wild elephants stop temporarily in November 2020?

A．To look for food and water at a farm.	B．To enjoy the beauty of the urban streets.
C．To have a rest after travelling over 500 kilometers.	D．To wait for a baby elephant and its mom to recover.

2. What causes the elephants to migrate according to Mr Chen?

A．The reduction of their habitats.	B．The loss of direction sense.
C．The poor conversation measures.	D．The development of agriculture.

3. What can we infer from the last paragraph about the wandering elephants?

A．They are helped by locals to find a suitable home.	B．They are annoyed by being followed each day.
C．They raise people's awareness of animal protection.	D．They have the rights to move around freely.

4. What is the best title of the text?

A．China's Wild Elephants Are Always on the Move	B．China's Wild Elephants Are Touring Through Cities
C．China's Wandering Wild Elephants Attract the World	D．China's Wandering Elephants Are Losing Their Way

【推荐3】Directions: Read the passage carefully. Fill in each blank with a proper sentence given in the box. Each sentence can be used only once. Note that there are two more sentences than you need.

Losing Touch with Nature May Make You Sick

For something that’s not actually a recognized medical condition, Nature-Deficit Disorder (NDD) has gotten a lot of attention since it was first coined in 2005. Writer Richard Louv came up with the term in his book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.     1     Louv explained that children who play outside often are less likely to become ill, stressed, or aggressive compared to those who watch a lot of television and spend most of their free time indoors. Indeed, studies appear to back up that claim by noting that children who spend a significant amount of time outdoors tend to have better mental and physical health.     2     Nevertheless, they may be worsened by staying inside watching TV, playing video games, or being glued to a smartphone. What’s more, research also suggests that getting a nature fix can help boost the immune system.

According to Louv, the effects of NDD can be lessened or even reversed by making sure parents encourage their kids to enjoy playing outdoors as much as they can.     3     Rather, they should lead by example, spending time with them in the park, at the beach, camping, and doing other activities, Louv said. He added that children learn many important and practical skills while interacting with nature, like risk-taking, independence, and decision-making.     4    

A．However, mothers and fathers shouldn’t force their kids to go outside or use it as a type of punishment.

B．In turn, this aids in the development of confidence and overall good health.

C．Recent studies focus not so much on what is lost when nature experience fades, but on what is gained through more exposure to natural settings

D．He acknowledges that NDD is mostly a metaphor for a lifestyle lacking in contact with nature.

E．Schools that use outdoor classrooms and other forms of experiential education produce significant student gains in science, language and math.

F．Experts believe that problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (注意力缺乏多动症) can be relieved through contact with nature.

【推荐2】I once had a student who got his finger stuck inside a test tube in science class. It was really quite stuck. I knew something was up when I saw about 12 different shoulders around the room shaking as they heroically tried to hold back their laughter. This young man’s finger continued to get whiter and whiter right before my eyes.

Remaining calm, I suggested he carefully rotate (旋转) the tube. It wouldn’t move a bit. He tried soap and cold water. Still stuck. Meanwhile chaos was breaking out in my class, as my lesson became completely derailed. Finally, I sent this young man to the secretary, who raised six children of her own. With her in charge, I was completely confident all would be OK.

Forgetting about the lesson of the day, I masterfully got the students back in some degree of order by sharing my own story of getting my knee stuck between the rails of a balcony. Same kind of curiosity, I remembered wondering at the time how far I could thrust (塞) my knee between the rails. Inch by inch, I kept pushing and before I knew it, my knee was stuck swelling right before my eyes and in front of lots of strangers at a popular Las Vegas hotel!

Many of the students listening to my story of humiliation (丢脸) shot up their hands eager to tell their own stories of heads, arms, fingers stuck in places they shouldn’t be. The laughter was refreshing while we waited for the finger tube boy to return. We returned to the science lesson on “total internal reflection” carefully now to use the equipment properly.

A few minutes later, the young man came back with a grin ear to ear, test tube unbroken and finger returning to a lovely shade of pink. I just couldn’t get mad at this kid. He’s only twelve after all. I too got my knee unstuck, but not without a tremendous amount of embarrassment. The excuse for me, however, was not youth but sheer stupidity. I was after all 51 years old when this happened.

1. What do we know about the other students when they saw the boy getting stuck?

A．They were curious about it.	B．They thought it was funny.
C．They pretended to be calm.	D．They were frightened.

2. Which is closest in meaning to the underlined word “derailed” in paragraph 2?

A．Out of control.	B．In order.
C．Beyond reach.	D．In charge.

3. Why did the author mention her own experience at a hotel?

A．She tried to distract her students from the accident.

B．She hoped to teach her students the lesson of the day.

C．She wanted to inspire her students’ curiosity.

D．She intended to show how she got unstuck from the rails.

4. What did the author think of the boy?

A．He was to blame for the accident.

B．He was too young to get his finger stuck.

C．He had good reason to make the mistake.

D．He was responsible for his stupid behavior.

【推荐3】In 1969, watching the landing of Apollo 11 on the Moon on TV from his parents’ farm in Canada, Chris Hadfield was amazed and excited. On that day, at only nine years old, Chris made the most important decision of his life: He was going to be an astronaut.

There wasn’t even a training program in Canada to become an astronaut; but Chris was determined. He spent a great deal of time studying and fixing engines. After school he joined the Canadian army where he learned to fly many different types of planes. Chris did a lot of research for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States and had special training. Finally, in 1995 he rode his first rocket into space.

Chris became the first Canadian astronaut to walk in spare, and went on a number of space missions throughout his career. The most memorable was his five-month stay on the International Space Station (ISS) as commander, between December 2012 and May 2013.He posted on social media thousands of photos of Earth and videos of himself explaining how things work in zero gravity. His followers could watch him sleeping, brushing his teeth, washing his hands, or preparing “space” snacks in zero gravity, which turned him into a social media phenomenon.

Today, Chris travels the world giving talks about his work. He once said, “Decide in your heart of hearts what really excites and challenges you, and start moving your life in that direction. Every decision you make, from what you eat to what you do with your time tonight, turns you into who you are tomorrow. Look at who you want to be, and start sculpting yourself into that person. You may not get exactly where you thought you’d be, but you will be doing things that suit you in a profession you believe in. Don’t let life randomly kick you into the adult you don’t want to become.”

1. What led Chris to make up his mind to be an astronaut?

A．The life on his parents’ farm.	B．His ability to fly various planes.
C．Apollo 11’s landing on the Moon.	D．His passion for studying engines.

2. What made Chris popular in the media?

A．The space tasks he conducted in his life.

B．The pictures and videos he posted online.

C．His inspiring talks about his work around the world.

D．His great contributions to Canada’s space industry.

3. What can we learn from Chris’ words in the last paragraph?

A．Courage is what it takes to overcome difficulties.

B．Opportunities go hand in hand with challenges.

C．From small beginnings come treat endings.

D．The key to success lies in the firm aim.

4. Which of the following best describes Chris?

A．Strong-willed and hardworking.	B．Honest and outgoing.
C．Optimistic and responsible.	D．Smart and knowledgeable.

【推荐1】I am in my 40s,but today I look more like a teenage girl. Not because I'm wearing the   latest fashion or having a wild hair day. It's because I have a pimple(青春痘) that looks like a volcano getting ready to erupt on my chin.

“Mom, what is that?” my 8-year-old daughter Lucy exclaimed, pointing at the ugly bump on my face.

My in-laws were visiting and brought me a box of chocolates-one of my favorite foods. Eating properly seemed like a good idea until I was alone with that box of chocolates! I enjoyed them greatly, and my pimple proved my enthusiasm clearly.

Food can be a large block for me. Broccoli(西蓝花)seldom appeals to me, but baked goods with sugar or crispy chips certainly do. I have no problem dipping a large spoon into a jar of peanut butter or frosting to satisfy my desires. But you won't catch me tasting a   spoonful of cottage cheese for a late-night snack.

Please don't misunderstand me. There is certainly a place for celebration foods such as cake and ice cream. But a regular serving of daily junk food robs me of the nutrition offered in the foods I eat.

I know I feel better after eating an apple than I do after eating a candy bar. It's so easy in   our society to eat processed food out of boxes, bags, and at the drive-thru. But that ease comes at a cost: We suffer physically. Our taste buds may be very, lack nutrition, which opens the door to diseases, I'm trying to ask myself a few questions before reaching for a snack or making a meal: Is this really food?        

Is there something God made in it? Am I really hungry? Will I feel satisfied, but our bodies better after eating this?

1. What made the author feel she looked like a teenage girl?

A．Her wild hair.	B．Her ugly face.
C．Her facial features.	D．Her fashionable clothes.

2. What can be inferred from Paragraph 3?

A．The author eats chocolates as food.

B．Chocolates may cause her pimples.

C．The author's parents-in-law often visit her.

D．The author eats chocolates to cure pimples.

3. What do you think of the author's eating habit?

A．It lacks protein.	B．It isn't delicious.
C．It makes her healthy.	D．It isn't a balanced diet.

4. What is the author's attitude towards processed food?

A．Favorable.	B．Optimistic.
C．Positive.	D．Critical.

【推荐2】Open Books Writing Competition

——Sponsored by Dolores McArdle Reading Trust

Goal:

To encourage and reward creative writing while at home during social distancing, reinforcing the idea that everyone has story to tell, and to cultivate a mindset of valuing the community.

Open to:

All students who are in the 3rd —12th grade in the Chicago area.

Age Groups:

Group 1: 3rd—5th; Group 2: 6^th—8th; Group 3: 9th—12th.

Prizes:

First prize: $ 1000 (One winner from each age group).

Second prize: $200 (Three winners from each age group).

Furthermore, all works of winners will be published in a short story anthology. Each winner will get a free copy of the anthology, which will also be sold in our Open Books West Loop book-store.

Subjects and Formats:

Submissions should be on the topic of the community and can be any genre(体裁) —creative fiction, personal narrative, poetry, etc.

Some ideas to get you started: write about a character that experiences the importance of the community. What does the community mean to you? Who is a hero in your community and why?

Maximum length: 2500 words (about 10 pages); no minimum length.

Timeline:

Submissions will be closed on May 31.

Judging will take place in June.

Winners will be announced at the end of June.

Prizes will be awarded in August.

Other Details:

By submitting your writing, you acknowledge that your work may be published by Open Books. All questions can be directed to writingcontest@ open-books. org.

1. What is the purpose of this writing competition?

A．To encourage students to publish their own books.

B．To select the most talented student in the Chicago area.

C．To inspire writing and draw attention to the community.

D．To improve students' writing skills and broaden their horizons.

2. How many candidates have the chance to publish their works?

A．3.

B．6

C．9.

D．12.

3. When will winners probably be announced?

A．On May 31.

B．On June 30.

C．On July 16.

D．On August 15.

【推荐3】Growing up in Venezuela, there was never really much cause to learn English.

For years I knew nothing past “hello,” until I started high school. For five years, I spent two hours a week immersed in understanding the verb “to be”, numbers, colors, and the difference between saying “good evening” and “good night”.

I thought two hours a week was enough time to invest in learning a foreign language. I would always get top marks, and my teachers would regularly praise me.

Even as an adult, I still thought I spoke the language, just by understanding English menus or translating common phrases.

Yep, that used to be me, walking like a queen among everyday Spanish speakers.

“Bring it on, life,” I said.

“I can handle whatever you’ve got; I’m a rock star.” But when I moved to Canada, life hit me so hard that it knocked me down. Years later, I am still recovering.

Living in a new land, with different people, new rules, new weather, a new culture and language, I was no longer a queen.

Did I speak English?

No, not at all.

So, I went back to school, thinking that it was a challenge I would conquer in record time. But the reality was different. English was more like a solid wall in my path.

Even after getting a job, it took all my courage to stop myself from hiding in the washroom during my lunch break, crying, completely overwhelmed (不知所措的) and scared.

Learning English, speaking, listening – it hurt me. Not the language. Not the unkind people, it hurt because I wasn’t good, despite my efforts.

Now, after almost seven years in Canada, I’ve decided not to apologize for my accent, grammar mistakes, or pronunciation. I’m going to chase my dreams and enjoy a beautiful, rich, and fascinating language without being ashamed.

Don’t get me wrong, my brain still screams “Give me a break!” from time to time, but that’s completely natural.

I know it’s going to take a while, but at least now I accept the person I am – not the perfect person I thought I was.

1. What do we learn about learning English in Venezuela?

A．Everyone invested a lot of time in it.

B．It could bring a lot of benefits to students.

C．Its standard was very high in high school.

D．It didn’t require much effort.

2. What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 6 show about the author?

A．She was proud of her command of foreign languages.

B．She felt confident enough to face any challenge.

C．She delighted in all kinds of competition.

D．She looked down on others.

3. What happened after the author moved to Canada?

A．She expected to improve her English easily.

B．She regretted not working hard in English.

C．She quickly put her language talent to use.

D．She adjusted to the new environment rapidly.

4. What can we infer from the last three paragraphs?

A．The author now can pass as a native speaker.

B．The author has conquered English eventually.

C．The author has a realistic understanding of herself.

D．The author is frustrated with her English.