【推荐1】I realized something this morning. I have been writing now for 34 years. It all started when I was just 18 years old. As a boy I had read literally(毫不夸张地）hundreds of books. I had a thirst for knowledge that seemingly could never fade. Then suddenly I found I had something I wanted to share. I tried to ignore it, but as any writer will tell you once the ideas awaken inside of you they won't leave you alone until you write them down. I didn't have a computer, word processor, or even a typewriter. Still, I grabbed a pen and lined notebook paper and wrote everything that was burning inside of me.

When I was done I didn't know how to share it. There was no internet back then, no smart phones, and no social media. I sought out the editor of my local county newspaper and asked him to print what I had written. He was a good man full of both wisdom and kindness. He not only printed my first story but agreed to publish anything else I was willing to write. I continued to write new articles each week and shared them first with other local papers and later online as well. Years later at the urging of my readers I even self-published two collections of my stories in book form.

Through my writing I slowly became more than I was. In my writings I encountered my highest self. In my writings I discovered the goodness and light that lies in us all. In my writings I found great love and joy and encouraged others to choose love and joy as well. I also found that we all are writers whether we put pen to paper or not. With every choice we make, with every thought we hold, and with everything we do we are writing our own life story.

Lance Wubbels once wrote: "I hope you realize your life is truly your life. It belongs to you. It is your story to write with love. Day by day, line by line, write it well."

1. As a boy, when the author found he had something to share, ________.

A．he wrote it down

B．he ignored it

C．he shared it on social media

D．he told it to a writer

2. How did the author begin his writing career?

A．He was hired as a newspaper editor.

B．He put his stories online by himself.

C．He self-published two books.

D．He was helped by a local newspaper editor.

3. What does the author think of writing?

A．Writing takes practice and efforts.

B．Writing can benefit oneself and others.

C．Writing helps people tell right from wrong.

D．Only with a pen can one write his life story.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．A Way to be a Writer

B．A Way to Share Ideas

C．Living is Writing

D．Writing is the Source of Love

【推荐2】If you and I met at a party, you would probably ask me what I do for a living, what town I live in — the kind of questions that would help you to build a picture of who I am. I might ask the same of you, but I probably wouldn't be listening. It's more likely I'd be looking at the label on your jeans, glancing at your shoes, and eyeing up your mobile phone. These are the things that really tell me who you are. In fact, I sincerely hope you would notice the same things about me. Well, that's the way it was a year ago.

I began to behave like this at a very early age. I remember the first day of junior school, standing alone in the playground, desperately wanting to make friends. I headed straight for what seemed to be the most promising group of boys. They were talking to girls, trading football cards, eating green sweets — all the things I wanted to do. As I attempted to talk with them, one boy asked me, “Do you support Manchester United Football Club?” Another asked, “Are you into Michael Jackson?” I answered yes to them all, even though the truthful answer was no.

Things seemed to be going well until one of the boys caught sight of my trainers. I'd never thought too much about them before. They were just plain blue sports shoes that Mum had bought, for playing in the back garden. At once, the group laughed very loudly, “Where did you get those from? A charitable organization?”

Looking at the boys in bewilderment (疑惑), I noticed for the first time that they all had similar shapes on the sides of their trainers, like the ones on footballers' boots on television. It wasn't just their shoes: crocodiles, eagles and tigers sat on the breasts of their T-shirts, and every single boy seemed to have the same school bag, a blue plastic bag with a leaping puma in silver on the side. I walked away quietly, depressed. From that day on, I was determined to be like them, if not more so.

1. What was the author like one year ago?

A．He was very interested in figure paintings.

B．He used to judge others by their appearances.

C．He was crazy about holding different parties.

D．He had some difficulty communicating with others.

2. How did the author react when asked about his favorite football team?

A．He replied proudly.	B．He kept silent.
C．He told a lie.	D．He refused to answer.

3. Why did the group suddenly burst out laughing?

A．Because they looked down upon the author.

B．Because they were attracted by the author.

C．Because they welcomed the author warmly.

D．Because they played a joke on the author.

4. After the first day of junior school, the author began to _____.

A．be addicted to television

B．concern himself with animals

C．follow famous football players

D．spend more money on branded goods

【推荐3】Professional photographer John Cannici, 35, and his wife Nikki Cannici, 34, of Massachusetts are parents to not just one, but two sets of adorable twins.

On Feb. 5, John of West on Jade Photography, decided to turn the camera on his own family—and the results are beyond precious. “The reaction to our photo was completely unexpected, and we are amazed to see it shared across the world,” John tells People. “we think it is the complete joy and connection you see between kids in the photo that made it go viral,” he continues. “Whatever it is, it is great to see our photo shared days that shows nothing but love.”

John and Nikki, who have been married for over 10 years, welcome twins Nico and Siena via IVF (in vitro fertilization) using two embryos in 2014. And they were surprised when they learned Nikki was pregnant with twins again last year as just one embryo had been transferred during the second IVF attempt, John says. Identical sisters Gia and Gemma were born on Jan. 26.

While the first photo shows the older twins holding hands and all smiles, John couldn’t help himself in sharing a second shot of the twins. He also shared a gorgeous shot of wife Nikki while she was pregnant. “She is beautiful,” says John.

The prond father says he hopes his photo will shine a positive light on nanism（侏儒症）families. “There is nothing more important out of any this exposure than serving as a positive example for the nanism community,” John says. “I feel it is important for us to show our struggles, to show what we’ve fought fpr so many year for, and to now show our accomplishment.”

1. What does the underlined part “go viral” in Paragraph 2 mean most probably?

A．Move easily.

B．Look attractive.

C．Spread quickly.

D．Sound interesting.

2. John shared the photo of his children with the intention of _________.

A．sharing his happiness with nanism people

B．setting a good example to nanism families

C．showing his lovely children to nanism community

D．autumn colors bring great destruction to the leaves

3. What can we infer from the text?

A．The photo of the first twins isn’t popular.

B．The names of the first twins are Gia and Gemma.

C．John and Nikki have known each other for ten years.

D．John and Nikki have experienced lots of difficulties.

4. What may be the best title for the text?

A．Double the fun

B．Two lovely twins

C．One happy couple

D．Acknowledge nanism

【推荐1】Mr Brown was going away for a week. Before he left, he said to his son, “if anyone asks for me, you can tell him that your father has been out for doing something, and will be back in a week, then be sure to ask him to sit down for a cup of tea.”

“OK, Dad,” said his son. But he was afraid his son couldn't remember this, he wrote these words down on a piece of paper and gave it to him. His son put it into his small pocket, took it out and looked at it every now and then.

Four days passed, but no one came to see his father. The boy thought that there was no man to come and that the piece of paper was of no more use for him, so he burnt it that evening.

The next afternoon, someone knocked at the door. The boy opened it. A man was standing at the door and said, “Where is your father?” The boy put his hand into his pocket at once and looked for the piece of paper. He could not find it. He suddenly remembered he had burnt it, so he shouted, “No more.”

The man was very surprised. He asked, “No more? I met your father last week. When did it happen?”

“Burnt yesterday evening.”

1. Before Mr. Brown left, what did he say to his son?

A．Drink a cup of tea every day

B．Don’t let anyone come into the house.

C．If there is a visitor, tell him that Mr. Brown is away.

D．Write something everyday on the paper.

2. A man came to visit the boy's father on ________.

A．the second day

B．the third day

C．the fourth day

D．the fifth day

3. The man was very surprised because _________.

A．he thought the child's father was dead

B．the child didn't ask him to sit down

C．the child gave him a cup of tea

D．he couldn't find that piece of paper

4. What was burnt? ___________.

A．The piece of paper

B．Mr Smith

C．The visitor

D．The boy

【推荐2】In 2020, fresh out of high school, I had difficulty in choosing a major before college. With only two options left, I was in deep trouble. My uncle, an influential person in the family, suggested that I should do a work placement (实习) to gain experience for a month in a bank followed by a month in a hospital so that I could make a decision. It seemed like a brilliant idea.

Near the end of my month at the hospital, I began thinking about my two experiences. The bank had offered a more relaxing atmosphere, better working hours and less stress. While hospital was full of excitement, the training was challenging. It seemed that the bank was going to win out.

Then one day when I was driving home from the hospital, I witnessed a terrible accident. Two cars crashed, causing a boy lying motionless in the middle of the road. People gathered around him but no one could really help. As a matter of fact, I wanted to keep going and ignored it, but the urge to stop and help was stronger. I got out of my car and tried to stop his bleeding but didn’t succeed. With the help of some bystanders, I lifted his unconscious body into the back seat of my car, and rushed him to the hospital.

The next day, the doctor introduced me as “the person who saved your son’s life” to the boy’s parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Everyone got up, with grateful smiles on their faces. The boy, now managed a smile though unable to speak.

What a feeling it was to help save the life of another person! I spent the rest of the day in a state of excitement. Driving home that evening, I knew what I would prefer for the rest of my life.

1. What can we know about the writer from the first two paragraphs?

A．The writer didn’t adopt his uncle’s advice.

B．The writer had trouble in choosing a college.

C．The writer was at a loss what major to choose in the college.

D．The writer thought being a doctor was better after two experiences.

2. Which of the following is right according to the passage?

A．The injured boy lost his life on the spot.

B．The writer saved the boy without hesitation.

C．The writer managed to stop the boy’s bleeding.

D．The boy’s relatives appreciated the writer’s help.

3. From the end of the story, what can we know?

A．The writer would be a medical student.

B．The writer regretted what he had done.

C．The writer decided to work in a bank.

D．The writer still had no idea what major to choose.

4. What does the writer want to convey through his story?

A．No pains, no gains.	B．Follow your heart and just do it.
C．Failure is the mother of success.	D．Where there is a will, there is a way.

【推荐3】George Bernard Shaw, the greatest and funniest British dramatist of the first half of the 20^th century, was born in Dublin, Ireland on July 26^th, 1856. His early life was not happy. His father was a

Selfish man who drank too much and could not support his family properly. His mother was a disappointed, unhappy woman who found more pleasure in studying music than in her children. Shaw and his two sisters received little love and attention from their mother while they were young. At the age of ten Shaw entered school. At first he was the best student, but soon he was at or near the bottom of his class.

Although he did not like school, Shaw was a good, bright, curious student. His lifelong interest in everything from music and art to machines and medicine began at school. The interests of this tireless schoolboy were literature and music. He often entertained his classmates with stories he read.

Early at the age of fifteen, he went to work in an office. He did well as an office clerk, but after five years he decided that he wanted to be a writer. He left Ireland and went to London, where he began to write seriously. Seventy-four years later the great dramatist died.

1. What’s the main idea of this passage?

A．It’s a story about George Bernard Shaw	B．It refers to George Shaw’s mother.
C．George Bernard Shaw was telling his schooling.	D．The remark is connected with all the dramatists in Britain.

2. What does the underlined word “selfish” in the first paragraph mean?

A．Impossible

B．Reasonable

C．Remarkable

D．Irresponsible

3. Shaw grew up____.

A．without his parent’s love	B．in the school.
C．with his sisters’ help	D．in a hungry family.

4. Shaw’s mother____, so she took an interest in music.

A．had little knowledge	B．was disappointed with her husband
C．couldn’t look after her children	D．hoped to be an actress.

【推荐1】“Let’s go to grandpa’s room and see if it still smells funny,” said Tommy.

“Last time it smelled like cheese...” replied Lil.

Sure, these lines from “Rugrats”, a cartoon senies that aired in the 1990s, were meant to be funny. But they also may have a basis in real life, relating to the widely held view that the elderly send out a particular and easily recognizable body odor (气味).

The smell has been described as unpleasant, or simply “old person”. In one study, Japanese researchers traced the odor to a chemical compound (化合物) called 2-nonenal. The compound is a byproduct of other chemical breakdowns and sends out a “greasy” or “grassy” odor as the molecules (分子) exit the skin and are released into the air. Researchers discovered that 2-nonenal was the only odor compound whose presence became stronger with age.

In the study, in which 22 people aged between 26 and 75 were asked to wear odor-collecting shirts to bed, researchers analyzed molecules that stuck to the cloth. The amount of 2-nonenal was three times as much in the oldest subjects as it was in the middle-aged group. The youngest members of the study produced the least amount of 2-nonenal. Researchers assume the increase in 2-nonenal may have a lot to do with the breakdown of omega-7 unsaturated fatty acids (不饱和脂肪酸), because these molecules were also present in the shirts worn by the study’s oldest subjects.

Although the biological purpose behind “old person” smell is still unclear, some researchers believe it’s connected to a built-in age-detecting feature possessed by humans and animals. For instance, some animals can distinguish between older and younger animals by smell alone, and some animals are driven to mate with older animals. It’s possible that the capability to tell the smell of older animals meant that long-term survivors were revealed and these survivors had a genetic (基因的) advantage that boosted their chances of survival. In truth, the scent called “old person” smell could be an advertisement for better genetic quality. It gives a whole new meaning to the term “silver fox”.

1. Why does the author use the lines from Rugrats?

A．To amuse readers.	B．To introduce the issue.
C．To recommend a TV series.	D．To analyze a phenomenon.

2. What did the Japanese researchers find in the study?

A．2-nonenal is on the rise with age.

B．Omega-7 gives out a “greasy” or “grassy” odor.

C．The youngest subjects produce the most amount of 2-nonenal.

D．The rise in 2-nonenal has little to do with the breakdown of omega-7.

3. What is the new meaning given to the term “silver fox”?

A．Old and smelly.	B．Greasy and grassy.
C．Better and advantageous.	D．Clever and knowledgeable.

4. What is the purpose of this text?

A．To advocate respecting the elderly.

B．To explain the causes of old people’s body odor.

C．To prove the advantages of “old person” smell.

D．To clarify the biological purpose behind “old person” smell.

【推荐2】I found my email address was sold online, so now instead of just getting letters from the few charities(慈善机构) I can afford to support, I am also getting letters from a dozen other charities asking for my help. One of my more cynical(愤世嫉俗的) friends talked a lot about the old saying, “No good deed ever goes unpunished.” I just smiled and didn't argue knowing it wouldn't change his mind. My own mind, however, was remembering another moment from many years ago.

It was a windy, snowy day in December. I was a young dad who had saved just enough cash to buy my children a few presents for Christmas. As I walked to the store I saw the Salvation Army kettle with a man ringing a bell standing beside it. Next to him was his daughter, a little girl no more than three feet tall, got together against the biting cold. I took a one -dollar bill out of my wallet and dropped it into the kettle. As the man was thanking me, though, I felt pressure on my legs. I looked down and saw that the little girl was giving me her own thank you hug. I smiled down at her, bent down and hugged her back. Then I went inside feeling the warmth that no winter wind could ever take away.

Thinking back to that moment in time reminded me that no good deed ever goes unrewarded(无回报的). We may not always get a heartfelt hug but in time every act of giving, every act of kindness, and every act of love that we make flows from heart to heart and soul to soul, around the world and back to us again.

No good deed is ever wasted. Don't let this sometimes cynical world get you down then. Share your love today! Give from your heart. Fill your life with acts of kindness.

1. Why did the author receive a lot of letters?

A．His mailbox was made public.	B．He had a good many friends.
C．Many charities had his mailing address.	D．He let out his personal information.

2. For what purpose did the author go out on a windy, snowy day?

A．To buy presents.	B．To ask for help.
C．To raise money for the poor.	D．To give the passers-by warmth.

3. What does the author really want to say in Paragraph 3?

A．A good deed is never lost.	B．A little help is worth a deal of pity.
C．No good deed ever goes unpunished.	D．Treat others as you want to be treated.

4. Which of the following can best describe the author?

A．Considerate.

B．Brave.

C．Helpful.

D．Thankful.

【推荐3】One picture in the Wonder Book of knowledge I had as a little boy showed a man reading a book while floating in the Dead Sea. What a miracle! How would it feel to lie back in water so thick with salt that it was impossible to sink?

Fed by the Jordan River and smaller streams, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on the earth’s surface, and its water is ten times saltier than the Mediterranean. With evaporation its only outlet, salt and other minerals become super-concentrated.

Earlier this year, I drove down the long, steep hill to realize my dream. The shoreline was a broad area of bare salt-mud, but the water edge was far out of sight. Had somebody pulled the Dead Sea’s plug? I wondered. Eli Dior, an Israeli official, explained the problem: “The Dead Sea is drying up. Every year, the surface drops about one meter, and as the water level falls, shadow areas are left high and dry.”

Over the last half-century, the five neighboring countries have collectively diverted nearly all the water flowing into the Dead Sea to meet human and agriculture needs. Result: the Dead Sea is being emptied.

With population in the region set to double at least in the next 50 years, there is little hope of restoring the water being diverted for human consumption. No country has a drop to spare for the Dead Sea, where they know it will just evaporate. To dream of opening the dams and restoring natural balance is plainly unrealistic.

Yet one ambitious high-tech dream may turn out to be not only the salvation of the Dead Sea but also a ticket to peace around its shores. The “Red-Dead” is a proposed $5 billion project to bring sea water some 240 kilometers by pipeline and canal from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea. The Red-Dead may be the only solution, but even if the project is carried out successfully, the Dead Sea will be 10 to 20 meters lower than now and two thirds of its current size.

Whatever the future holds, the Dead Sea’s magical mix of sun, mud, sea and salt will surely survive. Many might complain that the Dead Sea is half empty—but for me the Dead sea will always be half full.

1. What’s the passage mainly about?

A．Dead Sea – miracle of the world.

B．Save the environment of the Dead Sea.

C．Slow shrinking of the Dead Sea.

D．Why is the Dead Sea so salty.

2. The shrinking of the Dead Sea is mainly caused by ________ according to the passage.

A．a severe reduction of the water flowing into the sea

B．rapid evaporation of the water in the Dead Sea area

C．the increasing quantity of water drawn from the sea

D．very low annual rainfall in the Dead Sea Area

3. Which of the following is right according to the passage?

A．With no outlet to any ocean, the Dead Sea has become by evaporation most dense waters on earth.

B．Though burdened with the growing population, the neighboring countries haven’t cut off the sources of the Dead Sea.

C．All the countries in the area will consider diverting less water from the Jordan River.

D．The Red-Dead Project has not only brought water to the Dead Sea, but peace to the area as well.

4. Which of the following statements will the author approve of?

A．If the Dead Sea dried up, great natural disasters would happen in the region.

B．The Dead Sea will not survive no matter what people do to save it.

C．The five neighboring countries should stop diverting water from the Jordan River.

D．Though the Dead Sea is shrinking gradually, it will not die.

【推荐2】So you think that by staying at home you are safe from all the terrible kinds of pollution present outdoors? Recent research done at the University of Texas has shown that staying indoors may actually be more harmful to one’s health than being outdoors in smoggy cities.

The research shows that chemicals added to our local water supply to kill harmful bacteria can have unwanted side effects. These chemicals can cause potential harm through drinking and in such seemingly harmless activities as cleaning one’s house. These additives are released from water by daily actions like water running out of taps, spraying from garden hoses, or splashing in dishwashers and washing machines. As the water is agitated (搅动), these chemicals are released into the air and then breathed in. Once inside our bodies, they start to affect our health harmfully.

Does this mean we should stop bathing? No, say the scientists, but we should put all pollution into perspective. Activities at home such as the burning of candles and incense release a lot of things which have been proven as harmful to health as working or living near high density traffic. New rugs, bedding, and even clothing give off that “new smell”, which is a sure sign of chemicals. In the office, newly-applied paint, newly-purchased telephones and other telecommunications equipment, and computers and their peripheral (外部设备) release polluting chemicals, too. As offices and homes often have inadequate ventilation (空气流通), these chemicals can build up to become health trouble. Their toxic effects are only now being slowly recognized.

These facts suggest that, at a minimum, proper airing of newly-purchased goods with an obvious chemical smell is a wise precaution. Home and office windows should be opened during good weather to allow a flushing of stale air. Even one’s car needs to be ventilated as well as the garage.

Until we understand the effects of our new technological environment better, we can only hope that “there is no place like home”.

1. According to the text, why is the local water supply unsafe?

A．Because it contains harmful chemicals.

B．Because it contains poisonous bacteria.

C．Because the activities of using water are harmful.

D．Because washing dishes makes the water polluted.

2. The underlined word “toxic” in Paragraph 3 is closest to “________” in meaning.

A．long-lasting	B．poisonous
C．obvious	D．immediate

3. What does the author intend to do in Paragraph 4?

A．Present more detailed information.	B．Summarize the previous paragraphs.
C．Introduce a new topic for discussion.	D．Give some advice about the problem.

4. Which of the following is TRUE according to the text?

A．Enclosed environment may have potential health risks.

B．Staying indoors is actually less risky than going outside.

C．Home and office windows should be opened at any time.

D．Any use of electronic devices should be banned to prevent pollution.

【推荐3】When 6-year-old Jack Foley crossed the finish line last month at the Long Beach Kids Triathlon, it was more than an athletic achievement. His completion marked a remarkable recovery from a rare heart condition.

The journey began before Jack was born.

At a routine 20-week examination, doctors told parents-to-be Rob Foley and Lauren Kiefer-Foley of Long Island, New York, that the fetus’ (胎儿的) heart wasn’t properly developing. “The doctor told us, ‘we can’t see the left side of the baby’s heart,’ Kiefer-Foley recalled.” He told us, “you need to get to a cardiologist (心脏病专家) first thing in the morning.”

Further tests would confirm a diagnosis of hypo plastic left heart syndrome, a rare birth fault affecting the heart’s ability to pump blood through the body. Doctors informed the couple about the risks and challenges their child could face. “We were advised by many doctors to terminate our pregnancy because the condition is so severe. They told us that most babies don’t even survive birth, let alone the first surgery,” Kiefer-Foley said.

Nonetheless, the couple decided to give their baby a chance.

After Jack was born at full-term via a scheduled C-section (剖腹产), doctors took him straight to a care unit to administer the level of care he would need before his first open-heart surgery days later. “When the doctor said ‘it’s a boy!’ I didn’t get to see him for hours after that.” Kiefer-Foley said. They would also have to wait until after Jack’s first surgery to hold him for the first time.

With a successful delivery behind them, it was now up to Dr. Emile Bacha, chief of Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital to guide Jack through a series of surgeries to repair the newborn’s heart.

1. Why did the author say “it was more than an athletic achievement” in Paragraph 1?

A．Jack was only six years old.

B．The event was too difficult.

C．Jack once suffered from severe heart disease.

D．Jack didn’t recover from severe heart disease.

2. What was the bad effect of Jack’s disease?

A．It led to inadequate blood supply.	B．The beat of heart was not heard.
C．His intelligence will not develop properly.	D．The right side of the baby’s heart can’t be seen.

3. What does the underlined word “terminate” in Paragraph 4 refer to?

A．continue	B．stop
C．change	D．adjust

4. What will most probably be talked about in the next part of the text?

A．Jack’s journey all over the world.

B．The sorrow and despair of Jack’s parents.

C．Jack’s major academic achievement.

D．Jack’s remarkable recovery from heart disease.