I was driving 80 miles per hour along the road Wednesday. I knew I was going too fast, but it was the only hope I had. My dog, Jett, was dying in the backseat.
About half an hour earlier I received a call from my daughter. A ball got stuck in Jett's throat. He was struggling to breathe. I raced home to see if I could help, but the dog's mouth water had made the ball too slippery to pull out by hand. So my daughter and I began our race to the vet's(兽医诊所).
About halfway there, we got caught in traffic jams due to construction. I began wildly sounding my horn(喇叭), hoping to attract help, and ended up catching the eye of several construction workers. In an anxious voice, I told them what had happened to my dog. By then Jett was lying in the backseat, not moving. Cavaja Holt was one of the workers standing there. He stuck his hand down the dog's throat and pulled out the ball, but Jett still wasn't breathing.
And the guy behind Holt shouted out, “Breathe into his mouth! Breathe into his mouth!” And Holt did. It worked! Jett soon began breathing again. After may dog was saved, I continued my trip to the vet's to make sure Jett was OK, and by the time I arrived the dog seemed to be doing much better. The staff there checked the dog over and said Jett was in good health.
Later on, I realized I was so anxious that I forgot to ask the man's name and thank him on the spot. My daughter posted the story on the Internet, asking to locate him. Meanwhile, Holt posted the story too, hoping to find out how the dog was doing. Within minutes, someone connected the two. On Thursday morning, I drove back to the construction site and thanked Holt in person. He is truly a hero.
1. How did the author feel after she received the call?| A．Ashamed. | B．Confused. | C．Annoyed. | D．Panicked. |
| A．The vet's advice. | B．The author's request. |
| C．His fellow worker's advice. | D．The author's wrong rescue. |
| A．To get the address of Holt. | B．To make contact with Holt. |
| C．To spread the moving story. | D．To praise Holt for his deeds. |
| A．Race against death | B．Find hero through the Internet |
| C．Stranger saves dog's life | D．Heart-stopping rush to the vet's |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Millions of girls grow up with the hope of becoming a famous singer. Some even win local talent competitions as children, but only a few such early successes and dreams turn into reality. Jessica Andrews is one of the few whose dreams have come true.
Andrews' first taste of success came at the age of 10. She won a talent competition in her
home town of Huntingdon, Tennessee, singing I Will Always Love You, originally sung by Whitney Houston. Houston's version of the song appeared on The Bodyguard sound track, which happened to be the first album Andrews ever bought.
Within two years, talk of Andrews had spread to Nashville and caught the attention of producer Byron Gallimore, whose credits include work with Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Jo Dee Messina. With Gallimore signed on to produce, Andrews soon had a recording contract (合同) with DreamWorks Records.
Andrews' professional career was launched with 1999's Heart Shaped World, recorded when she was 14 years old. The album included the country hit I Will Be There For You, which also appeared on The Prince of Egypt. She followed up the release of the album by touring as a support act for such country superstars as Faith Hill and Trisha Yearwood.
With the release of 2001's Who I Am, Andrews became a star in her own right. The album was certified (证明) gold for sales of 500,000 copies. Andrews returned in April 2003 with Now, an album that she promised would show a new side of the young artist.
"This album has a very different feeling for me," she said. "It's a lot more personal and there's a confidence that wasn't quite there on the first two. I feel especially connected to this group of songs."
1. What's the meaning of the underlined word "launched" in the fourth paragraph?| A．Aimed | B．Sent |
| C．Started | D．Set |
| A．The Bodyguard was the first album Andrews ever bought. |
| B．After Andrews sang Who I Am, she became a star in her own right. |
| C．I Will Always Love You was originally sung by Whitney Houston. |
| D．Now, expresses a new feeling of Andrews. |
| A．Now | B．Heart Shaped World |
| C．The Prince of Egypt | D．Who I Am |
| A．Jessiea Andrews' Life | B．Jessica Andrews' Dream |
| C．Jessica Andrews' Songs | D．Jessica Andrews' Success as a Singer |
【推荐2】Even then my only friends were made of paper and ink. At school I had learned to read and write long before the other children. Where my school friends saw notches of ink on incomprehensible pages, I saw light, streets and people. Words and the mystery of their hidden science fascinated me, and I saw in them a key with which I could unlock a boundless world, a haven from that home, those streets, and those troubled days in which even I could sense that only a limited fortune awaited me. My father didn’t like to see books in the house. He used to tell me that as soon as I was ten he would send me off to work and that I’d better get rid of all my scatterbrained ideas if I didn’t want to end up a loser, a nobody. I used to hide my books under the mattress and wait for him to go out or fall asleep so that I could read. Once he caught me reading at night and flew into a rage. He tore the book from my hands and flung it out of the window.
“If I catch you wasting electricity again, reading all this nonsense, you’ll be sorry.”
My father was not a mean person and, despite the hardships we suffered, whenever he could he gave me a few coins so that I could buy myself some treats like the other children. He was convinced that I spent them on sunflower seeds, or sweets, but I would keep them in a coffee tin under the bed, and when I’d collected enough coins I’d secretly rush out to buy myself a book.
My favorite place in the whole city was the Sempere & Sons Bookshop on Calle Santa Ana. It smelled of old paper and dust and it was my shelter. The bookseller would let me sit on a chair in a corner and read any book I liked to my heart’s content. He hardly ever allowed me to pay for the books he placed in my hands, but when he wasn’t looking I’d leave the coins I’d managed to collect on the counter before I left. It was only small change---if I’d had to buy a book with that pittance (极少的报酬), I would probably have been able to afford only a booklet of cigarette papers. When it was time for me to leave, I would do so dragging my feet, a weight on my soul. If it had been up to me, I would have stayed there forever.
One Christmas Sempere gave me that best gift I had ever received. It was an old volume, read and experienced to the full.
“Great expectations, by Charles Dickens,” I read on the cover.
I was aware that Sempere knew a few authors who frequented his establishment and, judging by the care with which he handled the volume, I thought perhaps this Mr. Dickens was one of them.
“A friend of yours?”
“A lifelong friend. And from now on, he’s your friend too.”
That afternoon I took my new friend home, hidden under my clothes so that my father wouldn’t see it. It was a rainy winter, with days as gray as lead, and I read Great Expectations about nine times, partly because I had no other book at hand, partly because I did not think there could be a better one in the whole world and I was beginning to suspect that Mr. Dickens had written it just for me. Soon I was convinced that I didn’t want to do anything else in life but learn to do what Mr. Dickens had done.
1. The underlined word “haven” in Paragraph 1 probably means “________”.| A．favor | B．mask | C．time | D．shelter |
| A．the people who played a part in the author’s story |
| B．the difficulties the author ran into in his childhood |
| C．the author’s affection for books as a child |
| D．the author’s dreams before he met Sempere |
| A．emphasize the emotional connection Sempere feels to reading |
| B．imply that Sempere had one close friend in his lifetime |
| C．underline the importance of the author’s connection to Sempere |
| D．stress how friendships helped the author deal with difficulties |
| A．Because he wanted to have a good understanding of the book’s author. |
| B．Because the gift meant that Sempere regarded him as a special friend. |
| C．Because reading the book convinced him that he wanted to be a writer. |
| D．Because he’d only ever been given sweets and snacks as gifts in the past. |
【推荐3】Greek myth (神话) is filled with tales of heroic strength—perhaps the most famous being that of Atlas, who single-handedly held the heavens high up in the air. In an inspiring modern-day version of Atlas, one courageous athlete recently climbed Mount Olympus—home to the ancient gods, carrying a disabled companion to the summit (山顶).
Long-distance runner Giannakos has a long track record of taking on challenges: He hiked 168 miles across the Al Marmoum Desert and he also took first place in a freezing 93-milc cross-country race in Antarctica. Before his latest effort, he’d already successfully admired the view from atop Mount Olympus’ highest peak 50 times.
When Giannakos met and befriended 22-year-old biology student Torsion and learned of her dream to experience the summit herself, it seemed only natural that he was more than ready to rise to the occasion. “For me, all international races, the medals and the distinctions so far, mean little compared to that goal,” he told the Greek Reporter.
With Torsion securely fastened in a specially adapted backpack, Giannakos, along with an eight-member support team, started the exhausting uphill climb of Olympus’s tallest summit, Mount Mytikas. When they reached 2,400 meters, the party stopped to rest. After making camp for the night, they continued with their climb at 6 a.m. the following morning. Three hours later, at 9:02 local time—having put in more than 10 hours climbing in total—the victorious pair reached the 2,918-meter summit “There is nothing more real than the dream,” Giannakos said with extreme happiness.
It’s heartening to know that while we generally think of heroes as the stuff of myth and legend, there are actually some shining examples—like Giannakos—who exist in real life as well.
1. What can we learn from the text?| A．Giannakos turned the Greek myth into reality. |
| B．Giannakos successfully challenged world hiking records. |
| C．Giannakos is the first to run the Antarctic cross-country race. |
| D．Giannakos reached Mount Olympus highest peak 51 times. |
| A．Torsion’s hope to be Giannakos’ friends. |
| B．Torsion’s dream to experience the summit. |
| C．Giannakos’ effort to help disabled students. |
| D．Giannakos’aim to win international medals. |
| A．The team needed to stop for the night. |
| B．Torsion became exhausted on the climb. |
| C．They needed support from a rescue team. |
| D．They met unexpected emergency halfway. |
【推荐1】When my oldest son was in high school, he planned to attend a pop concert with the youth group. To my amazement, Aaron invited me to go along. He knew I enjoyed the music of one of the performers. I readily accepted. However, as it was drawing near, my youngest son was ill. My husband encouraged me to go, assuring me he could take care of our youngest, but I hesitated.
Finally, it hit me. Aaron was 16. How many opportunities would I have to do something fun with him before he went away to college? The decision was made. I would not miss this opportunity.
At the concert, I sat with Aaron and his friends, stuffing cotton in my ears to block out the loud, ear-splitting music of the first performer. I stood when the kids stood, clapped when they clapped, and never let anyone know how nervous I was. Aaron and his friends were amused at my enthusiasm. By the time we left the concert, I was certain my hearing was damaged forever. My ears were ringing and sounds seemed unclear, but it quickly passed. So did my son’s teenage years. In no time was he in college and away from home. I missed him more than I could say.
Aaron now has his own family, engaged in many routines. Some days he calls just to chat and tell me about his day. I drop everything and enjoy the moment, knowing these times too shall pass.
We sometimes recall that concert of years ago that Aaron and I would memorize all our life. Aaron always laughs about the fact that his mom was the “only” person in the whole youth group to get a signature from the performer.
1. What made the author finally go to the concert?| A．The husband’s suggestion. | B．Her enthusiasm for music. |
| C．The youngest son’s fully recovery. | D．Her desire to accompany his son. |
| A．Nervous. | B．Uncomfortable. | C．Shocked. | D．Relaxed. |
| A．The author has a close tie with her son. |
| B．The author is fond of chatting with others. |
| C．The son often pays a visit to his mom. |
| D．The son doesn’t live far from his parents. |
| A．A Life Experience | B．A Memorable Concert |
| C．A Special Signature | D．An Excellent Performance |
【推荐2】Our first welcome to the UK wasn’t from the staff of Heathrow Airport or the coach driver who entered into our lives to take us to our new city and new home for the next three weeks. It was, in fact, the noisy and energetic seagulls full of songs that flew down to us. When left from the planes’ exits passage, we still could hear their loud and clear songs through the glasses. It was amazing that they lifted our spirits and cheered us up after our stupidly long and awful journey.
These seagulls welcomed my Chinese people into their home with open wings and if they could speak instead of merely squawk, I’m sure we would have struck up some bright and harmonious relationship. They liked to hover overhead around with childlike greetings they sang or just simply walk fearlessly close to our feet. Some of us saved bread our host family prepared in the lunchboxes for these friends. And lovely, we would like to share what we have for the rest of eternity.
But Julie, the mother of my host family, who then I stayed with, does not think so. Strangely as well, she could not give any reasons. The squawk-proof double-glazing that is closed explains. Perhaps she prefers to sleep with her windows open but she always fails to do that, because those birds seemed to like staying up till next morning, wholly screaming for her on and on. And they decide to keep doing so every single night. Furthermore, every time she has to wash the marble floor of the gardens, Julie would look up around and swear to the droppings (鸟粪) shortly followed by a smile on her face towards me and said: “They are friendly to you.”
But stop thinking that she hates the creatures and never plans to have a change. Because there is another side to her evident feelings towards the birds. We will do some shopping at weekends and every time there Julie doesn’t forget to put a big bag of wild birdseed into her carriage which costs quite more than milks or juices for one week. I can see what it goes for since she refills the wild bird feeder (喂食器) before a big hurry to drive to work every morning and when working she knows what is happening back at home — seagulls are enjoying the seed and leaving for next morning.
I’m leaving soon and not likely, I guess, though I hope not, to get back to see my friends here in England in the future. I said I would miss all friends living here including the seagulls. And when Julie was refilling the feeder again, she said: “They’re nice but they are not my friends.”
1. According to the first paragraph, we can know that __________.| A．they felt disappointed at not being welcomed by any local people as they landed |
| B．they felt surprised to find seagulls there shortly after they landed |
| C．they didn’t like to be welcomed by the seagulls because they were noisy and stupid |
| D．those birds were more energetic and friendly than the local people |
| A．the seagulls disturbed her every night | B．the seagulls dirtied her garden |
| C．the birdseeds were not cheap | D．the seagulls were friendly to her guests |
| A．a magazine about birds | B．a book about London |
| C．an advertisement attracting visitors to London | D．a magazine about travelling |
【推荐3】Carlos and Maya dreamed of becoming space explorers. One day, they saw a wonderful spaceship model in a toy store. They tried to pool their money together but it still wasn’t enough.
On the way home, Carlos suddenly realized that his birthday was coming. Maybe he could ask their parents to buy the model as his birthday gift. However, when his dad saw the price, he knew that he was going to let his son down.
On the day of his birthday, Carlos got up early, expecting to see his gift. But when he got to the living room, he saw a very big spaceship made out of a cardboard box. Dad made it for him, but it wasn’t what he wanted. Tears flowed from Carlos’ eyes.
But Maya thought of a way to cheer her brother up. After hours of preparation, Maya came to the bedroom, placed the spaceship in front of Carlos and asked him, “Are you ready?”
“For what?” Carlos asked.
“For our mission,” she said.
“Mission?” He didn’t understand.
“Yes. We have a mission. Come on,” she said.
Maya got on the cardboard spaceship and left a space for her brother. Then, Carlos heard his dad’s voice, “This is mission control. Are we ready for takeoff?” Before Carlos could answer, he was positioned in the spaceship. Then, their dad started imitating the sound of a spaceship during takeoff and pushed it slowly.
When they came out of the bedroom, Carlos was surprised at what he saw. There were many stars hanging from their ceiling. Although all of them were made out of cardboard, Carlos felt like he was in outer space. To avoid the stars, Carlos shifted his body from left to right. Behind the spaceship, their dad moved the spaceship where Carlos shifted towards. They spent all day riding across the unknown space.
The day finally came to an end and it was time for bed. With all the fun he had, Carlos realized that he didn’t need the model at the toy store any more, because he had the best spaceship in the whole world.
1. Why did Carlos get up early on the day of his birthday?| A．He wanted to help his parents do housework. |
| B．He hoped to get his birthday gift earlier. |
| C．He desired to make a spaceship model himself. |
| D．He had formed the habit of getting up early. |
| A．The family was short of funds. |
| B．He liked making things with his hands. |
| C．He had a great number of cardboard boxes. |
| D．Carlos liked gifts made of cardboard boxes. |
| A．A man is only as good as what he loves. |
| B．Suffering is the most powerful teacher of life. |
| C．Family members’ love is a priceless treasure. |
| D．Skill and confidence are an unconquered army. |
| A．An intelligent father | B．A united family |
| C．A hand-made spaceship | D．A special birthday gift |
