“I’m going to tell you a heartbreaking story.” I told my class of high school seniors. All eyes looked up. Nothing quiets a chatty group of teenagers faster than the promise of a story.
“In sixth grade,” I began, “I fell in love. His name was David.” The girls were laughing. “So it was Valentine’s Day. I saw one enormous envelope on my desk. My mind raced: ‘Who could it be from?’ With trembling hands, I tore it open and there was a card. At the bottom I saw the signature and almost fainted: David. Then my eyes traveled up to the writing above his signature. It read, ‘To the Ugliest Girl in Our Class’”.
Mouths dropped open. Some looked down at their desks, seemingly embarrassed for me. “What did you do?” asked a brave soul. I said. “My eyes filled with tears. It ruined Valentine’s Day for me. It shook what little faith I had in myself for a long time after. But I survived, and it gave me the motivation to undo the cruelty of David.” I smiled. “And that’s why we’re going to have a card exchange.” Their eyes lighted up. “Write something positive and sincere to someone in the class. Even if it’s someone you barely know, there’s always something nice to say. Admire their fashion sense or their basketball skills. Tell them you appreciate their friendly smile.” Looking on as they composed each message was always a treat. But the real fun came when they read what people wrote to them. From then on, I made it a Valentine tradition.
After 20 years of teaching, I harbor few hopes that students will remember all of the vocabulary. But if a student recalls of the lesson they received on Valentine’s Day, to me that makes it all worthwhile.
1. What happened on the Valentine’s Day when the author was in sixth grade?| A．She broke David’s heart. | B．She was made fun of by David. |
| C．She sent David a Valentine card. | D．She took the wrong card by mistake. |
| A．To tell personal stories. | B．To show fashion sense. |
| C．To express appreciation. | D．To share basketball skills. |
| A．Unexpected. | B．Valuable. | C．Humorous. | D．Discouraging. |
| A．An Exciting Job | B．An Honest Mistake |
| C．An Experienced Teacher | D．A Valentine's Day Lesson |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Increased use of the Internet and mobile phones are undermining pupils’ capacity for independent study and promoting poor grammar, it was claimed.
Cranfield School of Management found almost six in 10 schoolchildren were copying information directly from websites for homework tasks without properly reading it.
More than a quarter thought it was an acceptable practice, even though they know it was considered plagiarism (剽窃). The study, based on a sample of around 260 pupils aged from 11 to 18 at a secondary school in the Midlands, raised fresh concerns that modern technology was having a destructive effect on young people. Andrew Kakabadse, professor of International Management Development at Cranfield, said, “Our research shows that technology obsession prevents spelling skills, encourages plagiarism, and disturbs classroom learning.
“Despite school policies restricting mobile phone usage, students use the phone frequently, with the majority making calls from the toilets. The mobile phone continues to be a main channel of social communication during the school day.”
The report revealed that so-called “text-speak’’ was increasingly finding it was into pupils’ school work. Three in 10 students admit to using text message shortcuts, such as “ruok” in essays and classroom tasks.
It followed a study earlier this year that found almost half of teachers failed to understand some pupils’ writing because it was so full of confusing language. Phrases such as “innit” and “Gr8” were regularly found in school work, it was claimed. The Cranfield study found that mobile use was so common that many pupils chose to ignore school rules on phones.
More than a third said they would use their mobile in class, while nearly three quarters said they would not even make an excuse to leave class to answer a phone call.
1. The underlined word “undermining” in the first paragraph can best be replaced by “_________”.| A．keeping | B．determining |
| C．weakening | D．increasing |
| A．he believes schools are responsible for technology obsession |
| B．he is in favour of students’ mobile phone usage at school |
| C．the research finds a new way to improve school management |
| D．it is hard to limit students’ mobile phone usage at school |
| A．technology’s positive influence on students’ achievement |
| B．the negative effect of technology on students’ study |
| C．the importance of online social communication |
| D．the rapidly growing role of communication technologies |
| A．Approving. | B．Optimistic. | C．Anxious. | D．Tolerant. |
【推荐2】School is a place that is familiar to everyone. Let’s find out what American students do in school.
An official dance party is held about twice a year in high schools in the United States. When the final football game is over for the season there is a homecoming party. Sometimes, students select a king from among the football players, and a queen from among the girls. Every student can attend and have fun with the help of their teachers. Sometimes, to the surprise of everyone, students, who devote all their time to study, come to the party in a beautiful dress.
The most exciting party that students can go to would have to be a prom(毕业舞会). Students attend it in dresses similar to those of Hollywood stars and the atmosphere is comparable to an Oscar Award party. Since such a party is for seniors, students usually stay up the night trying to enjoy their last year in high school.
In American schools, instead of the teachers going to different rooms, students have their own class schedules and go to different classrooms. When a student is away from school, they must have an explanation for being away along with the signature(签名) of a parent. The signed paper is then handed in to the school office. American students also enjoy a number of activities out of school like cheerleading(拉拉队), student government and a host of different sports.
1. Whose presence at the homecoming party can make others amazed?| A．The king and the queen acted by students. | B．The laziest student in study. |
| C．The teacher who offers advice. | D．Students who study hardest. |
| A．Because they would like to dance and sang madly. |
| B．Because this is the only chance that they get dressed like film stars. |
| C．Because students make it as exciting as an awarding party of Oscar. |
| D．Because this perhaps is the last chance that they can enjoy their school life. |
| A．study in the same classroom | B．have the same class with each other |
| C．attend different classes in different places | D．wait for their teachers in their class |
| A．The organizing of dance parties. | B．Homecoming party. |
| C．How to ask for a leave. | D．School life in America. |
【推荐3】Three persons were asked what they found most useful at school, and their thoughts were shared below.
I hated typing at school. I took it because it was the only subject choice I had for that period. That was 20 years ago. Only secretaries typed in those days; no one had computers at home or at work, and I thought it was the subject choice of those who had no ambition! What’s more, I was not good at it at all. I was as bad at typing as I was at tennis! I made so many mistakes. But today I’m the fastest typist at the keyboard that I know. Typing is the new writing. Knowing where to put my fingers on the keys means that I get the job done faster and more easily than my colleagues in the office. That one year of tying class has made my whole life easier.
Christine Green
Bunbury, Australia
We had a class called Guidance and in it we learnt about making good decisions in life. I found it pretty boring and didn’t pay much attention. One day the teacher made us guess which appliance we should buy first once we had our own homes. The answer was a fridge. Without a fridge, you cannot keep your food fresh and will waste a great deal of money with food going off. I learnt that it was true once I had my own place. The first day I bought some chicken meat. By dinner times it smelled and I couldn’t even eat it! My housemate and I started saving to buy a fridge straight away even though we were broke university students.
Rowan Kight
Cape Town, South Africa
In school, you also learn to deal with life in general. Little mistakes can seem to be very serious Wear the wrong outfit and it seems that everyone is laughing at you. Get too close to a boy too fast and everyone talks about you. You want to crawl into a hole and die! But the truth is that life goes on. You might be extremely embarrassed and feel that what you did “wrong” will never ever be forgotten. However, if you can be brave and keep on, you will find that whatever happened will pass and you will start to enjoy life again.
Lindsey Smith
Boston, United States
1. Why didn’t Christine Green like typing?| A．She thought she was already good at it. |
| B．She preferred tennis to typing. |
| C．She thought it a choice of those who weren’t ambitious. |
| D．She didn’t know where to put her fingers on the keys. |
| A．To crawl into a hole and hide. | B．To have a talk with the person who laughed at you. |
| C．To forget whatever happened. | D．To be brave and keep on. |
| A．They all met some difficulties at school. | B．They all learned helpful things at school. |
| C．They all got helps from their teachers. | D．They all achieved great success. |
【推荐1】Dier Pulatov was expecting big things when he left his home in Uzbekistan to study at UW-Eau Claire. However, he never imagined that meeting the CEO of apple or giving a presentation to one of the top 25 investors of the 20th century would be part of his college experience. “I cannot imagine a better place to obtain a high-quality education while making so many lifelong friendships,” Pulatov says. “UW-Eau Claire helped shape me intellectually and my thinking about my future career.” This spring, Pulatov graduated with degree in finance and was named the 2020 College of Business Outstanding Senior, an honor that goes to a student who shows great promise in their chosen field. Challenging coursework, multiple internships, lifelong friends and other high-impact outside-the-classroom experiences were all part of his UW-Eau Claire journey, says Pulatov, who will begin his professional career this summer as a risk advisory consultant for EY in Minneapolis. a dream internship at the prestigious Driehaus Capital Management in downtown Chicago was among the most meaningful experiences he had, Pulatov says. While at Driehaus, he reported directly to the head of investments, giving him plenty of opportunities to observe various aspects of the firm and to learn from top fund managers. “I worked hard to impress my manager and had a chance to attend many high-level meetings,” Pulatov says. “It was an extremely invaluable experience, which helped me better understand what skills I need to develop, and it unlocked many new opportunities.”
While the internships were invaluable, he also had many on-campus experiences that helped him grow his knowledge and thinking.
Equally important, he says, are the friendships and professional connections he made on campus and in the UW-Eau Claire community. Those relationships were especially important after his father was diagnosed with cancer for the incredible support and love he received during that challenging time.
1. Which best describes Pulatov when he came to the U.S.?| A．Stubborn. | B．Imaginative. | C．ambitious. | D．Sensitive. |
| A．He showed great potential in finance. | B．He gained much social experience. |
| C．He made many friends at college. | D．He took on the role as a consultant. |
| A．He chaired many high-level meetings. | B．He failed to please the managers. |
| C．He made his career planning. | D．He benefited a lot from it. |
| A．He loves his own country. | B．He is a college student now. |
| C．He is working in UW-Eau Claire. | D．He gets along well with his schoolmates. |
【推荐2】“Why?” It’s a simple question that people ask Angela Madeline frequently. After all, she began a journey that very few people would ever attempt: walk around the world alone.
The thought of Madeline’s journey did not start from a place of loss or personal crisis. She said, “I was searching for a deeper interaction with nature and people.” Walking would minimize her carbon footprint, plus the slow pace meant that she could fully engage herself in nature, and gain insights into other cultures in a unique way.
She left her hometown of Bend, Oregon, on 2 May 2016 and headed into an adventure. Along the way, Madeline would suffer from heatstroke (中暑) in the Australian desert and hear gunshots while camping in Turkey. “Still,” she said, “I didn’t stop because I was more afraid of not following my heart than I was of losing everything I owned and loved.”
Apart from that, her slow pace allowed her to be drawn deeply into other cultures. She wandered the tiny seaside villages along Italy Tyrthenian Sea, enjoying the lively atmosphere. In Vietnam, she was offered food by an elderly woman and invited to rest in her wooden house at the peak for the night. She chose an experience of uncertainty and curiosity, in search of something she could never be certain to find: a sense of fulfillment and a deeper connection.
On16 December 2022, Madeline’s pilgrimage (朝圣之旅) ended right where it started. For now, she’s working on a book, planning future journeys and creating more effective ways for women to find and express courage in their lives.
Whether a walk leads halfway around the world or just down the road, Madeline has shown the true worth of embracing (拥抱) the unknown and giving more than we receive along the way.
1. Why did Madeline decide to start her journey?| A．To get rid of personal crisis. | B．To get closer to the world. |
| C．To reduce carbon footprint. | D．To slow down the pace of life. |
| A．She was about to give up. | B．She was helped by Italian locals. |
| C．She experienced various cultures. | D．She enjoyed Australian coastal scenery. |
| A．Cautious and gentle. | B．Tough and adventurous. |
| C．Outgoing and generous. | D．Open-minded and humorous. |
| A．A new way to slow down life. | B．A closer connection with the wild. |
| C．An unforgettable memory of a trip. | D．A woman walking around the world. |
【推荐3】A year ago I lost my wonderful friend and colleague Rachael Bland. She died at the age of just 40, two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Her death knocked me for six. I knew it was coming and we had talked about it—but nothing prepared me for actually not having her in my life every day. The thing was, while we only knew each other for a short period of time, she had a huge impact on me. When I got diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, I made a whole new group of friends. Rachael was up there with the best of them. She understood exactly what I was going through, she shared my fears and was always there at 3 am to reassure me. She was my rock.
After Rachael died, I had a nervous breakdown. I hit numerous brick walls in the weeks and months that followed. My cancer was progressing and I fell into a dark place. I pushed it away but ignored the terror of it all and inevitably it all came crashing down around me. Great Sorrow hit me when I least expected. Her death felt like a bad dream. The emotional bit aside, one of the things I found really hard was to actually accept she died.
Rachael hoped that by starting the conversation around cancer, she could help other women avoid getting cancer too. It was her absolute determination and bravery at helping to break down taboos (禁忌) that will live on for generations to come.
Rachael showed me how to live with cancer. Even in her darkest days she was determined to show that cancer didn’t get to take over. She helped remind me to get busy living with cancer rather than worry about dying of it. She was in the bottom of my heart forever.
1. What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 2 mean?| A．I was beaten six times. |
| B．Her death gave me the strength. |
| C．She was knocked down and died. |
| D．Her death made me very shocked. |
| A．She wanted to end up her life. |
| B．She couldn’t stand the pain of cancer. |
| C．She had been suffering from nightmares. |
| D．She was too sorrowful to accept Rachael’s death. |
| A．To help women fight against fear. |
| B．To assess women’s conversational skills. |
| C．To prevent other women from getting cancer. |
| D．To inspire sick people to hope for their future. |
| A．Optimistic. | B．Weak. |
| C．Humorous. | D．Demanding. |
【推荐1】Nicholson had planned a months-long solo bike trip through Europe and Asia, but he ended up with a furry sidekick. While cycling through Bosnia in southeastern Europe, he noticed a tiny gray-and-white kitten running after him, meowing for him to stop. He decided to take her to a vet in the nearest town to see if anyone had lost their pet. No one had, so he placed her in the basket attached to the front of his bike and pedaled toward the border of Montenegro. The kitten tried to escape, but not to run away: She just wanted a better seat.
“She climbed up my arm and fell asleep on my shoulder behind my neck,” said Nicholson, who previously worked as a welder in a fish factory. “‘That was the moment,’ I thought, ‘she’s going to come around the world with me,’ because I fell in love with her instantly.”
Since their encounter, the pair have visited more than 20 countries. Nala, whom Nicholson named after the lioness in The Lion King, even has a passport. While Nicholson pedals, Nala naps in the basket, on a bed of clothes and pillows, or hangs her paws over the side, causing strangers on the street to stare in wonder.
“Having her opens up so many conversations with people,” he said. “It’s a talking point.” Nicholson and Nala spent their first winter together in Santorini, a Greek island. After Greece, they biked through Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan. During their stay in Hungary, Nicholson finished his book about their adventures called Nala s’ World: One Man, His Rescue Cat, and a Bike Ride Around the Globe.
This fall, they arrived in Austria where Nicholson plans to stay until spring, when he hopes that they can head to Russia and eventually Thailand. One of Nicholson’s main reasons for picking Thailand is that he really wants to drink from a coconut. Now he may have to order two.
1. According to the article, Nicholson decided to take the kitten with him when ________.| A．she meowed to him for help | B．she fell asleep on his shoulder |
| C．he found that nobody wanted her | D．she napped in the basket of the bike |
| A．He liked talking and sharing his points of view with Nala. |
| B．Meeting and adopting Nala was a turning point in his life. |
| C．Strangers liked to strike up a conversation with him about Nala. |
| D．He has changed into a talkative person since their encounter. |
| A．The Story of Nala — the Stray Cat | B．A Solo Bike Trip Ends up in Two |
| C．That’s How He Met His Sidekick | D．Traveling Around the World on a Bike |
【推荐2】It was a cold winter day. A woman drove up to the Rainbow Bridge tollbooth(收费站). “I’m paying for myself, and for the six cars behind me,” she said with a smile, handing over seven tickets. One after another, the next six drivers arriving at the tollbooth were informed, “Some lady up ahead already paid your fare.”
It turned out that the woman, Natalie Smith, had read something on a friend’s refrigerator: “Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.” The phrase impressed her so much that she copied it down.
Judy Foreman spotted the same phrase on a warehouse wall far away from home. When it stayed on her mind for days, she gave up and drove all the way back to copy it down. “I thought it was beautiful,” she said, explaining why she’d taken to writing it at the bottom of all her letters, “like a message from above.” Her husband, Frank, liked the phrase so much that he put it up on the classroom wall for his students, one of whom was the daughter of Alice Johnson, a local news reporter. Alice put it in the newspaper, admitting that though she liked it, she didn’t know where it came from or what it really meant.
Two days later, Alice got a call from Anne Herbert, a woman living in Marin. It was in a restaurant that Anne wrote the phrase down on a piece of paper, after turning it around in her mind for days.
“Here’s the idea,” Anne says. “Anything you think there should be more of, do it randomly.” Her fantasies include painting the classrooms of shabby schools, leaving hot meals on kitchen tables in the poor part of town, and giving money secretly to a proud old lady. Anne says, “Kindness can build on itself as much as violence can.”
The acts of random kindness spread. If you were one of those drivers who found your fare paid, who knows what you might have been inspired to do for someone else later. Like all great events, kindness begins slowly, with every single act. Let it be yours!
1. Why did Natalie Smith pay for the six cars behind her?| A．She knew the car drivers well. |
| B．She wanted to show kindness. |
| C．She hoped to please others. |
| D．She had seven tickets. |
| A．thought it was beautifully written |
| B．wanted to know what it really meant |
| C．decided to write it on a warehouse wall |
| D．wanted her husband to put it up in the classroom |
| A．Judy Foreman | B．Natalie Smith |
| C．Alice Johnson | D．Anne Herbert |
| A．Kindness and violence can change the world. |
| B．Kindness and violence can affect one’s behavior. |
| C．Kindness and violence can reproduce themselves. |
| D．Kindness and violence can shape one’s character. |
| A．People should practice random kindness to those in need. |
| B．People who receive kindness are likely to offer it to others. |
| C．People should practice random kindness to strangers they meet. |
| D．People who receive kindness are likely to pay it back to the giver. |
The boss of a big company needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem on one of the main computers. He dialed the employee’s home phone number and was greeted with a child’s whisper, “Hello?”
Feeling it was inconvenient to talk to a youngster, the boss asked, “Is your daddy home?” “Yes,” whispered the small voice. “May I talk with him?” the man asked. To the surprise of the boss, the small voice whispered, “No.”
Wanting to talk with an adult. the boss asked. “Is your mommy there?” “Yes,” came the answer, “May I talk with her?” Again the small voice whispered, “No.”
Knowing that it was not likely that a young child would be left home alone, the boss decided he would just leave a message with the person who should be there watching over the child. “Is there any one there besides you?” the boss asked the child. “Yes,” whispered the child, “a policeman.”
Wondering what a policeman would be doing at his employee’s home, the boss asked, “May I speak with the policeman?” “No, he is busy,” whispered the child. “Busy doing what?” asked the boss. “Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the fireman,” came the whispered answer.
Growing concerned and even worried as he heard what sounded like a helicopter through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, “What is that noise?” “A hello-copper,” answered the whispering voice. “What is going on there?” asked the boss, now alarmed. In a low whispering voice the child answered, “The search team just landed the hello-copper!”
Alarmed, concerned and more than just a little frustrated the boss asked, “The search team?Why are they there?” Still murmuring, the young voice replied, “They are looking for me!”
1. Why did the boss call his employee?(no more than15 words)2. Who did the boss want to talk to?(no more than 5 words)
3. Who called the police most possibly?(no more than 5 words)
4. What does the underlined word “murmuring” in the last paragraph probably mean? (no more than 5 words)
5. What do you think will happen next?(no more than 20 words)
