Being a teenager during a global pandemic (疫情) is difficult. We’re spending much of the time in our own homes, and most well-known places become hard to reach. I hope to find joy in nature and use it as an escape from too many online classes and screen time. When my friend Evan suggested that another friend, Philbert, and I join him on a socially distanced hike to Mount Baldy, the tallest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles, US, I eagerly accepted his offer.
As experienced hikers, Evan, Philbert and I were well-prepared. We first threw obvious necessities such as water and snacks into our backpacks, which were followed by less common emergency supplies: first aid kits (药箱), flashlights , compasses and maps. We had studied the paths that we would take.
Waking up at dawn, I was very excited, and the start of the hike began smoothly as the three of us enjoyed the fresh morning air. Over the course of our climbing, we stopped for short breaks man times and were even able to see the mountain’s ski hut when it was not in use. We took the long hike to the summit as a chance to chat freely. We discussed our favorite movie, computer game and the coming NBA season that was soon to start. The final climbing was the steepest (最陡峭的)—hikers such as ourselves were surprised when we were close to a steep cliff on the side that stood over the valley. Careful steps and determination finally brought us to the top—3,069-meter height, where we took a long break to catch our breath and enjoy the view with renewed confidence to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic.
1. What can we learn from Paragraph 1?| A．The pandemic is the best time to the author. | B．It’s challenging to go to famous sights. |
| C．The author’s offer to hike was accepted | D．The author used to escape online classes. |
| A．Maps | B．Cell-phone | C．Cash | D．Computer |
| A．Got into ski hut for breaks. | B．Took no rests along the path |
| C．Succeeded in reaching the top | D．Talked about NBA season’s result. |
| A．Ways to Build Up Confidence | B．Good Preparations for Hiking |
| C．Challenges in My Life | D．Unforgettable Hiking with Friends |
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One of our stops, once we crossed the Oregon border, was at a Black Bear Diner. Walking towards the front door we noticed a gentleman standing at one side. He was clearly untidy, without shoes and wearing worn clothing. We passed right by him and opened the restaurant door. Then something told me to go back.
Holding my daughter, I turned around and said to the gentleman, “Sir. Are you hungry?” He said, “Yes.” I then asked, “May we buy you something to eat?” He responded with, “Sure, I can order something myself.”
My husband opened the door and the gentleman went straight to the counter. I told him to order whatever he wanted. The manager of the restaurant came over quite quickly and looked frightened. I spoke before he had an opportunity to. “This gentleman will have lunch with us today,” I said. “Please add his order to our bill.” The manager said with a frown(皱眉), “Okay.” We turned to our table and the gentleman said, loudly and quickly, “Thank You!” We were seated and upon completing our meal we were handed our bill. I asked my husband what the gentleman had ordered. One fresh orange juice, one coffee, one breakfast combination with a side of hash browns.
When we left the restaurant I looked for the gentleman but didn’t see him, but that very small act just made my day I hope in some small way we were able to add some joy to his life, even if only for a few minutes.
1. From the appearance of the gentleman, we can guess he was probably a(n) _____.
| A．waiter | B．actor | C．beggar | D．worker |
| A．the man was not friendly |
| B．the man had stolen something from the restaurant |
| C．he had fired the man before |
| D．he was afraid the man wouldn’t afford to pay the food |
| A．was thankful for their kind act |
| B．felt ashamed and slipped away |
| C．was hungry and ate a lot of food |
| D．was too proud to accept their offer |
| A．wasted my money | B．made me very happy |
| C．made me feel sorry | D．moved me deeply |
【推荐2】It was something she had dreamed of since she was five. Finally, after years of training and intensive workouts, Deborah Duffey was going to compete in her first high school basketball game. The goals of becoming an outstanding player and playing college ball were never far from Deborah’s mind.
The game was against Mills High School. With 1 minute and 42 seconds left in the game, Deborah’s team led by one point. A player of Mills had possession of the ball, and Deborah ran to guard against her. As Deborah was running to block the player, her knee went out and she fell down on the court in burning pain. Just like that, Deborah’s season was over.
After suffering the bad injury, Deborah found that, for the first time in her life, she was in a situation beyond her control. Game after game, she could do nothing but sit on the sidelines watching others play the game that she loved so much.
Injuries limited Deborah’s time on the court as she hurt her knees three more times in the next five years. She had to spend countless hours in a physical therapy clinic to receive treatment. Her frequent visits there gave her a passion and respect for the profession. And Deborah began to see a new light in her life.
Currently a senior in college, Deborah focuses on getting a degree in physical treatment. After she graduates, Deborah plans to use her knowledge to educate people how to best take care of their bodies and cope with the feelings of hopelessness that she remembers so well.
1. What is the best title for this passage?| A．A Painful Mistake |
| B．A Great Adventure |
| C．A Lifelong Punishment |
| D．A New Direction in Life |
| A．Calm. | B．Confused. |
| C．Ashamed. | D．Disappointed. |
| A．She didn’t play on the court after the initial injury. |
| B．She injured her knee when she was trying to block a player. |
| C．She knew that she couldn’t be a basketball player when she was a child. |
| D．She refused to seek professional assistance to help her recover from her injuries. |
| A．Put up with. | B．Get along with. |
| C．Deal with. | D．Come up with. |
【推荐3】Andrea Speranza wanted to be a firefighter long before she had the right word for her wish. After one childhood adventure at a construction site ended with an iron nail embedded (嵌入) in her leg and an emergency call to the fire department, she found herself in awe. “As they gave me the medical treatment, I thought, they could help everybody and do anything,” says the now 52-year-old.
In 2000, Speranza fulfilled her dream of becoming a firefighter. Her job was exactly as fulfilling as she imagined it would be, except for one thing; she still hadn’t seen another woman in her role—not in a magazine, not on television, not in real life. Speranza decided to help young women see that they, too, could have a career like hers.
The result is Camp Courage, an immersive (沉浸式的) program for girls aged 15 to 19 who want to learn more about firefighting, paramedicine and police work. In 2006, Speranza welcomed the first 17 participants. Over the course, the girls discover the ins and outs of being first responders: learning how to put out fires, delivering first aid and so on.
Camp Courage now nuns one session every year and is free to attend. To offset (抵消) costs, Speranza fundraises by holding everything from car washes to comedy nights. Campers must submit an essay describing how they plan to help their community, or a specific individual in need. And they have to deliver on the plan—from building a bench for a senior at a bus stop to launching a local chapter of the Kids Help Phone.
While Camp Courage is designed to help more women become first responders, Speranza also has another, bigger objective in mind: building leaders. “If they can deliver a mechanical baby or climb a hundred-foot ladder, they’re not going to have a problem going through a job interview,” says Speranza. “It’s a complete change in mindset, and it works.”
Now hundreds of girls have passed through Camp Courage and some of them work as first responders now. Speranza feels a sense of achievement. The opportunity to recruit other girls to save lives alongside her keeps her going. It’s not even measurable.
1. What inspired Speranza to become a firefighter?| A．Her dream now. | B．A childhood accident. |
| C．The lack of female firefighters. | D．A firefighter’s encouragement. |
| A．To train the girls to take the first aid course. |
| B．To complete an immersive program about firefighting. |
| C．To assist more females to take up some jobs like hers. |
| D．To motivate more females to stand on their own feet in the future. |
| A．Raise money to pay off the cost. |
| B．Submit an essay and deliver a speech. |
| C．Build a bench for the disabled at a bus stop. |
| D．Hand in a plan and then put it into action. |
| A．Ups and downs make one strong. |
| B．Every noble work is at first impossible. |
| C．Nothing is impossible for a willing heart. |
| D．Joint effort is the key to solving problems. |
【推荐1】School was always something I loved because I always enjoyed learning more. I never felt afraid of going to school early in the morning, and I never tried to get out of any work. I stayed after school every chance I got. I did most of the work I could, got the best grades I could, and in the end, I graduated from high school with honors. All my success was because of the teachers I had who helped me, pushed me, and made learning a fun thing to do.
At the beginning of the school year, I had a lot of trouble leaving my mom in the mornings, but Mrs. Trainer always sat with me, talked with me, and helped me feel OK without my mom. She was understanding, kind, and always made the classroom a comfortable place. Mrs.Trainer also sat down and helped me learn; I was, and still, the worst speller, but she tried her best to help me.
The second was my senior high school English teacher, Mr. Stonerock. Mr. Stonerock was able to make English and writing fun, especially when we had eight-page papers to hand in. Some of my favorite high school memories(记忆) were in his classes. Mr. Stonerock also taught my class APA format(格式)which to me is invaluable. I use it every day in my life. He put up with so many shenanigans(恶作剧)from my classmates and me and always did it with a smile.
My point to all of this is that there are amazing and caring teachers out there whether they teach college level classes, high school level classes, or primary level classes. I have had more influential teachers than I can count. I am still in touch with some of my high school teachers, who give me life advice and guide me. Teachers are invaluable resources and no one can take their place.
1. Which of the following can best describe the author as a student?| A．Creative and proud. | B．Confident and polite. |
| C．Kind-hearted and honest. | D．Hard-working and excellent. |
| A．By teaching him like a mother. |
| B．By helping him to be the best speller. |
| C．By asking him easy questions in class. |
| D．By learning about his habits from his mother. |
| A．How to finish papers quickly. |
| B．How to use APA format correctly. |
| C．How to learn English in a fun way. |
| D．How to get on well with classmates. |
| A．How to Be Good Teachers. | B．My Experience As a Teacher. |
| C．The Greatness of Teachers. | D．The Joy of Being a Teacher. |
【推荐2】A man who lives alone in the Rocky Mountains has become a hero for climate scientists because of his unusual hobby. The man is called Billy Barr——he writes his name with small b’s——and for 50 years he has been the only person who kept living in Gothic, a small town in Colorado.
In the summer of 1973, Billy decided he wasn’t happy in the regular world, so he moved to Gothic, where he felt more relaxed. Every summer, scientists come to Gothic’s Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (生物实验室) ——or RMBL——for research. But in winter, Billy is alone. Having little to do, Billy started keeping records of snow levels, temperatures and animal sightings. For Billy this was fun. He has always liked numbers. So he continued keeping records——for 50 years.
Over time, he started working at the RMBL, looking after the place and keeping records. He made the laboratory his home, and became friends with the scientists. One day, Billy mentioned his hobby to a scientist, who asked to see his records and realized at once how important they were. Those records of fifty years show climate change and its effects very clearly: Winters are getting warmer, and the snow is disappearing earlier. Now Billy’s records have been used in many academic papers and there’s a short film about him called The Snow Guardian. He still keeps his records, but now he uses Excel and a website instead of notebooks.
Although he has other hobbies, like playing cricket and watching Bollywood movies, his records have made him famous among climate scientists. But why does he write his name with small b’s? Well, Billy said that it felt more comfortable. “I live a quiet little life,” he said. “And I enjoy it.”
1. Why did Billy move to Gothic?| A．He didn’t get along with his family. | B．The life there was relaxing. |
| C．He applied for a job there. | D．He dreamed of being a scientist. |
| A．To do his duty. | B．To make a living. |
| C．To fight against loneliness. | D．To study climate change. |
| A．Common. | B．Formal. | C．Useful. | D．Boring. |
| A．Nothing can stop us from realizing our dreams. |
| B．Success means getting personal needs satisfied. |
| C．Life is not perfect, but that’s what makes it interesting. |
| D．With love and patience, everyone can make a difference. |
Then I took my first trip to New York City. I couldn’t wait to experience the city. However, when I arrived in the Big Apple, it wasn’t at all what I had imagined. I knew it was home to thousands of people, but I hadn’t had the least expectation to see so many people on the street at one time. All the streets were filled with people. I also felt a little surprised to see that everyone was in a hurry and everything moved at such a fast pace. When I took the subway for the first time, I said hello to the middle-aged woman next to me. She looked at me with dislike and didn’t say a word.
After just one day, I realized how important my small town is to me. Now I appreciate the familiar faces I see every day. I like the feeling of security（安全） and belonging my town offers. Jim Thorpe gives me a sense of community and togetherness that the city doesn’t provide. I realize just how much a simple hello does for a stranger — it really can make your day a little better.
My big trip showed me that my small town really has instilled(注入) morals and values in me that I didn’t even know I had. I never would have known what a big place my town holds in my heart if I had not taken that trip to New York City.
1. How did the author feel about life in Jim Thorpe at first?
| A．People there cared little about others. |
| B．People there liked to accept new things. |
| C．Living there was a great disadvantage. |
| D．There were many chances of career development. |
| A．The gestures of greeting. |
| B．The modern transportation. |
| C．The fast pace of life. |
| D．The crowded streets. |
| A．Travelling to New York City. |
| B．The familiar faces in Jim Thorpe. |
| C．A big place in his / her town. |
| D．Everybody likes talking about others. |
| A．Love of my small town |
| B．A sense of community |
| C．A pleasant trip to New York City |
| D．Differences between big cities and small towns |
