When she returned home that year, she was given an enthusiastic welcome in the same hall. Many hands stretched out to her, many cameras focused on her. A reporter in glasses kept pestering her with the question: “What do you like best?” She was wondering how to respond when she caught sight of a bunch of flowers. Then she said, “Flowers!” Following her remarks, more flowers were at once presented out to her, too many for her to hold. During the past two years, she had participated in many international competitions and brought back one shining medal after another. What she got in return was all smiles, flowers and camera flashes. Was it because of this that she became preoccupied with winning? The more she won, the more obsessed she was with the fear of losing. So her mind was in fact more burdened with success than with failure. The mind could control physical pains but could not free itself from mental strain easily.
This time when she was a little off balance on the horizontal bar (平衡木), she became so worried that she lost self-control and fell off. This failure was followed by several more in other events. Afterwards in order to avoid people at the airport, she trailed along behind the team. She found that very few people greeted her and reporters seemed to shun her. However hard she tried, she couldn’t turn the tide; she was a complete failure. Indeed, who would side with a failure?
All of a sudden, she saw a pair of shoes in front of her. Who could it be? She raised her bent head slowly and saw a navy blue suit, long legs, and then a clear fair face. Before her stood the stewardess with her hands behind her back, speaking with a smile, “I watched your performance on the television. I knew you would come home today. So I am here especially to welcome you.”
“I did very poorly.” She lowered her head again.
“No. You did your best.”
“But I failed.”
“Nobody can avoid failure. I believe failure is as important to you as success. Failure belongs to the past, and victory is the future.” The stewardess’s voice came gentle but firm.
Hearing these words, the girl raised her head. The stewardess held out her hands from behind her back with a big bouquet of colorful flowers, and presented it to the girl. The strong fragrance seemed to turn into a magic, powerful current that went through her body. She was moved to tears. Flowers are usually given to victorious heroes. Why to the disgraced loser?
1. What does the underlined word “pester” mean in paragraph 1?| A．Greet. | B．Annoy. | C．Inquire. | D．Concern. |
| A．She had received many smiles, flowers and camera flashes. |
| B．She was passionate about walking on the horizontal bar. |
| C．Her mind was free from over anxiety about failure. |
| D．She was in good physical condition. |
| A．Ashamed. | B．Stressed. | C．Miserable. | D．Grief-stricken. |
| A．Action is worry’s worst enemy. |
| B．The winners laugh and the losers weep. |
| C．Excessive pressure will become a burden. |
| D．Success is never final and failure is never fatal. |
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【推荐1】“Down the streets of Portsmouth more than two hundred years ago,” said Lt.General Ira C. Eaker in a speech, “walked a sailor with one arm and one eye. Indeed he would probably have been in a home for incurables were his name not Horatio Nelson. The man’s spirit drove the flesh.”
Born in 1758, Nelson was a small and weak child who loved sailing. As a young teenager he joined the British Navy and, while on a journey, caught a fever that seriously damaged his health. But he never allowed this to hold him back. At 18 he was appointed a lieutenant (上尉) in the Royal Navy and by the year 1803 was made commander-in-chief of the British fleet (舰队).
Two years later, on 21 October, at the Battle of Trafalgar, Nelson defeated the combined French and Spanish fleets. This naval victory left the British in control of the seas for the rest of the 1800’s. Unfortunately, Nelson was fatally (致命地) wounded during Trafalgar but lived long enough to know that his fleet had won the battle.
Nelson believed in his country, in his cause, and in himself. He proved this with his words and more so with his life.
The British philosopher John Stuart Mill would agree. He said, “One person with a belief is equal to a force of ninety-nine who only have interest.” Why is this so? Beliefs are remarkably powerful in that they are to our lives what a rudder (舵) is to a ship. That is, they control the direction of our lives. Simply put, if I believe I am a failure, I will set myself up to fail. If I believe I am a successful person, I will succeed.
Dr. Joyce Brothers, well-known author and psychologist said, “A person’s self-concept is the central part of his personality. It affects every aspect of human behavior. It’s no exaggeration (夸张) to say that a strong positive self-concept is the best possible preparation for success in life.”
1. Which of the following can be used to describe Nelson?| A．Honest and modest. | B．Cautious and friendly. |
| C．Brave and determined. | D．Considerate and optimistic. |
| A．To explain the key role of beliefs. |
| B．To show the importance of rudders. |
| C．To explain the beliefs of John Stuart Mill. |
| D．To show the difficulty of controlling directions. |
| A．Ability. | B．Courage. | C．Character. | D．Confidence. |
| A．A UK philosopher’s ideas. | B．An unusual British sailor. |
| C．The Battle of Trafalgar. | D．The power of beliefs. |
【推荐2】On some late November dawn, I find myself drawn to the leisurely pursuit of baking a loaf of bread. Not by hand, but by following the bread machine’s step-by-step instructions.
But on this morning, three hours later, all I’ve got is a problem. I’d forgotten to insert the mixing blade into the bottom of the bread barrel. The result: a pile of unmixed dough that neither looks nor tastes like bread. Complaining, I dump the dough and prepare to start a new one.
I reach for the flour, only this time — I fall far short of the necessary four cups. I’ve got one cup at most, along with a freshly emptied flour bag. No matter, I think. I’ll simply drive to my parents’ house to borrow a bit of theirs. Upon my arrival, I decide not to wake them. Instead, I cat burgle my way through their front door, silently search through their cabinets, and discover their own bit of flour supply. I steal all of it and return home so that I might begin again the leisurely pursuit of baking bread.
I follow the instructions, and then, I consider the whole experience before breakfast. How I managed to turn a one-second oversight into an hour-long adventure that cost me more time and money than any loaf of bread could ever be worth. Somewhere, an apron reads, “Baking is my therapy.” I want the one that reads, “Baking sends me to therapy.”
As my bread machine bread begins to rise, I’m struck by an inconvenient truth: had I done nothing that morning, I’d have managed a more favorable outcome.
Meanwhile, I notice something new: the mixing blade works intermittently rather than continually, meaning that for the bread to rise to its full potential, it requires both motion and rest. Work has its place, but so must leisure. The recipe calls for both.
1. Why did the writer fail the first time in the baking?| A．He left out a key step. | B．The flour has run out. |
| C．The bread machine broke down. | D．The dough doesn’t taste like bread. |
| A．He went out to buy some. |
| B．He borrowed some from a friend. |
| C．He got some from his parents by himself. |
| D．He found another bag of flour in his own house. |
| A．How to bake bread |
| B．An unforgettable experience |
| C．Work has its place, but so must leisure |
| D．Breaking bread: A morning adventure in baking |
| A．Practice makes perfect. | B．Well begun is half done. |
| C．Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. | D．All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. |
【推荐3】I never imagined being in an underdog team in my life. I always heard about their success but understated（不以为然）their victory. However, you never know what it’s like to be something unless you try it.
I am a senior in high school and I danced for the Ballroom team at National Dance-sport two weeks ago. We were a new team as one can say. Compared with last year, we didn’t have as many experienced dancers on team. This year I am the only senior boy on team with experience in ballroom. Thus we held the underdog title.
Working with the new team was stressful frustrating, and worthwhile in the end. I felt hopeless at times, and wanted to give up, for I was convinced that we wouldn’t do well at Nationals. But we beat many teams and placed 2nd in our division nationally. With last year’s team, we placed 2nd as well. I am still surprised by the success we achieved. I’m sure our skill wasn’t the best reason, however, our performance, teamwork, and amount of energy we gave made us reach the unthinkable.
I learned to never underestimate（低估）the possibility of any situation. We grew closer and stronger as a team. And I learned something new about myself. I can keep going to the end； as can anyone who pushes a little further, gives a little more, and believes a little longer.
1. Why was the boy’s team called an underdog team?| A．Because they have hardly won victories. |
| B．Because it was founded only one year ago. |
| C．Because most of senior kids left the team. |
| D．Because many dancers didn’t learn dancing. |
| A．Common. | B．Proud. |
| C．Nervous. | D．Frustrated |
| A．Failure is the mother of success. |
| B．Actions speak louder than words. |
| C．Effort and teamwork make you succeed. |
| D．Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. |
【推荐1】On December 23, 2022, Alexander and Andrea Campagna answered a hurried knock at their door. Their home near Buffalo, New York, was struck by a deadly snowstorm, and a group of nine South Korean tourists (and their driver) were trapped. The Campagnas welcomed them in and hosted them for a weekend. What followed was a heartwarming story of sympathy and hospitality. By the end of their time with their guests, Alexander and Andrea planned on visiting South Korea. This wasn’t an empty promise, either; the couple recently reunited with their friends in their home country.
Alexander and Andrea boarded a ship on a 10-day all-expenses-paid tour of Seoul as guests of the Korea Tourism Organization. It was a reward for the Buffalo couple’s kindness and an opportunity to promote travel to the country. The visit included a series of Korean culture as well as its natural beauty. The Campagnas went to the 14th-century Gyeongbokgung Palace, walked through Gwanghwamun Square, and generally received the star treatment. They dined at Michelin-recommended restaurants and went on private tours. This also included a mountain hike and a visit to the Demilitarized Zone.
The wonderful trip was made complete with a reunion with six of the nine tourists who had come to their door five months earlier. They shared a four-course meal at a restaurant in a traditional Korean house overlooking the grand Changdeokgung Palace. There were happy tears; but most of all, there was gratitude. Everyone felt like the chance meeting was fate (命运).
“To see everyone in Korea again is such a blessing,” Andrea told reporters in Seoul. “We’ve always had an appreciation and interest in Korea. They ended up in the right place at the right time. Now we have people we can call friends for a lifetime.”
1. What does the author intend to tell us in Paragraph 1?| A．The weather conditions in Buffalo, New York. |
| B．South Korean tourists’ desire to visit New York. |
| C．An incident before the Campagnas made their plan. |
| D．A promise made by Alexander and Andrea Campagna. |
| A．were well treated wherever they went | B．spent much money on the sightseeing |
| C．travelled little but rested much at hotels | D．stayed with the nine South Korean tourists |
| A．Concerned. | B．Grateful. | C．Anxious. | D．Tolerant. |
| A．A friend in need is a friend indeed. | B．God helps those who help themselves. |
| C．Where there is a will there is a way. | D．One good turn deserves another. |
【推荐2】When I was in primary school, sometimes I would meet a girl of the same age as me. Lisa was never active, but she was always very sweet and nice. In the 5th grade she came to my class.
She was absent a lot, and one day I had the courage to ask why. She told me she was sick, and she explained she wore a wig (假发) because her medicine made her lose her hair. We left it at that. Anytime Lisa came to class—seldom—I would hang with her on the playground.
I received much ridicule (嘲弄) from my friends for this because they thought I was ignoring them for Lisa. My family education taught me to be nice, and I felt Lisa’s needs were much more important than others I knew.
It had been months since Lisa was in our class, and one day our teacher was crying. She explained Lisa died the day before and would no longer be our classmate. She told us Lisa had fought a battle (斗争) with cancer for years.
I was shocked. Lisa never spoke of her illness as if it could kill her. Well, all these years I have kept Lisa in my mind and heart. When I go through the important events in my life, I think of Lisa.
I’ve had a strong wish recently to find her mother and father. I’d like to tell them that though they never met me, their daughter had a sweet effect (影响) on my life. I have no idea what her parents’ first names are. I write to your column (栏目) and hope you can point me in the right direction.
Lisa was such a lovely girl. Maybe her parents would be comforted by the fact that after all these years they are not the only ones who remember her.
1. Why was the author being laughed at?| A．Because she wore a wig to school. |
| B．Because she always played with Lisa. |
| C．Because she cried in the classroom. |
| D．Because she lost her friends because of Lisa. |
| A．She had known Lisa since they were born. |
| B．She has been to Lisa’s house. |
| C．She has a good family education. |
| D．She was the first one to know about Lisa’s death. |
| A．To keep your illness a secret. |
| B．To be nice to everyone everywhere. |
| C．To face challenges in life bravely. |
| D．To put others’ needs above yours. |
【推荐3】Aron Ralston was a pretty normal guy, but he always had an extremely adventurous desire to travel and see the world. During his childhood, his family moved to Denver, Colorado, a place offering many opportunities to climb mountains, explore, and eventually become the adventurer he’d always wanted to be. Back in 2003, Ralston was climbing in the remote, mountainous area of Southwestern Utah, when the unthinkable happened: Aron got stuck in a crevice (裂缝) in the rocks and pinned by a big stone that weighed over 360 kilograms. The weight of the rock crushed his arm, and he was pinned by it. Aron took photos of his bad situation (which was going to get a lot worse), hoping rescue teams (救援队) would know where he was and came to remove the rock so that he could get out and home safe.
But rescuers never came. Aron waited for them for days till he lost his hope. He knew he had to do something. He was 18 meters above the floor of the valley where he was pinned in, and he had a pocketknife. He made what must have been one of the most difficult decisions of his life: to cut his own arm in order to survive. Aron cut the lower part of his arm off, having to wrench (扭动) his forearm against the big stone to break the bones, and then got himself down to the bottom of the valley, where he would begin to walk and search for help. Luckily, help arrived in the form of a helicopter (直升机) that spotted him, covered in blood. Aron had tied off the wound to keep himself from bleeding to death pretty successfully and would eventually make it out alive.
Ralston went on to become an inspiring speaker and continued to travel and climb mountains—he didn’t let an incident that forced him to cut his own arm off, stop him from doing what he really loved.
1. What can be inferred about Aron’s getting stuck?| A．It was unavoidable. | B．It resulted from his being lost. |
| C．It was unexpected. | D．It was caused by a moving stone. |
| A．To send them to rescuers for help. | B．To keep a record of his adventure. |
| C．To remind his friends of the danger. | D．To tell the doctors about his wound. |
| A．He waited for the rescue to come. |
| B．He cut the stone using his pocketknife. |
| C．He moved off the stone using all his might. |
| D．He cut his lower part of his arm and broke the bones. |
| A．His cruelty and anger. | B．His effort and bravery. |
| C．His talent and creativity. | D．His calmness and determination. |
【推荐1】Having the blues, I was driving aimlessly. Unexpectedly, no one remembered my birthday. I decided to take myself out for a birthday celebration to have breakfast by the time I arrived at my destination.
On arrival, I followed a couple of ladies into the cafe and waited to get a menu. One lady asked the waiter to help find one table for them. But the cafe was rather full then. There was only one left in the corner. Then, the lady asked me if I got my own table. I said, “I think you could get your own and I could wait for a smaller one, as I’m here to celebrate my birthday alone.” The lady immediately suggested that we share a table together. At that moment, I thought that was a lovely idea and nodded my head.
I went to pay for my meal and a drink. But I was told it had been paid for. On sitting at the table, I offered to pay for their meal and was told that I didn’t have to pay on my birthday. That was a simple gift for me from the ladies who I just met for the first time, which really touched my heart.
We had a beautiful 40 minutes together and we shared many topics before they had to continue on their journey. It was more than I could have expected for the day. “Thank you! Ladies-Beck and Shayne, my lovely angels for the day. I would never forget this unique birthday. At our parting, they also inspired me to share my kindness, wisdom or knowledge to those who need it. I said to myself,” I surely do not let this chain of love end with me.
1. How did the author feel at first on her birthday?| A．Excited. | B．Sad. | C．Joyful. | D．Mad. |
| A．There was no chair left at that time. | B．It was the only table in the restaurant then. |
| C．She would like to make friends with the author. | D．She wanted to have a chat with the author. |
| A．They paid for the meal for the author. | B．They bought the author a big birthday cake. |
| C．They bought the author a small birthday gift. | D．They gave her some money for a meal. |
| A．Thank the ladies by email. | B．Pass down kindness and love. |
| C．Share her experience with her family. | D．Celebrate her birthday again with others. |
Mary had not seen Mark in years, until the other day when he came into the café where she worked. His appearance was different from when he was in high school. Now, he was a bit fat and thick glasses covered his eyes. However, that didn’t change Mary’s feelings for him at all. He had just bought a brand new red sports car and asked her if she would like to go for a ride and then have dinner with him. Her heart beat with excitement as he opened the door for her. She noticed something very strange as Mark got into the car and started to drive away. On the hair was a group of flies just sitting there.
Mary stared in amazement. It seemed the faster they drove, the more determined the flies were to stick to his hair.
Mary remained silent. She leaned forward and turned the radio on, to try to divert her attention away from the flies, but she couldn’t help thinking about them. She looked up at Mark, who was completely devoted to what was going on and continued to sing to the music while driving merrily along.
Finally, Mark pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road beside a diner and looked in the mirror and said, “Mary, I would like to comb my hair before we get something to eat. Could you reach under the seat and give me my hair cream?”
Mary reached under the seat and pulled out a camping backpack, which contained a round jar and started to laugh wildly as she pointed to the label (商标).
“That’s not hair cream on your hair, Mark! It says it’s Fly Trap Glue!”
1. What can we learn from the text?
| A．Mark had bought a new sports car for Mary. |
| B．Mark used to be a thin, handsome boy. |
| C．Mark and Mary had been in love for years. |
| D．Mary felt strange when she saw the red car. |
| A．Replace. | B．Absorb. | C．Take. | D．Recover. |
| A．Because Mary played a trick on Mark. |
| B．Because their ride wasn’t well prepared. |
| C．Because Mark had prepared a jar of hair cream for her. |
| D．Because Mark had mistaken Fly Trap Glue for hair cream. |
| A．Stuck on you. | B．Unchanged love. |
| C．A hair trick. | D．A wonderful ride. |
【推荐3】Terasa Hill did not intend to do something unplanned. It began when Terasa was observing a horse auction (拍卖). A chestnut: racehorse was for sale? “She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen, though it had an injured leg,” said Terasa.
When the bidding started, Terasa surprised herself by stepping in. Finally, Terasa became the new owner of Sierra, and Sierra, limping (跛) and hurt with pain from a broken knee, became a labour of love for Terasa. After three long months of nursing her under the guidance of a local animal doctor, the leg recovered.
It wasn’t only Sierra’s leg that needed to recover; Sierra needed to relearn how to trust people. Terasa thought the best way to win Sierra’s trust and fondness was to feed her treats. Terasa kept providing Sierra with many treats, but none passed the sniff (嗅) test. Desperate, Terasa experimented by making her own mixture of molasses and grains, which she baked in her own kitchen. The cookies were a hit with Sierra and other horses, sending Terasa’s life in a new direction.
Her treats, called “Barnies”, were sold to a local store and like hotcakes, within months local businessmen began demanding for more. Terasa’s kitchen was no longer big enough for the increased demand, moving her operation to an Oshawa company.
Then a serious health problem threatened to ruin her plans. Terasa called upon the same resolution that had helped her save Sierra to help her overcome her own illness. Family and friends came to her rescue and kept Barnies Ltd. going. Almost a year later, healthy and more resolute than ever, Terasa found a national distributor and Bainies began selling in 144 stores across Canada.
And what about Sierra, the inspiration for all this success and change? The horse has fully recovered and has become a wonderful riding horse.
1. Why did Terasa create her own cookies?| A．To show superb cooking skills. | B．To provide a special diet for Sierra. |
| C．To find a way to bond with the horse. | D．To lay the foundation for her business. |
| A．Inflexible. | B．Pessimistic. | C．Confident. | D．Determined. |
| A．It raises a valuable question. |
| B．It provides surprising information. |
| C．It returns to the topic of the opening paragraph. |
| D．It continues the focus of the paragraph before it. |
| A．A remarkable encounter. | B．A famous food company. |
| C．A rescue of a weak horse. | D．A career from previous devotion. |
