I was living with my grandparents at the time. Our grandparents had recently retired. While they’d managed to save enough to buy a home, they were short on living expenses.
So, our grandfather took a job as doorkeeper of the Java school building. Keeping the entire building clean was a stressful job for one man. Realizing this, I began helping him after school, sweeping rooms and emptying waste baskets, for a small wage.
When winter arrived, he fired up the school’s furnace (火炉). He quickly realized how difficult it had become for him to shovel (铲) the huge pile of coal chips required to fill in the furnace. I volunteered to take on that job, a commitment that required me to set my alarm clock an hour earlier each morning. I’d go over to the school, and shovel a half ton of coal, enough to keep the fire burning for 24 hours. After finishing that task, I’d go home, change clothes, and eat breakfast. Then I’d head back to school, always at the last minute.
It was during those morning rushes to school that I discovered my superpower. On two mornings, at the very instant I stepped onto the sidewalk in front of the school, the first bell rang. That was the signal for students to head to class. This astonishing coincidence caused me to improve my precision. I carefully planned each phase of my morning activity. I paced myself. Often I’d step onto the school’s sidewalk just as the first bell rang. This accomplishment gave me enormous pride — and some strange feelings.
Decades later, at a school reunion, I happened to meet Harold Spiry, who had been in charge of ringing the bell by pressing a button in his office. I couldn’t resist boasting (吹嘘). I told Mr. Spiry about how well I had ordered my complex morning work back then, how my timing had been faultless. “Oh that,” he said. “Do you recall that my office windows looked out over the front of the building? I often saw you coming. And when you hit the sidewalk, I’d ring the bell.”
1. What does the underlined word “this” refer to?| A．Grandparents’ lack of living expenses. |
| B．Granddad’s retiring as a doorkeeper. |
| C．Grandparents’ saving money to buy a house. |
| D．Granddad’s hardships in cleaning the whole building. |
| A．To avoid being late for school. | B．To help his granddad clean classrooms. |
| C．To fill coal into the school’s furnace. | D．To volunteer to empty waste baskets. |
| A．He had the ability to be on time. | B．He was good at morning activities. |
| C．He could do things at his own pace. | D．He could fire up the furnace alone. |
| A．Proud. | B．Surprised. |
| C．Cautious. | D．Regretful. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Use the library — Borrowing
The Library is for everyone in our university community. Please use our physical items fairly and return books when others need them.
How to borrow
●You will always need your Ucard to borrow an item.
●There are self-service machines at all libraries.
Number of items
●Undergraduates and taught postgraduates can borrow 40 items.
●Staff and research postgraduates can borrow 75 items.
Loan period
●Standard items are currently guaranteed for 7 days.
●Some specialist items will have different loan periods. To find a specialist item’s loan period, check the individual page of the library that holds the item.
Automatic renewal
●If no one reserves the item, it will automatically renew and you will have it for another guaranteed loan period.
●Items will not automatically renew if your account is blocked.
Unable to return an item
●If you will not be able to return a book in time, you must contact the library.
●If you do not return an item when it is reserved, the book will become overdue and your account will be blocked.
●If an item is not returned and has been overdue for over 2 weeks, you will be charged a full replacement cost.
Any items taken out with your library card are your responsibility. Do not lend them to others.
During university vacations
During university vacation periods, there turn date will be extended on most items. You will be able to keep these items until the end of the vacation, even if it is reserved.
Not all items are available for vacation loan. Always use My Library Account to check the return dates of items you are currently borrowing.
If you need a book that is on vacation loan, contact your Subject Librarian.
1. What is the longest loan period if a book is not reserved?| A．7 days. | B．10 days. | C．14 days. | D．30 days. |
| A．You fail to renew the book in time. | B．You lend the borrowed book to others. |
| C．The borrowed book is overdue when reserved. | D．The borrowed book is kept over 2 weeks， |
| A．Librarians are unavailable. | B．All items are not allowed for loan. |
| C．The return date will be postponed in no case . | D．Reserved books should be returned as scheduled. |
【推荐2】The first week of September was a week that I had been expecting all summer. I didn’t want summer to end, but I was excited about going to high school for my first week.
When I got to school in the morning on the first day I realized how large the school was, and how many students went there. I ended up in the wrong classroom because of the size of the school. Luckily, a kind senior showed up and guided me to my homeroom before I was late. I was happy to see that in a class of unfamiliar (不熟悉的) faces, the only open seat was next to my good friend, Casey. My science teacher seemed like a good teacher. She was exciting and fun.
After finishing four periods without too much of a challenge, I didn’t feel too bad about ninth grade. However, the fifth period changed everything. I didn’t feel ready after all. My teacher’s name is Mr. Valassidis but he told us to call him Mr. V. Mr. V. told us that we would have to write 40 essays (文章) and read AP-level books such as The Odyssey this year. I love reading and writing, but come on, 40 ESSAYS? AP-level books? Now I was afraid.
The courses in high school seem like they’re going to get much harder, but they haven’t yet. Even though my classes look hard, they look really exciting too.
The first week passed quickly. Although a lot of things were overwhelming (令人不知所措的): the size of the campus, the crowds and the seniors, having a totally different experience than I had ever had before was really exciting. Now, I’m really happy about high school. I have lots of friends in my classes, I really like my teachers and I’m meeting new people.
1. How did the author feel when his high school life was about to start?| A．Relaxed. | B．Nervous. | C．Frightened. | D．Happy. |
| A．He got lost on the campus. | B．He was late for class. |
| C．He was praised by Mr. V. | D．He met Casey for the first time. |
| A．The strict rules in classes. |
| B．How his science teacher behaved. |
| C．The reading homework on the first day of high school. |
| D．What he was expected to do with his studies. |
| A．Her new teachers. | B．Her plan for the new year. |
| C．Her first week of high school. | D．Her challenges in high school. |
【推荐3】Johnny Smith was a good math student at a high school. He loved his computer. He came home early every day, then he worked with it till midnight. But Johnny was not a good English student, not good at all. He got an F in his English class.
One day after school Johnny joined his computer to the computer in his high school office. The school office computer had the grades of all the students: the math grades, the science grades, the grades in arts and music, and the grades in English. He found his English grade. An F! Johnny changed his English grade from an F to A. Johnny' parents looked at his report card. They were very happy. "An A in English!" said Johnny's Dad. "You're a very clever boy, Johnny." Johnny is a hacker.
Hackers know how to take information from other computers and put new information in. Using a modem, they join their computers to other computers secretly. School headmasters and teachers are worried about hackers. So are the police, for some people even take money from bank computer account and put it into their own ones. And they never have to leave home to do it! They are called hackers.
1. Johnny changed his English grade with the computer in _______.| A．the classroom | B．the school office |
| C．a bank near his house | D．his own house |
| A．Johnny was good at math |
| B．Johnny loved computers |
| C．Johnny could join one computer to another |
| D．they thought Johnny was not poor in English any longer |
| A．Johnny's parents. | B．School headmasters, teachers and the police. |
| C．The police. | D．School headmasters and teachers. |
| A．Johnny | B．computers |
| C．hackers | D．model |
【推荐1】Joanne was stuck in a traffic jam in central Birmingham at 5:30, and at 6:30 she was expected to be chairing a meeting of the tennis club. At last, the traffic was moving. She swung quickly racing to her house. As she opened the door, she nearly tripped over Sheba.
“Hey, Sheba,” she said, “I’ve got no time for you now, but I’ll take you out as soon as I get back from tennis club.” Then she noticed Sheba seemed to be coughing or choking. Obviously, she could hardly breathe. Immediately, Joanne realized she would have to take her to the vet (兽医). When she got there, the vet was just about to close for the day. Seeing the state of Sheba, Dr. Sterne brought her quickly into his office.
“Listen, doctor, I’m really in a rush to get to a meeting-can I leave her with you, and go and get changed? I’ll be back in ten minutes to pick her up, and then I’ll take her on to the meeting with me. Is that OK?”
“Sure,” said the doctor.
Joanne made the quick trip back to her house in a couple of minutes. As she was once more entering the hallway, the phone by the door began to ring.
“This is Dr. Sterne,” said an anxious voice. “I want you to get out of that house immediately,” said the doctor’s voice. “I’m coming round fight away, and the police will be there any time now. Wait outside!”
At that moment, a police car screeched to a stop outside the house. Two policemen got out and ran into the house. Joanne was by now completely confused and very frightened. Then the doctor arrived.
“Where’s Sheba? Is she OK?” shouted Joanne.
“She’s free, Joanne. I took out the thing which was choking her, and she’s OK now.”
Just then, the two policemen reappeared from the house, half-carrying a white-faced man, who could hardly walk. There was blood all over him.
“My God,” said Joanne, “how did he get in there? And how did you know he was there?”
“I think he must be a burglar,” said the doctor. “I knew he was there because when I finally removed what was stuck in Sheba’s throat; it turned out to be three human fingers.”
1. What was Joanne supposed to do at 6: 30?| A．To walk her dog. | B．To see her doctor. |
| C．To attend a club meeting. | D．To play tennis with her friends. |
| A．to dress up for the meeting |
| B．to phone the police station |
| C．to catch the badly hurt burglar |
| D．to wait for her dog to be cured |
| A．Sheba fought against the burglar |
| B．the police found the burglar had broken in |
| C．Joanne had planned to take her dog to the meeting |
| D．the doctor performed a difficult operation on the dog |
| A．clever | B．friendly |
| C．frightening | D．devoted |
【推荐2】Marathon on a Walker
A 9-year-old boy with cerebral palsy(脑瘫) and autism (自闭) has raised $100.000 charity after completing a marathon up.
Tobias Weller completed the final of his 26.2mile marathon in Sheffield, northern England, on Sunday surrounded by socially distanced neighbors and well- wishers.
Tobias cannot stand or walk unaided, and requires support with most tasks, but, inspired by Captain Tom Moore, an old soldier who raised millions for the UK’s National Health Service by waking laps of his garden ahead of his 100th birthday. Tobias set his sights on a marathon.
“I heard about Captain Tom and I thought why don’t I use my walker to try to complete a marathon by walking up and down my street every day,” he said in video, knitting it would be an “enormous challenge”.
At the beginning of lockdown, Tobias could walk a maximum of 50 meters a day, but he grew closer to completing his challenge — which took him 70 days, he was walking up to 750 meters a day.
“I can’t believe I completed a marathon, every bit of it has been totally awesome,” he said. “I love it when my neighbors clap and cheer for me, I’m getting stronger and stronger every day. It’s such a good feeling.”
So far, Tobias has raised over £81, 600 — £50, 000 more than his original target of £30, 000 for a school that supports children and adults with cerebral palsy and autism.
Tobias’s mother said they were going to continue walking and were aiming to reach 50 kilometers. “I’m so, so pleased that he’s completed his marathon. He’s done really well. He’s tried so hard all the way through. He’s really achieved a massive goal,” she said. “I’m bursting with pride for my little boy.”
1. How did Tobias raise $ 100,000 for charity?| A．By creating a video | B．By organizing a race. |
| C．By walking in his garden. | D．By finishing a marathon |
| A．Kind and determined | B．Humble and start |
| C．Selfless and easy-going. | D．Brave and qualified |
| A．It is never too old to learn. | B．Time and tide wait for no man. |
| C．Success belongs to the persevering. | D．A friend in need is a friend indeed. |
【推荐3】Sitting among the cheering fans of the Chinese Women’s Volleyball Team in Rio de Janeiro, a Polish fan caught a lot of attention. It is not because he is not Chinese, but because he has followed the team closely from the very beginning.
The 60-year-old Jozef fell in love with the Chinese Women’s Volleyball Team at the first sight when he he watched the girls at the London Olympics on TV in 2012. The Polish man was crazy about the performances of the young team, especially by its core player Hui Ruoqi. Before that Jozef was a loyal fan of his home team — the Polish men’s volleyball.
Since then, Jozef has become crazy about the team and has kept track of almost all their international competitions. Back in the 2013 Montreux Volley Masters of Switzerland, the Polish man, for the first time, came to cheer up for the team on site. He also drove all the way from Poland to Italy to lend support for the girls during the 2014 Women’s World Volleyball Championship.
The hardcore fan traveled hundreds of miles from Polancl to Brazil, and booked tickets for all matches of the Chinese Women’s Volleyball.This time, Jozef was interviewed by TV and has been recognized by not just fans, but millions or Chinese TV audience.
The “Polish grandpa” was a nickname given by Chinese volleyball Fans. He has 18,000 followers on Sina Weibo, China’s answer to Twitter, where Jozef has been sharing his obsession with Chinese Internet users since 2013.
1. Why did Jozef get much attention?| A．He was interviewed by Chinese TV. |
| B．He is a famous and loyal Polish fan. |
| C．He has supported the Chinese team from the start. |
| D．He was sitting among the fans of the Chinese team. |
| A．In 2012. | B．In 2013. |
| C．In 2014. | D．In 2015. |
| A．By car. | B．By bus. |
| C．By bike. | D．By plane. |
| A．Jozef has already had millions of fans in Poland. |
| B．Jozef has been a fan of his home team since 2012. |
| C．Jozef first cheered up for the Chinese team on site in 2014. |
| D．Jezef has followed most of the international matches of the Chinese team. |
| A．Giving support to the Polish team. |
| B．Sharing his love for the Chinese team. |
| C．Answering questions about playing volleyball. |
| D．Booking tickets for matches of the Chinese team. |
【推荐1】I like dogs very much. I think they are very clever and they can do many things for people. I have a little dog. His name is Jim. He is my best friend. Every morning, Jim goes to the store in the neighborhood (附近，邻里). The shop assistant (店员) in the store gives him two things: a sweet (糖果) and a newspaper. Jim eats the sweet and takes the newspaper in his mouth. Then he runs home.
I like reading my newspaper in bed before I get up. Jim knows that and he takes the paper to my bedroom. When I am eating my breakfast, he takes all the letters to me. After that, he goes outside to wait for the bus. When he sees the bus coming down the street, he barks (犬吠). I run out, and the bus stops for me. Jim never lets me miss (错过) the bus.
1. Where does Jim go every morning?| A．He goes to bed. | B．He goes home. |
| C．He goes to the store. | D．He goes to the restaurant. |
| A．He takes sweets for me. | B．He takes the letters. |
| C．He takes me a newspaper. | D．He takes me my breakfast. |
| A．To play with me. | B．To have breakfast. |
| C．To give me a sweet. | D．To give the newspaper to me. |
| A．I am eating my breakfast | B．the bus comes |
| C．Jim comes home | D．I am lying on the bed |
| A．He runs home with the paper. | B．He barks. |
| C．He comes to my bedroom. | D．He runs away. |
【推荐2】A white-haired old gentleman steps out of his car, bag in hand and coat over his arm, he has called from the office to say that he is on the way. His wife is preparing supper. He can see the light shining inside his own front door. He looks forward to a fire and hot milk. It is a cold night. A few seconds later he is lying on the icy ground in a pool of his own blood.
It doesn’t happen very often, but it does happen in the capital city of the United States. It is more likely to happen in the near-deserted city center at night. What happened to him could happen to any of us.
Senator Stennis, who is 71, got out of his white Buick at 7:40 p.m. outside his home at 3609 Cumberland Street. Two youths said,“Get out! Money, please.” He followed the order. He handed over his wallet containing several cards, a gold watch and the only money he had in his pockets—twenty-five cents. The youths also said, “Now we’re going to shoot you anyway.”Anyway they did. One bullet (子弹) hit him in the leg and struck the bone. The other entered his chest just below the upper pocket of his suit. It narrowly missed his heart.
Strangely he made it across a ten-meter distance, up eight steps and along twenty more feet of stone path. His wife met him at the door, and saw two men running. The senator told her to call the police and the doctor.
The senator is a powerful political figure, but it is unlikely that the two young men knew who he was. More likely the reason for the killing was that he had only no more than a quarter of dollar - not enough for two cups of coffee.
1. According to the passage, _______.| A．such a mugging (行凶抢劫) might have happened to anyone |
| B．the mugging happened on a cold evening in a senator’s home |
| C．the senator was killed because he was an important politician |
| D．the mugging might not have happened if the senator was young and strong |
| A．pulled him into a pool | B．shot two bullets into his body |
| C．hit out at him hard | D．carried him away |
| A．the senator attempted to cheat them |
| B．they failed to get the senator’s expensive car |
| C．the senator didn’t die in their hands |
| D．the mugging didn’t bring them what they had expected |
| A．A near-deserted city center at night is a dangerous place. |
| B．People should always carry some money with them. |
| C．Though seriously wounded, the senator managed to get home on his own. |
| D．The senator’s wife met the two men and recognized them. |
【推荐3】I’ve never been the kind of person to say, “it’s the thought that counts” when it comes to gifts. That was until a couple of weeks ago, when my kids gave me a present that blew me away.
For years now, I’ve been wanting to sell our house, the place where my husband and I raised our kids. But to me, this house is much more than just a building.
In the front room, there’s a wall that has hundreds of pencil lines, marking the progress of my children’s growth.
Every growth stage is marked in grey, with each child’s name and the date they were measured. Of all the objects and all the memories, it’s this one thing in a home that’s the hardest to leave behind. Friends I know have returned home after work only to discover their wall of heights has been freshly painted over. A new paint job wouldn’t normally be greeted by tears, but erasing that evidence of motherhood hurts more than it should. Our kids grow in so many ways, but the wall is physical evidence of their progress, right there for everyone to see.
Over the years, I’ve talked about how much I would hate leaving that wall behind when I moved, even though the last marks were made 10 years ago when my kids stopped growing.
So one day, while I was at work, my children decided to do something about it.
They hired Jacquie Manning, a professional photographer whose work is about capturing the beautiful things in life, from clear lakes and skies to diamonds and ballgowns.
She came to our house while I was at work, and over several hours, took photos of the hundreds of drawings and lines, little grey fingerprints, and old marks. Somehow, she managed to photograph all those years of memories perfectly. Afterwards, she put all the photos together into one image, transforming them into a beautiful history of my family.
Three weeks later, my children’s wonderful gift made its way to me-a life-size photo of the pencil lines and fingerprints that represents entire lifetimes of love and growth.
1. The underlined phrase “blew me away” in Paragraph 1 probably means “________”.| A．attracted me | B．surprised me | C．accepted me | D．refused me |
| A．A house. | B．Buildings. | C．An object. | D．Memories. |
| A．Finding the wall repainted. | B．Erasing the fingerprints. |
| C．Greeting them by tears. | D．Leaving the wall unfinished |
