【推荐1】In my life, my grandfather has influenced me a lot. Ever since I was a little kid, I have always loved sports, especially football. My grandfather also enjoys sports and really loves football. He received a couple of awards in football matches. Through my three years so far in high school, my grandfather has helped me become a better player.

Another reason why I admire my grandfather so much is because of his strong work ethic(道德). Ever since I was a little boy, my grandfather has taught me and shown me what good work ethic means. He is a good example. When he was a young man, his family owned a small store. He often helped his father run the store. He has also done several jobs in his life. He owned his own store when my mother was a young girl; he helped on a farm; he then had his own painting business. Now he is working at a Wal-Mart.

Responsibility(责任) is something that I have struggled with in the past. My grandfather, on the other hand, is a very responsible person. That’s why I am very responsible now, because of him. When he was in school, he was almost a straight A student. I, on the other hand, don’t do so well. One day he had a talk with me about being more responsible. He helped me in school and made me realize how important grades are. Now I get almost As and Bs.

Now you can see why I admire and respect my grandfather as much as I do. He is the best role model I have, and I will always look up to him.

1. What can we learn from the first paragraph?

A．The author’s grandfather was once a high school teacher.

B．The author fell in love with football under the influence of his grandfather.

C．The author’s grandfather was a good football player when he was young.

D．The author won some awards in football matches.

2. What jobs has the author’s grandfather had?

A．He ran a store with the author’s mother.

B．He ran a farm on his own.

C．He helped with his father’s painting business.

D．He has been working in Wal-Mart.

3. How did the author’s grandfather influence him?

A．His grandfather helped him do well in his studies.

B．His grandfather taught him to respect his teacher.

C．His grandfather changed his attitude towards life.

D．his grandfather helped him become a brave man.

【推荐3】“There’s no place like home.” This English saying has much truth in it: the best place to be is surrounded by our treasured possessions and our loved ones and with a roof over our head. And for many young adults, it’s the only affordable place to stay; some place where they can receive first- class service from mum and dad. But this comes at a price!

In some countries, it’s quite traditional for people in their late teens and early 20s to live at home with their parents, but in other places, flying away the nest to start their own independent life is very desirable. But there’s been a growing trend, in the UK at least, for young people to return home to live —or not to leave home at all.

According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics, about a quarter of young adults aged 20-34 live at home, and that figure has been growing. A survey by a price comparison website found that 18% of adult children in the UK said they were moving back home because of debt, compared with 8% last year. More young people had lost their jobs, and others couldn't afford their rent compared with the previous year. So, it’s easy to see why they’re increasingly becoming home birds.

The BBC’s Lucy Hooker explains that many returning adult children enjoy home comforts. These include cooked meals, a full fridge and cleaning, as well as their bills being covered by what is commonly called “the hotel of mum and dad”. But for the “hoteliers”, that’s mum and dad, the survey found the average cost to them has gone up sharply, and that they are sacrificing luxuries and holidays to look after their “big kids”. Emma Craig from Moneysupermarket says “they’re trying to look after their children more. If your child comes home and you see them struggling financially, you feel more awkward asking them for rent or lo contribute.

With parents splashing out（花费）around ￡l,886 on takeaway food, buying new furniture and upgrading their Wi-Fi for the benefit of their children, it’s easy for the returning children to put their feet up and make themselves at home. That's before they learn a home truth that one day it might be their own kids who'll be checking into the hotel of mum and dad!

1. Which of the following statements is true according to the text?

A．The main reason for their moving back home lies in parents' service.

B．Different countries have different traditions.

C．More and more young people live with parents in the UK.

D．Young people desire to live independently in all countries.

2. Why do more young people choose to stay at home?

A．They are struggling financially.

B．They want to keep their parents company.

C．They can't afford to buy their own house.

D．They want to enjoy home comforts

3. What influence does the trend have on parents?

A．They have difficulty making ends meet.

B．They feel happy with their children around.

C．They feel awkward asking their children for rent.

D．They give up their own life to take care of their kids.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．A new trend in the UK.

B．The hotel of mum and dad.

C．There’s no place like home.

D．Everything comes at a price.

【推荐2】A couple John and Mary had a nice family and two lovely children. John had just been asked to go on a business trip to another city and would be gone for several days. It was decided that Mary needed an outing and would go along too. They hired a reliable woman to care for the children and made the trip, returning home a little earlier than they had planned.

As they drove into their home town happily, they noticed smoke, and they went off their usual route to see what it was. They found a home in flames. Mary said, “Oh well it isn’t our fire, let’s go home.” But John drove closer and exclaimed, “That home belongs to Fred Jones who works at the plant. He wouldn’t be off work yet, maybe there is something we could do.” “It has nothing to do with us.” protested Mary. “You have your good clothes on, let’s not get any closer.” But John drove up and stopped and they were both horror stricken to see the whole house in flames. A woman on the lawn was in hysterics screaming, “The children! Get the children!” sobbed the woman, “down the hall and to the left, they are in the basement.”

In spite of Mary’s protests John grabbed the water hose and soaked his clothes, put his wet handkerchief on his head and bolted for the basement full of smoke and scorching hot. He found the door and grabbed two children, holding one under each arm. As he left, he could hear some more whimpering. He delivered the two badly frightened and nearly suffocated children into waiting arms and filled his lungs with fresh air and started back asking how many more children were down there. They told him two more and Mary grabbed his arm and screamed, “John! Don’t go back! It’s suicide! That house will cave in any second!”

But he shook her off and went back. It seemed an eternity before he found the two children. As he stumbled up the endless steps, the thought went through his mind that there was something strangely familiar about the little bodies clinging to him, and at last when they came out into the sunlight and fresh air, he found that he had just rescued his own children.

The baby-sitter had left them at this home while she did some shopping.

1. What did the couple find first when they went back?

A．Their home caught fire.	B．Fred John’s home caught fire.
C．The baby-sitter’s leaving.	D．The woman’s screaming.

2. Why was Mary against John’s rescue at the beginning?

A．Because it’s none of their business.	B．Because she was eager to see her children.
C．Because it would burn his good clothes.	D．Because Fred didn’t work at the plant.

3. Which of the following can best describe John?

A．Warm-hearted and brave.	B．Clumsy but cautious.
C．Generous and humourous.	D．Determined but sensitive

4. What can we learn from the text?

A．Helping others is a god virtue.	B．A good act will be well rewarded.
C．Misfortune tastes the sincerity of friends.	D．Roses given to others, fragrance left in your hand.

【推荐3】One spring morning, I was hiking on southeastern Alaska’s Island when I froze. 20 paces away was a huge Alaskan Wolf — caught in a trap. It was a mother wolf. Somewhere there were hungry pups (幼崽) waiting for her.

From her appearance, I guessed that she had been trapped only a few days. That meant her pups were probably still alive. So I decided to search for her pups. Fortunately, I spotted her pups. I began imitating the high-pitched call of a mother wolf calling her young. A few moments later, four tiny pups appeared. One by one, I placed them in a bag and headed back down the slope.

When the mother wolf spotted me, she let out a high-pitched. I released the pups, and they raced to her. I could see that the trap’s steel jaws had imprisoned only two toes. They were swollen, but she wouldn’t lose the paw — if I could free her.

“OK,” I said. “Just a minute and you will be free.” I applied pressure, the trap opened, and the wolf pulled free. Reaching the far side, I looked back. The mother and her pups were sitting where I had left them, watching me. I waved. At the same time, the mother wolf sent a long howl into the air.

Four years later, I returned after serving in the Army. Standing on the edge of a hill, I gave out a wolf call. An echo came and a wolf call followed. Then I saw a dark shape moving in my direction. “Hello, old girl,” I called gently. The wolf moved closer, her tail wagging slightly. Moments later, the wolf left. But the memory she left with me will always be there, a reminder that there are things in nature that exist outside the laws and understanding of man.

1. How did the author feel when he first came across the wolf?

A．Frightened.	B．Satisfied.
C．Excited.	D．Disappointed.

2. What is the main idea of the second paragraph?

A．The author rescued the mother wolf.

B．The author managed to find the pups.

C．The author took the pups from their mother.

D．How did the author freed the mother wolf.

3. What can we learn from the text?

A．The author was once a soldier.

B．It was winter when the story happened.

C．The author never saw the wolf again after saving her.

D．The wolf couldn’t recognize the author four years later.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．A Hike Trapped a Wolf.

B．We Should Protect the Wolf.

C．The Story Between a Man And a Wolf.

D．How Can One Help Endangered Animals.

【推荐1】Some time ago I discovered that one of my chairs had a broken leg. I didn't think there would be any difficulty in getting it repaired as there are a whole lot of antique (古董) shops near my home. So I left home one morning carrying the chair with me. I went into the first shop expecting a friendly reception. I was quite wrong. The man wouldn't even look at my chair.

The second shop, though slightly more polite, was just the same, and the third and the fourth, so I decided that my approach must be wrong, and I should try another way.

I entered the fifth shop with a plan in my mind. I placed the chair on the floor and said to the shopkeeper, “Would you like to buy a chair?” He looked it over carefully and said, “Yes, not a bad chair. How much do you want for it, sir?” “Twenty pounds,” I said. “OK,” he said, “I'II give you twenty pounds.” “It's got a slightly broken leg,” I said. “Yes, I saw that. It's nothing.”

Everything was going according to plan and I was getting excited. “What will you do with it?” I asked. “Oh, it will be easy to sell once the repair is done.” “I'll buy it.” I said, “What would you mean? You've just sold it to me,” he said. “Yes. I know but I've changed my mind. I am sorry. I'll give you twenty-seven pounds for it.” “You must be crazy.” he said. Then, suddenly the penny dropped. “I know what you want. You want me to repair your chair.” “You're right,” I said. “And what would you have done if I had walked in and said, ‘Would you repair this chair for me?’” “I wouldn't have agreed to do it.” he said. “We don't do repairs, not enough money in it and too much trouble. But I'll repair this for you, shall we say for five pounds?” He was a very nice man and was greatly amused by the whole thing.

1. We can learn from the passage that in the first shop the writer ________.

A．was rather impolite

B．was warmly received

C．asked the shopkeeper to buy his chair

D．asked the shopkeeper to repair his chair

2. What does the underlined word “approach” in Paragraph 2 refer to?

A．plan for dealing with things	B．way of doing things
C．idea of repairing things	D．decision to sell things

3. The expression “the penny dropped” in the last paragraph means the shopkeeper ________.

A．saw the writer's purpose	B．accepted the offer
C．changed his mind	D．decided to help the writer

4. From the passage, we can learn that the writer was ________.

A．honest

B．careful

C．clever

D．funny

5. Which of the following statements is true?

A．The writer wanted to sell his chair for 20 pounds.

B．It was very easy to repair the writer's broken chair.

C．The writer succeeded in getting his chair repaired at last.

D．The man in the first shop thought the chair was too old.

【推荐2】A year ago, my friend and I went to a nearby town to attend a wedding. After the reception, we were waiting for a bus to go back home. It was nine o’clock at night, and although many buses passed, none stopped.

We waited for an hour and were getting desperate. We wouldn’t be able to stay overnight (在夜里) because it was a weekday, and we both needed to work the next day. It was almost 10 p. m. when a family who had attended the same wedding passed by in their car. Probably sensing that we were waiting for some means of transport, they stopped and gave us a lift. I was so touched by their kindness, and I expressed my thanks to them.

When we reached my hometown, the family dropped us at the nearest point from where we could catch a shared taxi to get back to the spot where we had parked our bike. On the way, a worker stopped the taxi. The driver saw his clothes and asked him whether he had money to pay the fare (车费).

The worker shook his head and said, “No.” On hearing this, the driver refused to take him. I remembered my own plight a few minutes earlier, and I told the driver to allow him to sit with us, as I would pay his fare. What an immediate opportunity to pass on the family’s act of kindness! That night, I felt light­hearted and I went to sleep happily and filled with joy about what I had done. May this chain of kindness continue!

1. Why were the author and his friend waiting for a bus at nine o’clock at night?

A．Because they were going to attend a wedding.

B．Because they planned to help a worker.

C．Because they intended to meet a family.

D．Because they wanted to go back home.

2. What was the driver’s attitude toward the worker’s asking for a lift?

A．Unfriendly.	B．Merciful.
C．Positive.	D．Respectful.

3. The underlined word “plight” in Paragraph 4 could best be replaced by “________”.

A．opportunity	B．trouble
C．kindness	D．tiredness

4. What is the best title for the passage?

A．A Kind and Helpful Family

B．An Unusual Wedding

C．Magic Chain of Kindness

D．Attitude Decides Everything

【推荐3】My violin is like a soulmate that whispers words of wisdom to me. Together, we've gone through both tears and happiness.

About 12 years ago, I made acquaintance with it following an order from my mom. Many hours of boredom were spent practicing it. And to make things worse, the disappointment in my teacher's eyes as I played the wrong notes was like an invisible hammer, striking on my heart. One day, I finally decided: I hate it!

By chance, things changed when I was seven. I was at home lying on the sofa, wondering how those famous violinists dealt with this terrible dilemma(进退两难). I searched online for the E-minor Concerto, a well-known violin work by German composer Felix Mendelssohn, and listened to it.

A beautiful and mysterious sound came from the violin as the bow moved across it. It was like the music slid over the flowers, rose up, and started to fill the air. The violin's voice woke up the sun, made the trees green, and freshened the air. As the music changed, the sky turned back to gray. A gloomy shade covered the grass as all the sunshine disappeared. I could hear children crying and men shouting. It was like an invisible claw(爪子)had grabbed my heart tightly, making it unable to beat.

That glorious day set off my passion and interest in violin — I grabbed mine and never let it go. Before the memories faded, I stared at my instrument. Without hesitating, I picked it up, rosined the bow, and began to play. Peace filled my heart.

My violin has been by my side for 12 years. When I feel happy, an energetic tune makes it even better; when I'm deep in sorrow, a peaceful tune washes it away； when I'm walking on air, feeling especially pleased with my achievements, solemn tunes calm me down. Gradually, it has become a part of my life.

My violin, shall I compare you to a summer's day?

1. What further contributed to the author's dislike of violin-playing?

A．Orders from mum.	B．Boredom of practice.
C．Disappointment in the teacher's eyes.	D．Loss of passion for violin.

2. What can be inferred from Paragraph 4?

A．The weather actually changed because of the tune.

B．The scenery outside the room was quite attractive.

C．The sudden change made the author's heart unable to beat.

D．The author's feeling was continuously influenced by the music.

3. Why did the author pick up the violin again?

A．The invisible hammer and claw are gone.

B．A famous tune aroused his interest and passion.

C．The beautiful imagination changed his attitude.

D．He was crazy about Felix Mendelssohn, s works.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Musical Soulmate —Violin	B．My Dislike and Like of Violin
C．An Inspiring Story of Violin	D．Deep Love for Violin Music