I’ve worked in the factories surrounding my hometown every summer since I graduated from high school. But making the transition between school and full-time blue-collar work during the break never gets any easier. For a student like me who considers any class before noon to be uncivilized, getting to a factory by 6 o’clock each morning is torture. My friends never seem to understand why I’m so relieved to be back at school or that my summer vacation has been anything but a vacation.
There are few people as self-confident as a college student who has never been out in the real world. People of my age always seem to overestimate the value of their time and knowledge. In fact, all the classes did not prepare me for my battles with the machine I ran in the plant, which would jam whenever I absent-mindedly put in a part backward or upside down.
The most stressful thing about blue-collar life is knowing your job could disappear overnight. Issues like downsizing and overseas relocation had always seemed distant to me until my co-workers told me that the unit I was working in would shut down within six months and move to Mexico, where people would work for 60 cents an hour.
After working 12-hour shifts in a factory, the other options have become only too clear. When I’m back at the university, skipping classes and turning in lazy re-writes seems too irresponsible after seeing what I would be doing without school. All the advice and public-service announcements about the value of an education that used to sound stale now ring true.
These lessons I’m learning, however precious, are always tinged (带有) with a sense of guilt. Many people pass their lives in the places I briefly work, spending 30 years where I spend only two months at a time. “This job pays well, but it’s hell on the body,” said one co-worker. “Study hard and keep reading,” she added.
My experiences in the factories have inspired me to make the most of my college years before I enter the real world for good.
1. How did the author look back on his summer days while at college?| A．They brought him nothing but torture. |
| B．They were no holiday for him at all. |
| C．They were a relief from his hard work at school. |
| D．They offered him a chance to know more people. |
| A．Misery. | B．Fortune. | C．Anxiety. | D．Availability. |
| A．They expect too much from the real world. |
| B．They have little interest in blue-collar life. |
| C．They think too highly of themselves. |
| D．They are confident about their future. |
| A．They do not get decent pay. |
| B．They do not have job security. |
| C．They have to work 12-hour shifts. |
| D．They have to move from place to place. |
| A．He realizes there is a great divide between his life and that of blue-collar workers. |
| B．He looks down upon the mechanical work at the assembly line. |
| C．He has not done much to help his co-workers at the factory. |
| D．He has stayed at school just for the purpose of escaping from the real world. |
| A．He learned to be more practical. |
| B．He acquired a sense of urgency. |
| C．He came to respect blue-collar workers. |
| D．He came to appreciate his college education. |
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Over the next few days，there were other prisoners responding to the cat．Every yard period，a group of prisoners gathered there．They stood around talking and taking turns petting the cat．These were guys you wouldn’t usually find talking to each other．Several times I saw an officer in the group，not chasing people away, but just watching and seeming to enjoy along with the prisoners．Bowls of milk and water appeared along with bread, wisely placed under the edge of the dustbin to keep the birds from getting it．
The cat was obviously homeless and in pretty bad shape．People said that the cat came to the right place．He's getting treated like a king．This was true．but as 1 watched 1 was also thinking about what the cat was doing for us．There was a lot of talk about what's wrong with prisons in America．We need more programs．We need more psychologists or treatment of various kinds．Some may even talk about making prisons more kind．But I think what we really need is a chance to practise our own kindness．Not receive it，but give it．After more than two decades here，I know kindness is not a value that's encouraged．It's often seen as a weakness．
Instead，the culture encourages keeping your head down，minding your own business，and never letting yourself be weak．
The cat did my heart good to see the effect he had on me and the men here．By simply saying，”I need some help here”，he did something important for us．He needed us．And we needed to be needed．I believe we all do．
1. From the passage，we can learn that the author was ．
| A．an animal protector | B．the cat owner |
| C．a prison officer | D．a prisoner |
| A．The cat was dirty because it was kept in prison． |
| B．The officer in the prison enjoyed petting the cat． |
| C．The prisoners prepared food for both the cat and birds． |
| D．The author realized the importance of practising kindness． |
| A．showing love to others can make prisoners strong |
| B．the American prison culture will be improved |
| C．the author is not content with the prison culture |
| D．caring for others is encouraged in American prisons |
| A．Caring Makes Us Human． | B．Prison Culture is Important． |
| C．Animals Need Care． | D．Everyone Needs to be Cared for． |
【推荐2】When it comes to earning wealth, some people admire wealth to an extreme level, overlooking spiritual values. One of the most significant and incomparable spiritual values is wisdom.
The invaluable qualities wisdom inherits(继承)in a person cannot be bought by wealth. A wealthy individual may experience the most luxury and comfort on the Earth.
Albert Einstein once said. “Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.” One needs to develop a positive mindset and the willingness to be polite and should possess a sense of sympathy.
You can consider wisdom as the person’s capability to make correct decisions and choices.
| A．How is wisdom superior to wealth? |
| B．Wisdom is comprehensive and timeless. |
| C．All such qualities can contribute to wisdom. |
| D．No worldly possession can compare to wisdom. |
| E．However, if he lacks wisdom, all his wealth is fruitless. |
| F．In personal and professional life, wisdom conveys admiration. |
| G．How can your wisdom enhance your ability to influence others? |
【推荐3】Last year, things didn’t go well to me. Like many people during the pandemic, my husband Paul, lost his job. I was working, but only part-time. I was worried about money, COVID and our future. That’s when our mailboxes really started getting to me.
I’d never liked our mailboxes much, which was already in rough shape and stood at the end of our long driveway with the paint faded and the metal pole rusted (生锈).
One day, someone had driven into the pole, which was now bent slightly. However, because the boxes could still hold the mails and the postman wasn’t complaining, there was no need to replace them. But every time I saw them lately, they reminded me of all the problems in my life.
“Lord, I wish we had better mailboxes,” I found myself thinking one day on my way to work. It was more of a passing thought than a prayer. I probably would have forgotten all about it if it were not for the news we got the next morning.
“Our neighbor just sent a message,” Paul said. “A girl drove her car right into the mailboxes, completely breaking them down.”
“Is she okay?” I asked.
“She wasn’t hurt, but really upset. Shihiem saw it happen. He said she’s just a teenager. He gave her our number and information.”
“That certainly wasn’t in the budget,” I thought. As much as I wanted new mailboxes, getting them would be expensive.
I glanced out of the window. There was an unfamiliar car at the end of the driveway. It was too far away to see what the driver was doing. Surprisingly, about two hours later I found on the spot where rusted mailboxes had once stood was a solid, white post with new, shiny mailbox sitting on each arm—one black, one white. Paul handed me a note.
“Dear Neighbor, I am so, so sorry I hit y’all’s mailbox. I bought and replaced them with new pretty ones. Again, I am so sorry. Have a wonderful, blessed day!”
The writer had included her phone number and address in case we needed anything else.
We did—we needed to thank her! We also wanted to make sure she hadn’t been injured.
1. Why didn’t the writer replace her mailboxes?
| A．She was busy working. | B．The postman liked them. |
| C．They could still be used. | D．They reminded her of the difficulties in life. |
| A．Clever and beautiful. | B．Hardworking and intelligent. |
| C．Talented and friendly. | D．Responsible and considerate. |
| A．It’s boring. | B．It’s discouraging. |
| C．It’s inspiring. | D．It’s interesting. |
【推荐1】Having a sudden creative idea, Michael Jackson called the director John Landis after seeing his film An American Werewolf in London and they decided to create a short film called Thriller with a budget much larger than previous music videos. That was Jackson's sixth studio album. Michael Jackson reunited with his fifth studio album Of the Wall producer Quincy Jones to record it. The pair worked together on 30 songs, nine of which were eventually included. Jackson wrote four songs for the video on his own. Recording took place from April to November 1982 all Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, with a production budget of $ 750 ,000. But Jackson's record company, Epic Records, refused to finance it, so a making of documentary, Making Michael Jackson' s Thriller, was produced to receive financing from television networks.
Michael Jackson's Thriller was launched on November 30, 1982, in the United States and played regularly on MTV. It doubled the sales of Thriller, helping it become the best-selling album in history, and sold over a million copies on VHS, becoming the bestselling videotape at the time. The album won a record-breaking- eight Grammy Awards in 1984. including Album of the Year. It is credited for transforming music videos into a serious art form, breaking down racial barriers in popular entertainment, and popularizing the making of documentary format.
The album has had a lasting effete on popular culture, such as the zombie dance and Jackson's red jacket, designed by Landis's wife Deborah Nadoolman. Fans worldwide re-act out its zombie dance and it remains popular on YouTube. "The Library of Congress described it as” the most famous music video of all time". In 2009 , it became the first music video inducted into the National Film Registry as “culturally and historically" significant. Today, Thriller is still viewed in a positive light by people more than three decades later. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote that the record had something to interest everyone.
1. What inspired Jackson to make the Thriller video?| A．An American Werewolf. | B．His eight Grammy Awards. |
| C．His former album of the Wall. | D．Making Michael Jackson's Thriller. |
| A．He directed Off the Wall and Thriller. | B．He was probably the producer of Thriller. |
| C．He designed the plot of Thriller. | D．He wrote 5 songs for Thriller. |
| A．The regular playing of the video on MTV. | B．Epic Records' refusing to finance Jackson. |
| C．Jackson's music creativity of the video. | D．The attraction of the zombie dance. |
| A．To discuss who contributed to Thriller. | B．To explain the reasons for making Thriller. |
| C．To introduce why Thriller was a great success. | D．To show Thriller's backgrounds and its effects. |
【推荐2】I was on a tour of Italy with my friends. Our car pulled to a stop at the beach. I got out and saw the blue sea. I shuddered (颤抖). Nothing scared me as much as water. Thirteen years earlier, I dropped into water and was nearly drowned at a city pool. Since then, I stayed away from water.
Just then I heard shouting in Italian. That was a little boy out there in the sea! His head popped up, then a wave crashed over him and he disappeared. I was the only one who was on the fastest way to reach the drowning boy. Yet I was as frightened as he. I forced myself to move.
I looked around, hoping that some strong-armed swimmer would come to help the boy. No one was there. Taking a deep breath, I threw myself into the water. As soon as I went under it, I felt like I was back in that city pool, breathless, struggling (挣扎). Calm down, I shouted in my head. Where is he? Then I saw it — a thin arm waving weakly a few yards away. I tried to think of how I’d seen real swimmers do it. I threw my arms out in front of me one after the other.
I reached the boy and caught his arms just as he went down below the surface. I pulled as hard as I could, and he popped back up, coughing, eyes wide with fear. Only one Italian word came to mind. “Riposo.” I told the boy. If he struggled, I’d never get him to safety. “Riposo.” I said again. He relaxed.
I held him and fought to get us back to land. And I realized that I was no longer afraid. Not at all. I knew how terrified I got at the sight of water. Yet the disappearing of fear was absolutely amazing.
1. Thirteen years earlier, the author ________.| A．travelled to Italy with friends | B．fell in love with diving |
| C．suffered a flood | D．nearly drowned |
| A．frightened | B．powerful | C．disappointed | D．regretful |
| A．close your eyes | B．hold your breath | C．keep awake | D．stop moving |
| A．With Hope | B．Beyond Fear | C．In Return | D．Under Pressure |
【推荐3】Charvi Goyal is a high school student from Dallas, Texas, who helps out other classmates by tutoring them between classes.
When Goyal’s high school moved online last spring because of COVID-19, she decided to also take her teaching online. The 17-year-old junior and three of her fellow students created TutorScope, a program that offers free tutoring services to other children, including younger ones. It started with a small number of tutors who helped young people in their city. But it has grown into a group of 22 tutors from Texas, Arizona and Ohio. They have helped more than 300 students, some from as far away as South Korea.
TutorScope aims to give the one-on-one help that teachers have traditionally given while walking around their classrooms. But now, many teachers cannot provide that one-on-one support because they lack time or have issues with technology.
Sarah Newman said her children, 7-year-old twins, have had helpful TutorScope experiences. The service has freed up her and her 17 year old son. “With these tutors, I realize they have time,” she said. “I think they are very patient with these younger kids. I have patience with other things, but I don’t have patience to teach.”
What makes the TutorScope effort special is the connection between the teenage volunteers and the other students they are helping. Although the pandemic (传染病) has forced many students to look inward, Goyal said that working with others on a big project has permitted her to look outward. “My confidence level has increased,” Goyal said. She added that she has made friends with other students from her school. She said one of the best things about running a growing non-profit program is fliat it does help with the boredom of being stuck at home.
1. What did Goyal do last spring?| A．She helped her classmates at school. |
| B．She got active in fighting COVID-19. |
| C．She offered online tutoring to other students. |
| D．She went to South Korea to help. |
| A．To give online help. | B．To make profits. |
| C．To make friends. | D．To choose volunteers. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Tolerant. |
| C．Doubtful. | D．Critical. |
| A．Put the cart before the horse. |
| B．A friend in need is a friend indeed. |
| C．No man can do two things at once. |
| D．Helping others will benefit oneself. |
【推荐1】I can well remember the pain. My stomach was sick, my heart hurt, and my eyes were painful from holding back tears.
“You know, Annie,” my friend John said. “Joanna and Andrea were just talking about you.” I immediately got nervous. “They said that the only reason you start on the basketball team is that the coach likes you. It’s not that you’re good.” I thought I might be sick. “They said they’re tired of you always getting what you want.”
I struggled to keep myself from crying, sinking to my knees on the cold floor. After John told me everything my supposed best friends said about me, I was hurt.
Joanna and Andrea came in, acting as if nothing had happened. Joanna was still my deskmate, and Andrea was still my partner for our history project. I was amazed at their abilities to pretend we had perfect friendship, especially since they’d said such hurtful things.
I was a freshman in high school, and I felt like I didn’t have a friend in the world, all because of gossip.
The tongue can be our worst enemy. Gossips harm confidence and separate close friends. They are like sharp knives, cutting one’s self-respect into pieces. When we say unkind things about others, we’re sticking knives into their hearts.
So how was I to act next? When Joanna and Andrea pretended our friendship hadn’t changed, I thought of attacking them back. But instead, I told them directly that they had hurt me. Joanna started crying and Andrea was speechless. I knew they were both sorry for what they had said. They apologized, and I forgave them. Sure, things were a little embarrassing at first, but soon enough everything was back to the way it had been before.
I still deal with gossip, sometimes as a receiver and sometimes as a sharer. But the more I learn about the friendship, the more I realize the importance of tolerating others—something gossip never does.
1. From the second paragraph, we can conclude that Joanna and Andrea ________.| A．were grateful that the writer was their friend |
| B．did not think the writer was the coach’s favorite |
| C．were unhappy about the writer being on the team |
| D．made fun of the writer’s basketball performances |
| A．She decided to fight back immediately. |
| B．She pretended that nothing had happened. |
| C．She found it uncomfortable to speak to them. |
| D．She told them how she felt about their words. |
| A．unconcerned | B．positive |
| C．negative | D．unclear |
【推荐2】As a kid, I was a devoted fan of a TV show, Sesame Street. During my preschool years, I watched the show every single day and continued to watch it as much as possible through elementary school. It felt like spending an hour with my best friends. It was also a primary source of learning and having fun during my childhood.
The show's characters always made me feel like I belonged. Maybe that's because along with its educational part, the show paid attention to the fundamental ideas of kindness and acceptance. Sesame Street was a community where everyone was welcome and where problems were addressed with love and warmth.
Growing up in a small US midwestern town without much diversity（多样化）, characters like Miles and Maria—who stood for cultures other than mine—made me feel that it was okay to be different.
Besides helping me learn numbers and ABCs and understand different cultures, Sesame Street was deeply woven into my childhood. The theme song（主题曲）was basically the theme song of my young life. Every kid I knew dressed up as a character from the show at least once for Halloween. I remember my mum singing Ermie's famous "Rubber Duckie" song to me each night at bath time. Then I would go to bed with my beloved Cookie Monster.
As Sesame Street celebrates its 50th anniversary, I'm so glad I can pass its value down to my kids. I'm planning to take my kids to see Sesame Street Live for the first time in a few weeks. I just hope they remember Sesame Street being an important part of their childhood just as it was for mine.
1. Why did the author like the characters in Sesame Street?| A．They gave her a sense of belonging. | B．They were friendly and humorous. |
| C．They taught her musical knowledge. | D．They were like the people in her real life. |
| A．To protect different cultures. | B．To try to make a community better. |
| C．To accept people who are different. | D．To deal with problems in a proper way. |
| A．Sesame Street helped the author make many friends. |
| B．Kids watched Sesame Street to celebrate Halloween. |
| C．The author's mum was a fan of Sesame Street too. |
| D．Sesame Street was popular among the kids then. |
【推荐3】Papa, as a son of a dirt-poor farmer, left school early and went to work in a factory, for education was for the rich then. So, the world became his school. With great interest, he read everything he could lay his hands on, listened to the town elders and learned about the world beyond his tiny hometown. “There’s so much to learn,” he’d say. “Though we’re born stupid, only the stupid remain that way.” He was determined that none of his children would be deprived of (剥夺) an education.
Thus, Papa insisted that we learn at least one new thing each day. And dinner time seemed perfect for sharing what we had learned. We would talk about the news of the day; no matter how insignificant, it was never taken lightly. Papa would listen carefully and was ready with some comment, always to the point.
Then came the moment—the time to share the day’s new learning. “Felice, tell me what you learned today,” he said.
“I have learned that the population of Nepal is...”
Silence. Papa was thinking about what was said, as if saving the world would depend upon it. “Get the map; let’s see where Nepal is.” And the whole family went on a search for Nepal.
This same experience was repeated until each family member had a turn. Dinner ended only after we had a clear understanding of at least half a dozen such facts.
As children, we thought very little about these educational wonders. Our family, however, was growing together, sharing experiences and participating in one another’s education. And by looking at us, listening to us, respecting our input, recognizing our value and giving us a sense of self respect, Papa was unquestionably our most influential teacher.
Later during my training as a future teacher I studied with some of the most famous educators. They were imparting (传授) what Papa had known all along—the value of lifelong learning. His technique has served me well all my life. Not a single day has been wasted, though I can never tell when knowing the population of Nepal might prove useful.
1. What do we know from the first paragraph?| A．Papa had a desire to travel around the world. |
| B．Papa’s children didn’t receive any education. |
| C．The poor could hardly afford school education. |
| D．Those born stupid could not change their life. |
| A．The news. | B．School education. |
| C．Papa’s comment. | D．Dinner time. |
| A．Showing talents. | B．Family get-together. |
| C．Continuous learning. | D．Winning Papa’s recognition. |
| A．a wise man eager to share his knowledge |
| B．a parent insistent on his children’s education |
| C．an educator skillful at training future teachers |
| D．a teacher strict about everything his students did |
