【推荐1】The sound that woke Damian Languell at 8:15 in the morning was so loud he assumed it came from inside his house in Wade, Maine. As he got up to investigate, he heard another sound, this one coming most definitely from outside. Looking out of his bedroom window, he noticed a tree enveloped in smoke about 500 yards away. A car wrapped around the tree’s base, its engine on fire.

Grabbing buckets of water, he and his wife ran to the crash site. Up close, the accident looked worse. The car was split nearly in two, and the tree was where the driver’s seat ought to have been, as if planted there. No one should have survived this crash, and yet there was 20-year-old Quintin Thompson, his terrified face pressed against the driver’s side window, in visible pain.

Languell tried putting out the fire with his buckets of water but failed. When the flames got into the front seats, he knew he had to get the young man out. So Languell opened the car’s back door and climbed in. Using a pocket knife he’d brought with him, he cut through Thompson’s seat belt. Now that Thompson was free, Languell pulled him out, and dragged him to safety before the entire car was in flames.

It is empathy that drove Languell to help, just as he said, “My heart goes out to Thompson. When you are that close to that level of hurt, you feel it so directly.” For his heroic action, Languell was added to the list of real-life heroes changing the world.

1. What do we know about Quintin Thompson?

A．He was successfully rescued.

B．He was capable of helping himself out.

C．He saved his car from fire.

D．He remained calm all the time.

2. Which of the following best explains “empathy” underlined in the last paragraph?

A．Wisdom.

B．Sympathy.

C．Honesty.

D．Humor.

3. Which words can best describe Damian Languell?

A．Caring and thankful.	B．Careless and generous.
C．Creative and hard-working.	D．Courageous and helpful.

【推荐2】As reported in JAMA Surgery, the researchers discovered that e-scooter (电动摩托车) injury rates had increased dramatically in just four years, rising from 6 per 100,000 in the population to 19 per 100,000. Of the estimated 14,651 e-scooter-related injuries in 2018, 4,658, or 32%, involved the head. “While most people recover from head injuries, there is going to be a subset with long-term disability and life changes,” said Dr. Benjamin Breyer.

Dr. Benjamin Breyer of the University of California, Los Angeles, pointed to a 2019 analysis of the data from two hospitals in Southern California, which found just 4.8% of injured e-scooter riders were wearing helmets.

Dr. Joann Elmore, a professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, believed that most e-scooter users are probably unaware of the risks. To make the point, she described a photo taken by a colleague. “There were two riders on an e-scooter,” she said. “No one had shoes on. There were no helmets. And the woman in front had a baby in a baby carrier.”

The new report highlights the need for more research on new technologies, said Dr. Guohua Li, a professor of epidemiology (流行病学).

“Just as there is a global network of experts working on infectious diseases, there needs to be a similar program devoted to the surveillance (监视) and prevention of injuries caused by merging technologies products and lifestyles, such as e-scooters, e-sports, etc.,” Li said in an email.

“The challenge for researchers and policymakers is to keep up with the ever-changing society and protect the public from unnecessary harm caused by new technologies and products without hindering innovation,” he added.

1. What can we know from the passage?

A．E-scooter injury rates had increased due to speeding.

B．32% of injured e-scooter riders weren’t wearing helmets.

C．There is a program devoted to the prevention of injuries caused by advanced technologies.

D．Both protection and innovation are of great importance.

2. What does the underlined word “hindering” probably mean?

A．Preventing.	B．Limiting.
C．Developing.	D．Making progress.

3. What’s the author’s main purpose of writing the passage?

A．To arouse people’s awareness of the risks and self-protection.

B．To introduce a new way of transport — e-scooters.

C．To ask people not to ride e-scooters any more.

D．To urge policymakers to make laws as soon as possible.

【推荐3】“Mayday! We got Mayday!”Frank Pisano screamed over the microphone to the air control tower at the airport．One of the two engines on his plane had failed，and he was now going down towards one of the busiest highways in America—Interstate 405，just south of Los Angeles—and there was no stopping it．

Driving south on the 405，near the airport’S runway，was John Meffert，a fire department captain．He was heading home from his shift when suddenly a low—flying plane caught his eye．After he took a second glance，a thought crossed his mind：“This plane’s going to hit me．”

He was right．The plane slammed into the road，popped up a few feet，and then clipped the front of Meffert’s car．It finally stopped after hitting the divider(隔栏)．Meffert pulled over．He was unhurt，and his car had received only a large scratch，so he turned his attention to the plane．He ran towards the smoke，and then he saw Frank’s wife，Janan Pisano，pop her head up on the passenger side．

By the time Meffert reached the aircraft，part of it was on fire and Janan，who was covered in blood，was on the wing trying to pull her husband from the wreck．Meffert，afraid the plane would explode，guided her to safety behind it．Then，he ran back for Frank，who had been knocked out by the initial crash，lying across both seats．

Meffert carefully positioned himself under the pilot’s arms and lifted him from the cockpit．Then he dragged the pilot off the wing and carried him to safety，where they could see the plane in flames．

The Pisanos spent three weeks in the hospital．Remarkably，Meffert’s car was the only one hit by the plane．Had Meffert been a second or two faster，Frank said，the left propeller(螺旋桨))would have ripped the top off his car and killed him．

“I play all the what-ifs—going slower，going faster．It could have been a very different result，”Meffert said．“We just had a lot of angels．”

1. What does the underlined word“Mayday”in Paragraph 1 refer to?

A．A special day in May．	B．The arrival time．
C．A message for help．	D．The local airport．

2. Why was the plane going down to the highway?

A．Only one engine was working．	B．Frank mistook 405 for the runway．
C．The plane caught fire．	D．The pilot was seriously hurt．

3. What prevented Meffert from being killed?

A．His good sense of direction．	B．His low driving speed．
C．His second glance at the plane．	D．His belief in God．

4. It can be inferred from the passage that__________．

A．Meffert and Frank were friends

B．Meffert’s car was not totally damaged

C．Janan Pisano was one of the crew of the airport

D．the plane would take off again when Frank recovered

【推荐2】I must have always known reading was very important because the first memories I had as a child dealt with books. There was not one night that I don’t remember mom reading me a storybook by my bedside. I was extremely inspired by the elegant way the words sounded.

I always wanted to know what my mom was reading. Hearing mom say “I can’t believe what’s printed in the newspaper this morning” made me want to grab it out of her hands and read it myself. I wanted to be like my mom and know all of the things she knew. So I carried around a book, and each night, just to be like her. I would pretend to be reading.

This is how everyone learned to read. We would start off with sentences, then paragraphs, and then stories. It seemed an unending journey, but even as a six-year-old girl I realized that knowing how to read could open many doors. When mom said “The C-A-N-D-Y is hidden on the top shelf”, I knew where the candy was. My progress in reading raised my curiosity, and I wanted to know everything. I often found myself telling my mom to drive more slowly, so that I could read all of the road signs we passed.

Most of my reading through primary, middle and high school was factual reading. I read for knowledge, and to make A’s on my tests. Occasionally, I would read a novel that was assigned, but I didn’t enjoy this type of reading. I liked facts, things that are concrete. I thought anything abstract left too much room for argument.

Yet, now that I’m growing and the world I once knew as being so simple is becoming more complex I find myself needing a way to escape. By opening a novel, I can leave behind my burdens and enter into a wonderful and mysterious world where I am now a new character. In these worlds I can become anyone. I don’t have to write down what happened or what technique the author was using when he or she wrote this. I just read to relax.

We’re taught to read because it’s necessary for much of human understanding. Reading is a vital part of my life. Reading satisfies my desire to keep learning. And I’ve found that the possibilities that lie within books are limitless.

1. Why did the author want to take the newspaper suddenly out of mom’s hands?

A．She was dying to know what had happened.

B．She wanted mom to read the news to her.

C．She couldn’t wait to destroy the newspaper.

D．She couldn’t help but stop mom from reading.

2. What does the author’s reading of road signs show according to paragraph 3?

A．Her special way to find a place.

B．Her eagerness to develop her reading ability.

C．Her effort to remind mom to respect traffic rules.

D．Her growing desire to know the world around her.

3. What does the author think of novel reading?

A．A way to develop a love for learning.	B．A way to create a mysterious land
C．A way to get away from a confusing world.	D．A way to learn about the adult world.

4. What could be the best title for the passage?

A．The Methods of Reading	B．Growing Up with Reading
C．The Process of Reading	D．Reading Makes a Full Man

【推荐3】My 86-year-old Mom moved to live closer to us. My husband, Kevin, and I found a lovely apartment for her. The day after Mom moved in, she called me to complain about the food at the facility.

Kevin and I took Mom to a nice restaurant for Mother’s Day. On the way back to her place, Mom commented that the restaurant had their air conditioner turned up too high—she nearly froze to death.

I asked Kevin whether I was always complaining. He hesitated for a few seconds before speaking, but he stared out of the window. I realized that the family tradition of complaining had taken root in me as well. Kevin had never mentioned it. But it wasn’t his characteristic to shine a light on my faults. I decided to keep a better watch on my tongue. However, every time the phone rang and Mom’s voice was on the other end, I felt extremely nervous.

Mom seemed ungrateful. After whatever Kevin and I had done for her, all we heard was what she disliked. I talked about how Mom’s attitude annoyed me with my best friend Tory. With the words coming out from my lips, an uneasy feeling settled in my stomach.

A few days later, I received a package from Tory. A bright orange journal with one capital word in gold on its cover: GRATITUDE.

The next morning, I opened the journal and wrote the date, then the things I was grateful for. Over the next few months, I continued to list blessings(幸事、福祉) each day. Looking for things to thank for led to a deeper in me.

Life didn’t suddenly become trouble-free, but a new awareness of the blessings around me changed all these in my life including my Mom. I couldn’t change her, but I could only love her.

1. Why did Kevin look away before answering his wife’s question?

A．Because Kevin didn’t mind her words.	B．Because Kevin was too busy to answer.
C．Because Kevin feared to hurt his wife.	D．Because Kevin was unsatisfied with her.

2. Which word can best describe Kevin’s character?

A．Considerate.

B．Determined.

C．Humorous.

D．Energetic.

3. What did Tory advise the author to do?

A．To spend more time with her friends.	B．To ask forgiveness from her husband.
C．To have a discussion with her mother.	D．To write a gratitude journal every day.

【推荐2】A year ago August, Dave Fuss lost his job driving a truck for a small company in west Michigan. His wife, Gerrie, was still working in the local school cafeteria, but work for Dave was scarce, and the price of everything was rising. The Fusses were at risk of joining the millions of Americans who have lost their homes in recent years. Then Dave and Gerrie received a timely gift-$7, 000, a legacy (遗产) from their neighbors Ish and Arlene Hatch who died in an accident. “It really made a difference when we were going under financially,” says Dave.

But the Fusses weren’t the only folks in Alto and the neighboring town of Lowell to receive unexpected legacy from the Hatches. Dozens of other families were touched by the Hatches’ generosity. In some cases, it was a few thousand dollars; in others, it was more than $100, 000.

It surprised nearly everyone that the Hatches had so much money, more than $3 million-they were an elderly couple who lived in an old house on what was left of the family farm.

Children of the Great Depression, Ish and Arlene were known for their habit of saving. They liked comparison shopping and would routinely go from store to store, checking prices before making a new purchase.

Through the years, the Hatches paid for local children to attend summer camp when their parents couldn’t afford it. “Ish and Arlene never asked if you needed anything.” says their friend Sandy Van Weelden. “They could see things they could do to make you happier, and they would do them.”

Even more extraordinary was that the Hatches had their farmland distributed. It was the Hatches’ wish that their legacy, a legacy of kindness as much as one of dollars and cents, should enrich the whole community and last for generations to come.

Neighbors helping neighbors—that was Ish and Arlene Hatch’s story.

1. According to the text, the Fusses _______.

A．were employed by a truck company	B．were in financial difficulty
C．worked in a school cafeteria	D．lost their home

2. Why would the Hatches routinely go from store to store?

A．They decided to open a store.	B．They wanted to save money.
C．They couldn’t afford expensive things.	D．They wanted to buy gifts for local kids.

3. According to Sandy Van Weelden, the Hatches were _______.

A．Understanding

B．optimistic

C．Childlike

D．curious

4. What can we learn from the text?

A．The community of Alto was poor.

B．The summer camp was attractive to the parents.

C．Sandy Van Weelden got a legacy from the Hatches

D．The Hatches would like the neighbors to follow their example.

【推荐3】Once a month, I volunteer at a meal center to help serve food to people who are in need. Despite the many other things that I need to do, I really look forward to meeting and serving these people, even if only briefly. Although my motivation begins with wanting to help others and be grateful for what have been given, it is joy that helps bring me back when I am very busy. I first noticed this some time ago: at the end of our shift (轮班), after the kitchen and dining room have been cleaned up, I would experience a lightness of being.

A few years ago, as I was researching how kindness affected health, I came to learn that volunteerism was associated with a markedly lower risk of dying. One recent and large European study found that self-reported health scores were apparently better in volunteers than non-volunteers. Depending on the study, the decrease in death rates ranged between 20 to 60 percent or so.

How could volunteering decrease the risk of death? There are several factors at play. The first, and most primary, is decreased symptoms of stress and uplifted mood. Secondly, people who volunteer regularly also make more effort to take care of themselves. Finally, people who volunteer may be more physically active. Volunteers have an obvious increase in walking each day compared to those who did not volunteer.

To try to tie this together, volunteering likely exerts (施加) its positive health effects by con-neeting people to others and to an activity that they find meaningful. Achieving connection, purpose and meaning is critical to reducing stresses of life-particularly loneliness. Since stress is a major cause of disease, especially heart disease, the ability to satisfy the need for connection, purpose, and meaning can bring about beneficial changes for people. And when there is purpose and we are con neeted to others, we take care of ourselves.

1. How does the author feel about doing a volunteer job?

A．Surprised.

B．Pleased.

C．Tired.

D．Annoyed.

2. What is the second paragraph mainly about?

A．The positive health scores of volunteers.

B．The relationship between kindness and health.

C．Volunteerism’s positive effect on volunteers’ health.

D．A study on volunteerism in some European countries.

3. What does the underlined word “critical” in the last paragraph mean?

A．Negative.

B．Different.

C．Contrary.

D．Important.