A few years ago, I asked a neighborhood handyman to build a tree-house in my backyard. In part, this was to solve a problem: my children were good friends with the children who lived beside us and they liked to climb over the fence that separated the two yards. We could have just put a gate into the fence, but I decided that building some kind of climbable structure around the large fir tree in the yard, which also included a staircase into the neighbor’s yard, was a more creative solution to the problem, and I liked the idea that the tree-house would also serve to join the two play spaces together.
The handyman took the task much more seriously than I had expected. He made drawings, built small wooden models, and even held a kind of “visioning” exercise with the children and their parents to make sure that he hadn’t missed any important details. At the end of our lengthy discussions, he asked, “Where would you like me to put the beer rail?”
The question took me aback as I hadn’t really considered the possibility that a nice play structure in my yard might also facilitate beer consumption among the neighborhood children, but I quickly tuned in to the fact that our designer had intuited what should have been obvious to me- the children wouldn’t be the only ones to take advantage of this platform up among the branches of the beautiful old tree. And, indeed, over the years that I lived in that house I discovered that the platform made a pretty good perch (栖息处), not only for the occasional cold beer, but also for sitting and dreaming, reading a book, enjoying a picnic or even getting some writing done. My children enjoyed climbing around in the tree-house, playing tag, setting up imaginary pirate ships and fortresses (城堡), and they also used it for some quiet thinking and even the occasional math homework. The tree seemed to be a particularly good algebra tutor.
1. Why did the author prefer to build a staircase?| A．It would make the tree-house look prettier. |
| B．It would give better protection to the fence. |
| C．It would be finished at low cost. |
| D．It would connect the neighbor’s kids more closely. |
| A．It was out of date. | B．It was unnecessary. |
| C．It was unaffordable. | D．It was too complicated. |
| A．Misunderstood. | B．Examined. | C．Recognized. | D．Proved. |
| A．Ambitious and persuasive. | B．Strict and kind-hearted. |
| C．Careful and far-sighted. | D．Humble and generous. |
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【推荐1】Norman Borlaug, who is making a difference, is known around the world. He is often described as the man who has saved more lives than any other person in history. Norman Borlaug is considered the father of what has been called the Green Revolution. His ideas about agriculture increased crop production and ended hunger in many nations. Mr. Borlaug continues to be a leader among agricultural researchers.
Norman Borlaug was born in 1914 on a farm in the American state of Iowa. In the middle of the 20th century, world population was expanding faster than food production. Experts said many people in developing countries would face starvation.
Norman Borlaug was an agricultural researcher at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center in Mexico. He developed methods of growing wheat that increased the amount harvested by three times. He later repeated this success in India, Pakistan and Africa.
His methods of farming saved millions of people who would have starved to death. Norman Borlaug was given the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in 1970.
Norman Borlaug is still urging experts to think about the needs of people around the world. His latest concern is a disease in wheat called UG99. He says it has the power to destroy most of the wheat being grown around the world. He says reductions in agricultural programs have made it harder to take action against such threats.
Mr. Borlaug’s granddaughter Julie works at the center named after him at Texas A&M University in Dallas. She says his worry about food problems rises from the belief that hunger is unacceptable. She says Norman Borlaug still believes it is our responsibility as human beings to feed one another.
1. Norman Borlaug was ________ years old when he was given the Nobel Prize.| A．56 | B．94 |
| C．65 | D．99 |
| A．express his respect for Norman Borlaug. |
| B．introduce Norman Borlaug’s own life in America |
| C．show an interest in Norman Borlaug’s research |
| D．describe Norman Borlaug and his research |
| A．UG99 is a modern software virus. |
| B．UG99 is a disease that does great harm to the wheat. |
| C．UG99 is a virus that appeared in 1999. |
| D．UG99 caused increase in agricultural output. |
| A．France | B．Pakistan |
| C．India | D．Africa |
【推荐2】Jordan knew he wanted to do something unique with his farmland. He wanted to win the local garden club’s “Yard of the Month” award. But he didn’t have the money to buy new trees, so he began by using bushes and shrubs (矮树苗) that a local nursery had thrown away—that looked dead to most people.
Because he worked days at a can factory, Jordan often tended his garden at night. Neighbors got used to seeing one little headlight as Jordan stood on a ladder, cutting and shaping his steadily growing bushes. Gradually, the shrubs took on different shapes. Jordan then began planting trees and using zip ties, coat hangers, PVC pipe, and even his wife’s old stockings to achieve the forms he wanted. “He has a way of manipulating plants to do things he wants them to do by training, bending, wiring, and clipping,” says a neighbor, “And the plants seem to bend to his will.”
Many professional gardeners are amazed by what Jordan has been able to achieve. “The garden itself was created from lack of knowledge,” says Jordan in his booming bass voice, “because I didn’t know you weren’t supposed to do this with plants. For one time in my life, ignorance paid off.”
Jordan’ attention to detail and his willingness to work hard have made him a local hero. He was the fist African American to win “Yard of the Month” honor from the local garden club. And more recognition followed: articles in major newspapers and appearances on well-known TV shows.
Jordan’s garden now includes about 400 species of plants and 150 shrubs in different shapes. On his front yard, four-foot-tall letters filled with bright red begonias (秋海棠) spell Love, Peace, and Goodwill. These are the principles Jordan lives by. A box for donations can be found on the property, but giving is optional. Jordan welcomes people who can’t afford to pay. He understands; he’s been there.
1. What does Jordan’s experience of building the garden tell us?
| A．Beggars can’t be choosers. |
| B．A good beginning is half done. |
| C．Where there is a will, there is a way. |
| D．Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. |
| A．Using. | B．Expecting. | C．Tending. | D．Controlling. |
| A．Brave and hard-working | B．Creative and committed. |
| C．Passionate but careless. | D．Ambitious but ignorant. |
| A．Jordan comes from a poor family. | B．Tickets are expensive for visitors. |
| C．It is worthwhile to pay for the visit. | D．Jordan lives on donation from others. |
【推荐3】A rescue group made sure hunting dogs Herbier and Hilda were adopted as a pair since Hilda helps Herbier get around.
For more than 50 years, guide dogs have been trained to help humans with vision challenges live without boundaries and enjoy independence in their homes, offices, and the community at large. Given dogs' ability to be trained, along with their skills, it seemed unavoidable that there would be an unofficial guide dog for a blind dog.
Almost more exciting is the fact that one such set, which was abandoned together in Salem about a month ago, has found a new forever home that will allow the blind dog and his caretaker dog to remain together.
A little more than a month ago, someone abandoned three dogs over the fence of a local gentleman who formerly rescued greyhounds. The man no longer rescues the little dogs of being long of body, short of leg and droopy of ears, but he did know to take them to the Marion County Dog Services shelter.
The county shelter knew immediately to contact Diane Young at Salem Dogs, a local dog rescue known for being heavy on love and affection that the county most likely has on speed dial.
The rescue director responded in time, taking in the two of the dogs. One black male was healthy and passed tests quickly and easily. He was put up for adoption at the shelter and was quickly accepted.
The other two are between the ages of 4 and 5, required a bit more care. Hilda, a long-haired, black-dappled female, was obviously connected to Herbier, a light-brown, smooth-coated brown greyhound who had vision problems.
1. What can we learn about the abandoned dogs?| A．They have been trained for their ability and skills. |
| B．The three dogs were abandoned because they are blind. |
| C．They are finally adopted to live with the man who found them. |
| D．The dog Hilda offers to help the blind dog Herbier get around. |
| A．Cows who have lost their babies. | B．Dogs who are abandoned by their owners. |
| C．Humans who become old and lonely. | D．Chickens which are living with their mom. |
| A．The touching story of two dogs helping each other happened one month ago. |
| B．Humans began to train dogs for the ability and skills of guidance five years ago. |
| C．The two abandoned dogs are still living together at the shelter today. |
| D．The two dogs were abandoned most probably because they were blind. |
| A．A moving story about two dogs. | B．The Marion County Dog Services shelter. |
| C．A dog and a blind dog were trained. | D．Two dogs were abandoned by a man. |
【推荐1】Katie Piper, born in October, 1983, is a former model and television presenter from UK. Piper had hoped to have a full-time career in the media, but in March 2008 sulphuric acid (硫酸) was thrown in her face. The attack, which blinded Piper in one eye, was arranged by Piper’s ex-boyfriend, Daniel Lynch, who revenged on Piper for her ending their romantic relationship.
The acid destroyed all the skin on Katie’s face, neck and hands, and left her blind in one eye. It also burnt her nose and throat so severely that she needed to be fed through a tube in her stomach and regularly had operations to expand her esophagus (食道) as the scar tissue restricts her ability to eat and drink.
Piper spent seven weeks in the burns unit at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. She was unconscious and spent ten days in the intensive care, and she wore a special plastic pressure mask for 23 hours a day for two years, in an effort to flatten her scars.
In May 2009 Piper made the decision to give up her anonymity (隐姓埋名) and share her story in a remarkable film for the programme Cutting Edge on Channel 4 called Katie: My Beautiful Face. The programme, supported by a huge press campaign, first aired in November 2009 and won high praise from the audience.
Then, Piper set up the Katie Piper Foundation to improve recovery facilities for burns survivors while providing a network of support and information on burns, scars and treatment, both medical and non-medical.
1. Why did Piper’s ex-boyfriend attack her?| A．Because he envied her success. | B．Because Piper broke up with him. |
| C．Because Piper blinded his one eye. | D．Because he suffered from a mental disorder. |
| A．She lost her sense of sight completely. |
| B．She was uncapable of eating as before. |
| C．She was unconscious for over two years. |
| D．She had to wear a mask to protect her face. |
| A．She used her stage name. |
| B．She played a role of a model. |
| C．She aroused the audience’s sympathy. |
| D．She exposed her personal experience publicly. |
| A．Inspiring and dutiful. | B．Devoted and confident. |
| C．Ambitious and brilliant. | D．Courageous and warm-hearted. |
The story goes back to October, 2005. Ruthie, 8 months old, was sitting on the back seat of the family car when her owner walked hurriedly into a Long Island store. When Nancy Noel returned a few minutes later, Ruthie was nowhere in sight.
Nancy Noel and her husband, Lincoln Werden, got in touch with Nassau County police, put up flyers (小传单) around their Manhasset neighborhood. But no sightings of Ruthie were reported. Until last week, that is, someone sent Ruthie to a Manhattan shelter after finding her walking slowly around the Bronx — 25 miles from where she was taken on that fateful October day.
And then, shelter workers searched Ruthie for a possible microchip (微芯片) — she had one fixed under her skin. It showed her family’s name and address. Ruthie was immediately reunited with Nancy Noel and her daughter, Sara Werden.
“We never thought we would see her again,” said Sara Werden. “We were just amazed.”
She’s no longer the tiny pup they last saw. In fact, Ruthie gained (增加) 10 pounds during her months away from home. She’s on a diet now, and has already lost one and a half pounds. Ruthie also has a new friend to play with. The family had got another dog, named Holly, after losing the hope of ever finding their beloved Ruthie.
1. According to the passage, when did Ruthie get together with her family?
| A．In October 2005. | B．In March 2006. |
| C．In May 2007. | D．In March 2007. |
| A．a pet dog that Nancy Noel raised |
| B．one of Nancy Noel’s daughters |
| C．one of Holly’s sisters |
| D．a police working for Nancy Noel |
a. Ruthie was sent to a shelter.
b. Ruthie stayed outside a Long Island store.
c. Ruthie was fixed a microchip.
d. Ruthie reunited with her family.
e. Shelter workers found Ruthie’s address.
| A．baecd | B．caebd | C．bedac | D．cbaed |
| A．Ruthie was stolen by a thief. |
| B．Ruthie had enough food during the days when she was lost. |
| C．Nancy Noel never lost the hope of finding Ruthie. |
| D．Ruthie had to put on weight after she was found again. |
【推荐3】An unpleasant smell floated into my nose as the bowl of fried stinky tofu(臭豆腐) settled onto my grandmother's dinner table. I immediately sat back. The smell ruined my appetite, and I pushed the dish away.
“It's supposed to stink. Just give it a try!” my grandmother said.
Holding my breath, I unwillingly took a bite. To my surprise, the tofu beneath the fried skin was warm, soft, and mouth-watering. Since then, whenever I visited my grandmother's house, I would rush to the kitchen for the stinky tofu with excitement. Thus, stinky tofu became more than a household tradition. It became my favorite dish.
Along with the stinky tofu, I would meet my Uncle Chan on every visit. As an immature boy, I never understood my uncle's condition of Down syndrome(唐氏综合征).
He was an unfriendly and terrible creature in my eyes. He constantly walked around the house, talking to himself. Whenever he appeared, I would run away in fear.
However, one day, my view about my uncle suddenly changed. I was just getting out of my bed when I heard soft steps approaching. It was my uncle. My muscles froze. He slowly sat next to me and touched my face gently, as a mother would stroke (抚摸)a baby. A wide smile emerged from his blank expression. How beautiful his smile was! I could not help but smile back. My fear disappeared gradually, and my muscles relaxed. For the first time, I could see softness and warmth in his eyes.
My uncle very much resembles stinky tofu. Stinky tofu smells unpleasant on the outside,yet feels warm and soft in the inside. Like stinky tofu,my uncle's Down syndrome made me keep my distance at first. Yet, I learned that deep inside, he is harmless and has a loving nature.
Some people tend to look down upon disabled people and regard them as unfit for a regular life. As I was unable to see through the outer surface of the tofu, these people are unable to see through the surface of prejudice(偏见). As a result, they judge the disabled with one glance.
The outside and inside of the stinky tofu exist as two extremely different worlds. Perhaps that is what makes it such a tasty dish. Not only is it delicious, stinky tofu offers a valuable lesson:never judge people at first glance, for true beauty comes from the inside.
1. Why did stinky tofu become the author's favorite dish?| A．It was related to family tradition. |
| B．It turned out to be quite delicious. |
| C．Grandma encouraged him to try it. |
| D．His appetite for food had increased. |
| A．He was a quiet person. | B．He was an energetic guy. |
| C．He was an immature man. | D．He was a strange creature. |
| A．Chan's footsteps woke up the author |
| B．Chan showed his friendliness to the author |
| C．Chan displayed his love towards his mother |
| D．Chan's blank expression made the author smile |
| A．highlight the nature of Uncle Chan |
| B．analyze the family relationship |
| C．describe a childhood memory |
| D．introduce a traditional Chinese food |
