Six-year-old Amar Lal was never concerned with what year, month, week or day it was. His routine was the same. Every morning the family would pack their belongings and move from quarry (采石场) to quarry, where they began a day’s work. As the colours of the sky changed from blue to orange to black, the family would break stones.
Needless to say, school was a distant dream as was permanent housing. But one day in 2001, Lal’s destiny changed when Nobel Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi paid a visit to the quarry.
Recalling the fateful day in 2001 when Satyarthi was conducting a gathering in his village — an education march part of the “Save Childhood Movement” — Lal says Satyarthi spotted him carrying heavy stones. A short conversation later, Satyarthi had convinced Lal’s parents that their child was meant for greater things.
“I vividly recall Satyarthi asking my parents whether I went to school. But not my parents, grandparents or even great-grandparents had ever been to school. They looked at him with a puzzled look because a nomadic (游牧的) lifestyle was the only one we knew. Work was all we were taught to do,” the 27-year-old lawyer Lal shares.
His parents were interested by this “angel” who assured them that a better world lay outside this quarry — a world where their children could play, laugh and learn. They decided to trust Satyarthi. And several days later, Lal went to Satyarthi’s centre for children. Thus began Lal’s second chapter of life.
“My education at Satyarthi’s centre taught me that child labour is a serious problem and children around India are subjected to cruelty under the banner of ‘work’. I was really grateful that I was given a chance at a new life which thousands of children dreamed of. I wanted to give other children the same.”
Since Lal graduated as a lawyer in 2018, he has been working with Satyarthi on cases and practical assistance, and in turn, giving hope to many more children.
1. How was Lal’s life before meeting Satyarthi?| A．He worked as a labourer. | B．He led a comfortable life. |
| C．He was abused in the family. | D．He liked to observe the sky. |
| A．An advocate for children’s rights. | B．An owner of a big quarry. |
| C．A Nobel Prize winner in medicine. | D．An expert in children’s behavior. |
| A．They felt annoyed. | B．They were confused. |
| C．They felt unhappy. | D．They were disappointed. |
| A．Grateful and generous. | B．Reliable and determined. |
| C．Ambitious and modest. | D．Lucky and responsible. |
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【推荐1】Students in a college French class have helped fill the empty bookshelves of a very poor Haitian(海地的) school by writing 90 books. Although many children in Haiti speak Creole(克里奥尔语) at home, French is taught in classrooms and used by the government , and students are asked to know the language in order to get further education. Therefore, the class hoped to provide resources to help the young students learn French well.
The project, called Little French Books, was headed up by Jennifer Shotwell, a French professor at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. Shotwell had visited Haiti with a group of students in 2013 to support a Haitian student and give books to a new library. Following the trip, Shotwell brought the experience back to her classroom.
“My students have a chance to use the French language in a special way by writing children’s books,” Shotwell said. “Though some learners don’t think they can produce much with a new language, my students are learning to express themselves and create entertaining stories that we finally share with disadvantaged children who are also learning French.”
Shotwell had sent French books to Haitian schools, but they were printed on cheap paper that could be easily broken. So she started a Kickstarter, which collected more than $1,000 to make books with durable covers.
The books, which included stories about princesses, dinosaurs and exciting experiences, were given to the St.Gabriel’s school in Lascahobas.
“Each time a child gets into a new book, he will no doubt get new knowledge and new understanding. The Little French Books means a lot to our students, said Gardy Myrtil, a teacher at the school.
1. Why do the college students create books for children in Haiti?| A．To help the children learn French. |
| B．To follow the government’s requirements. |
| C．To stop the children from speaking Creole. |
| D．To make the library open with enough books. |
| A．It was started in 2003 by a student. |
| B．It is in charge of Jennifer Shotwell. |
| C．It helps set up many new libraries in Haiti. |
| D．It provides textbooks as well as story books . |
| A．strong | B．colorful |
| C．beautiful | D．thin |
| A．More libraries should be open for kids. |
| B．She is thankful to the project for its effort. |
| C．kids should read more books in their free time. |
| D．The more books kids read, the clever they’ll be. |
【推荐2】In March 2019, when Sara Cook first got a letter telling her that someone had paid off a part of her medical debt, she thought it was fake. “It seems like one of those e-mails you get saying you have a long-lost uncle and you’ve just inherited two million dollars.” Cook says. Cook called the number listed on the letter and what she learned was that this was not a scam.
A remarkable nonprofit organization called RIP Medical Debt had paid $ 5,000 towards her bills. RIP buys medical debts directly from hospitals at a steep discount, usually paying only a few pennies to retire each dollar of debt. Since 2014, it is estimated that they’ve spent only about $20 million to pay off nearly $1 billion in personal debts. Antic and Ashton, the founders, get their money from individuals and charities that support RIP’s mission. The $5,000 to pay off Cook’s bill was donated by a church in Michigan, which in 2019 raised $53,000, paying off $5 million in debt owed by thousands of people.
Don't bother contacting RIP for help, however. Now, RIP researches potential recipients (接受者) based on three criteria. First, they look for people who make no more than 2.5 times the amount established as the federal poverty level. Then they seek for those whose debt is equal to 5 percent or more of their total income. Third, they look to see whether a person is bankrupt.
For those who do qualify, RIP’s help is life-altering. “After their letter, I realized that my life really wasn’t that awful,” says Cook, who shares her story with anyone who has the willingness to listen. “I may be deprived of the chance to work as a nurse again, but I can sit at the school library and help kid read or serve up food in the soup kitchen. When people do something out of the kindness of their hearts, sometimes they may wonder whether it really makes a difference. I want people to know that this indeed has a positive impact.”
1. What does the underlined word “scam” probably mean?| A．Payment. | B．Cheat. |
| C．Reward. | D．Letter. |
| A．Why RIP performs the act of paying off medical debt. |
| B．Where RIP gets the money for the kindness. |
| C．How much RIP has paid for people’s medical debt. |
| D．How RIP carries out the act of paying off people’s debt. |
| A．Those who support RIP’s mission. | B．Those who struggle financially. |
| C．Those who contact RIP actively. | D．Those who get deadly diseases. |
| A．Goodbye, My Medical Debt | B．A Remarkable Organization |
| C．Cook, a Nurse of Misfortune | D．Antic and Ashton’s Kindness |
【推荐3】8-year-old French boy Mathias, who was diagnosed to an inoperable brain cancer and mere months left to live, had always wanted a visit to the hometown of the Disney heroine in cartoon “Moana”. His parents Aline and Eric quit their jobs and resolved to take Mathias to his dream place, French Polynesia.
Famous for its otherworldly beauty on the Pacific Ocean, their destination is an extraordinary one with an extraordinary price tag, too. As the family planned the exploration on a budget, a local organization heard about their story and came to their aid. It raised 33,000 euros for their month-long adventure by selling bracelets with the words “waves of love” and holding performances of the Haka dance.
Superb things kicked off for the family when they landed. Drumbeats thundered through the air. Crowns and flower necklaces were piled upon the family. Children dressed in grass skirts danced before Mathias in a welcome fit for a president.
The place began to heal (治愈) Mathias. He visibly reacted to the smell of tropical flowers, the sound of someone playing the ukulele and the magical feeling of bathing for hours in the arms of his parents in an ocean far warmer than back home. “At first he was a little afraid to enter the ocean since he can’t see as well as before,” Aline said. “But he got his confidence back and it was him who asked to go in.” After so many months of hospital appointments and treatments, the trip offered the chance the family all needed to recharge and disconnect from all of that, and Mathias benefited most all.
Despite the magnificent things both above and below the water’s surface, it was the great hospitality from the French Polynesian people that left the biggest impression on the family. Hundreds of offers for everything from guest house accommodations to daytrips on boats rolled in from around the islands.
Perez, the organization’s president, said he was inspired not only by the family’s spirits but by the outpouring of love from his community. “Mathias’ dream served as a unifier,” said Perez. “And making it come true proved that-by being all together we can achieve something great.”
1. Why did Mathias’ parents decide to go to French Polynesia?| A．To admire the beautiful ocean scenery. |
| B．To enjoy a superb and affordable journey. |
| C．To cure their son of the severe brain cancer. |
| D．To bring Mathias close to a cartoon character. |
| A．He got rid of his misfortune. |
| B．He learnt to play water sports. |
| C．He found comfort and courage. |
| D．He overcame his sight problem. |
| A．It’s great to make Mathias’ dream come true. |
| B．To achieve something great is always inspiring. |
| C．A bonded community makes a great difference. |
| D．It’s the organization’s duty to bring people together. |
| A．Quality of the days left really counts. |
| B．A sick boy struggles to realize his dream. |
| C．Joy feels greater when shared with others. |
| D．Pouring love from the place of Moana heals. |
【推荐1】When I was a child,my parents often took me to an old house in a thick forest.No other children ever stayed there.I didn’t even have the choice of playing with a brother or sister.
I could never understand what the attraction of the house was,even for my parents,who enjoyed nothing better than to sit in silence with a good book.The woman in the house,my father’s distant cousin,was a terrible cook and her food was inedible.
One day,when I was wandering around the garden behind the house,I noticed a wooden house which had clearly been abandoned.As I walked towards it,I heard a noise,like an animal moving hurriedly away.Then I saw a man with a long beard standing at the door.I was greatly surprised.
“Please don’t tell them you saw me,” he said.“They never use this place,and I have nowhere else to live.” “Don’t worry,” I said.“I won’t tell anyone.But are you all right out here?I mean—do you have enough to eat?” The old man shook his head.
The same evening,I took a small plastic bag into the dining room and,while no one was looking,emptied some of the food into it.Later,I got out of the back door secretly and gave the food to the old man,whose name I had discovered was Taff.
I had never seen anything else as lovely as the smile of satisfaction on Taff’s face when he ate the food.From then on,my visits to the old house had a purpose,and I enjoyed every minute of the rest of my stay.
1. How did the writer feel about staying in the old house at first?| A．He was happy to be with his parents. |
| B．He enjoyed reading good books there. |
| C．He was pleased with the woods. |
| D．He felt very lonely. |
| A．too bad for him to eat |
| B．nice to look at |
| C．not enough to eat |
| D．as delicious as usual |
| A．He was poor and hungry. |
| B．He helped to repair the old house. |
| C．He liked to play hide-and-seek with the writer. |
| D．He raised many animals. |
| A．it’s nice to raise wild animals |
| B．it’s valuable to help others |
| C．it’s good to live in the forest |
| D．it’s comfortable to live in the old house |
【推荐2】A thief entered the bedroom of the 30th President of the United States, who met him and helped him escape punishment.
The event happened in the early rooming hours in one of the first days when Calvin Coolidge came into power, late in August, 1923. He and his family were living in the same thirdfloor suite (套房) at the Willard Hotel in Washington that they had occupied several years before. The former President's wife was still living in the White House.
Coolidge awoke to see a stranger go through his clothes, remove a wallet and a watch chain.
Coolidge spoke, “I wish you wouldn't take that.”
The thief, gaining his voice, said, “Why？”
“I don't mean the watch and chain, only the charm (表坠). Take it near the window and read what is impressed on its back.” the President said.
The thief read, “Presented to Calvin Coolidge.”
“Are you President Coolidge？” he asked.
The President answered, “Yes, and the House of Representatives (众议院) gave me that watch charm. I'm fond of it. It would do you no good. You want money. Let's talk this over.”
Holding up the wallet, the young man said in a low voice, “I'll take this and leave everything else.”
Coolidge, knowing there was $80 in it, persuaded the young man to sit down and talk. He told the President he and his college roommate had overspent during their holiday and did not have enough money to pay their hotel bill.
Coolidge decided to offer the man and his roommate two rail tickets back to the college. Then he counted out $32 and said it was a loan (借款)．
He then told the young man, “There is a guard in the corridor.” The young man nodded and left through the same window as he had entered.
1. Why did Calvin Coolidge live at the Willard Hotel in those days?| A．Because the former President was still living in the White House. |
| B．Because the former First Lady hadn't left the White House. |
| C．Because the First Lady liked to live there. |
| D．Because he liked there. |
| A．by air | B．by water |
| C．by bus | D．by train |
| A．Considerate. | B．Kind. |
| C．Generous. | D．Selfish. |
| A．The young student repaid the $32. |
| B．The thief was put into prison. |
| C．The President told many reporters the thief's name. |
| D．The President ordered the young man to repay the money. |
【推荐3】I have received many Christmas gifts over the years. The best gift I ever received was presented to me by a stranger. I never even knew his name and I only had contact with him for less than 60 seconds. His Christmas present to me changed the way I think about people and about Christmas.
It was several years ago when my wife asked me to meet her at the local department store on Black Friday morning. They had advertised a child’s bike that she wanted to purchase for our son. We stood with a very large crowd, waiting for the manager to blow the whistle. I told my wife that if we got a bike, fine, but if we did not, I was OK with that too.
As the shelf of bikes began to gradually decrease in size, I saw my polite opportunity to wrap my hands around the corner of one of the boxes. I lifted it off the box and suddenly felt some mild resistance. I looked up to see one of the largest gentlemen I had ever seen in my life. Threat was not the word to describe his presence. He was decorated with numerous belts of metal pointed leather around both arms and even his neck. Tattoos (纹身) were an obvious passion of his.
I started to return anxiously the box but he gently pushed it back in my direction and back into my hands. He then directed it into my shopping cart. He looked at me, smiled, and said, “Merry Christmas.” My wife and I went to the checkout, paid for the bike and went home. All the way home I was thinking that this moment was by far the best Christmas gift I had ever received. The kindness of a stranger that broke all previous views I may have had of stereotypes and prejudices. I will never forget the tenderness of a human heart in a simple act.
1. Why does the author see the gift as best?| A．Because it was given by a stranger. | B．Because it was donated by a charity. |
| C．Because it improved his level of living. | D．Because it changed his way of thinking. |
| A．He is eager for it. | B．It doesn’t matter. |
| C．It depends on its price. | D．He doesn’t like it at all. |
| A．Strong and kind. | B．Tall and cautious. |
| C．Lovely and energetic. | D．Handsome and polite. |
| A．A True Gentleman I Met | B．The Best Gift I Ever Received |
| C．A Choice That Changed My View | D．A Stranger Who Gave Me a Gift |
