When I was growing up, I was embarrassed to be seen with my father. He was severely lame and very short, and when we would walk together, his hand on my arm for balance, people would stare. I would feel ashamed at the unwanted attention. If he ever noticed or was bothered, he never let on, nor did he say anything about it.
It was difficult to coordinate (协调) our steps — his pausing, my impatience — and because of that, we didn’t say much as we went along. But as we started out, he always said, “You set the pace, I will try to adjust to you.”
Our usual walk was to or from the subway, which was how he got to work. He went to work sick, and despite bad weather. He almost never missed a day, and would make it to the office even if others could not. A matter of pride.
When snow or ice was on the ground, it was impossible for him to walk, even with help. At such times my sisters or I would pull him through the streets of Brooklyn, NY, on a child’s sleigh to the subway entrance. Once there, he would grasp the handrail until he reached the lower steps that the warmer tunnel air kept ice-free. In Manhattan the subway station was the basement of his office building, and he would not have to go outside until we met him in Brooklyn on his way home.
When I think of it now, I wondered at how much courage it must have taken for a grown man to subject himself to such indignity and stress. And at how he did it — without bitterness or complaint.
He never talked about himself as an object of pity, nor did he show any envy of the more fortunate or able. What he looked for in others was a “good heart”, and if he found one, the owner was good enough for him.
Now that I am older, I believe that is a proper standard by which to judge people, even though I still don’t know precisely what a “good heart” is. But I know the times I don’t have one myself.
My father has been gone many years now, but I think of him often. I wonder if he sensed my unwillingness to be seen with him during our walks. If he did, I am sorry I never told him how sorry I was, how unworthy I was, how I regretted it. I think of him when I complain about incident, when I am envious of another’s good fortune, when I don’t have a “good heart”.
At such times I put my hand on his arm to regain my balance, and say, “You set the pace, I will try to adjust to you.”
1. What wouldn’t the author like others to see?(No more than 10 words)2. What’s the meaning of the underlined phrase “let on” in the first paragraph? (No more than 5 words)
3. According to the third paragraph, what conclusion can you get about the father’s attitude toward his work? (No more than 8 words)
4. Find an example in the passage that shows the father was a man with a “good heart”.(No more than10 words)
5. What does the author learn from his father? (No more than 15 words)
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【推荐1】Last December,I was invited to a party in a company that provides roofing services. I’d never been there before, and I had it in my head that I’d walk in and see men with a smell of metal, asphalt shingles(沥青瓦) and truck oil in the air.But the image I created in my head was far from the truth.
As I walked up to the main entrance of Universal Roofing in Indianapolis,I was greeted by a lovely lady.We didn’t know each other,but she was so welcoming and led me straight to the Grilliant Foods barbeque buffet.
I soon filled my plate and headed for a table populated with people I didn’t know.After several bites, I started meeting my fellow table mates: a mix of a retired employee, a customer, and a partner,all of whom were talking about how long they had known Rob,who was the owner of the company, and the pleasant experiences of working with him. I personally was most impressed with the retired employee at the table.He was back and enjoying himself simply because he missed the people.
After lunch I started to walk through the hall.I was impressed with how nicely decorated everything was.From the choice of colors on the walls,the furniture ,and flooring,there was love put into the decoration.
On my walk,I was soon stopped, hugged and thanked for coming by Rob, and his son, Sam. In reality, they hadn’t known me all that long,but there was an unspoken feeling I had—I felt at home.
Later, I visited their website. “Rob treats everyone who works for him like family,” reads the website. Actually, he treats everyone like family,and because of that,everyone around him treats the people they encounter like family.It’s what has made him so successful in business and in life.
1. What did the lovely lady do for the author?| A．She warmly led him to enjoy food. |
| B．She prepared a special table for him. |
| C．She cooked him some delicious food. |
| D．She filled his plate with food in person. |
| A．Envious. | B．Uncaring. |
| C．Doubtful. | D．Favorable. |
| A．Sam’s calmness. | B．The activities. |
| C．The decoration. | D．Rob’s quietness. |
| A．How he treats others. | B．His family’s support. |
| C．His great imagination. | D．Online advertisements. |
【推荐2】When Facebook was entirely used by people under the age of 25, things were simple. But now an important social question has appeared—should you “friend” your child, or accept a parent as a “friend” ?
Lindsay Stewart, 15, completely understands why you’d refuse a parent’s friend request. Her parents have agreed on not becoming Facebook friends. Lindsay says, “She said she wasn't going to ask to be friends. My brother and I were relieved(放心的). ”
Though there may be nothing embarrassing or secrets being discussed, it’s not a place she wants her mother to have access to. Lindsay explains, “My mum is my mum. I like her, but she's not necessarily what I’d call my friend.”
Mum is Sandy Stewart, a 50 year old Indiana-born mother of two now living in South London. Mrs. Stewart has strong opinions about what role a parent should play in the world’s biggest networking site—stay away from your children.“I wouldn't dream of being friends. There’s no way，”Mrs. Stewart insists and suggests trying “friending” could seem like an invasion of privacy(侵犯隐私).
Yet Tim Harness, 54, and his daughter Josie, 18, are“friends” on Facebook and perfectly happy. Josie left home in the summer for university in Plymouth, and Mr. Harness can see her online.“I have a little look at her photos now and again，” he explains.“She seems to be having a good time.”
Josie tells me it’s reassuring(令人安心的) to know that her father’s checking up on her every few days. She has plenty of family friends and what they see on her Facebook doesn’t concern her.“The worst dad might see is a photo of me a bit drunk, ” she says.“Is it an invasion of privacy? Not really. Everyone has Facebook these days. In my view, the only reason why you wouldn't want them is if you've got something to hide.”
1. After Lindsay's parents promised not to “friend” their kids, she________.| A．still looked worried | B．thought it was a trick |
| C．felt quite relaxed | D．made her privacy public |
| A．Understanding. | B．Outgoing (外向的). |
| C．Warmhearted. | D．Caring. |
| A．Facebook is popular with people of all ages |
| B．young people pay no attention to protecting their privacies |
| C．parents play an important role in social websites |
| D．different opinions about “friending a child” online |
| A．Social websites are not safe enough. |
| B．Parents should care more for their kids in real life. |
| C．Tim Harness checked up on Josie’s Facebook with her agreement. |
| D．It is only an excuse for kids to refuse their parents on Facebook. |
1. Why is June 6, 1990 a special day for Mommy?
| A．Her dream of being a mother came true. |
| B．She found her origin from her Chinese mother. |
| C．She wrote the letter to her daughter. |
| D．Her female line was well linked. |
| A．It is bitter and disappointing. |
| B．It is painful but understandable. |
| C．She feels sorry but sympathetic. |
| D．She feels hurt and angry. |
| A．I walked clumsily out of pains. |
| B．I was not easy to love due to jealousy. |
| C．I was impatient out of fear. |
| D．I looked different from others. |
| A．She used to experience an identity crisis. |
| B．She fought against her American identity. |
| C．She forgot the pains of her early years. |
| D．She kept her love for Asia from childhood. |
| A．To match her own birth-name. |
| B．To brighten the lives of the family. |
| C．To identify her with Chinese origin. |
| D．To justify her pride in Chinese culture. |
| A．her past was completed earlier than Shao-ming’s |
| B．Shao-ming has got motherly care and a sense of roots |
| C．her mother didn’t comfort her the way she did Shao-ming |
| D．her past was spent brokenly, first in Asia, then in the US |
An American woman, Missy Armstrong, has made a life changing decision to make her dying best friend’s last wish come true by adopting (收养) her three young children.
Sara is 36 years old. Her husband died and now she is in the final stages of a serious illness and is not expected to make it to Christmas. “She said she can deal with the fact that she’s dying, but she can’t deal with the fact that her kids will be separated,” her best friend, Missy Armstrong, said. The two women have been friends for over a decade after first meeting in 1999 while at the same school. Taking their friendship a step further, Missy, 42, who is already a mother to two of her own children, adopted Sara’s three young children, 11-year-old Cayden, nine-year-old Micah and eight-year-old Amara.
As Missy prepared to take on the huge task, one of her longtime friends, Rhonda DeBruyn, lent her a helping hand. Rhonda posted a message on a Facebook page asking for gifts to be donated so the growing family can have a great holiday. Since posting the message, donations have been pouring in for the family. “Missy is a kind friend and person. I’ve known her for 11 years and she has never been anything less than what you see. This doesn’t surprise me that she stepped in. Missy and Sara’s friendship is one of a kind. A friend in need is a friend indeed.” said Rhonda.
“Missy now lives in a three bedroom home, which is not large enough for the growing family. She needs to gain more support to buy a five bedroom house,” Rhonda said in a Facebook post. “Once we get her into the new house, then everything left over that we raised will go to future financial expenses.”
To donate, an account has been created at the Southeast National Bank under the name of Missy Armstrong.
1. Why did Missy adopt Sara’s three children?2. What did Rhonda do to help Missy in the third paragraph?
3. How do you understand the underlined sentence “A friend in need is a friend indeed.”？
4. Do you support Missy’s action of helping Sara and explain why? (about 40 words)
【推荐2】Dear Olivia.
As I opened my eyes this morning, I realized that you will be starting a new school year at a new school today. As we rode the elevator down I thought of so many things I wanted to say to you. They are what I've already covered in the many conversations we've had, but as a mom I can't help but feel the urge to repeat then in case you didn't hear the first time.
Floor 4: I know what it's like to be a new kid. I understand the butterflies in your stomach, but do believe in yourself. Try to make more friends.
Floor 3: Try not to look so nervous. Sometimes the simple act of smiling can be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. It is said that a picture worth a thousand words. I believe a smile is worth at least that much.
Floor 2: If at any moment today you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, just breathe. You'll be amazed how a couple of deep breaths can help you see things in a whole new light.
Floor 1: I wanted to tell you how my heart is torn between wanting to keep you at home with me all day, where I can love you and protect you, and wanting you to go out there and have experiences I can’t provide for you. Don't grow up too fast, OK?
Ground: As we exited the building for our short walk to school. I took each of your hands in nine and said, ''Just be yourself, and remember how much I love you. I'll be waiting to hear all about your experiences this afternoon. ''
I realized that's really all you need to hear.
Love,
Mom
1. What does the first paragraph suggest?| A．The writer cares about her child quite a lot. |
| B．The writer will go to a new school. |
| C．The writer enjoys talking much with her child. |
| D．The writer doesn't know what to say to her child. |
| A．on the first floor. | B．on the second floor. |
| C．on the third floor. | D．on the fourth floor. |
| A．Taking a picture. | B．Smiling to others. |
| C．Talking a lot. | D．talking to school. |
【推荐3】Happiness is considered very important in life. It is so powerful that it affects many things in your life—your sleep, relationships, health, study and work.
Happiness doesn’t happen spontaneously—it requires planning towards pursuing things that matter to us.
Keeping moving is also a good way. When people get up and move, they tend to be happier than when they are still. We don’t know if moving makes you happy or if happy people just move more, but we do know that more activity goes hand-in-hand with better health and greater happiness.
It is surely that our happiness is linked with the happiness of others.
Happiness often comes from within. When you are happy, anything is possible. Happy people don’t have the best of everything; they make the best of what they have.
| A．The first secret is to enjoy simple things in life. |
| B．Sometimes, you need to treat yourself like a friend. |
| C．Studies also support that spending time in nature is good for you. |
| D．You can forget about your problems, and turn to your friends for help. |
| E．Happiness is not something ready-made, but comes from your own actions. |
| F．Goal setting is important, since it forms the outline for the life you envision. |
| G．People who are surrounded by happy people are more likely to become happy. |
