A year ago, Marian Wilson was just-a university student looking for a quiet and peaceful place to study, but it seems she wasn’t the only one. Her once quiet study room became a busy eating and meeting place. Now she has turned it into a book cafe. Helen Sheldon talked to Marian just before the opening of the cafe. Her study room has been one of the most popular meeting places for university students. It all started a year ago when she was preparing for graduation, she was looking for a place to study and write her final project. She couldn’t stand the dark unfriendly feeling of the library. She preferred a comfortable, sunny study room so she rented the top floor of an old house near the university and spent her afternoons reading books and working on her project. Then word spread and her friends started turning up. It was a great place to relax, talk and compare ideas. They even started leaving their books behind and leaving some money for the things they used, like coffee and pens etc. She also doesn’t want a stressful nine-to-five job. She’s trying to find a lifestyle that suits her.
She knows she’ll enjoy it. It’s going to be a challenge but, hopefully, she’ll also have time to write. Actually, She wants to be a writer but she knows it’s difficult to make a living doing that. There’s a need for relaxing places like this for people - especially students - to eat, talk and have fun without spending too much money. If the feeling of the place is right, people are going to come to the cafe. Anyway, it’s more than just a business decision. It’s also a decision about the lifestyle she wants to have and about trying to create something new and different. It opens tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. so she can come by for something to eat, drink or just to have a chat.
1. What’s the title of the passage?| A．From Schoolgirl to Businesswoman | B．Open a Cafe to drink |
| C．Find a Place to Rest | D．Build a Room to Read |
| A．just before she graduated from university |
| B．just after she graduated from university |
| C．a year before she left university |
| D．as soon as she entered the university |
| A．it was a nice place to study | B．the library was too dark |
| C．they liked to eat there | D．it was the quiet to drink coffee |
| A．a business owner | B．a writer |
| C．a university student | D．a university teacher |
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【推荐1】Michele Gentile, an Italian bookseller, is offering free books to children in exchange for plastic bottles to recycle.
Michele owns Ex Libris Cafe in Polla，a small town in southern Italy. He said he thought of the recycling program, because he wanted to inspire children in the small town to read and pay attention to the environment.
''My goal is to spread the passion and love for books among those people in Italy who do not usually read while at the time helping the environment," Gentile explained.
The idea for the initiative (倡议) came after Gentile collaborated with a nearby middle school on an aluminum recycling project. Working together, the schoolchildren and Gentile collected enough cans to purchase books for an entire classroom. His new program too off from there and has already spread into northern Italy: Gentile's hopes his work will continue to make headlines and become a worldwide initiative.
The free books come from customers in Gentile's shop who have donated money to purchase a ''suspended" book. The idea comes from a World War II practice in which customers would buy two Coffees: one for themselves and another for the next person in line. Gentile has been using the extra books as part of his recycling initiative,
While Gentile's program is a great way to recycle and get kids to read, it also brings awareness to the growing problem of plastic waste. Single-use plastics make up around 26 percent of all the plastics in the world, only 14 percent of which are recycled. Plastics that end up in landfills take around 500 years to decompose (分解),is a major concern for environmentalists.
Cutting down on plastic waste is important if we want to better the environment for future generations, and recycling programs like Gentile's book giveaway are a great way to meet that goal.
1. What is the purpose of Gentile's book giveaway?| A．To sell more coffee and books. | B．To attract more customers. |
| C．To collect money for a new project. | D．To inspire reading and recycling. |
| A．Working with a school to recycle cans. | B．Seeing school kids don't like reading. |
| C．Donating books for a local school. | D．Buying a “suspended” book for a child. |
| A．The local government. | B．Gentile himself. |
| C．Some publishers. | D．His customers. |
| A．An Italian's Reading Initiative | B．Recycling Can Get Kids Free Books |
| C．Michele's Way of Doing Business | D．A New Way to Deal with Plastic Waste |
【推荐2】Sally had just jumped in the shower when she heard her mother, Tammy banging on the door. Sally's 12-day-old daughter was choking. She was usually quick to cry. Now she didn't make a sound. "I'd been told to raise their arms when babies are choking, so I tried that, but she was hesitating to breathe," She needed to get to the hospital fast.
The three had barely made it out of their neighborhood when the flashing lights of a police cruiser(巡逻车)appeared behind them. Deputy Jack figured that the speeding driver was either too distracted to notice him or just unconcerned. Jack soon found out it was a frightening combination of the two.
Immediately, a panicked Tammy jumped out of the car, exclaiming that her granddaughter had stopped breathing. Desperate for help, Sally handed the baby to Jack. Ryleigh's heart was barely beating. It was seven minutes out and the hospital was even further away. That was seven minutes. Ryleigh didn't have, for her lips already a shade of blue.
The fact that Jack was there was a miracle(奇迹). Good luck for the baby, he had recently completed a CPR class. "Although I was shocked, my training kicked in." said Jack. The deputy gave Ryleigh to Sally to hold, his hands busy as he checked for a pulse. Then he began tapping and kneading(揉搓)Ryleigh's chest. Thanks to the CPR class, he used one linger to clear her airway. That was the magic touch. 20 seconds later, Ryleigh began to fuss. Then came a whimper. “If she's crying like that, she's breathing." said Jack in his trembling voice. "The whole time I was thinking, do not let this baby die in front of her mother and grandmother,” he later told Inside Edition. "Just don't."
1. What caught Deputy Jack's attention at the very beginning?| A．A crying baby. |
| B．An unusual car. |
| C．A speeding driver. |
| D．A frightened mother. |
| A．she knew Jack could save the baby. |
| B．she needed help desperately. |
| C．she had to help its mother. |
| D．the baby was crying. |
| A．Tapping its chest. |
| B．Kneading its back. |
| C．Clearing its airway. |
| D．Checking for its pulse. |
| A．A CPR miracle. |
| B．A lifesaving traffic stop. |
| C．A lovely and lucky baby. |
| D．A mother's unforgettable experience. |
【推荐3】Last week I visited my grandparents. My aunt was also staying there for a few nights for a family visit. My grandma had told me my aunt’s money problems and always feels so bad for her.
My aunt, Jenney Brown, is in her early thirties and she has three little children, along with serious heart problems. Her husband died of cancer a few years ago and she has lost her job recently. She has a lot of financial difficulty. She told me some things in her life: She couldn’t get milk for her little boy since it is too expensive. She was so happy to find $2 jeans at a shop even though it couldn’t really fit her, she was worried about the long drive to my grandparents’ house, because she had no food for the next day and no money to buy gas on the way as she had spent her last $20.
I had saved some money. After hearing about her troubles, I went downstairs and put a note of $50 in the front pocket of the handbag in secret. I didn’t want to give her money directly, because I knew it would embarrass her and that she would refuse it since I’m a kid and don’t have a job.
However, I’m very happy with what I did. Although I do not know whether she can find who has given her the money, I know it is of use to her. She is raising a family and has large medical needs! I hope more people know how bad my aunt’s situation really is so that she gets more help.
1. What has happened to Jenney according to the passage?| A．Her husband is suffering from cancer. |
| B．She has to raise three little children by herself. |
| C．Her husband has serious heart problems. |
| D．She has a job that doesn’t pay well. |
| A．He wanted to make her surprised. |
| B．He was an adult. |
| C．He didn’t want her to thank him. |
| D．He would be refused if she knew it. |
| A．doesn’t mind her dressing |
| B．must be more than 35 years old |
| C．lives not far from her parents |
| D．accepts what anyone gives her |
| A．Envious | B．Grateful |
| C．Sympathetic | D．Skeptical |
【推荐1】Every morning, 21-year-old Jordyn Moore, wakes up and goes to work at her T-shirt company-something her mum says is nothing short of a miracle (奇迹). Jordyn Moore was born with autism (自闭症) and did not speak until she was over six years old. Her mum Jackie Moore said that it’s been amazing to watch her grow.
With therapy (治疗), Jordyn Moore learned how to form words and sentences, and throughout her childhood, she continued to overcome challenges. As she approached high school graduation, her parents saw another difficulty in the future. “We just kept finding there was so little opportunity for an individual like her when she got out of school,” her mum said. “And it was really keeping my husband and I up at night, like what was she going to do?”
She wanted a meaningful life for her child, but worried what jobs she could get. So about five years ago, they started Jordyn’s Summer Shirt project — a way for Jordyn Moore to start working during the summer, while also teaching her new skills.
That first summer, they set a goal to sell just 40 shirts — all with the same simple message: Be Kind to Everyone. She was nervous that the shirts wouldn’t sell, but word spread on social media, and they received hundreds of orders. And Jordyn Moore was learning how to work at her family company, rolling up T-shirts, packing them with a note and shipping them out.
Her advice to other parents of children with autism is to start at home, working with them on small tasks like setting the table and loading the dishwasher. “What we have to do is get our kids to be able to do things independently and the more they can do independently at home, the more options they might have outside of the home,” she said.
1. What can we know about Jordyn from Paragraph 1?| A．Her mum was disappointed with her. |
| B．Her life was full of adventures and miracles. |
| C．She can’t get along well with other classmates. |
| D．She had trouble in speaking during her childhood. |
| A．Jordyn would not make any friends. |
| B．Jordyn would not be able to attend college. |
| C．Jordyn would never be able to live independently, |
| D．There would be little opportunity for Jordyn after school. |
| A．To raise awareness for autism. |
| B．To sell T-shirts during the summer. |
| C．To teach individuals with autism new skills. |
| D．To provide opportunities for children with autism. |
| A．Focus on developing their children’s independence. |
| B．Shelter their children from the outside world. |
| C．Centre on their children’s academic achievements. |
| D．Never let their children take any risks. |
【推荐2】When I was a child of seven years old, my friends, on a holiday, filled my pocket with coppers. I went at once to a shop where they sold toys for children. Being charmed with the sound of a whistle that I had seen by the way, in the hands of another boy, I handed over all my money for one. I then came home and went whistling all over the house, much pleased with my whistle, but disturbing all my family. My brother and sister, and cousins, when I told of the bargain I had made, said I had given four times as much as the whistle was worth. They put me in mind of what good things I might have bought with the rest of the money, and laughed at me. Thinking about the matter gave me more shame than the whistle gave me pleasure.
This, however, was afterwards of use to me, for the impression continued on my mind, so that often when I was tempted (诱惑) to buy something I don’t need, I said to myself, “Don’t give too much for the whistle,” and I saved my money. As I grew up, came into the world and observed the actions of men, I thought I met with many, very many, who “gave too much for the whistle.” When I saw some man too eager for court favor (宫廷的恩宠), wasting his time at court gatherings, giving up his rest, his liberty, his virtue, and perhaps his friends, for royal favor, I said to myself “This man gives too much for the whistle.” When I saw another kind of popularity, constantly taking part in political affairs, neglecting(疏忽) his own business, “He pays, indeed,” said I, “too dear for his whistle.”
If I knew a miser (守财奴) who gave up every kind of comfortable living, and the joys of friendship for the sake of gathering and keeping wealth—“Poor man.” said I, “you pay too dear for your whistle.” When I met a man of pleasure who devoted himself to having a good time, perhaps neglecting his health, “Mistaken man,” said I, “you are providing pain for yourself, instead of pleasure; you are paying too dear for your whistle.” If I saw someone fond of appearance of who had fine clothes, fine houses, fine furniture, fine earrings, all above his fortune, and for which he had run into debt, and ends his career in a prison. “Alas,” said I, “he has paid dear, very dear, for his whistle.”
In short, the miseries of mankind are largely due to their putting a false value on things—to giving “too much for their whistles”.
1. What does the whistle stand for in the passage?| A．A thing that is not worth wishing for. |
| B．A warning that we needn’t neglect. |
| C．A symbol of wealth and fame. |
| D．A toy that pleased the writer. |
| A．Think twice before you leap. |
| B．Don’t buy things that you don’t need. |
| C．Never let the loss outweigh the gain. |
| D．Working hard is the only way to success. |
| A．A whistle. | B．A playboy. |
| C．A politician. | D．A businessman. |
| A．A man who pursues pleasure even at the cost of his health. |
| B．A man who worships wealth more than everything else. |
| C．A man who gets into debt to buy beautiful things. |
| D．A man who wastes his time for useless things. |
【推荐3】Apple, a 34-year-old doctor, had been on call(待命) at Atlanta Medical Center for more than two days, with only a few hours’ sleep. And now tiredness was clouding her eyes as she drove to a meeting in Kentucky, nearly seven hours away. She tried turning on her CB radio (无线电，对讲机), which enthusiasts used to war none another about road conditions, but the airwaves (广播频道)were silent. Soon Apple’s car started to weave (迂回前进).
A 41-year-old trucker named Woody Key found a car ahead, drifting (漂移)off the road. Key shouted into his CB microphone, “Four-wheeler, are you all right?”
Apple woke up. She talked on her CB radio. “I’m tired, and I’m lucky I’m still alive driving this tired. Thanks!”
“Call me Woodpecker, my CB nickname,” the trucker said. “I’m going to Kentucky. And you?
“Kentucky.”
“I’ll travel behind and help keep you awake. What’s your CB nickname?”
“Dr. Froot Loops,” she told him. As they drove, they shared stories, and the time passed quickly. They parted near the Kentucky state line. She thanked him for keeping her awake and safe on the long, dark road.
Years later, Apple found several doctors checking a person brought in from an accident. His head was badly hurt. She put both hands on his head, hoping to calm him. “It’s not your time to die!” she said.
Then, he asked for her name.
“Dr. Sherry Apple,” she replied.
“No...your CB nickname.”
“How did you guess I have a CB?”
“...I know your voice...”
“My nickname is Dr. Froot Loops.”
“Oh...It’s me...Woodpecker!”
It was her truck driver! She said, “It’s not your time, Woodpecker!” Then Key was rushed into the operating room.
The first days out of the operating room were very painful for Key. Often Apple would get home and find her phone ringing. Nurses, unable to calm Key, asked her to return. She always did.
About two months after his accident, Key was ready to leave the hospital. As she was leaving, he told Apple, “I don’t think I could have made it without you.” Apple’s eyes welled up. “And I wouldn’t have made it without you.”
1. What happened to Apple on her way to Kentucky?| A．She was called back to hospital halfway. |
| B．She was disconnected from her friend. |
| C．She fell asleep as she drove. |
| D．She met with a car accident. |
| A．By giving her a lift. | B．By driving her car instead. |
| C．By talking with her by phone. | D．By keeping her eyes on the road. |
| A．By her appearance. | B．By her nickname. |
| C．By her name. | D．By her voice. |
| A．He fought to survive. | B．He returned home quickly. |
| C．He stayed quite calm in the hospital. | D．He was looked after by Apple every day. |
| A．It was heart-breaking. | B．It was life-saving. |
| C．It was serious. | D．It was strange. |
