Getting late for a meeting, “I need to run,” he said, as he put his coat over the shoulder and rushed out of the house. As he drove away, she came running down the stairs two at a time. “Wait, wait,” she shouted, but he had already left.
“He forgot to give me a goodbye kiss,” she said in a low, sad voice that shook under the weight of the hurt. She called him and said, “You left without giving me a kiss.” “I am sorry, sweetheart,” he said, his voice shaking. “It is okay,” she said, trying to be all grown-up as she cut the call.
She ate her breakfast quickly, put on her shoes, picked up her school bag and started to walk out of the door. Her shoulders were slumped(耷拉) and her eyes were filled with tears. As she climbed down the steps, a car came to a stop outside the house. He got out of the car. She ran to him.
“I am sorry I forgot,” he said, as he picked her up and hugged her. She said nothing. Her jaw ached from smiling.
Fifteen years later, no one would remember he was late for a meeting, but a little girl would never ever forget that her father drove all the way back home just to kiss her goodbye!
What is more important, work or family? Some parents always put work before everything. But some put family first. Remember, the company will run the same without you and your colleagues(同事) may forget you soon after you leave. But you are everything to your children.
1. The girl ran down the stairs fast to ________.| A．go to school on time | B．go to a meeting on time |
| C．get a goodbye kiss | D．say goodbye to her father |
| A．Frightened. | B．Disappointed. | C．Worried. | D．Angry. |
| A．put their children first |
| B．pay less attention to work |
| C．work hard to support the family |
| D．keep a balance between work and family |
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【推荐1】It was unusually quiet in the emergency room on December 25. I didn't think there would be any patients, sighing about having to work on Christmas. Just then five bodies showed up at my desk, a pale woman and four small children.
“Are you all sick?” I asked doubtfully.
“Yes,” she said weakly and lowered her head.
But when it came to descriptions of their presenting problems，things got a little vague. Two of the children had headaches，but the headaches weren't accompanied by the normal body language of holding the head or trying to keep it still. Two children had earaches， but only one could tell me which ear was affected. The mother complained of a cough but seemed to work to produce it.
Something was wrong，but I didn't say anything but explained that it might be a little while before a doctor saw her. She responded，Take your time; it's warm in here.”
On a hunch (直觉)，I checked the chart after the admitting clerk had finished registering the family. No address— they were homeless. The waiting room was warm.
I looked out at the family huddled by the Christmas tree. The littlest one was pointing at the television and saying something loudly and excitedly to her mother. The oldest one was looking at an ornament on the Christmas tree.
I went back to the nurses' station and mentioned we had a homeless family in the waiting room. The nurses, complaining about working Christmas, turned to compassion for a family just trying to get warm on Christmas. The team went into action，much as we do when there's a medical emergency. But this one was a Christmas emergency.
We were all offered a free meal in the hospital cafeteria on Christmas Day，so we claimed that meal and prepared a banquet for our Christmas guests. As seriously as we met the physical needs of the patients that came to us that day， our team worked to meet the needs, and exceed the expectations, of a family who just wanted to be warm on Christmas Day. Later，as the family walked to the door to leave, the four year -old came running back, gave me a hug and whispered, "Thanks for being our angels today.”
1. What did the author learn from the family s descriptions of presenting problems?| A．Two of the children had headaches. |
| B．One of the children had earaches. |
| C．The mother pretended to be coughing. |
| D．The whole family were seriously ill. |
| A．asking them some questions |
| B．listening to their introduction |
| C．observing their facial expressions |
| D．checking their registration information |
| A．gave them a medical treatment |
| B．provided them with a big dinner |
| C．prepared a Christmas tree for them |
| D．held a big Christmas party for them |
| A．An Unusual Christmas Emergency |
| B．Warm hearted and Beautiful Nurse Angels |
| C．Having Christmas Together With a Poor Family |
| D．Receiving Special Christmas Guests in the Waiting Room |
【推荐2】When my barber for more than 45 years, Deminick, retired earlier this year, I was in a fix. I can not drive, and only one other barbershop was walkable from my house in Freeport. Dominick represented more than a good haircut. For me, he was a moving landmark and a long tradition. He always asked about my boys, now 44 and 49, and admired our family hair.
I’d walk by his empty shop on Grand Avenue in Baldwin, hoping another barber would move in. Otherwise, the one other shop in the same area available to me was small, like Dominick’s, but uninviting, often empty, with no elderly men or mothers with kids. Dominick’s was a one-man operation and often had customers waiting.
But my luck changed — I thought. There appeared a barber pole above Dominick’s! Red, white and blue! A bright sign said BARBER. Open for business! But a large notice in the window displayed the barber’s name — Alicia Zayala. A woman!
My heart sank. As a man, I didn’t want a chemical hair treatment. I wanted a haircut! Going to a female barber wasn't my cup of tea. I believe in the equality of the two genders (性别) and I respect women. But I didn’t feel comfortable with a female hairdresser.
So I chose the male barber with empty chairs in Baldwin. He was young and confident. With big movements, he cut my hair. I felt like grass under a lawnmower (割草机)．It was my quickest haircut since 1952. It wasn’t bad;he had made the cut. But he wasn’t my old barber.
When my hair once again grew over my hearing aid, I wondered whether I should try the lady barber. Why not? My hair would grow back. The new barber was middle-aged, silent at first but outgoing. Small talk to break the ice turned into a chat. Alicia was pleasant. She had Dominick's concentration that I had taken for granted (视为当然). I coughed. She rushed to get me a hard candy. It was the longest haircut I’d ever had, but she matched Dominick’s care and skill. I was very pleased.
1. How did the author feel after Dominick’s retirement announcement?| A．A bit worried. | B．Quite angry. | C．Really relieved. | D．Deeply hurt. |
| A．The barber had a small barbershop, like Dominick’s, but uninviting. |
| B．The barber was known for his quick haircuts. |
| C．The author was used to being served by male barbers. |
| D．The author liked chatting with the barber’s elderly customers. |
| A．Considerate. | B．Humorous. | C．Adventurous. | D．Impatient. |
| A．Sweet are the uses of adversity. | B．Constant drop wears away a stone. |
| C．Never judge a book by its cover. | D．Practice makes perfect. |
【推荐3】Last year, when our three-year-old great-granddaughter Kylie was taken to see Santa Claus, she made sure to give him her wish list of toys. A week later, she ran into a different Santa in a mall. He stopped to ask what she wanted for Christmas. Kylie was surprised and let him know: "If you can't remember what I told you last week, how are you going to remember on Christmas Eve?!"
(---Mary Paul, Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
As my son Mike and I drove to the mall, we passed a Salvation Army Santa ringing his bell. "Mike," I said, "there's Santa!" He shook his head. "That's just some guy in a Santa suit," he said. It saddened me to think that maybe my son no longer believed in Santa, and we drove the rest of the way in silence. At the mall, we spotted another Santa greeting young believers. Suddenly, Mike took off toward him. Turning back to me, he shouted. "Now, there's the real Santa!"
(---Michael E. Fahey, Huntley, Illinois)
We immigrated to America from China when I was six. Because I was shy and didn't speak English, I had few friends. My days were spent at home with my brother. Sometimes we'd help our neighbor Mr. Mueller pull weeds. One Christmas Day, there was a knock at the door. Grandma opened it, and there stood a big fellow in red with a snow-white beard, laughing, "Ho, ho, ho!" He handed out presents and made us laugh. I had so much fun. It was years later when I learned that our special Santa was our neighbor Mr. Mueller.
(---Joanne Tang, Litchfield Park, Arizona)
1. Why was Kylie surprised when running into a different Santa？| A．Because she got what she wished. |
| B．Because she knew who the Santa was. |
| C．Because she wished to get another toy. |
| D．Because she thought they were the same Santa. |
| A．Angry | B．Confused | C．Sad | D．Unbelievable |
| A．He stood outside our house. |
| B．He stayed with us in our home. |
| C．He continued to pull weeds. |
| D．He gave out gifts by acting as Santa |
【推荐1】It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of the dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.
Over the phone, his mother told him, “Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday.” Memories fleshed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
“Jack, did you hear me?”
“Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. it’s been so long since I thought of him. I’m sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago,” Jack said.
“Well, he didn’t forget you. Every time I saw him he’d ask how you were doing. He’d reminisce about the many days you spent over ‘his side of the fence’ as he put it,” Mom told him.
“I loved that old house he lived in,” Jack said.
“You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man’s influence in your life,” she said.
“He’s the one who taught me carpentry. I wouldn’t be in this business if it weren’t for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important. Mom, I’ll be there for the funeral.” Jack said.
Busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser’s funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.
The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time, which was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture … Jack stopped suddenly.
“What’s wrong, Jack?” his Mom asked.
“The box is gone,” he said.
“What box?” Mom asked.
“There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he’d ever tell me was ‘the thing I value most’,” Jack said.
It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.
“Now I’ll never know what was so valuable to him,” Jack said sadly.
Returning to his office the next day, he found a package on his desk. The return address caught his attention.
“Mr. Harold Belser” it read.
Jack tore open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack’s hands shook as he read the note inside, “Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bernett. It’s the thing I valued most in my life.” A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, and tears filling his eyes. Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the fine cover, he opened it.
Inside he found these words carved: “Jack. Thanks for your time! Harold Belser.”
“Oh. My God! This is the thing he valued most …”
Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his assistant and cleared his appointments for the next two days. “Why?” his assistant asked.
“I need some time to spend with my son,” he said.
1. Why did Jack think Mr. Belser died years ago?| A．College and career prevented him from remembering Mr. Belser. |
| B．Jack was too busy with his business and family to think about Mr. Belser. |
| C．Jack was too busy realizing his dreams to think about Mr. Belser. |
| D．His present busy life washed away his children memories. |
| A．Mr. Belser often asked how Jack was doing |
| B．Mr. Belser’s funeral would take place on Wednesday |
| C．Mr. Belser had asked for Jack’s mailing address |
| D．Mr. Belser had pleasant memories of their time together |
| A．Because he was grateful for Jack’s time with him. |
| B．Because he had no children or relatives. |
| C．Because he thought he had to keep his word. |
| D．Because Jack had always wanted it during his childhood. |
| A．He was very tired of his work and wanted to have a good rest. |
| B．He had promised to spare more time to stay with his son. |
| C．He had missed his son and his family for days. |
| D．He came to realize the importance of the time with his family. |
| A．The Good Old Times | B．What He Valued Most |
| C．An Old Gold Watch | D．The Lost Childhood Days |
【推荐2】Sixteen years ago, I learned an important life lesson in the back of a New York City taxi.
I was on my way to Grand Central Station, and we were driving in the right lane when a black car suddenly sped out of a parking space right in front of us.
My driver fit the brakes hard, skidded, and missed the other car by a few inches. The driver of the other car, the man who had just nearly caused a huge accident, started shouting at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at him. He was really friendly!
“Why did you just do that?” I asked him. “This guy almost destroyed your car and could have sent us to the hospital!”
This was when my taxi driver told me what I now call “the Law of Garbage Trucks”.
“Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of anger, and full of disappointment,” he said. “As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it, and if you let them do, they’ll dump it on you. So when someone wants to dump on you, just smile, wave, wish them will, and move on. You’ll be happier because of what you have done.”
I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and dump it on other people—at work, at home, or on the street? It was on that day that I said, “I’m not going to dump anymore.”
1. What happened when the writer was taking a taxi?| A．He saw a car accident. | B．Someone destroyed the taxi. |
| C．The taxi driver was injured. | D．Another car almost hit the taxi. |
| A．He shouted back at the driver. |
| B．He sent the driver to the hospital. |
| C．He was friendly towards the driver. |
| D．He dumped some garbage in front of his car. |
| A．Many people like to drive garbage trucks. |
| B．Many people dump garbage wherever they like. |
| C．Many people are warm-hearted and make others happy. |
| D．Many people need to dump their feelings now and then. |
| A．Dump your garbage on him or her, too. |
| B．Be friendly and go on with your own work. |
| C．Tell them to dump their garbage in the right place. |
| D．Try your best to encourage them not to do that again. |
【推荐3】Around four years ago, I received a call from the principal of our school as to the “Parents View” talk the next morning. He asked me to speak to the group. After the call, my whole body became feverish and panicky. The time from his call to the next morning seemed like years. The whole night, I could not sleep with many ominous apprehensions in mind. One of them was to call the principal with regret and tell him that I could not come. Finally, I gathered some courage. I thought, “If I miss this opportunity, surely the school will never invite me again to any of their programs.”
I reached the school in time. Before my turn came, my whole body was trembling. When my turn came and I started speaking, my heartbeat increased and my mouth went dry. I wasn’t even able to read the written speech properly. I was not aware of where I was standing and what I was reading. That was the day when I realized my biggest weakness, Public Speaking.
After my speech，I met with the principal and explained what happened to me. He told me that this happens to everyone. Even great speakers faced the same things when they started. He suggested that I come again next time.
Around one month later, I was invited to refer to a topic on Motivation. This time I was feeling comfortable. My speech was appreciated by the principal as well as the teachers, because I was able to get my idea across to them. They encouraged and praised my efforts.
After the successful delivering, I became more confident. I said to myself, “If I can speak in front of such a learned audience, like the principal who educates others, I can now speak in front of others too.”
I started delivering lectures in my plant, on various topics like Self-Motivation, Personality Development, Personal Excellence, Spoken English and Presentation Skills. This has become a passion for me. I learned that everything is possible if we have the courage to take the first step.
1. Which of the following is the best title for the passage?| A．Practice Makes a Man a Better Speaker. | B．Public Speaking Makes a Man Embarrassed. |
| C．Principal Provides the Best Chances. | D．Spoken English Develops in Speeches. |
| A．he disliked the principal | B．he had got a high fever before that |
| C．he regretted turning down another invitation | D．he feared he couldn’t perform it properly |
| A．Unlucky opportunities. | B．Negative ideas. | C．Curious colleagues. | D．Happy comments. |
| A．Nothing is to be got without pains but poverty. |
| B．Knowledge makes one humble, while ignorance makes one proud. |
| C．A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. |
| D．Necessity is the mother of invention. |
