【推荐1】To anyone else, it was just a simple white cotton bag, but to me, it was a canvas(油画布) for my latest masterpiece. I laid it flat on the six-foot-long wooden table in my kitchen. With one hand I held down a corner of the bag and with the other I dipped my brush in the paint and touched it to the canvas; slowly an image took shape, waves crashing on a sandy beach, seagulls flying above, fishing for a meal. I put down my brush and rubbed my neck. It was hard work, but I enjoyed it.

And my friends and family loved the bags. "I get tons of praise for mine," my mother-in-law told me. "People are always asking where they can buy one." Those weren't quite the honor I'd dreamed of when I first picked up a paintbrush as a kid. I used to aim higher. I wanted my work to appear in the Louvre Museum in Paris, right next to the Mona Lisa. But even then, I knew what a wild dream it was.

My parents encouraged my interest, and paid for art lessons. In high school, I joined an art club and showed my work along with other local artists in an exhibition. I started college, majored in fine art and took classes in drawing and design. But the farthest I ever traveled was New York City. The Louvre might as well have been on another planet.

Then things changed. I met and fell in love with Charlie. After we got married, I took a break from art. Making a home together was more important. Art supplies didn't fit into our budget.

When I finally picked up a brush again, I was rusty. I tried a landscape but it was flat. Things in the foreground were the same size as in the background. I'd lost the ability. I threw down my brush in frustration. Maybe I'd never really had any talent at all. Forget the Louvre, my work wasn't good enough to hang in our living room. Charlie turned me around. "You have a talent,"   he told me. "Keep painting." He helped me find room in our budget for paints and brushes. One day, walking through town, I spotted some giant white shells in a store window. What an interesting canvas they could be! I bought a few and began painting them. In Savannah, there was no shortage of inspiration. Charlie took some of my pieces into the electric company where he worked. He came home with the proudest smile. "They want to order them for their wives." he told me.

Lately I'd been painting these bags. It wasn't a money-making project—I barely covered the cost of materials. But seeing others appreciate my art made me feel good. This one, the beach scene, was going to a friend of my mother-in-law's. When it dried, I brought it over to my mother-in-law. "I just know my friend will love it," she said.

Several months later my mother-in-law's friend called me. I'd moved on to other projects and I'd nearly forgotten what I'd made for her, "I went to Paris," she said. “And I brought your bag with me. I have to tell you about the Louvre," she continued. "For two hours, we wandered the museum. Delacroix, Michelangelo, the Venus de Milo, there was so much to see, and of course, the Mona Lisa. But every few minutes, somebody stopped me.' Where did you get that bag? ' they asked. Some folks thought I'd bought it in the gift shop there! I had to tell them it was a Cindy Barnwell original.

Today I'm painting an 11- by-14-inch canvas of bunnies picking flowers, to go in a friend's baby nursery. It may not be a da Vinci, but that doesn't matter. This world was made for artists. I'm convinced of that. And my gift is to share that beauty, any way I can.

1. Why did the author refer to the cotton bag in the beginning?

A．To show her passion for painting.	B．To stress the difficulty of painting.
C．To indicate the benefit of painting.	D．To prove her creativity for painting.

2. Which led to the author's giving up painting first after she married?

A．Lack of talent.	B．Lack of money.
C．Lack of inspiration.	D．Lack of encouragement.

3. What does the underlined part "the Louvre" in the fifth paragraph really refer to?

A．Contemporary painters, art exhibition.

B．Others' praise for the author's paintings.

C．The author's lifelong ambition.

D．The author's dream travel destination.

4. Who gave the author the strongest support at the turning point in her painting career?

A．Her husband.	B．Her own parents.
C．Her mother-in-law.	D．Her mother-in-law's friend.

5. What does the author probably agree with?

A．She didn't stop painting all her life.	B．She applied her painting to charity.
C．She made no profit in painting the bags.	D．She was the best at painting the beach scene.

6. What can we infer from the last but one paragraph?

A．The author built a famous bag brand.

B．The author's bag sold very well in London.

C．The author's bag drew senior painters' attention.

D．The author realized her dream in a surprising way.

【推荐3】Rock climbing is the kind of sport you either love or you’re simply not interested in. For those who love it, there is great personal satisfaction.     1     It is a physical workout that requires strength, coordination, and perseverance. Regular climbing (2 or more times per week) can improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and flexibility. Mentally, you must confront (正视) your fears both of injuries and of heights and make good decisions because your life depends upon it.

    2     You must be in good health and above average physical condition to go rock climbing, more so if you do this outdoors. You need to be flexible and agile (敏捷的), since climbing skills involve stretching, bending, and precise body positioning. And you must have the strength to hold yourself up by your arms and hands or even just your fingers.

You don’t have to climb Mount Qomolangma to enjoy the sport of rock climbing.

    3     Some of these include traditional climbing, free solo climbing, ice climbing and indoor climbing.

If you think you may be interested in rock climbing, start by reading books or rock climbing publications.    4     Others have essays written by climbers that can give you a feel for this sport. Publications are good sources of gear advice and reviews, technique and training tips, and rock climbing destinations.

If you’re passionate about rock climbing, you’ll want to find others who share your love of this sport. Ask about groups or clubs at a local rock climbing gym or search the Internet.    5    

A．There are many options.

B．Rock climbing isn’t for everyone.

C．Rock climbing has gained popularity in recent years.

D．Rock climbing involves both physical and mental challenges.

E．The more you learn, the more you’ll want to know and share!

F．Most of all, you need time and commitment to learn the skills.

G．There are many books available that outline the basics of rock climbing.

【推荐2】According to research, about 21.5 million American children between the ages of six and seventeen are involved (参与的) in a team sport.     1     But regardless of the reasons for getting involved, children can gain a lot from sports.

A 2006 report shows that taking up sports can increase both emotional and behavioral well-being in teenagers. And increased well-being can lead to higher confidence, which results in better overall performance.     2     In addition, they usually get along well with people around them and are less likely to have bad or risky behavior.

    3     Through this process, children develop social and leadership skills and learn the value of teamwork. Children involved in sports usually have stronger and better relationships with their schoolmates and a better understanding of people from different backgrounds.

Actually, sports give children an opportunity to communicate with adults in valuable and positive ways, which can help them develop closer relationships with adults. This effect is especially great when children don’t get along well with their family members.     4    

Although most effects of sports on children are good, there can be disadvantages. If the pressure to win is overemphasized (过分强调) or the expectations of parents or coaches become too great, kids may experience lots of stress.     5     To avoid these bad effects, children should not overemphasize winning but focus on developing certain skills.

A．Being physically fit is linked to having a higher IQ.

B．They may take part in sports for fun or to develop some skills.

C．However, children hardly play sports when they become older.

D．It can cause worries, headaches, stomach aches, and muscle pain.

E．For example, children involved in sports are likely to do well in their studies.

F．Organized sports require children to work together to achieve a common goal.

G．Many children say sports have helped increase their conversations with parents.