The autumn wind woke me up from my dream. I took a deep breath and looked around. Suddenly I saw two people approaching me. As there was no one else in the park, they caught my attention immediately.
The two people were getting closer and I heard them laughing. At first, this laugh made me annoyed as if they had broken my unity with this park and disturbed my thoughts. But all of a sudden, I noticed the age of them — they were old. I could not clearly identify their age, but the woman looked as old as my grandmother. She had grey hair, blue eyes, and a smile on her face. And all the time she was looking at HIM...
“Jim, I think we should change the park. It’s the same every Saturday. You know...” “Sus! Hug me.”— that was all he said. He looked at her, smiled and gave her a hug.
At this very moment, I saw an old but strong man who knew his wife, and no matter how often she could be complaining, he loved her! I imagined the many things they might go through together — so many hardships that might make them cry, all the problems that they might be experiencing right now and the probability that one of them would outlive the other. And the one that outlives will think the life they spent together was the most beautiful period of their life.
They left, and I was sitting on my bench, shocked, and I had a special feeling in my heart. This feeling was hope! The old couple with all the complaints and tons of mistakes behind their backs made me realize that it was happiness that mattered in life. Eventually, all people would get old and die, and what made a difference was the person you had dedicated your life to. I made a wish — waking up one day, being old and feeling proud of being together with the person I loved to overcome all the obstacles ( 障碍) and fight for happiness.
1. Why did the author become angry at the old couple’s laugh? (no more than 15 words)2. Why did the old couple look at each other all the time? (no more than 10 words)
3. What was the author doing at that moment in Paragraph 4? (no more than 20 words)
4. What does the underlined word “dedicated” mean in the last paragraph? (1 word)
5. How do you like the old couple? What can you learn from the passage? Please express it in your own words. (no more than 20 words)
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【推荐1】Their man-servant had been sent one morning to Exeter on business, and when he waited at table, he began to chat with his mistress（女主人）.
“I suppose you know, ma’am, that Mr. Ferrars is married?”
Marianne gave a violent start, fixed her eyes upon Elinor, saw her turning pale, fell back in her chair and lost control of her emotions. Mrs. Dashwood was shocked to realize by Elinor’s expression how much she really suffered.
Mrs. Dashwood immediately took all that trouble on herself, and Elinor had the benefit of the information without the effort of seeking it.
“Who told you that Mr. Ferrars was married, Thomas?”
“I see Mr. Ferrars myself, ma’am, this morning in Exeter, and his lady too, Miss Steele as was. They were stopping in a chaise（马车）at the door of the New London Inn, and she knew me and called to me, and inquired after you, ma’am, and the young ladies, especially Miss Marianne.”
“But did she tell you she was married, Thomas?”
“Yes, ma’am.” She smiled, and said how she had changed her name since she was in these parts.
“Was Mr. Ferrars in the carriage with her?”
“Yes, ma’am, I just see him leaning back in it, but he did not look up: he never was a gentleman much for talking.”
Elinor’s heart could easily account for his not putting himself forward, and Mrs. Dashwood probably found the same explanation.
“Was there no one else in the carriage?” “No, ma’am, only they two.”
“Do you know where they came from?”
“They come straight from town, as Miss Steele -- Mrs. Ferrars told me.” “And are they going farther westward?”
“Yes, ma’am, but they will soon be back again, and then they’d be sure and call here.”
Thomas’s intelligence seemed over. Elinor looked as if she wished to hear more. Mrs. Dashwood could think of no other question, and Thomas and the tablecloth, were soon afterwards dismissed. Mrs. Dashwood’s and Elinor’s appetites（胃口）were completely lost. They remained long together in a similarity of thoughtfulness and silence.
1. What’s Elinor’s reaction at the news from the man-servant?| A．She expressed mixed emotions. | B．She burst out crying. |
| C．She went pale from suffering a lot. | D．She exploded with great anger. |
| A．She was only too curious about the couple. |
| B．She wanted to find out who Mr. Ferrars married. |
| C．She wanted to satisfy her daughters with her questions. |
| D．She wanted to cheer her daughters up with the news. |
| A．Confident. | B．Doubtful. |
| C．Joyful. | D．Scared. |
| A．Mr. Ferrars was not in the carriage at all. |
| B．The lady the servant encountered was not Mrs. Ferrars. |
| C．The Dashwoods would never see Mr. Ferrars again. |
| D．The news upset the mother and daughter terribly. |
【推荐2】A year ago, my wife and I sold one of our cars and replaced it with an e-bike. I knew that passenger vehicles are responsible for much of our greenhouse-gas emissions. I also knew that electric cars were an imperfect fix. Though they’re responsible for less carbon pollution than gas cars, their supply chain is carbon intensive. But an e-bike’s comparatively tiny battery means less electricity, fewer emissions and fewer resources. E-bikes are clearly better for the planet than cars of any kind.
But I also viewed getting rid of my car as a sacrifice. I live in Colorado; e-biking would mean freezing in winter and sweating in summer. It was the right thing to do, I thought, but it was not going to be fun.
I was very wrong. The first thing I noticed was the savings. Between car payments, insurance, maintenance (保养), and gas, a car-centered lifestyle is expensive. I predict that we’ll save about $50,000 over the next five years by selling our car.
The actual experience of riding to work each day over the past year has been equally surprising. In winter, I wear gloves, warm socks, a thick cap, and a ski jacket when I ride, and I am almost never too cold. In summer, I didn’t break a sweat. I just used the throttle (油门), sat back, and enjoyed my ride.
I arrived to work a little more lighthearted for having spent the morning in fresh air rather than traffic. I jumped on my bike after a stressful day at work and rode home down a street edged with changing fall leaves. I felt more connected to the physical environment around me than I had when I’d traveled the same route surrounded by metal and glass.
1. Why did the author change a car for an e-bike?| A．He wanted to do something good for environment. |
| B．He thought that e-bikes would replace gas vehicles. |
| C．He couldn’t afford the expensive transportation costs. |
| D．He believed e-bike’s supply chain was environment-friendly. |
| A．The traffic safety. | B．The traffic comfort. |
| C．The traffic economy. | D．The traffic convenience. |
| A．Tolerant. | B．Unexpected. | C．Conservative. | D．Compromising. |
| A．Changes Brought by an E-bike | B．My Green Life for the Last Year |
| C．The Replacement for Gas Vehicles | D．Comparation Between Cars and E-bikes |
【推荐3】My doctor took me for a walk around the farm where she lives. I was physically and emotionally exhausted and discouraged by anxiety and depression.
The place was full of life. There were insects, horses, rabbits and a cat. She told me to focus on my body in the environment.
When I was ill I tended to retreat into my mind and disconnect from here and now. So, when I met a horse named Fira, I expected nothing.
As I got closer to Fira, she nuzzled (用鼻子爱抚)her nose into my chest, putting a gentle pressure over my heart. Something happened inside me: I felt as if I had reached a wellspring (源泉)of past hurts, fears and failings. I began to melt emotionally.
I patted Fira's nose and breathed in her smell. I found I didn't have to concentrate on feeling better; Fira helped me feel loved and safe.
I worked with Fira often, learning basic communication and leading methods to work together with her. Initially, I wasn't sure exactly what one would do with a horse except riding it. But I knew that Fira had touched me in an uncommon way and had made me feel better. She connected with me by responding to my emotional state and reflecting it back to me in an open, affectionate way.
In my meetings with Fira, I found that I lost my usual self-consciousness and I would focus entirely on communicating.
I learned to live in the present, to focus on what was happening this day, in this moment, in this place. I learned to forget the past, with all its hurts. I learned to forget the future, which hasn't happened yet. When you stand beside a horse, you exist completely in the moment.
"With Fira by my side, I saw into a life in which trust comes first, and compassion follows.
I found a deep peace in leading her along a path, by using my own power of intention to indicate whether to start, stop, turn left or turn right. I felt an inner quiet and even joy. My work with this horse was part of a journey out of a very dark night in my soul.
1. What do we know about the author from the first three paragraphs?| A．She often lost consciousness. |
| B．She loves animals very much. |
| C．She suffered from mental illness. |
| D．She went to a doctor with high hopes. |
| A．was deeply touched by its reaction |
| B．had already recovered from her pain |
| C．was curious about what would happen |
| D．didn't have any interest in keeping a pet |
| A．Get out of trouble. | B．Keep away from others. |
| C．Lift up my spirits. | D．Make up my mind. |
| A．the author had to try hard to feel better |
| B．Fira helped the author focus on her thoughts |
| C．the author recalled her past hurts, fears and failings |
| D．Fira understood the author's emotions and reacted positively |
| A．It is important to make every day count. |
| B．One shouldn't be affected by emotions. |
| C．One should learn lessons from the past. |
| D．It is essential to show sympathy for others. |
From my wheelchair experience, I see the best in people, bur sometimes I feel sad because those who appear independent miss the kindness I see daily. They don’t get to see this soft side of others often and we try every way possible to avoid showing our weakness, which includes a lot of pretending. But only when we stop pretending we’re brave or strong do we allow people to show the kindness that’s in them.
Last month, when I was driving home on a busy highway, I began to feel unwell and drove more slowly than usual. People behind me began to get impatient and angry, with some speeding up alongside me, horning (按喇叭) or even shouting at me. At the moment I decided to do something I had never done in twenty years of driving. I put on the car flashlights and drove on at a really low speed.
No more angry shouts and no more horns!
When I put on my flashlights, I was saying to other drivers, “I have a problem here. I am weak and doing the best I can.” And everyone understood. Several times, I saw drivers who wanted to pass. They couldn’t get around me because of the stream of passing traffic. But instead of getting impatient and angry, they waited, knowing the driver in front of them was in some way weak.
Sometimes situations call for us to act strong and brave even when we don’t feel that way. But more often, it would be better if we don’t pretend we feel strong when we feel weak or pretend that we are brave when we are scared.
1. The author has discovered that people will feel happy when ______.
| A．they offer their help |
| B．they receive others’ help |
| C．they feel others’ kindness |
| D．they show their weakness |
| A．he has a soft heart |
| B．he relies much on others |
| C．some people pretend to be kind |
| D．some people fail to see the kindness in others |
| A．handle problems by ourselves |
| B．accept help from others |
| C．admit our weakness |
| D．show our bravery |
| A．A Wheel Chair Experience. |
| B．Weakness and Kindness. |
| C．Weakness and Strength |
| D．A Driving Experience |
【推荐2】A few weeks ago, my teenage daughter failed a test. She was embarrassed, angry, anxious and there were tears in her eyes. This grade might prevent her from qualifying for the next key class she wanted to take.
She took some time to complain to me. Then I saw something interesting. She calmed herself down by making a joke. She expressed thankfulness that she didn’t have bigger problems. Then she made a plan to talk to her teacher to improve her skills. This was a great change from the kid I was watching deal with disappointment a few years ago, the one who once was unwilling to take responsibility and blamed others, which shows she has grown up and understood the good in the bad.
We expect our kids to learn and grow, but many of them will also grow through adversity (逆境), and even thrive (茁壮成长) after trauma (创伤). Psychologists call it post-traumatic growth. Trauma, defined as an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, attack, natural disaster, or other life-changing happenings, is painful and even can be harmful. Trauma does leave its mark, but the mark may not be all bad and there can also be growth.
In one study, researchers surveyed nearly 385 people who experienced financial adversity during the pandemic lockdown (疫情封锁), even while working full-time. These people are also the parents or primary caregivers or young children who were being homeschooled. And those surveyed had either been sick with COVID-19 or had a loved one with the disease. Despite all of this adversity, 88 percent of the people surveyed said they now have stronger family relationships and a greater appreciation for life. Some said they experienced spiritual growth and 11 percent reported they discovered new opportunities.
Hardship makes us adapt, respond, and find other ways to solve it. When we do, we become not only able to heal the trauma associated with it but also thrive again. We build up confidence and experience that will help us the next time we face adversity.
1. What can we know about the author’s daughter?| A．She lost heart after failing the test. |
| B．She was very anxious about the coming test. |
| C．She changed a lot with the help of the author. |
| D．She may lose the chance of attending an important class. |
| A．She grew up. |
| B．She should learn to handle disappointment. |
| C．She suffered severe trauma. |
| D．She was avoiding responsibility. |
| A．Post-traumatic growth is the result of emotional injuries. |
| B．Traumatic experiences have both advantages and disadvantages. |
| C．Traumatic experiences hold back kids’ psychological growth. |
| D．One will not make a positive change without experiencing trauma. |
| A．They benefited from the adversity. |
| B．They made a good recovery from COVID-19. |
| C．They were good at controlling their emotions. |
| D．They grasped new chances in their career. |
| A．Help children build up confidence | B．Trauma leaves a mark on children |
| C．Uncover the good in the bad | D．Avoid the adversity in a positive way |
【推荐3】One day a poor man was cutting a big piece of wood near a river. Suddenly his old axe(斧) fell into the water. He felt very sad because he lost his only axe. Then all at once a beautiful fairy came out and asked the man what was the matter. “I have lost my axe,” he said. “It fell into the water when I was cutting the wood.” The fairy showed him a gold axe and asked, “is this yours?”
“No,” said the man. The fairy then showed him a silver axe and asked again, “Is this yours?” “No,” again answered the man. Then she showed him the old axe. “Yes, that is mine,” called out the happy man.
“I know that well enough,” said the fairy. “I only wanted to see if you would tell me the truth, and now I’ll give you the gold axe and the silver axe besides your own one.”
1. The man was sad because ________.| A．he was poor and had no other axes | B．he could not go on working |
| C．he liked his axe very much | D．his axe was a gold axe |
| A．did not like them | B．know these axes were not his |
| C．was not rich | D．didn’t know they were made of gold and silver |
| A．To be a honest person. | B．To ask others for a gold axe. |
| C．Not to tell others the truth. | D．To buy more axes. |
【推荐1】My son was entering Grade 1. He was a bit nervous because he knew his best friend would not be in his new class. I explained to him that even though his best friend would not be in his class, he would still have some of his old classmates.
On the first day of school when the class list was posted, I was shocked! My son had zero former classmates in his class. None. Not one.
How could this happen?
I asked my friend who works with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. She explained , “Many largely populated schools often shuffle(重组) the kids around each year to encourage new friendships.”
If schools are actively trying to place two best friends in different classes simply to shake things up, I think it is a blunder.
I was lucky enough to attend the same primary school all the way through. It was a small class and our group of students moved through each grade together. We felt like brothers and sisters. It was wonderful.
While it may be good to shake things up a bit in the older grades, it seems almost cruel (残忍的) to separate good friends in the younger grades without good cause.
One mom named Karen says that her son is always starting a new grade without any close friends. At first , she thought it was a good idea. Then she realized one thing-her son does not have a “best friend ”, which makes her pretty worried. In fact, she thinks that he does not have any close friends because his classmates are always changing.
Part of a school’s responsibility is to provide a safe and comfortable space for children to learn and grow. If that environment is always changing-causing terrible results- perhaps it is time to rethink this practice.
1. The story in the first two paragraphs is used to ________.| A．offer some reasons | B．introduce the topic |
| C．show the author’s feelings | D．set an example |
| A．Mistake. | B．Reason. |
| C．Advance. | D．Improvement. |
| A．To prove that smaller classes are better. |
| B．To discuss the importance of good friends. |
| C．To explain how friendships are developed at school. |
| D．To show the advantage of having old classmates. |
| A．Objective | B．Surprised | C．Positive | D．Doubtful |
【推荐2】Last week, my younger brother visited me for five days, To ensure I could spend as much time with him as possible, I worked extra hard during the weekend before he arrived.
It amazed me how much I could accomplish when I had a strong motivation to be efficient During the week, I put in a couple of hours in the mornings to handle pressing issues and then spent the afternoons and evenings going out with him. Once again, I was surprised to realize just how much free time was available to me if I consciously chose to be more effective while working. This made me think of Parkinson's Law: Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.
I realized then that I'd given myself more time than necessary for work, and as a result, I ended up spending lot of toe procrastinating （拖延）and entertaining myself online.
How might things change for me, I wondered, it I chose to commit to more social and recreational （休闲娱乐）activities, made them priorities(优先事项）and was motivated to finish work quicker?
I realize not everyone has flexibility in their work schedules, but 1 believe we could all create more time for ourselves if we were motivated to cut out the choices that don't match our strongest desires and intentions. Maybe It's zoning out in front of the TV or searching the web. If there's one thing that's consumed my time the most, it's researching how I actually want to spend it.
I believe what English musician John Lennon said is true: Time that you enjoyed wasting was not wasted. I don't think there's anything wrong with using technology if We've consciously chosen to do it.
However, we owe it to ourselves to get out in the world and explore different possibilities -to be playful curious, engaged and just to be.
Perhaps it would be easier to do that if we asked ourselves: How can I be more effective? Can I minimize what I am currently doing? How can I start using the time I've created in a way that will excite and inspire me?
1. How did the author feel when she finished her work in advance?| A．Guilty. | B．Exhausted. | C．Stressed. | D．Surprised. |
| A．The change in her work efficiency. |
| B．Ways of dealing with pressing issues. |
| C．Her working motivation to be different |
| D．The time spent with her younger brother. |
| A．Commit to more personal activities. |
| B．Get your priorities right with your work. |
| C．Create a tight work schedule for ourselves. |
| D．Ddn’t waste time on technology for any reason. |
| A．To explain what Parkinson's Law is. |
| B．To reflect on better time management. |
| C．To introduce how to balance work and life. |
| D．To show the importance of accompanying family members. |
| A．Creating More Time. |
| B．Living Life to the Fullest |
| C．Skills for Doing Work Effectively |
| D．Relationship Influences Work Performance |
【推荐3】Our grandparents tell us stories of their years over and over again．Until finally we have heard them tell the stories so many times that we wonder why they keep on repeating these old times．Unconsciously(无意识地)，this is the way our minds work to pass history on．There was a time when writing, reading, books, radio, TV and electronics of today were not present at all．Few things could be used to record and pass information on to the next generation．People would only sit around the campfire or the kitchen table, sharing stories of the past．This is called the “oral(口述的) tradition”．
Children listened endlessly to families sharing stories of their youth．Memories are put in the minds of young people forever so they could later recall and tell them to their children and grandchildren．Can you recall any of this? I can．How could life of the past be able to survive for centuries without this telling of stories and information to the listening ears of the youth?
Just the other day, our Uncle Martin came to visit with his two kids．As we sat around the kitchen table sharing stories and family remembrances, Uncle Martin’s laughter filled the room．He recalled several times that he was lucky to have not been hit by the falling trees．Each person in the room listened and enjoyed his details and humor．
We all can continue to share stories with our children, telling of those good old days．Children do listen and want to hear true, sincere, funny and scary tales dug up from the past and then they tell their friends．So oral tradition goes on and on．
1. According to the text, how did people pass on messages in the past?| A．By using electronics． |
| B．By telling stories orally． |
| C．By recording them in books． |
| D．By reading books to the next generation． |
| A．They can make the children feel bored． |
| B．They can make the children’s minds clear． |
| C．They can improve the children’s creativity． |
| D．They can give the children a deep impression(印象)． |
| A．Dig up more stories in the past． |
| B．Share them with their friends． |
| C．Write them down carefully． |
| D．Tell them to their parents． |
| A．He/She values it． |
| B．He/She is against it． |
| C．He/She thinks it’s outdated． |
| D．He/She thinks it’s unreliable． |
