My wife Laura and I were on the beach, with three of our children, taking pictures of shore birds near our home in Alaska when we spotted a bear. The bear was thin and small, moving aimlessly.
Just a few minutes later, I heard my daughter shouting, “Dad! The bear is right behind us!” An aggressive bear will usually rush forward to frighten away its enemy but would suddenly stop at the last minute. This one was silent and its ears pinned back—the sign of an animal that is going in for the kill.And it was a cold April day.The bear behaved abnormally, probably because of hunger.
I held my camera tripod (三脚架) in both hands to form a barrier as the bear rushed into me. Its huge head was level with my chest and shoulders, and the tripod stuck across its mouth. It bit down and I found myself supporting its weight. I knew I would not be able to hold it for long.
Even so, this was a fight I had to win: I was all that stood between the bear and my family, who would stand little chance of running faster than a brown bear.
The bear hit at the camera, cutting it off the tripod. I raised my left arm to protect my face; the beast held tightly on the tripod and pressed it into my side. My arm could not move, and I sensed that my bones were going to break.
Drawing back my free hand, I struck the bear as hard as I could for five to six times. The bear opened its mouth and I grasped its fur, trying to push it away. I was actually wrestling (扭打) with the bear at this point. Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the fight ended. The bear moved back toward the forest, before returning for another attack.The first time I felt panic. Apparently satisfied that we caused no further threat, the bear moved off, destroying a fence as it went. My arm was injured, but the outcome for us could hardly have been better. I’m proud that my family remained clear-headed when panic could have led to a very different outcome.
1. The whole text is mainly arranged in_________.| A．result and inference | B．cause and effect |
| C．space order | D．time order |
| A．felt safe | B．got injured |
| C．found some food | D．took away the camera |
| A．calmness | B．patience |
| C．pride | D．cautiousness |
| A．excited | B．threatened |
| C．relieved | D．puzzled |
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【推荐1】It’s Sunday. It’s fine. Tom does not go to school today. But he is not at home. He’s now sitting on a Chinese bus. He is going to the movie house. All his classmates will go to see a movie this afternoon. His teacher Mr. Wang will go there, too. They will meet at 2:00 p.m. at the gate of the movie house.
An old man gets on the bus. Tom stands up and says to the old man, “Come and sit here, please.” The old man goes over and sits down. He says, “Thank you very much, my boy. You are a good student.” Tom answers, “You’re welcome.”
“What school are you in?” the old man asks Tom.
“I am in No. 2 Middle School.” Tom answers.
“No. 2? That’s a good school. My son is a teacher there. He is an English teacher.” The old man says.
“English teacher? Excuse me, grandpa. What’s your son’s name, please?” Tom asks. “Mr Wang,” says the old man.
“Ah, ah, he is my English teacher.” Just then, the bus stops near the movie house. Tom says goodbye to the old man and gets off the bus. The old man smiles to Tom.
1. In the sentence “the bus stops near the movie house”, “stop” means ________.| A．车站 | B．开 | C．关 | D．停 |
| A．It’s Saturday today. |
| B．It’s not fine today. |
| C．Tom goes to school on Sunday. |
| D．Tom is a student of No.2 Middle School. |
| A．at home today | B．a Chinese teacher |
| C．the old man’s father | D．the old man’s son |
| A．Tom is a good student. | B．Tom is a bad student. |
| C．He does wrong things. | D．He is a good teacher. |
| A．Tom goes to the movie house on an English car. |
| B．The old man’s son is Tom’s English teacher. |
| C．They go to the movie house for a meeting. |
| D．Only Tom and his teacher go to the movie house to see a movie. |
【推荐2】The day before yesterday, when Peter’s family were having dinner, Father raised an interesting question, “Was there anything in our past that we feel ashamed of, guilty about, or regretted? Maybe we can find ways to say sorry, or take some action to right any wrongdoing.” This seemed like a very private matter, but Peter thought about it carefully the whole night.
Peter remembered an incident from middle school. In his school, there was a worker, Neil Stone, who none of the kids liked. One night, Peter and two of his classmates decided to play a trick on him. They found a can of red paint, and wrote on the school main road in bright red: Neil Stone is a fool! The next day, the whole school saw these words. Within two hours, Neil had Peter and his two classmates in his office. His classmates said that they had done it but Peter lied and denied the truth.
This morning, Peter went back to his middle school. Neil Stone is still working there. “Sorry, Neil. Do you still remember what happened ten years ago? I want you to know that I did it.” “I knew it!’ Neil laughed. They had a good laugh and a lively discussion. Neil’s closing words were: “Peter, I always felt bad for you because your classmates got it off their mind, and I knew you were carrying it around all these years. I want to thank you for visiting me… for your sake.”
Peter knows that no matter how difficult the situation is, it is never too late to clear up the past and make a fresh start.
1. What did Peter remember doing in middle school?| A．Something helpful. | B．Something unpleasant. |
| C．Something valuable. | D．Something useful. |
| A．Dark blue. | B．Light green. |
| C．Pure white. | D．Bright red. |
| A．Ten years ago. | B．The day before yesterday. |
| C．This morning. | D．Not until Peter told him. |
| A．Peter’s family. | B．An unforgettable lesson. |
| C．It’s never too late to say sorry. | D．An interesting thing in middle school. |
【推荐3】There is a man watching me. He doesn’t think I know he’s there, but I do. He carries some sort of machine and it is making me nervous. I’ve been using the back entrance (入口) because I don’t think he knows it is there. I worry about going outside but with a young family to feed I have to. I go and come back quickly. So far I have managed to bring in the meals without him realising I’m gone. The family know something is wrong even though I try to keep it from them by acting normally and keeping them away from the front entrance.
My family are getting bored. They need to stretch their legs and run and play in the open. We can’t stay prisoners like this for much longer. I’m going out for supplies and decide that if the watcher is still there when we have eaten I will face the danger.
The time has come, the meal is over and he is still there, still watching. I push the family back and away from the entrance. I walk slowly down the passage and outside. I take a few steps forward and sit down—I stare at him. He seems unsettled (混乱的) by my appearance and moves his machine about. The birds nearby go silent as I break into a run. I must protect my family.
“Good evening and welcome to the BBC news at ten. Here are the latest headlines. Filming of David Attenborough’s latest wildlife documentary came to a dramatic and unexpected stop today after a vicious (凶猛危险的) tiger attack, but Mr. Attenborough said he was just thankful that she only warned him off as she could easily have killed him. The BBC has been told that no further filming will take place in that location.”
All is quiet. He has gone. No one is watching. My family are safe.
1. “I” tried to act normally in order to ________.| A．think out an idea | B．give warnings to the man |
| C．calm down “my” family | D．show “my” courage |
| A．“I” scared away the man at last. | B．“I” prevented “my” kids from going out. |
| C．“I” reported it to the BBC news. | D．“I” bravely fought with the man. |
| A．telescope | B．camera |
| C．twoway radio | D．gun |
| A．convince us of an idea | B．describe an adventure |
| C．give us a warning | D．tell an interesting story |
The young man paused, looked up and replied, “Throwingstarfishes(海星)in theocean.”
“I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfishes in the ocean?”
“The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don’t throw them in, they’ll die”
“But, young man, don’t you realize thatthere are miles and miles of beach and starfishes all along it. You can’tpossibly make a difference!”
The young man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked another starfish and threw it into the sea, and said, “It made a difference for that one.” There is something very special in each and every one of us. We have all beengifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can know that gift, we will gain through the strength of our vision the power(力量) to shape the future.
We must each find our starfish. And if we throw our starfish wisely and well, the world will be better.
1. One day, the wise man saw a young man _______.
| A．dancing along the beach | B．walking with a dancer |
| C．picking up starfish for sale | D．trying to save as many starfishes as possible |
| A．the gifts from friends | B．the strength of making decision |
| C．our own starfish | D．the ability to make a difference |
| A．the wise man realized something new and important |
| B．the wise man thought it was foolish of the young man to throw starfishes in the ocean. |
| C．the young man had the ability to make a difference |
| D．it is necessary for us to save starfish on the beach |
| A．how and where we can write a good article |
| B．everyone can do something for the future |
| C．wise men are sometimes stupid |
| D．young men are in fact wiser than old people |
【推荐2】We had two dogs, Lucky and Lily Bit. Lucky loved to find ways to leave the confines (束 缚) of her indoor living routine, which made her a masterful escape artist. Lily Bit, on the other hand, did exactly as she was told, never straying, always staying close to home... except when she came under the influence of Lucky.
Whenever the two got out together, they could be seen out of sights often staying away for hours. More often than not, they’d arrive home near suppertime, covered in mud and leaves and smelling to high heaven from their afternoon outing in the woods.
I remember one such occasion when they’d once again mysteriously escaped, except this time, they returned clean and no worse for wear. It wasn’t until a few days later that we learned why. My wife ran into our neighbor Carl who lived a few houses down from us.
“I saw your two dogs the other day,” Carl said with a smile,
“Oh, yes? I’m so sorry. They’d been so good lately, so it was such a surprise when they got out. I sure hope they didn’t cause any trouble.” my wife replied,
“Oh, no, no trouble at all. Did you have any idea where they went?”
“No,” my wife answered.
“They attended my dog’s funeral (葬礼)” Carl said sadly.
“What?” Ann exclaimed, “Oh, no. I didn’t know Toby had died.
“Yep, it died a couple days ago. I was burying him in the back lot when your two dogs came running up. They sat down not far from me while. I finished burying him, then they left.”
“Wow that’s amazing! ” my wife replied. “Toby was Lily Bit’s father, you know. ”
“No, I didn’t know that,” Carl replied, “but I guess that explains why she felt like she needed to be there. She had to say her final goodbye.”
1. What words can best explain the meaning of the word “straying” underlined in Para. 1?| A．Wandering away. | B．Staying still |
| C．Shouting loudly. | D．Disobeying impolitely. |
| A．Their abilities were different. | B．Their hobbies were different. |
| C．Their personalities were different | D．Their physical features were different. |
| A．They got more united. | B．They looked in a mess. |
| C．They smelled nice as usual. | D．They got willing to do as told to. |
| A．To show his respect for dogs. | B．To be in memory of his dogs. |
| C．To suggest learning from dogs, | D．To think highly of his two dogs. |
【推荐3】Way back in 1953, high school mathematics looked like a big problem for me and several of my classmates. When we reached the 9th grade, we got Mr.Iyer, the strict math teacher who was also our class teacher. He always stuck to his discipline. We had to arrive on time, pay attention to his lectures, and never neglect (忽视) any of his homework.
As he was our class teacher, we got to know him better. Noticing some of us were fidgety one day as the midterm exams approached, he stopped solving a mathematical problem to ask us why. “There’s too much to do,” we sighed. “We’re afraid we’ll never manage to finish our review before the exams.”
“Nothing is impossible,” Mr.Iyer told us. “This classroom is on the second floor. Do you have trouble reaching here?”
We reacted with blank (茫然的) eyes.
“No, you don’t!” he said, answering his own question. “You have a staircase to help you climb up to this level. No one expects you to make it in two giant leaps. You simply take one step at a time. Any task can be solved if you focus on the next action to be taken. The rest will take care of itself, if you keep at it. One step at a time. That’s the secret.”
Then he wrote down an old motto on the blackboard: “The longest journey starts with a single step.” Having heard his staircase analogy (比拟), we saw him in a new light.
Most of my classmates scored distinctions (优等评分) in math. And I went on to become an English teacher. To this day, whenever I pass on Mr. Iyer’s invaluable advice to my own students, they brighten up at the sight of a lighter academic burden.
1. What can we learn from the first paragraph?| A．Math was difficult for most of the author’s classmates. |
| B．The students thought Mr.Iyer was not a good teacher. |
| C．Mr.Iyer was serious about his job and strict with the students. |
| D．Mr.Iyer would punish the students neglecting his discipline. |
| A．Hard-working. | B．Nervous. | C．Excited. | D．Calm. |
| A．They thought reaching the second floor had no connection with the worry. |
| B．They were too tired to understand any words Mr.Iyer said in class. |
| C．They were surprised that Mr.Iyer would talk about such an unbelievable problem. |
| D．They had no interest in any subjects that were no good for their exams. |
| A．one can reach his goals very easily |
| B．the goals can be reached step by step |
| C．there is only one step between success and failure |
| D．tasks can be achieved with the help of the teacher |
【推荐1】I asked three of my friends how they had changed since they came to our middle school. And here are their answers.
| Robin | I didn't do well in my study before, but since I began to study in this school, things have changed. The teachers here are all energetic, active and helpful. They always encourage me by saying “I'm sure you can make it” or “You are one of the cleverest students I have ever met”．These words really mean a lot to me. Now I'm one of the top students in my class, and I like studying as well. |
| Dick | I used to be a fat boy who could hardly run 500 meters. When I entered the middle school, my father worried that I would be laughed at by my new classmates, so he decided to do morning exercises with me every day. It really worked. Now I'm used to running and exercising in the morning, and I am slim and strong. Besides, my P.E. teacher thinks I can be a good runner in the future！ |
| Jason | I used to like to be alone and didn't feel like talking to anyone. But when I met Robin and Dick, I found that they were really good people. Then gradually we became closer and finally became good friends. Thanks to them, I'm talkative and outgoing now, and I have made many other friends. I talk and play with my friends every day and each day I feel happy. |
1. Who always encourages Robin after he came to the middle school?
| A．His teachers. | B．His friends. |
| C．His parents. | D．His classmates. |
| A．Because he wanted to lose weight. |
| B．Because he wanted his son to be healthy. |
| C．Because he worried that his son would be laughed at at school. |
| D．Because he didn’t want his son to be lonely. |
| A．Dick and Robin | B．Dick and Tim |
| C．Robin and Tim | D．Dick and Jason |
| A．爱开玩笑的 | B．兴奋的 |
| C．健谈的 | D．吵闹的 |
【推荐2】My father was 44 and knew he wasn’t going to make it to 45.He wrote me a letter and hoped that something in it would help me for the rest of my life.
Since the day I was 12 and first read his letter, some of his words have lived in my heart. One part always stands out. “Right now, you are pretending to be a timekiller. But I know that one day, you will do something great that will set you among the very best.” Knowing that my dad believed in me gave me permission to believe in myself. “You will do something great.” He didn’t know what that would be, and neither did I, but at times in my life when I’ve felt proud of myself. I remember his words and wish he were here so I could ask, “Is this what you were talking about, Dad? Should I keep going？”
A long way from 12 now, I realize he would have been proud when I made any progress. Lately, though, I’ve come to believe he’d want me to move on to what comes next: to be proud of, and believe in somebody else. It’s time to start writing my own letters to my children. Our children look to us with the same unanswered question we had. Our kids don’t hold back because they’re afraid to fail. They’re only afraid of failing us. They don’t worry about being disappointed. Their fear－as mine was until my father’s letter－is of being a disappointment. Give your children permission to succeed. They’re waiting for you to believe in them.
I always knew my parents loved me. But trust me: That belief will be more complete, that love will be more real, and their belief in themselves will be greater if you write the words on their hearts:“Don’t worry; you’ll do something great.” Not having that blessing from their parents may be the only thing holding them back.
1. We learn from the text that the author ________.| A．lost his father when he was young. |
| B．worked hard before he read his father’s letter. |
| C．asked his father’s permission to believe in himself. |
| D．knew exactly what great thing his father wanted him to do. |
| A．Children need their parents’ letters. |
| B．Children are afraid to be disappointed. |
| C．His children’s fear of failure held them back. |
| D．His father’s letter removed his fear of failing his parents. |
| A．He got no access to success. |
| B．He wrote back to his father at 12. |
| C．He was sure his parents loved him. |
| D．He once asked his father about the letter. |
【推荐3】Five people were waiting for an interview in a room of a company(公司). Inside the room, they could do whatever they liked, except using the phone or the Internet.
On the first day, all of the five people were excited. They were imagining their bright future, but there was no interview.
On the second day, they came again for the interview. But to their surprise, there was no news about the interview. Two of them got upset.
On the third morning, they arrived earlier. Still no news came. By mid-day, most of them were irritated. Some thought the company did not care for them. Some regretted coming here. Only one man was different. He was happy all those days. He kept smiling while the others complained(抱怨).
At the end of that day, the boss appeared. To their disappointment, the boss said that their interview had ended and only one of them was chosen. It was the man who kept happy. Then the boss added, “We want someone who can keep happy in whatever situations. Keeping happy is an ability.”
1. The five people were waiting for________.| A．an interview | B．a meeting | C．a phone call | D．a meal |
| A．快活的 | B．愤怒的 | C．放松的 | D．胆怯的 |
| A．he listened to the others | B．he kept happy |
| C．his answers were better | D．he cared for others |
| A．a dictionary | B．a poster | C．a magazine | D．a notice |
【推荐1】It is a long time since I took up teaching. During my teaching career, I often ask my students to read the text until they can recite them, and I tell them that recitation is an important part of their homework. However, some of my students are tired of doing so, thinking that it is both hard and useless. They argue that it takes a long time to recite a text from memory and text itself never appears in a test paper.
In my opinion, it does take time to recite a text, but it is worth doing so. When you are able to recite a text, you are sure to be familiar with the words and expressions. When you need them in reading or writing or doing exercises, they will come to your mind quickly, and so you will give quick response to all kinds of language situation. How can we say that it is useless?
Besides, many students complain that they soon forget what they were once able to recite. This is true, but you don't need to worry. While you are reading and forgetting the texts, your language level is being raised. Sure you don't remember your Chinese texts that you once read in the primary school, but now you are able to read novels and newspaper. So , recitation of the texts will help you improve your language ability．
1. What do the students think about the teacher's advice? ______| A．The English teacher asks them to do something useless． |
| B．The English teacher is very kind to them． |
| C．The English teacher should let them study on their own． |
| D．The English teacher tries his best to help them with English． |
| A．The teacher thinks the students are too naughty to learn English well． |
| B．The students think they spend a lot of time in reciting the texts and get nothing． |
| C．The students say that they often forget the words． |
| D．The students take no interest in English． |
| A．often criticizes them |
| B．wants to give up his idea |
| C．patiently explains to them why they should recite the texts |
| D．is afraid that he is criticized by the headmaster． |
| A．Reciting the texts can greatly improve the classroom teaching． |
| B．Reciting the texts is the best way of learning English． |
| C．The students should remember all the texts that the teacher has taught them． |
| D．Reciting the texts can improve the ability of applying (应用)English． |
【推荐2】Christmas may be the time of year for giving and spending time with loved ones, but not everyone feels an overwhelming sense of joy when festivities begin. Thousands of Reddit users have revealed the things they hate about Christmas.
PETER: It causes a heavy financial burden.
“Having to spend a substantial (大量的、实质的) amount of money on family members. I have to buy gifts for my grandparents, my parents, my siblings, my wife’s parents and her siblings, the dogs...and one cousin, because we do Secret Santa amongst the cousins. I love Christmas, but it costs me too much!”
MCCAIN: Exams ruin everything.
“In the UK we have our exams in January so that your Christmas holiday can be used to study. I didn’t have an enjoyable break until I finished university.”
SUSAN: Awkward family gatherings.
“Having everyone point out that I’m still single at family gatherings as if I’m unaware.”
JANET: Choosing presents.
“I don’t really want items anymore, so I don’t expect anything on Christmas, but I am expected to give gifts, but I usually just don’t know what to give.”
ELIZABATH: Shopping hell.
“I hate the way people act when shopping for Christmas. It’s almost like Black Friday every weekend at the big stores.”
JACKSON: Feeling like you have to buy presents.
“The pressure of buying gifts. Can’t we just enjoy each other’s company without comparing who bought the better stuff?”
Mr Green: Christmas jingles.
“I pretty much can’t stand most Christmas music.”
Prof Smith: It’s too commercial.
“The commercialization of it. Even as an atheist (无神论者), I think the Christ part has been taken out of it.”
Dr Martin: Putting up decorations too early.
“People put up Christmas decorations way before Christmas.”
CAROL: The office Christmas party.
“My office Christmas party. We have to pay to go and it’s so boring. Saying that you don’t want to attend is like pulling teeth.”
1. Who is possibly forced into a marriage?| A．Dr. Martin. | B．JACKSON. |
| C．SUSAN. | D．PETER. |
| A．They hate to spend much money on Christmas gifts. |
| B．They have to give gifts to everyone in the family. |
| C．They are happy to compare gifts while purchasing. |
| D．They are faced with the problems caused by gift giving. |
| A．Exams follow the Christmas holiday in Britain. |
| B．Christmas music makes too much noise. |
| C．People are clear about what Christmas gifts to buy. |
| D．Colleagues enjoy their office Christmas parties a lot. |
【推荐3】From now on, never spend your precious time thinking of reasons for your failures and shortcomings. Instead, realize that the seeds of success were planted within you when you were born. Only you have the power to make those seeds grow.
The seeds, and the power to grow them, are contained in the most awesome machine ever created：the human mind. Success is a choice and not a chance. You were born a winner. You were born rich. You can be a success if only you make the right choice.
You cannot be successful without first developing your self-esteem. Your level of self-esteem is always based on the degree of control that you are able to exercise over yourself, and thus over your life. People with low self-esteem are people who do not believe that they have any power, or responsibility for their lives. They are the perennial（长期的）victims and martyrs. They are leaves tossed（摇摆）by the winds of chance blown about with any sudden change in the weather.
You can exercise control over your life only to the degree that you believe that you are responsible for everything that happens in your life. Failures think that everything happens by accident and chance. Successful people realize that they are responsible.
Everything happens as a result of something. If we can identify the cause, we can control the effect. We are responsible for what we choose to think and believe. One generally rises to the level that one expects. We are responsible for setting our expectations. Our success is dependent upon our level of confidence.
If you associate with positive-thinking people, you are definitely going to achieve success. On the contrary, the opposite happens. We are responsible for finding, planting, and nurturing the seeds that contain future victory, born from setbacks.
In short, in all areas of your life, whether they be financial, physical, emotional, or spiritual, you are responsible. Once you recognize this, accept it, and firmly believe it, you are on the road to success.
1. People with low self-esteem are compared to leaves because they ______.| A．are ready to change their minds | B．are easily affected by windy weather |
| C．don't have the power to face their fate | D．can't exercise control over themselves |
| A．success is the result of hard work | B．working hard will lead to success |
| C．their failure is only because of bad luck | D．they don't make efforts to succeed |
| A．whether we will succeed depends on our attitudes |
| B．one’s expectation is the key to future success |
| C．thoughts and beliefs are the result of creative mind |
| D．setting our expectations is essential before taking action |
| A．the proof of the author's points | B．the conclusion of the argument |
| C．an introduction to another topic | D．a comparison between two views |
| A．The secrets of success． | B．Success is a choice． |
| C．Develop our confidence． | D．How to achieve success． |
