【推荐2】Sometimes I really doubt whether there is love between my parents. They don’t act in the romantic ways that I read in books or I see on TV. In their opinion, “I love you” is too luxurious (奢侈的) for them to say. Sending flowers to each other on Valentine’s Day is even more out of the question. And my father has a bad temper (脾气).

One day, my mother was sewing a quilt (被子). I silently sat down beside her and looked at her.

“Is there love between you and Dad?” I asked her in a very low voice.

My mother stopped her work and raised her head with surprise in her eyes. She didn’t answer immediately.

I was very worried because I thought I had hurt her. But at last I heard my mother say the following words.

“Lily,” she said, “look at this thread (线). Sometimes it appears, but most of it disappears in the quilt. The thread really makes the quilt strong and durable (耐用的). If life is a quilt, then love should be a thread. It can hardly be seen anywhere or anytime, but it’s really there. Love is inside.”

I listened carefully but I couldn’t understand her until the next spring. At that time, my father suddenly got sick seriously. My mother had to stay with him in the hospital for a month. When they returned from the hospital, they both looked very pale.

After they were back, every day in the morning and dusk (黄昏), my mother helped my father walk slowly on the country road. My father had never been so gentle. It seemed that it was their most harmonious (和谐的) period. The sun gently glistened (闪耀) among the leaves. All of these made up the most beautiful picture in the world.

The doctor had said my father would recover (恢复) in two months. But after two months he still couldn’t walk by himself. All of us were worried about him.

“Dad, how are you feeling now?” I asked him one day.

“Lily, don’t worry about me,” he said gently. “To tell you the truth, I just like walking with your mum.” Reading his eyes, I know he loves my mother deeply.

Once I thought love meant flowers, gifts and sweet kisses. But from this experience, I understand that love is just a thread in the quilt of our life. Love is inside, making life strong and warm.

1. Why does Lily sometimes doubt that there is no real love between her parents?

A．Because they are very busy earning money.

B．Because they don’t have enough money for love.

C．Because her father is easy to lose his temper to her mother.

D．Because she doesn’t see the thread in the quilt.

2. Which of the following is similar to the underlined phrase “out of the question” in Paragraph 1?

A．Possible.

B．Impossible.

C．Necessary.

D．Unnecessary.

3. What made her father change so greatly?

A．The quilt story from her mother.	B．One-month stay in the hospital.
C．The beautiful scenery of the country road.	D．The sickness her father suddenly got.

4. What’s the main idea of the passage?

A．We should understand our parents however old they are.

B．Love is hidden in the life, but it really influences our life.

C．We really need love because it makes our life harmonious.

D．Love is so important to everyone that we must love everyone.

【推荐3】There was once a captain who loved money so much that he cheated his sailors at the end of every voyage and took their wages.

On the last day of one voyage, the ship was in a small port. It was winter time, and the sea was very cold, so the captain said to his sailors, “If one of you stays in the water during the whole night, I will give him my ship. But if he comes out before the sun appears, I shall get his wages.”

The sailors had heard about the captain’s cheating, so they didn’t trust him. But then one of them, who thought that he was cleverer than the captain, said that he would do it. He got into the water, and, though it was very cold, he stayed in it. When it was nearly morning, some fishermen lit a fire on the shore about half a mile away.

“You are cheating”, the captain said to the sailor. “The fire’s warming you.”

“But it’s half a mile away!” said the sailor.

“A fire’s fire,” answered the captain. “I have won.”

The sailor came out of the water, and said, “Perhaps you think that you are clever because you have won my wages, but you can’t cook a chicken.”

“I can,” answered the captain.

“If you cook this chicken,” said the sailor, “I shall work for you without wages for seven years, but if you can’t, you will give me your ship.”

The captain agreed, took the chicken and said, “Where’s the fire?”

“There it is,” answered the sailor. “On the shore.”

“But it’s half a mile away,” said the captain angrily.

“A fire’s fire, you said,” answered the sailor. “If it is enough to warm me in the water, it is enough to cook your chicken.”

1. The captain got the sailors’ wages ________.

A．to buy a chicken for himself	B．and said he would return the money soon
C．and kept the money for future	D．by cheating him

2. The captain insisted that the fire was warming the sailor because he ________.

A．wanted to keep his promise	B．didn’t believe the sailor’s success
C．didn’t want to lose the bet	D．wanted to show his cleverness

3. What is the title of the story?

A．A Fire’s Fire	B．How a Sailor Got a Ship
C．A Brave Sailor	D．How a Captain Cheated His Sailor

【推荐1】I must have been about fourteen then, and I put away the incident from my mind with the easy carelessness of youth．But the words, which Carl Walter spoke that day, came back to me years later, and ever since have been of great value to me．
Carl Waller was my piano teacher．During one of my lessons he asked how much practice I was doing．I said three or four hours a day．
"Do you often practice so long at a time?" asked my teacher．
"I try to," I answered．
Well, don' t," he said． “When you grow up, time won' t come in long periods．Practice in minutes whenever you can find them, five or ten before school, after lunch, or between household tasks．Spread the practice through the day, and piano-playing will become a part of your life．"
When I was teaching at Columbia, I wanted to write, but class periods, theme-reading and committee meetings filled my days and evenings．For two years I got practically nothing down on paper, and my excuse was that I had no time．Then I remembered what Carl Walter had said．
During the next week I conducted an experiment．Whenever I had five minutes to spare, I would sit down and write a hundred words or so．To my astonishment, at the end of the week I had a rather large manuscript （手稿） ready for revision, later on I wrote novels by the same means．
Though my teaching schedule had become heavier than ever, every day there were free moments which could be caught and put to use．I even took up piano-playing again, finding that the small intervals of the day provided enough time for both writing and piano practice．
There is an important trick in this time-using formula; you must get into your work quickly．If you have only five minutes for writing, you can't afford to waste four minutes chewing your pencil．You must make your mental preparations ahead of time, and focus on your task almost immediately when the time comes．Fortunately, rapid concentration is easier than most of us realize．
I admit I have never learnt how to let go easily at the end of the five or ten minutes．But life can be _____ to supply interruptions （中断时间）．Carl Walter has had a great influence on my life．To him, I owe the discovery that even very short periods of time add up to all useful hours I need, if I begin without delay．
1. Which of the following can be the best title of this passage?

A．Concentrate on Your Work	B．A Little at a Time
C．How I Became a Writer	D．My Teacher' s Advice

2. Which of the following statements is true?

A．The writer owes great thanks to his teacher for teaching him to work in long periods．

B．Carl Walter has had a great influence on the writer' s life since he became a student．

C．The writer didn't take the teacher' s words to heart at first．

D．Rapid concentration is actually more difficult than most people imagine．

3. The underlined part "counted on" in the last paragraph can be replaced by "____"．

A．enriched	B．concentrated
C．valued	D．expected

4. We can infer from the passage that the author ____．

A．has new books published each year however busy his teaching is

B．is always tired of interruptions in life because his teaching schedule is always heavy

C．has got into the bad habit of chewing a pencil while writing his novels

D．is devoted to work immediately because he can find enough time for preparations

【推荐2】For the first time in Hong Kong's history，an entertainer has been written into middle school textbooks. He is considered one of the best actors in Hong Kong. Yes，he is Chow Yun fat．

The example of his long hard struggle for success has been used in a chapter in a Hong Kong middle school textbook．Using his experience，students can learn to make the most of their time and to get every opportunity to succeed．

On hearing about this，Chow said happily，“I really hope that my experiences can make young people understand that one should not be afraid of difficulties and setbacks（挫折），for they are the only way to success．”

Indeed，Chow has travelled a long and difficult path to reach his success．In 1955，he was born into a poor family in Hong Kong. When he was 17，he had to leave school．He worked in a number of jobs—as a postman，camera salesman and taxi driver. These experiences paved the way for him to play all kinds of roles later in life．

Chow broke into the film industry in the late 1970s. He was one of the hardest working actors and starred in a number of popular TV dramas and films including “Shanghai Bund”（《上海滩》） and “A Better Tomorrow”． Since 1985， he has won many awards including Taiwan's Golden Horse Awards and Hong Kong Film Awards .

In 1995, he went to Hollywood． Although he was already in his 40s, he had to learn English．He even put chopsticks in his mouth to practise pronouncing certain sounds. His film， “Crouching Tiger，Hidden Dragon”，began to gain him more fame and recognition around the world．In 1998，the mayor of Chicago set aside January 12 as “Chow Yun fat Day．”

1. Chow Yun fat has been written into middle school textbooks mainly     because________．

A．he plays best in Hong Kong

B．he keeps on struggling for success

C．his experiences are very special

D．he is well thought of

2. What can we infer from the passage？

A．Chow Yun fat is proud of his success．

B．Chow Yun fat is popular both at home and abroad．

C．Chow Yun fat prefers to make a living by selling cameras rather than by _________performing．

D．Chow Yun fat has won more awards than other actors．

3. The underlined sentence（in Paragraph 6） suggests _________．

A．chopsticks is of great help to practise English pronunciation

B．Chow Yun fat is willing to struggle with difficulties

C．Chow Yun fat has suffered a lot since he went to Hollywood

D．it is hard for a person who is over 40 years old to learn spoken English

4. The author wrote this passage to _________．

A．introduce Chow's way to success

B．praise Chow for his excellent performance

C．call on people to learn from Chow

D．show why Chow is popular

【推荐3】This year I spent time at the city’s dances for the mentally disabled to fulfill my service hours. At first I felt troubled with the idea of working with the mentally disabled because I had never   been around them before.     1     They arrived in groups with leaders and waited for the doors to open for what seemed the highlight of their week.

Once I was there for a few minutes, I didn't feel uncomfortable at all. I actually became interested to hear what they had to say.     2     They were getting along well and it was clear how excited they were to see familiar faces every Friday night. I realized that I meant something   to them when I skipped a Friday and they asked where I had been. I was missed!     3    

Toward the end of my experience at the city's dances for the disabled, I knew their stories and faces and felt things that I had never experienced. I realized what I had thought about the mentally disabled was wrong.     4     They love life and take it for everything it's worth.

    5     Now I look back and realize what an effect they had on me. I feel thankful that I was born the way I was. I have learned to respect disabled people for their daily struggles, and meeting them has also made me learn to love every minute of life. They taught me that no one can judge what is "normal".

A．They are all people just like us.

B．I went with a friend and when I got there, I was astonished.

C．What I did for the mentally disabled was truly beneficial to them.

D．And by the end of the program, they were able to perform so well.

E．Working with the mentally disabled can be a rewarding experience.

F．This was the first time I found I truly had a place in a stranger's life.

G．As the weeks passed, I found myself interested to see how they made progress.

【推荐1】A mother, who wished to encourage her son’s progress in playing the piano, bought tickets for a performance by the great Polish pianist Ignace Paderewski.When the evening arrived, they found their seats near the front of the concert hall and eyed the impressive Steinway waiting on the stage.Not long after they arrived, the mother came across a friend in the hall and they began to talk with each other.Meanwhile the boy slipped away and could be found nowhere.
At eight o'clock, the lights in the concert hall began to fail, and then the spotlights(聚光灯) came on.Only then did they notice the boy who was up on the piano bench, innocently picking out “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”.Seeing this, his mother was shocked and embarrassed.But before she could bring her son back, the master appeared on the stage and quickly moved to the keyboard.
He whispered gently to the boy, “Don’t quit.Keep playing.” Learning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in the bass(低音的) part.Soon his right arm reached around the other side and performed a delightful accompaniment(伴奏).Together, the old master and the young boy performed so wonderfully and harmoniously on the stage and they held the attention of the crowd with their beautiful music.
In all our lives, we receive helping hands from time to time—some we notice; some we don’t.Equally we ourselves have countless opportunities to offer helping hands—sometimes we want our assistance to be noticed, sometimes we don’t.Little of what we all achieve is without learning from others and without support from others.We are supposed to hand out what we have received.
1. We can learn from the text that the mother___________.

A．was pleased to see her son playing the piano on the stage

B．admired the master so much that she went to watch his performance

C．encouraged her son to play the piano on the stage

D．was talking with a friend when her son slipped onto the stage

2. Seeing the boy playing the piano, the great master___________.

A．felt very shocked and angry

B．encouraged him to continue

C．asked his mother to take him away

D．shouted at the boy

3. The author wrote this text in order to__________.

A．show how patient the great master was

B．tell the readers a very interesting story

C．report an incident in a concert hall

D．urge us to reach out to those in need

【推荐2】The Taj Mahal(泰姬陵) is a love story，a sad and beautiful one.If it didn’t exist，we would easily imagine that the story of its construction was simply a fairy tale.Three hundred years ago，there lived an Indian emperor called Shah Jahan.His wife was a beautiful and bright woman whom he loved greatly.Her title was Mumtazl Mahal：its shortened form Taj Mahal，means “pride of the palace”．In the year 1630 this beloved wife of the emperor died.He was so brokenhearted that he thought of giving up his throne.He decided，out of his love for his wife，to build her the most beautiful tomb that had ever been seen.

He summoned the best artists and architects from India，Turkey，Persia and Arabia and finally，the design was complete.It took more than twenty thousand men working over a period of 18 years to build the Taj Mahal，one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

The building itself stands on a marble platform 29 meters square and 6—7 meters high.Towers rise from each of the four corners.The Taj itself soars another 61 meters into the air.It is an eight­sided building made of white marble.

The emperor planned to build an identical tomb of black marble for himself on the other side of the river connected by a silver bridge.However，his son put him into a prison in the palace before he could finish，and for the rest of his life，he could only gaze across river at the tomb of his beloved wife.

1. The whole passage tells us about________．

A．a beautiful fairy tale

B．the love story of Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife

C．white and black marble tombs made for two emperors

D． the story of the Taj Mahal

2. The emperor’s own tomb was designed to be________________．

A．meters high

B．eight­sided

C．black­coloured

D．white­coloured

3. Which of the following statements is NOT true about the Taj Mahal?

A．It was completed quickly owing to the efforts of the best artists and workers.

B．A lot of people took part in the building work.

C．It is a magnificent building.

D．It is a tomb for the emperor’s beloved wife.

4. The emperor________．

A．died soon after Taj Mahal died

B．died after 1648

C．was beloved by his people

D．was killed by his son

【推荐3】Two years ago I was very lonely and didn’t talk with anyone about my feelings. At the time I didn’t have many friends. I wanted someone to share my experiences and secrets with. I wanted someone to understand me. I started to imagine this friend and often imagined our conversations and what we would do.

Some weeks later we started a new project in school and I was working with one of my schoolmates. We had never worked together before but we got along well. After the project we started to spend some time together in school. One day we decided to take a walk. Ever since that walk we’ve been best friends. We listened and really understood each other.

I had wished for a best friend, but the universe gave me so much more. I have met one of my soul mates. We can sense each other, and it just takes one look and we know what the other is thinking. I didn’t think our friendship could grow much stronger. But now we have known each other for two years and our friendship is growing all the time.

It hasn’t only been easy. We have gone through both easy and hard times. But I’m thankful for the hard times, because they have forced me to grow and taught me a lot. My best friend has changed me. She has made me believe in myself. And I am now focusing on achieving one of my biggest dreams. Without her I wouldn’t even have realized what my biggest dream is.

I know there are soul mates out in the world for you. I am so thankful to have met one of mine. Believe in them, and your paths will cross!

1. What did the author do before meeting her soul mate?

A．She chose to stay alone.	B．She spent time with other friends.
C．She told others about her feelings.	D．She pictured a friend in her mind.

2. How did the author meet her soul mate?

A．By taking a trip.	B．By attending a party.
C．Through a school project.	D．Through a friend’s introduction.

3. What do we know about the author and her soul mate?

A．Their friendship is ending.

B．She is the author’s only soul mate.

C．They are trying hard to realize their dreams.

D．She has little confidence in their friendship.

4. Why is the author thankful for the hard times?

A．She got to know her best friend.	B．She has learnt a lot from them.
C．They have brought money to her.	D．They have made her dream come true.

【推荐1】MIND YOUR BODY

Your life — Live it well SUNDAY 1 APRIL 2016 Time: 3:00 pm-5:00 pm Is your daily life being affected by knee pain? Can’t perform simple tasks? Can’t enjoy outdoor life? Pain when walking? DON’T LET PAIN RULE YOUR LIFE! PUBLIC FORUM (论坛) Find out how to deal with knee and joint pain in this public forum conducted by a team of 5 doctors from Glen-eagles Hospital. Participants will receive a free book on orthopaedics (整形外科) worth $20 and refreshments. Gleneagles Hospital, 6A Napior Road. Level 3. Lecture Hall 3. To register, call or SMS 98712244 Free for the first 50 registered participants $5 to be charged for the subsequent 50 participants.

Fackbook: HEALTH Any health related problems? You can log on to Fans of Mind Your Body Facebook page to see the various health issues being discussed. Fans for Mind Your body in Facebook stand to win a prize if they contribute the best idea on a discussion topic of the week. They have to first “Like” the Mind Your Body Facebook page to post comments on it. Selected comments will be published. Fans will discuss what type of food and drink diabetics should consume to keep their blood sugar to an even keel. Please refer to the website for more details: www.facebookcom/ MindYourbody Prize sponsored by Singapore General Hospital

Neuro Spine Pain Centre Dr Premium Wong (Director of Spine and Pain Services) No surgery！ ● Back Neck Pain Programmes ● Spine (脊椎) & pain injections ● Artificial Disc Replacement Programme #11-02 Mt Elizabeth Hospital. Tel 68340923 neurospinecentre@hotmail.com www.spine-neuro.org

SATURDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2016 Time: 9:00 am-11:00 am Venue: Changi General Hospital, Level 4 Conference Room Take by a Specialist Orthospaedic Surgeon — Dr Vincent Tan Don’t suffer in silence Do you suffer from sports injuries, spine pain, osteoporosis (骨质酥松), shoulder pain or fracture (骨折)? Come and find out what can be done ＆meet “Singapore’s oldest marathon runner” Bone Density Scan could be booked on that day at only $20. The talk is free to all Singaporean citizens above 18 Pre-registration &enquiries via email drivincentan@changihaspital.com

1. The total capacity for the public forum on knee and joint pain is _________ people.

A．5	B．20
C．50	D．100

2. Mr Li, a marathon runner, has an irreparable slip disc (椎间盘突出). Which hospital should he go to if he does not want to undergo any operation?

A．Mt Elizabeth Hospital.	B．Glen-eagles Hospital.
C．Changi General Hospital.	D．Singapore General Hospital.

3. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A．Any Singaporean can attend Dr Tan’s talk free-of-charge.

B．Participants of public forum can get a book $20 cheaper.

C．People “like” the Mind Your Body Facebook page can win a prize.

D．People can book the Bone Density Scan on Feb 4th a special price.

【推荐2】Eating chocolate at least once a week could stave off a heart attack, according to new research. Chocolate is packed with plant chemicals that weaken inflammation(炎症) and help blood flow, explained scientists.

Lead author Dr. Chayakrit Kittanawong said, “Our study suggests chocolate helps keep the heart's blood vessels healthy.” It collected data from six trials that examined the link over the past five decades. A total of 336, 289 people reported their intake. Those who ate chocolate more than once a week reduced their risk of coronary artery( 冠状动脉) disease by eight percent. This was compared to peers who ate it less than once a week.

Chocolate is known to produce the same chemical in the brain as falling in love. But evidence is growing that its reputation as a “guilty pleasure” is wrong. Dr. Krittanawong said, “Chocolate contains heart healthy nutrients such as flavonoids, methylxanthines, polyphenols and stearic acid which may reduce inflammation.

Known medically as HDL(high-density lipoprotein)(高密度脂蛋白), it helps to rid LDL (low-density lipoprotein) out of the body. When this collects, it causes vessels and arteries to become blocked up. It can stop blood flow to the heart or brain, causing a heart attack or stroke. Dr. Krittanawong said, “In the past, clinical studies have shown chocolate is beneficial for blood pressure.

Dark chocolate has long been known to have health benefits but recent research has suggested milk chocolate may also provide valuable nutrients to the heart. Dr. Krittanawong pointed out his study did not investigate whether any particular type of chocolate is more beneficial - or if there is an ideal portion size. He said, “Chocolate appears promising for the prevention of coronary artery disease. But more research is needed to show how much and what kind of chocolate could be recommended.”

While it's not clear how much is perfect, Dr. Krittanawong warned people against overeating. He said, “Moderate amounts of chocolate seem to protect coronary arteries but it's likely that large quantities do not.”

1. What does Paragraph 2 mainly talk about?

A．The result of the study.	B．The process of the study.
C．The participants of the study.	D．The intention of the study.

2. Which of the following can probably prevent blood flow?

A．A heart attack.	B．A stroke.
C．High-density lipoprotein.	D．Low-density lipoprotein.

3. What does the recent study tell us?

A．Chocolate is good for blood pressure.	B．Dark chocolate is beneficial for health.
C．Milk chocolate may also benefit the heart.	D．Chocolate contains special plant chemicals.

4. What's Dr. Krittanawong's attitude toward chocolate's preventing coronary artery disease?

A．Indifferent.

B．Hopeful.

C．Negative.

D．Uncertain.

【推荐3】IPSWICH FESTIVAL 2018

April 12-22

FIESTA, FOOD, FUN&FLA VOURS!

Join us for an impressive evening of live music, dance, and activities for people of all ages.

Be entertained by foreign Belly Dancers, traditional South Pacific Island Fire Dancers and energetic Bollywood Dancers.

Main stage entertainment includes the beautiful singing of a Celtic band, the African rhythm of Joe Tee and Afrodisa, and the infectious Latin party experience of Izalco.

DATE: Friday 20 April

LOCATION: Queens Park, Goleby Avenue, Ipswich Central

FESTIVAL GALA

Ipswich City Symphony (交响乐团) delivers an unforgettable show of music and songs from the great musicals.

Internationally well-known singer Silvie Paladino sings for the first time with Ipswich City Symphony and we welcome back one of the world’s leading bass (男低音) singers, David Hibbard, and the award-winning singer, Tim McCallum.

DATE: Saturday 21 April

LOCATION: Ipswich Civic Centre, Nicholas Street, Ipswich Central

JAZZ, WINE& BLUES

Take a chair and sit back to enjoy fine wines, delicious food and an exciting line-up of both local and nationally known jazz and blues artists.

This event features the dynamic rhythms of Australia’s long-standing touring bands, Joe Camilleri and the Black Sorrows, the award-winning Elly Hoyt, Devils Kiosk and the Ipswich City Big Band.

DATE: Saturday 21 April

LOCATION: Brisbane Street, Top of Town, Ipswich Central

IPSWICH ART AWARDS

The Ipswich Art Awards is a major art exhibition. Over 200 artwork entries in a range of artwork categories from photography, painting, sculpture, drawing and printmaking will be on display, with all of the artworks available for purchase during the exhibition.

DATE: 12 April to 22 April

LOCATION: Ipswich Art Gallery, d’Arcy Doyle Place. Nicholas Street, Ipswich Central

1. On which day can you watch different types of dancing?

A．12 April.	B．20 April.
C．21 April.	D．22 April.

2. If you are a fan of Silvie Paladino, which event would you go to?

A．FESTIVAL GALA.

B．JAZZ, WINE& BlUES.

C．IPSWICH ART AWARDS.

D．FIESTA, FOOD, &FUN FLAVOURS!

3. Where should you go to buy some artworks?

A．Queens Park.

B．Brisbane Street.

C．Ipswich Art Gallery.

D．Ipswich Civic Centre.