Proudly reading my words, I looked around the room, only to find my classmates bearing(忍住) big smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes. Puzzled, I took a quick look at my stone-faced teacher. Having no choice, I slowly raised the report I had worked on, hoping to hide myself. “What could be causing everyone to act this way?”
Quickly, I remembered the day Miss Lancelot gave me the task. This was the first real task I received in my new school. It seemed simple: go on the Internet and find information about a man named George Washington. Since my idea of history came from an ancient teacher in my home country, I had never heard of that name before. As I searched the name of this fellow, it became clear that there were two people having the same name who looked completely different!One invented hundreds of uses for peanuts(花生), while the other led some sort of army across America. I stared at the screen, wondering which one my teacher meant. I called my grandfather for a golden piece of advice: flip(掷) a coin. As a result, my report would be about the great man who invented peanut butter, George Washington Carver.
Weeks later, I was totally lost in front of the unfriendly people. I lowered the paper and sat down at my desk, burning to find out what I had done wrong. As a classmate began his report, it all became clear, “My report is on George Washington, the man who started the American Revolution.” The whole world became quiet！How could I know that she meant that George Washington?
Clearly, my grade was terrible. Heartbroken but fearless, I decided to turn this around. I talked to Miss Lancelot, but she insisted: No re-dos; no new grade. So I threw myself heartily into my work for the rest of the school year. Ten months later, I found myself sitting in the headmaster’s office with my grandfather, now having an entirely different conversation. I smiled and remembered the embarrassing moment at the beginning of the year as the headmaster told me that I could skip(跳级) the sixth grade. What a nice feeling！
1. What did the author’s classmates think about his report?| A．Amazing. | B．Boring |
| C．Funny. | D．Puzzling. |
| A．He followed the advice and flipped a co. |
| B．He was unfamiliar with American history. |
| C．He forgot his teacher’s instruction. |
| D．He didn’t know why the teacher gave such a task. |
| A．through his own efforts | B．by redoing his task |
| C．with the help of his grandfather | D．under the guidance of his headmaster |
| A．Actions speak louder than words. | B．Practice makes perfect. |
| C．One is never too old to learn. | D．Everything comes to him who works hard. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】I have learned a great many things from playing football. And it has changed my entire attitude towards life.
In my freshman year at high school, I was shy, had low self-confidence and turned away from seemingly impossible challenges. On the first day of freshman practice, the team warmed up with a game of touch football. However, during the game, I didn't run as hard as I could, nor did I try to escape from my defender and get open. The fact of the matter was that I really didn't want to be the one at fault if I dropped the ball and the play didn't succeed. I didn't want to take the responsibility of helping the team because I was too afraid of making a mistake. That aspect of my character led the first year of my high school life. I avoided asking questions in class, afraid they might be considered too stupid by my classmates.
During my second-year season, my position at backup guard led me to play in the games since another backup guard on my team was seriously injured. From then on, I made mistakes sometimes and was blamed by my coaches indeed. However, those criticisms didn't make my teammates look down upon me, but they helped me a lot. At times I made great plays, for which I was congratulated. Now, I feel like a changed person.
Over the years, playing football has taught me what it takes to succeed. From months of tough practices, I have learned to work hard. From my coaches and teammates, I have learned to work well with others in a group. But most importantly, I have gained self-confidence. I realize that it is necessary to risk failure in order to gain success. Now, I welcome the challenge.
1. What sort of boy was the author in his early years of high school?| A．Kind. | B．Brave. |
| C．Lonely. | D．Fearful. |
| A．They are friendly and warm-hearted. |
| B．They were seriously injured during the games. |
| C．They are unsatisfied with the team's performance. |
| D．They regarded the author as the most important player. |
| A．Practice makes perfect. |
| B．You get what you pay off. |
| C．Many hands make light work. |
| D．Self-confidence is the key to success. |
| A．To recall his school days. |
| B．To show his love for football. |
| C．To share his growth experience. |
| D．To thank his coaches and teammates. |
【推荐2】Most 15-year-olds are worrying about their math homework and trying to fit in with other kids their age. But Henry Patterson is busy running a successful online business instead.
Patterson, a teenager from Bedfordshire, a county in the East of England, started a business called Not Before Tea when he was just nine. He began by selling sweets, but soon turned to household products like wash bags and soft toys. The items he sells came from the characters of a book he wrote called The Adventures of Sherb and Pip.
Patterson’s early school years were difficult, as he didn’t do as his peers did. He saw the world differently and was rarely invited to parties or play dates. He also spoke with difficulty, which made him feel even more lonely.
But these things didn’t hold him back. To cheer himself up, Patterson gradually buried himself in designing different animals and writing interesting stories about them. His characters started to become popular. He tried very hard to express himself and talk to bigger audiences. His business has earned him 65,000 pounds (566,221 yuan) and he has spoken at the National Retail Business Awards for Teenagers.
Besides this, he does his best to keep his schoolwork as a priority (优先项). He takes his homework with him to events and does it on the train or after a presentation. Two years ago, he wrote a book called Young and Mighty. It describes his search for success and happiness. “The real point of the book is to help people my age think about how to make their way in the world,” he wrote.
1. What is Patterson’s business?| A．Selling books. |
| B．Selling sweets and tea. |
| C．Selling household products. |
| D．Helping teens with their math homework. |
| A．By doing part-time jobs. |
| B．By talking to different people. |
| C．By reading interesting stories. |
| D．By designing things and writing stories. |
| A．disappointing | B．successful |
| C．creative | D．unique |
| A．Patterson wants to be a writer in the future. |
| B．Patterson will help other students do business. |
| C．Patterson balances business and school well. |
| D．Patterson will take part in more school activities. |
【推荐3】Mei Ling hurried to Uncle Ahmad’s house that evening. She could not wait to try the delicious nasi lemak (椰浆饭) and curry (咖哩) chicken that he had specially prepared for the occasion. He was celebrating his sixtieth birthday and everyone in the village was invited for this biggest party of the year.
That party was special as Uncle Ahmad had promised to give everyone a surprise. He said he had bought a magic box that could show pictures of people and that the people could talk. No one in the village had ever heard of anything like that.
Even as Mei Ling was walking towards Uncle Ahmad’s house, the smell of nasi lemak and curry chicken filled the air. The children knew that they would be having a great feast that night. When all the guests arrived, Uncle Ahmad presented his magic box. It sat on a four-spindly-leg table at the front of his big room. On the front of the black box was a glass screen and four little buttons.
Everyone pushed forward to get a closer look at it. Mei Ling and her friends peered into the screen but they could not see anything. They tapped the glass to make sure it was not a trick.
“Don’t touch the magic box!” said Uncle Ahmad He stepped in front of it and signaled to them to move back. He did not want anything to happen to it. He told them to sit down on the mats (垫子). Then he pushed one of the buttons and the glass screen lit up.
Suddenly, the face of a man appeared on the screen and he started speaking. What kind of man was his? He was so small! The guests’ eyes lit up. Everyone broke into chatter.
The children looked behind the box but there was no one there. Could someone be inside the box? They wondered. They could not work it out.
Uncle Ahmad waved his hands again and everyone became quiet. People sat eating dinner, staring at the characters on the screen.
It was the very first time that the villagers had watched television.
1. Why was Mei Ling in a hurry to go to Uncle Ahmad’s house?| A．She wanted to see a magic box. | B．She had to prepare a great feast. |
| C．She was eager to try the delicious food. | D．She had to invite everyone in the village. |
| A．It had four spindly legs. | B．It was made of glass. |
| C．It could light up automatically. | D．It could show images and sounds. |
| A．The villagers watched TV for the first time. |
| B．The village was a very poor and remote place. |
| C．The villagers were very curious about the magic box. |
| D．Uncle Ahmad had presented his magic box before all the guests arrived. |
| A．A Remote Village. | B．A Birthday Present. | C．A Magic Box. | D．A Rich Supper. |
【推荐1】The most valuable thing I ever lost was a pair of diamond earrings I won many years ago at a charity auction (拍卖会). I wrote about the lost earrings in my new children’s book, The Christmas Pig. When they reach the Land of the Lost, where the hero must go to rescue his most beloved toy, my earrings are angry that they aren’t treated with the respect they think they deserve. They soon find out that being made of diamonds counts for(有用) very little in the strange world where human-made objects go when lost, because a thing’s importance there depends on how much it’s truly loved.
The Christmas Pig explores a deep attachment to an old object. It’s about the journey of a boy, Jack, who is a little lost himself, but who discovers his bravery and ability to love in a strange new world. Of all the books I’ve written, this is the one that made me cry the most, because I was dealing with emotions that run deep in all of us. Loss and change are hard for children, but acceptance of these unavoidable parts of life isn’t much easier for adults. The Christmas Pig shows how human beings — even small, lost ones — are capable of wonderful, heroic acts.
A very strange thing happened on the day I finished editing The Christmas Pig. After emailing the final version to my editor, I set about clearing out a cupboard. One of the last objects I picked up was a small box. I opened it. There were my long-lost diamond earrings. I’ve decided to sell them and give the money to a charity. I think it was a nice ending for my earrings’ story to have them do some good for children in the Land of the Living.
How many times have I been asked whether I believe in magic? On the day I finished The Christmas Pig, for a few shining moments I really did.
1. What’s the author’s purpose of writing this passage?| A．To tell a story happening in a magical world. |
| B．To advertise her first children’s book. |
| C．To introduce her new book and stories behind it. |
| D．To reveal our deep attachment to old objects. |
| A．A boy saved his lost toy in the magical world. | B．A boy helped earrings find their own value. |
| C．A boy discovered bravery in the real world. | D．A boy was looked down upon by some earrings. |
| A．She was unable to forgive herself. |
| B．It was based on her own past experiences. |
| C．The hero dealt successfully with loss and change. |
| D．Many adults could hardly understand the main characters. |
| A．Lost things will turn up sooner or later. | B．Sometimes warm magical things can happen in life. |
| C．We should donate to help those in need. | D．Sometimes magic in books can happen in real life. |
【推荐2】Anyone who has messy children, lazy partners or naughty flat mates will be impressed by the resourcefulness (足智多谋) of Katrina Neathey, the co-owner of a cleaning company in West Sussex. She has made her three teenagers sign an agreement to help keep the house tidy. Any infraction of the agreement, for example, littering up their bedroom with magazines and drinks, or failing to put their dirty plates in the dishwasher, will come with a 5 pounds’ fine on removal of their phones.
It is one way of setting up a cleaning rota (轮班表) that people might stick to. “Cleaning is teamwork.” says Lynsey Crombie, also known as the Queen of Clean. She suggests getting everyone in the household together to find out what people like doing. “In our family, my husband is better at mowing the lawn. I love cleaning rooms. Someone else might like folding the towels. You let everybody do what they’re good at, or enjoy, so there’s more chance they’ll actually do it.”
Crombie is not a fan of fines. For her children, she takes away their phones or turns off the Wi-Fi. For other adults who aren’t joining in, she suggests keeping asking them to take action.
If you aren’t sure what is required to keep the dirt at bay, there are many checklists online that you can print out to share the daily, weekly and monthly tasks. You can stick it on the fridge, and then everyone knows where they stand. If it’s not working, have another chat, such as “What do you dislike?” “How can we improve it?” Ironing out problems is all about communication.
1. What does the underlined word "infraction" in Paragraph 1 mean?| A．Change. | B．Violation. |
| C．Explanation. | D．Discussion. |
| A．By dividing tasks in terms of interest. | B．By sticking to the cleaning rota strictly. |
| C．By setting up a role model herself. | D．By offering the family timely help. |
| A．Fines work well among adults. | B．Ways to motivate people vary. |
| C．It’s hard to push adults to take charge. | D．It’s good to remind people of their tasks. |
| A．To advertise a great cleaning company in West Sussex. |
| B．To encourage people to develop teamwork spirit at home. |
| C．To call on housewives to handle lazy partners resourcefully. |
| D．To introduce ways of inspiring family to share housework. |
【推荐3】I’ve been having trouble concentrating on one thing. It made school difficult for me. When everyone else in the class was focusing on tasks, I could not.
In my first literature class, Mrs. Smith asked us to read a story and then write on it, all within 45 minutes. I raised my hand right away and said, “Mrs. Smith, you see, the doctor said I have attention problems. I might not be able to do it. ” She glanced down at me through her glasses, “You are not different from your classmates, young man.”
I tried, but I didn’t finish the reading when the bell rang. I had to take it home.
In the quietness of my bedroom, the story suddenly all became clear to me. It was about a blind person, Louis Braille. He lived in a time when the blind couldn’t get much education. But Louis didn’t give up. Instead, he invented a reading system of raised dots (点), which opened up a whole new world of knowledge to the blind.
Wasn’t I the “blind” in my class, being made to learn like the “sighted” students? My thoughts spilled out and my pen started to dance. I completed the task within 40 minutes. Indeed, I was not different from others; I just needed a quieter place. If Louis could find his way out of his problems, why should I ever give up?
I didn’t expect anything when I handed in my paper to Mrs. Smith, so it was quite a surprise when it came back to me the next day — with an “A” on it. At the bottom of the paper were these words: “See what you can do when you keep trying?”
Inspired and touched, I began to keep trying hard in my study and struggled against attention problems. I believe one can find his way out of difficulty with determination (决心) and efforts.
1. Why didn’t the author finish his reading in class?| A．He missed several classes before. |
| B．He was not a bit interested in literature. |
| C．He was unable to concentrate on his task. |
| D．He was used to doing his homework at home. |
| A．Impatient. | B．Encouraging. |
| C．Disappointing. | D．Careless. |
| A．You can never be too old to learn. |
| B．Do not judge a book by its cover. |
| C．One good turn deserves another. |
| D．Where there is a will, there is a way. |
【推荐1】Across the rich world, well-educated people increasingly work longer than the less-skilled. Some 65% of American men aged 62-74 with a professional degree are in the workforce, compared with 32% of men with only a high-school certificate. This gap is part of a deepening divide between the well-education well off and the unskilled poor. Rapid technological advance has raised the incomes of the highly skilled while squeezing those of the unskilled. The consequences, for individual and society, are profound.
The world is facing as astonishing rise in the number of old people, and they will live longer than ever before. Over the next 20 years the global population of those aged 65 or more will almost double, from 600 million to 1.1 billion. The experience of the 20th century, when greater longevity translated into more years in retirement rather than more years at work, has persuaded many observers that this shift will lead to slower economic growth, while the swelling ranks of pensioners will create government budget problems.
But the notion of a sharp division between the working young and the idle old misses a new trend, the growing gap between the skilled and the unskilled. Employment rates are falling among younger unskilled people, whereas older skilled folk are working longer. The divide is most extreme in America, where well-educated baby-boomers (二战后生育高峰期出生的美国人) are putting off retirement while many less-skilled younger people have dropped out of the workforce.
Policy is partly responsible. Many European governments have abandoned policies that used to encourage people to retire early. Rising life expectancy, combined with the replacement of generous defined-benefit pension plans with less generous defined-contribution ones, means that even the better-off must work longer to have a comfortable retirement. But the changing nature of work also plays a big role. Pay has risen sharply for the highly educated, and those people continue to get rich rewards into old age because these days the educated elderly are more productive than the previous generation. Technological change may well strengthen that shift: the skills that make up for computers, from management knowhow to creativity, do not necessarily decline with age.
1. What has helped deepen the divide between the well-off and the poor?| A．Longer life expectancies. |
| B．A rapid technological advance. |
| C．Profound changes in the workforce. |
| D．A growing number of the well-educated. |
| A．Economic growth will slow down. |
| B．Government budgets will increase |
| C．More people will try to pursue higher education. |
| D．There will be more competition in the job market. |
| A．Unskilled workers m ay choose to retire early. |
| B．More people have to receive in-service training. |
| C．Even wealthy people must work longer to live comfortably in retirement. |
| D．People may be able to enjoy generous defined-benefits from pension plans. |
| A．Computers will do more complicated work. |
| B．More will be taken by the educated young. |
| C．Most jobs to be done will be creative ones |
| D．Skills are highly valued regardless of age |
【推荐2】Robert is nine years old and Joanna is seven. They live at Mount Ebenezer. Their father has a big property. In Australia they call a farm a property.
Robert and Joanna like school very much. At school they can talk to their friends but Robert and Joanna cannot see their friends. They live 100, perhaps 300, miles away and like Robert and Joanna, they all go to school by radio.
Mount Ebenezer is in the centre of Australia. Not many people live in “The Centre”. There are no schools with desks and blackboards and no teachers in “The Centre”. School is a room at home with a two-way radio. The teacher also has a two-way radio. Every morning she calls each student on the radio. When all students answer, lessons begin… Think of your teacher 300 miles away!
1. The children in “The Centre” do not go to a school because _______.| A．they live too far away from one another |
| B．they do not like school |
| C．they are not old enough to go to school |
| D．their families are too poor |
| A．a property | B．a car |
| C．a school room at home | D．a special radio |
| A．not in a classroom but at the homes of the students |
| B．by speaking only and not showing anything in writing |
| C．without using any textbooks or pictures |
| D．without knowing whether the students are attending |
| A．but their teacher cannot hear them |
| B．and their teacher can hear them too |
| C．but cannot hear their schoolmates |
| D．and see him or her at the same time |
| A．house | B．school |
| C．farm | D．radio |
【推荐3】I took a job as a receptionist for a vet(兽医)almost five decades ago. As a crazy animal lover, I accepted the position on the condition that I wouldn't have to assist with any wounded animals. I couldn't bear to see any creature in pain.
At the end of my first week, we were closing the office for the day when a young man ran up to us holding a severely injured Doberman pinscher puppy in his arms and begging us to save his life. The four-month-old pup had been hit by a car.
The doctor and I ran back into the operating room. The only place the skin was still attached to this poor little animal's body was around one shoulder. The vet worked tirelessly for what seemed like hours, sewing him back together again. That was the easy part. The puppy had broken multiple bones, including his spine. If he survived the next few days, we were quite sure he would never walk again.
That day forever changed my life. One of my first jobs was to give that Doberman puppy daily physical treatment. I remember moving his tiny legs to try to keep his muscles from weakening.
Weeks went by until one day, I felt this little fighter push back ever so slightly. And he continued to push back till he could finally use his legs.
Fast-forward about a year. I walked into the clinic's crowded waiting room and called the name of the next client. Suddenly, a huge Doberman who had been standing quietly with his owner on the opposite side of the room broke loose and rushed toward me. I found myself pinned against the wall with this huge dog standing on his back legs, his front paws on my shoulder, washing my face with abundant and joyful kisses.
I still tear up in amazement at the display of love and gratitude the dog had for me that day all those years ago.
1. The author didn't want to assist with wounded animals because| A．she didn't have relevant experience to treat animals. |
| B．she couldn't stand watching animals suffering from pain. |
| C．she showed no sympathy for wounded animals. |
| D．she saw no reward if she helped wounded animals. |
| A．The dog survived, but he couldn't walk again. |
| B．The dog was still a great fighter after recovery. |
| C．The dog would never know who saved his life. |
| D．The dog finally got back to his feet again. |
| A．frightened and aggressive |
| B．joyful and grateful |
| C．joyful and nervous |
| D．excited and aggressive |
1.Your NAME, YEAR of birth, HOME ADDRESS／CITY／STATE／PHONE NUMBER, SCHOOL NAME (and English teacher) and EMAIL ADDRESS, so we can email you if you've published.
For photos, place the information on the back of each envelope: PLEASE DON'T FOLD.
2.This statement MUST BE WRITTEN on each work: “I promise the above work is completely original.” and sign your name.
SEND IT ALL SUMMER！
By mail—Teen Ink, Box 30
Newton, MA 02461
On the web—TeenInk.com/ Submissions
By email—Submissions@TeenInk.com
THE FINE PRINT
Type print carefully in ink. Keep a copy．
Writing may be edited; we reserve the right to publish it without your permission.
If due to the personal nature of a piece you don't want your name published,we will respect your request, but you MUST include your name and address for our records.
Include a self-addressed envelope, and we'll send a coupon(优惠券)for any Pepsi product and an announcement to let you know we’ve got your work.
If published, you will receive a copy of Teen Ink, and a wooden pen.
All works submitted(提交)will not be returned and all copyrights belong to Teen Ink. We
keep the rights to publish all such works in any forms. All material in Teen Ink is copyrighted to protect us and prevent others from republishing your work．
1. All of the following must be submitted EXCEPT .
| A．phone number | B．English teacher's name |
| C．school address | D．time of birth |
| A．magazine | B．publishing house |
| C．research center | D．advertising company |
| A．They must ask your permission before having your work published． |
| B．The copyrights will be shared by Teen Ink and Pepsi． |
| C．They only accept your written work． |
| D．The Pepsi Company sponsors（赞助）Teen Ink. |
| A．JOIN TEEN INK |
| B．EMAIL US YOUR WORK |
| C．SEND US YOUR WORK |
| D．KEEP IN TOUCH WITH TEEN INK |
【推荐2】It was early in 1981 when I first met George. I was in my early 30s, seeking a creative outlet unrelated to the humdrum of housework and raising little ones. My children, then aged three and five, were just entering kindergarten and school life. At 65, George had recently retired and was seeking a rewarding hobby for his golden years. For both of us, painting was art and we met at a local TAFE painting class. Thus began a friendship that was to last for 25 years—until the day he died.
In the late 1950s, George arrived in Western Australia from Britain with his wife and two children. He wasn’t a tall man but was as neat as a pin, with a mouthful of large teeth and glasses that gave his blue eyes a Bambi-like appearance. George was a man who lived life to the full; he worked hard, played hard, and had an opinion about everything. He loved his wife, his family, his friends, and was loyal and outspoken to the equal degree. A slim and vigorous man, George took pride in his fitness and health and walked three kilometres every day. “”I’d no more go without my walk than without brushing my teeth,” he’d say.
And as the only male in a painting class full of women, George was in his element. He loved his singular role and looked after his brood with the same attention he gave to everything.
He took to painting with passion and commitment, even turning the spare bedroom of his home into a studio. His painting equipment was comprehensive—an easel, quality paints, linseed oil, turpentine, brushes, palette, canvases, charcoal pencils, fixative, palette knives—even a rolling pin for removing air bubbles when gluing. Ever practical, George housed many of these items in a tool box-a red metal tool box-built to take hard knocks and purchased from a local hardware store.
For about six years George and I studied together through various units until the completion of the course and other commitments drew us apart, though we always maintained personal contact as we lived within a couple of kilometres of each other. Td sometimes see him on his daily walk or at the local shops and occasionally we'd touch base with a ‘proper’ afternoon tea, sharing a cuppa and a chinwag.
1. Why did the author start to learn painting?| A．To find a lasting and rewarding friendship. |
| B．To take a break from her boring family life. |
| C．To develop a hobby for her future golden years. |
| D．To realize her long-held dream of becoming a painter. |
| A．George’s interest | B．George’s tools |
| C．George’s family | D．George’s classmates |
| A．desired a luxurious life | B．was enthusiastic about sports |
| C．cared little about his appearance | D．seldom told others about his opinion |
| A．What happened on the day George died. |
| B．Why she became a painter while George didn’t. |
| C．How she and George turned away from each other. |
| D．Where George used to live before coming to Australia. |
【推荐3】Famous Scientists
Scientific discoveries over the centuries have helped shape the way we live today. Without pioneering scientists working towards cures for diseases, new inventions, and better ways to do things, life today would be different. Here are some of the most famous scientists, who have made important contributions to our everyday lives.
Hippocrates
Nationality: Greek
Known for: Father of Medicine
He was credited with writing the Hippocratic Oath that today’s medical professionals still follow in their practice. He had the theory of the vapors, which stated that many diseases were the result of a bad diet.
Aristotle
Nationality: Greek
Known for: Theory of Three Psyches, Scientific Method
He wrote about many scientific topics, including biology, physics and zoology. His ideas helped shape western scientific thoughts into the Renaissance until they were replaced with Newtonian physics.
Archimedes
Nationality: Greek
Known for: Archimedes Principle, Archimedes Screw
He was an astronomer, a scientist, and a physicist with several inventions to his name. He created a formula (公式) to calculate the area of the underside of a parabola (抛物线). He also designed many ancient machines.
Galen
Nationality: Roman
Known for: Father of Medicine
Galen was best known as Galen of Pergamon. He was a famous philosopher and surgeon among the Romans. His works contributed greatly to the knowledge of pharmacology (药物学), logic and philosophy.
1. Which Greek scientist contributed much to medicine?| A．Galen. | B．Aristotle. |
| C．Archimedes. | D．Hippocrates. |
| A．He influenced western scientific thoughts. |
| B．He designed lots of ancient machines. |
| C．He invented many chemicals. |
| D．He produced the theory of the vapors. |
| A．Having good luck in the field of science. |
| B．Making important contributions to science. |
| C．Writing many poems about science. |
| D．Experiencing many difficulties. |
