1 . Every year about 40,000 people attempt to climb Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. They bring with them lots of waste. The
Hearing these stories, I’m
However, I soon discovered that much has changed since the days of disturbing reports of
The best of a Kilimanjaro
Does Kilimanjaro deserve its
A.crowds | B.stories | C.reporters | D.settlements |
A.age | B.face | C.name | D.position |
A.crazy | B.doubtful | C.serious | D.pessimistic |
A.grass | B.stones | C.camps | D.equipment |
A.new | B.special | C.necessary | D.significant |
A.paying off | B.blowing up | C.fading away | D.spreading out |
A.experiment | B.experience | C.atmosphere | D.intervention |
A.view | B.reason | C.quality | D.purpose |
A.holding on to | B.going back to | C.living up to | D.giving way to |
A.changes | B.permits | C.improves | D.dominates |
A.add | B.match | C.count | D.imagine |
A.lake | B.road | C.desert | D.village |
A.Directly | B.Finally | C.Obviously | D.Frequently |
A.fresh | B.little | C.artificial | D.permanent |
A.reward | B.ecology | C.history | D.reputation |
2 . I remember as a young child bringing a bunch of brilliant yellow flowers to my mother. It didn’t matter that the stems felt sticky or that both my parents cursed the presence of these flowers in the lawn. I thought they were beautiful!
And there were so many of them! We spent hours picking the flowers and then popping the blossoms off with a snap of our fingers. But the supply of dandelions (蒲公英) never ran out. My father or brothers would chop off all the heads with the lawnmower at least once a week, but that didn’t stop these hardy wonders.
And for those flowers that escaped the honor of being hand-delivered to my mother or the sharp blades of the lawnmower, there was another level of existence. The soft roundness of a dandelion gone to seed caused endless laughter of delight as we unconsciously spread this flower across the yard.
As I worked in my garden last week, pulling unwanted weeds out of the space that would become a haven for tomatoes, corn, peas and sunflowers, I again marveled at the flower that some call a weed.
And I thought, if only I had the staying power of a dandelion. If only I could stretch my roots so deep and straight that something tugging on my stem couldn’t separate me completely from the source that feeds me life. If only I could come back to face the world with a bright, sunshiny face after someone has run me over with a lawnmower or worse, purposely attacked me in an attempt to destroy me. If only I could spread love and encouragement as freely and fully as this flower spreads seeds of itself.
The lawns at my parents’ home are now beautiful green blankets. The only patches of color come from well-placed, well-controlled flowerbeds. Chemicals have managed to kill what human interference couldn’t. Still, I hope you and I can be different. I hope that we can stretch our roots deep enough that the strongest poison can’t reach our souls. I hope that we can overcome the poisons of anger, fear, hate, criticism and competitiveness.
1. The author’s parents probably viewed the dandelions in the lawn as ________.A.unwanted weeds | B.hard y wonders | C.supplies of seeds | D.patches of colors |
A.The flowers were meant as a joyful gift to her mother. |
B.The flowers that some called a weed were difficult to pull out. |
C.The flowers were tough enough to spread new lives themselves. |
D.The flowers evolved into a stronger species because of frequent mowing. |
A.The author’s family enjoyed the dandelions as much as she did. |
B.The author purposefully replaced some dandelions with crops. |
C.The dandelions were never successfully removed from the lawn. |
D.The author felt sorry but encouraged by the fate of the dandelions. |
A.You reap what you sow. |
B.Never judge a book by its cover. |
C.United we stand, and divided we fall. |
D.Rise above the storm and you will find the sunshine. |
3 . As a writer, I miss rejection slips. Not that I enjoyed receiving those pre-printed slips of paper, but at least when I got one, I was pretty sure that a flesh-and-blood
Nowadays, rejection slips seem to have disappeared with the use of online submissions. Most editors don’t feel it a must to
For me, there are three
Learning to
A.writer | B.reader | C.mailman | D.editor |
A.demanding | B.indicating | C.suspecting | D.arguing |
A.boring | B.novel | C.lengthy | D.particular |
A.thrilling | B.upsetting | C.embarrassing | D.amusing |
A.buy | B.reject | C.check | D.substitute |
A.prove | B.determine | C.explain | D.acknowledge |
A.proposals | B.drafts | C.contributions | D.instructions |
A.meanings | B.stages | C.wonders | D.rewards |
A.relief | B.frustration | C.anger | D.hesitation |
A.valueless | B.expensive | C.characterless | D.shiny |
A.make up | B.put away | C.turn down | D.insist on |
A.easier | B.better | C.shorter | D.longer |
A.print | B.revise | C.download | D.submit |
A.accept | B.criticize | C.judge | D.evaluate |
A.thinner | B.fatter | C.older | D.newer |
4 . I went on a road trip with a couple of friends from Chicago down to Houston. After six hours in the
I immediately
As I washed up at the sink, the door opened and in
The bathroom door closed and that’s when I saw the
We can
I will remember the unforgettable road trip forever.
1.A.car | B.city | C.way | D.train |
A.warm | B.wet | C.rest | D.admire |
A.expressed | B.explained | C.faced | D.noticed |
A.dusty | B.clean | C.cold | D.quiet |
A.flooded | B.slid | C.walked | D.crowded |
A.surprised | B.excited | C.annoyed | D.worried |
A.studying | B.washing | C.driving | D.standing |
A.shyly | B.confidently | C.generously | D.hopefully |
A.hug | B.nod | C.kiss | D.bow |
A.signal | B.suggestion | C.sign | D.scene |
A.decisions | B.choices | C.plans | D.mistakes |
A.embarrassment | B.shock | C.relief | D.anger |
A.get over | B.go through | C.break out | D.give up |
A.sitting | B.lying | C.running | D.standing |
A.have | B.master | C.understand | D.fix |
5 . The idea of climbing Mt.Qomolangma disgusted me. The mountain came to represent the opposite of everything that I loved and respected about climbing. What had once been the final mountain climbing goal became the focus of a commercial guiding industry. Over the years, the crowds at Base Camp grew, leaving behind tons of trash. Whenever I was asked whether I’d climb Mt.Qomolangma, my answer was always the same: not interested.
That was probably where my personal Mt. Qomolangma story would have ended, were it not for an old friend and his obsession (迷恋) with one of the greatest mysteries. In 1999, Thom Pollard began to explore and found the remains of George Mallory, the celebrated British climber who disappeared while he was attempting to be the first to climb Mt. Qomolangma. But Mallory’s partner, Sandy Irvine, and the camera he had likely carried, were not found. The mountain climbing world has been wondering whether they might have reached the top in 1924.
Pollard’s story moved me. I began to pack for the climb and expected that our advanced equipment would make it manageable, perhaps easy. I was wrong. On the highest point on the planet, I was more tired than I’d ever been in any climbing. Along the way, I continuously tipped_my_hat, not just to Mallory and Irvine but to anyone who has the drive to push himself or herself up this route. My search was in vain, but I began to reconsider Mt. Qomolangma.
I witnessed many climbers, who were much more than just selfcentered tourists. We shared route information, weather forecasts, and family photos—all united around a common goal.
I went to Mt. Qomolangma to seek Irvine. But in the end, I found something more difficult to get: the spirit that Irvine and Mallory shared. It was hiding in plain sight, right where it has always been: inside the brave souls who risk so much to follow in storied adventurers’ footsteps up Mt. Qomolangma.
1. What is the main reason why the author hated climbing Mt. Qomolangma?A.He changed his climbing goal. |
B.Mt. Qomolangma was seriously polluted by trash. |
C.Mt. Qomolangma became an industry to make money. |
D.The mountain was too crowded with climbers. |
A.Because he desired to challenge himself. |
B.Because he got motivated by Thom Pollard. |
C.Because his old friend persuaded him to climb again. |
D.Because he wanted to follow the footsteps of Mallory and Irvine. |
A.Expressed my gratitude. |
B.Proved my determination. |
C.Relieved the tiredness. |
D.Showed my respect. |
A.Admiration for the climbers. |
B.Concern about the risk. |
C.Confidence in the journey. |
D.Hope for Mt. Qomolangma’s future. |
6 . Devon Gallagher, a college graduate from Philadelphia, wants the world to know exactly where she’s been during her worldwide vacation in a special way.
The traveler, who was born with a congenital bone disease (先天性骨病), had her right leg amputated (截肢) at the age of four. Although the amputation caused misfortune for Gallagher early on, she now sees it as an inspiration for living her best life.
To spread that message, Gallagher has taken to social media, where she shares photos of her travels around the world. Besides, she writes her location across her artificial leg (假肢) before taking a picture.
Now she has been taking pictures across Europe, which show her cycling over the canals in Amsterdam, relaxing on a wall overlooking the city of Barcelona, posing with a waffle (华夫饼) in Brussels, taking breath-taking pictures in Athens and enjoying a river cruise (巡航) in Budapest, with all the well-known locations written on her artificial leg.
“I get a new leg every two years and I can choose the design on it. One day I had a sudden idea to get a chalkboard (黑板),” Gallagher said. “My mum and grandmother didn't like the idea, but my friends thought it was great and told me to go for it, so I did.”
Gallagher said people often stare when she’s writing on her leg, but once she shared the photos, she received only positive comment. “My leg hasn't stopped me doing anything I’ve wanted to do, I know it’s my determination to prove to myself that I can do it. Therefore, I’ve been able to keep up with my peers (同龄人) and lead a pretty great life.”
Gallagher shows us that you should never let anything stand in the way of your dreams. If life gives you an artificial leg, make art.
1. What message does Gallagher want to express in her special way?A.She enjoys her traveling across the globe. |
B.She suffers little from her leg amputation . |
C.She looks on her misfortune as another form of blessing. |
D.She has exactly fallen in love with posting photos online. |
A.She is interested in art. |
B.She lost her both legs at the age of four. |
C.She wrote her travel destinations on her artificial leg. |
D.She got permission from her family for getting a chalkboard. |
A.Considerate and cooperative | B.Reliable and generous |
C.Independent and selfless | D.Determined and creative |
A.Never Too Late to Share | B.A Special Artificial Leg |
C.An Outstanding Photographer | D.Gallagher’s Summer Holidays |
7 . With spring approaching, a foot of snow that had fallen rapidly melt. The runoff from the hills had filled the rivers and formed little
I
Sometimes we all do good things in this life only to get dirty water. When this happens just remember that the real reason you do good is because of the
A.steps | B.sculptures | C.ponds | D.footprints |
A.walking | B.driving | C.riding | D.running |
A.standing | B.hanging | C.sitting | D.lying |
A.emerge | B.skip | C.stop | D.check |
A.open | B.break | C.expand | D.examine |
A.Thankfully | B.Generally | C.Surprisingly | D.Hopefully |
A.position | B.order | C.rank | D.time |
A.conflict | B.injury | C.breakthrough | D.emission |
A.got out of | B.pulled over | C.slowed down | D.put away |
A.shorter | B.happier | C.heavier | D.easier |
A.observe | B.leave | C.release | D.move |
A.ashamed | B.depressed | C.relieved | D.relaxed |
A.politely | B.quickly | C.precisely | D.carefully |
A.reliable | B.angry | C.pleasant | D.sensitive |
A.kindness | B.curiosity | C.anxiety | D.regret |
8 . As a child, there was nothing I liked better than Sunday afternoons at my grandfather’s farm in western Pennsylvania. Surrounded by miles of stone walls, the house and field provided endless hours of fun for a city kid like me.
Since my first visit to the farm, I had wanted more than anything to be allowed to climb the stone walls surrounding the houses. My parents would never agree because the walls were so old that some stones were loose and falling. However, my idea to climb across those walls grew so strong that finally I had all my courage to enter the living room, where the adults had gathered after Sunday dinner.
“I want to climb the stone walls.” I said. “Heavens, no! You’ll hurt yourself!” The response was just as I’d expected. But before I left the room, I was stopped by my grandfather’s loud voice. “Now hold on just a minute.” I heard him say. “Let the boy climb the stone walls. He has to learn to do things for himself.”
“Go,” he said to me, “and come and see me when you get back.” For the next two and a half hours I climbed those old walls — and had the time of my life. Later I met with my grandfather to tell him about my adventures. I’ll never forget what he said. “Fred,” he said, smiling, “you made this day a special day just by being yourself. Always remember, there’s only one person in this whole world like you, and I like you exactly as you are.”
Many years have passed since then, and today I host the television program Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, seen by millions of children throughout America. There have been changes over the years, but one thing remains the same: my message to children at the end of almost every visit. “There’s only one person in this whole world like you,” the kids will hear me say, “and people can like you exactly as you are.”
1. Why did the writer enjoy his visits to the farm?A.There were old stone houses. | B.He was allowed to climb the walls. |
C.He missed his grandfather a lot. | D.He could experience new fun there. |
A.He was backed up by his grandfather to follow his heart. |
B.He didn’t expect his parents’ disagreement on wall climbing. |
C.He became a TV program host with his grandfather’s help. |
D.He didn’t know the possible danger of the stone walls. |
A.Unforgettable Childhood | B.Just Be Yourself |
C.Do Whatever You Like | D.Like grandfather, like grandson |
9 . Xinjiang has long been known as a place of music and dancing.
No matter which ethnic group is living in Xinjiang, music and dancing are an inseparable part of our lives. From festive holidays to
When it comes to folk dancing in Xinjiang, the first thing people will
The moment when I
Every day I would assign my viewers
Short video and live-streams do not only
I believe so many people would like to connect with me on the Internet because they see me as a down-to-earth, relatable and real director of the
A.weddings | B.lectures | C.meetings | D.teams |
A.directing | B.conducting | C.composing | D.hearing |
A.hobby | B.satisfaction | C.passion | D.friendship |
A.meet with | B.care for | C.think about | D.find out |
A.professionally | B.obviously | C.rapidly | D.frequently |
A.recognized | B.felt | C.understood | D.described |
A.outbreak | B.attendance | C.appearance | D.control |
A.required | B.took | C.answered | D.replied |
A.plans | B.designs | C.homework | D.creativity |
A.emails | B.letters | C.performances | D.videos |
A.made | B.wore | C.bought | D.changed |
A.inspired | B.surprised | C.crazy | D.admired |
A.compete | B.hire | C.improve | D.promote |
A.fixing | B.repairing | C.establishing | D.digging |
A.historical | B.cultural | C.natural | D.public |
10 . Camel Conversation
A mother and a baby camel were lying around under a tree.
Then the baby camel asked, “Mom,
The mother camel considered this and said, “We are desert animals and we have the humps to
The baby camel
The mama
The baby paused, and then asked, “Why are our eyelashes (睫毛)
The mama responded, “Those long thick eyelashes
The baby camel thought and thought. Then he said, “I see. So the hump is to store water when we are in the desert, the legs are for
We were given all
Don’t sit around in a zoo. Use your gifts and talents to help
A.why | B.how | C.whether | D.where |
A.drink | B.flow | C.bring | D.store |
A.few | B.little | C.less | D.much |
A.missed | B.wished | C.asked | D.thought |
A.arms | B.hands | C.feet | D.legs |
A.replied | B.asked | C.wanted | D.yelled |
A.sea | B.desert | C.garden | D.yard |
A.thin | B.weak | C.long | D.short |
A.depend | B.prevent | C.stop | D.protect |
A.when | B.although | C.as | D.because |
A.flying | B.walking | C.covering | D.driving |
A.desert | B.zoo | C.country | D.city |
A.worthy | B.expensive | C.special | D.seasonal |
A.disturb | B.differ | C.disgust | D.desire |
A.others | B.another | C.other | D.else |