1 . Sometimes the people who give you warmth are strangers. They brighten your day or your life. Snow makes everything white. But a ________ on a cold winter morning made my heart ________.

For several days snow fell heavily. It lay many inches thick on the ground. My home is not far from the Hill Park station. Every morning I ________ to the station and caught the eight o’clock train. When I got out of the train, I was about to ________ out of the railway station when my eyes got ________ on one old guy. The morning cold winter ________ were piercing (刺入) through my woolen ________. I felt it cutting through my flesh and bones．

I was walking quickly when I ________ the old man wasn’t wearing anything on his ________ nor scarf around his neck, ________he was sitting in freezing winds. I don’t know how he was going to ________ those cold winters.

I went to him and asked the reason for not wearing any hat. He gave me a strange ________ and said nothing. I got the sign that probably he felt embarrassed about the question that I asked him. So I ________off my woolen hat and handed it to him. I told him to keep wearing it. He then smiled. I smiled ________ and left. Actually, after you do a favor or offer a convenience, you will be deeply ________ by others. We said nothing, but we all enjoyed the warmth, friendship and generosity from each other.

1.

A．smile

B．hug

C．silence

D．help

2.

A．broken

B．warm

C．tight

D．sad

3.

A．jumped

B．walked

C．drove

D．lifted

4.

A．step

B．enter

C．finish

D．put

5.

A．covered

B．left

C．stuck

D．down

6.

A．snow

B．raindrops

C．leaves

D．winds

7.

A．coat

B．hat

C．gloves

D．clothes

8.

A．guessed

B．expected

C．noticed

D．imagined

9.

A．body

B．head

C．face

D．hands

10.

A．so

B．then

C．though

D．yet

11.

A．passed over

B．got through

C．lived away

D．spent out

12.

A．stare

B．anger

C．look

D．care

13.

A．gave

B．picked

C．let

D．took

14.

A．back

B．opposite

C．away

D．up

15.

A．warned

B．reported

C．thanked

D．reminded

2 . A British friend told me he couldn’t understand why Chinese people love eating sunflower seeds (磕瓜子) as a snack so much. “I’ve met a lot of older Chinese and many have a crack in their front teeth; I believe that’s from cracking the seeds,” he said.

I had never noticed the habit, but once he mentioned it, I suddenly became more aware. I realized that whenever I’m watching TV or typing a report, I always start mindlessly cracking sunflower seeds. My friend doesn’t like sunflower seeds, and, to him, it seems unnecessary to work so much just to get one small seed.

When we were young, the whole family would usually get together for Chinese New Year. Then, we all lived close to one another, usually in a small city, and sometimes even neighbors would go door-to-door on Chinese New Year’s Eve to check out what every household was making.

I remember my parents would be in the kitchen cooking. Out in the living room, a large table would already be laid out, complete with fancy tablecloth, ready-made dumpling fillings, and dishes full of candy, fruits and sunflower seeds. Some of the dishes were to be offered to our ancestors later, while others were for neighbors and children to eat before the evening feast. I must have learned how to crack sunflower seeds back then.

I don’t think it’s right to criticize one’s choice in food or eating habits, no matter how strange they may seem.

It’s not only in China. When I went abroad, I found people had all kinds of strange habits when it came to food. In Denmark, they put salted red fish on bread and eat it for dinner, no matter how much it ruins your breath. They think it’s a delicacy (美味佳肴), and it’s connected to their certain culture. I think it’s a wonderful tradition.

1. What did the writer become aware of?

A．She had ever typed a report about seeds.	B．She had various snacks while watching TV.
C．She damaged her teeth by eating sunflower seeds.	D．She had a habit of cracking sunflower seeds.

2. What does the writer prove by mentioning Chinese New Year?

A．The traditions of celebrating it disappear.	B．Eating sunflower seeds is related to it.
C．The families get together for it.	D．Children can eat delicious food on that day.

3. The writer’s attitude to Denmark’s way of eating bread is _________.

A．neutral(中立的)

B．critical(批评的)

C．acceptable

D．doubtful

4. What lesson can we learn from the story?

A．One kind of food doesn’t necessarily suit everyone.	B．It is good to form healthy eating habits.
C．Eating habits come from a certain culture.	D．Changing your eating habits will change your life.

4 . We often wonder how we’re doing as parents. Kids don’t come with an instruction guide, so how do we ___________ the job we do raising them? Here’s an interesting thing. A dad attempted an ___________ with his daughter in a video show: “fake job interview”. In this video, the daughter ___________ the father’s “interview” repeatedly, selling out her dad in typical kid fashion.

The video opened, showing a man in a suit and tie. Her daughter’s next to him, looking ___________.From the opening sentence, you are offered the impression that this man is interviewing for a new job. The “___________” had asked him to have his child present for an unknown reason. ___________ sitting with his daughter, Abby, he was ready to make a favorable impression. However, the ___________ didn’t last long.

As the man began his ___________, he offered stories about his lifestyle. Abby ___________ her expression as each “fact” was mentioned. Finally she stood up and shouted “you can’t ____________ to them.” However, the dad continued the fake job interview. She continued to __________ the rest of his lies before walking offscreen.

When raising children, we can never be ____________ we’re doing it right. For this man, he is raising a fine young lady with good ____________.This fake job interview proved her strong beliefs and she isn’t afraid to make noise about it. She doesn’t believe in lying and isn’t afraid to __________ her dad when he does. This dad can be ____________ of the job he is doing!

1.

A．desert

B．judge

C．choose

D．appreciate

2.

A．appointment

B．expectation

C．agreement

D．experiment

3.

A．reminded

B．defeat

C．interrupted

D．inspired

4.

A．delighted

B．annoyed

C．embarrassed

D．frightened

5.

A．reporters

B．advertisers

C．interviewers

D．employers

6.

A．Confidently

B．Apparently

C．Skillfully

D．Remarkably

7.

A．lecture

B．motion

C．humor

D．peace

8.

A．installation

B．institution

C．introduction

D．interaction

9.

A．showed

B．switched

C．shined

D．spotted

10.

A．lie

B．complain

C．appeal

D．explain

11.

A．make up

B．call out

C．put away

D．take in

12.

A．massive

B．curious

C．anxious

D．certain

13.

A．honors

B．qualities

C．talents

D．manners

14.

A．blame

B．punish

C．decline

D．correct

15.

A．capable

B．sure

C．proud

D．cautious

5 . In an international spelling contest (竞赛) in America, an 11-year-old girl was asked to spell a certain word. But with her _________ voice the judges were not sure if she spelled the word with the letter A or E. They talked it over and _________ decided to simply ask her what she had said. By now, the girl knew she had _________ the word, but instead of lying, she told the truth that she had said the _________ letter — so she lost the contest.

As the girl walked off the _________, the entire audience stood to their feet, clapping (鼓掌) to applaud her _________. Later, dozens of newspaper reporters wrote about this 11-year-old girl’s good quality, even when it _________ her the contest. But the fact is that she _________ the biggest contest that day: the contest of her _________.

Probably the biggest test of our character and honesty is what we should do if we knew we would never get __________. This young girl could easily have __________ and nobody would have known it but herself. But that’s just it: She would know she did wrong. It’s been said, “If you __________, you make yourself cheap.” This young girl was strong and smart enough to __________ her own conscience (良知) and character more than the prize from a spelling __________. Her pride was more important than any __________ others might give her for winning a contest. She knew she would have to __________ herself and the choice she made in that moment will have long-lasting influence.

It’s so true that the choices you make today __________ you what you are tomorrow. Our children will __________ our behavior much more than our advice. So if we want them to __________ to be honest, we must show them the way by being honest ourselves. Remember, our kids are __________ what we do and how we live even when we don’t think they see or know.

1.

A．high

B．sweet

C．tough

D．soft

2.

A．finally

B．kindly

C．secretly

D．totally

3.

A．forgotten

B．mispronounced

C．misspelled

D．lost

4.

A．correct

B．wrong

C．different

D．same

5.

A．stage

B．studio

C．test

D．classroom

6.

A．bravery

B．honesty

C．courage

D．cleverness

7.

A．cancelled

B．cost

C．offered

D．wasted

8.

A．achieve

B．broke

C．won

D．defeated

9.

A．talent

B．knowledge

C．understanding

D．character

10.

A．paid

B．awarded

C．caught

D．reported

11.

A．escaped

B．lied

C．changed

D．answered

12.

A．accept

B．fight

C．cheat

D．insist

13.

A．value

B．touch

C．learn

D．play

14.

A．contest

B．champion

C．judge

D．expert

15.

A．sense

B．money

C．respect

D．benefit

16.

A．come to

B．adapt to

C．discuss with

D．live with

17.

A．make

B．change

C．keep

D．create

18.

A．give

B．take

C．follow

D．set

19.

A．grow up

B．bring up

C．take up

D．come up

20.

A．recording

B．inspecting

C．correcting

D．watching

8 . Cycling becomes more popular nowadays. Some may argue that it brings tiredness but it’s nothing, ________with the joy of climbing huge mountains or seeing splendid sights. My cycling career of 13 years ended when I was 75. Though I am now no longer________enough to bear the long days and big climbs, I have my ________   .

It was easy to meet different people with ________during the trips, where I got to ________ the very best in people. In 2007, a stranger stopped her car alongside me to make me a most welcome cup of tea. In 2014, a couple ________ me their place to spend the night.

The support and comfort they gave was a(n)________ change from the long hours I had spent alone on the bike. As each trip ________ its end, I gradually forgot the long hours of riding. Happy memories of the trip________ took the place of the pain and failure I experienced.

Meanwhile, cycling gave me much time to ________ sufferings I went through in my life. Time ________ everything. Cycling also taught me to like who I am. I finally realized that I had more courage than I ever imagined, which was ________ in these trips. No matter how far the________was, I could get there without any support.

These were the adventures of my life, and they were ________ memories. With cycling, the success or failure________ not on luck or conditions but on me alone.

1.

A．exchanged

B．compared

C．impressed

D．contacted

2.

A．strong

B．happy

C．wise

D．creative

3.

A．solutions

B．strengths

C．memories

D．dreams

4.

A．power

B．energy

C．kindness

D．confidence

5.

A．make

B．admire

C．welcome

D．experience

6.

A．supported

B．paid

C．offered

D．showed

7.

A．pleasant

B．slow

C．unique

D．obvious

8.

A．neared

B．brought

C．recorded

D．advanced

9.

A．powerfully

B．finally

C．gracefully

D．recently

10.

A．get close to

B．give in to

C．look forward to

D．think back to

11.

A．wastes

B．repairs

C．tracks

D．keeps

12.

A．lost

B．requested

C．needed

D．affected

13.

A．future

B．source

C．relationship

D．goal

14.

A．annoying

B．impressive

C．extra

D．painful

15.

A．calls

B．focuses

C．agrees

D．depends

9 . One morning, my four-year-old daughter and I were getting ready to leave the house when she suddenly yelled “Idiot!” right at me. As I processed the word, I noticed she was upset. Tears streamed down her face as she half whispered and half yelled “you are an IDIOT Mama.” Total silence followed as we looked at each other. We were staring at each other for so long, and I nearly forgot to breathe out and in again. Idiot. How could my daughter call me an idiot?

There are many behaviors that really push parents’ buttons. Disrespectful, rude words tend to top the list. The wrong response to such rude remarks is often a serious warning. But I didn’t offer any serious remarks.

I realized that my daughter’s intention wasn’t to disrespect me. She was expressing the disconnection (疏离). And punishment doesn’t solve disconnection. It creates more of it. Her choice of word said it all. She was annoyed. She sensed the stress. I needed to hear her. I was being careless. I was the one being rude to her.

So, why punish our children when they need guidance? We must know that the words we use matter, and become our children’s words too. The words include those we use to handle emotional overload. Idiot is a word I regretfully must admit to using when I’m extremely annoyed. Not at my children, but yes, they have heard me say it. So, instead of punishing my daughter for misbehavior, I chose to focus on her real message: Idiot means that “Mom, you are stressing me out!”.

No blame. No criticizing her choice of words. Just focus on our relationship. I admitted my ignoring her, and we hugged and kissed each other. I walked into her play school with interest and was ready to see all her current projects.

Don’t be afraid to look beyond misbehavior, find the true message, trust the power of connection, and show kindness and forgiveness.

1. After hearing her daughter’s words, the author ________.

A．couldn’t believe it	B．gave her a warning
C．lost her temper	D．had a talk with her

2. What did the daughter really want to say to her mom?

A．You are an idiot.	B．You are ignoring me.
C．You always punish me.	D．You teach me the rude words.

3. From the text we can conclude that the mother is ________.

A．bad-tempered	B．brave
C．sensitive	D．wise

4. What’s the purpose of this text?

A．To settle conflicts between parents and children.

B．To explain why children disrespect their parents.

C．To suggest a positive response to children’s misbehavior.

D．To encourage readers to express their true feelings.

10 . Sometimes a part of us must die before another part can come to life. Even though this is a_______and necessary stage of our growth, it is often painful or_______if we don’t realize what’s happening. In fact, confusion is often the_______that tells us a change is taking place within us. These changes happen throughout the lives of all humans, as we move from babyhood to_______to teenage years and beyond. With each change from one_______to another, we find ourselves saying_______to an old friend, the identity that we_______in order to move through that particular time.

Sometimes we build these identities in relationships or jobs, and when we change, those areas of our life become_______.Usually, if we take the time to look into the changing surface of things, we will find that a change is taking place_______us. For example, we may go through one whole part of our lives creating a protective shell around ourselves because we need it in________of ourselves. One day, ________, we may find ourselves feeling limited and bored, wanting to move outside the________ we used to need; the new part of ourselves cannot be born within the________of the shell our old self needed.

We may feel a strange________of excitement and sadness as we say goodbye to a part of ourselves that is________and make way for a whole new identity to________ in its place. We may find inspiration in working and studying when we think of the image of an animal who sheds (蜕皮) in order to make________for new skin, fur, or feathers to________. For example, keeping a piece of snake skin, or some other symbols of change, can________us that death and rebirth are simply nature’s way of growing. We can give in to this process, letting go of our past self with great love and gratitude, and________the new with an open mind and heart, ready for our next stage of life.

1.

A．dusty

B．natural

C．humorous

D．rare

2.

A．moving

B．disappointing

C．tiring

D．confusing

3.

A．report

B．notice

C．indication

D．idea

4.

A．brotherhood

B．neighborhood

C．childhood

D．adulthood

5.

A．animal

B．people

C．child

D．stage

6.

A．goodbye

B．hello

C．thanks

D．sorry

7.

A．left

B．showed

C．shaped

D．realized

8.

A．remained

B．influenced

C．defended

D．ignored

9.

A．around

B．between

C．for

D．within

10.

A．aid

B．memory

C．defense

D．support

11.

A．moreover

B．therefore

C．however

D．meanwhile

12.

A．area

B．shelter

C．room

D．space

13.

A．contents

B．limits

C．connection

D．requirements

14.

A．mixture

B．influence

C．appearance

D．relation

15.

A．growing

B．coming

C．escaping

D．dying

16.

A．come back

B．come down

C．come out

D．come across

17.

A．sense

B．time

C．name

D．room

18.

A．appear

B．disappear

C．go

D．exist

19.

A．convince

B．remind

C．warn

D．tell

20.

A．welcoming

B．imaging

C．hoping

D．supplying