1 . Anyone who knew Jack knew him well. He was the first to hide under the bed covers every time the sky grew grey and thunder was heard in the distance. He was in great fear of storms. However, that day changed it all.

With dark clouds in the morning, Jack was in the car with his sister, Emily, who was driving them home. Jack was holding the sides of his seat tightly. As a result, his knuckles (指关节) turned white. Suddenly, the treacherous road conditions sent the car into a slide. The vehicle went off the wet and slippery road, rolled several times and finally rest upside down. Fortunately, both of them were wearing seat belts. Head bleeding heavily, Emily was conscious but unable to move. Thankfully Jack was unhurt.

Water poured through the broken windows of the car. Suddenly, Jack recalled something. He quickly unfastened the seat belt and moved out of the passenger window. With rain beating against his face and arms, Jack made his way to the driver’s side with great difficulty. He managed to pull her through the window. Suddenly, he felt a strong pain on his arms. It was only later that Jack realized the broken pieces of the window had cut them while he was pulling his sister through the window. Finally Jack dragged Emily up to the road. They were soon rescued.

Emily later recalled her terrifying experience and was truly amazed by his courage. Jack’s act of courage was motivated by his favourite book: The Little Engine That Could. In it, when everyone had given up hope, the Little Engine carried the heavy toys and candies over the hill to the children waiting on the other side. The Little Engine had shown courage and taken action.

Obviously, we cannot attribute Jack’s bravery to that one story but without doubt, the book had left a deep impression on him and inspired him to respond positively in a difficult situation.

1. What made it difficult for Jack to go over to the driver’s side?

A．His fear.	B．The heavy rain.
C．His injuries.	D．The bad road condition.

2. What does the underlined word “treacherous” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Dangerous.	B．Strange.
C．Special.	D．Fantastic.

3. How did Emily feel about Jack’s change?

A．Annoyed.	B．Embarrassed.
C．Surprised	D．Puzzled.

4. What can we infer about the book mentioned in the text?

A．It was once a bestseller.	B．It once inspired Emily.
C．It was intended for kid.	D．It was a horror story.

2 .

About us

Fables and Fairytales.com is a non-profit site for visitors from all over the world to share and read fables and fairy tales.

Our main objective is to promote the importance of such stories in developing culture, imagination and creativity. We believe that reading the fables and fairy tales from different cultures allow us to build a greater understanding and appreciation of the diversity around the world.

We organise storytelling sessions around the world. Watch out for our monthly “Fable and Fairy Tale” writing competition for different age groups. We also run the permanent “Fable and Fairy Tales” museum in Hanau, Germany, at the home of the Brothers Grimm.

Contact us at museum@fablesandfairytales.com to arrange your visit!

The museum is open to all individuals and school groups with a booking. A multilingual guide is available on request. No charges for guides and admissions but donations are much appreciated.

Ongoing Event: Find a Storyteller Listen to a story come to life with some of best storytellers in the world. Choose from enthusiastic performers who will sing and act out a famous story for you, or an elderly grandmother who will charm the audience with her voice alone. We have more than 150 amateur and professional storytellers in our list. Join us as a storyteller! If you are passionate about being a storyteller, send us a video of a reading to storyteller@fablesandfairytales.com. Most of our storytellers are amateurs who do it for the love of the stories. Some are professionals who do charge for their services. Do contact to find out the cost, if any, for their services.

Put up a great performance and we will include you in our list!

1. What is the main goal of Fables and Fairytales.com?

A．It provides visitors with teaching resources.

B．It promotes the reading of fables and fairy tales.

C．It promotes various writing competitions around the world.

D．It conducts tours and lessons at the Fables and Fairy Tales Museum.

2. How does the Fables and Fairy Tales Museum support itself?

A．It charges for admissions and guides.

B．It makes profits from advertisements.

C．It receives money from the Brothers Grimm.

D．It relies on the donations given by visitors to the Museum.

3. What can we learn about the storytellers?

A．They get paid from the website by the hour.

B．They are expected to be above sixty years old.

C．They will receive professional training in acting.

D．They are chosen by the videos they have provided.

3 . If you’re reading this, it’s safe to assume you arrived by internet.

Maybe you caught the headline as it raced by on Twitter. Or you might be taking a break from watching a boring movie on Netflix.

It doesn’t matter. Because according to a new study, it all adds up to the same thing: one distraction（分心的事情）after another.

And the thing is, they’re welcome distractions. Because, as the research — published this week in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology — notes, people will do just about anything to avoid being left to their own thoughts.

For their study, researchers designed a sample test for more than 2,557 participants in 11 countries. They divided their test subjects into two groups. In the first group, people were asked to spend 10 to 15 minutes “entertaining themselves with their thoughts as best they could.”

Just sit back and think about things. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Well, not really. The second group — the one where people were told to surf the Net, play a video game, or even read a book — reported having much more fun. They scored more highly on entertainment and lower on boredom. And the preference for distraction seemed to be a global phenomenon, which may come as a surprise to Italians who are famously brilliant at doing nothing.

“The preference for doing external（外部的）activities such as reading, watching TV, or surfing the internet rather than ‘just thinking’ appears to be strong throughout the world,” the researchers note in the study.

But there does seem to be an important thing that hasn’t been included in the study. Shouldn’t the quality of thoughts matter? If you’ve got something positive to think about — say, how you’re going to spend your vacation or the great screenplay you’ve already half-written in your head — why are you reading this?

On the other hand, if you are always bothered by negative thoughts — a sad or painful experience, perhaps — by all means, keep scrolling（翻网页）.

Unfortunately, we won’t be able to take up much of your time here; it’s a short study that gets to the point in a hurry. Don’t worry though. There’s a whole world of distractions out there. Say, have you seen that ship teetering at the brink of Niagara Falls? And how about those charming cows? Bet you didn’t know they could smell you from six miles away.

And that’s something to think about.

1. Why would the Italians be surprised at the phenomenon?

A．They prefer reading books to surfing the Net.

B．They’re convinced that thinking is significant.

C．They are used to being left to their own thoughts.

D．They seldom entertain themselves by surfing the Net.

2. How was the study conducted?

A．By reference research.	B．By comparative study.
C．By theoretical analysis.	D．By experimental study.

3. What seems to have been ignored in the study?

A．The quality of thoughts.	B．The cause of the phenomenon.
C．The solution to the problem.	D．The kinds of distractions.

4. What’s the tone of the passage?

A．Worried.	B．Disappointed.
C．Serious.	D．Humorous.

4 . I once was a follower of cancel culture, enough for it still influences the media I consume today. I don’t listen to my former favorite bands like Pinegrove and Summer Salt anymore and I refuse to watch anything with Louis C.K, and I always look up which Franco brother was accused every time I go to watch something with one of them in it.

These were easy people to “cancel”, because I didn’t have much attachment to them and I could find replacements. But what happens when someone close with you has done something “cancel-worthy”? Something that you would cancel anyone else for, if you had more distance between you?

This dilemma presents two choices.

In the first choice, you could continue your relationship with the “cancelled” person, and live with the guilt. You know they did something that you wouldn’t typically forgive, but you’ve decided to give them a “get out of jail free” card. You continue to be friends with this person, but always feel uneasy because you know somewhere inside that your friend did something bad.

Or there’s option number two: You could completely cut off the person who you once called a friend. You abandon a relationship that you had worked so hard to develop, and you decide to ignore that person. Eventually, you become complete strangers with someone you were once so close with.

No matter what choice you make, you will face significant consequences. This isn’t a black or white issue. This is just one example of the challenges of life that doesn’t have a clear answer. The truth is, this is a lose-lose situation and you’re the loser. You can continue to trust someone who did something bad and live with the guilt. Or, you can stop speaking to them, but still deal with the fact that you once trusted someone who did a very bad thing, and that you had let them into your life. Either way, you end up losing something you didn’t want to.

1. What does the underlined word “them” refer to?

A．Franco brothers.	B．Louis C.K and Franco.
C．Franco’s movies.	D．Pinegrove and Summer Salt.

2. Why does the author stop listening to his favorite bands?

A．He has found better replacements.	B．He is no longer attached to them.
C．They did something he can’t forgive.	D．They don’t release good works anymore.

3. How would you feel when you keep your relationship with a “cancelled” person?

A．Relaxed.	B．Guilty.
C．Awkward.	D．Refreshed.

4. What does the underlined sentence mean in Paragraph 4?

A．You don’t care what they did at all.

B．You continue your relationship with them.

C．You hope they could be set free from the prison.

D．You don’t think they should receive a punishment.

5 . Earlier this year when the summer heatwave was in full swing, most people were dreaming of the cooler autumn temperatures. But for those who love the summer weather, the winter colder temperatures and dreary weather are anything but welcome. The good news? There are some brilliant winter sun destinations you can escape to for glorious pleasant weather and warm sunshine.

Dubai

During the winter months the city still boasts temperatures around 26°C, perfect if you plan to make the most of the city’s beaches. However, it’s not so hot that you can’t enjoy most of the things to see and do in Dubai, from the theme parks to epic malls such as the Burj Khalifa.

Planning to make the most of the attractions? It’s worth looking into a Dubai Pass where you could save up to 50% off a host of the top must-see sights.

Thailand

The best time to visit Thailand is between November to January when it’s a dry season and the temperatures are pleasant. The country is filled with epic sights and attractions.

Fancy a city break? Head to Bangkok where glorious temples, floating markets and incredible food festivals await. Or of course you could spend a few days making the most of Thailand’s most beautiful sea sands.

Cape Verde

Sal Island is one of the main tourist spots in the country. Cape Verde is well-known for offering up a relaxing holiday; and with 10 islands to explore, there’s still ample opportunity to have an adventure or two.

However, if you only visit one spot, make it the beautiful Sal Island. It tends to be a hit with holidaymakers thanks to the white sand beaches and crystalline waters that make up its shores.

Barbados

If the idea of a snowy Christmas break doesn’t appeal, then Barbados could make for a once-in-a-lifetime festive season.

December temperatures can be around 28°C, meaning you’ll have heaps of hot weather and sunshine and of course Barbados beaches are the ideal spot to enjoy them.

1. What’s the purpose of this passage?

A．To provide warm destinations for winter.	B．To compare four foreign tourist spots.
C．To offer advice on traveling abroad.	D．To help escape from the hot weather.

2. What could be the best choice for food lovers?

A．Dubai.	B．Thailand.
C．Cape Verde.	D．Barbados.

3. What do the attractions have in common?

A．They offer tourists sights on a budget.	B．A variety of food is supplied for tourists.
C．They recommend some shopping centers.	D．Travelers can go for relaxation on seashore.

6 . When your parents advise you to “get an education” in order to raise your income, they tell you only half the truth. What they really mean is to get just enough education to provide manpower（人力资源）for your society, but not so much that you prove an embarrassment to your society.
Get a high school diploma, at least. Without that, you will be occupationally dead unless your name happens to be George Bernard Shaw or Thomas Alva Edison, and you can successfully dropout in grade school.
Get a college degree, if possible. With a B. A., you are on the launching pad. But now you have to start to put on the brakes. If you go for a master’s degree, make sure it is an M.B.A., and the famous law of diminishing(逐渐减少的) returns begins to take effect.
Do you know, for instance, that long-haul truck drivers earn more per year than full professors? Yes, the average salary for those truckers was $24000 while the full professors managed to earn just $23030.
A doctorate is the highest degree you can get. Except for a few specialized fields such as physics or chemistry where the degree can quickly be turned to industrial or commercial purposes, if you pursue such a degree in any other field, you will face a future which is not bright. There are more doctors unemployed or underemployed in this country than any other part of the world.
If you become a doctor in English or history or anthropology or political science or languages or—worst of all—in philosophy, you run the risk of becoming overeducated for our national demands. Not for our needs, mind you, but for our demands.
Thousands of doctors are selling shoes, driving cars, waiting on table, and endlessly filling out applications month after month. They may also take a job in some high school or backwater(闭塞) college that pays much less than the doorkeeper earns.
You can equate the level of income with the level of education only so far. Far enough, that is, to make you useful to the gross national product, but not so far that nobody can turn much of a profit on you.
1. According to the writer, what the society expects of education is to turn out people who ______.

A．will not be a disgrace to society

B．will become loyal citizens

C．can take care of themselves

D．can meet the nation’s demand as a source of manpower

2. Many doctors are out of job because ______.

A．they are improperly educated

B．they are of little commercial value to their society

C．there are fewer jobs in high schools

D．they prefer easier jobs that make more money

3. The nation is only interested in people ______.

A．with diplomas

B．who specialize in physics and chemistry

C．who are valuable to the gross national product

D．who receive little education

4. Which of the following is NOT true?

A．Bernard Shaw didn’t finish high school, nor did Edison.

B．One must think carefully before pursuing a master’s degree.

C．The higher your education level, the more money you will earn.

D．If you are too well-educated, you’ll be overeducated for society’s demands.

5. The writer sees education as ______.

A．a means of providing job security and financial security and a means of meeting a country’s demands for technical workers

B．a way to broaden one’s horizons

C．more important than finding a job

D．an opportunity that everyone should have

7 . In my profession as an educator and health care provider, I have worked with numerous children infected with the virus that causes AIDS. The relationships that I have had with these special kids have been gifts in my life. They have taught me so many things, but I have especially learned that great courage can be found in the smallest of packages. Let me tell you about Tyler.
Tyler was born infected with HIV: his mother was also infected. From the very beginning of his life, he was dependent on medications to enable him to survive. When he was five, he had a tube surgically inserted in a vein in his chest. This tube was connected to a pump, which he carried in a small backpack on his back. Medications were hooked up to this pump and were continuously supplied through this tube to his bloodstream. At times, he also needed supplemented oxygen to support his breathing.
Tyler wasn’t willing to give up one single moment of his childhood to this deadly disease. It was not unusual to find him playing and racing around his backyard, wearing his medicine - laden backpack and dragging his tank of oxygen behind him in his little wagon. All of us who knew Tyler marveled at his pure joy in being alive and the energy it gave him. Tyler’s mom often teased him by telling him that he moved so fast she needed to dress him in red. That way, when she peered through the window to check on him playing in the yard, she could quickly spot him.
This dreaded disease eventually wore down even the likes of a little dynamo like Tyler. He grew quite ill and, unfortunately, so did his HIV - infected mother. When it became apparent that he wasn’t going to survive, Tyler’s mom talked to him about death. She comforted him by telling Tyler that she was dying too, and that she would be with him soon in heaven.
A few days before his death, Tyler beckoned me over to his hospital bed and whispered, " I might die soon. I’m not scared. When I die, please dress me in red. Mom promised she’s coming to heaven, too. I’ll be playing when she gets there, and I want to make sure she can find me. "
1. What is the boy Tyler's attitude towards death?

A．pessimistic.

B．optimistic.

C．sorrowful.

D．fearful.

2. Tyler requested the writer to dress him in red when he died simply because ___________.

A．red is a lucky color	B．red might help to cure him
C．his mom could spot him easily	D．he could find more mates by wearing red

3. Which of the following might serve as a possible title for this passage?

A．My unusual profession.	B．A caring mother.
C．Mother and son.	D．Dying in red.

4. The underlined word dynamo in the fourth paragraph here means ________________.

A．a promising and helpful youth	B．an extremely energetic person
C．a rare and beautiful flower	D．a magic and understanding superstar