3 . The setting was a packed gymnasium just before the start of a game against another school. There were five girls who were members of the Danville High School basketball team — all of them starters. They were not in uniform to play that night and would not be on the team for the rest of this season. They were there to admit their breaking learn rules. They were there to support their coach's decision to take them off the team. They were there to let the town know there was a problem in their little community that needed to be addressed. And they did it with sincere regret rather than defensiveness.

While the school had been out for the New Year's holiday, the five girls had gone to the party with several of their friends. There was alcohol there. And they all drank some.

Coach Rainville has a zero tolerance rule on drugs and alcohol for her members though it was a hard decision to make. When classes resumed (恢复) and accounts of holiday parties were shared, rumors about the five girls began closing in on them. The coach said she couldn't back down on her rules. And the players — Iwo junior students and three senior students — agreed. That night in the gym was part of their public support of the coach's decision.

“We hope you will understand that we are not bad kids. What we did was definitely not worth it. We hope this event will make everyone realize that there is a big drug and alcohol problem in our community, one of the senior students said, “And if you work with us to try to solve this problem, you will help us feel that we have not been thrown off our basketball team for nothing." The five left the floor to deafening applause.

The team may not win another game this year. But they've learned something about personal responsibility, the effect of one's action on others, and honesty that will serve them well throughout life.

1. It can be inferred from the passage that the five girls who were kicked off the team were probably ________.

A．good players on the team

B．three junior students and two senior students

C．addicted to alcohol and drugs

D．scolded by their parents for drinking alcohol

2. What did the girls do to support their coach's decision?

A．They didn't fight for Danville High School any more.

B．They admitted their mistake in public in the gymnasium.

C．They would never drink any alcohol throughout their life.

D．They all gave speeches to apologize in the local newspaper.

3. Which word best describes the coach Rainville?

A．Energetic.	B．Strict.
C．Content.	D．Cruel.

4. Which would be the best title for the passage?

A．Growing Up with Pain	B．A Bad Mistake in Training
C．The Coach Who Values Rules Most	D．Basketball Girls in High School

4 . Welcome here! The Southern Spring Home&Garden Show will be held at the conference center of The Park Expo. This show will last from Wednesday (March 2) to Sunday (March 6, 2022).

Admission: Adults $10.00. Teenagers under 15 free with a paying adult.

Join Lincolnton’s own Tammie Davis as she performs her original country songs at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 5th.

Special Days: The Spring for Kids First Night Gala benefiting the Council for Children’s Rights will take place from 7 p.m. to 10 p. m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, Tickets are $50 and include an access to Freedom Hall, where you can enjoy delicious food, beverage (饮料) and entertainment free of charge.

Seniors Day (55+): Wednesday is for them. Cost is $ 7.00 but without coupons (优惠券)．

Hours: Wednesday, Thursday&Sunday:10 a.m.—5 p.m.; Friday & Saturday:10 a.m.—9 p.m.

Wheelchairs are available on a first-come-first-served basis for you. The cost is $1.00 and you are required to leave a valid driver’s license or ID.

Parking: All Day Parking $ 6.00; Half Day Parking $ 3.00; Every Hour Parking $ 1.00 For More Information: Come to visit Mardee Woodward in person.

E-mail:mwoodward@southernshows.com Telephone: 704-376-4085

1. We can learn from the text that the show will       .

A．take place in a private house	B．offer free parking
C．have the only one singer	D．last only five days

2. How much is the admission for a family of two grown-ups and a child aged 16?

A．$30.

B．$10.

C．$20.

D．$40.

3. We can infer from the text that________.

A．old people can visit the show only on Wednesday

B．there are not enough wheelchairs for the disabled

C．the disabled can use the wheelchairs free of charge

D．kids’ tickets on Wednesday don’t include beverage

5 . I was at the hardware store the other day and overhear（偶尔听到）a woman tell Ed, the manager, that fall was her favorite time of year. Ed, because he likes to keep his customers happy, agreed that fall was a wonderful season, but I could tell he was lying.

I was going through my mind recently, trying to find sweet memories of fall. I failed. I met my wife in the summer and married her two summers later. My sons were born in the winter and summer, my granddaughter in the winter. I’ve been fired twice in my life, both in fall. One October, a truck carrying tofu ran a red light and hit me, destroying my favorite car, combining（使结合） the three things I most hate — trucks, tofu, and October.

I’m not saying fall is without its attractions. The leaves are beautiful. But fall’s vacillation （立场摇摆）is troubling, its effort to please everyone, its continuous search for the middle ground, to be all things to all people. Say what you will about summer and winter, at least they have the courage to keep their opinions strong, even if they kill us with extreme heat or cold.

I recently read a story of a man coming out of a three-month coma（昏迷）. It started in early fall and ended just as winter came. I hope if I’m ever in a coma I would be just as lucky as the man.

Upon my awakening, one of my families who stood around my bed would ask , “Don’t you remember anything from the past three months?”

“Not the first thing,” I would happily report. If I ever have enough money, I’m going to buy a second home in Australia, so that when fall starts here, I can move there for three months, just when spring is starting.

1. What did Ed think of the customer’s words?

A．He understood them and supported her.	B．He held a different opinion on the topic.
C．He believed she wasn’t telling the truth.	D．He thought they stood for most people’s opinion.

2. What can we infer from Paragraph 2?

A．The author has a big and loving family.

B．The author is having a hard time at work.

C．It is important to follow the rules of the road.

D．Nothing good has happened to the author in fall.

3. Why does the author say the man in Paragraph 4 was lucky?

A．Because he slept fall away.

B．Because he has sweet memories of fall.

C．Because he finally came out of the coma.

D．Because he was met by his family when waking up.

4. Which of the following does the author most want to do?

A．Drive trucks.	B．Eat tofu dishes.
C．Watch leaves falling in fall.	D．Move to Australia in October.

6 . What is the greatest threat to mankind? Maybe different people come up with different answers. However, there is no denying the fact that the only threat to humankind, apart from humankind itself, is, without any doubt, the nature. Natural disasters are the result of natural environmental processes that have a damaging effect on people. Natural disasters can come in many forms: such as geological events like earthquakes, tsunamis or mud-rock flows, climatic events like storms, hurricanes or tornadoes and fire events like forest fires and wildfires.

The damage done by natural disasters is mainly as a result of our inability to predict exactly when they will happen. Although great progress has been made in designing and developing forecasting models for some natural disaster, complete certainty is still impossible. Even to be pessimistic there is a possibility that human beings will never achieve accurate prediction of the happening of all natural disasters.

What's more, even though we were able to predict these disasters from nature, preventing them is equally impossible. So we only have two ways to both prevent injuries or deaths and reduce economic losses to the least. These two methods are to prepare before a natural disaster comes to hit, and to manage the necessary resources and public services after a natural disaster strikes.

These two things have always been at the leading position of the projects of both national governments and international organizations. In the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is responsible for the "preparedness, response and recovery planning" of both man-made and natural disasters.

Most natural disasters cannot be prevented, and both emergency preparation and good disaster management are the best ways to deal with them. Although natural events may appear to serve no purpose but simply to punish and destroy, natural disasters, a perfect symbol of the great power of the nature, are display of our planet's evolution and its state of change.

1. Which can't be regarded as a similarity between tornadoes and earthquakes?

A．They can not be prevented.

B．They are both geological events.

C．They cause damage to people.

D．They are both the result of natural environmental processes.

2. The reason why natural disasters cause so much damage is that ________.

A．it is very difficult to predict when exactly they will happen

B．our forecasting equipment is too old for many natural disasters

C．we don't do enough preparation before natural disasters strike

D．we don't have the necessary public services to use after natural disasters strike

3. It may be concluded from the passage that ________.

A．natural disasters can not be predicted at all

B．human beings are pessimistic to the future

C．being well-prepared can avoid economic losses

D．good preparation and disaster management are advisable.

4. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

A．a symbol of the power of nature	B．the greatest threat to mankind
C．Natural disasters and mankind	D．reduce losses to the least

7 . The Adventures of Amilya Rose: The Lie

By Chavonne D. Stewart, Jasmine Mills, published in 2014

Enter for a chance to win a copy of the book.It is the first book in a surprising series of children’s books. That’s fun and exciting and teaches kids valuable lessons.

Chester and Gus

By Cammie McGoven, published in 2017

Chester has always wanted to become a service dog. When he fails his certification test, though, it seems that dream might never come true－until a family adopts him to be a companion for their ten-year-old son, Gus. But Gus acts so differently from anyone Chester has ever met. He never wants to pet Chester. Chester’s not sure how to help Gus, but he’s determined to figure it out and show he’s the right dog for the job.

Invisible Emmie

By Terri Libenson, published in 2017

The novel tells the story of two totally different little girls in a class — quiet, shy and artistic Emmie and popular, outgoing, athletic Katie — and how their lives unexpectedly connected one day, when an embarrassing note falls into the wrong hands. Emmie eventually learns to speak up for herself, realizing that being social isn’t as impossible as she thought.

Ocean Meets Sky

By Terry Fan, Eric Fan, published in 2018

“Young readers will be attracted.”— The Washington Post.

Finn lives by the sea and the sea lives by him. Every time he looks out of his window, it’s a constant reminder of the stories that his grandfather told him about the place where the ocean meets the sky. Finn’s grandfather has gone but Finn knows the perfect way to honor him. He’ll build his own ship and sail out to find this magical place himself! And when he arrives, maybe he’ll find something he didn’t know he was looking for.

1. What can we know about The Adventures of Amilya Rose: The Lie?

A．It’s the first children’s book in 2015.

B．It’s only for children’s fun.

C．It may be gained for free.

D．It’s mainly about teachers’ lessons.

2. Which book is related to the loss of loved ones?

A．The Adventures of Amilya Rose: The Lie	B．Ocean Meets Sky
C．Invisible Emmie	D．Chester and Gus

3. Who wrote the story about the relationship between classmates?

A．Chavonne D. Stewart and Jasmine Mills	B．Cammie McGovern
C．Terry Fan and Eric Fan	D．Terri Libenon

8 . Can you imagine a world without music? Studies show that public schools across the country are cutting back on music classes to save money. Worse, some schools have never had music classes to begin with. But without them, students’ academic growth and emotional health could suffer. In fact, music classes are necessary for all students in schools.

Recent studies by Brown University have shown that students who received music education classes were better in math and reading skills than those without music classes. Another study by The College Board found that students taking music and art classes got higher points. Students’ academic success seems to depend on their taking part in music education.

Music programs in public schools also help to add to a student’s sense of pride and self­confidence. Teens today have too many learning tasks. Besides, they have family problems, self­confidence problems, relationship troubles, and choices about drugs and alcohol. All of these can stop academic success, but music education can help. A study by The Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse found that students who took part in school music programs were less likely to turn to drugs. Music programs encourage students to work together to produce an excellent performance.

Music crosses language, class, cultural and political boundaries (界限). Music allows students from different countries to connect. For example, at a school talent show, a new Japanese student played a piano duet (二重奏) with an American classmate. Although they could not communicate verbally (口头上) , they were able to read the music in order to play the duet. Two students from different cultures worked as a team with self­confidence and common purpose through music.

The gift of music is priceless. We need to be sure to have necessary music classes for all students. The world is losing its music, and putting music into schools is the first step to get it back.

1. The two studies seem to show that ________.

A．students with great success attended music lessons

B．not all students took part in music lessons

C．music plays an important role in students’ success

D．students having music classes are better in all lessons

2. The example in Paragraph 4 mainly suggests that ________.

A．Japan has a good international relationship with America

B．different cultures have different styles of music

C．music makes cross­country communication possible

D．Japanese and American students are good at playing the piano

3. What is the best title for the text?

A．Music — a bridge to understanding

B．How to get music back

C．The importance of listening to music

D．Music education in schools

9 . A young man was going to join the army and had to take a medical examination. The doctor was sitting at a desk when he went in. He said to the man. “Take your coat and shirt off, and sit on the chair.” The young man did so. The doctor looked at him for a moment without getting up from his chair and then said, “ All right. Put on your clothes again.”

“ But you haven’t examined me at all!” the young man said in surprise.

“There is no need to do so,” the doctor said with a smile. “When I told you to take your coat and shirt off, you heard me all right, so there is nothing wrong with your ears. You saw the chair, so your eyes are good. You could take your clothes off and sit on the chair, so you must be in good health. And you understand what I told you to do and did it without a mistake, so you must be clever enough for the army.”

1. The young man went to the doctor because __________.

A．he wanted to take part in the examination

B．he did not feel well

C．he did not want to join the army

D．he wanted to have a medical check—up

2. The doctor told the young man to take his coat and shirt off in order to______.

A．examine him

B．see whether his eyes were wrong with him

C．see what was wrong with him

D．test his listening ability

3. The young man was surprised because the doctor __________ .

A．looked at him with a smile

B．did not know how to examine him

C．asked him several questions

D．did not think it necessary to examine him

4. The doctor thought that __________ .

A．the young man would not be a good soldier

B．the young man must not join the army

C．The Young man would not do something wrong in the army

D．the young man could join the army

5. At first the young man __________ .

A．understood what the doctor meant

B．did not do as he was told to do

C．realized why the doctor told him to do something

D．did not understand what the doctor mean

10 . The other day I was shopping at a local store and came upon a lady from India squatting（蹲）on the floor looking for a certain product on the bottom shelf. She sprang up when she saw me as if to get out of my way. Apologetically she explained that she was a cashier at a nearby store and was on her lunch break trying to geta few needed items before her time was up.

I reassured her, “I am in no hurry. Go ahead and do what you need to do.” While she searched for a particular brand, she said that sometimes customers were rude to her at the store and she really appreciated my kindness. I told her that I had noticed cashiers being treated rudely by some people.

I also explained to her that I was a retired nurse and understood some of what she was saying first hand. Sometimes patients, families, or doctors could be very rude or mean. But I tried to understand why they were feeling that way and let it go. “The world would be a better place if we all acted kindly toward each other. Those who are rude may have bad karma coming after them eventually.” I added.

She nodded and was surprised, “So you know about karma?” My reply was simple. “A little bit. Karma is the same thing as doing something bad and it comes back to bite you on the butt.” She paused, looked puzzled, then broke out in a big smile and covered her mouth with her hand, laughing as she walked away.

It felt so good that in a brief exchange I showed her there were kind people in the world, which might have helped her regain her faith in humanity.

1. How did the lady react when she saw the author in the store?

A．She stood up trying to make way for her.

B．She invited her to have lunch together.

C．She apologized for her rude manners.

D．She kept searching for the needed product.

2. Which of the following best describes the author?

A．Responsible and humorous.

B．Courageous and warm-hearted.

C．Kind and understanding.

D．Sympathetic and open-minded.

3. What is the main message the author wants to convey?

A．Working as a cashier is no easy job.

B．Those who are rude deserve bad karma.

C．Doing acts of kindness will make people feel good.

D．We should treat others the way we want to be treated.