1 . Grandma was going to turn eighty-two on Friday. I heard Mom ordering a cake from the bakery over the phone. “Don’t put any icing on it,” she said, “Just a plain angel cake.” Angel cake with fresh strawberries was her favorite. So Mum was ready.
That afternoon when Dad came home, he showed me the phone he had bought for Grandma. “It has speed-dialing,” he said. “She won’t have to push so many buttons when she calls the doctor’s office or her sister.” Dad looked pleased. “Her fingers are so stiff with arthritis (关节炎) that the phone seems a good idea.”
But what about me? Here I was with only one dollar in my pocket and one night to think of a gift. Even though Mom always insisted that “it’s the thought that counts,” I had a big problem. My mind was even more empty of ideas than my wallet was empty of money.
When I have a problem, it sometimes helps to shoot a few baskets in the driveway. Dribble, shoot, rebound.
For a while I just played without even trying to think. I began to remember back before Granddad died, when we used to visit them in Kentucky, Granddad showed me how to do a jump shot. Thinking about Granddad made me sigh. Grandma’s life was a lot happier when he was alive.
Swish! I’d made two in a row.
Suddenly, I remembered a green glass dish in the shape of a leaf that Grandma used to keep on a table back in Kentucky. It was always full of those red-and-white-striped peppermint candies. I hadn’t thought of that dish for a long time. Maybe it was lost or broken when Dad rented the truck and brought Grandma and the belongings to Ohio.
Just thinking about that candy dish made me taste the peppermint slowly dissolving on my tongue. I could almost hear Grandma saying，“Help yourself to a piece of peppermint, Burt.” That voice had a smile behind it. It was a voice I hadn’t heard for a long time.
Aha! I took one last shot, then dribbled to the back door, ran up the steps two at a time, and grabbed my wallet.
1. What do you know about the author’s grandma?| A．She has difficulty moving fingers. | B．She loves high-tech products. |
| C．She doesn’t like a plain cake. | D．She has a sweet tooth. |
| A．Melting. | B．Chewing. | C．Swallowing. | D．Fading. |
| A．Something decorative for candies. | B．Something bringing good memories. |
| C．Something convenient to use. | D．Something to Grandma’s taste. |
| A．The Good Old Days | B．The Gift of Gratitude |
| C．The Thought That Counts | D．The Inspiration from Basketball |
2 . Magic (魔术) is believed to have begun with the Egyptians, in 1700 BC. A magician named Dedi of Dedsnefu was reported to have performed for the pharaoh (法老), or the king. He was also known to have entertained (使娱乐) the slaves who built the pyramids. The “Cups and Balls” trick that he was particularly good at is still performed by magicians all over the world today.
The ancient Greeks and Romans were also fascinated by the idea of magic. Actually, one of their main interests was the art of deception (欺骗). This explains why at that time the priests even built magic devices into their temples. These devices made it possible for doors to open by themselves and wine to flow magically out of statues’ mouths. This was done mainly to make people believe that the priests had unusual power.
Magic however, was not well accepted before the 1800s. Magicians were thought to be freaks(怪物) and, were only allowed to perform in a circus. It was in the 19th century that the magician Robert Houdin came along and changed people’s views and attitudes about magic. It was because of Robert Houdin that many magicians were able to add Dr. or MD to their names. Today magicians try hard to find new ways to show their practiced skills. Magic is now entertainment for families all over the world.
1. What is the best title for the passage?| A．Magical Tricks | B．A Great Magician |
| C．Magic as Entertainment | D．The History of Magic |
| A．amused | B．encouraged | C．attracted | D．moved |
| A．They performed magical tricks to entertain people. |
| B．They made the statues in the temples drink wine as they wished. |
| C．They treated the people with wine flowing down from statues’ mouths. |
| D．They built magic devices in the temples to make doors open by themselves. |
| A．Magic should be used only in temples. |
| B．Magic could only be performed in a circus. |
| C．Magic was performed by freaks and doctors. |
| D．Magic was the major daily activity for the pharaohs. |
| A．Magic began about 3,700 years ago. |
| B．Dedi of Dedsnefu performed magic for kings only. |
| C．Robert Houdin was the first magician to perform magic. |
| D．The “Cups and Balls” trick has been performed for about 1,700 years. |
3 . It was a rainy day and I was walking down the street feeling comfortable and happy. I wanted to do something kind for someone else without any reason and purpose, almost as if I was just trying to spread the abundance (充足) of love I was receiving. It was then that I saw a teenage girl dressed in tattered clothes, getting soaked(湿透). She wasn't wearing any shoes or socks. The rain wet her skin through the holes in her clothes and she was making her way through the garbage, trying to find something that would be of use to her.
I walked towards her and told her to wait for me there while I ran home to get her something. On getting home, I took off my shoes, which I really loved, wrapped them up in a plastic cover and ran to give them to the teenage girl on the street.
The girl looked surprised as if she was not used to this kind of kindness. She thanked me in a trembling (颤抖的) voice.
A famous musician who lives down the street corner stopped his car and smiled when he saw what happened. The two watchmen who saw me do this talked and gave me friendly looks.
Although I had to wear my dad's shoes, I was satisfied even if they were a bit large for my feet, because I knew the girl would walk comfortably wearing the shoes. That day I learned that letting go off the little things we own can be a big help to others.
1. What does the underlined word ''tattered'' in the first paragraph probably mean?| A．Old and torn. | B．Large and new. |
| C．Colorless and small. | D．Thick and old. |
| A．the author liked going down streets on rainy days |
| B．the author liked walking in her father's shoes |
| C．nobody wanted to help the poor girl |
| D．the author was very kind-hearted |
| A．They were laughing at the author. | B．They thought what the author did was right. |
| C．They also wanted to help the poor girl. | D．They were curious about what the author did. |
| A．It is important to get others' praise. | B．It is no use giving things to others. |
| C．It is a pity to lose favorite things. | D．It is good to help others. |
4 . If you think that running marathons will help you live a long and healthy life, new research may come as a shock. According to a recent scientific study, people who do a very strenuous workout are as likely to die as people who do no exercise at all.
Scientists in Denmark have been studying over 1,000 joggers (慢跑者)and non - joggers for 12 years. The death rates from the sample group indicate that people who jog at a proper pace two or three times a week for less than two and a half hours in total are least likely to die. The best speed to jog at was found to be about 5 miles per hour. The research suggests that people who jog more than three times a week or at higher speeds of over 7 mph die at the same rate as non - joggers. The scientists think that this is because strenuous exercise causes structural changes to the heart and arteries(动脉). Over time, this can cause serious injuries.
Peter Schnohr, a researcher in Copenhagen, said, “If your goal is to decrease risk of death and improve life expectancy(寿命)，jogging a few times a week at a proper pace is a good strategy. Anything more is not just unnecessary, and it may be harmful. “
The implications (暗示 ) of this are that moderate forms of exercise such as tai chi, yoga and walking may be better for us than “iron man events, triathlons and long - distance running and cycling. According to Jacob Louis Marott, another researcher involved in the study, “You don't actually have to do that much to have a good impact on your health. And perhaps you shouldn’t actually do too much”.
1. The underlined word “strenuous” in Paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to “____“.| A．regular | B．hard | C．practical | D．flexible |
| A．suggest giving up jogging | B．show risks of doing sports |
| C．provide supportive evidence | D．introduce the research process |
| A．It may injure the heart and arteries. | B．It can make the body tired out. |
| C．It will bring much pressure. | D．It consumes too much energy. |
| A．No exercise at all is the best choice. | B．More exercise means a healthier life. |
| C．Marathons runners are least likely to die. | D．Proper exercise contributes to good health. |
5 . Will it matter if you don’t take your breakfast? A short time ago, a test was given in the United States. People of different ages, from 12 to 83, were asked to have a test. During the test, these people were given all kinds of breakfast, and sometimes they got no breakfast at all. Scientists wanted to see how well their bodies worked when they had eaten different kinds of breakfast.
The results show that if a person eats a right breakfast, he or she will work better than if he or she has no breakfast. If a student has fruit, egg, bread and milk before going to school, he or she will learn more quickly and listen more carefully.
The result is opposite to what some people think. Having no breakfast will not help you lose weight. This is because people become so hungry at noon that they eat too much for lunch. They will gain weight (增加体重) instead of losing it. You will lose more weight if you decrease your other meals.
1. During the test, the people were given ________.| A．no breakfast at all | B．little food for breakfast |
| C．very rich breakfast | D．different foods or nothing |
| A．a person will work better if he or she only has fruit and milk |
| B．breakfast has little to do with a person’s work |
| C．breakfast has great effect (影响) on work and studies |
| D．girl students should have little for breakfast |
| A．lose weight | B．work better |
| C．be healthier | D．lose your way |
| A．增加 | B．放弃 |
| C．减少 | D．享用 |
6 . Mom and dad — they’re two of the most important people in your life. You probably see at least one of them every day and over your lifetime, they influence you more than anyone else you meet.
Moms and dads need to care for their kids from the minute they’re born. It’s a parent’s job to love and help kids — and most parents will do this as possible as they can, even when the “kids” grow up and have children of their own. That means you have many years ahead to share with your mom and dad. Here are some ways you can stay close, get along, and build a strong relationship (关系):
Spend time together. Don’t play a computer game or watch TV by yourself. Ask your mom and dad to play with you, go outside together, play a game, or read a book out loud. Try to spend more time together.
Share your feelings and ask for help. Many kids say they’d like their parents to help them when they’re unhappy. Tell them if you’re sad or have a problem. They’ll be happy to help you.
Be kind and caring. Little things might mean a lot to your mom or dad. You can brighten a parent’s day with a hug, a card, or a joke. It’s also lovely when a kid cleans up his or her room without being asked. It’s important to show that you care for each other. Kids and parents show their love by respecting (尊重) each other, and being caring, polite and thoughtful.
Do your best at whatever you do. You don’t have to be perfect, but when you do your best, you make your parents proud. It makes them happy to see how you're turning into such a great kid. Why? Because it lets them know you’re doing a good job.
1. Your parents are two of the most important people in your life because they ______.| A．seldom see you | B．have duty to care for you |
| C．need your help | D．influence you more than anyone else |
| A．Watch TV by themselves. | B．Play a game alone. |
| C．Tell their parents and ask for help. | D．Say nothing to their parents. |
| A．使…紧张 | B．使…悲伤 | C．使…愉快 | D．使…忙碌 |
