1 . My First Marathon（马拉松）
A month before my first marathon, one of my ankles was injured and this meant not running for two weeks, leaving me only two weeks to train. Yet, I was determined to go ahead.
I remember back to my 7th year in school. In my first P. E. class, the teacher required us to run laps and then hit a softball. I didn't do either well. He later informed me that I was “not athletic".
The idea that I was “not athletic" stuck with me for years. When I started running in my 30s, I realized running was a battle against myself, not about competition or whether or not I was athletic. It was all about the battle against my own body and mind. A test of wills!
The night before my marathon, I dreamt that I couldn't even find the finish line. I woke up sweating and nervous, but ready to prove something to myself.
Shortly after crossing the start line, my shoe laces（鞋带）became untied. So I stopped to readjust. Not the start I wanted!
At mile 3, I passed a sign： "GO FOR IT, RUNNERS!”
By mile 17, I became out of breath and the once injured ankle hurt badly. Despite the pain, I stayed the course walking a bit and then running again.
By mile 21, I was starving!
As I approached mile 23, I could see my wife waving a sign. She is my biggest fan. She never minded the alarm clock sounding at 4 a. m. or questioned my expenses on running.
I was one of the final runners to finish. But I finished! And I got a medal. In fact, I got the same medal as the one that the guy who came in first place had.
Determined to be myself, move forward, free of shame and worldly labels（世俗标签），I can now call myself a “marathon winner".
1. A month before the marathon, the author .| A．was well trained | B．felt scared |
| C．made up his mind to run | D．lost hope |
| A．To acknowledge the support of his teacher. |
| B．To amuse the readers with a funny story. |
| C．To show he was not talented in sports. |
| D．To share a precious memory. |
| A．A man owes his success to his family support. |
| B．A winner is one with a great effort of will. |
| C．Failure is the mother of success. |
| D．One is never too old to learn. |
2 . All Summer Camp Programs
Llandovery, Wale, UK
Language and Music for Life (LMFL) — Founded in 1997, LMFL offers unique 2-week summer music and language courses. LMFL provides quality one-to-one training in a wide range of instruments & voice lessons for highly-motivated musicians of all ages.
Study programs & classes include: 2 weeks with Musical Masterclasses: Composition; Violin; Piano; Recorder; Guitar and Classical Singing...
Saint-Raphael, France
France Langue and Culture (FLC) — Experience a fun, educational language holiday for all the family this summer! FLC is the most family-friendly language school providing French summer classes for teens and young children.
Study programs & classes include: 1- 4 Week Sessions. Children’s Summer Camps for ages 4-12, with homestay accommodation by French host families.
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Edu-Inter Summer Language School (EI) — EI offers summer French programs for children and teenagers (ages 10-17) and adults (16+). Quebec City is the only major city in Canada that offers a 100% French-speaking environment, making it the ideal location for learning and practicing French.
Study programs & classes include: 2 weeks’ Summer French Programs: For Children & Teenagers (ages 10-17). French & Dance. French & Horse Riding...
Cambridge, England, UK
Reach Cambridge — Academic Camps (RC) — RC offers UK & international high school students the opportunity to gain an invaluable academic experience through a summer course. We provide unique and academic programs for students (ages 14-18).
Study programs & classes include: 3 weeks’ Summer Camps. Chemistry & Medicine. Computer Science & Math. Economics & ESL...
1. Why is Quebec the ideal location for learning and practicing French?| A．It offers summer French programs. |
| B．It is the only major city in Canada. |
| C．It has a Summer French Language School. |
| D．It has a 100% French-speaking environment. |
| A．LMFL. | B．FLC. | C．EI. | D．RC. |
| A．RC helps kids improve their horse-riding skill |
| B．kids can enjoy one-to-one training at LMFL |
| C．kids can stay at French host families at EI |
| D．FLC was founded in 1997 in France |
3 . “I wish we hadn’t come on this trip!” Jeff’s voice echoed across the narrow canyon （峡谷）. His father stopped, breathing heavily. “This is hard on you, but you’ve got to come through with courage!” He gently placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Now, I don’t know if I can make it without stopping every so often. You’re young, but you’re strong and fast. Do you remember the way back from here to the road, if you had to go alone?”
Jeff flashed back to the painful scene of Mark, his seventeen-year-old brother at their campsite. He was bitten by a snake yesterday. This morning he couldn’t move, and the pain got worse. He needed medical attention right away. They had left their phone in the car, and it must have been out of power by then. Leaving Mark at the campsite and seeking help was their only choice.
“Jeff, could you do it?”
Jeff looked to the end of the canyon, several miles away. He nodded and a plan began to take hold in his mind. “What is the name of that little town we stopped, Dad??” There must be a hospital there.
“Flint. We parked at the side of the road a few miles out of Flint.”
Jeff nodded. Then they continued climbing. Stone by stone, they made their way up the canyon. Gradually, Jeff’s father grew smaller and smaller in the distance. Jeff waved to him and then climbed toward the road. Two hours later, he finally reached the road and struggled toward the town, almost exhausted.
“Can’t stop.” He thought. “Mark’s in big trouble. Keep going.” Suddenly, he saw a truck heading toward him. “Hey, mister!” He shouted, waving both arms. He began to jog toward the truck, and then broke into a full-speed run.
His chest was burning with every breath when the truck driver stopped by him. Jeff explained breathlessly. The driver reached for his cellphone as soon as he heard about Mark. “Better get the helicopter in there,” he said immediately. But Jeff wasn’t sure about that because everything got unclear and then went black and quiet.
Hours later, Jeff opened his eyes to find his father on a chair nearby. “You’re a hero, son,” his father said with a smile. “You had the helicopter sent into the canyon after Mark. I can’t tell you how happy I was when I saw it overhead. They got him to the hospital. He’s going to be fine soon. I’m so proud of you!”
1. Why did Jeff and his father climb up the canyon?| A．They were going for rescue. | B．They were doing physical exercise. |
| C．They were meeting Jeff’s brother. | D．They were searching for their campsite. |
| A．He lost his way. | B．He lost his phone. |
| C．He was hit by a truck. | D．He was bitten by a snake. |
| A．Jeff was faster than him. | B．Jeff knew the way better. |
| C．Jeff needed more exercise. | D．Jeff preferred going by himself. |
| A．Humorous and ambitious. | B．Determined and caring. |
| C．Cautious and sensitive. | D．Generous and kind. |
