1 . “If you could have any three things, what would you want?”
Eleven-year-old Ruby Kate Chitsey loves asking that question, but it’s not a game she plays at recess（课间）. She asks it at nursing homes in the Harrison, Arkansas, where she lives. Even more amazing, she then sets out to make the residents’ wishes come true.
Ruby Kate often tags along with her mother, Amanda, who works at nursing home in the summer. “I’ve never found them scary at all, so I’m able to just go up to them and ask if they need anything,” she says.
Last May, Ruby K ate noticed a resident named Pearl staring out a window. She seemed sad. “What are you looking at?” Ruby Kate asked. Pearl said she was watching her dog being led away by his new owner after a visit. Pearl didn’t know when she would see her dog again. Pearl was a medicaid recipient, who got only $40 a month to spend on personal items. Ruby Kate and Amanda asked around and discovered that many residents are unable to afford even the smallest luxuries. So Ruby Kate decided to do something about it.
She started by asking residents what three things they wanted most. “That’s a lot simpler than going, ‘Hey, what do you want?’” she explains. “They can understand you better.” Amanda worried that people would ask for things an 11-year-old wouldn’t be able to provide. Instead, they asked for chocolate bars, McDonald’s fries, and even just a prayer.
“It broke me as a human,” Amanda says. “We left the nursing home that day and went straight to a store and bought as many items as we could.”
Using their own money, the Chitseys granted the wishes of about 100 people in three months. Then they started asking for donations. The good people of Harrison responded enthusiastically, and they raised $20,000 in 24 hours and more than $250,000 in five months.
1. Why does Ruby often ask the same question?| A．She likes hearing everyone’s stories. |
| B．It makes her famous in the community. |
| C．She finds it amusing to repeat the question. |
| D．She wants to help residents in nursing homes. |
| A．Pearl was in good health. | B．Pearl couldn’t afford to keep her dog. |
| C．Pearl was too old to raise a dog. | D．Pearl sold her dog for small luxuries. |
| A．The residents’ gratitude for Amanda’s assistance. |
| B．The popularity Ruby achieved for her good deeds. |
| C．The simplicity and sincerity of the residents’ requests. |
| D．The residents’ enthusiasm and optimism in difficult times. |
| A．Action speak louder than words. | B．A friend in need is a friend indeed. |
| C．Kindness is the language of the heart. | D．Nothing is difficult to a willing heart. |
2 . The Scout’s (童子军) slogan is “Do a Good Turn Daily.” In Troop 506 of Ham Lake, a 13-year-old Scout Jonathan is pioneering new trails when it comes to “good turns.”
Like many troops, 506 sells popcorn to raise money. Many Scouts fear trying to convince people to buy from them. But in 2019, Jonathan watched as kids who’d made $1,800 or more in sales crossed a stage to receive a Lego set as a reward. “I really wanted that Lego set,” he says.
The next year, he earned his Legos. But Troop 506 doesn’t just give out Lego sets. Under its generous reward program, Scouts receive a percentage of their sales in gift cards and cash points for activities. Inspired, Jonathan spent the next few years developing an astonishing skill for selling.
Popcorn too expensive? A simple donation will do. No cash? He also takes plastic. He marched into a car dealership and struck a deal with the dealer: In all his sales efforts, he’d wear a mask with the company’s logo if the owner would buy popcorn for all his employees.
Jonathan started pulling down jaw-dropping numbers. In 2021, he was a top seller and earning $5,000. He might have spent it on himself, but he had other ideas. The holidays were on his mind - particularly the stories his father had told him about his own days in foster care where the real Christmas-morning experience his father was once denied.
“They didn’t really have Christmas,” Jonathan says. With $5,000, he could bring Christmas to a lot of kids. He shifted from big seller to big spender, hand-selecting $5,000 worth of gifts for several kids. “It really makes me happy,” he says, “the feeling that I’m making those kids happy on Christmas.”
“This is the reason why we do Scouting. Jonathan’s a great example for all of us” says his scoutmaster, Aaron Miller.
1. Why did Jonathan decide to sell popcorn?| A．To raise money for cash points. |
| B．To stand out in an Scouting activity. |
| C．To receive a reward from the troop. |
| D．To win gift cards for Christmas gifts. |
| A．Jonathan’s persuasive ability. |
| B．Jonathan’s ambitious nature. |
| C．Jonathan’s determination to win. |
| D．Jonathan’s excellent selling strategies. |
| A．The Scout Slogan. | B．The holiday atmosphere. |
| C．His father’s experience in foster care. | D．Troop 506’s reward program. |
| A．A Scout Plays Santa | B．Be a Top Popcorn Seller. |
| C．A Slogan Enjoys Popularity. | D．Go for Scouting Activities |
3 . On an autumn day, a stranger rang a woman’s doorbell. The woman looked through the peephole (窥视孔) and saw a man. At first, she thought it was a salesman who might go away. When he didn’t, she decided to answer and see what he wanted.
The man asked if a woman named Karen lived at the address. The woman answered that Karen was her mother, but she wasn’t home now. The man smiled, handed an envelope over and then walked away. When the woman saw the contents of the envelope, she was shocked. She then rushed out of the apartment to run after the man, but the stranger was gone.
Inside the envelope was $1,000 in cash and a letter explaining where the money was from. “Please accept this gift. Our late mother devoted much of her time and resources to helping people through Random (随机的) Acts of Kindness program. One way our family honors her is to keep the tradition with acts of random kindness. Although we do not know you personally, other members of our community identified you as a deserving recipient of this gift. Please use this money in any way you see fit.”
Random Acts of Kindness does not have to involve the giving of money. It can be as simple as sharing your time with someone lending an ear, or offering a compliment (赞美). The most important part is that the act is done with no expectation of anything in return.
It turned out that Karen had been battling cancer for three years. The illness left her financially struggling and this amount of money would really help her. We truly never know what someone is going through and how much a random act of kindness might help turn their life around. Surely, $1,000 won’t necessarily meet her need, but it can go a very long way in changing someone’s luck and setting them on a better path.
1. Why did the man come to the woman’s home?| A．To donate money to Karen with cancer. |
| B．To find out the real situation of Karen. |
| C．To ask for the address of a patient he was to help. |
| D．To invite Karen to join Random Acts of Kindness. |
| A．By appealing to more people to help others. |
| B．By continuing to offer help to those in need. |
| C．By starting Random Acts of Kindness program. |
| D．By raising funds for Random Acts of Kindness. |
| A．The return it expects. | B．The way to join it. |
| C．How it begins. | D．How it functions. |
| A．No pains, no gains. | B．Love me, love my dog. |
| C．More love, more hope. | D．Faith can move mountains. |
4 . As you walk around the UK in March, you might notice that some people are wearing a daffodil (水仙花) on their coats. The British wear these yellow flowers to show they support one of this country’s best-known charities: Marie Curie.
Marie Curie tries to ensure everyone who has cancer is cared for in the best possible way. It also helps fun d research into possible cures. Founded in 1948, it has been continuing with its goal ever since.
The charity was named after Marie Curie, a famous scientist. She experimented with newly-discovered elements to create the theory of radioactivity (放射性). Unfortunately, over-exposure to the radioactive elements made her develop a disease and die in 1934. Marie Curie won the Nobel Prize in two different fields. Because of her pioneering work, the charity decided on the name of Marie Curie.
The daffodil is one of the first plants to flower during spring in the UK, which marks the return of flowering plants to the ecosystem after winter. Because of this, the charity uses the daffodil as a symbol, hoping cancer patients could recover from sickness.
Everyone you see wearing a daffodil has contributed to the charity, but each daffodil is worth only what you want to pay for it. The charity does ask that you stick to a minimum amount of £1.
The charity encourages people to start wearing their daffodils at the start of March, when the “Great Daffodil Appeal” kicks off. But that doesn’t mean you can only wear them in March. People are sometimes seen walking around with daffodils on their clothes all year round.
1. Why do some British people wear a daffodil?| A．To advocate a charity. | B．To celebrate patients’ recovery. |
| C．To remember a scientist. | D．To offer hope to cancer patients. |
| A．Marie Curie’s support for the charity. | B．Marie Curie’s achievement in cancer treatment. |
| C．Marie Curie’s study on radioactivity. | D．Marie Curie’s concern over cancer patients. |
| A．Bringing life to other people. | B．Returning of flowering plants. |
| C．Contributing money to the charity. | D．Encouraging patients to cheer up. |
| A．A change in a British custom. | B．The effect of a campaign. |
| C．A special activity held in March. | D．The time to wear daffodils. |
5 . What do you do with the things you love? You probably take care of them and keep them safe. That’s not what Cameron Payne does. The boy from North Carolina is sharing his love of books by giving them away.
When Cameron heard about a family who lost everything in a house fire, he was looking for a way to help them. He was sad that all of their books were destroyed. That’s when he created his program, which gives books away to people in need.
Cameron’s program collects books for young people of all ages and reading levels. He collects books for kids who are blind or with low vision, too, because he wants everyone to have books. Cameron knows that books can help kids think about their future. They do this by helping kids dream about what they might be when they grow up. Learning about new things can give kids new interests. Six years later, Cameron is still giving away books.
Many of the books he gives away were given to him by others, but Cameron’s grandmother also shops for books that don’t cost a lot. She buys books that are new or that look new. In addition to working with schools, Cameron and his grandmother give books to children in places near their home, such as hospitals, libraries, and day camps.
Cameron wants to keep his program going and growing. Over the past six years, he has given away more than 3,000 books. He has also won many prizes for his work. His program has grown over the years, too. Last Christmas, Cameron was able to give away toys and books.
Cameron Payne does a lot for kids by giving away the things he loves. Who needs help in your community? How might you help?
1. What caused Cameron to create his program?| A．His own books destroyed by a fire. |
| B．Someone’s losing all the books to a fire. |
| C．His house’s being burned down by a fire. |
| D．Somebody’s sadness about the accident. |
| A．Children with hearing loss can receive new books. |
| B．Books are given to children with advanced levels. |
| C．Children have no interest in new books at all. |
| D．Cameron’s granny makes contributions to book collection. |
| A．Because the author intends to encourage more people to help others. |
| B．Because the author would like to attract readers’ interest. |
| C．Because the author wants to remind people to value books. |
| D．Because the author plans to leave a deep impression on readers. |
| A．Selfish and distant. | B．Selfless and helpful. |
| C．Well-rounded and hopeful. | D．Confident and positive. |
6 . Discover how you can help endangered species! Volunteer to help conserve endangered species around the world with GoEco.
Sea turtles, Sri Lanka
The species is threatened by human hunters. The Sri Lankan government has approved the creation of hatcheries (孵化场) in order to protect this species. Volunteers on this program spend 60% of their time working in the hatchery and the other 40% is spent on activities such as beach cleanups and creating awareness within the local community.
Program Fees: $1,280 for 2 weeks and $1,680 per month for volunteers.
Wildlife Rescue, Western Australia
Adult kangaroos and wallabies are hunted for food, leaving thousands of their babies without parents. Many are killed or injured in road accidents. At the wildlife rescue center in Perth, Western Australia, volunteers live and help in the bushland caring for sick, injured, and displaced animals.
Program Fee: $2,095 for four weeks. Volunteers stay on-site in a small room. Due to very limited space, applications must be sent at least 9-12 months in advance.
Endangered Species Reserve, South Africa
The project will give you an incredible wildlife experience while learning about conservation efforts. For the rest of the time between monitoring sessions, volunteers are required to enter all the data that they have collected into our databases. At times, volunteers need to operate on night shifts. We also give lectures and presentations over the lunch period.
Program Fee: $1,750 for 2 weeks
Big Cat Refuge, South Africa
As a volunteer on this project, you will be involved in a wide variety of activities. Volunteer’s work ranges from enrichment activities, such as toy-making and farm work, to educating the visitors. Volunteers will also directly care for the cats by preparing food or feeding them as well as maintaining their living space.
Program Fee: $1,450 for 2 weeks
1. What is the monthly project fee for volunteers in Sri Lanka?| A．$1,280. | B．$1,680. | C．$2,560. | D．$2,960. |
| A．Having previous experience. |
| B．Working night shifts sometimes. |
| C．Applying for the project in advance. |
| D．Having a good knowledge of wildlife. |
| A．Study the habits of big cats. |
| B．Help to sell some toys about cats. |
| C．Guide visitors to the habitat of the cats. |
| D．Do daily routines in the cats’ living space. |
7 . Many people love online shopping. It’s the fastest way to buy the latest trends for food, clothes and games. But a life of convenience is not possible, however, without the combined efforts of the country’s massagers. Zhang Yu, a deliveryman in Wuhan, is one of them. For him, working is not only a means for survival, but also a chance for him to serve others.
After serving in the army for a few years, Zhang joined the SF Express Tangjiadun station in Wuhan in 2019. When Zhang distributes packages, he often carefully records the daily habits of the recipients. For example, he knows which clients have babies and need a longer afternoon rest, the households with only seniors, and the time that the office workers are available. He considers all of these factors when arranging for deliveries.
But what has put Zhang into the spotlight is his heroic acts, which led to him winning the China Youth May Fourth Medal in 2022. In December 2021, Zhang encountered a fire in a residential building while on his way to collect some deliveries. After squeezing into the crowd, Zhang found two adults and a crying child standing helplessly on a third-floor balcony, waiting desperately for rescue. At that moment, Zhang called on his military experience to climb up to the second floor. From there, he was able to save the family, bringing each member of the family down one by one.
When onlookers cheered for him, he simply rode off on his motorbike without any word. It was only after the video of his good deed went viral on Douyin that people knew it was Zhang Yu. Many people have since called him a hero. But talking about the event, Zhang simply said, “I’m not a hero. I just did what a kind man would do.”
1. What is special about Zhang Yu as a deliveryman?| A．He delivers packages very quickly. |
| B．He delivers only to certain households. |
| C．He avoids delivering during working hours. |
| D．He pays attention to his clients’ daily habits. |
| A．His brave deed. | B．His efficient delivery. |
| C．His wonderful memory. | D．His strong determination. |
| A．By calling the fire rescue service. |
| B．By asking other people for help. |
| C．By drawing on his military experience. |
| D．By offering them tools to escape. |
| A．Fearless and considerate. | B．Ambitious and humorous. |
| C．Modest and outgoing. | D．Tolerant and reliable. |
8 . In a world where acts of kindness often go unnoticed, a good story that has been discovered reminds us of the power of care and the effect it can have on someone’s life.
It all started with a “Kindness Week Challenge” given to Brennan by his 8th-grade teacher, Ms. Watkins. Little did he know that this challenge would lead to a wonderful friendship with 84-year-old Ms. Ann.
Brennan’s promise to send his little attractive things every day for a week developed a habit of checking up on Ms. Ann and sending gifts regularly(定期地), long after the challenge was over.
Their friendship has now lasted for over five years, and Brennan still visits Ms. Ann every month with flowers, cakes, chocolates, cards and more.
They talk about everything from his high school life to his college goals. The pair has found that they share a common love of chocolates. Ms. Ann always hopes to hear about what he’s doing and loves to share her own stories from a different time. They have become the best friends, with Brennan treating her as his great-grandmother.
Brennan’s mom, Traci, takes pride in her son. She said, “The best thing a teenager can do is to take care of the elderly. I’m so glad my son has added more sunshine to Ms. Ann’s life. I hope he always remembers the joy he’s brought her, and his fun talks with her, keeps his kind heart, and thinks of others.”
Ms. Ann’s daughter Emma, with her husband Gould, has a 2-year-old son. They are thankful for Brennan’s friendship as they cannot always be with Ms. Ann. Brennan’s kind heart has brought more sunshine into Ms. Ann’s life, and her encouraging words have helped to inspire(启发)him in return.
1. How did the task “Kindness Week Challenge” affect Brennan?| A．He discovered his love of chocolates. |
| B．He became a good friend of Ms. Ann. |
| C．He developed a habit of receiving gifts. |
| D．He learned how to choose attractive things. |
| A．Flowers. | B．Cakes. | C．Chocolates. | D．Cards. |
| A．His kindness to others. |
| B．His talent for telling stories. |
| C．His good performances at school. |
| D．His ability to earn money for the gifts. |
| A．Worried. | B．Sorry. | C．Thankful. | D．Surprised. |
9 . What is the kindest thing a pet has done for you? My dog gave her life to save my son. Cindy was the most home-loving and smart dog. When my son was born, she was immediately protective over him. She’d sit beside his bed for hours, popping her front legs up onto the bed every now and then to make sure he was OK.
My son was almost three years old. We lived near a busy road and we were super watchful at child going out of the front door—without exception.
One morning, around 4 a.m., our son somehow managed to “escape” through his bedroom window. Cindy knew that our son wasn’t allowed to go through the front door without us, evidenced by her pushing at him if he reached the front door handle. This day, she followed my son through the window.
At 5 a.m. the police woke us knocking on the door. Their words were—“your son was nearly killed but your dog noticed it”. They then recalled what the lorry (卡车) driver had said…
He told them that he was driving along in the dark and in the distance he could see something “light coloured” moving on the road. As he got closer, he could see a dog at the side of the road barking and barking at the “light coloured” something. At the last moment, he realized that this was a child and was about to swerve (转向). He said he could see the dog, still barking and glancing between the lorry and the child. While the driver was stopping the lorry, the dog ran out into the road, jumped at the child’s back and threw him out of the path of the lorry and at the same time, the lorry hit the dog.
The driver said that he’d never believe what he saw unless it was with his own eyes. The dog definitely knew the danger which was why she was barking so anxiously. She just saved that kid’s life and she knew what she was doing.
That was 39 years ago and I still miss Cindy every day. She was a rough collie (牧羊犬) and I can understand why this kind was chosen for the movies.
1. Why did Cindy push at my son according to Paragraph 3?| A．To play with him and have fun. | B．To warn him not to go outside. |
| C．To lead the way to the outside. | D．To make sure he was awake. |
| A．the dog knew what she was up to | B．the kid saved himself successfully |
| C．the light coloured something was a dog | D．many movies were made for Cindy |
| A．Protective but stupid. | B．Daring and optimistic. |
| C．Patient but aggressive. | D．Devoted and selfless. |
10 . Ian McKenna was in third grade when he learned that many kids at his school weren’t getting enough to eat at home. He wanted to help, but local volunteer organizations turned him away, saying he was too young. So he decided to find his own solution. For years, he had been gardening with his mother, and they often sent their vegetables to the neighbors. “I’m good at gardening,” said McKenna. “Why not plant a garden at school so that kids in need can take food home?”
McKenna persuaded his school to set aside space for a garden; then he asked the community for donations of seeds and equipment. Other students donated their time. Within months, McKenna’s garden was producing lettuces, tomatoes and cucumbers for students and their families. Now, several years later, McKenna’s Giving Garden project has expanded to five area schools in addition to his own backyard garden. For most of his gardening activities, McKenna wears the same T-shirt in different colors, with his personal motto on it: BE A GOOD HUMAN. To him, that means helping in any way you can, no matter what your age.
“Even a smile might change someone’s life,” he said. “It lets them know that they are important. It can make their day.”
When COVID-19 hit the U. S., McKenna redoubled his efforts, cooking up to 100 meals to distribute (分发) them to the hungry on the weekends. When social distancing meant that volunteers couldn’t work on their community garden, he started offering online classes and a gardening hotline so families could grow at home. While gardening is his core focus, McKenna says he is always looking for new ways to help the hungry.
1. What led to McKenna’s decision to help the kids in his own way?| A．His school’s support. |
| B．His mother’s suggestion. |
| C．Being good at gardening. |
| D．Being refused by volunteer groups. |
| A．It helps students only. |
| B．It is funded by schools. |
| C．It earns great profits every year. |
| D．It started with the support from many sides. |
| A．Caring. | B．Outgoing. |
| C．Honest. | D．Interesting. |
| A．Ian McKenna, Growing a Food Project |
| B．Ian McKenna, an Experienced Gardener |
| C．The Giving Garden Project, a Challenging Task |
| D．The Giving Garden Project, a Universal Solution |
