1 . “A good book is easy to find.” That is the message on a sign at Hernando Guanlao’s home in the Makati area of Manila, the capital city of the Philippines.”
Guanlao has transformed his home into a free public library. Visitors can borrow the books inside for free. Guanlao says he hopes his library will inspire people to read, especially the young.
The 72-year-old told reporters that his library includes books that all students can enjoy —— from young children in Kindergarten to older students in grade 12. And also his library has books for readers of all interests. His home is filled with thousands of available books.
He calls his library Reading Club 2000. It contains many different kinds of books, or genres. Genre is a group of artistic, musical, or literary works that share a particular style, form, or content. “There are history books, novels, children stories in my library,” Guanlao added proudly, “and there are cookbooks, science fiction, and even medicine books.” Almost everyone can find a suitable book, all for free.
He started his library more than 20 years ago when he set 50 books on the walkway in front of his home. Guanlao’s collection has grown greatly over the years —— thanks to a continuous supply of books from donors.
Speaking of donors, he said, “They just leave boxes of books outside my house.” He has also started donating books himself. He sends reading materials to public schools in far-away communities.
Guanlao’s efforts come at a time when reading ability among students in the Philippines remains low. The Program for International Student Assessment reports that reading scores in the Philippines are among the lowest in the world. Students in the Philippines are also facing learning delays in math and science.
Guanlao is firm about his goals, “My mission is to give away used and donated books to others at no cost,” he said, “and to promote education through literature.”
1. What’s the purpose of Guanlao’s setting up his home library?| A．To establish his fame in the country |
| B．To encourage people to read and increase education level |
| C．To set up a record for collecting the most books |
| D．To help people find jobs more easily |
| A．Devoted and caring | B．Outgoing and brave |
| C．Humorous and considerate | D．Ambitious and impatient |
| A．His own effort to collect books continuous | B．The government’s help and support |
| C．Warm-hearted people’s continuous donations | D．Help from public schools in far-away communities |
| A．science report | B．sports | C．fashion | D．education |
2 . It was nearly midnight when my wife Rita and I were driving home from the University of Illinois, where our son Randy was a freshman. Rita was asleep in the passenger seat. I headed north, wondering what on earth had made us take the afternoon off to drive to the university and back, a six-hour round trip. All for nothing.
For weeks Randy had been telling me how much fun he was having in football matches. I suddenly got the idea to show up and cheer my son, like we did in high school.
Just several hours earlier, Rita and I had met him on the field. We watched the young go on to the field, warm up, and then…there was something wrong. Randy ran over. “We cannot hold a competition today. The other team doesn't have enough players,” he said. It was not a big deal. I tried to comfort myself. But I'd just driven three hours to get here and I'd had my heart set on seeing my son in action. Instead, we took Randy out for pie and coffee.
As I was driving on the road, a memory rushed back to me when I was a Boy Scout （童子军）. Our team made a canoe（独木舟） journey down the Fox River. My dad drove miles to see me. About a mile downriver we came to a bridge. I looked up and there he was. Dad was standing right on the bridge. He didn't shout like others. He simply waved until we passed underneath. But several miles later, on the next bridge, there he was again. And the one after that. And the next. My dad had taken the chance to show he was always with me.
At last I understood the most important thing I could do for my son—just be there, even if it meant driving a long way.
1. How did the author feel at first when he was driving home with his wife?| A．Hopeless. | B．Shocked. | C．Unhappy. | D．Worried. |
| A．To cheer their son on. | B．To watch a football match. |
| C．To have a meal with their son. | D．To encourage their son to study hard. |
| A．To show how his dad cheered him on. | B．To show he missed his dad very much. |
| C．To show he lived a happy life when young. | D．To show how his dad showed his love to him. |
| A．Be strict with his children. | B．Just be there with his children. |
| C．Have more patience with his children. | D．Do what he could to help his children. |
3 . This is the last Christmas that Faye and Matthew have spent in their house, which has already been sold. Faye and Matthew Gooding and their five young sons appear to have perfect lives. For the couple themselves, however, this “materially perfect world” was lacking in something—so now they are giving up all their possessions to travel around the world with their children. Most of their belongings have been given to their neighbors. Faye said, “It is a relief to get rid of so many possessions. Thankfully, our parents understand and support us.”
“I hesitated for a while because some friends think Faye and I are mad to give up so much. When we told the older boys, they were so excited that they were going to have so much time as a family. It made me realize the amount of toys or material possessions can’t replace time spent with our children. They’ve had to give away so many toys, bikes and books. My wife Faye was so determined to keep to our plan,” said Matthew.
They will leave this month and plan to start their travels in Sweden where they have friends. Faye said, “My older boys plot where we go next but we hope to see Europe and over two years travel as far as Japan, America, Bali and Thailand. We don’t plan to hire any tour guides. We just depend on a compass and local people to move in the right direction.”
Faye, who posts on Instagram as a mother of five boys, added, “It is a risk because we are giving up so much. I, however, even plan to quit my job after the travel. We can’t wait to spend more time with our sons without the stresses of everyday routines. We don’t know what will happen, but we do know if we didn’t do this we would always regret it.”
1. How will Faye and Matthew cover the travel costs?| A．By selling their house. | B．By doing part-time jobs. |
| C．By asking parents for help. | D．By borrowing from neighbors. |
| A．Worried | B．Excited | C．Uncertain | D．Firm |
| A．Faye | B．Matthew | C．The children | D．The tour guide |
| A．A travel guidebook | B．A life journal | C．A paper | D．A diary |
4 . Every weekend my parents give me $100. I bet you think I’m really spoiled (宠坏的). Think again!
It all started when I wanted a really cool
They
My parents’ clever plan has turned me into a
| A．bar | B．slide | C．bicycle | D．band |
| A．complained | B．apologized | C．confirmed | D．informed |
| A．indicated | B．proposed | C．announced | D．admitted |
| A．arranged | B．concluded | C．attended | D．opened |
| A．freedom | B．say | C．trust | D．support |
| A．cook | B．pay | C．care | D．shop |
| A．list | B．basket | C．center | D．guide |
| A．brought up | B．passed down | C．left over | D．handed over |
| A．exchange | B．spend | C．donate | D．save |
| A．excuse | B．challenge | C．motivation | D．advantage |
| A．compare | B．charge | C．reduce | D．recall |
| A．agree | B．decide | C．explain | D．recognize |
| A．modest | B．wise | C．creative | D．mean |
| A．represent | B．relieve | C．request | D．replace |
| A．ready-made | B．last-minute | C．short-term | D．hard-earned |
1. How old is Vivi?
| A．6. | B．11. | C．17. |
| A．She was too young to play. |
| B．She didn’t fit the equipment. |
| C．She had some impolite friends. |
| A．Her age. | B．Her shape. | C．Her strength. |
| A．Swimmers. | B．Students. | C．Teachers. |
6 . 55-year-old Rob Kenney, who grew up without a father, has been doing his part to make a difference in the lives of kids today.
He created a YouTube channel, called Dad, How Do I, which aims to give youths the valuable lessons a father is meant to give. Launched only two months ago, his channel already has more than two million subscribers (订阅者). Rob teaches children and adults, many of whom are also without a dad, basic skills such as how to tie a tie, how to cook meals, how to repair a lamp and many more.
“I didn’t start this to make money,” Rob told his viewers. “I just thought I was going to help a few people... 30 or 40 subscribers... but it’s turned into a way more than that. And please don’t think I am only aiming this at young men. It is for anybody who feels that they need to learn something.”
Now that his channel has had such huge unexpected success, Rob plans to give his earnings to a number of international charities.
Many viewers have been touched by the warm words Rob shares in his videos. Such simple words, like “I love you”, “You’ve done a good job” and “I’m proud of you,” can have a deep impact on many children, even some adults. He starts each video with an enthusiastic “Hey, kids!” — but Keiha Danaher said that she was a 33-year-old woman, and she answered back crying, saying, “Hi, dad!”
Rob’s childhood story makes him a role for the kids who watch his channel. By the age of 14, his parents had divorced. He had to move in with his elder brother and learn from the tough life experiences without parents in his life. But that didn’t prevent him from being a good father to his children. His experience shows his viewers that there is always opportunity in the face of difficulties.
1. Why did Rob Kenney create the channel Dad, How Do I in the beginning?| A．To cheer up those who feel upset. |
| B．To make some money to support his family. |
| C．To teach children and adults some useful life skills. |
| D．To offer youths advice on how to get on well with others. |
| A．Rob’s videos are only intended for young men. |
| B．Subscribers are mainly made up of poor people. |
| C．The number of subscribers is larger than Rob expected. |
| D．Rob guesses there won’t be more people to subscribe his channel. |
| A．Make his videos more entertaining and instructive. |
| B．Help more children improve their intelligence. |
| C．Let more people have sympathy for him. |
| D．Donate the money he earns to charities. |
| A．They think Rob is just like their real father to take care of them. |
| B．The words in Rob’s videos are warm and encouraging. |
| C．Rob’s experiences remind them of their own. |
| D．Rob’s attitude toward life is always positive. |
7 . “Do you mind if I join you?” A young man’s voice made me look up from my breakfast.
“That’s fine,” I said.
“It’s really crowded in here,” he said, flashing a nice smile.
Looking around, I realized there wasn’t one
My breakfast companion noticed me
“Yes.” I hoped he didn’t have any more questions for me. He seemed nice enough, but I was in no
To my
“Are you a writer?” I asked,
“No ma’am,” he said. “I’m working on a list for my mom. She’s fighting lung cancer and I’m making her a smile list.” I could feel his
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said, feeling even
“Oh, just little
“Would it be too
“No, not at all,” he said. Then, looking down and scanning his notebook, he read:
● Watching the sunrise
● Finding a shiny penny
● Sharing a table at breakfast with a
| A．decent | B．reserved | C．vacant | D．clean |
| A．confusion | B．frustration | C．annoyance | D．worry |
| A．miles | B．days | C．grounds | D．difficulties |
| A．sobbing | B．wandering | C．eating | D．staring |
| A．position | B．mood | C．condition | D．hurry |
| A．zipped | B．opened | C．stuffed | D．wiped |
| A．end | B．climax | C．core | D．topic |
| A．sorrow | B．relief | C．disappointment | D．gratitude |
| A．pulling over | B．breaking up | C．keeping out | D．cutting off |
| A．strengthening | B．deepening | C．softening | D．raising |
| A．pain | B．hesitation | C．sympathy | D．embarrassment |
| A．cautious | B．nervous | C．worse | D．surprised |
| A．coincidences | B．chores | C．routines | D．blessings |
| A．bad | B．personal | C．late | D．mistaken |
| A．nice | B．talkative | C．humorous | D．curious |
8 . Lucia was a bright-eyed girl of 12, born in a tiny village which is far less crowded than big cities. The village, even though filled with love, had no room for the world of arts. Lucia, however, possessed a passion for acting. While children played in fields, Lucia practiced lines from old plays she found in the attic. She visualized herself on grand stages, under bright lights. But for a girl from a distant village, this dream seemed more like a fantasy.
When Lucia heard about a national acting competition in the city, her heart raced with excitement. But she faced two big challenges: convincing her closed-minded parents and preparing for a competition with city-bred competitors.
Her parents, although loving, believed that the city was no place for their daughter. Lucia’s pleas seemed to fall on deaf ears until she decided to perform a touching scene for them. Tears flowed, not just from Lucia’s eyes but from her parents’ too. Witnessing her raw talent, they gave her their blessing.
Training was no easy feat. With no acting schools or instructors, Lucia had to be able to solve all the problems by herself. She practiced day and night, watching old films, and seeking feedback from village elders. Her dedication made a difference; she was molding herself into an acting wonder.
The day of the competition arrived. The city’s hall was filled with well-dressed participants and audiences. Lucia, in her modest clothes, felt like a fish out of water. Yet, when her turn came, the stage was her world. She performed so beautifully that she made the audience completely amazed. She showed the emotions so vividly; it touched souls.
When the results were announced, the underdog from a tiny village had finally won. The city, which seemed so vast, echoed with applause for Lucia.
She returned to her village not just as Lucia but as a symbol of hope and dreams. Her journey, from a quiet village girl to a national acting champion, was not just a proof of her talent but a shining example of passion and determination.
1. Why did Lucia’s parents disapprove of her going to the city at the beginning?| A．Because they thought acting was not a tiring career for her. |
| B．Because they thought it was costly and they could afford it. |
| C．Because they thought Lucia’s too young to go there by herself. |
| D．Because they thought the city was so big that it was beyond their reach. |
| A．By playing a part of a play. |
| B．By asking them repeatedly. |
| C．By seeking help from the elders. |
| D．By molding herself into a wonder. |
| A．Upset yet passionate. |
| B．Relaxed and uncaring. |
| C．Nervous and uneasy. |
| D．Determined yet overconfident. |
| A．Cities are wonders. |
| B．Talent always finds a way. |
| C．Always listen to your parents. |
| D．Determination is the key to success. |
I was preparing side dishes to go with our Sunday barbecue when our daughter Rose stormed in the front door and rushed to her room. I glanced out the window and saw our neighbor Lucy walking back to her house across the road. As a mother, my feeling told me something happened between them.
“Rose, come in here. I need some help with dinner.” She came out of her room and stood beside me. She had a stubborn look on her face—the kind kids have when they know they are wrong but have persuaded themselves they are right. “I noticed that Lucy, your classmate, came over but didn’t stay long. Why?” I asked. “I don’t like her,” Rose complained. “I wish she would stop coming over here all the time. She dresses terribly, and sometimes she doesn’t smell good. Her nose is always runny, and her hair is in a mess. None of us like her.”
I knew that she referred to the popular crowd. It was a lot for a senior high student to deal with, trying to fit in with the popular crowd. It might be a shame if one of the girls in that crowd knew Lucy was playing with Rose.
I explained why I felt so sad for Lucy. “You see, baby,” I began, “I know how she felt today when you were sort of cold toward her. I know because that was me when I was in sixth grade. I was the poor kid with hand-me-down clothes, the kid who others looked down on. I also know what it was like to be hungry and see other families having a barbecue out and enjoying themselves. That feeling never goes away.” I went on to tell her that I didn’t want her to be that child or adult who looked down on others. I told her I wanted her to be kind and helpful, not judgmental and hurtful. I noticed Rose had tears in her eyes.
注意：1．续写词数应为100词左右；
2．请按下列格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Minutes later, Rose went to Lucy’s house across the road.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________10 . Have you ever felt the need to grab a pen and start writing your thoughts on paper? Words—beautiful and fascinating. But you know what is better than putting your imagination somewhere? In my case, to win the competition for the best novelist.
That was a small tournament organized by my school annually to
I finished a long story and e-mailed it. As I
I was not accepted. I
Thankfully, a film that night—Forrest Gump lifted my
| A．advertise | B．demonstrate | C．defend | D．distinguish |
| A．speaking | B．acting | C．dancing | D．writing |
| A．beat | B．touch | C．contradict | D．dominate |
| A．answered | B．sent | C．checked | D．shared |
| A．notice | B．smell | C．taste | D．feel |
| A．Moreover | B．Otherwise | C．However | D．Hence |
| A．abused | B．overestimated | C．enhanced | D．proved |
| A．moody | B．normal | C．natural | D．invisible |
| A．encountered | B．shadowed | C．greeted | D．congratulated |
| A．sponsor | B．organizer | C．reporter | D．winner |
| A．clean | B．dark | C．soft | D．light |
| A．spirits | B．eyes | C．boundary | D．restriction |
| A．promote | B．decide | C．sustain | D．safeguard |
| A．lower | B．position | C．straighten | D．shake |
| A．never-ending | B．abstract | C．contradictory | D．hopeless |
