2 . A few weeks earlier, my pastor (牧师) had called upon me to be one of ten team leaders to help with the church’s upcoming fundraiser for building improvements. Though I said yes, this was definitely outside my _________.

Each team leader needed to find five to seven people to _________. I already had three team members. I only needed a couple more. _________ the crowd, I noticed Beth. I thought she might have time for the project. I explained everything to her. She listened _________ and agreed that the church needed some _________, and then she said, “I’ll happily donate towards the improvements, but I had the _________ to say no.”

I stood there shocked by her _________. I wasn’t upset about her refusal. _________, I was completely awed (充满敬畏的) by the way in which she _________ it. “I’m giving myself the right to say no.” It had never __________ me that I could say no when asked to help out or volunteer for a project. I was afraid that by saying no, they would __________ me.

Beth had just opened up an entirely new world to me, and I __________ it was time that I gave myself right to say no as well. The next time I was asked to __________ in a project that I didn’t feel was a good fit, I __________, just like Beth had taught me. I discovered that there were no hard __________ when I said no, and it gave me the necessary free time to do a better job with other projects.

1.

A．common practice

B．safety rule

C．comfort zone

D．rock bottom

2.

A．examine

B．follow

C．concentrate

D．participate

3.

A．Scanning

B．Greeting

C．Introducing

D．Inquiring

4.

A．partly

B．attentively

C．accidentally

D．aimlessly

5.

A．improving

B．recovering

C．attempting

D．risking

6.

A．chance

B．right

C．time

D．power

7.

A．application

B．comment

C．response

D．performance

8.

A．Therefore

B．Somehow

C．Otherwise

D．Instead

9.

A．made

B．put

C．got

D．took

10.

A．struck

B．shocked

C．satisfied

D．amazed

11.

A．get hold of

B．catch up with

C．think less of

D．put up with

12.

A．pretended

B．guessed

C．assumed

D．realized

13.

A．assist

B．interview

C．explore

D．observe

14.

A．nodded

B．agreed

C．doubted

D．declined

15.

A．bottoms

B．principles

C．feelings

D．rules

4 . Winter seems to drag on endlessly this time of year, so it’s only natural to start thinking about getting away, and the sunny south of France is calling your name!

Avignon

If you’re looking for history, then visit the town center of Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you want to learn even more about this attractive town, then take a tour— it is often guided by a local expert. Hear the history first-hand and come away with a greater understanding as to how the town came to be.

Chateau

Nothing says French countryside more than a chateau surrounded by acres of vineyards. There are wines to choose from. You can also explore the surrounding natural beauty on a horse ride, and they even run vineyard tours on horseback for a truly unique experience. Be sure to bring back a bottle or two of the Chateau des Bertrands wine so you can share a glass with friends as you tell them all about your trip.

Magnificent Marseille

The oldest city in France, starting out as an ancient Greek colony (殖民地), with its rich history, can keep every holidaymaker happy. A unique way to see as much as possible of what this great city has to offer is to book onto a segway tour. See the sights of the Museum Marseilles, Cathédrale La Major, and the historic Le Panier, while you walk around the streets.

Cannes

With amazing blue waters, fresh seafood, and mild winters, it’s an attractive destination to visit all year round. If you want a beach day, we’d recommend the Plage du Midi, easily accessible from the center of town. If you want to make the most of the Mediterranean Sea, don’t just look at it — sail on it!

1. What makes Avignon different from the other three places?

A．Its beautiful scene.

B．Its mild weather.

C．Its rich history.

D．Its guided expert.

2. What does the author suggest visitors do when travelling in Chateau?

A．Ride a horse.

B．Take local wines.

C．Buy a gift.

D．Taste some snacks.

3. Who may favor Cannes most?

A．Beach lovers.

B．Museum goers.

C．Enthusiastic hikers.

D．Sports players.

10 . While the classic sandwich will always have its place, there are plenty of exciting lunchbox ideas that will satisfy both kids and parents alike. When kids join in planning and packing their lunches, they’re more likely to enjoy and finish their meals. So, why not give these ideas a try?

Bento Box Bliss

Bento box lunches are gaining popularity. These containers allow you to make a meal with a variety of foods. Fill one section with colorful fruit slices, another with bite-sized vegetables, and the remaining ones with proteins (蛋白质) like chicken and eggs. Finish with a small treat like a handful of berries. The possibilities are endless, and kids will love these different kinds of food.

DIY Lunchables

Homemade Lunchables offers a healthier choice than store-bought food. Pack a selection of whole-grain biscuits, slices of cheese, and a handful of cherry tomatoes. Kids can make their own sandwiches by adding their favorite food to round out the meal. It makes lunchtime an enjoyable experience.

Wrap (包) it Up

Try using wraps instead of regular sandwiches. It is advised to use the flatbread (扁面包) instead of bread. It can be filled with lots of different things. You can make a turkey wrap with cream cheese, or a vegetable wrap if you prefer a plant-based option. Wraps are not only easy to get ready but also easy for little hands to hold.

Mini Pancake Stacks

Who says pancakes are just for breakfast? Mini pancakes can be a pleasant lunchbox surprise. Make small pancakes and sandwich them with cocoa butter and sliced bananas. Add a little honey for more sweetness. With just a few steps, you can complete them. These cute stacks are not only tasty but also fun to eat.

1. What’s an advantage of Bento box lunches?

A．Offering many sandwich options.	B．Using simple materials as food sources.
C．Helping strictly control how much kids eat.	D．Enabling kids to enjoy a well-balanced meal.

2. What do we know about homemade Lunchables?

A．It costs much time and effort.	B．It allows kids to show creative ideas.
C．It is much tastier than takeaway food.	D．It makes kids increase their food intake easily.

3. What do the last two lunchbox choices have in common?

A．Both are easy to prepare.	B．Both are popular with little kids.
C．Both suit kids enjoying sweet treats.	D．Both feature fast food with high calories.