1 . Once upon a time, there was a small village in the center of a forest. All the villagers were used to their robotic farm work and none of them had the will to try something _______, except for one girl named Jo. Very few could read or write.

One afternoon, when Jo was exploring in the forest, she _______ an abandoned cottage (废弃的小屋 ). Though she’d been warned to stay away from abandoned places, her _______ got the best of her. She slid in and was _______ to find a room full of books! Jo was excited because of the hidden _______.

She told the villagers everything, thinking that they would share her _______ but instead, she heard roars of laughter! Jo was confused by this _______, but she did not give up on her books.

She came to the cottage every day and _______ reading the books. For her, each page was a(n) _______ with characters who challenged difficulties with their ________ and who struggled for good. Knowing the power of stories in impressing on people the values of life, she decided to ________ the stories with the villagers, though she knew it would be a difficult journey. Making this her ________, Jo started telling stories every day at her cottage.

In the beginning, only a few came to the readings. But word spread ________, causing more and more people to come. She also ________ workshops in which she taught people how to read and write. She was __________ and lived in her stories even after she was long gone.

1.

A．tough

B．beautiful

C．new

D．fascinating

2.

A．came up with

B．came across

C．came out

D．came about

3.

A．concern

B．curiosity

C．anxiety

D．nervousness

4.

A．amazed

B．alarmed

C．sad

D．scared

5.

A．treasure

B．relic

C．contribution

D．house

6.

A．fear

B．sorrow

C．embarrassment

D．excitement

7.

A．relief

B．reaction

C．defence

D．performance

8.

A．got down to

B．got rid of

C．got through

D．got used to

9.

A．romance

B．puzzle

C．adventure

D．stage

10.

A．creativity

B．determination

C．satisfaction

D．eagerness

11.

A．tell

B．share

C．discuss

D．investigate

12.

A．capability

B．tradition

C．job

D．habit

13.

A．typically

B．gradually

C．originally

D．rapidly

14.

A．conducted

B．decorated

C．gathered

D．reflected

15.

A．treated

B．surrounded

C．remembered

D．reminded

2 . An old man lived in a nice village with a large garden. People often saw him looking after his _________ all the time. One day, a young painter passed by this garden. He was deeply _________ by the beautiful flowers. Then, to his surprise, he found the old gardener was _________. The painter asked _________, “Why are you busy looking after these flowers which you can’t see?” The gardener _________, “I can tell you the reasons. First, I was a _________ when I was young, and I like this job. Second, although I can’t see these flowers, I can _________ them. Third, I can smell the _________ of them. As to the last one, it’s you.”

“Me? But you don’t know me.”

“Yeah, it’s true that I don’t know you. I _________ many people who love life would stop by, and the beauty of my garden will get them into a good __________. At the same time, it also gives me a chance to have a word with them here, and to __________ the happiness these flowers have brought us.”

“I believe every flower has eyes with which they can see the __________ of the old man’s heart. He __________ flowers in his heart. Although he can’t see the beauty of flowers, he   __________ can hear the voice of them,” the painter picked up his pen and wrote. “This is the most __________ picture in the world!”

1.

A．kids

B．flowers

C．trees

D．chickens

2.

A．displeased

B．troubled

C．attracted

D．confused

3.

A．deaf

B．injured

C．crazy

D．blind

4.

A．with anger

B．with pride

C．in surprise

D．in play

5.

A．smiled

B．cried

C．shouted

D．sighed

6.

A．cleaner

B．gardener

C．painter

D．director

7.

A．display

B．sell

C．touch

D．order

8.

A．danger

B．strength

C．sadness

D．sweetness

9.

A．know

B．request

C．contact

D．doubt

10.

A．question

B．idea

C．emotion

D．habit

11.

A．hide

B．enjoy

C．improve

D．exchange

12.

A．peace

B．glory

C．loneliness

D．kindness

13.

A．grows

B．researches

C．picks

D．shares

14.

A．previously

B．secretly

C．curiously

D．surely

15.

A．beautiful

B．old

C．typical

D．strange

3 . Goldie’s Secret

She turned up at the doorstep of my house. No way could I have sent her away. No way. Maybe someone had _________ her out of their car the night before. “We’re moving house.” “No _________ for her any more with the new baby coming.” People find all sorts of excuse for _________ an animal.

She was one of the most beautiful dogs I had ever seen. I called her Goldie. She was so unsettled during those first few days, hardly able to eat anything and had such a(an) _________ of sadness about her. There was nothing I could do to make her happy, it seemed. Heaven knows what had happened to her at her previous owner’s. But eventually at the end of the first week she _________. Always by my side, whether we were out or sitting by the fire.

That’s why it was such a _________ when she pulled away from me one day when we were out for a walk. We were a long way from home, when she started barking and getting very _________. Eventually I couldn’t hold her any longer and she _________ down the road towards a farmhouse.

By the time I reached the farm I was very tired and _________ with Goldie. But when I saw her licking (舔) the four puppies I started to __________ them. “Oh! Honey, I can’t believe my eyes!” cheered the woman at the door. “I took her for (a) __________ one day, soon after the puppies were born, and she just disappeared.” She explained to me. “She must have tried to come back and got __________,” added a boy from behind her, eyes sparkling __________.

I must admit I do miss Goldie, but I’ve got Nugget now, and she looks just like her __________. And I’ve learnt a good lesson: not to __________ people.

1.

A．kicked

B．invited

C．asked

D．knocked

2.

A．confidence

B．food

C．space

D．security

3.

A．hurting

B．buying

C．selling

D．abandoning

4.

A．case

B．tone

C．air

D．status

5.

A．sat down

B．calmed down

C．broke down

D．slowed down

6.

A．shock

B．comfort

C．delight

D．terror

7.

A．restless

B．helpless

C．annoyed

D．scared

8.

A．took off

B．showed off

C．kept off

D．raced off

9.

A．bored

B．upset

C．patient

D．thrilled

10.

A．devote

B．confirm

C．understand

D．greet

11.

A．show

B．walk

C．sale

D．tour

12.

A．injured

B．killed

C．lost

D．trapped

13.

A．with care

B．with joy

C．in astonishment

D．in terror

14.

A．fellow

B．owner

C．friend

D．mother

15.

A．judge

B．expect

C．tease

D．observe

4 . In one of my classes today we discussed the question of how our lives would be without a mobile phone. I actually felt quite sad to hear how some kids cannot _______ without their phones these days. _______, I think nowadays we are _______ by our technology to keep up. So let’s see some of the points that _______ in the discussion and see if our generation really is addicted to electronic connections rather than true communication. 

It is true that everything works at a fast pace these days. For example, you can contact someone who lives on the other side of the world within _______. This is great if you think about how connected we can stay to the _______ who are far away from us. However, on the contrary, can we be too connected to the people who are _______ to us? An argument arose about the _______ that it is easier to message someone from your sofa than to meet them _______ and talk. Social skills are important to have and if you are not going to put effort into real-life __________, then you are not going to progress in this ability. 

Another point was that phones are very handy for __________ something that you are wondering about. For example, if you don’t know a word in another language, you can quickly and simply use an on-line translator to help you out. This can be very __________ in many situations, but it can also make a person dependent on the __________ to help with anything. 

All in all, this question is very interesting to __________ for oneself as we become day by day more dependent on technology. We should realize how much we really need to be connected by our phones while considering the __________ and damages it can cause us.

1.

A．affect

B．survive

C．succeed

D．perform

2.

A．Personally

B．Specially

C．Entirely

D．Gradually

3.

A．suffered

B．helped

C．controlled

D．advised

4.

A．came up

B．came across

C．came down

D．came on

5.

A．seconds

B．hours

C．days

D．months

6.

A．customers

B．teachers

C．students

D．people

7.

A．distant

B．close

C．necessary

D．kind

8.

A．direction

B．wish

C．fact

D．suggestion

9.

A．in person

B．in advance

C．with surprise

D．with joy

10.

A．style

B．communication

C．expression

D．argument

11.

A．looking after

B．looking back

C．looking up

D．looking out

12.

A．grateful

B．peaceful

C．painful

D．helpful

13.

A．textbook

B．dictionary

C．Internet

D．newspaper

14.

A．forecast

B．consider

C．judge

D．select

15.

A．benefits

B．skills

C．doubts

D．evidences

6 . It was the most destructive wildfire in California history. It started in Paradise (天堂镇) and caused $16.5 billion in _______, destroying nearly 19,000 buildings and killing 85 in all. The beauty of this _______ named place was gone.

Grammer, working in Los Angeles, grew up there. When his friend Edwards posted pictures of his white chimney — the only part of his house to survive — he felt _______. And then he had an idea.

“I’ve got to _______ that chimney,” he says, “I’m not trying to say anything. I’m an artist. It was an opportunity for me to _______.”

Grammer spent three hours painting an image of a woman on the _______ — a reminder of the chimney, of the beauty of life, or even just of _______ itself.

Grammer posted the image on Instagram. Those who were affected by the fire, _______, could not calm down. Someone _______, “You bring beauty and hope.”

Greatly inspired, Grammer returned eight times. Outside one house, he found a photo of a girl, Eleanor. He painted a picture of her on the wall of her home left __________. It was a stamp that life was here and that life can __________ to be here. The painting has __________ meaning for the homeowner. Eleanor’s father, recalls how she used to play just feet away. Eleanor herself returned once to __________ the painting.

Ironically (讽刺的是) that first painting, on the chimney in Paradise, __________ only a few months — the bulldozer (推土机) is a cruel art critic. However, Grammer couldn’t be more delighted. It means that the __________ of Paradise is rising again.

1.

A．damage

B．collection

C．debt

D．reserve

2.

A．basically

B．generally

C．beautifully

D．seriously

3.

A．disappointed

B．interested

C．helpless

D．fearless

4.

A．beautify

B．paint

C．build

D．repair

5.

A．succeed

B．improve

C．practice

D．express

6.

A．chimney

B．wall

C．window

D．door

7.

A．art

B．life

C．nature

D．beauty

8.

A．on average

B．in general

C．on earth

D．in particular

9.

A．argued

B．insisted

C．posted

D．suggested

10.

A．standing

B．existing

C．fallen

D．destroyed

11.

A．pretend

B．afford

C．continue

D．decide

12.

A．new

B．special

C．practical

D．real

13.

A．copy

B．handle

C．donate

D．admire

14.

A．flashed

B．suffered

C．survived

D．waited

15.

A．spirit

B．size

C．fame

D．power

7 . Like any other child growing up, Nicole LaMont was an outgoing and adventurous child with the dream of becoming a scientist. “My childhood was full of imagination and ________,” Nicole said. She experienced a ________ childhood, but when she was 12 years old, a serious illness ________ her of her hearing.

“My world was ________ turned upside down,” said Nicole. “I went from being ________ to being quiet and depressed.” However, she came to realize she had to fight ________ hearing loss. With her family’s help, Nicole began to learn American Sign Language (ASL).

________, a year later, she received an operation where she was implanted (植入) a hearing device, which brought back some ________ to her life. Afterward, she attended Gallaudet, a school for the deaf, where she fully ________ herself in ASL and the deaf community. “________ ASL and having total communication allowed me to feel a sense of ________ again,” said Nicole. It was then that she made her first ________ subtitles (字幕) for movie theatres in Alabama.

After much struggle, Nicole’s efforts ________. Today nearly all movie theatres in Montgomery and Birmingham offer subtitles for the deaf. After graduating from Gallaudet University, Nicole ________ to use her newfound “visual voice” through participating in several activities. “By doing this, I want to show that deaf people can achieve much. It’s very important to ________ and support hearing families that strive to make the best decisions for their deaf children’s education.” said Nicole.

1.

A．surprise

B．curiosity

C．beauty

D．responsibility

2.

A．simple

B．plain

C．joyful

D．traditional

3.

A．informed

B．warned

C．robbed

D．cured

4.

A．gradually

B．completely

C．slowly

D．surprisingly

5.

A．communicative

B．generous

C．friendly

D．naughty

6.

A．in spite of

B．in case of

C．in charge of

D．in support of

7.

A．Definitely

B．Fortunately

C．Lately

D．Sadly

8.

A．thought

B．depression

C．confidence

D．hope

9.

A．buried

B．fitted

C．encouraged

D．assisted

10.

A．Learning

B．Controlling

C．Losing

D．Mastering

11.

A．acceptance

B．loss

C．duty

D．pride

12.

A．moving

B．embarrassing

C．confusing

D．demanding

13.

A．came true

B．paid off

C．moved on

D．went off

14.

A．refused

B．rejected

C．continued

D．determined

15.

A．conduct

B．treat

C．educate

D．greet

10 . Last Tuesday I took my two daughters to town by car. It began to rain __________ so I decided I would leave the children in the car before I __________ a shop. I told them not to __________ anything and told them I would be __________ within a few minutes. Then I locked all the doors and left __________ happily looking out of the window.

I returned to the car in less than five minutes but the girls had __________! I could hardly believe my__________. The car doors were __________ locked, the windows tightly shut and on the back seat were only two coats. Being ____________, I ran to the corner of the street ____________ there was no sign of them. I rushed up to an old lady nearby and asked whether she had seen two small girls but she said “No”.

Feeling quite sick with ____________, I sat on the driver’s seat, and __________ to stop trembling (发抖). Suddenly, I ___________ a merry laugh behind me. I got out of the car, ran round to open the boot (车尾行李箱) and inside were two very red-face and excited children. They had obviously ___________ the back seat, climbed behind it and then been unable to push the seat forward again. With tears in my eyes, I ___________ and pulled their ears.

1.

A．heavy

B．hard

C．big

D．hardly

2.

A．looked into

B．faded into

C．rushed into

D．leapt into

3.

A．talk

B．reach

C．touch

D．hear

4.

A．away

B．out

C．along

D．back

5.

A．herself

B．her

C．them

D．themselves

6.

A．discovered

B．described

C．disappeared

D．delivered

7.

A．eyes

B．words

C．ears

D．heads

8.

A．even

B．again

C．still

D．already

9.

A．frightened

B．proud

C．foolish

D．pleased

10.

A．that

B．which

C．where

D．when

11.

A．fear

B．rapture

C．satisfaction

D．embarrassment

12.

A．tried

B．had

C．tired

D．ought

13.

A．felt

B．listened

C．smelt

D．heard

14.

A．pulled out

B．pick out

C．drop out

D．put out

15.

A．look forward

B．leaned forward

C．fall over

D．fall apart