2 . I used to stutter (口吃) quite badly. I felt very ________ , like I was less of a human being.

I didn’t have any ________ when I left special school. So I got a job as a trainee hotel porter. I enjoyed it because I was meeting new people and earning my own ________ . I felt like a proper adult. But the other men ________ me mentally because of my disability. They’d imitate (模仿) me ________ because of my speech impediment (障碍). I got very down. I was ________ inside.

The stepping stone to self-belief for me was ________ I got help from KeyRing—an organization which helps disabled people to live ________ . I couldn’t write very well, but I could ________ that. Apps on computers meant I could dictate (口授) my emails. I got the government ________ for disabled people in work. It paid for me to help with paperwork two mornings a week.

________ I heard about a job going at the human rights charity CHANGE. I got an ________ that got me the job of international project consultant. I travel all over the world to ________ professionals to work better with people with learning disabilities. This builds my ________ . I lost my stutter in the end.

My learning disability was a bit of me, but it doesn’t ________ me. It’s just a label people put on me. It hasn’t stopped me having a life.

1.

A．tense

B．small

C．frightened

D．annoyed

2.

A．impressions

B．requirements

C．qualifications

D．challenges

3.

A．wage

B．degree

C．honour

D．friendship

4.

A．supported

B．coached

C．confused

D．abused

5.

A．talking

B．working

C．living

D．studying

6.

A．calm

B．brave

C．dying

D．lost

7.

A．where

B．why

C．how

D．when

8.

A．comfortably

B．peacefully

C．independently

D．colourfully

9.

A．get around

B．decide on

C．ask about

D．seek for

10.

A．intervention

B．funding

C．guidance

D．permit

11.

A．Gradually

B．Eventually

C．Surprisingly

D．Desperately

12.

A．email

B．appeal

C．option

D．interview

13.

A．train

B．persuade

C．promise

D．expect

14.

A．vocabulary

B．wealth

C．confidence

D．strength

15.

A．remind

B．abandon

C．confirm

D．define

3 . The first time I saw the real Santa, he drove a big, charcoal-colored truck, not a cherry red sleigh, in the August heat. He wasn’t what I _______ at all.

My husband had lost his job early in July, and we’d been _______ expenses everywhere we could. He’d been looking for a job but _______.

One afternoon, we were feeling particularly _______ so we decided to treat ourselves to a meal from McDonald’s. Just a quick drive-through run, no big deal. When we got to the window to pay, the employee said our meal had been taken care of by the car _______ us. We attempted to keep the pay-it-forward chain going by offering to pay for the _______ for the car behind us. “No, that man just paid for everyone in line,” said the employee. She _______ toward the truck that was slowly pulling away to _______ the parking lot. We had no choice but to get _______ with the fact that a stranger had just done something kind for us, and there was no way to repay it, pay it forward, etc.

I looked toward the truck and thought I could see the man’s grin in the driver’s side ________. He ________ his hand out the window and gave a cheerful wave, and it ________ reminded me of the illustration of a Christmas poem where Santa was flying away into the night, gloved hand up in a goodbye wave.

It seemed like a little ________ that we’d be alright. My husband found a wonderful job shortly after that. We’ve gone on to do random acts of ________ for others, remembering the effect this free meal had on us that ________ day when Santa drove a truck and left with a big grin and a little wave.

1.

A．revealed

B．expected

C．predicted

D．reflected

2.

A．getting rid of

B．coming down with

C．making up for

D．cutting back on

3.

A．in vain

B．in effect

C．in debt

D．in issue

4.

A．awkward

B．low

C．ashamed

D．nervous

5.

A．close by

B．behind

C．ahead of

D．beyond

6.

A．menu

B．order

C．service

D．expense

7.

A．gestured

B．glanced

C．yelled

D．edged

8.

A．enter

B．approach

C．seek

D．exit

9.

A．ashamed

B．stressed

C．comfortable

D．grateful

10.

A．door

B．mirror

C．window

D．seat

11.

A．struck

B．shot

C．stuck

D．lent

12.

A．quickly

B．ultimately

C．automatically

D．instantly

13.

A．reminder

B．memory

C．image

D．example

14.

A．kindness

B．gratitude

C．heroism

D．sacrifice

15.

A．mild

B．freezing

C．hot

D．damp

4 . For as long as I can remember I’ve been making art. That meant spending hours at the kitchen table, as a child, drawing women in beautiful gowns and dogs wearing clothes eating in fancy restaurants. Because I was encouraged and praised, I _________ that talent.

In college-thinking that I was going to _________ education-I had an amazing professor in an elective drawing class who encouraged me to _________ my major to fine art. As someone easily influenced by praise, I took her advice and got my _________ in painting and drawing.

Even before I graduated, I had begun showing my art in any _________ that I could. I started out in small coffee shops and farmers markets; it was a perfect way to discover my style and _________ art lovers. _________ , I began showing at galleries and in larger art shows. It was at one of these shows that I met my art publisher, with whom I _________ working for five years.

The art publishing world was a great way to get my work in front of wide _________ , selling at stores like Target and Home Goods. It was also at this time that a number of my paintings were used in feature films. __________ my art on the big screen was definitely one of the most   __________ moments of my career.

I sometimes wonder what other visual artists do when they’re feeling burnt out and __________ with their craft. I feel so lucky to have writing to turn to when the well of my visual creativity runs __________ . Visual arts and writing are different enough that they don’t feel like they draw from the same __________ of creative inspiration.

People always tell artists to ‘find their own voice’. While I do agree with this, I don’t know if it’s something you can just go out and find. To me, it’s important that your voice __________ you.

1.

A．possessed

B．developed

C．wasted

D．recognized

2.

A．stick to

B．deal with

C．major in

D．stand for

3.

A．relate

B．switch

C．compare

D．apply

4.

A．patience

B．talent

C．permit

D．degree

5.

A．spot

B．store

C．gallery

D．show

6.

A．believe in

B．come across

C．connect with

D．depend on

7.

A．Eventually

B．Obviously

C．Immediately

D．Gradually

8.

A．felt like

B．gave up

C．put off

D．ended up

9.

A．artists

B．professors

C．publishers

D．audiences

10.

A．Drawing

B．Seeing

C．Creating

D．Describing

11.

A．upsetting

B．terrifying

C．thrilling

D．embarrassing

12.

A．uninspired

B．panicked

C．relieved

D．shocked

13.

A．short

B．wild

C．dry

D．strong

14.

A．source

B．behaviour

C．recreation

D．knowledge

15.

A．heals

B．finds

C．satisfies

D．Impresses

5 . One of the interesting things about languages is the way they change over time. In English, everything from spelling to vocabulary has _____________ major changes over the years. In fact, to a modern speaker, the English of 1000 years ago looks like a _____________ language!

The history of English dates back around 1500 years. At that time, groups of Europeans _____________ England, bringing their language with them. It developed into old English. Later in 1066, English was invaded by the Normans from France. The language went through an important shift leading to what we now call Middle English. Over the next 500 years, the language underwent _____________ shifts, leading to modern English. As the language has developed over time, many things about it have changed.

___________ is one of the most obvious areas. For example, in old English, people say “hus” and “mus”. Now, we say “house” and “mouse”. These days there are many differences in the way English is pronounced in the U.S., India and elsewhere. When people live in groups separated by great distances, the _____________ of change can be fast.

Vocabulary changes happen even more quickly. English has grown by borrowing words from languages such as French, Greek and _____________, _____________. This often happens with types of _____________, for example, “tofu”. Then there is slang which enters and ____________ the language every year! Thirty years ago, one often heard people saying “groovy”, meaning great. These days you rarely hear the word ______________ on old TV shows or movies.

Because English is spoken by so many people worldwide, it really is an exciting time for the language. Just as American and British versions are always changing, so are versions ______________ in Canada, ____________in Asia and elsewhere. At the same time, an entirely new version of English is appearing on the Internet with whole new ______________ and writing styles. In a way, learning English is a never-ending process, even for native speakers! Language is as much a part of the earth as ____________ its soil and water of its lakes, rivers and oceans.

1.

A．gone over

B．gone through

C．gone into

D．gone for

2.

A．other

B．unfamiliar

C．strange

D．foreign

3.

A．invaded

B．seized

C．took over

D．captured

4.

A．few

B．some

C．further

D．more

5.

A．Pronunciation

B．Grammar

C．Speaking

D．Present

6.

A．speed

B．pace

C．velocity

D．way

7.

A．Russian

B．Vietnamese

C．Latin

D．Korean

8.

A．to name a few

B．not at all

C．in all

D．after all

9.

A．vegetable

B．fruit

C．meat

D．food

10.

A．appears

B．leaves

C．escapes

D．quits

11.

A．except

B．merely

C．besides

D．already

12.

A．used

B．written

C．spoken

D．seen

13.

A．Nigeria

B．Singapore

C．Rome

D．Jamaica

14.

A．slang

B．jargon

C．image

D．vernacular

15.

A．are

B．is

C．do

D．has

6 . I was first going into this final day, the Junior Sled Dog Championship. We’d trained two years and wanted to beat Blake. I knelt down to pat Kenai and my hands ______ from nerves and excitement. Kenai tipped up his face to lick my chin. “You are ______, aren’t you?”

Just before the count down started, Blake shot me a _____ grin, hands trembling too. Then I heard, “Go!”______ I could yell   “Hike!”, Kenai leaped forward. The rest of the dogs _____ after. We started last. We flew down the long hill. Then we ______ a corner. I leaned to keep the sled steady. Kenai saw Blake’s team before I did. His tail flew up, and he ______ . Seeing his tongue still flopping forward, I let him go all out. We closed the ______. A bridge later, we inched closer. On the next hill, Kenai drew even with Blake’s sled and then we passed it.

____ our sled hit a branch. The runners caught. I lost my ______ and fell off the sled. Witnessing the sled come to a stop, I struggled through the deep snow to Kenai. I ____. His shoulder was bleeding.

“Kenai! No!” My voice came out a howl. Kenai ______ to stand. He looked at me, his blue eyes______ to keep on. He would do it, too. For one frozen moment I saw myself on the winner’s stand with the trophy (奖杯). But no. I bent and gently ______ Kenai in a blanket.

The race vet examining Kenai, I watched Blake accept the trophy. Kenai squirming in my lap, I leaned over upon him. Just at that moment, I felt a warm tongue on my wet cheek. I smiled and realized that I had the ____ that really counted.

1.

A．softened

B．shook

C．withdrew

D．extended

2.

A．clever

B．thirsty

C．helpful

D．ready

3.

A．broad

B．satisfied

C．tight

D．slight

4.

A．As

B．Beyond

C．Before

D．After

5.

A．pulled

B．charged

C．jumped

D．barked

6.

A．cut

B．missed

C．kept

D．rounded

7.

A．took off

B．flew away

C．turned around

D．bent forward

8.

A．race

B．difference

C．gap

D．goal

9.

A．Suddenly

B．Finally

C．Gradually

D．Occasionally

10.

A．way

B．hold

C．temper

D．sight

11.

A．quitted

B．insisted

C．sighed

D．froze

12.

A．struggled

B．decided

C．refused

D．pretended

13.

A．forcing

B．begging

C．ordering

D．persuading

14.

A．took up

B．put up

C．brought up

D．wrapped up

15.

A．achievement

B．companion

C．prize

D．friendship

7 . I’m a physical therapist (治疗师) for severely disabled children in the South Bronx. I had one student named Tamisha who was stuck in a wheelchair. She could _________ move her eyes. She couldn’t speak, but I could basically _________ her mind.

Tamisha was very intelligent, and very humorous. If someone terribly dressed got on the elevator, she’d _________ her eyes and giggle. I’d have to _________ I didn’t know what she was laughing in order to avoid embarrassing that person. We have grown so close over the years. On Halloween I _________ her up as a butterfly, because that’s how I saw her. She was _________ in this body, but she was a soul with so much depth and so much _________.

When Tamisha graduated, my husband and I went to Home Depot and got paint, and butterflies, and rainbow decals (印花胶纸). And we completely _________ her bedroom. We made her sleep in the living room _________ she wouldn’t know it. But at the end of the weekend, when Tamisha’s father carried her in, she started going wild. Her face __________. She’s making all kinds of sounds. Her father was holding her, and he’s __________. The makeover was a real __________.

We’ve done about 20 of them now. Our process always begins with an __________ process. We ask the person: what makes you happy? What colors do you love? What are your favorite things? We let them design their __________ room. Then we become the __________ who bring that dream to life.

1.

A．only

B．even

C．therefore

D．soon

2.

A．educate

B．read

C．inspire

D．change

3.

A．cover

B．roll

C．wipe

D．feast

4.

A．assume

B．remind

C．pretend

D．estimate

5.

A．dressed

B．picked

C．stood

D．put

6.

A．absorbed

B．invested

C．involved

D．trapped

7.

A．suffering

B．future

C．access

D．admiration

8.

A．transformed

B．removed

C．emptied

D．cleaned

9.

A．even though

B．as if

C．so that

D．in case

10.

A．clouded over

B．smoothed over

C．showed up

D．lit up

11.

A．complaining

B．leaving

C．crying

D．frowning

12.

A．revolution

B．phenomenon

C．miracle

D．invention

13.

A．interview

B．experiment

C．appointment

D．exchange

14.

A．temporary

B．dream

C．artificial

D．hospital

15.

A．designers

B．doctors

C．instruments

D．teachers

8 . I was shocked when my socially awkward sister, who had suffered from Asperger Syndrome (阿斯伯格综合症), decided to sing in front of the school. I knew she would ________ me in some way, so I protested. However, my parents insisted that she ________ and I would have to be part of the audience. I silently hoped that something would happen to ________ me from watching her losing face.

As I waited in the hall, sweat ________ my forehead. I comforted myself that no one knew she was my sister and tried to persuade myself that it would be ________. The lights darkened and the ________ opened to reveal (使露面) my sister standing alone on stage. She seemed ________, taking a minute to stammer (结结巴巴地说) her name and class. ________ began to be heard in the audience.

I shifted nervously in my seat, afraid what was about to happen. But as my sister started to sing, I was ________. Her voice flowed effortlessly and melodiously, filling the hall with its ________. I watched in wonder, realizing I had never known she could sing so ________. I listened carefully to the lyric (歌词) she had written herself, feeling ashamed for doubting her ________. My heart gave way as I heard the heartfelt words.

     In that moment, guilt and shame flooded my heart. ________ my unwillingness to support her, she had never taken anything that I had done to her to heart. It was then that I determined to love her ________. It was as if a veil (面纱) had been ________ from my eyes, and my heart was full.1.

A．embarrass

B．impress

C．surprise

D．support

2.

A．hide

B．quit

C．escape

D．perform

3.

A．protect

B．save

C．recover

D．rescue

4.

A．picked up

B．climbed upon

C．took off

D．went up

5.

A．impressive

B．exciting

C．fine

D．challenging

6.

A．characters

B．lectures

C．curtains

D．signals

7.

A．confident

B．nervous

C．prepared

D．relaxed

8.

A．Cries

B．Crashes

C．Whispers

D．Screams

9.

A．entertained

B．disappointed

C．relieved

D．shocked

10.

A．power

B．weakness

C．silence

D．darkness

11.

A．softly

B．loudly

C．quietly

D．beautifully

12.

A．abilities

B．failures

C．talents

D．weaknesses

13.

A．Without

B．Despite

C．Beyond

D．Within

14.

A．extremely

B．equally

C．unconditionally

D．finally

15.

A．lifted

B．dropped

C．covered

D．hidden

9 . I have struggled with feelings of unworthiness since forever. My most painful moments were at parties. My friends made fun of me because I was rhythmically (有节奏地)__________ and I couldn’t get my__________ body to imitate the latest dance moves. I was never chosen to dance. I felt like I didn’t__________.

Around age 12, I decided that the way to__________ these feelings of unworthiness was perfection. If I was just perfect then I would fit in. But this strategy didn’t__________.My self-esteem (自尊心) was high when I got good grades and felt__________, but crashed when I didn’t do well__________, or was left out.

After several years of spiritual growth, it__________ me that for many of us, self-worth is tied to our__________. We experience low self-worth__________ we fail or lose approval. So I have begun to cultivate an unconditional self-worth. It’s not about doing things perfectly.__________, “Unconditional self-worth” is the______ that you deserve to be alive, to be loved and cared for.

The__________ to unconditional self-worth is not always easy. It takes courage to free yourself from the __________ you’ve placed on your worth. But this journey is beautiful and worth taking. So I challenge you to embrace yourselves and find your metaphorical (隐喻的) __________ floor and move freely.

1.

A．adjusted

B．bothered

C．challenged

D．compromised

2.

A．twisted

B．annoyed

C．limited

D．awkward

3.

A．belong

B．appeal

C．match

D．deserve

4.

A．solve

B．cure

C．release

D．arouse

5.

A．sustain

B．work

C．hatch

D．dismiss

6.

A．included

B．excluded

C．inspired

D．appreciated

7.

A．internally

B．academically

C．professionally

D．contemporarily

8.

A．occurs to

B．happens to

C．calls on

D．knocks on

9.

A．desires

B．strengths

C．accomplishments

D．harmony

10.

A．as well as

B．as soon as

C．as much as

D．as far as

11.

A．Still

B．However

C．Meanwhile

D．Rather

12.

A．definition

B．resolution

C．sense

D．pose

13.

A．discovery

B．access

C．journey

D．experience

14.

A．emphasis

B．burden

C．demand

D．conditions

15.

A．valley

B．forest

C．dance

D．balcony