1 . My father was a horse trainer. As a kid, I often ___________ from ranch（大牧场）to ranch with him. ___________, my school career was constantly ___________. One day, when I was a senior, our teacher asked us to write about what we wanted to be when we ___________. I did not ___________ a minute and wrote a seven-page paper about my dream of ___________ a horse ranch, with many details, including a location of buildings and stables（马厩）and even a detailed house plan.

___________, two days later I got my paper back with letter “F” on the front page. After class I came to the teacher and asked, “Why did I ___________ an F?” The teacher responded, “This dream is so ___________ for a boy like you. With no money, no resources and who comes from itinerant（流动的）family. There is no ____________ that you will reach your great goal one day.” Then the teacher advised me to ____________ the paper with a more realistic attitude.

I went home and asked my father how I should ____________. My father answered, “This ____________ is very important for you. So, you have to make up your own mind on this.”

At last, I brought the ____________ paper to my teacher. No changes were ____________. I said, “You can keep the F and I will keep my dream.”

Now ____________ a 4,000-square-foot house in the middle of a 200-acre horse ranch, I still have that school paper, which now is ____________ over the fireplace.

Remember, you have to ____________ your heart, never give up, ____________ with determination and persistence, and never let anyone ____________ your dreams away.

1.

A．rode

B．moved

C．left

D．came

2.

A．Thus

B．Instead

C．However

D．Luckily

3.

A．inspired

B．ignored

C．interrupted

D．inspected

4.

A．cheered up

B．brought up

C．raised up

D．grew up

5.

A．hesitate

B．take

C．require

D．use

6.

A．supporting

B．training

C．owning

D．sponsoring

7.

A．Surprisingly

B．Delightedly

C．Embarrassedly

D．Hopefully

8.

A．accept

B．receive

C．deserve

D．mark

9.

A．impractical

B．uncertain

C．typical

D．doubtful

10.

A．choice

B．potential

C．possibility

D．change

11.

A．rewrite

B．remove

C．approve

D．abandon

12.

A．correct

B．act

C．respond

D．think

13.

A．restriction

B．suggestion

C．decision

D．comment

14.

A．same

B．proper

C．official

D．formal

15.

A．corrected

B．made

C．revised

D．desired

16.

A．realize

B．owe

C．win

D．possess

17.

A．framed

B．hung

C．exhibited

D．faded

18.

A．approve

B．feel

C．touch

D．follow

19.

A．move on

B．catch up

C．take on

D．look up

20.

A．put

B．block

C．take

D．challenge

2 . Anthony was excited to hand out invitations to his graduation from the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) to his family on Monday. To his surprise, however, he wasn't the only one, as his mother, Gray, followed with a letter that had the _________ information for the UHD ceremony with her own name and degree.

“Her picture was on an invitation saying that she'll be graduating from the university the same day,” says Anthony, “I was _________.” Without any sign that his mother was attending the same school at the same time, Anthony ______how it was possible that she was admitted.

Gray just ________ how she kept it that way. “I knew Anthony's schedule. So I knew what time he would be there and what time he wouldn't,” says she. “So I never ________ him at school.” She made sure to keep her secret just between herself and her husband.

She says of why she kept her return to school _________. “I didn't want to start something and then everyone expects me to complete my education and then it may become a disappointment. I was ________ because you're talking about an older lady competing against younger students in one class. You can imagine how ________   it was.”

The mother explains that she used to think of _________ her family. However, it was always a _________ of hers to go back to school. “I met a friend the other day, he spoke a word to me, ‘If you are still breathing, then it's not too _________.’ And I just thought of those words and I attended _________.”

On Saturday, Gray and Anthony will be graduating together in a virtual (虚拟的) ceremony held by the school. ________ it isn't the graduation that either of them expected, it might be even better. “There are people who may have a dream, but don't quite have the __________ to complete the dream. And I just want to __________ them,” Gray adds. “Don't stop, go forward and make sure it becomes a reality.”

1.

A．new

B．correct

C．same

D．extra

2.

A．curious

B．upset

C．calm

D．afraid

3.

A．told

B．asked

C．described

D．noticed

4.

A．realizes

B．accepts

C．imagines

D．explains

5.

A．met

B．taught

C．needed

D．missed

6.

A．carefully

B．secretly

C．formally

D．proudly

7.

A．angry

B．nervous

C．sad

D．sorry

8.

A．boring

B．common

C．dangerous

D．hard

9.

A．forgetting about

B．returning to

C．focusing on

D．separating from

10.

A．dream

B．trouble

C．pity

D．duty

11.

A．wise

B．far

C．late

D．easy

12.

A．meetings

B．parties

C．shows

D．classes

13.

A．Although

B．Since

C．When

D．If

14.

A．difficulty

B．opportunity

C．wealth

D．talent

15.

A．understand

B．warn

C．please

D．encourage

3 .        My boss recently asked me, “Do you know why I hired you? Because you didn’t sell yourself. Instead, you said, ‘I researched your website and saw how many_________vets(兽医) you have, and I want to have，and I want to learn from them’, and that’s why I hired you. You showed vulnerability.”

So, what is vulnerability? For me, vulnerability means_______your fear of embarrassment and allowing personal ________It has traditionally been viewed as a(n) _______ in the workplace. The very thought of_______ your weaknesses is terrifying. However, we can _______ the views surrounding it. I'm talking about the vulnerability that strengthens courage and_________more success as a vet.

After graduation, 1 started working in a clinic where 1 didn't have the help I required. Quickly becoming _______, within 18 months, I didn’t want to be a vet anymore. During this period, I realized without the support I wanted, I was potentially making mistakes I wasn’t even_______ of. was I treating patients ________? I wouldn’t know.

I decided to be vulnerable. I accepted that I was living with poor mental health and ________ important knowledge. I wanted to find somewhere I’d be able to continue building my knowledge, not as a(an)________ vet, but as an excellent one. After two and a half years working as a vet, I have finally found a place where I get the support I need. My________ is: be vulnerable and have the________ to accept when you’re happy. Find somewhere that will support you and push you to do better.

Vulnerability should be viewed as a(an) ________ rather than a liability(不利因素) in the workplace. It is the ability to show people that you are human.

1.

A．amusing

B．alarming

C．astonishing

D．amazing

2.

A．putting aside

B．stepping aside

C．building up

D．picking up

3.

A．crash

B．contact

C．growth

D．protest

4.

A．quality

B．weakness

C．advantage

D．competence

5.

A．exposing

B．sheltering

C．rescuing

D．covering

6.

A．regard

B．ignore

C．reserve

D．change

7.

A．devotes to

B．contributes to

C．donates to

D．adapt to

8.

A．inspired

B．appreciated

C．exhausted

D．threatened

9.

A．positive

B．aware

C．proud

D．confident

10.

A．traditionally

B．effortlessly

C．positively

D．effectively

11.

A．lacking

B．gaining

C．tracking

D．applying

12.

A．normal

B．average

C．professional

D．reliable

13.

A．intention

B．issue

C．point

D．proposal

14.

A．power

B．sense

C．honor

D．courage

15.

A．talent

B．experience

C．strength

D．lesson

4 . In a race, athletes compete not only with one another but against themselves. For Frank Schutt, his personal best turned out not to be about marking the fastest _____ but displaying the biggest heart.

At the beginning of an urban running race, Frank was confident that he would probably have the _____ to qualify for the upcoming state final race. Meanwhile, another runner, Jeffery White, aiming to beat his personal record, continued to _____ himself hard after a fast start.

Unexpectedly, with less than 200 meters to go. Jeffery's legs cramped up (抽筋) and failed him. But his will did not. _____ to finish, Jeffery rose from the ground and continued on. But he'd made it only 25 meters more before going down.

Jeffery didn't want to give up. With his effort, the young runner pulled himself up and with a(n) _____ gait (步法), moved forward for one final push. _____ , before reaching the finish line, he lay on the ground again. His legs had given out.

At that moment, Frank ran to him and offered a helping hand. Frank's first attempt to get Jeffery up failed, but he too refused to _____ . With a second pull, Jeffery was on his feet. Then with Jeffery holding Frank for _____ , the two completed the final 175 meters. Frank even _____ the injured runner crossing the finish line first.

Today, the emphasis in athletics is often put on breaking records, so it was inspiring to see for an athlete like Frank, the value of true ______ was still there.

1.

A．team

B．way

C．growth

D．time

2.

A．passion

B．potential

C．motivation

D．efficiency

3.

A．train

B．prove

C．push

D．behave

4.

A．Convinced

B．Determined

C．Inspired

D．Moved

5.

A．unconfident

B．final

C．flexible

D．unsteady

6.

A．Unfortunately

B．Actually

C．Apparently

D．Gradually

7.

A．fight

B．act

C．quit

D．rest

8.

A．suggestion

B．support

C．ability

D．comfort

9.

A．secured

B．caught

C．observed

D．left

10.

A．friendship

B．championship

C．sportsmanship

D．membership

5 . Thursday would be huge. But when coach announced the championship game would be a night game on Thursday, Devin's heart _______. The concert was at the same time as the game. And Ms. Poltis had _______ Devin to sing a brief solo (独唱). Thinking the soccer team was on the edge of a title and he was a big reason — he _______ the league in scoring, Devin frowned (皱眉). He couldn't disappoint his team by _______ the game.

That night, Devin lay in bed, staring at the trophies (奖杯) from races, baseball leagues and free-throw contests which _______ his shelves. The solo was only four lines in the middle of a song, but the thought of singing _______ made him shiver (颤抖). He'd never sung a solo before. Now it was a relief to know he didn't have to. The soccer game was a perfect _______. While at the moment Ms. Poltis' words came to his mind "I chose you not because you're the best singer but because you work hard, like the person in the song. And you have a very nice voice. So don't be nervous. Be proud." It was no secret that several other choir members had _______ singing voices than he did. But he liked the song, and he _______ how kind and inspiring Ms. Poltis always was. Finally Devin made a choice and whispered the solo with ________, "no matter how hard the struggle. I will never let you down…"

1.

A．bled

B．sank

C．hurt

D．beat

2.

A．taught

B．allowed

C．chosen

D．ordered

3.

A．led

B．won

C．joined

D．formed

4.

A．watching

B．playing

C．entering

D．skipping

5.

A．lined

B．piled

C．covered

D．decorated

6.

A．loudly

B．outside

C．alone

D．proudly

7.

A．platform

B．request

C．condition

D．excuse

8.

A．louder

B．stronger

C．softer

D．deeper

9.

A．appreciated

B．accepted

C．confirmed

D．praised

10.

A．tension

B．patience

C．sorrow

D．confidence

6 . Two years ago, I moved to New York. Actually, I came from a small place where the bonds (关系) were strong and friendships _____ forever. Suddenly, I put myself in a completely _____ environment. I had to make huge efforts to _____ new friendships and relationships.

People here are leading busy lives. They don’t have _____ to grab a cup of coffee and are not interested in deep talks, so I couldn’t even find people whom I can _____ friends. The office culture was based on “How are you today?” and “Could you please do this for me?” No contact, no _____.

I had the job I wanted and the apartment I could afford, but I was not happy. I tried calling my best friend. He was too busy and said, “Just email me.”

I started writing. That was the most wonderful feeling I’d ever _____. It seemed like you were digging below the surface, trying to find the right words. Reading the email I wrote I realized it was at that time I _____ it was about time I started working on personal growth.

I applied for a job as a writing tutor. I got to develop true _____ with my co-workers and my students. The change helped me understand myself better, and I essentially became a ______ person.

1.

A．lasted

B．met

C．changed

D．shared

2.

A．safe

B．excited

C．different

D．healthy

3.

A．expect

B．keep

C．build

D．protect

4.

A．money

B．time

C．energy

D．freedom

5.

A．call

B．show

C．bring

D．tell

6.

A．chance

B．decision

C．solution

D．communication

7.

A．accepted

B．suggested

C．experienced

D．suffered

8.

A．realized

B．imagined

C．considered

D．proved

9.

A．plans

B．discussions

C．stories

D．connections

10.

A．healthier

B．happier

C．wealthier

D．smarter

7 . The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games (残奥会) provided plenty of drama. One of the most _____ performances was that of Ibrahim Hamadtou, the armless Egyptian table tennis star. While playing, he puts a paddle (球拍) in his mouth and uses his right foot to serve the ball. This inspiring player _____ at the world stage with his unique skills.

Hamadtou _____ his arms in a train accident at the age of ten. He was drawn to table tennis after being challenged by a friend. Once Hamadtou was counting points of his friends’ match, the one who disagreed on a point told Hamadtou, “_____ your own business as you will never be able to play.” It was that statement that _____ him up to decide to play table tennis.

Hamadtou says the biggest _____ was figuring out the best way to control his body. “I was trying first to use the paddle under the arm, and I also tried using other things, which weren’t working so well. _____, I tried using my mouth. It took me three years to master the sport.”

In 2016, this _____ player won the silver medal at African Championships, which allowed him to fight for his Paralympics in 2016 and 2020.

The extraordinary athlete says, “The _____ is not in arms or legs but to give up in whatever you would like to do.” If you have got the strong willpower as Hamadtou, you can overcome any struggles and ______ anything in life.

1.

A．peaceful

B．voluntary

C．remarkable

D．mysterious

2.

A．shines

B．speaks

C．conducts

D．cheers

3.

A．hurt

B．lost

C．lifted

D．crossed

4.

A．Build

B．Control

C．Run

D．Mind

5.

A．fired

B．blew

C．picked

D．held

6.

A．expectation

B．change

C．challenge

D．operation

7.

A．Finally

B．Suddenly

C．Normally

D．Actually

8.

A．faithful

B．responsible

C．emotional

D．incredible

9.

A．disappointment

B．disability

C．argument

D．possibility

10.

A．appreciate

B．produce

C．prove

D．achieve

8 . After I lost my right hand in a car accident ten years ago, I thought I would never be able to lead a normal life again. I was equipped with an artificial hand, but it did not feel like a part of me. Even _________ things like getting dressed were unbelievably difficult. Three months ago, _________, all that changed when I was given the _________ to test a new robotic hand.

Scientists have been making great progress in robotic technology in recent years, and their work on robotic limbs(四肢) has really changed my life. With my new hand, I can move my individual fingers and _________ very small things, like pens and pencils. More _________, my robotic hand is capable of_________varying degrees of pressure, just like a _________ hand.

Over the past three months I have been testing out the _________ of what I can do with my new hand, and it constantly surprises me. I have rediscovered hobbies I enjoyed before my accident. For example, I have been cooking for my family since I got my new hand. Not only can I do more, but I also feel more _________ when I hang out with friends. And now I'm so __________ for all the new possibilities my robotic hand has opened up.

1.

A．strange

B．simple

C．interesting

D．important

2.

A．however

B．instead

C．thus

D．moreover

3.

A．space

B．power

C．chance

D．method

4.

A．grasp

B．draw

C．balance

D．afford

5.

A．casually

B．amazingly

C．obviously

D．seriously

6.

A．examining

B．touching

C．reaching

D．feeling

7.

A．new

B．real

C．special

D．strong

8.

A．limits

B．ways

C．rules

D．behaviors

9.

A．curious

B．energetic

C．confident

D．anxious

10.

A．suitable

B．regretful

C．responsible

D．grateful

9 . In the first part of my freshman year, I was fine and earned good grades. Then I became too_______ with my work. I had so many activities that I hardly had time to relax myself. Then my_______ began dropping. My friends left me because I no longer enjoyed being with them.

When I went to my doctor, he seemed very _______, even though everything physical appeared all right. When he was done, he told me that we had to talk about my _______, and how my behavior had changed. When I told him I was all right, he said that I didn’t show my real feelings. By then my hair was falling out in large clumps, which made me more _______. I felt as if I could not even leave my house.

Finally, I met with a therapist (治疗专家). She diagnosed me with an anxiety disorder. I was relieved to know what was wrong, and that thing would _______. I wore hats to cover my bald head. I realized that it doesn’t matter what I look like on the outside; it is my character that counts.

Things began to look up. I _______ worrying as much. My hair slowly grew back, so did my _______. I began to leave the house and interact with others. That year, I again tried hard in school, but I made sure I didn’t overload myself. I became one of the top students in my class, a goal I had never _______ before. It’s funny how something bad had to happen to make me realize how ________ life really is.

1.

A．busy

B．careful

C．pleased

D．content

2.

A．money

B．luck

C．grades

D．skills

3.

A．disappointed

B．worried

C．excited

D．moved

4.

A．attitude

B．school

C．friends

D．feelings

5.

A．disappointed

B．anxious

C．satisfied

D．relaxed

6.

A．improve

B．worsen

C．end

D．happen

7.

A．disliked

B．minded

C．stopped

D．enjoyed

8.

A．desire

B．ambition

C．love

D．confidence

9.

A．achieved

B．made

C．missed

D．predicted

10.

A．bad

B．good

C．magical

D．difficult

10 . On my way home, I saw a poor old man selling soaps. I was moved by his condition—perhaps he was the only one _______ his family? But I soon shook off the _______ —there’s nothing I can really do for him.

Just then, a lady went up and bought every bar of soap he was carrying. The old man’s eyes lit up and he left happily.

The woman, on the other hand, crossed the road and _______ the bag full of soaps on the street with a sign saying “For Free”. Then she boarded the same bus as I did and took the seat next to mine. The curious incident _______ me so I couldn’t help but ask her about the strange act.

“Excuse me, may I ask why you did that near the bus stop?” I said.

“Oh, I walk this road every day and noticed this man many times. I tried to offer him some money but he _______ . He said he wanted to earn it through hard work and not _______ . He’s a very honest man. He was content with whatever he earned for the day. So I bought all his soap bars to help him in a way that _______ his dignity. I left them on the road in order that those who need them can _______ themselves.”

I reached home feeling a lightness and hope that humanity is not _______ after all. A little ________ and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.

1.

A．leaving

B．protecting

C．supporting

D．changing

2.

A．stress

B．fear

C．anger

D．sadness

3.

A．placed

B．returned

C．packed

D．collected

4.

A．depressed

B．puzzled

C．excited

D．satisfied

5.

A．refused

B．doubted

C．escaped

D．missed

6.

A．luck

B．award

C．pity

D．patience

7.

A．admires

B．preserves

C．challenges

D．examines

8.

A．help

B．trust

C．respect

D．enjoy

9.

A．hidden

B．wasted

C．judged

D．lost

10.

A．interest

B．thought

C．courage

D．dream