1 . I was visiting my parents in 2003 when my mom came out of their room with a puzzled look on her face. She’d been listening to the radio and heard an interview with a best-selling author of young adult fantasy novels. The woman’s name was Tamora Pierce, the same as a young student my mom had taught nearly four decades before.
The Internet should be able to tell us. I found the author’s website quickly. She was a popular writer of books. I clicked on the biography link to scan for references to Burlingame Junior High, where my mom had worked, and my heart began to excite when I spotted it at the bottom of the first section. Here was confirmation that my mother had taught a now-famous writer!
But my eyes came to a stop reading the next paragraph, in which Pierce described writing her first fiction as a sixth grader. “The next year, as I was still scribbling (乱写) my own stories, my English teacher, Mrs. Jacobson, introduced me to the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien,” the biography read. “I got hooked on fantasy, and then on science fiction, and both made their way into my stories.” My mother’s name was Mary Jacobson.
Within days, my dad had checked out all the Tamora Pierce books at the local library, and in one we found another surprise: a 1998 novel, which was dedicated (题献词) to “the teacher who shaped my life”. The teacher was Mary Jacobson. The dedication concluded, “A great teacher is above all other treasures.”
This story made me see my mom differently. We knew she was a teacher, but we had no idea what kind of teacher she had been. She was just 24 when she taught Pierce. Until 2011, when she passed away, we did know who she was.
1. Why did the mother wear a puzzled look in Paragraph 1?A.The interviewee was a best-selling writer. | B.The interviewee may be her former student. |
C.The author visited the parents unexpectedly. | D.She was listening to the radio when the author arrived. |
A.the pride the mother took in Pierce. |
B.the mother’s preference for fantasy. |
C.the mother’s influence on Pierce and her gratitude. |
D.the hardship Pierce had suffered to become a writer. |
A.Devoted and grateful. | B.Caring and demanding. |
C.Inspiring and respectable. | D.Sympathetic and intelligent. |
A.An Ordinary Teacher Shaping A Famous Writer |
B.A Woman Writer with Gratitude for Her Teacher |
C.Pierce: From a Student Writer to a Fantasy Queen |
D.To Honor My Mother: A Creator of Famous Writers |
The cafeteria (自助食堂) conversation on Monday was all about hockey (冰上曲棍球) again. Jade usually fit in with the sports crowd, but now she was not included in the conversation.
“When will you get out on the ice, Jade?” Hazel asked. Jade was a soccer star at her old school in California. “I’m inviting her to play hockey.” Hazel told other players at the table.
Jade lowered her voice. “I can’t make it to open skating time because I have to look after my younger brother Calvin until 6:30.”
But Hazel had been friendly since their first meeting and she wasn’t going to give upon this. “A rink (溜冰场) is behind the stadium. I can practice with you thereafter the closing time. You can buy skates from Ms. Silva, the facility manager. 7 o’clock this evening at the rink!” Hazel told Jade excitedly.
However, Jade didn’t tell Hazel she couldn’t afford the skates and hockey stick. After school Jade hurried home to look after Calvin. When she was cleaning the crumbs (面包屑) under Calvin’s highchair with a broom, she got an idea. At 6:35, Jade grabbed the broom and an old tennis ball.
At the rink, Hazel hadn’t turned up yet. In her dirty shoes, Jade practiced hitting the ball with the broom independently. Surprisingly, she scored a goal. But her smile disappeared as she saw Ms. Silva walking over.
She looked down at Jade’s feet pitifully. “Your shoes made the rink dirty. Those aren’t skates and hockey stick.”
“I’m really sorry for the dirt,” Jade apologized. “I don’t have money for those.”
“You didn’t tell me that!” Hazel appeared, holding Jade’s hands.
“Want a weekend job?” Ms. Silva advised gently. “I’ll teach you how to remove the dirt and leaves. A month later you may get new skates!” “Definitely.” Jade replied. “I’ll be there with you!” Hazel said.
注意:1.续写词数应为100词左右;2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
In the following month, Jade was a dutiful staff and practiced with Hazel in the rink every night.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3 . It was a familiar sight that the family gathered around the table telling stories during and after the meal. As part of our daily
The love of storytelling
Telling stories has been irreplaceable. When
A.plan | B.routine | C.work | D.schedule |
A.originated | B.went | C.dated | D.differed |
A.history | B.career | C.identity | D.culture |
A.inspired | B.changed | C.benefited | D.included |
A.respectable | B.suitable | C.responsible | D.grateful |
A.fortunate | B.positive | C.sensitive | D.generous |
A.value | B.duty | C.role | D.company |
A.forgot | B.expected | C.failed | D.refused |
A.cutting down | B.meeting with | C.going with | D.taking down |
A.excitement | B.happiness | C.embarrassment | D.surprise |
A.poem | B.subject | C.adventure | D.description |
A.telling | B.reading | C.writing | D.hearing |
A.connection | B.body | C.curiosity | D.attitude |
A.Frequently | B.Frankly | C.Formally | D.Fortunately |
A.relate | B.treat | C.apply | D.compare |
There lived two brothers, John McNeil and James, in a village in Kentucky in the north of America, who had lost their parents in a terrible earthquake ten years before. Worse still, ten-year-old John McNeil suffered from serious autism. He often stayed at a corner without saying anything with others and frequently ran everywhere, so his brother James was concerned about his safety.
On a windy, cold day, John McNeil forgot to put on his shoes and ran out the door. He headed straight for the 125-foot electrical tower behind the McNeiI home and didn’t realize the dangers of the structure. That day his thoughts were set on climbing to the top of that tower, touching the sky. Maybe he thought he could meet his parents in the sky. What a poor boy!
His seventeen-year-old brother, James, was always close by. James always made sure that no danger came to his little brother. But today was different. Today, John ran out the door unnoticed. He was making his way to the sky step by step by the time James saw him. John, like most autistic children, had no idea about fear or danger. James, on the other hand, realized that he had to face his greatest fear of all — the fear of heights.
However, James understood the danger of the electrical tower but chose to follow his younger brother secretly, trying not to look down, all the way to the top. He finally reached his brother and held him with his right hand. With his left hand, he held a metal bar to help stabilize them both. What a thrilling scene!
注意:
1.续写词数应为150左右;
2.请在相应位置作答。
James was shaking. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hundreds of people came together at the base of the tower. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5 . It was Grandpa’s 70th birthday. The whole
Early in the morning, I woke up excited. First I got dressed
Just before lunchtime, Dad came in with some
Towards the end of the party, Grandpa said
A.community | B.company | C.family | D.neighborhood |
A.anxiously | B.quickly | C.slowly | D.lazily |
A.study | B.work | C.play | D.help |
A.somewhere | B.everywhere | C.anywhere | D.nowhere |
A.book | B.video | C.painting | D.photo |
A.collecting | B.sorting | C.taking | D.sharing |
A.neighbors | B.guests | C.relatives | D.audience |
A.senses | B.feelings | C.eyes | D.ears |
A.make out | B.calm down | C.back down | D.cheer up |
A.seats | B.turns | C.place | D.break |
A.memories | B.events | C.ideas | D.fantasies |
A.adapted | B.moved | C.grew | D.went |
A.sighs | B.noises | C.whispers | D.laughters |
A.nervously | B.excitedly | C.confidently | D.uneasily |
A.wishes | B.reward | C.regards | D.gift |
Silent friends in a life storm
Dear Annalisa,
My dad died unexpectedly a few months ago and I feel angry with some of my oldest friends, who have hardly contacted me since it happened.
Three months on, I’ve finally heard from some of them through text about other matters. I didn’t mention my sad stories, and they didn’t ask.
I understand that death is a frightening subject and that people might worry about saying the wrong thing. Yet I still feel a bit hurt by their lack of contact after my dad’s funeral (葬礼).
Now I don’t want to face them because I don’t want to make them feel guilty (内疚的). Normally they are extremely good friends who I love very much. I have other friends, so I can manage this without their support. I just want to let go of the anger so I can get through this sadness. Hope to receive your advice.
Yours,
Amy
Dear Amy,
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad’s death.
Your anger may come from being unable to ask for the help you need. You also seem worried about troubling your friends too much.
It is likely that your friends are very concerned about you. Perhaps their own fear of the subject is too big to comfort you and, just as you say, they are frightened of saying the wrong thing. Also, people often want to “fix” things, but no one can fix death, so they may feel powerless to help you. In these situations, you have to be brave to break the ice and tell them not only what you need, but also how to offer help.
If you really can’t ask your “silent” friends for help, maybe you could count more on those other friends. You might find some psychological (心理的) treatment useful as well. Talking to someone with professional knowledge who understands your situation can help you carry the burden of sadness.
Yours,
Annalisa
1. 根据文章内容,使用文章中的原词完成下列表格,每空一词。Amy’s problem | Some of her oldest friends have seldom contacted her since her dad’s death, making her feel angry and |
Annalisa’s analysis (分析) | ● Amy’s anger comes from the fact that she is ● The subject of death is so frightening that her friends are at a loss what to say to ● Her friends may feel powerless to help her solve the problem so they choose to keep |
Annalisa’s | ● Be brave to start a conversation with her friends. ● ● Seek |
2. 假如你是 Amy,请给Annalisa回一封信,表示感谢并告诉她你打算怎么做。写作词数应为40左右。
Dear Annalisa,
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Amy
3. 假定你是Amy的朋友,得知她的困扰,你将如何提供帮助?请用英语写出你可以做的三件事。A.She cooked food. | B.She went to a restaurant. | C.She helped her grandma. |
8 . My grandma passed away last week. My mum began the painful yet necessary task of sorting through her belongings.
“Is there anything you want from grandma’s flat?” Mum texted me.
“Her aloe (芦荟), please.” I required zero thinking time.
Sometime around 1975, Grandma, always believing good things would happen in the future, received this plant as a gift, which she appreciated and placed in her doorway. It came from the local butcher. Five years later, my mum married the butcher’s son and had me. Grandma revealed to me this particular plant was a living relationship between the two families. And so was I.
Recently, whenever we visited Grandma’s flat, I attempted to fix this concept in my children’s minds. “That was a gift your great-grandma bought your other great-grandma! It’s older than me!” Then my kids would nod and ask Grandma for a sweet.
Numerous times, Grandma gave me cuttings or clippings of the plant, hoping I might raise my own and continue the legend. Yet, every time, my new branch died with my awful gardening skills. But that didn’t used to matter, because I could turn to Grandma, who would wait and accept my disturbance without becoming upset. Then I got another clipping and tried again. But now I can’t. So, I decided that the plant will go and live with Ann, my mother-in-law, who is a genius with a greenhouse.
The plan is for Ann to keep hold of the original plant. In time, she can teach me how to deal with its cuttings properly, and then maybe one day I can settle the plant in my place.
In the meantime, Ann will allocate (分配) clippings among my relatives, as Grandma used to do. My wife’s two sisters, for example, are both better at tending plants than I am, so it is quite imaginable they, too, will offer cuttings of the plant to their partners, spreading this loving plant across my entire extended family.
1. Why did the author want his grandma’s aloe?A.He wanted to pass it down to others. | B.He showed a preference for gardening. |
C.He had a pleasant memory of the plant. | D.He received it as a gift from his grandma. |
A.Optimistic and patient. | B.Generous and helpful. | C.Honest and fashionable. | D.Humorous and skillful. |
A.display his skills in gardening | B.have the plant better cared for |
C.announce his grandma’s death | D.protect the plant from dying out |
A.Aloe: my family bond | B.Aloe: a mysterious plant |
C.Grandma: my life coach | D.Grandma: a lovely gardener |
Joey sat at the kitchen table, reading the sports page of the morning paper. He heard his grand-father coming down the stairs. When his grandfather came into the kitchen, Joey could see he wasn’t his usual happy self.
“Morning, Grandfather,” he said. His grandfather sat across the table and didn’t pick up the paper to read. Instead, he asked, “Joey, is anything happening in town today?”
“There’s a ball game between Doraville Middle School and my school tonight,” Joey told him. “It’ll be a close race, but I think we’ll win. Would you like to go?”
Joey felt bad for his grandfather. He knew he couldn’t read. His grandfather had told him of-ten, “I didn’t have the chance to go to school regularly. Looking after the animals and tending to the crops on the farm were much more important in those days than learning to read.”
One day, Joey stopped at the library to look through some books. He saw a sign on the library wall. It read: “Do you know somebody who doesn’t read? We can help. Just call this number.” Joey hurried home and showed the sign to his grandfather. “Somebody can teach you how to read. It says so right here,” Joey explained. Joey jotted the number down.
Several days later, Grandfather put on his best suit of clothes for his first day of school. He arrived at the library an hour early and met with his teacher. During that first class, he was so worried and nervous that he couldn’t concentrate. He couldn’t remember anything the teacher said. A few weeks later, Grandfather was studying when he looked up at Joey and said, “I’m too old to learn all of this.” He closed the book in frustration. “Oh, Grandfather, don’t get discouraged,” Joey said. Grandfather was stubborn. “I can’t do it,” he said.
注意:
1.续写词数应为150左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
“How about letting me help you?” Joey asked.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Months later, one day his grandfather told Joey that he had something important to share with him.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
内容包括:
1.表示安慰;
2.提供建议。
注意:
1.写作词数应为80左右;
2.可以适当增加细节,以使行文相关。
3.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
参考词汇:accommodate(vt. 提供住宿)
Dear John,
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua