1 . One day, a college student was taking a walk with a professor. As they went along, they saw a pair of old shoes lying in the path. They supposed the shoes belonged to a poor man who was employed in a field close by and who had nearly finished his day’s work.
The student turned to the professor, saying, “Let’s play a trick on him: we can hide his shoes, and hide ourselves behind those bushes, and wait to see his confusion when he cannot find them”.
“My young friend,” answered the professor, “we should never amuse ourselves at the expense of the poor. But you are rich, and may give yourself much greater pleasure by helping the poor man. Put a coin into each shoe, and then we hide ourselves and watch how the discovery will affect him.”
The student did so, and they both placed themselves behind the bushes close by. The poor man soon finished his work, and walked across the field to the path where he had left his coat and shoes. While putting on his coat he slipped his foot into one of his shoes, feeling something hard. He bent down to feel what it was, and found the coin. Astonishment and wonder were seen on his face.
He fixed his eyes on the coin, turned it round, and looked at it again and again. He then looked on all sides, but no person was seen. He put the money into his pocket, and continued to put on the other shoe, but his surprise was doubled on finding the other coin. His feelings overcame him. He fell upon his knees, looked up to heaven and cried a sincere thanksgiving, in which he spoke of his wife, sick and helpless, and his children without bread. He said the timely help, from some unknown hand, would save them from dying.
The student stood there, deeply affected, and his eyes filled with tears. “Now,” said the professor, “aren’t you much more pleased to do that than to play your intended trick?”
The student replied, “You have taught me a lesson which I will never forget.”
1. The student wanted to play a trick on the poor man to ______.| A．find the truth | B．show his wisdom | C．teach him a lesson | D．amuse himself |
| A．interested | B．thankful | C．peaceful | D．helpless |
| A．humorous | B．rich | C．wise | D．serious |
| A．God helps those who help themselves. | B．Where there is a will, there is a way. |
| C．A small act of kindness brings great joy. | D．Actions speak louder than words. |
2 . We journalists live in a new age of storytelling, with many new multimedia tools. Many young people don’t even realize it’s new. For them, it’s just normal.
This hit home for me as I was sitting with my 2-year-old grandson on a sofa over the Spring Festival holiday. I had brought a children’s book to read. It had simple words and colorful pictures — a perfect match for his age.
Picture this: my grandson sitting on my lap as I hold the book in front so he can see the pictures. As I read, he reaches out and pokes (戳) the page with his finger.
What’s up with that? He just likes the pictures, I thought. Then I turned the page and continued. He poked the page even harder. I nearly dropped the book. I was confused: Is there something wrong with this kid?
Then I realized what was happening. He was actually a stranger to books. His father frequently amused the boy with a tablet computer which was loaded with colorful pictures that come alive when you poke them. He thought my storybook was like that.
Sorry, kid. This book is not part of your high-tech world. It’s an outdated, lifeless thing. An antique, like your grandfather. Well, I may be old, but I’m not hopelessly challenged, digitally speaking. I edit video and produce audio. I use mobile payment. I’ve even built websites.
There’s one notable gap in my new-media experience, however: I’ve spent little time in front of a camera, since I have a face made for radio. But that didn’t stop China Daily from asking me last week to share a personal story for a video project about the integration of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province.
Anyway, grandpa is now an internet star — two minutes of fame! I promise not to let it go to my head. But I will make sure my 2-year-old grandson sees it on his tablet.
1. What does the author think of himself?| A．Socially ambitious. |
| B．Physically attractive. |
| C．Financially independent. |
| D．Digitally competent. |
| A．He lacks experience in his job. |
| B．He seldom appears on television. |
| C．He manages a video department. |
| D．He often interviews internet stars. |
3 . I still remember that busy autumn evening as I hurried with my eldest daughter, Athena, to get to her classroom on time for the parent-teacher night. We walked in and all eyes were on me. A few adults quickly quieted their kids’ whispers. A classmate yelled to my daughter, “What’s wrong with your mom’s face?” Shocked, I started to explain my condition, but my six-year-old daughter looked at him and said, “It’s my mom’s birthmark! Don’t be rude!” I was extremely proud of how she handled that situation.
I was quite young when I realized I looked different because of my large facial birthmark. I always thought I would be alone because of it. Being compared to Batman’s evil Two-Face made me believe I could never find love. But I was lucky enough to meet my husband, who saw me for who I am inside. When I had my first daughter, I was overjoyed, but I began to worry if the world would judge my children. I always worried I might pass my condition onto my children; I didn’t want them to grow up feeling judged. Unfortunately, my facial difference has impacted my children. My daughters get disinvited from birthday parties or sleepovers, or I learn certain kids are no longer friends with mine after their parents saw me at school.
When my kids were young, I explained how my special purple skin was rare and we talked about acceptance and never judging others on how they look. When my girls kiss my purple-skinned cheek, I feel “normal” around them and their unconditional love. With time going by, both my daughters have become my strongest supporters. Thanks to them, I’ve begun to feel more self-confident as I try to be a good role model.
Their worldviews are similar to mine. We see the world a little differently and with a kinder, more accepting heart. As the saying goes, your daughters will grow up to be your best friends. I know that will be the case for me!
1. What happened when the author went to attend the parent-teacher night?| A．Athena was praised by others for her bravery and optimism. |
| B．Athena defended her mother against her classmate’s rudeness. |
| C．Some parents criticized their kids because of their misbehaviour. |
| D．The author felt shocked at her daughter’s response to her classmate. |
| A．Friendship needs to be watered by love. |
| B．We should treat our children as best friends. |
| C．We should accept other people’s differences. |
| D．Our ability to handle difficulties can be developed. |
| A．They have to drop out of school. |
| B．They have the same physical condition as me. |
| C．They have difficulty maintaining friendships. |
| D．They feel worried because they are often judged. |
| A．A birthmark to live with. | B．My strongest supporters. |
| C．A kind and accepting heart. | D．The confidence to be different. |
4 . Steve is James and John's big brother. One day, when their mum left for work, James and John started crying. They didn't want her to leave. Steve tried to stop them crying and said, “Let’s play hide-and-seek (捉迷藏). You hide and I'll count to ten. Then I’ll try to find you.” Steve found James under a chair and John behind a door. They played over and over again. Each time, the two boys hid in the same places. Finally, Steve felt too bored with the game. “Let’s take the dog for a walk,” he said.
When Steve walked the dog, he found James and John were running in the street. He thought it was so dangerous. Then he had an idea. “Anyone who walks back to the house with me can have some snacks!” Steve shouted.
At home, the boys ate some cookies and got ready for a sleep. James and John wanted a story. Steve told them the story about the little red hen. When their mum returned home, she was pleased to find the three sleeping boys.
1. James and John started ________ when their mum left home.| A．crying | B．running | C．reading | D．sleeping |
| A．Under a table. | B．Under a chair. | C．Behind a door. | D．Behind a box. |
| A．Because he was not good at it. |
| B．Because he didn't know where to hide. |
| C．Because his brothers made the room dirty. |
| D．Because his brothers always hid in the same places. |
| A．Staying in the house | B．Shouting at Steve |
| C．Running in the street | D．Eating some snacks |
| A．Angry | B．Pleased | C．Afraid | D．Sad. |
5 . I’ve loved my mother’s desk since I was just tall enough to see above the top of it as mother sat doing letters. Seeing what Mother was doing, I thought that the act of writing must be the most wonderful thing in the world.
My mother was a kind person, who always showed her love on me in action. However, as a little girl, I only wanted heart-to-heart talks between mother and daughter. But such talks never happened. I was sad about it and often rude to her, eager to start a new life somewhere else.
When I had my own family, I came to understand mother’s love. So I wrote to mother and asked if she’d forgiven my rudeness. Then, I posted the letter and waited for her answer, but it never came. I felt disappointed and slowly didn’t care too much about it.
Years later, during mother’s final illness, she left some things for my sister and brother. “But the desk,” she said in a weak voice, “is specially for Elizabeth.” When I cleaned the desk-her present for me, I found a one — page letter inside, folded many times. It was the letter that I wrote years ago.
Then, tears came down, “Oh, dear mom, you’ve chosen the silent act to show you did forgive me and always be proud of my writing. Thank you for your silent love. I love you forever!”
1. According to the author, the most wonderful thing in the world must be the act of__________.| A．reading | B．cooking |
| C．writing | D．dancing |
| A．Arm-in-arm walks with her mother. | B．Face-to-face talks with her mother. |
| C．Hand-in-hand walks with her mother. | D．Heart-to-heart talks with her mother. |
| A．Elizabeth. | B．Elizabeth’s son. |
| C．Elizabeth’s sister. | D．Elizabeth’s brother. |
| A．In words. | B．In action. |
| C．By music. | D．By painting. |
6 . Last Sunday, an earthquake struck the Napa Valley area of northern California. It happened in the middle of the night, becoming the strongest earthquake to strike the Napa Valley in 15 years. No one was killed, but many people were treated in hospitals.
I said to my seven-year-old twins, Brad and Brett, and three-year-old Meghan, “We have so much, and these poor people in trouble now have nothing. We’ll share what we have with them.”
I filled a box with foods and clothes. While I was doing this, I advised the boys to choose their toys and donate some of their less favourite things. Meghan watched quietly as the boys took out their old toys and put them together. Then she walked away. A few minutes later she came back with Lucy, her much-loved doll. She put the doll on top of the other toys.
“Oh, dear,” I said. “You don’t have to give Lucy. You love her so much.” Meghan said, “Lucy makes me happy, Mummy. Maybe she’ll make another little girl happy, too.”
I looked at Meghan for a long moment. She taught me a lesson. It’s easy to give something that we don’t want any more, but hard to give what we cherish (珍爱), isn’t it?
1. How many children does the writer have?| A．One. |
| B．Two. |
| C．Three. |
| D．Four. |
| A．The earthquake caused many deaths. |
| B．The earthquake is the biggest in history. |
| C．The earthquake happened at night. |
| D．The earthquake hit the city of California. |
| A．An old toy. |
| B．Clothes. |
| C．A doll. |
| D．Food. |
| A．A Family Story |
| B．The Spirit of Giving |
| C．A White Night |
| D．A Sad Experience |
7 . Most teanagers feel that the most importannt people in their lives are their friends.They believe their family members ,and in particular their parents ,don’t know them as well as their friends do.
In large families ,it is quite often for sisters and brothers to fight aganist and then they can only go to their friends for advice.
It is very important for teenagers to have a good friend or a circle of friends .Even when they are not together with their friends ,they usually spend a lot of time talking among themselves on the phone .This communication is very important in children’s growing up,because friends can discuss something that’s difficult to talk with their family members.
However ,parents often try to choose friends for thir children .Even some parents stop their children from meeting their good friends.
Who choose your friends ?
Have you got a good friend your parents don’t like?
Have you ever thought of these questions?
1. Many teenagers think their _______ know them better than their parents do.| A．friends | B．teachers | C．brothers and sisters | D．family members |
| A．to see their teachers |
| B．to talk with their parents |
| C．to have adiscussion with their family on the phone |
| D．to talk with their friends on the phone |
| A．Parents should like everything that their children lik |
| B．In every family children can’t choose everything they like. |
| C．Teenagers should not go to their friends for help. |
| D．Parents should try to understand their children better. |
| A．you are welcome to have a discussion with us. |
| B．we’ve got no idea,so youe answer is welcome. |
| C．your answers are always corret. |
| D．you can give us the right answers. |
| A．be strict with their children |
| B．take place of their children’s friends. |
| C．not allow their children to go out with their friends |
| D．talk more with their children and understand them better |
8 . I worked in a small company with about thirty-five employees (雇员). We had a good-sized kitchen with a fridge that several employees used. But people would often go to the fridge to surprisingly find either their whole lunch missing, or in my case, my can of Cherry Coke gone. I usually kept it in my lunch bag. At times when I bought takeaway food, I would get two—one for lunch and one for dinner—so I didn’t have my lunch bag. Even so, I often couldn’t find the food. It was a shock to everyone.
We doubted who was stealing, but could never prove (证明) it. One day, a good idea came to my mind, and I couldn’t wait to try it.
It was break time at noon. I headed down to the kitchen about five minutes early and gave my Coke such a hard shake that I feared it may actually go off in my hands. I placed it back in the fridge. Then, I hid into a cupboard in the kitchen, waiting for the right moment.
BINGO! A lady came in and took the Coke. I put my hand over my mouth for her to open it, but she took it with her and left. I thought she would open it in the hall. No!
As I left the kitchen, I heard her yell (叫喊). I passed her office, and Coke was everywhere: the walls, the floor, all over her desk, computer, her work, and all over her—everywhere!
Well, food has never gone missing again since then because the lady got fired.
1. Why did the employees feel surprised?| A．Their lunch was often lost. |
| B．The fridge was full of free food. |
| C．The kitchen was never clean. |
| D．The company was small-sized. |
| A．To play a joke on the lady. |
| B．To carry out some repairs inside. |
| C．To find out who was stealing. |
| D．To prove who was the best worker. |
| A．The kitchen. | B．The drink | C．The hand. | D．The fridge. |
| A．A small company. | B．An honest lady. |
| C．A special lunch. | D．An office story. |
9 . In the cold and plain living room, Matt is sitting in his chair. His eyes don’t shine anymore. His skin is wrinkled (有皱纹的) and pale. He looks extremely old and weak. Today is his birthday, and he is by himself. The only thing that he has been doing all day is thinking about how sad and lonely his life is. As he was looking at some old pictures, he found one special with him and his friends from college. This picture brought back the days when he had friends and his life was full of happiness. Also, it brought him a sad memory. This memory happened forty years ago, during his last year of college.
Through college, Matt has a friend named Mark. Mark was tall and thin. He wore a thick glass. He was shy, smart and responsible. Also, Mark didn’t have as many friends as Matt did. He considered Matt as his best friend. As good friends, Matt and Mark went bowling together, they knew everything about each other, and they hung out. Also, they overcame many problems together. They were really good friends.
On his twenty-fourth birthday their life changed. On the night before Matt’s birthday, Mark called Matt, but his voice sounded strange. He said, “I have an important project to work on. I am having some problems with this. Maybe, you could come over and help me with it. Could you?” Matt asked, “What time?” Mark kept in silence for a minute, then he said, “Is 8 p.m. good for you?” Then Matt answered, “OK! See you later.” At the night, it was Matt’s birthday. So, he didn’t want to spend his birthday helping Mark with his project. Matt went to a club with some other guys.
1. Why was Matt sad on his birthday?| A．Because his friend didn’t buy him gifts. |
| B．Because no friend accompanied him. |
| C．Because his friend had quarreled with him. |
| D．Because his friend didn’t remember his birthday. |
| A．Small and shy. | B．Tall and shy. |
| C．Clever and weak. | D．Near-sighted and foolish. |
| A．Once Matt had many friends. |
| B．Once Mark had many friends. |
| C．Matt went to a club with Mark. |
| D．Matt didn’t know everything about Mark. |
| A．accepted his request happily |
| B．refused his request immediately |
| C．accepted his request but didn’t turn up |
| D．told Mark to spend his birthday with him |
10 . I was born in Venice, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy, and studied designing at university here. Though I have also spent time away, I have always come back because it’s my home.
In Venice, there are no roads, only canals, so you have to get around on foot or by boat. I live on a canal in the Rialto area in a house that was built in 1588 for the Muti family, who were businessmen in the silk trade. In the mid-eighteenth century, it was home to the Vezzi family, who made things like plates and bowls in fine china and became rich by sending these around the world. These businessmen’s houses in Venice are like palaces. Their owners had to have space to show off their goods, but the building also had to be an office, a factory, a store and a home. My house came into our family in 1919, when it was bought by my grandfather. He died before I was born but he was the director of a museum where I often do research on old documents. On some of these, I’ve seen notes in his handwriting, so, in a way, I met him through these documents.
Sadly, the population of Venice has dropped from 120,000 in the 1950s to about 60,000 now. This doesn’t include the thousands of tourists who come to visit. I welcome the tourists but unless something is done to stop everyday shops like bakeries from disappearing, the city will die. I want people who love the city to come here to live and work and give Venice back a life that is not just about tourism.
1. What can we learn about the family who first owned the author’s home?| A．They were china dealers. | B．They made plates and bowls. |
| C．They used to buy and sell silk. | D．They helped to build the canals. |
| A．He met his grandfather in an unusual way. |
| B．His grandfather taught him how to write. |
| C．His grandfather turned his home into a museum. |
| D．He found his grandfather’s handwriting hard to read. |
| A．It faces a difficult situation. | B．It can’t feed its population. |
| C．It needs more modern shops. | D．It has fewer tourists than before. |
