1 . How far would you go to make a good impression at a new job? A college student in Alabama walked 32 kilometers in the dark to get to his new job.

The story begins with Walter Carr’s car breaking down the night before starting a new job at Bellhops, a furniture moving company. Carr was unable to find a taxi. So he decided to walk from his house to the job in Pelham 32 kilometers away. He left at midnight so that he could make it to the customer’s house by 8:00 am the next morning.

Pelham police saw him walking along a highway at 4:00 am. So, they stopped to see if the needed help. After hearing his story, they took him to a restaurant for breakfast and then to a church where he could safely wait until 8:00 am. The police then took Carr to the home of customer Jenny Lamey, Lamey said that even though Carr had just walked the entire night, he refused her offer to rest. He just wanted to start working.

Jenny Lamey later wrote this on Facebook: “I just can’t tell you how touched I was by Walter and his journey. He is hardworking and tough.” She then started a GoFundMe page to help Walter with money to get his car fixed.

Walter Carr’s story touched many others around the United States, Within a few days, people gave over $73, 000 to his GoFundMe page, When the CEO of Bellhops, Luke Marklin, learned of Carr’s story, he drove from Tennessee to Alabama to give Walter his own 2014 Ford Escape.

Carr has decided to give a part of the donations to the Birmingham Education Foundation. And he has received more offers for jobs and scholarships for schools.

1. What is probably the reason for Carr’s walking to his new job?

A．He had no money.

B．His car was stolen the night before.

C．He would like to take some exercise.

D．He considered the first day meaningful.

2. What did the police do to help Carr?

A．They took him to work immediately.

B．They went to his customer’s with him.

C．They called his customer to pick him up.

D．They gave him some money to buy breakfast.

3. Why did Jenny Lamey start a GoFundMe page?

A．To help Carr buy a new car.

B．To make Carr’s story popular.

C．To raise money to repair Carr’s car.

D．To express her admiration for Carr.

4. What did Carr decide to do with the donation?

A．To share it with some schools.

B．To spend it on further education.

C．To set up an educational institution.

D．To donate some of it to a foundation.

2 . How to Recognize a True Friend

Sometimes it can be hard to recognize a true friend. Hopefully this article will help you recognize which friends are the keepers.

Be able to trust your friends. You should be able to trust true friends and they should return this trust. Do your friends tell you secrets that no one else knows? Ask you for advice?    1     However, if your friends hide things from you and act secretly, then this is a sign that they may not trust you.

    2     Think about it. How comfortable are your friends when they are around you? Are they being themselves around you? Are they acting fake or perhaps hiding something? True friendships can take a while to develop, but if your friends are true they should feel comfortable around you, and vice versa ( You with them)

Think about loyalty(忠诚).     3     If you are in need of a helping hand, your true friends should be there to offer it to you. True friends don’t try to get one another into trouble. A true friend will always be loyal to you and will not reveal secrets.

Think about nicknames. A lot of true friends love to give each other nicknames！ If your friend is giving you nicknames, then this is a great sign. Think of the nickname your friend has given you, does it suit you well?     4    

Look at how you fight. Nearly all best friends fight.     5     True friends will find their way through a fight, no matter what the size is. True friends will remain “faithful” to each other even during a fight. They will not tell each others’ secrets, and they still care about each other.

A．Consider comfort.

B．Choose your friends carefully.

C．True friends are always there for one another.

D．Both are sure signs that your friend trusts you.

E．If so, this shows your friend must know you quite well.

F．So if you and your friend have a little argument, don’t worry!

G．An inside joke shows that you share a special connection with your friend.

3 . Moving into a new home in a new neighborhood is an exciting experience. Of course, you want to make sure that you become an acceptable and valuable part of your neighborhood   . the easiest way to accomplish this is to make sure you conduct yourself as a good neighbor should.     1    

Perhaps one of the most important things you can do as a good neighbor is to keep your property(房产) neat, clean, and in good repair.     2     By choosing to keep the outside of the home in great shape, you will help to improve the look and feel of the area.

Second, take the overall appearance of the neighborhood seriously,. When going for a walk. Take a small garbage bag.     3     This small act will let your neighbors know that you care about the area.

    4     If a neighbor is going to be out of town, offer to collect mail and newspapers. If a neighbor suffers an illness, offer to do the grocery shopping . Let them know you are there to help in any way this acceptable, while still respecting the privacy of your neighbor.

    5     By following the basic rules of respecting others, taking care of what belongs to you, and taking pride in the appearance of the neighborhood in general, you will quickly become a good neighbor that everyone appreciate.

A．In general, keep an eye on their property while they are gone.

B．A good neighbor is also one who likes to help out in small ways.

C．Being a good neighbor is more or less about considerate behavior.

D．Sometimes neighbors may go to the supermarket together to do shopping.

E．Should you come across waste paper thrown out of a passing car, pick it up.

F．People tend to lake pride in keeping everything in their street fresh and inviting.

G．Here are a few tips to help you win over everyone in the neighborhood quickly

4 . Making Peace with Your Parents

As a teen, you’re going through big changes physically and mentally. Your interests are increasing.     1     Here is the challenge: Kids need to explore the world in new ways, and parents need to protect them from the dangers that are all out in that world. These conflicts can easily set off fireworks in otherwise calm houses. Sometimes conflicts can’t be avoided. But by paying attention to the building blocks of successful relationships, you can work towards making home a happy and healthy place for you and your parents.

For example, try to find a time to talk when your parents are not angry, tired, distracted or hungry. A good time to talk is when you’re all relaxed. Timing is everything. If the conversation begins to turn into an argument, you’d better calmly and coolly ask to stop the conversation for now.     2     Listen to what your parents are saying, and repeat it back to them. This shows them that you’re listening.     3     Respect is the building block of good communication. People who respect each other and care about each others’ feelings can disagree without getting things ugly.     4     How do you build trust? Trust comes by actually doing what you say you’re going to do. Some teens find that doing fun activities with their parents can improve their relationships. Sometimes we forget that parents are more than rule-maker—they’re interesting people who like to watch movies and go shopping—just like their teenagers!

What do you do if you are trying your best, but your relationship with your parents continues to be rocky?     5     You can find supportive adults, such as a teacher or a coach, who can lend an ear. Remember you can only change your own behavior. Your parents are the only ones who can change theirs.

A．You may consider seeking outside help.

B．And then you’ll be able to accept what your parents say.

C．You can pick it up again when everyone’s more relaxed.

D．Faced with the challenge, children don’t know what to do.

E．And your desire to take control of your own life is growing.

F．It also gives them a chance to clear things up if you’re not on the same page.

G．You are more likely to get along with your parents and have more independence if your parents believe in you.

5 . Our “Mommy and Me” time began two years ago. My next-door neighbor and fellow mother, Christie, and I were out in our front yards, watching seven children of age 6 and under ride the bikes up and down. “I wish I could take one of my children out alone,” said Christie.

Then we worked out a plan: When Christie takes one of her children out, I’ll watch her other three. And when she watches two of mine. I’ll take someone out.

The children were extremely quick to accept the idea of “Mommy and Me” time. Christie’s daughter, McKenzie, went first. When she returned, the other children showered her with tons of questions. McKenzie was smiling broadly. Christie looked refreshed and happy. “She’s like a different child when there’s no one else around,” Christie shared with me quickly. With her mother all to herself, McKenzie didn’t have to make an effort to gain attention.

Just as Christie had noticed changes in McKenzie, I also discovered something different in each of my children. For example, I am always surprised when my daughter, who is seldom close to me, holds my hand frequently. My stuttering (口吃的) son, Tom, doesn’t stutter once during our activities since he doesn’t have to struggle for a chance to speak. And another son, Sam, who’s always a follower when around other children shines as a leader during our times together.

The “Mommy and Me” time allows us to be simply alone and away with each child-talking, sharing, and laughing, which has been the biggest gain. Every child deserves to be an only child at least once in a while.

1. What was the author and her neighbor’s plan?

A．To teach their children how to stay alone.

B．To change their own children’s bad habits.

C．To make a child live in the other home for a long time.

D．To help each other spend some time with one child at a time.

2. How many children did the author have?

A．Five.	B．Four.
C．Three.	D．Two.

3. After going through the plant the author’s sons became       .

A．braver	B．cleverer
C．more active	D．more selfless

4. What can we learn from the text?

A．Every child needs parents’ full attention.

B．Having brothers and sisters is fun.

C．It’s tiring to take care of others’ children.

D．Parents should look after others’ children.

6 . Sometimes people can have fights, but friendship is a valuable gift.    1     But with a little effort to step outside of your comfort zone (舒适区), you can easily make friends. Here you can find some places to make new friends.

Join an organization or a club. This is a great way to find other people who have common interests.    2    In fact, some of the most valuable friendships are between two people who don’t have much in common at all. However, if you like a specific topic, try finding a place where you can meet people who share that interest.

    3     A common mistake is that you have to be really good at playing a special sport in order to make friends with others on the team. In fact, as long as you enjoy the sport and support your teammates, joining a team with a relaxed attitude could be a great way to make new friends.

Volunteer. Volunteering is also a good way for people of all ages to meet others. By working together, you’ll build relationships with people.     4    .

Make yourself available. If you want to make friends, you first need to put yourself out there somehow to meet people.     5    It doesn’t have to be a crowded table, but one with at least two other people. Remember, friends seldom come knocking on your door while you sit alone at home.

A．Join a sports team.

B．Sometimes, good friends are hard to find.

C．Do well in sport in order to make new friends.

D．If you’re still in school, sit somewhere with other people.

E．So you can devote your time to a local nursing home or a hospital.

F．It is not easy at all to get along with new friends when you study in a middle school.

G．You don’t need to have lots of common interests with people to make friends with them.

7 . Ways to build strong friendships

Be loyal to a friend. Part of being a friend is being prepared to devote your time and energy to helping out your friends. If a friend needs help with an unpleasant thing, or if he or she just needs a shoulder to cry on, be there for them.     1     This is a good way to attract the kind of friends you want in your life.

    2       When you say you’ll do something, do it. When your friend tells you a secret, keep it secret from others. Be someone that people know that they can rely on. If you show this quality to your friends, they will appreciate it and will be reliable in return.

Be a good listener. Many people think they have to appear very interesting.     3       Listen carefully to what people say, remember important details about them, ask questions about their interests, and take the time to learn more about them.

Stress your good qualities. Show others what makes you stand apart from the crowd. Talk about your interests and hobbies. Everyone has interesting stories to tell — don’t be afraid to share yours.     4     People love to be around someone who makes them laugh.

Choose your friends wisely. As you make friends with more people, you may find that some are hard to get along with. Sometimes you may even realize that certain friendships are unhealthy.     5     Cherish those friends who are a positive influence in your life, and do your best to be a positive influence in theirs.

A．Be a reliable friend.

B．Keep your promise to your friend.

C．Be respectful of their decisions and share yours with him.

D．Besides, a little humor always keeps a conversation light and happy.

E．In this case, walk your way out of the friendship as gracefully as possible.

F．Being a loyal friend will attract other people to you who value this quality.

G．Far more important than that, however, is the ability to show that you’re interested in others.

8 . Both of my parents worked full-time when I was a little girl, so my grandmother would stay at our house during the day. We would watch game shows in the living room. Our favorite was The Price is Right. We would call out our answers along with the contestants.

When I got older and started going to school, we couldn’t watch our game shows regularly. That was okay with me, though, because the one thing I liked better than watching game shows with my grandmother was helping her bake. Watching her in the kitchen was amazing: she never seemed to need the recipes but everything she made tasted delicious.

At first I would just sit in the kitchen and watch, even though I didn’t understand what she was doing. As I got older, she let me help with the easy parts, such as measuring the sugar. The day she let me separate the eggs, I felt like I had found complete pleasure.

At last, my parents decided that I could take care of myself, and my grandmother stopped coming over every day. The love of baking, however, stayed with me. I started baking by myself, and even if the cookies ended up burnt sometimes, more often they turned out pretty well. I tried out new recipes, and whenever I got to a thorny part, I would call my grandmother for advice. Sometimes I would call her just to talk, too. I felt like I could talk to her about anything.

My grandmother passed away ten years ago, but I still think of her every day. Last week, I found a recipe book she made for me. It included her recipes for brownies, cookies, and my favorite, lemon pie. As I looked through the pages, I thought I could hear her voice. She was the one who taught me not just about baking, but about life.

1. The passage is developed in order of         .

A．time	B．place
C．logic	D．events

2. While helping her grandmother bake, the author         .

A．missed the game shows

B．refused to go to school

C．showed great interest

D．could take care of herself

3. What does the underlined word “thorny” in Paragraph 4 most probably mean?

A．Basic.	B．Common.
C．Difficult.	D．Special.

4. From the passage we know the author’s grandmother         .

A．lived with her family

B．was very skilled at baking

C．published a recipe book

D．had been on a game show

9 . One of the most important things in the world is friendship. In order to have friends, you have to be a friend. But how can you be a good friend at school?
Listen — Listen when they are talking. Don’t say anything unless they ask you a question. Sometimes it’s not necessary for you to have anything to say; they just need someone to talk to about their feelings.
Help them — If your friend is ever in need of something, be there to help them. You should try to put them first, but make sure you don’t do everything they want you to do. Try to take an extra (额外的) pencil or pen with you to classes in case (以防) they forget one. Have a little extra money in your pocket in case they forget something they need.
Be there for them — Try to make something for your friend to help make them feel better in hard times. Making cards and encouraging them are among the nicest things you can do for a friend. Marilyn Monroe, a famous U.S. actor, once said, “I often make mistakes. Sometimes I am out of control. But if you can’t stay with me at my worst, you are sure not to deserve (值得) to be with me at my best.” Always remember this! If you don’t want to stay with your friends when they’re in hard times, then you don’t deserve to be with them when they’re having a good time!
______ — Try to make plans with your friends. Go shopping, go for ice cream, have a party, go to a movie and so on. Take time to know each other even better by doing something you both enjoy. By planning things together, you both can have a good time. And you’ll remember these things when you’re all old!
1. While your friend is talking to you about his or her feelings, you should _____.

A．give him or her some advice

B．just listen unless asked

C．calm him or her down

D．share your feelings as well

2. When we provide help for our friends, we should _____.

A．try to do everything for them

B．put them before ourselves

C．change their bad habits first

D．ignore their faults

3. What can we learn from Marilyn Monroe’s words?

A．Life without a friend is death.

B．A friend is easier lost than found.

C．A friend in need is a friend indeed.

D．A man is known by his friends.

10 . Getting your children to study can be a little like getting them to eat their vegetables.
    1     Make a study time and have it at the same time every day. This will help your kids to learn to schedule their day and will give them a sense of control over how they spend their time.
Allow them to study in blocks of time, such as for half an hour with a five-minute break in the middle.     2     Ideal(理想的) study times are after dinner or right after school before dinner.
Never allow your children to study in front of the television, as that will encourage passive activity.     3    
You’ll also need to help your kids find the right place to study. After you’ve set up a good study time for little learners, set up a good place where they can get those creative juices flowing.
    4     Make sure there is a table or a desk and a comfortable chair.
    5     This includes helping them out with their homework sometimes and being there for them with the answers to any questions. The input you give your children during study periods will help form a bond and help make studying enjoyable.

A．Pick a place where your children can study properly.

B．Hold them to the schedule they create for themselves.

C．Finally, spend time with your kids when they’re studying.

D．Keep the atmosphere light and offer lots of encouragement, too.

E．Instead, use TV as a treat or a reward when the homework is completed.

F．Try to stop this bad habit by offering some sort of reward.

G．One of the best ways to form good study habits for your kids is to design a schedule that they keep to.