1 . Recently, my husband and three kids were playing in the Mediterranean, swimming and floating in the picture-perfect sea. It was extremely beautiful in Majorca, Spain. The way the sun danced across the water and how the blue horizon was dotted with storybook sailboats were such beautiful scenes. I almost couldn’t believe my eyes.
My husband and I always dreamed about taking our kids on a trip around the world. It was something we always wanted to do “one day”. It was one of the things we talked at length about, when we imagined our life with the children we hoped we would have.
Fourteen years later, we had three boys who were growing up faster by the day. It was time to make good on those plans.
We spent dozens of hours discussing, researching and planning. We had to learn how to “road school” our kids and arrange time off from work. We renewed our passports, and then packed our bags. We showed our kids the world. It was about experiencing the dozens of flights and trains and taxis together. We showed them how wonderful, how diverse, and how amazing the world is. We wanted them to learn all that we had learned ourselves, through our own travels as young adults.
But there was something more than that: What we really wanted is to slow down time. We wanted the days to last a bit longer, and the weeks to take their time. The years with our children are going too fast. We wanted to put the brakes on (阻止) our busy lives for a year, and just be with our kids. We wanted a break from the daily morning routine of making lunches, eating breakfast and rushing out of the door in time for school. We needed a family time-out.
It was a wonderful two-month trip in Europe, full of incredible moments. And when we look back at our lives, I know we’ll be glad we did it. I know we’ll be happy that this is a chapter of the story of our family.
1. What was the author’s attitude toward the trip when planning it?| A．Worried. | B．Calm. | C．Stressed. | D．Eager. |
| A．Change. | B．Realize. | C．Improve. | D．Cancel. |
| A．To teach her children to value life. |
| B．To allow her children to see the world. |
| C．To enjoy a family breakaway from their life routine. |
| D．To enable her children to learn something out of class. |
| A．Tired. | B．Satisfied. | C．Inspired. | D．Disappointed. |
2 . Some of my earliest memories involve sitting with my dad in his study every night when he came home from the office, I’d watch as he put his personal items away; his watch, wallet, comb and car keys They would always occupy the same spot on the table every time.
Dad’s comb was jade green. I heard he bought it when he married Mum. Every night, he would smile, hand me the comb and say, “Be a good girl and help Daddy clean it, OK?”
I was more than happy to do it. At age five, this kind of task brought me such joy. I would excitedly turn the tap on, and then brush the comb with a used toothbrush as hard as I could. Satisfied that I’d done a good job, I would proudly return the comb to Dad. He would smile at me, and place the comb on top of his wallet.
About two years later, Dad left his sales job and started his own wholesale business. I started primary school. That was when things started to change. Dad’s business wasn’t doing so well, and our stable life started getting shaky. He didn’t come home as much as he used to. And when he did come home, it was always late and I’d already be in bed. 1 started to get mad. Why didn’t he listen to Mum and just stick to his old job? Why did he take the risk and place the whole family in trouble? Over the years, I stopped waiting for him to come home, and stopped going downstairs to check on him.
Now 28, I’ve graduated from college and got a job. Dad’s business has also started to get back on track. Yet the uncomfortable silence between Dad and me went on.
Two days before my birthday last year, Dad came home early. On that evening, I helped him carry his bags into his study as usual. When I turned to leave, he asked me to clean his comb. I looked at him for a while, then took the comb and headed to the sink.
It was the same comb. After cleaning it, I passed it back to Dad. He looked at it and smiled. But this time, I noticed something different. My dad had aged. He had wrinkles next to his eyes when he smiled, yet his smile was still as heartwarming as before.
1. From the first three paragraphs, we can learn___________.| A．the author would study with Dad every evening |
| B．the precious green comb of Dad was made of jade |
| C．the earliest memories with Dad were full of joy |
| D．the author was unwilling to clean the comb for Dad |
| A．He was eager to get everything on track. |
| B．He wanted to keep his family life stable. |
| C．He was laid off and had to make a living. |
| D．He hoped to earn a better life for the family. |
| A．Cheerful→mad→warm. |
| B．Mad→satisfied→warm. |
| C．Satisfied→worried→angry |
| D．Warm→concerned→uncomfortable. |
| A．My Dad’s Comb |
| B．Dad’s Wholesale Business |
| C．Changes of My Dad |
| D．My Earliest Memories with Dad |
3 . It was freezing winter when Dad told me that he found a delicate small bag in the snow on his way out of a doctor’s appointment. “It was filled with seeds, so I planted them in pots in the living room window that gets such great light.” Dad was excited to have a planting project in the winter. He liked tending his garden plot , which was the size of a small farm.
I now lived far away from Dad, but he reported in his daily phone calls, “These plants seem to double in size overnight. It’s only been a few weeks, and they are almost touching the ceiling.” Since Dad had green fingers, I wasn’t surprised about that. I couldn’t imagine what plant would do so well. I knew photos would not come soon because Dad had to use up the film in his camera and then developed the pictures.
During one call, Dad said, “Today at work, one of my co-workers was wearing a T-shirt with a screen-printed picture of the same leaf as my mysterious houseplants. I told him that I had those same herbs, which were growing like weeds, and I had to get rid of them.” Dad continued, “He eagerly took them off my hands, and now I can see out the window again.”
This awakened my curiosity, and I decided to do some research. In those days, that meant going to the library’s reference section. I did some reading and photocopied some articles. I mailed them to my father.
Dad called, “I just couldn’t believe what I read in the papers you sent. Those pictures are exactly what my plants looked like. No wonder my co-worker was so willing to take them.”
We both laughed till we cried when we realized my father had just raised a harvest of precious Chinese herbs used to ease pain.
| A．Because it was the doctor’s advice. |
| B．Because he had a small farm at home. |
| C．Because it satisfied his eagerness for gardening in winter. |
| D．Because the seeds would bring him rich rewards. |
| A．The type of the plant. | B．The herbs’ growing quickly. |
| C．Dad’s efforts to tend the seeds. | D．A planting project in the winter. |
| A．He had little interest in the plants. | B．He recognized the value of the plants. |
| C．He desired to learn from the author’s dad. | D．He wanted to show his knowledge about plants. |
| A．A precious Chinese herb | B．Window scenery |
| C．Helpful co-worker | D．An Innocent gardener |
4 . In the town of Willowbrook, two friends named Emma and Liam shared an intimate bond. They were inseparable and spent every moment together, laughing, exploring, and creating unforgettable memories.
One cold winter morning, Emma woke up with a stuffy nose and a sore throat. She tried to brave it and get ready for school, but her body felt weak and achy. Unwillingly, she called Liam to let him know she couldn’t make it to school that day.
Liam was concerned when he heard the tiredness in Emma’s voice. “Don’t worry, Em. I’ll take care of everything at school for you,” he assured her. Feeling grateful for Liam’s understanding, Emma forced a smile and replied, “Thank you, Liam. You’re the best friend anyone could ask for.”
After school, Liam hurried to Emma’s house, carrying a meal he had prepared for her. He knocked on the door, and Emma’s mother welcomed him with a warm smile. “Oh, Liam, you’re such a thoughtful friend,” she said.
“I brought some soup and tea for Emma. I hope it will make her feel better,” Liam replied, some concern in his eyes. Entering Emma’s room, Liam found her pale but relieved to see him. “I brought some comfort food to cheer you up,” he said, setting the food on her bedside table.
Emma’s eyes lit up, and she smiled weakly. “Thank you. This means the world to me,” she whispered. Sitting by her side, Liam kept her company, chatting softly and making her laugh. The warmth of their friendship enveloped the room, bringing a feeling of comfort to Emma’s tired soul.
As Emma regained her strength, she realized how lucky she was to have a friend like Liam. Their friendship grew stronger with each passing day, and from that moment on, they knew they would be there for each other through thick and thin.
1. What does the underlined word “intimate” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Close. | B．Informal. | C．Satisfactory. | D．Temporary. |
| A．She was in bad shape. | B．Liam failed to pick her up. |
| C．It was too cold to go outside. | D．School was closed for the heavy snow. |
| A．Brave but lazy. | B．Selfless and active. |
| C．Considerate and caring. | D．Independent but weak. |
| A．A friend is a second self. | B．A faithful friend is hard to find. |
| C．A friend is easier lost than found. | D．A true friend is forever a friend. |
5 . Johnny Agar had always dreamed of competing in triathlons (铁人三项赛) as an athlete. Unfortunately, he’d been diagnosed with cerebral palsy (大脑性瘫痪) shortly after he was born. This disorder makes it difficult for the now-28-year-old to get around. However, he and his father are proving that where there’s a will — and a lot of love — there’s a way!
Jeff Agar, 59, is helping Johnny experience life to the fullest by entering triathlons by his side. As a team, they’ve completed over 200 races, including a full ironman triathlon that required them to swim, bike and run 140 miles in just 17 hours.
“I’m not a fan of triathlon,” Jeff joked. “I’m doing it not because I love it. This is Johnny’s dream and I’m giving him the legs and the power to do it.” Although Jeff typically provides the majority of the manpower, it was important for Johnny to cross the finish line on his own legs. “Walking in races was my way of telling Dad, ‘Okay, I’m not just going to say thank-you anymore; I’m going to actually put words into action,’” Johnny said.
Johnny and his dad now form Team Agar, using their story and the power of motivational speaking to inspire others. “When we completed that 140-mile Ironman together, it had an amazing impact on many people who had seen our story. We began to see that competing isn’t just about us crossing the finish line; it’s about helping others leave uncertainty in the dust — even those facing greater obstacles than we did.”
Earlier this month, they received some incredible news. They were invited to compete in one of the toughest triathlons: the Ironman World Championship! What made the occasion even more special was a pre-recorded video message from Johnny’s idol, athlete Peyton Manning. “Rumor has it that you’re a big fan of mine,” Peyton said, “I’m a big fan of yours as well! You guys are incredible; you’re a true inspiration.”
1. What can we learn about Jeff from the text?| A．He has a great passion for triathlons. |
| B．He is upset about Johnny’s severe illness. |
| C．He goes all out to help his son achieve his ambition. |
| D．He crosses the finish line with his son in competitions. |
| A．To give motivation to other people. | B．To encourage more people to join them. |
| C．To make themselves more competitive. | D．To participate in more competitions as a team. |
| A．Peyton will record more videos of Johnny and Jeff. |
| B．Jeff and Johnny have influenced people positively. |
| C．Johnny and Jeff have been getting along well with Peyton. |
| D．Peyton has provided Johnny with material assistance. |
| A．An Old Father’s Love for Triathlons |
| B．A Disabled Competitor Works Wonders |
| C．Dad Helps Son With Cerebral Palsy Achieve His Dream |
| D．Great Achievements Made by Dad and Son in Sports |
6 . Moving back in with your parents as an adult isn’t an easy decision, but sometimes it’s necessary. Maybe it’s convenient. Maybe you’re going through a tough time and need extra support from your parents.
Create your exit plan. After settling into your parents’ house, make a plan for how and when you hope to move out. Your parents will probably want to know how long you intend to stay.
Set boundaries. While living with your parents, be sure to set boundaries. It’s a powerful tool that fosters an environment of respect and understanding. Maintain your privacy by asking your parents to knock before entering your room. Keep your parents out of your private life.
Maintain your routine. If you are having trouble setting boundaries, create a routine to help you get out of the house, especially if you work from home and your parents are retired.
| A．Be kind to your parents. |
| B．Contribute to the household. |
| C．Don’t forget that your parents have boundaries too. |
| D．And a plan may motivate you to keep reaching your goals. |
| E．Having that much family time can be a hotbed of conflict. |
| F．When living with family, it can be hard to find private moments. |
| G．Whatever the reason, it can be a challenge for everyone involved. |
7 . How to Make Friends at a New School
Starting with a new school can be difficult. Everything seems to be different, and you don’t even know where to go for your own classes.
Remember to be nice to the people you meet at your new school. If you think that you will say something that may make them feel sad, do not say anything and just nod your head if they talk to you. Also, remember to be as helpful as possible!
Believe in yourselfA smile goes a long way. When you walk in the halls, don’t keep your eyes on the floor. Raise your head and make eye contact with other people.
You like it when people use your name, and so do other people.
| A．Be friendly to others. |
| B．Making new friends can be hard, too. |
| C．Join after-school activities like |
| D．Never change what you are to try and fit in. |
| E．If you see someone you know, smile or say “Hi”. |
| F．People may become angry if you just begin by saying ”Hey“ each time. |
| G．Don ‘t sit at the back of the classroom where other people don’t notice you! |
8 . It’s dinner time. Susan Green sets the table. Her husband Michael and two children take their seats at the table, and an awkward silence descends (降临). 14-year-old Carolyn plays restlessly with a fork, while 16-year-old Billy frowns(皱眉) at the dish in front of him. Meanwhile, Michael reaches absently for an object that isn’t there, an unmistakable look of disappointment on his face. The Greens are experiencing their first evening without electronic devices (电子设备 ), as part of a month-long experiment to see if going without technology will make them a happier family.
The use of electronic devices has increased greatly over the past 10 years, and recent studies suggest that they may be responsible for decreased levels of happiness. Susan Green had noticed these worrying tendencies in her own family. “I was often telling Billy to turn off his game and go and get some fresh air, or Carolyn to stop chatting with her friends and get some sleep. What worried me more is that when they invited their friends over, I would find them all sitting together looking at their phones and not talking,” she says.
Susan’s concerns made her carry out her own research into the issue. When she came across an article in a weekend newspaper about people who gave up using electronic devices for a month, she was eager to try it with her own family. However, she realised that it was going to take more than reading an article to persuade them. “I found some of the research mentioned in the article very worrying, but I doubted if my family would be convinced, ” she says. “But I wanted to avoid financial rewards(金钱奖励), as they felt a bit too individualistic.” In the end, the promise of a fun family day out at a theme park persuaded the Greens to go tech-free for a whole month.
The Green family’s experiment is now over, but they have made a promise to try and stick to some of the rules that they established during their tech-free month. Susan feels delighted with the results of the experiment and is certain that it helped her to achieve her aim of improving her family’s happiness.
1. Why did everybody at the table seem unhappy?| A．They didn’t like the food. |
| B．Someone argued with the others. |
| C．Someone was absent from this family gathering. |
| D．They were experiencing an evening without technology. |
| A．They had fallen behind with their studies. |
| B．They failed to get on with their friends. |
| C．They were afraid to talk when being in front of others. |
| D．They were glued to their screens when being with their friends. |
| A．By reading them an article. |
| B．By promising them a day out at a park. |
| C．By providing financial rewards for them. |
| D．By introducing them to people with similar issues. |
| A．Technology has never been far from us |
| B．A tech-free month helps improve a family’s happiness |
| C．Parents show understanding of their children’s media use |
| D．Happiness in the digital age is never an individual matter |
9 . My grandma, Elena, pulled me on stage for our routine to entertain the crowd. At five years old, I needed no encouragement to perform. Like my grandma, formerly a professional dancer, I loved the spotlight, and soon became addicted to the applause (鼓掌).
I was Grandma’s willing partner, always ready to kick off a show with her on stage. Each week, Grandma came to my parents’ home so that we could practice our performances. “Choose whatever you like,” Grandma said. “You can wear whatever you want.”
Grandma didn’t mind at all if I chose to wear high-heeled shoes on stage. To her, I was a natural performer. Wearing them was simply considered as artistic expression. On my first night on stage, I dressed up as Madonna in a white skirt, singing a song of her and I won many praises.
One year, after being attracted by the movie 101 Dalmatians, I decided to act Cruella de Vil, a role in it. Performing on the stage with my black frock (连衣裙), a handbag and a cigarette holder, I enjoyed the audience’s laughter, and it was like music to my ears. “You’re a natural actor,” Grandma said after the show.
Today, I always perform at the hugely popular theatre. Going up on stage feels like being at home. That’s how I make a living and I find the place where I belong. In July this year, I headed to the Gold Coast, where Grandma lives. Now 95 and still my biggest fan, she saw me perform my new act for the first time and loved it.
She has been my lifelong inspiration and support, but I can never repay her. She always loved me for who I was and now, I’m finally the person who I was always meant to be.
1. What can we know about the author from the text?| A．She lived with her grandma. | B．She has liked performing since young. |
| C．She always refused to go on the stage. | D．She learned to dance from her grandma. |
| A．She supported it. | B．She punished her. |
| C．She bought her a skirt. | D．She paid no attention to it. |
| A．An actor. | B．A teacher. | C．A doctor. | D．A manager. |
| A．To memorize her experiences. | B．To show her achievements. |
| C．To record her childhood. | D．To thank her grandma. |
10 . Parents often believe that they have a good relationship with their teenagers. But last summer, Joanna and Henry noticed a change in their older son. Suddenly he seemed to be talking far more to his friends than to his parents. “The door to his room is always shut,” Joanna noted.
Tina and Mark noticed similar changes in their 14-year-old daughter. “She used to cuddle up (依偎) against me on the sofa and talk,” said Mark. “Now we joke that she does this only when she wants something. Sometimes she wants to be treated like a little girl and sometimes like a young lady. The problem is understanding which time is which.”
Before age 11, children like to tell their parents what’s on their mind. “In fact, parents are first on the list,” said Michael Riera, author of Uncommon Sense for Parents with Teenagers. “This completely changes during the teen years,” Riera explained. “They talk to their friends first, then maybe their teachers, and their parents last.”
Parents who know what’s going on in their teenagers’ lives are in the best position to help them. To break down the wall of silence, parents should create chances to understand what their children want to say, and try to find ways to talk and write to them. And they must give their children a mental (思想的) break, for children also need freedom, though young. Another thing parents should remember is that to be a friend, not a manager, with their children is a better way to know them.
1. “The door to his room is always shut” suggests that the son ________.| A．keeps himself away from his parents | B．begins to dislike his parents |
| C．is always busy with his study | D．doesn’t want to be ignored |
| A．Their daughter isn’t as lovely as before. |
| B．They can’t read their daughter’s mind exactly. |
| C．They don’t know what to say to their daughter. |
| D．Their daughter talks with them only when she needs help. |
| A．Teenagers talk a lot with their friends. | B．Teenagers do not understand their parents. |
| C．Teenagers talk little about their own lives. | D．Teenagers do not talk much with their parents. |
| A．Parents shouldn’t be angry with teenagers. |
| B．Parents have to talk with children face to face. |
| C．Parents are unhappy with their growing children. |
| D．Parents should try to understand their teenagers. |
