1 . My father was attached to gardening by birth. One of my earliest memories is following Dad barefoot around in the garden with both hands blackened from digging (挖) in the soil. The garden is a wonderland full of possibilities.
As Dad grew older, he still loved gardening. Even when he was diagnosed with cancer, he still planted all sorts of plants. Sometimes, I would come over to visit. and we would walk together in the garden. But then something changed. Like the weeds that took over his garden, the cancer grew rapidly in Dad. I stayed with Dad twenty-four hours a day and I found myself in all kinds of uncomfortable situations with Dad until I promised to look after the garden.
Though I had heard the words of the doctor, what really made me believe that Dad was dying was the state of his garden. That year, he only planted tomatoes. Too tired to weed them, he just tied them with strong strings (绳子) to the fence and let them be. It made me sad to see them ignored, so I would come over and water them once in a while, and remove the weeds. I still remember the day I picked the last tomato from the vine (藤). That day was one of the saddest I had ever experienced in my life.
Three years ago, I decided to plant my own garden. I decided I would start out with a few tomatoes. That morning when I moved to the garden, something caught the corner of my eyes and I had to smile. It was my eight-year-old son Nathan, standing barefoot in the soil, happily playing in the soil.
1. Why did the author like his father’s garden when he was a child?| A．It was a field that produced much food. |
| B．It was a wonderful place with unexpected surprise. |
| C．It was a place where he got educated. |
| D．It was a piece of land covered with black soil. |
| A．His son. | B．His illness. | C．His garden. | D．His grandson. |
| A．That the garden wasn’t taken good care of by his father. |
| B．His communication with his father. |
| C．The condition of his father. |
| D．The words of the doctor. |
| A．He remembered his father. | B．He thought of the food he would get. |
| C．His son showed interest in the garden. | D．He could look after his own garden. |
2 . As a child, there was nothing I liked better than Sunday afternoons at my grandfather’s farm in western Pennsylvania. Surrounded by miles of winding stone walls, the house and field provided endless hours of fun for a city kid like me.
Since my first visit to the farm, I had wanted more than anything to be allowed to climb the stone walls surrounding the houses. My parents would never agree because the walls were so old that some stones were loose and falling. However, my idea to climb across those walls grew so strong that finally I had all my courage to enter the living room, where the adults had gathered after Sunday dinner.
“I want to climb the stone walls.” I said. “Heavens, no! You’ll hurt yourself!” The response was just as I’d expected. But before I left the room, I was stopped by my grandfather’s loud voice. “Now hold on just a minute.”I heard him say. “Let the boy climb the stone walls. He has to learn to do things for himself.”
“Go,” he said to me, “and come and see me when you get back. ”For the next two and a half hours I climbed those old walls—and had the time of my life. Later I met with my grandfather to tell him about my adventures. I’ll never forget what he said. “Fred,” he said, smiling, “you made this day a special day just by being yourself. Always remember, there’s only one person in this whole world like you, and I like you exactly as you are.”
Many years have passed since then, and today I host the television program Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, seen by millions of children throughout America. There have been changes over the years, but one thing remains the same: my message to children at the end of almost every visit. ”There’s only one person in this whole world like you,“ the kids will hear me say, ”and people can like you exactly as you are.
1. Why did the writer enjoy his visits to the farm?| A．There were old stone houses. | B．He could experience new fun there. |
| C．He missed his grandfather. | D．He was allowed to climb the stone walls. |
| A．The writer didn’t expect his parents’ disagreement with his climbing the walls. |
| B．The writer didn’t know the possible danger of the stone walls. |
| C．The writer’s grandfather backed him up to follow his own heart. |
| D．The writer became a TV program host due to his grandfather’s influence. |
| A．Adventurous. | B．Open-minded. |
| C．Tricky. | D．Stubborn. |
| A．Unforgettable Childhood. | B．Do Whatever You Like. |
| C．Just Be Yourself. | D．Like grandfather, like grandson. |
3 . Yesterday we said goodbye to my grandfather. He was 96 years old and he was my last grandparent.
It has been a while since I saw my grandpa in person. I think he only met my youngest Lilly once. It kind of pains me to think that I deprived(剥夺)my children of the chance to know their only great-grandparent. But I didn’t want them to know or remember a very old man, incapable of getting down on his knees to play with them, and laughing with them because he can’t hear what they’re saying. That’s not the grandfather I know.
My grandfather never stopped. He was an early-adopter to have a laptop-type-device long before Apple was a houschold word and he was programming video games for grandkids to play before most people knew what programming was. He kept physically fit every day of his life. In his later years, he kept busy playing tennis, ballroom dancing, swimming, bicycling. In the end, he didn’t lose a battle to any disease. His body simply could not go on anymore.
I feel extremely thankful to have had the opportunity to know my grandfather. Intentional or not, he taught me many lessons. My grandfather taught me to waterski when I was 5 years old and he taught me how to surf about a decade after that. Whenever I thought it’s too late for me to study a language or get better at piano, he made it clear that it’s only my fear holding me back, not age.
These lessons make life meaningful to me. I prefer to think of them as lessons for living a positive life that leaves a positive impression on me. That is something I will strive to do. Thanks to my grandfather, I have a pretty good blueprint to follow. So I guess the best thing I can offer my children to feel connected to that man is the lessons I learned from him.
1. Why did the author seldom take kids to their disabled great-grandfather?| A．To promote the kids’ independence. |
| B．To keep the old man living a quiet life. |
| C．To prevent the kids from being frightened. |
| D．To avoid the kids having a bad impression of him. |
| A．By eating apples everyday. | B．By playing with little kids. |
| C．By living a simple life. | D．By keeping exercising. |
| A．He was a surfing instructor. | B．He was very encouraging. |
| C．He did everything with an intention. | D．He studied a new language in his old age. |
| A．Memories of My Grandfather | B．Winning a Battle to Disease |
| C．Connecting the Generations | D．Impression of My Childhood |
4 . Kyle Semrau came home on the morning of April 12 after an overnight shift feeling light-headed. He told his wife he would be laying low for the day, joined by his 6-year-old daughter, Macie.
On a normal day, Macie would have been at school, but that particular morning she had refused to even get dressed for school, so she stayed home. It turns out that her unexplained want to stay home was for the best.
Later in the day. Semrau collapsed from a medical event that caused him to slip in and out of consciousness. Macie learned her dad was in trouble when she heard him yelling. In a moment while Semrau was conscious, Macie asked her dad for his phone passcode so she could unlock the device. She logged in, opened the browser, and phoned the local police department.
Macie relayed the relevant information, including their address, to Judy Smith, the Eliot Police Department’s administrative assistant who answered the phone.
“That’s really lucky,” Semrau told Boston 25 News. “I still have it saved. If you open up my browser, that’s the way it is spelled, ‘Elliot poliz’. She pushed the call button, which actually goes right to the dispatcher (调度员) here in town.”
The police arrived two minutes after Macie called.
Semrau’s medical emergency was due to issues with his sinuses (鼻窦炎), which led to difficulty breathing, according to Seacoast Online. He is now home and doing well.
“If I can say anything about this whole experience, it’s for everyone to teach kids about awareness. If I hadn’t taught my daughter certain things she wouldn’t learn in school, this outcome could have been completely different,” Semrau told Boston. com. “She is, and will always be my hero.”
1. Why did Macie skip school that day?| A．She foresaw an accident. | B．She intended to have a rest. |
| C．She did that for no reason. | D．She wanted to help her father. |
| A．Calm and capable. | B．Talented and skillful. |
| C．Brave and respectful. | D．Careful and considerate. |
| A．The web browser. | B．Semrau’s address in the city. |
| C．Semrau’s telephone. | D．The phone number of the police. |
| A．Her strong love for her father. |
| B．What she had learned at school. |
| C．The awareness taught by her father. |
| D．Her previous similar experience. |
5 . My father loves his garden. He planted some seeds in it. But at that time, I didn’t understand why working in the dirt excited him so much.
Unfortunately, in early May, my father was seriously injured in an accident. He had to stay in bed for a while. My mother had several business trips, so she couldn’t take care of the garden. I didn’t want my father to worry, so I said that I would take care of his garden until he recovered. I assumed that the little plants would continue to grow as long as they had water, and luckily it rained fairly often, so I didn’t think much about the garden.
One Saturday morning, my father said to me, “Christine, the vegetables should be about ready to be picked. Let’s have a salad today!” I went out to the garden and was upset to see that many of the lettuce leaves and carrots had been half eaten by bugs. There were hundreds of bugs all over them!
I panicked for a moment but then I quietly went to the nearest store to buy some vegetables. When I gave the salad to him, he said, “Oh, Christine, what a beautiful salad! I can’t believe the carrots are this big already. You must be taking very good care of my garden.” I felt a little bit guilty.
Coming home, my mother saw the bag from the supermarket in the kitchen. I was embarrassed, and I admitted Dad wanted a salad but the garden was a disaster. I didn’t want to disappoint him so I went to the store. She laughed but promised to help me in the garden and weeks later I was finally able to pick some vegetables.
I carefully made a salad and took it to my father. He looked at it with a hint of a smile, “Christine, the carrots are smaller in this salad, but they taste better.”
Now, I better understand how putting a lot of effort into caring for something can help you appreciate the results more, however small they may be. Perhaps this was one of the reasons for my father’s love of gardening.
1. Why did Christine originally promise she would do the gardening?| A．She was asked by her father to do it. | B．She was interested in growing vegetables. |
| C．She knew it was important to her father. | D．She wanted to improve her gardening skills. |
| A．Insects destroyed the lettuce and carrots. | B．Animals often dug holes in the garden. |
| C．The plants were given too much water. | D．The vegetables were marked incorrectly. |
| A．Her mother helped her to buy the vegetables. |
| B．Her mother regularly helped her to make a salad. |
| C．Her father couldn’t see the progress of the vegetables in his garden. |
| D．Her father went on a business trip at that time. |
| A．Always get ready for a rainy day. | B．Don’t be disappointed by bugs. |
| C．Working alone produces results. | D．Hard work can often be rewarding. |
6 . An important part of raising your children is teaching them good manners as it helps them be more successful in life.
Saying “thank you” to service workers
Saying “thank you” is the base of all good manners but these days many children overlook thanking the people that help them in many little ways each day, like wait staff, store clerks, and bus drivers. It’s not just about politeness but about teaching children to recognize and acknowledge others’ contributions as valuable.
Taking turns talking
Teach your children to touch your arm and then wait patiently for you to acknowledge(理会)them before speaking. If they do interrupt, calmly tell them it’s rude to interrupt and let them know you’ll acknowledge them shortly.
Using their indoor voices
Covering a cough or sneeze
These days it’s more important than ever to teach children to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow. It’s not just a matter of hygiene(卫生)——no one enjoys getting sprayed.
| A．Remember it goes both ways. |
| B．Therefore it makes others feel cared about. |
| C．Games are very important for children’s good manners. |
| D．Crying, laughing, or just talking, children can be very loud. |
| E．Lacking basic manners will affect kids in all areas of their lives. |
| F．It is also a way to help others feel safe and comfortable around you. |
| G．Eventually it’s about teaching them not to treat others as their servants. |
7 . It was another day of class. As the students practiced parkour (跑酷), a mother and her child walked past. “What are they doing, mum?” the child asked. “They are putting themselves in danger and it is something I will never want you to do,” the mother replied.
I drew back with worry and painful acceptance. What has happened to the natural love of movement in humans, and what will happen to the future generations when technology and convenience are controlling our daily lives?
We recently had a Parkour for Everyone workshop at Bishan. I remember very clearly when Fagan was giving instructions to a group, a young child ran up to a tall pillar (柱子) and started to climb it till a high height with a 2-metre drop. Of course, Fagan called him back due to safety concerns. But deep down, I knew a lot of us were smiling within. Such natural bravery is admired and in my opinion, is a must for achieving success in life.
Parkour is starting to get popular, but many parents do not understand it. Even I hesitate when I tell them I am a parkour coach. I can see their wonder, fear, or dislike. I get tired of explaining its life-changing benefits. Actually, there is a deeper meaning behind why parkour is practised. There is a huge surge of physical and emotional freedom that comes along with its practice.
Fortunately, times are changing. If the parents who do not like this art are positively changed by it, there will be no more doubt in the power that parkour can bring to man. My hope is that the day will come when it is common for parents to put aside electronic products and spend time moving and playing with their children in the open field. Children will grow in imagination and confidence, learning more about the spirit of play.
1. What does the author worry about?| A．Mothers’ pain. | B．Outdoor dangers. |
| C．Children’s growth. | D．Technology development. |
| A．Fangan’s responsibility. | B．The show of expected courage. |
| C．The child’s funny performance. | D．The big success of the workshop. |
| A．Increase. | B．Exchange. | C．Loss. | D．Demand. |
| A．To inspire students. | B．To describe parkour. |
| C．To express the concern. | D．To help parents change. |
8 . Some people think only school children do not agree with their parents, however, it is not true. Communication is a problem for parents and children of all ages. If it’s hard for you to communicate with your parents, don’t worry about it. Here are some suggestions for you to bridge generation gap.
Don’t argue with your parents. Don’t get to your parents when you are angry. Your parents probably won’t consider your ideas if you are shouting at them. You can’t express yourself well if you are angry. Go to some place to cool off. Make sure you understand why you are unhappy. Then think about what you want to say to your parents. If you don’t think you can speak to them at the moment, try writing a letter.
Try to reach a compromise. Perhaps you and your parents disagree on something. You can keep your disagreement and try your best to accept each other. Michael’s mother didn’t agree with him about buying a car. They argued over it, but finally they came to a compromise. Michael bought the car, but only drove it on certain days.
Of course your parents might refuse to compromise on something. In these situations, it is especially important to show love and respect to them. Showing respect will keep your relationship strong.
Talk about your values. The values of your parents are probably different from those of your own. Tell your parents what you care about, and why. Understanding your values might help them see your purposes in life.
A good relationship with your parents can make you a better and happier person. It is worth having a try.
1. From the passage we know ________ have a communication problem.| A．teachers and students | B．parents and children of all ages |
| C．parents and their school children | D．children and other people |
| A．shout at them | B．write a letter to them every time |
| C．call them on the phone | D．speak to them politely |
| A．make yourself happy | B．become angry |
| C．go away | D．make yourself quiet and relaxed |
| A．keep away from them |
| B．agree with them all the time |
| C．have a talk with them and make your values known to them |
| D．argue with them every time you have disagreements |
| A．there are serious problems in families today |
| B．parents and children have a generation gap |
| C．parents should love their children |
| D．there are some good ways to bridge the generation gap |
9 . When the phone finally stopped ringing and the house lay still with grief, I filled my home with the sweet smell of peach pie to mask the scent of worry that still lingered.
The weekend after Dad’s diagnosis (诊断), Mom had sent the same text to each concerned relative and friend: Jay was diagnosed with Pick’s disease. We are going back to the doctor for more information. Then Mom put down the phone, rubbed her forehead, and suggested that we go for a drive. On the interstate, we passed a board with clear red letters: “Fredericksburg peaches, the best fruit you can find in Central Texas.” Mom went to negotiate with the stand owner.
Now in our kitchen, the sweet smell of peach juice drifted into the living room and pulled Dad away from the football game on TV.
“Oh! You got peaches?” He eyed the fruit with childish glee (欢快).
“Here,” I handed him a knife. “We’re making peach pie.”
I showed him how to peel the skin off. As I made pie dough, he asked questions: How long does it take to bake? Are you adding sugar? How many peaches? What should I do with the seeds? Showing him how to slice and measure and mix in a calm, firm voice, I suddenly felt grown up.
The summer had reversed our roles; now, I was the adult. I stayed home all summer and cooked his dinner, washed his T-shirts and helped him make phone calls. I stayed up late thinking about him and monitored him like an anxious caretaker.
The same day, before the afternoon drive and peach pie, I had held my tears as I read the diagnosis for Pick’s disease: four to ten years, depending on how fast the damaged proteins overpower Dad’s brain. I decided then that I would be grateful for just four more years with Dad, enough for him to see me become an adult for real.
1. Why did Mom propose a ride?| A．To purchase fruits. | B．To enjoy a trip. |
| C．To release sorrow. | D．To consult the doctor. |
| A．It takes years for Dad to recover. |
| B．The author enjoys the time with Dad. |
| C．Dad shows little interest in football games. |
| D．The author gets annoyed by Dad’s questions. |
| A．Tough and confusing. | B．Boring but rewarding. |
| C．Annoying and struggling. | D．Painstaking but meaningful. |
| A．Peach Pie | B．Diagnosis for Dad |
| C．Father And Daughter | D．A Plain Summer Day |
10 . I was raised in a house where my sisters and I weren’t trusted by our mother to manage our own appearance．As a result，there were rules，and trends were largely ignored. A few years ago，I was home for a visit when my mom，now in her early 70s，called me into her bedroom．We were about ready to leave for dinner．“I don’t know what to wear,” she complained. “You girls always look so good．”
I paused in the doorway and looked at her, wondering if I’d misheard．“What do you mean?” I asked her．“You know what to wear.” “No．”she answered．“I don’t．Can you pick something?” I was so surprised．
This was the same woman who，in 1989，told my younger sister she wasn’t allowed to leave the house wearing a pair of ripped(有破洞的)jeans；the same woman who，in high school，called me while l was out at a party to ask if my hair was up．“You look better with it down，”she told me，before I could answer. I realized，suddenly, that my mother—always so strong—not only wanted my opinion，but needed it．I pulled a pair of blue jeans from the closet and a light blue sweater from her drawer. “Wear this with your black shoes，”I told her．She did. My mother certainly doesn’t need anyone to take care of her．In fact，she still cares for my grandmother who lives with her．But with that one question，my mother and I started the role reversal(转变)that happens with all parents and all children，from caregiver to receiver．
Now, if I’m visiting or we’re together, it’s rare for her to wear anything without checking with me first．But every so often，it seems like she asks me just to be able to disagree with my answer and pick out something on her own．And when she does，I just tell her what I think of the way she looks. Sometimes it’s “great”．And sometimes it’s “awful.”
1. Which of the following is true according to the passage?| A．The author was very much afraid of her mother when she was young. |
| B．The author’s mother used to give advice on her daughters’ appearance. |
| C．The author was living with her mother right now. |
| D．The author’s mother wore all the clothes chosen for her. |
| A．felt happy to do something for her mother |
| B．was worried that her mother was too old to live alone |
| C．felt surprised but came to realize that her mother needed her care |
| D．was puzzled what was suitable for her mother |
| A．sometimes chooses to follow her own ideas |
| B．always accepts her suggestions happily |
| C．is often surprised by what the author says |
| D．still shows uncertainty about what to wear |
| A．show what it is like to have a strict mother |
| B．remind readers to visit their parents often |
| C．show how the role of parents and their children change |
| D．stress her mother’s great influence on her |
