1 . I did return to college. But the pressure of a full-time job and college classes was hard to bear.
One Friday afternoon, a co-worker asked about my weekend plans. I tried to avoid these conversations because I had no money and schoolwork was demanding. To prevent any further conversation, I said, “Oh, I am taking a mini vacation, just a little weekend holiday.” There was surprise but no further conversation.
“What a cheat I am,” I thought. “And they will want details on Monday. It will just stress me more when they all find out that I lied.”
On the long drive home from work, I made a plan. I could pretend I was on vacation and never go anywhere. At home, I pulled down all the shades, checked my messages and shut off the phone. Then I jumped in the shower and put on sweats. With some snacks in my easy reach, I took out three books that I had been anxious to read for the past months. “Well, I am on vacation. This can be my imaginary holiday. I will check in with the world on Monday morning,” I said to myself. Then I cracked open the first book. By Sunday evening, I was well into the third book.
When the alarm went off on Monday morning, I dressed, had breakfast and went to work. I was busy when several co-workers came by. “Wow,” they said, “you must have had a great vacation. You look so rested.” It wasn’t until then that I realized I wasn't stressed anymore.
“Maybe,” I told them, “it was just an imaginary holiday.” They laughed and went off to their desks.
I did graduate from college eventually and got a job with some paid vacation. But I still take imaginary holidays where I turn off the phone and electronics, tell everyone that I will be “away” and spend a weekend reading.
I have decided that imaginary holidays are one way I can take care of myself. Perhaps that was part of my college education.
1. How did the author feel when talking about weekend plans?A.Grateful. | B.Surprised. | C.Excited. | D.Embarrassed. |
A.She went on a mini vacation. | B.She buried herself in reading. |
C.She checked in with the world. | D.She took a virtual trip overseas. |
A.Tired. | B.Refreshed. | C.Stressed. | D.Imaginative. |
A.An imaginary holiday | B.My college education |
C.An embarrassing experience | D.The importance of vacation |
2 . The tradition of birthday parties started a long time ago. People thought that there was a special danger from evil spirits, so friends and family came together to bring good thoughts and wishes and even presents.
In many English-speaking countries, a twenty-first birthday cake often has a key on top.
In the past in parts of Europe, men who reached the age of thirty and were still single, had to clean the stairs of the City Hall. This way every girl could see that the man didn't have a girlfriend.
After the age of thirty, many people prefer to forget their birthdays rather than celebrate them...children often bring Mum(or Dad)breakfast in bed.
A.Birthday traditions are around the world. |
B.At one time, only kings had birthday parties. |
C.Or the cake itself is sometimes in the shape of a key. |
D.It's traditional to give flowers and enjoy a special meal. |
E.Family members put many sweets on the birthday cake. |
F.They could also see how good he was at cleaning the house! |
G.Others are more specific to certain ages and certain countries. |
3 . Holidays
Holiday News Vacancies(空位) now and in the school holidays at a country hotel in Devon. This comfortable, friendly home-from-home lies near the beautiful quiet countryside, but just a drive away from the sea. The food is simple but good. Children and pets are welcome. Reduced prices for low season. |
The Snowdonia Centre The Snowdonia Centre for young mountain climbers has a mountain climbing lesson. The beginners’ costs are £57 for a week, including food and rooms. Equipment is included except walking shoes, which can be hired at a low cost. You must be in good health and prepared to go through a period of body exercises. This could be the beginning of a lifetime of mountain climbing adventure. |
The World Sea Trip of a Lifetime Our World Sea Trip of 2008 will be unlike any holiday you have ever been on before. Instead of one hotel after another, with all its packing and unpacking, waiting and traveling, you just go to bed in one country and wake up in another. On board the ship, you will be well taken care of. Every meal will be first-class and every cabin like your home. During the trip, you can rest on deck(甲板), enjoy yourself in the games rooms and in the evening dance to our musical team and watch our wonderful play. You will visit all the places most people only dream about — from Acapulco and Hawaii to Tokoy and Hong Kong. For a few thousand pounds, all you’ve ever hoped for can be yours. |
A.Choose the holiday in Devon. | B.Go to the Snowdonia Centre. |
C.Join the World Sea Trip of 2008. | D.Visit Acapulco and Hawaii. |
A.It provides chances of family gatherings. | B.It provides customers with good food. |
C.It offers a sports lesson. | D.It offers comfortable rooms. |
A.You can have free meals on deck every day. |
B.You can sleep on a ship and tour many places. |
C.You will have chances to watch and act in a play. |
D.You have to do your own packing and unpacking. |
Annie was
5 . Valentine’s Day had arrived. My husband, Roy, planned a
After a hard day at work, I
The entire evening was
When we arrived back home, Becky was
I don’t know if a pillow can hold magic,
A.trip | B.date | C.party | D.vacation |
A.set | B.bought | C.reserved | D.borrowed |
A.left | B.moved | C.stayed | D.hurried |
A.excited | B.worried | C.awkward | D.surprised |
A.smart | B.happy | C.awkward | D.surprised |
A.box | B.table | C.dress | D.present |
A.cold | B.quite | C.beautiful | D.bittersweet |
A.fear | B.anger | C.disappointment | D.embarrassment |
A.described | B.doubted | C.remembered | D.explained |
A.before | B.after | C.until | D.because |
A.hurt | B.loved | C.hated | D.influenced |
A.sitting | B.kneeling | C.sleeping | D.standing |
A.everything | B.something | C.anything | D.nothing |
A.smile | B.sigh | C.nod | D.cry |
A.or | B.so | C.for | D.but |
6 . Our wedding was about to begin. My throat was tight and my cheeks got red, but I didn't care. I was ready to marry David Sanchez. We're a “nontraditional” couple: getting married in a bookstore that supports a charity to fight HIV and homelessness.
“Kim! I could walk you down the aisle (走道) if you like!” David's father offered gently.
“I'm OK. But I appreciate that,” I said with a smile. And I was reminded, again, of my dad's absence.
My father died of cancer six weeks ago. For the last two months, we tried to make him feel comfortable and loved as he departed from this world. He always told us that he didn't like a funeral (葬礼) and insisted that our wedding go forward as planned. But how could we honor him since the wedding would be the first time the family would gather after his death and some even didn't know he was sick?
During the ceremony, my dear friend Eva delivered a reading entitled “When Things Go Missing” by Kathryn Schulz. She paused and got everyone on the same page, “When we are experiencing it, loss often feels like confusion in the usual order of things. In fact, the entire plan of the universe consists of losing, and life amounts to a reverse (逆向的) savings account in which we are eventually robbed of everything.”
I felt the energy full of the room. Everyone was listening. By choosing to accept the pain, we knew what a wedding does to join two families and mark the next chapter for a couple. Loss became a compass that kept us away from a fantasy and toward celebrating the difficult realities of life.
After rings were exchanged, fried chicken was served, our friends offered so many funny and touching toasts, and finally David sang “Married” on my father's guitar. I felt joy filling all the holes in my soul. Celebrating my father's life at our wedding made me grateful for all the time I had spent with him.
1. Why did David's father offer to walk the author down the aisle?A.To relieve her tension. |
B.To welcome her to his family. |
C.To play the author's late father's role. |
D.To contribute something to the charity. |
A.She got a compass as a wedding gift. |
B.She enjoyed David's promise for their marriage. |
C.She received more sympathy from families and friends. |
D.She recalled the days spent with her father and understood life better. |
A.Because she could keep away from the pain. |
B.Because she knew everyone was listening. |
C.Because she got more courage for the marriage and life. |
D.Because she could read a piece of Kathryn Schulz's works. |
A.It was held in a library. |
B.It was a touching and happy one. |
C.Kim and David turned it into a funeral. |
D.There was no other activity except reading. |
7 . When the leaves begin to change colors,it means one thing for many travelers:Fall festival season is here.If you’re interested in visiting a fall festival in America,here are some of the country’s best fall festivals for you to choose from.
Wellfleet Oysterfest
Wellileet Oysterfest is a two-day event held in Wellfleet,Mass.The meeting on Cape Cod is one that the locals look forward to all year long.Feed on oysters(牡蛎)and other seafood,while you watch the fastest oyster-eaters in the world compete in the famous Oyster Shuck-Off,a competition for taking the outer covering of oysters.The competition is taken very seriously.
Harvest on the Harbor
It takes place in Portland,Maine.The festival celebrates all that is best about Maine’s food and wine.This celebration is held every October,and includes the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year Competition and Savory Samplings at the Marketplace.The latter allows travelers to taste the best local food that Maine has to offer at Casco Bay.
Killington Hay Festival
If you’re looking for a fall festival that includes hay sculptures(干草雕塑),take part in the yearly Killington Hay Festival.When you begin to see the giant hay sculptures,you’ll know you’ve arrived.Past sculptures have changed from a 20-foot-tall kangaroo to a family of penguins.
1. What can we learn about the meeting on Cape Cod?A.It takes place twice a year. | B.It lasts three days in all. |
C.It’s loved by the locals. | D.It’s not open to tourists. |
A.People who want to go to a festival in November. |
B.People who want to try Maine’s local food. |
C.The fastest oyster-eaters worldwide, |
D.The best cooks around the world. |
A.They all serve seafood. | B.They are all liked by eaters. |
C.They all last for two days. | D.They all take place in fall. |
8 . Halloween falls on the 31st of October every year. If you want to celebrate, you have a lot of options You can throw a party with friends and family, decorate for the season, or participate in events around your town.
Throw a party. You can host a costume party where everyone needs to wear their costumes. Part of the fun of Halloween is dressing up. If you want, you can even have a contest where guests can compete for different titles like"Scariest Costume","Funniest Costume", and so on.
Bob for apples. Bobbing for apples is a classic Halloween tradition that many people love. Simply place some apples in a bucket of water and have guests try to lift them out only with their mouths.
Watch scary movies. You can have a movie screening at your party. Show your favorite scary movies that are perfect for the season to get you in the Halloween spirit.
A.You can also try making your own Halloween-themed baked food. |
B.Make Halloween candies. |
C.This can be fun if you want a more light-hearted holiday party instead of something scary. |
D.Provide Halloween treats. |
E.With some preparation and planning, you and your loved ones can enjoy a fun and cheerful Halloween. |
F.Remember, not everyone likes dressing up. |
G.You need to make sure everyone dresses up. |
A.To ask to borrow some CDs. |
B.To ask whether Bill can come to the party. |
C.To pass on some information about the party. |
10 . In the UK,Mother’s Day is traditionally known as Mothering Sunday.
1. Stay Out of the Public Eyes
There actually aren’t a ton of things on this special day.
2. Give Flowers to Their Mums
Since the beginning of the Mothering Sunday holiday,children have given their mums flowers,and small gifts,and the royal family sticks with this tradition.
3. Release Photos to the Public
Although this doesn’t happen every year,the royal family have been known to release unseen photos to the public on Mother’s Day.For example,Prince William and his family released an adorable family photo on Mother’s Day back in 2014 when it was just little Prince George and his parents.In 2018,the royal family unveiled(揭开)a never-before-seen picture of Queen Elizabeth II and her family-including all of her children and husband Prince Philip-at their more private residence,Frog more,from 1965.
4. Spend Time With Their Mothers
A.Like all children try and do,the royal family spend time with their respective mothers on this special day |
B.In fact,they just stay out of the public eyes and spend time with family |
C.We also have more choices to make as for what to buy on mother’s day |
D.It’s basically our version of Facebook photos |
E.Though cards and gifts have made their way into the celebration in more recent years |
F.And while the royals may hold various activities to celebrate the special day |
G.Royal family members would rather go to church to celebrate the occasion quietly |