1 . My husband sat down on the bed. “Your ________ are complete ridiculous, Denise. These gifts don’t have to be perfect. The kids don’t care.”

I ________ him and kept wrapping the gifts. Each boy needed to have his own paper, and each gift ________ to be wrapped perfectly. Actually, I always ________to do everything perfectly. I suspected my entire family lived in ________ of my standards. I told myself I was just taking care of my family, but in reality I knew my ________ perfectionism wasn't doing us any good. I knew I needed to ________.

Two days later, my husband and I took our two older boys on a ________ to Matamoros, Mexico. We were going to participate in a(n) ________ known as the" Big Feed", where we'd be working in a field with strangers.

Upon arriving, we sat down and listened to the director, Ben, give his ________ about the event. “We won't stay inside although it's raining. And I have something that'll ________ that all of you stay flexible.” He ________ a small piece of cookie to each of us. “This is the Flexi-cookie. You eat it and you ________ will be flexible. Now let’s eat this cookie together.”

It tasted so ordinary, but it ________ magical ways. I worked alongside my family for two long days in a ________ field. We handed out supplies and ________ for several thousand people. My sons played games with the other children all day in the rain, and I never once ________ them up. I learned to be flexible.

Later, I muttered(嘀咕)"Fexi, Flexi" throughout the day, ________ myself that I needed to be less ________. I cannot say I've totally overcome my perfectionism, but I've made enough ________.

1.

A．attitudes

B．beliefs

C．principles

D．standards

2.

A．blamed

B．abandoned

C．ignored

D．teased

3.

A．had

B．requested

C．happened

D．asked

4.

A．agreed

B．attempted

C．failed

D．refused

5.

A．order

B．fear

C．place

D．support

6.

A．stubborn

B．curious

C．generous

D．normal

7.

A．flee

B．withdraw

C．change

D．recover

8.

A．routine

B．diet

C．dilemma

D．journey

9.

A．event

B．adventure

C．lecture

D．ceremony

10.

A．speech

B．review

C．writing

D．guess

11.

A．explain

B．guarantee

C．witness

D．assume

12.

A．showed off

B．took in

C．mixed up

D．passed out

13.

A．improperly

B．certainly

C．rarely

D．unwillingly

14.

A．occurred

B．counted

C．worked

D．mattered

15.

A．muddy

B．broad

C．comfortable

D．smooth

16.

A．prepared

B．stood

C．waited

D．cooked

17.

A．fixed

B．picked

C．brought

D．cleaned

18.

A．convincing

B．reminding

C．warning

D．promising

19.

A．patient

B．conservative

C．rigid

D．careful

20.

A．marks

B．equipment

C．progress

D．differences

2 . Although the first Fourth of July fireworks began more than 200 years ago in Philadelphia, the celebration never grows old. So whether you’re starting your family’s Fourth of July traditions or just looking for a new place to see great fireworks this Independence Day, check out our list of top places to catch magnificent fireworks displays.

Bristol, Rhode Island

Bristol is credited with having the oldest Fourth of July celebration in the country, with a 230-year history of patriotic festivities. The town’s first Independence Day celebration was held in the early 1800s, more than two centuries ago. The celebration features a concert series at Independence Park, a performance from the Drum Corps, a carnival and parade, and of course, a beautiful fireworks show over the Bristol Harbor.

New York City, New York

Macy’s annual show is the nation’s largest fireworks display with more than 40,000 fireworks and a 38-year record of extraordinary entertainment. You can view the fireworks from anywhere with open views of the sky above the East River. This fireworks show has become an American tradition, and even those who can’t make the trip out to New York City can tune into NBC at 8 p.m., July 4.

Gorham, New Hampshire

Gorham’s Fourth of July Spectacular is one of New Hampshire’s longest running Independence Day celebrations, with four days of exciting events. The fireworks show will begin after dark on July 4 in the skies over the carnival. But that’s not the end of the fun. Stick around for another day to see a classic car parade and get your fill of the carnival rides and even visit Concord enjoying the breathtaking scenery.

1. Who will be interested in the Fourth of July activities?

A．Children who mean to relax themselves with friends.

B．Volunteers who desire to do something to serve the people.

C．Teachers who want students to acquire the history of fireworks.

D．Parents who hope to develop the family’s Independence Day traditions.

2. Which place has the oldest celebration of the Independence Day?

A．Concord.

B．Bristol.

C．Gorham.

D．New York City.

3. Which of the following can be seen on TV?

A．Philadelphia’s fireworks display.	B．Gorham’s Fourth of July Spectacular.
C．Macy’s annual show in New York.	D．Bristol’s Independence Day celebration.