1 . Jiang Shumei wasn’t educated as a child, learning her first Chinese character at the age of 60. Now, the 87-year-old grandmother is the proud author of six books. She learned her first character in 1996, after her husband died in a car accident, when her daughter Zhang Ailing suggested that she learn to read to take her mind off the loneliness and sorrow.
Zhang says that her mother had her own way of learning. Whenever she came across characters she didn’t know at bus stops or shop signs, she found someone to ask. Once Jiang had learned enough characters, Zhang started giving her books to read. Enjoying the books, Jiang told her daughter that she wanted to write down her own stories to share.
She first put pen to paper in 2012, at the age of 75. It was not easy. Sometimes,completing a single sentence could take a day. Jiang usually started writing at 3 or 4 am, and revised the pieces several times until she was satisfied.
Zhang began publishing her mother’s stories on social media platforms in 2013. When Zhang and her mother drew the attention of Zhang’s writer friends, the pair made a decision to publish them. The first book, Time of Trouble, Time of Poverty, was published later that year, and proved to be a success. Some critics even praised it as the “live history of a nation plagued by tough times”. The book earned Jiang a lot of fans and sympathy.
So far, the elderly woman has published six books, totaling more than 600, 000characters in length. She lives a healthy life, exercising every day, drinking milk and soy milk, as well as having regular exercise. “If I could live as long as 130, would you still say that it is too late for me to start after 60?” she asks, jokingly.
1. Why did Jiang learn to read in her later years?A.To become a proud author. |
B.To make up for not going to school. |
C.To encourage her friends and families. |
D.To reduce the impact of her husband’s death. |
A.A strong inner desire. | B.The attention from other writers. |
C.Her daughter’s encouragement. | D.The development of social media. |
A.Aided. | B.Enlarged. | C.Troubled. | D.Defeated. |
A.One is never too old to learn. |
B.All roads lead to Rome. |
C.Where there is life, there is love. |
D.Gold can’t be pure and man can’t be perfect. |
2 . In a huge building after a long day work, I found myself standing next to a young man with a nice
We exchanged
I called her right away. Later, she
“Maybe he knows of you before because you are
A.personality | B.smile | C.attitude | D.voice |
A.proved | B.replied | C.showed | D.defined |
A.styles | B.stories | C.lectures | D.methods |
A.job | B.school | C.building | D.home |
A.narrow | B.personal | C.good | D.powerful |
A.cheating | B.dreaming | C.competing | D.pretending |
A.buy | B.make | C.have | D.rent |
A.increase | B.waste | C.pair | D.share |
A.cake | B.music | C.wood | D.paper |
A.found | B.told | C.became | D.asked |
A.relatives | B.friends | C.families | D.roommates |
A.well-trained | B.well-balanced | C.well-known | D.well-educated |
A.spirit | B.time | C.goal | D.design |
A.future | B.heart | C.honour | D.trust |
A.effective | B.helpful | C.skillful | D.creative |
By the time we reached the airport, my mother was angry. “We’re going to be late,”she said as she pulled into the newly opened parking area.
My husband David and I had come to pick up my oldest son, who had flown to spend theNew Year with the family. As always, Mom had insisted on driving us to the airport.
We picked a lane (车道) that didn’t look too busy. When our turn came, Mom rolled down her window to grab the parking ticket from the machine. We watched and waited for the gate to lift so we could drive through. Instead, we heard a voice,“Please take the ticket.”“Give me a minute,”Mom answered.
It’s a well-known fact that I often talk to myself. So does my mother. So at that time, Ididn’t think anything of my mother’s words.
The machine sounded again. “Please take the ticket.”
“I’m trying. I can’t reach it,”she said.
This time, my husband and I glanced at each other with our eyebrows raised. Certainly,Mom knew the voice was automated (自动化的) and not a real person speaking to her.
“Please take the ticket.”
“I’m trying. I’m trying. It’s too far away. Give me a minute.”
In fairness to my mother, automated machines had recently arrived in the world, and there weren’t many around yet. We had never run into one at the airport before. In the old days, the machine spit out a parking ticket, and if you couldn’t reach the ticket, you simply opened your door and grabbed it. Now, the new metal safety railings (护栏) on either side of the car made it impossible to open the door.
“Please take the ticket.”
“It’s too far. I’m trying. I’m trying.”
The traffic behind us grew impatient. I saw people trying to back their cars so they could find another lane. All the while, the machine continued,“Please take the ticket...”
注意:1.续写词数应为150左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Mom was frustrated (沮丧的).
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________I managed to reach for my mother’s safety belt and tried to unfasten (解开) it.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________It was only a few weeks after my surgery. I went to Dr. Belt’s office for a checkup. It was just after my first chemotherapy (化学疗法) treatment. My scar was still very tender. My arm was numb underneath. This whole set of unique and weird feelings was like having a new roommate to share the two-bedroom apartment formerly known as my breasts — now lovingly known as “the breast and the chest.”
As usual, I was taken to an examination room to have my blood drawn, again — a terrifying process for me, since I’m so frightened of needles. I lay down’ on the examining table. Ramona entered the room. Her warm sparkling smile was familiar, and stood out in contrast to my fears. I’d first seen her in the office a few weeks earlier. She wasn’t my nurse on that day, but I remember her because she was laughing. She laughed in deep, round and rich tones. I remember wondering what could be so funny behind that medical door. What could she possibly find to laugh about at a time like this? So I decided she wasn’t serious enough about the whole thing and that I would try to find a nurse who was caring. But I was wrong.
This day was different. Ramona had taken my blood before. She knew about my fear of needles, and she kindly hid the needle under a magazine with a bright blue picture of a kitchen being remodeled. As we opened the blouse, the catheter (导管) on my breast was exposed and the fresh scar on my chest could be seen. She gently reached over and ran her hand across the scar, examining the smoothness of the healing skin and looking for any irregularities. I began to cry gently and quietly. She looked at me tenderly and said, “You haven’t touched the scar yet, have you?” And I said, “No.”
注意:1.续写词数应为150左右;2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
So this wonderful, warm woman laid the palm of her golden brown hand on my pale chest and she gently held it there.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________That night as I lay down to sleep, I gently placed my hand on my chest and I left it there until I fell asleep.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________5 . In 2014, a second year student at the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts went to Beijing Zoo with friends. Little did he know that an encounter at the aquarium there would
Today, Xu, a Beijing native, has
Each day, he spends several hours diving deep under the waves to observe and
Xu is actively engaged on social media platforms like Sina Weibo, where he regularly shares
While pursuing his passion to protect corals, he met his life partner, Liu Xiwen, through their
A.celebrate | B.change | C.excite | D.strengthen |
A.watched over | B.gazed on | C.spied on | D.looked into |
A.mystery | B.vitality | C.prosperity | D.nobility |
A.decided on | B.settled in | C.flown to | D.adapted to |
A.collector | B.gardener | C.enthusiast | D.conservationist |
A.analyze | B.trace | C.document | D.boost |
A.attracted | B.ruled | C.broke | D.cured |
A.fundamental | B.educational | C.environmental | D.biological |
A.status | B.standard | C.awareness | D.fondness |
A.positively | B.effectively | C.actively | D.comprehensively |
A.actually | B.naturally | C.scientifically | D.visually |
A.take time | B.take charge | C.take side | D.take action |
A.destructive | B.aggressive | C.passive | D.active |
A.widespread | B.cultivated | C.shared | D.agreed |
A.in-charge | B.in-depth | C.in-width | D.in-store |
6 . While driving in a small Colorado town, I stopped as a group of people crossed the road. As I watched, I
She managed to carry it for a few yards before setting it down on the ground. After trying several times, she was still
Having experienced similar
She stopped, gave me a
“Well, all right,” she answered in a
Surprised, I said, “Nothing. I was glad to be able to help.”
Her expression changed immediately, and she stared at me unbelievably. “Well, thank you, lady. No one has ever done me a(n)
A.visited | B.spotted | C.caught | D.minded |
A.beautiful | B.light | C.valuable | D.overweight |
A.communicating | B.breaking | C.battling | D.competing |
A.struggles | B.conflicts | C.consequences | D.adventures |
A.slowed down | B.tracked down | C.pulled up | D.ended up |
A.rest | B.map | C.companion | D.ride |
A.grateful | B.suspicious | C.disappointed | D.shining |
A.drop | B.carry | C.send | D.keep |
A.relatively | B.awfully | C.slightly | D.entirely |
A.firm | B.warm | C.cold | D.sharp |
A.settled | B.enjoyed | C.found | D.collected |
A.success | B.blow | C.stupidity | D.failure |
A.grabbed | B.shook | C.dug | D.raised |
A.afford | B.owe | C.award | D.return |
A.kindness | B.service | C.honour | D.injury |
7 . Lexi Reed weighed 485 pounds at the age of 25—a weight that was quite
The couple was making many plans to
It was completely unknown to the couple that people were actually
A.unforgivable | B.unbelievable | C.unachievable | D.uncomfortable |
A.vital | B.strange | C.miserable | D.miracle |
A.issue | B.concern | C.debate | D.possibility |
A.birthday | B.valentine | C.Christmas | D.anniversary |
A.work | B.run | C.ring | D.surge. |
A.equal | B.similar | C.familiar | D.inferior |
A.take on | B.take out | C.take off | D.take in |
A.put out | B.break out | C.spread out | D.carry out |
A.fame | B.formation | C.top | D.reality |
A.doubting | B.recording | C.following | D.serving |
A.success | B.mission | C.enterprise | D.innovation |
A.updated | B.inspired | C.moved | D.connected |
A.achievement | B.commitment | C.surprise | D.boost |
A.praised | B.featured | C.documented | D.memorized |
A.hit | B.incident | C.gossip | D.legend |
Taimur and Daniyal were twins and had been my next door neighbors since I was five years old. Not only did we go to the same school, but our evenings and weekends were spent together too. It was like we were inseparable. I never felt that I needed any friends other than them. Unexpectedly, one evening their parents shared the news of them moving to another country — Australia.
I was shocked to realize that we would never be together. I started recalling all the good times we had spent together, such as playing in the school breaks, the play dates, and all the fun things we did. Was it all going to end?
When we had been through so many highs and lows together, shared secrets and supported each other through thick and thin, their moving away felt like my heart was being taken away. The news of their departure left me feeling empty and lost.
I was thinking about the biggest change that I was going to face in a few days. It was a difficult pill to swallow, but I knew I must move on. Though it wasn’t easy at first, I was trying my level best to beat the mental pain I was in.
After hearing the news, every day felt like a struggle, the school didn’t feel the same; the lunch breaks had no purpose. Soon there would be no one to compare the test marks with, homework remarks would not excite me like before, and so on. I couldn’t help but feel lost and alone already.
For a few days, I even felt less confident while rehearsing (排练) for my performance at the upcoming school’s annual event. But what I learned at this point in life was that your family can be the strongest support when you don’t even realize it. Turn to your family for support if necessary. Reach out to people who care about you. Find meaningful connections and share how you feel.
注意:1.续写词数应为150左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Seeing my condition, my family advised me to make the most of the time that was left before they moved.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Saying goodbye wasn’t easy, but it set my heart at ease to realize that we could still be the closest friends.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________9 . Six-year-old Ryan Coutinho wasn’t used to smiling. He felt
The boy lives in a
Ryan’s story could have
Ms. Mattos agreed to do it for free. The mother happily
A.upset | B.happy | C.thankful | D.confident |
A.sympathetic | B.hateful | C.grateful | D.sensitive |
A.rich | B.poor | C.happy | D.big |
A.all the time | B.from time to time | C.always | D.hardly |
A.treat | B.meet | C.save | D.research |
A.showed off | B.agreed to | C.turned down | D.hesitated about |
A.operation | B.performance | C.service | D.activity |
A.visit | B.game | C.strategy | D.experience |
A.started | B.ended | C.changed | D.spread |
A.school | B.clinic | C.bank | D.factory |
A.examination | B.decoration | C.improvement | D.discussion |
A.ignored | B.abandoned | C.considered | D.accepted |
A.unnecessary | B.efficient | C.worth | D.random |
A.sees | B.loses | C.shares | D.regains |
A.fairness | B.honesty | C.generosity | D.bravery |
10 . An extreme sport like BMX (Bicycle Motocross) may not be the first thing that comes to mind to help overcome a mental health condition. However, that is
As a child, Ducarroz spent every
The tale began when a BMX video on YouTube inspired her to try the extreme sport. She saved up for a bike. Then she began practicing
“The bike made me get out of the house, go to the skate park, and
The 26-year-old is now one of the world’s best female BMX freestylers. Ducarroz now has her
Though she still suffers occasional
“MindTricks started because of my own
A.precisely | B.automatically | C.roughly | D.temporarily |
A.expectant | B.boring | C.spare | D.urgent |
A.slight | B.mild | C.occasional | D.severe |
A.end | B.fulfill | C.measure | D.resist |
A.put up | B.account for | C.take over | D.settle down |
A.concepts | B.tricks | C.facilities | D.models |
A.confidence | B.muscle | C.patience | D.fortune |
A.likely | B.hesitant | C.ready | D.effortless |
A.slowly | B.abruptly | C.swiftly | D.eventually |
A.blocked | B.pushed | C.left | D.hooked |
A.luck | B.sight | C.standard | D.training |
A.panic | B.heart | C.delight | D.annoyance |
A.carefully | B.privately | C.safely | D.humbly |
A.appearance | B.medals | C.posts | D.choices |
A.astonished | B.encouraged | C.honored | D.reserved |