1 . Thomas was a well-known wise man. One day, he wandered in a beautiful small town. Because of his fame, people from nearby towns who heard of his arrival all came to visit and seek his advice.

Many who came sought help with difficulties in daily life, and Thomas, unable to bear turning them away, patiently offered suggestions. Word spread quickly, and more and more people came to see Thomas for guidance.

One day, dozens of people crowded outside Thomas’s door, all clamoring (大声地要求) that their problems were the most serious and urgent, each insisting that Thomas address their concerns first, with no one willing to yield (让步).

After a moment of thought, Thomas took out some paper and a pen and said, “I can’t hear clearly with everyone talking at once. How about everyone write down your problem on a piece of paper and place it in this basket beside me?”

Once everyone had placed their notes in the basket, Thomas shook the basket and said, “Please each take a piece of paper from the basket and read what it says.”

As everyone read a note from someone else, they all realized that indeed, each person has their own troubles, and every household has its own challenges. Then Thomas spoke up, “Now, whose problem is the most urgent to solve?” Hearing that question, no one spoke again, because now no one dared to claim that their problem was the most severe.

Often, we are bound by our immediate feelings. When difficulties and problems strike, it feels as though we are caught in a vortex of pain. But if we shift our focus from ourselves and look towards others, we might discover that the problems we face are not so significant. Perhaps others are the ones who need help more urgently, or maybe there is something within our power that we can do for them.

1. Why did people visit Thomas?

A．For advice.	B．For a meeting.
C．For a competition.	D．For introductions.

2. How did Thomas handle the crowd?

A．He ignored them.	B．He listened to each one individually.
C．He prioritized the problems himself.	D．He asked them to write down their problems.

3. What did reading others’ problems show to the people?

A．The complexity of their difficulties.	B．The similarity of their situations.
C．Their need for more advice.	D．Their living conditions.

4. What lesson did Thomas teach?

A．Competition.

B．Sympathy.

C．Prioritization.

D．Self-confidence.

2 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

The frightening day of our diving test was here. Our parents thought we were lucky to have an Olympic-size swimming pool at the school. My mom stressed that the swimming pool was one of the best in our city. But I didn’t feel happy about it at all. Instead, I felt afraid of the swimming pool. It was mainly because I was terribly shy.

I was so shy that I always sat at the back of the room in class so I’d not be called upon to read. As for the present physical education class each Monday morning, I would work my way to the back of the line forming at the diving board so I would not have to practice the dives.

Now, it was another Monday morning - the morning of our diving test. My blood ran cold when the teacher Ms. Robbins announced that we would be graded for our final on the most difficult dive- the jackknife. And she added, “This diving test is important. The one who fails has to spare time in the following Monday mornings to practice diving in this swimming pool and attend this test again.”

My body kept shaking with fear as the line to the scary diving board shortened. As I watched, each student seemed to perform the challenging dive effortlessly. And shortly I would have to attempt something that I had never even practiced before.

Then I remembered someone telling me that when you picture yourself doing a skill over and over, it’s just as effective as physically practicing that skill. So I watched carefully as each classmate jumped at the end of the board once, added a jump for height, folded their body in half to reach for their toes, and finally straightened out like an arrow for going into the water. After carefully watching for a while, I was actually in a state of surprise, because all of a sudden I realized that it was possible for me to perform these four steps of diving.

Eventually all classmates except me finished jumping. The teacher announced that it was my turn.

注意：1. 续与词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

With my heart knocking wildly, I walked down the diving board towards its end.

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Knowing I failed, I climbed out of the pool, embarrassed.

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3 . Last summer holiday, Aunt Emily took us to a safari park (野生动物园), not far from Liverpool.

I was very happy to go as I had never been to a safari park before. It’s a very interesting park, full of wild animals running freely.

When we got there, we bought our tickets and drove into the park. We were very excited at the thought of going to see the lions. But to get to the lions’ place we had to go through the monkeys’ land first. And that was an unforgettable experience because they climbed all over the car, ate apples and bananas, and threw all kinds of things at us. They seemed very unfriendly.

Anyway, we went on our way to the lions’ place where we had to lock ourselves in the car as we knew lions could be dangerous. A lion came up very close to us. Then it was on the bonnet (车盖). It looked calm but we felt terrified. Aunt Emily, who isn’t very brave, started to call for help. The kids started crying. Only my brother, George, stayed cool. I sounded the horn (喇叭) but nobody heard us.

In the end a guard arrived in his car, and the lion just got off our car and started smelling the guard’s hand as if nothing was the matter.

1. Which animal did the author want to see the most?

A．The lions.

B．The elephants.

C．The monkeys.

D．All of them.

2. Why did they lock themselves in the car?

A．Because the monkeys might steal things.	B．Because they were afraid of being robbed.
C．Because the lions might be dangerous.	D．Because something was wrong with the car.

3. What does the underlined word “terrified” in Paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Excited.

B．Bored.

C．Interested

D．Scared

4. Who stayed calm among the visitors when they met the lion?

A．Aunt Emily.

B．George.

C．The guard.

D．The author.

4 . Claudio Viera de Oliveira is from Brazil. He was born with an upside down head and deformed (畸形的) legs. His mother was told by doctors that she should allow him to die. But she ignored their advice. Oliveira grew up and now he has written a book about his life after the age of 40. Since he was a child, Oliveira has liked to keep himself busy. He didn't like to depend totally on others. He learned to do things all by himself. At eight, Oliveira began to walk on his knees. His family had to change the floor of the house, so he could walk without injuring humself. His bed, plugs and lights had to be made lower so that he could do things for himself.

He couldn't use a wheelchair because of his unusual shape, making it hard for him to be independent outside the home, but he begged his mother to allow him to go to school and learn with other children. He learned to use a pen with his mouth to type words and even use his lips to operate a mouse or a phone. He also went on to qualify as an accountant and gave speeches at special events. Now Oliveira has published his first book, called"O mundo esta ao(The world is the wrong way around)".

Oliveira said, “Throughout my life I was able to adapt my body to the world. Right now, I don't see myself as being different. I am a normal person. I don't see things upside down. Nowadays I can say that I am a professional, international public speaker and that I receive invitations from all over the world."

1. What was the doctors' attitude towards Oliveira's disease?

A．Hopeless.	B．Concerned.
C．Confident.	D．Doubtful.

2. What do we know about Oliveira?

A．He adapted himself to society.

B．He managed to walk on foot at eight.

C．He used a normal bed and lights at home.

D．He controlled a wheelchair with his mouth.

3. What does Oliveira do at present?

A．A doctor.

B．An accountant

C．A publisher.

D．A professor.

4. Which saying can best describe Oliveira's experience?

A．All that glitters is not gold.

B．Where there is a will there is a way.

C．Health is not valued till sickness comes.

D．It is more blessed to give than to receive.

5 . Judy Pugh was an elderly woman sitting in her home when a tornado hit. A ________ fell on top of her, and the rest of her house was sucked up into the twister (龙卷风). Neighbors called her name and ________ the wall off her. Luckily, she was only slightly ________.

Pugh had three pet cats, and her only ________ after the storm was finding them. She ________ to find two of the cats soon after. But ________, she could not find her third cat, Cadie. Her family ________ that the10-year old cat was carried away in the twister. Despite the ________ that over a month had passed since the storm, she did not give up ________. Pugh continued to ________ to the ruins of her home and search for the cat every single day. A local TV station found Pugh standing there and ________ her. In the middle of the recording, Cadie the cat silently ________ out of the remains of Pugh’s house. He found his way home ________.

Cadie was ________, dirty, and could not even gather the strength to meow (猫叫声). Pugh walked over to him, holding him into her arms. “I have ________ in the world, now.” Pugh said as she began to cry. She gently held her pet close to her chest.

1.

A．tree

B．wall

C．stone

D．board

2.

A．shook

B．kept

C．lifted

D．wiped

3.

A．injured

B．touched

C．disturbed

D．confused

4.

A．difficulty

B．complaint

C．choice

D．concern

5.

A．hoped

B．decided

C．managed

D．attempted

6.

A．luckily

B．suddenly

C．lately

D．sadly

7.

A．suspected

B．heard

C．concluded

D．predicted

8.

A．delay

B．fact

C．disadvantage

D．barrier

9.

A．hope

B．chance

C．research

D．work

10.

A．get down

B．show up

C．give in

D．look forward

11.

A．telephoned

B．impressed

C．interviewed

D．reminded

12.

A．grew

B．rushed

C．escaped

D．appeared

13.

A．at present

B．after all

C．once more

D．of course

14.

A．lovely

B．naughty

C．skinny

D．greedy

15.

A．something

B．nothing

C．anything

D．everything

6 . It was a stormy evening, and all that Neil could hope was to find a shelter that could keep him protected from the chilly wind and cold rain. After work he had to get home on time, as his busy schedule was preventing him from spending quality time with his family. The bus stop on the way provided temporary shelter, where Neil was becoming increasingly agitated(焦虑不安的) with every passing minute. All his evening plans were washed out.

“Sir, why don’t you buy a pack of groundnuts(花生) from me?” Neil looked around to see a man in rag standing by his side. “Oh, no, I’m not interested right now.” “Fried groundnuts will do you a world of good now. Moreover, you can also take some for your family.” The very mention of family brought a concern to Neil. His wife had specifically told him to come home early, if not for her sake, at least for the sake of their seven-year-old son.

When he was lost in thought, the groundnut seller had filled a bag with the remaining nuts and offered him an unexpectedly low price. But, Neil refused to buy them: “I do not want to buy anything at this point!” Suddenly, he heard a voice of a kid. “Dad, I want some money to buy books for the school.” He saw a ten-year-old boy, totally drenched from top to bottom, as though he had just run a race. He was talking to the groundnut seller. “Yes, yes, I’m ready to leave now. Come! How many books do you want? Why did you get wet in the rain? Your mother must be getting worried.”

Neil turned to the seller. There was an instant when they both made the perfect eye contact. Neil had the look of what it is to be a father. The groundnut seller did not say anything and gave the packet of groundnuts without saying a word. Neil pulled a note from his wallet, placed it in the man’s hand, and walked away without waiting for the change.

1. Why did Neil become more anxious at the bus stop?

A．The rain stopped him from getting home on time.

B．The chilly wind made him feel colder and colder.

C．He thought of his boring and heavy work.

D．He couldn’t find a good place to keep off the rain.

2. Why didn’t Neil buy the man’s groundnuts at first?

A．He didn’t have enough money on him.	B．His family doesn’t like groundnuts.
C．He was in a bad mood at that time.	D．His family was a little poor.

3. What does the underlined word “drenched” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．Wet through.

B．Very excited.

C．Well dressed.

D．Sweat heavily.

4. What made Neil buy all the seller’s groundnuts?

A．The seller’s generous action.	B．His having a pity for the seller.
C．The seller’s greatness as a father.	D．His being moved by the seller’s son.