1 . I hear some actors keep a sad thought or memory tucked away to help them with scenes where they might need to cry. I think we should each try to find the opposite; a happy memory, something to lift us up on those inevitable down days. I’m saying this because I think I just found mine!
I had some work in Glasgow today. I was on a really tight schedule, which meant I would have no time for myself (or my own work) all day. I was having one of those days, the train was completely packed out and the conversation going on around me seemed to be particularly inane. On top of all that, I had a bit of a headache.
Walking briskly across the concourse, I fished some change from my pocket. There was usually someone at the exit selling The Big Issue (a magazine that helps homeless folk earn a living).
As the crowd parted ways at the bottom of the concourse, I saw someone selling the Big Issue. You had to be homeless to sell the Big Issue. She really looked like she’d been sleeping rough. Her clothes were ragged and she obviously hadn’t had a scrub up for quite a while.
As I approached the exit, I saw that she was also rocking from side to side. At first I thought maybe she was trying to keep warm against the biting wind. But she wasn’t, she was moving in time to a tune. I couldn’t hear her, but I could see her lips moving.
As I got closer, I saw a white cane hanging from her elbow and noticed that she had sunken eyes. She was blind, dirty and living on the streets. I came closer and through the noise of the traffic and the commuters I heard her sing the immortal line, “… and I think to myself, what a wonderful world!”
I bought her last magazine for twice what I’d originally intended. She thanked me, then she picked up her stuff and went tapping off along the pavement - still singing!
So, I have my happy memory for the day. And I think it will stay with me a long, long time. Feel free to borrow it if you like.
1. Why do some actors keep a sad thought or memory according to the passage?A.Because some of them always feel unhappy | B.because they are scolded by the director |
C.Because it helps meet the needs of their roles | D.Because they can’t find a happy memory |
A.Made | B.exchanged | C.pull into | D.took out |
A.Only those homeless people can sell the magazine |
B.The author heard her singing as he came close to the exit |
C.The girl selling the magazines was blind, dirty and homeless |
D.The author never heard what the girl was singing |
A.the author had a headache because of his busy work |
B.the author bought more magazines than planned to |
C.the girl went away as soon as she sold out magazines |
D.the author felt unhappy because he missed his train |
A.A happy Memory to Lift You Up |
B.An Unforgettable Day I Experienced |
C.The Roses in Her Hand: the Flavor in Mine |
D.A Bird in the Hand is Worth than Two in the Bush. |
2 . With his leg lame and his teeth uneven, the boy thought of himself as the most unfortunate child in the world. He
One spring, his father brought home some saplings (树苗).
Several days later, he was
From then on, the boy slowly became
When he came to the courtyard, he found his father working near the tree! Immediately he
Decades passed. The boy didn’t become a botanist.
A.seldom | B.ever | C.still | D.often |
A.held | B.lowered | C.raised | D.covered |
A.Both | B.None | C.Each | D.One |
A.likes | B.grows | C.protects | D.watches |
A.And | B.But | C.Or | D.So |
A.came up with | B.got rid of | C.put forward | D.cared for |
A.contributed to | B.turned to | C.got used to | D.attended to |
A.disappointed | B.frightened | C.surprised | D.amused |
A.roots | B.seeds | C.branches | D.leaves |
A.balance | B.word | C.agreement | D.opinion |
A.botanist | B.gardener | C.president | D.teacher |
A.satisfied | B.optimistic | C.independent | D.upset |
A.believed | B.remembered | C.repeated | D.knew |
A.probably | B.hardly | C.recently | D.generally |
A.understood | B.doubted | C.wondered | D.admitted |
A.cutting | B.watering | C.decorating | D.fertilizing |
A.Therefore | B.Besides | C.Instead | D.Moreover |
A.president | B.doctor | C.lawyer | D.teacher |
A.Water | B.Love | C.Disability | D.Father |
A.So long as | B.If only | C.Even though | D.Now that |
3 . With a satisfied smile, Keisha finished the last sentence of her English essay about one of her heroes, Rosa Parks, an important figure in the Civil Rights Movement.
“Keisha,” her mother shouted from downstairs. “It’s almost 4:15.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t be late. ” Keisha pulled down a storybook from her bookshelf, as she always read to the nursing home’s residents. And on an impulse(一时心血来潮), she added her English notebook as well.
As Keisha came running in the door, the manager told her, “We have a new resident this week, Mrs. Ruby Watson. She’s still adjusting to her new surroundings. You’ll find her in Room 28. And by the way, Keisha, good luck.”
Keisha walked down the hallway at a quick pace. As she entered Room 28, she met two sharp brown eyes staring at her doubtfully.
“I’m Keisha Jackson, a volunteer,” Keisha explained. “I come here to help pass the time with residents, or read to them, or, . . .” Keisha started stammering(结巴)as Mrs.
Watson continued to stare at her.
“I didn’t request anyone to keep me company,” Mrs. Watson interrupted. “I’m alone most of the time, and that’s how I prefer it.”
“I brought along some funny stories,” Keisha said hesitantly.
“I’m not in the mood for funny stories,” Mrs. Watson replied angrily. “What else do you have?”
Nervously, Keisha opened her notebook to her essay. She read the title aloud, “Rosa
Parks: A Woman of Courage and Conviction(信念).” She glanced at Mrs. Watson to see how she might react, but to her surprise, Mrs. Watson’s face relaxed and her eyes shone.
“Read to me about Rosa,” Mrs. Watson said.
Keisha read how Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat to a white passenger on a bus in 1955 inspired the protest that became a turning point in the struggle for civil rights.
“I walked with Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King,” Mrs. Watson said with pride. “That was the greatest moment of my life because…” She paused.
“Because… you were a woman of courage and conviction too.”
Sitting up straighter, Mrs. Watson said, “Yes, I was and I still am. Thank you for reminding me, Keisha. Next Thursday, I will tell you my story.”
1. Why did Keisha take her English notebook along?A.Her mother asked her to take it. | B.She would hand it in on her way. |
C.She might read her essay to someone. | D.The manager wanted to read her essay. |
A.Mrs. Watson could be difficult. | B.Mrs. Watson was in poor health. |
C.Keisha was feeling nervous. | D.Keisha was a shy person. |
A.amused | B.puzzled |
C.annoyed | D.interested |
A.It aroused her curiosity in volunteer work. |
B.It built up her expectation for more visitors. |
C.It awoke her pride in her struggle for civil rights. |
D.It changed her attitude to the Civil Rights Movement. |
A.a girl enjoys learning about her heroes | B.a girl helps someone feel appreciated |
C.a woman overcomes hardship by herself | D.a woman gathers the courage for life |
4 . As I was taking a walk with my mom,I asked her,"Have you taken the senior bus yet?" I held my breath as I waited for her
My dad had recently passed away, and his sudden leave made my mother
Several days later,when I came to visit her,I asked. “Do they talk to you now? " She
My mother held the key to the
A.order | B.answer | C.instruction | D.request |
A.fluently | B.patiently | C.cheerfully | D.quietly |
A.positive | B.scientific | C.similar | D.typical |
A.sleeps | B.eats | C.drinks | D.talks |
A.moved | B.depressed | C.surprised | D.encouraged |
A.anger | B.excitement | C.sympathy | D.forgiveness |
A.stubborn | B.selfish | C.humorous | D.lonely |
A.drive | B.cook | C.dance | D.paint |
A.planned | B.described | C.copied | D.handled |
A.support | B.expectation | C.patience | D.courage |
A.impression | B.silence | C.argument | D.friendship |
A.appeared | B.complained | C.cried | D.smiled |
A.situation | B.plan | C.decision | D.topic |
A.for | B.by | C.without | D.after |
A.passed by | B.stood up | C.got on | D.got back |
A.respond | B.escape | C.study | D.apologize |
A.conversations | B.suggestions | C.examples | D.reasons |
A.ears | B.hearts | C.doors | D.windows |
A.sensitive | B.friendly | C.responsible | D.official |
A.honesty | B.imagination | C.happiness | D.freedom |
5 . I shared one of the lifeboats with the chief engineer, Tom Fenton. I don't
A.remember | B.recognize | C.doubt | D.see |
A.areas | B.ways | C.troubles | D.cases |
A.pulled | B.carried | C.thrown | D.put |
A.shadow | B.cloud | C.wind | D.storm |
A.quiet | B.unusual | C.rough | D.deep |
A.sun | B.stars | C.rainbow | D.lightning |
A.crazy | B.bored | C.sad | D.alive |
A.sank | B.returned | C.drifted | D.appeared |
A.slept | B.talked | C.played | D.ate |
A.shocked | B.hurt | C.awakened | D.heated |
A.body | B.face | C.ears | D.eyes |
A.shape | B.water | C.bank | D.sky |
A.Now that | B.Although | C.As if | D.Unless |
A.get around | B.worry about | C.work out | D.give up |
A.important | B.ready | C.gone | D.broken |
A.possibly | B.successfully | C.luckily | D.mostly |
A.forest | B.island | C.ocean | D.river |
A.wife | B.doctor | C.patient | D.companion |
A.ring | B.wake | C.dress | D.bring |
A.Keeping | B.Turning | C.Getting | D.Looking |
6 . I started volunteering at a soup kitchen several years ago. The original reason I was going was to
Basically, I was
The first time I went there was right before Christmas. For the people coming to the soup kitchen, it was not exactly a
I have never
A.reduce | B.avoid | C.complete | D.cancel |
A.yet | B.just | C.even | D.still |
A.food | B.work | C.time | D.money |
A.tired of | B.worried about | C.responsible for | D.free from |
A.busy | B.serious | C.experienced | D.struggling |
A.hide | B.rest | C.live | D.study |
A.Although | B.If | C.Because | D.Until |
A.available | B.strange | C.pleasant | D.painful |
A.wise | B.honest | C.curious | D.fortunate |
A.turn down | B.suffer from | C.pass down | D.learn from |
A.definitely | B.gradually | C.equally | D.hardly |
A.reason. | B.effort | C.chance | D.patience |
A.stability | B.guilt | C.loss | D.appreciation |
A.grateful | B.confident | C.proud | D.shocked |
A.change | B.leave | C.forget | D.help |
A.describe | B.waste | C.brighten | D.disturb |
A.reward | B.excuse | C.risk | D.mistake |
A.planned | B.regretted | C.forgiven | D.understood |
A.reminds | B.confuses | C.encourages | D.disappoints |
A.talent | B.concern | C.kindness | D.weakness |
7 . With his leg lame and his teeth uneven, the boy thought of himself as the most unfortunate child in the world. He
One spring, his father brought home some saplings (树苗).
Several days later, he was
From then on, the boy slowly became
When he came to the courtyard, he found his father working near the tree! Immediately he
Decades passed. The boy didn't become a botanist.
A.seldom | B.ever | C.still | D.often |
A.held | B.raised | C.lowered | D.covered |
A.Both | B.Each | C.One | D.None |
A.likes | B.protects | C.watches | D.grows |
A.But | B.So | C.Or | D.And |
A.came up with | B.got rid of | C.cared for | D.put forward |
A.contributed to | B.attended to | C.got used to | D.turned to |
A.amused | B.frightened | C.disappointed | D.surprised |
A.roots | B.branches | C.leaves | D.seeds |
A.opinion | B.balance | C.agreement | D.word |
A.teacher | B.gardener | C.botanist | D.president |
A.satisfied | B.upset | C.independent | D.optimistic |
A.remembered | B.believed | C.repeated | D.knew |
A.hardly | B.generally | C.recently | D.probably |
A.doubted | B.admitted | C.wondered | D.understood |
A.cutting | B.watering | C.decorating | D.fertilizing |
A.Therefore | B.Besides | C.Instead | D.Moreover |
A.lawyer | B.doctor | C.president | D.teacher |
A.Love | B.Water | C.Disability | D.Father |
A.So long as | B.If only | C.Now that | D.Even though |
I have a friend named John Roberts who owns a horse ranch(牧马场)in San Ysidro. The last time I was there he shared a story with me. “It is a story about a young man who was the son of an itinerant(流动的)horse trainer. When he was a senior,he was asked to write a paper about what he wanted to be and do when he grew up. ”
That night he wrote a seven-page paper describing his goal of someday owning a horse ranch. He wrote about his dream in great detail and he even drew a diagram of a200-acre ranch,showing the location of all the buildings,the stables and the track.
The next day he handed it in to his teacher. Two days later he received his paper back. On the front page was a large red F with a note that read,“See me after class. ”
The boy went to see the teacher after class and asked,“Why did I receive an F?”
The teacher said,“This is an unrealistic dream for a young boy like you. You have no money. You come from an itinerant family. You have no resources. Owning a horse ranch requires a lot of money. You have to buy the land. You have to pay for the original breeding stock and later you'll have to pay large stud fees. There's no way you could ever do it. 'Then the teacher added,‘If you will rewrite this paper with a more realistic goal,I will reconsider your grade. ”
The boy went home and asked his father what he should do. His father said, “Look,son,you have to make up your own mind on this. However,I think it is a very important decision for you. ”
Finally,after siting with it for a week,the boy turned in the same paper,making no changes at all. He stated,“You can keep the F and I'll keep my dream.”
John continued,“I tell you this story because you are sitting in the middle of my 200-acre horse ranch. I still have that school paper framed over the fireplace. ”He added,“If I had changed my paper at that time,maybe we would not have the chance to be here talking about the dreams. ”
1. What was the boy's goal described in his seven-page paper?(No more than 8 words)2. Why did the teacher give the boy an “F”?(No more than 15 words)
3. How did the boy's father respond to his son's puzzlement?(No more than10 words)
4. What does the underlined word “unrealistic” in Para. 5 mean?(I word)
5. What can we learn from the article?(No more than 20 words. )
9 . The moon had gone behind a cloud and there weren’t many stars in the sky. As I took a glance(一瞥)at my neighbor’s house, I saw a flame (火焰)in his
Soon, there was a
I
I tried to throw water through the kitchen window
When my neighbor came back, he was
Weeks later, my neighbor repaired and restored his kitchen. He
A.sitting room | B.bathroom | C.kitchen | D.bedroom |
A.chair | B.table | C.bed | D.sofa |
A.valuable | B.hot | C.special | D.burning |
A.After a while | B.All the time | C.Once in a while | D.At once |
A.examine | B.search | C.reserve | D.smell |
A.said | B.shouted | C.received | D.whispered |
A.hear | B.listen to | C.ask | D.turn to |
A.walked | B.rushed | C.jumped | D.stepped |
A.called in | B.called up | C.called out | D.called for |
A.answer | B.light | C.sound | D.fire |
A.take out | B.take up | C.break down | D.break into |
A.and | B.but | C.because | D.therefore |
A.Luckily | B.Sadly | C.Unfortunately | D.Suddenly |
A.in time | B.on time | C.at a time | D.at times |
A.run | B.spread | C.flow | D.return |
A.amazing | B.sad | C.sick | D.angry |
A.children | B.parents | C.life | D.pets |
A.expect | B.want | C.accept | D.permit |
A.persuaded | B.begged | C.admitted | D.invited |
A.gradually | B.particularly | C.specially | D.regularly |
10 . Songs bring us through our life. Each time I listen to my favorite song Reach, I’m deeply
Whenever I think of Gloria, a
A.convinced | B.disturbed | C.impressed | D.discouraged |
A.entertaining | B.inspiring | C.boring | D.puzzling |
A.easily | B.simply | C.finally | D.hardly |
A.knocked | B.cut | C.pulled | D.turned |
A.argued | B.declared | C.doubted | D.added |
A.give away | B.give back | C.give out | D.give up |
A.goal | B.journey | C.achievement | D.recovery |
A.happened | B.ended | C.lasted | D.returned |
A.wrote | B.recorded | C.presented | D.covered |
A.fancy | B.view | C.memory | D.question |
A.standard | B.poor | C.high | D.excellent |
A.most | B.more | C.least | D.very |
A.hopelessness | B.weakness | C.trouble | D.anger |
A.Free | B.Eager | C.Disappointed | D.Unwilling |
A.parties | B.games | C.activities | D.meetings |
A.satisfy | B.improve | C.enjoy | D.forgive |
A.awards | B.thanks | C.gifts | D.comments |
A.confirmed | B.gained | C.combined | D.requested |
A.Luck | B.Belief | C.Life | D.Competition |
A.harvest | B.reserve | C.expand | D.discover |