1 . A Welcome Gift

Dario and his mother loved their new apartment. The living room was large enough for their piano. That night, the two of them _______ side by side at the piano, playing jazz music to celebrate their new home happily.

However, their happiness disappeared the next morning. Someone had left a _______ under their door during the night. One of their neighbors complained about the sound of the piano. Later that morning, Dario suggested that they write a letter to their _______ and apologize.

“Maybe we could go and _______ everyone in person.” his mother said. “What if we invited them to come here for a party instead? Dario asked. They both loved the _______. Then they started to prepare for it.

Finally, the day of the party arrived. Some guests brought presents. Others brought flowers. One woman, Mrs. Gilbert, _______ Dario's mother with a book of piano music by Chopin.

“I heard you playing the other night,” she said. “The sounds woke me out of bed. I _______ that you might play like this every night. So I wrote a short note I hope you don't think I disliked the playing.”

Dario's mother smiled at Mrs. Gilbert. “We should apologize to you.” she said. “I didn't _______ how late it was when we were playing.”

“You play, you play!” Mrs. Gilbert pointed to the book she had given them and said, “These songs are not such _______ music.”

“These songs are beautiful music. And we won't play so loud or late!” Dario said. The big smile on his mother's face gave him a feeling of ________ and made him feel that they were home at last.

1.

A．sat

B．lay

C．stood

D．walked

2.

A．bill

B．note

C．poster

D．report

3.

A．friends

B．relatives

C．neighbors

D．audience

4.

A．blame

B．visit

C．question

D．instruct

5.

A．experience

B．idea

C．performance

D．action

6.

A．treated

B．helped

C．served

D．presented

7.

A．promised

B．admitted

C．agreed

D．worried

8.

A．realize

B．accept

C．remember

D．understand

9.

A．sweet

B．strange

C．funny

D．loud

10.

A．equality

B．freedom

C．warmth

D．sympathy

2 . I became a gardener when I was twelve. My early________of gardening may not have originated from my love for nature. It was to ________my parents.

At that time, we had a big yard in which a beautiful maple tree stood. But my mother often looked with ________at this work of natural art. Those golden leaves seemed like tons of rubbish to her, “something else to ________!”Seeing the neighbors busy with gardening, my father ever thought it a waste of time.

At that age, I always did something________to whatever my parents did! If gardening were something they found________, I would plant a garden!

I planted some lily (百合花)seeds in the yard. But they failed to ________. I continued to sunflower seeds and roses. Wild ________joy, I found the first rose bloom (开花). One by one, the flowers bloomed their heads off.________, I was touched by this land of wonder.

________, my parents showed no interest in my garden. My father even________at me because he found it was ________to move around my garden to the driveway. To my mother’s ________, I put her vase my real roses which, in her eyes, were simply weeds________flowers.

Regardless of their ________, I kept on planting my garden and ________to enjoy the pleasure gardening. Plants make such good companions: they breathe, they bloom, they________to care and love.

It has been many years since I made my first garden out of my desire to ________my parent. Today I become known as Mrs. Greenthumbs, teaching gardening and hosting a gardening show which makes my parents feel very________. And now I could say it is my affection for________that makes me a real gardener.

1.

A．memory

B．dream

C．intention

D．design

2.

A．please

B．change

C．help

D．annoy

3.

A．doubt

B．appreciation

C．surprise

D．excitement

4.

A．collect up

B．care about

C．clean up

D．come in

5.

A．equal

B．similar

C．superior

D．opposite

6.

A．painful

B．valuable

C．upsetting

D．interesting

7.

A．come up

B．break out

C．hold on

D．get through

8.

A．to

B．with

C．in

D．by

9.

A．Luckily

B．Cheerfully

C．Regularly

D．Eventually

10.

A．Inetead

B．However

C．Therefore

D．Besides

11.

A．shouted

B．laughed

C．glanced

D．jumped

12.

A．convenient

B．troublesome

C．enjoyed

D．dangerous

13.

A．sadness

B．displeasure

C．delight

D．relief

14.

A．other than

B．more than

C．rather than

D．less than

15.

A．dislike

B．encouragement

C．threat

D．suggestion

16.

A．decided

B．stopped

C．continued

D．struggled

17.

A．devote

B．turn

C．respond

D．lead

18.

A．defeat

B．satisfy

C．respect

D．challenge

19.

A．proud

B．comfortable

C．strange

D．disappointed

20.

A．freedom

B．life

C．growth

D．nature

4 . Nick Torrance, a junior in high school, suffers from muscular dystrophy, and attends school in a specialized wheelchair. The muscle disease prevents him from accomplishing many everyday tasks, such as carrying his books and putting things away in his locker. So he had a fellow student assigned to help him. But Amy Smith, the school’s occupational therapist, thought that being able to do something simple like opening his locker on his own would be empowering.

Amy initially thought they would be able to buy a device to help. But searching online turned up nothing that could meet their needs—everything needed a keycode or some other physical action, things her disabled student couldn’t do. After the outside search for a method came up short, she looked within the school itself for an answer. Amy turned to the school’s robotics instructor.

The instructor, in turn, suggested that two of his most capable students take on the project: Micah Stuhldreher and Wyatt Smrcka. They took first place in a national robotics competition, so they were a natural choice to tackle the locker door problem with a robotics solution. Micah and Wyatt wasted no time getting down to work and for an hour each school day, the boys brainstormed, built, and rebuilt various versions of the device until they landed on the perfect solution one year later.

Like in any device development, it took a lot of trial and error for Micah and Wyatt to make something that would work for their target audience. For example, they initially built a locker-opening button, but Nick wasn’t strong enough to push it, so they replaced it with a sensor.

Now, between classes Nick steers his electric wheelchair to his locker and waves his hand over a sensor on the arm of the wheelchair. A few seconds later, the locker door swings open. Another wave closes the door. Nick can make it with ease—it may be a small thing, but it gives him a sense of independence.

1. Why did Amy Smith want a device?

A．To increase her student’s confidence.	B．To encourage cooperation at school.
C．To inspire a robotics invention.	D．To help treat a muscle disease.

2. With a sensor in his wheelchair, Nick can ________.

A．move around easily	B．put his things away
C．continue his schooling	D．open and close his locker

3. According to the passage, which words can best describe Micah and Wyatt?

A．Caring and passionate.	B．Talented and ambitious.
C．Sensitive and insightful.	D．Humble and warmhearted.

5 . Recycling Electronic Waste

When Alex Lin was 11 years old, he read an alarming article in the newspaper which said that people were burying old computers in backyards, throwing TVs into streams, and dumping (丢弃) cell phones in the garbage. This was dangerous because e-waste contains harmful chemicals that can leak into the environment, getting into crops, animals, water supplies—and people.

Alex was really worried and decided to make it next project for WIN—the Westerly Innovations Network. Alex and six of his friends had formed this organization to help solve community problems two years before.

But what could they do about this project with e-waste? The team spent several weeks gathering information about the harmful chemicals in e-waste and their effects on humans. They learned how to dispose (处置) of e-waste properly and how it could be recycled. Then, they sent out a survey and found only one in eight knew what e-waste was, let alone how to properly dispose of it.

Alex and his friends went into action. They advertised in the local newspaper and distributed notices to students, asking residents to bring their unwanted electronics to the school parking lot. The drive lasted two days, and they collected over 9, 500 kilograms of e-waste.

The next step was to set up a long-term e-waste drop-off center for the town. After some research, they’d learned that reusing is the best way to deal with electronic devices and it is seven times more efficient than recycling. So, they began learning to refurbish (翻新) computers themselves and distributed them to students who didn’t have their own. In this way, they could help students in the area and protect the environment at the same time.

For a lasting solution to e-waste, the drop-off center wasn’t enough. Laws would have to be passed. In 2016, WIN helped push for an e-waste bill in their town, which required companies that manufactured or sold electronics to take back e-waste. The bill clearly forbids the dumping of e-waste.

Because of the work of WIN, more and more people, like Alex and his team, are getting the message about safe disposal of e-waste. As Alex says, “Today’s technology should not become tomorrow’s harmful garbage.”

1. What was Alex’s worry after he read the article?

A．The littering of e-waste.	B．The recycling of plastic.
C．The change of environment.	D．The overuse of old computers.

2. What did Alex do to start the project?

A．Set up WIN.	B．Collect information.
C．Ask friends for help.	D．Carry out a survey.

3. Which can best describe the way Alex and his team did their work?

A．Traditional.	B．Competitive.
C．Scientific.	D．Convenient.

4. What message does the story convey?

A．There is no end to perfection.

B．Success comes through failure.

C．Every positive attitude has a reward.

D．Young people can make a big difference.

6 . 阅读下面的短文和问题，根据短文内容，完成对该问题的回答。答语要意思清楚，结构正确，书写工整。

I always dreamed of pulling off the surprise prank (玩笑) of a lifetime. Well, thanks to a little determination, some luck, and the power of love, my dream became a reality.

My family is Canadian, although my sister studied in Australia. She was graduating just before Christmas, but because my school schedule was busy, I would not be able to make it down in time for her graduation. She was understandably disappointed, and I felt guilty that I couldn’t be there for her on this most special occasion.

While I was talking to my teacher the week before the big event, I mentioned that I would be missing my sister’s graduation. Surprisingly, she commented, “Well, if you want to go, I have no problem with it, so go ahead!” I couldn’t believe my luck! I nearly jumped for joy.

Immediately, I called the airline. Amazingly, even during the busy Christmas season, I was able to change my ticket to arrive the day before my sister’s graduation.

With this fantastic news, I was bursting to tell my sister. But, wait. For a grand surprise, I needed a much more dramatic arrival than just a ring of the doorbell. What if I could arrive in a box? That would be the best Christmas present for my sister.

Although I was leaving in less than seventy-two hours, I started searching for delivery companies. The only one willing to go along with my Christmas surprise, was CouriersPlease. At first the manager said no, because Christmas was their busiest season. But then later, he kindly volunteered to deliver me himself.

Upon arrival in Australia, the manager and his colleagues loaded me in the box and carried me all the way up to my sister’s, where they rang the doorbell and announced they had a delivery for her. I couldn’t see the look on my sister’s face, but I could tell from her voice that she was both shocked and excited to receive such a huge gift box. I will never forget the look on her face as she opened the box.

It was such a great Christmas present for my sister, that is, for me to be able to go to her graduation, and in the process, show her how much I loved her. It also served as a lesson for me: _____________________.

1. Why was the author unable to go to his sister’s graduation? (不多于7个单词)
2. Who delivered the author to his sister’s? (不多于5个单词)
3. How did the author’s sister feel when she received the box? (不多于6个单词)
4. What lesson does the author learn from the experience? (单词数不限)

7 . Compassion may be something that one is born with, but actually being good at caring for others requires experience and a certain set of skills. An early opportunity to develop and practice these skills came with the birth of my brother when I was in 5^th grade. Although it took great patience to deal with a small child, I found deep joy in something so simple as watching him grow day by day.

Not only did I enjoy taking care of my little brother, but I volunteered at the Organization for Special Needs Families (OSNF) in my neighborhood so I could apply and further develop my childcare skills. I was partnered with Matthew, a 10-year-old with curly blond hair and blue eyes. He didn’t look different from other kids, but he had difficulty controlling his emotions, especially anger. His biggest problem was that he couldn’t go to the toilet himself. Every day I had to clean up his mess if he pooped in his pants. It was just like the “good old days” with my little brother before I successfully toilet-trained him.

Although I was never going to be able to toilet-train Matthew, I was able to change his life in another way. We had swimming three times a week, but Matthew was hopelessly afraid of the water. At first, Matthew just sat on the steps of the pool and did nothing. I pushed him slowly down the stairs until he was at last standing in the shallowest part of the pool. The next day, I pushed him a little further into the water. By the third day, he completely trusted me to take him into the pool. Maybe my large size also helped give him a sense of security. He did not have to be afraid of anything when a 200-pound guy was holding him tight. I felt so proud as I saw him standing there in the pool, happily playing with other kids in the water. The OSNF adult leaders told me that I was the only volunteer who had been able to take care of Matthew well. I think what made the difference is the belief I had in Matthew, like how I had always believed in my little brother.

Helping Matthew “grow” to overcome his fear of water made me realize things do not happen overnight. Real magic is a result of patience, and miracles happen when one believes in them.

1. How did the author feel about taking care of his brother?

A．Tired.	B．Joyful.
C．Proud.	D．Stressed.

2. The author volunteered at OSNF because he wanted to ________.

A．use and improve his childcare skills

B．create a friendly neighborhood

C．change the lives of other kids

D．get some work experience

3. With the author’s help, Matthew finally could ________.

A．control his emotions	B．play with his friends
C．poop in the toilet	D．stand in the pool

4. According to the author, what mattered most when he helped Matthew “grow”?

A．His large size and strong body.

B．His experience and knowledge.

C．His patience and trust in Matthew.

D．His willingness to take care of his brother.

8 . An Unexpected Gift

Twelve-year-old Mathew Flores is different from other kids. He loves junk (垃圾) mail, and these advertisements were the only reading materials _______ to him. Once he asked his mailman if he could offer him some.

The question _______ the mailman. He asked the boy the reason, and then recorded his _______ in his Facebook. “Today while delivering mail, I saw a boy reading ads, and he asked me for extra mail. Actually he wants to go to the library, but his family is very poor and can’t _______ the bus.”

The mailman then asked his Facebook friends if they could _______ some books for the boy. He wrote, “Most kids want electronic products! But what he wants is books. It’s great to see his rare _______, and you may have seen him smile when I said I could help him!” “He is counting on me,” he concluded. “So I am counting on you!”

The mailman thought the Facebook post might _______ 50 to 60 books. But his _______ was passed on quickly. People from around the world, including the UK, Australia and India, have sent books. Hundreds of books have been delivered to the boy’s door, with hundreds more _______ on their way.

When books first started arriving, Flores was shocked by what happened. “I thought they were ________, but they indeed were for me.” He says that he can’t wait to share the books with other kids, and has promised to read every one.

1.

A．natural

B．available

C．common

D．familiar

2.

A．frightened

B．disappointed

C．surprised

D．amused

3.

A．response

B．effort

C．decision

D．comment

4.

A．own

B．take

C．share

D．afford

5.

A．adjust

B．examine

C．spare

D．publish

6.

A．desire

B．effect

C．purpose

D．value

7.

A．give away

B．bring in

C．take on

D．put up

8.

A．belief

B．spirit

C．secret

D．request

9.

A．only

B．nearly

C．still

D．thus

10.

A．mistaken

B．helpless

C．unusual

D．awkward

9 . The Party of Their Lives

In Los Angeles’s infamous Skid Row, there are hundreds of children living on the streets or in shelters. It’s a place where dreams go to die. But one couple is determined to use their own experience with loss to foster a sense of hope.

In 2013, Mary Davis and her husband lost their first unborn kid. Refusing to let the heartbreak break them, they became volunteers in a Skid Row homeless shelter. They found that many of the kids there had never had a single birthday party before, so they decided to throw a birthday party for those homeless kids. They took over a room in the Union Rescue Mission and filled it with streamers, gifts and a cake. The kids were so excited that they made their own music — singing and clapping and, of course, laughing.

Since then, the couple have thrown a party each and every month. They routinely attract 250 kids and their parents. An hour before each party, volunteers arrive to set up the decorations and activities: face painting, balloon artists, a DJ, cake, and pizza. There are small presents for the kids celebrating their birthdays, but the Davis make sure there are more than enough to go around.

“I remember a mom came with her kid,” Mary says. “It was their first night at the shelter, and her child had a birthday. We had an extra gift for her — pink headphones. The little girl was so excited. And her mom... she’s crying. ‘I never imagined we would ever need to be in a shelter. I didn’t know what to expect. But I really didn’t expect a birthday party for my child.’ she cried with happiness.”

Doing her best to normalize these kids’ lives is both heartwarming and bittersweet, Mary says. “If you look outside, you see homeless person after homeless person on the street, and it reminds you that these kids don’t get to leave this area after the party.”

It may be why, after throwing 88 parties, she still cries after each one. She credits the kids in the shelter with helping her hold on to hope. “We didn’t realize how much joy they were going to bring us,” she told CBS News. “And it was so healing for both kids and us.”

1. In Skid Row, hundreds of kids ________.

A．were homeless	B．lost their parents
C．dropped out of school	D．were crazy about parties

2. How did the couple help the kids?

A．They raised much money.

B．They rented many houses.

C．They hosted birthday parties.

D．They made birthday presents.

3. According to the passage, which can best describe Mary?

A．Honest and generous.	B．Caring and generous.
C．Outgoing and caring.	D．Outgoing and honest.

4. What does the story intend to tell us?

A．Well begun, half done.

B．East or west, home is best.

C．What goes around comes around.

D．Where there is love, there is hope.

10 . Recently whenever I turned on my computer or my mobile phone, news about the great effect of Hurricane Harvey（哈维飓风）on thousands of people caught my eye. I saw many unfortunate events. However, there was also lots of bright news that showed the goodness of mankind. As a reporter, I reported many human-interest stories when doing my job, That’s why the story about the guys in the bakery（面包店）caught my eye.

When the workers at a Mexican bakery chain in Houston were trapped inside the building for two days, they didn't sit there feeling sorry for themselves. They used their time wisely after flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey. While waiting for the eventual rescue that came on Monday morning, the four workers decided to make as many loaves of bread as possible for people around the neighborhood. They talked to their manager about their plan over the phone and the manager agreed.

The flood water rose in the street outside. They took advantage of their emergency power supply to bake bread. They used more than 4,200 pounds of flour（面粉）to create hundreds of loaves and sheets of sweet bread. Although the water kept rising, they continued baking to help more people. By the time the manager managed to get to them, they had made so much bread that they took the loaves to lots of emergency centers across the city for people affected by the floods.

The store manager, Brian Alvarado, told The Independent, “They've done more than they should have done. And what they had done has lit a light for people. I feel lucky to have them work in the bakery.”

Whenever a disaster occurs, nobody should feelforlorn. Instead, we should stay hopeful and take positive action to save ourselves and help others. Our acts of kindness will make a big difference to the people in the world as well as the world itself.

1. Why did the story in the bakery draw the author’s attention?

A．It was helpful in choosing a good job.

B．It made him/her interested in baking.

C．It could bring him/her much money.

D．It showed the goodness of mankind.

2. What did the guys in the bakery do in the disaster?

A．They tried to get people out of water.

B．They set up emergency centers to help.

C．They offered to make bread for people.

D．They let homeless people live in the bakery.

3. What does Brian Alvarado think of the four workers?

A．He found them lucky.	B．He was proud of them.
C．They were experienced.	D．They were shy but brave.

4. What does the underlined word “forlorn” in the last paragraph probably mean?

A．Hopeless.

B．Confident.

C．Serious.

D．Angry.