2 . I’d done it before, and so I had no reason to believe that this time would be any different. I was sure that when I returned home from my mission trip, as always, I’d bring back nothing more than some mud on my boots, a hole or two in my jeans and, of course, a lot of great memories.

The summer before my high school graduation, I went to West Virginia with others as volunteers to repair the homes of those in need. Arriving at our destination, my group was assigned the task of rebuilding sections of a home that had been damaged by fire. No sooner had we parked on the home’s dirt driveway than we saw an excited little girl, no more than six years old, standing in the doorway of the family’s temporary home. Shoeless and wearing dirty clothes and the biggest smile I’d ever seen, she yelled, “Ma, Ma, they really came!” I didn’t know it then, but her name was Dakota, and four more days would pass before she’d say another word near me.

Behind Dakota was a woman in a wheelchair — her grandmother, we’d soon learn. I also discovered that my job that week would be to help change a fire-damaged dining room into a bedroom for this little girl. Over the following days, I noticed Dakota peeking at us every now and then as we worked. A few times, I tried talking with her, but she remained shy and distant, always flying around us like a tiny butterfly but keeping to herself.

By our fifth and final day, however, this was about to change. Before I went to work on her home on that last morning, I spoke for a moment or two with the grandmother. I was especially pleased when she told me how much Dakota loved her new room — so much. As we talked, I noticed something I hadn’t seen before — Dakota was hiding behind her grandmother.

Cautiously, she stepped into view, and I could see that just like her clothes, her face was still dirty. But no amount of soil could hide those bright blue eyes and big smile. She was simply adorable. Slowly, she began walking toward me. It wasn’t until she was just inches away that I noticed the folded piece of paper in her tiny hand. Silently, she reached up and handed it to me. Once unfolded, I looked at the drawing she’d made with her broken crayons on the back of an old coloring book cover. It was of two girls — one much taller than the other — and they were holding hands. She told me it was supposed to be me and her, and on the bottom of the paper were three little words that instantly broke my heart: “Please don’t leave”. Now almost in tears, I couldn’t control myself anymore — I bent down and hugged her. She hugged me, too. And for the longest time, neither of us could let go.

I left for home early the next morning. I was returning with muddy boots and holes in my jeans. But because of Dakota, I brought back something else, too — a greater appreciation for all of the blessings of my life. I’ll never forget that barefoot little butterfly with the big smile and dirty face. I pray that she’ll never forget me either.

1. What did the author expect before taking this mission trip?

A．An exciting experience.	B．A special memory.
C．A routine result.	D．A surprising change.

2. From the appearance description of the little girl, we know ________.

A．she was an innocent and lovely child	B．she hoped for a better education
C．she was strong and calm in the inner world	D．she formed a bad living habit

3. The underlined part means that the little girl ________.

A．enjoyed meeting me	B．feared to talk with me
C．desired to approach me	D．resisted accepting me

4. How did the author feel after unfolding the piece of paper?

A．She worried about the little girl’s future.

B．She decided to keep helping the little girl.

C．She felt a greater affection for the little girl.

D．She got surprised at the little girl’s worthless gift.

5. What does the passage mainly tell us?

A．One must learn to share life experiences.

B．One should be more grateful for the gift of life.

C．One often wants to lead a meaningful life.

D．One occasionally benefits from the poverty.

3 . In October, I told the eight-year-olds about my plan. “I’d like all of you to do extra jobs to _________ some money. Then we’ll buy food for a Thanksgiving dinner for someone who might not have a nice dinner _________.” I wanted the children to _________ that it’s more blessed to give than to _________. I wanted them to understand that kindness is _________ nice ideas and that people somehow have to make it come _________.

Early in the week, the boys and girls arrived in class seizing their hard-earned money and couldn’t wait to go shopping. I watched _________ they ran up and down the supermarket aisles. _________, we headed toward the checkout. Then someone _________ a “necessity” that sent them racing.

“Flowers!” Kristine cried. The group rushed toward the holiday __________. I pronounced, “You can’t eat flowers.” “But Mrs. Sherlock, we want flowers.” __________, I sighed as the children moved a pot of purple daisies (雏菊) into the cart.

Then we set off for the house of a needy grandmother and finally __________ in front of a small house in the woods. A woman with a tired face came to the door to __________ us. My little group hurried to get the turkey and the trimmings. As each box was carried in, the old woman thanked us — much to children’s __________. When Amy put the daisies on the counter, the woman seemed __________.

We returned to the car. Fastening seat belts, we could see the kitchen window. The woman inside waved goodbye, then turned and walked across the room, past the turkey, past the trimmings, __________ to the daisies. She put her face in the flowers. When she raised her head, there was a __________ on her lips. She was transformed before our eyes. The children were quiet. In that one brief __________ they had seen for themselves the __________ they possessed to make another’s life better. The children had __________ that sometimes a person needs a pot of funny flowers on a dark November day.

1.

A．spend

B．earn

C．withdraw

D．save

2.

A．either

B．though

C．otherwise

D．anyway

3.

A．experience

B．expect

C．advocate

D．clarify

4.

A．enjoy

B．receive

C．accumulate

D．share

5.

A．better than

B．rather than

C．other than

D．more than

6.

A．alive

B．wrong

C．fresh

D．fair

7.

A．until

B．before

C．as

D．since

8.

A．Gradually

B．Eventually

C．Frequently

D．Occasionally

9.

A．observed

B．confirmed

C．recognized

D．spotted

10.

A．plants

B．lights

C．cards

D．foods

11.

A．Panicked

B．Moved

C．Defeated

D．Determined

12.

A．pulled up

B．settled down

C．turned out

D．got through

13.

A．accompany

B．welcome

C．inspect

D．instruct

14.

A．puzzle

B．astonishment

C．pleasure

D．disappointment

15.

A．surprised

B．depressed

C．embarrassed

D．amused

16.

A．straight

B．abruptly

C．gradually

D．close

17.

A．terror

B．shock

C．pain

D．smile

18.

A．chance

B．decision

C．moment

D．condition

19.

A．energy

B．power

C．talent

D．interest

20.

A．sensed

B．noticed

C．marked

D．checked

4 . While another baby was on the way, Karen’s three-year-old son, Michael ______ to his sister in Mommy’s tummy.

The pregnancy progressed ______ for Karen. But something serious ______ during delivery. Finally, Michael’s little sister was born, but in serious ______. With siren (警报) howling in the night, the ambulance ______ the infant to the ICU at St. Mary’s Hospital.

____ inched by. The little girl got worse. The doctors told the parents, “There is very little hope.” They had ______ a special room in their home for the new baby-now they planned a funeral.

After two weeks in ICU, it looked as if a funeral would come ______ the week was over. Michael, however, kept begging his: parents to let him sing to his sister. Kids were never ______ in ICU. But Karen made up her mind to take Michael ______ they liked it or not. If he didn’t see his sister now, he may never see her alive.

She ______ him in an oversized suit and ______ him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket, but the nurse ______ him as a child, “Get that kid out of here now!” The usually ______ mother glared steel-eyed right into the nurse’s face, saying in a ______ tone, “He’s not leaving until he sings to his sister!” Karen towed Michael to his sister’s bedside. He gazed at the tiny baby ______ the battle to live and began to sing. ______ the pure hearted voice of a 3-ycar-old, Michael sang:

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray...”

____ the baby girl responded. The pulse rate began to ______ down and became steady.

“Keep on.” encouraged Karen. “You never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away...” The baby’s breath became as smooth as a kitten’s purr.

“The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping.” Michael’s little sister relaxed as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her.

Funeral plans were ______. The next day-the very next day-the little girl was well enough to go home!

Karen called it a miracle of God’s love!

1.

A．talked

B．whispered

C．played

D．sang

2.

A．quietly

B．peacefully

C．hopefully

D．normally

3.

A．arose

B．raised

C．rose

D．aroused

4.

A．situation

B．place

C．condition

D．position

5.

A．pushed

B．rushed

C．caried

D．sent

6.

A．The years

B．The months

C．The weeks

D．The days

7.

A．fixed up

B．brought up

C．built up

D．set up

8.

A．until

B．since

C．after

D．before

9.

A．asked

B．allowed

C．admitted

D．acquired

10.

A．no matter

B．even if

C．whether

D．as if

11.

A．put

B．wore

C．dressed

D．fit

12.

A．marched

B．forced

C．hid

D．followed

13.

A．required

B．replied

C．recognized

D．regarded

14.

A．warm-hearted

B．well-managed

C．mild-mannered

D．cold-blooded

15.

A．firm

B．strong

C．hard

D．tough

16.

A．losing

B．withdrawing

C．quitting

D．exiting

17.

A．At

B．On

C．In

D．Under

18.

A．Finally

B．Instantly

C．Patiently

D．Interestingly

19.

A．calm

B．quiet

C．lie

D．break

20.

A．delayed

B．banned

C．abandoned

D．abolished

5 . 阅读下面短文，按照要求完成阅读任务。

I've noticed that conversations with my children have stalled to turn into something that I don't like. It could be my fault. I don't always think before 1 open my mouth. For example, my kids would call me to tell me about something that's been bothering them. Then, as soon as they're finished, I go into mom mode. I can't help it. It's my de — fault setting(默认设置).

"You should ..." "You need to consider ...^'"Have you thought of..." "If I were you, I'd ...

“Mom!”

The tone is foil of frustration and annoyance. The meaning is obvious—"Stop!”

I am the queen of unwanted advice. When I get one of my adult kids on the phone, I become an expert on everything and anything, which I'm obviously not. I want to be part of their lives. More importantly. I want to prevent them from making mistakes that seem so obvious to me.

I'm hardly alone in this. Over lunch the other day, a friend told me that her son rarely listened to anything she said. "It's like talking to a wall," she added. I know that feeling all too well. But I'm learning, very slowly, that talking at is not the same as talking with.

Giving advice to children can be full of problems. Though we may see ourselves sharing the wisdom of our years, they see something else. They see a controlling parent who hasn't accepted the fact that they're adults with their own thoughts and feelings.

They're not looking for any smart recipe because they have their own system and don't need your tips. They may not even want an immediate solution to a difficult problem. What they're really hoping for is a safe place to talk with a person who loves and supports them no matter what.

Because of this, I've given myself the goal of becoming a better parent by being a better listener. It's not an easy task. But I'm determined, I'm strong.

1. What causes the children's tone of frustration and annoyance in the conversations with the author?(no more than 6 words)
2. Why does the author like giving advice to her children? (no more than 15 words)
3. What does the underlined word mean? ( no more than 1 word)
4. What do the children actually need in the talk with their parents according to the passage? (no more than 15 words)
5. What do you expect your parents to do when you are talking with them about your school life ? Please explain it. (no more than 25 words)

6 . When I was twelve years old, my father took me to see Zig Ziegler. I remember sitting in that dark auditorium listening to Mr. Zigler raise everyone’s _______up to die ceiling. I left there saying, “Dad, I want to make people feel like that.” My father asked me what I _______ . “I want to be a motivational speaker just like Mr. Zigler, ” I replied. A _______ was born.

Recently, I began pursuing my dream of _______ others. After a four — year relationship with a major fortune 100 company as a regional sales manager, I left the company at the _______of my career. Many people were shocked that I would leave after earning a six-figure income. And they asked why I would _______ everything for a dream.

I made my decision to start my own company and leave my secure _______ after attending a regional sales meeting. The vice-president of our company _______ a speech that changed my life. I realized that everything I had _______ the graduate degree, the successful sales career, managing for a fortune 100 company had ________ me for this moment. I was ready to become a motivational speaker.

When I tearfully told my boss my ________, this incredible leader whom I respect so much replied, “________ with confidence and you will be successful”.

Having made that decision, I was immediately ________. One week after I gave notice, my husband was ________ from his job. We needed both incomes to ________ the monthly mortgage payment(抵押贷款). It was ________ to go back to my former company, but I didn’t. I decided I still wanted to move forward ________ end up with a mouth full of “if onlys” later on. A motivational speaker was born.

When I held ________ to my dream, even during the tough times, the miracles really began to happen. In a short time period my husband found a better job. And I was able to book several ________ engagements with new clients. I discovered the incredible power of dreams. To celebrate my success I had a local artist paint my new office as a garden. At the top of one wall she painted, “The world always ________the dreamer.”

1.

A．efforts

B．hopes

C．spirits

D．brains

2.

A．meant

B．recognized

C．concluded

D．found

3.

A．curiosity

B．dream

C．purpose

D．challenge

4.

A．handling

B．caring

C．inspiring

D．promising

5.

A．point

B．heart

C．end

D．height

6.

A．risk

B．exchange

C．lose

D．refuse

7.

A．reputation

B．position

C．spot

D．future

8.

A．wrote

B．prepared

C．heard

D．delivered

9.

A．accomplished

B．imagined

C．arranged

D．recommended

10.

A．trained

B．saved

C．prepared

D．pushed

11.

A．words

B．plans

C．jobs

D．issues

12.

A．Turn around

B．Come over

C．Stay up

D．Go ahead

13.

A．tested

B．warned

C．reminded

D．touched

14.

A．taken off

B．called off

C．laid off

D．put off

15.

A．earn

B．make

C．return

D．borrow

16.

A．causal

B．interesting

C．scaring

D．attractive

17.

A．rather than

B．or rather

C．as well as

D．or else

18.

A．deep

B．fast

C．close

D．still

19.

A．working

B．investing

C．speaking

D．learning

20.

A．take aim at

B．pay attention to

C．keep contact with

D．make ways for

7 . My doctor took me for a walk around the farm where she lives. I was physically and emotionally exhausted and discouraged by anxiety and depression.

The place was full of life. There were insects, horses, rabbits and a cat. She told me to focus on my body in the environment.

When I was ill I tended to retreat into my mind and disconnect from here and now. So, when I met a horse named Fira, I expected nothing.

As I got closer to Fira, she nuzzled (用鼻子爱抚)her nose into my chest, putting a gentle pressure over my heart. Something happened inside me: I felt as if I had reached a wellspring (源泉)of past hurts, fears and failings. I began to melt emotionally.

I patted Fira's nose and breathed in her smell. I found I didn't have to concentrate on feeling better; Fira helped me feel loved and safe.

I worked with Fira often, learning basic communication and leading methods to work together with her. Initially, I wasn't sure exactly what one would do with a horse except riding it. But I knew that Fira had touched me in an uncommon way and had made me feel better. She connected with me by responding to my emotional state and reflecting it back to me in an open, affectionate way.

In my meetings with Fira, I found that I lost my usual self-consciousness and I would focus entirely on communicating.

I learned to live in the present, to focus on what was happening this day, in this moment, in this place. I learned to forget the past, with all its hurts. I learned to forget the future, which hasn't happened yet. When you stand beside a horse, you exist completely in the moment.

"With Fira by my side, I saw into a life in which trust comes first, and compassion follows.

I found a deep peace in leading her along a path, by using my own power of intention to indicate whether to start, stop, turn left or turn right. I felt an inner quiet and even joy. My work with this horse was part of a journey out of a very dark night in my soul.

1. What do we know about the author from the first three paragraphs?

A．She often lost consciousness.

B．She loves animals very much.

C．She suffered from mental illness.

D．She went to a doctor with high hopes.

2. When the author first met Fira, she              .

A．was deeply touched by its reaction

B．had already recovered from her pain

C．was curious about what would happen

D．didn't have any interest in keeping a pet

3. What does the underlined phrase in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Get out of trouble.	B．Keep away from others.
C．Lift up my spirits.	D．Make up my mind.

4. When the author and Fira worked together,.

A．the author had to try hard to feel better

B．Fira helped the author focus on her thoughts

C．the author recalled her past hurts, fears and failings

D．Fira understood the author's emotions and reacted positively

5. What did the author learn during her time with Fira?

A．It is important to make every day count.

B．One shouldn't be affected by emotions.

C．One should learn lessons from the past.

D．It is essential to show sympathy for others.

8 . It was a cold evening and my daughter and I were walking up Broadway. I didn't notice a guy sitting inside a cardboard box. But Nora did. She wasn't even four, but she _______ at my coat and said, “That man's cold. Daddy, _______ we take him home?”

I don't remember my reply. But I do remember a sudden _______ feeling inside me. I had always been delighted at how much my daughter noticed in her _______, whether it was _______ in flight or children playing. But now she was noticing _______ and beggary.

A few days later, I saw an article in the newspaper about volunteers who picked up a food package from a nearby school on a Sunday morning and _______ it to an elderly person. It was quick and easy. I _______ us up. Nora was _______ about it. She could understand the importance of food, so she could easily see how ________ our job was. When Sunday came, she was ready, but I had to ________ myself to leave the house to fetch the food package. On my way to the school, I fought an urge to ________. The Sunday paper and coffee were waiting for me at home. Why do this? ________, we phoned the elderly person we'd been appointed. She ________ us right over.

The building was in a bad state. Facing us was a silver-haired woman in an old dress. She took the package and asked us to come in. Nora ran inside. I unwillingly followed. ________ inside, I saw that the department belonged to someone poor. Our hostess showed us some photos. Nora played and when it came time to say goodbye, we three hugged, I walked home in tears.

Professionals call such a(n) ________ “a volunteer opportunity”. They are opportunities, I've come to see. Where else but as volunteers do you have the opportunity to do something ________ that’s good for others as well as for yourself? Nora and I regularly serve to needy people and ________ clothes for the homeless. Yet, as I’ve ________ her grow over these past four years, I still wonder-which of us has ________ more?

1.

A．pulled

B．glanced

C．waved

D．armed

2.

A．would

B．can

C．need

D．must

3.

A．general

B．funny

C．heavy

D．curious

4.

A．area

B．part

C．eyesight

D．world

5.

A．insects

B．animals

C．plants

D．birds

6.

A．coldness

B．illness

C．suffering

D．ignorance

7.

A．delivered

B．returned

C．devoted

D．posted

8.

A．held

B．hurried

C．signed

D．lined

9.

A．casual

B．sorry

C．astonished

D．excited

10.

A．creative

B．valuable

C．shocking

D．simple

11.

A．warn

B．stop

C．allow

D．push

12.

A．turn back

B．get away

C．show up

D．come out

13.

A．Therefore

B．Obviously

C．Still

D．Also

14.

A．called

B．promised

C．invited

D．helped

15.

A．Although

B．Once

C．Because

D．As

16.

A．stay

B．visit

C．adventure

D．challenge

17.

A．fair

B．famous

C．difficult

D．enjoyable

18.

A．collect

B．make

C．order

D．wear

19.

A．let

B．made

C．watched

D．noticed

20.

A．increased

B．benefited

C．tried

D．seized

9 . There was something in the elderly woman’s elegance that caught my eye. Although slow and unsure of step, the woman moved_________in an elegant way. However, a younger woman who I guessed was her daughter displayed signs of_________, checking her watch every few seconds.

It was a few years ago, and I_________a part-time holiday-season job in a video store at the local shopping mall. From inside the store, I could see the people rushing by outside.

_________entering the store, the elderly woman separated from the younger one and began to_________through the DVDs on the nearest shelf. Without any_________, I walked over to her and asked_________I could help her find something. The woman_________me a title written on an old piece of paper. The title was unusual. Rather than rush off to_________the DVD for the woman, I asked her to walk with me so I could tell her where she could find it.____________, I think I must have wanted to enjoy her____________for a moment. Something about her____________me of my own mother, who’d passed away in the previous year.

As we walked along the back of the store, I____________our shelf arrangements to her. The woman seemed glad of the ____________company and casual conversation.

We found the DVD at last. She smiled and told me it was one she’d____________when she was her daughter’s age. After I____________the elderly woman to the queue at the cash register, I stepped back and walked over the younger woman.

“Is that your mom?” I asked.

____________her eyes, she said, “Yeah.” There was annoyance in her reply.

“Mind some advice?” I asked.

I smiled to show her I wasn’t____________. “Cherish her,” I said. And then I answered her____________expression by saying, “When she’s gone, it’s these moments that’ll come back to you.”

The elderly woman moved back to her daughter. Surprisingly, the daughter placed her arm with obviously unaccustomed____________around her mother’s shoulders and together they made their way toward the store’s exit.

1.

A．carefully

B．hurriedly

C．skillfully

D．casually

2.

A．consideration

B．kindness

C．impatience

D．eagerness

3.

A．applied for

B．came across

C．registered for

D．took up

4.

A．Beyond

B．On

C．With

D．Through

5.

A．purchase

B．seek

C．acquire

D．investigate

6.

A．recommendation

B．doubt

C．hesitation

D．attempt

7.

A．if

B．how

C．what

D．when

8.

A．informed

B．displayed

C．showed

D．provided

9.

A．locate

B．identify

C．recognize

D．witness

10.

A．Coming alone

B．Dating back

C．Turning around

D．Looking back

11.

A．warmth

B．company

C．appreciation

D．interruption

12.

A．assured

B．convinced

C．reminded

D．recalled

13.

A．introduced

B．announced

C．advocated

D．praised

14.

A．unforgettable

B．annoying

C．extra

D．unrushed

15.

A．missed

B．enjoyed

C．chose

D．ordered

16.

A．guided

B．allowed

C．persuaded

D．confirmed

17.

A．Blinking

B．Raising

C．Rolling

D．Opening

18.

A．attacking

B．criticizing

C．clarifying

D．bargaining

19.

A．frightened

B．embarrassed

C．anxious

D．curious

20.

A．dignity

B．affection

C．amazement

D．satisfaction

10 . All through the long summer vacations, I sat on the edge of the street and watched enviously the other boys on the block play baseball. I was never asked to take part even when one team had a member missing — not out of special cruelty, but because they took it for granted I would be no good at it.

I would never forget the wonderful evening when something changed. The baseball ended about eight or eight thirty when it grew dark. Then it was the custom of the boys to sit at a little stoop (门廊), mostly talking about the games played during the day and of the game to be played tomorrow. Then long silences would fall and the boys would wander off one by one. It was just after one of those long silences that my life as an outsider changed. I can no longer remember which boy it was that summer evening who broke the silence with a question; but whoever he was, I nod to him gratefully now. “What’s in those books you’re always reading?” he asked casually. “Stories,” I answered “What kind?” asked somebody else without much interest.

Nor do I know what drove me to behave as I did, for usually I just sat there in silence, glad enough to be allowed to remain among them; but instead of answering his question, I told them for two hours the story I was reading at the moment. The book was Sister Carrie. They listened bug-eyed and breathless. I must have told it well, but I think there was another and deeper reason that made them so keen an audience. Listening to a tale being told in the dark is one of the most ancient of man’s entertainments, but I was offering them as well, without being aware of doing it, a new and exciting experience.

The next night and many night thereafter, a kind of unspoken ritual (仪式) took place. As it grew dark, I would take my place in the center of the stoop and begin the evening’s tale. Some nights, in order to taste my victory more completely, I cheated. I would stop at the most exciting part of a story by Jack London or Bret Harte, and without warning tell them that that was as far as I had gone in the book and it would have to be continued the following evening. It was not true, of course; but I had to make certain of my new-found power and position. I enjoyed the long summer evenings until school began in the fall.Other words of mine have been listened to by larger and more fashionable audiences, but for that tough and athletic one that sat close on the stoop outside the candy store, I have an unreasoning love that will last forever.

1. Watching the boys playing baseball, the writer must have felt _____.

A．special and different

B．bitter and lonely

C．pleased and excited

D．disturbed and annoyed

2. The writer feels grateful even now to the boy who asked the question because the boy _____.

A．broke the long silence of that summer evening

B．liked the book that he was reading

C．invited him to join in their game

D．offered him an opportunity that changed his life

3. According to Paragraph 3, story-telling was popular among the boys basically because _____.

A．the story was from a children’s book

B．the boys had few entertainments after dark

C．listening to tales was an age-old practice

D．the boys didn’t read books by themselves

4. Sometimes the writer stopped at the most exciting part of a story to _____.

A．experience more joy of achievement

B．play a mean trick on the boys

C．add his own imagination to the story

D．help the boys understand the story better

5. What is the message conveyed in the story?

A．Reading is more important than playing games.

B．Friendship is built upon respect for each other.

C．One can find his position in life in his own way.

D．Adult habits are developed from childhood.