1 . A car store in my hometown sold six to eight new cars a day. And 72 percent of this store’s first-time visitors returned for a second ________ . I was curious about how it ________.

On one particular June morning, my wife Jane said to me, “Today’s my fifth anniversary of being ________.” She suffered from it five years ago and had undergone surgery. I was ________ because I had forgotten it. To mark this special occasion, I did the most impetuous thing in my life: I ________ a new car in the car store I mentioned. I didn’t pick the ________ or the model, but I paid cash and told the staff I’d bring Jane to make those two ________. I also told them that it was my ________and hoped they didn’t reveal anything to her. Then one morning, it occurred to me that Jane always wanted a white car. So I called our sales consultant and asked him if he had anything ________ in the store. He said he had one ________ but he couldn’t promise it’d still be ________because they were selling so fast.

After I told Jane the biggest ________ to get her out of the house, we finally made our way to the car store. Jane quickly ________ the little white car. But I told her we could buy the car after our son graduated from college. Hearing what I said, she ________ walked to the front of the car. Then she ________a scream. There was a large sign, which said, “Congratulations, Jane. This car is yours. Five years cancer-free. Let’s treasure life!” I looked around and ________that there was no one in the store. Customers that came to the store were not ________ to enter; instead, the staff took them aside and ________ what was happening. Actually, our sales consultant had arranged it; ________, we could share the special moment alone.

Over the years, I’ve told this story as an example of the legendary ________.

1.

A．visit

B．try

C．chance

D．date

2.

A．arrived

B．ranked

C．happened

D．developed

3.

A．smoke-free

B．rent-free

C．tax-free

D．cancer-free

4.

A．confused

B．embarrassed

C．frightened

D．relieved

5.

A．bought

B．painted

C．borrowed

D．hired

6.

A．brand

B．color

C．number

D．type

7.

A．requests

B．decisions

C．donations

D．promises

8.

A．pleasure

B．opinion

C．secret

D．problem

9.

A．cheap

B．small

C．new

D．white

10.

A．left

B．sold

C．made

D．found

11.

A．available

B．possible

C．popular

D．convenient

12.

A．risk

B．concern

C．mistake

D．lie

13.

A．returned

B．forgot

C．noticed

D．recognized

14.

A．disappointedly

B．hurriedly

C．regularly

D．confidently

15.

A．ended in

B．held back

C．changed to

D．let out

16.

A．believed

B．discovered

C．expected

D．accepted

17.

A．reminded

B．prepared

C．forced

D．allowed

18.

A．guessed

B．presented

C．explained

D．ignored

19.

A．besides

B．otherwise

C．therefore

D．however

20.

A．symbol

B．service

C．design

D．character

6 . If someone had told me five years ago that I would be living happily ever after on a small farm in western Oklahoma, I would have immediately denied the possibility. Back then, I was a confirmed city girl. I enjoyed the city life.

Then one day, while we were checking my mother’s farm for her, I looked around, liked what I saw and asked my husband, “Why don’t we build a house here on the farm?”

To my surprise, he said, “Yes!”

And so we began a new and very different chapter in our life story. My husband and I set out to deal with the land. We took down dead trees, knocked down the outbuildings and planted vegetable and flower gardens. We learned new skills as we worked and provided the locals with humorous moments as they answered our questions. We built a home to welcome family and friends, to share the beauty and bounty of the land.

We soon realized the land had played a joke on us: it had changed and transformed us in our efforts to change it. We lost weight and gained muscles.

We’ve learned to recognize and honor nature’s cycles and timing instead of clocks, calendars, schedules and to-do lists. With only two clocks in the house, we enjoy the flow of days into nights. Our timeless life allows us to appreciate sunrises and sunsets — each a unique event that camera and words only partially capture.

Living a simple life in the country has led us back to common sense. We’ve learned to be resourceful in solving problems and can think of many unique ways. I become better at handling a situation with fewer resources and conveniences.

In the quietness of the land, we hear and appreciate nature’s music. We also listen to the silence. Walking through the grasses, gazing at the century-old trees and wondering about all the changes and history they have witnessed are relaxing pastimes. I have to be truthful: caring for the land is a joyful job.

1. How did her husband react to the author’s proposal?

A．Opposed.

B．Approving.

C．Surprised.

D．Concerned.

2. How did the author benefit from the country life?

A．She enjoyed better health.	B．She made much money by working.
C．She regained the respect from the farmers.	D．She improved her relationship with her family.

3. What is the author’s feeling when living in the country?

A．She becomes more creative.	B．She becomes more humorous.
C．She becomes more honest with others.	D．She becomes more interested in travelling.

4. What message does the author want to convey?

A．Simple life is the most important.	B．Country life is better than city life.
C．Getting close to nature can be joyful.	D．Living in the country is everyone’s dream.

7 . At 91 years old and with Alzheimer’s disease, Gene McGehee was finding his golden years to be his loneliest. That all ______ one day when he heard the clear sound of children’s laughter right outside his home.

When Gene ______ outside, he couldn’t believe his good ______ to discover a group of lively young kids playing. The children, from the daycare center across the street, were more than ______ to include Gene in their fun. They ______ him Big Gene, and a special, long-lasting friendship was ______ between Gene, the kids and Megan Nunez, the daycare teacher.

Gene’s ______ Alzheimer’s disease means he now has only short-term memory. For the last three years, Gene has been ______ Megan and the kids every day for what he thinks is the ______ time. “Every day, I cross the street, and we stay together,” explained Megan. “I always tell the kids that his ______ is kind of sick, but his heart ______ us.”

Gene’s daughter, Cathy, said he ______ from loneliness until the kids came into his life and ______ his days. He now gets to just go outside and make new friends on a daily basis. “They have been such a ______ to Daddy, and he lights up,” Cathy ______ shared.

Gene and the kids enjoy their one-hour “playdate” every afternoon. They ______ jokes, stories, laughs and hugs. He sometimes even ______ their games. Even though the day’s cherished memories disappear as the sun _______, something remains in the depths of Gene’s mind. It is that ______ feeling that makes him go outside as soon as he hears the children’s _______once again.

1.

A．changed

B．happened

C．mattered

D．began

2.

A．rushed

B．stayed

C．stepped

D．glared

3.

A．view

B．fortune

C．alternative

D．position

4.

A．willing

B．curious

C．annoyed

D．afraid

5.

A．awarded

B．nicknamed

C．owed

D．handed

6.

A．expected

B．faded

C．damaged

D．born

7.

A．infectious

B．mild

C．severe

D．rare

8.

A．meeting

B．consulting

C．asking

D．accompanying

9.

A．last

B．next

C．most

D．first

10.

A．leg

B．eye

C．arm

D．brain

11.

A．needs

B．remembers

C．ignores

D．discovers

12.

A．learned

B．suffered

C．benefited

D．recovered

13.

A．ruined

B．promoted

C．brightened

D．explored

14.

A．blessing

B．reward

C．problem

D．burden

15.

A．eventually

B．cheerfully

C．regularly

D．frequently

16.

A．exchange

B．communicate

C．tell

D．play

17.

A．breaks in

B．blows up

C．passes down

D．participates in

18.

A．rises

B．shines

C．moves

D．sets

19.

A．normal

B．necessary

C．special

D．cautious

20.

A．screams

B．complaints

C．laughter

D．news

8 . There’s no age limit on being an amazing model, and a great-grandmother in California is certainly proving that. Helene Simon, 99, was recently photographed as one of beauty brand Saie’s latest faces.

In the campaign images, she is seen wearing a crisp white blouse and a beaded necklace along with the cosmetic company’s newest products. She’s also seen showing a joyful smile and great model poses.

“I loved being on set (在片场) ,” Simon said. “The photographer was incredible and so fun. It definitely was a treat to get my hair and make-up done.”

Simon actually happens to be Saie’s founder Laney Crowell’s great-grandmother, and Laney decided to ask Simon to model after her Instagram community responded with an overwhelming “yes” when she asked if her great-grandmother should be Saie’s next model.

This was Simon’s first-ever modeling performance, and when initially approached she said “absolutely not”. “I think I laughed it off. Then my great-granddaughter persisted and encouraged me to show the world that 99-year-old women should still be represented.”

Since making her modeling debut (首次亮相) , Saie has received lots of feedback.   “Aw, this brought tears to my eyes!” “Hi Nanna, you are my goal,” someone commented. Another chimed in demanding, “More Nanna please!” another commenter said, “I love this post with all my heart. May she live to 120 !” Many others echoed the words with similar sentiments.

After receiving all the positive feedback from her first major make-up modeling performance, Simon said “It is such a thrill.” and she is so surprised by all of the people sending notes and messages that they have seen her images and are inspired by them. When asked if she would continue to do more modeling in the future, Simon happily responded, “Never say never!”

1. What does Simon think of the modeling process?

A．Interesting

B．Exhausting

C．Inspiring

D．Stressful

2. What contributes to Laney Crowell’s choosing Simon as the model?

A．Simon has a great talent for being a model.

B．Simon is Laney Crowell’s great-grandmother.

C．Laney needed an elegant 99-year-old woman.

D．Laney’s fans agreed on her great-grandmother being the model.

3. What was Simon’s first reaction when asked to be a model?

A．She hesitated over it.

B．She thought little of it.

C．She accepted it happily.

D．She refused immediately.

4. What does Simon’s story show?

A．Where there is a will there is a way.

B．God helps those who help themselves.

C．You should never set limits on yourself.

D．Your defeat now is your victory tomorrow.

9 . Mr. Steven was a comic actor in his city, who was popular with audience. One day, he went home by subway. When he arrived home, Mr. Steven was surprised as he found somebody’s gold watch had _________appeared in his pocket.

He was puzzled, _________ to guess how this rather expensive thing could get into his pocket. Since Steven had no _________ , he couldn’t find the answer. So the actor made up his mind to take the watch to the police station. The next day the answer to this _________ was found. A postman _________ to Steven an anonymous (匿名的) letter.

“Dear Mr. Steven”, it said, “It is _________ that you wonder who is writing this letter. I am a professional _________ . Yesterday I managed to steal from somebody a _________ gold watch when I was in the subway. But then I _________ you in the subway, and instantly I decided to give it to you as a gift. So I __________ put the watch in your pocket.”

The policemen tried hard to find this elusive (神出鬼没的) pickpocket, but all their efforts were __________. The thievish Steven admirer __________ the thin air. The police didn’t succeed in returning the stolen property to the true owner of the gold watch as it couldn’t find him anywhere. They made a __________ to return that ill-fated watch to the comic actor.

The story was so __________ that it became popular in one day. It became known among the press and in no time __________ the headlines in the newspapers of the city. Soon after this sensation in mass media, Steven received another __________. There was no address and no names. It said “Dear Mr. Steven, about a year ago I was in the subway and someone stole my gold watch. I was very __________ about that, but now I have known that the thief had __________ it to you. I want you to __________ it. I am a big fan of yours, so that is why I’m also sending you a gold chain that would __________ the watch.”

1.

A．expectedly

B．incredibly

C．fortunately

D．horribly

2.

A．trying

B．managing

C．refusing

D．pretending

3.

A．skill

B．equipment

C．clue

D．explanation

4.

A．cause

B．adventure

C．accident

D．riddle

5.

A．enveloped

B．delivered

C．folded

D．displayed

6.

A．amazing

B．abnormal

C．apparent

D．vital

7.

A．journalist

B．comedian

C．robber

D．pickpocket

8.

A．costly

B．fake

C．valueless

D．fashionable

9.

A．noticed

B．mentioned

C．remarked

D．overlooked

10.

A．casually

B．secretly

C．publicly

D．aimlessly

11.

A．at random

B．under control

C．in vain

D．for certain

12.

A．turned up

B．showed off

C．crashed into

D．vanished into

13.

A．decision

B．comment

C．conclusion

D．analysis

14.

A．common

B．original

C．moving

D．cheerful

15.

A．outlined

B．released

C．captured

D．deserted

16.

A．name

B．gift

C．watch

D．letter

17.

A．delighted

B．annoyed

C．thrilled

D．puzzled

18.

A．presented

B．sold

C．awarded

D．lent

19.

A．sell

B．return

C．keep

D．abandon

20.

A．tie

B．replace

C．exchange

D．match

10 . The insistent knock on the door brought me quickly from my kitchen. With my children down for a nap, I _________ to answer before they were all awakened. We had just moved here and I couldn’t _________ who it would be. I opened the door and a crack revealed an old man dressed in dirty clothing.

“Can I help you?” I asked, hoping he had the wrong _________.

“Would you like to buy some fresh garden vegetables?” His voice was trembling but his eyes were _________. I wondered if he badly needed the bit of money he was asking for his _________. “I’m Mr. Locket living around the corner. My wife _________ and my children live far away,” he _________. Later we knew that the need for companionship had sent him door to door _________ selling fruits and vegetables and ours was the only door opened to him.

As days went on, Mr. Locket became a _________ visitor. Every day he read books in our big chair with my children curled up on his lap. When they took an afternoon nap, he would __________ his head on the back of the chair. In his quiet and gentle way, he endeared himself to each child. __________ the name “Grandpa Locket” slipped into our conversations.

Three years later, we had to move to Ontario. He arrived as usual that morning. “Mr. Locket,” I tried to __________ the news in a gentle way, “You’ve become a (n) __________ part of this family, but ...” Tears glistened in the corners of his eyes.

“I __________ to keep in touch with you and ...” My throat tightened. He nodded __________ softly said, “Thank you for all your kindness to an old man. When I needed a family, you __________ me.” With tears, we all hugged him __________.

About a year later, a small __________ from Mr. Locket’s daughter was delivered to our home. She informed us that our dear old friend had died. “I’m so grateful for your loving care for my father,” she wrote, “I can see how much you __________ to him, too.” Actually, we’re also grateful for the __________ love that swept into our lives the moment we opened that door.

1.

A．hesitated

B．hurried

C．hated

D．happened

2.

A．imagine

B．recognize

C．believe

D．acknowledge

3.

A．number

B．road

C．direction

D．address

4.

A．shining

B．understanding

C．hopeful

D．desperate

5.

A．produce

B．food

C．clothes

D．fruits

6.

A．went away

B．broke away

C．passed away

D．ran away

7.

A．complained

B．added

C．screamed

D．roared

8.

A．in place of

B．by means of

C．in need of

D．by order of

9.

A．yearly

B．monthly

C．weekly

D．daily

10.

A．rest

B．put

C．plant

D．lower

11.

A．Gradually

B．Suddenly

C．Generally

D．Quickly

12.

A．announce

B．make

C．break

D．report

13.

A．natural

B．inner

C．necessary

D．treasured

14.

A．wish

B．try

C．promise

D．struggle

15.

A．but

B．and

C．yet

D．so

16.

A．included

B．refused

C．tolerated

D．received

17.

A．willingly

B．tightly

C．eagerly

D．faithfully

18.

A．book

B．bill

C．picture

D．envelope

19.

A．owed

B．sent

C．meant

D．showed

20.

A．unexpected

B．deep

C．permanent

D．selfless