1 . He had run for 208 hours and 35 minutes in ten days. So, when Pan Junfan managed to cross the finish line in Guazhou, Gansu Province, on Sept. 18, the tears began to flow.
The 513 kilometers he had completed over rough terrain (地形)in northwestern China would challenge the greatest athletes in the world. The challenge was all the greater for Pan, who pulled off the remarkable feat (功绩) after having part of his right leg amputated (截肢) following a car accident in 2015.
Pan’s challenge was originally the Ultra Gobi, which is considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many marathon runners. Unfortunately, the 400-km race was canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. After careful consideration, Pan contacted the race’s organizers and they agreed to reschedule the route and allow him to undertake solo challenge.
During the challenge through the Gobi Desert and the Altun Mountains, the 40-year-ad faced temperatures ranging from—20℃ at right to 30°C by day, wild animals and even a hurricane. Carrying a backpack containing the hare minimum of equipment he would need, Pan battled sleep deprivation(缺乏) and very low body temperature during the journey.
Beginning from the “Mars Camp”in Qinghai Province, the ultra extreme course was expanded to more than 500 km over sand dunes (沙丘), dry valleys, stony plateaus and snowy mountains, finishing in Guazhou.
“I hope that by completing the challenge I can inspire people and tell them that life has limitless possibilities and not to stop trying,” Pan said.
In the last few years, Pan has established a dozen firsts for below-the-knee amputees (被截肢者). These included completing the 2018Ironman 70. 3 Xiamen’s 113 km triathlon (铁人三项) in 7 hours and 26 minutes, finishing the Gangshika Xtrial’s 100 km race in 27 hours and 40 minutes, and successfully conquering the Ironman Western Australia in 2019 which involves swimming for 3. 8 km, cycling for180 km and running for 42. 2 km. As a result, he has been dubbed “the Chinese blade runner”.
1. When did Pan Junfan start his 513-kilometer challenging race?| A．On Sept. 3. | B．On Sept. 9. | C．On Sept. 15. | D．On Sept. 19. |
| A．He had part of his left leg removed. | B．He established a hi-tech company. |
| C．He was involved in a traffic accident | D．He participated in the Ironman Australia. |
| A．Losing touch with his team. | B．Getting lost in the desert. |
| C．Having a high fever. | D．Lacking enough sleep. |
| A．Strong-willed. | B．Warm-hearted. | C．Quick-minded. | D．Cold-blooded. |
2 . My 15-year-old boy is a high achiever. He is very bright, pursuing everything he does with devotion and determination. And he is a great kid: honest, kind, faithful and caring.
Like a lot of kids who are high achievers, he is a perfectionist and very easy to fall into anxiety. That is manifested in his study, and other things he does as well. For example, he loves tennis but he often worries about losing in the game. Now he has to stop competing because the pressure he puts on himself is becoming unhealthy. He still plays, but playing socially rather than competitively means that it’s an outlet (发泄方式) for him rather than a source of stress.
He does not manage stress well. He puts so much pressure on himself to the point of worrying himself sick over just about every assessment. And he gets so negative about it, everything I say to him is met with negativity, every suggestion with a response that it won’t work, and honestly it’s depressing and tiring.
To help my son, I have a patient conversation with him. He finally follows my advice about physical exercise to ease stress. Whenever he is under a lot of pressure, I will run with him for half an hour and do some push-ups to relieve pressure. Gradually, he becomes less nervous in the later exams and his scores become more and more stable.
Pressure from grades and perfectionism can be really hard to manage when it comes to schooling. As kids, what they need is effective communication and sincere encouragement. So I have always told and shown my son that I’m proud of him, and that pride doesn’t merely depend on top grades.
1. What does the underlined word “manifested” in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Rooted. | B．Hidden. | C．Reflected. | D．Involved. |
| A．He often falls ill under pressure. | B．He becomes tired of evaluations. |
| C．He fails to handle stress properly. | D．He views suggestions positively. |
| A．Stop pursuing perfection. | B．Do some exercise with him. |
| C．Talk to others more frequently. | D．Engage in some social activities. |
| A．It is hard for us to pursue the perfectionism. |
| B．The author simply takes pride in his son’s school work. |
| C．We can’t reduce the pressure from grades and perfectionism. |
| D．Communication and encouragement are helpful to teenagers. |
3 . When I was in middle school, I was on a family vacation in Washington DC. I found there was a homeless man down the street.
On our final day in the city, when my parents went for an evening walk, I went out of our hotel room and ran down the street to the homeless man.
He looked at me, surely not expecting anything from a middle school girl. I asked him what he wanted to have for dinner. He replied “Bread and water”. I ran into the store and bought a big bag of bread and a bottle of water. I ran back with a smile on my face and handed the bag and the bottle to him. His smile has been in my mind ever since.
I came back to the hotel room and when my parents returned, my dad told me he had a story for me. He asked if I remembered the homeless man down the street from our hotel and I shyly nodded. He then told me a story. As they were returning from their walk, they saw the homeless man was sharing a bag full of food with other homeless people around. They were all smiling and laughing as they ate.
I smiled at my dad but I have never told him to this day the other half of the story. Till today, I still haven't forgotten that man's smile but I wish I had the courage to do this more often. One small kind action can begin a ripple effect (连锁反应) of kindness. So please, share a smile and do something kind for the people in need.
1. Why did the author go to Washington DC?| A．To visit her parents. | B．To go on a vacation. |
| C．To do some shopping. | D．To meet with friends. |
| A．were having a walk | B．were staying in the hotel |
| C．had gone back home | D．were in a food store |
| A．homeless men usually live a happy life | B．the author's father was proud of her |
| C．the author kept a secret to her parents | D．the author was paid back by the homeless man |
| A．help those in need | B．seek for their dreams |
| C．value what they have | D．face difficulties bravely |
4 . I’m a seventeen-year-old boy preparing for my A Level exams at the end of the year. In the society where my peers and I live, we tend to accept the rat race values. As students, we want to get good grades so that we can get good jobs. I enjoy studying and have consistently received A’s in my classes. There was a year when I finished first in my class in the final exams. It was a great accomplishment.
Another one I am pleased with is that I managed to improve the relationship between Mum and Dad. Dad was a successful businessman who was rarely at home. Mum was a housewife who always felt bored and constantly nagged (唠叨) him to let her go to work. Their constant arguing bothered me, so I advised Dad that Mum would be better off with a part-time job. He agreed, and their relationship has improved since then.
My most proud achievement, however, is my successful work in the local old folks’ home. My grandparents had raised me since I was a child. I wept (哭泣) bitterly when they died. Unlike many of my classmates, I do not take part in my school’s community service to earn points. I enjoy my voluntary work and believe I’m contributing to a worthwhile cause. This is where I can help. I talk to the elderly, assist them with their daily life, and listen to their problems, glory days and the hardships they experienced.
Last year, I hosted a successful New Year party for the elderly and they enjoyed a great time. Many expressed a desire to attend another party the following year. When I reflect on my accomplishments, I’m especially proud of my service at the old folks’ home, so I hope to study social work at university and work as a social worker in the future. I wish to be more skilled in attending to the less fortunate as well as find great satisfaction in it.
1. What can be inferred about the author from the first paragraph?| A．His good grades got him a good job. | B．He refuses to compete with his peers fiercely. |
| C．His views on social values are well known. | D．He is content with his academic achievements. |
| A．A helper. | B．A judge. | C．A monitor. | D．A supporter. |
| A．The contribution to volunteering. | B．The success in exams. |
| C．The recovery of confidence in life. | D．The work in community service. |
| A．To depend on. | B．To think carefully and deeply about. |
| C．To pay attention to. | D．To have a check on. |
5 . John Reid decided to donate his son Dakota’s organs after the 16-year-old died in a car crash last year. This month，he got a thank you gift from the man who received his son’s heart：a teddy bear with a very special heartbeat inside.
John’s wife Stephanie posted an emotional video showing her husband’s reaction as he opened the package from the receiver of his son’s heart，Robert O’Connor. “I would have preferred to give this to you in person，but not sure when that would happen，” John said，as he read from the letter O’Connor sent.
John eventually began to break down as he opened the package to reveal a bear dressed in a shirt reading，“Best Dad Ever. " He then heard the audio recording inside the bear：his son’s heart beating inside the man it saved.
“When I got the bear，my heart was filled with joy. I did not expect any of this，” said John. “I never left Dakota’s side. At night I would lay my head on his chest for hours at a time，every night，listening to his heartbeat. Now，I can listen to his heartbeat again!”
Dakota was killed in a car crash in January 2019. He was riding as a passenger in the car when the accident happened.
“When they said，‘It’s time,’ they rolled him out and we followed，” John said. “Both sides of the hallway were lined up with nurses，doctors and staff as we walked between them in Dakota’s honor to the operating room to say our final ‘see you soon’. ”
At the beginning，the family didn’t know where their son’s organs would be going，but eventually O’Connor’s daughter tracked the Reid family down and contacted them. It wasn’t long before O’Connor sent John the bear. John speaks with O’Connor daily about the importance of organ donation and how they hope to spread the word about the good it can do.
1. Who received the young boy’s heart?| A．Robert O’Connor. | B．Dakota. |
| C．Stephanie Reid. | D．O’Connor’s daughter. |
| A．Angry and shocked. | B．Surprised and happy. |
| C．Amazed and hurt. | D．Excited and relieved. |
| A．The Reids didn’t agree on the donation. |
| B．Dakota was driving without a license. |
| C．Teenagers will be banned from driving. |
| D．John had a close relationship with his son. |
| A．They believed the boy would recover soon. |
| B．They didn’t know about the organ donation. |
| C．They didn’t have confidence in the doctors. |
| D．The boy’s life would continue in another form. |
6 . Once upon a time there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all the others, including Love.
One day it was announced to all of the feelings that the island was going to sink to the bottom of the ocean. So all the feelings prepared their boats to leave.
Love was the only one that stayed. She wanted to preserve the island paradise until the last possible moment.
When the island was almost totally under, Love decided it was time to leave.
She began looking for someone to ask for help. Just then Richness was passing by in a grand boat. Love asked, “Richness, can I come with you on your boat?”
Richness answered, “I’m sorry, but there is a lot of silver and gold on my boat and there would be no room for you anywhere.”
Then Love decided to ask Vanity (虚荣心) for help who was passing by in a beautiful vessel. Love cried out, “Vanity, help me please!” “I can’t help you,” Vanity said, “You are all wet and will damage my beautiful boat.”
Next, Love saw Sadness passing by. Love said, “Sadness, please let me go with you.”
Sadness answered, “Love, I’m sorry, but, I just need to be alone now.”
Then, Love saw Happiness. Love cried out, “Happiness, please take me with you.” But Happiness was so overjoyed that he didn’t hear Love calling to him.
Love began to cry. Then, she heard a voice say, “Come Love, I will take you with me.” It was an elder. Love felt so blessed and overjoyed that she forgot to ask the elder his name. When they arrived on land the elder went on his way. Love realized how much she owed the elder.
Love then found Knowledge and asked, “Who was it that helped me?” “It was Time,” Knowledge answered. “But why did Time help me when no one else would?” Love asked.
Knowledge smiled and with deep wisdom and sincerity, answered, “Because only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is.”
1. Which one is both clever and honest?| A．Knowledge. | B．Sadness. | C．Richness. | D．Happiness. |
| A．Five. | B．Six. | C．Seven. | D．Eight. |
| A．Knowledge. | B．Time. | C．Love. | D．Happiness. |
| A．Knowledge. | B．Time. | C．Happiness. | D．Love. |
7 . April Fools' Day is supposed to be a day to play jokes on others in hopes of getting a good laugh and making one feel like a fool.However，the April Fools' Day of 2019 was quite different for my mom and me.
That day my friend Jimmy and I were playing a game.I had dropped down from a bar (横木) many times in the past without ever having a problem，but that day the simple act of dropping to the ground became a nightmare (噩梦). I broke my arm.
Jimmy's dad heard my crying and rushed out to see what was going on.When he saw the problem，he quickly put me into his truck and went inside to telephone my mom and let her know he would take me to the hospital.As that day was April Fools' Day，Mom was not buying it and really thought all this was a big joke.Mom was finally convinced by Jimmy's mom.When she saw me，she broke down in tears because she felt so bad－she simply believed that was just a big trick.
I guess one could compare this to the story The Boy Who Cried Wolf.Since I had played bad tricks before，it was no wonder that my mom didn't believe it.I as well as my mom was made to look like a fool that day.We both learned a valuable lesson.
1. What happened to the writer on the April Fools' Day of 2019?| A．He dreamed a terrible dream. |
| B．He was hurt by Jimmy. |
| C．He had an accident. |
| D．He fooled his mom with his friend. |
| A．Because he wanted to play a joke on her. |
| B．Because he wanted her to go to the hospital to pay the money. |
| C．Because he wanted to see how deeply she loved her son. |
| D．Because he wanted to inform her of the accident. |
| A．She didn't believe what Jimmy's dad said. |
| B．She would not like to pay the money. |
| C．She had no preparation for the bad news. |
| D．She thought her son deserved (应受) it. |
| A．Because he thought it was his mom's fault. |
| B．Because he had a lesson like that. |
| C．Because he was proud of his story. |
| D．Because he felt he was luckier than that boy. |
8 . I used to be bad at playing basketball. Gym class in middle school was the worst. I was always the last kid to be picked. The only reason why I was even picked at all was that I was good friends with the best player in the class.
In the eighth grade, I finally decided I was sick and tired of being a scrub. I dedicated that entire summer to getting better. I spent every day playing basketball, practicing for hours in the gym. I remember playing pick-up games with one group of kids until they all eventually got tired and left. Then a whole different group of kids would come in and I’d play with them too.
After months of this devoted routine, something amazing started to happen. People began passing me the ball. They trusted me to take the shot. They even started picking me first to be on their team! The last game of organized basketball I ever played was the culmination of all my hard work. Against a team far more talented than mine, I scored 27 points. We still lost, but I walked away from that game feeling like a total champion.
What I learned from those years of rejection and waiting to be picked was that life really isn’t any different. Most of us spend our lives waiting for opportunities to land in our laps. What’s worse, sometimes we feel entitled to them. And when things don’t go our way—when no one picks us—we find something or someone to blame.
I could have complained when no one wanted me on their team. I could have convinced myself that I deserved to be picked. But I didn’t. Instead, I took matters into my own hands and put in the work to become better.
Should we have our fate controlled by a few people who in most cases don’t even know us? I certainly don’t think so. We have a choice. We can choose to create something meaningful, to move forward with our ideas.
1. What can we know about the author in the first paragraph?| A．He was always to be picked. | B．He was picked because of his good friend. |
| C．He was once crazy about playing basketball. | D．He used to be really good at playing basketball. |
| A．A short person. | B．A superior player. |
| C．An important player. | D．An insignificant person. |
| A．People still refused to play with him. | B．Now he is good at playing basketball. |
| C．He gained people’s trust through his effort. | D．His team was defeated by a more talented one. |
| A．To wait for opportunities. | B．To control our fate by ourselves. |
| C．To create something meaningful. | D．To have our fate controlled by others. |
9 . Tommy got up very early on the Christmas morning. He looked in every room and wished a Merry Christmas to his family. Then he ran into the street to repeat that to those he might meet. When he returned to his home, his mother gave him two bright, new silver dollars.
His face lighted up as he got them. He had wished for 3 weeks to buy some pretty books that he had seen at the bookstore. He left his home with a light heart, and expected to buy the books. He was running down the street when he saw a poor family.
“I wish you a Merry Christmas.” said Tommy, as he was passing on. The man shook his head.“You are not from this country.” said Tommy. The man again shook his head, for he could not understand or speak his language. He pointed to his mouth and to the children shaking with cold, as if to say, “These little ones have had nothing to eat for a few days.” Tommy understood at once that these poor people were very hungry. He took out his dollars and gave one to the man, and the other to his wife.
They were excited and said something in their language, which doubtless meant,“ thank you so much that we will remember you all the time.”
When Tommy came home, his mother asked what books he bought. He hung his head a moment, but he quickly looked up.“I have bought no books” said he, “instead I gave my money to some poor people, who seemed to be very hungry then.” He went on, “I think I can wait for my books till next Christmas Day.”
“Oh, my dear boy,” said his mother, “here are some books for you, more as a prize for your goodness of heart than as a Christmas gift”
“I saw you give the money cheerfully to the poor German family. It was nice of you, a little boy, to do so. Be always ready to help others and every Christmas of your life will become to you a Merry Christmas.”
1. Tommy expected to _________ when he got the money from his mother.| A．help the poor family | B．buy something to eat |
| C．buy some pretty books | D．learn another language |
| A．He couldn’t understand the boy | B．He wouldn’t accept the money |
| C．He didn’t like the boy’s language | D．He was too cold to say anything |
| A．respect old people | B．be ready to help people |
| C．learn a second language | D．read more books |
| A．got a prize for his kind heart | B．had to buy his books next year |
| C．bought the books at the bookstore | D．got more money from his mother |
10 . Rose McGee bakes sweet potato pies for mourning communities all over the country. This year, she found herself serving sweet relief in her own backyard. On the first night of the police curfew in Minneapolis last summer, Rose McGee barely slept. "People I know were out on the streets, says the 69-year-old resident of nearby Golden Valley. "I was worried.” McGee decided to stay up the following night and bake sweet potato pies.
In the morning, goods were first sent to mourners at George Floyd's memorial site. She delivered her baked goods first to just 14 miles away, and then to protestors and volunteers at the Minneapolis branch of the NAACP. The following weekend, she took dozens more to a temporary food distribution center in St. Paul where many grocery stores had been destroyed.
Sadly, McGee has made Sweet Potato Comfort Pies, as she calls them, all too often in recent years. She baked her first pack in 2014, after news of unrest broke out in Ferguson, Missouri, following the police killing of Michael Brown. McGee drove more than 500 miles to Ferguson to personally deliver the 30 pies she had made in the same year. The next year, she shipped more to Charleston, South Carolina, where nine worshippers had been shot dead at the Mother Emanuel AME Church. After two years, McGee's pies comforted those in and around Minneapolis after police officers fatally shot Jamar Clark and Philando Castile. “Looking at those who are in suffering, I am in sorrow. I'm looking forward to comforting them. As people carry these pies, they're able to have dialogues, able to listen to each other.” McGee says, “If we don't start listening more, I don't know how we'll ever be able to move forward. The pies are simply what can promote that.”
1. The reason why McGee was worried on that night is that .| A．her neighbors might stay up too late |
| B．potato pies were not enough to distribute |
| C．many neighbors were arrested by the police |
| D．people hung out together in the night against the curfew |
| A．The police and residents came into battle. |
| B．Nine worshippers were killed by gunshot. |
| C．The police murdered Jamar Clark purposely. |
| D．McGee baked her first sweet potato pies successfully. |
| A．warn the police not to mistreat citizens | B．comfort those who suffered family abuse |
| C．motivate the residents to fight for fairness | D．teach people how to build a good relationship |
| A．People's helping in suffering. | B．The relief from victims in accidents. |
| C．The comfort given to people in hardship. | D．People's being willing to communicate. |
