1 . I was talking to my friend Sandy about our children. Sandy had recently moved into the neighborhood with her four kids: Jane, Joe, Christopher, and her youngest, eighteen-month-old Kim. She seemed happy to have kids nearby, until she saw our dog, Sam.
Sam, our shiny black dog, loved to play with the kids and protect them. But Sandy had a fear of dogs, and she started to back away as Sam approached. I grabbed Sam’s collar and made him sit, trying to ease Sandy’s discomfort.
Sandy mentioned that she needed to get her kids ready to go to their grandmother’s house. Just then, her door opened and her kids rushed out. Sandy shouted at them to stay away from Sam.
The kids huddled (蜷缩) around their mom, looking at Sam cautiously (谨慎地). Emma, my daughter, showed the kids how to approach a dog slowly and properly. The kids were won over by Sam’s friendly nature, but I knew it would take some time for Sandy to change her viewpoint.
After that incident, we made sure that Sam didn’t go near our neighbors without me present. One day, when the kids were playing across the street, I noticed the eighteen-month-old baby heading towards a small hill. I saw a car approaching and shouted to everyone to watch the baby. Without hesitation, Sam rushed out the door and ran across the street towards the baby. He ran to the boy in time to gently push the baby away from the oncoming car. The kids cheered, completely unaware of the danger. They thought Sam had come to play.
Within a year, Sam had made friends with all the neighbors. Even Sandy started to warm up to Sam and would occasionally come over to give him a hug.
1. How did Sandy feel when she first saw Sam?A.Excited. | B.Curious. | C.Fearful. | D.Awkward. |
A.They looked at Sam with watchful eyes. |
B.They formed a circle to protect their mom. |
C.They held him by the collar to make him sit. |
D.They prepared to escape from the dog. |
A.Curious. | B.Brave. | C.Funny. | D.Sensitive. |
2 . A man was fishing on the bank of a river. A boy came to see him fishing. The man was really good at fishing and he could catch a full basket of fish in a short time. The man saw that the boy was very cute, and he wanted to give him a whole basket of fish. But the boy shook his head. The man was surprised and asked, “Why don’t you want the fish? ”
The boy replied, “I want the fishing rod(竿)in your hands.”
The man asked, “Why do you want the rod? ”
“I will eat up all the fish in the basket soon, but if I have the fishing rod,I can use it to catch a lot of fish by myself.”
Many people will certainly say the boy is very smart...wrong! If he doesn’t know fishing skills. He can’t catch fish without a fishing rod. It’s useless to only have a fishing rod, fishing skills are more important than having a fishing rod.
Many people want to have a “fishing rod” in their life. They are just like the boy, they thought that if they had a fishing rod, they would have fish to eat. Life is full of exciting things, we should try to learn fishing skills instead of having a fishing rod.
1. The man was fishing on the bank of________.A.a river | B.a lake | C.a pool | D.a sea |
A.smart | B.silly | C.wrong | D.hardworking |
A.fish | B.eat fish | C.learn fishing skills | D.have a fishing rod |
3 . Five people were waiting for an interview in a room of a company(公司). Inside the room, they could do whatever they liked, except using the phone or the Internet.
On the first day, all of the five people were excited. They were imagining their bright future, but there was no interview.
On the second day, they came again for the interview. But to their surprise, there was no news about the interview. Two of them got upset.
On the third morning, they arrived earlier. Still no news came. By mid-day, most of them were irritated. Some thought the company did not care for them. Some regretted coming here. Only one man was different. He was happy all those days. He kept smiling while the others complained(抱怨).
At the end of that day, the boss appeared. To their disappointment, the boss said that their interview had ended and only one of them was chosen. It was the man who kept happy. Then the boss added, “We want someone who can keep happy in whatever situations. Keeping happy is an ability.”
1. The five people were waiting for________.A.an interview | B.a meeting | C.a phone call | D.a meal |
A.快活的 | B.愤怒的 | C.放松的 | D.胆怯的 |
A.he listened to the others | B.he kept happy |
C.his answers were better | D.he cared for others |
A.a dictionary | B.a poster | C.a magazine | D.a notice |
4 . The day before yesterday, when Peter’s family were having dinner, Father raised an interesting question, “Was there anything in our past that we feel ashamed of, guilty about, or regretted? Maybe we can find ways to say sorry, or take some action to right any wrongdoing.” This seemed like a very private matter, but Peter thought about it carefully the whole night.
Peter remembered an incident from middle school. In his school, there was a worker, Neil Stone, who none of the kids liked. One night, Peter and two of his classmates decided to play a trick on him. They found a can of red paint, and wrote on the school main road in bright red: Neil Stone is a fool! The next day, the whole school saw these words. Within two hours, Neil had Peter and his two classmates in his office. His classmates said that they had done it but Peter lied and denied the truth.
This morning, Peter went back to his middle school. Neil Stone is still working there. “Sorry, Neil. Do you still remember what happened ten years ago? I want you to know that I did it.” “I knew it!’ Neil laughed. They had a good laugh and a lively discussion. Neil’s closing words were: “Peter, I always felt bad for you because your classmates got it off their mind, and I knew you were carrying it around all these years. I want to thank you for visiting me… for your sake.”
Peter knows that no matter how difficult the situation is, it is never too late to clear up the past and make a fresh start.
1. What did Peter remember doing in middle school?A.Something helpful. | B.Something unpleasant. |
C.Something valuable. | D.Something useful. |
A.Dark blue. | B.Light green. |
C.Pure white. | D.Bright red. |
A.Ten years ago. | B.The day before yesterday. |
C.This morning. | D.Not until Peter told him. |
A.Peter’s family. | B.An unforgettable lesson. |
C.It’s never too late to say sorry. | D.An interesting thing in middle school. |
5 . My biggest problem is that I’m too busy. When I was young, I used to have so much time, but these days I get up early and stay in school all day. Then I go right home and eat dinner before I started high school, I used to spend a lot of time playing games with my friends, but I just don’t have the time anymore.In the evening, I used to watch TV or chat with my grandmother, but now I have to study. I love music, and my father used to take me to concerts. These days, I hardly ever have time for concerts. I do my homework and go to bed. I really miss the old days.
1. What’s my biggest problem?A.I’m too lazy. | B.I’m too busy. | C.I’m free. | D.I get up early. |
A.Yes, I have. | B.No, I haven’t. |
C.I don’t know. | D./. |
A.late | B.early | C.don’t known | D.too late |
A.music | B.football | C.doing homework | D.sleep |
A.I am older | B.I have lots of friends | C.I miss the old days | D.I have a TV. |
6 . I worked in a small company with about thirty-five employees (雇员). We had a good-sized kitchen with a fridge that several employees used. But people would often go to the fridge to surprisingly find either their whole lunch missing, or in my case, my can of Cherry Coke gone. I usually kept it in my lunch bag. At times when I bought takeaway food, I would get two—one for lunch and one for dinner—so I didn’t have my lunch bag. Even so, I often couldn’t find the food. It was a shock to everyone.
We doubted who was stealing, but could never prove (证明) it. One day, a good idea came to my mind, and I couldn’t wait to try it.
It was break time at noon. I headed down to the kitchen about five minutes early and gave my Coke such a hard shake that I feared it may actually go off in my hands. I placed it back in the fridge. Then, I hid into a cupboard in the kitchen, waiting for the right moment.
BINGO! A lady came in and took the Coke. I put my hand over my mouth for her to open it, but she took it with her and left. I thought she would open it in the hall. No!
As I left the kitchen, I heard her yell (叫喊). I passed her office, and Coke was everywhere: the walls, the floor, all over her desk, computer, her work, and all over her—everywhere!
Well, food has never gone missing again since then because the lady got fired.
1. Why did the employees feel surprised?A.Their lunch was often lost. |
B.The fridge was full of free food. |
C.The kitchen was never clean. |
D.The company was small-sized. |
A.To play a joke on the lady. |
B.To carry out some repairs inside. |
C.To find out who was stealing. |
D.To prove who was the best worker. |
A.The kitchen. | B.The drink | C.The hand. | D.The fridge. |
A.A small company. | B.An honest lady. |
C.A special lunch. | D.An office story. |
7 . Twelve-year-old Mathew Flores is different from other kids. He loves junk mail, and these ads were the only reading materials he could find. Once he asked his mailman if he could offer him some.
The question surprised the mailman. He asked the boy the reason, and then shared the story on Facebook. “Today while delivering mail, I saw a boy reading ads, and he asked me for more mail. In fact, he wants to go to the library, but his family is very poor and he doesn’t have money to take the bus.”
The mailman then asked his Facebook friends if they could give some books to the boy. He wrote, “Most kids want computers or mobile phones! But what he wants is books. It’s great to see his unusual wish, and you may have seen him smile when I said I could help him!” “He is counting on me,” he said. “So I am counting on you!”
The mailman thought the Facebook post might bring in 50 to 60 books. But it 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 still on their way.
When books first started arriving, Flores was surprised at what happened. “I thought they were mistaken, 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. How is Flores different from other kids?A.He sells books. | B.He likes reading. |
C.He delivers mails. | D.He wants to be a mailman. |
A.took him to the library | B.paid for his bus tickets |
C.offered him some junk mail | D.posted his story on Facebook |
A.He is honest. | B.He is hardworking. |
C.He is confident. | D.He is warmhearted. |
A.A junk mail | B.An unexpected gift |
C.An excellent job | D.An interesting book |
8 . I grew up five minutes from Clapham Junction station in south London. Our house backed onto the railway, so the regular sound of passing trains was a sound I found noisy. Clapham Junction was famously busy, but it felt separate from the rest of London, as if its purpose was to carry people away from the capital. I felt I stood on the edge of the city.
During my last year at primary school, I spent every afternoon going across the road with my mum to eat white toast with drinking sugary tea. My mum would argue with the Greek Cypriot owner about politics. They disagreed about everything, but laughed a lot while arguing. Our life seemed uneventful.
But as time passed by, our area changed. The town became modern, and I changed a lot too. I went from a state primary school to a private secondary school. I stopped drinking sugary tea. I cared less about branded skirts but more about books. I spent less time hanging around the common but more travelling to the libraries where I found my interest.
It was then that I discovered Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle and Elaine Dundy's The Dud Avocado. After that I scanned the shelves of bookshops for some writing. In this way I found so many writers who have influenced me: Barbara Pym, EM Delafield and so on.
Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People wasn't like any other book I'd read. For more than sixty years the rock solid, time-tested advice in this book has carried thousands of now famous people up the ladder of success in their business and personal lives. Now this previously revised and updated bestseller is available in trade paperback for the first .time to help you achieve your maximum potential throughout the next century! I read it as a guide anyway. And in a way it was.
1. How did the author feel about her childhood?A.Meaningful. | B.Unsatisfied. | C.Unforgettable. | D.Colorful. |
A.She often felt lonely. | B.She usually drank sugary tea. |
C.She began to become modern. | D.She started to like reading. |
A.The world. | B.A dream. | C.The inspiration. | D.A plan. |
A.My Colourful Life | B.Reading Changed Me |
C.My Hometown Raised Me | D.My Learning Experience |
9 . One day a few years ago, a very funny thing happened to a neighbour of mine. He is a teacher at one of London's big medical schools. He had finished his teaching for the summer term and was at the airport on his way to Russia to give a lecture.
He had put a few clothes and his lecture notes in his shoulder bag , and he had put Rupert , the skeleton (人体骨架)to be used in his lecture , in a large brown suitcase. At the airport desk, he suddenly thought that he had forgotten to buy a newspaper. He left his suitcase near the desk and went over to the shop.
When he got back he discovered that someone had taken his suitcase by mistake. He often wonders what they said when they got home and found Rupert.
1. Who wrote the story?A.Rupert's teacher. | B.The teacher's neighbour. |
C.A medical school teacher. | D.The neighbour's teacher. |
A.He needed it for the summer term in London. |
B.He wanted to take it home as he had finished his teaching. |
C.He wanted to take it to Russia for medical research. |
D.He needed it for the lecture he was going to give. |
A.The teacher forgot his suitcase. | B.The skeleton was stolen. |
C.The skeleton went missing. | D.The teacher took the wrong suitcase. |
A.He was angry. | B.He thinks it very funny. |
C.He feels helpless without Rupert. | D.He feels good without Rupert. |
10 . In the summer between my first year and second year in college, I was invited to be an instructor at a high school camp. On the first day, when we were dancing and playing games, I noticed a boy under the tree who was small and thin. His shyness made him appear weak. I walked towards him, introduced myself and invited him to join in the activities and meet some new people. He quietly replied, "No, I really don't want to do this." I could understand that he was in a new world but I knew it wouldn't be right to force him, either. Actually, the boy didn't need a close talk but a friend.
At lunch the next day, I was leading camp songs when 1 saw the boy under the tree sitting alone. I tried again with the same invitation, but he refused once again. That evening I was told the boy's name was Tommy. Then I asked the campers to pay special attention to the boy and spend time with him when they could.
The days went by and the time came when we had to leave. We held a big, warm party to celebrate the closing of the camp. All the campers shared their wonderful moments. To my surprise. 1 found the boy from under the tree dancing joyfully with two girls. I couldn't believe it was the same person.
In October of my second year, I received a phone call from Tommy's mother. She told me that Tommy was hit by a car and killed. I offered my deep sadness. The mother said: “'Tommy mentioned you so many times. I want you to know that he went back to school and made new friends with confidence. You made a difference for Tommy during his last months.”
At that moment, I realized how easy it was to give a bit of yourself every day. You may never know how much each gesture may mean to someone else. I hope that everyone can pay attention to their own “boy under the tree”.
1. Before the writer came to the high school summer camp,he was a (n) _______.A.instructor | B.camper | C.student | D.reporter |
A.Once | B.Twice | C.Three times | D.Many times |
①The boy danced joyfully with two girls.
②The boy went back to school and made new friends.
③The boy refused to join in the activities.
④The boy's mother made a phone call to the writer.
A.①②③④ | B.②③①④ | C.③①②④ | D.④③②① |
A.thankful | B.helpful | C.faithful(忠实的) | D.harmful |