1 . An elderly carpenter was ready to retire (退休). He told his employer of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more relaxed life with his wife enjoying his big family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire.
The employer was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He turned to careless workmanship and used substandard materials (材料). It was an unfortunate way to end his career.
When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to check the house, the employer handed the front-door key to the carpenter. “This is your house,” he said, “my gift to you”.
What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.
So it is with us. We build our lives in an inattentive way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had realized, we would have done it differently.
1. Why didn’t the carpenter focus on his work?| A．He had no standard materials. - | B．He was treated unfairly. |
| C．He was offered very low payment. | D．He was eager to retire. |
| A．Regretful. | B．Content. | C．Annoyed. | D．Excited. |
| A．Our past. | B．Our life. | C．Our goal. | D．Our job. |
| A．Your life is the result of your attitude. |
| B．Today is not finished until tomorrow comes. |
| C．Unwisely planned retirement leads to errors. |
| D．Trusting your boss means a loss of money. |
2 . I was walking around in a Big Bazar store doing some shopping, when I saw a cashier（收银员） talking to a boy of 5 or 6 years old. The cashier said, “I’m sorry, but you don’t have enough money to buy this doll.” Then the little boy turned to me and asked, “Uncle, are you sure I don’t have enough money?”
I counted his cash and replied, “You know that you don’t have enough money to buy the doll, my dear.” The little boy was still holding the doll in his hand. I asked him whom he wished to give this doll to. “It’s the doll that my sister loved most and wanted so much. I wanted to gift her for her birthday. I have to give the doll to my mommy so that she can give it to my sister when she goes there.” His eyes were so sad while he was saying this.
“My sister has gone to be with God. Daddy said that Mommy is going to see God very soon too, so I think that she may take the doll with her to give it to my sister.” My heart nearly stopped. The little boy looked up at me and said, “I told daddy to tell mommy not to go yet. I need her to wait until I come back from the mall.” Then he showed me a very nice photo of him, where he was laughing. He then told me, “I want mommy to take my picture with her so my sister won’t forget me. I love mommy and I wish she didn’t have to leave me, but daddy said that she has to go to be with my little sister.
Then he looked again at the doll with sad eyes, very quietly. I quickly reached for my wallet and said to the boy, “I suppose we check again, just in case you do have enough money for the doll.” He said, “OK, I hope I do have enough.” I added some of my money to his without him seeing and we started to count it. There was enough for the doll and even some spare money.
The little boy said, “Thank you, God, for giving me enough money!” Then he looked at me and added, “I asked last night before I went to sleep for God to make sure I had enough money to buy this doll, so that mommy could give it to my sister. He heard me! I also wanted to have enough money to buy a white rose for my mommy, but I didn’t dare to ask God for too much. But he gave me enough to buy the doll and a white rose. My mommy loves white roses.”
1. What difficulty did the little boy run into in the store?| A．He forgot to take any money. | B．He couldn’t afford the doll. |
| C．He failed to find a doll for his sister | D．He couldn’t find his parents. |
| A．It was what he himself loved most. | B．It was the best gift for his mother. |
| C．It was a gift intended for his sister. | D．His sister would forget him without it. |
| A．She would have to leave the boy for a while. |
| B．She didn’t want the boy to buy her a white rose. |
| C．She would be really excited to meet her daughter. |
| D．She must be in a dangerous situation in hospital. |
| A．The boy himself was really fond of the doll. |
| B．The boy’s sister would be upset without the doll. |
| C．They boy thought he couldn’t have the gift for his sister. |
| D．The boy was sad that his mother would leave him. |
| A．He was deeply moved by the boy’s love for his family. |
| B．He was wealthy enough to help those who are in need. |
| C．He wanted to help the little boy out in place of God. |
| D．He believed his help would make the boy’s sister happy. |
3 . When the COVID-19 hit and supermarket shelves were empty, Chris Hall and Stefanny Lowey decided they no longer wanted to depend on others for food. They, who live on Pender Island（片打岛） in British Columbia（不列颠哥伦比亚）, Canada, decided to start a year-long challenge where they wouldn't buy a single thing to eat. Instead they would grow, raise or catch everything—right down to sugar, salt and flour（面粉）. Now, five months in, they say the challenge has changed their lives.
Chris, 38, said, “It has always been something that we have wanted to do. We have had a garden and grown vegetables for a long time already. When the COVID-19 hit, it gave us that extra push that we needed to do it. We were both out of work when we started, and with the reality check of grocery stores running out of items, it gave us even more energy to see if we could look after ourselves.”
The pair spent the months before building a house for chickens, ducks and turkey as well as studying as much as possible to figure out where they would get all the things they needed. Chris adds, “We had to learn so many new things like how to grow mushrooms（蘑菇）, process our Stevia plants, and harvest salt from the ocean. We spent a lot of time reading and studying online to find out all the things we were going to need to do.”
Now after five months, they both feel it’s been going well but Chris admits the first few weeks were difficult. “The first three weeks were very challenging as our bodies adjusted to cutting out coffee, wine and sugar all on the same day,” he says. “After three weeks our energy levels balanced out and our wishes reduced and now we feel great.” Now February has ended. As they come through winter, they feel positive about continuing with this way of living, with their challenge officially（正式地） ending in August.
1. Why did the pair decide to produce foods on their own?| A．They were isolated（隔绝的） by Pender Island. |
| B．They couldn't afford to buy them because they lost their jobs. |
| C．They wanted to be independent. |
| D．They could hardly buy them in shops. |
| A．Positive and self-supporting. | B．Helpful and positive. |
| C．Motivated（有动力的） and brave. | D．Rich and generous. |
| A．They had difficulty because they wanted to continue. |
| B．They couldn't get used to the special way of living at first. |
| C．Their challenge may last about six months in total. |
| D．They were discouraged by the difficulty at first. |
| A．It’s in Britain. | B．It’s in America. |
| C．It’s in Canada. | D．It’s near Britain. |
4 . Mr Jason has taught math in a remote rural area for ten years. Last year, he was awarded (奖励) $2,000 as “The Amazing Teacher”. People thought he would move with his parents to a nice house in the city. But he surprised then all. When students came back from their holiday, they found the chairs, desks and projectors (投影仪) were all replaced. Even the walls of the classroom were painted white.
As a teacher, Mr Jason not only focuses on students’ studies, but also helps students overcome the difficulties in life. In the rural area, most families are poor and some students often dropped out of school. Mr Jason always tries to help then out.
When interviewed, he said, “When I was in middle school, a Mr Smith helped me until I graduated from university. I attempted many times to find him after graduation, but failed. I thought maybe what he most wished was not my thankfulness but another Mr Smith. So I am here.”
“Mr Jason is the best teacher I have ever had. Without his help, my whole life would end in the village. When I was in Senior Two, my family couldn’t afford my tuition (学费) so I stayed at home. At that time, I felt hopeless. It was Mr Jason who asked my parents to send me back to school. Luckily, I was admitted into my ideal university finally,” said Julia, a fresh college student. “Now, I believe the road ahead is promising.”
Mr Jason’s goodwill touches many people. When the activity “The Amazing Teacher” was launched, someone posted his story on the Internet. And it soon spread over.
Later, Mr Jason wrote: I just have done what a teacher should do. I hope people could pay attention to those children in need and help them realize their dreams.
1. What did Mr Jason do with the money he was awarded?| A．He settled down with his family in a big city. |
| B．He improved the study environment for students. |
| C．He helped the poor improve their living conditions. |
| D．He built many schools in rural areas. |
| A．To finish Mr Smith’s last wish. |
| B．To escape from the noisy city life. |
| C．To do research on education there. |
| D．To continue Mr Smith’s kindness. |
| A．She wants to become a teacher like Mr Jason. |
| B．It’s difficult for her to communicate with her parents. |
| C．Mr Jason makes her future filled with opportunities. |
| D．It’s a great challenge for her to study in college. |
| A．Wish. | B．Admiration. |
| C．Kindness. | D．Confidence. |
5 . A farmer had a friend who was famous for growing wonderful apple trees.
One day, the farmer’s friend gave him a young apple tree and told him to take it home and plant it.
The farmer loved the gift. But when he got home, he did not know where to plant it. He was afraid that if he planted the tree near the road, strangers would steal the apples. If he planted the tree in one of his fields, his neighbors would come at night and steal the apples. Finally, he planted the tree in his wood. Nobody could see it, but there was no sunlight in his wood. The tree soon died.
Later, the friend asked the farmer why he planted the tree in such a poor place. “What's the difference?” the farmer said angrily. “If I plant the tree near the road, strangers may steal the apples. If I plant the tree in one of my fields, my neighbors may come at night and steal the apples.”
“Yes,” said the friend, “but at least someone could enjoy the apples. Now no one could eat the apples, and the apple tree died! ”
1. The farmer’s friend was good at growing ________.| A．apple trees | B．orange trees |
| C．pear trees | D．banana trees |
| A．near the road | B．in the field |
| C．in the wood | D．in the garden |
| A．thought highly of | B．disagreed with |
| C．worried about | D．was surprised at |
6 . A couple had a son eleven years after they married. They were a loving couple and the boy was the apple of their eye. When the boy was around four years old, one day the father was very tired after work so he asked his wife to pick up their son. The mother, who was very busy in the kitchen, totally forgot about it.
Later the boy lost his way on the street. When the son was found missing, the mother hurried to look for him, but she didn’t find him. The mother felt very sad and didn’t know how to face her husband.
When the father went to the police station after hearing that the son was missing, he looked at his wife and said just four words. What do you think the four words were? The husband just said "I love you, darling."
The son was missing. If he had picked him up earlier, this would not have happened. There is no point in blaming (责备) anyone. His wife had also lost her only child. What his wife needed at that moment was comfort and understanding from her husband. That is what the husband gave his wife. Several weeks later, with the help of the police, the couple finally found their lost son. The family’s relationship became stronger over that time.
Sometimes we spend lots of time asking who is to blame. We miss many chances to give each other support and let each other feel the warmth of human relationships. Get rid of all your unwillingness to forgive, selfishness, and fears and you will find the world is much more wonderful.
1. The underlined part means a person who __________.| A．always has a sweet smile | B．is as pretty as an apple |
| C．is loved more than anyone else | D．looks like an apple |
| A．was very lazy | B．thought the mother had done that |
| C．forgot to do so | D．was too tired to do so |
| A．Be careful in everything you do. | B．Love is the most important. |
| C．Learn to forgive others | D．Everyone can make mistakes. |
| A．Warm-hearted. | B．Careful. |
| C．Hard-working | D．Broad-minded. |
7 . Norm Pethrick, a 36-year-old man in Australia’s northern city Darwin, was praised on Thursday for jumping onto a crocodile’s back to save his wife Wendy at Litchfield National Park, a popular tourist spot southwest of Darwin, a local newspaper reported. Ms Pethrick was standing on a river bank Wednesday afternoon when the saltwater crocodile lunged (扑), locking its jaws on both her legs as it tried to drag her underwater.
Norm Pethrick, who with his wife had been collecting water, immediately went to help her. He jumped onto the back, poked (戳) the eyes of the crocodile and finally got his wife free.
Ms Pethrick was later taken to Royal Darwin Hospital for a medical treatment. The doctors said she was suffering eight puncture wounds (伤口) in her right leg, a puncture wound in her left leg and a serious cut to one of her fingers.
“This could have been a fatal and tragic situation,” said the general manager of Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH), Dr Len Notaras, according to a local report. He said Ms Pethrick was saved by her husband’s “quick and diligent actions”.
Dr Notaras also said she would remain in hospital for three to four days and have an operation to clean the wounds, which are easy to get infected(感染) because of bacteria (细菌) on the teeth of the crocodile.
1. Which of the following statements is TRUE about Ms Pethrick?| A．Her eyes were badly poked. |
| B．She had eight wounds altogether. |
| C．One of the crocodile’s teeth was found in her leg. |
| D．One of her fingers also got hurt. |
| A．brave | B．humorous | C．quick | D．diligent |
| A．a travel guide | B．a textbook | C．a newspaper | D．a novel |
| A．swimming in the river | B．watching the crocodile |
| C．standing on the river bank | D．fishing in the water |
| A．The husband should save the wife |
| B．A crocodile is not so dangerous as people imagine |
| C．A man saves wife’s life from crocodile’s jaws |
| D．Human beings can beat crocodiles sometimes |
8 . With about 1,000-meter-high steep cliffs (陡峭的悬崖) around, there Xiazhuang, Chongqing had only one pathway out of the village, and it took villagers three days to walk to the main town. People there used to risk their lives going out of the mountain village. In the 40 years to 1997, 23 people had died from falling off the cliff while cutting firewood or travelling to the county seat, and 75 people had been injured or disabled while doing the same activities. Then, village head Mao Xianglin held a meeting in 1997 and suggested building a road snaking along the mountains, but almost no villager agreed because they had no money, no machines and no confidence to take on the tough project.
Later that year, around 100 people volunteered to do the work after Mao’s efforts. Workers from ropes and used hammers, drills and even explosives to create the road. Falling rocks and other dangers led to the deaths of six villagers. When they slept in caves (洞穴) at night, they tied a rope around their bodies with the other end tied to the root of an old tree to make sure they did not fall off the cliff.
“Mountains had isolated us from the outside for generations. We had to do something to ensure the next generation could go out of the mountains for a good life,” Mao said. When the 8-kilometer road was completed in 2004, it enabled many villagers to travel out and find work. Incomes increased as a result. Mao will retire in five years, planning to widen the current road and focus on ecotourism. “The spirit of the Xiazhuang people can’t be lost and has to be passed down from generation to generation,” he said.
1. What is Paragraph 1 mainly about?| A．The history of the village. | B．The development of the village. |
| C．The specific deaths in the building. | D．The reason for building the road. |
| A．It was a tough task. | B．It caused 100 deaths. |
| C．It was far from dangers. | D．It made workers sleep soundly. |
| A．Attracted. | B．Separated. |
| C．Contacted. | D．Gathered. |
| A．Frightened. | B．Determined. |
| C．Distant. | D．Curious. |
9 . My first day at senior high
I rushed out of my home with eagerness to get to know my new school.
What an impressive day!
| A．I’m a teacher of the school. |
| B．The exciting day came at last. |
| C．I found my classroom five minutes later. |
| D．I saw many new facilities in the campus. |
| E．He asked every one of us to give a self-introduction. |
10 . Each morning a rich man found a poor man sitting on a bench(长凳) in the park. The poor man always sat there, looking at the big hotel in which the rich man lived. One day, the rich man got out of his car and said to the poor man, “Excuse me. I want to know why you sit here and look at my hotel every morning.” “ Sir, ” said the poor man, “ I am a failure. I have no money, no family, no home. I sleep on this bench, and every night I dream that one day I’ll sleep in that hotel.” The rich man said, “Tonight your dream will come true. I’ll pay for the best room in that hotel for you a whole month.”
A few days after, the rich man went into the poor man’s room to ask him how he was enjoying himself. To his surprise, he found that the man had moved out of the hotel back to his bench. When the rich man asked why, he said, “You see, when I’m sleeping on my bench, I dreamed I am there, in the big hotel. It’s a wonderful dream. But when I was there I dreamed I was back to this cold bench. It was a terrible dream, and I couldn’t get any sleep at all.”
1. The poor man lived in ______ before he met the rich man.| A．the hotel | B．his home | C．the park | D．the car |
| A．waited for the rich man | B．looked at the rich man’s hotel |
| C．looked at the rich man's car | D．enjoyed the clean car |
| A．sleeping in a hotel | B．becoming rich |
| C．owning that hotel | D．being the rich man’s friend |
| A．he didn’t want to live in such a fine room |
| B．he didn’t like the rich man |
| C．he couldn’t pay for the room |
| D．he couldn’t get any sleep at all there |
