1 . The end of the school year was in sight and spirits were high. I was back teaching after an absence of 15 years, dealing with the various kinds of "forbidden fruit" that come out of book bags. Now was the spring of the water pistol.
I decided to think up a method of dealing with forbidden fruit.
"Please bring that pistol to me," I said. "I'm going to put it in my Grandma's Box."
"What's that?" they asked.
"It's a large wooden chest full of toys for my grandchildren," I replied,
"You don't have grandchildren," someone said.
"I don't now." I replied. "But someday I will. When I do, my box will be full of wonderful things for them."
My imaginary Grandma's Box worked like magic that spring, and later. Sometimes. students would ask me to describe all the things I had in it. Then I would try to remember the different possessions I supposedly had taken away—since I seldom actually kept them. Usually the offender would appear at the end of the day, and I would return the belonging.
The-years went by, and my first grandchild Gordon was born. I shared my joy with that year's class. Then someone said, "Now you can use your Grandma's Box." From then on instead of coming to ask their possessions back, the students would say, "That's okay. Put it in your Grandma's Box for Gordon."
I loved talking about the imaginary box, not only with my students but also with my own children. They enjoyed hearing about all the forbidden fruit I had collected. Then one Christmas I received a surprise gift—a large, beautifully made wooden chest. My son Bruce had made my Grandma's Box a reality.
1. What was the author's purpose in having the conversation with the students?| A．To collect the water pistol. | B．To talk about her grandchildren. |
| C．To recommend some toys. | D．To explain her teaching method. |
| A．The student's parent. | B．The maker of the Grandma's Box. |
| C．The author's grandchild. | D．The owner of the forbidden fruit. |
| A．They went to play with the baby. | B．They asked to see the Grandma's Box. |
| C．They made a present for Gordon. | D．They stopped asking their toys back. |
| A．She enjoys telling jokes. | B．She is a strict and smart teacher. |
| C．She loves doing woodwork. | D．She is a responsible grandmother |
2 . I still remember that busy autumn evening as I hurried with my eldest daughter, Athena, to get to her classroom on time for the parent-teacher night. We walked in and all eyes were on me. A few adults quickly quieted their kids’ whispers. A classmate yelled to my daughter, “What’s wrong with your mom’s face?” Shocked, I started to explain my condition, but my six-year-old daughter looked at him and said, “It’s my mom’s birthmark! Don’t be rude!” I was extremely proud of how she handled that situation.
I was quite young when I realized I looked different because of my large facial birthmark. I always thought I would be alone because of it. Being compared to Batman’s evil Two-Face made me believe I could never find love. But I was lucky enough to meet my husband, who saw me for who I am inside. When I had my first daughter, I was overjoyed, but I began to worry if the world would judge my children. I always worried I might pass my condition onto my children; I didn’t want them to grow up feeling judged. Unfortunately, my facial difference has impacted my children. My daughters get disinvited from birthday parties or sleepovers, or I learn certain kids are no longer friends with mine after their parents saw me at school.
When my kids were young, I explained how my special purple skin was rare and we talked about acceptance and never judging others on how they look. When my girls kiss my purple-skinned cheek, I feel “normal” around them and their unconditional love. With time going by, both my daughters have become my strongest supporters. Thanks to them, I’ve begun to feel more self-confident as I try to be a good role model.
Their worldviews are similar to mine. We see the world a little differently and with a kinder, more accepting heart. As the saying goes, your daughters will grow up to be your best friends. I know that will be the case for me!
1. What happened when the author went to attend the parent-teacher night?| A．Athena was praised by others for her bravery and optimism. |
| B．Athena defended her mother against her classmate’s rudeness. |
| C．Some parents criticized their kids because of their misbehaviour. |
| D．The author felt shocked at her daughter’s response to her classmate. |
| A．Friendship needs to be watered by love. |
| B．We should treat our children as best friends. |
| C．We should accept other people’s differences. |
| D．Our ability to handle difficulties can be developed. |
| A．They have to drop out of school. |
| B．They have the same physical condition as me. |
| C．They have difficulty maintaining friendships. |
| D．They feel worried because they are often judged. |
| A．A birthmark to live with. | B．My strongest supporters. |
| C．A kind and accepting heart. | D．The confidence to be different. |
3 . Life is like a roller coaster, and every point has ups and downs. People plan something, but luck and sometimes misfortunes lead them toward a different destination. However, passionate individuals are not scared of such uncertainties. They set goals, welcome challenges, overcome obstacles, and eventually achieve what satisfies them.
Those who stay committed to their broad goals and find satisfaction even in unplanned circumstances are truly victorious. One true example of such people comes from a woman passionate about spreading happiness and helping others. Nicole Thornes is a mother, a former police officer, and now serving society as a death doula (陪护师).
Nicole joined the police academy intending to be helpful to society. She believed that a police officer has the opportunity to eliminate crime, bring justice, and create a better society for everyone. Although she became a mother during her studies and her responsibilities were increased due to children, she didn’t give up on her passion. Nicole could have called off her studies, but her passion for serving society didn’t let her step down. With great efforts, she finally became a police officer and gave her contributions to law enforcement and the betterment of society. She was not only a police officer making full commitment to the society but also a mother who played her responsibilities in the best way possible.
Everything went according to her plans, but uncertainty called off her journey as a police officer. Nicole suffered from an injury in a mission that ended her career in the police force. But her dreams and passion did not let her stop. She became a death doula to continue her dream. She chose this field after her grandfather’s death, when she couldn’t bear the pain of losing him. Being a death doula, she is now providing comfort to the dying and their families during difficult times. She aims to spread prosperity in people’s lives and help them overcome all the obstacles she faced throughout her life.
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?| A．Life is full of ups and downs. |
| B．People are at the mercy of changes. |
| C．Uncertainties lead life to a different direction. |
| D．Fulfillment comes from making the best of the uncertainties. |
| A．To conduct her duty well and better the society. |
| B．To cater to the children’s requirements and needs. |
| C．To accompany the senior through the darkest time. |
| D．To release people’s pain from losing the loved ones. |
| A．Because of the arrangement of the office. | B．Because of the injury she got at work. |
| C．Because of the change of interest. | D．Because of the danger of the job. |
| A．The appeal of the people in sorrow. | B．The push of getting a new job to survive. |
| C．The passion in accompanying the sick ones. | D．The sorrowful pain of losing her beloved family. |
4 . Last year, my Singapore-based sister insisted my mother and I join her for the Christmas. My mum, a fearless woman, would get strangely nervous on flights. Perhaps the only thing that convinced her to overcome her fears was the chance to piece together our declining bond.
Growing up, moments with Mum were painfully short-lived because I spent most time at the boarding school, reuniting only during the holidays. Every year, she would eagerly await my return, which would always lead to constant loving scenes. Those cherished moments were gradually vanishing as I moved away for university. Soon, our relationship became tense. She seemed unable to comprehend me and her stubborn and old-fashioned advice forced me to shut myself. But the more I pulled away, the more I felt a longing for the bond that had grown so dim. Perhaps Singapore would give us a chance to breathe it back to life.
I assumed the immersive exhibits at Art Science Museum would refresh my mother, who was an art student. However, I was surprised when she just turned her nose up at the Bruges Whale, a sculpture using plastic waste to raise awareness about ocean pollution. “It’s art, Mum! Be more appreciative.” I defended.
Disheartened by the distance between us, I led her to the kid’s zone. We signed up for a joint sketching activity, hoping that would help us connect. As our creative juices flowed, our faded relationship began to take on the hues and shades of something sincere and beautiful.
“Look!” she excitedly pointed towards a digital screen that displayed our creations. “That one’s ours.” Mum went up and reached out, touching the fish as it moved its tail back and forth in the virtual tank.
Looking around, I saw children sharing moments with their parents, and my own childhood flashed back. That rare instance where she let slip an inner innocence and delight at a new experience revealed the little girl in her, who was like me, had lost a vital connection to responsibilities of motherhood.
“Our time together was like that of friends. You were my mother, and I’m a child following you around.” My mum said to me with a smile.
1. What made Mum accept the visit to Singapore?| A．The resolve to overcome the nervousness on flight. |
| B．The desire to restore relationship with her children. |
| C．The sincere invitation of my Singapore-based sister. |
| D．The expectation for Art Science Museum as an artist. |
| A．She felt it a huge waste to make it from plastic. |
| B．She showed a great interest in this work of art. |
| C．She didn’t think it good enough to be exhibited. |
| D．She considered it beneficial to ocean protection. |
| A．It revealed Mum’s inner ignorance like a girl. |
| B．It explored causes for faded bond between families. |
| C．It let Mum totally lose responsibilities of motherhood. |
| D．It provided an opportunity to share moments with families. |
| A．A good medicine tastes bitter. | B．Life has indeed come full circle. |
| C．Actions speak louder than words. | D．Nothing is impossible to a willing mind. |
5 . I had just arrived in this Asian country for a one-year teaching position. One day, I took a subway to visit some ancient palaces and temples in the downtown. What happened to me next on the subway has taught me much about culture difference.
Since all the seats were taken, I stood. Suddenly, I felt someone pulling on my bag. Assuming I probably was in someone’s way, I moved over slightly. But in one quick motion, I felt my bag removed from my back, and in a flash, it was gone. I turned around to see who the thief was. I looked at the people standing behind me, but didn’t see my bag or anyone suspicious. My heart began to beat wildly and I began to panic.
I looked around, only to find directly across from me was an elderly lady, and sitting on her lap was my bag. I tried to get it back from her lap. But as I began to pull it up, she quickly took it back and held onto it. I looked around at the people standing beside me, and those sitting beside her, but no one took any notice of the situation. Trying not to cause a scene, I tried to negotiate through gestures. I used my hands as much as I could, but she ignored my requests for my bag and pointed to my back. She picked up my bag, showing how heavy it was. I finally began to understand. She was holding my bag to help me.
At the next stop, a middle-aged woman got on the crowded subway. Another elderly woman sitting down took her bag, setting it on her lap. They didn’t talk; yet this older woman was more than pleased to sit with this stranger’s bag on her lap throughout her journey.
As the subway pulled into the main downtown station and I was getting ready to get off, the woman gently handed me back my bag. But before I had a chance to thank her, she had disappeared into the crowd.
1. What happened after the writer got on the subway?| A．The writer’s bag was stolen by an elderly lady. | B．The writer stood in someone’s way. |
| C．An old lady asked the writer to sit beside her. | D．A stranger offered help to the writer. |
| A．Feel frightened. | B．Feel grateful. | C．Feel relaxed. | D．Feel ashamed. |
| A．The middle-aged woman and the elderly woman were good friends. |
| B．The passengers on the subway were very unfriendly. |
| C．Helping standing passengers with heavy bags was common on local subways. |
| D．There were many thieves on the subway. |
| A．To warn us of the potential risks in travelling abroad. | B．To tell us a culture difference. |
| C．To recommend a travel destination. | D．To give us some tips on taking a subway. |
6 . “Should I go? I do have a lot of work to do.” The question came from my daughter, Tracy, a college senior, who was debating whether or not to go with her roommates on a Saturday to drive to the beach and enjoy some unseasonably warm March weather.
On the one hand, sand, sunshine, and perhaps some fried food were prizes she deserved after a hard-won year of college life; on the other hand, her thesis (论文) conclusion wasn’t going to write itself. As a rather type A student, Tracy was unsure if she should go, and had asked my opinion.
As I read her text, I remembered my own college road trips in the 80s. At that time, four of us theater students, anxious and disappointed about the posting of a cast list, had driven out to the countryside through apple orchards (果园). We stopped at the side of the road to climb over a stone wall to grab some apples from a tree, taking off laughing, and ending the trip with ice-creams. I still remember sitting at a picnic table with the kind of laughter that you hope will never end.
I texted my daughter back, “Take the day off and go to the beach. The thesis can wait.” Actually, I wanted to text her much more than that. I wanted to tell her that college is for so many things—academic and personal growth and challenges, all-night study sessions, paper deadlines, and office hours. But it’s also for road trips with your roommates and a chance to extricate every bit of stress and responsibility for a few hours.
College is for the memories that you don’t think are anything special right now. But someday, one of you will say, “Hey, remember that time on the beach?” And those precious memories are worth more than any thesis conclusion ever could be.
1. Why did Tracy hesitate to go to the beach?| A．She was kind of stay-at-home. | B．She had to complete her paper. |
| C．She worried about the weather. | D．She didn’t invite her roommates. |
| A．Their demand for spiritual relief. |
| B．Their desire to test their new car. |
| C．Their need to experience country life. |
| D．Their plan for seeking play materials. |
| A．Take on. | B．Think of. | C．Go through. | D．Shake off. |
| A．Good friends always make life happier. |
| B．Stress from college life can play its part. |
| C．College memories are more than academic achievements. |
| D．Academic achievements absolutely come first at college. |
7 . When I was in the eighth grade, my class was assigned (指派) to be friends with the second-grade kids. I got this little girl named Shelley. The first time I saw her, she was silent and cold. She was small for her age, and she didn’t play with the other kids in her class.
I tried all kinds of things to get her to talk to me. I bought her toys, crayons and candies. But try as I might, nothing worked. One time, I gave her a coloring book and said, “Shelley, now you can color at any time.”
Shelley looked at the coloring book and then looked up at me, and finally looked away. By that, I didn’t know how I was going to get through to the little girl, but I knew I wouldn’t give up on her.
One Friday, I decided to tell her a story about my childhood. I told her that I felt lonely when I was with my classmates, and how I thought only my teachers liked me. I also told her that every day was a battle (战役) for me and that I fought back tears so people wouldn’t know how much I was hurting.
She sat there just listening, trying to decide whether I was lying or not. Finally, when my story ended, there were tears in her eyes. And then she did the unthinkable. She said, “Thank you.” From then on, Shelley was a different little girl. She started smiling and talking with other kids.
Looking back at this, I’m in awe (惊叹), because all I did was to help her realize that she wasn’t alone. I didn’t ask her to tell her story, because her story is my story.
1. What was Shelley like when the author first saw her?| A．Cold. | B．Noisy. | C．Lazy. | D．Slow. |
| A．wrote her a book | B．made her a toy |
| C．drew her a picture | D．told her a story |
| A．her teachers loved her |
| B．her classmates were kind |
| C．the author understood her |
| D．she had to study even harder |
| A．Humorous and outgoing. | B．Friendly and determined. |
| C．Helpful and brave. | D．Honest and careless. |
8 . For twelve years, my church has participated in the Appalachia Service Project. One week each summer, volunteers go to repair or build homes for families.
At the age of sixteen, I went on my first volunteer project in West Virginia. On the night we arrived, we discovered that “our family” was living in a trailer (活动房屋) that was in poor condition. The staff soon decided that the only reasonable solution was to build a new house. “Our family” was overjoyed with their new house that was 20x30 foot with three bedrooms, a bath and a kitchen/family room.
On Tuesday of that week, I asked “our family’s” three boys, Josh, Eric and Ryan, “What do you want for your new room?” Josh, the oldest, responded, “I just want a bed.”
We were stunned. The boys had never slept in a bed. They were used to foam pads (泡沫垫). That night we had a meeting and decided that beds would be the perfect gift. On Thursday night, we drove to the nearest city and bought beds and new bedding.
On Friday, when we saw the delivery truck coming, we told “our family” about the surprise. It was like watching excited children on Christmas morning. That afternoon, we set up the beds. As we fitted the frames together, Eric ran into the house to watch us. He observed with wide-eyed enthusiasm. As Meggan, a member of our group, slipped a pillowcase onto one of the pillows, Eric asked, “What is that?”
“A pillow,” she replied,
“What do you do with it?” Eric persisted.
“When you go to sleep, you put your head on it,” Meggan answered softly. Tears came to our eyes as she handed Eric the pillow.
“Oh... that’s soft,” he said, hugging it tightly.
1. “Our family” refers to ________.| A．a poor family in West Virginia |
| B．the author’s family |
| C．the family which consists of three boys |
| D．the family formed by the volunteers |
| A．Frightened. | B．Confused. | C．Doubtful. | D．Shocked. |
| A．The children like lying on foam pads. |
| B．The family is too poor to buy a bed. |
| C．The volunteers bought beds for the family. |
| D．The children had never slept in a bed. |
| A．we felt very tired |
| B．Eric didn’t know how to use what we bought for him |
| C．we were sad to know Eric had never used a pillow |
| D．Eric wanted some other things |
9 . Alex Elman runs a big business—something hard to imagine after she lost her sight in her twenties. But Elman says that losing her sight helped her focus on finding success.
Elman’s father planted a hillside vineyard in western Massachusetts in 1981. It’s where Elman fled during the darkest period of her life. When she was 27 years old, she went blind due to complications from juvenile diabetes (幼年型糖尿病) 17 years ago. She recalled, “I hid in my home. I hid in the place, to me, that was the safest place in the world.”
Elman is now the founder of Alex Elman Wines, a growing portfolio (股份) of organic wines from all around the world: Chianti from Italy, Torrontes from Argentina. Elman doesn’t work alone. Her assistant a guide dog named Hanley, is something of a wine snob, and quite a beggar. Hanley travels to all of the wineries that Elman does, from South America to Europe.
At first, Elman resisted the idea of a seeing-eye dog. Now it’s hard to imagine her life, or her business, without him. She said, “When someone tells me something is organic and I don’t really believe it because I taste something funny on it, I’ll put it in front of his face and if he likes the wine, he’ll actually go in and sniff (嗅) it. If it’s not right, he’ll turn his head away...He gets in the dirt with me. He scratches around. He makes sure that we see earthworms and butterflies. That’s how we know that the soil is actually organic, that there are no chemicals.”
Elman told CBS News she believes the loss of her vision was a gift. She said, “It allowed me to pay attention to what I thought was important and also to be able to teach people that the broken hang nail is not a big deal, you know what I mean? Don’t sweat the small stuff. Don’t sweat the big stuff either.”
1. Elman hid herself in her father’s vineyard probably because she ________.| A．suffered from juvenile diabetes |
| B．was extremely painful for her blindness |
| C．would like to help her father with the work |
| D．expected to recover her sight sooner or later |
| A．has earned a large amount of money |
| B．plans to operate organic wine companies |
| C．has become successful with Hanley’s help |
| D．has travelled around the world with Hanley |
| A．a nail which is of no use | B．a disadvantage you have in your life |
| C．a person who is hard to deal with | D．a task that is not easy to accomplish |
| A．Alex Elman leads a miserable life |
| B．Hanley brings Alex Elman much fun |
| C．Alex Elman gets along well with her pet |
| D．a blind woman tastes success in wine business |
10 . 17-year-old Tibetan girl Cigla is a freshman at Nagqu No.2 Senior High School in Lhasa, which sits 3,650 meters above sea level. She now plays point guard for the school’s 12-member female basketball team.
“Practice makes perfect. You get used to the altitude when you love the sport and train hard enough,” said the potential basketball star, who has been crazy about the sport since taking it up three years ago.
With outstanding speed and accurate passes, she never fails to shine on the basketball court, even when she competes against the boys. Though she is a freshman in high school, Cigla already has a clear picture of her future — entering a sports college to study basketball. In the eyes of Cigla, who comes from a poor herder’s (牧民的) family in northern Tibet, studying in Lhasa, the most developed city in this area, has made it much easier for her to realize her basketball dream.
With an average altitude of over 4,500 meters, Nagqu is among the most uninhabitable places in Tibet. Low-oxygen environments and extreme weather have long influenced the health of Nagqu students, hampering the development of primary education in the area.
Like Cigla, many students at the school are from poor farmers’ and herders’ families. Dawa Droma, a senior student also on the school’s female basketball team, recalled, “I had never touched a basketball before that game but joined the class team anyway. When I scored and heard my classmates cheer for me, I couldn’t feel more proud. That’s how I fell in love with basketball and never looked back”. Reflecting on the influence of basketball on her life, Dawa Droma said the sport had helped her get fit and build up confidence over the years. “Meeting players from different schools has certainly made me a more outgoing person.” she said.
1. What do we know about Cigla from the text?| A．She loves playing basketball but dislikes training hard. |
| B．She is in Grade One at a senior high school at a high altitude. |
| C．She’s been crazy about playing basketball since she was 12 years old. |
| D．She’s gotten used to the altitude because she has lived there for years. |
| A．her school’s location | B．her clear plans |
| C．her family background | D．her entering a sports college |
| A．Promoting. | B．Maintaining. | C．Encouraging. | D．Preventing. |
| A．Dawa Droma seldom feels proud when scoring. |
| B．Dawa Droma has been affected by basketball greatly. |
| C．Playing basketball improves Dawa Droma’s sense of touch. |
| D．Players from different schools have become Dawa Droma’s friends. |
