1 . One of my wonderful memories is about a Christmas gift. Unlike other gifts, it came without wrap (包装).
On September 11th, 1958, Mum gave birth to Richard. After she brought him home from hospital, she put him in my lap, saying, “I promised you a gift, and here it is.” What an honour! I turned four a month earlier and none of my friends had such a baby doll of their own. I played with it day and night. I sang to it. I told it stories. I told it over and over how much I loved it!
One morning, however, I found its bed empty. My doll was gone! I cried for it.Mum wept and told me that the poor little thing had been sent to a hospital. It had a fever. For several days, I heard Mum and Dad whispering such words as “hopeless”, “pitiful”, and “dying”, which sounded ominous.
Christmas was coming. “Don’t expect any presents this year,” Dad said, pointing at the socks I hung in the living room.“If your baby brother lives, that’ll be Christmas enough.” As he spoke, his eyes filled with tears. I’d never seen him cry before.
The phone rang early on Christmas morning. Dad jumped out of bed to answer it. From my bedroom I heard him say, “What? He’s all right?” He hung up and shouted upstairs. “The hospital said we can bring Richard home!”
“Thank God!” I heard Mum cry.
From the upstairs window, I watched my parents rush out to the car. I had never seen them so happy. And I was also full of joy. What a wonderful day! My baby doll would be home. I ran downstairs. My socks still hung there flat. But I knew they were not empty; they were filled with love!
1. What happened to the author on September 11th, 1958?| A．He got a baby brother. |
| B．He got a Christmas gift. |
| C．He became four years old. |
| D．He received a doll. |
| A．Impossible. | B．Boring. |
| C．Difficult. | D．Fearful. |
| A．Excitement. | B．Happiness. |
| C．Sadness. | D．Disappointment. |
| A．A sad Christmas day. |
| B．Life with a lovely baby. |
| C．A special Christmas gift. |
| D．Memories of a happy family. |
2 . Last week, 84-year-old Janet Fein received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Dallas. Fein has had a full life. She has raised five children and then had a career as a secretary until she retired at age 77. But even then, she was not ready to take it easy and rest. She said she decided to major in sociology because she felt it was very important.
Fein grew up in the Bronx area of New York City. She just wanted to get a job in high school. After graduating at the age of 16, she went to work as a secretary. After getting married, she spent 18 years staying home with her children. She held several jobs throughout her life,including 20 years as a secretary at a hospital. She also worked for 20 years on earning an associate degree. But Fein also wanted to earn a bachelor’s degree “with all of my heart”. Even with all of her life experiences, she still enjoyed reading,writing papers and learning new things.
Health experts say continuing with education later in life is one way to keep fit. Carmel Dyer, director of the UTHealth Consortium on Aging at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston,says keeping active and giving yourself something to look forward to “is just a really positive move”.
Fein kept going to class even as her health conditions worsened. During her studies,it became necessary for her to use a walker to get around and she required oxygen. She also developed knee problems. Therefore, Fein took online classes to finish the last part of her degree requirements. Her college advisor Sheila Rollerson said Fein never showed signs of giving up even with all of her difficulties. “She just kept plugging along,“ Rollerson said.
1. What was Janet Fein’s last work before she retired?| A．A teacher. |
| B．A secretary. |
| C．A nurse. |
| D．A doctor |
| A．Get a bachelor’s degree. |
| B．Keep fit by exercises. |
| C．Read all kinds of books. |
| D．Find a job at the hospital. |
| A．Life should be full of adventures. |
| B．People should have their own views. |
| C．Further study benefits the old’s health. |
| D．Healthy lifestyle is just to keep active. |
3 . At eleven, I decided to learn to swim. There was a pool at the YMCA offering exactly the opportunity. My mother continually warned against it, and kept fresh in my mind the details of each drowning in the river. But the YMCA pool was safe.
I had a childhood fear of water. This started when I was three years old and my father took me to the beach.The huge waves knocked me down and swept over me.
The pool was quiet. I was afraid of going in all alone, so I sat on one side of the pool to wait for others. Then came a big boy. He yelled, “Hi, how’d you like to be ducked?” With that he picked me up and threw me into the deep end.I landed in a sitting position, and swallowed water. But I was not frightened out of my wits—when my feet hit the bottom, I would make a big jump to come out of the surface. It seemed a long way down. I gathered all my strength when I landed and made what I thought was a great spring upwards. Then I opened my eyes and saw nothing but water. I tried to yell but no sound came out. I went down, down, endlessly.
When I came to consciousness, I found myself lying on the bed in the hospital.
I never went back to the pool. I avoided water whenever I could. This misadventure stayed with me as the years rolled by.It deprived(剥夺) me of the joy of boating and swimming. Finally, I decided to get an instructor. Piece by piece, he built a swimmer. Several months later, the instructor was finished, but I was not .Sometimes the terror would return.
This went on until July. I swam across the Lake Went worth.Only once did the terror return. When I was in the middle of the lake, I put my face under and saw nothing but bottomless water. I laughed and said, “Well, Mr Terror, what do you think you can do to me?” I had conquered my fear of water.
1. What was the author’s original fear of water caused by?| A．His poor skill in swimming. |
| B．His mother’s warning of drowning. |
| C．An outing to the beach with his father. |
| D．An unpleasant memory of the pool. |
| A．He knew how to swim in the pool. |
| B．He felt that the YMCA pool was safe. |
| C．He was waiting for others to save him. |
| D．He came up with an idea to go upwards. |
| A．He was still a poor swimmer. |
| B．He had not overcome the fear yet. |
| C．He was not afraid of drowning any more. |
| D．He was not satisfied with the swimming training. |
| A．Goodbye,Mr Terror |
| B．Hello,Childhood Fear |
| C．A Swimming Adventure |
| D．My Passion for Swimming |
4 . There was once a boy called Mario who loved to have lots of friends at school. However, he wasn’t sure whether or not his classmates were his true friends, so he asked his grandpa. The old man answered, “I have just exactly what you need; it’s in the attic (阁楼). Wait here for a minute.”
Grandpa left, soon returning as though carrying something in his hand, but Mario could see nothing there. “Take it. It’s a very special chair. Because it’s invisible (无形的) it’s rather difficult to sit on, but if you take it to school and you manage to sit on it, you’ll be able to tell who your true friends are.”
Mario took the strange invisible chair and went to school. At break time he asked everyone to form a circle, and he put himself in the middle, with his chair. “Nobody move. You’re about to see something amazing,” Mario said.
Then Mario tried sitting on the chair. He missed and fell straight onto his backside. Everyone had a pretty good laugh. Mario wouldn’t be beaten. He kept trying to sit on the magic chair, and kept falling to the ground... until, suddenly, he tried again and didn’t fall. This time he sat, hovering (悬停) in mid-air.
Looking around, Mario saw George, Lucas, and Diana — three of his best friends — holding him up, so he wouldn’t fall. At the same time, many others he had thought of as friends were doing nothing but make fun of him, enjoying each and every fall.
Leaving with his three friends, Mario explained to them how his grandpa had so cleverly thought of such a good idea. Now he knows that those who take joy in our misfortunes (不幸) when we are in difficulty are not our true friends.
1. What did Mario’s grandpa take from the attic?| A．An invisible chair. | B．An old chair. |
| C．A real chair. | D．Nothing. |
| A．To see whether Mario could sit on it. |
| B．To test who were Mario’s true friends. |
| C．To let Mario have fun with his classmates. |
| D．To test whether Mario was popular at school. |
| A．He saw the invisible chair suddenly. |
| B．He managed to sit on the chair finally. |
| C．His friends held him up with their hands. |
| D．His classmates gave him a chair to sit on. |
| A．Never laugh at our friends. |
| B．True friends can help us do magic. |
| C．True friends are those who care for us. |
| D．Having too many good friends isn’t a good thing. |
5 . My teacher held up a piece of broken glass and asked, “Who broke this window?”
Thirty boys tried to think about not only what they had done, but also what the teacher might have found out. She seldom became angry, but she was this time.
“Oh,” I thought. I was the one who broke the window. It was caused by a naughty throw of a baseball. If I admitted guilt, I would be in a lot of trouble. How would I be able to pay for a big window like that? I didn’t even get an allowance. “My father is going to have a fit as a result of it,” I thought. I didn’t want to raise my hand, but some force much stronger than I was pulled it skyward (朝向天空). I told the truth, “I did it.” It was hard enough to say what I had done.
My teacher took down a book from one of our library shelves and I had never known my teacher to strike a student, but I feared she was going to start with me.
“I know how much you like birds,” she said as she stood looking down at my guilt-ridden face. “Here is the field guide about birds that you are constantly checking out. It is yours now. It’s time we got a new one for the school anyway. You will not be punished, but remember that I am not rewarding you for your misdeed (恶行), but I am rewarding you for your truthfulness.”
I couldn’t believe it! I wasn’t being punished and I was getting my own bird field guide — the very one that I had been saving up money to buy.
The lesson my teacher taught me stays with me every day, and it will echo forever.
1. From the story, we can learn that the boy .| A．didn’t break the window on purpose |
| B．lacked the courage to admit his guilt |
| C．tried to think about what he had done |
| D．didn’t know what the teacher had found out |
| A．be punished by the teacher |
| B．make his father angry |
| C．pay for the broken window |
| D．get a bird field guide |
| A．Afraid—Surprised—Thankful. |
| B．Frightened—Amazed—Proud. |
| C．Regretful—Guilty—Excited. |
| D．Nervous—Afraid—Satisfied. |
| A．Every coin has two sides. |
| B．Honesty is always valued. |
| C．Bad luck never comes alone. |
| D．You can’t be too careful. |
6 . Once upon a time, there lived a very wise farmer who could grow very good corn. Each year he would take part in the state farmer’s fair (展览会) and win a top award for his corn. He became famous and attracted the villagers nearby to visit his farm. And big companies came to buy his corn as well.
The story of the farmer reached the ears of a reporter. Curious about the secret of his success, the reporter came to interview him. While he was learning about the farmer’s growing skills, he found that the farmer shared his best quality seeds (种子) with his neighbors.
“How can you afford to share your best corn seeds with your neighbors when some of them might go to the fair as well?” the reporter asked.
“Why wouldn’t I?” the farmer replied. “The wind picks up pollen (花粉) from the corn and moves it from field to field. If my neighbors grow poor quality corn, cross pollination (授粉) will finally damage the quality of my corn too. If I am to grow high quality corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn too.”
The farmer’s answer made the reporter understand connections in life.
It is the same with our lives. Those who choose to live in peace must help others around them to live in peace too. Those who wish to be loved must first learn to love others too.
1. What do we know about the farmer from Paragraph 1?| A．He set up a corn company. |
| B．He sold his farm to a villager. |
| C．He was an official of the state. |
| D．He won an award for his corn each year. |
| A．He shared his best seeds with his neighbors. |
| B．His neighbors helped him grow corn. |
| C．He watered his corn every day. |
| D．His neighbors gave him tools. |
| A．Where there is a will, there is a way. |
| B．A friend in need is a friend indeed. |
| C．Helping others can help us too. |
| D．Two heads are better than one. |
7 . Michael Yellowlees set off to complete a 5, 000-mile walk across Canada in the spring of 2021,wearing a kilt(短褶裙）and carrying a few items in a handcart,including a guitar. The 32-year-oldmusician from Dunkeld, Scotland,walked from the shores of the Pacific Ocean to the east coast of Newfoundland on the edge of the North Atlantic with his pet dog, Luna, an Alaskan husky,by his side.
Speaking about the Scottish Highlands, Mr Yellowlees said, "It is a beautiful landscape,but with a strong sense of sadness because of the absence of woodland,wildlife and people. So I decided to walk across the great wildernesses of Canada to raise funds for Trees for Life,a Scottish rewilding charity,and its work to restore(恢复）Scotland's Caledonian Forest. ”
The enthusiastic walker shared some of his experiences, including meeting black bears and hearing wolves cry loudly at night. He also mentioned a moment when he lost Luna after she jumped out of a little boat during a trip in the waterway section of the Trans Canada Trail in Northern Ontario.
Yet Mr Yellowlees was deeply touched by the warmth of the people along the way. In every town and village, people offered him food,shelter and donations. And he was accompanied into towns and cities by marching pipe bands and interviewed by newspapers, the radio and TV.
Steve Micklewright , chief executive officer of Trees for Life,said, “We followed Michael's journey across Canada with respect and admiration. Restoring native habitats and wildlife to the Highlands is a big task that no one can do alone. But Michael's extraordinary journey is proof that an individual can really make a difference. "
Bob Davidson,one of Michael Yellowlees' friends, said, “This is not a slow walk in the park,but a long march with heavy equipment on the rough road at an incredible pace. He's an amazing guy.”
1. Why did Michael start the journey?| A．To spread Scottish culture across the world. |
| B．To support an environmental organization. |
| C．To find some inspiration for his new songs. |
| D．To do some research on endangered animals. |
| A．involved great challenges | B．was full of excitement and fun |
| C．was troubled by his lack of preparation | D．once made him regret his decision |
| A．Many locals wished to join Michael. |
| B．Michael's story was made into a TV series. |
| C．The action of Michael attracted wide attention. |
| D．Michael made donations to poor people along the way. |
| A．Those who aim high can work miracles. |
| B．It is not wise to take a long journey alone. |
| C．The restoration of the Highlands is not as difficult as expected. |
| D．Michael's journey proves the importance of great survival skills. |
8 . In 1969, watching the landing of Apollo 11 on the Moon on TV from his parents’ farm in Canada, Chris Hadfield was amazed and excited. On that day, at only nine years old, Chris made the most important decision of his life: He was going to be an astronaut.
There wasn’t even a training program in Canada to become an astronaut, but Chris was determined. He spent a great deal of time studying and fixing engines. After school he joined the Canadian army where he learned to fly many different types of planes. Chris did a lot of research for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA)in the United States and had special training. Finally, in 1995, he rode his first rocket into space.
Chris became the first Canadian astronaut to walk in space, and went on a number of space missions throughout his career. The most memorable was his five-month stay on the International Space Station(ISS)as commander, between December 2012 and May 2013. He posted on social media thousands of photos of Earth and videos of himself explaining how things work in zero gravity. His followers could watch him sleeping, brushing his teeth, washing his hands, or preparing “space” snacks in zero gravity, which turned him into a social media phenomenon.
Today, Chris travels the world giving talks about his work. He once said, “Decide in your heart of hearts what really excites and challenges you, and start moving your life in that direction. Every decision you make, from what you eat to what you do with your time tonight, turns you into who you are tomorrow. Look at who you want to be, and start sculpting yourself into that person. You may not get exactly where you thought you’d be, but you will be doing things that suit you in a profession you believe in. Don’t let life randomly kick you into the adult you don’t want to become. ”
1. What led Chris to make up his mind to be an astronaut?| A．The life on his parents’farm. | B．Apollo 11’s landing on the Moon. |
| C．His ability to fly various planes. | D．His passion for studying engines. |
| A．Serving in the Canadian army. | B．Receiving a lot of training from the NASA. |
| C．Working as commander on the ISS. | D．Being the first Canadian astronaut to walk in space. |
| A．The space tasks he conducted in his life. | B．His great contributions to Canada’s space industry. |
| C．His strong determination to pursue his dream. | D．The pictures and videos he posted online. |
| A．Courage is what it takes to overcome difficulties. | B．The secret of success lies in the firm aim. |
| C．From small beginnings come great endings. | D．Opportunities go hand in hand with challenges. |
9 . As a youngster, there was nothing I liked better than Sunday afternoons at my grandfather’s farm in western Pennsylvania. Surrounded by miles of winding stone walls, the house and field provided endless hours of fun for a city kid like me. I was used to tidy living rooms that seemed to whisper, “Not to be touched!”
I can still remember one afternoon when I was eight years old. Since my first visit to the farm, I had wanted more than anything to be allowed to climb the stone walls surrounding the houses. My parents would never approve. The walls were old; some stones were missing, others loose and falling. Still, my idea to climb across those walls grew so strong that finally, one spring afternoon, I had all my courage to enter the living room, where the adults had gathered after Sunday dinner. “I, uh—I want to climb the stone walls,” I said. Everyone looked up. “Can I climb the stone walls?” Immediately voices of disagreement went up from the women in the room. “Heavens, no!” You’ll hurt yourself!” I wasn’t too disappointed; the response was just as I’d expected. But before I could leave the room, I was stopped by my grandfather’s loud voice. “Now hold on just a minute,” I heard him say. “Let the boy climb the stone walls. He has to learn to do things for himself.”
“Go,” he said to me, “and come and see me when you get back.” For the next two and a half hours I climbed those old walls-and had the time of my life. Later I met with my grandfather to tell him about my adventures. I’ll never forget what he said. “Fred,” he said, smiling, “You made this day a special day just by being yourself. Always remember, there’s only one person in this whole world like you, and I like you exactly as you are.”
Many years have passed since then, and today I host the television program Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, seen by millions of children throughout America. There have been changes over the years, but one thing remains the same: my message to children at the end of almost every visit. “There’s only one person in this whole world like you,” the kids can count on hearing me say, “and people can like you exactly as you are.”
1. The writer enjoyed his visits to the farm because ________.| A．There were old stone walls | B．It was an exciting place for him |
| C．He liked his grandfather | D．He was allowed to climb the stone walls |
| A．All the adults were shocked | B．His parents agreed |
| C．None of the adults responded | D．His grandfather backed him up |
| A．adventurous | B．funny | C．smart | D．talkative |
| A．A Discouraging Experience | B．Do Whatever You Like |
| C．Just Be Yourself | D．Remain Adventurous |
10 . Rene Compean was no stranger to Angeles National Forest. He’d hiked the park near his home in Southern California numerous times. But after taking a new path last April, he was lost.
As the day faded into dusk, his concern turned to fear. The terrain (地带) was remote and rough. With only a liter of water and less than ten percent battery remaining on his cell phone, Compean was unprepared for anything more than the two-hour journey he’d planned. Compean climbed to a spot, where he found only one bar of signal. “SOS. My phone is going to die. Pm lost,” he texted a friend, attaching a photo showing where he was. The shot showed his legs hanging over a steep rock.
Sixty miles away in Ventura County, Ben Kuo was working at home when he read a tweet from the Los Angeles County Safety Department. They had spent the previous night unsuccessfully looking for Compean, so they released the photo to the public, hoping someone might know the location.
Kuo works in the tech industry, and he has an unusual hobby —looking for where photos are taken. When he saw the blurry (模糊的) image, he pulled up a satellite map on his laptop. He narrowed his search to the surrounding area where Compean’s car was parked and spotted an area that looked like the terrain in the image. When he cross-referred the original photo with 3-D images of the area from Google Earth, the locations matched!
Soon, a search-and-rescue team helicopter was in the air, flying above Compean. After spending 27 hours alone in the wilderness, Compean cried, “I’m safe!” John Gibert, a member of the search-and-rescue team, says, “Compean’s story probably would have ended very differently had a total stranger with strong satellite skills and a sharp eye for detail not taken action.”
1. What added to Compean’s fear?| A．Taking a completely new route. | B．Being unfamiliar with the park. |
| C．Being far away from destination. | D．Lacking preparations for emergency. |
| A．The released photo. | B．Kuo’s expertise in rescuing. |
| C．The successful image matching. | D．The rescue team’s efforts. |
| A．Lucky. | B．Expected. | C．Fruitless. | D．Smooth. |
| A．A Mountain Hiker | B．A Screen Saver |
| C．A Blurry Image | D．A Helicopter Rescue |
