1 . I was fortunate to spend every summer camping with my parents when I was a kid. By the age of 18, I’d visited every province in my home country of Canada. Even today I can still recall an impressive tour vividly.
It took us six people a long time to drive to Newfoundland from Ontario. When we arrived on the island, it poured rain every day. We just kept driving north, hoping to outrun it. We jumped on a ferry to Labrador Peninsula, crossing the Strait of Belle Isle, and moved our way up the coast of this northerly and thinly-populated region.
The scenery in Labrador is beautiful. We saw long white sand beaches along the Atlantic coast that looked inviting, but the water was cold year-round. While standing at the top of a lighthouse, my dad said, “This will be the new Caribbean once global warming hits.”
We soon discovered Battle Harbor, a historic fishing village that can only be reached by ferry. In the mid-1800s it had a population of 350 people and was considered the unofficial capital of Labrador. Now it was more like a deserted town, and I distinctly remember feeling the furthest from anything that I’ve ever felt. Multiple ferry rides and 600 miles separated me from the nearest major city of St. John’s.
If you’re curious about Newfoundland & Labrador (NL), I highly recommend a 2013 film called The Grand Seduction. It’s a delightful comedy about a small fishing village called Tickle Head that’s struggling to figure out its future.
Travelling made me get to know my country so well, which has had a tremendous influence on shaping the person I am now. I hold a solid mental picture of Canada, stretching from sea to sea, which I’ve taken with me to other parts of the world because I have great passion for it.
1. Which of the following was the author’s tour route?| A．Ontario — Newfoundland — Battle Harbor — Labrador Peninsula. |
| B．Ontario — the Strait of Belle Isle — Newfoundland — Labrador Peninsula. |
| C．Ontario — Newfoundland — the Strait of Belle Isle — Labrador Peninsula. |
| D．Labrador Peninsula — the Strait of Belle Isle — Newfoundland — Ontario. |
| A．It is naturally appealing. |
| B．It is remote and lonely. |
| C．It gives a sense of belonging. |
| D．It is unique and peaceful. |
| A．It is mostly set in NL. |
| B．It describes NL in detail. |
| C．It offers clues to NL’s situations. |
| D．It implies NL’s promising future. |
| A．He loves his country better. |
| B．He has a passion for the sea. |
| C．He is more open to new cultures. |
| D．He holds a solid picture of his future. |
2 . 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. |
I have been a pet behaviorist for more than 25 years, helping animals “perform” on camera. But when a TV company asked if I could teach a dog to fly a plane, I faced the toughest challenge of my career.
Initially, I was hesitant about the project, which involved taking rescue dogs through training to control a light aircraft. I wondered if the idea was in the animals’ best interests but was won over by the program’s aim: to prove that an abandoned dog is capable of far more than people might expect.
My all-male crew was Alfie, Blondie and Shadow. We started with fun tasks that tested the dogs’ memories and abilities, training them to perform complicated moves. By breaking down a complex trick into simpler tasks, I was able to get my boys to achieve polished performances.
The tasks (barking on signals and pushing buttons with their paws) gave us a good feeling for which dogs might be most suited to flight school. I was delighted when Alfie and Shadow made it through, along with another trainer’s dog, Reggie.
We had six weeks to turn them into pilots. I built a copy of the plane’s seat and controls. Another system in front of the dogs included lights – red for right, blue for left and white for straight – and made distinctive sounds. We operated it from the back.
After six weeks, I was delighted at how far the dogs had come. Their final test was to perform a figure of eight, making turns while controlling their altitude. We needed a human co-pilot to take them to 3,000 feet before giving control to the dogs. All three of them performed admirably, flying the plane for minutes at a time.
In the five years since making the program, I visited London and saw Shadow, who is becoming a Hollywood star. Before the show, Shadow was only hours away from being put to sleep(安乐死). It’s a situation that tens of thousands of dogs find themselves in every year. They all have the potential to achieve amazing things if given the chance.
1. Why didn’t the author take the program at first?| A．Because he doubted whether it was good for the animals. |
| B．Because unwanted dogs’ ability was beyond expectation. |
| C．Because it was the biggest challenge. |
| D．Because the dogs might not be interested. |
| A．He got help from three human assistants. |
| B．He trained the dogs on a real plane. |
| C．He used small tasks to train the dogs step by step. |
| D．He let the dogs operate the aircraft on their own. |
| A．They flew the plane in the shape of the number eight. |
| B．They flew the plane to 3000 feet high. |
| C．They flew the plane only in straight lines. |
| D．They were helped by humans all the way. |
| A．Intelligent and ambitious. | B．Considerate and strategic. |
| C．Powerful and sympathetic. | D．Realistic and cooperative. |
4 . Born in 1983 in Arizona, US, Jessica has learned to live her life with her feet, She was born without arms, and no doctors could figure out why.
There were many questions at the time about whether Jessica would be able to live a “ normal” life. However, Jessica’s father said, “ I have never shed a tear about her birth condition. ” With the support of her parents and family, Jessica became confident in herself as an adult and continued to explore the world with her feet.
As a child, Jessica studied dance in her hometown. When the first performance arrived, she asked to be put in the back row. Her dance teacher told her there was no back row. Nervously, she took the stage with the other students and performed her routine. When she finished, the applause from the audience gave her encouragement and confidence to continue dancing for 14 years.
After graduating from high school, Jessica attended the University of Arizona, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. When talking about her major, she frequently explains that Psychology has a great effect on her life, helping her out of a physical limitation.
During college, Jessica signed up for a club of taekwondo (跆拳道) and learned all of the colour belt materials. The instructors created a course that would be accessible to any future armless students. Jessica became the first, armless person to earn a black belt in the club.
Jessica’s most famous accomplishment was learning how to fly. It took three states, four airplanes, two flight instructors and a discouraging year to find the right aircraft. She earned herself a place in the Guinness World Records for being the first person permitted to fly an airplane with only her feet.
Now Jessica works as a motivational lecturer. She travels around the world sharing her story and encouraging people to be creative with the slogan“ Think outside the shoe”。
1. What encouraged Jessica to keep dancing for so many years?| A．The support of her family. | B．Her dance teacher’s words. |
| C．The help of the other students. | D．Her success in the first performance. |
| A．Psychology is the best subject in her university. |
| B．Psychology can bring her a good job in tie future. |
| C．Psychology can help her go beyond her disability. |
| D．Psychology is fit for an armless student. |
| A．Flying an airplane with her feet. | B．Finding the right aircraft. |
| C．Speaking as a motivational lecturer. | D．Travelling around the world. |
| A．A Talented Girl, Jessica | B．A Motivational Speaker |
| C．Exploring the World with Feet | D．Being Creative as a Student |
5 . Two weeks before the Spring Festival, I lost my job.
As a single parent, my paycheck was survival. I did everything I could to give my daughter Kristil a good life, but there were some things my love couldn’t fix. The next day as we did Spring Festival shopping, I struggled to be cheerful as I eyed the prices.
Monday morning, I set off on my moneymaking pursuits. First, I headed to the pawnshop (当铺) to sell a ring that my mother had given me a decade earlier. Next was the antiques store. I sold six Precious Moments statues for $150.
On day back home, I felt as if the world was closing in on me. Then the doorbell rang. It was my old professor, Esther Heffernan. “I tried to call but couldn’t get through. Then I called your job and they said you weren’t working there anymore, so I thought I would come by, ” She said. “I have gifts for you and Kristil.” Then she kissed me on the cheek. I walked her to her car and waved as she left.
I hadn’t seen her since we’d met for lunch two months ago. I’d first met Esther 10 years earlier, when I was her student at College. Kristil was 3 at the time, and I sometimes took her to class. Esther was always understanding and would bring coloring books to occupy Kristil.
When I opened her card, I gasped in shock. Hundred-dollar bills inside. Tears of gratitude welled up in my eyes. Esther had given me $1,000.
It has been 14 years since that day, but I’ve never forgotten what Esther did for us. In 2020, at age 91, Esther died, but the love she gave during her life lives on in the hearts of many. I am lucky to be one of them.
1. What did the author do to make money?| A．She did several part-time jobs. |
| B．She asked Professor Esther for help. |
| C．She sold some of her valuable stuff. |
| D．She borrowed money from her classmates. |
| A．Defensive. |
| B．Tolerant. |
| C．Grateful. |
| D．Uncaring. |
| A．She got financial support from her family. |
| B．She got some heIp from Esther at college. |
| C．She got divorced and became a single parent. |
| D．She was an excellent student in Esther’s class. |
| A．Never Lose Jobs Before the New Year: |
| B．Get in Touch with Your Old Friends. |
| C．Lend a Hand to Unemployed People. |
| D．Kindness Came to a Single Parent. |
6 . He really did look like a tourist, with a camera around his neck and a bottle of sunscreen sticking out of his bag. The strong man sat at the table, drinking lemon juice and pretending to look at travel brochure(小册子). His sunglasses masked his eyes, but I knew he wasn’t looking at the brochure: he hadn’t turned a page for the last ten minutes.
As I brought him his dishes, he coughed up a “thank you” and looked at me briefly.
I tried not to stare at the tiny scar(伤疤) across his left eyebrow. I walked back inside, shaking my head. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t quite recognize him. Then it hit me. In the car accident one year ago, the mysterious(神秘的) stranger helped me out of my smashed car, just before it exploded. I rushed back to his table. He was gone.
I moved his plate and found his tip, along with a card: I am deeply indebted to you. The night of your car accident, I was on my way to rob a jewelry store. Saving your life brought things back in perspective(观点). I now live an honest life, thanks to you. God bless you! Mr. D.
I was stunned. The night of my car accident, I was heading for an interview in a shady dance club. Seeing human kindness through his heroic gesture turned my life around and brought faith back into my life.
I unfolded the tip he left. Among the singles was a grand with a pen mark underlining “In God We Trust”. I said a silent prayer for him and got back to work, smiling.
1. How did the man look when he was into the restaurant?| A．Painful and anxious. | B．Mysterious and unkind. |
| C．Hungry but gentle. | D．Strange but polite. |
| A．The author met the man years ago. |
| B．The man hurt his eyebrow in the accident. |
| C．The author and the man saved each other. |
| D．The man missed the interview that night. |
| A．Confused. | B．Shocked. | C．Excited. | D．Interested. |
| A．Helping others is helping ourselves. |
| B．Never do anything bad to God. |
| C．Be kind and friendly to your customers. |
| D．Only God could save us in trouble. |
7 . Jimmy Choi is a cyclist, and a world record holder for push-ups. He also happens to be living with Parkinson’s disease. He was diagnosed with the brain disorder in 2003, suffering from involuntary shaking and problems with walking and balancing. There is currently no cure. Jimmy has to quit the sports. Soon he commits himself to being a motivational speaker and advocating for people with the disease.
Jimmy often shares his struggles on social media, and in a recent video, he expressed his annoyance at the packaging of the pills he needs to take. It showed his shaking hand trying to get a tiny pill from the bottle. Jimmy wasn’t the only one facing such a problem. Brian Alldridge, a videographer, saw his video and immediately decided to do something to help him and everyone else dealing with this problem. He sat down at his computer and taught himself 3D modeling software. Within two days, Brian designed a new medicine bottle that separates a single pill in a container.
Brian made his own video and offered his design free of charge to anyone with a 3D printer who would be willing to create a physical prototype. “I expected maybe one or two people to message me when I couldn’t guarantee that the device would actually work. Instead, thousands of people offered to print the thing the next day,” Brian said, feeling so surprised. “Even more told me that someone they knew could benefit from it.”
The online community took it from there, printing out many versions of Brian’s design until they had a prototype to send to Jimmy. Jimmy was just surprised by their support, and he eagerly tested every version of it. The creators of the pill bottle now feel like there’s nothing they can’t do! “If you think of a way to improve the lives of others, there’s most likely a way to make it happen.” Brian said.
1. What do we know about Jimmy in face of Parkinson’s disease?| A．He feels upset about leaving sports. | B．He makes great efforts to recover. |
| C．He becomes devoted to a new career. | D．He lives in great pain from the disease. |
| A．Poor packaging of his pills. | B．Bothering with reaching pills. |
| C．Design of a new medicine bottle. | D．Requirements for people with Parkinson. |
| A．So many people responded to him. | B．The bottle worked better than expected. |
| C．His design benefited many patients. | D．Jimmy tried all versions of the bottle. |
| A．There is nothing they can’t accept. | B．There is nothing they can’t imagine. |
| C．There is nothing they can’t control. | D．There is nothing they can’t achieve. |
8 . Hua Sheng and Lu Sheng, a retired Tibetan couple, have become trailblazers（开拓者）of grape growing and wine-making in their old ages.
Lu Sheng learned grape planting and winemaking from her grandmother’s sister. Since they retired, the couple have moved to Lhasa from the village of Yakhadi. Though the fact that the region’s capital, which is 3,600 meters above sea level, is considered unfit for growing grapes, Lu Sheng and Hua Sheng began an ambitious project in 2015, planting grapes in Tsalna, a town in the suburb of Lhasa.
They received support from the local government, which is committed to developing business and the economy. The couple’s project provides jobs for rural residents, and, as a result, the government has considered the project part of its poverty relief program.
“Lhasa is an ideal place for planting French grape varieties that are resistant to cold, drought and disease, and adaptable to high-altitude and open-air planting," Lu Sheng said.
“Thanks to the plateau’s sunshine and organic planting, our grapes grow very well here in Lhasa. The grapes are a bit sour and sweet, and they have a high anthocyanin（花青素）content,” she said. Anthocyanins, which are in grape cells and contribute rich color to wine, are water-soluble（水溶性的）.
In 2018, Hua Sheng and Lu Sheng expanded their project, planting on nearly 6.67 hectares. In order to familiarize Tibetan farmers with grape planting and winemaking, they taught the skills to local villagers.
“We have successfully taught the local farmers how to grow grapes and make wine over the three years. They now have a new source of income besides traditional farrming and herding,” Hua Sheng said.
Yudron, a resident of Nam, said she was grateful to the grape planting project in her village, which has contributed to her income and quality of life." After working in the vineyards for years, now we know how to make wine. We drink both barley and grape wine now. We love grape wine more, though, as it is healthier.
1. What did the couple do after their retirement?| A．They grew grapes and made wine in Lhasa. |
| B．They made friends with a French expert. |
| C．They moved to another city from Lhasa. |
| D．They learned grape planting from Hua Sheng’ S grandmother. |
| A．They donated grapes to local schools. |
| B．They provided free wine for villagers. |
| C．They employed local residents as workers. |
| D．They expanded the project with the local government. |
| A．They make grapes more delicious. |
| B．They can accelerate the growth of grapes. |
| C．They make grapes宣bit sour and sweet. |
| D．They provide rich color’s for wine. |
| A．appreciative |
| B．cautious |
| C．indifferent |
| D．hesitate |
9 . When I was a boy there were no smart phones, and our television only got one channel clearly. Still, I was never bored. The fields, hills, and woodlands around my home were the perfect playground. I can remember once hiking to a nearby lake. At the backside of it I was amazed to find an old dirt road that I had never seen before. It was full of muddy tracks and deep woods bordered it on both sides, but exploring it still seemed like a fine adventure.
I walked on and on for hours. I was sure my guardian angel was whispering in my ear “Turn around and head back home”, but I was stubborn, so I walked on. There was still neither a car nor a house in sight. I noticed that the sun was starting to go down and I grew scared. I didn’t want to end up trapped on this road, and I was worried that it would be dark before I could make my way back to the lake again.
I continued to walk on with something growing inside of me. My heart was pounding and my legs were aching. I was almost in tears when I turned one last curve and saw something in the distance. It was a house that I recognized. I jumped up and down and laughed out loud. It was still over a mile away, but my legs felt like feathers and I hurried back to my house in no time. I walked in with a big smile on my face just in time for dinner.
I remembered this recently when I saw a sign that said “All roads lead home”. It is true. In life, all roads, no matter how they twist and turn, can lead us home again. What is important, though, is how we travel them. Are we going to go forth in fear or are we going to go forth in faith? Are we going to make this life a terrible trip or are we going to make this life a joyful journey? The choice is ours.
1. Why did the author hardly feel bored when he was young?| A．Because he could have fun in nature. |
| B．Because he could watch TV all day. |
| C．Because he had many friends. |
| D．Because he used to explore the old dirt road. |
| A．He thought he would be scolded by his parents. |
| B．He felt contradictory in mind. |
| C．He thought he would be trapped in the woods. |
| D．He was unconscious. |
| A．The dirt road. | B．His house. |
| C．The lake. | D．A passing car. |
| A．Always make choices on our own. |
| B．All roads lead home. |
| C．It’s our attitude that matters in our life. |
| D．Every effort is worthwhile. |
10 . That cold January night, I was growing sick of my life in San Francisco. There I was, walking home at one in the morning after a tiring practice at the theater. With opening night only a week away, I was still learning my lines. I was having trouble with my part-time job at the bank and my acting at night at the same time. As I walked, I thought seriously about giving up both acting and San Francisco. City life had become too much for me.
As I walked down empty streets under tall buildings, I felt very small and cold. I began running, both to keep warm and to keep away any possible robbers. Very few people were still out except a few sad-looking homeless people under blankets.
About a block from my apartment, I heard a sound behind me. I turned quickly, half expecting to see someone with a knife or a gun. The street was empty. All I saw was a shining streetlight. Still, the noise had made me nervous, so I started to run faster. Not until I reached my apartment building and unlocked the door did I realize what the noise had been. It had been my wallet falling to the sidewalk.
Suddenly I wasn’t cold or tired anymore. I ran out of the door and back to where I’d heard the noise. Although I searched the sidewalk anxiously for fifteen minutes, my wallet was nowhere to be found.
Just as I was about to give up the search, I heard the garbage truck (垃圾车) pull up to the sidewalk next to me. When a voice called from the inside, “Alisa Camacho?” I thought I was dreaming. How could this man know my name? The door opened, and out jumped a small red-haired man with an amused look in his eyes. “Is this what you’re looking for?” he asked, holding up a small square shape.
It was nearly 3 a.m. by the time I got into bed. I wouldn’t get much sleep that night, but I had got my wallet back. I also had got back some enjoyment of city life. I realized that the city couldn’t be a bad place as long as people were willing to help each other.
1. How did the writer feel when she was walking home after work?| A．Disappointed and helpless. | B．Lucky and hopeful. |
| C．Satisfied and cheerful. | D．Cold and sick. |
| A．lost her wallet unknowingly |
| B．was stopped by a garbage truck driver |
| C．was robbed of her wallet by a man with a knife |
| D．found some homeless people following her |
| A．Someone offered to take her back home. |
| B．A red-haired man came to see her. |
| C．She heard someone call her name. |
| D．Her wallet was found in a garbage truck. |
| A．would stop working at night |
| B．would stay on in San Francisco |
| C．would make friends with cleaners. |
| D．would give up her job at the bank |
