Alice Moore is a teenager entrepreneur (创业者), who in May 2015 set up her business AilieCandy. By the time she was 13, her company was worth millions of dollars with the invention of a super-sweet treat that could save kids’ teeth, instead of destroying them.
It all began when Moore visited a bank with her dad. On the outing, she was offered a candy bar. However, her dad reminded her that sugary treats were bad for her teeth. But Moore was sick of missing out on candies. So she desired to get round the warning, “Why can’t I make a healthy candy that’s good for my teeth so that my parents can’t say no to it?” With that in mind, Moore asked her dad if she could start her own candy company. He recommended that she do some research and talk to dentists about what a healthier candy would contain.
With her dad’s permission, she spent the next two years researching online and conducting trials to get a recipe that was both tasty and tooth-friendly. She also approached dentists to learn more about teeth cleaning. Consequently, she succeeded in making a kind of candy only using natural sweeteners, which can reduce oral bacteria.
Moore then used her savings to get her business off the ground. Afterwards, she and her father secured their first business meeting with a supermarket owner, who finally agreed to sell Moore’s product — CanCandy.
As CanCandy’s success grows, so does Moore’s credibility as a young entrepreneur. Moore is enthusiastic about the candy she created, and she’s also positive about what the future might bring. She hopes that every kid can have a clean mouth and a broad smile.
Meanwhile, with her parents’ help, Moore is generally able to live a normal teenage life. Although she founded her company early on in life, she wasn’t driven primarily by profit. Moore wants to use her unique talent to help others find their smiles. She donates 10% of AilicCandy’s profits to Big Smiles. With her talent and determination, it appears that the sky could be the limit for Alice Moore.
1. How did Moore react to her dad’s warning? (No more than 10 words)2. What is special about CanCandy? (No more than 10 words)
3. What does Moore expect from her business? (No more than 10 words)
4. How do you understand the underlined part in the last paragraph? (no more than 5 words)
5. How does Moore’s story inspire you to achieve success? Put it in your own words. (No more than 20 words)
2 . Many years ago, I was fresh out of school and working in Denver. One day, I drove to my parents’ home in Missouri for Thanksgiving Day. Suddenly, I found the gas was running out. I stopped, wondering what I was supposed to do. A car pulled up behind me and an old couple came out. They offered to pull my car to a gas station. When we said good- bye to each other. the husband gave me his business card.
When I arrived home, I wrote him and his wife a thank-you note. I soon received a note saying that helping me had made their holiday meaningful.
Years later, I drove to a nearby town for a meeting in the morning. In the late afternoon, I returned to my car and found that the battery was dead. Then I noticed that the Friendly Ford Dealership — a shop selling cars — was right next door. I walked over and found a salesman waiting beside the door.
“Would you please do me a favor?” I asked and explained my trouble. He quickly drove a pickup truck to my car and started it. He would accept no payment. When I got home, I wrote a note to thank him. I received a letter back from the salesman. He said no one had ever taken the time to write him a note of thanks and it meant a lot.
Although it is easy to say thanks to others, it means so much.
1. Why did the author drive to his parents’ home in Missouri?A.To repair his car. | B.To see a friend. |
C.For Thanksgiving Day. | D.For a meeting. |
A.An old couple helped him go to a gas station. |
B.He had a word with a policeman nearby. |
C.He pushed his car to a car dealership. |
D.He called up his best friend for help. |
A.The author got a gas from the old couple. |
B.The author’s car battery was dead. |
C.The author wrote a letter to the old couple. |
D.The author bought a car from the dealership. |
A.moved | B.worried | C.nervous | D.sad |
A.how to write a thank-you note | B.how to deal with car problems |
C.the kind-heartedness of old people | D.the importance of expressing thanks |
3 . It was Christmas morning. The ground was white with
Bessie looked out of the window and saw them jumping about the street. They were
Being
A.rain | B.water | C.snow | D.ash |
A.drink | B.eat | C.wear | D.make |
A.begging for | B.living on | C.cutting up | D.looking for |
A.sorry | B.weak | C.empty | D.cold |
A.Otherwise | B.Or | C.For | D.But |
A.cake | B.box | C.tree | D.card |
A.seeds | B.flowers | C.eggs | D.sandwiches |
A.At last | B.At first | C.After all | D.Before long |
A.in | B.out | C.away | D.past |
A.noodles | B.presents | C.medals | D.coats |
A.thanks | B.calls | C.congratulations | D.hopes |
A.nervous | B.honest | C.thankful | D.glad |
A.little | B.either | C.both | D.all |
A.if | B.before | C.unless | D.though |
Aesha Ash spent most of her life ballet (芭蕾舞) dancing and even turned it into a career as a member of the New York City Ballet. As much as she loved to dance, she found the weight of her responsibility heavy because she was often the only African American ballerina (芭蕾舞女演员) in her classes and company.
After retiring (退休) from ballet in 2007, Aesha enjoyed the quiet life for more than ten years before she decided to come back to ballet, but in a completely new way. She started The Swan Dreams Project that helps kids in poor areas get into the world of ballet.
Aesha set up a one-week camp that invited kids to not only learn the basics of ballet, but also get an introduction to French (since she says it is “the language of ballet”).
Her first camp was in 2018 in a poor neighborhood in New York. When she arrived she was greeted by dozens of students, most of whom were African Americans. She wanted to help kids who otherwise might not have ever had the chance to live in the world of ballet.
On the final day of camp, after a week of learning, the students put on a final performance for their family and friends. Before the performance, Aesha said she was nervous that it would be less of a performance and more of a mess, since the campers were all between 8 and 11 years old. Much to her surprise, it turned out to be perfect. She said, “When we went out to our first circle and the kids began counting in French and performing the steps they had just learned, my heart melted.”
Aesha continues to do whatever she can to help kids learn ballet. She found a way to turn that seemingly unbearable weight she once carried around into something good for kids, as well as for the world of ballet.
1. What does the underlined word in Paragraph 1 probably mean? (1 word)2. When did Aesha decide to start The Swan Dreams Project? (no more than 10 words)
3. Where was Aesha’s one-week camp first held? (no more than 10 words)
4. Why was Aesha surprised on the final day of her first camp? (no more than 10 words)
5. What kind of person is Aesha? Please explain or give an example. (no more than 20 words)
5 . Yesterday after work, the boss told me I was fired. When I walked along a riverbed sadly, I suddenly realized it was New Year’s Day, a day to start afresh.
I passed by a man holding his son, one or two years old. The baby’s face was in pure joy, and his innocent eyes were full of wonder. The simple sweetness of the baby made me moved.
Walking on, I saw a young couple repairing their bicycle. They smiled at me and said, “Happy New Year!” I smiled and wished them the same. It was a simple thing, but for a moment it brought me a sudden joy.
I kept walking, enjoying the cheerful singing of birds. With people around laughing out loud, an old woman immersed herself in her sewing. She didn’t seem either happy or sad. A feeling of timeless peace flowed through me and all fear of what the future might bring disappeared. I thanked her in my heart, and moved on.
As I reached home, I was filled with great thanks and hope for life, which took me a long time to find. Actually, happiness could be simple and easy. Now I knew whatever the New Year would bring, there would be joy and enough love to help me through the hard times we all had to face.
“Happy New Year!” I said to myself.
1. What did the writer’s boss tell him after work?A.It was New Year’s Day. | B.He was fired. |
C.He needed a day to relax. | D.He had a day off. |
A.age | B.laughing | C.innocence | D.crying |
A.repairing their bicycle | B.waiting for the writer |
C.watching the passers-by | D.celebrating the New Year |
A.Lucky. | B.Hopeless. | C.Fearful. | D.Thankful. |
A.Greetings make people polite. | B.Happiness could be simple and easy. |
C.Walking makes people energetic. | D.Friendship lies in getting together. |
6 . When I was looking for a Christmas present for my daughter in toy store, a nicely dressed little girl, with some money in her little hand, was looking at some beautiful dolls. When she saw a doll she liked, she would ask her father if she had enough money. He usually said yes.
At the same time, a boy, with old and small clothes, was looking at some video games. He, too, had money in his hand, but it looked no more than five dollars. Each time he picked up one of the video games and looked at his father, he shook his head.
The little girl had chosen her doll, a very beautiful one. However, she noticed the boy and his father. She saw the boy give up a video game with disappointment and walk to another comer of the store.
The little girl put her doll back to the shelf and ran over to the video game. After she talked to her father, she paid for the video game and whispered (耳语) to the shop assistant.
So the boy got the video game that he wanted for free — he was told it was a prize from the store. He smiled happily, although he felt it was so incredible.
The girl saw all this happen. She smiled, too.
When I walked out of the store to my car, I heard the father ask his daughter why she had done that. I would never forget their short talk. “Daddy, didn’t Grandma want me to buy something that would make me happy?”
He said, “Of course, she did.”
“Well, I just did!” With that, the little girl started skipping (蹦跳) towards their car happily.
1. The story happened in a ________.A.school | B.toy store | C.cinema | D.computer room |
A.wore new and nice clothes | B.had much money in his hand |
C.was from a poor family | D.wanted to get a doll very much |
A.unbelievable | B.exciting | C.desperate | D.ridiculous |
A.The little girl was kind and helpful. |
B.The video game was a prize from the store. |
C.The writer paid for the video game for the boy. |
D.The boy bought the video game himself from the store. |
A.I just did something for the boy and he would be happy. |
B.I just bought a nice doll for myself and I would be happy. |
C.I just bought a present for Grandma and she would be happy. |
D.I just did something for the boy and it would make me happy. |
7 . It was 1st January, the first day of the year and a holiday for me. I went to the bank to get the bank work out of the way. The bank clerk nodded and I sat in front of him. He was busy filling up entries in his register.
I put my form and booklet in front of him. After waiting for a few more minutes, in which I showed all signs of being impatient, I asked him if my work was done. He shouted, “Nothing is done, and it will take time!”
Just then I saw his morning cup of tea, which had been lying there for the last ten minutes, untouched. The tea had turned almost cold while he was doing his work. Suddenly I felt what this man must be feeling when customers like me come always in a hurry to get their work done. We do not even feel the need to thank them for being there.
So, I told him, “Sir, you please have your tea. I am not in a hurry.” This man suddenly looked up at me and for the first time we had eye contact. I saw a different person there, who was as hard-pressed for time as I always am.
I saw both of us sailing in the same boat. I felt that he was also missing the small things in life like a hot cup of tea or lying in a warm bed for a few more minutes like me. He gave me a rare smile and said, “It is an everyday affair with me; you are not in a hurry but somebody else will be.”
He really touched my heart with his wise words. I felt that all this time I thought of him as a someone who was there for my convenience, but today I suddenly felt a strange communion with him. I vowed to be friendly with people who help me with my work and be thankful that they are there for me.
1. Which of the following is NOT true of the writer?A.He works in the bank as a clerk, too. | B.He went to the bank to do some business. |
C.He was touched by the untouched cup of tea. | D.He got annoyed after waiting a few minutes. |
A.He hated to work on a holiday. | B.He was under great work pressure. |
C.He didn’t like his work in the bank. | D.He communicated well with his customers. |
A.He was sometimes in the similar situation. | B.They once sailed in the same boat. |
C.They expected to sail in the same boat. | D.He’s too busy to sail in a boat, too. |
A.tolerance | B.satisfaction | C.sympathy | D.gratitude |
A.To be patient with your customers. | B.Helping others is helping yourself. |
C.To be thankful to those who help you. | D.It is our duty to do things for others. |
8 . On a cold winter day in Denver, I waited in line to see my hero, Jack Canfield, the co-author of the best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series and the author of The Success Principles. What Jack had become was a version of what I wanted to be.
During his talk, Jack took out his wallet, pulled out a hundred-dollar bill, and said, “Who wants this?”
Hands shot up in the audience; people leaned forward to see whom Jack would choose. But I ran up the stairs to the stage and grabbed the bill from his hand. He turned to me and said, “Yes, that’s it! Instead of waiting around for opportunities, simply take the initiative and create what we want!”
After this week, I asked for his personal e-mail address and sent him e-mail sharing my views and dreams. He kindly e-mailed back simple encouragement such as “Keep thinking and playing bigger; it’s much more fun that way. Love, Jack.” Then I got occupied with other things in life and I stopped e-mail Jack.
A year later, my dream gradually faded. I had this idea if I got back in touch with Jack. I e-mailed him again and again but got no response. As I sat down at my computer to check my e-mail for the fifth time in 15 minutes, an inspiration came like lighting: What was I doing? Was I waiting for the prize of life? I knew I needed to do something about all this waiting. I was going to write a book, which I would call “Waiting for Jack”!
It all sounded good, but then reality hit. Some nights I cried and wanted to give up. I wrote and rewrote. Even though I could feel the fear, I did it anyway. Fortunately, three years later, Waiting for Jack turns out a best-seller on Amazon!
We all have a “Jack” for whom we wait — whether it’s a person, a place or a thing. Now I would like to ask you: what are you waiting for?
1. From the first paragraph we can learn that the author _________.A.wanted Jack to autograph her book |
B.wanted to be as successful as Jack |
C.wanted to make friends with Jack |
D.wanted to get help from Jack |
A.welcomes challenges in life |
B.enjoys playing a lot |
C.likes showing off his wealth |
D.seldom takes risks |
A.She and Jack had an argument. |
B.She had no time to contact Jack. |
C.Jack was too proud to get along with. |
D.She was too upset with her broken dream. |
A.The author considered Jack Canfield as her idol. |
B.The author was not very satisfied with Jack’s response at first. |
C.It was the author’s sudden desire to write a book called Waiting for Jack. |
D.The author spent three years writing Waiting for Jack, so it became a best seller. |
A.The disappointment of waiting for her hero, Jack. |
B.The need to keep waiting for the prize of our life. |
C.The importance of taking action to achieve a goal. |
D.The harm of blindly worshipping others as heroes. |
When I was seven years old I saw my mother making doll clothes. She told me that they were for the poor people, so I never gave it another thought. Come Christmas morning when I opened my present, there were those beautiful doll clothes. My mother just smiled and said, “They are for the poor people. We’re poor.”
When I was nine, my greatest desire in life was to own a pogo stick(弹簧高跷). But my mother told me that we simply couldn’t afford one. A few days before Christmas, my parents and I went shopping. While my mother and I were paying the money, my dad came with a long box. I remember wondering at that very moment if it was a pogo stick in that box. After we arrived back at home my dad put the box in the barn(谷仓). While my parents were away, I snuck out to the barn to find the box. I was so excited and I knew that as soon as I opened that magical box my bright, shiny pogo stick would appear. No such luck! Inside the box was a silly old broom(扫帚). And so Christmas morning was disappointing. After all the wrapping paper was cleaned up, my dad came back from the barn with a beautiful pogo stick. I couldn’t believe it, how they were able to get the money for it and how they tricked me with the broom. My parents probably laugh quietly when they played the trick on me and I wonder if they were watching me from the window as I went out to the barn secretly for my Christmas present.
Although we didn’t have much money, my parents gave me the most important gift of all, much love. We had love and we had joy.
1. For whom does the author think her mother made doll clothes at first? (no more than 5 words)2. What does the underlined word in Paragraph 2 mean? (no more than 5 words)
3. Why did the author feel disappointed when he found a broom in the box? (no more than 10 words)
4. Why did the author’s parents put a broom in the box? (no more than 15 words)
5. What are the best present do you want to give your mother or father? Please give your reasons. (no more than 20 words)
10 . Since the age of three, Hill had dreamed of becoming a dancer. Hill, then a 17-year-old high school
After graduation, Hill met people online who had suffered various spinal cord(脊髓) injuries but shared her
Dancing on
A.teacher | B.senior | C.pupil | D.worker |
A.talk | B.season | C.hope | D.beauty |
A.lovely | B.right | C.pretty | D.normal |
A.surely | B.instantly | C.exactly | D.only |
A.knowledge | B.worry | C.pain | D.determination |
A.chose | B.formed | C.supported | D.played |
A.send up | B.give away | C.break down | D.break off |
A.rolling | B.running | C.lying | D.jumping |
A.buses | B.streets | C.floors | D.wheels |
A.memory | B.dream | C.illness | D.event |
A.attended | B.rushed | C.signed | D.moved |
A.touched | B.interested | C.relaxed | D.belonged |
A.shoulder | B.eye | C.mouth | D.foot |
A.plan | B.ability | C.courage | D.condition |
A.powerful | B.mysterious | C.stressful | D.natural |