2 . “What are you doing?” my fifth-grade teacher asked as I bent over the side of my desk. “I’m ______ my backpack. The bell rings in a few minutes.”

“Unpack your assignments (作业). You still have five minutes. We ______ until the clock runs out. The more you do here in class, the less you have to do at home,” she said. She was a very kind woman, but I knew she was ______ this time.

Having no choice, I ______ pulled my math assignment back out and ______ one problem at a time as the minutes on the clock ticked away. The bell finally ______, and I stuffed my homework in my backpack as ______ as possible and ran out.

I cannot remember how many times per day she would say, “Use your time wisely.” It worked. It became second ______ for me to work until the bell rang. In middle school, I continued the ______ she instilled (灌输) in me. I worked on my assignments until the bell rang. And she was ______. The more I did in class, the more time off I had at home for projects and hobbies. I instilled that mindset in nearly every aspect of my ______ life: my education, my career, and my family.

At age ten, I didn’t ______. I do now. Learning how to use your time wisely also means learning what’s ______ to you and being able to prioritize (划分优先顺序) your life. It’s not just a ______ in using the time you have, but in enjoying those moments and ______ the time spent with loved ones.

1.

A．picking

B．showing

C．packing

D．searching

2.

A．explore

B．repeat

C．check

D．work

3.

A．amazed

B．serious

C．anxious

D．confused

4.

A．secretly

B．suddenly

C．unexpectedly

D．unwillingly

5.

A．solved

B．discovered

C．mastered

D．faced

6.

A．disappeared

B．dropped

C．rang

D．broke

7.

A．quickly

B．naturally

C．directly

D．extremely

8.

A．language

B．nature

C．choice

D．assignment

9.

A．adventure

B．mystery

C．curiosity

D．practice

10.

A．right

B．ready

C．attractive

D．unique

11.

A．teenager

B．school

C．adult

D．campus

12.

A．forgive

B．pass

C．care

D．understand

13.

A．familiar

B．important

C．common

D．special

14.

A．credit

B．requirement

C．lesson

D．duty

15.

A．measuring

B．treasuring

C．saving

D．imagining

3 . I’ve been having trouble concentrating on one thing. It made school difficult for me. When everyone else in the class was focusing on tasks, I could not.

In my first literature class, Mrs. Smith asked us to read a story and then write on it, all within 45 minutes. I raised my hand right away and said, “Mrs. Smith, you see, the doctor said I have attention problems. I might not be able to do it. ” She glanced down at me through her glasses, “You are not different from your classmates, young man.”

I tried, but I didn’t finish the reading when the bell rang. I had to take it home.

In the quietness of my bedroom, the story suddenly all became clear to me. It was about a blind person, Louis Braille. He lived in a time when the blind couldn’t get much education. But Louis didn’t give up. Instead, he invented a reading system of raised dots (点), which opened up a whole new world of knowledge to the blind.

Wasn’t I the “blind” in my class, being made to learn like the “sighted” students? My thoughts spilled out and my pen started to dance. I completed the task within 40 minutes. Indeed, I was not different from others; I just needed a quieter place. If Louis could find his way out of his problems, why should I ever give up?

I didn’t expect anything when I handed in my paper to Mrs. Smith, so it was quite a surprise when it came back to me the next day — with an “A” on it. At the bottom of the paper were these words: “See what you can do when you keep trying?”

Inspired and touched, I began to keep trying hard in my study and struggled against attention problems. I believe one can find his way out of difficulty with determination (决心) and efforts.

1. Why didn’t the author finish his reading in class?

A．He missed several classes before.

B．He was not a bit interested in literature.

C．He was unable to concentrate on his task.

D．He was used to doing his homework at home.

2. What kind of teacher is Mrs. Smith according to the text?

A．Impatient.	B．Encouraging.
C．Disappointing.	D．Careless.

3. What can we learn from the last paragraph?

A．You can never be too old to learn.

B．Do not judge a book by its cover.

C．One good turn deserves another.

D．Where there is a will, there is a way.

5 . After years of observing human nature, I have decided that two qualities make a difference between men of great achievement and men of average performance — curiosity and discontent. I have never known an outstanding man who lacked either. And I have never known an average man who had both.

Together, these deep human urges (驱策力) count for much more than ambition. Galileo was not merely ambitious when he dropped objects of varying weights from the Leaning Tower at Pisa and timed their fall to the ground. Like Galileo, all the great names in history were curious and asked in discontent, “Why? Why? Why?”

Fortunately, curiosity and discontent don’t have to be learned. We are born with them and need only to recapture them. “The great man,” said Mencius, “is he who does not lose his child’s heart.” Yet most of us do lose it. We stop asking questions. We stop challenging custom. We just follow the crowd. And the crowd desires only the calm and restful average.

Most of us meet new people, and new ideas, with hesitation. But once having met and liked them, we think how terrible it would have been, had we missed the chance. We will probably have to force ourselves to waken our curiosity and discontent and keep them awake.

How should you start? Modestly, so as not to become discouraged. I think of one friend who couldn’t arrange flowers to satisfy herself. She was curious about how the experts did it.

The way to begin is to answer your own excuses. You haven’t any special ability? Most people don’t; there are only a few geniuses. You haven’t any time? That’s good, because it’s always the people with no time who get things done. Harriet Stowe, mother of six, wrote parts of Uncle Tom’s Cabin while cooking. You’re too old? Remember that Thomas Costain was 57 when he published his first novel, and that Grandma Moses showed her first pictures when she was 78.

However you start, remember there is no better time to start than right now, for you’ll never be more alive than you are at this moment.

1. In writing Paragraph 1, the author aims to ________.

A．present an argument

B．make a comparison

C．reach a conclusion

D．propose a definition

2. What does the example of Galileo tell us?

A．Scientists tend to have varied ambitions.	B．Trial and error leads to the finding of truth.
C．Creativity results from challenging authority.	D．Greatness comes from a lasting desire to explore.

3. What can you do to recapture curiosity and discontent?

A．Observe the unknown around you.	B．Develop a questioning mind.
C．Lead a life of adventure.	D．Follow the fashion.

4. What can we learn from the last two paragraphs?

A．Gaining success helps you become an expert.

B．The genius tends to get things done creatively.

C．Lack of talent and time is no reason for taking no action.

D．You should remain modest when approaching perfection.

6 . As a child, there was nothing I liked better than Sunday afternoons at my grandfather’s farm in western Pennsylvania. Surrounded by miles of stone walls, the house and field provided endless hours of fun for a city kid like me.

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 agree because the walls were so old that some stones were loose and falling. However, my idea to climb across those walls grew so strong that finally I had all my courage to enter the living room, where the adults had gathered after Sunday dinner.

“I want to climb the stone walls.” I said. “Heavens, no! You’ll hurt yourself !” The response was just as I’d expected. But before I left 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 will hear me say, “ and people can like you exactly as you are.”

1. Why did the writer enjoy his visits to the farm ?

A．There were old stone houses.	B．He could experience new fun there.
C．He missed his grandfather a lot.	D．He was allowed to climb the walls.

2. What can be inferred about the writer from the passage ?

A．He didn’t know the possible danger of the stone walls.

B．He didn’t expect his parents’ disagreement on wall climbing.

C．He became a TV program host with his grandfather’s help.

D．He was backed up by his grandfather to follow his heart.

3. Which of the following can best describe the author’s grandfather ?

A．Adventurous.	B．Open-minded.
C．Kind-hearted.	D．Dependable.

4. Which is probably the best title for the text ?

A．Unforgettable Childhood	B．Do Whatever You Like
C．Just Be Yourself	D．Like grandfather, like grandson

8 . As I grew up, my grandma, who I have been told that I am so very much like, would say things such as, “that is not a ladylike way to sit”, or “that is not a word that ladies use”. My grandma is one of the classiest, most genuine, and most gentle women that I know. I try to be half the person she is.

I have always considered myself a “lady”. I pay close attention to my manners. I smile at strangers, offer my seat to the elderly, and hold the door open for the person behind me. However, I recently met a woman in passing that made me question what I have been taught for the last 21 years. The conversation we had was about “girls these days” and how they differ from the way girls were in the past. She said that there was a big difference between a “lady” and a “woman”. I looked at her curiously.

“A real lady does not give her opinions or feelings: those are women. And women these days always make the mistake of offering their opinions, and feelings, and talking out of turn,” I smiled at her politely, wished her a pleasant evening.

Unlike most conversations one would have with a stranger, this one stuck with me. It turns out that I am not a “lady”. But I have accepted that truth with my whole heart. I take great pride in my opinions, my brain, and the bravery in which I can stand up for myself and the things that I believe in. I am this way, because I am a young version of my grandma. And I know that she would express that she is “ladylike”. But, in reality, she is a strong, independent and smart woman.

With this, I would like to remind young women that it is not wrong to voice your opinions, embrace your beliefs, and be independent. Throughout your life, if someone comes along and quiets your voice, makes your opinions feel wrong, or take no notice of your feelings: smile, nod politely, and keep doing what you were doing anyway.

1. Which of the following words can best describe the author’s grandma?

A．Caring and sensitive.	B．Determined and talkative.
C．Ladylike and strong-minded.	D．Humorous and outgoing.

2. According to the woman the author met, what distinguishes a lady from a woman?

A．Taking turns to talk.	B．Making few mistakes.
C．Reserving her viewpoints.	D．Listening to others’ opinions.

3. Why did the author find the conversation with the woman unforgettable?

A．Because it hurt her pride in herself.

B．Because it shook her belief in her grandma.

C．Because it confused her about her identity.

D．Because it made her understand herself better.

4. What is the author’s suggestion for women rejected and ignored by others?

A．To reason with others.	B．To put up with others.
C．To insist on their own way.	D．To turn their back on others.

9 . When my daughter was in grade school, she brought home four tiny branches one day. They were small _________ given to the students to plant. None of them looked very strong, but with a _________ for the future, I planted them in our backyard. Over the years the _________ soil brought an end to three of them.

All that was _________ was a single evergreen. It never got very tall and _________ to one side. Then, I noticed that it was starting to _________. The lower branches were becoming brown. Only the top ones of the tree were still _________.

I did my best to _________ it by feeding it a lot of fertilizer (肥料), but it seemed hopeless. One morning I went out and looked at it again, _________ if it would be better to just cut it down. As I walked over to take a closer look at it, __________, I noticed something moving among the branches. It was a bird __________ building a nest (巢) in the topmost branches. I smiled and __________ that maybe this old tree had some life and usefulness left in it yet. It may not be healthy or pretty, but it was still giving a bird a __________.

This tree __________ me that all of our lives have a purpose. It doesn’t matter if we are young and strong, or old and sick. Until our last __________ we still have things to do: love for us to give, and joy for us to share. We can help to make this world a better and lovelier place.

1.

A．flowers

B．seeds

C．trees

D．vegetables

2.

A．life

B．hope

C．chance

D．end

3.

A．rich

B．soft

C．poor

D．deep

4.

A．left

B．gone

C．deserted

D．planted

5.

A．turned

B．bent

C．sank

D．flew

6.

A．take

B．lose

C．grow

D．die

7.

A．green

B．brown

C．tiny

D．pretty

8.

A．change

B．cut

C．use

D．save

9.

A．regretting

B．asking

C．wondering

D．knowing

10.

A．however

B．therefore

C．moreover

D．otherwise

11.

A．freely

B．busily

C．gently

D．slowly

12.

A．explored

B．shouted

C．decided

D．wished

13.

A．home

B．purpose

C．branch

D．way

14.

A．upset

B．reminded

C．ensured

D．affected

15.

A．night

B．lesson

C．word

D．breath

10 . I was born without hands and feet. It is a rare condition. Living with that misfortune has made me who I am today.

My parents helped me develop tools to overcome my challenges. When I was two, my dad decided that my family would stop helping me eat. He knew that one day I’d live on my own, so I’d have to look after myself. I learned to eat with a spoon, and then with a knife and fork. It gave me a huge sense of achievement.

My darkest moment came when I was 10. My family had moved from Indiana to Georgia. In Indiana, friends treated me as normal. But in Georgia, it was different. I felt very aware of my disability. I worried I’d have to live at home forever. I felt hopeless about the future.

My world changed when I got into sports. I started playing football. Everything came together when I made my first tackle (抢断球) at age 11. It was my first real achievement.

Everyone I played against was able-bodied. At first, I struggled. But I threw everything I had into learning to be the best player. I turned my lack of height into a weapon.

Then I decided to start wrestling (摔跤). I lost 35 games, but then I had a breakthrough. I had an amazing coach who helped me invent moves that took advantage of my strength. My different body type was a psychological advantage-opponents (对手) didn’t know how to handle it. I eventually finished 12th in the103-pound weight class in the championships.

I keep going in the face of difficulties. Instead of thinking about the final goal, I focus on the near future. When I’m climbing a mountain, I’m down on all fours looking at the ground. It’s not going to do me any good to look up at the top.

I just figure out how to do the best I can with the next few feet in front of me.

1. Why did the parents stop helping the writer eat?

A．To give him a sense of achievement.	B．To let him get used to the new tools.
C．To push him to be more independent.	D．To prepare him for his new life in Georgia.

2. How did the writer feel about his new life in Georgia at first?

A．Excited.	B．Relaxed.
C．Anxious.	D．Disappointed.

3. How did the writer become good at wrestling?

A．By training himself independently.

B．By learning from different opponents.

C．By developing a psychological advantage.

D．By learning how to better use his strength.

4. What is the writer’s attitude toward life?

A．He concentrates on what’s directly ahead.	B．He highly values the final goal.
C．He complains a lot about his misfortune.	D．He dreams big despite his disability.