1 . Growing up, I was fortunate to have dinner with my family almost every day. Sometimes, the family dinner circle_________to include relatives stopping by. Yet, I knew some friends whose parents got home after dinner or even_________the entire evening. So I_________the quality time around our kitchen table, which witnessed countless valuable_________in my life.

_________,my kids cannot relate to my childhood memories. They have been left to_________with babysitters more times than I would like to admit. My husband and I have_________careers. And we often end up staying at the office way past dinnertime. When this happens too often, it_________the balance of our family.

Apart from suffering from_________,what else can a hardworking family do? I think we can all try to__________our own ways to spend time together. Surely there are days when I’m too busy to share a meal with my family. But I would make efforts to__________and chat later that day,__________       setting aside cellphones every time. And I even find a bedtime reading with my kids much__________.I am also proud to have our “big breakfast” routine every Saturday. My husband serves as the head chef, and my younger son__________       him to make the breakfast.

I am aware that my sons are growing up quickly and will be out of the__________someday. But now, I am happy to have so many wonderful things on my plate.

1.

A．widened

B．formed

C．lessened

D．closed

2.

A．missed

B．avoided

C．enjoyed

D．recorded

3.

A．wasted

B．treasured

C．limited

D．calculated

4.

A．shows

B．dishes

C．recipes

D．moments

5.

A．However

B．Otherwise

C．Therefore

D．Besides

6.

A．sleep

B．dine

C．study

D．play

7.

A．suitable

B．flexible

C．satisfying

D．demanding

8.

A．maintains

B．disturbs

C．improves

D．strikes

9.

A．fear

B．anger

C．guilt

D．hunger

10.

A．predict

B．create

C．evaluate

D．accept

11.

A．work out

B．calm down

C．hold on

D．catch up

12.

A．unwillingly

B．casually

C．consciously

D．carelessly

13.

A．louder

B．shorter

C．simpler

D．sweeter

14.

A．assists

B．guides

C．allows

D．orders

15.

A．office

B．kitchen

C．house

D．park

2 . My childhood was a painted picture of sunny sky and rolling green fields stretching to the horizon. It tasted of sharp berries and smelt of sour grapes. My family lived in a cabin(小木屋) in the countryside but I lived in my mother’s arms. They were so delicate but strong, her red hair falling around me like a curtain separating me from the world.

Childhood was simple. The borders of my village were the furthest my troubles went and monsters only lived in the pages of books. Every day was a waking dream of running races and muddy knees. My village was archaic, dying cabins housing dying farmers with dying traditions. There weren’t many children but me and the other boys; boys of butchers and sellers formed our own group.

They called us wild. I suppose we were. Trees and mountains formed our playgrounds and fights broke out as easily as sudden laughter. Liberated from the restrictions of society, we would bound into the woods, deeper and deeper until we found a lake which, with a wild yell, we would jump into all at once.

My most vivid memories from boyhood center around that lake. Water shone brightly and the sounds of our screams broke into the outcry from birds. The shock of cold water against sweating skin would wake every nerve in my body and my bare feet would hit the sinking muddy bottom. As we submerged(淹没)， time would suspend， movements slowing as bubbles rose around us.

I was drowning. I was living. I was living. I was drowning.

For timelessness or a second (both felt the same), we would suspend, curl up, and then be forced back out into breathing air.

We should have known that it wouldn’t last forever. Yet, even under the best circumstances, there’s something so tragic about growing up: to have your perspective on the people and life around you change;to always struggle to reach a mirror only to find yourself tall enough to see your reflection one day. And find, a different person staring back out at you.

1. What does the underlined word “archaic” mean in paragraph 2?

A．Borderless.

B．Valueless.

C．Old-fashioned.

D．Poverty-stricken.

2. Why did the author consider himself and other children wild?

A．They played in the woods crazily.

B．They tricked others purposefully.

C．They frequently broke social rules.

D．They firmly refused school education.

3. How does the author introduce his memories of the lake?

A．By sharing feelings.

B．By expressing ideas.

C．By making comparisons.

D．By describing characters.

4. What message does the author seem to convey in the last paragraph?

A．Loneliness and challenges make a man grow up.

B．The regret of growth is that you have never tried.

C．Growth is often accompanied by sad goodbyes to the past.

D．Growth begins when we begin to accept our own weakness.

3 . The most important life lesson I’ve learned from running is to run at my own pace. This lesson has guided me in many ways. _________, it made me challenge the fixed expectations of retirement and aging.

Running is a metaphor for life. I realized this while _________ for a marathon to celebrate my 60th birthday. All the other runners being faster than me made me _________. But my coach shared some valuable advice: run at your own best pace. Setting a goal or target time could be a _________. He was right. _________, I ran more easily and faster. I also enjoyed the experience much more.

I have _________ this principle to other areas of my life. Finding a rhythm is not about _________ or how many things I can get done in a day. It has more to do with what I decide to do at this stage in my life.

Running carries its own set of expectations, including what it meant to be a strong runner. But expectations also _________ to other areas of life, including what people at certain life stages should be doing or not doing. Expectations at my age can _________ how leisure time is spent, decisions about employment and even the role of a ____________.

I used to think it was young people who bore the brunt (冲击) of ____________, but older adults can experience it too. This is ____________, because often later in life is a time when we are less inclined to care about the opinions of others.

That is the message my running coach was trying to convey. ____________ what others are doing.

Their pace is not ____________ the pace you should run at. Run in your own way. It’s not better or worse -only ____________.

1.

A．In turn

B．In particular

C．In advance

D．In depth

2.

A．training

B．struggling

C．competing

D．searching

3.

A．pitiful

B．grateful

C．impressed

D．embarrassed

4.

A．resolution

B．practice

C．limitation

D．motivation

5.

A．Against time

B．Ahead of time

C．Of all time

D．Over time

6.

A．exposed

B．compared

C．applied

D．suggested

7.

A．music

B．business

C．requirement

D．efficiency

8.

A．subscribe

B．extend

C．contribute

D．refer

9.

A．center on

B．hope for

C．decide on

D．call for

10.

A．boss

B．grandparent

C．athlete

D．citizen

11.

A．peer pressure

B．separation anxiety

C．sleeping disorder

D．age discrimination

12.

A．natural

B．unacceptable

C．ironic

D．significant

13.

A．Mind

B．Expect

C．Forget

D．Abandon

14.

A．basically

B．gradually

C．alternatively

D．necessarily

15.

A．different

B．amazing

C．common

D．fair

4 . A passion for sewing has been in my family for several generations, and with a few lessons from my grandma and brother, I became pretty _________ about it. So I decided to give scrunchies (布发箍) a try! My first _________ was a disaster, but I kept on trying until I eventually _________ the art of scrunchie-making.

When I was first _________, I would sit at the machine for hours on end, just managing to _________ an item I was eager to sell. I didn’t get bored or _________; I was just so determined to complete and _________ get it on the market.

I began selling my items to my friends, and now I’m selling dresses as well! My _________ have won me a reputation, for each item was _________ with great love and care.

My family and friends have offered me their constant __________ and feedback (反馈). They helped me learn how to run, __________ and plan a whole business. Most of the time, their feedback is __________, but they’re not afraid to tell me if I could have done something better. I’ve also had to __________ negative feedback, which cables me to be more __________ when something doesn’t work out the way as I planned.

My advice for anyone looking to start up their very own __________, would be to start small and build yourself up. Enjoy, and trust in the journey!

1.

A．nervous

B．confused

C．disappointed

D．confident

2.

A．permission

B．attempt

C．proposal

D．exhibition

3.

A．mastered

B．considered

C．created

D．remembered

4.

A．looking out

B．falling down

C．starting out

D．calming down

5.

A．perfect

B．attract

C．replace

D．praise

6.

A．excited

B．scared

C．surprised

D．tired

7.

A．particularly

B．eventually

C．apparently

D．previously

8.

A．debts

B．products

C．excuses

D．attitudes

9.

A．displayed

B．compared

C．sewn

D．shared

10.

A．support

B．politeness

C．curiosity

D．sympathy

11.

A．refuse

B．leave

C．change

D．manage

12.

A．aimless

B．educational

C．positive

D．embarrassing

13.

A．come across

B．deal with

C．wait for

D．insist on

14.

A．honored

B．satisfied

C．astonished

D．determined

15.

A．business

B．training

C．fashion

D．research

5 . Kala has deep ties to her Hawaiian roots. Her ancestors navigated (航行) the oceans for centuries using their knowledge of the stars, the sun, the currents and the wind. It’s not that she does it in a canoe without technology, but rather uses the natural technology around her. It’s called Way finding, and was taught to her by her father.

“My father was my foundation, my rock.” she says of her first voyage with him from Oahu to Lahaina in a traditional canoe. He taught her how to read the stars, the ocean swells and how to use them to hold the course. “Over 200 stars have specific names and purposes when you are Way finding. You have to look at each and determine if they are rising or setting. You know this star and the direction it represents. If you can do that, you can use it as a tool to orient (确定方向).” Kala added.

Kala Tanaka sailed the canoe in the ocean for up to three weeks. During the day, Kala used the sun until it hit a certain height. When she got closer to land, she looked for certain species of land birds and clouds that indicated there was land below. When Kala sailed she felt “I feel very connected to the crew and the canoe. We’re a family.” The longer voyage required Kala to spend hours studying the day and the night skies. It was demanding physical work. But it also had its moments of awe. For Kala, the beauty was in tying together the past and the present to enjoy the moment. So when she was not sailing, she was teaching Way finding skills to school-aged children in hopes of preserving the skills her ancestors relied on.

It’s easy to be lost in the immediacy of the technology of our day, to be consumed by screens and miss the nature that unfolds around us. But if we will take the time to look up, to see the stars and the sun, the way the clouds move, the miracle of life beneath and above us, we will discover something deep inside us, something that will always lead to happiness.

1. How does Kala navigate the ocean in a canoe?

A．By observing the natural elements around.

B．By following the course of ocean currents.

C．By using hi-technology navigation devices.

D．By recalling the first voyage with her father.

2. What did Kala think of the three-week canoe voyage?

A．It was a heroic adventure.	B．It brought great joy to her life.
C．It was school children’s favorite.	D．It represented a kind of innovation.

3. What does the author suggest we do?

A．Enjoy the screens.	B．Explore the universe.
C．Get close to nature.	D．Keep the earth clean.

4. What is the best title of the text?

A．Finding Our Way	B．Navigating the Ocean
C．The Wisdom from Ancestors	D．An Unforgettable Journey

6 . Camping is a rite of passage (成人仪式) if you grow up in Canada. It’s a child’s first_________of what living in the wild really means. But growing up as an immigrant from India, I thought it was ___________ .

Then I __________26 and started trying new things. I had been __________mental health issues for quite some time and I discovered being out in nature helped me calm down._________, I decided to try camping.

Then I overheard a(n)__________ between my father and mother. “Why does she have to do this? Doesn’t she know she can just stay at home?” my father asked. “This is what Canadian kids do, it’s okay, she’ll be fine!” my mom__________ . My parents had no___________in me surviving one night in the wild.

My friends and I___________our campsite in the woods. As the day went on, we ate, played by the water and met our camping neighbors. Time felt like it __________; life felt gentler and easier. As the day turned into night, the stars came out and I was amazed by all the__________lights above me. Morning came. I didn’t even realize I was __________ to leave until we started packing everything up.

I wasn’t just leaving, having accomplished something I ___________thought I would do. I was leaving with a real sense of community, a real sense of __________for what the great outdoors had to offer, and a completely different __________ to an activity that I had thought strange for so many years.

1.

A．attempt

B．taste

C．proposal

D．target

2.

A．odd

B．awkward

C．amazing

D．rough

3.

A．grew

B．observed

C．turned

D．recalled

4.

A．involving

B．surviving

C．abandoning

D．experiencing

5.

A．Overall

B．Moreover

C．Somehow

D．Therefore

6.

A．argument

B．debate

C．conversation

D．quarrel

7.

A．explained

B．insisted

C．prayed

D．interrupted

8.

A．mercy

B．empathy

C．faith

D．preference

9.

A．set up

B．beat down

C．drew on

D．rose to

10.

A．shot up

B．slowed down

C．broke out

D．put off

11.

A．swinging

B．bouncing

C．rolling

D．twinkling

12.

A．curious

B．enthusiastic

C．upset

D．desperate

13.

A．barely

B．constantly

C．ultimately

D．merely

14.

A．foundation

B．appreciation

C．resolution

D．recognition

15.

A．contrast

B．attitude

C．priority

D．exposure

7 . American author Gary Hopkins tells us, “A suitable apology can be a wonderful thing, so long as it is from the heart.” However, an apology is ______ to make.

A few years ago, I was a guest ______ at a conference for professional trainers. I was well ______, knowledgeable about the topic, and I felt confident as I ______ my speech. But afterwards, an experienced female delegate ______ me. We exchanged a few greetings, and then she dropped something unexpected on me. She said, “Do you know how many times you ______, from the moment you ______ to the microphone until the moment you left the stage?” “Sorry, I don’t know,” I replied. “Nine times,” she said. “And all of them were unnecessary.” I was ______. It was the first time someone had ever made me ______ my “sorry habit.” So what was the first word out of my mouth ______? “Sorry!” We both burst out laughing.

Of course, apologies shouldn’t be ______ that way. This incident raised my awareness of how we routinely use apologies. I know ______ to apologize is a big mistake as we’ve made a mistake or wronged someone else. How to do it? First and foremost, we need to understand real apologies or wholeheartedly saying “sorry” is ______. It’s like a big ______ into a relationship account and there’s no alternative for it. Actually, there are ______ apologies, which are tools of dodges (搪塞). They are awful and we should stop them. ______, habitual apologies are an unnecessary automatic response, as I ever made at the conference.

Generally, over apologizing ______ to happen when there’s a lack of ______ in your position, which will make others ______ you or even get unhappy. So we need to use apologies ______ and our attitude must be sincere. Refusing to apologize is a big mistake, and so is over apologizing.

1.

A．essential

B．impossible

C．reasonable

D．difficult

2.

A．editor

B．speaker

C．worker

D．member

3.

A．dressed

B．prepared

C．known

D．equipped

4.

A．formed

B．recalled

C．delivered

D．appreciated

5.

A．blamed

B．praised

C．discovered

D．approached

6.

A．interrupted

B．apologized

C．stopped

D．coughed

7.

A．caught on

B．brought out

C．stepped on

D．broke down

8.

A．speechless

B．hopeless

C．confused

D．frightened

9.

A．ready for

B．nervous about

C．careful about

D．aware of

10.

A．in reply

B．in vain

C．in return

D．in place

11.

A．ignored

B．mentioned

C．used

D．accepted

12.

A．regretting

B．failing

C．pretending

D．promising

13.

A．ridiculous

B．impressive

C．accessible

D．crucial

14.

A．sale

B．income

C．deposit

D．loss

15.

A．private

B．false

C．inadequate

D．illegal

16.

A．Besides

B．Therefore

C．Nevertheless

D．Instead

17.

A．expects

B．continues

C．deserves

D．tends

18.

A．motivation

B．confidence

C．energy

D．experience

19.

A．embarrass

B．challenge

C．misunderstand

D．tolerate

20.

A．suitably

B．normally

C．directly

D．frequently

8 . Everyone tries their best in life, and sometimes a few kind words of encouragement can help people realize that their efforts are not in vain (徒劳).Ⅰ remember a time when I was in fifth grade, and I was a very shy girl.

There was a drawing competition at my school that day. As everyone started to use their creative ideas to draw, I was only trying to think of something creative that could express my thoughts and emotions. Lost in my own world, I was brought back to reality when my art teacher called my name from behind. She came to me and encouraged me, saying, “Don’t overthink it, just put whatever comes to your mind on the canvas (画布). Do your best, and you will do well.”

Taking her words of wisdom to heart, I started my painting. Time flew by, and soon the bell rang, signaling the end of the time limit. We all turned in our canvases for inspection (检查). The next day, the winners of the competition were announced in front of the whole school. To my surprise, I heard my name being called second prize. It was a bolt from the blue for me, as I had never dared to dream of winning any prize.

Later on, I expressed my gratitude to my art teacher for her words of encouragement and for believing in me. That day, I became aware of my talent and started painting more whenever I had free time. Sometimes, I think that if it weren’t for her words of encouragement, I may have never discovered the talent I have.

Overall, this experience taught me the importance of encouraging others and how a few kind words can make a significant impact on someone’s life.

1. What was the author doing when called by the art teacher?

A．Organizing a drawing competition.	B．Trying to get some creative ideas.
C．Painting her work on her canvas.	D．Trying to get help from others.

2. What did the author think of the competition?

A．Easy.

B．Interesting.

C．Challenging.

D．Encouraging.

3. What do the underlined words “bolt from the blue” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Addiction.

B．Puzzlement.

C．Disappointment.

D．Surprise.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．The Power of Encouragement

B．The Importance of Art Competitions

C．Overcoming Shyness Through Painting

D．Discovering Your Great Natural Ability

9 . After a whole week of rain we finally had a comfortable, beautiful summer day outside. My family and I were driving to a nearby town when my daughter _________ a yard sale. Then, a few miles down the road, we saw another, and another, and another, We saw tables full of knickknacks. We saw plates, glasses, and silverware. _________, we saw lots of smiling people talking, laughing, sitting, and standing in the sunshine.

Seeing all of this brought back _________ of my childhood. Most of the clothes in my closet back then came from _________. My mom was a talented yard sale-shopper. When I was little, she would drag me along with her. I used to _________ going to them, until one special day when I saw that they also sold old _________. After that, I always browsed through the books until it was time to _________. Sometimes mom would _________ me one too. Soon, a large part of my home library came from yard sale books. For me, these books were more _________ than their first editions.

Why do we have yard sales? It certainly isn’t for the ____________. For all the time and ____________ people put into them, they would hardly make minimum wage from the sales. I think, rather, it is yard sales that ____________ us together. We ____________ our old things and we buy “new” old things. We talk and ____________ old friends and new neighbors. We get a ____________ to give and share. We ____________ through kindness and love among all the old stuff. It’s all about ____________, both in goods and between people.

I think yard sales teach us something about ____________ too. We can’t really ____________ anything here, after all; all we get is ____________ possession of our stuff, then it comes time for us to let it go and pass it on.

1.

A．announced

B．spotted

C．prepared

D．recalled

2.

A．Even so

B．In short

C．At least

D．Above all

3.

A．problems

B．memories

C．realities

D．dreams

4.

A．markets

B．neighbors

C．yard sales

D．shopping malls

5.

A．imagine

B．enjoy

C．practice

D．hate

6.

A．books

B．paintings

C．plates

D．toys

7.

A．go

B．start

C．work

D．register

8.

A．award

B．write

C．buy

D．lend

9.

A．popular

B．useful

C．different

D．priceless

10.

A．fun

B．money

C．relaxation

D．responsibility

11.

A．love

B．resource

C．fund

D．effort

12.

A．mix

B．bring

C．guide

D．inspire

13.

A．get rid of

B．put away

C．go through

D．make use of

14.

A．pass by

B．look for

C．catch up with

D．face up to

15.

A．tradition

B．goal

C．chance

D．job

16.

A．extend

B．connect

C．learn

D．compete

17.

A．communication

B．information

C．delivery

D．exchange

18.

A．life

B．ethics

C．economy

D．society

19.

A．purchase

B．explore

C．own

D．trust

20.

A．temporary

B．legal

C．normal

D．full

10 . It was early winter several years ago. I had pulled out my old winter coat for another year’s use. It was still in pretty good shape although it was looking dirty from so many winters’ wear. I didn’t really need a new one but I wanted one and casually mentioned it to my daughter one day. She was such a sweet, loving girl that I should have guessed what would happen next. A few weeks later she gave me a new winter coat as a gift.

I put the old one in my closet and started to wear the new coat every day. Each day, though, when I opened my closet, something troubled me. It seemed a shame that my old but still good coat should just sit there keeping no one warm during the cold winter days. After a few weeks, I took it out and drove to a local charity shop. I knew that there was someone who couldn’t afford a coat but could get my old one.

My new coat is my old coat now. It is getting a little dirty and worn, too. It has black marks on the sleeves. It is in too bad shape to even donate to charity. I wonder if I should buy a new one soon, but I think I will wait for a while. I don’t really need a new one and maybe I can find something else to give to the charity shop instead.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Want is a growing giant whom the coat of Have was never large enough to cover.” Perhaps the best way to deal with our wants then is to give instead. Love, after all, brings us the most joy. And the more of it you give away, the more of it you have.

1. Which word can best describe the author’s daughter?

A．Wealthy.

B．Thoughtful.

C．Easy-going.

D．Humorous.

2. Why was the author in shame when seeing his old coat in the closet?

A．It cost too much.	B．It was looking dirty.
C．There was not enough room for his new coat.	D．It was not sent to someone in need.

3. What is the author’s decision after his second coat becomes old?

A．Telling his daughter.	B．Buying a new one soon.
C．Donating it to charity.	D．Sending something else to charity.

4. What does the author want to show in the last paragraph?

A．Giving fills our wants.	B．Love is the key to joy.
C．The more you give, the more you lose.	D．A coat is large enough to cover our wants.