Childhood is a time
When the child has become a young man and this young man starts to earn his own living, he can no longer expect others to pay for his food, his clothes, and his room, but has to work on his own if he wants to live
The young man paused, looked up and replied, “Throwingstarfishes(海星)in theocean.”
“I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfishes in the ocean?”
“The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don’t throw them in, they’ll die”
“But, young man, don’t you realize thatthere are miles and miles of beach and starfishes all along it. You can’tpossibly make a difference!”
The young man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked another starfish and threw it into the sea, and said, “It made a difference for that one.” There is something very special in each and every one of us. We have all beengifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can know that gift, we will gain through the strength of our vision the power(力量) to shape the future.
We must each find our starfish. And if we throw our starfish wisely and well, the world will be better.
1. One day, the wise man saw a young man _______.
| A．dancing along the beach | B．walking with a dancer |
| C．picking up starfish for sale | D．trying to save as many starfishes as possible |
| A．the gifts from friends | B．the strength of making decision |
| C．our own starfish | D．the ability to make a difference |
| A．the wise man realized something new and important |
| B．the wise man thought it was foolish of the young man to throw starfishes in the ocean. |
| C．the young man had the ability to make a difference |
| D．it is necessary for us to save starfish on the beach |
| A．how and where we can write a good article |
| B．everyone can do something for the future |
| C．wise men are sometimes stupid |
| D．young men are in fact wiser than old people |
seconds，a few hours or even for
My wife and I
We weren’t seated for two minutes
He was in his early sixties and
So．if
He needed
God gave us two ears and one mouth，because we need to listen
| A．a lifetime | B．a few months | C．several years | D．a long time |
| A．put | B．enjoyed | C．took | D．planned |
| A．part | B．gift | C．dream | D．intention |
| A．explain | B．glare | C．come | D．sit |
| A．inspiration | B．expectation | C．gift | D．conversation |
| A．after | B．when | C．suddenly | D．before |
| A．seated | B．joined in | C．talked with | D．joined |
| A．Go ahead | B．Never mind | C．Forget it | D．With pleasure |
| A．formally | B．politely | C．immediately | D．intelligently |
| A．complaining | B．weeping | C．talking | D．laughing |
| A．a tour guide | B．a conductor | C．a consumer | D．a trainer |
| A．However | B．Sometimes | C．Moreover | D．Otherwise |
| A．supporter | B．professor | C．mayor | D．1awyer |
| A．each | B．every | C．either | D．one |
| A．someone | B．God | C．my wife | D．the train |
| A．to improve | B．to talk | C．to control | D．to target |
| A．once | B．by contrast | C．if only | D．other than |
| A．praying | B．talking | C．desiring | D．begging |
| A．should listen | B．maybe listen | C．must listen | D．would listen |
| A．much more | B．twice | C．with two | D．a lot more |
4 . Beliefs form a big part of our lives. Successful people have always believed that they can be and will be successful in their lives, such as Michael Phelps. Many of us have seen Michael Phelps win 8 gold medals in a single Olympic Games. That has created a history for himself. Many people have admired his success and the first reaction in their mind will be, “Wow, how I wish I could be like him!” Have you ever wondered what brought him success?
In fact, anyone can achieve what they have wanted to achieve. It is about beliefs. Everyone is a born winner. It is this belief that drives an individual to be successful in his or her own field. All successful individuals have strong beliefs and it is one of the bases for their success. If we start to believe in ourselves, the things that we can achieve will definitely give us a pleasant surprise.
Other than having a strong belief, it is the attitude that drives the individual to create their own history. The devotion towards themselves and the drive must also be present. Imagine having a strong belief in oneself and having a poor attitude towards life. Then how would that individual turn out to be? One’s attitude comprises the drive, the devotion and the desire to achieve his goals. If one has strong beliefs about the goals that he can achieve and he displays good attitudes towards them, it would be no surprise to anyone that he will be able to achieve his goals.
Start believing in yourself and you will achieve your goals and with the right positive attitude, you will definitely be able to create the miracle that you have always dreamt of.
1. Which of the following is the best summary of Paragraph 2?| A．Where there is a will, there is a way. | B．Good begun is half done. |
| C．No pains, no gains. | D．God helps those who help themselves. |
| A．serve as | B．belongs to | C．consists of | D．stands for |
| A．attitudes can be learned from one’s parents |
| B．only strong beliefs can’t ensure you a promising future |
| C．copying other’s behaviors is a good way to succeed |
| D．attitudes can only be learned through one’s success |
| A．Differences Between Beliefs and Attitudes |
| B．The Nature of Beliefs and Positive Attitudes |
| C．Relationship Between Beliefs and Attitudes |
| D．The Power of Beliefs and Positive Attitudes |
5 . Living an Adventurous Life
Nearly ten years ago, I was told that I had a brain tumor, and this experience changed my attitude about adventure forever. I thought that I was going to die and that all my adventures were over. I did not have a brain tumor, it turned out, but rather multiple sclerosis, which meant that, although they were not over, the nature of my adventures could have to change.
Each morning that I wake up is a fresh event, something that I might not have had. Each gesture that I make carries the weight of uncertainty and demands significant attention: buttoning my shirt, changing a light bulb, walking down stairs. I might not be able to do it this time. If I could not delight in them, they would likely drown me in anger and in self-pity.
I admire the grand adventures of others. I read about them with interest. With Peter Matthiessen I have hiked across the Himalayas to the Crystal Mountain. I have walked with Annie Dillard up, down, into, and across Tinker Creek in all Seasons. David Bain has gone with me along 110 miles of Philippine coast, and Ed Abbey has rowed me down the Colorado River. I enjoy the adventures of these courageous figures, who can strike out on difficult trips—2 miles, 250 miles, 3000 miles—ready to bear cold and tiredness—indeed not just to bear but to celebrate.
But as for me, I can no longer walk very far from the armchair in which I read. Some days I don't even make it to the backyard. And yet I'm unwilling to give up the adventurous life, the difficulty of it, even the pain, the anxiety and fear, and the sudden brief lift of spirit that makes a hard journey more attractive.
I refine adventure, make it smaller and smaller. And now, whether I am moving on my hands and knees across the dining room to help my cat, lying wide-eyed in the dark battling another period of sadness, gathering flowers from the garden, meeting a friend for lunch, I am always having the adventures that are mine to have.
1. What happens to the author after her illness?
| A．She has a fear of medical treatments. | B．She travels to places she has dreamed. |
| C．She can't take care of herself any longer | D．She is not drowned in anger and self-pity. |
| A．Because they write popular novels. | B．Because they are great adventurers. |
| C．Because they are famous geographers. | D．Because they struggle with hardship in life |
| A．sadness | B．sacrifice | C．security | D．satisfaction |
| A．The struggles of great people against difficulties. |
| B．Her concern about giving up certain activities. |
| C．Her adapting to the situation with an illness. |
| D．The exciting traveling experience of others. |
| A．Travel can enrich a person's life. |
| B．Reading is an activity that a patient enjoys most. |
| C．A positive attitude can improve a difficult situation. |
| D．A person's ability can be improved through reading. |
At the root of volunteering is the idea that one person may have the ability to offer services that can help other people. Tracy, a good friend of mine, however, recently came back from India with a
“I first heard about Mother Teresa in my high school, we watched a video(录像) about her work in India and all over the world. I was so moved by her spirit to help others and her endless love for every human being that after I graduated from high school, I too wanted to try her kind of work. So with two friends I flew to Calcutta for a few weeks.”
“I was asked to work in a home for sick people. I helped wash clothes and sheets, and pass out lunch. I also fed the people who were too weak to feed themselves and tried to cheer the up. I felt it was better to share with them than to think that I have helped them. To be honest, I don’t think I was helping very much. It was then that I realized that I had not really come to help, but to learn about and experience another culture(文化) that helped improve my own understanding of life and the world.”
1. According to the text, a volunteer refers to a person who ______.
| A．is willing to help those in need without pay | B．can afford to travel to different places |
| C．has a strong wish to be successful | D．has made a big fortune in life |
| A．after she met Mother Teresa |
| B．after she finished high school |
| C．when she was touring Calcutta |
| D．when she was working in a hospital |
| A．She liked to work with Mother Teresa. |
| B．She had already had some experience. |
| C．She was asked by Mother Teresa’s example. |
| D．She wanted to follow Mother Teresa’s example. |
| A．Going abroad to help the sick. |
| B．Working in Mother Teresa’s home. |
| C．Doing simple things to help the poor. |
| D．Improving oneself through helping others. |
7 . At a certain time in our lives, we consider every place as the possible sites for a house. I have thus searched the country within a dozen miles of where I live. In imagination I have bought all the farms, one after another, and I knew their prices.
The nearest thing that I came to actual ownership was when I bought the Hollowell place. But before the owner completed the sale with me, his wife changed her mind and wished to keep it, and he offered me additional dollars to return the farm to him. However, I let him keep the additional dollars and sold him the farm for just what I gave for it.
The real attraction of the Hollowell farm to me were its position, being about two miles from the village, half a mile from the nearest neighbor, bounded on one side by the river, and separated from the highway by a wide field. The poor condition of the house and fences showed that it hadn’t been used for some time. I remembered from my earliest trip up the river that the house used to be hidden behind a forest area, and I was in a hurry to buy it before the owner finished getting out some rocks, cutting down the apples trees, and clearing away some young trees which had grown up in the fields. I wanted to buy it before he made any more of his improvements. But it turned out as I have said.
I was not really troubled by the loss. I had always had a garden, but I don’t think I was ready for a large farm. I believe that as long as possible it is better to live free and uncommitted. It makes but little difference whether you own a farm or not.
1. What do we know about the author?| A．He wanted to buy the oldest farm near where he lived. |
| B．He made a study of many farms before buying. |
| C．He made money by buying and selling farms. |
| D．He had the money to buy the best farm in the country. |
| A．It was of good market value. | B．It was next to the highway. |
| C．It was in a good position. | D．It was behind a nice garden. |
| A．He was afraid the owner might change his mind. | B．He hoped to enlarge the forest on the farm. |
| C．He wanted to keep the farm as it was. | D．He was eager to become a farm owner. |
| A．the money the author lost in buying the farm | B．the sale of the garden in the Hollowell place |
| C．the removal of the trees around the house | D．the failure to possess the Hollowell place |
| A．To own a farm. | B．To satisfy his needs. |
| C．To be free from worries. | D．To live in the countryside. |
8 . It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of the dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.
Over the phone, his mother told him, “Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday.” Memories fleshed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
“Jack, did you hear me?”
“Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. it’s been so long since I thought of him. I’m sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago,” Jack said.
“Well, he didn’t forget you. Every time I saw him he’d ask how you were doing. He’d reminisce about the many days you spent over ‘his side of the fence’ as he put it,” Mom told him.
“I loved that old house he lived in,” Jack said.
“You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man’s influence in your life,” she said.
“He’s the one who taught me carpentry. I wouldn’t be in this business if it weren’t for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important. Mom, I’ll be there for the funeral.” Jack said.
Busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser’s funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.
The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time, which was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture … Jack stopped suddenly.
“What’s wrong, Jack?” his Mom asked.
“The box is gone,” he said.
“What box?” Mom asked.
“There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he’d ever tell me was ‘the thing I value most’,” Jack said.
It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.
“Now I’ll never know what was so valuable to him,” Jack said sadly.
Returning to his office the next day, he found a package on his desk. The return address caught his attention.
“Mr. Harold Belser” it read.
Jack tore open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack’s hands shook as he read the note inside, “Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bernett. It’s the thing I valued most in my life.” A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, and tears filling his eyes. Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the fine cover, he opened it.
Inside he found these words carved: “Jack. Thanks for your time! Harold Belser.”
“Oh. My God! This is the thing he valued most …”
Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his assistant and cleared his appointments for the next two days. “Why?” his assistant asked.
“I need some time to spend with my son,” he said.
1. Why did Jack think Mr. Belser died years ago?| A．College and career prevented him from remembering Mr. Belser. |
| B．Jack was too busy with his business and family to think about Mr. Belser. |
| C．Jack was too busy realizing his dreams to think about Mr. Belser. |
| D．His present busy life washed away his children memories. |
| A．Mr. Belser often asked how Jack was doing |
| B．Mr. Belser’s funeral would take place on Wednesday |
| C．Mr. Belser had asked for Jack’s mailing address |
| D．Mr. Belser had pleasant memories of their time together |
| A．Because he was grateful for Jack’s time with him. |
| B．Because he had no children or relatives. |
| C．Because he thought he had to keep his word. |
| D．Because Jack had always wanted it during his childhood. |
| A．He was very tired of his work and wanted to have a good rest. |
| B．He had promised to spare more time to stay with his son. |
| C．He had missed his son and his family for days. |
| D．He came to realize the importance of the time with his family. |
| A．The Good Old Times | B．What He Valued Most |
| C．An Old Gold Watch | D．The Lost Childhood Days |
Everybody gets unhappy. That’s why people eat a lot of
Giving
Imagine this: a boy has
Isn’t it true that the happiest people are typically those we consider foolish because they are
| A．junk food | B．meals | C．fruits | D．vegetables |
| A．unhappy | B．disappointed | C．happy | D．satisfied |
| A．Mostly | B．Actually | C．Finally | D．Naturally |
| A．winner | B．reminder | C．receiver | D．giver |
| A．time | B．money | C．clothes | D．food |
| A．positive | B．negative | C．rude | D．equal |
| A．communication | B．relationships | C．hobbies | D．topic |
| A．take | B．bring | C．devote | D．lead |
| A．believe | B．recognize | C．understand | D．dream |
| A．something | B．nothing | C．everything | D．anything |
| A．value | B．help | C．use | D．importance |
| A．wonder | B．need | C．doubt | D．good |
| A．view | B．person | C．day | D．moment |
| A．but | B．because | C．though | D．if |
| A．never | B．yet | C．seldom | D．always |
| A．clothes | B．hat | C．money | D．life |
| A．true | B．certain | C．sure | D．real |
| A．take in | B．pay for | C．care about | D．worry about |
| A．culture | B．custom | C．look | D．habit |
| A．healthy | B．unforgettable | C．successful | D．simple |
