1 . My son was playing with a bottle of bubbles. Dip the loop in the bottle, pull it out, and blow it to make bubbles. He understood the principle but was vainly _______ to blow bubbles. He would dip and dip and blow and blow, but alas, no _______. He _______ me the bottle and loop and asked me, “Daddy, can you make bubbles?”

I hadn’t blown bubbles in years. I am a _______ by education, fairly well-trained in surfactant (活性剂) technology. However, all that knowledge is completely _______. I was having no more _______ than my son. I dipped and puffed, _______ no bubbles.

After several _______ attempts, I changed strategies. _______ puffing on the loop of soapy water, I just gently breathed on it. My son ________ with delight as a big beautiful bubble formed and ________ away. I explained to him, “Son, you can’t blow hard. You must ever so ________ breathe on the loop to make bubbles.” He ________ his urgent desire to make big bubbles by blowing hard and followed my advice. Big bubbles!

There are some things that you can get with ________, but other things only ________ from the gentleness of a soft breath.

1.

A．trying

B．managing

C．expecting

D．acting

2.

A．changes

B．bubbles

C．results

D．drops

3.

A．lent

B．handed

C．threw

D．cast

4.

A．researcher

B．professional

C．chemist

D．parent

5.

A．out of date

B．of no use

C．in doubt

D．in trouble

6.

A．trial

B．confidence

C．patience

D．success

7.

A．even

B．thus

C．somehow

D．still

8.

A．fruitless

B．tough

C．unwilling

D．difficult

9.

A．Despite

B．Without

C．On

D．Except

10.

A．screamed

B．nodded

C．rushed

D．flew

11.

A．escaped

B．floated

C．burst

D．bounced

12.

A．silently

B．slightly

C．eagerly

D．gently

13.

A．freed

B．fueled

C．contained

D．reduced

14.

A．brain

B．action

C．force

D．science

15.

A．survive

B．separate

C．jumped

D．arise

2 . Every year, more books on happiness are published. And every year, more people feel depressed because they do not see themselves as happy. They don’t remember or know what it feels like, and instead, they feel guilty that they aren’t as happy as everyone says they should be. This is really a sad state of emotional affairs.

The books, blogs, YouTube videos and advice columns (专栏) will tell you that if you read, exercise, stay busy, help others, and increase your intimacy (亲密) every day, then you too can be happy.

The simple truth is that no one can be happy all the time. That doesn’t mean you have to be sad, angry, or depressed the rest of the time but that you can find a middle ground called contentment. This middle ground is a good place mentally and emotionally, and spending time there is a healthy choice.

Contentment is somewhere between satisfied and peaceful. When you are in that place, the stuff of life can be going on around you, but you don’t need to allow it to bother you. And that, my friends, is a very nice way to go through life.

I find contentment in walks and in writing, and in talking with my partner and reminding each other that our life is good, despite temporary setbacks or scary moments. Because I know about myself and I can respond differently. Doing this takes away stress and will keep you from losing your state of contentment.

If there is even one thing that puts you in a state of contentment — you do it regularly and early enough each day — it will help you go through any challenges you may have to face later.

Right at this moment, things around me are still a little out of my control — such is life — but I am feeling pretty good because I actively living my purpose. I am now content, and that feeling will last the whole day through. You can do the same.

1. What does the author want to stress by mentioning “Books on happiness in paragraph 1?

A．People find it difficult to agree on what happiness is.

B．Such books are so popular that they are sold out very soon.

C．Happiness is something easy to gain in our daily life.

D．Experts find it useless to argue about the value of happiness.

2. When facing setbacks or sad moments, what does the author do?

A．He turns to such media as blogs.

B．He definitely communicates with partners.

C．He adjusts himself and reacts positively.

D．He sees himself unlucky and feels depressed.

3. What is the author most likely to agree with?

A．Still water runs deep.	B．Health is better than wealth.
C．Enough is as good as a feast.	D．One good turn deserves another.

4. What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A．To introduce a novel experience.

B．To advocate a proper life attitude.

C．To encourage studies on happiness.

D．To persuade us to work endlessly.

3 . School had just started in August when Conner began throwing up for no reason. It wasn’t long before the boy also began suffering terrible headaches. In February a 1.7-inch tumor was found in his brain and Conner was set to begin to receive radiation (放射疗法) treatments. Before treatments start, technicians make a white plastic mask (面罩) to keep patients immovable and protect unaffected parts of the brain while radiation is directed at the tumor.

It’s an unpleasant experience and a frightening time. The doctor Cook decided that the masks could at least be made to look like something fun — maybe Batman or Mickey Mouse. “I started thinking these masks are white and not fun at all for kids,” she told The Greenville News. “I felt like if we could make it a little more fun for them, they might be a little more excited about coming in for the treatment. Because the kids are afraid. While the treatment itself isn’t physically painful, it can cause a lot of anxiety (焦虑). And the treatment is required daily for up to six weeks. “

And the masks really make a difference. “The kids really like them,” Cook said. “It makes what is, let’s face it, a terrible experience, a nice experience because they get to choose something themselves.”

When new children come in for the treatment, Cook finds out what their favorite movies or cartoon characters are. Then she sets about creating the mask by drawing the image she wants onto paper, sticking it with glue, and once it’s dry, she applies the colors using paints. Each child can take the mask home once the treatment ends.

“Coming to the doctor always means fear and pain. I wanted to make it fun,” she said. “The kids really love it. It’s something they enjoy and can relate to. And it fills an interest I have. I get great pleasure from it.”

1. Why was the plastic mask used according to Paragraph 1?

A．To check the patient’s brain.

B．To reduce the patient’s headache.

C．To prevent the patient from throwing up.

D．To protect the patient’s brain during the treatment.

2. What can we know about the radiation treatment?

A．It can be received at home.

B．It has to be finished in a month.

C．It may make the patients feel worried.

D．It will cause huge physical pain for patients.

3. What does Cook do to help the children being treated?

A．Offer them some free masks as gifts.

B．Show them their favorite movies or TV shows.

C．Dress them up as cartoon characters.

D．Make the masks more interesting to kids.

4. What does the author want to show by telling this story?

A．Love can treat the terrible sickness.

B．Kindness can bring warmth and joy.

C．Health matters to everyone.

D．Creativity leads to success.

4 . We had two dogs, Lucky and Lily Bit. Lucky loved to find ways to leave the confines (束 缚) of her indoor living routine, which made her a masterful escape artist. Lily Bit, on the other hand, did exactly as she was told, never straying, always staying close to home... except when she came under the influence of Lucky.

Whenever the two got out together, they could be seen out of sights often staying away for hours. More often than not, they’d arrive home near suppertime, covered in mud and leaves and smelling to high heaven from their afternoon outing in the woods.

I remember one such occasion when they’d once again mysteriously escaped, except this time, they returned clean and no worse for wear. It wasn’t until a few days later that we learned why. My wife ran into our neighbor Carl who lived a few houses down from us.

“I saw your two dogs the other day,” Carl said with a smile,

“Oh, yes? I’m so sorry. They’d been so good lately, so it was such a surprise when they got out. I sure hope they didn’t cause any trouble.” my wife replied,

“Oh, no, no trouble at all. Did you have any idea where they went?”

“No,” my wife answered.

“They attended my dog’s funeral (葬礼)” Carl said sadly.

“What?” Ann exclaimed, “Oh, no. I didn’t know Toby had died.

“Yep, it died a couple days ago. I was burying him in the back lot when your two dogs came running up. They sat down not far from me while. I finished burying him, then they left.”

“Wow that’s amazing! ” my wife replied. “Toby was Lily Bit’s father, you know. ”

“No, I didn’t know that,” Carl replied, “but I guess that explains why she felt like she needed to be there. She had to say her final goodbye.”

1. What words can best explain the meaning of the word “straying” underlined in Para. 1?

A．Wandering away.	B．Staying still
C．Shouting loudly.	D．Disobeying impolitely.

2. What difference between Lucky and Lily Bit is suggested in the first paragraph?

A．Their abilities were different.	B．Their hobbies were different.
C．Their personalities were different	D．Their physical features were different.

3. What would generally happen to the two dogs after they got home from outside?

A．They got more united.	B．They looked in a mess.
C．They smelled nice as usual.	D．They got willing to do as told to.

4. What is the author’s purpose of writing the text?

A．To show his respect for dogs.	B．To be in memory of his dogs.
C．To suggest learning from dogs,	D．To think highly of his two dogs.

5 . A wise man was passing through a city. While he was walking, he _________ a coin on the road. He picked it up. Despite his _________ life, he was satisfied and he had no use of that coin. So, he planned to _________ it. _________, throughout the day he didn’t find such a person. Finally, he reached the _________ area and spent a night there.

Next morning, he _________ up and was told that a king was going for his invasion of another state with his army. When the king saw the wise man, he _________ his army to stop. He came to the wise man and said, “I am going to beat another _________. Thus, my state can be _________. So __________ me to be victorious”.

After __________, the wise man gave the coin to the king! The king was confused with this because he is already one of the __________ kings! He __________ asked, “What’s the meaning?”

The wise man explained, “I found this coin yesterday in your __________. But I had no __________. So I had __________ that I would donate it. I walked around till the evening, but found no one such.

Everyone was living a __________ life. It seemed that they were satisfied with what they had. But today, the king of this state, still has the desire to __________ more and is not satisfied with what he already has. I feel you are __________ this coin.”

The king realized his __________ and gave up the planned war.

1.

A．noticed

B．lost

C．spent

D．dropped

2.

A．rich

B．simple

C．single

D．peaceful

3.

A．throw

B．ignore

C．keep

D．donate

4.

A．Thus

B．Besides

C．However

D．Therefore

5.

A．dining

B．waiting

C．walking

D．resting

6.

A．woke

B．looked

C．stayed

D．dressed

7.

A．hoped

B．allowed

C．ordered

D．advised

8.

A．tribe

B．state

C．city

D．king

9.

A．expanded

B．respected

C．developed

D．blamed

10.

A．help

B．wait

C．bless

D．promise

11.

A．consulting

B．thinking

C．chatting

D．bargaining

12.

A．strongest

B．luckiest

C．healthiest

D．richest

13.

A．nervously

B．curiously

C．eagerly

D．angrily

14.

A．city

B．palace

C．house

D．backyard

15.

A．interest

B．pocket

C．use

D．plan

16.

A．agreed

B．announced

C．informed

D．decided

17.

A．happy

B．hard

C．convenient

D．different

18.

A．defend

B．gain

C．earn

D．borrow

19.

A．in possession of

B．in search of

C．in need of

D．in charge of

20.

A．achievement

B．dream

C．existence

D．mistake

6 . From now on, never spend your precious time thinking of reasons for your failures and shortcomings. Instead, realize that the seeds of success were planted within you when you were born. Only you have the power to make those seeds grow.

The seeds, and the power to grow them, are contained in the most awesome machine ever created：the human mind. Success is a choice and not a chance. You were born a winner. You were born rich. You can be a success if only you make the right choice.

You cannot be successful without first developing your self-esteem. Your level of self-esteem is always based on the degree of control that you are able to exercise over yourself, and thus over your life. People with low self-esteem are people who do not believe that they have any power, or responsibility for their lives. They are the perennial（长期的）victims and martyrs. They are leaves tossed（摇摆）by the winds of chance blown about with any sudden change in the weather.

You can exercise control over your life only to the degree that you believe that you are responsible for everything that happens in your life. Failures think that everything happens by accident and chance. Successful people realize that they are responsible.

Everything happens as a result of something. If we can identify the cause, we can control the effect. We are responsible for what we choose to think and believe. One generally rises to the level that one expects. We are responsible for setting our expectations. Our success is dependent upon our level of confidence.

If you associate with positive-thinking people, you are definitely going to achieve success. On the contrary, the opposite happens. We are responsible for finding, planting, and nurturing the seeds that contain future victory, born from setbacks.

In short, in all areas of your life, whether they be financial, physical, emotional, or spiritual, you are responsible. Once you recognize this, accept it, and firmly believe it, you are on the road to success.

1. People with low self-esteem are compared to leaves because they ______.

A．are ready to change their minds	B．are easily affected by windy weather
C．don't have the power to face their fate	D．can't exercise control over themselves

2. Losers would think that ______.

A．success is the result of hard work	B．working hard will lead to success
C．their failure is only because of bad luck	D．they don't make efforts to succeed

3. It can be inferred from paragraph 5 that ______.

A．whether we will succeed depends on our attitudes

B．one’s expectation is the key to future success

C．thoughts and beliefs are the result of creative mind

D．setting our expectations is essential before taking action

4. The last paragraph serves as ______.

A．the proof of the author's points	B．the conclusion of the argument
C．an introduction to another topic	D．a comparison between two views

5. Which is the best title for the text?

A．The secrets of success．	B．Success is a choice．
C．Develop our confidence．	D．How to achieve success．

7 . There was a gardener who looked after his garden with great care. To water his flowers，he used two buckets(水桶).One was a shiny and new bucket. The other was a very old and dilapidated one，which had seen many years of service，but was now past its best.

Every morning，the gardener would fill up the two buckets. Then he would carry them along the path，one on each side，to the flowerbeds. The new bucket was very proud of itself. It could carry a full bucket of water without a single drop spilled. The old bucket felt very ashamed(惭愧的)because of its holes: before it reached the flowerbeds，much water had leaked(渗漏)along the path.

Sometimes the new bucket would say，"See how capable I am! How good it is that the gardener has me water the flowers every day! I don’t know why he still uses you. What a waste of space you are!"

And all that the old bucket could say was，"I know I am not very useful，but I can only do my best. I am happy that the gardener still finds a little bit of use in me ，at least.’’

One day，the gardener heard that kind of conversation. After watering the flowers as usual，he said，"You both have done your work very well. Now I am going to carry you back，and I want you to look carefully along the path."

Then the two buckets did so. All along the path, they noticed，on the side where the new bucket was carried，there was just bare earth；on the other side where the old bucket was carried，there was a joyous row of wild flowers，leading all the way to the garden.

1. What was the old bucket ashamed of?

A．Its   past.

B．Its aging.

C．Its   manner.

D．Its leaking.

2. What does the underlined word "dilapidated" probably mean?

A．Dirty.

B．Dark.

C．Worn out.

D．Ordinary-looking.

3. The new bucket made conversations with the old one mainly to________.

A．take pity on the old one	B．laugh at the old one
C．show off its good look	D．praise the gardener's kindness

4. Why was the old bucket still kept by the gardener?

A．Because it was used to keep a balance.

B．Because it stayed in its best condition.

C．Because it had its own advantage.

D．Because it was thought of as a treasure.

8 . There once lived a young man who thought himself to be poor. One day he went to a wise man to ask how to become rich. The wise man said, “Young man, you are already rich now.”

“But where is my wealth(财富)?” the young man asked.

“It is with you. Your eyes are your wealth. You use them to see this world. You use them to see all the beautiful things in this world. Your hands are your wealth. You can use them to work. You can use them to hug your beloved ones. Your legs are your wealth. You can go to any place...” the wise man said.

“You call these wealth? But everyone has them,” the young man said.

“These are wealth. What you have now is not what someone else can luckily have. Would you like to give your eyes to me? I'd like to give you a lot of money to exchange for them,” the wise man said.

“No, I'm not going to do so! My eyes are important to me!” the young man said.

Everyone is rich. We should treasure(珍惜)our wealth, and take care of it. We should not overuse it because once it is gone, it is gone forever. Remember it is our wealth that we do not want to lose.

1. Why did the young man go to visit the wise man?

A．Because he was ill.

B．Because he was the wise man's friend.

C．Because he wanted to know how to be rich.

D．Because he wanted to be wise.

2. The wise man thought the young man himself___________.

A．was rich	B．was poor
C．was wise	D．was silly

3. The wise man called ______ wealth.

A．the young man's money	B．the young man's eyes and feet
C．the young man’s buildings	D．the young man’s cars

4. The young man wasn’t willing to exchange his eyes for money because ________.

A．he was rich

B．he didn’t like the old man

C．he thought his eyes were important to him

D．he didn’t like money

9 . The meaning of the word “volunteer ” may be a little different in different countries, but it usually means “one who offers his or her services.” There are many different ways in which people can volunteer, such as taking care of sick people, working in homes for homeless children, and picking up garbage(垃圾) from beaches and parks. Volunteers may work within their own countries or in other countries. They are often people with a strong wish to help those who are less fortunate than themselves. Volunteers don’t expect any kind of pay.
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 ____ of what being a volunteer means. She worked for two and a half weeks in one of Mother Teresa’s homes in Calcutta. The following is her story.
“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

2. Tracy started her work as a volunteer _______.

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

3. Why did Tracy choose to be a volunteer?

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.

4. What is Tracy’s “new idea” (Paragraph 2) of being a volunteer?

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.