1 . In the years of my growing up, Dad was hard on me. He made sure I made my bed and did my homework. As a school girl and young adult, I feared him and felt bitter about him. He seemed unhappy with me unless I got straight A’s and unhappy with my boyfriends if their fathers were not as “successful” as he was. Whenever I went out with him on weekends, I used to struggle to think up things to say, feeling on guard.

He would call in advance to make sure there was no alcohol at the party. I got so angry with him for laying down the law. I would scream, “I hate you!” Dad would yell back, “Good! I don’t care!” Deep down I knew he did.

One time at a party, I drank too much alcohol and got so sick. I said, “Call my dad.” Next thing, Dad was carrying me to the car. I woke up the next morning, thinking I would definitely be criticized. As expected, I got a roasting, but I now understand why I need discipline.

Dad was 29 when he got his big roles in films. I had an early start at the age of nine with a role in a 1990s TV series, but it wasn’t until I finished film studies that I pursued my career as an actress. Like those early days for Dad, I faced lots of rejections. Working in such a competitive industry, I’ve sometimes thought, “I can’t do this any more.”

Once, after a trip to Hollywood, I returned to Australia so depressed and spent months in my bedroom painting, listening to Eckhart Tolle’s music and trying to find myself again. Dad sat me down and said, “Alice, I know it’s hard, but it’s all about persistence(坚持不懈).”

Now I get to work with Dad a lot, which I love. We are both enthusiastic about acting, which comes from us being so interested in people. If it weren’t for Dad, I wouldn’t be where I am today. He’s my biggest fan, and when you have that in your life you can go a long way.

1. Which of the following is similar in meaning to the underlined part?

A．I was blamed.	B．I was pulled out of bed.
C．I got out of trouble.	D．I was comforted.

2. What can we learn from the passage?

A．As an actor, her father’s career is always smooth.

B．It is her father who has helped shape the author who she is.

C．She would feel tired when going out with her father on weekends.

D．She was bitter about her father as a school girl as he was too proud of himself.

3. Which of the following best describes the writer’s father?

A．Severe and impatient.	B．Talkative and hard-working.
C．Proud but gentle.	D．Strict but caring.

2 . 请从以下选项（A、B、C、D、E和F) 中选出适合各段落的主题句，选项中有一项是多余选项。

Why You Should be a Life-long Learner

When you graduate from college, school feels like a means to an end. You graduate from high school, go on to college, and maybe pursue an advanced degree – all with the plan of preparing yourself for a career. Perhaps there are courses and teachers who peak your curiosity and stimulate a love of learning. But when you’ve been in school for 16 or more years, your eyes are set on the finish line. However, once you have a few years of “real life” under your belt, you come to appreciate how luxurious those years of learning really were. If you challenge yourself to continue learning in some way, it will further your professional, mental, and spiritual development. Here’s why being a life-long learner is vital to your achievement and happiness:

    1     . If you advance your professional skills, or learn new skills, you become more valuable to your organization, your clients, or your boss. If you continue to develop in emotional intelligence and leadership skills, you are viewed as a bigger player with the qualities to move ahead in your career, which can bring you more wealth and fortune.

    2    . As you develop your knowledge base, skill sets, expertise, and interests, you become a far more popular, conversant, and sociable person. When you broaden your intellectual and emotional horizons, you attract a wider variety of people and can view the world from a more enlightened perspective.

    3    . Just as exercise keeps you physically fit, learning enhances emotional fitness. When you both challenge yourself to learn something new and when you actually master the material, you will profoundly build up your confidence. The sense of achievement in the process of learning and the application of learning is exciting. When you are deeply engaged in learning, you are “ in the flow”—in the same way you are fully present and focused during deep thinking or creative attempts.

    4    . Aging is not unavoidable. A scientific research reveals that learning can change our brain structure, improving cognition(认知) and perception, even as we age. This is especially true when you challenge yourself to broaden your mind in areas where you are weak or inexperienced. Use it or lose it.

    5    . Especially when you are learning about something you love. The learning world is your oyster. Truthfully, there is great pleasure in achieving a balance of living and learning. It’s great to learn for the sake of learning. But there is even greater enjoyment in applying what you learn in ways that improve your life and the lives of others. In addition, interest has made continued learning so easy, affordable, and accessible. it’s hard to come up with a good excuse not to keep developing in all areas of your life.

A．Learning is fun and pleasant.

B．Learning can make you more money.

C．Learning keeps you emotionally healthy.

D．Learning advances your social media skills.

E．Learning makes you more attractive and interesting.

F．Learning keeps your brain strong, even into old age.

3 . Born and raised in Michigan, I knew the move to Phoenix would bring profound changes to my life. Accustomed to a lifetime in a state with a beautiful landscape, I wondered about the life I’d find in the desert southwest.

The first weekend after my arrival, my new relatives hosted a “welcome to the family” party for me. Standing in the backyard, amazed by the “dry heat” in August, I watched in frozen fascination as a flying creature came from nowhere and buzzed my head!

I swatted (拍打) at it so hard that I spun myself around, lost balance and fell onto the lawn—in front of my new family! My husband ran over to me and as he helped me get up, asked what had happened. “The biggest bee I ever saw just dive-bombed my head, so I tried to swat him away!” He broke out in laughter and pointed to the hummingbird feeder. “You mean that? Just then, I realized that swatting at a hummingbird taught me a profound lesson.

In our lives, many times good things come to us in unexpected ways. Pleasant surprises, happy coincidences and even “dumb luck” impact our well being. Often, we don’t even know the gifts exist, much less do we hold any expectation of receiving them, and consequently we travel through life unprepared to receive the good that comes into our lives “out of the blue”.

The hummingbird symbolizes something new and beautiful entering into our lives. Our first reaction may be to push it away, denying a gift from Spirit in whatever form it takes because we can’t accept something we’ve never experienced before.

When I grew to appreciate the desert with beautiful flowers fully open, I realized the tiny bird’s contribution to the delicate balance of the life cycle. Only then did I understand how essential its role is in the desert natural habitat.

When we can figure out what the new good means to us, then we can appreciate the gift and include it in our daily enjoyment. Adding positive elements to our world excludes nothing, but rather makes the flight around the sun much more enjoyable!

1. Why did the family hold a party for the author?

A．It was her first time to leave Michigan.

B．It was her first time to see hummingbirds.

C．She could enjoy her first weekend.

D．She was a new member of the family.

2. The hummingbird is talked about in this text as ________.

A．new good things that seem dangerous

B．unfamiliar things in a new environment

C．new good things that are unexpected

D．small things that contribute much to our lives

3. According to the text, which of the following can directly benefit from hummingbirds?

A．Plants.	B．Bees.
C．A family party.	D．New things.

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

A．To show her new life in Phoenix.

B．To introduce hummingbirds.

C．To share a life lesson.

D．To talk about her past mistake.

4 . Nearly seven years ago, I hitchhiked （搭顺风车） across Canada. It was an exciting experience, which allowed me to look into the ______ of humanity.

Once, I was dropped off in front of a（n）______ woman, who had pulled over because her   ______ had broken down. I approached to make sure she was ______. She assured me she was fine and that her husband was on his way with a truck. So I went back to my ______, standing about 150 metres away. Her husband arrived. And ______ they had picked up the broken-down car, the old couple ______ to bring me back to their place for lunch. I ______ agreed.

But our ______ was very funny. I could not—for the life of me—figure out what her husband was ______. He spoke English, but his strong accent made it ______ to understand. Every time he spoke to me, I’ d have to ______, “I m sorry, but what did you say?” And every time I said this, his wife would ______: “He saaaaaaid...” and then ______ her husband’s words. But we had a good time together.

This old couple’ s random ______ was just what I enjoyed about hitchhiking.   You have non-stop social interactions（互动） that are authentic but only in a ______ time. A person becomes an important part of your life for an hour or two and then they ______. However, the beauty of these ______ being so kind never gets old.

Each meeting I had was ______ into my little treasury （宝库） of memories that has begun to ______ with time. But together, they paint a broader picture of harmony in this country.

1.

A．weakness

B．origin

C．beauty

D．chain

2.

A．elegant

B．healthy

C．dirty

D．elderly

3.

A．bike

B．car

C．truck

D．motorbike

4.

A．okay

B．alive

C．injured

D．awake

5.

A．climbing

B．walking

C．camping

D．hitchhiking

6.

A．until

B．when

C．before

D．because

7.

A．offered

B．applied

C．managed

D．helped

8.

A．roughly

B．unwillingly

C．happily

D．proudly

9.

A．teamwork

B．ending

C．plan

D．communication

10.

A．doing

B．suffering

C．doubting

D．saying

11.

A．easy

B．impossible

C．normal

D．embarrassing

12.

A．remind

B．note

C．ask

D．require

13.

A．step in

B．call in

C．hold on

D．look forward

14.

A．translate

B．accept

C．ignore

D．check

15.

A．survey

B．kindness

C．permission

D．occupation

16.

A．long

B．pleasant

C．short

D．fixed

17.

A．disappear

B．stay

C．succeed

D．agree

18.

A．tourists

B．drivers

C．couples

D．strangers

19.

A．knocked

B．divided

C．inserted

D．broken

20.

A．deepen

B．fade

C．settle

D．spread

5 . 每个人都有失败的经历。请以此为主题写一篇100左右的文章。要求:
1.回忆自己的一次失败。
2.反思失败的教训。
注意：1.词数100左右;
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6 . Once upon a time there lived an old man in a nice cottage with a large garden. The old man was seen _______ for his flowers all the time. They were so well-tended that every passer-by could not but _______ for a glance.

One day a young man went by the garden. He gazed at the splendid garden,   _______ in admiration at the beauty of these views. Then, suddenly he ______ the old gardener was blind. _______, the young man asked, “Why are you busy tending these flowers every day which you can’t ______ in fact?” The old man smiled and answered, “I can tell you ______ reasons. First I was a _______   when I was young, and I really like this job. Second, although I can’t see these flowers, yet I can _______ them. Third, I can smell sweetness of them. As to the last one, that’s _______.”

“Me? But you don’t know me,” responded the young man _______.

“Yeah, it’s _______ that I don’t know you. But I know everyone loves flowers and would never ______. I know the beauty of my garden will get many people into a good _______. In the meantime, it also _______ a chance to me to have a word with you here and to enjoy the happiness these flowers have brought us.”

The old man’s _______ astonished me. The blind man grows flowers and ______   them as a link of minds so as to make ______ enjoy the sunshine in spring. Isn’t it one kind of happiness？

I believe every flower has _______ with which they can see the kindness of the man’s heart. The blind man grows flowers in his heart. Though ______ to see the beauty of blossoming, he surely can hear the voice of it, I suppose.

1.

A．loving

B．watering

C．tending

D．planting

2.

A．stop

B．stay

C．live

D．run

3.

A．kept

B．dropped

C．caught

D．lost

4.

A．realized

B．noticed

C．felt

D．thought

5.

A．Excited

B．Frightened

C．Shocked

D．Satisfied

6.

A．feel

B．see

C．hear

D．eat

7.

A．one

B．two

C．three

D．four

8.

A．gardener

B．teacher

C．farmer

D．painter

9.

A．taste

B．plant

C．touch

D．appreciate

10.

A．it

B．me

C．them

D．you

11.

A．with pleasure

B．in surprise

C．with fear

D．in anger

12.

A．true

B．possible

C．pitiful

D．shameful

13.

A．put them down

B．turn them down

C．get them down

D．knock them down

14.

A．mind

B．life

C．future

D．mood

15.

A．introduces

B．offers

C．stands

D．leaves

16.

A．words

B．behavior

C．story

D．attitude

17.

A．treats

B．acts

C．works

D．serves

18.

A．anybody

B．somebody

C．everybody

D．nobody

19.

A．ears

B．soul

C．eyes

D．heart

20.

A．refusing

B．trying

C．pretending

D．failing

7 . Les Brown was adopted by Mamie Brown, a kitchen worker and maid, shortly after his birth in a poverty-stricken Miami neighborhood. Les had a dream of being a deejay.

Mamie Brown had taught Les to pursue his dreams. Finally, he got a job at a radio station as an errand boy (跑腿的人).

At the station, he taught himself their hand movements on the control panel. He stayed in the control rooms and soaked up whatever he could until they asked him to leave.

One Saturday afternoon while Les was at the station, a deejay named Rock was drinking while on the air. Les realized that Rock was drinking himself toward trouble. When the phone rang, Les rushed to pick it up. It was the station manager, as he knew it would be.

“Les, I don’t think Rock can finish his program.”

“Yes sir, I know.”

“Would you call one of the other deejays to come in and take over?” “Yes, sir. I sure will.”

Les did dial the telephone, but it wasn’t to call in another deejay. He called his mother first, and then his girlfriend. “You all turn on the radio because I’m about to come on the air!” he said.

He turned on the microphone switch and said, “Look out! This is me LB, Les Brown, your Platter Playing Poppa. There were none before me and there will be none after me. Therefore, that makes me the one and only. Young and single and love to mingle. Certified, undoubtedly qualified to bring you satisfaction, a whole lot of action. Look out, baby, I’m your love man.”

Because of his preparation, Les was ready. He earned the audience and his general manager’s   recognition. From that fateful beginning, Les went on to a successful career in broadcasting, politics, public speaking and television.

1. Which of the following can replace the underlined phrase “soaked up” in the third paragraph?

A．Cleared up.

B．Put up.

C．Was stuck in.

D．Was absorbed in.

2. We can learn from the story that Les was ________.

A．hardworking and confident	B．patient and organized
C．intelligent and honest	D．humorous and considerate

3. How did Les get the opportunity to host the programme?

A．The station manager appreciated his hard work and performance at the station.

B．Les applied to the station manager for a chance to be a DJ.

C．The deejay on the air could hardly finish the programme because of drinking.

D．Other deejays were busy and couldn’t come to the station immediately.

4. What may be the best title for the passage?

A．Don’t Sit on Your Talent	B．Prepare for the Chance
C．Challenge Yourself	D．Accept It or Try to Change

8 . I like my job. It may be my nature that draws me to this kind of job. I work at Izzy's Pizza Bar.

One day an elderly couple came in just after 3p. m. The first thing they said was, **Where is Nan?" Nan is my mother. She was not in that day. It was her day off.

    1     , since they liked to talk with my mom. But when I explained I was her daughter, they were thrilled to meet me. We enjoyed our conversation, comparable to a girl speaking with her grandparents. They are the type of people who understand me and have a positive attitude towards my job.

Later that night, I waited on two men. It took some effort to get them to be friendly. I explained I was waitressing over the summer to make some extra cash for school.     2    , since she was also my coworker. They said they were very surprised at the idea of me and my mother waiting on people at the same restaurant. The two men were quite different.     3    .

Once all the customers had finished eating, I began my closing duties, using the time to reflect on my day, or rather, life. I rushed around getting everything done, thinking about those two men.

    4    . We should treat people with respect, regardless of their occupation. I could have let those two men make me feel ashamed, but I didn't.     5    . I will always have pride in the person I was, am, and aim to be.

A．I had always received a positive response from everyone else I had told

B．Everyone should have equal opportunities in getting a job

C．I also said I was grateful that my mom had trained me

D．On the contrary, I felt really proud

E．This couple got a lot of enjoyment out of eating in this restaurant

F．You could say they were very disappointed to know that

G．Your job doesn't have to state who you are as a person

9 . A lady wanted a birthday gift from her husband. For many months she had liked a   beautiful_______, and knowing her husband could_______it, she told him that was all she wanted. On the morning of the_______husband told her how_______he was to have such a good wife, and how much he loved her. He_______her beautiful gift package(盒). She opened it and_______a Bible._______, she raised her voice and said to her husband. "With all your money, you give me a Bible?" She was so_______that she left him.

Many years passed and the lady was very_______in business. She owned two large companies. She________her husband was very old, and thought perhaps she should go to________him. But before she could, she________a letter telling her that he had died, and gave all of his possessions(财产) to her. She needed to come back ________take care of things.

When she arrived at his house, sadness________her heart. She saw the still new________, just she had left it years before. With________she opened it and began to turn the pages. A ring________from Bible to the floor and a________could be seen. She picked it up and found it was the ring she wanted in those days. And on the card was the date of her birth, and the words "LOVE YOU ALWAYS”.

________your gift is not packaged the way you want it, it's because it is better packaged! Always appreciate little things; they usually lead you to bigger things in the world! The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched for they must be felt with the     ________.

1.

A．watch

B．ring

C．coat

D．box

2.

A．afford

B．like

C．design

D．guess

3.

A．holiday

B．performance

C．meeting

D．birthday

4.

A．kind

B．proud

C．sorry

D．brave

5.

A．lent

B．gave

C．asked

D．moved

6.

A．found

B．carried

C．missed

D．held

7.

A．Politely

B．Lightly

C．Patiently

D．Angrily

8.

A．calm

B．disappointed

C．grateful

D．careless

9.

A．sad

B．lonely

C．successful

D．poor

10.

A．realized

B．wondered

C．hoped

D．explained

11.

A．help

B．visit

C．understand

D．catch

12.

A．received

B．passed

C．wrote

D．sent

13.

A．but

B．and

C．or

D．so

14.

A．covered

B．broke

C．filled

D．left

15.

A．car

B．Bible

C．letter

D．table

16.

A．smiles

B．tears

C．laughter

D．interests

17.

A．hid

B．disappeared

C．made

D．dropped

18.

A．book

B．card

C．pen

D．flower

19.

A．If

B．But

C．And

D．So

20.

A．hand

B．eye

C．heart

D．face

10 . Many years ago, my dad was facing a serious heart condition. He was unable to do a steady job. He fell suddenly ill and had to be admitted to the hospital.

He wanted to do something to keep himself busy, so he decided to volunteer at the local children’s hospital. My dad loved kids. It was the perfect job for him. He ended up working with the seriously ill children. He would talk, play, and do arts with them.

One of his kids was a girl with a rare disease that paralyzed (瘫痪) her from the neck down. She couldn’t do anything, and she was very depressed. My dad decided to try to help her. He started visiting her in her room, bringing paints, brushes and paper. He stood the paper up, put the paintbrush in his mouth and began to paint. He didn’t use his hands at all. All the while he would tell her, “See, you can do anything you set your mind to.”At the end of the day, she began to paint using her mouth, and she and my dad became friends. Soon after, the little girl was sent home because the doctors felt there was nothing else they could do for her. My dad also left the children’s hospital for a little while because he became ill. Some time later after my dad had recovered and returned to work, in came the little girl who had been paralyzed and only this time she was walking. She ran straight over to my dad and hugged him really tight. She gave him a picture she had done using her hands. At the bottom it read: “Thank you for helping me walk.”

My dad would cry every time he told us this story and so would we. He would say sometimes love is more powerful than doctor, and my dad—who died just a few months after the little girl gave the picture—loved every single child in that hospital.

1. The author’s father worked at the local hospital to_______________.

A．make his serious heart condition less serious	B．keep himself occupied and pleased
C．realize his childhood dream	D．earn money to pay for treatment

2. How did the author’s father help the paralyzed little girl?

A．He helped her practice walking.	B．He visited her and made a toy for her.
C．He showed her she could still do things.	D．He painted special pictures for her.

3. According to Paragraph 3, the paralyzed girl _______________.

A．eventually became a unique painter

B．was sent home and never seen again

C．gradually recovered and walked

D．sent the author’s dad a picture painted with her mouth

4. What message does the passage mainly convey?

A．It’s better to give than to receive.

B．A sick person should not focus on his disease.

C．Volunteering is a worthwhile thing to do.

D．Love can sometimes bring great results.