1 . Twenty-five years ago, we were on a family vacation, driving to see family in New York State. Mom and Dad, probably looking for ways to keep their two young kids busy, borrowed a sign about fifteen inches long and three inches high. On one side of the sign was painted “Smile” and on the other side “Thanks”. The sign got a lot of use on the trip. One of us would hold up the sign, so a car behind us could read “Smile”. If they did, we turned the sign over and they got the reward of “Thanks”.

The smile lesson is important, but no more so than the other side, the thanks! Playing this driving game was one of the many ways my parents taught me the importance and value of gratitude, most easily expressed with a simple thank you.

The story goes that a farmer took some of his corn to the State Fair and won the blue ribbon, for the best corn. A reporter asked him what he was going to do with the prized ears of grain he was holding. He said that he would share the seed with his neighbors. The reporter was surprised and asked, “Why would you want to do that?” The farmer calmly answered: “Don’t you know? The wind picks up pollen (花粉) from the ripening corn and blows it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily worsen the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn.”

So it is with smiling. You are the wind. You can produce smiling faces by spreading your pollen. The cost to you is slight, but the fruits of your pollen will be felt all around.

1. What is the purpose of the author’s family trip 25 years ago?

A．To influence others in a fun way.	B．To play a driving game together.
C．To drive to another city to visit family.	D．To go on a family vacation on the road.

2. Why did the author’s parents make them hold up the sign?

A．To keep them fit.	B．To teach them a lesson.
C．To gain people’s gratitude.	D．To make other drivers laugh.

3. The author tells the story of the farmer to show ________.

A．the importance of passing kindness	B．the necessity to keep good relationship
C．the significance of expressing gratitude	D．the pleasure of sharing with other people

4. What is compared to “the fruits of your pollen” in the last paragraph?

A．The influence of smiles.	B．The work you are doing.
C．The reason for your smiles.	D．The people you smile at.

2 . At the age of 41, I still stutter (口吃). I am fine with it now but that wasn’t always the _________. It was difficult for the first couple of years of school. In fact, I don’t recall being _________ at all, though there was a great deal of curiosity about my _________ speech.

A few years later, I began to _________ being different. I felt that I stood out for all the wrong reasons. Just _________ the pain of not even being able to say your own name, I would often give _________ names when meeting new people, because it was easier. It was _________ for me to be Jason or Mike, Chris or Kevin or just whatever sounds I was confident I could make at that particular moment.

Sometime in eighth grade, my _________ changed. I turned what I’d always thought of as a negative into a positive. I finally _________ that difference and ran with it.____________ waiting in fear for the teacher to ____________ my name, I raised my hand when I knew the answer to a question. I always volunteered to read and even used oral presentations as an opportunity to show my comedic talents. I went from a stuttering kid who seldom spoke a word to a stuttering man who now speaks for a (n)____________. Self-acceptance continues to be essential in the success I’ve experienced as a speaker, comedian, writer and soldier. My only ____________ is that it didn’t happen sooner.

It’s never easy to be a kid. It’s especially ____________ when you’re different, but it doesn’t have to be. The time to accept your ____________ is now.

1.

A．process

B．reason

C．case

D．target

2.

A．made use of

B．stirred up

C．taken care of

D．made fun of

3.

A．abnormal

B．long

C．informal

D．chosen

4.

A．desire

B．promise

C．dislike

D．suspect

5.

A．imagine

B．avoid

C．predict

D．record

6.

A．similar

B．false

C．official

D．personal

7.

A．fatal

B．common

C．familiar

D．strange

8.

A．duty

B．option

C．identity

D．attitude

9.

A．repeated

B．postponed

C．accepted

D．spotted

10.

A．Instead of

B．Due to

C．As for

D．In return for

11.

A．type

B．change

C．call

D．spell

12.

A．award

B．promise

C．excuse

D．living

13.

A．request

B．regret

C．decision

D．explanation

14.

A．natural

B．beneficial

C．essential

D．tough

15.

A．intelligence

B．uniqueness

C．advantage

D．mistake

3 . Most people as they get older start to take life a little slower and enjoy a leisurely pace. But it is not for Kerry, who ________ pole dancing in her 50s, has no ________ of slowing down any time soon. She’s even ________ her life “began at 50”.

The super fit gran ________ an eating disorder from a young age. Now in the best ________ of her life, she looked back on her youth and claimed she was once told she was “too fat to be a dancer”, sparking an eating disorder and being ________ conscious of her weight. After taking up dancing she felt ________ in her new lease of life.

“At the age of 47 I made a list of things I wanted to ________ and I’ve always wanted to do dancing, but I was worried I was too ________. It was so late in life,” said Kerry. ________ planning on doing one class to ________ it off her list, she found a passion and love for the sport and made a living from it, even participating in ________ too. “I feel like fate really put this in my ________, not only to recover my body but to get rid of the ________ that comes with it,” she explained. Now, she’s on a mission to ________ women that their age doesn’t have to hold them back.

1.

A．kept on

B．took up

C．hoped for

D．subscribed to

2.

A．intentions

B．doubts

C．tasks

D．feelings

3.

A．promised

B．predicted

C．checked

D．claimed

4.

A．remembered

B．indicated

C．battled

D．regretted

5.

A．shape

B．hobby

C．emotion

D．aspect

6.

A．occasionally

B．permanently

C．constantly

D．purposely

7.

A．curious

B．competitive

C．confident

D．awkward

8.

A．make

B．try

C．quit

D．win

9.

A．old

B．fat

C．weak

D．sensitive

10.

A．Still

B．Hardly

C．Never

D．Only

11.

A．cross

B．cut

C．see

D．drop

12.

A．races

B．parades

C．parties

D．shows

13.

A．opinion

B．strategy

C．path

D．dream

14.

A．memory

B．danger

C．power

D．negativity

15.

A．contact

B．protect

C．inspire

D．warn

4 . “You like pottery (陶艺) more than you like science,” a family member said. I knew the comment was made lightly, but I felt frustrated and disappointed. I had worked so hard to achieve a balance between my scientific and artistic pursuits. Why was my creative side still seen as a weakness and a disturbance, in opposition to my science?

As a little girl, I created art by breaking up eggshells, dying them, and gluing them to a cloth. I also conducted science experiments with my mom, a high school science teacher, on the back porch. In college, I loved my chemistry courses and research work, and I regarded cooking as my creative outlet, hosting weekly dinner parties for friends.

Yet I heard time and again that creative expression and science were not possible together. When my college roommate concluded with a personality test that I was the “creative” type, the rest of my friends said that couldn’t be right, because “I was a scientist and therefore was not creative.” As I was preparing for graduate school and studying for the chemistry GRE test, I realized I talked about science the same way I would paint a picture, explaining concepts in broad strokes (粗线条地) — in part because I struggled to remember technical scientific terminology. I worried my way of thinking wouldn’t fit in with “proper” scientists. In the end, though, my desire to pursue a scientific career won out. I figured I would continue to find a way to balance my research with my creative pursuits, regardless of what others thought.

When in graduate school I found pottery, which I could pursue on evenings and weekends. After my first class, I was attracted. It has inspired me to more intentionally mix my art with my science. I keep a notebook at my lab table filled with words of mug (马克杯) designs inspired by my experiments. Through the challenge of getting my paper into its core concepts in such a way that it could be displayed on a mug, I gained a better understanding of my project. Pottery has now turned into a way for me to train my brain to be creative and think outside the box.

1. What did the family member think of the author’s pottery?

A．It still had room for improvement.

B．It would relax the author in her work.

C．It made up for the author’s weakness.

D．It did no good to the author’s career.

2. How did the author show her creativity as a college student?

A．By dying eggshells.

B．By performing science experiments.

C．By doing some cooking.

D．By attending social parties.

3. What can be inferred about the author from paragraph 3?

A．She didn’t get along well with her classmates in college.

B．She nearly gave up her pursuit of art.

C．She once doubted her way of understanding science.

D．She was angry about being misunderstood by friends.

4. What does the underlined word “it” in the last paragraph refer to?

A．The notebook.	B．The design of the mug.
C．The challenge of the paper.	D．The author’s science research.

5 . There were eight children in my family, and we never had enough money. Meeting basic needs was a constant ________ for us. I got my first pair of ________ when I attended Senior High because I was awarded a scholarship since I performed well ________ in first grade. That enabled my parents to buy me shoes since we were ________ from the schooling fees (学费).

The first day when I walked in my new shoes, each step felt ________ beneath me. The shoes, simple and strong, protected me from the roughness of the path. To me, they were not just shoes but a symbol of ________ — through hard work and determination, I could ________ my situation.

The day I turned 18, I stood before my parents, my heart heavy with a(n) ________ that would shape my future. I told them I determined to leave home to ________ my dreams, which were bigger than what we had known here and that I wanted to change our ________. In my father’s eyes, I could see a ________ of sadness and understanding. After what seemed to be as long as a century, he nodded yes. My mother too blessed my journey. I stepped into the ________, carrying the dreams of generations with me. No matter how difficult things turned out to be, I never gave up. Years later, I started my own business and succeeded ________.

Although the first shoes are now ________, I keep them in my office as a witness of the long and hard journey from those barefoot days to now. They ________ me that hard work does pay off.

1.

A．struggle

B．promise

C．pleasure

D．comfort

2.

A．trousers

B．gloves

C．glasses

D．shoes

3.

A．physically

B．mentally

C．academically

D．socially

4.

A．protected

B．discouraged

C．freed

D．separated

5.

A．convenient

B．heavy

C．demanding

D．solid

6.

A．dignity

B．hope

C．challenge

D．harmony

7.

A．bear

B．understand

C．stress

D．transform

8.

A．decision

B．prediction

C．imagination

D．comment

9.

A．leave behind

B．go after

C．show off

D．figure out

10.

A．opinion

B．character

C．life

D．tradition

11.

A．balance

B．mix

C．competition

D．variety

12.

A．unknown

B．uneventful

C．unavoidable

D．unchanged

13.

A．with ease

B．at last

C．in return

D．on time

14.

A．perfect

B．valuable

C．gone

D．worn

15.

A．remind

B．guarantee

C．warn

D．cheat

6 . I’m an online columnist. A few weeks ago, I wrote a column about my life, ending up receiving some _________ reviews on a regular basis. I have become _________ used to being criticized like that. In the following days, I was also surprised when more lovely words _________ in. They told me that my running adventures had _________ them to go out to work out. Yet more _________ me for giving tips on the mental health issues they had also experienced. I have been so touched by all these people.

As an online columnist for ages, I have constantly encountered _________ readers. A lady was _________ about my daughter when she was hospitalized and a gentleman offered to _________ me for my training when I was badly off. There was also a couple who sent me a jar of home-made marmalade when they read about my _________, in the hope of cheering me up. As I thought about __________ of these kind people, I wondered why our brains are programmed to focus on the bad things __________ all the lovely ones.

At that moment, I’ve realized we don’t have the luxury of negativity. Our life is too short to be __________ by it. To stop engaging in it, the key is our __________ to be dragged down by it. In that spirit, I’ve __________ that from now on, I’m only going to focus on the positive. I’ll keep a file on my cellphone containing all __________ for me, and look at them when times get tough.

1.

A．conventional

B．innovative

C．negative

D．thorough

2.

A．terribly

B．hardly

C．aimlessly

D．accidentally

3.

A．gave

B．flooded

C．dropped

D．cut

4.

A．permitted

B．required

C．banned

D．pushed

5.

A．appreciated

B．impressed

C．represented

D．criticized

6.

A．long-lasting

B．well-meaning

C．ever-changing

D．self-fulfilling

7.

A．cautious

B．anxious

C．concerned

D．astonished

8.

A．restrict

B．stimulate

C．release

D．sponsor

9.

A．depression

B．confusion

C．satisfaction

D．embarrassment

10.

A．expressions

B．purposes

C．gestures

D．desires

11.

A．at the bottom of

B．at the expense of

C．on account of

D．on behalf of

12.

A．held back

B．brought up

C．taken in

D．turned down

13.

A．acceptance

B．target

C．refusal

D．admission

14.

A．complained

B．resolved

C．explained

D．pretended

15.

A．comprehension

B．submission

C．direction

D．recognition

7 . For most people, the weekly shopping is just an ordinary task.     1     When I travel abroad, the first thing I do after dropping my bags off is go to the grocery store (杂货店).

The variety of products in different countries fascinates me every time I travel somewhere new.     2     Another surprise in Malta was their selection of ice cream available even in the smallest grocery stores, the best of which was a pack of delicious ice cream sandwiches.

By wandering around a grocery store in another country, I can imagine what the lives of its citizens are like. In Italy, I saw one aisle (过道) filled entirely with different types of pasta. I smiled to myself and thought that Italians really do love their pasta.     3     Because I can see the types of things that Germans might buy on impulse (一时冲动).

    4     But it is important to get involved in the daily lives of a country’s citizens and know more about them through grocery shopping. I can watch kids begging their parents for sweets. Or watch couples pick up snacks and drinks for a party on a Friday night.     5     Indeed, it’s a chance to slow down and imagine what people’s lives are like, and find that they are not so different from our own.

A．In Germany, walking through the middle aisle was a delight.

B．But for me, I find a lot of joy in grocery shopping.

C．Grocery stores are a great place where I can buy all kinds of local food.

D．In Malta, I found the most delicious chocolate-filled bread.

E．Grocery shopping is not just an act of watching people buy food.

F．People might find it a strange habit to go grocery shopping on holiday.

G．People prefer to spend more time on something more fun like visiting museums.

8 . I grew up hiking and climbing mountain s a lot. It was my dad who accompanied me and taught me how to hike and climb mountains. On our first hike, our group ran ahead without us. Dad and I ended up _________ the path toward the top. This was the _________ part of the climb, where we had to climb rocks. I was scared not to have the path to tell us where to go. Mainly, I was afraid that Dad would fall off the mountain when he went _________ to seek for the best way for me to climb up. I was grateful for his _________. He always made me feel like I was safe with him — even when he insisted that we should not _________.

When we were close to the top, we _________ some hikers. One of them crouched (蹲) down on a rock, grasping at branches of a bush. His face was _________ and looked frozen, like a statue. Dad asked what was going on. The man _________ told him that he was frightened of _________. In my 7-year-old mind, I thought, “But, you’re climbing a mountain!” Dad always helped people in trouble. He told the man to __________ him while he led him to a spot below that was __________ by trees, with no view of the valley below. Dad told him to wait there for his group of hikers to come back and __________ him up. Dad taught me sympathy and to help others in need whenever I can.

When we finally reached the top and __________ our group, we sat on the highest point, looking at the breathtaking scenery. I was so __________ we hadn’t stopped halfway. Dad taught me, “Don’t give up, especially when you’re almost there.” This has been a valuable __________ that has got me through some big challenges in my life.

1.

A．losing

B．discovering

C．approaching

D．conquering

2.

A．easiest

B．smoothest

C．toughest

D．narrowest

3.

A．down

B．up

C．ahead

D．out

4.

A．safety

B．wisdom

C．strength

D．bravery

5.

A．speed up

B．go on

C．turn back

D．look down

6.

A．came across

B．made out

C．got through

D．got across

7.

A．red

B．pale

C．rough

D．dirty

8.

A．aimlessly

B．fearlessly

C．tirelessly

D．breathlessly

9.

A．heights

B．mountains

C．difficulties

D．accidents

10.

A．look up to

B．hold onto

C．listen to

D．respond to

11.

A．replaced

B．separated

C．surrounded

D．covered

12.

A．cheer

B．look

C．put

D．pick

13.

A．rejoined

B．reintroduced

C．revisited

D．rearranged

14.

A．regretful

B．relieved

C．upset

D．inspired

15.

A．time

B．message

C．decision

D．lesson

9 . Once there was a girl named Rose. Rose always felt _________ because she lived in a colorless village where life was black and white. She _________ for adventure, but her life was as plain (简单的) as a brown paper bag.

One day while walking down the street, she saw Eric, a former classmate, in a red car, and he _________ her eye. He looked very _________. He stopped and said, “Come in. Let’s enjoy ourselves!”

Rose was a little _________, but Eric’s infectious spirit and the sight of the car’s shiny red appearance _________ her. They drove off into the sunset and found themselves in a city that was lively and full of _________. The buildings were painted with all the colors of the rainbow.

After Eric drove Rose home, she suddenly realized that she _________ to stop running after rainbows and add some color to her _________ life. She decided to live her life in full color.

The next day, Rose took a walk in the village. She ____________ that the trees were green, and the flowers bloomed (开花) in different colors. She realized that her village was not as boring as she had ____________.

Rose noticed a shop that sold paint, so she bought some and painted her house with the brightest color she could find, She was ____________ the result. Her neighbors were amazed at the ____________ and decided to paint their houses bright colors, too. Rose realized that ____________ things in a different light had made all the ____________.

1.

A．safe

B．free

C．blue

D．afraid

2.

A．longed

B．prepared

C．waited

D．went

3.

A．covered

B．shut

C．hurt

D．caught

4.

A．bored

B．happy

C．tired

D．cute

5.

A．unsure

B．ready

C．sorry

D．thankful

6.

A．frightened

B．excited

C．saved

D．stopped

7.

A．problems

B．strangers

C．love

D．color

8.

A．refused

B．needed

C．failed

D．managed

9.

A．busy

B．private

C．healthy

D．uninspiring

10.

A．doubted

B．noticed

C．guessed

D．believed

11.

A．suggested

B．dreamt

C．thought

D．described

12.

A．satisfied with

B．nervous of

C．curious about

D．interested in

13.

A．influence

B．challenge

C．choice

D．change

14.

A．looking at

B．searching for

C．checking on

D．asking for

15.

A．mistakes

B．decisions

C．difference

D．pain

10 . Over 30 years ago, I stood in the front row of a kindergarten performance, singing to all the parents of the elementary school. At the end of the performance, Mrs. Summers, whom I always tried to impress, made a statement that would impact me for nearly a lifetime. She walked up to my mom and stated, “She certainly was the most excited and eager student I had this year, but she couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.”

From that day on, I was always insecure about my singing. Singing became an embarrassment for me and I didn’t want anyone to hear me. When I was home alone, I would belt out (大声唱) songs as if I was singing on the stage. Though I felt insecure, it made my heart dance and my soul get free.

When I started attending church regularly, a woman came up to me and asked why I didn’t join the choir. She stated that I had a beautiful singing voice and appeared to greatly enjoy singing. I laughed and said she must have been joking. With a look of surprise, she simply suggested that I should think about it because I would be a nice addition to the choir.

Why did I have such a hard time allowing others to hear me sing? It was because I had believed some words that came out of my teacher’s mouth as a child. Mrs. Summers was probably trying to be humorous, but as a child, her comment truly hurt me. So I made a decision to stop believing the words I held on to for so many years. The following week, I joined the choir, and I began to feel better. Now I sing in the streets, and I sing in the gym. It doesn’t matter if I can carry a tune in a basket; I carry it on my heart.

1. How did Mrs. Summers think of the author’s performance in the kindergarten?

A．She had a great talent for singing.	B．She was too nervous to sing well.
C．Her singing voice was distinctive.	D．Her singing was rather out of tune.

2. How did the author feel when she heard Mrs. Summers’ words?

A．Annoyed.

B．Abandoned.

C．Discouraged.

D．Wronged.

3. What can we learn about the woman the author met in the church?

A．She played a joke on the author.

B．She knew the author’s problem.

C．She wanted to sing like the author.

D．She appreciated the author’s voice.

4. What does the author intend to tell us in the text?

A．Don’t act for others’ judgement.	B．Love whatever you want to do.
C．Learn from your past mistakes.	D．Hard work will finally pay off.