1 . Are you terrified of what’s to come in the future? What if we don’t get into our dream schools? What’s plan B? So much is on our 17-to 18-year-old minds. I didn’t exactly create aback up plan. I just adapted to every new situation I was put in.Here’s how my life didn’t go as planned, but I’m happier than ever.
In the year of 2016, I went into my dream school—Washington State University, where I’d beat tending school to study engineering. I visited my future school after I was already accepted. It was a school away from a major city. Cold feet came over me and I backed out of the school just before orientation (适应). This was a tough decision, but my heart wasn’t in it.When your heart isn’t in it, all you need to do is adjust.
My mom and I went to the Army recruiter’s (征兵人员的) office, where I enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Engineer. I’d never had a firm grasp of my identity from high school, so attending a military boot camp gave me a clean slate (新的开始), where I could become the person I wanted to be. When I came back home as an Army Engineer, I became one of the most confident people in my household. Everything seemed to be going to a plan that I had barely thought out. By the time I returned home in July of 2017 from Engineer training, I decided to enroll in my local community college. I had no high expectations for how community college would go. Turns out that my college was one of the best in the area and had a very diverse group of people from high schools I’d never interacted with. The people I met through clubs and classes at community college were beyond amazing people. I have friends for life.
I would not be where I am today without taking so many risks. I am grateful to my supportive parents and enlightening friends.
1. What’s the author’s purpose in raising the questions in paragraph 1?| A．To introduce the topic. |
| B．To explain a concept. |
| C．To give background information. |
| D．To present an important fact. |
| A．Changing his major. |
| B．Dropping out of school. |
| C．Accepting the cold weather. |
| D．Moving to a big city. |
| A．More easy-going. |
| B．More thoughtful. |
| C．More optimistic. |
| D．More communicative. |
| A．Living from the heart can be happier. |
| B．Attending college is never late. |
| C．Future is impossible to predict. |
| D．Lucky people always take risks. |
2 . Do you remember the last time you got excited over a pair of shoes? Sure, you might have appreciated them, but did you jump for joy and act like they were the greatest thing you’d ever seen? You may not think that shoes are something worth going crazy over, but this woman would disagree. After all, she went wild when she put a pair on for the first time in her life.
It’s amazing how often we take advantage of things in life. When we’re used to something, we don’t always appreciate how lucky we are to have it. While we’re here complaining that our WiFi isn’t fast enough and our videos keep buffering, there are people in Africa who don’t even get to eat three meals a day. While most people work hard for the things they own, it’s important to stop and think of what others don’t have every now and again.
That’s what Laura Grier did one day. The woman was in Bwindi National Park, Uganda, when she felt obliged to stop and help someone by the side of the road. The person in question was standing around without any shoes on, and the sight convinced Grier to give up her own footwear. She had more shoes at home, while this woman had never even worn a pair before.
Laura’s generosity was definitely appreciated by the stranger who treated her benefactor to a celebratory dance. The woman couldn’t keep the smile from her face as she went wild in her brand new shoes. Grier was thrilled that her good deed had made the stranger so happy, and she cheered on the Ugandan woman as she danced in the street.
The next time you buy a pair of shoes, remember how lucky you are to have them.
1. Why did Laura Grier give her shoes to the woman?| A．To show her generosity. | B．To get permission to pass by. |
| C．To offer her help. | D．To reward her dance for her. |
| A．Nervous. | B．Excited. | C．Thankful. | D．Lucky. |
| A．Never expect too much of life. | B．Try to know more about Africa. |
| C．Don’t admire what others have. | D．Appreciate what we already have. |
| A．One Woman Overjoyed by Her First Pair of Shoes |
| B．One Lady Forced to Offer Her Pair of Footwear |
| C．Ugandan Woman Dances to Welcome Her Guest |
| D．Grier Greatly Thrilled at Beautiful African Dance |
