1 . A tsunami （海啸）was coming when we landed in Tokyo． Not a natural tsunami， but a family one． My husband， my two stepkids and I arrived tired by our lack of sleep on the flight， and my stepdaughter and I were still not speaking after an argument from the day before． To add to our troubles， a public holiday meant there was nowhere open for breakfast． There we were， together 24/7 for the next two weeks．

My stepson， 11 years old and always attached to his iPhone is shy． Meanwhile， my 14﹣year﹣old stepdaughter never says thank you．

Yet， over the course of the holiday， the kids found their rhythm．

On our last night in Tokyo， we found our way to a local restaurant． Sitting at a small corner table， surrounded by locals after a hard day？s work》 we enjoyed some beautiful Japanese food． Finally， after 10 long days of trying to find a rhythm that suited us all， we talked．

For once， bonding replaced eye﹣rolling and， instead of the usual one﹣word reports after a day at school， our conversation was filled with warmth and love as we shared our favorite vacation experiences．

There was the moment when my stepson joined locals as they washed their hands and faces at a well，to cleanse themselves before burning incense （焚香）at a temple．Or the time when my stepdaughter chased deer in a park so she could feed them． And the time when we walked through a maze of market stalls and laneways to find what we thought was a simple noodle restaurant， only to be greeted by a charming garden filled with locals sharing a meal．

As we walked away from our dinner， darkness fell． The stone lanterns gradually came to life，and I whispered，for the first time in a long time，"Thank you， "

1. What can we infer from the first paragraph？

A．The family doesn't like Japanese food．

B．The family didn't sleep well in the hotel．

C．The author wasn't expecting a relaxing holiday．

D．A tsunami happened when the family got to Japan．

2. During the time in Japan， the children　 　．

A．became friendly and peaceful

B．made many friends with local people

C．tested their parents in different ways

D．encouraged each other to be confident

3. Which of the following best describes the family's last dinner in Tokyo？

A．They were too tired to speak．

B．They had a good conversation．

C．They sat quietly while they ate．

D．The kids seemed very impatient．

4. How did the author feel about the trip in the end？

A．Puzzled．

B．Hopeful．

C．Exhausted．

D．Grateful．

2 . Today, after 10 days of medical treatment, for the first time, I went out alone to meet a motherly lady who I had met during my stay in a program. She had been unwell recently and lived alone. Her sons live in foreign countries.

After I called her and told about my plan to visit her, she started becoming excited and planning food at once. Nowadays, she has a lady cook coming by to help her but she does part of the work herself with her bandaged (绷带) leg.

I reached her home alone after being guided a couple of times by her before. I carried little things (snacks, books etc.) for her. She had been waiting for some time when I arrived. We talked about different things from health to her life and mine, from past to future, from food to travel etc. During the discussion, her care for me became clear when she made warm suggestions or supported me.

During the last few months, she had struggled with health and housework. She had got over those difficulties and here she was telling me how all of us must face some problems. She had seen a few people facing worse problems in the hospital and mentioned about their cases and was grateful for her present condition which was manageable.

She wanted to gift me something—she kept thinking of a dress, watch, footwear etc. whatever was new and great in her home. I kept refusing but finally took the footwear out of politeness.

She loved the snacks I had brought and wanted to eat them with her tea, I was quite happy to see the childlike interest.

While I was spending time with my motherly friend, the following thought kept coming back to me—probably this is why I have lived through the 10 days in this city. The time I spent with her seemed so much needed. I felt the deep peace it could bring to me and that brought such a big joy!

1. How did the elderly lady feel when she heard the author’s visit?

A．Shocked.

B．Pleased.

C．Nervous.

D．Embarrassed.

2. What can we learn about the lady from her talks with the author?

A．She was considerate and very healthy.

B．She wished the author lo live with her.

C．She showed much concern to her bandaged leg.

D．She was grateful compared with those less fortunate.

3. Why did the author accept the lady’s gift?

A．It is impolite to turn down the warm-hearted offer.

B．She happened to need such shoes to wear.

C．It would be a waste to keep shoes unused.

D．She wanted to exchange gifts with her.

4. How did the time spent with the lady benefit the author?

A．It enabled the author to live in the city so long.

B．It gave the author a lot of advice on a better life.

C．It helped the author to keep a peaceful mind.

D．It helped the author stay away from loneliness in life.

3 . The Gift of Life

Most couples demonstrate their love on February 14 with flowers or chocolates.But these   four men and women have offered the ultimate loving gesture—the gift of life.Each sacrifice   has enabled their loved ones to live full and active lives again after serious illness.

I’D Do THE SAME FORHER

Michele Johnson，53，has been married to Gay，57，for 26 years.

With her husband suffering from a congenital(先天性的)kidney condition，in 2013 Michele   gave him one of hem.Gay said:“I needed to be hooked up to a dialysis(透析)machine.I had no quality of life at all.However，I felt great as soon as I woke up after the operation.I told her I’d do the same for her.”

I LOVE BRENDA TO BITS

Brenda Green，62，met her husband Keith，63，when she was 24 and they married five years later.When Brenda was told five years ago she needed a kidney transplant，she cried.IⅡgive you mine.”Keith said without hesitation.“Brenda is my wife and I love her to bits.”

MY WIFE’S MY HERO

Stephen Heavyside，61，and wife Patricia，62，have been married for 40 years.Stephen said:“I was diagnosed with adult polycystic kidney disease five years ago.Patricia took good   care of me and donated a kidney.This has brought us even closer.”

He said“Patricia’s gift changed my life.She is my hero.”

DECISION WAS EASY

Anna Stevens，48，and husband Gary，53，of Watford，Herts，have been wed for 23   years.Anna donated a kidney to her husband.She said of the transplant:“It was the easiest   decision I’ve ever made.”Gary said.“There’s only two words that I can use to describe her:   My angel.”

1. How was Michele Johnson’s husband before the operation?

A．He suddenly suffered from kidney disease.

B．He had to be on dialysis a long time.

C．He didn’t want to live any longer.

D．He felt great in spite of the sickness.

2. Why did Stephen Heavyside say her wife was his hero?

A．They had been married for a long time.

B．They had got along well with each other.

C．She took good care of him after he got ill.

D．He recovered because of his wife’s gift.

3. What can we know about the four couples?

A．Four wives donated their kidneys to their husbands.

B．They had all been married more than 20 years.

C．The patients suffered from congenital kidney disease.

D．They demonstrate their love with flowers or chocolates.

4 . With golden sunshine and a gentle breeze（微风）, autumn is the most beautiful seasons in the year. This is a great time to go outside and have fun. Go to a valley to see red maple trees,go and pick fruit in an orchard or find an open field to fly your kite in.

However, for many high school students, these great activities may be just a dream. With plenty of work to do, they spend all their hours indoors, struggling for a high mark in their exams. Of course, study is one of the most important things for teenagers. But life is definitely much more than that.

Sometimes we spend so much time studying that we forget how to make life wonderful. In doing so, we lose the real purpose of life —to be a valuable and happy person. To enjoy just how great it is to be alive, we have to put down our books and pens and look around us. Students, take some exercise to improve your health, talk with your parents and friends for understanding and walk around outside to refresh（振作）our body and mind.

Going out and enjoying the beautiful countryside often helps our creativity in our work. Chinese craftsman, Lu Ban created a saw to help woodworkers. But if he hadn’t walked outside, he would not have been inspired by a kind of toothed（锯齿状的）grass. We could also suppose if Newton hadn’t rested under that apple tree, then he wouldn’t have been hit by an apple, and his classic（经典的）theories would not have come out.

Going out is not only a break from hard work, but a chance to add to life experience. So come on, give your brain a good rest. Step out of the books and get your bag ready for an autumn outing. We are sure you will get much more than knowledge from the exciting journey.

1. In which paragraph does the writer make a summary about his opinion?

A．Paragraph 1.	B．Paragraph 2.
C．Paragraph 4.	D．Paragraph 5.

2. Why is going out a dream for many high school students?

A．They are unhappy to do so.

B．They have too much work to do for getting high marks in the exams.

C．Their parents don’t allow them to do so.

D．They think study is the most important thing for them.

3. The passage is developed mainly by______________.

A．describing the beautiful scenery in Autumn

B．pointing out the present situation of high school students

C．making predictions

D．reasoning and giving examples

4. What message can you learn from the passage?

A．Going out can make high school students get more.

B．Nature is power.

C．All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

D．The author isn’t happy with our education at all.

5 . When I was about 4 years old, I decided to go to Disney World. For most young kids, it’s a normal request, but I had cerebral palsy (脑瘫). Walking into anywhere, let alone a crowded place like Disney World was, to put it lightly, a tall order. Luckily, I had people in my corner to help me. Over the next three years, I worked with physical doctors, acquired a walker, and practiced walking, standing, and balance — all skills that I would need to turn my goal into a reality.

I remember the feeling when my legs would protest doing any more work. Despite this, everyone else told me I could do it, so I kept it up. It was all because of people like my parents, brothers, teachers, and doctors that I was able to grow so much, both physically and mentally. Constantly pushing me to “walk on,” yet encouraging me whenever I needed it.

On June 9, 2008, as I stood in the tunnel leading into Main Street, my dad asked me if I wanted any help. I instantly replied, “No!” and situated myself facing the end of the tunnel, feet planted firmly, heart most likely beating out of my chest. Then I went, walking ever so slowly at first, then gradually speeding up. Step, step, step, step, bump. Holding fast onto the handlebars, I gathered up all my strength, picked up my walker and straightened out, picking up my pace once again. It wasn’t too long before the cheering increased because I had made it to the end, where my mom was waiting with tears in her eyes and arms open wide ready to hug her son and tell him how proud she was.

Looking back on that experience, I realize something pretty thoughtful. Every once in a while, life will throw a few bumps in the road. Though it may set you back for a bit, don’t let it stop you. Pick yourself back up and finish. It’s worth it. Besides, there just might be someone there cheering you on along the way.

1. Which of the following best explains “a tall order” underlined in paragraph 1?

A．An easy decision.	B．An available action.
C．A reasonable order.	D．A challenging task.

2. Why does the author say he’s lucky?

A．He eventually has his brain disease well cured.

B．He constantly gets courage and support from others.

C．He is likely to do any kind of work in his later life.

D．He is naturally gifted in keeping balance on his own.

3. The author gives a vivid picture of himself in paragraph 3 to______.

A．explain he was terrified to take the first step

B．describe he took pride in his mother and friends

C．show how he managed to walk by himself

D．prove how he understood to respect others

4. What can be the best title of the text?

A．Where Dreams Come True	B．When Bad Fortune Falls
C．How I Value Friendship	D．Why I Look Back My Life

6 . There is no such thing as a “bad memory”.     1    , as long as you are not suffering from memory loss as a medical condition. If you want to improve your memory, there are a number of things you can do.

Stop thinking that you have a “bad memory”.     2    . Too many people get stuck here and convince themselves their memory is bad. Erase those thoughts and vow to improve your memory. Celebrate even little achievements to keep yourself motivated.

Exercise your brain. Regularly “exercising” the brain keeps it growing and help improve memory.     3    .By developing new mental skills -- especially complex ones such as learning a new language or learning to play a new musical instrument, you can keep your brain active and improve its physiological functioning.

Give yourself time to form a memory. Memories are very fragile in the short term, and distractions can make you quickly forget something as simple as a phone number. The key to avoid losing memories is to be able to focus on the thing to be remembered for a while without thinking about other things.     4    .

    5    . Often we forget things not because our memory is bad, but rather because our observational skills need work. One way to become more observant is to look at a photo for a few seconds and then describe as many details about it as possible. With regular practice you will find you’re able to remember more details with even shorter glimpses of the photos.

A．Practice your describing skills regularly

B．So when you’re trying to remember something, avoid distractions for a few minutes

C．Take better pictures

D．Everyone can improve their memory

E．A large portion (部分) of your brain is activated when it learns a new skill

F．So the more time you spend, the better your memory will be

G．Convince yourself that you do have a good memory that will improve

7 . Being a teenager can be tough. “Troubled” and “rebellious(叛逆的)” are often labels that people give kids in their teens. There are even scientific theories explaining that the likelihood of teenagers taking is due to the fact that their brains aren’t fully developed yet.     1    

But a new study by researches at the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University may have finally cleared up this misunderstanding.     2    They simply are easily attracted by new things and are eager to explore the world.

The adolescents(青少年) lack experience.     3    This personality trait(特征)is called “sensation seeking”, which is shared by a lot of people and usually peaks during adolescence.

Instead of being something to worry about, sensation seeking is actually necessary, since the process of learning usually goes hand in hand with taking risks. "Teenagers need to build experience so that they can do a better job in making the difficult and risky decisions in later life. ‘Should I take this job? or ‘     4    ’ ”said Valerie Reyna, co–author of the study.

“    5    If they don't make a mistake in their teenage years, they will have no life experience when they turn 18 and step out of their parents' protection and into a world that 's unknown to them. Kids need the freedom to test out boundaries while still in a safe environment,” wrote Ann Robinson, editor of The Guardian.

A．Should I marry this person?

B．It turns out that teenagers are fine.

C．Adolescents should do as follows.

D．What can parents do to help the kids?

E．There's something scarier than taking a risk.

F．In other words, they just can t help it.

G．Therefore, they keep trying things out for the first time in their life.

8 . It was Groundhog Day. A winter storm had hit overnight too. I tried to open my backdoor only to find six inches of wet, heavy snow piled up against it. I knew I had quite a job of shoveling out ahead of me, so I reached over to grab my snow shovel. It looked a lot more ready to work than I did. I sighed and pulled on my boots, gloves, and heavy coat.

The wind chill was below zero and cut into my face as I slowly shoveled off my deck. After that I stayed my way over to my daughter’s house shoveling the path as I walked. It took a while to get her driveway clear and I knew I still had a lot to do. Next came the paths down the hill to my own cars covered in snow. I had grabbed the broom to sweep them off as well. I winced when the breeze blew the swept snow back into my face. Then I started to shovel out my driveways. My back was aching as I worked. I wished I could be building a snowman instead of shoveling. Winter sure had seemed a lot more fun when I was a boy.

When I was done I examined my work. It didn’t look half bad. I smiled and looked at the woods covered in white. They were such a special sight. I leaned on my shovel and took it all in. Then I started up the hill with the snow shovel in one hand and the broom in the other. Suddenly, an urge came over me and I dropped them both. I spread my arms, fed back into the blanket of white and happily moved my arms and legs to make an angel in the snow.

As you go through the seasons of this life take joy in your work. Take joy in your life. Remember that the course of your days rests in your own hands.

1. What’s the theme of the text?

A．Enjoy winter work.	B．Take things seriously.
C．Take joy in your life.	D．Fight against cold.

2. Which is the correct order of what the author shoveled?

A．his deck-his daughter’s driveway-his cars-his driveway

B．his cars-his deck-his daughter’s driveway-his driveway

C．his daughter’s driveway-his deck-his driveway-his cars

D．his driveway-his daughter’s driveway-his cars-his deck

3. What can we conclude about the author from Paragraph 3?

A．He was not satisfied with his work.

B．He was absorbed in the snow sight.

C．He was fond of making snowmen.

D．He was in low spirits after work.

9 . When I was a kid in Minnesota, watermelon was a delicacy(美味). One of my father's buddies, Bernie, was a successful fruit-and-vegetable wholesaler, who operated a warehouse in St. Paul.

Every summer, when the first watermelons rolled in, Bernie would call. Dad and I would go to Bernie's warehouse and take up our positions. We'd sit on the edge of the dock, feet dangling（摇晃）, and lean over, minimizing the volume of juice we were about to spill on ourselves.

Bernie would take his machete（刀）, crack our first watermelon, hand us both a big piece and sit down next to us. Then we'd bury our faces in watermelon, eating only the heart - the reddest, juiciest, firmest, most seed-free, most perfect part - and throw away the rest.

Bernie was my father's idea of a rich man. I always thought it was because he was such a successful businessman. Years later, I realized that what my father admired about Bernie's wealth was less its substance than its application. Bernie knew how to stop working, get together with friends and eat only the heart of the watermelon.

What I learned from Bernie is that being rich is a state of mind. Some of us, no matter how much money we have, will never be free enough to eat only the heart of the watermelon. Others are rich without ever being more than a paycheck ahead.

If you don't take the time to dangle your feet over the dock and chomp into life's small pleasures, your career is probably overwhelming your life.

For many years, I forgot that lesson I'd learned as a kid on the loading dock. I was too busy making all the money I could.

Well, I've relearned it. I hope I have time left to enjoy the accomplishments of others and to take pleasure in the day. That's the heart of the watermelon. I have learned again to throw the rest away.

Finally, I am rich.

1. Why did the author's father think Bernie was a rich man?

A．Because Bernie was a successful businessman.

B．Because his father admired Bernie's wealth.

C．Because Bernie was good at making friends.

D．Because Bernie knew how to fully enjoy life.

2. What did the author learn from Bernie?

A．Being free is what he pursues.

B．Being rich is a state of mind.

C．A lot of money makes him happy.

D．He likes paying all the bills.

3. According to the text, what does “the heart of the watermelon” mean to the author?

A．Making a lot of money.

B．Having more watermelons.

C．Being a wholesaler.

D．Enjoying every day.

4. What's the purpose of the text?

A．To introduce a successful person in business.

B．To warn us of the hardships of becoming rich.

C．To remind us of the true meaning of richness.

D．To give tips on how to work with others.

10 . Facing the Enemies Within

We are not born with courage, but neither are we born with fear. Fears, even the most basic ones, can totally ruin our ambitions (雄心壮志). Fear can ruin fortunes. Fear can ruin relationships. Fear, if left unchecked, can ruin our lives. Fear is one of the many enemies living inside us.

    1    .

The first enemy we face is indecision. Indecision is the thief of opportunity,    2    . Take a sword to this enemy.

The second enemy inside is doubt.    3    , But you also can’t let doubt take over. Many people doubt the past, doubt the future, doubt each other, doubt the government, doubt the possibilities and doubt the opportunities. Worse of all, they doubt themselves. I’m telling you, doubt will ruin your life and your chances of success. It will empty both your bank account and your heart.    4    

Do battle with the enemy. Do battle with your fears.    5    . Be courageous in your life and in your pursuit of the things you want and the person you want to become.

A．Sure, there’s room for healthy doubt. You can’t believe everything.

B．Build your courage to fight what’s holding you back, what’s keeping you from your goals and dreams.

C．Let me tell you about two of the other enemies we face from within.

D．Below are the ways which might be useful for us to overcome our fears.

E．Doubt is an enemy. Go after it. Get rid of it.

F．It will steal your chances for a better future.

G．Some people doubt everything.