1 . 阅读下列短文，根据短文内容填空，在未给提示词的空白处仅填写1个适当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。

Old Tom sent his four sons to look at an apple tree in different seasons,     1     he wanted them to learn not to judge things too quickly. The first son went in winter, the second in spring, the third in summer, and the youngest in autumn. When they all came back, he asked for the     2     (describe) about what they had seen. The sons had different opinions. Tom then told them     3     they shouldn’t judge a tree, or a person, by only one season.

2 . Communication with a Stranger

Last weekend I sat on the bus talking with excitement and so ready to spend time in New York City with one of my best friends from college. As I took the window seat and ____ headphones over ears, I almost didn't notice the elderly man sitting beside me.

Two hours passed and I was still absorbed in my own world. ______ the elderly man asked me a question, a simple question ______ the bus's Wi-Fi connection, which turned into a two- hour ______. In fact, it directly ______ my personal life.

We talked a lot about my dreams, my fears and my life. I ______ more with this stranger on the bus than I have with any friend or family member in months. Maybe it had something to do with me just being ______ to let anyone I know close to me. I was ______ that the stranger was not only so deeply interested in getting to know me, but also just as willing to ______ me to my greatest abilities. He listened carefully to every word I said and made some useful ______ at times. Instead of politely _______ his head when I mentioned my major, he told me that my strong liking seemed to be psychology, but not the one I was studying. He said that he knew I would face difficulties if I studied psychology and that he fully understood my ______ for the failure.

This elderly man made me ______ the plans that I had laid out for my life with just that simple statement. He helped me realize that my neatly ______ plan for the next five years of my life wasn't all that neat, but actually complex and filled with _______. Most of all, he helped me ______ the complex, not stay away from it because of my fear for the unknown. I ______ a lot from talking with the elderly stranger.

A few days later, he emailed me, saying, "I think you're ______ for great things no matter what you decide to do." The email was filled with words of ______. In a few hours a stranger showed me a sense of kindness that made me realize that life is sometimes ______ but it is going to be okay.

1.

A．placed

B．wore

C．took

D．raised

2.

A．Then

B．Instead

C．Again

D．Also

3.

A．through

B．with

C．during

D．about

4.

A．introduction

B．explanation

C．conversation

D．competition

5.

A．affected

B．controlled

C．interrupted

D．created

6.

A．searched

B．shared

C．demanded

D．reviewed

7.

A．sorry

B．curious

C．anxious

D．afraid

8.

A．puzzled

B．bothered

C．amazed

D．disappointed

9.

A．push

B．invite

C．treat

D．admit

10.

A．choices

B．suggestions

C．decisions

D．efforts

11.

A．raising

B．dropping

C．turning

D．nodding

12.

A．regret

B．change

C．fear

D．desire

13.

A．prepare

B．develop

C．approve

D．question

14.

A．replaced

B．organized

C．discussed

D．predicted

15.

A．uncertainty

B．danger

C．responsibility

D．conflict

16.

A．identify

B．ignore

C．seize

D．accept

17.

A．suffered

B．increased

C．benefited

D．experienced

18.

A．leaving

B．heading

C．watching

D．caring

19.

A．encouragement

B．protection

C．admiration

D．description

20.

A．stable

B．normal

C．painful

D．serious

3 . From Disappointment to Purpose

I’m known for my determination. If I want something, I _______ for it; I refuse to give up ___________ I succeed. Over the years this attitude has worked well for me and helped me achieve my goals. For example, when I wanted to be on the dance team at school, I learned all the dances and practiced until I could hardly _________. And when I wanted money for a new computer, I washed cars, babysat, and walked dogs for all my neighbors.

_______ this year everything changed. I had set my sights on a summer _______that I was determined to get at the Water Zone, because the employees there could go on the water rides after their work and get free food at the snack bar. It was the _________ job to have on hot summer vacations. So just as I had achieved every goal in the past, I set out to _________ the job. I completed the application in my neatest handwriting, carefully prepared for my interview, and gathered a pack of _______ letters. I was certain that nothing could keep me from my dream job.

But after my ___________, the manager of the Water Zone told me that he could hire only those with experience in water safety. I was ____________. I felt like a failure.

On the last weekend before school ended, my teacher, Mrs. Keller, asked me __________ I would be interested in the kids’ summer day camp. I decided that I had nothing to __________, so I called the manager and ____________ an interview. She was ____________ by my babysitting experience and employed me. In less than a week, I had completely __________ about wanting to work at the water park. Each time I comforted a little boy who missed his mother or a little girl who needed to help tying her shoes, I felt I was doing something __________. I realized that I had discovered my life’s __________: to work with children. I now have a new goal. I’m going to study to become an elementary school teacher.

Sometimes in life we don’t get __________ what we want. Our dream guy or girl may not be interested in us. The coach may not select us for the team. A certain employer may not choose to hire us. It’s natural to feel __________; I sure did. But I also learned an important lesson. Occasionally, when we don’t get what we want, something even ____________ is waiting for us around the corner!

1.

A．go

B．apply

C．cheer

D．wait

2.

A．when

B．until

C．since

D．once

3.

A．smile

B．speak

C．think

D．move

4.

A．Otherwise

B．So

C．But

D．Therefore

5.

A．day

B．course

C．job

D．camp

6.

A．perfect

B．tough

C．regular

D．potential

7.

A．land

B．quit

C．change

D．keep

8.

A．instruction

B．application

C．recommendation

D．invitation

9.

A．practice

B．interview

C．expectation

D．experiment

10.

A．promoted

B．punished

C．selected

D．refused

11.

A．how

B．whether

C．what

D．why

12.

A．save

B．learn

C．lose

D．regret

13.

A．scheduled

B．cancelled

C．mentioned

D．gave

14.

A．inspired

B．impressed

C．touched

D．puzzled

15.

A．doubted

B．complained

C．forgotten

D．known

16.

A．challenging

B．reasonable

C．traditional

D．significant

17.

A．track

B．motto

C．belief

D．purpose

18.

A．only

B．exactly

C．properly

D．immediately

19.

A．curious

B．nervous

C．disappointed

D．interested

20.

A．better

B．easier

C．higher

D．crazier

4 . A star athlete at the college where I work recently stopped by my office. After committing a few unforced errors during a weekend match, she was riven by self-criticism. “I’m at peak fitness, and I practice hard. How is this happening?” She asked.

This student believes she should be able to control the outcomes of her life by virtue of her hard work. She has a sense that hours on the field should get her exactly where she needs to go. Many students have similar mentality. When they win, they feel powerful and smart. When they fail, they are crushed by self-blame. If my achievements are mine to control, they reason, my failures must be entirely my fault, too.

We talk often about young adults struggling with failure because their parents have protected them from discomfort. But there is something else at play: a false promise that they can achieve anything if they are willing to work for it.

Psychologists have sourced this phenomenon to a misapplication of “mindset” research, which has found that praising children for effort will increase academic performance. A 2018 analysis found that while praising effort over ability may benefit economically disadvantaged students, it does not necessarily help everyone.

One possible explanation comes from Suniya Luthar, who argued in a research paper that for teens in wealthy, pressure-cooker communities, “it is not a lack of motivation and perseverance (毅力) that is the big problem. Instead, it is unhealthy perfectionism, and difficulty with backing off when they should, when the desire for achievements is over the top.” They push themselves onward in face of impossible goals. A 2007 study found that teens who refused to give up impossible goals showed higher levels of C-reaction protein, a marker of systemic inflammation (全身炎症) linked to heart disease and other medical conditions. A 2014 study showed a connection between the perfectionist tendencies and depression.

The cruel reality is that you can do everything in your power and still fail. Instead of allowing our kids to beat themselves up when things don’t go their way, we adults should help students pursue success in healthier ways in part by redefining failure as a feature, not a bug, of learning. At Smith College where I teach, students are asked to explore how setbacks and missteps made them stronger or more effective. We would be wise to remind our kids that life has a way of sucker-punching (意外打击) us when we least expect it. It’s often the people who learn to say “stuff happens” who get up the fastest.

1. Why was star athlete trapped by self-blame?

A．She broke down during the match.

B．She didn’t try her best in the match.

C．She believed hard work should pay off.

D．She thought she should have practiced harder.

2. What can we learn from Paragraph 5?

A．Lack of motivation and perseverance leads to teens’ failure.

B．Praising children for effort increases academic performance.

C．Children struggle with failure due to parents’ over-protection.

D．Unhealthy perfectionism causes physical and emotional stress.

3. According to the author, adults should _________.

A．help students learn from failure

B．protect students from discomfort

C．reward students for their hard work

D．explore the cause of students’ failure

4. Which of the following does the author probably agree with?

A．Effort equals achievement.

B．Motivation is the key to success.

C．Success is not always under control.

D．Effort is more important than ability.

5 . New Distractions (使人分心的事)

Madeline’s family vacation to the beach was usually the highlight of her summer. This year, however, her parents announced a new _____ no phones allowed for the entire week. “No distractions,” they said. “But my friends will be _____ updates,” Madeline protested. “They’ll have to _____,” her mom said. “What if something bad happens?” Madeline changed her _____ Her mom shook her head as she opened a drawer. Madeline saw that her parents’ phones were already in it. Madeline had to _____ her phone in, too. The drive to the beach house took most of the day. That night after dinner, Madeline wandered into the kitchen, where her father was _____ dishes. “Still hungry?” he asked. “No,” she answered. Then she gave him a _____ look and said in her sweetest voice, “Couldn’t I have my phone back? Just so I can tell everyone what a(n) _____ time I’m having?” “Can’t,” he said. “It’s not here. Remember? _____ out the bookcase in the living room,” he suggested. “Might find something you like.” She walked into the living room and spotted a jigsaw puzzle (拼图玩具) on the bookcase. She took it, put the pieces on the table, and began to _____ them. After what seemed like minutes, she looked up. It was past ten o'clock. She had been _____ for almost two hours! The puzzle was less than half done. It would have been nice to _____ a picture of the puzzle with   her friends, she thought. The next morning, a golden sun was rising over the blue ocean. The sky was cloudless. The scene _____ Madeline of a photo that Brandi had shared. Her friends had oohed and ahhed over it. This view was even better. It would leave everyone _____ Madeline’s hand _____ to the bedside   table, but there was nothing there.

That evening, Madeline lost herself in the jigsaw puzzle again. She felt a little excited every time the shapes _____. Soon, all that were left were a few gaps. She quickly put the remaining pieces into place. The puzzle was _____.

She stepped back to _____ the finished puzzle. The picture showed an old painting of several farmhands working in a brown field and there was a giant rainbow arching across the sky.

Madeline enjoyed the puzzle for a few minutes, trying to _____ the image in her mind. Then, she quietly started taking it _____. That, she thought, was just for me.

1.

A．rule

B．result

C．date

D．discovery

2.

A．providing

B．expecting

C．considering

D．selecting

3.

A．wait

B．guess

C．search

D．judge

4.

A．behaviour

B．strategy

C．mind

D．mood

5.

A．bring

B．hide

C．push

D．drop

6.

A．serving

B．preparing

C．washing

D．cooking

7.

A．curious

B．serious

C．strange

D．loving

8.

A．limited

B．amazing

C．boring

D．ordinary

9.

A．Pick

B．Figure

C．Clean

D．Check

10.

A．collect

B．sort

C．mix

D．examine

11.

A．reading

B．thinking

C．working

D．watching

12.

A．share

B．draw

C．explain

D．discuss

13.

A．warned

B．reminded

C．convinced

D．persuaded

14.

A．speechless

B．hopeless

C．amused

D．confused

15.

A．rolled

B．pointed

C．shot

D．rose

16.

A．moved

B．changed

C．met

D．gathered

17.

A．clear

B．separate

C．complex

D．complete

18.

A．recognize

B．resolve

C．appreciate

D．describe

19.

A．preserve

B．present

C．create

D．improve

20.

A．away

B．down

C．over

D．apart

6 . Agnes de Mille was a dancer and a choreographer (编舞). Early in her career, de Mille had created the choreography for a ballet called Three Virgins and a Devil. She thought it was good work, but nobody made much of it.

A few years later, de Mille choreographed a ballet named Rodeo. Again, she thought her work was solid, but it resulted in little commercial fame.

Then, in 1943, de Mille choreographed Oklahoma!, a musical show that enjoyed nearly instant success. In the coming years, Oklahoma! would run for an incredible 2,212 performances, both around the nation and abroad. In 1955, the film version won an Academy Award.

But the success of Oklahoma! didn’t bring her much happiness. She thought that her work on Oklahoma! was only average compared to some of her other creations. She later said, “After the opening of Oklahoma!, I suddenly had unexpected success for a work I thought was only fairly good, after years of neglect for work I thought was fine. I began to think that perhaps my entire scale of values was untrustworthy. I talked to Martha.”

Martha was Martha Graham, perhaps the most influential dance choreographer of the 20th century. (Although not as well-known by the general public, Graham has been compared to other creative geniuses like Picasso or Frank Lloyd Wright.)

During their conversation, de Mille told Martha Graham about her frustration. “I confessed that I had a burning desire to be excellent, but no faith that I could be.”

Graham responded by saying:

“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.”

1. What can be learned about de Mille’s ballet named Rodeo?

A．It earned her a large fortune.	B．It made her rise to fame overnight.
C．It didn’t enjoy much success.	D．It laid a solid foundation for her career.

2. How did de Mille feel about the great success of the musical Oklahoma!?

A．Relieved.

B．Ashamed.

C．Confused.

D．Proud.

3. Picasso and Frank Lloyd Wright were mentioned in the passage to suggest that Martha Graham ______.

A．was outstanding in visual arts and architecture

B．enjoyed the same popularity as them

C．had been influenced greatly by them

D．was the most influential artist in her field

4. Which of the following statements best represents Graham’s words in this passage?

A．Comparing with others prevents you from maintaining uniqueness.

B．You should always keep yourself open to the urges that motivate you.

C．Your action reveals the inner landscape, which is the soul of music.

D．Choosing to be positive is going to determine how you live your life.

7 . “Are you going to the audition (试镜)?” Someone asked Connie, as we came out of ballet class.

“What audition?” I asked.

“Oh, nothing,” said Connie. “It’s for The Ed Sullivan Show. You wouldn’t be _______.”

The Ed Sullivan Show was a famous one-hour show on CBS. They constantly needed performers for their new shows. This time they were looking for six dancers to support the star performer Jimmy Durante.

“Why not? I’d love to go!” I _______.

Connie smiled at me and said, “I don’t think you are _______ yet, Eva.”

Later that night, I couldn’t fall asleep. It _______ me. Who said I shouldn’t go to the audition? Only because I was a young novice (新手)? How would I know if I didn’t try?

The next morning, I _______ I was going to the audition. I packed my dancing shoes, and put on bright red lipstick. As I looked at my _______ in the mirror, I saw one thing missing. I put on a smile.

I took the subway to the Eighth Avenue and walked to the rehearsal studio. I _______ and took my place nervously.

Connie and five of my other friends were there. “What are you doing here?” one asked.

I said simply, “Well, I have nothing to lose by _______.”

The look I got said, “Okay. _______.”

The audition began. All the other dancers had confident but expressions. I had a smile. ________

More and more dancers were knocked out. I was still there with my friends. Then we were asked to do a jeté en l’air ________: stand on one leg, kick the other one up and out as close to a split as possible, and then do a turn in the air. Hopefully, you’d land on both feet.

All the other candidates did the jeté beautifully. It was my turn. I took the preparatory step, and with that never-ending smile, I leaped up into the air, turned in mid-air and ________ flat on my back. But even then, the smile never ________ my face.

When everything settled down, my friends were instructed to go to the right. When I was told to go to the left, their faces told they felt ________ for me.

I picked up my belongings and prepared to leave when the choreographer called out to me, “Where are you going? You’ve got the ________if you want it.”

Did I want it? I certainly did. I thought I had been ________!

There were no jetés in the ________. I made my first appearance on national TV. I never stopped ________, and I always landed on my feet.

Had I not believed I could do it, and had I not tried, I would have ________ out on a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

It proved once again that a smile will get one ________ than a frown ever will.

1.

A．qualified

B．interested

C．available

D．suitable

2.

A．declared

B．complained

C．requested

D．suggested

3.

A．stable

B．flexible

C．ready

D．mature

4.

A．inspired

B．bothered

C．discouraged

D．shocked

5.

A．admitted

B．promised

C．confirmed

D．decided

6.

A．costume

B．shadow

C．reflection

D．reaction

7.

A．called in

B．signed in

C．logged in

D．joined in

8.

A．consulting

B．fighting

C．training

D．trying

9.

A．Whoever

B．Whatever

C．Wherever

D．Whenever

10.

A．delighted

B．proud

C．impatient

D．serious

11.

A．immediately

B．formally

C．gradually

D．individually

12.

A．landed

B．stayed

C．lay

D．hung

13.

A．approached

B．changed

C．left

D．covered

14.

A．puzzled

B．relieved

C．nervous

D．sorry

15.

A．job

B．gift

C．dance

D．reward

16.

A．dismissed

B．cheated

C．rejected

D．ignored

17.

A．show

B．contest

C．interview

D．play

18.

A．smiling

B．acting

C．laughing

D．leaping

19.

A．stood

B．taken

C．missed

D．come

20.

A．freer

B．further

C．faster

D．fitter

8 . The View from the Slow Lane

As we pulled into the driveway, I noticed that something seemed different about my mom. She was ______ away from me, her shoulders dropped and her hands relaxed. I parked the car and she turned toward me.

“Okay, we’re home,” I said, ______ that now was her time to get out and let me be on my own. She sniffled and brushed her hair behind her ears to reveal her bloodshot eyes and moist cheeks. She had been crying.

“Mom!” I whined (嘀咕着说), surprised by the tears running down her face. “Why are you crying?” I asked, ______ I already knew the answer.

I had just got my ______, which I’d been looking forward to for months. I was free — able to drive myself where I needed to go. But now that I had it in my pocket, I suddenly felt ______. I had been so quick to grow up, completely ignoring the emotions that my mom must be experiencing with her firstborn ______ adulthood.

“My baby boy is growing up too fast,” she ______ to say between deep breaths.

My heart ached. I hated to see my mom cry, and I hated more that I had been so ignorant toward her ______. I had been counting down the days, ______ waiting to enter the next stage of my life, ______ she counted down with fear and headache. The ______ and freedom I had previously felt were gone, replaced by an odd sense of mourning.

We hugged. Then she looked me in the eye and told me to drive carefully. “Of course I will,” I reassured her. She unbuckled her seatbelt, opened the door, and stepped out. I waved goodbye and pulled out of the driveway.

I had been so ______ to start speeding and skirting around corners that I’d ______ just how beautiful the ride is. Now I cruised (漫游) down the peaceful two -lane road, ______ the sights, sounds, and smells of the nature that surrounds me. At that moment I made a promise to myself, a promise to take things   ______ and to never, ever, catch myself speeding again.

Life had passed me by while I lived my days in fast ______, ignorantly wishing for tomorrow and ______ to notice all the beautiful things along the way. Friendships, victories, heartbreaks — have sped by me because I was too busy looking toward the ______. It seems life also has its own ______, and if you find yourself going too fast, you risk ______   the moments that make it so special.

Moments like this.

1.

A．facing

B．running

C．escaping

D．breaking

2.

A．fearing

B．implying

C．remembering

D．considering

3.

A．in case

B．now that

C．as though

D．even though

4.

A．car

B．offer

C．license

D．scholarship

5.

A．guilty

B．anxious

C．annoyed

D．disappointed

6.

A．crossing

B．spending

C．nearing

D．delaying

7.

A．tried

B．managed

C．intended

D．hesitated

8.

A．feelings

B．greetings

C．warning

D．waiting

9.

A．unwillingly

B．impatiently

C．nervously

D．thankfully

10.

A．so

B．and

C．for

D．while

11.

A．luck

B．honor

C．delight

D．gratitude

12.

A．afraid

B．confident

C．surprised

D．excited

13.

A．denied

B．realized

C．discovered

D．forgotten

14.

A．enjoying

B．following

C．imagining

D．recognizing

15.

A．easy

B．slow

C．wrong

D．personal

16.

A．upward

B．downward

C．forward

D．backward

17.

A．trying

B．failing

C．refusing

D．pretending

18.

A．fortune

B．scenery

C．past

D．future

19.

A．speed limit

B．fast track

C．comfort zone

D．daily routine

20.

A．wasting

B．losing

C．missing

D．deleting

9 . After working an inhuman 8-hour shift at a factory unloading (卸货) parts for cheap furniture, I got on the bus, dirty, tired and hot. I ______ that place every day looking like I worked in a coal mine. _____, I still felt a bit proud of myself as I had held this tiring job for 3months, which was extremely rare. So when I took my seat on the bus going home, I decided my ______ life would not lower my spirits today.

I was dreaming about a better and new life when I was ______ by our new passenger. She was a middle-aged woman with worn-out clothes and messy hair. She got on, aggressively and ______ pushed her way into a front seat, and then turned her glare and ______ on whoever dared to look her way.

All I could feel for this woman was ______. There was no disgust. Only pity and the familiar knowledge of being faceless, nameless, and ______ to no one. Suddenly, she turned her threatening eyes towards me and very loudly yelled, “Why you so ______ man?”

With a smile, I said, “I just came from work.” She then loudly asked if I worked in hell and broke out in laughter, so I laughed too﹣______ her and told her that was funny. Then I asked her her name as I ______ why I was so dirty. Her name was Karen.

In front of all of us on the bus that day, the power of ______ showed its beauty. In front of all of us this woman ______. Her language, her posture, and her voice, even the way she tilted (倾斜) her head when I spoke to her as a ______ changed.

As Karen was getting off the bus, she touched me ______ on the arm. With tear-filled eyes, she asked whether I’d be riding the bus the next day. I promised I ______. We waved to each other and then I got what my life had needed all along: affirmation (认可).

Everyone on the bus had been watching us and then an old woman spoke to me, “Sir, you just changed that woman with your heart. She will never forget how you ______ her. You are great.” Other passengers gave me thumbs-up signs showing their ______.

That day was the first day when I realized I am ______. People say I gave Karen something that day but actually she ______ me so much more. I now work in the field of mental health. I often tell the story of the power of kindness, and I talk about Karen and unlimited possibilities.

1.

A．reached

B．left

C．visited

D．found

2.

A．However

B．Besides

C．Therefore

D．Otherwise

3.

A．strange

B．interesting

C．unhappy

D．brave

4.

A．recognized

B．stopped

C．challenged

D．followed

5.

A．rudely

B．quietly

C．slowly

D．gently

6.

A．puzzle

B．fear

C．surprise

D．anger

7.

A．satisfaction

B．pity

C．disappointment

D．amazement

8.

A．demanding

B．controlling

C．mattering

D．appealing

9.

A．sad

B．dirty

C．nervous

D．crazy

10.

A．with

B．at

C．about

D．off

11.

A．checked

B．regretted

C．admitted

D．explained

12.

A．teamwork

B．determination

C．kindness

D．honesty

13.

A．hesitated

B．changed

C．cheered

D．agreed

14.

A．family

B．stranger

C．friend

D．teacher

15.

A．unwillingly

B．hopelessly

C．patiently

D．softly

16.

A．might

B．could

C．would

D．should

17.

A．treated

B．remembered

C．persuaded

D．missed

18.

A．humor

B．politeness

C．confidence

D．admiration

19.

A．helped

B．needed

C．understood

D．respected

20.

A．owed

B．paid

C．gave

D．lent

10 . I was lucky enough to attend the sixth UN Economic and Social Council Youth Forum,     1     was held in New York in January. At the opening ceremony, I was so impressed after meeting more than 500 fellow young people from over 200 countries and regions. I felt things I used to worry about, such as my exams or performance at school, were so small     2     (compare) to the global problems they were trying to solve.     3     young people, we should focus more on major problems, like poverty, environmental problems and healthcare facing all human beings.