1 . After the age of sixteen, as has been discovered, the number of our brain cells begins to decrease at a speed of several million a year. They simply die off. In certain types of activity, the human brain is at its highest point in the early twenties, when it has collected enough information to be able to use the vast number of cells freely in the most effective way. Pure mathematics is one of the fields in which this happens, and we know that Albert Einstein made all his world-shaking discoveries between the age of about 20 and 25, and spent the rest of his life tidying them up and arranging them.

But in certain other types of activity (of which being an author is perhaps one), experience is more important than sharpness of brain, and there one usually finds that a person reaches his or her climax much later in life.

Besides sharpness of brain and experience, here is another thing that is very important, and that is wisdom. One can have a very quick, inventive brain and plenty of experience, but if one uses these foolishly, one harms both oneself and others. Wisdom does not always come with age — there are plenty of foolish middle-aged people about — but the average person tends to learn wisdom as he gets older, usually by making painful or embarrassing mistakes. Learning to be wise is basically learning what is not possible and what is possible but so difficult that it is not worth all the trouble one has to go through to get there. Mostly, it is learning about human nature; how real people behave and react, as against how one would like them to behave and react. One can read and hear lot of idealistic stuff about how to make the world a better place, which would be found if it was based on an accurate observation of human nature, but which is basically a waste of time because it is not.

1. According to the writer, the great discoveries made by Albert Einstein were mainly a result in      .

A．sharpness of the brain	B．years of hard work
C．rich experience	D．his deep understanding of nature

2. Some people achieve success much later in life because_____.

A．they have to learn lessons from failures

B．they do not have a chance to show their talents

C．their work often requires much experience

D．they fail to realize earlier the importance of hard work

3. The importance of wisdom lies in the fact that      .

A．it helps to avoid various mistakes

B．it contributes to one’s creativity

C．it provides the right direction of efforts

D．it encourages one to go forward in face of difficulty

4. The writer came to believe that      .

A．it is always a waste of time to make plans about the future

B．one has to use wisdom in deciding what is the best thing to do

C．one should always challenge the impossible to push the society forward

D．it is human nature to make attempts on what looks impossible

2 . I was born with a genetic condition, retinitis pigmentosa（色素性视网膜炎）, and, over the years, my eyesight gradually got worse. The best way to describe it is like_________a straw which is coated by cling film（薄膜）over the_________. And a few years later, I   was almost 100% blind. When I was young, I used to get very angry if I_________something I found difficult or couldn't do because of my eyes. But over time I learned that wasn't a helpful_________. There's no point getting_________by the fact I can't see, because it won't_________it.

Of course, my great_________is climbing. People are usually_________when they discover that not only do I climb, but I also lead climbs.

At university I_________the Mountaineering Club and was able to climb much more__________. We had regular trips to indoor walls and weekends away outdoors. I met my__________Molly at a climbing club during freshers' week. We didn't climb together very much__________we were both very experienced and were normally__________up with those who hadn't done as much as we had. We were just friends at first, but eventually romance blossomed. I actually__________to her in 2017 on a climbing trip to Greenland. She said yes.

People often ask me, "Why rock climbing, it doesn't seem like a good activity for a__________person?"

But when I think about the danger,__________the road is far more dangerous, and also it's something where I'm not in control.

Doing that climb was evidence of the__________I've always had—which is that I'm not__________, I'm just blind and able.

It's quite possible that I wouldn't be as good a climber if I weren't blind—if I didn't have these challenges, it wouldn't make me__________. The__________is built through my disability.

1.

A．looking through

B．looking over

C．looking up

D．looking for

2.

A．edge

B．end

C．outside

D．inside

3.

A．avoided

B．abandoned

C．encountered

D．obtained

4.

A．excuse

B．lesson

C．process

D．response

5.

A．wounded

B．bored

C．shocked

D．pleased

6.

A．stimulate

B．change

C．accelerate

D．refuse

7.

A．advantage

B．passion

C．routine

D．target

8.

A．excited

B．demanding

C．caring

D．amazed

9.

A．quitted

B．discovered

C．joined

D．dismissed

10.

A．frequently

B．difficultly

C．comfortably

D．cautiously

11.

A．friend

B．wife

C．husband

D．sister

12.

A．once

B．while

C．so

D．because

13.

A．fed

B．messed

C．partnered

D．lined

14.

A．surrendered

B．proposed

C．attached

D．turned

15.

A．deaf

B．dumb

C．blind

D．lame

16.

A．crossing

B．paving

C．mending

D．cleaning

17.

A．love

B．career

C．misfortune

D．belief

18.

A．disabled

B．healthy

C．wealthy

D．depressed

19.

A．responsible

B．comfortable

C．available

D．focused

20.

A．kindness

B．curiosity

C．determination

D．imagination

3 . Last week the electricity in my flat went out. This left me in complete darkness the whole night.     1     But that night this wasn’t possible. My roommate and I weren’t prepared with candles and matches. We just rely on electricity.

So for me it was an early night.     2       Losing our electricity felt like losing a basic necessity, as basic as running water. But really, electricity is a luxury (奢侈品) that we’ve grown to take for granted. I use electricity all the time, even when it’s not really necessary.     3     And as I’m writing this, I have my lights on, even in the middle of the day when I don’t really need them.

    4       It contributes to global warming. It is harming our environment and we need to do what we can to stop it. Not only that, but if we continue to use the same large amount of energy, we will soon run out of it.

How would we survive in a world without electricity? Our daily lives go around it. We wouldn’t be able to function.     5       So, shouldn’t we start preparing for it now? Cutting down on our use of electricity would save energy resources so that they could last for longer.

A．Our overuse of electricity is a big problem.

B．Suddenly, we were left with nothing to do.

C．Yet we know one day we will run out of it.

D．It’s time for us to cut down on our use of electricity.

E．I couldn’t help but think, do we rely too much on electricity?

F．I turn on the TV in the background even when I’m not watching it.

G．My typical evening is spent watching TV and reading social media.

4 . I've noticed that conversations with my children have started to turn into something that I don't like. It could be my   _______ . I don't always think before I open my_______

For example, my kids would call me to tell me about something that's been _______ them. Then, as soon as they finish, I go into _______ mode.“You should...”，“You need to consider.”， “If I were you, I'd ...”

＂Mom!"The _______ is full of frustration and annoyance. The meaning is obvious－_______!

I am the queen of _______ advice. When I get one of my adult kids on the phone, I become an expert on everything, which I'm _______ not. I only want to prevent them from making mistakes. But what they _______is a listening ear and an open heart.

Giving advice to children can be full of- ________· Though we may see ourselves ________ the wisdom of our years, they see something else. They see a ________parent who hasn't accepted the fact that they are ________ with their own thoughts and feelings.

They are not   ________ any tips. They may not even want a(n) ________solution to a difficult problem. What they are ________   for is a safe place to talk with a person who loves and ________ them no matter what.

Because of this, I've given myself the ________ of being a better________ It's not an easy task for parents like me who think they are just being ________ .But I am determined.

1.

A．opinion

B．belief

C．fault

D．recognition

2.

A．door

B．mind

C．eyes

D．mouth

3.

A．bothering

B．astonishing

C．benefiting

D．encouraging

4.

A．boss

B．teacher

C．dad

D．mom

5.

A．expression

B．idiom

C．tone

D．phrase

6.

A．Continue

B．Stop

C．Look

D．Listen

7.

A．reasonable

B．useful

C．unwanted

D．convincing

8.

A．obviously

B．strongly

C．temporarily

D．particularly

9.

A．provide

B．want

C．bring

D．order

10.

A．hope

B．dangers

C．enthusiasm

D．problems

11.

A．questioning

B．collecting

C．sharing

D．judging

12.

A．energetic

B．beautiful

C．popular

D．controlling

13.

A．adults

B．kids

C．teenagers

D．managers

14.

A．looking into

B．looking for

C．looking through

D．looking at

15.

A．official

B．fair

C．,systematic

D．immediate

16.

A．hoping

B．waiting

C．applying

D．arranging

17.

A．leads

B．supports

C．demands

D．avoids

18.

A．impression

B．message

C．goal

D．title

19.

A．speaker

B．listener

C．adviser

D．partner

20.

A．helpful

B．annoying

C．flexible

D．pushing

5 . My daughter loved dance, until she didn’t. After a(n) ________ first year, I noticed her interest disappearing week by week. Then, one day, she slowly ________ to me before class and asked if she could just drop it.

My first reaction was to ________ her to “finish what you start”. After all, sticking with something difficult can teach determination, discipline and ________. But watching my first-grader drag (勉强) herself into each ballet position, I started to ________ how much that “blanket advice” meant. Is it really in my kid’s best interest, or even practical, to make her stick to every promise through until she reaches a bitter ________? What if there are different but ________ valuable qualities, which can be gained by giving up the things that are not right for her?

With the winter show coming near, I realized she needed to either drop her class or devote herself to it. After a few days’________, she decided dance wasn’t for her — a(n)________ I supported. Quitting is never a black-and-white problem. Sometimes, it means ________ a barrier in your way to love something else. In my daughter’s case, ending dance made space for her new ________, such as horseback riding and Girl Scouts. She’s into them for now, but it is okay if that still changes.

As adults, we are used to ________ the power of saying yes, but what about saying no? The ability to recognize when something isn’t a(n) ________ investment(投资) of our time or energy is also important. As my daughter gets older, I want her to feel confident to ________ something that’s no longer meeting her needs. She shouldn’t be held back by the thought that she must ________ something at any cost simply because she has started.

1.

A．annoying

B．independent

C．enthusiastic

D．confusing

2.

A．ran

B．jumped

C．climbed

D．walked

3.

A．advise

B．invite

C．allow

D．order

4.

A．worry

B．confidence

C．fright

D．kindness

5.

A．answer

B．question

C．agree

D．accept

6.

A．end

B．space

C．side

D．direction

7.

A．partly

B．hardly

C．equally

D．obviously

8.

A．description

B．consideration

C．observation

D．imagination

9.

A．challenge

B．chance

C．choice

D．failure

10.

A．setting

B．forgetting

C．building

D．clearing

11.

A．ideas

B．camps

C．courses

D．hobbies

12.

A．warning

B．doubting

C．stressing

D．ignoring

13.

A．suitable

B．unfair

C．extra

D．informal

14.

A．hold

B．quit

C．value

D．accept

15.

A．spare

B．change

C．admit

D．finish

6 . On his knees, a cute boy is packing the sand into a bucket at a beautiful beach. He turns the bucket upside down and _______ it. To the _______ of the little architect, a castle tower is created. He works all afternoon packing the walls, building sentries （哨兵）with bottle tops and bridges with sticks. And a sandcastle will be built.

In a big city with _______ streets and traffic, a man is working in an office. He packs papers into piles, holds the phone between his _______ and shoulder and _______ the keyboard with his fingers. Contracts gets signed and to the joy of the man, a _______ is made. His pension will be sentries and capital gains will be _______ . An empire will be built.

The two builders of the two castles have very much _______. They both _______smallness into greatness. They both make something beautiful out of __________ . And for both, the tide will rise and the __________ will come. Yet that is where the __________ stop. The little boy sees the end of his castle while the man __________ it. As the dusk approaches and waves near, the child __________ to his feet and begins to clap as the waves wash away his __________ . There is no sorrow, no __________ and no regret. He smiles and goes home.

The man in his office is not very __________ like the child. As his empire is fading, he is terrified, trying to __________ it. "It's my castle!” He __________     at the incoming tide.

Go ahead and build your dreams, but with a child's heart. When the sun __________ and the tides take, just applaud. Salute the process of life and go home with a smile.

1.

A．kicks

B．lifts

C．breaks

D．covers

2.

A．shock

B．sorrow

C．regret

D．delight

3.

A．lonely

B．busy

C．clean

D．empty

4.

A．hand

B．neck

C．arm

D．ear

5.

A．fixes

B．feels

C．hits

D．checks

6.

A．profit

B．point

C．record

D．wish

7.

A．bridges

B．tool

C．buckets

D．beaches

8.

A．in hand

B．in common

C．in need

D．in total

9.

A．increase

B．cut

C．shape

D．throw

10.

A．something

B．anything

C．everything

D．nothing

11.

A．award

B．victor

C．future

D．end

12.

A．similarities

B．competitions

C．differences

D．changes

13.

A．follows

B．accepts

C．ignores

D．enjoys

14.

A．jumps

B．struggles

C．sticks

D．bends

15.

A．dream

B．gift

C．masterpiece

D．memory

16.

A．excitement

B．hesitation

C．fear

D．desire

17.

A．wise

B．naughty

C．curious

D．pessimistic

18.

A．finish

B．protect

C．improve

D．collect

19.

A．glances

B．stares

C．yells

D．points

20.

A．sets

B．shines

C．rises

D．bums

7 . Why Gratitude Is Significant

As far as I'm concerned, no matter what you’re going through, there is always a reason to be thankful. But not only that — being thankful might just be exactly what you need to do if you’re going through a tough time.     1    

Researchers found that having a grateful attitude helps strengthen one’s immune system, lower blood pressure, improve sleep and motivate people to exercise regularly.     2     Practicing gratitude also has been associated with better quality of life for individuals who struggle with stress, anxiety and depression.

Having gone through a period of depression myself after cancer surgery 10 years ago, I can tell you this illness can be severe.     3     I knew I was in trouble when I couldn’t eat or sleep. It took me well over a year to come out of that dark valley.

During that time I sought forms of treatment for depression, including professional counseling and exercise. One thing recommended to me by a counselor was keeping a gratitude journal.     4     This simple exercise lifts my sight out of the darkness and helps me see the truth around: there are people who love and care for you, there’s purpose in life.

    5     In reality, there is no single cure for it. If suffering, you may prefer to seek professional counseling and care. Still, I would encourage you to practice gratitude. Think of a few things you can thank life for. You might be surprised by how significant an effect it can have.

A．Every day, I would set down three things I was thankful for in life.

B．Now I realize depression does not go away by practicing a single exercise.

C．It itself carries a host of health benefits.

D．Being grateful accounts for your recovery.

E．Gratitude is good for your mind, body and soul.

F．Depression makes you feel as if you are dead inside.

G．For example, I would sincerely convey my gratitude loudly.

8 . Looking at a pile of old photos, I couldn’t help feeling rather regretful.

I’ve never got into the habit of sorting out photos. However, it’s almost a habit of mine to have photos taken thoughtlessly. Thus, photos have been piling up in my childhood to womanhood. In spite of that, those black-and-white pictures taken in my early years are rarely kept, except a few survivals regarded as antiques. The bald baby picture of me that I treasured, the only one left, it’s now missing.

Familiar faces flash one by one before my eyes. Though the world is so small and we all live in it, yet we are separated by physical and psychological distances, some smaller, some larger. With the passage of time, one cannot, regretfully relive (重温) it with the same feeling as one had in the picture. What one can get from the old photos is but a bit of the past joy.

One takes pictures with different persons in different time and places. They fill one with nostalgia (怀旧) in various degrees — some more, some less, and others none. That’s why one has conflicting feelings towards the old photos. Still kept with the current ones, they’re even less favored than a daily-used cup, which is always close to the owner.

How these pieces of thought influence me! Photos keep our images rather than our sentiment, which may not remain. The image is always there but not its owner, whom the photo can’t keep, neither can it keep the event.

Of course, there are some of the photos still holding my affection, such as those taken with my family members, with favorite playmates, fellow girl-students and best friends, not only in pictures but also in my life and heart.

Now, since I have learned all this, I will not allow myself to be included casually in a photo taken with others. I’ll make sure that the friendship can last before I take a photo with somebody.

1. Why did the writer have only a few black-and-white pictures?

A．She took fewer of them.	B．She took photos thoughtlessly.
C．She didn’t take good care of them.	D．She only liked the bald baby picture.

2. What can we get from the old photos according to the writer?

A．All the past events.	B．All the past excitement.
C．Some past happiness.	D．The everlasting memory.

3. What does the underlined word “sentiment” in paragraph 5 probably mean?

A．Feeling.

B．Thought.

C．Look.

D．Influence.

4. What is the writer likely to do when asked to take photos with others?

A．To take the photo happily.	B．To refuse the request politely.
C．To ignore the request casually.	D．To think carefully before action.

9 . I recently came in contact with fashion magazines. My family isn't one to give money for pictures of skinny, drunk famous person with paragraphs about their relationships and shopping cart times. Thus, I was excited to finally get a chance to read about other people's attractive yet troubled lives.

Right away I noticed how each magazine seemed to be a copy of the other. They had headlines and pictures that were almost the same. Still, the pictures of perfect faces with cute designs going on with their daily lives made me read on.

Wait, celebrities taking their dogs for a walk? Spending an afternoon at a park? All of these things seemed so ordinary-things my own family and I do together often. I suddenly realized how ordinary the people in these magazines were. They are simply normal people who happen to have a cool job and much money. For some reason, pictures of them doing things like buying milk at the store appeal to millions of readers. Then, when these regular people mess up, their mistakes are painted onto hundreds of newspapers and Internet sites.

What if every time we made a mistake, it was made public? Have you ever failed a test? Imagine seeing pictures of you on the front of a newspaper with headlines like,"Regular Schooling Isn't Enough".You'd be embarrassed. Now, I'm not necessarily taking the celebrity's side. I’m more realizing the fact that these people we are crazy about are just ordinary human beings with many photographs following them around. Role models? I'd think not. Personally, I'd rather favor people in any community who have done a lot instead of an ordinary person walking his dog in Berverly Hills.

1. What do we know about the author's family?

A．They often buy celebrity magazines.

B．They admire celebrities very much.

C．They are not interested in celebrities.

D．They are curious about the life of celebrities.

2. What does the author think of celebrities?

A．They live a happy life.

B．They deserve people's admiration.

C．They seldom do usual things.

D．They are just ordinary people like us.

3. Who is most likely to be the author's role model?

A．Common people who do great things.

B．Extraordinary people who walk dogs.

C．People who contribute money to communities.

D．Celebrities who live an ordinary life.

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

A．To describe the actual life of celebrities.

B．To ask us to be realistic about others' mistakes.

C．To show people's different attitudes towards celebrities.

D．To advise us to have a right attitude towards celebrities.

10 . We made a quick stop at the grocery store to pick up cupcakes for my daughter Norah’s fourth birthday. As an older gentleman walked by, Norah _________ and waved, “Hi old person! It’s my birthday today!” I apologized to him embarrassedly for her _________.

“Hello little lady! And how old are you today?” he asked. They _________ for a couple of minutes, with Norah _________ him in on the details of her birthday, and we went out _________ ways. But a few minutes later, Norah _________ she really wanted a _________ with him. Uh, my cutest baby!

We back found him at the _________. “Excuse me, sir? She’d like to know if you’d take a photo with her,” I asked, _________ the man to be annoyed at my daughter’s strange request. ____________, I got the completely opposite response!

He looked ____________. “A photo? With me?” So they posed together and then they ____________ each other like they were long lost friends. The precious scene ____________ other shoppers, but no one cared. We ____________ Mr. Dan (I knew his name later on) for his ____________. His eyes filled with tears and he said, “No, thank YOU. It is YOU who made me ____________.”

Now, Norah and Mr. Dan are more than just friends. We make ____________ visits to see him because she worries about his being ____________. Mr. Dan says that his friendship with Norah helped to ____________ his broken heart for his wife’s sudden death.

Sometimes talking to ____________ turns into the most beautiful thing in the world.

1.

A．smiled

B．responded

C．communicated

D．escaped

2.

A．noise

B．impoliteness

C．interruption

D．sorrow

3.

A．waited

B．stood

C．chatted

D．discussed

4.

A．dropping

B．putting

C．calling

D．filling

5.

A．long

B．narrow

C．separate

D．crowded

6.

A．decided

B．predicted

C．reminded

D．remembered

7.

A．talk

B．picture

C．moment

D．reunion

8.

A．street

B．community

C．restaurant

D．store

9.

A．requiring

B．allowing

C．expecting

D．causing

10.

A．Instead

B．Besides

C．Lastly

D．Suddenly

11.

A．annoyed

B．prepared

C．disappointed

D．delighted

12.

A．greeted

B．encouraged

C．supported

D．hugged

13.

A．educated

B．blocked

C．delayed

D．attracted

14.

A．thanked

B．paid

C．memorized

D．excited

15.

A．friendship

B．permission

C．time

D．experience

16.

A．take off

B．get along

C．cheer up

D．hold on

17.

A．special

B．regular

C．quick

D．new

18.

A．lonely

B．busy

C．tired

D．ill

19.

A．attend

B．touch

C．open

D．sew

20.

A．shoppers

B．strangers

C．passengers

D．friends