1 . I ask my grandpa what it feels like to grow old. He _______ this question while we sit in his office overlooking the yard, where an empty bird feeder swings _______ from a tree branch. The yard has gone into a state of _______ in recent years. Grandpa no longer possesses the energy to maintain its _______ splendid glory.

After taking a sip of his black tea, he asks me a question. "Have you ever been in a hot _______ when the water ran cold?" I tell him I have. "That's what _______ feels like,” he says. " At first the water is too warm, but you _______ the heat and begin enjoying it When you're young, you think it's going to be this way _______ But one day you realize the _______ begins to drop. You gradually feel the warmth leaving your body. The water is still pleasant, but you know I’ll soon become cold and there's nothing you can do," he ________ “1 knew a few people who decided to ________ the shower. I was able to stay in because I ________ myself recalling the showers of my youth. It’s too late now, and no matter how hard I try, I’ll never get the hot water ________ again. ”

This is how my grandpa felt about growing old, but he has lived a good life to have ________ the birth of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

After dinner, I fetch a bag of birdseed, take it out to the ________ and pour the seed into the feeder. I go inside, ________ to tell Grandpa about what I've done, only to find he is sleeping I think about________him up but decide not to disturb his sleep, a sleep which will soon ________ forever. I hope he is ________ the dreams of his youth, remembering the ________ of days gone by, the days before the water ran cold.

1.

A．reads

B．considers

C．admits

D．asks

2.

A．wildly

B．lifelessly

C．helplessly

D．slowly

3.

A．decline

B．peace

C．boom

D．repair

4.

A．ever

B．lately

C．once

D．only

5.

A．stove

B．shower

C．temper

D．day

6.

A．growing

B．sleeping

C．aging

D．living

7.

A．get used to

B．get addicted to

C．get tired of

D．get rid of

8.

A．instead

B．forever

C．sometime

D．then

9.

A．pressure

B．quality

C．temperature

D．level

10.

A．concludes

B．compromises

C．complains

D．continues

11.

A．take

B．enjoy

C．leave

D．refuse

12.

A．contented

B．confused

C．taught

D．cheated

13.

A．on

B．off

C．up

D．down

14.

A．ordered

B．given

C．demanded

D．witnessed

15.

A．window

B．yard

C．room

D．office

16.

A．disappointed

B．puzzled

C．depressed

D．excited

17.

A．waking

B．wake

C．get

D．getting

18.

A．end

B．change

C．last

D．disappear

19.

A．valuing

B．achieving

C．experiencing

D．dreaming

20.

A．strength

B．warmth

C．energy

D．soul

2 . One morning I jumped into the swimming pool and the words "eighty-four degrees" popped into my mind. I knew that the temperature of the water was 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Just to confirm my impression, I dropped a thermometer(温度计) into the water. Sure enough, it was 84 degrees. Over the next few days, a the temperature in the pool changed, I continued to "guess" the water temperature accurately. I then realized had become something of a "human thermometer".

I was not born with this ability. I trained myself to do it, entirely by accident. Swimming is one of my favorite activities. Each morning from late April through early October, I swim laps in my backyard pool. didn’t really develop any special ability. Every healthy person is able to sense warmth and cold. What I did was connect those sensations to specific numbers. Over time, with daily reinforcement(加强), it made me into an amazing human thermometer. It certainly won't get me a show on "America's Got Talent", but it does earn me a little respect at the beach or at pool parties.

What's most interesting to me is the way it came about I did not try to learn how to be a human thermometer. Yet as a result of my consistent actions, day after day, it did indeed happen. And that made me wonder what else I was training myself to do that I didn't even realize.

I started writing articles for The Daily Motivator back in 1995 because I understood the power of positive reinforcement on a daily basis. The messages are short and simple and not particularly shocking I take Sundays off but other than that I have never missed a single day of writing a new, original daily message in 21 years. This actually makes a real difference to me. Not overnight, but over time.

1. What happened to the author after he became a “human thermometer”?

A．He was respected at pool parties.

B．He could sense warmth and cold.

C．He developed some new abilities.

D．He attended “America's Got Talent”.

2. What’s the author’s attitude towards his work?

A．Careless	B．Devoted.
C．Creative.	D．Irresponsible.

3. From the text, we can conclude that ________.

A．writing makes a exact man

B．everything must have a beginning

C．consistent actions can make a difference

D．we should put our heart into the smallest acts

3 . In the years of my growing up, Dad was hard on me. He made sure I made my bed and did my homework. As a school girl and young adult, I feared him and felt bitter about him. He seemed unhappy with me unless I got straight A’s and unhappy with my boyfriends if their fathers were not as “successful” as he was. Whenever I went out with him on weekends, I used to struggle to think up things to say, feeling on guard.

He would call in advance to make sure there was no alcohol at the party. I got so angry with him for laying down the law. I would scream, “I hate you!” Dad would yell back, “Good! I don’t care!” Deep down I knew he did.

One time at a party, I drank too much alcohol and got so sick. I said, “Call my dad.” Next thing, Dad was carrying me to the car. I woke up the next morning, thinking I would definitely be criticized. As expected, I got a roasting, but I now understand why I need discipline.

Dad was 29 when he got his big roles in films. I had an early start at the age of nine with a role in a 1990s TV series, but it wasn’t until I finished film studies that I pursued my career as an actress. Like those early days for Dad, I faced lots of rejections. Working in such a competitive industry, I’ve sometimes thought, “I can’t do this any more.”

Once, after a trip to Hollywood, I returned to Australia so depressed and spent months in my bedroom painting, listening to Eckhart Tolle’s music and trying to find myself again. Dad sat me down and said, “Alice, I know it’s hard, but it’s all about persistence(坚持不懈).”

Now I get to work with Dad a lot, which I love. We are both enthusiastic about acting, which comes from us being so interested in people. If it weren’t for Dad, I wouldn’t be where I am today. He’s my biggest fan, and when you have that in your life you can go a long way.

1. Which of the following is similar in meaning to the underlined part?

A．I was blamed.	B．I was pulled out of bed.
C．I got out of trouble.	D．I was comforted.

2. What can we learn from the passage?

A．As an actor, her father’s career is always smooth.

B．It is her father who has helped shape the author who she is.

C．She would feel tired when going out with her father on weekends.

D．She was bitter about her father as a school girl as he was too proud of himself.

3. Which of the following best describes the writer’s father?

A．Severe and impatient.	B．Talkative and hard-working.
C．Proud but gentle.	D．Strict but caring.

4 . Directions: compete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can be used only once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

The best experiences can’t be planned, so I recently traveled to San Francisco some meetings and found myself with a half day to kill. My options: The 49ers’first game of the season, against the Green Bay Packers. The America’s Cup sailing     1     . Or I could get lost.

After a horrendously long line at the car rental center, I was free. So I disappear into the fog and clouds covering the Pacific Coast Highway and     2     south with absolutely no     3     in mind.

I drove through     4     carved out of the mountains and stopped at a few state beaches; at one, I watched a wedding out on the cliffs among the crashing waves.

Back in the car, I drove toward San Gregorio, a town that you can     5     miss. I know because I drove right through it and ended up on a pine tree-bordered ribbon of asphalt that felt like it would go on forever. A few people     6     around outside the San Gregorio General Store, smoking cigarettes and talking about the motorcycles they’ve owned over the years, Inside, I found a bar with regular patrons, a guitar duo, and, of course, a full-on store. I ordered a Pacifico, grabbed a seat, and watched the guitarists jam out. Then I congratulated them, threw a couple of     7     dollars in their bucket, and walked back out into the world.

The day could have been so different: crammed into a stadium or bar half-watching sports. But this was much more     8     .Hours prior, I was on a flight with the masses, going through the motions. Then I was out on my own, having an unexpected and unrepeatable experience. I learned something on September 8: Don’t be afraid to get lost—on purpose or     9     —and have zero     10    . It will be good for you. I promise.

5 . There was once a time that I would only do what I knew was comfortable for me. Stuck in a continuous cycle of repetitive choices, I knew what was________when it came to making decisions. I knew what wouldn’t _______me too much, what would me glued to the floor of where I already was________ little did I realize at the time that this was not the right path for me.

After living the same type of life for so long I decided bat there was more for me. Although it was uncomfortable at first, I pushed myself to get_______ in things that I wouldn't normally do, I decided to open up and talk to other people that I didn’t think I would have the_______ to show my face to, and I started to share more about myself with others that already knew me. By doing these things, I _______ to find more parts of life to open myself up to.

A quote said"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."Reading the quote made me realize that I was stuck in a life that wasn't truly mine. I was bound by chains that made me _______ to experience life, so I always keep it as a reminder to myself to go beyond my_________.

There are a few ways you can begin to push past your comfort zone. First, make a bucket list. All you need to do is write down a list of things that you want to ______ in your lifetime, but make sure you do them. A bucket list isn't useful unless you are _______ going to try and achieve it.

Secondly, if you want, ask someone to tag along(H E). If you have a friend who is also interested in experiencing more of their life then you can join _______ and work together. That way, you can push each other to actually go out and experience.

Finally, ________ yourself. Make yourself a promise that if you check something off your bucket list then you will do something nice for yourself. Maybe you have always been interested in bungee jumping, but have been toe afraid. Put it on the list and promise yourself a shopping trip or anything else to _______ yourself into doing it.

Life is about ________ it up with as many experiences as possible, so don’t miss out on an amazing opportunity to ________ yourself or lean something valuable.

1.

A．safe

B．sensitive

C．alternative

D．greedy

2.

A．tempt

B．exclude

C．scare

D．impose

3.

A．Therefore

B．Otherwise

C．Moreover

D．However

4.

A．absorbed

B．participated

C．can

D．involved

5.

A．confidence

B．benefit

C．burden

D．passion

6.

A．claimed

B．strived

C．hesitated

D．pretended

7.

A．excited

B．curious

C．flexible

D．afraid

8.

A．imagination.

B．control

C．limits

D．expectation

9.

A．accomplish

B．combine

C．cultivate

D．ensure

10.

A．accidentally

B．desperately

C．actually

D．consequently

11.

A．ideas

B．forces

C．factors

D．effects

12.

A．behave

B．engage

C．treat

D．help

13.

A．bribe

B．trap

C．cheat

D．shape

14.

A．making

B．taking

C．pilling

D．filling

15.

A．satisfy

B．relax

C．identify

D．better

6 . Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

People hold different views on almost anything, mainly because of the culture we are familiar with or the education we have received. We live in a judgmental world where people are quick to point out the faults and imperfections of others, yet seem unaware of their own. Some     1     souls believe they have a duty to help you to be a better person by telling you what a failure you really are first and then offering suggestions as to how you can improve.

So what is the possible solution to criticism? If you are the one forcing others to feel     2     of themselves, STOP. Make a conscious decision rather than focus on the negative aspect of a person's performance or     3    . You'll offer helpful suggestions from the beginning. If I'm painting our living room and making a mess in doing so, I would like my husband to say to me, "This is a tough job. Can I offer a suggestion that might make it easier for you?" rather than have him point out what a careless painter I am and then tell me how I should be doing it.

If you are on the receiving end of criticism, the "OK" response is a perfect solution. When someone comments     4     on a task you are doing or a personality issue of yours, a natural response is to defend and attack. However, this approach is rarely effective as it puts both parties on the     5     . Instead, simply reply with "OK". This brief one-word response     6     the other person's comment without agreeing with it or feeling necessary to engage in a debate about it.

It is important to remain     7     attached to what the other person is saying, but to listen without feeling, to be an objective observer. In fact, there is much that one can learn from a 12 review. You can ask yourself: Did I make a mistake? Could I have done better? Did I give 100% of myself to the task at hand? If so, how can I improve myself? As for chronic (习惯性的) criticizers: It is important to set strict     8     with them. Remove yourself from their     9     when necessary.

In any case, one can learn to be "OK" with criticism and not allow it to negatively impact your life or relationship with the other party. Examine it for any potential     10    , and then let it go and just be "OK".

7 . Recently, a friend of mine asked me whether I’d seen the TV series Cook’ Table. Of course, I hadn’t because I’m not that into food. But I do get hungry for adventures sometimes, so I decided to watch the show. This is when I was introduced to the cook Francis Mallmann.

He makes choices; he doesn’t plan. When he was young, he looked for mentors (导师) and experiences, not books or paths. He honored his roots but embraced the world and sought things and places he didn’t know. He isn’t content with just one lifestyle and he doesn’t bend to expectations. This made me puzzled because I grew up thinking I had to have a plan and have long-term stability in front of me.

When I saw Mallmann doing what makes him happy, everything changed. I thought to myself, “That’s how we’re supposed to live.” I felt as if I’d stood up from a comfortable fireplace and the blanket of my life just fell to the ground. I submitted my leave of absence application to my employer less than a month later. I’m now full of excitement. I’m leaving my job and a good salary, and I’m going to do things that feed my soul.

Michael Kernis and Brian Goldman, psychologists at Clayton State University in Georgia, studied the benefits of authenticity (真实性) and being true to yourself. Some of the benefits of following your inner voice include enjoying a strong sense of purpose in life, greater confidence, healthier relationships and strong skills.

I might soon be hungrier and poorer than I was before but at least I’ll be staying true to who I am and I’ll get the true freedom.

1. Which of the following descriptions of Francis Mallmann is WRONG?

A．He makes choices and plans.

B．He was happy to accept what he didn’t know.

C．When he was young, he valued mentors and experiences.

D．He doesn’t stick to one lifestyle and he doesn’t bend to expectations.

2. What kind of lifestyle did the author use to prefer?

A．Wealthy and comfortable.	B．Planned and stable.
C．Busy and risky.	D．Simple and free.

3. What is the main reason for the author to change his lifestyle?

A．He was tired of his life.	B．He wanted to be different.
C．He was inspired by a cook.	D．He wanted to explore the world.

4. What’s the main idea of this passage?

A．Freedom is the most important thing for you.

B．You should have the courage to change your life.

C．You must leave your comfort zone and be adventurous.

D．Staying true to yourself in your life can be a form of freedom.

8 . 假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加:在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧)，并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除:把多余的词用斜线(\)划掉。
修改:在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意:1.每处错误及修改均仅限一词。
2.只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。

One Saturday morning， I suddenly noticed my room was in a completely mess， what really annoyed me. I realized too many useful things took up a lot of space. So I decided to throw it away and do some cleaning. It took me a whole day get all the works done. Finally the room was tidy again and everything was in the order.

This was also true for life: we add more and more to our life， hoped to get a better life. But sometimes the more we add， the bad our life becomes. After all， sometimes less is more.

9 . I was cycling and noticed a person, about a quarter of a kilometer in front of me. I could tell he was cycling a little slower than me and decided to try to _______ him. I had about a kilometer to go on the road _______ turning off.

So I _______ cycling faster and faster and every _______ I was gaining on him just a little bit. After just a few minutes I was only about 100 yards _______ him, so I really picked up the pace and _______ myself You would have _______ I was cycling in the last section of London Olympic triathlon.

_______,I caught up with him and passed him by. On the inside I felt so _______.I beat him, of course, but he didn't even know we were __________ .

After I passed him, I __________ that I had been so focused on competing against him that I had __________ my turn. I had gone nearly six blocks past it and had to turn around and go all the way back.

Isn't that what happens in life when we __________ competing with co-workers, neighbors, and friends, trying to __________ that we are more successful or more important? We spend our time and ____________ chasing after them and we miss out on our own __________ to our future.

The __________ of unhealthy competition is that it's a never-ending ____________, because there will__________ be somebody ahead of you, someone   with a better job, more money and more education, etc.

Therefore, just take what life has given you, your height, weight and personality. Stay focused and live a healthy life. There's no __________in life. Run your own race and wish others well!

1.

A．follow

B．catch

C．remind

D．grasp

2.

A．before

B．after

C．unless

D．when

3.

A．stopped

B．enjoyed

C．started

D．regretted

4.

A．way

B．block

C．step

D．time

5.

A．apart from

B．above

C．ahead of

D．behind

6.

A．protected

B．pushed

C．supported

D．comforted

7.

A．thought

B．remembered

C．dreamt

D．hoped

8.

A．Fortunately

B．Finally

C．Surprisingly

D．Apparently

9.

A．calm

B．lucky

C．astonished

D．good

10.

A．racing

B．exercising

C．celebrating

D．cycling

11.

A．believed

B．expected

C．realized

D．understood

12.

A．escaped

B．missed

C．made

D．lost

13.

A．worry about

B．care for

C．depend on

D．focus on

14.

A．prove

B．declare

C．explain

D．inform

15.

A．tears

B．money

C．energy

D．pain

16.

A．paths

B．entrances

C．plans

D．barriers

17.

A．task

B．difficulty

C．problem

D．goal

18.

A．movement

B．cycle

C．event

D．routine

19.

A．never

B．often

C．sometimes

D．always

20.

A．mistake

B．competition

C．pressure

D．challenge

10 . I began to do volunteer work in grade seven. I experienced many meaningful moments, and the most_________ones were when I was volunteering as a swimming_________at the YMCA in Brockton, Massachusetts. At first, I was a teacher's_________."What are we going to do next? “When is the play time? These were just two of the questions I was often_________there. On the day of my first class, I thought it was going to be a(n) _________.job. I _______that since I had taken swimming lessons from the age of five, I knew the_________about swimming. After all, I was good at all_________of swimming! _________, I soon found out there was more about teaching swimming than just knowing how to swim.

During my first class, I assisted the swimming teacher in teaching a group of five-year-old kids. From that moment on, my__________of teaching changed. Teaching is communicating. To instruct children, one has to make the lessons__________ and interesting for them to learn. I had to learn many games that would help the children to __________as swimmers. Such as “Red Light, Green Light" and "Blast-Off." I must devote myself to teaching them and set a(n)__________example to them.

I expected to teach a group of children, but it__________my students were the ones who taught me how to be a(n)________teacher. Not only was it challenging to learn the children's names, but it was also challenging to________to their many personalities and moods. There were many __________that went along with helping these children, among which was seeing a child__________a task that he or she could not do before they met me.__________, through the volunteer work, I learned that there would always be rewards by giving, and there would be__________by making efforts.

1.

A．peaceful

B．optimistic

C．independent

D．unforgettable

2.

A．learner

B．athlete

C．Instructor

D．official

3.

A．student

B．assistant

C．colleague

D．servant

4.

A．asked

B．taught

C．doubted

D．explained

5.

A．interesting

B．ordinary

C．challenging

D．creative

6.

A．declared

B．stressed

C．assume d

D．concluded

7.

A．fare

B．trick

C．ambition

D．process

8.

A．jobs

B．abilities

C．components

D．styles

9.

A．However

B．Therefore

C．Moreover

D．Otherwise

10.

A．expectation

B．instruction

C．requirement

D．assessment

11.

A．important

B．enjoyable

C．famous

D．flexible

12.

A．develop

B．promise

C．discuss

D．introduce

13.

A．extreme

B．classic

C．active

D．secure

14.

A．turned out

B．figured out

C．came out

D．pointed out

15.

A．generous

B．humorous

C．outspoken

D．helpful

16.

A．respond

B．contribute

C．stick

D．object

17.

A．difficulties

B．features

C．achievements

D．situations

18.

A．assign

B．organize

C．recognize

D．accomplish

19.

A．Recently

B．Occasionally

C．Importantly

D．Suddenly

20.

A．adventures

B．gains

C．contests

D．dreams