1 . From the window of my room, I could see a tall cotton - rose hibiscus (木棉树). In spring, when green leaves were half _______ by mist, the tree looked very attractive. _______ with red flowers. This inspiring neighbor of mine often _______ my mind working. I regarded it as my best friend _______.

However, when I opened the window one morning, to my amazement, the tree was almost _______ beyond recognition as a a result of the storm _______ the night before. I was seized with a sudden sorrow at the thought “all the flowers are to fall” I could not help _______ with emotion: the course of life never runs _______, for there are so many ups and downs. _______ twists and turns. The process of my life saw my beloved friends parting one after another. Isn’t it ________ to the flowers falling off the tree in the wind?

This event ________ from my memory as time went by. One day after I came home. I found the room hard to breathe in and opened the window ________. Something outside caught my ________ and impress me. It was a plum tree (李树) with flowers ________ beautifully by the sunset. The surprise discovery filled me with pleasure. I wondered ________ I had no idea of some tough life restarting over the fallen petals (花瓣) when I felt sorry for the hibiscus.

When the last petal ________, all the admiration for the hibiscus disappeared as if nothing was left, until the landscape was again decorated with the red plum flowers to ________ people of life’s alternation and continuity. Can’t it be said that life is actually a symphony, a harmonious ________ of loss and gain.

Standing by the window lost in thought for a long time, I realized that no scenery in the world remains ________. As long as you keep your heart bathed in the sun, every dawn will present a fine start for you and the world will always be about ________ hopes.

Tell anyone who has inspired you how they have inspired you.

1.

A．buried

B．hidden

C．placed

D．trapped

2.

A．dotted

B．surrounded

C．covered

D．marked

3.

A．observed

B．prevented

C．set

D．bore

4.

A．regularly

B．generally

C．narrowly

D．gradually

5.

A．bare

B．vacant

C．blank

D．empty

6.

A．effect

B．fault

C．damage

D．feast

7.

A．sighing

B．yelling

C．swearing

D．teasing

8.

A．lucky

B．simple

C．smooth

D．cozy

9.

A．as many as

B．as well as

C．rather than

D．regardless of

10.

A．due

B．contrary

C．familiar

D．similar

11.

A．sank

B．quit

C．matured

D．faded

12.

A．merely

B．actively

C．casually

D．fiercely

13.

A．eye

B．nose

C．soul

D．mind

14.

A．set up

B．set off

C．put up

D．put off

15.

A．why

B．if

C．how

D．when

16.

A．slipped

B．dropped

C．quit

D．broke

17.

A．remind

B．warn

C．convince

D．rid

18.

A．division

B．dilemma

C．composition

D．conflict

19.

A．unlimited

B．unchanged

C．unspoiled

D．unexpected

20.

A．vain

B．practical

C．previous

D．fresh

2 . A decade ago, colored lights danced around the living room on New Year’s Eve and happy music was played. Upstairs, the children were asleep. But I wasn’t feeling happy. In mid-December, my husband and I had been informed that he had cancer and that he was going to die. He had less than a year left, the doctors said.

In the years since that painful season, I have come to look back upon New Year’s Eve. New Year’s Eve brings a halt to the endless commitments that fill our daily lives and a chance to reflect. New Year’s Eve is full of possibility and anticipation. What will be the surprising experiences and delightful successes in the coming year? But also, what disappointments are waiting for us in the next twelve months?

In many ways, New Year’s Eve and the days that surround it are a line between past and future. That line is made up of a series of moments of transition (过渡) that take us out of the old and into the new. Transition can be challenging for many of us. It’s about letting go of the familiar and diving headlong (迅猛地) into the unfamiliar.

Just as, back then, I had to face letting go of the life I had led with my beloved husband and stepping into a new world as a widowed mom, I find that each year I have to step out of the version of me that suited the year that is ending and ease into the version of me who will rise to the goals I am holding for myself for the year ahead.

Last year at this time, I sat in a chair in southern France and drank in the stillness (沉静) and beauty of the countryside around me. The three children I had brought into this world talked and laughed around the table beside me as we enjoyed a lunch of bread and cheese.

I was filled with a sense of joy and I had a glowing (热情洋溢的) heart that was full of hope. It was another ending and another beginning. May we all transition into the best of what lies ahead. May we all find happiness in this holiday season.

1. What causes author’s unhappiness on New Year’s Eve a decade ago?

A．The pressure she faced in her work.

B．The health problem her husband faced.

C．The information received from her family.

D．The relationship between her and her husband.

2. What does the underlined word “halt” most probably mean?

A．End.

B．Start.

C．Change.

D．Meaning.

3. What’s the author’s attitude towards the thing people should do at New Year?

A．Set challenging goals for the next year.

B．Break with daily routines and form a new habit.

C．Spend more time with family members.

D．Think about the past and get ready for the future.

4. What’s the main purpose of writing the passage?

A．To memorialize her husband.

B．To show how she got through a hard time.

C．To share her view of New Year’s Eve.

D．To remind us that uncertainty is part of life.

3 . I’m proud of myself for this kindness I did last night. I did it ________ and did the right thing. However, I was unwilling to _______, because by sharing 1 am also sharing the ________ and more self-centered side of myself.

It was last night and I ________ my shift at work. It was late and I wanted to go straight home. On my way out of the door I ________ a fellow staff member and colleague. She doesn’t have a ________ and usually either catches a taxi home or _______ for an hour waiting for _______ staff member and friend of here to finish work.

In the past I’ve ________ to drive her home as she ________ on my side of town. But last night I really did not want to. I wanted to ________ straight home, alone. And I did not have to make “small talk”.

So I tried to ________ her, walking past her, heading down, and stealing out (偷溜) to the _______ without letting her see me and _______ without offering her a lift.

Yet, something in myself was stopping me. Something in myself made me ________ her and put myself in her shoes. She had young ________ who she wanted to go home to attend to and, she could go home right now _______ I took her, not an hour later when the other staff member and friend of hers who was taking her. So I offered.She_______. And of course, she was extremely ________.

Well, I learned a great ________ last night about not being so self-centered and selfish!

1.

A．nervously

B．proudly

C．exactly

D．carefully

2.

A．share

B．remark

C．do

D．consider

3.

A．pleasure

B．respect

C．honour

D．selfish

4.

A．changed

B．kept

C．finished

D．missed

5.

A．noticed

B．greeted

C．followed

D．helped

6.

A．home

B．choice

C．friend

D．car

7.

A．hangs around

B．hides away

C．watches over

D．calms down

8.

A．each

B．another

C．either

D．that

9.

A．hated

B．happened

C．offered

D．refused

10.

A．works

B．lives

C．plays

D．remains

11.

A．fly

B．ride

C．drive

D．walk

12.

A．remind

B．avoid

C．attract

D．please

13.

A．workroom

B．office

C．playground

D．park

14.

A．therefore

B．even

C．however

D．instead

15.

A．rely on

B．spy on

C．look at

D．point at

16.

A．neighbors

B．pets

C．children

D．friends

17.

A．since

B．although

C．as

D．if

18.

A．accepted

B．hesitated

C．approached

D．urged

19.

A．reliable

B．upset

C．generous

D．grateful

20.

A．gift

B．lesson

C．treasure

D．method

4 . Two years ago，my friend and I were at college.With his birthday quickly _______ ，he came to me with an unusual _______ :instead of receiving presents，he wanted to do some acts of kindness.

I was _______ with such all idea._______ instead of taking for the birthday was really different.I asked him how he could come up with such a   _______ idea.He told me about a TED talk he had watched on generosity.which had _______ him.So we started to _______ creative things we could do.

Our university employed some security guards to   _______ its students.They have to work _______ ，keeping watch on every corner throughout the university. For the most part it's a thankless job as most people grow   ________ to seeing the guards all around and eventually barely notice their ________ ，let alone acknowledge their efforts.How could we show them our appreciation?

We decided to make a large pot of hot ________ .We hired a Uber and asked the driver to take us around the campus where we knew the   ________ would be and we poured them each a cup of hot chocolate.The Uber driver was   ________ a bit doubtful to the entire plan but after a while he was helping us ________ the guards and our lively spirit had ________ to him as well.We were met with many ________ and appreciative words.It was amazing to see how a ________   act or even intention of generosity can lift everyone’s spirit.

I now realize that special energy is created when you choose to think bigger than yourself and act in ________ of others. You’ll find it's actually the greatest ________ you’never get，especially when it’s your birthday.

1.

A．ending

B．passing

C．advancing

D．approaching

2.

A．order

B．request

C．problem

D．story

3.

A．struck

B．blessed

C．burdened

D．bored

4.

A．Refusing

B．Earning

C．Giving

D．Donating

5.

A．traditional

B．complex

C．familiar

D．novel

6.

A．controlled

B．supported

C．inspired

D．rewarded

7.

A．plan out

B．take over

C．watch for

D．hold back

8.

A．judge

B．help

C．monitor

D．protect

9.

A．step by step

B．around the clock

C．more or less

D．now and then

10.

A．addicted

B．devoted

C．attached

D．accustomed

11.

A．presence

B．hunger

C．poverty

D．thirsty

12.

A．tea

B．milk

C．porridge

D．chocolate

13.

A．workers

B．students

C．guards

D．drivers

14.

A．finally

B．initially

C．occasionally

D．frequently

15.

A．remind

B．track

C．spot

D．recognize

16.

A．spread

B．moved

C．happened

D．returned

17.

A．friends

B．difficulties

C．greetings

D．smiles

18.

A．similar

B．small

C．daily

D．modest

19.

A．service

B．place

C．charge

D．memory

20.

A．1esson

B．attention

C．gift

D．care

5 . 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。错误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.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2.只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。
Laughing is one of life’s most simple pleasure.It is free.You can do it anywhere.Like the flu，laughter can spread easy among people.Often when we hear someone laughing in crowded room or a packed train ，we start laughing too—even if we have no idea how.
In fact，mental health can affect on physical health.Therefore，“Laughter is the best medicine”does not mean that I should not take medicine when you’re sick.It simply means that have a positive outlook might help ease your troubles but make you cheerful.Besides，making others laugh with you is also an act what is joyful and kind.

6 . I was walking my dog Snoopy one evening while the last light of the setting sun _________ the clouds purple and pink. I looked up at the sky and smiled. After a minute Snoopy started _________ at her leash. She was more than ready to head inside for a bowl of dog food and a bacon   _________. I wasn’t quite ready to go in, however, so I _______ her. I was waiting for my friends the Little Blinkers to appear.

It wasn’t long either _______ I saw them switching their lights on and off. They were fireflies, of course, also known as lightning bugs. Over all the years that I have lived here they have never failed to appear at this time during the summer. They have never failed to _______me. They have never failed to make the world a little brighter. It has always been such a _______ too knowing that such wonderful creatures can shine their own light and make the _______ meadows look like the starry skies above. They make me want to share my own light as well, even if it isn’t that bright and even if it does _______ to blink now and then.

Robert Fulghum wrote, “I know some people who ________a lot of light. Because they have absorbed a lot of light themselves. They shine.” I don’t know how much light I have ________the years, but I do know that I won’t keep it ________ under a basket. I will shine it. I will share it. I will use it to ________as much goodness, love, joy, and wisdom into this world as I possibly can.

May you always ________ your light as brightly as you can. May you always share it with others as well. Remember that you are not asked to ________the whole world up. What you need to do is just to make your little corner of it a bit brighter.

1.

A．printed

B．dyed

C．colored

D．pictured

2.

A．pushing

B．pulling

C．dragging

D．waving

3.

A．food

B．thing

C．treat

D．feast

4.

A．comforted

B．approved

C．pleased

D．blamed

5.

A．unless

B．before

C．when

D．once

6.

A．delight

B．disappoint

C．satisfy

D．touch

7.

A．chance

B．surprise

C．curiosity

D．joy

8.

A．green

B．ordinary

C．vast

D．dark

9.

A．intend

B．plan

C．tend

D．manage

10.

A．give out

B．give off

C．give away

D．give in

11.

A．absorbed

B．appealed

C．applied

D．collected

12.

A．stayed

B．remained

C．changed

D．hidden

13.

A．cause

B．appear

C．bring

D．require

14.

A．hold

B．shine

C．spread

D．offer

15.

A．build

B．deepen

C．light

D．brighten

7 . Mr. Johnson lived in the woods with his wife and children. He owned a farm, which looked almost abandoned.     1    (lucky), he also had a cow

    2    (produce) milk every day. He sold or exchanged some of the milk in the towns nearby for other food and made cheese and butter for the family with what     3    (leave). The cow was their only means of support, in fact. One day, the cow was eating grass     4     it began to rain heavily. While making great

    5    (effort) to run away, she     6    (fall) over the hill and died. Then Johnson tried to make     7     living without the cow. In order to support his family, Mr. Johnson began to plant herbs(草药) and vegetables. Since the plants took a while to grow, he started cutting down trees     8    (sell) the wood. Thinking about his children’s clothes, he started growing cotton too. When harvest came around, he was already selling herbs, vegetables and cotton in the market

    9     people from the town met regularly. Now     10     occurred to him that his farm had much potential and that the death of the cow was a bit of luck.

8 . "Keep your eyes open. This is where the Ewoks live.'' The one-hour drive outside of San Francisco, covered in clouds along windy roads, has inspired my husband to say this sentence at least a dozen times.

We finally arrive at Muir Woods National Park. I explain the strange green stuff on trunks of trees as we pass by--mos (苔藓), something my 5-year-old son Cole has never seen in the desert where we live.

"Mom, are Ewoks real? I think they maybe aren't real. " There's a question in Cole's voice,like he's trying on this idea.

We've been down the road of pretending versus reality before, what with all the talk of superheroes and such around our house. "I think you are right. Ewoks are just in the movies. But it would be cool if they were real, right ?"

Cole's silent for a while, thinking. "I just saw an Ewok’s ear back there!" Coles spotted an additional Ewok arm and one full body of the tiny hairy creatures. It does indeed look like we are in the Ewok forest of Star Wars.

Cole's imagination is more than I can understand. What do plants eat? Which is the best planet? Which rocks float? He loves life. He loves his inner world and outer existence equally.

I hear a lot of worry from parents about media sucking the souls from our children, taking away their time for creative play. For us, this hasn’t been the case. Cole and his brother are quite knowledgeable in the realities of life when it comes to Angry Birds, Curious George, and the adventures of Indiana Jones. These characters, and others of their own invention, live in my home like visitors, joining us on walks and outings. I appreciate them, though not all the time, for the company they give my sons and their busy minds.

I think of media characters as an add-on to already busy minds, by carefully monitoring who gets invited into our lives, they become part of the parenting team. They teach loyalty adventure, curiosity--lessons I'm trying to convey, but in a much cooler way than I can.

Pretence is awesome. It provides practice for real life without the ordinary interfering.

1. Where are the family heading for?

A．The cinema.

B．A park.

C．San Francisco.

D．A desert.

2. What can we know about Cole from the passage?

A．He is proud of himself.	B．He is full of curiosity.
C．He is courageous.	D．He is considerate.

3. What do many parents think of their children playing via media?

A．It wastes children's time.

B．It can make their children relaxed.

C．It can engage their children in learning actively.

D．It can accompany their children in their absence.

4. What's the authors attitude to the media characters in parenting children?

A．Indifferent.

B．Critical.

C．Supportive.

D．Disapproving.

9 . Today the kids and I went to the grocery store before the storm came in. When we made it outside to load our groceries，the hurricane alarms _______.

On our way home，we passed a man _______ so hard to get his wheelchair off the main road. We _______ and asked him if he needed help，he said yes.

Without a second   _______，my son Seth jumped out of the car and   _______ this man who was a double amputee(截肢者)up a hill about a block.   _______ ，the hurricane alarms were sounding.

The man was so _______，and he kept saying that I was raising _______ kids. There and then I explained to him that my grandfather was a double amputee and that I was raised to _______ if I can. He said he could have been ________ in a terrible storm but for this young man.

Seth got into the car and as we drove off，his exact words were，“Mom，I ________ that we live in a world where people would fly by and honk(摁喇叭)at a disabled person ________ voluntarily lend a hand. ”I told him that’s why it’s so important to always help. Every little bit truly does ________ . He is truly my ________ and joy. I’m proud of you，Seth，for your ________ to be a kind human.

1.

A．broke out

B．went on

C．went off

D．put forth

2.

A．practising

B．arranging

C．attempting

D．learning

3.

A．pulled on

B．pulled over

C．pulled out

D．pulled back

4.

A．thought

B．wonder

C．knowledge

D．mind

5.

A．1ifted

B．held

C．dragged

D．pushed

6.

A．However

B．Nevertheless

C．Meanwhile

D．Besides

7.

A．grateful

B．careful

C．hopeful

D．helpful

8.

A．clever

B．good

C．strong

D．creative

9.

A．help out

B．give out

C．hand out

D．hold out

10.

A．lost

B．caught

C．absorbed

D．occupied

11.

A．hate

B．picture

C．suspect

D．assume

12.

A．other than

B．along with

C．or rather

D．rather than

13.

A．function

B．apply

C．stress

D．count

14.

A．pride

B．helper

C．favorite

D．dear

15.

A．promising

B．choosing

C．expecting

D．preparing

10 . There are times when we feel as if our bad circumstances will never change. When we meet troubles or problems in our lives,we are _______ for a sign that tells us everything will be _______ and get better.

When in this mindset (心态), I think back to a _______ I once heard about a family having dinner at a Chinese restaurant. At the end of the meal, everyone _______ their fortune cookie and read their messages out loud. _______ , the youngest child did not, she went to get another fortune cookie. This _______ several times before the mom stopped her and asked, “What are you doing?” The little child responded, “I am looking for a cookie with the _______ fortune for me.” The mom said, “There is only one thing you need to _______ and it’s not in a fortune cookie. That is where there is a will there’s a way.”

When _______ are not going our way,we may ________ the right fortune. We seek the hope for our ________ so that it will be better than the present. Once the Israelis were expelled (驱逐) in a foreign country against their will. At that time, everything was ________ for them, but they didn’t lose hope; instead, they________to their new environment positively. Years later they returned to their homeland as they had________.

In life we need to take action and hope and believe that nothing is impossible to a willing mind. It does ________ that good things do come out of bad and difficult situations.

1.

A．ready

B．grateful

C．Responsible

D．desperate

2.

A．settled

B．hidden

C．defeated

D．gone

3.

A．message

B．story

C．problem

D．case

4.

A．ate

B．tasted

C．touched

D．opened

5.

A．Anyhow

B．However

C．Otherwise

D．Therefore

6.

A．changed

B．ran

C．happened

D．showed

7.

A．good

B．bad

C．wrong

D．right

8.

A．doubt

B．guess

C．know

D．hope

9.

A．memories

B．things

C．questions

D．chances

10.

A．search for

B．make up

C．take out

D．wrestle with

11.

A．family

B．work

C．business

D．future

12.

A．easy

B．difficult

C．common

D．special

13.

A．adjusted

B．turned

C．stuck

D．agreed

14.

A．left

B．expected

C．talked

D．remembered

15.

A．prove

B．tell

C．consider

D．understand