1 . While driving around the corner of our townhouse, I always noticed an old man sitting by his front yard. He seemed cold and_______. One morning, while I was driving past him with my daughter, I decided to _______ him. At the beginning, he looked _________ and looked around—there was _______ there. Then, I saw his hand go up _______ and he waved back shyly. “Why did you wave at him? We don't _________him,” my daughter said.

I told her that it was just an act of kindness that didn't _________ anything, and it gave both him and me a sense of _______. She told me she had thought waving to a stranger was _______，but next time she would ________ it. It seemed not bad.

Interestingly, we lived close to the old man, so we ________ him rather often. Whenever we drove by, both of us would wave at him and, pretty soon, the old man __________waving at everyone who passed by his home.

One day, my daughter's friend came to visit and said that she just saw a(n) ________ old man who waved at her in a ________ way. She mentioned that she waved back at him ________ she didn't know him, and it was really ________ and even made her day. Upon hearing this, my daughter told her the ________ of how all the waving began. Her friend responded, “Tell your mom that's really __________!”

Her friend's response taught my daughter that an act of kindness could be very________ and effortless if you really wanted to do it. It showed us how giving happiness __________ both the giver and the receiver.

1.

A．lonely

B．funny

C．busy

D．happy

2.

A．smile at

B．turn to

C．wave at

D．look after

3.

A．surprised

B．excited

C．worried

D．frightened

4.

A．somebody

B．nobody

C．grass

D．snow

5.

A．bravely

B．proudly

C．secretly

D．slowly

6.

A．like

B．understand

C．know

D．visit

7.

A．cost

B．get

C．lack

D．mean

8.

A．importance

B．humor

C．joy

D．relief

9.

A．interesting

B．wonderful

C．particular

D．embarrassing

10.

A．avoid

B．try

C．remember

D．receive

11.

A．praised

B．called

C．helped

D．saw

12.

A．started

B．suggested

C．missed

D．forgot

13.

A．rich

B．strange

C．honest

D．clever

14.

A．special

B．normal

C．silly

D．friendly

15.

A．in case

B．now that

C．even though

D．as if

16.

A．good

B．safe

C．necessary

D．fair

17.

A．task

B．plan

C．joke

D．story

18.

A．different

B．cool

C．simple

D．common

19.

A．dangerous

B．useful

C．natural

D．hopeful

20.

A．comforted

B．saved

C．controlled

D．benefited

2 . When I was a boy, we lived 4 miles outside of town. We lived next to the forest and I would spend hours every day playing in it with the oak (橡树) and maple trees as my companions. I would climb up their limbs, sit in their shade, and feel their peace.

That is why it was so hard for me when I found myself to be a lumberjack as a young man. It wasn't just the back breaking work, the long hours, and the low pay. It was also seeing day after day beautiful trees that had grown for half a century being sawed (锯) up and cut into flooring. Still, I couldn't help but think that they looked a lot more lovely as living trees reaching up to Heaven than as dead flooring lying under my feet.

One afternoon after a long day's work, I was feeling particularly down and depressed.I decided to take a walk in the woods like I had as a boy in hopes of lifting my spirits and calming my soul. As I walked along with my aching back and tired body, I longed for those happy childhood days. I dropped my head frustratedly and looked down at the dirt. That is when I saw it: a single, red oak acorn (橡子) that had somehow survived the hungry deer and squirrels all winter long.Then I remembered something I'd read once: “Eventually an acorn becomes a forest!” I smiled, bent down, dug up a handful of dirt, and planted that little acorn, feeling peace and joy warming my heart. Then I walked back home happy once again to be a part of God's green earth.

In this life we all start out as an acorn, but whether we become a forest or not is up to us. God gives us this glorious life here to grow, learn, laugh, love,share, smile, and help others to do the same.Embrace this gift of life. Use it to every day stretch your soul towards Heaven and create a mighty forest of love.

1. Which of the following can best describe the author's childhood?

A．Carefree

B．Dull.

C．Plain.

D．Miserable.

2. What does the underlined word “lumberjack” mean in the second paragraph?

A．A person who plants trees.

B．A person who waters trees.

C．A person who cuts trees.

D．A person who protects the forest.

3. What did the author do when walking in the woods?

A．He climbed up an oak tree.

B．He planted a little oak acorn.

C．He came across a book he had ever read.

D．He found some hungry deer and squirrels.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Accepting the gift of life.

B．Taking a walk in the woods.

C．Experiencing a typical working day.

D．Refreshing the unforgettable memory.

3 . If a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing poorly first. These are the words of Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm. Joel’s opinion is that we’ve all grown up with the expression “if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.” Personally, I grew up hearing it as “if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” Yet, as Joel says, nobody does it right the first time. Joel explained that it’s this kind of thinking that prevents us from innovating(创新) in our own lives. We’re frightened to death to try new things, because we think we have to get it right the first time.

This is an innovative farmer’s wisdom. It resonates(和……类似) well with what I’ve learned from master teachers as well as with research on perfectionism. Let me speak briefly of both of these.

I have been fortunate to have a number of mentors(导师) in my development as a teacher. One of my favorites is a retired biology teacher from the University of British Columbia, Lee Gass. Lee explained to me that it’s not until we know that we don’t know, it’s not until we admit our ignorance, even celebrate our ignorance, that we can learn anything at all!

When we learn to see that it is through admitting our ignorance and trying even though it won’t be perfect or even “right” the first time that we can learn anything, we really start living.

Some of the research stresses the harm of not taking this attitude in our pursuit(追求). Perfectionism is often said to be the enemy of the good. It’s also the enemy of even trying.

I for one take this farmer’s advice to heart. I do try my best to do things as well as I possibly can, but I recognize that it’s the creative process where we learn, if we stay at it long enough. If a job is worth doing, it’ s worth doing poorly first.

1. What is Joel’s opinion about a job that is worth doing?

A．It is worth trying.	B．It is worth doing well.
C．It is worth doing right.	D．It is worth completing.

2. What do Joel and Lee have in common?

A．Both of them are ignorant.	B．Both of them do a poor job.
C．Both of them love their jobs.	D．Both of them value ignorance.

3. What is the finding of some of the research according to the text?

A．It’s impossible to be perfect.

B．It’s harmful to change your goal.

C．It’s dangerous to seek perfection.

D．It’s easy to become the enemy of the good.

4. What does the author stress in the last paragraph?

A．The value of creation.	B．The benefit of learning.
C．The meaning of freedom.	D．The importance of a process.

4 . Recently, I’ve seen friends posting that they are taking a break closing their social media accounts. In a time when it’s so ________ to stay connected with people, this makes me sad. I ________ social media as it helps me stay connected with friends around the world. On the other hand, I see the ________ side. With so much going on in the world, it feels as if there’s a lot of negativity on it. But that’s ________ about negativity! For today, let’s focus on simple things that spread ________!

Last week, my daughter and I went for a ________ on our neighbourhood trails (小径). We had seen a few________ painted with positive messages and how they ________ our life. On our walk last week, we took a different path and were________at what awaited us.

We didn’t just ________ one or two painted rocks. There were dozens of them! We found lovingly-painted rocks underneath ________ every tree. Apart from being colourful, most of the rocks included simple messages of ________.

As I ________ to take pictures, a man walked by and said, “They really bring a smile to your face, don’t they?” It was ________. They sure did! In addition to the rocks, someone had painted ________ on wood blocks and placed them at the foot of many of the trees. As I ________ them, I imagined fairies(精灵) living in the trees and entering through the doors. Again, something was so simple but it really ________ my spirits!

I hope whoever took the time to ________ and carefully placed those treasures knows how much they ________ to people walking along the trail. It’s easy to think you can’t have a(n) ________ but every kind word or positive act makes a difference for someone.

1.

A．strange

B．difficult

C．impossible

D．natural

2.

A．love

B．analyse

C．investigate

D．discover

3.

A．dark

B．strong

C．interesting

D．familiar

4.

A．tough

B．different

C．enough

D．thorough

5.

A．liberty

B．positivity

C．intervention

D．concentration

6.

A．bath

B．walk

C．party

D．conference

7.

A．rocks

B．faces

C．gifts

D．signs

8.

A．concluded

B．treated

C．recorded

D．brightened·

9.

A．bored

B．stressed

C．amazed

D．relieved

10.

A．find

B．purchase

C．decorate

D．provide

11.

A．widely

B．rarely

C．almost

D．ever

12.

A．reputation

B．profession

C．movement

D．encouragement

13.

A．failed

B．agreed

C．stopped

D．refused

14.

A．awkward

B．accurate

C．awful

D．available

15.

A．trees

B．pictures

C．messages

D．doors

16.

A．put on

B．searched for

C．heard about

D．looked at

17.

A．witnessed

B．lifted

C．imagined

D．tested

18.

A．wait

B．talk

C．paint

D．relax

19.

A．mean

B．attach

C．apply

D．connect

20.

A．exchange

B．comparison

C．surprise

D．impact

5 . It was a day in late December. The Christmas tree had been taken down. The lights and decorations had been boxed up and put in the closet until next year. And I was feeling a little empty. Surely I wasn't looking forward to the long, cold, dark winter to come. I had always been a light lover on the inside. I tried to take comfort in knowing that a few more minutes of daylight was being added each day, but it hardly worked.

I was both surprised and delighted when I looked, out of my window and saw that a spring-like day had suddenly arrived. I could hear the neighborhood children outside playing in the warm air. I smiled when I saw them and my inner little girl longed to be out there riding bikes and playing games as well.

I tied my dogs for their afternoon walk hoping to enjoy some of the sunshine myself. As I was about to head out the door, however, I decided to do something a little different. I reached down and pulled my shoes and socks off. I hadn't been barefoot outside since the summer. I slowly stepped out on the cool damp grass. It felt so alive under my feet. I laughed as I walked along. I remembered something I once read too, “Walk as if you were kissing the earth with your feet.” And with each step I did so. My walk felt sacred and holy. I felt a oneness with the world and the love of Heaven all around me. With love in my heart, I thanked God for the gift of this day and no longer dreaded the coming of the winter. I thought I had gathered enough energy and courage to welcome it.

AH of us are walking through this life. But it is up to each of us how we do so. Are you going to trip and walk with heavy steps and complain with each step you take? Or are you going to kiss the earth with your feet and Heaven with your heart? The choice is yours.

1. How did the author feel shortly after Christmas at first?

A．Surprised.

B．Delighted.

C．Unhappy.

D．Relaxed.

2. Why did the author want to go out?

A．She was inspired by delighted children.	B．She had to walk her dogs in the afternoon.
C．She intended to give the neighbors warmth.	D．She was touched by her childhood memories.

3. What a different thing did the author do?

A．She kissed the earth lovingly.	B．She walked barefoot outside.
C．She read a book on the grass.	D．She dried her feet in the sun.

4. What does the underlined word “dreaded” mean in Paragraph 3?

A．Forgot.

B．Judged.

C．Desired.

D．Feared.

6 . My father is a very hard-working person. He ________ education in people's life. Being a teacher by profession, he tried to concentrate all his efforts on helping his ________ succeed. This inspired me to follow his ________ by working hard in school. He also ________ me to keep on ________, telling me that the sky was the limit.

My father shows respect for others. All through my life, I have seen my father settle disputes (争论) ________ . This has taught me the importance of accepting other people's ________     and seeking help in times of ________.

Being a modest and down-to-earth person, my father ensured(确保)that I was like him. I was ________ to swallow my ________ whenever success knocks on the door. Instead, ________ past successes and working even harder is his motto.

The word love sounds small but few people ________ what it really means to love. It is a trait(品质)that my father had and ________ possesses. It has enabled me to spread my ________ to all who associate with me in one way or another.

I believe in doing things ________ and fast in life. This is something that I ________ my father. I remember his ________ saying," The early bird catches the worm." This saying has ________ me to be what I am and where I am today. ________ the enthusiasm to accomplish things early in life, I was able to ________ both my O-Level and A-Level education at the most appropriate times.

Indeed,! can say that it is my father who has made me what I am today.

1.

A．values

B．needs

C．receives

D．affords

2.

A．colleagues

B．students

C．neighbors

D．teachers

3.

A．example

B．argument

C．order

D．plan

4.

A．invited

B．challenged

C．begged

D．encouraged

5.

A．playing

B．enjoying

C．trying

D．sharing

6.

A．anxiously

B．casually

C．secretly

D．calmly

7.

A．apology

B．disagreement

C．success

D．disappearance

8.

A．change

B．danger

C．peace

D．difficulty

9.

A．observed

B．allowed

C．taught

D．paid

10.

A．fear

B．anger

C．pride

D．surprise

11.

A．forgetting

B．achieving

C．celebrating

D．experiencing

12.

A．believe

B．understand

C．predict

D．decide

13.

A．seldom

B．just

C．never

D．still

14.

A．love

B．knowledge

C．message

D．dream

15.

A．alone

B．again

C．early

D．simply

16.

A．relied on

B．learnt from

C．referred to

D．prepared for

17.

A．famous

B．similar

C．strange

D．favorite

18.

A．told

B．wanted

C．helped

D．asked

19.

A．Because of

B．Instead of

C．Except for

D．As for

20.

A．review

B．finish

C．finance

D．apply

7 . How to Be All You Desire to Be

Belief is at the root of any kind of achievement in life. If you can believe that all things are possible, then they will be.

Purpose is one thing that seem a to really frustrate a majority of the population, and until purpose is created and defined, achievement will only be a mirage. One can only see himself as a failure when he stops trying, but until then, every disappointment and disaster should be seen as a lesson to learn from. For one to succeed, he has to be willing to fail.    1    

We hear success stories of individuals who started out with nothing in their pockets and are currently building or have built empires. The interesting question is: how did they do it? How did they move from nothing to something?       2    The answer is simple — THEY NEVER GAVE UP.

This set of people could think about what they wanted long before they had real resources. They imagined the reality they wanted to occupy, regardless of their current realities, If you can think it, it can come to life and if someone has reached that height, you can reach it too. The words you speak to yourself daily have an active role in shaping you.    3     So therefore if you believe, and you speak positively, it creates your reality which is success, but if you believe that there are limits to what you can achieve, and always put up excuses (such as environment, lack of funds etc.), those limits become your reality.

    4    They program us to end a process. They destroy whatever chance we have at succeeding. They program us to fail. If you always say “I can't” or “it's not possible” it will never be possible, this is because you won't even try to attempt something outside your limited mind-set. Anything is possible with the right mind-set.     5    If you fail, you learn from it, change something and believe again!

A．All things are difficult before they are easy.

B．Life is not all roses so we all have to go through failure.

C．Such is the power in words that what you speak makes you.

D．There is a saying that “success is on the other side of failure”.

E．And why do some people achieve their goals but others don't?

F．The more you believe, the closer you are to achieving your dreams.

G．The words “I can't” and “It's impossible” are negative discouraging words.