1 . Instead of being a pacing-up time, winter is a locking-down time. Winter frees us in all sorts of ways.

I once had a neighbor named Earl. An old-timer and a self-made man, he _________ told me stories about Maine winters in the past. He suggested he had _________ the ice age. He backed up his old stories with _________ of old black-and-white photographs of heavy snowstorms that piled up to second-floor windows and completely _________ cars.

And I’ll never _________ what he said as an end to one of his stories, “A man couldn’t get much done once the snow came.” So what did he do once the snow came? He spent a great deal of time _________ to home and hearth, where he _________ the wood stove, sat with his wife, made pots of coffee, and read by the fire.

As I write these words I occasionally raise my head to _________ the window at the woodpile stacked (堆), the garden harvested, the apple tree _________, the lawn mowed, and the bicycle shed newly roofed.

As I tended to all those things, when did I have time to __________?

Some years ago a friend sent me a quote by Socrates that I try to be mindful of: Beware the fruitlessness of a __________ life.

The advice __________ me to look forward to the coming of winter, because I’ve finally learned that it is a slowing-down time, a gift of rest, a (n) __________ to acknowledge that most of the outdoor work that could be done has been done.

A friend of mine who lives in the Southeast recently called. In the course of our __________ he celebrated the climate where he lives, which __________ him to work outside year-round. “I’m always on the go.” he told me.

But I think I need a good time of winter.

1.

A．gradually

B．excitedly

C．angrily

D．unwillingly

2.

A．struggled

B．explored

C．survived

D．celebrated

3.

A．laughter

B．evidence

C．expectation

D．patience

4.

A．buried

B．struck

C．destroyed

D．supported

5.

A．realize

B．forget

C．recall

D．learn

6.

A．designing

B．improving

C．fixing

D．tending

7.

A．bought

B．controlled

C．built

D．filled

8.

A．look at

B．watch over

C．glance out

D．glare at

9.

A．picked

B．cut

C．planted

D．fell

10.

A．settle

B．arrange

C．work

D．breathe

11.

A．busy

B．happy

C．creative

D．special

12.

A．demanded

B．taught

C．appointed

D．assisted

13.

A．amazement

B．surroundings

C．opportunity

D．ability

14.

A．convenience

B．appearance

C．contribution

D．conversation

15.

A．employs

B．forces

C．enables

D．saves

2 . My photographs are the items I would definitely take or guard in case of an emergency. But what else? This was the question I asked myself as a ________ came toward us.

Unlike some friends and________, we decided to stay in our home. We didn’t have to choose what we would save by ________ it into the car, but we still had to decide what required protection by storing it in our walk-in closet. Surprisingly, few items made the cut - an obvious ________ that we had surrounded ourselves with beautiful yet unessential items. We needed ________ for the truly important things: ourselves.

Because when you hear the roar of the winds, or when something ________ hard against your windows, you don’t think of photos.You don’t worry about your big screen TV, or those paintings you’ve covered with towels to protect them, or that ________ car that you still haven’t finished paying for.

As ________ goes on outside, this is what you think: My children, are they OK? Are their impact-resistant(耐冲击的) windows working ________? Are their roofs keeping out the damage? My grandchildren, are they crying out in fear? Are they ________ as their own grandparents are? My relatives — yes, even those I try to avoid — have they ________ the worst of it? My friends, will they be forced to move somewhere else permanently? You don’t think about what you own but about what you love; what money can’t buy back.

Months and years after the hurricane, I often told people that there are two parts to ________ this kind of catastrophe: the horror of the hurricane itself and then the rebuilding that follows. The ________ together of a life, however, will take months, perhaps years.

But we will do it, ________ and as a community. Of that I have no doubt. In fact, I’ll make one more prediction. Piece by piece, item by item, we will once again collect the material possessions that decorate a home. I hate to admit this, but lessons learned ________ fear aren’t always long-lasting.

1.

A．flood

B．drought

C．wildfire

D．hurricane

2.

A．hosts

B．partners

C．relatives

D．architects

3.

A．applying

B．packing

C．exchanging

D．delivering

4.

A．sign

B．gap

C．clue

D．summary

5.

A．kit

B．gym

C．space

D．greenhouse

6.

A．rests

B．erupts

C．carves

D．cracks

7.

A．cheap

B．expensive

C．graceful

D．economic

8.

A．destruction

B．appreciation

C．challenge

D．determination

9.

A．as usual

B．as follows

C．as scheduled

D．as promised

10.

A．annoyed

B．amazed

C．confused

D．frightened

11.

A．escaped

B．protested

C．identified

D．processed

12.

A．causing

B．preventing

C．surviving

D．suffering

13.

A．cutting out

B．putting back

C．giving up

D．working out

14.

A．devotedly

B．creatively

C．individually

D．dependently

15.

A．in favor of

B．in times of

C．in need of

D．in search of

3 . It might sound a bit old-fashioned, but there’s something unique about handwritten things. And I’m a real believer in the_______of letters.

When I was about 12 years old, my friends and I wanted a pet mouse. The pet shop wouldn’t_______us one until we had a letter from a parent, so, having the tidiest_______, I faked(伪)one.

My trick was quickly_______. My mum felt that the punishment should fit the crime, so she made me write letters to a few randomly selected_______.

One of them was my uncle who I’d only_______a few times. I wrote along letter_______my life and listing my interests.

My punishment_______, I forgot about this until I suddenly got a reply from him. He told me all about his life and would love to_______about what school subjects I enjoyed. And so started a correspondence(通信)that________for several years.

Then out of the blue, he passed away. My mum was________as they had not really spoken for years. I went upstairs and presented a box of________from him. She comforted herself reading them and knowing that ________she hadn’t been in touch, I had grown close to him by writing to him.

I often think about how that one________childhood behavior led to such an enriching correspondence. It________me-to write to lots of other people, and it’s something I keep up with to this day.

1.

A．content

B．advance

C．order

D．power

2.

A．sell

B．pay

C．give

D．offer

3.

A．handwriting

B．room

C．hand

D．habit

4.

A．admired

B．exchanged

C．discovered

D．solved

5.

A．strangers

B．neighbors

C．relatives

D．friends

6.

A．ignored

B．met

C．recognized

D．thanked

7.

A．detailing

B．organizing

C．improving

D．wasting

8.

A．reasonable

B．complete

C．serious

D．efficient

9.

A．think

B．care

C．hear

D．argue

10.

A．went on

B．ended up

C．got over

D．turned up

11.

A．concerned

B．upset

C．angry

D．calm

12.

A．chocolates

B．books

C．puddings

D．letters

13.

A．after

B．although

C．because

D．if

14.

A．meaningful

B．frank

C．unique

D．improper

15.

A．advised

B．required

C．encouraged

D．warned

4 . We’ve made a list of reasons why everyone should enrich their life by traveling around the world.

★Travel is easier than you think.

We believe that traveling around the world shouldn’t be hard.    1    Whether you choose to spend a few years or just a couple of months traveling this beautiful planet, it’s important to see what’s out there. It’s up to you to make the dream come true and take the first step.

★Travel is a good chance for learning.

Travel can provide great learning chances for children. Different cultures, good scenery and people can teach kids valuable life lessons and broaden their views.    2    

★Travel develops skills you didn’t know you had.

    3     Travel brings them to the surface and makes you smile, satisfied to have reached the mountain top, or helped a villager clean up after a storm, or even to have successfully ordered a meal at a restaurant in a foreign country.

★    4    

Meeting people from other cultures will teach you to look at the world in a different way. In fact, your view might have some major blind spots. Seeing the world for yourself will help you see the world differently.

★Travel is education.

    5     Travel teaches you economy, politics, history, geography, and sociology in a hands-on way no class will. Fortunately, the school of travel is always taking applications, no entrance exam required.

A．Travel helps you see in a different way.

B．Travel gives chances to prove dreams can come true.

C．Sometimes this happens without them even knowing it.

D．Finishing a trip gives you the satisfaction of making a travel.

E．Everyone should at least travel around the world once in their lives.

F．It’s likely that you have some skills you have never known or used.

G．Seeing the world provides an education that you can’t get in school.

5 . When I hear the word stereotype (刻板印象), I feel it’s a word that doesn’t have a good aura (氛围) around it. It makes me feel ________ when I hear it. I’m not gonna ________ you on what you look like, I’m gonna judge you only when I meet you.

People assume that because of my ________ that I can’t do things that white women do, like finishing high school, going to college, graduating from college, getting a PhD, and having a career. ________ I go to the gym, people will be like, you run well for an ‘Asian guy’. And like this little ________ use of languages really affects how we view our world.

Being an Indian in a ________ American school, I’ve faced a couple of challenges. Many people assume things ________ me like I’m smart or I want to be a doctor, or I play things like chess, but I don’t think my skin color is what ________ me. I think it’s important for you to get to know a person ________ their skin. And really, I’m just American. I was born here. I like to live the same way ________ anybody else would.

When I first meet someone, I just talk about where they’re from and stuff ________ assuming where they’re from. Because it’s usually better to get to ________ someone’s background information than just assume it.

I break the stereotypes that I’ve encountered by ________ them, and walking off. A stereotype does not make you. You make you. You should accept who you are and love who you are, because we’re all human. We all deserve to have a ________. Your color or your race shouldn’t ________ your personality.

1.

A．upset

B．concerned

C．tired

D．excited

2.

A．make

B．judge

C．meet

D．criticize

3.

A．personality

B．school

C．family

D．race

4.

A．Wherever

B．Whatever

C．Whenever

D．However

5.

A．great

B．tiny

C．strange

D．enormous

6.

A．mostly

B．partially

C．clearly

D．rarely

7.

A．in

B．about

C．on

D．from

8.

A．predicts

B．chooses

C．replaces

D．defines

9.

A．at

B．in

C．under

D．about

10.

A．of

B．as

C．for

D．from

11.

A．instead of

B．by accident

C．because of

D．thanks to

12.

A．guess

B．think

C．know

D．understand

13.

A．coming across

B．looking after

C．depending on

D．laughing at

14.

A．voice

B．noise

C．sound

D．interest

15.

A．explain

B．assess

C．identify

D．acquire

6 . This morning I was reading a book outside my favorite beachside coffee shop when an 18-year-old boy sat down next to me and said, “The ______   in your hands is great, isn’t it?” I closed the book and we started ______ .

He told me he was getting ready to ______   high school next week and then started his college life in the fall. But he had no ______ what he wanted to do with his life.

He asked me many questions, and I ______ them as well as I could, trying to give ______ advice with the time I had. And after a half-hour conversation, he thanked me and we parted ways.

But on my way home I realized the ______ I had with that 18-year-old boy was ______ quite nostalgic (令人怀念的) . He made me ______ the time when I was his age, more than twenty years ago. I had so many ______ back then. So, I started thinking about his questions again, and I began remembering all the helpful little things someone told me ______ I was 18.

The ______ is that you’d better do your best, one ______ , not all at once. And above all, laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can’t ______ when everything develops. Life is short, yet ______ . Enjoy the ride!

1.

A．book

B．magazine

C．radio

D．newspaper

2.

A．reading

B．dancing

C．chatting

D．singing

3.

A．graduate from

B．give up

C．get to

D．look for

4.

A．right

B．idea

C．excuse

D．money

5.

A．avoided

B．refused

C．doubted

D．answered

6.

A．proper

B．strict

C．humorous

D．wrong

7.

A．competition

B．experiment

C．argument

D．conversation

8.

A．angrily

B．sadly

C．actually

D．bravely

9.

A．forget

B．remember

C．waste

D．discuss

10.

A．chances

B．choices

C．questions

D．challenges

11.

A．when

B．until

C．how

D．though

12.

A．reason

B．truth

C．silence

D．cause

13.

A．on time

B．at a time

C．in time

D．from time to time

14.

A．volunteer

B．imagine

C．change

D．cheat

15.

A．similar

B．strange

C．difficult

D．amazing

7 . It was early winter several years ago. I had pulled out my old winter coat for another year’s use. It was still in pretty good shape although it was looking dirty from so many winters’ wear. I didn’t really need a new one but I wanted one and casually mentioned it to my daughter one day. She was such a sweet, loving girl that I should have guessed what would happen next. A few weeks later she gave me a new winter coat as a gift.

I put the old one in my closet and started to wear the new coat every day. Each day, though, when I opened my closet, something troubled me. It seemed a shame that my old but still good coat should just sit there keeping no one warm during the cold winter days. After a few weeks, I took it out and drove to a local charity shop. I knew that there was someone who couldn’t afford a coat but could get my old one.

My new coat is my old coat now. It is getting a little dirty and worn, too. It has black marks on the sleeves. It is in too bad shape to even donate to charity. I wonder if I should buy a new one soon, but I think I will wait for a while. I don’t really need a new one and maybe I can find something else to give to the charity shop instead.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Want is a growing giant whom the coat of Have was never large enough to cover.” Perhaps the best way to deal with our wants then is to give instead. Love, after all, brings us the most joy. And the more of it you give away, the more of it you have.

1. Which word can best describe the author’s daughter?

A．Wealthy.

B．Thoughtful.

C．Easy-going.

D．Humorous.

2. Why was the author in shame when seeing his old coat in the closet?

A．It cost too much.	B．It was looking dirty.
C．There was not enough room for his new coat.	D．It was not sent to someone in need.

3. What is the author’s decision after his second coat becomes old?

A．Telling his daughter.	B．Buying a new one soon.
C．Donating it to charity.	D．Sending something else to charity.

4. What does the author want to show in the last paragraph?

A．Giving fills our wants.	B．Love is the key to joy.
C．The more you give, the more you lose.	D．A coat is large enough to cover our wants.

8 . The Most Important Day of Your Life

What’s the most important day of your life? The answer to that question is simple — Today.

    1     You can’t do anything about things that have already happened, and trying to live in the future will take your focus away from the present. So the helpful strategy for anyone is to make the most of the moment that is right in front of us.

Doing our best today may make things easier for us later on, or at least help us to deal with whatever situation we are in.     2     We will still be dealing with the same challenges tomorrow.

Each morning I ask myself what I can do to make today memorable.     3     In Hebrew school we were asked what we had done to help other people the previous week. Did we help an older person cross the street? Did we encourage someone who had a promising idea?    4     All of these things represent a worthy deed because they involve doing something to help someone else.

Even if today is not that meaningful for you, something you do for someone else may be very meaningful for them. You never know how much a good deed for someone else will impact that person. The greatest meaning that today brings may not be for you, it may be for someone else.

    5     You can deal with tomorrow next week, or next year when it gets here.

A．The answer involves doing something kind for someone else.

B．Did we hold the door for someone whose hands were full?

C．Is today still the most important day?

D．The past cannot be changed, and the future has not happened yet.

E．Ignoring today and hoping it will go away certainly won’t work.

F．If you wash it away, someone else may not get the benefits.

G．So make the most of today.

9 . There was once a farmer who had a large field of corn. He worked the land with the greatest care, for he wanted to sell the corn and buy good things for his family. But he saw his corn dry up, for no rain fell, and he feared that he was to have no crop. Every morning he went out to the field and looked at the thirsty stalks and wished for the rain to fall.

One day, as he stood looking up at the sky, two little raindrops saw him, and one said to the other: “Look at that farmer. I feel very sorry for him. He took such pains with his field of corn, and now it is drying up. I wish I might help him.”

“Yes,” said the other, “but you are only a little raindrop. What can you do? You can’t wet even one hill.”

“Well,” said the first, “I know, to be sure, I cannot do much; but perhaps I can cheer the farmer a little, and I am going to do my best. I’ll go to the field to show my good will, if I can’t do anything more. Here I go!”

The first raindrop had no sooner started for the field than the second one said: “Well, if you really insist upon going, I think I will go, too. Here I come!” And down went the raindrops. One came — pat —on the farmer’s nose, and one fell on a thirsty stalk of corn.

“Dear me,” said the farmer, “what’s that? A raindrop! Where did it come from? I do believe we shall have a shower.”

By this time a great many raindrops had come together to see what all the commotion was about. When they saw the two kind little drops going down to cheer the farmer, and water his corn, one said:“If you two are going on such a good errand, I’ll go, too!” And down he came. “And I!” said another. “And I!” And so said they all, until a whole shower came and the corn was watered. Then the corn grew and ripened — all because one little raindrop tried to do what it could.

1. Why does the first raindrop feel badly for the farmer?

A．His crops are dying.	B．His family is starving.
C．He is extremely thirsty.	D．He is bad at growing crops.

2. The corn is able to grow because            .

A．the first raindrop offers its support

B．the farmer gives the corn a shower

C．all the raindrops come and make a shower

D．the first two raindrops go on a good errand

3. Which of the following can best describe the first raindrop?

A．Brave and humble.	B．Kind and inspiring.
C．Ambitious and cheerful.	D．Pessimistic and insistent.

4. What’s the moral of this passage?

A．Save it for a rainy day.

B．God helps those who help themselves.

C．It’s better to be a leader than a follower.

D．Doing your best can make a difference.

10 . Life is a mix of good and bad days. Each new day presents us with a fresh opportunity to learn new lessons. Sometimes, you learn these new lessons in your daily lives. On other days, you may gain invaluable knowledge about life from a game of poker(扑克牌).     1     Here are some of the life lessons you can learn from playing poker.

Life is not fair.

Life is not designed to be fair. Some people will get the best cards while others will have to deal with the waste pieces. Life has its rules, but sticking to them does not exactly mean you will achieve success.     2     What you can do in life and in a game of poker is directly influence the things under your control.

Protect yourself.

You are the most important person in your life. When playing poker, you are the most important player, and the cards you have are valuable things.     3     Always be sure to be in charge of your safety.

Learn from mistakes.

    4     You learn from mistakes, and rather than trying to avoid mistakes, you should instead try to avoid repeating the same mistake. If you are trying to avoid mistakes in a poker game, you can get left behind quickly.

    5    

Gains and losses are a part of life. You win some to lose some, just like in a game of poker. Some risky actions may prove unprofitable after you are neck-deep in them. In such cases, you must know when to quit, count your losses, and bounce back better.

A．Mistakes are a part of life.

B．Know when to cut your losses.

C．Catch chances to improve yourselves.

D．The game of poker shows life in so many ways.

E．You have to trust yourself by not taking unbearable risks.

F．You are considered foolish when making the same mistakes.

G．Following the rules in poker does not mean you will win, either.