1 . This year I did something I’d never done—shopping at midnight on Black Friday after Thanksgiving. After all, you can get great deals online from the comfort of your bed over a hot cup of coffee. So why would I stand traffic, cold weather and crowds for a few bargains?
For my teenagers, spending time with Mom is usually down on their list next to homework and picking up the dog waste. So, when they asked me to take them shopping at the mall at midnight on Black Friday, my first reaction was definitely no! But my son, who usually runs the other way if I mention shopping, wanted me to take him shopping. I felt needed, though I knew it was my wallet and a ride, not quality (高质量的) time with Mom that they wanted.
Then the hour-long car ride. We followed songs on the radio and talked about the deals we hoped to get. I had opportunities to give them lessons on what not to do when driving, but I had to keep the peace. And we all connected as we sat with crazed smiles at midnight.
The kids scanned for a spot once we finally reached the busy parking lot. There was something about standing in a line that snakes around the building in the freezing cold that brings people together. Once inside, we had to work as a team, hoping to come together with just the right size and color. As I dug through mountain s of clothing for a particular shirt for my husband and gave up, my daughter came toward me, shirt in hand and victory on her face. “I got the last one!”
So we ended up at 3 am with some bargains. Nothing we couldn’t have found online or in stores at a reasonable hour. But for me, I got quality time with my kids. Driving home tired, looking in the mirror at my children’s sweet faces, I decided, “If they ask me to go again next year, I’m in.”
1. What did the kids need according to the author?| A．Buying things online with comfort. | B．Taking a cup of coffee comfortably. |
| C．Shopping at their mother’s expense. | D．Spending quality time with the family. |
| A．She shared their excitement. | B．She taught them some songs. |
| C．She taught them shopping tips. | D．She lectured them on behavior. |
| A．She had worked as a team member. | B．She had searched out her clothes. |
| C．She had been in line to see a snake. | D．She had found a shirt for her father. |
| A．Tiring. | B．Enjoyable. | C．Heart-broken. | D．Money-wasting. |
2 . In my whole life I was frightened by doctors. So when I recently launched a series of writing and publishing courses, I was shocked to find among my students several physicians, the same profession as my father. And they all wanted to be writers. Whenever someone mentioned their medical background, I’d think: I have to call Dad to tell him, but I couldn’t.
Raised up in a big Michigan family with three brilliant loud science brain brothers, I’d always felt left out by their Disease Game at dinner, where Dad threw out cases for them to diagnose. Our house was their laboratory. I was frequently scared by bees in jars in the refrigerator and pet rats.
Getting to study medicine was always Dad’s dream, so he encouraged the boys to follow in his footsteps. But I never truly settled down, chasing my dream for literary here and there. My father opposed my liberalism. I was overjoyed when Random House published my humorous memoirs (回忆录) about my past addictions. My father wasn’t so joyful. “You’re bringing disgrace on our family,” he snapped.
At 87, when my father was admitted to hospital with heart and kidney failure, we had a rare afternoon alone. Sitting by his bed, I apologized for taking so long to figure out my life.
“I have a lot of regrets,” he said, “It took me too long to make a decent living, screwing up jobs because of my bullheadedness and big mouth.”
I was nervous when his physician Olaf emailed me, but it wasn’t bad news. “Your dad says you’re a professor who helps people publish. Could you help me?” he asked.
“What did you tell Olaf about me?” I questioned Dad that night, still surprised.
“That you stuck to your guns and became a success,” he said.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me that?”
“I’m telling you now,” he said. He was pleased when I helped Olaf publish his first magazine piece.
I wish Dad were here so I could share the latest stories by my physician students. But I lost him four years ago. In a way, he still is, as I channel everything he taught me about hard work, and never giving up doing what you love.
1. What do we know about the author’s brothers?| A．They used to make loud noise. | B．They were addicted to playing games. |
| C．They were interested in medicine. | D．They distanced the author on purpose. |
| A．Taking over. | B．Focusing on. | C．Contributing to. | D．Messing up. |
| A．To help Olaf publish articles. | B．To discuss his physical condition. |
| C．To promote the author’s courses. | D．To share the author’s memoirs. |
| A．Enthusiastic but dishonest. | B．Modest but demanding. |
| C．Conservative but loving. | D．Helpful but selfish. |
Tim’s daughters, Hope and Hannah, have smartness, great humor, athletic abilities and beauty. His home is full of medals and many other awards his daughters have won over the years.
But the one thing they have never had in abundance (大量) is money. Having a single parent with a low-paid job, they never have pocket money. They wear hand-me-downs store clothing. But they never complain and never cry out for something Tim can’t afford.
Tim has many wonderful memories of his daughters. However, there is one that stands out.
When Hope was 10 years old and Hannah was 8 years old, they were looking for a gift to give Tim for Christmas. “Dad often gave us gifts. Now I think we should also give one to him,” Hope suggested. Hannah said it was a good idea. And they wondered what gift they should give their dad. After thinking for long, they thought of the National Geographic magazines. Their dad always loved the magazine. But because money was especially tight (紧的) that year, Tim had not been able to subscribe (订阅) to it. “The magazines sold in the bookstore aren’t that cheap. Well, at least, we can buy one and give it to Dad as a Christmas gift,” Hope said.
Not having any money of their own, Hope and Hannah then wondered how to solve the problem. Finally, they decided to find part-time jobs in the small neighborhood to make money. First, they needed to be permitted (允许) by their dad.
When they shared their decision one night, Tim thought they wanted to buy some toys, candy or something else for themselves. Since he couldn’t give them pocket money and thought part-time jobs could be helpful to a kid, he agreed. But he didn’t want them to be too tired, so he reminded them, “When you find you dislike the jobs, you can just give up.” Hope and Hannah smiled and nodded, and Tim thought they surely wouldn’t stick to their part-time jobs for long.
Paragraph 1:
The next morning, Hope and Hannah walked around the neighborhood to look for possible part-time jobs.
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Paragraph 2:
With the money, Hope and Hannah rushed to a nearby bookstore.
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4 . Driving has always been my escape. And then I have kids. Kids change the whole freedom of the road experience. They arrive in your backseat one day, like some crying VIPs that you need to carry around, and nothing is ever quite the same again.
These days, with three kids between the ages of 1 and 6 lined up in the backseat, I find that driving my car has become more about predicting what might erupt at any moment. So, for those of you about to become parents, here are some types of kids you’ll have in your car.
1. The Complainers
“Are we there yet?”
“Why is it taking so long?”
“I’m so bored that I hate your fat face, Dad!”
When kids are tired or feel a little annoyed, they complain. And nothing can make a car ride worse than a steady stream of complaint coming from the backseat.
2. The Boxers
Once you have two kids back there who’ve reached the age of 3 or 4, you can be absolutely certain that, if they are within even a long arm stretch of one another, they will hit each other in the face more frequently than most parents ever want to admit.
3. The Hungry Vikings
My kids attack the snack and let it fall anywhere they may. I don’t know why I continue to let my kids eat in the car. Maybe it’s because we’re on the go a lot? Maybe it’s because I’m a complete idiot? Regardless of the real reason, the fact of the matter is that kids under, say 15 seem to eat food in a moving vehicle much the same way that I imagine hungry Vikings used to tear a barely-cooked turkey leg whenever they set foot on shore after a long period at sea.
4. The Conversationalists
Kids are really great traveling companions a lot of the time-especially when they’re fast asleep. But when they’re just sitting back there talking to you, listening to you, and smiling at you in the rearview mirror (后视镜), those are the best times in the world.
1. What has changed the author’s driving experience?| A．Getting married. | B．Dealing with VIPs. |
| C．Carrying kids in the car. | D．Having naughty kids in the family. |
| A．They usually practice boxing in the car. |
| B．They usually fight each other like boxers. |
| C．They always pretend to be boxers. |
| D．They always watch boxing matches in the car. |
| A．they are always hungry |
| B．they have little food to eat in the car |
| C．they throw food everywhere |
| D．they behave wildly like stealing things |
5 . Picking tomatoes
For as long as I can remember Grandma’s plentiful tomato garden has been a sign of summer’s end. Each September, just as the decreased heat of the sun suggests cooler days, Grandma requests my help in her tomato garden. She convinces me she cannot pick tomatoes without my youthful eyes and quick mind. She says we need to examine each tomato and agree on its readiness for picking. While Grandma’s request for my help in the tomato garden is always the same, her desire for my help seems to increase each year.
Grandma has eyes for finding even the tomatoes hidden by undergrowth and other tomatoes. I, however, just turn circles looking for the ones I think Grandma will like. I spot what looks like a ripe tomato, head in its direction, and then get sidetracked by another that appears to be equally ripe. I usually end up watching Grandma and trying to stay out of her way, which seems the only way my eyes and mind are useful.
There we are, lost in the tomato vines (藤). Grandma’s eyes are always knowing, and they are no different in the vegetable garden. From afar she spots what looks like a ripe tomato. As she walks toward the garden, she evaluates the tomato for a second time, but from a different angle. I already know it will end up in the basket with the pile of others Grandma has carefully chosen. However, Grandma acts as if she needs final look to be sure. She calls me to her side, kneels beside the vine while enjoying the warmth of the fading sunlight on her face, and grasps the tomato in her hand. She turns each round, red ball toward the sunlight before disconnecting it from the vine with a halfhearted smile.
She then looks at me. I nod my head and smile. Grandma assumes I smile in agreement with her tomato selection. I know I smile, instead, at her.
1. Why does Grandma ask the author to go to the tomato garden with her?| A．He can help pick more tomatoes. |
| B．He can learn the hardship of labor. |
| C．She enjoys staying with him while working. |
| D．She tries to share the happiness of harvest with him. |
| A．is an inefficient tomato picker |
| B．really has youthful eyes and quick mind |
| C．has spent a lot of time gardening with Grandma |
| D．is a naughty child trying to be out of Grandma’s sight |
| A．realized her true intentions |
| B．felt very happy to pick potatoes for her |
| C．confirmed that her choice of tomato is great |
| D．appreciated her skill in finding ripe tomatoes |
| A．The grandchild will become more skillful at gardening than Grandma. |
| B．Grandma will develop more patience in working with the grandchild. |
| C．The grandchild will gradually become more independent of Grandma. |
| D．Grandma’s need for the grandchild’s company will grow over time. |
6 . I was 16 when one morning my father told me I could drive him into a village, about 18 miles away, on condition that I took the car into a nearby garage to be serviced. Having just learnt to drive and hardly ever having the chance to use the car, I happily accepted. I drove Dad into the village and promised to pick him up at 4 p.m., and then drove to a nearby garage. Because I had a few free hours, I decided to catch a couple of movies at a theatre near the garage. When the last movie had finished, it was six o’clock. I was two hours late!
I knew Dad would be angry if he found out I’d been watching movies. I decided to tell him that the car needed some repairs and that they had taken longer than expected. I drove up to the place where we had appointed to meet and saw Dad waiting patiently. I said sorry and told him that I’d come as quickly as I could, but the car had needed some repairs.
“I’m disappointed that you feel you have to lie to me, Jason.”
“What do you mean? I’m telling the truth.”
Dad looked at me. “When you did not show up, I called the garage. They told me that you had not yet picked up the car. So you see, I know there were no problems with the car.”
I had to confess (承认) to my trip to the movie theatre. Dad listened as a sadness passed through him.
“I’m angry, not with you but with myself. I have failed because I have brought up a son who cannot even tell the truth to his own father. I’m going to walk home now and consider where I have gone wrong all these years.”
“But Dad, it’s 18 miles to our home. It’s dark. You can’t walk home.” My words were useless. Dad began walking along the roads, silently, thoughtfully and painfully. For 18 miles I drove behind him.
This was the most painful experience that I had ever had. It was also the most successful lesson. I have never lied to my father since.
1. Why was the author delighted to drive his father into the village?| A．He longed to drive the car. |
| B．He intended to repair the car. |
| C．He looked forward to touring the village. |
| D．He had an opportunity to watch movies. |
| A．He followed the author. | B．He had repaired the car. |
| C．He rang up the garage. | D．He went to the garage. |
| A．Doubtful and tired. | B．Sorry and impatient. |
| C．Cold but disappointed. | D．Sad and annoyed. |
| A．A Bad Movie. | B．A White Lie. |
| C．A Long Walk Home. | D．A Drive to the Garage. |
Grandma tried to straighten out her fingers. “Jessica, I think I am done knitting (编织),” she said. “My fingers just won’t do what I tell them any more.” I looked at Grandma’s hands, remembering that she had taught me how to knit gloves for my dolls since I was little and that her hands had been sure and strong whatever she had knitted. Grandma had always said that I was very good with her knitting needles and balls of yarn (纱线).
But this winter she could hardly bend her fingers. The doctor said Grandma had arthritis (关节炎), suggesting she should keep her hands warm. I made her cups of tea to hold and moved her chair closer to the fire. However, her fingers were still difficult to move.
I wasn’t used to seeing Grandma’s hands so still. In the morning, her hands were still in her lap. In the evening, her quiet hands even made her voice stay still. I tried to help her find her voice. “Grandma, tell me about when you were a little girl like before,” I begged, knowing she loved to tell interesting stories of her nine brothers and sisters and herself during their childhood. “That was so long ago, Jessica,” whispered Grandma. “I can barely remember.”
This winter there were no hats with matching gloves or soft sweaters knitted by Grandma. But I missed her voice more than those. What about her sister Olga giving their snowman a bath in hot water? What about her brother Peti cutting off her doll’s beautiful hair and then hiding it? Were those words still moving silently in her head?
After dinner, Grandma fell asleep in her rocking chair. Mom sorted through our knitting items, among which an old pair of gloves caught my attention. The gloves were Grandma’s favorite ones with the names of Grandma and her nine brothers and sisters on the fingertips. Each time she wore them, all her happy childhood memories would become very interesting stories in her mouth.
注意：1.续写词数应为150左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
The gloves gave me an idea.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________“Grandma, shall we knit a new pair of gloves?” I asked hopefully.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________1. How long has Jessica’s mother been dancing?
| A．For 20 years. | B．For 23 years. | C．For 43 years. |
| A．Having an optimistic attitude towards life. |
| B．Fruits and vegetables. |
| C．Taking enough exercise. |
Becky Darig had always had a fascination with the cinema, and by the time she was nine years old, she knew she wanted to be an actress, shine on the big screen and be a star When Becky was seventeen, she unexpectedly got her break into show business, but she never imagined that her golden opportunity would turn her life and her family’s upside down.
It all started when Becky’s friend Anna spotted a call for teens to audition (试镜) for roles in a new TV show, which was also looking for a double for the lead actress. “You’d be perfect!” cried Anna. “And you’ve always wanted to be an actress. This could be your opportunity!” “I don’t know, Anna,” said Becky. “I have no experience!” Anna shook her head and said: “You know what my grandma said? Nothing ventured (冒险), nothing gained. You’ve got to try! I’ll come with you if you’re scared!”
Becky accepted her offer, and the next day the two girls were at the audition along with hundreds of other teens. The other hopefuls were all beautiful, and from their conversation, Becky could tell that they all had experience in acting. She was sure she would be knocked out immediately, but Anna kept telling her that she would be fine.
Finally, it was Becky’s turn, and she stepped into the room in front of the producers and the director. At the sight of Becky, the director’s mouth dropped open, and the producers stared whispering together excitedly. Becky introduced herself and started reading from the lines she had been handed in the hallway, but the director waved a hand.
“Becky? Is that your name?” he said. “We don’t need to hear anymore...” Becky felt her eyes fill with tears. She was so bad they didn’t even want her to finish the reading! Then the man said: “You’re hired(雇佣). You’ll be Jenna Marlow’s double.”
Becky understood the producers and the director’s amazement the next day when she met the new series’ leading lady, Jenna Marlow.
注意:
1.续写词数应为150左右;
2.请按如下格式在相应位置作答。
Looking into Jenna’s face was like looking into a mirror!
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The truth was uncovered when Jenna and Becky arranged a dinner and invited Mrs. Marlow and Mrs. Darling.
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From childhood, I was never a fan of football or any sports. My disinterest in “The Beautiful Game” was my attitude, avoiding discussions of football during school lunch breaks in school or dismissing the sports section of the newspaper.
As I grew older, my lack of interest became more obvious. I would go shopping during big games, posting photos on social media to show I had more free time than the people absorbed in their yearly sports. I considered my disengagement from the world of sports an intellectual advantage, a space in my brain reserved for non-sports activities.
However, this attitude of mine became a pressure to me. Casual conversations with friends’ fathers or fellow cab passengers became a challenge. The well-intentioned openers like, “Hey, terrible season we’re having, eh?” or “Who do you support?” made me feel my heart sink, not knowing what to reply. Though I still found football boring, I was starting to regret my outsider status.
The turning point came when I became a father myself. Fearing that my boy Harvey would lack the social involvement of football, I decided to change. So, I brought a football to the playground and I bought him a mini football table at home. I even took the brave step of buying tickets to watch our local team, Boreham Wood.
The friendly atmosphere of the Meadow Park Stadium, the home ground of Boreham Wood, immediately surprised me: low-key, free parking on the street, and £2.50 for a bag of chips. Families surrounded us, all with a real connection to the players on the field.
注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Slowly but surely, I found myself engaged in the game.
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With each visit to the stadium, our connection to football deepened.
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