1 . Life’s journey can often be a lonely one without the comforting presence of companionship. While the significance of friendship is frequently praised, the true essence (本质) of being a genuine friend is often overlooked. A true friend is like family, and the bond you share is strong enough to stand the test of even long periods without talking. Then what contributes to true friendship?
Will Smith’s words, “If you’re absent during my struggle, don’t expect to be present during my success,” capture the essence of real friendship. We all face tough times, feeling depressed or even hopeless at times. A genuine friend stands by their companion through both the ups and downs of life. While it’s effortless to share joyous moments, friendship shines through during tough times. True friends do not abandon each other in times of trouble; instead, they face challenges together, providing mutual support even if it goes against their own interests.
True friends not only stand by you through thick and thin, but also offer constructive criticism when necessary. Oscar Wilde once said, “The truth is rarely pure and never simple,” highlighting how tough it can be to tell friends things they might not want to hear. While delivering criticism is never easy, a genuine friend is unafraid to point out mistakes or misguided paths. Giving constructive criticism, along with helpful advice, is a key part of true friendship. A true friend will speak up if they see you heading down a harmful path, even if it’s uncomfortable. The reluctance to speak up against a friend’s bad decision may lead to regret. As Wilde suggests, truth can be complex, but it’s important to express genuine concern. In a strong friendship, honest and caring advice weaves a web of trust and mutual growth.
In conclusion, the essence of true friendship lies in the willingness to sacrifice personal comfort for the benefit of a friend. Genuine friends are not fair-weather companions; they are present through highs and lows, and provide constructive criticism with care. To have even one true friend is a blessing that should be treasured. Let us strive to be true friends and, in turn, cherish the true friends we encounter on life’s journey.
1. In Paragraph 1, the author presents ______.| A．the essential nature of true friendship |
| B．the significance of family bonds over friendship |
| C．the challenges of maintaining lasting relationships |
| D．the contribution of personal qualities to true friendship |
| A．It merely exists during moments of success. |
| B．It relies on criticizing friends during tough times. |
| C．It prioritizes personal interests over companionship. |
| D．It involves mutual support during both highs and lows. |
| A．adopting proper exaggerations | B．employing famous quotes |
| C．sharing personal experiences | D．providing statistical evidence |
| A．Friends who are always reliable and trustworthy. | B．Friends who offer constructive criticism with care. |
| C．Friends who only support you during good times. | D．Friends who show little interest in your success. |
| A．Better an honest enemy than a false friend. |
| B．Friendship is the only ship that never sinks. |
| C．Friendship is like money, easier made than kept. |
| D．Friends catch you when you fall and push you forward. |
2 . When you choose a friend, you should be very careful. A good friend can help you study. You can have fun together and make each other happy. Sometimes you will meet fair weather (晴天) friends. They will be with you as long as you have money or luck, but when you are down, they will run away. How do I know when I have found a good friend? I look for certain qualities of character, especially understanding, honesty and reliability .
Above all else, I look for understanding in a friend. A good friend tries to understand how another person is feeling. He is not quick to judge. Instead, he tries to learn from others. He puts himself in the other person’s place, and he tries, to think of ways to be helpful. He is, also a good listener.
At the same time, however, a good friend is honest. He does not look for faults in others. He notices their good points. In short, good friends will be honest to each other and accept each other.
Another quality of a friend is reliability. I can always depend on a good friend. If he tells me he will meet me somewhere at a certain time, I can be sure that he will be there. If I need a favour, he will do his best to help me. If I am in trouble, he will not run away from me.
There is a fourth quality that makes a friend special. A special friend is someone with whom we can have fun. We should enjoy our lives, and we would enjoy our friendship. That is why I especially like friends who are fun to be with. A good friend likes the same things I like. We share experience and learn from each other. A good friend has a good sense of humour, too. He likes to laugh with me. That is how we share in the joy of being friends. And I know that he is looking for the same quality in me.
When I meet someone who is reliable, honest, and understanding, I know I’ve found a friend!
1. If you have fair weather friends, what will happen to you?| A．You will become rich. |
| B．You can be sure that you get real friends. |
| C．You will be refused when you get into trouble. |
| D．They will give you all that they have when you need help. |
| A．Honesty. | B．Reliability. | C．Understanding. | D．A sense of humour. |
| A．Cloudy. | B．Unusual. | C．Unhappy. | D．Pleased. |
| A．He will look for faults in others. | B．He will do his best to help me. |
| C．He likes to laugh at me. | D．He is funny. |
| A．the qualities of a friend | B．where to choose friends |
| C．how to get along with friends | D．the importance of having a friend |
3 . There is an old Chinese proverb that states “One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade.” and this is how it should be with mothers and daughters. The relationship between a mother and a daughter is sometimes confusing. The relationship can be similar to friendship. However, the mother and daughter relationship has unique characteristics that distinguish it from a friendship. These characteristics include a hierarchy(等级)of responsibilities and unconditional love, which preclude mothers and daughters from being best friends.
Marina, 27 years old, said, “I love spending time with my mom, but I wouldn’t consider her my best friend. Best friends don’t pay for your wedding. Best friends don’t remind you how they carried you in their body and gave you life! Best friends don’t tell you how wise they are because they have been living at least 20 years longer than you.”
This doesn’t mean that the mother and daughter relationship can’t be very close and satisfying. This generation of mothers and adult daughters has a lot in common, which increases the likelihood of shared companionship. Mothers and daughter shave always shared the common experience of being homemakers, responsible for maintaining and passing on family values and traditions. Today contemporary mothers and daughters also share the experience of work and technology, which may bring them even closer together.
Best friends may or may not continue to be best friends, but for better or worse, the mother and daughter relationship is permanent, even if for some unfortunate reason they aren’t speaking. Sometimes this is not an equal relationship. Daughters don’t always feel responsible for their mother’s emotional well-being. But mothers never stop being mothers, which includes frequently wanting to protect their daughters and often feeling responsible for their happiness. The mother and daughter relationship is a relationship that is not replaceable by any other. Mothers always “trump” friends.
1. What does the underlined word “preclude” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Differ. | B．Benefit. | C．Prevent. | D．Change. |
| A．Her mother is anything but her best friend. |
| B．Best friends will not remind her of important issues in life. |
| C．Her mother is wiser on account of her age. |
| D．Best friends will not spend money on her wedding. |
| A．Because they share advanced technology with each other. |
| B．Because they work together to support the whole family. |
| C．Because they experience the same values and traditions. |
| D．Because they have common experience in life and work. |
| A．A mother-daughter relationship can be replaced by friendship. |
| B．A mother’s love brings her and her daughter a close friendship. |
| C．It’s impossible for Marina to develop relationship with her mother. |
| D．A mother-daughter relationship goes beyond best friendship. |
| A．How to Be a Good Mother and Daughter |
| B．Generation Gap between Mother and Daughter |
| C．Can a Mother Be a Daughter’s Best Friend? |
| D．Daughters Be Independent from Mothers |
4 . There’s a small brick house I visit from time to time. It’s not the house that is special, but rather the person who lives inside.
I met Jenny about 45 years ago when she was my sister’s kindergarten teacher. I remember looking into her classroom wishing I was her student. Jenny created a safe place where we could be whatever we wanted to be in that moment. My parents told me I could start school when I was 4. Though, when I turned 4 in the spring, I couldn’t understand why I had to wait until September.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a teacher. When I graduated, I couldn’t wait to invite Jenny to my classroom. She arrived one day, and I saw joy on my students’ faces singing the same songs I sang with her as a child. As a new teacher, I marveled at how she connected with children. For years, Jenny volunteered in my classroom.
Over the years we have shared in each other’s ups and downs. She asks me for updates about my family and friends, and she tells me about hers.
I am here for her now as the time to sell her house is near. I bring up boxes from her basement. We go through every painting a student has given her, every thank-you note a parent has written and her teaching aids.
I find papers featuring the letters of the alphabet. I find my own name printed in green marker. Suddenly, my mind goes back to Room 3.
More than 40 years ago, Jenny sat on the carpet at her feet. We learned about the letters and their sounds. Now, Jenny sits on her rocking chair, and I find myself sitting at her feet. Over tea, we talk for hours. I listen intently because I know I still have more to learn from her.
Our friendship is one that neither one of us expected. Educators know teaching is a profession devoted to the development of young individuals. The lucky ones get to see what their students have done with their lives. The exceptional ones never leave their students’ hearts.
1. What is the best title of the passage?| A．A small brick house. | B．Unexpected friendship. |
| C．A kindergarten teacher. | D．Letters of the alphabet. |
| A．To be surprised at. | B．To be satisfied with. |
| C．To be disappointed at. | D．To be angry with. |
| A．A singer. | B．A painter. | C．A teacher. | D．A volunteer. |
| A．Teachers play an important role in the development of students. |
| B．Every teacher will never leave their students’ hearts. |
| C．Every teacher will know what their students do with their lives. |
| D．Student are lucky enough to make friends with their teachers. |
| A．Jenny taught the author painting pictures. |
| B．The author received thank-notes from the parents. |
| C．The author often visited Jenny’s basement. |
| D．The author has learned a lot from Jenny. |
I used to have a really good group of friends. Now they’re all getting into smoking and drinking. I want to find a new group of friends, but I’m shy. How can I know who are the types of people I should make friends with, who will accept me?
Yours,
Mike
Dear Mike,
You’ve already made a very important step because you’ve realized that it’s time to find new friends. Making and keeping good friends is a challenge for all of us, whether you are shy or not. Since you’ve done this successfully before, one thing is to think back on how you developed friendship in the past.
Probably the best way to make and keep friends is to find others who share your interests. Lasting friendships often develop between people who enjoy the same activities. You also want to be with friends who share your values and goals for life. It just depends on what your own interests are.
That old saying is also true—the best way to have a friend is to be a friend. Reach out to the others who share your interests, sit with them at lunch, invite them to join you in activities you all like, listen to their thoughts and tell them about yours. Being a real friend takes time and effort. With time and effort, I’m sure you will find some very good friends during your school years and you’ll always be in touch after leaving school.
Yours,
Tom Black
1. Mike wrote the letter to ________.| A．ask Mr Black why people don’t like him |
| B．ask Mr Black why his old friends left him |
| C．ask Mr Black to introduce some friends to him |
| D．ask Mr Black for some advice on making friends |
| A．Because they try to make him smoke and drink. |
| B．Because they have formed some bad habits. |
| C．Because they no longer want to spend time with him. |
| D．Because they have never treated him as a good friend. |
| A．not so easy | B．just hard for shy people |
| C．an easy task for some people | D．especially difficult for students |
| A．haven’t good goals for life | B．can set good examples to him |
| C．have a lot of money | D．have the same interests as him |
| A．wait until a true friend appears |
| B．make as many friends as possible |
| C．act like a friend so as to have a friend |
| D．tell his friends what he really thinks of them |
6 . Lena could clearly remember the night she had to flee her home in Hungary. It was the beginning of the Second World War and her family needed to escape fast. She quickly packed a suitcase with a few pieces of clothing, her diary, and her most prized possession — a beautiful silk scarf. Lena and her best friend, Monika, had persuaded their parents to buy them matching scarves, which they each wore tied around their neck as a symbol of their friendship. Lena had no idea that when she left for America that night, she would never return. Her family settled on the sunny west coast in California.
Lena kept that special silk scarf for many years. One day she decided to give it to her granddaughter, Eliza, to wear to her first job interview for good luck. Lena was afraid that Eliza would lose the scarf, but her granddaughter reassured her, “Don’t worry, Grandma, nothing’s going to happen to your scarf. You’ll see. It is going to bring both of us luck today.” With that, Eliza kissed her grandmother on the cheek and left.
That afternoon, Eliza left the interview feeling confident that she had got the job. She decided to celebrate by going to a restaurant. As she sat at her table, she felt someone staring at her. Sitting next to her was an elderly woman who could not take her eyes off her. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?” Eliza asked.
“I’m sorry, dear, but you remind me of someone I once knew,” the old woman replied in an accented voice. “My best friend looked like you and used to wear a scarf just like the one you’re wearing around your neck.” Eliza felt goose bumps go up her arms. She had heard stories of her grandmother’s best friend and knew the significance of the scarf. Could this be Monika, her grandmother’s childhood friend?
Eliza introduced herself and waited to hear the name of the other woman. “My name is Monika, dear. I’m originally from Hungary, but my family had to leave when I was 14 and I’ve been living here in California ever since.” Eliza could not believe it. She said, “Monika, would you mind going somewhere with me? I want to show you someone very special.” The elderly woman agreed and they left the restaurant together.
They walked the short distance to Lena’s home and rang the doorbell. When Lena opened the door, she was amazed to see her childhood friend standing in front of her. The scarf had indeed brought good luck.
1. Why did Lena and her family leave Hungary?| A．Because they intended to make a fortune in America. |
| B．Because they preferred to live on the sunny coast. |
| C．Because it was dangerous in their home at the war time. |
| D．Because they wanted to follow her best friend, Monika. |
| A．Eliza went to the restaurant to meet Monika. | B．Lena cherished the silk scarf very much. |
| C．A silk scarf is a symbol of good luck. | D．Eliza celebrated with Lena in a restaurant. |
| A．the stranger’s stare made her scared |
| B．she got cold when she took the scarf off |
| C．she thought the old woman’s accent was too strange |
| D．she couldn’t believe she should meet her grandma’s childhood friend |
a. Eliza wore the silk scarf to the interview. b. Lena’s parents bought her a silk scarf.
c. Eliza went to a restaurant for celebration. d. Lena met her childhood friend.
e. Lena fled her home in hurry. f. Eliza unexpectedly met Monika.
| A．b-e-a-c-f-d | B．e-b-a-f-c-d | C．e-d-b-a-c-f | D．b-e-a-f-c-d |
| A．Reunion in California. | B．The Lucky Silk Scarf. |
| C．A Life-long Friendship. | D．Like Grandmother Like Granddaughter. |
7 . In choosing a friend, one should be very careful. A good friend can help you study. You can have fun together and make each other happy. Sometimes you will meet fair-weather friends. They will be with you as long as you have money or luck, but when you are down, they will run away. How do I know when I have found a good friend?
In my opinion, understanding is the most important quality in choosing a good friend. A good friend tries to understand how another person is feeling. He is not quick to judge. Instead, he tries to think of ways to be helpful. He is also a good listener.
At the same time, however, a good friend is honest. He does not look for faults in others. He notices their good points. In short, a friend will try to understand me and accept me.
Another quality of a friend is reliability. I can always depend on a good friend. If he tells me he will meet me somewhere at a certain time, I can be sure that he will be there. If I need a favor, he will do his best to help me. If I am in trouble, he will not run away from me.
There is a fourth quality that makes friend special. A special friend is someone with whom we can have fun. We should enjoy our lives, and we would enjoy our friendship. That is why I especially like friends who are fun to be with. A good friend likes the same things I like. We share experiences and learn from each other. A good friend has a sense of humor, too. He likes to laugh with me. That is how we share in the joy of being friends. And I know that he is looking for the same quality in me.
When I meet someone that is reliable, honest, and understanding, I know I’ve found a good friend.
1. In the opinion of the writer, what is the most important in choosing a good friend?| A．A sense of humor. | B．Sharing experiences. |
| C．A good listener. | D．Understanding. |
| A．you will be refused when you get into trouble. |
| B．they will give you all that they have when you need help |
| C．you will become rich |
| D．you can be sure that you get real friends |
| A．have money or luck | B．understand each other’s feeling |
| C．be helped with money | D．always point out each other’s mistakes |
| A．how to get along with friends | B．where to choose friends |
| C．the qualities of friends | D．the importance of having a friend |
| A．rely on | B．call on | C．go on | D．hold on |
8 . I’ll soon be the birthday of one of my closest friends, Susie. I still cannot decide what to give her. She’s a rare friend because she has been there for me all the time whenever I need a friend to talk to. I can always depend on her to be the first to arrive to give me advice when I have problems. I guess I am so lucky to have her as a friend.
It’s more than seven years since I first met Susie in our school. I joined the theater group and she was a director then. At first I thought she was intimidating but in the end I realized that she needed to keep a strict image (形象) in order to make her actors, and actresses take her seriously. And then during practice I got a chance to know her better. In fact, she was a friendly and warmhearted person. Soon we become good friends.
I don’t know exactly what to give my friend on her birthday as I believe she has everything. So it’s really hard to buy her a gift she will like. This year I want something different and special but I don’t know what to give. One day I searched the Internet without any purpose and to my surprise there is a really lovely site where we can buy all kinds of gifts.
I scanned (浏览) some of their items and I found cool and exciting gifts. I chose a special personalized bracelet (手镯). I’m sure that this will look perfect on her. I put our names as part of the design of the bracelet so that it’ll remind us that we’ll be good friends forever. I can’t wait to give her my gift but I won’t tell her yet. I don’t want to destroy the surprise.
1. The writer considers Susie as a rare friend because ________.| A．Susie is good at solving problems. | B．Susie is a friendly and warmhearted person. |
| C．Susie and the writer have lots of things to talk about. | D．Susie can always offer help when the writer is in need. |
| A．satisfying | B．frightening | C．friendly | D．warm-hearted |
| A．without difficulty | B．while searching online | C．with the help of her friend | D．while shopping in a store |
| A．give her friend a big surprise | B．make the present more special |
| C．make her friend remember their friendship forever | D．make her friend remember the difference between them |
| A．the importance of a gift | B．the importance of a friend |
| C．a special gift for a special friend | D．a way to get along with a friend |
9 . We are all born social and company to live happy and fruitful life. Healthy and supportive mutual relationships help reduce stress and promote the, physical, mental and emotional well-being by building skills like time management, assertiveness( 坚定自信), sociability and empathy.
Making friends has made me feel secure. However, I have to be cautious to pick up friends sharing similar tastes and values. In addition, having added to one’s circle of friends helps one feel supported.
It is true that finding time to cultivate relationships is all about effective time management. My busy uncle finds time to catch up with family and friends during his tea and lunch breaks. Similarly my friend Somya uses her time on her way back home from work in her chauffeur-driven car to catch up with people. The modern inventions of SMS and e-mail help send wishes for birthdays and anniversaries to show your love and care.
Assertiveness is as much applicable to relationships. My friend Mohana emphasizes that neither being a passive observer nor being aggressive helps relationships. It is assertiveness in our relationships that opens the lines of effective communication. It emphasizes helping friends in need and also strengthens mutually supportive relationships.
It is also true that assertiveness by intuition promotes discretion(自行决定权) of friends and helps Lalitha distinguish positive people from drains of energy. She can easily figure this out by the flow of the conversation, the way each feels understood, accepted and supported, and by how I feel, happy, bored or energized in the relationship. It also helps to know whether all benefit from each other’s positive aspects.
Handling stress in life is all about cultivating mutually supportive relationships and working on them. Manisha always says she feels great when sharing her feelings after a hard day with people who share similar ideas. Actually we all need someone who would not just hear us, but listen to us, and we need to cultivate the art of listening and understanding people.
1. A busy person can develop his social relationships by________.| A．inviting friends for dinner | B．making friends with strangers |
| C．working hard for high positions | D．getting together in the intervals of business |
| A．Being passive. | B．Being assertive. |
| C．Being aggressive. | D．Being relaxed. |
| A．lonely | B．bored | C．stressed | D．energetic |
| A．Manisha. | B．Mohana. | C．Lalitha. | D．Somya. |
| A．How should we handle our stress in life? |
| B．What is to be done for applicable relationships? |
| C．How can we pick up friends supporting us? |
| D．How people build mutually supportive social relationship? |
Many students want to find friends on the Internet as a way of practicing their language skills and learning more about new cultures. Traditional pen pals were the primary source for such contacts, and students could write each other letters. With the Internet, finding friends has become much easier, and such relationships are called key pals.
However, care and consideration should be given when finding friends on the Internet:
◎Search the Internet for reputable(有信誉的) services. Look for reviews of such sites to learn more about other students’ experiences. Don’t join a service until you have done your research.
◎Check to see if you can use a nickname, instead of ________, to protect your identity.
◎Never give personal information to anyone, including your home address, phone number, and birthday.
◎Stop contact with others if you feel uncomfortable with the topics of conversation. Again, if you protect your identity, this will be easier to do. Tell your teachers, parents, or even local law enforcement if problems arise.
◎Try to use the language you are studying in the classroom in your communication with others.
◎Ask appropriate questions that will also help you learn about other cultures. Remember that someone’s personal experience might help you to understand a whole culture. You have to talk to many different people, and this will get you started.
1. Please give this passage a proper title. (Please answer within 10 words)2. Please fill in the blank with proper words. (Please answer within 5 words)
3. Which sentence in the passage is the closest in meaning to the following one? (Please answer within 20 words)
Pen friends used to write letters to keep in touch with each other.
4. Why do many students want to find friends on the Internet?(Please answer within 15 words.)
5. What would you like to do if you had a bit of a problem with your key pals? (Please answer within 10 words)
