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When I was growing up, I was ashamed to be seen with my father. He was severely disabled and very short, and when we would walk together, his hand on my arm for balance, people would stare. If he ever noticed or was bothered, he never let on.
It was difficult to coordinate（协调）our steps—his slow, mine impatient—and because of that, we didn’t say much as we went along. But as we started out, he always said, “You set the pace. I will try to adjust to you.”
He never talked about himself as an object of sympathy, nor did he show any envy of the more fortunate or able. What he looked for in others was a “good heart”, and if he found one, the owner was good enough for him. I believe that is a proper standard by which to judge people, even though I still don’t know accurately what a “good heart” is.
Unable to join in many activities, my father still tried to participate in some way. I now know he participated in some things indirectly through me, his only son. When I played ball (poorly), he “played” too. When I joined the Navy, he “joined” too. And when I came home on leave, he saw to it that I visited his office. Introducing me, he was really saying, “This is my son, but it is also me, and I could have done this, too, if things had been different.” Those words were never said aloud.
He has been gone many years now, but I think of him often. I wonder if he sensed my unwillingness to be seen with him during our walks. If he did, I am sorry I never told him how sorry I was, how unworthy I was, how I regretted it. I think of him when I complain about small affairs, when I am envious of another’s good fortune, when I don’t have a “good heart”.
At such times I put my hand on his arm to regain my balance, and say, “You set the pace. I will try to adjust to you.”
1.The author felt unhappy walking with his father because ________.
A. he felt sympathy for his father’s physical disability
B. it was hard for them to walk at the same pace
C. he didn’t want others to know he had an ugly father
D. it was not easy for his father to keep balance
2.In the father’s view, the most important quality a good person should have is ________.
A. beautiful appearance B. excellent health C. a smart head D. a good heart
3.It can be inferred from the text that ________.
A. the father was proud of his only son
B. the father took part in all his son’s activities
C. the author was upset when asked to his father’s office
D. the author was an outstanding player
4.According to the last paragraph, by saying “You set the pace. I will adjust to you.” the author means that ________.
A. he is now glad to help his father to walk
B. he regrets his unwillingness to walk with his father
C. he will follow Father’s standards of being a good man
D. he will never forget how mentally strong his father was
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Swim Birthday Parties
Ages 3 and up.
Pool parties are during recreation swim in the 25-yard pool. Each party consists of an hour of celebration in a private room. Parties are for 1—5 children. All non-swimmers or children requiring floatation must be at arm’s length from the pool and accompanied by an adult or guardian.
Please contact Sarah Hagan 762—8384x210.
Fee: Members $ 175/Non-members $225
Youth Fitness Birthday Parties
Leave the party activities to us! Your party package includes:1/2 hour set-up,1 hour program time including equipment,props,etc.1 hour party time for cake,presents,etc.,1/2 hour clean-up time and 1 or 2 hours specialists. Parents supply decorations, food and paper goods. To schedule a Youth Fitness Birthday Party, call Mary Ann Genuario (x282).
Fee:$295 for up to 10 children,$10 each additional child—16 children maximum. Non-member price available upon request.
The Art Spot Birthday Parties
The Art Spot offers a variety of creative fine art parties for Ages 4—Adult! We supply the invitations, a balloon bouquet(花束), paper goods, project materials and a party host; all you need to bring is the cake!
Parties are one and a half hours, the first hour the group create their art project, and last 1/2 hour is for cake and presents! Parties are usually held on Friday nights and weekends but weekday parties are available.
Cost: $21 per child.
Rain or shine there’s no better place than the Art Spot for your child’s next party!
Nursery School Birthday Parties
If planning a party is not your thing, let us do the work for you! We offer a variety of pre-planned parties to choose from. You may also do a combination of 2 parties for boy/ girl parties. All parties are on Saturday afternoons between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. and are one and a half hours in length. Parties include a craft or activity and paper goods. You may arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time to set-up. To schedule a party please contact Kim Murphy(x214).
Fee(Up to 15 children):$200 Members/ $250 Non-member,$15 each additional child.
1.The phrase “be at arm’s length” probably means“________”.
A. be as careful as possible B. be as long as an arm
C. be as near as possible D. be as faraway as possible
2.If 12 children take part in Youth Fitness Birthday Parties, they will pay________.
A.$ 455 B.$315 C.$ 200 D.$250
3.If your child joins in the Art Spot Birthday Parties, he will________.
A. swim in the 25-yard pool B. spend half an hour to clean up
C. create his own art project D. o activities with other kids
4.What information can you get from the passage?
A. You can schedule the party when it is convenient for you.
B. The number of people for these parties is limited.
C. ou need to bring nothing to join in the birthday parties.
D. All of these birthday parties center on a special theme.
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Like any good mother,when Karen found out that another baby was on the way,she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son,Michael,prepare for a new baby.Day after day,night after night,Michael sang to his mommy’s tummy(肚子).
Finally,Michael’s little sister was born.But she was in serious condition.With sirens (警报) howling in the night,the ambulance rushed the baby to St.Mary’s Hospital.The days inched by.The little girl became worse.The pediatric(儿科的) specialist told the parents to prepare for the worst.
Michael kept begging about singing to his sister,but kids are not allowed in pediatric department at St.Mary’s Hospital.Karen made up her mind to take Michael to see his sister.She dressed him in an oversized suit and marched him into the hospital.He looked like a walking laundry basket,but the head nurse recognized him as a child and shouted,“Get that kid out of here now!”Karen rose up strong,and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed into the head nurse’s face.“He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!”
Karen towed （拖行）Michael to his sister’s bedside.He gazed at the tiny baby losing the battle to live.And he began to sing.In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old,Michael sang,“You are my sunshine,my only sunshine.You make me happy when skies are grey.”At once the baby girl responded.Her pulse(脉搏) rate became calm and steady.Her strained breathing became smoother.
“Keep on singing,Michael.”“The other night,dear,as I lay sleeping,I dreamed I help you in my arms…”Michael’s little sister relaxed as healing rest seemed to sweep over her.“Keep on singin,Michael.”Tears conquered the face of the nurse.“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.Please don’t take my sunshine away.”
The next day—the very next day—the little girl was well enough to go home!
1.Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?
A.It’s Hard to Raise a Baby B.The Miracle of a Brother’s Song
C.Mother’s Love D.An Unforgettable Day
2.From Karen’s action in the first paragraph we know that________.
A.mothers often pay much attention to their newly-born babies
B.mothers often tell their children how to look after their younger brothers or sisters
C.it is good for children to learn to sing songs to babies
D.it often takes some time for a child to accept his/her newly-born brother or sister
3.When did Michael’s sister go home?
A three days later B.after two weeks C.after one year D the very next day
4.Which words can describe Michael?
A.Naughty and annoying. B.Strong and brave.
C.Active and careless. D.Concerned and determined.
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For many businessmen online education has been a dream．Now it has come true．The investment （投资） in higher education, whether financial or in terms of time, has long been impossible for many of them．But well-known educational institutions have chosen to deliver an internet-based program, and these barriers(障碍) have been lifted．
That is good news for people eager to improve themselves and is more attractive to employers．It is also a benefit to industry with better qualified candidates（候选人） applying for jobs at every level．
Having the benefits of a higher qualification（资格） without going to the university campus is attractive to many students．Campus study means greater cost, while online programs are flexible and save time, whether at home or at work．Students can achieve their degrees without causing too much disruption to their career or home life．
In addition to affordable, flexible（灵活） classes and greater convenience, students also have access to the online learning resources of many of the world’s top educational institutions．They can also communicate with their tutors no matter what time it is or whether either party is away for any reason．
This has opened up the possibility of getting a qualification from a university or college that many students could only have dreamed of in the past．It also allows specialists to get the precise qualifications and focus on their studies．As well as seeing the increase of applicants from lower-incomes and housewives, studying online in the US is even becoming popular with younger people of college age．
Employers have become increasingly welcome and positive to online qualifications as more candidates earn them, especially if they’re properly approved by the US Department of Education．
US institutions have led the way in online education provision（供给）．Many top US colleges and universities offer a range of online programs that are highly respected and in every way perfectly fit for adults who need to combine their studies with a working life．
1.According to Paragraph 1, many US colleges and universities ______．
A．have begun to lift the barriers to financial investment
B．have begun to run an internet-based program
C．have had a dream of offering online education
D．have gained financial investment
2.Why do people choose online education?
A．They can find jobs more easily than on-campus graduates．
B．They can get qualifications from US Department of Education．
C．They can save money and arrange their time and courses freely．
D．They can invest money in different courses provided online．
3.The underlined word “disruption” in the third paragraph probably mean ______．
A．dissatisfaction B．attention C．attraction D．interruption
4.Which would be a good title for the passage?
A．Adult Education Online
B．Online Education Taking the Place of Campus Education
C．Top US Universities Offering Online Education
D．The Best of USA’s Online Education
