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When my first wartime Christmas came, I was in basic training in New Jersey and not sure if I could make it home for the holidays. Only on the afternoon of December 23 was the list of men who would have three-day passes (通行证) posted. I was one of the lucky soldiers.
It was Christmas Eve when I arrived, and a light snow had fallen. Mother opened the front door. I could see beyond her, into the corner of the living room where the tree had always stood. There were lights, all colors, and ornaments (装饰物) shining against the green of a pine.
“Where did it come from？” I asked.
“I asked the Gates boy to cut it,” my mother said. “I wouldn’t have had one just for myself, but when you called--- oh, such a rush! He just brought it in this afternoon…”
The pine reached to the proper height, almost to the ceiling, and the Tree Top Krystal Star was in its place. A few green branches reached about a little awkwardly (难看地) at the side, I thought, and there was a bit of bare trunk showing in the middle. But the tree filled the room with warm light and the whole house with pleasant smell of Christmas.
“It’s not like the ones you used to find,” my mother went on. “Yours were always in good shape. I suppose the Gates boy didn’t know where to look. But I couldn’t be picky.”
“Don’t worry, ” I told her. “It’s perfect.”
It wasn’t, of course, but at the moment I realized something for the first time: all Christmas trees are perfect.
1.When the writer got home, ________.
A. it was December 23
B. it was snowing heavily
C. he found a Christmas tree in the living room
D. the Gates boy was cutting a Christmas tree for his mother
2.From the passage, we can conclude推断 that ________.
A. the writer used to cut very beautiful Christmas trees
B. his mother didn’t like perfect trees
C. his mother didn’t want to have a tree
D. the writer wouldn’t have a tree cut by someone else
3.“All Christmas trees are perfect”, because they can remind you of ________.
A. the wartime B. the green of a pine C. the pleasant smell D. the sweet home
4.The best title for this passage would be “________”.
A. How to Choose a Christmas Tree B. How Soldiers Spent Christmas
C. The Perfect Christmas Tree D. The Christmas Without a Tree
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When my first wartime Christmas came, I was in basic training in New Jersey and not sure if I would make it home for the holidays. Only on the afternoon of December 23 was the list of men who would have the three-day holiday posted. I was one of the lucky soldiers. It was Christmas Eve when I arrived home, and a little snow had fallen. Mother opened the front door. I could see beyond her, into the corner of the living room where the tree had always stood, there were lights, all colors, and ornaments (饰品) shining against the green of a pine.
“Where did it come from?” I asked.
“I asked the Gates boy to cut it,” my mother said. “I wouldn’t have had one just for myself, but when in great need…such a rush! He just brought it in this afternoon.”
The pine reached to the proper height, almost to the ceiling, and the Tree Top Crystal Star was in its place. A few green branches reached out a little awkwardly(难看) at the side, I thought, and there was a bit of bare trunk showing in the middle. But the tree filled the room with warm light and the whole house with the pleasant smell of Christmas.
“It’s not like the one you used to find,” my mother went on. “Yours were always in good shape. I suppose the Gates boy didn’t know where to look for a better one. But I couldn’t be fussy because he had tried his best.”
“Don’t worry,” I told her. “It’s perfect.”
It wasn’t, of course, but at the moment I realized something for the first time: all Christmas trees are perfect.
1.What did his mother’s Christmas tree look like?
A. 
B. 
C. 
D. 
2.Which of the following is TRUE according to the story?
A. One soldier told the writer he would have a three-day holiday for Christmas.
B. When the writer got home, the Gates boy was cutting a Christmas tree.
C. His mother would not complain for the Christmas tree which looked awkward.
D. All the soldiers were lucky to go home for Christmas during the war.
3.From the passage, we can infer that ___________.
A. the writer spent his first Christmas during the war
B. the writer didn’t like the tree cut by someone else
C. the writer used to cut very beautiful Christmas tree
D. his mother didn’t want to have a Christmas tree during wartime
4.What does the writer mean by saying “all Christmas trees are perfect”?
A. Nothing is as perfect as Christmas.
B. Once at home, everything is so nice.
C. During the war, trees are hard to find.
D. All Christmas trees are the most beautiful.
5.Which would be the best title for the passage?
A. A Soldier and the Christmas Tree B. How Soldiers Spent Christmas
C. The Perfect Christmas Tree D. Christmas and a Special Tree
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When my first wartime Christmas came, I was in basic training in New Jersey and not sure if I could make it home for the holidays. Only on the afternoon of December 23 was the list of men who would have three-day passes (通行证) posted. I was one of the lucky soldiers.
It was Christmas Eve when I arrived, and a light snow had fallen. Mother opened the front door. I could see beyond her, into the corner of the living room where the tree had always stood. There were lights, all colors, and ornaments (装饰物) shining against the green of a pine.
“Where did it come from？” I asked.
“I asked the Gates boy to cut it,” my mother said. “I wouldn’t have had one just for myself, but when you called--- oh, such a rush! He just brought it in this afternoon…”
The pine reached to the proper height, almost to the ceiling, and the Tree Top Krystal Star was in its place. A few green branches reached about a little awkwardly (难看地) at the side, I thought, and there was a bit of bare trunk showing in the middle. But the tree filled the room with warm light and the whole house with pleasant smell of Christmas.
“It’s not like the ones you used to find,” my mother went on. “Yours were always in good shape. I suppose the Gates boy didn’t know where to look. But I couldn’t be picky.”
“Don’t worry, ” I told her. “It’s perfect.”
It wasn’t, of course, but at the moment I realized something for the first time: all Christmas trees are perfect.
1. When the writer got home, ________.
A. it was December 23
B. it was snowing heavily
C. he found a Christmas tree in the living room
D. the Gates boy was cutting a Christmas tree for his mother
2. From the passage, we can conclude（推断） that ________.
A. the writer used to cut very beautiful Christmas trees
B. his mother didn’t like perfect trees
C. his mother didn’t want to have a tree
D. the writer wouldn’t have a tree cut by someone else
3.“All Christmas trees are perfect”, because they can remind you of ________.
A. the wartime B. the green of a pine
C. the pleasant smell D. the sweet home
4. The best title for this passage would be “________”.
A. How to Choose a Christmas Tree
B. How Soldiers Spent Christmas
C. The Perfect Christmas Tree
D. The Christmas Without a Tree
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When I was a soldier , my first Christmas came. I was in training in New Jersey and not sure if I could make it home for the holidays. Only on the afternoon of December 23 was the list of men who would have three-day passes (通行证) posted. I was one of the lucky soldiers.
It was Christmas Eve when I arrived, and a light snow had fallen. Mother opened the front door. I could see beside her, into the corner of the living room where the tree had always stood. There were lights, all colors, and ornaments (装饰物) shining against the green of a pine tree.
“Where did it come from？” I asked.
“I asked the Gates boy to cut it,” my mother said. “I wouldn’t have had one just for myself, but when you called--- oh, such a rush! He just brought it in this afternoon…”
The pine was so high, almost to the ceiling, and the Tree Top Krystal Star was in its place. A few green branches reached out a little ugly at the side, I thought, and there was a bit of bare trunk showing in the middle. But the tree filled the room with warm light and the whole house with pleasant smell of Christmas.
“It’s not like the ones you used to find,” my mother went on. “Yours were always in good shape. I suppose the Gates boy didn’t know where to look for them. But I couldn’t be picky.”
“Don’t worry, ” I told her. “It’s perfect.”
It wasn’t, of course, but at the moment I realized something for the first time: all Christmas trees are perfect.
1. The Christmas tree was from ________.
A. a shop B. the writer
C. his mother D. the Gates boy
2. When the writer got home, ________.
A. it was December 23
B. it was snowing heavily
C. he found a Christmas tree in the living room
D. the Gates boy was cutting a Christmas tree for his mother
3.From the passage, we can learn that ________.
A. the writer used to cut very beautiful Christmas trees
B. his mother didn’t like perfect trees
C. his mother didn’t want to have a tree
D. the writer wouldn’t have a tree cut by someone else
4.“All Christmas trees are perfect”, because they can remind you of ________.
A. the wartime B. the green of a pine
C. the pleasant smell D. the sweet home
5. The best title for this passage would be “________”.
A. How to Choose a Christmas Tree
B. How Soldiers Spent Christmas
C. The Perfect Christmas Tree
D. The Christmas Without a Tree
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That was my grandmother's first Christmas without Grandfather. When my parents and I arrived at her little house ,we found she had waited up all night for us.
Grandfather had always said that the Christmas tree was the most important decoration (装饰物) of all. So first we took out the beautiful tree that was stored in the closet (贮藏室). But the star was missing. It was my grandmother's favorite part of the tree.
"Why? It must be somewhere in the closet," my grandmother said.
As we opened up boxes one by one and found no star, my grandmother's eyes were full of tears. Grandfather had given it to her some fifty years ago, on their first Christmas together. But on her first Christmas without him, the star was gone.
The next morning, my family sat down together to open the presents.
"The last gift is to Grandmother from Grandfather," Father said, in a strange voice.
"From whom?" There was surprise in my grandmother's voice.
"I found this gift in Grandfather's closet when we got the tree down," Mother explained.
My grandmother opened the box. There was a shinning (发亮的) golden star and a note in it:
Don't be angry with me, dear. I broke your star while putting away the decorations, and I couldn't bear to tell you. I hope it brings you as much happiness as the first one. Merry Christmas!
Love, Bryant
根据短文内容，从题中所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选择最佳答案。（10分）
1. The family couldn't find the star on the Christmas tree because _____.
A. the grandfather had taken it away with him
B. the grandfather put it in a box
C. the grandfather had broken it
D. the family didn't look carefully enough for it
2. Which of the following is TRUE about the grandmother?
A. She lived with the author's family.
B. She felt sad when the star was missing.
C. She had never got a Christmas present from her husband.
D. She couldn't believe her husband's death.
3. What would probably happen to the grandmother after she read the note?
A. She would ask her children to buy a new star.
B. She would get angry with her husband.
C. She would be greatly moved (感动).
D. She would throw away the new star.
4. What does the underlined word "missing" mean in Chinese?
A. 褪色的 B. 错过的
C. 想念的 D. 找不到的
5.What can we know from the story?
A. The grandfather was afraid of his wife.
B. The grandfather loved his wife very much.
C. The grandmother didn't know how to spend Christmas Day.
D. The grandfather left home on Christmas Day.
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When I spent Christmas away from home in Europe for the first time, I was only 14 and it was absolutely terrible. I am now married and live in the US. So there is little possibility for me to go home for Christmas. Now I am able to get through Christmas with some moments of joy:
First, you are advised to search your area for stores that carry items from your home country or town. Buy food, candles and some other things that mean something to you.
Hold on to the traditions from your home that you think are important even if other people think they are stupid. But keep in mind to be open for new traditions from wherever you might be, because those traditions are as important to those people around you as yours are to you. For me that includes celebrating Christmas on the 24th.
Call, write Christmas cards, buy gifts and mail them to loved ones, just as if you were there. If you try to pretend (假装) as if the holiday doesn't exist, you are just going to make it worse.
Introduce your traditions to your loved ones, especially your kids. It will only enrich their celebration of the holiday to have some unique (独一无二的) traditions in their home. Little by little it will become their tradition and it’s fun for them to try something new.
Find clubs, churches or organizations that are from your home country. Chances are that they will have some celebration with some of your traditions which you can join in.
Food is one of the most important factors in any kind of tradition. Find the recipe (食谱) of that cake your grandmother used and make it your tradition to bake that particular cake.
Call up your parents and get them to send you some of your favorite childhood ornaments (装饰品) for your tree.
Pay attention to new traditions, talk to your family about which ones you want to make your own and stick with them.
If you are far away from home, Christmas can never be the same as you experienced it before, but it is important to remember these traditions while appreciating the new ones. Keep an open mind and find a compromise between old and new traditions.
1.The author spent his 14th Christmas ___________.
A．unpleasantly in the US B．joyfully in the US
C．unpleasantly in Europe D．joyfully in Europe
2.Why does the author advise people to hunt in some special stores?
A．Because people can buy some discounted goods there.
B．Because people can feel less homesick there.
C．Because it's an old Christmas tradition.
D．Because they offer goods from the hometown of the people.
3.Which of the following statements does the author agree with?
A．It's great for children to have some unique traditions.
B．People should join in all kinds of clubs to celebrate Christmas.
C．People should give up traditions which are stupid in other people's eyes.
D．It is popular to celebrate Christmas on the 24th around the world.
4.The writer suggests giving a call to parents on Christmas mainly to __________.
A．express love to them
B．follow the tradition
C．ask for some ornaments
D．set an example for children
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When I spent Christmas away from home in Europe for the first time, I was only 14 and it was absolutely terrible. I am now married and live in the US. So there is little possibility for me to go home for Christmas. Now I am able to get through Christmas with some moments of joy:
First, you are advised to search your area for stores that carry items from your home country or town. Buy food, candles and some other things that mean something to you.
Hold on to the traditions from your home that you think are important even if other people think they are stupid. But keep in mind to be open for new traditions from wherever you might be, because those traditions are as important to those people around you as yours are to you. For me that includes celebrating Christmas on the 24th.
Call, write Christmas cards, buy gifts and mail them to loved ones, just as if you were there. If you try to pretend (假装) as if the holiday doesn't exist, you are just going to make it worse.
Introduce your traditions to your loved ones, especially your kids. It will only enrich their celebration of the holiday to have some unique (独一无二的) traditions in their home. Little by little it will become their tradition and it’s fun for them to try something new.
Find clubs, churches or organizations that are from your home country. Chances are that they will have some celebration with some of your traditions which you can join in.
Food is one of the most important factors in any kind of tradition. Find the recipe (食谱) of that cake your grandmother used and make it your tradition to bake that particular cake.
Call up your parents and get them to send you some of your favorite childhood ornaments (装饰品) for your tree.
Pay attention to new traditions, talk to your family about which ones you want to make your own and stick with them.
If you are far away from home, Christmas can never be the same as you experienced it before, but it is important to remember these traditions while appreciating the new ones. Keep an open mind and find a compromise between old and new traditions.
1.The author spent his 14th Christmas ___________.
A. unpleasantly in the US B. joyfully in the US
C. unpleasantly in Europe D. joyfully in Europe
2.Why does the author advise people to hunt in some special stores?
A. Because people can buy some discounted goods there.
B. Because people can feel less homesick there.
C. Because it's an old Christmas tradition.
D. Because they offer goods from the hometown of the people.
3.Which of the following statements does the author agree with?
A. It's great for children to have some unique traditions.
B. People should join in all kinds of clubs to celebrate Christmas.
C. People should give up traditions which are stupid in other people's eyes.
D. It is popular to celebrate Christmas on the 24th around the world.
4.The writer suggests giving a call to parents on Christmas mainly to __________.
A. express love to them
B. follow the tradition
C. ask for some ornaments
D. set an example for children
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It was very hot when I spent my Christmas holiday in _______.
A.New York B.Sydney C.London
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I was a schoolgirl in Grade 7 when Danny came to my school and became one of my classmates. He was handsome with blonde hair. so many girls in my class liked him very much. Every day, his parents picked him up in an old car. We all realized he was from a poor family.
One day, Our teacher, Mr. Sims said that we would have a school trip. We decided to go to an amusement park. My classmates were excited. To my surprise, Danny stood up and said simply, “I won’t go with you, My dad hurt his back and lost his job. I am not asking my parents for money.”
“Danny, I’m very proud of you for understanding the situation that your parents are in.” Mr. Sims replied. “But the trip is at the end of the month, we have plenty of time to raise money for it.” While walking home from school that day, I noticed three boys talking with Danny. I was a little worried that they were giving him a hard time. But as I got closer, I found they were only discussing how to raise money for the trip.
By admitting（承认）he was poor, Danny changed my life. I will remember his courage and honesty forever.
1.Why did many girls like Danny in the class?
__________________________
2.Where did the students decide to go for the field trip?
__________________________
3.What was the matter with Danny’s father?
__________________________
4.Did the three boys fight with Danny after school?
__________________________
5.What did the writer learn from Danny?
__________________________
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One Thursday afternoon, when I was in Grade 9, a new boy came into my classroom. He was short and thin. He walked up to the teacher and told her, very seriously, that he was new. His name was Christian. He sat down, took a look at me, and then looked away. I didn’t think he was very nice and I was sure he wasn’t the type I would like to become friends with.
During that year, I didn’t talk to him much, but he smiled at me when our eyes met, always shyly. He never ate lunch with anybody, and he never talked to anybody but me.
But one day I joined those unkind kids who were making fun of him. We made fun of him though I thought it was wrong.
“Haven’t you got any friends?” a kid asked Christian, who had walked past us alone, head down.
“No, he hasn’t got any friends. He’s too stupid and shy，”I said. Then Christian looked up at me with the saddest dog eyes I had over seen. I felt very sorry at that moment.
That night, I couldn’t sleep because I couldn’t get Christian’s face out of my mind. In the weeks that followed, he never met my eyes in class and never smiled at me. It was really hard for me to decide to write him a note asking him to forgive me. But I thought I should.
The next day in class, I wrote him a note telling him how sorry I felt. About five minutes later, I turned and saw tears in his eyes. “You will never realize what your apology(道歉) has meant to me, Jimmly.” he said to me. “I hope we can become friends. ”
We had lunch together that noon and we had the best talk I had ever had. Over the years at high school, we were close friends.
When I think back, I realize that, if I had not apologized, I would never have known what a lovely person Christian was. Apologies can really change your life, so never miss the chance to tell somebody you are sorry.
1.From the passage, we know Christian was a ________ boy.
A. tall and fat B. short and shy
C. short and active D. lovely and fat
2.Jimmly didn’t talk to Christian much at first because ________.
A. he didn’t think Christian was the type he wanted to become friends with
B. Christian wasn’t nice to people around him after he came to the new class
C. Christian made friends with others
D. Christian had the saddest dog eyes
3.Jimmly felt________ after he made fun of Christian with other unkind kids.
A. happy B. interested C. sorry D. bored
4.Jimmly asked Christian to forgive him by ________.
A. sending an email B. wearing a smile
C. eating supper together D. writing a note
5.This article tells us that ________.
A. we should make an apology when we hurt others
B. Jimmly’s apology was unimportant to Christian
C. Christian wasn’t lovely in fact
D. it is impossible to say sorry to others