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Father’s secret
My father grew up in a fatherless home. At that time, the family struggled hard to _ _. The childhood experiences caused my father to be extremely mean.
When we children became knew that other children got spending money from their parents, we made the ______of ask our father from some.His face turned cold, “If you’re old enough to ask you’re old enough to_____” he shouted. And we went about the neighborhood seeking odd jobs.
There was a period of time when _ _of us had a car, so we had to ride the bus home. _ _the bus stopped more than two miles from home, Dad never met us. If someone _ _, he ‘d say in his loudest voice, “That’s what your _ _are for!” When I went to senior high school, I had to _ _a long way each time I came home. The walk didn’t _____me as much as the fear of walking alone. I also felt that my father didn’t care about my _ _. That feeling was _ _one spring evening.
It had been a quite difficult week at school. Tests and long hours in labs had left me _ _. As other students were __at their stops, I looked out of the window __. Finally ,the bus pulled into my stop, and I _ _off, beginning the long journey home.
On that evening, I saw something gray moving along the hedge(树篱) towards my house. Upon a closer watch, I __ it was the top of my father’s head. Then I knew, each time I ‘d come home, he had _ _behind the hedge, watching, until I arrived safely. He did __ after all.
After that, that spot of gray became my focus. I could hardly wait to watch for its ______movement on my way home. Upon reaching home I would find my father sitting in his chair. “So, it’s you !” he’d say, pretending to be _____.
I replied, “Yes, Dad, it’s me. I’m home.”
1.A. travel B. survive C. succeed D. escape
2.A. excuse B. point C. mistake D. discovery
3.A. waste B. borrow C. save D. earn
4.A. each B. none C. one D. all
5.A. Though B. Since C. When D. Until
6.A. complained B. forgot C. arrived D. failed
7.A. buses B. legs C. brains D. friends
8.A. walk B. run C. ride D. drive
9.A. tire B. help C. trouble D. excite
10.A. opinion B. grade C. safety D. interest
11.A. felt B. discussed C. shown D. removed
12.A. curious B. exhausted C. worried D. delighted
13.A. met B. singing C. talking D. kept
14.A. sadly B. coldly C. seriously D. carefully
15.A. paid B. stepped C. called D. dropped
16.A. considered B. imagined C. remembered D. realized
17.A. fallen B. left C. stood D. lain
18.A. care B. try C. watch 
D.know
19.A. secret B. quick C. easy D. small
20.A. confident B. surprised C. happy D.angry
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Bill Gates was born on October 28th, 1955. He and his two sisters grew up in Seattle. Their father, William H. Gates II, was a Seattle lawyer. Mary Gates, their late mother, was a school teacher.
Gates attended public elementary school before moving on to the private Lakeside School in North Seattle. It was at Lakeside that Gates began his career in personal computer soft ware, programming computers at age 13.
In 1973, Gates entered Harvard University as a freshman, where he lived down the hall from Steve Ballmer, who is now Microsoft's president. While at Harvard, Gates developed a version (版本) of the programming language BASIC for the first microcomputer---the MITS Astair. In his junior year, Gates dropped out of Harvard to devote his energies full-time to Microsoft, a company he had started in 1975 with his boyhood friend Paul Allen. Guided by a belief that the personal computer would be a valuable tool on every office desk-top and in every home, they began developing software for personal computers.
Gates' foresight has led to the success of Microsoft and the software industry. He plays an important role in the technical development of new products. Much of his time is devoted to meeting with customers and staying in touch with Microsoft employees around the world through e-mail.
In the dozen years since Microsoft went public, Gates has donated more than $ 800 million to charities, including $ 200 million to the Gates Library Foundation to help libraries in North America make use of new technologies and the Information Age.
1.Where did Bill Gates begin his career in personal computer software?
A．At public elementary school. B．At the private Lakeside School.
C．At Harvard University. D．At Microsoft Company.
2.Why did he drop out of Harvard?
A．To change school. B．To spend all his energies to Microsoft.
C．To find a full-time job. D．To earn money.
3.How does Gates spend much of his time?
A．Meeting with people.
B．Travelling around the world.
C．E-mailing some friends.
D．Meeting with customers and e-mailing Microsoft employees.
4.What does the underlined word “donated” in the last paragraph mean?
A．gave. B．earned. C．made. D．received.
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Raised in a fatherless home, my father was extremely tightfisted towards us children. His attitude didn’t soften as I grew into adulthood and went to college. I had to ride the bus whenever I came home. Though the bus stopped about two miles from home, Dad never met me, even in severe weather. If I grumbled, he’d say in his loudest father-voice, “That’s what your legs are for!” The walk didn’t bother me as much as the fear of walking alone along the highway and country roads. I also felt less than valued that my father didn’t seem concerned about my safety. But that feeling was canceled one spring evening.
It had been a particularly difficult week at college after long hours in labs. I longed for home. When the bus reached the stop, I stepped off and dragged my suitcase to begin the long journey home.
A row of hedge（树篱）edged the driveway that climbed the hill to our house. Once I had turned off the highway to start the last lap of my journey, I always had a sense of relief to see the hedge because it meant that I was almost home. On that particular evening, the hedge had just come into view when I saw something gray moving along the top of the hedge, moving toward the house. Upon closer observation, I realized it was the top of my father’s head. Then I knew, each time I’d come home, he had stood behind the hedge, watching, until he knew I had arrived safely. I swallowed hard against the tears. He did care, after all.
On later visits, that spot of gray became my watchtower. I could hardly wait until I was close enough to watch for its secret movement above the greenery. Upon reaching home, I would find my father sitting innocently in his chair. “So! My son, it’s you!” he’d say, his face lengthening into pretended surprise.
I replied, “Yes, Dad, it’s me. I’m home.”
1.What does the underlined word “grumbled” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?
A. Accepted happily. B. Spoke unhappily.
C. Agreed willingly. D. Explained clearly.
2.What made the author feel upset was ______.
A. the feeling of being less than valued
B. the fear of seeing something moving
C. the tiredness after long hours in labs
D. the loneliness of riding the bus home
3.The author’s father watched behind the hedge because ______.
A. he didn’t want to meet his son at the doorway
B. he wanted to help his son build up courage
C. he was concerned about his son’s safety
D. he didn’t think his son was old enough to walk alone
4.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A. My College Life. B. My Father’s Secret.
C. Terrible Journey Home. D. Riding Bus Alone.
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Lillian was a young girl who grew up in a village. At the age of 16, her father forced her to drop out of school and find a job to help the family.
With limited education, skills and hope, she would take the bus into the big cities of Windsor and Detroit, walk aimlessly about and then return home every day. She couldn’t even bring herself to knock on a door.
As the days passed, Lillian knew she would soon have to knock on a door. On one of her trips, Lillian saw a sign at Carhartt Overall Company, saying, “Help Wanted, Secretarial. Apply Within.”
She walked up to the office and was met by the office manager, who sat her down at a typewriter and said, “Let’s see how good you really are.”
She directed Lillian to type a single letter and then left. Lillian looked at the clock: 11:40 am. She figured that she could run away in the crowd then. But she knew she should at least try the letter.
On her first try, she got through one line. It had five words and she made four mistakes. The clock read 11:45. “At noon,” she said to herself, “I’ll move out with the crowd, and she will never see me again.” On her second try, Lillian got through a full paragraph, but still made many mistakes. Again she pulled out the paper. At last she completed the letter with some mistakes.
Just then, the door opened and the office manager walked in. She came directly over to Lillian, read the letter, paused and then said, “Lillian, you’ve done a good job.”
1.Why did the office manager leave after directing Lillian to type a letter?
A. She was not satisfied with Lillian.
B. She found Lillian was too young.
C. She wanted to let the girl be quiet.
D. She wanted to test Lillian
2.What’s the meaning of the underlined sentence in paragraph 6?
A. Lillian didn’t have enough confidence in herself.
B. Lillian didn’t like the workers there.
C. Lillian didn’t want the job.
D. Lillian wanted to have lunch then.
3.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
The girl didn’t like to go to school.
The girl’s family was not very rich.
The girl’s father was very fond of money.
The girl was living in a poor village.
4. From the passage it can be inferred that in the end__________.
A. Lillian had to run away without being noticed.
B. Lillian’s father wanted his daughter to return to school.
C. the office manager was deeply moved by the girl.
D. Lillian was allowed to work there.
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Raised in a fatherless home, my father was extremely strict with us children. His attitude didn’t soften as I grew into adulthood and went to college. I had to ride the bus whenever I came home. Though the bus stopped about two miles from home, Dad never met me, even in severe weather. If I spoke unhappily, he’d say in his loudest father-voice, “That’s what your legs are for!”
The walk didn’t bother me as much as the fear of walking alone along the highway and country roads. I also felt less than valued that my father didn’t seem concerned about my safety. But that feeling disappeared one spring evening.
It had been a particularly difficult week at college after long hours in labs. I longed for home. When the bus reached the stop, I stepped off and dragged my suitcase to begin the long journey home.
A row of hedge(树篱) edged the driveway that climbed the hill to our house. Once I had turned off the highway to start the last lap of my journey, I always had a sense of relief to see the hedge because it meant that I was almost home. On that particular evening, the hedge had just come into view when I saw something gray moving along the top of the hedge, moving toward the house. Upon closer observation, I realized it was the top of my father’s head. Then I knew, each time I’d come home, he had stood behind the hedge, watching, until he knew I had arrived safely. I swallowed hard against the tears. He did care, after all.
On later visits, that spot of gray became my watchtower. I could hardly wait until I was close enough to watch for its secret movement above the greenery. Upon reaching home, I would find my father sitting innocently in his chair. “So! My son, it’s you!” he’d say, his face lengthening into pretended surprise. I replied, “Yes, Dad, it’s me. I’m home.”
1.We can infer from the text that_______.
A.the author’s grandfather had a deep influence on his father
B.the author’s father knew that his son had found out his secret
C.the author’s attitude towards his father changed one spring evening
D.the author’s father often criticized his son for his lack of courage
2.The author’s father watched behind the hedge because ______.
A.he wanted to help his son build up courage
B.he wanted to surprise his son
C.he was embarrassed to meet his son on the way home
D.he wanted to make sure that his son was safe on his way home
3.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A.My Terrible Journey Home B.A Silly Mistake
C.My Father and I D.The Gray Spot Guiding Me Home
4.Which of the following shows the structure of the passage?
(1)=paragraph 1 (2)=paragraph 2 (3)=paragraph 3 (4)=paragraph 4 (5)=paragraph 5
A.(1) → (2) (3) (4) → (5) B.(1) (2) → (3) (4) → (5)
C.(1) → (2) → (3) (4) (5) D.(1) (2) (3) → (4) (5)
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My sister and I grew up in a little village in England. Our father was a struggling , but I always knew he was . He never criticized us, but used to bring out our best. He’d say, “If you pour water on flowers, they flourish. If you don’t give them water, they die. ” I as a child I said something about somebody, and my father said, “ time you say something unpleasant about somebody else, it’s a reflection（反映）of you. ” He explained that if I looked for the best people, I would get the best . From then on I’ve always tried to the principle in my life and later in running my company.
Dad’s also always been very . At 15, I started a magazine. It was a great deal of my time, and the headmaster of my school gave me a : stay in school or leave to work on my magazine. I decided to leave, and Dad tried to get me to change my decision, any good father would. When he realized I had made up my mind, he said, “Richard, when I was 23, my dad me to go into law. And I’ve regretted it. I wanted to be a biologist, __ I didn’t realize my . You know what you want. Go achieve it. ”
As turned out, my little publication went on to become Student, a national for young people in the U. K. My wife and I have two children, and I’ d like to think we are bringing them up in the same way Dad me.
1.A. biologist B. manager C. lawyer D. gardener
2.A. strict B. honest C. special D. learned
3.A. praise B. courage C. power D. warmth
4.A. think B. imagine C. remember D. guess
5.A. unnecessary B. unkind C. unimportant D. unusual
6.A. Another B. Some C. Any D. Other
7.A. on B. in C. at D. about
8.A. in case B. by turns C. by chance D. in return
9.A. process B. set C. review D. follow
10.A. understanding B. experienced C. serious D. demanding
11.A. taking up B. making up C. picking up D. keeping up
12.A. suggestion B. decision C. notice D. choice
13.A. and B. as C. even if D. as if
14.A. helped B. allowed C. persuaded D. suggested
15.A. always B. never C. seldom D. almost
16.A. rather B. but C. for D. therefore
17.A. promise B. task C. belief D. dream
18.A. this B. he C. it D. that
19.A. newspaper B. magazine C. program D. project
20.A. controlled B. comforted C. reminded D. raised
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My sister and I grew up in a little village in England. Our father was a struggling , but I always knew he was special. He never us, but used praise to our best. He’d say, “If you pour water on flowers, they flourish. If you don’t give them , they die.” I remember as a child I said unkind about somebody, and my father said, “ time you say something unpleasant about somebody else, it’s a reflection of you.” He that if I looked for the best in people, I would get the best . From then on I’ve always tried to follow the in my life and later in running my company.
Dad’s always been very understanding. At 15, I started a magazine. It was taking up a great of my time, and the headmaster of my school gave me a choice：stay in school or leave to my magazine.
I decided to leave, and Dad tried to sway（使动摇） me from my decision, any good father would. When he I had made up my mind, he said, “Richard, when I was 23, my dad persuaded me to go into law. And I’ve always it. I wanted to be a biologist, but I didn’t my dream. You know you want. Go fulfill it.”
As it , my little publication went on to become Student, a national magazine for young people in the U.K. My wife and I have two children, and I’d like to think we are bringing them in the same way Dad raise me.
1.A. biologistB. managerC. lawyerD. gardener
2.A. criticizedB. praisedC. caredD. encouraged
3.A. bring upB. bring outC. tune upD. turn out
4.A. energyB. timeC. flowerD. water
5.A. somethingB. anything C. nothingD. none
6.A. AnotherB. AnyC. SomeD. Other
7.A. discussedB. rememberedC. explainedD. reflected
8.A. in returnB. by turnsC. by chanceD. in case
9.A. principleB. lawC. regulationD. rule
10.A. thereforeB. alsoC. neverD. too
11.A. numberB. manyC. plentyD. deal
12.A. take outB. take onC. work onD. work out
13.A. asB. andC. even ifD. as if
14.A. recognizedB. realizedC. admittedD. permitted
15.A. respectedB. reminded C. retiredD. regretted
16.A. quitB. valueC. persuadeD. pursue
17.A. howB. whichC. whatD. that
18.A. made outB. turned outC. turned inD. made up
19.A. upB. outC. inD. about
20.A. whichB. whatC. thatD. how
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Lilly was a French Canadian girl who grew up in the farming community.When she was 16, her father ____ her to drop out of school to contribute to the family income.With English as her second language and ___ education, the ____ didn’t look bright for Lilly.
Lilly’s father was a stubborn man who ____ took “no” for an answer.He ___ Lilly to find a job.With small hope of gaining ____， each day she would just ride to the city, walk ____ about and return home at dusk.
On one of her ____， Lilly saw a sign at a big company.____， she knocked on the very first door.In her ____ English, Lilly told the office manager she was interested in the secretarial position.The manager ____ to give the girl a chance.He directed her to type a letter, and then ____ .Lilly looked at the clock and saw it was 11：40 am.She thought everyone would be leaving for ____ at noon, when she could ____ away in the crowd.But she knew she should ____ the letter.
On her first try, Lilly ____ one line of five words and made four mistakes.On her second attempt, she completed a full paragraph, but still made many mistakes.She looked at the clock: 11: 55 — five minutes to ____ .Just then, the manager walked in.He came directly to Lilly, read the letter and said, “Lilly, you’re doing ____ work！”
With those simple words of encouragement, her desire to escape disappeared and her ____ began to grow.Lilly thought, “Well, if he thinks it’s good, then it must be good.I think I’ll stay！” Lilly did stay — all because someone had given a ____ and uncertain girl the gift of selfconfidence when she knocked on the door.
1.A.reminded B．helped C．encouraged D．forced
2.A.good B．formal C．poor D．modern
3.A.advice B．future C．promise D．change
4.A.always B．never C．sometimes D．usually
5.A.warned B．begged C．allowed D．told
6.A.employment B．experience C．judgment D．independence
7.A.carefully B．happily C．aimlessly D．rapidly
8.A.steps B．trips C．purposes D．choices
9.A.Bravely B．Proudly C．Calmly D．Cautiously
10.A.broken B．perfect C．written D．fluent
11.A.refused B．decided C．pretended D．failed
12.A.stopped B．continued C．left D．sighed
13.A.lunch B．life C．fun D．luck
14.A.break B．run C．pass D．drive
15.A.read B．write C．attempt D．deliver
16.A.went over B．picked up C．gave away D．got through
17.A.freedom B．success C．discussion D．reward
18.A.terrible B．excellent C．honest D．easy
19.A.belief B．patience C．confidence D．strength
20.A.shy B．lonely C．selfless D．modest
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Forgiving My Father
I grew up on a small farm. My father worked in the city as a welder (焊工). He was quiet, distant. He was a man made of leather and chewing tobacco who tried to teach me useful things, including respect. He also had a _______. I did not like him very much.
One day I came home from school. Once inside, I was told by my mother that he didn't feel well. His back hurt. Multiple myeloma, I _______, is a type of blood cancer. For the last year of my father's life, his entire day consisted of rising from his hospital bed in the living room and walking to his _______to sit and think. He was _______in that chair when I came home one day during the ninth grade. I do not remember where my mother and brother were, but the two of us were alone. He asked me to sit down.
What followed still _______me these decades later. He told me about his _______: his family growing up, what it was like in the Pacific during World War II, his loves, his heartbreaks. It was as if a pipe had _______, his inner self rushing out to me in a great flood. He had been speaking for maybe an hour or more when I realized that he was doing more than _______. He was asking to be _______. All it took was understanding that that was what he________, and I forgave everything, immediately.
When he died, I didn't ________to school for a few days. My biggest ________going back was gym class. It was poorly ________, and bullies ran the show. On my first day, I was standing there when a (an) ________voice yelled, ''Lensch! '' It was a guy who had given many of us a few lumps (包，肿块) over the years. I turned to face him and said, ''What do you want? '' The other boys didn’t say a word as they waited for the ________.
''I heard your dad died, '' he said. ''Is that true? ''
I quietly replied, ''Yes. ''
He didn't ________me. He didn't even move. Instead, he said, ''I'm sorry. ''
I was________. I'm sure I cried. Those two words are how I have remembered that kid ever since. What do you do when your ''enemies'' reveal that they are also ________? I think you either forgive and move ________or hold on to resentment (怨恨)and live in the past. I'm certainly not glad that my father got________, but at the same time, I realize that if he hadn't, I might never have come to love him.
1.A.temper B.taste C.fame D.nerve
2.A.meant B.doubted C.learned D.felt
3.A.bench B.chair C.bedroom D.balcony
4.A.predictably B.acceptably C.hopefully D.surprisingly
5.A.touches B.annoys C.educates D.encourages
6.A.life B.career C.youth D.achievement
7.A.burst B.leaked C.moved D.frozen
8.A.teaching B.telling C.supporting D.complaining
9.A.known B.forgiven C.mistaken D.forgotten
10.A.found B.received C.needed D.escaped
11.A.contribute B.adapt C.head D.return
12.A.relief B.favor C.lesson D.fear
13.A.understood B.prepared C.regulated D.attracted
14.A.angry B.warning C.pitying D.familiar
15.A.defeat B.quarrel C.miracle D.fight
16.A.punish B.beat C.disappoint D.scold
17.A.frustrated B.shocked C.thrilled D.frightened
18.A.classmates B.friends C.humans D.families
19.A.backward B.away C.around D.forward
20.A.depressed B.hurt C.sick D.lost
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I grew up in a small town. My father________chickens and ran a construction company. I was________10 years old when my dad gave me the__________of feeding the chickens and________up the stable（笼子）. He believed it was
____for me to have those jobs to_________responsibility. Then, when I was 22, I found a job in Natchbill at a country music club_________the Natchbill Palace, I washed__________and cooked from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm and then ______to sing until 2:00 in the morning. It wasn’t long before I became known________a singing cook.
I had been rejected so many times by record__________that it was hard not to be discouraged. One night, a
______executive(主管) from a company named Warner Brothers Records came to hear me sing. When the show was_______, we sat down and talked and after she left, I said to__________it was one more rejection. A few weeks later, my manager received a phone call—Waner Brothers_________ to sign me to a record deal._________after, I release(发行) my first record in June 1986. It_________over 2 million copies.
My best efforts had gone into every job I’ve ever held. It was the_________of responsibility that made me feel like a man. Knowing that I had done my________filled me with pride. I still feel that way today, even though I have become a well-known_________.
1.A. had B. used C. devoted D. raised
2.A. still B. down C. only D. inside
3.A. pleasure B. sorrow C. happiness D. responsibility
4.A. keeping B. watching C. cleaning D. looking
5.A. healthy B. important C. initial D. humorous
6.A. learn B. grasp C. gain D. govern
7.A. seen B. run C. called D. found
8.A. clothes B. tables C. chairs D. dishes
9.A. jumped up B. flew over C. went on D. observed at
10.A. so B. such C. very D. as
11.A. companies B. shops C. factories D. clubs
12.A. man B. woman C. boy D. manager
13.A. over B. on C. towards D. forward
14.A. herself B. myself C. yourself D. himself
15.A. made B. did C. wanted D. refused
16.A. Long B. Early C. Sometimes D. Soon
17.A. bought B. stuck C. sold D. simplified
18.A. step B. road C. phenomenon D. sense
19.A. best B. better C. good D. well
20.A. recorder B. singer C. writer D. dancer
D.know
Gates attended public elementary school before moving on to the private Lakeside School in North Seattle. It was at Lakeside that Gates began his career in personal computer soft ware, programming computers at age 13.