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Though Ayn Rand died more than twenty-five years ago，many Americans still argue about her．People also continue to talk about her ideas and her interesting life．
As a young child，Alisa loved books．She began to write her own stories，when she was only seven．She took classes in politics，history，law and writing．In 1926，she traveled to the United States and decided she would never leave．She also decided to change her name to“Ayn Rand．”Newly named，Rand moved to Hollywood，California to work in the movie business．Throughout the 1930s，she published two books，but did not earn much critical or popular recognition．
Then，in 1943，Rand’s famous book“The Fountainhead”was published．It took her seven years to write the novel．Twelve publishers rejected the book．However，a man named Archibald Ogden loved the story and convinced the Bobbs-Merrill company to publish it．“The Fountainhead”became a huge SUCCESS around the world．It has sold more than six million copies．It continues to sell about one hundred thousand copies each year．
“The Fountainhead”tells the story of a young building designer named Howard Roark．Roark wants to build interesting，modern-looking buildings．However，most people only want to see traditional designs．Roark loves designing and building more than anything in the world. But he refuses to compromise and make buildings he hates．Several people work against Roark and his goals．But in the end，Roark succeeds．
“The Fountainhead”is an unusual novel for many reasons．It is more than 700 pages long，far longer than most books people read for entertainment．More importantly，it also includes discussions of philosophy，which are not usually found in popular books．Most critics did not like“The Fountainhead”．But readers loved it．In 1949，it was made into a popular movie．
She lived quietly in New York City until she died in 1982．She is still one of the most loved，and hated American thinkers and writers．
1.When did Alisa decide to change her name to Ayn Rand?
A．When she began to write her own stories．
B．When she decided to settle in the US．
C．When she took classes in politics and writing．
D．When she moved to Hollywood，California．
2.Which of the following is true of Rand’s famous book“The Fountainhead”?
A．It cost the author eight years to complete．
B．It was loved by all the twelve publishers．
C．It was finally published by Archibald Ogden．
D．It was a great Success around the world.
3.What can we learn about Howard Roark?
A．He wants to build interesting，traditional buildings.
B．He loves designing and building anything in the world.
C．He has to give in and make buildings he hates.
D．He achieves his goals and eventually gains success.
4.“The Fountainhead”is an unusual novel mainly because_______．
A．it is far longer than most books for entertainment
B．it was well-received by most critics and readers
C．it also includes discussions of philosophy
D．it was made into a popular TV play in 1949
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My grandfather died more than twenty-five years ago. I was fifteen. He was kind, strong, fair, and very funny. When I was a young musician, he was my biggest fan. I played my violin for him when he visited, and he loved everything, but each time he had one request. “Could you play ‘Amazing Grace’?” he asked, full of hope and with a twinkle in his eye, because he knew my answer was always, “I don’t know that one!” We went through this routine at every major holiday, and I always figured I’d have time to learn it for him later.
About the time I entered high school and started guitar, Grandpa got cancer. The last time I saw him alive was Thanksgiving weekend in 1985. My mom warned us that Grandpa didn’t look the same anymore and that we should prepare ourselves. For a moment I didn’t recognize him. He looked so small among all the white sheets. We had all gathered in Ohio for the holiday, and I’m sure we all knew we were there to say good-bye. I can see now that Grandpa held on long enough to see us each one more time. I remember how we ate in the dining room and laughed and talked while Grandpa rested in his hospital bed. I wonder if it was sad for him to be alone with our voices and laughter. Knowing Grandpa, he was probably content.
The next morning I found my moment alone with him. I pulled out my guitar, tuned to his appreciative gaze, and finally played for him “Amazing Grace.” I had worked on it for weeks, knowing it never mattered whether I actually played it well and choosing not to believe as I played that it was my last concert for my biggest fan. The cancer had stolen his smile, but I saw joy in his eyes. He held my hand afterward, and I knew I had done something important.
I argued with people all through college about my music major. I was told by strangers that music wouldn’t make me any money and it wasn’t useful like being a doctor. But I know firsthand that with music I was able to give my grandpa something at a point when no one else could.
1.At first the author didn’t play ‘Amazing Grace’ for Grandpa because _________.
A she hadn’t learned it yet
B. she found it difficult to play
C. she disliked playing it.
D. her grandfather was just joking.
2.From the last sentence in Paragraph 2 we can infer that ____________.
A. Grandpa treasured love from family
B. Grandpa was used to living alone
C. Grandpa was too weak to feel anything
D. Grandpa was optimistic about his health
3.When the author finally played “Amazing Grace” for Grandpa, ____________.
A. she made him smile joyfully
B. she knew she must play it well
C. she brought him love and comfort
D. she believed she could play it many times for him.
4.What is the author’s attitude toward her music major?
A. Disapproving B. Regretful
C. Doubtful D. Positive
5.Which of the following was true according to the passage?
A. The author was 15 when she wrote the article.
B. The author has a great affection for her grandfather.
C. The author prefers to be a doctor rather than a musician.
D. The author is confident that music will make her much money.
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I witnessed too many _______ in the battle four years ago.(die)
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I had a very special teacher in high school many years ago whose husband unexpectedly died suddenly of a heart attack．About a week after his death, she shared some of her insight with a classroom of students．
As the late afternoon sunlight came streaming in through the classroom windows and the class was nearly over, she moved a few things aside on the edge of her desk and sat down there．With a gentle look of reflection on her face, she paused and said, "Before class is over, I would like to share with all of you a thought that is unrelated to class, but which I feel is very important．Each of us is put here on earth to learn, share, love, appreciate and give of ourselves．None of us knows when this fantastic experience will end．It can be taken away at any moment．
Perhaps this is God's way of telling us that we must make the most out of every single day．" Her eyes beginning to water, she went on, "So I would like you all to make me a promise．From now on, on your way to school, or on your way home, find something beautiful to notice．It doesn't have to be something you see - it could be a scent-perhaps of freshly baked bread wafting out of someone's house, or it could be the sound of the breeze slightly rustling the leaves in the trees, or the way the morning light catches one autumn leaf as it falls gently to the ground．Please look for these things, and cherish them．For, although it may sound trite to some, these things are "the stuff" of life．The little things we are put here on earth to enjoy．The things we often take for granted．We must make it important to notice them, for at any time．．．it can all be taken away．" The class was completely quiet．We all picked up our books and filed out of the room silently．That afternoon, noticed more things on my way home from school than I had that whole semester．Every once in a while, I think of that teacher and remember what an impression she made on all of us, and I try to appreciate all of those things that sometimes we all overlook．So I hope you take notice of something special you see on your lunch hour today．Go barefoot．Or walk on the beach at sunset．Stop off on the way home tonight to get a double-dip ice cream cone．For as we get older, it is not the things we did that we often regret, but the things we didn't do．Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away．
1.What is the purpose of the author’s writing the passage?
A．To show his respect to his teacher
B．To ask us to appreciate every moment of our life
C．To ask us never to give in when facing difficulty
D．to show the influence a teacher can have on her students
2.Why did the teacher talk about something unrelated to class?
A．Because she had finished the class task
B．Because she could hardly control her feelings
C．Because she thought the class were not careful enough
D．Because she wanted to share some of her views with the class
3.Why did the students leave the classroom silently?
A．Because they were greatly moved
B．Because they felt sorry for the teacher
C．because they were thinking about their own life
D．Because they were not allowed to make any noise
4.The author intends to _________in the last paragraph
A．give an explanation B．make a suggestion
C．give a warning D．draw a conclusion
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Mr. Green __________ for more than ten years.
A. died B. has died
C. is dying D. has been dead
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I had a very special teacher in high school many years ago whose husband died suddenly of a heart attack. About a week after his death, she _________ some of her insight with a classroom of students. As the late afternoon sunlight came streaming in _________ the classroom windows and the class was nearly over, she moved a few things aside on the _________ of her desk and sat down there.
With a gentle look on her face, she paused and said,"Before class is over, I would like to share with all of you a thought __________ I feel is very important. Each of us is put here on earth to learn, share, love, appreciate and give of ourselves...and ______ of us knows when this fantastic experience will end. It can be taken away at any moment. Perhaps this is a(an) _________that we must make the most out of every single day."
Her eyes beginning to__________, she went on,"So I would like you all to make me a _________...from now on, on your way to school, or on your way home, find something beautiful to notice. It doesn't have to be something you see---it________ be a scent(香味)--perhaps of__________ baked bread wafting out of someone's house, or it could be the sound of the breeze slightly rustling the leaves in the trees, or the __________ the morning light catches one autumn leaf as it falls gently to the ground. Please, look for these things, and remember them.
"For, _________ it may sound silly to some people, these things are the 'stuff' of life. The little things we are put here on earth to enjoy. The things we often take for ________. We must make _______important to notice them, for at any time...it can all be taken away."
The class was completely quiet. We all picked up our books and filed out of the room _________ .That afternoon, I noticed more things on my way home from school than I had that whole semester. Every once in a while, I think of that teacher and remember what a deep _________ she made on all us, and I try to appreciate all of those things that sometimes we all __________.
Take notice of something _________you see on your lunch hour today. Go barefoot. Or walk on the beach at sunset. Stop off on the way home tonight to get a double dip ice cream cone. _______ as we get older, it is not the things we did that we often _______, but the things we didn't do.
1.A. enjoyed B. shared C. changed D. connected
2.A. through B. on C. across D. along
3.A. back B. front C. feet D. edge
4.A. what B. which C. when D. where
5.A. no one B. every C. none D. any
6.A. sign B. signal C. symbol D. scene
7.A.cry B. sweat C. run D. water
8.A. present B. promise C. discovery D. contribution
9.A. should B. must C. could D. need
10.A. eventually B. freshly C. gradually D. slightly
11.A. way B. method C. access D. process
12.A. because B. since C. unless D. although
13.A. responsibility B. granted C. fun D. pleasure
14.A. one B. that C. them. D. it
15.A. happily B. silently C. sadly D. tiredly
16.A. expression B. depression C. impression D. progress
17.A. notice B. forget C. overlook D. remember
18.A. special B. nice C. beautiful D. typical
19.A. While B. Though C. For D. If
20.A. like B. regret C. neglect D. remember
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My good friend and neighbor is dying. She has more health problems through the years than anyone should have to tolerate. Now as she approaches her 57th birthday she knows that it will be her last. She has started a lot of her things. She has given all of us around her much more than just her things though. She has also given us her friendship, her kindness, and her joyful smile. She has given us her shining spirit that has made all of our lives so much . When a local dog was killed by a bear, my friend welcomed it into her home and nursed it back to . When any of us needed anything she was there doing all that she could with a full of love and a soul full of goodness.
She did all of this too while her health to grow worse and worse. My friend, , is not afraid of death. She has told me several times that she believes it will only be like a brief and then she will awaken in Paradise. I am as well that she will fit right in there because she already has a lot of paradise within herself. It is the paradise within her that she has so freely and beautifully given to us all.
We all have a bit of paradise within ourselves. She has shown me that the best way to enjoy that paradise is to it with everyone you meet. I wish my friend only joy in her days here and endless love and life in her coming days in Paradise.
1.A.asked B. battled C. raised D. checked
2.A. probably B. temporarily C. unbelievably D. hardly
3.A. collecting B. purchasing C. consuming D. donating
4.A. tougher B. stranger C. brighter D. heavier
5.A. nearly B. accidentally C. suddenly D. cruelly
6.A. death B. health C. happiness D. heaven
7.A.story B. purpose C. heart D. friend
8.A.refused B. stopped C. intended D. continued
9.A. however B. therefore C. instead D. also
10.A. report B. sleep C. journey D. account
11.A. sure B. doubtful C. afraid D. pleased
12.A. charge B. create C. provide D. share
13.A. terrifying B. remaining C. coming D. interesting
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--How many people have died in the bomb explosion?
---They say they’ve had reports that more than a hundred people died but cannot ______ this.
A．require B．advise C．demand D．confirm
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It's a tragedy (悲剧)that could be avoided: every year, more than 400 people in Britain die while waiting for a replacement organ for their bodies. Although organ transplants(器官移植)have been saving lives for more than 60 years, the right body part is often not available at the right time simply because not enough people choose to be donors. Should people therefore be required to allow their organs to be used by others after death?
The British Medical Association (BMA), which represents doctors in Britain, says yes. A system of "presumed consent (默许) " would automatically make everyone over the age of 16 an organ donor .Individuals would be allowed to put out, that is to say, decide not to be an organ donor, if that's what they prefer. The BMA points to much higher organ donation rates in countries that have opt-out systems, such as Spain, Belgium, Austria and the Czech Republic.
England's chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, also wants to change the organ-donor system from opt-in to opt-out. All of this sounds like very good news for the 7,500 people in the UK who are waiting for transplants of critical organs, tissues, skin and bones.
Britain's National Health Service (NHS) recently counts 14.3 million organ donors on a list which began in 1994. Not everyone wants to participate, however, according to the NHS, 90 percent of the British strongly support organ donation, but only 23 percent are on the organ-donor list.
Why the discrepancy(差异)? One reason is that organ donation is a personal matter. Another reason may be indecision: when families are not sure about a dead relative's wishes, 40 percent decide not to donate his or her organs. Interestingly, religion has little to do with a decision not to donate. All six of the main religions in Britain support organ donation and transplantation.
The government decided in 2018 how the system of organ donation should work--- without a policy of presumed consent. Opinion among members of parliament (议会) continues to be divided; but the tragedy goes on: as things are now, one in 10 Britons in need of an organ will never get one.
1.What does the tragedy in Para.1 refer to?
A.People are required to be organ donors.
B.Organ transplants could save lives for more than 60 years.
C.More and more donors' organs are not proper for operation.
D.Many patients have to die because of no replacement organ.
2.According to Para. 4, most British people______.
A.support organ donation without action B.want to participate in organ donation
C.are willing to donate their organs D.don't like NHS' activity
3.What' s the main idea of the passage?
A.Analyzing the tragedy of organ donation.
B.Persuading people to support organ donation.
C.Praising those people who donate their organs.
D.Listing government' s measures on organ donation.
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A 12-year old boy who donated bone marrow (骨髓) to his dying sister and has raised more than￡10,000 for charity has been named the UK’s Family Hero of the Year.
Adam Kerr, 12, from Armagh, Northern Ireland, also helps his mother care for his younger brother Brian, 9, who suffers from the genetic disease Fanconi’s anaemia (贫血症). But it is not the first hardship that has affected young Adam. When he was just six, he donated his own bone marrow to his younger sister Helen who suffered from a rare blood disorder. Sadly she developed complications and died a few months after the operation in 2005.
Adam found it very difficult to be happy after Helen’s death. So he decided to start raising money in memory of Helen to help local poor children and families with bereavement (丧亲之痛). Overall he has raised ￡10,000 and he has no intentions of giving up.
He organised a Fun Day to provide the money for a brother and sister from Northern Ireland to visit their sick brother having a bone marrow transplant in a London hospital.
He received his award and a cheque for￡2,000 at an “Oscar’s style” ceremony in London. Ms Phillips said: “Adam is an incredible young man. In his relatively short life he has faced real sadness and bad luck and yet he works tirelessly to make life better for others.”
The Awards were sponsored by the charity 4Children and Take a Break Magazine. Anne Longfield OBE, Chief Executive of 4Children said:“It’s an honour to recognise Adam’s devotion and self-sacrifice, and his bravery shows there is always reason for hope and optimism. There is so much unrecognized goodwill out there of people who do so much for others, and the inspiring winners of the Family Heroes Awards remind us how important it is for us all to do our best to make a difference in the lives of others.”
1.From the passage we can see Adam’s younger brother .
A. was too young and ill to look after himself
B. was fortunate enough to be cured
C. donated his bone marrow to his sister
D. was going to have an operation
2.Why does Adam raise money for charity?
A. Because he wants to provide money for his brother.
B. Because his sister suffered from a rare blood disorder.
C. Because he wanted to remember his sister in this way.
D. Because his mother encouraged him to do so.
3.Which of the following is probably a name of an activity?
A. A Fun Day B. the charity 4Children
C. Take a Break Magazine D. Anne Longfield OBE
4.Which of the following statement is TRUE according to the passage?
A. The first hardship that has affected Adam is to care for Brian.
B. Adam suffers from the genetic disease Fanconi’s anaemia.
C. Adam is so tired that he wants to give up fund raising.
D. Adam is awarded for his dedication, bravery and self-sacrifice.
5.What’s the best title for the passage?
A. How to help others in trouble
B. A little boy makes a big difference to others
C. How to be a winner of the Family Heroes Awards
D. An independent young man