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A couple of years ago, I went to a lady’s house to buy some vitamins. Upon entering the house, I 36 that there was an electronic keyboard on a stand, leaning 37 the wall. Being a piano music lover and 38, I asked, if the woman played. She nodded and added that she had been 39 lessons at age 54! I told her that it was very 40 that she was pursuing （追求） her passion（热情）to play the piano.
Then she asked me 41 question. “I have been playing for 8 years now,” I answered.
“Then you must play a song for me before you leave,” she 42 .I thought she was joking and I simply smiled. At the end of the deal of the vitamins, she 43 me of our musical “ 44 _”. She then showed me to an old upright piano in the living room, 45 asked me to play a song for her. I thought 46 and decided to play David Lantz’s “Return to the Heart”, since she had so much passion for 47 ,and it was my soul-searching song.
I played the song to the best of my ability, and with my emotions 48 into it as possible. She loved it. 49 I was about to step out of the door, I heard a weak voice calling out, “Young man!”
I turned around. And there was an old lady 50 one little step at a time with the help of another woman. “I wanted to come out to 51 you for the beautiful song that you played. I have been very sick, and it’s very hard for me to 52 my bed, but your music made me feel good ”she said. With that, she turned around and walked 53 back to her room.
I was deeply 54 by her appreciation and felt a deeper understanding for the song. It served its purpose beautifully, returning to one’s 55 for peace and joy.
1.A. observed B. watched C. noticed D. caught
2.A. on B. at C. over D. against
3.A. player B. teacher C. composer D. starter
4.A. giving B. attending C. teaching D. reviewing
5.A. interesting B. wonderful C. moved D. impressive
6.A. another B. a different C. the same D. other
7.A. advised B. ordered C. demanded D. requested
8.A. warned B. reminded C. asked D. required
9.A. course B. task C. discussion D. deal
10.A. and B. but C. as a result D. what’s more
11.A. for the moment B. at the moment
C. for a moment D. at a moment
12.A. music B. songs C. the piano D. vitamins
13.A. dropping B. falling C. pouring D. running
14.A. Since B. As C. While D. Because
15.A. taking B. making C. having D. giving
16.A. thank B. praise C. admire D. owe
17.A. get on B. get up C. get off D. get down
18.A. quietly B. calmly C. happily D. slowly
19.A. shocked B. touched C. delighted D. disturbed
20.A. world B. heart C. brains D. dreams
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A couple of years ago, I went to a lady’s house to buy some vitamins. Upon entering the house, I 36 that there was an electronic keyboard on a stand, leaning 37 the wall. Being a piano music lover and 38 , I asked, if the woman played. She nodded and added that she had been
39 lessons at age 54! I told her that it was very 40 that she was pursuing （追求） her passion（热情）to play the piano. . .
Then she asked me 41 question. “I have been playing for 8 years now,” I answered.
“Then you must play a song for me before you leave,” she 42 .I thought she was joking and I simply smiled. At the end of the deal of the vitamins, she 43 me of our musical “ 44 _”. She then showed me to an old upright piano in the living room, 45 asked me to play a song for her. I thought 46 and decided to play David Lantz’s “Return to the Heart”, since she had so much passion for 47 ,and it was my soul-searching song.
I played the song to the best of my ability, and with my emotions 48 into it as possible. She loved it. 49 I was about to step out of the door, I heard a weak voice calling out, “Young man!”
I turned around. And there was an old lady 50 one little step at a time with the help of another woman. “I wanted to come out to 51 you for the beautiful song that you played. I have been very sick, and it’s very hard for me to 52 my bed, but your music made me feel good ”she said. With that, she turned around and walked 53 back to her room.
I was deeply 54 by her appreciation and felt a deeper understanding for the song. It served its purpose beautifully, returning to one’s 55 for peace and joy.
1. A. observed B. watched C. noticed D. caught
2. A. on B. at C. over D. against
3. A. player B. teacher C. composer D. starter
4. A. giving B. attending C. teaching D. reviewing
5. A. interesting B. wonderful C. moved D. impressive
6. A. another B. a different C. the same D. other
7. A. advised B. ordered C. demanded D. requested
8. A. warned B. reminded C. asked D. required
9. A. course B. task C. discussion D. deal
10. A. and B. but C. as a result D. what’s more
11. A. for the moment B. at the moment C. for a moment D. at a moment
12. A. music B. songs C. the piano D. vitamins
13. A. dropping B. falling C. pouring D. running
14. A. Since B. As C. While D. Because
15. A. taking B. making C. having D. giving
16. A. thank B. praise C. admire D. owe
17. A. get on B. get up C. get off D. get down
18. A. quietly B. calmly C. happily D. slowly
19. A. shocked B. touched C. delighted D. disturbed
20. A. world B. heart C. brains D. dreams
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A couple of years ago I took the family on a winter vacation to New York City to experience the holiday atmospheres. The longest lines that week weren’t in the Empire State Building, at the Statue of Liberty Ferry or any of the Big Apple’s other landmarks (地标) , but at Fifth Avenue and 58th Street, where people crowded into FAO Schwarz.
It was not until I got inside that it became clear how only one toy store could provide everything else that Manhattan offers between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Far more than a shopping experience, the hour we spent wandering along the aisles(通道) at FAO Schwarz was more like visiting a museum of everything that children care for very much. And for me — and all of the other bright-eyed grownups — it was a trip down my memory lane to the toys we knew as kinds.
America’s most unique toy stores are found from coast to coast, in big cities and also in small towns. Let’s have a look at some others.
The Dinosaur Farm in South Pasadena, Calif.: Former rock musician Dave Plenn opened the shop in 1994, a year after “Jurassic Park” brought the creatures back into the spotlight again. But he says his wife ---who was then working for the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles— rather than the big movie proved the inspiration for the dinosaur store.
Mild Zone: A more traditional specialty store, which sells model cars like Matchbox, Hot Wheels and Johnny Lightning. “It’s such an addicting (上瘾的) hobby,” says Burke, who admits that he originally created the store as a means to feed his own toy car collection. “Once you buy your first, you can never stop.” The store has around 30,000 cars. Mile Zone’s customers are from kinds with a wish for speedy toys to grown-ups who view the model cars as time travel back to their youth.
59. The author wrote the first paragraph mainly to show _________.
A. the poor traffic condition in New York B. the nice holiday atmosphere in New York
C. the popularity of toy stores in New York D. the charming landmarks in New York
60. Walking into FAO Schwarz gave the author a chance to ___________.
A. recall his life of childhood B. visit a most special museum
C. study the history of Manhattan D. learn the way of producing toys
61. Dave Plenn was inspired to open the Dinosaur Farm by ________.
A. his wife B. “Jurassic Park” C. his research on nature D .rock music
62. We can infer from the passage that ______.
A. dinosaur toy stores are more popular than traditional ones
B. some unique toys have been displayed in local museums
C. some popular toy stores have become new landmarks
D. customers of toy stores are more than children
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A couple of years ago, before a trip to China, Nicole Davis and her US women’s volleyball teammates were warned about the prominence (显著、突出) of coach “Jenny” Lang Ping in her native country.
“I was pushed over by Chinese journalists while I was just trying to put my luggage on the bus,” said Davis.
Known as the “Iron Hammer” for her punishing spikes(扣球), Lang made it possible for China to dominate in the sport in the early 1980s. She was a key player on China’s 1984 Olympic gold medal winning team.
When the US team arrived for the Olympics, Lang, 48, who is from Beijing, had to take a different route to avoid a crowd of reporters and fans.
Then came the greatest moment to Lang：while the US team was playing in a packed gym, at least 8,000 Chinese fans unfurled an American flag.
“That really says it all,” Davis said. “They look at her as an icon(偶像)．I’m sure it’s hard for them to see her coaching another country, but they love her so deeply that her success is their success.”
The loyalty of the Chinese fans was tested on Friday, when China lost a match to the US.
“It’s a pity that China lost the match, but I’m still glad that Lang Ping’s team won, since she is the pride of China’s volleyball,” said Liu Chengli, a spectator. “We also cheered for Lang’s victory.”
Lang said she just tried to stay professional when the two teams meet. “It doesn’t matter if we play China or any other team. It’s the same.” Lang said.
Davis said she and her teammates could not have imagined the passion for volleyball among Chinese because the sport was lack of popularity in the US. The reception from Chinese fans has touched the US players, said a US volleyball player Lindsey Berg.
“It’s such an honor to be here and play for our coach here in China,” she said. “The amount of support that the Chinese give to her and us has been tremendous. The whole event has been unbelievable.”
1.What’s the passage mainly about?
A．Staying professional. B．Cheering for the Iron Hammer.
C．A match between China and the US. D．Lang Ping’s career as a coach.
2.Lang Ping avoided meeting the reporters and fans probably because she ________.
A．was afraid to be questioned about her strategy
B．didn’t want to be paid much attention to
C．disliked to be with her fans
D．didn’t want to disturb public order
3.What does the underlined word “unfurled” exactly mean?
A．destroyed completely B．tore into pieces
C．spread out to the wind D．rolled up
4.What does Lang Ping mean by saying “It doesn’t matter if we play China or any other team.”？
A．American Volleyball Team will beat any team.
B．Chinese Volleyball Team is the same as other teams.
C．She just tried to stay professional.
D．The results of each match will be the same.
5.What impressed the US team players most?
A．The tolerance of Chinese people. B．The popularity of volleyball in China.
C．Lang Ping’s coaching skills. D．The loyalty for volleyball of the Chinese.
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A couple of weeks ago, my 12-year-old daughter, Ella threatened(威胁) to take my phone and break it. “At night you’ll always have your phone out and break you’ll just type,” Ella says. “I’m ready to go to bed, and try to get you to read stories for me and you’re just standing there reading your texts and texting other people,” she adds. I came to realize that I was ignoring her as a father.
Ella isn’t the only kid who feels this way about her parent’s relationship with devices. Catherine Steiner-Adair, a psychologist at Harvard, wrote The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age. For her book, Steiner-Adair interviewed more than 1,000 kids from the ages of 4 to 18. She talked to hundreds of teachers and parents.
One of the many things that knocked my socks off, ” she says, “was the consistency(一致性) with which children — whether they were 4 or 8 or 18 or 24— talked about feeling exhausted and frustrated or mad trying to get their parents’ attention, competing with computer screens or iPhone screens or any kind of technology.”
A couple of years ago, my daughter got a laptop for school. And because she was becoming more independent, we got her a phone. We set up rules for when she could use the device and when she’d need to put it away. We created a charging(充电) station, outside her bedroom, where she had to plug in these devices every night. Basically — except for homework— she has to put it all away when she comes home.
Steiner-Adair says most adults don’t set up similar limits in their own lives. “We’ve lost the boundaries that protect work and family life,’’ she says. “So it is very hard to manage yourself and be present in the moments your children need you.’’
After my daughter’s little intervention(介入),I made myself a promise to create my own charging station. To plug my phone in— somewhere faraway — when I am done working for the day. I’ve been trying to leave it there untouched for most of the weekend
1.Why did Ella threaten to break her father’s phone?
A. Her father spent a lot of money on his phone.
B. Her father did not do any housework or read to her.
C. Her father made a lot of noise by talking on the phone.
D. Her father gave his attention to his phone instead of her.
2. By saying “knocked my socks off ’’ , Steiner-Adair means “___’’.
A. made fun of her
B. surprised her a lot
C. took her socks off
D. made her exhausted
3.What does the author mainly talk about in paragraph 4?
A. How he protected his daughter from devices.
B. Why his daughter was dissatisfied with him.
C. How to create a charging station at home.
D. Why children need a laptop or a phone.
4. We can infer from the text the author___.
A. will not use his phone form now on
B. plans to create more charging stations at home
C. is a man who learns from his mistakes
D. doesn’t think a laptop is helpful to his daughter
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A couple of months ago, I made a promise to myself I had put some money in an envelope in my ___with the intention of giving this envelope __ to the first person I came across who __ it.
Months passed, and___ my daily life got busy, I was unable to keep my __. Whenever I opened my wallet and saw the ______,I was reminded of my ____ for it，and I would feel a little ___for having not acted upon it.
The voice within told me to do _____ .
Today, while walking to work on a busy street, I passed a ____ elderly lady with her hand out on the sidewalk. Seeing her wrinkled face and sightless eyes, I stopped ____ . A wave of sympathy washed over me, and I ____the envelope of money that had been lying in my wallet all these months.
I ____ the money from the envelope and bent down to her level. __ I took her hand, pressed the dollar bills into it, and closed her fingers over the notes so that she could __ the money and understand my gesture.
After I got up, I slowly moved away. I felt like I had ____ something. I had kept my ____to myself. The lady slightly nodded her head. I felt _____ and moved on.
Afterwards, I thought about why such a ____ act had taken so long. This small act was a huge step toward facing and walking through my own fears around ____ What a blessing it is to complete these generous little gestures!
1.A.coat B.pocket C.wallet D.handbag
2.A.away B.out C.up D.back
3.A.used B.deserved C.earned D.found
4.A.until B.though C.as D.if
5.A.belief B.attention C.principle D.promise
6.A.sign B.note C.photo D.envelope
7.A.intention B.respect C.design D.longing
8.A.surprised B.satisfied C.disappointed D.angry
9.A.anything B.something C.nothing D.everything
10.A.blind B.deaf C.tired D.weak
11.A.calmly B.gradually C.unhappily D.immediately
12.A.forgot B.remembered C.ignored D.discovered
13.A.threw away B.added up C.took out D.counted out
14.A.Proudly B.Gently C.Nervously D.Quickly
15.A.feel B.accept C.see D.keep
16.A.explored B.achieved C.missed D.noticed
17.A.idea B.message C.word D.experience
18.A.blessed B.awkward C.worried D.hopeful
19.A.brave B.practical C.common D.simple
20.A.doing B.taking C.communicating D.giving
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A couple of years ago, I decided it was time to take a break. I was about to ________,and I wanted to reward myself for all those college years.
As I was curiously different websites and guidebooks, getting ready for my little adventure, I ________that besides getting all the necessities, I also needed to get a sun ________.
When I got to the shop, it ________occurred to me that in the middle of planning my ,I somehow hadn’t paid much attention to the calendar. It was Feb.14, and Valentine’s fever had ________ the whole shopping center.
I finally ________a rack(货架) with summer hats hanging on it .I walked over and tried on a couple. I really liked one ________.I just couldn’t decide whether I wanted to get the one with a pink ribbon or a blue ribbon decoratively around it.
“You looked really great on those hats, ”a middle-aged man ________there waiting to be helped…and said to me.
“Oh, thank you.” I ________answered and increased my pace. I was in no mood to have a ________with a stranger. I stopped by a sale rack and looked through colorful shirts.
“Excuse me.” A voice suddenly ________my dreamy state of mind. I turned around and that man was standing right behind me. He looked ________but determined.
Before I could do or say anything, he continued with what he wanted to say. “I’m sorry to ________ you, but those hats looked really nice on you. You see, I don’t ________ anybody to buy a Valentine’s gift for this year, so I got you one of the hats. I ________ you don’t mind.” he said while handing me a plastic bag and disappeared immediately.
“Thank you!” I finally breathed out ,feeling quite surprised. Who would imagine that a ________ would walk up to you and give you a present?
I do hope the man found his Valentine ________.And most of all--I no longer feel blue on Valentine’s Day, even when I’m alone, because I remember my hat story.
1.A.retire B.speak C.defeat D.graduate
2.A.searching B.searching for C.looking D.looking for
3.A.announced B.suggested C.realized D.declared
4.A.hat B.glass C.shirt D.bag
5.A.proudly B.suddenly C.curiously D.patiently
6.A.study B.reward C.trip D.present
7.A.handed over B.taken over C.given out D.turned out
8.A.bought B.made C.kept D.saw
9.A.on business B.in particular C.at work D.in danger
10.A.formed B.tied C.collected D.torn
11.A.lying B.stopping C.standing D.following
12.A.angrily B.politely C.unhappily D.sadly
13.A.bargain B.trade C.cooperation D.conversation
14.A.continued B.interested C.attracted D.interrupted
15.A.tired B.shy C.surprised D.sorry
16.A.bother B.satisfy C.meet D.fit
17.A.catch B.ask C.have D.advise
18.A.think B.consider C.find D.hope
19.A.lover B.patient C.teacher D.stranger
20.A.in time B.on time C.at times D.over time
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A couple of years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out of the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator (短吻鳄) was swimming toward the shoe. His mother in the house was looking out of the window and saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In great fear, she ran toward the water, shouting to her son as loudly as she could.
Hearing her voice, the little boy became worried and made a return to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him.
From the bank. the mother caught her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began a tug-of-war (拔河) between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too determined to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.
After weeks and weeks in hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred (留下伤疤) by the attack of the animal and on his arms were deep scratches where his mother’s fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.
The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the injury, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pants legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter. “But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mom wouldn’t let go.
1.The boy’s legs were scarred by_______.
A. his mother B. an alligator
C. a farmer D. a reporter
2.What does the underlined word “snatched” probably mean?
A. Kicked. B. Touched. C. Bit. D. Knocked.
3.Why did the farmer help the mother?
A. He didn’t want to see the alligator killing the boy.
B. She was much too determined to let go of the boy.
C. Her nails dug into the boy’s flesh to hang on to the boy.
D. The boy lifted his pants legs to show his scars.
4.What did the boy think of the scars on his arms?
A. fearful. B. Shy. C. worried. D. Proud.
5.What is the best title of the passage?
A. A Brave Boy B. The scars of Love
C. A Helpful Farmer D. A Mother and An Alligator
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1.Who might buy the house after reading the above advertisement?
A. Some young students. B. A couple with little money
C. A big rich family D. A big poor family
2.What room has several possible uses?
A. The living room. B. The bedroom.
C. The dining room. D. The kitchen.
3.What is emphasized(强调)in the description of each room?
A. Floor. B. Entrance. C. Size. D. Windows.
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Every night for a year, Neil Simons quietly went out of his house. He wanted to “talk” to an owl (猫头鹰)settling for the night at the end of his garden. He made owl cries like a real wild owl and was happy to hear the bird “hooting (大声叫嚣)” back to him.
Last year Fred Cornes moved in next door. He heard an owl hooting and answered back. For 12 months the neighbors got into the back gardens of their homes, thinking they were talking with nature. Mr. Simmons kept a diary of all his talks with his bird friend. They would both be out again tonight if it wasn’t for a chance talk between their wives.
Mr. Simmons said. “My wife Kim was telling Fred’s wife Wendy about my owl watching and described how I got the birds to boot back. She said, ‘That’s funny — that’s just what Fred has been doing.’ Then the penny dropped, I felt such a fool when I found out. The trouble is that owl calls aren’t exactly the same and it’s easy to make a mistake.”
Mr. Cornes said, “I’m really flattered (过奖). I didn’t know I sounded so real. I love nature and I couldn’t resist hooting at the owls. I was very excited when they hooted back. I’m sorry that I was fooling my neighbor who was fooling me.”
1.After the talk between the wives, the two men would probably _________ .
A. stop observing owls B. not stay up hooting again
C. not enter the back garden again D. make no mistakes about wild owl cries
2.“Then the penny dropped.” most probably means “Then __________.”
A. I understood B. everybody knew about it
C. I heard the noise D. no money was paid
3.Mr. Simmons felt upset about the whole thing because __________.
A. all his efforts seemed to be meaningless B. his wife let out his secret by chance
C. garden owls hooted so differently D. Fred had been doing the same
4.The text suggests that __________.
A. Nail seldom heard natural owl calls B. the owl never hooted back to Neil
C. Fred was always good at pleasing owls D. owl watching is no longer interesting to Fred