I fell in love with England because it was quaint (古雅)—all those little houses, looking terribly old-fashioned but nice, like dolls’ houses. I loved the countryside and the pubs, and I loved London. I’ve slightly changed my mind after seventeen years because I think it’s an ugly town now.
Things have changed. For everybody, England meant gentlemen, fair play, and good manners. The fair play is going, unfortunately, and so are the gentlemanly attitudes and good manners—people shut doors heavily in your face and politeness is disappearing.
I regret that there are so few comfortable meeting places. You’re forced to live indoors. In Paris I go out much more, to restaurants and nightclubs. To meet friends here it usually has to be in a pub, and it can be difficult to go there alone as a woman. The cafes are not terribly nice.
As a woman, I feel unsafe here. I spend a bomb on taxis because I will not take public transport after 10 p. m. I used to use it, but now I’m afraid.
The idea of family seems to be more or less non-existent in England. My family is well united and that’s typically French. In Middlesex I had a neighbour who is 82 now. His family only lived two miles away, but I took him to France for Christmas once because he was always alone.
1.The writer doesn’t like London because she ______.
A．has lived there for seventeen years
B．prefers to live in an old-fashioned house
C．is not used to the life there now
D．has to be polite to everyone she meets there
2.Where do people usually meet their friends in England?
A．In a pub. B．In a cafe. C．In a restaurant. D．In a nightclub.
3.The writer took her neighbour to France for Christmas because he ______.
A．had never been to France B．was from a typical French family
C．didn't like the British idea of family D．felt lonely in England
It was a warm April day when a big fat envelope came in the mail from the only college I had ever imagined attending. I tore open the packet. My eyes were fixed on the word “congratulations. ”I don’t remember ever smiling so wide.
Then I looked at my financial（财政的）package.
The cost of Dream School’s tuition（学费）, room and board was around $ 40,000- an impossible sum! How could I afford to attend? What good reasons did I have to go there when three other fine colleges were offering me free tuition? My other choices were good, solid schools even if they weren’t as famous as my first choice.
In my mind, attending my dream university would be the only way to realize my dream of becoming a world-class writer. My parents understood how I felt. They told me that even though it would be a financial problem, I could go wherever I would be happiest. But as I was always careful with money, I wasn’t sure what to do.
One of the schools that offered me a full ride had an informational dinner one night in the spring. Considering my parents’ financial difficulties, I decided to drive the 45 minutes and attend. At first, all I had planned to do was smile politely, eat free food, listen quietly. But I surprised myself.
At dinner the president of the university talked about the wonderful activities on campus （校园）including guest lectures and social gatherings. He also made it perfectly clear that free food would be offered at all future events. He continued with explanations of professors, class sizes, activities, and sporting events on campus. As he spoke, I began to realize that this school, though not as good as my first choice, might be the best one for me. It seemed small yet with many great programs. It seemed challenging yet caring.
As the president ended his speech, we clapped politely and pushed back our chairs. As I walked out that door, a feeling of comfort washed over me. Looking at the campus that night, I realized that I would be spending the next four years right there.
In all honesty, my university is not as well-known as my “dream”university. However, it turned out to be the right choice of schools for me.
1.How did the author feel when he started to read the letter?
A．He was lost in his dream.
B．He was full of joy.
C．He was worried about the money.
D．He was uncertain which school to go to.
2.We can learn from the passage that the parents were _________.
A．honest B．supportive C．strict D．decisive
3.In Paragraph 5, “offered me a full ride”can be replaced by “_______”.
A．would charge me nothing for tuition
B．would pay for transport to the school
C．would show me around the campus
D．would offer free meals at all events
4.What does the author mainly want to say?
A．You should consider comfort in your choice of schools.
B．You should try your best to attend your dream school.
C．Your second-choice college may actually by your best fit.
D．Your choice of schools should be based on their fame.
It was a cold evening and my daughter and I were walking up Broadway. I didn’t notice a guy sitting inside a cardboard box. But Nora did. She wasn’t even four, but she 36 at my coat and said, “That man’s cold. Daddy, 37 we take him home?”
I don’t remember my reply. But I do remember a sudden 38 feeling inside me. I had always been delighted at how much my daughter noticed in her 39 , whether it was 40 in flight or children playing. But now she was noticing 41 and beggary.
A few days later, I saw an article in the newspaper about volunteers who picked up a food package from a nearby school on a Sunday morning and 42 it to an elderly person. It was quick and easy. I 43 us up. Nora was 44 about it. She could understand the importance of food, so she could easily see how 45 our job was. When Sunday came, she was ready, but I had to 46 myself to leave the house. On the way to the school, I fought an urge to turn 47 . The Sunday paper and coffee were waiting at home. Why do this? 48 , we phoned the elderly person we’d been appointed. She 49 us right over.
The building was in a sad state. Facing us was a silver-haired woman in an old dress. She took the package and asked us to come in. Nora ran inside. I unwillingly followed. 50 inside, I saw that the department belonged to someone poor. Our hostess showed us some photos. Nora played and when it came time to say goodbye, we three hugged, I walked home in tears.
Professionals call such a(n) 51 “a volunteer opportunity”. They are opportunities, I’ve come to see. Where else but as volunteers do you have opportunity to do something 52 that’s good for others as well as for yourself? Nora and I regularly serve to needy people and 53 clothes for the homeless. Yet, as I’ve 54 her grow over these past four years, I still wonder—which of us has 55 more?
1. A．pulled B．glanced C．waved D．aimed
2. A．would B．can C．need D．must
3. A．general B．true C．heavy D．curious
4. A．area B．part C．eyesight D．world
5. A．insects B．dogs C．animals D．birds
6. A．coldness B．illness C．suffering D．ignorance
7. A．delivered B．returned C．devoted D．posted
8. A．held B．hurried C．signed D．lined
9. A．casual B．sorry C．astonished D．excited
10. A．creative B．valuable C．shocking D．simple
11. A．warn B．stop C．allow D．push
12. A．back B．away C．up D．out
13. A．Therefore B．Obviously C．Still D．Also
14. A．called B．promised C．invited D．helped
15. A．As B．Once C．Because D．Though
16. A．stay B．visit C．adventure D．challenge
17. A．fair B．famous C．difficult D．enjoyable
18. A．collect B．make C．order D．wear
19. A．let B．made C．watched D．noticed
20. A．improved B．benefited C．tried D．seized
---- Would you rather____there tomorrow?
----____ No. I’d rather he ____there instead of me.
A．go;went B．to go ;will go C．go;will go D．going;shall go
“Mary looks hot and dry.” “So _____ you if you had so high a fever.”
A．do B．would C．will D．are
Because of the heavy traffic, it was already time for lunch break___she got to her office.
