My father had always been an alert(警觉的) observer of human character. Within seconds of meeting someone, he could sum up their strengths and weaknesses. It was always a challenge to see if any of my boyfriends could pass Dad’s test. None did. Dad was always right---they didn’t pass my test either. After Dad died, I wondered how I’d figure it out on my own.
That’s when Jack arrived on the scene. He was different from any other guy I’d dated. He could sit for hours on the piano bench with my mother, discussing some composers. My brother Rick loudly announced that Jack wasn’t a turkey like the other guys I’d brought home. Jack passed my family’s test. But what about Dad’s?
Then came my mother’s birthday. The day he was supposed to drive, I got a call. “Don’t worry,” he said, “but I’ve been in an accident. I’m fine, but I need you to pick me up.”
When I got there, we rushed to a flower shop for something for Mom. “How about gardenias?” Jack said, pointing at a beautiful white corsage(胸花). The florist put the corsage in a box.
The entire ride, Jack was unusually quiet. “Are you all right?” I asked. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking,” he said. “I might be moving.” Moving? Then he added, “Moving in with you.” I nearly put the car on the sidewalk. “What?” I asked. “I think we should get married,” he said. He told me he’d planned his proposal in a fancy restaurant, but after the accident, he decided to do it right away. “Yes,” I whispered. We both sat dumbfounded, tears running down our cheeks. I’d never known such a tender moment. If only Dad were here to give his final approval.
“Oh, let’s just go inside.” Jack laughed. My mother opened the door. “Happy Birthday!” we shouted. Jack handed the box to her. She opened it up. Suddenly, her eyes were filled with tears. “Mom, what’s wrong?” I asked. “I’m sorry,” she said, wiping her eyes. “This is only the second gardenia corsage I’ve ever received. I was given one years ago, long before you kids were born.” “From who?” I asked. “Your father,” Mom said. “He gave me one right before we were engaged.” My eyes locked on Jack’s as I blinked away(眨掉) tears. Dad’s test? I knew Jack had passed.
1.According to the text, we know the writer’s father was __________.
A．interested in observing things around
B．good at judging one’s character
C．strict with her boyfriend
D．fond of challenges
2.What is the main idea of Paragraph 2?
A．Jack got the family’s approval except Dad’s.
B．Jack was different from any other boy.
C．Jack was getting on well with Mother.
D．Jack knew a lot about piano.
3.The underlined word “proposal” in Paragraph 5 means __________.
A．piece of advice B．wedding ceremony
C．celebration of birthday D．offer of marriage
4.On hearing “moving in with you”, the writer felt .
A．pleased B．worried C．surprised D．disappointed
5.Why did the writer’s mother cry?
A．The gift was the same as the one her husband gave her.
B．She had never received such a beautiful gift.
C．Her daughter found her life partner at last.
D．The gardenia corsage was too expensive.
I was listening to the radio while 1 was driving home from coaching basketball yesterday. I could tell right away that there was something 41 by the mood of the speaker. There had been a plane crash. What made the 42 even more tragic was that Bob Collins，the morning show man, was among those who had been killed. Throughout my 40-minute 43 , I listened as sincere love and affection from the audience 44 .The more I listened about how this man had influenced those around him, the more 45 I became.
That was because I wanted to know 46 we as a culture, wait until somebody has passed away before we tell them how much they 47 to us? Why do we wait until it is too late before we 48 someone up after they have died? Yes，49 memory after memory about someone's good 50 does help us cope with the sadness of losing someone special to us. But as we 51 remember this person, our words fall short of the ears that most need to hear 52 .
Just once, 53 a gathering of death，1 would like to see a celebration of life, 54 stories are told, tears fall down，laughter rings out；and as the speaker 55 his or her loving tribute(颂词), the person they are 56 rises from the chair and gives them a 57 hug! Wouldn’t that be 58 !
Life is too short to leave kind words 59 . How I wish that when the unavoidable funeral finally comes，we could say 60 with the knowledge that they knew exactly how people felt about them while they were here on earth.
1. A．important B．wrong C．pleasant D．unnoticed
2. A．speaker B．radio C．station D．story
3. A．drive B．silence C．ride D．tour
4. A．poured in B．grew up C．broke out D．got through
5. A．determined B．delighted C．discouraged D．devoted
6. A．what B．that C．if D．why
7. A．impress B．love C．mean D．affect
8. A．bring B．build C．pick D．bury
9. A．recovering B．showing C．sharing D．losing
10. A．qualities B．manners C．records D．attitudes
11. A．barely B．lovingly C．suddenly D．finally
12. A．him B．them C．it D．us
13. A．as for B．apart from C．except for D．instead of
14. A．where B．because C．whether D．which
15. A．mentions B．writes C．pays D．ends
16. A．staring B．listening C．honoring D．talking
17. A．tight B．quick C．cold D．necessary
18. A．anything B．nothing C．everything D．something
19. A．untouched B．unsaid C．unfinished D．unpacked
20. A．hello B．sorry C．goodbye D．thanks
——We don’t think we’ll be able to go mountain-climbing tomorrow.
—— _________ the weather turns out fine?
A．How come B．How about C．What if D．Why not
The moment she entered the hall, she felt rather ______ as she was the only person that wore sportswear at the party.
A．in place B．out of place C．by the way D．in the way
—— _______ the computer be repaired by him?
—— No, I’d rather he _______ it repaired.
A．Will; has B．should; have C．shall; had D．Can; has
The film’s ending follows a set pattern, but, _____, it is worth seeing a second time.
A．on the other hand B．in other words C．all in all D．in the meanwhile
