My father had always been an alert 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（栀子花）?” 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 adviceB．wedding ceremony

C．celebration of birthdayD．offer of marriage

4.On hearing “moving in with you”, the writer felt __________.

A．pleasedB．worried

C．surprisedD．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.

More Than I Had Dreamed Of

From the time I was seven, I had a dream of becoming a member of the Students Union. I always     my school leaders for taking responsibility for all of us. So I dreamed of being a leader.

Years flew by, and soon I was able to participate in the elections,     I would win. But the reality struck that I hadn’t had a chance. I wasn’t pretty. Girls across the school hardly knew me. I just did not have what it     to win a school election. I was     .

As I cried in my room that evening, I     took a deep breath and decided I wouldn’t stop dreaming. I decided that I would     elections again in my final year at school—and I would win.

I recognized that my     had a lot of things in their favor. What were the     that would work in my favor? I had good grades, and I was friendly and helpful. And my biggest       was the faith I had. I would not allow my     appearance to hold me back from putting my best foot forward. That evening, I     my election plans a whole year in advance.

I realized that girls would have to get to know me and recognize that I had the ability to     them. I loved making friends and I liked being helpful,     I decided that perhaps I could use these qualities to work to my advantage. In order to learn how to present a great election     , I also attended a course on effective public speaking.

The day after the election, when the principal(校长) announced I won the second highest number of votes, the students     . That joy on the faces of all my friends showed me that my victory was      theirs.

Suddenly, I realized that I had     much more than I had dreamed of. I had made many new friends and had helped people     the way. I had won the     and love of my school-mates and they knew me as somebody who would stand by them. I was able to put a smile on their faces and      their day. 

1.A. rememberedB. admiredC. praisedD. believed

2.A. planningB. praying C. calculatingD. judging

3.A. tookB. assessedC. providedD. meant

4.A. concernedB. surprisedC. depressedD. confused

5.A. graduallyB. immediatelyC. impatientlyD. suddenly

6.A. participateB. enterC. joinD. go

7.A. companionsB. enemiesC. schoolmatesD. competitors

8.A. pointsB. casesC. methodsD. examples

9.A. problemB. dreamC. strengthD. worry

10.A. plainB. youngC. personalD. special

11.A. announcedB. discussedC. beganD. cancelled

12.A. recommendB. encourageC. supportD. represent

13.A. butB. soC. thenD. or

14.A. speechB. campaignC. ceremonyD. promise

15.A. noddedB. cheered    C. gatheredD. cried

16.A. onlyB. alsoC. stillD. almost

17.A. devotedB. acceleratedC. accomplishedD. developed

18.A. along    B. byC. to   D. in

19.A. appointmentB. reputationC. electionD. acceptance

20.A. richB. blessC. expandD. brighten

_______ confidence and patience, they failed to settle the difficult problem.

A. Lack in           B.Lacking of              C.Lacking        D.Having lacked

______ we do must be in the interests of the people.

A.Whatever           B.However           C.No matter what       D.No matter how

He was close to______ in the accident.

A.be killed             B. being killed        C.killed        D.killing

.She is _______ mother, no woman could take better care of her children.

A.model            B.modal           C.medal           D.modest

— She is very rich.

   — ________ she wouldn’t accept his help even if it was offered.

A. What for         B. So whatC. No doubt          D. No wonder

These problems, ________, will seriously affect the growth of teenagers and even the nation’s future.

A. not if solved properlyB. if solved properly

C. if not solved properlyD. not if properly solved

After several hours’ drive, they reached ________ they thought was the place they’d been dreaming of.

A. that               B. where         C. which            D. what

They wanted the house at the foot of the mountain ________ in a way to look pretty.

A. build              B. to build        C. built             D. being built