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?” 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 wandered in the park. The park bench was___21___ as I sat down to read beneath the long, straggly (蔓延的) branches of an old willow tree. I was disappointed by life with ___22___ reason to frown, for the world was intent on dragging me down.

___23___ that weren't enough to ruin my day, a young boy out of ___24___ approached me, all tired from play. He stood right before me and said with great excitement, "Look what I found!"

In his hand was a flower, and what a ___25___ sight, with its petals(花瓣) all worn --- not enough rain, or too little light. I faked a small ___26___, wanting him to take his dead flower and leave, and then ___27___.

But instead of leaving he sat next to my side and placed the flower to his nose and declared with surprise, "It surely smells pretty and it's beautiful, too. That's why I picked it; here, it's for you."

The weed before me was dying or dead. Not brilliant colors, orange, yellow or red. But I knew I must ___28___ it, or he might never leave. So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need."

But ___29___ him placing the flower in my hand, he held it mid-air without ___30___ or plan. It was then that I noticed for the very first time, that young boy could not see: he was blind.

My ___31___ trembled, and tears shone like the sun as I ___32___ him for picking the very best one. "You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play, not ___33___ of the impact he'd had on my day.

I sat there and wondered how he ___34___ to see a self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree. How did he ___35___ my difficult situation? ___36___ from his heart, he'd been blessed with true ___37___.

At last I could see, ___38___ the eyes of a blind child, the problem was not with the ___39___; the problem was me. And for all of those times I myself had been ___40___, I vowed(发誓) to see beauty, and appreciate every second that's mine.

I held that wilted(枯萎) flower up to my nose and breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose and smiled as that young boy.

1.A. equipped       B. painted      C. deserted         D. taken

2.A. good           B. temporary        C. opposite     D. mistaken

3.A. For fear       B. As if            C. Even though  D. Now that

4.A. happiness      B. fortune      C. question     D. breath

5.A. negative       B. serious      C. ridiculous      D. pitiful

6.A. gift           B. preference       C. discussion      D. smile

7.A. turned away        B. wandered off C. stood up    D. set out

8.A. take           B. adjust           C. comfort     D. submit

9.A. in spite of    B. instead of       C. in case of      D. because of

10.A. connection        B. delay            C. hesitation      D. reason

11.A. heart         B. hands            C. voice           D. legs

12.A. praised           B. thanked      C. approved    D. delighted

13.A. hopeful       B. content      C. aware           D. successful

14.A. managed       B. promised     C. desired     D. accomplished

15.A. get across        B. know of      C. care about      D. deal with

16.A. Actually      B. Somehow      C. Obviously       D. Perhaps

17.A. love          B. experience       C. sight           D. power

18.A. With          B. Across           C. Around      D. Through

19.A. worldB. flower            C. complaint       D. appearance

20.A. particularB. unforgettable    C. blindD. sensitive

We have to give the users something new ________ what we’ve already offered, which is the only way to broaden the appeal of the website.

   A. regardless of                         B. in addition to      

  C. in exchange for                       D. according to

We have a high regard for Mr. Black because he always tries to ________ his principles.

A. live up to                            B. look forward to  

C. catch up with                         D. put up with

Only lately         about the dark secrets behind the seemingly-happy

marriage of the golf star Tiger Woods.

   A. the public have known             B. were the public known

   C. have the public known             D. the public knew

—I phoned you at 7 yesterday evening but nobody answered.

    — Oh, I ______ my dog in the park then.

A. walked  B. was walking   C. had walked   D. would walk

So far all cloned animals have suffered from some different serious disorders, ______ dying soon after birth.

   A. many of which B. many of whom C. many of them D. many of that

The fog was so heavy this morning that drivers could hardly ______ the

things just ten meters away from them.

   A. figure out        B. look out        C. make out     D. rule out

I ______ a flu when I was on a spring outing with my classmates.

A. caught up         B. picked up      C. took up      D. brought up

The weather that day may not be as good as expected, in ________ case we will have to put off the event.

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