Her frozen fingers touched the flame trying to feel alive. She could feel the warmth but it was a cold heat, as if the candle was rejecting her.
Her arms turned red because of the cold, her short sleeved shirt not giving her enough warmth. The winter air grabbed(抓住) at her arms, causing her pain, but she didn’t mind. She knew she should put her jacket on, it was winter in Connecticut, but that would be giving up. Up here, in this tree she felt safe.
She looked at the candle, surrounded by hardening wax(蜡). She placed her fingers gently on the warm green wax. This candle was a reminder of her life inside that house, a life she would have to return to eventually.
As a child, she had gotten this candle. She spent all she had on it. The beautiful crystal box （水晶盒）had caught her eye. Five whole nickels（五分币）had brought her that candle.
She gave it to her mother for Mother’s Day. Her mother had managed a smile and put it on a shelf. “It’s very pretty, honey! I will put it right here.” Since then that candle had never been moved, never been lighted, sitting dusty on a cluttered shelf that no one could see. Later on, her parents got divorced.
By now the candle was colder than the air and the darkness was complete. The snow on the ground made the night lighter and less satisfying than it had been before the first snowfall. She liked the darkness because she felt safe in it. From the glances of her friends who liked the girl she used to be. From the boys who could never figure out who she was. From her guidance counselor(顾问) whose endless worried looks never made her feel any better.
No one was outside at this time of night. She was alone in the world, just how she liked it. Just as she was about to lean back against the branch, she heard a sound.
She heard footsteps breaking the ice in the snow, heading toward her. He was making his way toward the white fence at the edge of the building, right against the road. Normally she would have ignored this person and stayed on her branch faraway from human contact, but this figure had something with him. He trudged(吃力地走) toward the white fence carrying a case. The figure reached the fence, opened the case and took out a shiny object.[来源
She took her eyes off this figure only long enough to climb down the tree to get a better view of him. She reached the bottom and saw that the person had turned to face the street, sitting on the white fence that she and her friends once sat on. She stepped carefully on the ice, making her way toward him.
And then a beautiful sound of music came from the shiny object. She stopped and listened to it. She started walking towards the guy again. Just as she was about to step onto the snow banks, she slipped on the ice crashing to the ground. The figure turned around in surprise and a sudden recognition fell upon them both.
1.The girl was hiding in the tree at deep night to ______.
A. keep herself from the cold
B. wait for the boy to come
C. want to be left alone
D. seek safety from any hurt
2.From the story, we can learn that ______.
A. the girl suffered a lot in her life
B. the girl’s parents divorced because of her
C. teachers and friends treated the girl badly
D. the girl used to stay in the tree when feeling sad
3.The underlined word “it” in the story refers to ______.
A. leaning back against the branch
B. being alone in the world
C. not being disturbed at night
D. it being dark with snow around
4.From the end of the story, it can be known that the girl _______.
A. knew the person
B. knew what the object was
C. realized her wishes
D. would never feel alone any more
Hi, everybody. Over the past couple months, most of the political headlines you’ve read have probably been about the government shutdown and the launch of the Affordable Care Act(平价医疗法案). And I know that many of you have rightly never been more frustrated with Washington.
But if you look beyond those headlines, there are some good things happening in our economy. And that’s been my top priority（优先考虑）since the day I walked into the Oval Office.
After decades in which the middle class was working harder and harder just to keep up, and a punishing recession（衰退）that made it worse, we made the tough choices required not just to recover from crisis, but to rebuild on a new foundation for stronger, more durable economic growth.
Five years later, we have fought our way back. Our businesses have created 7.8 million new jobs in the past 44 months. Another 200,000 Americans went back to work last month.
The American auto industry has come back with more than 350,000 new jobs –-- jobs putting out and selling the high-tech, fuel-efficient cars the world wants to buy. And they’re leading the charge in a business that has added jobs for the first time since the 1990s –-- a big reason why our businesses sell more goods and services “Made in America” than ever before.
We decided to stop our addiction to foreign oil. And today, we produce more renewable energy than ever, more natural gas than anybody, and for the first time in nearly 20 years, America now produces more oil than we buy from other countries.
We decided to fix a broken health care system. And even though the task has be
en rough, so far, about 500,000 Americans gain health coverage starting January 1st. And by the way, health care costs are growing at the slowest rate in 50 years.
And one more thing: since I took office, we’ve cut our deficits (赤字) by more than half. And that makes it easier to invest in the things that create jobs –-- education, research, and so on.
Imagine how much farther along we could be if both parties were working together. Think about what we could do if the few didn’t hold the economy hostage (人质) every few months, or waste time on dozens of votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act rather than try to help us fix it.
In the weeks ahead, I’ll keep talking about my plan to build a better bargain for the middle class. Good jobs. A good education. A chance to buy a home, save, and retire. And yes, the financial security of affordable health care. And I’ll look for any willing partners who want to help.
Because of your hard work and tough sacrifices over the past five years, we’re pointed in the right direction. But we’ve got more work to do to keep moving that way. And as long as I’m President, I’ll keep doing everything I can to create jobs, grow the economy, and make sure that everyone who works hard has a chance to get ahead. Thanks, and have a great weekend.
1.Which of the following is not the reason for people’s frustration with the government?
A. The government shutdown
B. Unemployment rate
C. The addiction to foreign oil
D. Cancelling the Affordable Care Act
2.Why does the president mention more goods and services “Made in America”?
A. To show that American goods and services are very popular.
B. To indicate that American people should be dependent on themselves.
C. To show that the employment rate has been increased.
D. To show that American auto industry enjoys high technology.
3.What’s the meaning of the underlined word “repeal”?
A. put an end to B. try hard to fix C. make stronger D. get accustomed to
4.According to the speech, which of the following can be implied?
A. American people have every reason to feel frustrated with the government.
B. Health care costs are growing at the slowest rate in 50 years.
C. The president feels sorry that the economy is not moving in the right direction.
D. Some government officials don’t agree with the president on the medical care system.
Suppose you work in a big firm and find English very important for your job because you often deal with foreign businessmen. Now you are looking for a place where you can improve your English, especially your spoken English. Here are some advertisements(广告) about English language training from newspapers. You may find the information you need.
Global English Centre
General English in all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
3-month (700 yuan), 6-month (1,200 yuan) and one-year (2,000) courses.
Choice of morning or evening classes, 3 hours per day. Mon.~Fri.
Experienced college English teacher
s.
Close to city centre and bus stops.
Tel: 67605272
Add: 105 Zhongshan Road, 100082
Modern Language School
Special courses in English for business, travel, banking, hotel management and office skills.
Small classes (12~16 students) on Sat. & Sun. from 2:00~5:00 p.m.
Native English teachers from Canada and USA.
Language lab and computers supplied.
3-month course: 1,050 yuan; 6-month course: 1,850 yuan.
Write or phone: Modern Language School, 675 Park Road, 100056
Tel: 67353019
The 21st Century English Training Centre
We specialize in effective teaching at all levels.
We offer morning or afternoon classes, both of which last three months and a half at a cost of 800 yuan.
We also have a six-week TOEFL preparation class during winter and summer holidays.
Entrance exams: June 1 and Dec. 1.
Only 15-minute walk from city centre.
Call 67801642 for more information.
The International House of English
Three/Six-month English courses for students of all levels at a very low cost: 60 yuan for 12 hours per week, convenient (方便的) class hours:
9:00~12:00 a.m. and 2:00~5:00 p.m.
A four-month evening programme for developing speaking skills (same cost as day classes).
Well-trained Chinese and foreign teachers with experience in teaching English as a second foreign language.
Free sightseeing and social activities.
Very close to the Central Park.
For further information call 674322308.
1.You work from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day. Which school will you choose?
A. Global English Centre and Modern Language School.
B. Global English Centre and The International House of English.
C. Modern English Centre School and The 21st Century English Training Centre.
D. The 21st Century English Training Centre and The International House of English.
2.The 21st Century English Training Centre is different from the other three schools in that___.
A. its teaching quality is better
B. it is near to the city centre
C. its courses are more advanced
D. it requires an entrance examination
3.You will probably prefer to go to The International House of English because it________.
A. offers free sightseeing and social activities
B. has a special course in spoken English
C. costs less than the other schools
D. has native English teachers
4.If you take the evening programme at The International House of English, you will pay____.
A. 60 yuan B. 240 yuanC. 720 yuan D. 960 yuan
Where was I? The room was dark and quiet. My head hurt really badly. I shouted, “Help! Help! Can anybody help me?”
After a while somebody came in. The room was so dark that I couldn’t see his face clearly. The man turned on the light and said with a sharp voice, “Ah! Sweetie, do you still remember who I am?” I was shocked. Oh, my God! I cried, “You are Michael Zey, the man I charged with murder! Why are you here? You should be in prison!”
“You never thought about the result of charging a gang（犯罪团伙）leader, did you? Because of you, I was in prison for 15 years. You ruined my life!” His voice was very cold. My face was pale with fear. He was here to take revenge（报复）!
“Please, let me go! Don't hurt me! Please!” I asked him. “Dr. Calme
nt, you are smart enough to know it is impossible. Now, I give you two choices. One is shooting your head. It is the quickest way. The other is cremation（火葬）. Your husband and you will be together forever. It’s quite romantic. Don't you think?” He spoke angrily. “What? My husband? He is innocent!” I shouted at him.
Suddenly, he took hold of my head and said, “You will pay for what you have done to me.” He took out a gun from his bag.
“Help! Help! Can anybody help me?”
1.What might have happened to the writer before the man came in?
A. She had taken his place and become a gang leader.
B. She had come to this place to see her husband.
C. She wanted to pay for what she had done to Michael Zey.
D. She had been beaten terribly.
2.Which of the following words can best describe how the writer felt when the story happened?
A. Surprised. B. Terrified. C. Amazed. D. Puzzled.
3.What does the underlined word “it” in the fourth paragraph refer to?
A. To let her go. B. To hurt her. C. To take revenge. D. To stay in prison.
“A” for Attitude
English was always my favorite subject. In my freshman year of high school, I could write a killer composition. In my second year, my teacher me to give spelling tests to the class. I had a time of my junior year. Mrs Alexander me to sit at her desk and take over the class when she had to leave the room. Only my senior English class was , as we had a teacher right out of college who expected work. Every student received a "C" or "D" grade the first quarter. But English was still my favorite subject.
I graduated from high school, early and had children. about my English, I often helped my kids with their English homework. And I wrote long articles and beautiful poetry as a columnist for a newspaper. Fifteen years later, I went to college, and because I had been an "A" student, I remained an "A" student. I up to my own expectations.
Yesterday, I my high school report cards when I was reading old papers. That bundle of report cards back the old days. I remembered sitting in my advisor's office, explaining that I had always be at English, and recommending that I did not deserve a '"D" from that inexperienced teacher of my senior year. The advisor was but unable to change a(an) . Reading through my old report cards revealed something else too. I wanted to them or hide them. I was not an "A" student in high school English! Somehow, I had myself of this, when the grades clearly reflected an average student with an "A" or "B" but mostly "C” S.
Had I lived up to those grades and myself according to those letters, I would have never confidently sought my writing career. Had I my early grades instead of myself, I would have allowed my fear of failure to enthusiasm and damage my creativity. Instead, I my younger self as an "A" English student, except for that undeserved "D".
1.A. scolded B. allowedC. ordered D. reminded
2.A. badB. complexC. terribleD. wonderful
3.A. approvedB. appointedC. expectedD. urged
4.A. flexible B. creativeC. disappointingD. controversial
5.A. college-levelB. basedC. difficultD. easy
6.A. marriedB. workedC. succeeded D. progressed
7.A. SadB. Confident C. AnxiousD. Curious
8.A. added B. lived C. grew D. went
9.A. countedB. rememberedC. approachedD. discovered
10.A.
brought B. turned C. heldD. kept
11.A. nervous B. good C. poorD. terrible
12.A. impolite B. impatientC.
inexperiencedD. sympathetic
13.A. gradeB. figureC. paperD. entry
14.A. tearB. fireC. cryD. escape
15.A. warnedB. reminded C. informedD. convinced
16.A. average B. enthusiastic C. outstanding D. occasional
17.A. considered B. deniedC. reflected D. described
18.A. abandonedB. given C. believed inD. doubted
19.A. changeB. riskC. defeat D. reminded
20.A. looked B. viewedC. sang D. criticized
On returning home, she found a note _______ to the door, _______ “Call in later.”
A. attaching; reading B. attaches; saying
C. attached; which reads D. attached; reading
