Sam Berns wasn’t like any other boy. He was 17 and he had an aging disease known as progeria.
“Even though I have many difficulties in my life, I don’t want people to feel bad for me,” Sam said during a TED talk.
Progeria affects approximately one in every 4 million to 8 million newborns. Right now, there are only about 200 children living with it worldwide. The genetic(基因的) change tied to it causes those with the disease to produce the protein progerin, which blocks normal cell function.
His view on life is extremely inspiring. He had to face challenges no one else could even dream of. As children with progeria age rapidly, they suffer from a loss of body fat and hair and an inability to gain weight. That didn’t keep Sam down, though.
“All in all, I don’t waste energy feeling bad for myself,” Sam said. “I surround myself with people that I want to be with. And I keep moving forward.”
This boy from Boston was so amazing, famous people and athletes wanted to take him under their own. Last Saturday night could have been an amazing moment for Sam. One of his favorite teams, the New England Patriots, wanted to make him their honorary captain during a playoff game.
Instead, it just was’t meant to be. Sam passed away before he had a chance to stand next to his team, so they held a moment of silence before the game for him.
Sam’s unbelievable view on life, and his deep effect on others, is hard to forget. He was presented with so many challenges in life but he wasn’t afraid to face them. Be more like Sam, this wonderful teen. Surround yourself with positive people, love them and move forward.
1.We can infer from the passage that Sam Berns was ________.
A. very fat B. very thin
C. good-looking D. young-looking
2.According to the passage, Sam Berns was a boy ________.
A. of great intelligence
B. of complete failure
C. with an optimistic view on life
D. with a passive view on life
3.What does the underlined word “it” in paragraph 3 mean?
A. Cell. B. Change. C. Progerin. D. Progeria.
4.What is the main purpose of this passage?
A. To praise Sam Berns for his hardwork.
B. To show how famous Sam Berns was.
C. To encourage readers to live a positive life.
D. To show how Sam Berns dealt with challenges.
Over years, I’ve been teaching kids about a simple but powerful concept-the ant philosophy. They have an amazing four-part philosophy. First, ants never _______. If they’re headed somewhere and you try to stop them, they’ll look for another __________. Second, ants think about winter and summer. That’s an important _________. You can’t be so naïve as to think summer will last forever. So ants are gathering in their winter ________ in the middle of summer. Think ahead. The third part is that ants think summer all winter. During the winter, they ________ themselves, “ This won’t last long; we’ll soon be out of here.” They can’t ____ to get out. Last, how much will ant gather during the summer to prepare for the winter? All that it ______ can. What a great philosophy to have- the ant philosophy: never give up, look ahead, stay ____ and do all you can.
1.A. quitB. returnC. escapeD. advance
2.A. antB. warC. wayD. cave
3.A. planB. attitudeC. policyD. opinion
4.A. strawB. fruitC. clothingD. food
5.A. warnB. enjoyC. remindD. teach
6.A. offerB. waitC. expectD. manage
7.A. recentlyB. possiblyC. largelyD. generally
8.A. positiveB. activeC. considerateD. negative
Without a shadow of a doubt, my grandfather is the single most influential person in my life. He was more than just my grandfather and I’m proud to say, my _________.
As a child there was no safer place than the security of his lap. I would watch horror movies on TV from behind his recliner. The monsters wouldn’t dream of _______ me there! He taught me how to appreciate beautiful foods. I remember, at age 5. __________ on a chair by the stove as he taught me how to make scrambled eggs.
He was warm, loving, firm and straightforward. He had a ________ of accepting whatever came his way with no _________ than a shrug. His deep faith carried him through what life had to offer.
He loved baseball ( especially the Pittsburgh Pirates- except when they ________ a game! ). He would often have one game on television while listening to another on his radio and he could tell you what was going on in both games. When he __________ 90, his other grandson, Bill, gave him an autographed photo of Willie Stargell, his favorite Pirate player. He was so __________ of that birthday present.
He was seldom sick. He just wouldn’t _______. Various family members often joked that he would be pushing all of us around the block in wheelchairs as he jogged. Some people have a small garden in their backyard. My grandfather had a huge ________. He would grow some flowers and vegetables. He always had something to do and it was __________ done well. Whenever anything was broken, it was taken to my grandfather.
At the age of 92 , he __________. Father of three, grandfather of three, great-grandfather of ten, friend of countless individuals, this remarkable man touched all of our lives and we are better for the experience.
I love you, grandpa.
1.A. grandpaB. friendC. colleagueD. opponent
2.A. coming forB. rushing toC. moving aboutD. turning to
3.A. jumpingB. lyingC. climbingD. standing
4.A. dayB. placeC. wayD. time
5.A. longerB. moreC. lessD. better
6.A. delayedB. called offC. lostD. gave up
7.A. nearedB. passedC. grewD. turned
8.A. proudB. tiredC. excitedD. crazy
9.A. give upB. slow downC. send awayD. take in
10.A. kitchenB. libraryC. towerD. garden
11.A. rarelyB. scarcelyC. alwaysD. merely
12.A. passed awayB. passed outC. passed throughD. passed down
– I don’t think our earth will be destroyed as described in the film 2012.
- _____. It’s only a science fiction film.
A. That’s terrible. B. Don’t mention it.
C. I hope not. D. I can’t agree more.
The soldier rushed into the cave, his right hand ____ a gun and his face ____ with snow.
A. held; covered B. holding ;covering
C. holding; covered D. held; covering
With no one looking after my son, I have no choice but ____ this chance to go abroad.
A. giving up B. give up
C. to give up D. gave up
