A couple of years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out of the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator (短吻鳄) was swimming toward the shoe. His mother in the house was looking out of the window and saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In great fear, she ran toward the water, shouting to her son as loudly as she could.
Hearing her voice, the little boy became worried and made a return to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him.
From the bank. the mother caught her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began a tug-of-war (拔河) between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too determined to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.
After weeks and weeks in hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred (留下伤疤) by the attack of the animal and on his arms were deep scratches where his mother’s fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.
The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the injury, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pants legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter. “But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mom wouldn’t let go.
1.The boy’s legs were scarred by_______.
A. his mother B. an alligator
C. a farmer D. a reporter
2.What does the underlined word “snatched” probably mean?
A. Kicked. B. Touched. C. Bit. D. Knocked.
3.Why did the farmer help the mother?
A. He didn’t want to see the alligator killing the boy.
B. She was much too determined to let go of the boy.
C. Her nails dug into the boy’s flesh to hang on to the boy.
D. The boy lifted his pants legs to show his scars.
4.What did the boy think of the scars on his arms?
A. fearful. B. Shy. C. worried. D. Proud.
5.What is the best title of the passage?
A. A Brave Boy B. The scars of Love
C. A Helpful Farmer D. A Mother and An Alligator
On Tuesday, Apple’ CEO, Tim Cook, announced the Apple Watch. It is like a normal watch, but it can do all the things a mobile phone does — and more.
At US $349, the Apple Watch is expensive. Some people doubt that they will become as successful as smartphones. However, it seems that it will open another door for the use of computers. The watch taps you whenever a new message comes in. It prepares answers to questions you receive from friends. It checks your health. “It’s the most personal product we’ve ever made,” Cook said.
If the Apple Watch becomes popular, it will change the way the world communicates with computers. “It might not only be a change for Apple, but for the whole industry,” says technology expert, Daniel Ives.
How does it work?
The Apple Watch has a speaker that users can both hear and feel. You can press the side button to communicate with people quickly and easily. The Apple Watch also introduces health and fitness apps(应用程序)that can help people lead healthier lives.
You can try it.
According to Matt Vella, a writer for TIME magazine, the watch is “the most thrilling product since the iPad.”
After actually trying the watch, he says: “ There’s a lot we don’t know about the Apple Watch. How long will its battery last? How exactly will it connect with the iPhone? But wearing the watch answers some other questions. It is very comfortable. You can easily forget you are wearing the Apple Watch.”
1.What does the underlined sentence probably mean?
A. The Apple Watch will be successful as the Smartphone.
B. Contrary to popular belief, many people dislike the Apple Watch.
C. Some people don’t think the Apple Watch will be as popular as smartphones.
D. Some people think the Apple Watch will be more popular than smartphones.
2.Who is Tim Cook according to the passage?
A. An officer . B. An editor.
C. A writer. D. A teacher.
3.Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A. The Apple Watch has a speaker.
B. The Apple Watch can check your health.
C. You can send messages with the Apple Watch.
D. The Apple Watch doesn’t need a battery.
4.What does Matt Vella think about the Apple Watch?
A. Beautiful. B. Exciting.
C. normal D. Expensive.
5.This passage is about ________.
A. how to choose the Apple Watch
B. why people buy the Apple Watch
C. a new product
D. a new method
众所周知，勤俭节约是中华民族的优良传统，但根据调查，近几年来中学生每月的花
销越来越高，根本没有节俭的概念。请就此现象写一篇 120 字左右的短文，要求如下：
1. 简单阐述此现象；
2. 分析这一现象的原因；
3. 你的看法。
注意：文章开头已给出，不计入词数；
参考词汇：thrift (n.) 勤俭
According to a survey, in recent years monthly expenses of a middle school student have been
on the sharp rise.
短文改错（共10 小题；每小题 1分，满分10分）
下面短文中有10处语言错误。请在有错误的地方增加、删除或修改某个单词。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧） ，并在下面加上该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写上修改后的词。
注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Last Monday, we were having our Chinese lesson while the teacher suddenly slipped and fell. We were both worried about her. One of the boy carried her on his back, with the help of some others, to the hospital immediately. It turned out that her right leg was broken but she had to stay in hospital. The following day, we went to visit him with flowers and fruit. Seeing her lie in bed with her leg wrapped in bandages, we felt sorry for her and hoped that she will recover soon. This Thursday, she had returned to the class in a wheelchair to give us lessons. We were all deep moved and proud of having such responsible teacher.
A lack of self-respect can prevent you from fulfilling your potential and developing healthy relationships. Here are some steps to help you know how to respect yourself.
1.__________ The qualities that we respect vary from person to person, and the way we express it varies from culture to culture. Generally, we respect people who have more experience and are more accomplished than ourselves. But there is also a basic level of respect that most people will agree is a right, and does not need to be earned. So think about what it means to respect others. Here are some widely agreed-upon signals of respect: You don’t steal from, harm, or insult them; you are honest with them; you listen to what they say, consider their opinions, and avoid interrupting them.
2.__________ We often do things for ourselves that we would never dream of doing for someone we care about. Whatever you believe to be respectful, apply it to yourself. Don’t harm yourself. Don’t insult yourself. Don’t steal from yourself. Be honest with yourself. Develop your own opinions and don’t be afraid to stand by them.
3.__________ A person with self-respect doesn’t allow others to treat them badly, and would rather not be around someone who is disrespectful. This might seem obvious, but there are many times when we accept being treated badly. When someone doesn’t give you basic respect, you need to be able to say, in one way or another, “You just disrespected me and that’s not acceptable!
If you don’t respect me, I won’t spend time with you any more.” Can you say that, and mean it?
Can you turn your back on someone who’s clearly shown that they don’t respect you? Once you do, you’ll feel your sense of self-respect go up.
4.__________ When you make an effort to keep your body in good working order, you’ll not only feel better physically, but also feel a sense of pride. Respecting your body also means not insulting it for what it is, naturally. Make an effort to get fit and stay healthy. Focus on the things you can change and improve, and do them because it feels good.
5.__________ The more you know about yourself, the more you’ll see and appreciate how unique you really are. And you’ll respect yourself more. Discover your principles, personality, and talents. Stop waiting for other people’s approval and start developing your own standards. Develop a unique and original way of expressing your opinions while at the same time being a good listener.
A. Get to know yourself.
B. Take care of your body.
C. Practice basic respect towards yourself.
D. Be honest with yourself and with others.
E. Think about what it means to respect someone.
F. Recognize when people disrespect you and take steps to stop it.
A gust of wind blew a canvas chair across the yard. My eyes followed the circling dirt out to the road and down toward the school bus stop. I was going to miss walking down the road to catch the big school bus that took us into town to school. I enjoyed being with the teachers and the other students. Now that I was finished with school I seemed to have lost some of the excitement from my life.
As I was folding the canvas chair, Chatita Chávez drove into our yard in her father’s old truck. It made short loud sounds and sent out a trail of black smoke out of its tailpipe. She got out smiling as usual and excitedly pointed toward the storm that seemed to be moving toward us.
“I can’t stay long, Nilda. There’s a storm coming and I need to beat it home.” I was glad to see her. “Yes, I think we’re in for some bad weather. Come on in and have a cup of coffee at least,” I said as I took her into our kitchen.
“I’m so excited, Nilda! You’ll never guess what I just did!” I stopped pouring the coffee and turned and looked at her.
“I just went over to Edinburg and registered for junior college,” she said and looked at me and smiled. “Don’t you want to go take classes with me?”
I was astonished. I didn’t know what to say. How could I go to college? I didn’t have any money. I gave Chatita a cup of coffee. “I don’t know. I don’t think I can. Isn’t college expensive?”
Chatita sat down at the table and began adding sugar to her coffee. “Not really, and I’m working part-time at the packing shed(棚)on Canal Road. You could work there, too.”
The wind began to gust causing the house to occasionally make sounds and shake. The lightbulb hanging over the table flashed off and on and I heard a low roll of thunder in the distance.
I hesitantly asked, “Do you think I could get a job at the packing shed?”
“Sure. My cousin is the boss. He’ll give you a job.” Mamá came into the kitchen and exchanged greetings with Chatita. She must have heard our conversation.
“I think it’s nice that you’re going to go to college, Chatita. What will you study?” my
mother asked as she joined us at the table.
“I want to be a teacher.”
“A teacher! How nice!” Mamá said as she patted Chatita’s arm.
“A teacher?” I asked. “Don’t you need a degree?”
“You can start teaching before you get your degree. Clarence Duncan has been teaching in Brownsville since last year and I think Zulema will start this year.”
The lightbulb blinked again and went out. Mamá quickly arose from the table. “I’m going to have to bring in the lanterns. I knew I shouldn’t have packed them away.”
“Well, Nilda, do you want to go? Because, if you do, you can go over to Edinburg with me tomorrow.”
I hesitated, then said, “Yes. I want to go.” My heart was beating fast. I couldn’t believe how happy I was feeling.
“But I have to talk to Mamá and Papá. What if they won’t let me?”
“You can at least go with me tomorrow and find out what it’s all about. I’ll come by for you around eight.”
Chatita left me sitting at the table staring at my cup of coffee. It seemed so unreal, this idea of me going to college. My parents had never had the opportunity for much education. Juana had quit school to get married and Roberto and Zeke had graduated from high school as I had. But college? I would be the first one in my family to go to college. Yes, college was exactly what I wanted.
The day had turned dark and the rain had started. My mother came back into the kitchen with two lanterns.
“Mamá, I need to ask you something.”
She picked up a cloth and began to clean the dust from the lanterns. She looked at me and smiled.
“Mamá, if I could find a way to pay, could I take classes at the junior college?” I asked, trying to control my excitement.
She stopped cleaning and raised her eyebrows. “What would you study, my daughter?”
“I think I want to be a teacher,” I quietly replied.
Mamá sat down at the table across from me. “Then, I would like for you to go to college,” she said in a serious tone.
“What about Papá? Do you think he will allow me to go?”
“Your father wants you to be happy. If going to college and being a teacher makes you happy, then he will probably allow it,” she answered.
I didn’t say anything. I was enjoying the feeling of happiness and sense of wonder that had come over me. The two of us sat in the darkened room without speaking until I saw my mamá rubbing her eyes with the edge of her apron.
“What’s wrong, Mamá.”
“Nothing,” she replied. “I probably got some dust in my eyes. That’s all.”
1.This story is told from the point of view of___________.
A. Chatita B. Mamá C. Nilda D. Papá
2.Chatita responds to Nilda’s hesitancy about going to college with___________.
A. acceptance B. disappointment
C. encouragement D. indifference
3.According to the underlined sentence from the story, what feeling does this realization create for Nilda?
A. Sympathy. B. Frustration.
C. Annoyance. D. Satisfaction.
4.The real reason for Mamá’s tears is most likely because she is___________.
A. proud that Nilda wants to become a teacher
B. concerned about missing Nilda once she leaves
C. worried her husband will stop Nilda from leaving
D. happy that Nilda can work at a job with her friend
5.How does Nilda most show respect for her parents?
A. She picks up a chair from their yard.
B. She seeks their approval to go to college.
C. She sits with her mother without speaking.
D. She tells her mother she plans to become a teacher.
6.Which sentence from the story best supports Nilda’s sense of fulfillment?
A. “Now that I was finished with school I seemed to have lost some of the excitement from my life.”
B. “I haltingly asked, ‘Do you think I could get a job at the packing shed?’ ”
C. “ ‘Mamá, if I could find a way to pay, could I take classes at the junior college?’ ”
D. “I was enjoying the feeling of happiness and sense of wonder that had come over me.”
