读下面短文，从短文后所给各题的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
Debbie Macomber decided to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. She rented a typewriter, put it on the ____ table and began typing each morning after the kids went to school. ____ the kids came home, she moved it and made them dinner. When they were ____ she got it back and typed some more.
Debbie followed this ____ for two years. She had become a struggling writer and she loved every minute of it. One night, ____, her husband, Wayne, said, “Honey, I’m sorry, but you’re not ___ any income. We can’t do this anymore. We can’t survive on just what I make.” That night, her heart was ___. Debbie knew, with all of the ____ of keeping up a house, working 40 hours a week would ___ her no time to write.
Seeing her ____, her husband asked, “What’s wrong?” “I really think I can make it as a ___.” “All right, honey, go for it,” Wayne ____ for a long time and then said.
So Debbie returned to her ____ and her typewriter on the kitchen table, writing for another two years. Wayne worked harder and their kids went without vacations and wore hand-me-downs. But the sacrifice finally ____.
Debbie sold her first book after five years of ___. Then another. And another. Until today, Debbie has ____ more than 100 books, many of ___ have become New York Times best-sellers. Over 60 million copies of her books are in print.
And Wayne? His selfless ___ of his wife paid off. He got to retire at 50 and now spends his free time building a private airplane in the basement of their 7,000 square-foot mansion. ___, Debbie’s kids also got a gift more important than several summer camps. As adults, they ____ what Debbie gave them was far more important — persistence and encouragement to pursue their own dreams.
1.A. coffee B. bedside C. kitchen D. dressing
2.A. Unless B. When C. Though D. Wherever
3.A. asleep B. awake C. free D. convenient
4.A. standard B. suggestion C. tradition D. routine
5.A. therefore B. however C. somehow D. anyway
6.A. making up B. cutting down C. finding out D. bringing in
7.A. broken B. warm C. touched D. cold
8.A. abilities B. balances C. duties D. problems
9.A. stop B. leave C. ensure D. permit
10.A. achievements B. behavior C. efforts D. sadness
11.A. typist B. housewife C. writer D. designer
12.A. doubted B. compared C. delayed D. hesitated
13.A. office B. dream C. state D. home
14.A. paid off B. broke up C. came back D. cleared up
15.A. challenging B. struggling C. thinking D. arguing
16.A. collected B. published C. prepared D. translated
17.A. them B. that C. it D. which
18.A. support B. respect C. trust D. protection
19.A. Surprisingly B. Gratefully C. Gradually D. Similarly
20.A. admit B. realize C. wonder D. prove
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
Clara Barton，founder of the American Red Cross，gained worldwide honor for her dedication to easing human suffering and earned the nickname “Angel of the Battlefield.”
Barton was born into a liberal (开明的) freethinking family in 1821. Her elder brothers and sisters happily tutored her in math and reading, so when she entered school at three years old, she could read and spell three-syllable words. ____1.____
Concerned about Barton's difficulty in making friends, her parents sent her to a boarding school, hoping it would make her more comfortable with her peers. __2.__ Barton lost her appetite and cried constantly. After only one term, she had to be brought home. Then, Barton stayed out of school to nurse her older brother through a serious injury and also volunteered to care for poor families during a smallpox (天花）outbreak.
In 1861，the Civil War broke out. The sight of wounded soldiers touched Barton deeply. She began to collect and distribute food, bandages, medicines, and other supplies for the Union army.
__3.__ There, with little concern for her own safety, she cooked meals, assisted surgeons, and comforted wounded soldiers.
Eventually，because of working too hard，Barton collapsed，ill with typhoid fever (伤寒症). __4. ___ It was there that she learned of an organization based in Switzerland --- called the International Red Cross, whose work mirrored her own.
Shortly after Barton arrived back home in 1873，her sister died. ___5.___ When recuperating (休养）at a health facility in New York，she began planning for the establishment of an American wing of the International Red Cross. Although at first the government resisted，her efforts finally paid off. The American Red Cross was officially organized on May 21, 1881. Her influence lives on today in the work of the organization she founded.
A. Barton fell into a deep depression.
B. Unfortunately, it had the opposite effect.
C. Many people felt sorry for the loss of her sister and her own health.
D. Barton risked her life to transport wagonloads of supplies to the front lines.
E. When she recovered, her doctors prescribed (指示) a long, restful trip to Europe.
F. Barton spent the following several months learning basics about Swiss Cross.
G. She easily kept up with the older children academically but did not fit in socially.
It was reported last week that developers could take photos from Apple mobile and Google Android devices without the phone owners knowing that the images were being taken. In Apple’s case, developers can also obtain the location information for each photo.
Senator(参议员) Charles Schumer said in a telephone interview that his office had spoken with officials at both Apple and Google on Monday.
“We asked them if they could find a way on their own to prevent Apple from having access to private information,” Mr. Schumer said. “They were friendly and open to the idea that this ought to be changed.”
On Sunday, Mr. Schumer said that he planned to send a letter to the Federal Trade Commission asking the agency to investigate Apple and Google after the privacy concerns came to light. Claudia Bourne Farrell, an F.T.C. spokeswoman, said the agency had received the letter but she could not comment further.
“It worries people to think that one’s personal photos, address book, and who knows what else can be obtained and even posted online without permission,” Mr. Schumer wrote in his letter to the F.T.C. “If the technology exists to open the door to this kind of privacy invasion, then surely technology exists to close it, and that’s exactly what must happen.”
Mr. Schumer said if Apple and Google could not come to an agreement to fix the problem, then he would be forced to take the issue further.
He said other companies had been willing to work with his office to fix issues. “I’m optimistic that we can get this changed without any regulation,” he said. “If it’s not changed, then we’ll turn to the F.T.C., and if that doesn’t work then we’ll consider legislative approach.”
The F.T.C. has warned companies to try to be more vigilant(警醒的) in their efforts to protect consumers when it comes to privacy.
1. The senators spoke with officials at both Apple and Google___________.
A. to urge them not to invade consumers’ privacy.
B. to discuss whether it is illegal to have access to private information.
C. to stop them from developing the technology of taking photos.
D. to keep them from obtaining the location information for each photo.
2.Which of the following statements is true?
A. Privacy invasion from Apple has existed for a long time.
B. Mr. Schumer takes the privacy concerns caused by Apple and Google seriously.
C. Privacy invasion from Google has existed for a long time.
D. Apple and Google have decided to make a change.
3. Mr. Schumer’s letter to the F.T.C. mainly shows that the technology to open the door to privacy invasion___________.
A. causes privacy invasion to happen frequently.
B. can be used if permitted.
C. causes people to worry about the safety of their personal information.
D. causes personal information to be posted online without permission.
4. If the privacy concerns can’t be solved with the help of the F.T.C., ___________.
A. The senators will force the companies not to invade privacy.
B. The companies will be closed.
C. The companies will be fined.
D. The senators will turn to legislation.
5.Where can we read about the passage?
A. In a newspaper. B. In a magazine
C. In a science report. D. In a textbook.
Chinese writer Mo Yan has won the 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature, announced the Swedish Academy in Stockholm on Thursday. The win makes Mo Yan the first Chinese citizen to win the Nobel in its 111-year history. Informed of his win today, the author, who was having dinner at home, was “overjoyed and scared”.
Born in 1955 to parents who were farmers, Mo Yan — a pen name for Guan Moye, grew up in Gaomi, Shandong province in eastern China. At the age of 12, he left school to work, first in agriculture, later in a factory. In 1976 he joined the army and during this time began to study literature and writing.
He published his first book in 1981, but found literary success in 1987 with Hong Gaoliang Jiazu, which was successfully filmed in the same year, directed by famous Chinese director Zhang Yimou. In his writing, Mo Yan draws on his youthful experiences and on settings in the province of his birth and his works show the life of Chinese people as well as the country’s unique culture and folk customs. Mo Yan is known as a productive writer. In addition to his novels, he has published many short stories and essays on various topics. Despite his social criticism, he is seen in his homeland as one of the most famous contemporary authors. Dozens of his works have been translated into English, French, Japanese and many other languages.
The awarding ceremony has been held on December 10. The winner has won a medal, a personal diploma and a cash award of about $1 million.
1.How did Mo Yan feel when he was told about the news?
A. Excited and proud. B. Worried and cautious.
C. Uncertain and shocked. D. Happy and surprised.
2.One of Mo Yan’s characteristics of writing is that he ________.
A. focuses on social problems in the country
B. writes about topics he is familiar with
C. describes his characters in a unique way
D. explains difficult matters in simple words
3.What’s the best title for this passage?
A. Mo Yan Wins Nobel Prize in Literature
B. An Introduction to Nobel Prize
C. How Mo Yan Gets Nobel Prize
D. A World Famous Writer, Mo Yan
Bored? Don’t know what to do with your time? Get your friends or family together, go to the park or go hiking, do something fun---just don’t turn on your TV.
The 10th annual TV-Turnoff Week starts on Monday. The TV-Turnoff Network, a nonprofit organization, began the program in 1994 to get children and adults to watch less television so that their time is spent doing more productive things. This year, millions of people will participate and find much more interesting things to do besides sitting in front of the television.
Experts are convinced that watching too much TV keeps kids from participating in healthy physical activities. The average household has a television on for 7 hours and 40 minutes a day! Kids spend more time watching TV than they spend in school. Turning off the TV gives you a chance to be with your family and friends. Going without it frees up valuable time that could be spent reading a good book, writing, drawing, or discovering something else that may interest you.
There are many organizations that support TV-Turnoff week, including The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, YMCA, Girl Scouts USA, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America. Even First Lady Laura Bush is a supporter. “Television is no substitute for a parent. It doesn’t help develop language skills; it’s simply background noise,” said Mrs. Bush.
Even kids who may not have liked going without TV have discovered the benefits. “I really didn’t like TV-Turnoff Week except I did notice that my grades went up and I was in a good mood all week,” said Drew Henderson, a student in Donora, Pennsylvania.
1.The TV-Turnoff Network started TV-Turnoff Week to ___________.
A. to get people to spend more time doing more productive things
B. to keep kids from participating in healthy physical activities
C. to advise people not to buy television sets
D. to persuade more people to join the organization
2.Which is not the advantage of turning off the TV?
A. Giving you a chance to be with your family and friends.
B. Spending more time reading books.
C. Developing language skills.
D. Participating in healthy physical activities.
3.Drew Henderson’s words in the last paragraph imply that _____________.
A. he doesn’t like TV-Turnoff Week
B. he doesn’t support TV-Turnoff Week at all
C. it’s unnecessary to have TV-Turnoff Week
D. he doesn’t support TV-Turnoff Week until he finds it does good to his study
Four Efficient Ways to Improve Your Speech
1. Use More Facial Expression
One psychologist feels that our facial expression is responsible more than anything else for the impression others have of us. In fact, more than 50 percent of another’s impression, he believes, is influenced by the look on your face. Naturally a smile in which the eyes participate is extremely communicative. An unfriendly look often brings the same thing in return. People tend to mirror your expression, so try to show how you feel about a topic or an idea or the audience through your facial expression.
2. Rid Your Inner Fear
It's natural to have some tension or nervousness when you appear before an audience. The way to handle it is to put it to work for you, get into action, as Shakespeare observed, action cures fear. There are only a few known ways to control fear. The first is to admit it, do the thing you fear and it will be the death of fear itself. Another simple aid at the last minute before you begin, is to take a few deep breaths, this will help get the butterflies in formation and also keep your voice under control. In fact, if you’re thoroughly prepared, just taking a few deep breaths before you’re introduced will give you added confidence and balance. Other known ways to control nervousness and fear are to give yourself an encouraging talk or take some physical exercise.
3. Polish Your Voice
Our voice is the main instrument we possess for communicating with people, we’re all sound sensitive. So invest in a tape recorder, practise your speech by speaking it into the microphone then listen to it. You can even have others join in the evaluation of your strong points and your weaknesses or faults as well. Remember that Demosthenes and Winston Churchill both used pebbles in their mouths while practising their speaking. Simply reading out loud can also help you improve your voice and develop a personal style.
4. Strengthen Your Memory
Psychologists tell us that most individuals don’t use above ten percent of their natural capacity for memory, that’s comparable to trying to run a car on one cylinder(汽缸). Why do most people use so little of their power of memory? Because they don’t practise the fundamentals of remembering. First and most important, it’s necessary to have a burning desire to remember, it’s difficult to recall anything without wanting to do so. Step number two is concentration. Henry Ward Beecher once observed, one hour of intense concentration can accomplish more than years of dreaming. The next principle is repetition, we learned many things in school by rote by repetition, when you hear a name for the first time repeat it, spell it, write it down, review it, you’ll soon know it by heart.
1.To make a good impression on others, you should pay special attention to your ______.
A. voice B. gestures
C. facial expression D. words
2.Which of the ways to rid yourself of your inner fear is NOT included in the passage?
A. take a deep breath
B. take some physical exercise
C. keep your voice under control
D. encourage yourself
3.You can improve our voice by ______.
A. listening to the tape
B. imitating others
C. keeping pebbles in your mouth
D. reading out loud
4.According to the article, which of the following is true?
A. We can strengthen our memory by practising.
B. We can remember things longer if we do not try to remember them on purpose.
C. Henry Ward Beacher believes that repetition is the key to long memory.
D. We can only remember names sooner by repeating them.
