One spring, when I was 10, during one of my father’s layoffs (失业), I could tell my mother was unhappy. I decided to cheer her up by buying her a special Mother’s Day gift.
One day after school I rode my bike to the Agins, which, I learned years later, was known for its high-end fashions (时尚) and styles. I introduced myself to Sylvia Agins, telling her I was looking for a Mother’s Day present.
“Do you think she’d like a purse?” she asked. I told her. I thought she might.
She took out an Italian handbag made of leather. She asked me what I thought, and I told her that my mom would like it.
“How much money do you have?” she asked.
“Twelve dollars,” I said.
“You’re in luck,” she told me. “It’s only $11. You have a dollar left over for the card.” She gift-wrapped the purse and thanked me for my business, and I rode off home with the package under my arm.
When my mother opened the gift the next Sunday morning, she asked in an accusing tone, “Where did you get this?”
“I bought it at the Agins. It cost me $11.” I said.
My mother was shocked into silence.
It wasn’t until many years later, when I learned that the purse was worth several hundred dollars, that I appreciated just how wonderful Sylvia Agins had been to me. I always felt bad that I never had a chance to properly thank her.
“You know, my son, what really amazes me to this day,” my mother said, “Letting you have the purse for just a few dollars was unbelievable enough. But the fact that she let you leave the store with a dollar for the card was a touch of kindness that I’ll never forget.”
1.The author bought his mother a purse to ________.
A. surprise his mother B. make his mother happy
C. show his ability of making money D. thank his mother for buying him a bike
2.Why was the author’s mother shocked into silence?
A. She wasn’t expecting a gift from her son.
B. The purse was bought from the Agins.
C. The author bought a card to go with the purse.
D. The Agins charged so little money for the purse.
3.Sylvia Agins’ behavior shows that________.
A. she is good at making money B. she is kind and thoughtful
C. she knows how to choose presents D. she is critical and mean
4.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A. An Unforgettable Event B. A Considerate Mother
C. A Priceless Mother’s Day Gift D. A Kind-hearted Shop Owner
Have you ever dreamed of being famous 1. a musician? At first many singers may form a band to practise their music. And then they may get the chance to give 2. (perform) in pubs or clubs. Later they may gradually become popular. 3., the Monkees started in a different way. They began as a TV show. The TV organizers had put an advertisement in a newspaper 4. (look) for rock musicians who could act as well as sing. 5. (honest) speaking, only one of them was good enough and the other three members pretended 6. (sing). So it couldn’t 7. (call) a real band at the beginning. Anyhow, their shows were 8. (humour) and they became popular. After a year or so, they worked harder and produced 9. own records and started touring. About 1970, the Monkees broke up but they reunited in the mid-1980s and in 1996 produced a new record, with 10. they celebrated their former happy time.
In 2012, I had just recovered from a serious illness when I received an invitation to a writer’s conference in Orlando, Florida. My family persuaded me that a(n)______might be just what the doctor ordered, so off I______.
Arriving in the Sunshine State was rather tiring, but I______to catch a taxi to my______and settle in. The next morning, I took another______to the shopping centre to buy a few souvenirs.______I went to a cafe to have lunch, but all the tables were______. Then I heard a friendly voice saying, "You can______my table."
I gratefully sat down with the______lady and we had a happy lunch together. As the______drew to a close she asked how long I would be in Orlando. I had already told her that I hadn't______a car, and hadn't realized how______taking taxis would he. After a while she said, "My dear, don't use any more taxis. I'm retired and it would be my pleasure to______you wherever you wish." I told her that I couldn't put her to that______,but she brushed aside my protests(反对). She asked me where I was______and the next morning she was waiting at my apartment at the______time to take me to Disney World. She spent some time with me before leaving me to______alone. At the end of the day, she______to take me back to my accommodation. I______her money but she refused to take any.
I'll never forget that wonderful lady who, through her______, filled my brief holiday in Florida with wonderful memories.
1.A. holiday B. ceremony C. operation D. experiment
2.A. kept B. went C. dropped D. knocked
3.A. intended B. promised C. managed D. deserved
4.A. hospital B. company C. university D. accommodation
5.A. colleague B. passenger C. suitcase D. taxi
6.A. Instead B. First C. Later D. Once
7.A. classified B. occupied C. decorated D. painted
8.A. share B. reserve C. set D. possess
9.A. old B. poor C. innocent D. stubborn
10.A. journey B. meal C. speech D. interview
11.A. donated B. repaired C. hired D. guided
12.A. convenient B. worthwhile C. unfortunate D. expensive
13.A. inspire B. entertain C. call D. drive
14.A. business B. argument C. trouble D. challenge
15.A. working B. staying C. moving D. shopping
16.A. appointed B. limited C. favourite D. regular
17.A. digest B. explore C. perform D. calculate
18.A. forgot B. refused C. returned D. preferred
19.A. sent B. lent C. offered D. owed
20.A. confidence B. dignity C. curiosity D. kindness
The way he thought of _________ the problem is very useful.
A. solving B. to solve
C. solve D. answering
You’ve done much of the work, and please leave ______ to us.
A. the rest B. the other
C. another D. the others
The flowers ______ my mother, but my sister thought they were for her and took them.
A. were intended for B. intended for
C. intended to give D. intended giving