When I was 12 years old, my family moved to a slightly nicer neighborhood in the Prince George’s County. I wasn’t happy about the move. I liked my school
and enjoyed riding the school bus; I had befriended (照顾) every dog in my old neighborhood and made good friends with them; and I would miss my special reading tree. Besides, we had only just moved to Maryland the year before.
Still, a new place to explore is always a good thing. Directly in front of our apartment building was a small wooded hill and that immediately became my domain (领地). I named a certain space “Buckingham Palace”, and didn’t allow anyone to disturb me there. A few years after I returned from my university in New Jersey to live in that neighborhood, only on the opposite side of the hill, I was pleased to share my palace with the friends who came to visit.
As I was not permitted to wander far without a good excuse, it took me slightly longer to discover the large field that was over a ridge (山脊) by the road. The field was, after all, in the opposite direction from my school and I had no reason to walk that way.
However, one day I did go off that way and happened to look down into the field and see, to my delight, lots of yellow flowers. The field was simply covered with them. Carefully, I began to climb down the ridge into the field, planning to pick a rose for my mother. Alas, I didn’t get far before the field of flowers rose and flew away. I had seen not a field of flowers but a garden of goldfinches (金翅雀).
1.Before moving to a new neighborhood, the author .
A. planted a reading tree
B. used to go to school on foot
C. moved there just from Maryland
D. got along well with dogs in the neighborhood
2.In his new neighborhood, the author .
A. invited his friends to have a visit
B. made friends with many dogs
C. ran away from the school
D. found a good place and named it “Buckingham Palace”
3.When going near the field beyond the hill, the author .
A. found his school was opposite the field
B. found many goldfinches on the yellow flowers
C. realized what he had seen were goldfinches
D. picked a lot of yellow flowers for his mother
4.What does the author mainly talk about in the passage?
A. Exploring a new neighborhood.
B. One of his strange experiences.
C. The advantages of his new apartment.
D. The move of his family when he was young.
Anthony Marc Robles is a college wrestler (摔跤选手) that many people recognize. This summer he was a featured guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Robles was honored on the 2011 ESPY Awards broadcast with not one but two awards: The Jimmy V Award for Perseverance — named for the late college basketball coach Jim Valvano, and given to a “member of the sporting world who has overcome great difficulties through physical perseverance and determination,” according to ESPN — and Best Male Athlete with a Disability.
Robles did all this, despite having been born without his right leg. Growing up in Mesa, Arizona, Robles was first introduced to wrestling in ninth grade. Despite having a difficult start — with more losses than wins in his first year — Robles set a 129-15 overall record at Mesa High School, winning two Arizona state titles.
Robles said, “I didn’t get into the sport for the attention. I wrestle because I love wrestling. Wrestling helped me to mature. I got so much self-confidence from the sport. I love the sport. But from here on my wrestling competition days are over, and I’ll be focusing on my next goal, which is to be an enthusiastic speaker. I’ll be around wrestling all my life. I love it so much.”
The 22-year-old Robles was even more calm when presented with his Jimmy V Award at the ESPY: “Every soul who comes to the earth with a leg or two at birth must wrestle his opponents (对手), knowing it’s not what is, it’s what can be that measures worth. Do it hard, just make it possible, and I’ll not complain about the pain I have experienced. My spirit is unconquerable (不可征服的). Fearless, I will face each opponent, for I know I am capable. Although there is blood, sweat and tears, I am unstoppable.”
1.When Robles started to take part in competitions at first, _______.
A. he was defeated by other players many times
B. he showed his unusual ability in wrestling
C. he won two Arizona state titles quickly
D. he set several national records
2.What made Robles learn wrestling?
A. His wish for others’ attention. B. His disabilities.
C. His enthusiasm. D. His self-confidence.
3.Robles will probably _______ in the future.
A. Go on competing for more medals in wrestling
B. Forget wrestling competition totally
C. Be a speaker devoting to wresting
D. Become a wrestling teacher
4.According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
A. Robles believes his life runs smoothly.
B. Robles feels very proud of his achievements.
C. Robles thinks his disabilities affect his achievements a lot.
D. Robles always goes on working hard no matter what happens.
The year 2013 was very bad for my life. Due to illness I had to be in hospital for the first time in my life. Everything went wrong in the work. On personal front, my marriage date was fixed but that guy left me just a week before our engagement. I was almost in depression because of whatever all happened to me. I was struggling to come out of this situation as it was a very bad period of my life.
In those days, I met a guy in the office. This guy was much younger to me but still very soon, we became good friends. We had so much in common that we spent a lot of time talking with each other. On my birthday, he offered to share my birthday evening. It was a lovely evening and I felt so nice. He made my birthday so special that I couldn’t help crying. Very soon, our friendship became stronger and finally we fell in love in just a few days. These days it’s very rare that people get love in return. So I found myself so lucky that I experienced equal love in return. It’s always the inner beauty that makes a person beautiful and he made me realize how beautiful I was and brought my confidence back. He not only loved me so much but also helped me in many ways to solve my other problems. I became more and more confident and made great progress in my work.
This man came into my life like an angel when I needed him most. I got thousands of reasons to hate 2013 but just one reason which made 2013 very special was enough to forget all bad memories. I owe so much to him and don’t know if I would ever be able to repay for what he has done for me. I would like to take this opportunity to tell him “THANK YOU SO MUCH, my dear”.
Also, I want to convey one message to everyone. In life we always pass through lots of ups and downs. Sometimes our circumstance becomes even worse, which affects us badly but we should never lose hope. We will always see the sunshine even after the darkest night.
1.How did the author feel about the year 2013 at first?
A. It was lively. B. It was wonderful.
C. It was important. D. It was unpleasant.
2.The second paragraph is developed mainly .
A. by giving examples B. by showing the reason
C. by making contrasts D. by the order of time
3.What does the author want to tell the readers through the last paragraph?
A. No sweat, no sweet. B. Grasp all, lose all.
C. Never lose hope in difficulties. D. Love me, love my dog.
4.What’s the purpose of the author in writing the passage?
A. To tell us about her experiences in 2013.
B. To show us how to stick to our aims.
C. To share her ways of keeping healthy with us.
D. To show us how to help ourselves in difficulties.
I was catching a later flight to St. Louis, then on to Minnesota. A couple of ________ in front sat a very pretty lady. She smiled back at me. I smiled at her, noticing her pretty ________.
The rest of the flight was ________, but as I was getting off the ________ I noticed her again standing there seeing what flight she was to take and what gate. I ________ beside her looking for my gate and flight number. I said to her that I had ________ her on the flight to St. Louis and that her dress was beautiful. She said, “Thank you.” I ________ what flight she was taking. She said she was going to Phoenix. I ________ and found that she had a two-hour layover (暂留). I ________ had a two-hour layover and asked her if she would like to go to the restaurant for something to ________ or drink. She said, “Sure.” We ________ ourselves on the way and she told me that her name was “Phyllis”. I ________ and said, “My name is Phyllis too.”
As we sat down, she began telling me that she had been told she was dying of ________ and had less than 6 months to live. She was on her way to ________ her children and grandchildren before she began receiving treatment. She then told me that she had never ________ before and she had said a specific prayer (祈祷). She was ________ she would get lost at the airport and not be able to find her way to the ________, and didn’t know what she was going to do for the two ________ she was there. She prayed that ________ would meet her at the gate and stay with her ________ she left the airport. She then asked me, “Are you an angel?”
1.A. tables B. seats C. doors D. streets
2.A. glasses B. hat C. hair D. dress
3.A. special B. lucky C. normal D. excited
4.A. plane B. train C. car D. road
5.A. waited B. stood C. listened D. thought
6.A. noticed B. encouraged C. thanked D. saved
7.A. guessed B. asked C. suggested D. forgot
8.A. finished B. left C. looked D. returned
9.A. yet B. even C. also D. still
10.A. learn B. eat C. start D. read
11.A. introduced B. improved C. described D. accepted
12.A. advised B. agreed C. turned D. laughed
13.A. cold B. hunger C. anger D. cancer
14.A. help B. support C. visit D. protect
15.A. played B. driven C. worked D. flown
16.A. afraid B. sorry C. sure D. disappointed
17.A. house B. gate C. park D. town
18.A. weekends B. nights C. hours D. days
19.A. neighbors B. children C. anyone D. someone
20.A. until B. after C. though D. unless
With the rapid growth of tourist industry in Asia, especially China, more countries will come up with easier visa policies, including e-visas interviews, to make travel easier.
A. instead of B. because of
C. in case of D. in need of
Mother came into the room and looked at me, asking angrily why I gave up the good chance to go to China for further study.
A. entirely B. frequently
C. directly D. actually
