Many years ago in a small village, an old man was hired to clear the spring (泉水) up on the mountain. He patrolled (巡逻) the spring every day, and swept away all the leaves and other things that would dirty the fresh flow of water. Soon, beautiful swans (天鹅) came to the clear spring, and the village became a popular attraction for visitors.
Years passed. One evening the town leaders held a meeting. As they looked at the salary list, one of them said, “Why do we keep this old man on year after year? I don’t think we need him or his work.” Later, the old man was asked to leave.
For several weeks, nothing changed. By early autumn, the leaves began to fall off the trees, and the spring was covered with leaves. A few days later, the water was much darker. Only a few months after the old man left, all the swans left, as did the tourists. Disease reached deeply into the village.
Quickly, the leaders held a special meeting. Realizing their mistake, they rehired the old man. Then within a few weeks, the spring began to clear up. Soon new life returned to the village.
So, my friends, do you see? No matter how small your work or your life seems to be, never overlook it. Anything we can do will make a difference.
1.The leaders decided to ask the old man to leave because they thought ______.
A. his work was unnecessary B. he did his work carelessly
C. he was too old to do the job D. he could do other better jobs
2.What does the underlined word “overlook” mean in the last paragraph?
A. Believe. B. Ignore. C. Praise. D. Punish.
3.With this story, the writer wants to tell us that ______.
A. even a small job can be important
B. work can bring old people happiness
C. everyone should always help others
D. everyone can be his own hero
A young woman carrying a three-year-old child got on a bus. The conductor hurried to give her a warm welcome and then kindly asked the other passengers to make more room for the woman and her child. On seeing this, people began to talk. “You know this conductor used to be very rude. Now suddenly he has changed his bad behavior(举止) , ” said a middle-aged man.
“Yes, he should be praised and we must write a letter to the company,” said a second passenger. “That's right,” another lady said, “I wish a newspaper reporter were here so that more people could learn from this conductor.”
Just then a gentleman who looked like a teacher turned to the conductor and said , “Excuse me, but can I know your name, please? Your excellent service must be praised...”
Before he could open his mouth, the three-year-old child sitting on the young woman's lap said, “I know his name. I call him Dad.”
1.The passengers were ________ to see the conductor's kindness to the woman and the child.
A. excited B. pleased C. interested D. surprised
2.One passenger suggested writing a letter to the company to ______.
A. thank the conductor for his good service
B. invite a newspaper reporter to write about the conductor
C. make a demand for more buses
D. punish the conductor for his rude behavior
3.What was the gentleman?
A. A newspaper reporter. B. Not known from the story.
C. The conductor's friend from his company. D. A teacher.
4.The word “he” in the last paragraph refers to _______.
A. the middle-aged man B. the three-year-old child
C. the conductor D. the gentleman
A man had two large pots. One of the pots had a crack (裂缝) in it, so while the other pot always delivered (运送) a full pot of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to his house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. This went on every day for years.
One day a neighbor asked the man, “One of your pots has been broken for years. It can only deliver half its load, so you don’t get full value from your efforts. Why don’t you buy a new one?”
The man smiled and said, “Please follow me to my house, and you may see some beautiful flowers.” On the way to the man’s house, the neighbor took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path.
The man said to the neighbor, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on one side of the path, but not on the other side? That’s because I have always known about the flaw (缺陷) of my pot. I planted flower seeds on one side of the path. Every day when I walk back from the stream, the broken pot waters them. For years, I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate (装饰) my house. Without the broken pot, I would not have this beauty.”
1.How much water did the man carry home every day?
A. A full pot. B. Two full pots.
C. Half a pot. D. One and a half pots.
2.What did the man do with the broken pot?
A. He threw it away. B. He used it to water flowers.
C. He changed it for a new one. D. He planted some flowers in it.
3.We can learn from the passage that the man ______.
A. told a lie to his neighbor B. accepted his neighbor’s suggestion
C. made use of the flaw of his pot D. didn’t like his broken pot
4.What is the best title of the passage?
A. A man and his neighbor B. A way of planting flowers
C. A story of a broken pot D. A warm-hearted man
One of the most important things in the world is friendship. In order to have friends, you have to be a friend. But how can you be a good friend at school?
Listen—Listen when they are talking. Don’t say anything unless they ask you a question. Sometimes it’s not necessary for you to have anything to say; they just need someone to talk to about their feelings.
Help them—If your friend is ever in need of something, be there to help them. You should try to put them first, but make sure you don’t do everything they want you to do. Try to take an extra pencil or pen with you to classes in case they forget one. Have a little extra money in your pocket in case they forget something they need.
Be there for them—Be there for your friends to help make them feel better in hard times. Marilyn Monroe, a famous U.S. actor, once said, “I often make mistakes. Sometimes I am out of control, but if you can’t stay with me at my worst, you are sure not to deserve to be with me at my best.” Always remember this! If you don’t want to stay with your friends when they’re in hard times, then you don’t deserve(值得) to be with them when they’re having a good time!
____________—Try to make plans with your friends. Go shopping, go for ice cream, have a party, go to a movie and so on. Take time to know each other even better by doing something you both enjoy. By planning things together, you both can have a good time. And you’ll remember these things when you’re all old!
1.While your friend is talking to you about his or her feelings, you should______________.
A. give him or her some advice B. calm him or her down
C. just listen unless asked D. also share your feelings
2.What can we learn from Marilyn Monroe’s words?
A. Life without a friend is death. B. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
C. A friend is easier lost than found. D. A man is known by his friends.
3.Which of the following can be put in the blank of the last paragraph?
A. Enjoy yourself B. Make plans
C. Understand your friends D. Play with your friends
4.The passage is mainly about _______.
A. how to find a good friend B. how to help friends in trouble
C. how to make more friends D. how to be a good friend
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What was Phillip?
A. A poet . B. A teacher. C. A doctor.
2.Why did that old man dial that number the first time?
A. He wanted to talk to Phillip.
B. He dialed the wrong number.
C. He was interested in poems.
3.How old was John when he knew Phillip ?
A. 60 years old. B. 63 years old. C. 73 years old.
4.What do the two men like doing?
A. Going out with friends. B. Talking over the phone. C. Drinking coffee together.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Why did the woman buy the dress?
A. For a party . B. For a lecture. C. For an interview.
2.How much was taken off the price of the dress?
A. 10%. B. 20%. C. 30%.
3.What did the man think of the book?
A. Relaxing. B. Boring. C. Helpful.
4.Where is probably Mike now?
A. At home. B. At school. C. In hospital.
