In early autumn I applied for admission to college. I wanted to go nowhere but to Cornell University, but my mother fought strongly against it. When she saw me studying a photograph of my father on the sports ground of Cornell, she tore it up.
“You can’t say it’s not a great university, just because Papa went there.”
“That’s not it at all. And it is a top university.” She was still holding the pieces in her hand. “But we can’t afford to send you to college.”
“I wouldn’t dream of asking you for money. Do you want me to get a job to help support you and Papa? Things aren’t that bad, are they?”
“No,” she said. “I don’t expect you to help support us.”
Father borrowed money form his rich cousins to start a small jewellery shop, His chief customers were his old college friends. To get new customers, my mother had to help. She picked up a long-forgotten membership in the local league of women, so that she could get to know more people. Whether those people would turn into customers was another question. I knew that my Parents had to wait for quite a long time before their small investment (投资) could show returns. What’s more, they had not wanted enough to be rich and successful ；Otherwise they could not possibly have managed their lives so badly.
I was torn between the desire to help them and change their lives, and the determination not to repeat their mistakes. I had a strong belief in my power to go what I wanted. After months of hard study I won a full college scholarship（奖学金）.My father could hardly contain his pride in me, and my mother eventually gave in before my success.
1.The author was not allowed to go to Cornell University mainly because .
A. his father graduated from the university
B. his mother did not thinks it a great university
C. his parents needed him to help support the family
D. his parents did not have enough money for him
2.The father started his small shop with the money from .
A. a local league B. his university
C. his relatives D. his college friends
3.Why did the mother renew her membership in the league?
A. To help with her husband’s business
B. To raise money for her son
C. To meet her long-forgotten friends
D. To better manage her life
4.According to the text, what was the author determined to do in that autumn?
A. To get a well-paid job for himself
B. To improve relations with his mother
C. To go to his dream university
D. To carry on with his father’s business
Grandma, almost ninety years old, sat weakly on the park bench. She didn’t move. She just sat with her head down staring(凝视)at her hands. When I sat down beside her, she didn’t even notice me. I wondered if she was OK. So I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head, looked at me and said with a smile,” Yes, I’m fine .Thank you for asking me.”“I didn’t mean to disturb you, Grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,”I expained to her.
“Have you ever looked at your hands?” She asked “I mean really looking at your hands.” I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. And then I turned them over. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point my grandma was making. Grandma smiled and told me the following story, “My hands put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war. They were uneasy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band, they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. They wrote my letters to him and shook when I buried my parents. They held my children and grandchildren and comforted my neighbors. They covered my face ,combed(梳) my hair and washed the rest of my body. These hands are the mark of where I’ve been and the ruggedness (崎岖)of life.”
I never look at my hands the same again. When my hands are hurt or when I touch the faces of my children and my husband, I think of my grandma. I know I can also create a bright future using my hands.
1.The writer disturbed her grandma in order to know ________.
A. what she was doing B. whether she understood the writer·
C. why she was staring at her hands D. if there was something wrong with her
2.What does the underlined part in Paragraph 2 mean?
A. The writer had hardly seen such weak hands.
B. The writer had seldom stared at her hands before.
C. The writer had never realized the importance of hands before.
D. The writer couldn’t figure out the secret of her grandma’s weak hands.
3.What do you think of the writer’s grandma according to the passage?
A. She is fond of telling stories.
B. She treats others in a caring and helpful way.
C. She loves telling stories in an interesting way.
D. She prefers to talk with others about her friend.
4.What can be inferred from the writer’s grandma’s story?
A. She couldn’t do anything as a result of her weak hands.
B. She lived a poor life without any help of technology.
C. She felt very tired when dealing with life with her weak hands.
D. She managed to go through many difficulties with her weak hands.
When we hear the word “pyramid”(金字塔) there is little doubt that Egypt(埃及) and the desert come to mind. Did you know, however, that continents and oceans away — in what is today Central America and Mexico — people also built pyramids? While they look somewhat different from the ones we see in Egypt, they also were built with great skill.
The pyramids of Central America were built by the Mayan(玛雅) and Aztec(阿芝台克) peoples, as well as other smaller groups. Both Mayan and Aztec cultures built pyramids for their gods. They thought that building higher pyramids would allow them to get close to heaven. These cultures believed that the gods were found in nature. One of the most important gods was the sun. Many of the pyramids were for their sun god. At the top of the pyramids they built temples to make the gods happier. However, pyramids were not used only for their gods.
Before Europeans came to the area in the 1500s, many of the cultures of the Americas, such as the Mayan and Aztec, had much knowledge about mathematics and astrology. They thought that the night sky could be used as a mirror to explain many aspects of life, which is the reason why they studied it carefully. The temples on top of the pyramids were also used as places for watching the skies. The Mayans had a solid understanding of the movement of stars and planets. This helped them understand the seasons. They were the first to create a 365-day calendar.
1.Why did they build pyramids?
A. For their king. B. For themselves.
C. For their gods and to study the sky. D. For the moon.
2.Which of the following sentences is not true?
A. Before Europeans came to the area, the Mayans and Aztecs had no knowledge about mathematics and astrology.
B. Building higher pyramids would allow the Mayans and Aztecs to get close to heaven.
C. Many of the pyramids were for the sun god.
D. The Mayan and Aztec pyramids built look somewhat different from the ones built in Egypt.
3.Where did people build pyramids besides Egypt ?
A. In Central America. B. In Japan. C. In Egypt. D. Not mentioned.
4.Where can you find the passage?
A. Newspaper. B. Advertisement. C. Novel. D. Magazine.
| Monday |
8—10a. m. | TECHNOLOGY Information Technology (IT)—Using the Internet In this lesson, students learn how to surf the internet safely and effectively. There will also be information about using different search engines. Finally, this lesson teaches students about the best websites to use to continue their education online. |
10—12a. m | ARTS |
10:00a. m. | DRAMA Students learn the play that the teacher gave before class. During this lesson, students will have the chance to act out roles with other students. |
11:00a. m. | PAINTING WITH WATERCOLOURS For most of this term, students learn how to use watercolours properly to make pictures. If the weather is good, the lesson may take place outdoors. |
| LUNCH |
1—2 p. m. | SCIENCES Biology/Chemistry Students can choose which class to attend. In biology this week, the topic is Human Body. Students will learn about how it works. Alternatively, students can study chemistry. This class takes place in the science lab, and this week students learn about H2 and O2. |
2—4 p. m. | SPORTS Students learn about the skills in a certain sport by watching video to see real action from past games. And then, students will play a short match lasting 45 minutes. This week, the sports are football (for boys) and tennis (for girls). |
| HOMEWORK IT—the teacher will give students websites to look up at home. (about 20 minutes) Drama –students have to learn a part for the next lesson (about 40 minutes). Biology/Chemistry—students have to write a short report. (about 20 minutes) |
1.At _______, students are having a painting lesson.
A. 10:30 a. m. B. 11:35 a. m. C. 1:30 p. m. D. 2:15 p. m.
2.The underlined word “Alternatively” is closest in meaning to “_______”.
A. As another choice B. For this reason C. At the same time D. In other words
3.The information in the table is mainly for students to _______.
A. take classes B. do their homework
C. choose teachers D. organize hobby groups
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.Who will give an introduction to the school?
A. John Smith. B. The headmaster. C. The Washington major.
2.What are the Chinese students doing in the USA?
A. Studying. B. Visiting. C. Performing.
3.What will the Chinese students do on Tuesday evening?
A. Visit the lab building and the library.
B. Visit the Statue of Liberty.
C. Have a party.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Why does the woman hate spring in this city?
A. It is seldom sunny. B. It seldom rains. C. It is very hot.
2.What does the woman think of climbing mountains?
A. Challenging. B. Interesting. C. Tiring.
3.What does the man prefer to do during his summer holiday?
A. Active activities. B. Lying on the beach. C. Staying at home.
