When I was a kid in Minnesota, watermelons were expensive. One of my father's friends, Bernie, was a rich businessman, who owned a large store in St.Paul.

Every summer, when the first watermelons arrived, Bernie would call. Dad and I would go to Bernie's place. We'd sit on the edge of the dock(码头), and got ready for a big meal.

Bernie would take out his knife, cut our first watermelon, hand us both a big piece and sit down next to us. Then we'd bury our faces in watermelons, eating only the heart-the reddest, juiciest, firmest, sweetest, and most seed-free part-and throw away the rest.

Bernie was my father's ideal of a rich man. I always thought it was because he was such a successful businessman. Years later, I realized that it was not Bernie's wealth itself but his way of dealing with it that my father liked. Bernie knew how to stop working, get together with friends and eat only the heart of the watermelon.

What I learned from Bernie is that being rich is a state of mind. If you don't take the time to dangle(摇摆)your feet over the dock and enjoy life's small pleasure, your work will probably hurt your life.

For many years, I forgot that lesson I'd learned as a kid on the dock. I was too busy making all the money I could. Well, I've relearned it. I hope I have time left to enjoy the success of others and to take pleasure in the day. That's the heart of the watermelon. I have learned again to throw the rest away.

1.How were the watermelons to the writer when he was young?

A.Not common. B.Not cheap. C.Not delicious. D.Not sweet.

2.How did the writer and his father eat the watermelon?

A.They ate it in a polite way. B.They only ate its best part.

C.They ate every part of it. D.They shared only one piece.

3.What did the writer's father think of Bernie?

A.He was just a rich businessman. B.He worked hard all the time.

C.He lived a rich but healthy life. D.He knew how to make money.

4.What do the underlined words "the heart of the watermelon" in the last paragraph refer to?

A.The best part of the watermelon. B.The writer's busy life.

C.The writer's decision of making money. D.The writer's hope of enjoying life.

5.What can be learned from the text?

A.One has to work hard to reach his goal. B.One should help a friend in trouble.

C.Watermelon is the healthiest fruit. D.One should keep work and life balance.

    In June 1985, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates were the first people to successfully climb the west face of 21,000 foot snow-covered Siula Grande mountain in Peru. They _______ to reach the top, but on their way back the conditions were so _______ that Joe fell and broke one of his legs. They both knew that if Simon continued alone, he would probably get back _______. But Simon decided to take a risk and try to lower Joe down the mountain by a rope.

As they went down, the weather got _______. Then another trouble happened. They couldn't see or hear each other, and by mistake, Simon lowered his friend over the edge of a precipice(峭璧). It was _______ for Joe to climb back or for Simon to pull him up. Joe's _______ was pulling Simon slowly towards the precipice. Finally, Simon had to make a _______ and cut the rope in tears. Joe fell into a large crevasse(裂缝)in the ice below. He couldn't walk, _______ he got out of the crevasse successfully and started to move towards their camp.

Simon had returned to the camp at the foot of the mountain. He thought that Joe must be _______, but he didn't want to leave immediately. Three days later, at the middle of the night, he heard Joe's voice. He couldn't ________ it. Joe was there, a few meters from their tent, still alive.

1.A.hoped B.failed C.managed D.allowed

2.A.similar B.unexpected C.helpful D.normal

3.A.safely B.painfully C.dangerously D.bravely

4.A.better B.worse C.peacefully D.kindly

5.A.necessary B.impossible C.easy D.crazy

6.A.height B.strength C.power D.weight

7.A.plan B.break C.decision D.request

8.A.but B.unless C.so D.until

9.A.disabled B.hurt C.dead D.weak

10.A.believe B.accept C.make D.find

—The first aircraft carrier(航母)made in China has hit the water.

—Really? ________ exciting news!

A.What B.How C.What an D.How an

—May I have a look at your plan for vacation, Smith?

—Sorry, Mrs. Brown. I've ________ it at home.

A.missed B.forgotten C.lost D.left

—Could you give me a hand, please?

—Sure. What would you like me ________?

A.do B.to do C.doing D.does

Please tell Jack to call me when he ________ back from Paris tomorrow afternoon.

A.comes B.came C.will come D.has come

Sally considers Sichuan to be her second ________ because she has lived here for 13 years.

A.family B.house C.home D.room

A mobile phone with 5G downloads a video ________ than the one with 4G.

A.much fast B.much faster C.more fast D.more faster

—The number of people infected with COVID-19(感染新冠肺炎)around the world is still rising, right?

—Yes. No one knows ________ this terrible situation can be completely under control.

A.where B.what C.when D.that

—Excuse me, where is Mr. Brown's office?

—Sorry, I don't know. I ________ here for only a few days.

A.work B.worked C.have worked D.will work