When I was seven years old, my mom was diagnosed（诊断）with cancer. The doctors told us my mom might be saved with operation. But it could also kill her. She chose to have it.

The day before the operation I was off school, and my mom planned the best day of my life, everything I loved at seven and everything that would put a smile on my face. The day began with her waking me up saying, “Kate, I have a surprise for you. Come and see.” The surprise was a doll I had wanted for the longest time. Throughout the day, she told me everything that she thought I would need to know to grow up and be a good person; she told me to be the best I could be and that I would always make her proud. We had a picnic in the park, and it was so cold that we moved to the car. The day was filled with laughter. For the first time in a long time I could see she was really happy. I would never forget her smile, or the way her eyes shone as if we were the same age. It was the best day of my life, and I will never forget the conversations we shared.

My mother managed to live through the operation. Now when I look back, I realize that the best day of my life could be her last and this could be the last day I would remember with her, the last one we shared. I also understand how unselfish a mother is.

1.Who decided to have the operation?

A.The doctors. B.Kate’s mother.

C.Kate. D.Kate’s family.

2.What was the surprise to Kate?

A.Kate’s mother gave her a doll.

B.Kate’s mother woke her up late.

C.Kate’s mother talked a lot to her.

D.Kate’s mother was getting better.

3.Why was Kate’s mother happy that day?

A.Because she was proud of what her child had done.

B.Because she expected the operation to be successful.

C.Because she realized her child had grown up.

D.Because she left her child a special memory.

Who do you admire most?

Jackie, 14

Sofia Marconi, my friend Bia's mum, is probably the most amazing person I know. She is also very brave. She is a wildlife photographer and she travels to some of the most dangerous places on Earth to take photos of the world's most endangered animals.

Jacob, 16

One of my heroes is Mr. Donaldson, our great music teacher. He is so creative and finds different ways to get us interested in his lessons. He is also a really amazing guitar player. He is in a band. I'm sure they are going to be famous one day. But I hope it doesn't happen soon. I don't want to lose my teacher!

Alex, 15

The person I admire more than anyone is my grandmother Gwen. She is 78 and looks just amazing. Many people think she is my mother when they see us together. She is one of the nicest people I know. She always sees the good in other people. She still does volunteer work for a children's charity in India!

1.Who does Jackie admire most?

A.His music teacher. B.His mother.

C.His friend's mother. D.His uncle.

2.What does Mr. Donaldson do?

A.He is a charity worker. B.He is a teacher.

C.He is a wildlife photographer. D.He is a policeman.

3.Alex admires Gwen because ________.

A.she protects wild animals B.she never complains

C.she is a nice person D.she is very creative

    It was a dark day, one of depression (沮丧) and anger. As I climbed out of the pool, after seeing my time in the 100 yard freestyle (自由泳), I did not feel like speaking to ______. I saw the bright smiles of swimmers who had just ______ a best time. However, I had failed. Or at least that was what I thought at the time.

I was lying on my cool bed ______ an idea came to my head. Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without ______ your enthusiasm (热情). At practice the next day, I told my swimming teammates about my goal time and they all either laughed or replied, "You can't do it" or "______ not". Believe it or not, these are the responses (反应) that made my goal achievable.

Finally came the day when I had to ______ to myself and others that with belief there is no limit to your achievements. With the starting gun going off, I dived with perfect form into the pool. I ______ the cool water running across my back. I swam like a fish, bouncing off (弹离) each turn at the wall as if it was a spring board. On the last turn, I came back to the wall ______ every piece of strength I had. I touched the final wall with my fingertips and knew that I had swum the ______ race.

I had done it! I had achieved my best time! ______ filled my heart like water does a cup. I saw the_______ on all of my friends' faces as I climbed out of the pool; their jaws (下巴)  dropped to the ground. I began to laugh and gave them thumbs up.

I have learned in life that having ______ in yourself opens all gates. Never forget that anything the mind can imagine and believe it can achieve.

1.A.somebody B.everybody C.nobody D.anybody

2.A.finished B.achieved C.remained D.realized

3.A.while B.although C.when D.because

4.A.losing B.leaving C.having D.keeping

5.A.Awfully B.Especially C.Probably D.Impossibly

6.A.promise B.provide C.present D.prove

7.A.smelt B.felt C.touched D.tasted

8.A.with B.without C.from D.towards

9.A.primary B.comfortable C.perfect D.complete

10.A.Anger B.Joy C.Surprise D.Regret

11.A.replies B.actions C.feelings D.expressions

12.A.belief B.pleasure C.love D.sunshine

    One of the world's most dangerous ______ is mountain climbing, and one of the most popular places for this is the Himalayas. The Himalayas run along the southwestern part of China. Of all the mountains, Qomolangma ______ the highest and is the most famous. It is 8,844.43 meters high and so is very ______ to climb. Thick clouds cover the top and snow can fall very hard. Even more serious difficulties ______ freezing weather conditions and heavy storms. It is also very hard to take in air as you get near the top.

The first people to ______ the top were Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary on May 29, 1953. The first Chinese team did so in 1960, while the first woman to succeed was Junko Tabei from Japan in 1975.

Why do so many climbers ______ their lives? One of the main reasons is because people want to challenge ______(them) in the face of difficulties. The spirit of these climbers shows us that we should never give up trying to achieve our dreams. It also shows that humans can sometimes be ______ (strong) than the forces of nature.

1.A.places B.sports C.mountains D.conditions

2.A.rises B.runs C.grows D.climbs

3.A.heavy B.serious C.dangerous D.unlucky

4.A.develop B.meet C.appear D.include

5.________

6.________

7.________

8.________

—Grandma, do you remember ________ Beijing?

—About 20 years ago.

A.when you first visit B.when do you first visit

C.when you first visited D.when did you first visit

—Amy, you can read the Chinese on the menu!

—Yeah, I ________ Chinese for two years.

A.learn B.have learnt C.are learning D.learnt

You should practice ________ English every day.

A.read B.reading C.to read D.reads

—Is your father at home?

—No, he ________ Shanghai.

A.has gone to B.has been to C.will go to D.goes to

The story reminds us that we can never know what's possible ________ we try to make it happen.

A.so B.unless C.but D.if

The North Star is one of ________ stars in the night sky.

A.bright B.the brightest C.brightest D.brighter