Once I thought love meant flowers, gifts and sweet kisses. So, I really doubted whether there was any love between my parents. Every day they were working hard to pay for my high school. They didn’t act in the romantic ways that I read in books and saw on TV, and they certainly didn’t send flowers to each other on Valentine’s Day (情人节).
One day, my mother was sewing a quilt (被子). I asked her if there was any love between her and my dad. She stopped and raised her head in surprise. Then she went on with her work without saying anything. I was very worried because I thought I had hurt her feelings. But after a few minutes she said, “Look at this thread (线). Sometimes it appears, but most of the time it disappears in the quilt. If life is a quilt, then love is the thread. It can hardly be seen anywhere or at any time, but it’s really there, and makes the quilt long-lasting.” I listened carefully but I didn’t understand her until the next spring.
My mother suddenly got seriously ill and had to stay in hospital for about a month. Every morning and evening after she returned from the hospital, my father helped her walk slowly along our country road. There were many beautiful flowers, green grass and trees, and the sun gently shone through the leaves. All of this made the most beautiful picture in the world. Reading their eyes, I knew they love each other deeply. From this experience, I realized that love is just a thread in the quilt of our lives. Love is inside, making life strong and warm.
1.What does the underlined sentence in the third paragraph suggest?
A. There is beautiful scenery where the writer lived.
B. There is true love anywhere in the world.
C. There is no love without beautiful flowers.
D. There is true love between the writer’s parents.
2.Why didn’t the writer’s mother answer his question immediately?
A. Because her husband didn’t love her.
B. Because she was thinking of a better answer.
C. Because she didn’t love her husband.
D. Because the writer had hurt her feelings.
3.What is the best title of this passage?
A. Love Is Everywhere B. Love Is Always Romantic
C. Love: Thread in Quilt D. Love Can Last Forever
In the US, people prefer waiting for a table to sitting with people they don’t know. If you are sitting at a table with people you don’t know, it is impolite to light up a cigarette without asking if it will disturb them.
At American restaurants and coffee shops you are usually served tap water (自来水) before you order. You may find bread and butter is free, and if you order coffee, you may get a free refill（续杯）.
Most cities and towns have no rules about opening and closing time for stores or restaurants, though they usually do make rules for bars. Especially in large cities, stores may be open 24 hours a day.
Serving (一份) in restaurants is often large, too large for many people. If you can’t finish your meal but would like to enjoy the food later, ask your waitress or waiter for a “doggie bag”. It may have a picture of a dog on it, but everybody knows you’re taking the food for yourself.
Supper and dinner are both words for the evening meal. Some people have “Sunday dinner”. This is an especially big noon meal.
Tips are not usually added to the check. They are not included in the price of the meal, either. A tip of about 15% is expected and you should leave it on the table when you leave. In some restaurants, a check is brought on a plate and you put your money there. Then the waiter or waitress brings you your change.
1.Which of the following statements is true?
A. American people like sitting with people they don’t know.
B. You may find bread and coffee is free.
C. American people never sit with people they don’t know.
D. American people won’t light a cigarette if the people who sit at the same table mind their smoking.
2.What do American people always do when servings are too large for them?
A. They take the food home with a “doggie bag” for their dogs.
B. They leave the food on the table and go away.
C. They take the food home with a “doggie bag” and enjoy the food later.
D. They ask the waitress or waiter to keep the food for them.
3.What can you learn about “tips” according to the passage?
A. Customers often add tips to their check.
B. Tips are supposed to be left on the table when customers leave.
C. People don’t need to pay tips.
D. The price of the meal usually includes the tip.
Harry came in a minute after James. There was a letter for him, too, which he opened at once. It was from the secretary (秘书) of a company, offering him a post (职位) in their office. He was told to be there at 10 a. m. the next morning, as there were others who wanted the job.
James got back from the play at midnight. He was sleepy. “That letter can be opened in the morning,” he thought. The next morning when he woke up, he at once jumped out of bed, tore(撕)it open-his face fell. It was a similar letter to the one Harry had received the night before. But James’ chance was gone. It was five to ten, and he could never be at the office in time.
1.One evening James came in in a great hurry because .
A. he knew there was a letter on the hall table
B. he had to tell someone to keep his letter until he got back
C. he was afraid he would be late for the play
D. his friend was waiting for him outside the hotel
2.As soon as he woke up，James .
A. wondered where Harry had gone
B. was eager (急切的) to know the time
C. knew he could never be at the office in time
D. remembered the letter from the company
3.The underlined sentence “his face fell” in the passage means“ ”.
A. he knew there was something wrong with his face
B. he felt very sorry for missing the chance
C. he fell down on his face
D. he realized that he had lost his face
Dear Susan,
You are only three years old, and at this point in your life you are not able to understand this letter. But some day when you grow up, I hope you will find something in what I am going to share with you.
Life can be . There will be people in your life who won’t be very nice. They’ll laugh at you because you are different, for no good reason. You will also face heartbreak (心碎) and might be by those you love. I hope you don’t have to face these too much, but such things happen.
Be open to life anyway. You’ll find cruelty in your through life, but don’t let that stop you from finding new things. Don’t retreat (退却) from life, and don’t yourself. Be open to new things, new experiences and new people. You will fail many times, but if you allow that to stop you from trying, you will miss many chances. Do remember that failure (失败) is a stepping stone to success.
You will meet many people who will try to do better than you, in school, in college and at work. They’ll try to have nicer cars, bigger houses, nicer clothes, and so on. To , life is a competition. However, I believe life is a journey. If you always try your best to others, you are wasting your life. Learn to enjoy your life danger and you will make it a journey of , of learning and of love.
Finally, know that I love you and always will. You are a really wonderful journey, and I will always be there for you.
Love
Dad
1.A. normal B. familiar C. valuable D. interesting
2.A. simple B. enjoyable C. peaceful D. unkind
3.A. and B. or C. but D. so
4.A. hurt B. accepted C. protected D. affected
5.A. journey B. school C. study D. days
6.A. struggle B. complete C. hide D. forgive
7.A. me B. them C. you D. him
8.A. follow B. change C. pardon D. introduce
9.A. danger B. quietness C. happiness D. cruelty
10.A. destroying B. completing C. developing D. starting
—How did you find your visit to Qingdao, Joanna?
— _________.
A. Oh, wonderful indeed B. I went there alone
C. First by train and then by ship D. A guide showed me the way
Ella improved her way of study. _________, she has made great progress.
A. In order to B. As a result C. As usual D. In all
