I came to study in the USA a year ago. Yet I did not know the real American society until I injured (伤害) in an accident, because after the accident I had to see a doctorand to court (法院).
After the accident, my roommate called a doctor for me. I was very grateful and decided to repay him one day. But the next day, he asked me to pay him $ 200 for what he had done. I was very surprised. He had good reason to charge me, he said. And if I wanted to collect money from the person who was responsible (负责) for my injury. I’d have to have a good lawyer (律师). And only a good doctor can help me get a good lawyer. Now that he had helped me find a good doctor, it was only fair that I should pay him.
But every time I went to see the doctor, I had to wait about 50 minutes. He would see two or three patients at the same time, and often stop treating one so as to see another, yet he charged me $ 115 each time. The final examination report consisted of ten lines, and it cost me $ 215.
My lawyer knew very well the other party was responsible for the accident, yet he hardly did anything. He simply waited to collect his money. He was so irresponsible that I decided not to ask for him again. And he made me pay him $ 770.
Now I had to act as my own lawyer. Because of my inexperience, I told the insurance company (保险公司)the date I was leaving America. Knowing that, they played for time, and I left without getting a cent.
My experiences taught me two things about America: firstly, in a country like America money is everything. It is more important than friendship or honor. Secondly, foreigners are still being unfairly treated. So when we talk about America, we should see both its good and bad sides.
1.The writer’s roommate offered to help him because __________.
A. he thought it was a chance to make some money
B. he felt sorry for the writer
C. he knew the doctor was a very good one
D. he wanted the writer to have a good lawyer
2.A good doctor is necessary for the writer to __________.
A. be properly treated
B. talk with the person responsible for the accident
C. become healthy before he leaves America
D. finally get the responsible party to pay for his injury
3.The word “charge” in this passage means “__________”.
A. be responsible B. be careful
C. ask as a price D. get an answer
4.What can you get from the story?
A. Going to court is something very common in America.
B. Money is more important than other things in the USA.
C. There are more bad sides in America than good sides.
D. One must be very careful while driving a car.
What do you do if you want to give gifts to the important people in your life? Here are some make-it-yourself gift ideas to try:
| ||
To your mum and dad | To your teacher | To the kids who need a friend |
You can decorate a photo frame, sing a song or write a letter to your mum and dad. You could also draw a picture for them if you like that better. | You can send a DIY card with the words of thanks inside. You might even write down the favourite thing you’ve learned in class. | Maybe there is someone in your class who doesn’t seem to have many friends. You can give a Christmas card or just chat with him or her. It’s a small thing, but it could mean a lot to someone who feels a little shy or sad. |
1.Teenagers don’t have to ____their parents as a gift, according to the passage.
A. write a letter to B. sing a song to
C. buy an expensive photo frame for D. draw a picture for
2.If you want to send your teacher a card, what will you write in it?
A. The name of the students you don’t like.
B. The importance of making gifts by yourself.
C. Something you’ve learned in the teacher’s class.
D. Way to improve your grades.
3.What’s the best title for the passage?
A. Making gifts yourself.
B. How to save money during holidays.
C. Making friends by giving gifts.
D. How to choose gifts for different people.
Spending two or three hours playing outdoors each day can reduce the chance of becoming short-sighted, a research shows. It challenges the belief(信念) that short-sightedness is caused by computer use, watching TV or reading in weak light.
The Australian government researchers believe that the sunlight is good for people’s eyes. They compared the vision(视力) and habits of 100 seven-year-old children in Singapore and Australia. In all, 30% of the Singaporean children were short-sighted—this rate(比率) was ten times higher than Australian children.
Both groups spend a similar amount(数量) of time reading, watching television and playing computer games. However the Singaporean children spent an average (平均) of only half an hour a day outdoors—90 minutes less than the Australian children.
Professor Ian Morgan, from the Australian Research Council’s vision Centre, said, “Humans are naturally long-sighted, but when people begin to go to school and spend little or no time outdoors, the number of short-sighted people gets larger. We’re also seeing more and more short-sighted children in cities all around the world and the main reason may be that city children spend less time outdoors.
Daylight can be hundreds of times brighter than indoor light. But why does playing outside prevent us from becoming short-sighted? Scientists believe that natural light has a special chemical(化学物质) which stops the eyeball from growing out of shape and prevents people from becoming short-sighted.
So be outdoors. It doesn’t matter if that time is spent having a picnic or having sports.
1. How much time did the Australian children spend outdoors on average accordingto the
research?
A. 30 minutes. B. 60 minutes.
C. 90 minutes. D. 120 minutes.
2.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. If people spend less time outdoors they will certainly become short-sighted.
B. There are fewer short-sighted Singaporean Children than Australian children because they have more know ledge of protecting their eyesight.
C. There will be fewer risks of getting short-sighted if people spend two or three hours a day playing out side.
D. When people begin to go to school they will become long-sighted.
3.What is the fifth paragraph mainly about?
A. Why natural daylight has a special chemical.
B. Why daylight prevents people from becoming short-sighted.
C. Why daylight is much brighter than indoor light.
D. What the special chemical which can stop eyeballs from growing out of shape is.
My class and I visited Chris Care Center in Phoenix, Arizona to comfort the old people who needed a little cheering up during the holiday season.
The first two there were for persons requiring help in taking care of themselves. We sang beautifully for them. They loved our sweet songs and the flowers that we left with them.
As we were singing on the third floor for old people with Alzheimer(老年痴呆症), most of them looked off at the walls or floor. However, one lady my eye. She was sitting by the door, in a wheelchair, singing songs to herself. They weren’t the songs that we were singing, at least they didn’t like that. As we got with each song, she did as well. The louder we got, the louder she got. she was singing, she was also reaching out to us with her hands and body. I knew that I should have gone over to her, but I thought that my responsibilities(责任) were to my students. People who worked at the care center could attend to her, I thought. Just when I stopped feeling about not giving her the attention she needed, one of my students, Justin, showed me what the holiday season is really about.
Justin also the same lady. The difference between us is that he acted on her needs, but I didn’t. During the last song,Silent Night, Justin walked over to her and held her hand. He looked this aged lady in her eyes and with his actions said, “You are important, and I will take my to let you know that.”
This tired, elderly lady stopped singing and held his hand. Then she touched his cheek with the other hand. Tears began to fall down her face. No words can completely describe that touching moment.
It took a boy to teach me, a man, about kindness and love. Justin’s example of a complete, selfless attitude(态度) toward another was a that I will never forget. He was the teacher that day, and I consider myself to have witnessed(目击) his lesson.
1.A. rooms B. buildings C. floors D. groups
2.A. looked B. caught C. ran D. hurt
3.A. appear B. hear C. sound D. feel
4.A. louder B. nearer C. faster D. higher
5.A. Because B. As C. Since D. Though
6.A. afraid B. sure C. sorry D. happy
7.A. feared B. avoided C. helped D. noticed
8.A. time B. flower C. body D. face
9.A. message B. lesson C. activity D. class
10.A. clever B. foolish C. right D. lucky
—Can I get you a cup of coffee, Mr Green?
—________.
A. Thank you for the tea B. It’s nice of you
C. With pleasure D. It’s my pleasure
—You made so many spelling mistakes again, Mary. You won’t learn English well if your spelling______
— Sorry, Mr Wu. I will be more careful.
A. won’t be paid attention B. isn’t paid attention to
C. doesn’t pay attention to D. isn’t paid attention
