Mark Twain is someone Americans are taught to love. Older relatives, English teachers and the media always praise him. But when you actually take the time to read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, you find that his work is more wonderful than you could ever imagine.
The novel describes a young boy named Tom Sawyer growing up in a small town along the Mississippi River. He explores the countryside on a riverboat with his friends, falls in love with girls, starts secret clubs and searches for treasure. Twain’s idea of childhood is magical – a time of imagination, wonder and, of course, adventure.
More importantly, through the eyes of Tom Sawyer, Twain cleverly makes fun of US culture. For example, Tom hates going to church, and Twain uses scenes of Tom there to mock religion and its old traditions.
Twain’s writing is full of these kinds of critical (批判的) points about culture and politics. That’s why he is so loved in the US – he wasn’t afraid to state his opinions, and he did so clearly.
He also believed strongly in women’s right to vote in elections and gave a famous speech on the subject, called “Votes for Women”, in 1901.
“Tom was a great hero once more – the pet of the old, the envy of the young,” Twain writes in Tom Sawyer. But he could just as well be describing himself.
1.According to the writer, after reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, you are likely to think _______.
A. it’s not worth all the praise
B. it’s as wonderful as you imagined
C. it’s better to read it with teachers
D. it’s even better than you imagined
2. What is Paragraph 2 mainly about?
A. A brief description of the novel.
B. Where Twain’s idea of childhood comes from.
C. How naughty and adventurous Tom Sawyer is.
D. What makes Tom Sawyer’s adventures so wonderful.
3.What does the underlined word “mock” mean?
A. make changes to B. make fun of
C. give reasons for D. give examples of
4. Why is Twain so loved in the US according to the article?
A. He supported women’s right to vote.
B. He wrote bad things about US wars abroad.
C. He criticized American culture and society clearly and cleverly.
D. He showed readers a magical childhood that everyone would love.
Twenty years ago, I drove a taxi for a living. Once at midnight, an old lady in her 80s took my taxi. She gave me an address, and then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"
"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.
"Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice (临终关怀医院）. I don't have any family left. The doctor says I don't have very long time."
I quietly shut off the meter. "What route would you like me to take?" I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked, the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived, the place where she danced as a girl. As the sun was rising, she asked me to go to the address she had given me.
"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.
"Nothing," I said.
"You have to make a living," she answered.
"There are other passengers."
“You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you."
I drove into the fine morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I drove aimlessly（漫无目的地），lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run?
1.The old woman chose to ride through the city in order to ______.
A. show she was familiar with the city
B. see some places for the last time
C. let the driver earn more money
D. reach the destination on time
2.The taxi driver did not charge the old woman because he ______.
A. wanted to give her a hand
B. shut off the meter by mistake
C. had received her payment in advance
3. What can we learn from the story?
A. Giving is always a pleasure.
B. An act of kindness can bring people great joy.
C. People should respect each other.
D. People should learn to appreciate others' concern.
| KID INVENTORS’ DAY (KID) |
What | Water skis(滑水撬). Earmuffs (耳套). What do they have in common? They were both invented by kids! 500000 children invent things and games each year and the inventions help make our life easier and more interesting! |
When | On January 17th, the birth anniversary(周年纪念日) of Benjamin Franklin, who invented the first swim flippers almost 300 years ago at the age of 12. |
Why | To express thanks for the past and present inventions by kids and to encourage the creativity of future kid inventors. |
How | Read about it. Write about it. Hold an invention meeting. Start a Young Inventors’ Club. Enter an invention competition. Keep an invention newspaper or magazine. Or come up with your own invention. |
1. From the above, we know water skis and earmuffs were both invented by _____.
A. scientists B. kids
C. workers D. university students
2.People celebrate K.I.D. _______.
A. to express thanks to young inventors and encourage them
B. in memory of Benjamin Franklin
C. to remind people of inventions
D. to ask kids to hold an invention meeting
3.Which of the following is NOT mentioned about how to celebrate K.I.D?
A. To take part in an invention competition.
B. To come up with your own invention.
C. To encourage your friends to invent things.
D. To start a Young Inventors’ Club.
完形填空
We often focus on（集中于）building relationships with others, but we forget the first step is being friends of ourselves. How can we have good relationships with others if we don't even have good relationships with _____ ?
The problem might be worse than we expect. Is there _____ you don't like about yourself such as your past or your personality features? Luckily, there are always things you can do to _____ with the situation.
Forgive yourself.
You may have made some mistakes in the past, but you can learn _____ them. It's true that you are not perfect, but _____ is everybody else. It's normal to make mistakes, so do yourself a favorite by giving yourself forgiveness.
Accept things you can't change.
There are some things you cannot change. You will feel good _____ you treat them properly - just accept them, smile, and_____ on.
Focus on your strengths.
You always have some _____ which others don't have. Find your strengths and build your life over them.
Stop comparing yourself with other.
You are special. You can never be _____ other people. The way you to measure your success is not decided by other people. You have everything you need to achieve your life purpose, so it's _____ to compare yourself with others.
1.A. myself B. yourself C. ourselves D. themselves
2.A. everything B. something C. anything D. nothing
3.A. do B. fix C. have D. get
4.A. on B. with C. about D. from
5.A. either B. not C. so D. neither
6.A. that B. if C. where D. unless
7.A. take B. put C. move D. bring
8.A. habits B. abilities C. ideas D. strengths
9.A. as B. of C. like D. with
10.A. careless B. useless C. timeless D. tireless
------ Would you mind my using your computer?
------ ______
A. Yes. Here you are. B. No, you can’t.
C. No, not at all. D. You’re welcome.
----- It's time for the weather report. Could I turn on the TV?
------ _______.I also want to know about the weather for tomorrow.
A. Go ahead, please B. With pleasure
C. Don't mention it D. Certainly not
