Once upon a time, there lived a man who owned a big company. Several years later, his health became worse, so the man decided to choose one of his sons to take his place. He gave each of them a box and said, “I want you to fill your box with something that you believe is the most valuable part of our company. Bring your box back to me in five days.”
The day came. The first son filled his box with the company ledger（账本）. “There is nothing better than this. It is the best thing to show our success.” he said.
“Good!” the father said. “What about yours?” He turned to the second son.
“I put a lot of money in it because money allows our company to work well and allows us to give our workers higher pay. In addition, we can live a comfortable life.” answered the second son.
“Oh.” the father said unhappily. Then he asked his youngest son. “Let me see your box.”
“My box is empty!”
“Didn’t you find anything valuable in our company?” the father asked angrily.
“Sorry. I just couldn’t place the most valuable thing I found in a box. What size box can hold the loyalty（忠诚）of our workers and customers? And how can I place inside a box the most valuable thing for me: the love of you and mother?” answered the youngest son.
The man was deeply moved by his youngest son who placed love in the first place. Clearly, he made the decision easily. In life, nothing can be compared with love from our parents and people around us.
1.Why did the man decide to choose one of his sons to take his place？
A.Because he was not in good health.
B.Because he was too busy.
C.Because his sons didn’t have work.
D.Because he didn’t want to work.
2.How did the man feel when he saw the second son put some money in the box?
A.Surprised. B.Amazed. C.Excited. D.Upset.
3.What did the youngest son put in the box?
A.A book. B.Money. C.Nothing. D.A smaller box.
4.Who do you think would take the man’s place?
A.The first son. B.The second son. C.The youngest son. D.No one.
Four New Cool Inventions
Mip
Mip, a playful robot, was developed by a Canadian toy maker named Wowwee. It stands 19 cm tall. You can control it simply with your gestures(手势) or a smart phone. Mip can run, balance and dance on two wheels. It can also bring you a bottle of water.
Android Wear
Google is developing a smart watch called Android Wear. The watch uses a touchscreen and voice control. Simply say “OK, Google” to ask what ever you want to know. For example, say “OK, Goodgle. Where’s the nearest toy store?” Your answer will tell you the answer on Google Maps.
Le Pen
Do you like listening to music while doing homework? If you do, you will like Le Pen. With a music player planted inside, Le Pen plays music while you write on paper. The music stops when you stop writing. So if you want to enjoy more of your favourite songs, keep on writing.
One wheel
In the near future you may find a new way to escape traffic: a self-balancing skateboard called Onewheel. It can go as fast as 19km an hour. On a single charge(充电), it can take you as far as 7-10km.
1.If you want to enjoy music while writing, you can choose ________.
A.
B.
C.
D.
2.According to the passage, Android Wear can_________.
A.go as fast as 19km an hour
B.tell you how to get to some places
C.run, balance, dance and even serve you
D.play music while you are writing on paper
3.In which part of a newspaper can you find in the passage?
A.Culture. B.Literature.
C.Science. D.History.
I was a fool at school, and regarded as a special- needs student. I was not interested in school and did not care for my ________ .
As time went by, I started to lose faith in myself. Did I have to ________ the fact that I was in a special- needs class and I was not as clever as others? But one thing changed me: Chess.
I started to play chess with my father after school ________ because I wanted to win. My father was ________, and he was fond of physics, writing, sports ..., almost every field. So, winning in chess ________ my father would be a sign that I might be intelligent.
Game after game, I wanted to ________ my father even more. I started to study chess book and play on the computer to sharpen my ________. One weekend, I finally checkmated（将杀）my father, which made me feel excited.
Two years later, I became the second board on my school chess team. I could almost compete with our top board who was the best high school player in the state. But before the competition, our top player ________ to come. There came my ________ to play as a top board against the best players in other states.
I was determined to show who I had become: a smart person who was able to win. My opponent（对手）was playing well while I had to keep my king ________. He spent long trying to ________ my defenses（防御）, but he could not find the final push. I returned with more defensive moves, trying to make it as ________ for him as possible. With little time left, he had to make rapid moves. ________ he could make the final decision, he ran out of time. As his clock flag fell, I jumped up out of my seat and kissed the floor out of excitement. It was not very graceful（优雅的）, but I could not ________ myself.
While holding my winner’s cup, I was so proud. The feeling of stupidity began to melt away, and I realized that ________ can be a genius（天才）in fact.
1.A.habits B.grades C.plans D.actions
2.A.notice B.explain C.accept D.achieve
3.A.easily B.simply C.quickly D.exactly
4.A.interested B.excited C.talented D.bored
5.A.against B.with C.to D.for
6.A.win B.beat C.knock D.shut
7.A.dreams B.lessons C.thoughts D.skills
8.A.promised B.managed C.happened D.failed
9.A.chance B.change C.cheat D.training
10.A.safe B.alone C.proud D.weak
11.A.cut down B.fall down C.break down D.lie down
12.A.convenient B.difficult C.quick D.easy
13.A.Once B.Until C.Before D.Unless
14.A.stand B.admire C.spread D.control
15.A.nobody B.everyone C.someone D.none
— It was so surprising to meet him again! We haven’t seen each other for a long time.
— Have you exchanged your phone numbers to ______ with each other?
A.get on well with B.catch up C.keep in touch D.come up
My dear team members, please be careful and we can’t ______ to make any mistakes again.
A.stand B.afford C.stop D.refuse
— Erica, have you found the oldest cinema in your town at last?
— Not yet, our town has ______ changed over these years.
A.hardly B.partly C.completely D.never
