Being the head of a high school for many years, I grew tired of budget meetings, funding cuts, and many other administrative chores (杂务). I started to dream of retirement. Sitting in traffic on a weekday morning, I would find my mind wandering, I would imagine spending time with my grandchildren, quiet evenings with my wife, traveling, or rediscovering some great books. I told myself that I wouldn’t sign myself up for any committees, any classes, or anything requiring a schedule.
My first day of retirement came at last! I cooked a great breakfast for my wife and me, leisurely read the paper, cleaned a bit of the house, and wrote a few letters to friends. On the second day, I cooked breakfast, read the paper … On the third day, … This is retirement? I tried to tell myself that it was just the transition（过渡）, that those golden moments were right round the corner, and that I would enjoy them soon enough. But something was missing.
A former colleague asked a favor. A group of students were going to Jamaica to work with children in the poorest neighborhoods. Would I interrupt my new found “happiness” and return to the students, just this once? One trip. That’s all. My bags were packed and by the door.
The trip was very inspiring. I was moved not only by the poverty I saw but also by the sense of responsibility of the young people on the trip. When I returned home, I offered to work one day a week with a local youth organization. The experience was so positive that I was soon volunteering nearly full-time, working with students across North America to assist them in their voluntary work.
Now, it seems, the tables have turned. Some days I am the teacher, other days I am the student. These young people have reawakened my commitment (责任感) to social justice issues by challenging me to learn more about the situation in the world today, where people are still poor and suffer because of greed, corruption and war. Most importantly, they have given me the opportunity to continue to participate in helping to find solutions. In return, I help them do their charitable projects overseas. I’ve gone from running one school to helping oversee the construction of schools in twenty-one countries!
1.What did the writer expect to do after he retired?
A. To stay away from busy schedules. B. To write some great books.
C. To do some voluntary work. D. To plan for his future.
2.Why did the writer decide to go to Jamaica?
A. He missed his students in that country. B. He couldn’t refuse his colleague’s favor.
C. He was concerned about the people there. D. He was not satisfied with his retired life.
3.Which of the following could be the best title for the passage?
A. My Retired Life. B. Being the Head of a High School.
C. My Attitudes towards Life. D. An Experience of Being a Volunteer.
4.What does the writer think of his retired life now?
A. Disappointing. B. Troublesome. C. Promising. D. Meaningful.
阅读下面短文, 从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中, 选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项, 并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
When I was about 13, my father would take me on short outings on Saturdays. On the way home, Dad _1_ stopped at the Dairy Queen for 10-cent ice creams. I couldn’t _2_ it, but I could pray from the _3_ we started heading home to that corner where we would either go straight for the ice cream or _4_ and go home empty-handed. That corner _5_ either mouth-watering excitement or _6_.
On one special day, we were heading home, and again I was praying for the _7_ sound of his offer. It _8_. “Would you like an ice cream today?” “That sounds great, Dad!” But then he said, “How would you like to _9_ today?”
Twenty cents! My mind reeled(震惊). I could afford it. I got a weekly allowance of 25 cents, plus some _10_ for odd jobs(零活). But _11_ it was my money, ice cream wasn’t a good use of it. In a fit of _12_, I said, “Well, in that case, I guess I’ll _13_.” My father just said, “Okay, Son.”
But as we headed home, I realized how wrong I was and begged him to _14_. But he just said, “That’s okay, we don’t really need one.” I felt _15_ for my selfishness and ungratefulness. He didn’t mind, or _16_ act disappointed.
I _17_ that generosity（慷慨）goes two ways and gratefulness sometimes costs more than “thank you”. On that day gratefulness would have cost 20 cents and it would have been the _18_ ice cream I’d ever had.
I’ll tell you one more thing. We _19_ another trip the next week. As we _20_ the corner, I said, “Dad, would you like an ice cream today? My treat.”
1.A. never B. hardly C. frequently D. strangely
2.A. expect B. mention C. wait D. get
3.A. month B. day C. weekend D. moment
4.A. finish B. drive C. turn D. return
5.A. indicated B. meant C. suggested D. instructed
6.A. anger B. shame C. happiness D. disappointment
7.A. funny B. surprising C. interesting D. beautiful
8.A. came B. spoke C. went D. flew
9.A. serve B. treat C. buy D. provide
10.A. extra B. limited C. little D. easy
11.A. after B. while C. when D. although
12.A. sadness B. regret C. curiosity D. selfishness
13.A. accept B. pay C. pass D. eat
14.A. turn back B. keep up C. stop by D. give in
15.A. unsatisfied B. awful C. frightened D. crazy
16.A. even B. never C. only D. somehow
17.A. knew B. learned C. acknowledged D. found
18.A. dearest B. worst C. cheapest D. best
19.A. made out B. prepared for C. went on D. took up
20.A. crossed B. left C. saw D. approached
—Her rude reply really annoyed me.
—________, Ellen. Things will work out.
A. Don’t mention it B. I don’t think so C. No problem D. Take it easy
When _______ comes to saving energy, big changes start with small steps, like turning off the lights.
A. that B. this C. it D. one
The most important words in this sentence have been _____, so it doesn’t make any sense．
A. left out B. held out C. set out D. made out
Among the reporters first work about college students’ life sells pretty well. He’s busy talking with them.
A. does Tom stand whose B. Tom stands whose
C. stands Tom whose D. stood Tom whose
