I used to be a mortgage broker(贷款中间人) in the Phoenix area. In April 2007, the company that I had been with for a year went out of business. That was the latest of the four companies that I had worked for since 2000 .They all either went under or let most of the employees go, including me.
In December 2007, the bank took back my house, and I had no choice but to move in with my parents, five miles away. My sister has three children, and she had no room. My fiancée(未婚妻), Brandi Wetch, and I have been living in my parents’ house for about a year and a half now.
My mother, Sue, works part-time at a high school library. My father left for a job in the Marshall Islands a few months ago and will be gone for two years.
I’m trying to be patient with finding a new job, but it’s been hard. I check the Internet for jobs every morning. I have sent countless letters but have never got a job. I have no idea how many other people are applying for the same job.
I do the housework and washing, and I take care of the garden. Sometimes, I feel like the best part of my life is over. The worst part of the day is when I chat with my friends on the Internet. I’ve talked to about 10 old friends online. The first thing they usually ask is what I’m doing now.
My mother, who is in her 60s, has been so patient and supportive. She acts like she’s happy to have us, not like we’re crowding her. We have learned what’s important since I lived here.
1. We can infer that the writer is living a _________ life.
A. busy B. rich C. difficult D. hopeful
2. How long has the writer been out of work?
A. For more than a year B. For a year and a half
C. For less than two years D. For more than two years
3.Which of the following types of work is NOT done by the writer in his parents’ house?
A. Looking after children B. Doing the housework.
C. Washing clothes and dishes D. Applying for a job online.
4.It can be learned from the passage that the writer now________.
A. is preparing for his wedding B. is fond of doing the housework
C. is patient with job-hunting D. is afraid of being asked about work
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项, 并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
Feeling hopeless and sick at heart, Tom turned away. For a quick moment his eyes met the eyes of the cook, and he saw there a 36 of such hatred and fear that 37 words could describe.
The cook moved quietly 38 . He 39 to Tom in a rough voice, "Don't be too clever." And he went away.
Tom's views did not stay___40__ the cook and his words. His friend was in trouble. How could he__41____ him? He decided to slip away as soon as possible 42 of information that would clear Jay of all 43 and bring the true criminal(罪犯) to justice.
He had noticed a piece of old sailcloth 44 on the ship floor. With this and a length of string he __45__a package which looked very much like the one the police had seized. His plan was to 46 to the shore and hand it over 47 the cook had ordered Jay to, 48 in this way to learn the truth about the criminal's activities. Then he could 49 the police of his friend's innocence(无罪).
By now it was dark. Taking the blankets out of Jay's 50 bed, Tom piled them up in his own in the 51 of a sleeping figure. How real it looked! With the blanket pulled up high around the figure's head, he could almost believe he saw it breathing. 52 with this, Tom moved quietly to the door.
He was about to open it 53 he felt the handle turning the other way. Someone was outside and about to come in. Had his plan failed? Slipping quickly back behind the door as it opened, Tom 54 .
It was the cook who was leaning 55 now over the figure in the bed. His arm swung up and a long knife plunged down.
1.A. fire B. light C. lightning D. flash
2.A. many B. several C. few D. no
3.A. closely B. nearly C. closer D. near
4.A. whispered B. ordered C. indicated D. shouted
5.A. based on B. focused on C. carried on D. kept on
6.A. encourage B. support C. persuade D. help
7.A. in time B. in need C. in search D. in touch
8.A. truths B. doubts C. failures D. faults
9.A. lying B. lay C. laid D. lain
10.A. took B. bought C. made D. sent
11.A. slip B. step C. pass D. march
12.A. as with B. as though C. such as D. just as
13.A. expecting B. imagining C. hoping D. wishing
14.A. persuade B. require C. suggest D. encourage
15.A. neat B. empty C. dirty D. comfortable
16.A. shape B. sample C. shade D. shadow
17.A. Excited B. Pleased C. Surprised D. Frightened
18.A. though B. until C. while D. when
19.A. waited B. rushed C. seized D. shot
20.A. aside B. forward C. outward D. against
Only when ________ possible to settle the problem.
A. does the chief editor come will it be B. the chief editor comes will it be
C. has the chief editor come will it be D. the chief editor comes it will be
It was due to her elegant ______ and gentle temper that she has won the respect of her collegues.
A. deeds B. behaviors C. actions D. behavior
I’m sorry, _____ I won’t be able to come tonight.
A. for B. and C. but D. then
My friend Mary is _____ beautiful girl and _____ girl everyone likes to work with.
A. a, a B. a, the C. the, a D. the, the
