“Mum, what does it mean when someone tells you that they have a skeleton (骨骼) in the closet (衣橱)?” Jessica asked. “A skeleton in the closet?” her mother paused thoughtfully. “Well, it's something that you would rather not have anyone else know about. For example, if in the past, someone in Dad's family had been arrested for stealing a horse, it would be 'a skeleton in his family's closet'. He really wouldn't want any neighbor to know about it.”
“Why pick on my family?” Jessica's father said with anger. “Your family history isn't so good, you know. Wasn't your great-great-grandfather a prisoner who was transported to Australia for his crimes?” “Yes, but people these days say that you are not a real Australian unless your ancestors arrived as prisoners.” “Gosh, sorry I asked. I think I understand now,” Jessica cut in before things grew worse.
After dinner, the house was very quiet. Jessica's parents were still quite angry with each other. Her mother was ironing clothes and every now and then she glared at her husband, who hid behind his newspaper pretending to read. When she finished, she gathered the freshly pressed clothes in her arms and walked to Jessica's closet. Just as she opened the door and reached in to hang a skirt, a bony arm stuck out from the dark depths and a bundle of white bones fell to the floor. Jessica's mother sank in a faint (晕倒), waking only when Jessica put a cold, wet cloth on her forehead. She looked up to see the worried faces of her husband and daughter.
“What happened? Where am I?” she asked. “You just destroyed the school's skeleton, Mum,” explained Jessica. “I brought it home to help me with my health project. I meant to tell you, but it seemed that as soon as I mentioned skeletons and closets, it caused a problem between you and Dad.” Jessica looked in amazement as her parents began to laugh madly. “They're both crazy,” she thought.
1.According to Jessica's mother, “a skeleton in the close” means ________.
A. a family honor B. a family secret C. a family story D. a family treasure
2.What can we learn about some Australians' ancestors from Paragraph 2?
A. They were brought to Australia as prisoners.
B. They were the earliest people living in Australia.
C. They were involved in some crimes in Australia.
D. They were not regarded as criminals in their days.
3.Why did Jessica bring a skeleton home?
A. She was curious about it. B. She planned to keep it for fun.
C. She needed it for her school task. D. She intended to scare her parents.
4. Jessica's parents laughed madly at the end of the story probably because ________.
A. they were crazy.
B. they were over excited.
C. they realized their misunderstanding.
D. they both thought they had won the quarrel.
Just recently I had been wondering if there was much point in doing little acts of kindness. So often they get 36 , and occasionally they come back to bite you!
Then, just last week, after a long travel, I found myself 37 at a bus station. The bus was four hours late! So, I guess I wasn’t in a good 38 .
That’s when a woman asked me if I had any spare 39 to help her get a bus ticket.
“Oh, sure,” I said sarcastically (挖苦地). “How much would you like?”
As I spoke, I mentally kicked myself for my 40 and reached into my bag for some money. As I handed her five dollars, I heard low sounds from her stomach because of real 41 .
I reached back into my bag and brought out a 42 I had bought earlier. I handed it to her with a(n) 43 that I hoped would make up for my earlier tone of voice. Getting a 44 look at her now, I realized she was extremely tired, like she had had several months of 45 days!
As she took the food, a look of 46 washed over her. In return, she tried to give me a Milwaukee bus ticket! I don’t live in Milwaukee and the ticket will probably 47 be used, but I took it.
A few minutes later she came back over, apologized, and told me she was still 48 of five dollars. I took some singles out of my bag and slipped a twenty in there as well. 49 , the voice in my head told me I was being a fool.
Five minutes later she came back again and tried to 50 my twenty. When I said it was for her so she could get something else to 51 , and that I was completely serious and I wasn’t taking it 52 , she started crying and hugged me.
From now on, when I wonder if it is 53 trying to help someone, I will remember that woman. Maybe I am really making a 54 for someone. So, sure, sometimes my efforts might not be noticed, and sometimes they might come back to bite me, but they might actually 55 another human being!
1.A. ignored B. appreciated C. acknowledged D. forgiven
2.A. examined B. trapped C. confused D. delayed
3. A. habit B. place C. mood D. situation
4.A. change B. time C. hand D. energy
5. A. appearance B. attitude C. selfishness D. experience
6.A. pain B. anxiety C. hunger D. fear
7.A. souvenir B. ticket C. gift D. cake
8.A. shout B. smile C. apology D. praise
9.A. quick B. gentle C. good D. cold
10.A. dark B. tough C. mysterious D. special
11. A. relief B. regret C. doubt D. anger
12. A. once B. often C. sometimes D. never
13. A. ashamed B. aware C. short D. proud
14. A. Eventually B. However C. Therefore D. Besides
15.A. return B. show C. share D. earn
16.A. do B. trade C. add D. eat
17.A. away B. out C. back D. over
18.A. hard B. fun C. useless D. worth
19.A. difference B. profit C. decision D. suggestion
20.A. excite B. help C. educate D. inspire
- Mr. White, will you please teach me how to perform pair skating today?
-- . You have to practise single skating well first.
A. Two heads are better than one. B. Think twice before you do.
C. Learn to walk before you run. D. One today is worth two tomorrows.
________ there is no restriction on foreign entries at the film festival ，those that win are in minority.
A. unless B. When C Where D while
________ seems to be a strong competition in China for senior high students to enter college or university.
A. It B. This C. That D. There
It is no use _________ to persuade him ________ smoking because he has been addicted to it since he was young.
A. trying, to quit B. to try, to quit C. to try, quit D. trying, quit
