For a long time, a boy wondered why his next-desk-pal was always the first in the class, whereas he could only rank the 21st. At home, he asked his mom, “Am I more stupid than other kids? How come I always lag behind? I just can’t come up with an answer.” Mom was aware that her son’s self-respect had been damaged by the ranking system, but she didn’t know what to say to help.
She was tempted (想要) to say that intelligence differs and that yes, her son’s friend really was the smarter boy. But that would have so upset her son. Thank goodness she resisted the temptation to say it.
Her son and his friend went on to high school that year, but despite trying as hard as he could, her son’s friend still outdid him. But she was proud of her boy for his hard work, sincerely proud. It was around this time she decided to take him on a trip to the seaside. On the trip, she at last found an answer for him.
Today her son no longer cares about rankings. He doesn’t have to, for he himself is now the top of the class – at the top national university he attends. Invited to speak to his old high school, he mentioned a valuable childhood experience: “Once, on a trip to the sea, my mother and I were lying on the beach. She pointed to the sea and said to me: ‘Do you see the seabirds fighting for food out there? When a wave comes near, the little birds rise quickly. The “clumsy” seagulls (海鸥) are far less agile (灵活的) and have to struggle to get away from the wave. But these “clumsy” birds prove to have the biggest, strongest wings, which open the widest and allow the bird to travel the furthest. When the season changes, they leave for foreign shores, leaving the little birds behind. Son, I have a feeling that you are one of those seagulls.”
1. From the first paragraph, we could conclude the mother ______.
A. knew her son was not bright enough
B. saw the negative effects of the ranking system
C. decided to help with her son’s school work
D. was troubled by her son’s low rankings
2.The mom was glad she didn’t give an answer at first because ______.
A. she knew her son would forget his rankings soon
B. she felt intelligence doesn’t mean everything
C. she knew he was not strong enough for the truth
D. she wanted to avoid another blow to her son’s self-respect
3.The story conveys the message that ______.
a. only rankings show intelligence
b. hard work and confidence can lead to a change in rankings
c. parents should see children’s strengths and encourage them
d. competition between students is good for society
A. bc B. cd C. abc D. bcd
4. Which of the following would be the best title for the story?
A. How important are rankings?
B. Little birds and seagulls
C. The answer Mom gave
D. Hard work pays off!
Last weekends, my kids along with few other kids from the neighborhood volunteered to help me wash my car. My 10-year-old daughter came up with the idea of 31 other people’s cars as well. It was pretty 32 outside and I had no plans to 33 to be in the bright sun. She 34 wanted to give lemonade（柠檬汽水）to passersby for free. I had seen little kids 35 and sell fresh lemonade for a small cost but not free. Although I felt 36 , I decided to help her. 37 she asked me, “What if we 38 this a smile car wash?” I couldn’t hold back my tears and 39 her and the other kids to go outside the house and come up with 40 ideas. While I kept myself busy in drying the car, the gang walked up to me with a(n) 41 with beautiful images of smiles. They had “Free Car Wash” written on it and the 42 of their exercise was “smile”. It was pretty neat to see a team of kids ranging 5－11 years with the 43 to do something for others.
All that seemed 44 and came right from their heart. Nothing seemed to 45 to them: their playtime, the heat outside—they just wanted to 46 others and do something nice in the community!
I helped them make some fresh lemonade and brought out some additional 47 to help clean cars. The passersby were 48 and one even shouted back to them saying “God Bless You, my kids…” One of them even tried giving them 5 dollars, which they refused. A pretty heartwarming 49 ! I feel blessed by being 50 by such wonderful and loving souls.
1. A. decorating B. repairing C. washing D. drying
2. A. dirty B. hot C. different D. quiet
3. A. practice B. avoid C. continue D. suggest
4.A. hardly B. therefore C. already D. further
5. A serve B. enjoy C. buy D. choose
6. A. difficult B. popular C. confused D. worried
7.A. Luckily B. Simply C. Then D. Finally
8.A. order B. leave C. make D. show
9.A. encouraged B. expected C. invited D. challenged
10.A. familiar B. ready C. changed D. creative
11.A. board B. picture C. idea D. car
12. A. purpose B. trouble C. secret D. theme
13.A. need B. duty C. imagination D. skill
14.A. important B. disappointing C. hopeful D natural
15.A. matter B. object C. belong D. refer
16.A. relax B. try C. help D. smile
17.A. friends B. rags C. children D. Fruit
18.A. interested B. amazed C. bored D. frightened
19.A. scene B. gift C. story D. explanation
20. A. supported B. understood C. refused D. surrounded
With the approach of the Spring Festival, the sharply rising prices of many goods a new wave of purchase.
A. send off B. take off C. set off D. show off
She felt completely during the vacation but now she has to go back to her work again.
A. at sea B. at ease C. at a loss D. at risk
Since the outbreak of the disease, 90 patients have been to have the illness and other suspected patients are still under examination.
A. confirmed B. convinced C. confused D. consulted
If you want to advance yourself in your studies, you will first have to ________ yourself of those shortcomings that can become barriers to progress.
A. remove B. react C. rid D. reduce
