More than 10 years ago, it was difficult to buy a tasty pineapple. The fruits that made it to the UK were green on the outside and, more often than not, hard with an unpleasant taste within. Then in 1966, the Del Monte Gold pineapple produced in Hawaii first hit our shelves.
The new type of pineapple looked more yellowy-gold than green. It was slightly softer on the outside and had a lot of juice inside. But the most important thing about this new type of pineapple was that it was twice as sweet as the hit-and-miss pineapples we had known. In no time, the Del Monte Gold took the market by storm, rapidly becoming the world’s best-selling pineapple variety, and delivering natural levels of sweetness in the mouth, up until then only found in tinned pineapple.
In nutrition it was all good news too. This nice tasting pineapple contained four times more vitamin C than the old green variety. Nutritionists said that it was not only full of vitamins, but also good against some diseases. People were understandably eager to be able to buy this wonderful fruit. The new type of pineapple was selling fast, and the Del Monte Gold pineapple rapidly became a fixture in the shopping basket of the healthy eater.
Seeing the growing market for its winning pineapple, Del Monte tried to keep market to itself. But other fruit companies developed similar pineapples. Del Monte turned to law for help, but failed. Those companies argued successfully that Del Monte’s attempts to keep the golden pineapple for itself were just a way to knock them out of the market.
1.We learn from the text that the new type of pineapple is __________.
A. green outside and sweet inside B. good-looking outside and soft inside
C. yellowy-gold outside and hard inside D. a little soft outside and sweet inside
2.Why was the new type of pineapple selling well?
A. It was rich in nutrition and tasted nice. B. It was less sweet and good for health.
C. It was developed by Del Monte. D. It was used as medicine.
3.The underlined word “fixture” in Paragraph 3 probably refers to something _________.
A. that people enjoy eating B. that is always present
C. that is difficult to get D. that people use as a gift
4. We learn from the last paragraph that Del Monte _________.
A. slowed other companies to develop pineapples
B. succeeded in keeping the pineapple for itself
C. tried hard to control the pineapple market
D. planned to help the other companies
Last week my youngest son and I visited my father at his new home in Tucson, Arizona. He moved there a few years ago, and I was eager to see his new place and meet his friends.
My earliest memories of my father are a tall, handsome, successful man devoted to his work and his family, but uncomfortable with his children. As a child I loved him. He seemed unhappy with me unless I got straight A’s and unhappy with my boyfriends if their fathers were not as “successful” as he was. Whenever I went out with him on weekends, I used to struggle to think up things to say, feeling on guard.
On the first day of my visit, we went out with one of my father’s friends for lunch at an outdoor café. We talked along that afternoon, did some shopping, ate on the street table, and laughed over my son’s funny facial expressions. Gone was my father’s critical air and strict rules. Who was this person I knew as my father, who seemed so friendly and interesting to be around? What had held him back before?
The next day dad pulled out his childhood pictures and told me quite a few stories about his own childhood. Although our times together became easier over the years, I never felt closer to him at that moment. After so many years, I’m at last seeing another side of my father. And in so doing, I’m delighted with my new friend. My dad, in his new home in Arizona, is back to me from where he was.
1.Why did the author feel bitter about her father as a young adult?
A. He was silent most of the time. B. He was too proud of himself.
C. He did not love his children. D. He expected too much of her.
2.When the author went out with her father on weekend, she would feel .
A. nervous B. sorry C. tired D. safe
3.What does the author think of her father after her visit to Tucson?
A. More critical. B. More talkative.
C. Gentle and friendly. D. Strict and hard-working.
4.The underlined words “my new friend” in the last paragraph refer to .
A. the author’s son B. the author’s father
C. the friend of the author’s father D. the café owner
The passengers on the bus watched with sympathy as Susan made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and then, using her hands to 36 the seats, settled in one of them.
It had been a year since Susan became blind. As the result of an accident she was suddenly thrown into a world of 37 . Susan’s husband Mark watched her 38 into hopelessness and he was 39 to use every possible means to help his wife.
Finally, Susan felt ready to 40 to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but she was now too 41 to get around the city by herself. Mark 42 to ride the bus with Susan each morning and evening 43 she could manage it by herself.
For two weeks, Mark 44 Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other 45 , specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new 46 .
At last, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip 47 . Monday morning arrived. Before she left, she hugged her husband 48 , her eyes filled with tears of gratitude（感激）. She said good-bye and, for the first time, they went their 49 ways. Each day went perfectly, and a wild excitement 50 Susan. She was doing it!
On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work 51 . As she was getting off the bus, the driver said, “Miss, I sure 52 you.” Curious, Susan asked the driver 53 .
“You know, every morning for the 54 week, a fine-looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you until you enter your office building safely,” the bus driver said.
Tears of happiness poured down Susan’s cheeks. She was so lucky for he had given her a gift more powerful than 55 . That is the gift of love that can bring light where there is darkness.
1.A. touch B. grab C. count D. feel
2. A. weakness B. sickness C. darkness D. sadness
3.A. run B. sink C. jump D. step
4.A. inspired B. determined C. honored D. pleased
5.A. return B. adjust C. contribute D. stick
6.A. dread B. astonished C. depressed D. frightened
7.A. volunteered B. attempted C. continued D. struggled
8.A. when B. as C. until D. after
9.A. drove B. directed C. accompanied D. sent
10.A. feeling B. organs C. skills D. senses
11.A. position B. environment C. status D. role
12.A. on her own B. in person C. to her benefit D. on foot
13.A. politely B. calmly C. briefly D. tightly
14.A. opposite B. separate C. fixed D. lonely
15.A. took charge of B. took place of C. took advantage of D. took hold of
16. A. as usual B. as a rule C. as well D. as a consequence
17.A. respect B. envy C. know D. support
18. A. what B. how C. why D. who
19.A. past B. same C. first D. next
20.A. courage B. will C. sight D. wisdom
____ to complete the job on time, they set out to work immediately.
A. Being determined B. On having determined C. Determined D. To be determined
To his disappointment, the opinion he had stuck ______ out wrong.
A. to turn B. to turning C. to turned D. to be turned
Hearing the news, she burst into _____ and burst _____ the room.
A. crying; out B. tears; in C. crying; into D. tears; out of
