Last year, I lived in Chile for half a year. I lived with a Chilean family and had the responsibilities of any Chilean teenager. I had good days and bad days I didn’t understand.
Chuquicamata, my host community, is a mining camp. When I arrived there, I was scared. It was so different from what I was used to. There were lots of dogs on the streets, and there was no downtown, few smoothly paved streets, and little to do for entertainment. Rain was not seen very often, earthquakes and windstorms were frequent.
I had studied Spanish for two and a half years and was always one of the best students in my class. But in my first week in Chile I was only able to communicate and needed one person to whom I could explain my shock. I couldn’t speak the thoughts in my head and there were so many.
Most exchange students experience this like me. Culture shock presents itself in everything from increased aggression (敌对心理) towards the people to lack of appetite. I was required to overcome all difficulties.
As time passed, everything changed. I began to forget words in English and to dream in Spanish and love Chilean food. I got used to not depending on expensive things for fun. Fun in Chuquicamata was being with people. And I took math, physics, chemistry, biology, Spanish, art, and philosophy.
But the sacrifices were nothing compared to the gain. I learned how to accept and to succeed in another culture. I now have a deeper understanding of both myself and others.
1.The author came to Chile last year with the purpose of ________.
A. paying a visit to Chile as a tourist
B. experiencing Chilean life as a teacher
C. studying Chilean culture as a college student
D. studying knowledge as an exchange student
2.On arriving in Chile, why did the author feel frightened?
A. Because he did not know how to get along with the local people.
B. Because it was full of dangers like earthquakes and windstorms.
C. Because its living conditions were worse than what he was used to.
D. Because it was not convenient for him to shop there.
3. In the first week in Chile the author ________.
A. was not used to eating Chilean food
B. had some friends to have a chat with
C. couldn’t communicate with people
D. couldn’t express his thoughts in English
4. What did the author most probably think of his life in Chile?
A. Wonderful and worthwhile B. Difficult but meaningful
C. Difficult and meaningless D. Boring and disappointing
5.According to the passage, which of the following statements about Chile is TRUE?
A. its official language is Spanish and English.
B. It is a developing country without foreign students.
C. It seldom rains and natural disasters often happen.
D. Most Chileans are not friendly to foreigners.
On the first day of the sixth grade, I noticed one little girl called Amy on the school bus. “ Don’t 16 her,” warned Lauren, who sat beside me. “or they will make fun of you.”
Amy had many 17 differences - lots of reasons for other kids to make fun of her. Her eyes weren’t straight. Her glasses were an inch thick. And she had really uneven teeth.
Every day 18 we drove to and from school, kids would shout insults(侮辱) at Amy. “God,what a strange face! Stop 19 me!” “Mr. Rolland (the driver)! Amy took off her glasses, and now her eyes are frightening me. 20 her put them back on!” For a while I shouted my 21 of insults, just so I’d fit in. 22 , I didn’t want them to treat me the same way they treated Amy.
But while I was insulting her, my heart 23 for the girl. I could see that the insults were making her look uglier, because she was so 24 and alone. Then I wanted to 25 her. I just didn’t know how to stop my schoolmates - 26 the night of our class roller-skating party.
Our whole class was there, 27 Amy. Amy didn’t know how to skate, but I could see how much she wanted to have 28 like the rest of us. So I skated over to her and took her by the hand. 29 we began the journey together around the skating rink. She just smiled, and every once in a while she would laugh in excitement.
On the school bus the next morning, there was much 30 about Amy and me skating together. But 31 insulted her or me. And they didn’t do that for the rest of the year. I 32 heard from Amy again after the school year. But I’ve always 33 that I changed her life for the better.
She changed my 34 . After becoming her friend, I no longer tried to impress people by trying to 35 like them. I became myself.
1.A. take to |
B. ask about |
C. talk to |
D. account for |
2.A. common |
B. spiritual |
C. social |
D. physical |
3. A. as |
B. unless |
C. after |
D. even if |
4. A. dancing with |
B. looking at |
C. paying off |
D. sticking with |
5.A. Make |
B. Notice |
C. Hear |
D. Watch |
6.A. subject |
B. agreement |
C. view |
D. share |
7.A. At all |
B. After all |
C. Still |
D. Therefore |
8.A. beat |
B. lost |
C. ached |
D. opened |
9.A.unpleasant |
B. ordinary |
C. puzzled |
D. embarrassed |
10. A. devote to |
B. deal with |
C. stand up for |
D. change for |
11.A. until |
B. in |
C. before |
D. after |
12.A. expect |
B. including |
C. together with |
D. away from |
13.A. love |
B. fun |
C. time |
D. freedom |
14.A. Again |
B. Even |
C. Yet |
D. Then |
15.A.information |
B. report |
C. news |
D. reference |
16.A. somebody |
B. everybody |
C. anybody |
D. nobody |
17.A. sometimes |
B. never |
C. often |
D. once |
18. A. hoped |
B. doubted |
C. intended |
D. reminded |
19.A. life |
B. mind |
C. interest |
D. aim |
20.A. think |
B. live |
C. act |
D. work |
_______the people have become masters of their country _______ science can really serve the people.
A. It is only then; that B. It was that; when
C. It is only when; that D. It was when; then
Her new book is about a murder mystery ________ on actual murders that took place in Florida several years ago.
A. having been based B. to be based C. based D. having based
She was reported by the hospital spokesman _____ excellent progress.
A. to make B. to be making C. made D. having made
Words _________ me when I wanted to express my thanks to him. I just held his hands
firmly, choking.
A. left B. encouraged C. reminded D. failed