When I walked into the house after school, the first thing I noticed was a box with items I recognized from my dad’s office.
“What are you doing home already?” I asked casually.
“Andrew, I was laid off today.” he answered quietly.
I was sure he was joking. “No, you weren’t. Why are you really home?”
Then I noticed his seriousness and realized he was telling the truth. My father has always been a hard worker and prided himself on his career. Providing for our family has been his joy, and I guess I had taken his work for granted.
My father’s unemployment created many changes in our lives. For starters, he was home all the time, which meant my bed had to be made, my room cleaned up, and my homework done right after school. I would come home every day to find him at the computer searching for jobs. I began to notice how down he seemed, and how losing his job had affected his self-esteem, though he tried to be optimistic. For the first time, I saw my dad as vulnerable. He asked my brother and me to spend less. I gave up my allowance, which even though it wasn’t much, felt like the right thing to do. I also found a part-time job.
After several difficult months of searching, my dad decided to go in a totally different direction. He explained that he never wanted to be laid off again, so he was going to start his own business. Day by day, I watched him build it, and I admired how much time and energy he expended.
One evening I asked if he needed help.
“Only if it doesn't interfere with school,” he said.
I showed up at his office the next afternoon, and most afternoons after that for two months. I always knew he was a hard worker, but watching him in action really impacted me. Although this was one of the worst experiences for our family, it taught me a lot about dealing with adversity. Now I know that through creative problem-solving, I can always find Plan B, ask for help, and take risks. What I have learned from my dad’s understanding of business and his work ethic are two of the most important lessons I will ever learn, and will be my foundations for success.
1. The author’s father stayed at home because ________.
A. he had to help with the author’s lesson
B. he had been unemployed by his company
C. heavy housework was waiting for him to do
D. he wanted the author know the truth?
2. What made the author know the truth?
A. The box from his dad’s office B. His father’s words
C. His father’s expression D. Being informed by his family
3. The author’s attitude toward his father’s former job was ________.
A. unconcerned B. sympathy C. doubt D. tolerance
4. By saying “Only if it doesn't interfere with school”, the author’s father seemed ________.
A. to refuse the author’s advice on the new business
B. to show his discontent with the author’s schoolwork
C. to have said yes to the author’s offer of help
D. to be looking forward to the author’s good behavior at school
5. It can be inferred from the text that ________.
A. the author’s father was more optimistic to stay at home
B. the author couldn’t put up with his dad’s own business
C. the author’ s father offered little allowance to the author
D. the author benefited from his father on how to deal with adversity
Ⅲ 阅读（共两节。满分40分）
第一节 阅读理解（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C和D项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
A
Do you have any idea what you would like to be and do after graduation? A lot of people don't begin thinking about career until they reach junior or senior year, which, in my opinion, is too late.
When people are trying to decide what they want to do, it helps to know something they love. Ever since I was little, I’ve always been doing someone’s hair, make-up or nails, starting with Barbie dolls and progressing to humans. Over the years my family has really inspired me to do this and now I fix friends’ and family members’ hair for weddings, dances and other big events.
I have been thinking about what I would like to do for a career since middle school. I did some research and discovered that I might really enjoy being a cosmetologist so, I went to my hair stylist and asked her lots of questions about what it takes to reach her level and what she would recommend I do. I considered her advice and then did more research.
I used Aveda’s website to get information on the Aveda Institute and what type of credits(贷款) I would need from high school to apply. I found their institute has three parts: theatrical knowledge, practical experience, and professional business-building skills. For the past few years, I have been looking at Aveda in more and more detail. This school not only offers cosmetology, but also massage therapy(疗法). I grew up in Minnesota(美国北部的一个州), so I plan to apply to the institute in Minneapolis that several people have highly recommended. It helps students become “future industry leaders in hair care, skin care, makeup and total body wellness”. It is affordable and everyone there is friendly and understanding.
Having done the groundwork and thinking about what I’d like to do after high school, I know that I will definitely pursue my dream of becoming a cosmetologist.
1. After reading the text, we can infer the author is interested in ________.
A. traveling abroad B. service business C. social activities D. acting on the stage
2. Why does the author think it’s too late for people to start thinking about careers in junior or senior year?
A. Because he/she began to think about them when very young.
B. Because many people are too old to learn.
C. Because a lot of people can’t grasp the opportunity.
D. Because many people have little they love.
3. We know from the text that a cosmetologist is ________.
A. a chemist working at college B. a person who works in the institute
C. a doctor in a hospital D. a person doing all types of body care for people
4. The author plans to apply to the institute in Minnepolis NOT because ________.
A. the people there are good to others B. some people advise him/her to do so
C. the institute is free of charge D. the institute is helpful to his/her future
5. The author of the text may be a ________.
A. married person B. middle school student
C. college student D. a teacher in an institute
第二节 语法填空（共10小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分）
阅读下面短文，按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求，在空格处填入一个适当的词或使用括号中词语的正确形式填空，并将答案填写在答题卡标号为11-20的相应位置上。
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at Stanford Hospital, I got to know a little girl ____31____(name) Lisa who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion(输血) ____32____ her five-year-old brother, ____33____ had miraculously(奇迹般地) survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies(抗体) needed to fight the ____34____(ill).
The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking ____35____ deep breath and saying, “Yes, I’ll do it ____36____ it can save Lisa.”
As the transfusion progressed, he lay in a bed next to his sister and ____37____(smile), as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale ____38____ his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a shaking voice, “Will I start to die right away?”
How fun it was! ____39____(be) young, the boy had ____40____(misunderstand) the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give her all his blood.
Ⅱ 语言知识及应用（共两节，满分35分）
第一节 完形填空（共10小题；每小题2分，满分20分）
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从21-30各题所给的A、B、C和D项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
Every people has its own ____21____ of saying things, its own special expressions. Many everyday American expressions are based on ____22____.
Red is a hot color. Americans often use it to express heat. They may say they are ____23____ hot about something unfair. When they are red hot they are very ___24____ about something. The small hot tasting peppers(辣椒) found in many Mexican foods are called red hots for their color and their fiery taste. Fast loud music is popular with many people. They may say the music is read hot, ____25__ the kind called Dixieland jazz.
Pink is a lighter kind of red. People sometimes say they are in the pink when they are in ___26__ health. The ____27____ was first used in America at the beginning of the twentieth century. It probably comes from ____28____ that many babies are born with a nice pink color that shows that they are in good health.
Blue is a cool color. The traditional blues music in the United States is the ____29____ of red hot music. Blues is slow, sad and soulful. Duke Ellignton and his orchestra are famous for ____30____ Blues.
21. A. method B. mean C. way D. manners
22. A. colors B. beliefs C. feelings D. loves
23. A. black B. pink C. red D. blue
24. A. happy B. sad C. pleased D. angry
25. A. especially B. specially C. particularly D. chiefly
26. A. poor B. fine C. high D. good
27. A. appearance B. phrase C. idiom D. expression
28. A. the fact B. the thought C. the expression D. the theory
29. A. brother B. opposite C. root D. origin
30. A. developing B. playing C. enjoying D. hearing
第二节 读写任务（共1小题，满分25分）
阅读下面的短文，然后按照要求写一篇150词左右的英语短文：
Anna really wanted to do something significant for her school before she went to college. But she couldn't think of anything meaningful that would influence the lives of her schoolmates.
One day, Anna saw a girl sitting by the school pond crying. Anna went up to her and said, "Are you okay? Is there anything I can do to help?" Anna found out that the girl was in her first year and was having trouble coping with her schoolwork. Then, Anna had an idea. She would start a tutoring group where seniors could help juniors who were struggling in their subjects.
Before long, many seniors volunteered to join Anna's tutoring group. Soon, Anna also started other support groups like "I'm not Alone" which provided counseling for students whose parents had been divorced and "Crime Fighters" where students helped prevent theft. Anna was happy that she made a difference in her peers' lives. She was showered with flowers of appreciation from her friends at her graduation!
[写作内容]
1．以约30个词概括上面短文的主要内容；
2．以约120个词就“帮助他人”这一主题发表你的看法，并包括以下要点：
(1) 你在日常生活和学习中经常帮助别人吗?请举例说明，
(2) 帮助别人之后你有何感想?
(3) 以你的亲身经历说明应该如何去帮助别人?
[写作要求]
你可以使用实例或其他论述方法支持你的论点，也可以参照阅读材料的内容，但不得直接引用原文中的句子。
IV 写作（共两节，满分为40分）
第一节：基础写作（共1小题，满分15分）
假定你是李华。应你的朋友Bob的要求，写一篇短文介绍澳大利亚的基本情况。短文内容须包括下面表格中的相关信息。
|
位置 |
位于太平洋的西侧 |
|
面积 |
760万平方公里，是大洋洲（Oceania）最大的国家 |
|
人口 |
只有1，000多万，多数集中在东部沿海地区 |
|
首都 |
堪培拉（Canberra） |
|
名胜 |
有许多名胜，其中悉尼歌剧院（Opera House）闻名于世。 |
|
其它 |
风景秀丽。2000年奥运会就是在悉尼举行的。 |
注意：
1．只能使用5个句子介绍表格内的内容；
2．标题为“Australia”
3．可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
