For years I wanted a flower garden. I’d spend hours thinking of different things I could plant that would look nice together.
But then we had Matthew. And Marvin. And the twins, Alisa and Alan. And then Helen. Five children. I was too busy raising them to grow a garden.
Money was tight, as well as time. Often when my children were little, one of them would want something that cost too much, and I'd have to say, “Do you see a money tree outside? Money doesn't grow on trees, you know.”
Finally, all five got through high school and college and were off on their own. I started thinking again about having a garden.
I wasn't sure, though. I mean, gardens do cost money, and after all these years I was used to living on a pretty lean, no-frills budget.
Then, one spring morning, on Mother's Day, I was working in my kitchen. Suddenly, I realized that cars were tooting their horns as they drove by. I looked out the window and there was a new tree, planted right in my yard. I thought it must be a weeping willow, because I saw things blowing around on all its branches. Then I put my glasses on — and I couldn't believe what I saw. There was a money tree in my yard!
I went outside to look. It was true! There were dollar bills, one hundred of them, taped all over that tree. Think of all the garden flowers I could buy with one hundred dollars! There was also a note attached: “IOU eight hours of digging time. Love, Marvin.”
Marvin kept his promise, too. He dug up a nice ten-by-fifteen foot bed for me. And my other children bought me tools, ornaments, a trellis (棚架), a sunflower stepping stone and gardening books.
That was three years ago. My garden's now very pretty, just like I wanted. When I go out and weed or tend my flowers, I don't seem to miss my children as much as I once did. It feels like they're right there with me.
I live up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where winters are long and cold, and summers are too short. But every year now, when winter sets in, I look out my window and think of the flowers I'll see next spring in my little garden. I think about what my children did for me, and I get tears in my eyes — every time.
I'm still not sure that money grows on trees. But I know love does!
1．By saying “Do you see a money tree outside .….,” the mother actually means “_______”
A．Observation is the best teacher. B．Seeing is believing.
C．The outsider sees the most of the game. D．It is not easy to gain money
2．The best title for the passage would probably be_______.
A．My flower garden B．Marvin helps to realize my dream
C．Love in Michigan D．Money grows on trees
3．The underlined word “no - frills” in the fifth paragraph is similar in meaning to_______.
A．wasteful B．tight C．absurd D．helpful
4．From the last two paragraphs we can infer that the mother is_______
A．divorced when she was young
B．not caring for her kids any longer
C．alone but not at all lonely
D．prouder with her garden than with her kids.
第三部分：阅读理解（共20小题，每小题2分，满分40分）
It’s only 4 hours flying time from Sydney, but a world away. What better place to rest than a country where the only place people hurry is on the football field and things are done in “Fiji time”?
Viti Levu—Great Fiji—is the largest island. Here you’ll find the capital Suva and the international airport at Nadi. Vatoa, on the other hand, is a tiny island in the farthest part of Fiji. Then there are 331 other islands, many of them with places to stay.
With less than a million people living on islands, you’ll never feel crowded. And with a climate that changes only for five degrees between seasons, there’s never a bad time to come.
From cities to villages, from mountains to beaches, from water sports to wooden artworks, Fiji can give you more adventures and special experiences than you could find almost anywhere in the world.
Whenever you come, wherever you go, you’re sure to see some unforgettable events. From war dances to religious songs. From market days to religious days. It’s not just staged for tourists; it’s still a part of everyday life in Fiji. And any one of us can enjoy Fiji’s spirit by being part of the traditional sharing of yaqona, a drink made from the root of a Fiji plant.
So Why not join us for the experience of a lifetime?
1. Where is the international airport of Fiji?
A. In Suva. B. In Sydney. C. On the island of Vatoa. D. On the island of Viti Levu.
2. One of the things that make Fiji a tourist attraction is _______.
A. its comfortable hotels B. its good weather all year round
C. its exciting football matches D. its religious beliefs
3. Where can we most probably read this text?
A. In a personal diary. B. In a science report.
C. In a travel magazine. D. In a geography textbook.
第二节：完形填空（共20小题，每小题1.5分，满分30分）
My brother-in-law lifted out a package in which was delicate lingerie（女式内衣）“Jan bought it 8 years ago 36 she never wore it. She was 37 it for a special occasion.” He put it with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician（殡仪员）. “Don't save anything for a special occasion. Every day when you're 38 is a special gift.” he said.
I remembered those words through the funeral（葬礼）and the days that followed when I helped with all the chores after Jan's sudden 39 . I thought about them on the plane returning to California. I'm 40 thinking about his words, and they've 41 my attitude towards life. I'm admiring the view 42 worrying about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and 43 time in committee meetings.
Whenever possible, life should be an experience to 44 , not tolerate. I'm trying to recognize these moments and 45 them. “Someday” and “one of these days” are 46 from my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now. I'm not sure what my sister would have done if she had known she wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all __47__ for granted. I think she would have gone out for her favorite Chinese food. She might have called a few former friends to apologize for past 48 . I'm guessing — I'll 49 know.
It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that my hours were __50__ . Angry because I 51 seeing good friends I was going to get in touch with — someday. Angry and __52__ that I didn't tell my husband and daughter often enough how much I truly love them.
I'm trying not to put off, or save anything that would add 53 and color to our lives. Every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself it is 54 . Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a（n） 55 from God.
36. A. and B. so C. as D. but
37. A. buying B. saving C. leaving D. remaining
38. A. happy B. healthy C. alive D. successful
39. A. separation B. death C. disease D. treatment
40. A. still B. also C. even D. therefore
41. A. changed B. spoiled C. shaped D. held
42. A. beyond B. besides C. without D. over
43. A. most B. little C. more D. less
44. A. enjoy B. share C. control D. choose
45. A. ignore B. value C. stress D. remember
46. A. disappearing B. escaping C. coming D. leaving
47. A. find B. think C. take D. make
48. A. affairs B. quarrels C. hardships D. memories
49. A. surely B. always C. ever D. never
50. A. endless B. abundant C. valuable D. limited
51. A. called off B. gave off C. put off D. took off
52. A. sorry B. disappointed C. shameful D. embarrassed
53. A. value B. laughter C. imagination D. freedom
54. A. common B. unforgettable C. special D. similar
55. A. offer B. promise C. smile D. gift
—How are things with you?
—_______. I now make enough money to pay the bills and keep food on the table.
A. From bad to worse B. Can’t complain C. Too bad D. Too good
That gentleman, yes, you, once again, _______?
A. may I ask B. will you C. isn’t it D. am I right
— I believe the new manager is easy to get along with.
— Don’t be so sure. Judge not of men and things _______.
A. on the whole B. at first sight C. from then on D. by the way
