I was in a rush as always, but this time it was for an important date I just couldn’t be late for! I found myself at a checkout counter behind an elderly woman seemingly in no hurry as she paid for her groceries. Being a PhD student without a lot of money, I had hurried into the store to pick up some flowers. I was in a huge rush, thinking of my upcoming evening. I did not want to be late for this date
We were in Boston, a place not always known for small conversations between strangers. The woman stopped unloading her basket and looked up at me. She smiled. It was a nice smile—warm and reassuring(令人宽慰的)-and I returned her gift by smiling back.
“Must be a special lady, whoever it is that will be getting those beautiful flowers,” she said.
“Yes, she’s special,” I said, and then to my embarrassment, the words kept coming out. “It’s only our second date, but somehow I am just having the feeling she’s ‘the one,’” jokingly, I added, “The only problem is that I can’t figure out why she’d want to date a guy like me.”
“Well, I think she’s very lucky to have a boyfriend who brings her such lovely flowers and who is obviously in love with her,” the woman said .”My husband used to bring me flowers every week—even when times were tough and we didn’t have much money. Those were incredible days; he was very romantic and—of course— I miss him since he’s passed away.”
I paid for my flowers as she was gathering up her groceries. There was no doubt in my mind as I walked up to her. I touched her on the shoulder and said “You were right, you know. These flowers are indeed for a very special lady.” I handed the flowers and thanked her for such a nice conversation.
It took her a moment to realize that I was giving her the flowers I had just purchased. “May you have a wonderful evening ,”I said. I left het with a big smile and my heart warmed as I saw her smelling the beautiful flowers.
I remember being slightly late for my date that night and telling my girlfriend the above story. A couple of years later, when I finally worked up the courage to ask her to marry me, she told me that this story had helped to seal it for her—that was the night that I won her heart .
41．Why was the writer in a hurry that day?
A. He was to meet his girlfriend. B. He had to go back to school soon.
C. He was delayed by an elderly lady. D. He had to pick up some groceries.
42．What does the underlined phrase “her gift” (Paragraph 2 ) refer to?
A. Her words. B. Her smile. C. Her flowers. D. Her politeness.
43．Why did the writer give his flowers to the elderly lady?
A. She told him a nice story. B. She allowed him to pay first.
C. She gave him encouragement. D. She liked flowers very much.
44．What is the message conveyed in the story?
A. Flowers are important for a date. B. Small talk is helpful.
C. Love and kindness are rewarding. D. Elderly people deserve respecting.
完型填空（每题1.5分,满分30分）
从A B C D 四个选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
James’s New Bicycle
James shook his money box again. Nothing . He carefully __21__the coins that lay on the bed.$24.52 was all that he had. The bicycle he wanted was at least $90. _22___on earth was he going to get the __23___of the money.
He knew that his friends all had bicycles. It was __24__to hang around with people when you were the only one without wheels. He thought about what he could do. There was no __25__asking his parents, for he knew they had no money to __26___.
There was only one way to get money, and that was to __27__ it. He would have to find a job. __28___who would hire him and what could he do? He decided to ask Mr. Clay for advice, who usually had__29___on most things.
“Well, you can start right here,” said Mr. Clay “My windows need cleaning and my car needs washing”
That was the _30__ of James’s odd-job(零工)business. For three months he worked every day after finishing his homework. He was amazed by the __31__of jobs that people found for him to do. He took dogs and babies for walks, cleared out cupboards, and mended books. He lost count of the ___32 __of cars he washed and windows he cleaned, but the ___33___increased and he knew that he would soon have __34__for the bicycle he longed for.
The day __35__came when James counted his money and found $94.32. He _36__no time and went down to the shop to pick up the bicycle he wanted . He rode __37__home, looking forward to showing his new bicycle to his friends. It had been hard ___38___for the money, but James knew that he valued his bicycle far more ____39___he had bought it with his own money. He had ___40___what he thought was impossible, and that was worth even more than the bicycle.
21. A. cleaned B. covered C. counted D. checked
22. A. How B. Why C. Who D. What
23. A. amount B. part C. sum D. rest
24. A. brave B. hard C. smart D. unfair
25. A. point B. reason C. result D. right
26. A. split B. spend C. spare D. save
27. A. borrow B. earn C. raise D. collect
28. A .Or B. So C. For D. But
29. A. decisions B. experience C. opinions D. knowledge
30. A. beginning B. introduction C. requirement D. opening
31. A. similarity B. quality C. suitability D. variety
32. A. brand B. number C. size D. type
33. A. effort B. pressure C. money D. trouble
34. A. all B. enough C. much D. some
35. A. finally B. instantly C. normally D. regularly
36. A. gave B. left C. took D. wasted
37. A. patiently B. proudly C. silently D .tiredly
38. A. applying B. asking C. looking D. working
39. A. since B. if C. than D. though
40. A. deserved B. benefited C. achieved D. learned
-- We’re organizing a party next Saturday, and I’d like you to come.
-- _______! I have another one that day. Thank you just the same.
A. Good luck! B. What a pity! C. Never do it again! D. Well done!
Can you think of a _____ in which you could use this expression.
A. situation B. condition C. state D. matter
– What do you think of the book ?
-- Oh, excellent. It’s worthy ______ a second time.
A. to read B. to be read C. being read D. to being read
It was some time _____ we realized the truth.
A. when B. until C. since D. before
