Once upon a time there was a wise man that used to go to the sea to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down at the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought that someone would dance on the beach. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn’t dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and throwing it into the ocean. As he got closer, he called out, “Good morning! What are you doing?’’
The young man paused, looked up and replied, “Throwing starfishes (海星) in the ocean.”
“I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfishes in the ocean?”
“The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don’t throw them in, they’ll die”.
“But, young man, don’t you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfishes all along it. You can’t possibly make a difference!”
The young man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked another starfish and threw it into the sea, and said, “It made a difference for that one.” There is something very special in each and every one of us. We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can know that gift, we will gain through the strength of our vision of the power to shape the future.
We must each find our starfish. And if we throw our starfish wisely and well, the world will be better.
1.One day, the wise man saw a young man _____.
A. dancing along the beach
B. walking with a dancer
C. picking up starfish for sale
D. trying to save as many starfishes as possible
2.The underlined words “something very special” refers to _____.
A. the gifts from friends
B. the strength of making decision
C. our own starfish
D. the ability to make a difference
3.From the last two paragraphs, we can learn that _____.
A. the wise man realized something new and important
B. the wise man thought it was foolish of the young man to throw starfishes in the ocean
C. the young man had the ability to make a difference
D. it is necessary for us to save starfish on the beach
4.The writer told this story to show us _____.
A. how and where we can write a good article
B. everyone can do something for the future
C. wise men are sometimes stupid
D. young men are in fact wiser than old people
Last night I had the best gift ever.
My older son was reading a detective novel while my younger son was reading fairy tales. They were each in different rooms, engrossed in their books with no TV, music or anything else distracting (使分心) their attention.
I read a lot during my childhood, curling (蜷缩) up in sofa or lying in bed. Like anyone else, I had lots of other interests, but once I discovered reading, I really enjoyed it. I read everything — books, magazines, newspapers, even the back of food packages if there was nothing else to read at the moment. I must thank my parents for their love of reading. Longing for more information and knowledge, my parents were always reading a lot.
Today’s children are provided with a variety of choices. It is so easy for them to become uninterested in reading and to view it as boring, uncool and unnecessary. There are TVs with astonishing choices of programs; there are MP3 players with thousands of songs at their fingertips; there are the Internet and mobile phones.
I’ve told my sons that reading comes with information, understanding and connection, each of which will help them at every stage in their lives now and forever. So when my sons were reading their books last night, I watched them, noticing them put a bookmark into their books. That’s the most amazing gift that I have ever received.
1.The best title for this passage is _____.
A. My Two Sons B. An Amazing Gift
C. My Favorite, Reading D. Let’s Read Together
2.The phrase “engrossed in” in the second paragraph can be replaced by “_____”.
A. connected by B. separated by
C. devoted to D. worried about
3.What does the author think of TVs, MP3 players, the Internet and mobile phones?
A. They are boring, uncool and unnecessary.
B. They are too expensive for a family to afford.
C. They might distract children’s attention.
D. They might enrich children’s lives and make them happy.
4.According to the passage, the author’s best gift is _____.
A. her sons’ love for reading B. reading books alone
C. bookmarks from her sons D. having a happy family
1.You will pay _____ if you want to stay in the English club for half a year.
A. 300 yuan B. 600 yuan C. 1200 yuan D. 2400 yuan
2.You can visit Ocean Museum _____.
A. on Saturday B. on Wednesday C. on Monday D. anytime
3.One can get free examinations in Health Centre if he is _____.
A. 9 B. 17 C. 67 D. 73
4.If you are interested in the life of fish, you should go to _____.
A. Health Centre B. Ocean Museum
C. Sunny English Club D. 16 Yong Le Street
Dear Aunty,
After years of her crying, I finally gave in and allowed my daughter to have a cat. I now regret my decision. As someone needs to have a clean, tidy house, I no longer feel relaxed in my own home. If I tell her, “sorry, the cat has to go.” She will be heartbroken. What can I do?
-Feline Phobic
Dear Phobic,
I’m an animal lover and on your kid’s and cat’s side. Tell your daughter your problem. Ask her to help you come up with a plan. Perhaps you can agree to allow the cat only in certain areas of the house. This is a chance for your daughter to develop the sense of responsibility owning a pet requires.
Dear Aunty,
I got the highest grade on a biology test. Now the popular kids think I’m brainy, and want me in their lab group. I knew I was being used. Now, they want my homework. What should I do?
-Lily
Dear Lily,
Popularity can come at a price, but it’s no excuse to cheat. Offer to help new friends with their homework, but don’t give them yours.
Dear Aunty,
I’m one of six assistants in a dental (牙科的)office. But I’m new there just four months. I’ve tried to join conversations, but they just ignore me. They go shopping together. No one invites me. How can I break into the circle?
-Crystal
Dear Crystal,
Humans run in packs like dogs. When a new dog enters the pack, a lot of discovery goes on. So bring cookies for everyone! Then try making friends with one co-worker. Invite her to lunch. When you get familiar with each other, tell her how hard you’re finding the situation at work. Chances are, she’ll take you under her wing.
1.Aunty thinks that Phobic should _____.
A. try to persuade her daughter to give in
B. spend more time cleaning the house
C. ask her daughter to help tidy up
D. find a better way to keep the cat
2.The underlined word “brainy” in the passage means _____.
A. excited B. friendly C. intelligent D. hard-working
3.According to the passage, _____.
A. Phobic can’t get along well with her daughter
B. Aunty is fond of animals like cats
C. Crystal’s coworkers are cheating her
D. Lily has no interest in lab experiments
A boy selling magazines walked up to a house people seldom visited. The house was old and the owner 36 came out. When he did come out he wouldn’t say hello to anybody 37 simply stared at them.
The boy knocked on the door and 38 . As he was ready to 39 away, the door slowly opened. “What do you want?” the old man said.
“Uh, sir, I’m selling these magazines and I was 40 if you’d like to buy one.” The old man 41 stared at the boy. The boy could see the inside of the house and 42 some dog figurines（小雕像）. “Do you 43 dogs?” the boy asked. “Yes, I do. They’re my family here and they’re all I have.” The boy felt sorry for the man, as he seemed to be very 44 . “I’ve a magazine here for collectors. It’s perfect for you. I also have one about dogs since you like dogs so much.” But the old man said, “I need 45 of the magazines, now goodbye.”
The boy was sad. He went home and then an idea 46 to him. He had a little dog figurine. He walked back to the old man’s house with the 47 . He knocked on the door again and this time the old man came right to the door. “Boy, I 48 I told you no magazines.”
“No, sir. I know that. I wanted to bring you a 49 . ” The boy handed him the figurine and the old man’s face 50 . “It’s a Golden Retriever. I have one at home. This one is 51 you.” The old man was 52 ; no one had ever shown him so much 53 . “Boy, you have a kind 54 . Thank you!” From that day on the old man 55 coming out of the house and talking with people.
1.A. hardly B. never C. regularly D. nearly
2.A. so B. when C. as D. but
3.A. hurried B. left C. remained D. waited
4.A. walk B. run C. escape D. drive
5.A. doubting B. wondering C. saying D. hoping
6.A. ever B. yet C. just D. still
7.A. loved B. sensed C. noticed D. contacted
8.A. help B. collect C. raise D. like
9.A. alone B. cruel C. lonely D. terrible
10.A. nothing B. none C. either D. some
11.A. happened B. brought C. reached D. occurred
12.A. fear B. magazine C. idea D. figurine
13.A. imagined B. thought C. wished D. expected
14.A. friend B. gift C. dog D. book
15.A. lit up B. went up C. grew up D. turned up
16.A. for B. on C. with D. in
17.A. calm B. encouraged C. disappointed D. surprised
18.A. pity B. happiness C. politeness D. kindness
19.A. eye B. heart C. hand D. head
20.A. continued B. avoided C. started D. risked
The boy was saved because the doctor arrived there _____ it was too late.
A. before B. since C. or D. while
