I once had a friend that was diagnosed with terminal cancer(晚期癌症), and the news that he might only live up to six months was a great shock to him, his family, and his friends.However, in spite of the serious illness, he was initially determined to look into all available treatments that might cure or extend his life.I think that when you find yourself in such situations, you tend to look up every possible way for hope of saving your life.
As months went on and his health grew worse, I noticed an unexpected change in attitude that came over him.He had also been a happy person with a cheerful personality, but rather than give in to discouragement and self-pity, he took comfort in God and humanity(人性).His talks focused on others rather than himself, and he spoke of the afterlife as something he was prepared for, believing that his concerned ancestors, including his mother and father, were there waiting for him.
During the last few months, weeks, and days of his life, he was kindly cared for by family, friends, his loving wife, who looked after both his physical and emotional needs, and workers from a local hospice (安养院) came to the home to regulate(调节) his medication (药)and provide any other needed support.He didn't complain about his fate, and he willingly allowed others to serve him.
Indeed, one might think why God allows death and suffering in our world, but for me, such experiences taught me to value family more and kindness for others.You often can't learn these important attributes(属性)in the lap of luxury(处在优裕舒适的环境中), and perhaps, such an experience is the greatest and final gift the illness can give those left behind.
1.Which word can best describe the man's initial(最初的) reaction as soon as he was diagnosed with cancer?
A.Satisfied. B.Sad C.Surprised D.Concerned.
2.What did the man do after he first learned of his illness?
A.He was operated on immediately.
B.He researched cancer treatments.
C.He retired from his job
D.He felt sad, doing nothing.
3.What was the man's main source of comfort after several months with the disease?
A.His family and friends. B.The care from others
C.His doctors’ encouragement. D.His belief in humanity.
4.What did the author learn from his friend’s story?
A.Getting comfort from God.
B.Extending life as possible.
C.Caring for yourself and enjoying luxury.
D.Giving more respect to friends
One day while shopping in a small town in southern California,it was my misfortune to be approached by a clerk whose personality conflicted with mine. He seemed most unfriendly and not at all concerned about my intended purchase. I bought nothing,and marched angrily out of the store. My hostility(敌意) toward that clerk increased with each step.
On the outside,standing by the road,was a darkskinned young man in his early twenties. His expressive brown eyes met and held mine,and in the next instant a beautiful, dazzling(给人印象深刻的) smile covered his face. I gave way immediately. The magnetic(磁力的) power of that smile dissolved (溶解)all bitterness within me,and I found the muscles in my own face happily responding(回应).
“Beautiful day,isn't it?”I remarked,in passing. Then,I turned back.“I really owe you a debt of gratitude(感谢),”I said softly.
His smile deepened, but he made no attempt to answer.A Mexican woman and two men were standing nearby.The woman stepped forward and volunteered, "Sir, but he doesn't speak English.Do you want me to tell him something?" In that moment I felt transformed(改变).The young man's smile had made a big person of me.My friendliness and good will toward all mankind stood ten feet tall.
"Thank you?" The woman seemed slightly puzzled.
I gave her arm a friendly pat as I turned to leave."Just tell him that," I insisted."He'll understand.I am sure !"
Oh, what a smile can do! Although I have never seen that young man again, I shall never forget the lesson he taught me that morning.From that day on, I became smile-conscious, and I practice the art anywhere and everywhere, with everybody.
1.Why did the author leave the store angrily?
A.The clerk treated him unkindly. B.He couldn't buy what he wanted.
C.The clerk didn't speak English. D.The store's goods were too dear.
2.By saying "I felt the muscles(肌肉) in my own face happily responding" (in Paragraph 2), the author means __.
A.he was still angry B.he did not want to smile
C.he would thank the young man D.he smiled back at the young man
3.The author asked the woman to say "Thank you!" to the young man because the young man_____.
A.had helped the author before B.taught the author how to smile
C.was a kind employee of the store D.taught the author a valuable lesson
4.In the passage, the author seems to suggest that we should __ ___.
A.be generous to strangers B.practice smiling every day
C.smile at other people D.help people in trouble
Many Tuesday mornings. I have coffee with my father. Although my father is a man of few words, I really 1 the time along with him.
One recent Tuesday, I found it a bit 2 when I rang the doorbell, no one seemed to be home. I climbed in through the window, noticing the lights that shone from the kitchen, and 3 that my dad must be there, but he wasn’t. I 4 through his home, checking every room. I tried not to 5 . Yet, upstairs, downstairs, no Dad anywhere.
I was worried . 6 , my father was seventy-one years old. Anything could have happened to him. Then, I got in my car and drove to my mother’s aerobics(有氧运动)class.
On the drive, I thought a lot about my father and our 7 together. Suddenly, I was three years old and he was 8 me up to the living room window to see the Christmas lights. In his 9 , I was safe and secure. At age ten, he used to wake me up with warm breakfast in bed. Then I was twelve and my dad was 10 all the kids at my birthday party with his magic tricks. I was so 11 of my father for being so 12 and talented. He’d made my party a 13 .
As I entered my mother’s class. I was nervous. My mom looked at me in 14.
“Mom, where’s Dad?” I asked, “He’s working in the 15 on the side of the house!” she answered.
And I hurried to my car and 16 back to the yard. “Hey, Dad!” I yelled out and told him about my fears of the last half hour. My dad 17 laughing his typical laugh that was always 18 . I was so thankful that I still had my daddy. And so , as I 19 the door to my father’s house, we went inside for our usual cup of coffee.
Thanks, Daddy, for all the 20 and more importantly, for all your love.
1. A.dislike B.share C.get D.enjoy
2. A.dangerous B.unusual C.joyful D.relaxing
3. A.decided B.hoped C.expected D.wondered
4. A.lived B.pulled C.hurried D.came
5. A.cry B.panic C.believe D.confirm
6. A.Above all B.In all C.After all D.For all
7. A.journey B.family C.interest D.past
8. A.holding B.picking C.calling D.bringing
9. A.heart B.chest C.eyes D.arms
10. A.amazing B.cheating C.inviting D.providing
11. A.sure B.aware C.proud D.afraid
12. A.honest B.special C.lucky D.practical
13. A.feast B.prize C.secret D.success
14. A.anger B.worry C.sorrow D.surprise
15. A.yard B.kitchen C.room D.home
16. A.fought B.raced(疾驰) C.looked D.fled
17. A.kept B.remembered C.began D.stopped
18. A.bitter B.simple C.familiar D.tight
19. A.closed B.unlocked C.kicked D.knocked
20. A.memories B.chances C.assistance D.advice
—Do you let your kids travel by themselves at night?
—________! It couldn’t be more dangerous.
A.Of course B.Not at all C.Absolutely not D.I’m not sure.
-What do you think of the party last night?
-Wonderful! It’s years I enjoyed myself so much.
A.after B.when C.before D.since
This part of the library is only ______ to people over eighteen years old.
A.academic B.available C.attractive D.accessible