Many years ago my student asked me the question, “Mrs. Kindred, why do you teach?” Without taking time to reflect, I answered ,“Because someday I might say something that might make a difference in someone’s life.” Even though I was sincere, that wasn’t a very good answer and my student didn’t let it slide.
“Let me get this straight,” he said, “You went to college for four years so you could come here every day because you have the hope that someday you might say something that will influence someone?” He shook his head as if I were crazy and walked away looking confused. I’m one of those people who look back and wish they had said something smart or witty, or swift.
Even though that particular student might no longer wonder why I teach, there are days when I wonder. On those days, I remind myself of the real reasons I teach:
It’s in my blood. My mother was my most influential teacher, and she was a 6th grade reading teacher until her death in 1990. She instilled(逐渐灌输)in me a love of reading and the knowledge that education opens doors.
Teaching is a way to make a difference. If you throw a stone in a pond the ripples(波纹) go on and on until they reach the shore. You can’t have ripples without a “stone.” Good teachers throw stones that make a positive difference, and that’s what I strive to do.
I genuinely love teenagers. I want to share with others what I know and what I have learned through the years. Life is full of ups and downs, and if I can help students avoid some potholes on the road of life, I want to do so. If they’ll allow me to celebrate their victories with them, I want to do too. Teaching isn’t for everyone, but I know I made the right career choice.
1. Why did the student continue to ask the question about the writer’s being a teacher?
A.Because he thought her answer was unbelievable.
B.Because the writer was insincere.
C.Because the student was naughty.
D.Because the answer was difficult to understand.
2. According to the text, which of the following is NOT true?
A.The writer’s mother has the greatest influence on her.
B.The writer’s answer made the student confused.
C.In the writer’s opinion, some people in the world are unfit to teach.
D.The writer annoyed the student who asked the question.
3. We can infer from the text that .
A.the writer was also a good teacher in school
B.the writer often plays with her students beside a pond
C.the writer devotes herself to teaching and her students
D.the writer often accompanies the students on their way home.
You Are Going Places
I work at a local restaurant in town as cashier, seater and waiter.
I went to work feeling 1. . And to make things worse, I was busy that evening.
It’s the same thing over and over again. 2. with customers who complain about their
food and where they are 3. is too big or too small. Little things like that tend to 4.
a lot of us 5. but we manage to deal with it.
Three elderly ladies walked in and sat by the windows. It happened to be the very 6.
near where I keep the dirty 7. in the boxes. Trying to keep up with all the dirty tables,
customers leaving and coming in and 8. running all over the house, it was crazy. 9.
these elderly women were watching 10. I was working to make sure every table was clean
and ready for the next customers.
When they 11. their meals, I took their plates back to the kitchen. They talked to me
for a while about school, how I was doing, what 12. I was in and what I planned to do in
the future.
13. they were leaving, they walked past me and one of them said to me in a 14.
and gentle voice, “You are going places. And that was it.” They left the 15. and I had tears
in my eyes, because they gave me 16. to believe in myself. They 17. my spirit from
being down and gave me a 18. to keep on working hard.
People used to tell me that I couldn’t have a career in 19. until I had a degree. I’m now
a co-anchor(联合支持人)of a student-produced television 20. . And the best thing is:
I’m only 17 years old and I am a senior in high school.
21. A.tired B.excited C.up D.down
22. A.Dealing B.Helping C.Talking D.Meeting
23. A.sat B.seated C.laid D.seating
24. A.attract B.avoid C.adjust D.annoy
25. A.employees B.customers C.bosses D.employers
26. A.table B.box C.spot D.kitchen
27. A.dishes B.rooms C.clothes D.chairs
28. A.men B.women C.servers D.people
29. A.And B.Or C.But D.So
30. A.what B.how C.where D.why
31. A.finished B.completed C.ordered D.got
32. A.place B.grade C.mark D.position
33. A.Before B.While C.As D.After
34. A.confident B.loud C.low D.pleasant
35. A.kitchen B.house C.restaurant D.table
36. A.ability B.courage C.imagination D.time
37. A.put down B.picked up C.took over D.pointed out
38. A.cause B.reason C.present D.permission
39. A.television B.government C.school D.restaurant
40. A.company B.station C.show D.advertisement
Food safety is one of the problems now all over the world.
A.discussed B.to be discussed
C.being discussed D.having been discussed
What worried me most was to go abroad alone
A.my not allowing B.having not allowed
C.my being not allowed D.my not being allowed
When seeing the snake, she a scream.
A.gave out B.gave away C.let go D.let out
No matter how bright a talker you are, there are times when it’s better silent.
A.remain B.to remain C.having remained D.to be remained