Catherine and I were on our way to our nephew’s birthday party one rainy Saturday morning, driving along what some people call moose(驼鹿) alley. It was early, there were few other cars on the road and we were looking forward to a good day with the family. Suddenly, a moose rushed across our path. Fortunately, a quick swerve(突然转向) to the other lane prevented a full impact, with only a small collision on the right side of our car ripping off the mirror and knocking the moose to the pavement.
By the time I stopped and looked back in my rear view mirror, the moose was getting up. It ran into the bush. Shaken but unharmed, we both looked at each other shocked by what had happened. We knew that moose accidents had claimed many lives throughout the years, and that we had been very fortunate to escape with no personal injury or worse. After a quick check of our vehicle, we drove off.
Even though the moose accident lasted just a few seconds, we still remember it to this day. Why?
We had often talked about the frailty of life, the here today and gone tomorrow potential we all face, but it had never felt so real. And it wasn’t that we hadn’t had friends, relatives and colleagues die before, it was that this experience was much more personal. In a matter of seconds, lives can easily change.
The effect of that one near miss with death has been positive, and made us appreciate life. Each one of us has only a limited time on this Earth; no one can predict when your time will end. We should give thanks for each day, to see the sun rise again, and to know that you can accomplish and assist others to appreciate their life if they are caught in the “poor-me” syndrome(综合症状).
1.What can we learn about the accident form the first two paragraphs?
A.Fortunately, they didn’t hit the moose.
B.They themselves were slightly injured.
C.Many people have died from similar accidents.
D.The author should be blamed for the accident.
2.What did the accident teach the author?
A.Being open to unexpected turns in life is important.
B.Life is long if you know how to use it.
C.Life is measured by thoughts and actions, not by time.
D.Life is unpredictable, so we should treasure every moment.
3.How should we spend every day according to the author?
a. being thankful and helpful
b. appreciating the natural beauty of the world
c. being confident
d. making every effort to succeed
A.ab B.bc C.abc D.bcd
完形填空(共20小题;每小题2分,满分40分)
At the age of 13, I was angry and rebellious(叛逆的),with little regard for anything my parents had to say, 1 if it had to do with me. 2 so many teenagers, I struggled to escape from anything that didn’t 3 my picture of the world. A “brilliant without need of guidance” kid, I 4 any open offering of love. In fact, I got 5 at the mention of the word love.
One night, after a particularly 6 day, I stormed into my room, shut the door and got into bed. 7 I lay down in the privacy of my bed, my hands slipped under my pillow. There was a(n) 8 . I pulled it out and on the envelope it 9 “To read when you’re 10 ”.
Since I was alone, no one would know whether I read it or not, so I 11 it. It said: “Mike, I know life is hard right now, I know you are frustrated and I know we don’t do everything right. I also know that I love you completely and 12 you do or say will ever change that. I am here 13 you if you ever need to talk, and if you don’t, that’s 14 . Just know that 15 where you go or what you do in your life, I will always love you and be proud that you are my son. Love, Mom.”
That was the 16 of several “To read when you’re alone” letters. They were 17 mentioned until I was an adult. In the midst of my turbulent(不安分的)teen years, the letters were the calm assurance that I could be 18 in spite of my rebelliousness. Just before I fell asleep I thanked God that my mom knew what I, an angry teenager, 19 . Today when the seas of life get stormy, I know that just under my 20 there is that calm assurance that love — consistent, enduring, unconditional love — changes lives.
1. A.similarly B.particularly C.eventually D.only
2. A.With B.Besides C.Like D.Among
3. A.relate to B.allow for C.pick up D.agree with
4. A.rejected B.missed C.received D.appreciated
5. A.curious B.nervous C.excited D.angry
6. A.difficult B.joyful C.peaceful D.ordinary
7. A.So B.Since C.As D.Before
8. A.message B.magazine C.book D.envelope
9. A.wrote B.said C.warned D.spelled
10. A.lonely B.awake C.alone D.tired
11. A.folded B.opened C.examined D.answered
12. A.everything B.anything C.something D.nothing
13. A.beyond B.except C.for D.against
14. A.okay B.possible C.bad D.disappointing
15. A.as long as B.no matter C.in case D.only if
16. A.best B.unique C.last D.first
17. A.never B.seldom C.frequently D.sometimes
18. A.waited B.trusted C.loved D.praised
19. A.needed B.expected C.understood D.achieved
20. A.desk B.pillow C.bed D.feet
—Could we put off the party?
— , I’m afraid, this is the only day everyone is available.
A.Not likely B.Not exactly C.Not nearly D.Not really
Anirban Maitra, a professor at Oxford University, Jack’s success would not have been possible.
A.If it weren’t for B.Were it not for
C.Had it not been for D.If it hasn’t been for
Though in fact he got , there was no doubt that he had meant to offer help.
A.in a way B.in the way C.on the way D.by the way
Lucy’s new job paid twice as much as she had made in the restaurant.
A.working B.work C.to work D.worked