He met her at a party. She was outstanding; many guys were after her, but nobody paid any attention to him. After the party, he invited her for coffee. She was surprised, so as not to appear rude, she went along.
As they sat in a nice coffee shop, he was too nervous to say anything and she felt uncomfortable. Suddenly, he asked the waiter, “Could you please give me some salt? I'd like to put it in my coffee."
They stared at him. He turned red, but when the salt came, he put it in his coffee and drank. Curious, she asked, "Why salt with coffee?" He explained, "When I was a little boy, I lived near the sea. I liked playing on the sea.I could feel it salty, like salty coffee. Now every time I drink it, I think of my childhood and my hometown. I miss it and my parents, who are still there."
She was deeply moved. A man who can admit that he's homesick must love his home and care about his family. He must be responsible
. She talked too, about her faraway hometown, her childhood, her family. That was the start to their love story.
They continued to date. She found that he met all her requirements. He was tolerant, kind, warm and careful. And to think she would have missed the catch if not for the salty coffee! So they married and lived happily together. And every time she made coffee for him, she put in some salt, the way he liked it.
After 40 years, he passed away and left her a letter which said:
My dearest, please forgive my life-long lie. Remember the first time we dated? I was so nervous that I asked for salt instead of sugar. It was hard for me to ask for a change, so I just went ahead. I never thought that we would hit it off. Many times, I tried to tell you the truth, but I was afraid that it would ruin everything.
Sweetheart, I don't exactly like salty coffee. But as it mattered so much to you, I've learnt to enjoy it. Having you with me was my greatest happiness. If I could live a second time, I hope we can be together again, even if it means that I have to drink salty coffee for the rest of my life.
1.Why the man asked for some salt?
A. Because he missed his hometown and his family.
B. Because he want to catch the attention of the lady.
C. Because he was nervous.
D. Because he liked the taste of salty coffee.
2.What can be inferred from the passage?
A. The man liked to drink a cup of salty coffee.
B. The man was good at making a lie.
C. The man missed his family very much.
D. The man loved the lady very much.
3.The best title for the passage might be _____.
A. a life-long lie B. salty coffee
C. a mistake for love D. a homesick man
Are you a man or a mouse? When people ask this question they want to know you think you are a person or a coward (懦夫). But you will never really know the answer to this question you are tested in real life. Some people they are brave but when they come face to face with real , they act like cowards. Others think of themselves as cowards, but when they meet danger, they act like .
Lenny had always thought of himself as a person. He got worried before examinations. He worried about his job and health. All he wanted in life was to be safe and healthy. , on January 15th, 2002, a plane crashed into the Potomac River in Washington. Lenny went to the river to see what was happening. He saw a woman in the water. Lenny did not feel afraid. He kept very and did a very dangerous thing. He jumped into the river, to the woman, and kept her head the water. Seventy-eight people died that day. Thanks to Lenny, it was not .
When you are in a very situation and feel afraid, the body automatically produces a chemical in the blood. The chemical is called adrenalin (肾上腺素). adrenalin in the blood system, you actually feel stronger and stronger and are to fight or run away. However, when you are absolutely terrified (or completely afraid), the body can produce too much adrenalin. When this , the muscles become very hard and you find you go at all. You are then paralyzed (使无能为力) with fear. This is when we are very frightened, we sometimes say we’re “petrified”. This word comes from the Greek word “petros”, which means “stone”. We are frightened that we become stonelike.
1.A. how B. neither C. whether D. either
2.A. brave B. real C. hard D. certain
3.A. when B. until C. after D. once
4.A. realize B. find C. think D. agree
5.A. life B. question C. mouse D. danger
6.A. soldiers B. mice C. heroes D. cowards
7.A. useful B. brave C. nervous D. bored
8.A. So B. Therefore C. Then D. Actually
9.A. fresh B. poisonous C. warm D. ice-cold
10.A. nervous B. calm C. fri
ghtened D. excited
11.A. went B. helped C. spoke D. swam
12.A. in B. under C. above D. from
13.A. an accident B. a mistake C. seventy-eight D. seventy-nine
14.A. dangerous B. comfortable C. different D. interesting
15.A. With B. Without C. For D. Like
16.A. afraid B. unable C. ready D. anxious
17.A. gets B. disappears C. happens D. goes
18.A. needn’t B. can’t C. mustn’t D. shouldn’t
19.A. where B. how C. because D. why
20.A. really B. very C. such D. so
---Are you kind enough to open the door for me?
---_________________.
A.My pleasure B.That’s all tight C.Take it easy. D.With pleasure.
The dog had such ______ to his master that it would not leave him, even when he was dead.
A.invitation B.attention C.protection D.devotion
---who______it be that is knocking at the door?
---It_______be Father, but I’m not sure.
A.can, must B.can, may C.must, can D.may, must
Though _____ of the danger of hiking in such weather, the young men still wouldn’t give up their plan.
A. reminding B. reminded
C. being reminded D. having reminded
