The morning had been a disaster.My tooth was aching, and I’d been in an argument with a friend.Her words still hurt, “The trouble with you is that you won’t put yourself in my place.Can’t you see things from my point of view?” I shook my head stubbornly---and felt the ache in my tooth.I’d thought I could hold out till my dentist came back from holiday, but the pain was really unbearable.I started calling the dentists in the phone book, but no one could see me immediately.Finally, at about lunchtime, l got lucky.
“If you come by right now,” the receptionist said, “the dentist will fit you in.”
I took my purse and keys and rushed to my car.But suddenly I began to doubt about the dentist.What kind of dentist would be so eager to treat someone at such short notice? Why wasn’t he as busy as the others?
In the dentist’s office, I sat down and looked around.I saw nothing but the bare walls and I became even more worried.The assistant noticed my nervousness and placed her warm hand over my ice-cold one.
When I told her my fears, she laughed and said, “Don’t worry.The dentist is very good.”
“How long do I have to wait for him?” I asked impatiently.
“Come on, he is coming.Just lie down and relax.And enjoy the artwork,” the assistant said,“The artwork?” I was puzzled.
The chair went back.Suddenly I smiled.There was a beautiful picture, right where I could enjoy it: on the ceiling.How considerate the dentist was! At that moment, l began to understand what my friend meant by her words.
What a relief!
1.Which of the following best describes the author’s feeling that morning?
A. Cheerful. B. Nervous. C. Satisfied. D. Upset.
2.What made the author begin to doubt about the dentist?
A. The dentist’s agreeing to treat her at very short notice.
B. The dentist’s being as busy as the other dentists.
C. The surroundings of the dentist’s office.
D. The laughing assistant of the dentist.
3.What does the author want to tell us in the text?
A. Strike while the iron is hot.
B. Have a good word for one’s friend.
C. Put yourself in others’ shoes.
D. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
General Airport Tips
Plan to get to the airport at least an hour early, or two during holidays and other busy times; this will reduce the stress of the flight.If all goes well, you will have time to relax, shop for last-minute items, or have a meal before the flight.
Flight Delays
Find out why your flight is delayed.Call the free call numbers.Find out if other airlines are experiencing similar delays.If you believe the delay is due to something other than weather or air traffic problems, then mention your suspicion (怀疑) and ask the airline agent to book you on the next available flight, either on the same air-line or a competing one.This is called "Rule 240", and all airlines are required to do it.Use the lingo (行话); ask, "Can you 240 me?" when speaking with an agent.They will know what you mean.
Flight Cancellations(取消)
If your flight is canceled, then make a reservation on the next flight to your destination.Usually, air-line officials will try to book everyone on their next flight out.Often they will put you on a competitor's next flight only if you request it.
Getting bumped(不能登机)
To avoid getting bumped, you must be at the loading gate at least 10 minutes ahead of scheduled departure for a U.S. Flight, 20 minutes to /from Bahamas, Canada, and Mexico and 30 to/ from all other international points.You must be at the loading gate, not the airport entrance.
1.By arriving at the airport earlier, one can _______.
A. get on the airplane immediately
B. reduce the pressure of the flight
C. have a good rest in the airplane
D. buy what he wants in the airport
2.If a person calls "Rule 240", he wants to _______.
A. make sure the time for the next plane
B. get a ticket for the next flight
C. know if other flights are also delayed
D. ask about the cause of the plane delay
3.People heading for Germany must be at the loading gate at least__________.
A.40 minutes ahead of time
B.20 minutes ahead of time
C.30 minutes ahead of time
D.10 minutes ahead of time
4.The purpose in writing this text is to________.
A. show us how to get on a plane
B. tell us what to do before and after a flight
C. put forward suggestions for a flight
D. give us advice on dealing with airlines
I was walking in my school campus from my office to my car at about 9 p.m. On the way, I ran into a who was obviously lost. He asked me for , saying he needed to get to East Palo Alto. But the was that he was walking the complete opposite direction!
I him in the correct direction, but warned him it was a long way off. He didn't speak English very well, and generally seemed without of direction. I quickly felt like helping him. he was a big guy, I got the impression that he was .
I sent him on his way, and I walked away towards my car. Just as he was going out of a short way, something in me clicked, and I offered him a . He gratefully accepted, and he to show me his ID. I declined, but my hand and introduced myself. He said his name was Mario.
Mario followed me to my car. When I unlocked the passenger door for him, he didn't get in I assured him it was fine. As we sat in the car together, I suddenly got . “If this guy wanted, he could hurt me and take my car”, I calling my brother as a safety precaution (预防措施), but then I felt determined not to feel scared.
Mario and I got into some . He told me about his family in Mexico, how he works doesn't ever earn enough, how he live near Fresno and work on the farms but now earns more in the Bay Area. It was good talking to him, though I couldn't shake the nervousness completely. I asking him questions that would give me clues as to whether he was being truthful.
When we got into East Palo Alto, I pulled into a gas station and told him it was as as I could take him. He quickly got out and me several times, saying he could find his way home from there.
Thinking back on it, I am glad to give a ride to Mario. Although it was , I think such things should be done without fear, or not at all. I wouldn't say I'd pick up a hitchhiker(搭车人)again, but I know that if I did, I would make sure I could offer more love and less fear.
1.A. friend B. stranger C. teacher D. beggar
2.A. money B. directions C. education D. books
3.A. problem B. chance C. cause D. effect
4.A. approved B. expressed C. pointed D. announced
5.A. desire B. sense C. feeling D. definition
6.A. While B. Since C. As D. When
7.A. harmless B. interesting C. harmful D. interested
8.A. greeting B. present C. suggestion D. ride
9.A. forced B. offered C. ordered D. commanded
10.A. put up B. turned out C. looked up D. held out
11.A. when B. after C. until D. since
12.A. nervous B. generous C. distant D. familiar
13.A. suggested B. imagined C. considered D. appreciated
14.A. friendship B. conversations C. instructions D. cooperation
15.A. and B. or C. but D. so
16.A. was used to B. used to C. got used to D. being used to
17.A. stopped B. kept C. practiced D. fell
18.A. long B. far C. high D. late
19.A. praised B. encouraged C. warned D. thanked
20.A. fun B. interesting C. risky D. Curious
---How about the competition last week?
---Oh, it was not my day. I got the last place.
--- ________. Don’t lose heart, good luck for you next time.
A. What a shame! B. So what ?
C. Sorry to hear that. D. Don’t be afraid.
The US government threatened that it would ________ all its investment(投资) from the country if the country didn’t reduce the customs duties.
A. take B. move C. withdraw D. Draw
Naylor ________, in a letter to his teacher, that he was addicted to the Internet.
A. acknowledged B. received
C. appreciated D. Classified