When I was about twelve, I headed to a restaurant for dinner with my family. It was winter, and on that particular night, the wind was really blowing. As my mom and I headed towards the restaurant from our car, a girl about my age and her mother came up to us. They asked if we had any spare change. My mom immediately asked where they kept their things. They pointed to an old car in a parking across the street. The girl said there were six of them living in that car, which was the same size as my own family.
My mom said she had something to do after handing the people a few dollars. She sent me inside the restaurant with my dad and my three siblings. But she didn’t come.
Later, I found out she had gone home and practically emptied our cupboards into a few bags. Then, she brought that food over to the car and handed the bags to the family. I wasn’t there when that part happened, but I can only imagine the joy it brought to their faces.
A few days later, when I actually found out about what she had done, I asked her why she helped those people. She told me that they were not lucky. I remember the face of that girl who had asked us for change, she was the same age as me, yet we looked so different.
Here I stood, dressed in almost new clothes, headed to dine in a restaurant and then back home to the bedroom I shared with my younger sister. I remember thinking that the other girl didn’t have any food to eat. and she was heading back to a cold car shared with five other people.
After painting this picture in my mind, I understood why my mom had done what she did. I will never forget what she did that night, and how she taught me one of the best lessons I ever learned.
1. What can be inferred from the first paragraph?
A. The girl’s family lived a hard life.
B. The author was happy to go to a restaurant.
C. The girl’s family lived in an old house.
D. The author’s family was the same size as the girl.
2.Which of the following best describes the author’s mother?
A. Reliable and determined.
B. Considerate and enthusiastic.
C. Cautious and friendly.
D. Unusual and optimistic.
3.What might be the author’s purpose in writing the text?
A. To tell us to show love to others.
B. To seek help for the poor family.
C. To give a brief introduction of her mother.
D. To complain about some social problems.
4.What is the best title of the passage?
A. How to support the poor family
B.A friend in need is a friend in deed
C. the hard life of a little girl’s family
D.A lesson in kindness from my Mum
My students often tell me that they don't have "enough time" to do all their schoolwork.
My reply is often a brief "You have as much time as the president." I usually carry on a bit about there being twenty-four hours in the day for everyone, and suggest that "not enough time" is not an acceptable explanation of not getting something done.
Once in graduate school, I tried to prove to one of my professors by saying that I was working hard. His answer to me was, "That's irrelevant (无关的). What's important is the quality of your work." Since then I have had time to think carefully about the "hard worker" dodge (诀窍), and I have come to some conclusions- all relevant to the problem of how much time we have.
If you analyze the matter, you can identify two parts of the problem: There is, of course, the matter of "time", which we can think of as fixed. Then there is the problem of "work" during that time. But, as my professor suggested, it's not how hard one works but the quality of the product that's important.
That led me to a new idea: the quality of the work. That concept is perhaps best explained by a sign I once saw on the wall in someone's office: "Don't work harder. Work smarter." There is a lot of sense in that idea.
If you can't get more time, and few of us can, the only solution is to improve the quality of the work. That means thinking of ways to get more out of the same time than we might otherwise get. That should lead us to an analysis of our work habits. Since "work" for students usually means "homework", the expression "work habits" should be read as "study habits".
Then, as a smart student, you will seek to improve those skills that you use in study, chiefly reading and writing. If you learn to read better and write better, there are big benefits that pay off in all your studies.
1.From the passage, we know that the author is probably ______.
A. a poet B. an engineer
C. a novelist D. an educator
2.We can infer from the 2nd paragraph that we students still _____.
A. have enough time
B. can meet the president
C. get everything done well
D. should accept the explanation
3.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. The author's students make good use of their time to do all their homework.
B. The author tried to tell the professor that he/she (author) had done a good job.
C. You can't improve the quality of the work if you can't get more time.
D. You'll try to improve your skills in reading and writing if you're a clever student.
4.What's the passage mainly about?
A. Students don't have enough time.
B. No one can get more time.
C. Don't work harder; work smarter.
D. Read better and write better.
Brad closed the door slowly as Sue left home to visit her mother. Expecting a whole day to relax，he was thinking whether to read the newspaper or watch his favorite TV talk show on his first day off in months. “This will be like a walk in the park，”he’d told his wife. “I’ll look after the kids，and you can go visit your mom.”
Things started well，but just after eight o’clock，his three little “good kids”—Mike，Randy，and Alex—came down the stairs in their night clothes and shouted “breakfast，daddy.” When food had not appeared within thirty seconds，Randy began using his spoon on Alex’s head as if it were a drum. Alex started to shout loudly in time to the beat(节拍)．Mike chanted “Where’s my toast，where’s my toast” in the background. Brad realized his newspaper would have to wait for a few seconds.
Life became worse after breakfast. Mike wore Randy’s underwear on his head. Randy locked himself in the bathroom，while Alex shouted again because he was going to wet his pants. Nobody could find clean socks，although they were before their very eyes. Someone named “Not Me” had spilled a whole glass of orange juice into the basket of clean clothes. Brad knew the talk show had already started.
By ten o’clock，things were out of control. Alex was wondering why the fish in the jar refused his bread and butter. Mike was trying to show off his talent by decorating the kitchen wall with his color pencils. Randy，thankfully，appeared to be reading quietly in the family room，but closer examination showed that he was eating apple jam straight from the bottle with his hands. Brad realized that the talk show was over and reading would be impossible.
At exactly 11∶17，Brad called the daycare centre(日托所)．“I suddenly have to go into work and my wife’s away. Can I bring the boys over in a few minutes？”The answer was obviously “yes” because Brad was smiling.
1.When his wife left home，Brad expected to________.
A. enjoy his first day off work
B. watch TV talk show with his children
C. go out for a walk in the park
D. read the newspaper to his children
2.Which of the following did Randy do?
A. Drawing on the wall. B. Eating apple jam.
C. Feeding the fish. D. Reading in a room.
3.Why did Brad ask the daycare centre for help?
A. Because he wanted to clean up his house.
B. Because he suddenly had to go to his office.
C. Because he had to take his wife back home.
D. Because he found it hard to manage his boys.
4.This text is developed________.
A. by space B. by time C. by process D. by comparison
Guitar Lessons for Guitar Players
Playing the same things over and over again when you pick up the guitar? Teaching yourself for years but you hit a wall? Don't know what to do next? Whether you're a total beginner, or an old guitar player, we'll get you working on something you can benefit from. I'm a professional teacher, over 30 students at my studio in downtown Berkeley and several music schools in San Francisco, Alameda, and Mountain View.
No matter what style you're into, I guarantee there are songs by your favorite bands that you could learn.
Call at 510-333-9091 or e-mail at bluescho0147@gmail.com
Dance Classes
Motion Dance Center in Martinez is now accepting registration (注册) for all fall dance classes. There are classes offered in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Contemporary and Cheerleading. Classes run like the school year Sept. through June. Prices are very reasonable at only $45 a month. That's for a one-hour class once a week for a month. This studio is known for their younger child program. We are always looking for talented instructors too. If you want more information call Deena at 925-229-5678.
Qi Gong with Angie
Qi Gong is the perfect activity for anyone, at any age. It combines gentle movement and meditation (冥想), breathing regulation and relaxation. The exercises are designed to reduce stress and anxiety and improve blood and energy circulation (循环) throughout the body, therefore increasing immune (免疫的) function, improving energy levels and sleep.
Thousands of Qi Gong lovers around the world have experienced the extraordinary benefits of this gentle, ancient Chinese exercise form and are healthier and happier for it. Join us to experience the benefits for yourself!
WHEN: Tuesdays from noon-1pm
WHERE: Halanda Studio 1062 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
COST: $12 per class drop-in (即到即学的) or $45 for a pre-paid set of 4 classes
CONTACT: Angie at angie@lokahiacupuncture.com, 408-887-6000
1.The purpose of the first advertisement is to _____ .
A. build a bridge between guitar players
B. attract guitar players to attend music classes
C. look for teachers for several music schools
D. help guitar beginners to improve their techniques
2.Who will probably contact 510-333-9091?
A. A dancer lover. B. A Hip-Hop lover.
C. A music lover. D. A Qi Gong lover.
3.How much can you save if you pay for eight classes at one time before you join Halanda Studio?
A. $12. B. $8. C. $6. D. $3.
短文改错
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。错误涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏词符号（/\)，并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\ )划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线（一），并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1.每处错误及修改均仅限一词； 2.只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。
During the last summer holiday, my parents and I paid visit to my grandparents by train. There was a large number of people and the train was crowded, but everyone helped those who had lots of baggages and behaved politely. Along the way, we chatted happily and enjoyed beautifully views. At first, we saw one hill after other. Then which came into view were fields with green crops. In a six-hour trip, we arrived at my grandparents’house. Tired as I felt, but I was happy to see my grandparents，whom I haven't seen for a long time. It was really an excited trip because it was the first time that I had taken such a long-distance train.
