In the hit film The bucket List, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman meet in hospital in California after they have been diagnosed with cancer. Between them they cook up a “bucket list” — a to-do list of all they want to do before they kick the bucket. The movie makes you wonder what would be on your bucket list. So let’s pack up some and see what it would cost to go out and have a little fun.
THE PYRAMIDS, GIZA, EGYPT
On to the pyramids, surely on anyone’s bucket list. Exotik Tours can take you there on a variety of trips, including their popular Egypt Express which includes three nights in Cairo and a three-night Nile Cruise. From $1,384, including four-and five-star accommodation, 12 meals and a ton of sightseeing.
www.exotiktours.com 416-646-3347
TAJ MAHAL, AGRA, INDIA
One of the world’s most fascinating images, India’s Taj Mahal makes even Nicholson and Freeman look calm. Toronto’s Goway Travel has many suggestions for India, including a three-day independent visit to Agra. Stay at the attractive Oberoi AmarVilas overlooking the Taj. Include two breakfasts, touring and airport transfer from $1,420.
www.gowaytravel.com 416-322-1034
THE GREAT WALL, CHINA
If the Great Wall of China is on your bucket list, check into Tour East Holiday’s four-day Amazing Beijing Tour for $580 per person, four-star accommodation, sightseeing including the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, breakfasts and two lunches, transportation and guide.
www.toureastholidays.com 416-929-0888
THE HIMALAYAS, NEPAL
And on to the Himalayas. Talk about “something truly majestic(壮丽的). See the top of the world on GAP Adventures’ Everest Adventure tour, a 15-day exploration including Everest Base Camp, teahouse lodge stays, and walking through Sherpa villages. Incredibly affordable at just $665 plus local payment of $250. GAP Adventures warns that this is a physically demanding trip.
www.gapadventures.com 416-260-0999
1.The underlined phrase “kick the bucket” in Paragraph 1 means ________.
A. play a gameB. come to life
C. pass awayD. list interesting places
2.If you take on the Everest Adventure tour, you should be aware that ________.
A. it is a tiring trip
B. the sights may not be so good
C. it is an expensive trip
D. you may not be used to the food there
3.According to the passage, where can you enjoy a view of the whole Taj Mahal?
A. In Sherpa village.B. At Oberoi AmarVilas
C. Near the Forbidden CityD. Through Egypt Express.
I received a call today asking if I would be willing to bring food to a family in need. The mother was having a major operation and would be lying down for several weeks. Of course, I responded with an immediate “Yes!”. As I planned the meal in my head, I reflected on how many times over the years I had been asked to prepare food. I have done so countless times with a very open heart.
But the truly amazing thing is that I have received double over the course of my life. When my mother passed away, our house was filled with fresh dinners for weeks. A woman from the church of our community stopped by each evening with some food. The gift of food was her small way of trying to ease our pain.
Later in my life, when I was on bed rest during my pregnancy with twins, women of the church again stepped in to help. They arranged babysitting for my two-year-old daughter, and brought lovely dinners to our house. Even when I was put in the hospital, my husband would bring cooked meals to my hospital room. How we relied on these dinners to feed my tired husband and young daughter.
Food is all about comfort. It feeds our bodies, but it can also feed our souls. When you hear people talking about their favorite holidays, it usually includes their feelings connected with sharing food. I know that I will have many more opportunities in my lifetime to prepare food for others. It is truly a gift I want to prepare and deliver to someone in need.
1.The author has given lots of food to others because ________.
A. she is a church member
B. she has received others’ food
C. she is good at cooking
D. she usually has extra food
2.We can learn from the first paragraph that the author ________.
A. was glad to be able to lend a hand
B. knew the family in need very well
C. had to stay in bed for several weeks
D. was tired of preparing food
3.Which of the following is TRUE about the author?
A. Her mother died when she was in hospital.
B. She didn’t get enough food during her pregnancy.
C. She thinks offering food is the best way to show love.
D. She received food as well as comfort in her hard times.
4.According to the passage, which of the following conclusion can we get?
A. Every dog has its day.
B. Actions speak louder than words.
C. One good turn deserves another.
D. A good beginning makes a good ending.
完形填空
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
One of the most important lessons I learned from my father took place in our driveway when I was in elementary school. We used to play basketball every day, and he ________ that I needed to learn how to shoot and dribble with my left hand. Being naturally athletic, I quickly became frustrated with my lack of left-handed ________. I became very angry, ________ down on the driveway, and began to cry, and my father stood there and looked at me as he waited ________ for me to get over my tears. When I realize that my behavior was not getting me ________, I got back up. He passed me the ________ and I continued to practice. His lesson of ________ giving up and working harder to accomplish my goals was conveyed to me without a word. I ________ became skillful with my left hand, but what I really learned that day was a road map for overcoming my biggest ________ in life.
________ I was eighteen I was in a car accident, where I broke a vertebra in my spine. I was going to ________ to play soccer, and now I was told that I would never again be able to ________ athletically. For half a year I was not even able to ________ my own clothes. I wanted to ________ school and give up. I wanted to lie down and cry that life was ________, much as I had done in our driveway so long ago. ________ every time I felt that way, that earlier memory danced in my mind. I knew that ________ I was patient and continued to work hard, I could overcome this difficulty.
For three years I continued to go to school, doing three to four hours of ________ rehabilitation every day, with constant support from my parents. And I finally earned my ________ back on the playing field. That lesson in the driveway had ________ me to be on the field, and I owed it all to my dad. I succeeded because of who my father is, and who I am because of him.
1.A. suggestedB. decidedC. recommendedD. predicted
2.A. successB. failureC. gloryD. loss
3.A. liedB. laidC. lainD. lay
4.A. brieflyB. patientlyC. steadilyD. faithfully
5.A. anywhereB. nowhereC. everywhereD. somewhere
6.A. ticketB. smileC. ballD. map
7.A. neverB. alwaysC. nearlyD. seldom
8.A. absolutelyB. abnormallyC. breathlesslyD. eventually
9.A. challengeB. weaknessC. shortcomingD. disadvantage
10.A. WhileB. WhenC. BecauseD. Since
11.A. collegeB. hospitalC. kindergartenD. gym
12.A. workB. performC. organizeD. manage
13.A. put upB. put asideC. put onD. put away
14.A. dropB. enterC. changeD. quit
15.A. unusualB. unexpectedC. uncertainD. unfair
16.A. HoweverB. ButC. AndD. So
17.A. becauseB. althoughC. ifD. as
18.A. painfulB. impressiveC. harmfulD. pleasant
19.A. moneyB. respectC. livingD. way
20.A. askedB. forcedC. allowedD. persuaded
—I have accepted that project, though it is full of risk.
—________! Young people should dare to shoulder responsibilities.
A. Good for youB. Be careful
C. Cheer upD. Congratulations
We still have a long way to go to solve all the problems ________ the Yangtze River.
A. regardless ofB. in regard to
C. in search ofD. in favor of
The most delicious cookies in the world ________ by granny. Please wait ten more minutes to enjoy them.
A. makesB. is made
C. is being madeD. is going to make
