Once upon a time, a daughter complained to her father that her life was unhappy and that she was tired of struggling all the time.
Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Once the three pots began to boil, he placed potatoes, eggs and coffee beans in them. After 20 minutes, he took them out, putting the potatoes and eggs in a bowl and the coffee in a cup.
Turning to his daughter, he said, “Look closer, and touch the potatoes.” She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to taste the coffee. Its good smell brought a smile to her face.
“Father, what does this mean?” she asked. He then explained that the potatoes, the eggs and the coffee beans were in the same adversity(逆境)——the boiling water. However, each one reacted differently.
The strong and hard potato became soft and weak in boiling water. The egg was fragile, with the thin outer shell protecting its liquid until it was put in the boiling water. Then the inside of the egg became hard. However, the coffee beans were unique. After they were exposed to the boiling water, they changed the water and created something new. “Which one do you want to be like,” he asked. “When adversity knocks on your door, how will you respond?”
In life, challenges happen to us all, but the only thing that truly matters is what happens within us.
1.Why did the girl complain to her father?
A. Because of her hard life.
B. Because of her tiring job.
C. Because of her father’s busy work.
D. Because of the food her father cooked.
2.What can we infer from this story?
A. The girl liked the coffee best.
B. The father was good at cooking.
C. The girl didn’t like the potatoes and eggs.
D. Different people have different reactions to adversity.
3.What does the underlined word “fragile” mean in the 4th paragraph?
A. thick B. easily-broken C. strong D. hard
4.What would be the best title for the passage?
A. Father and daughter.
B. Adversities and a chef.
C. A chef and coffee beans.
D. Challenges and responses.
TALENT ON PARADE
It is time for the Smithdale Student Activity Club’s yearly talent show. In the past, the club has had performers sing, dance, and play the violin, guitar, or piano. This year the show will be called “Talent on Parade”, and we are looking for performers with great new ideas. In addition, we have planned two important changes for this year’s show.
Two Shows Instead Of One
First, “Talent on Parade” will be held on two nights. Performers in the Wednesday night show will include students in Grades K-5. Performers in the Friday night show will include students in Grades 6-12.
Smithdale High School Hall Wednesday, May 11, 6:30 P.M. Friday, May 13, 7:30 P.M.
No Tryouts (预选)
The second change is that this year’s performers will be chosen in a new way. No tryouts will be held. The first twenty acts to sign up for each show will be accepted. Others will be put on a waiting list in case someone has an act that is not allowed. You’ll be told by telephone or e-mail if your act is included.
If you do not wish to perform but would enjoy helping backstage with lights or sound, print “stagehand” in large letters at the top of the permission slip (同意书).
Rules For Acts
1. Each student chosen to perform must turn in a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian(监护人).
2. All performers must be at the school one hour before the show time.
3. Performers must provide their own transportation to and from the school.
4. Each act is limited to three minutes.
5. No act may have more than five people in it.
6. Performers must provide their own music (tapes, CDs, or instruments) and costumes.
7. Singers may sing with or without musical accompaniment, but they may not sing along with a recorded voice on a CD or tape.
1.The twenty-first act to sign up will be allowed to be performed only if____.
A. a performer is unable to attend B. a performance is shortened
C. the performance is original D. the performer is approved
2.Each person performing in the talent show is required to turn in a____ .
A. telephone number B. musical recording
C. costume drawing D. permission slip
3.When should a second grader show up at school on the show night?
A. Before 6:30 P.M. B. Before 5:30 P.M.
C. After 6:30 P.M. D. After 5:30 P.M.
4.Where is this passage most likely to be found?
A. In a city evening paper. B. On an entertainment website.
C. On a school news board. D. On the wall of a music store.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What is the top news story?
A. An animal was missing.
B. There is a thief at the zoo.
C. The school year changes.
2.Who is Lacy?
A. A school director. B. A zookeeper. C. A monkey.
3.How does the speaker describe Lacy?
A. She is crazy. B. She is dangerous. C. She is probably scared.
4.When did the school year finish before?
A. In early June. B. In mid-June. C. In late June.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Who is the woman probably talking to?
A. A friend. B. A stranger. C. A tour guide.
2.What time does Line 6 stop running every night?
A. At 10:30. B. At 10:45. C. At 11:45.
3.How will the woman go to the M Hotel?
A. By taxi. B. On foot. C. By subway.
4.When is the conversation probably taking place?
A. On Saturday. B. On Thursday. C. On Tuesday.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Where did Linda have dinner last night?
A. In a hotel.
B. In a local restaurant.
C. In her friend’s house.
2.What did Linda do last night for the first time?
A. She ate real Chinese food.
B. She learned how to use chopsticks.
C. She experienced American dining culture.
3.What did Linda think of the tradition of food sharing?
A. She thought it was strange.
B. She really appreciated it.
C. She couldn’t stand it.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.How many people will have dinner together in the room?
A. 12. B. 14. C. 16.
2.Why did the woman get to the restaurant early?
A. To order food first.
B. To wait for a table.
C. To arrange the room.
