When I first met my new parrot, Chico, his wings had been cut short and he was stuck on the earth just like us humans. When the weather turned nice, I would take Chico outside. I ________ him on a branch of a tree, hoping to make him happier. At first he seemed confused. He walked back and forth on the branch looking ________ . He didn’t even flap his wings in an/a ________ to fly. Somehow he knew he was incapable.
One day Chico got especially excited. He paced back and forth and made an ________ amount of noise. Then all of a sudden he stopped and let out an even louder scream. He started ________ flapping his wings for the first time ever—then he lifted off the ________ like a space shuttle! I was amazed and ________. Little did I know his feathers had been growing back, and Chico had been waiting until the moment was ripe for ________!
Two days later Chico returned. First I tried to ________ him back with food, but he would not come near me. Then I took his ________ and put it away—still he would not come. Finally, I made him a firm promise that I would let him out every day if the weather was nice as long as he did come back. ________, he flew onto my shoulder.
From that day on, whenever the weather was good I would let him ________ early and he would fly around and be back before dark. The routine lasted for two months ________ suddenly Chico became ________. The vet said that he had been infected with a disease from the pigeons in the ________. Within a few days he died.
I was very sad. The ________ crossed my mind that if I had not set him free to fly, he would be still alive. But what ________ is there in being a bird if you can’t fly?
Chico made his first ________ for freedom on a late Monday afternoon in April. When will you make yours? You too can take a ________ when the conditions are right, knowing you too, in your own way, were built to fly. If you don’t set yourself free, what will be the ________ of your life?
1.A. brought B. seated C. caught D. chased
2.A. comfortable B. painful C. patient D. anxious
3.A. attempt B. stage C. journey D. path
4.A. serious B. first C. incredible D. accessible
5.A. slowly B. gently C. madly D. gracefully
6.A. ground B. branch C. window D. house
7.A. moved B. shocked C. delighted D. excited
8.A. patience B. exchange C. rescue D. escape
9.A. trick B. fasten C. seize D. expect
10.A. cage B. chain C. food D. feather
11.A. At last B. As usual C. Once in a while D. In the meantime
12.A. out B. off C. away D. alone
13.A. until B. while C. since D. although
14.A. active B. weak C. annoying D. miserable
15.A. forest B. community C. countryside D. neighborhood
16.A. fact B. thought C. concern D. detail
17.A. problem B. meaning C. interest D. mistake
18.A. relief B. willingness C. communication D. breakthrough
19.A. breath B. look C. holiday D. chance
20.A. success B. purpose C. contribution D. importance
Earth is home to around 7 ， 000 languages ， around half of which are expected to disappear by 2100．
Languages disappear for many reasons． Sometimes younger generations stop learning a language because parents want children to fit in．1. Native American children of the late﹣l9th century were required to attend boarding schools where educators forbade them from speaking their native languages．
The United Nations ranks endangered languages according to their risk level．For example ， a " critically endangered " language is one that even grandparents don ' t speak often． New York ' s Onondaga language is an example with only 50 speakers left． An " extinct" language has no speakers． It is gone forever． Alaska 's Eyak language is one example．2.
3. In the same way ， different languages contribute to cultural diversity． Saving these languages benefits our understanding of other cultures． Languages can show how a society looks at the world and what it values． A language may describe something in a way that is funny ， too． In Welsh ， it rains not cats and dogs ， but old wives and walking sticks．
The Endangered Language Alliance wants to save languages from disappearing．4. However ， its efforts are limited． If an endangered language is going to make a real comeback ， it '11probably get its start in schools． For nearly 100 years ， public schools in Hawaii did not teach the Hawaiian language． Now students can keep learning in Hawaiian from elementary schools to college and beyond．
5. At least one did． In 1881 ， a Jewish linguist named Eliezer Ben﹣Yehuda brought the 3 ，000﹣year﹣old language Hebrew back to life． Today it is one of the official languages of the country of Israel， with more than 4million speakers．
A．The last person who spoke it died in 2008．
B．Why should we save endangered languages
C．Various animals and plants benefit our environment．
D．With just 5 speakers left ， it is absolutely endangered．
E．Can a language with zero native speakers come back to life
F．Sometimes societies force minorities to give up their language．
G． The non﹣profit group finds native speakers and records their stories．
Have you ever noticed that the more you have the more you want？Let’s face it. Thinking our life is good enough doesn’t come naturally to many people. When we have high expectations of everything in life we will run into disappointment. Only when we are aware that needs are different from desires can we live with satisfaction. Here are a few ideas to help you be happier with what you have and who you are.
Focus on what you are thankful for. Most people want things to be better than they are，or when things are going well，we forget to appreciate what we have. Learn to reflect on how much better things are than they could be. Focus on what you are thankful for. Write down 5 things you are grateful for right now.
When we hold onto regrets from decisions we have made，it can really poison our wellbeing. Many people regret something they can no longer change，which ends up holding them back from moving forward in a more positive manner. What happened in the past is done and gone，so work to stay present and be mindful of the current moment to find more joy and fulfillment.
When we use other people as the measuring stick for our personal success and quality of life，we are likely to be less satisfied. Social comparisons can provide useful information when we try to learn from others，but they also hold our perspective in a discontented position. Compare yourself less with others so you can be satisfied more.
When you are focused on your big ambitions and future goals，you might elide the daily pleasures that surround you. Learn to slow down and absorb the wonder and beauty around you. Stay present and focus on the task you’re undertaking at the moment. Don’t let the life pass you by because you’re always on the go and distracted by ambition.
Practice looking at life through the lens of contentment and it will become more natural.
1.How can we live with contentment?
A. To change our lifestyle.
B. To have a motivation in life.
C. To give less attention to what we are grateful for.
D. To realize the difference between needs and desires.
2.What’s the main idea of Paragraph 3?
A. Make wise decisions. B. Know the present situation.
C. Let go of regrets. D. Remember the past.
3.The underlined word “elide” in Paragraph 5 probably means “ ”．
A. enjoy B. change
C. create D. neglect
4.What should you do to put yourself in a good mood?
A. Make time for simple pleasures. B. Learn from successful people.
C. Focus on your future goals. D. Create chance to learn more.
阅读理解。
Proudly reading my words, I glanced around the room, only to find my classmates bearing big smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes. Confused, I glanced toward my stone-faced teacher. Having no choice, I slowly raised the report I had slaved over, hoping to hide myself. “What could be causing everyone to act this way?”
Quickly, I flashed back to the day Miss Lancelot gave me the task. This was the first real talk I received in my new school. It seemed simple: go on the Internet and find information about a man named George Washington. Since my idea of history came from an ancient teacher in my home country, I had never heard of that name before. As I searched the name of this fellow, it became evident that there were two people bearing the same name who looked completely different! One invented hundreds of uses for peanuts, while the other led some sort of army across America. I stared at the screen, wondering which one my teacher meant. I called my grandfather for a golden piece of advice; flip (掷) a coin. Heads—the commander, and tails—the peanuts guy. Ah! Tails, my report would be about the great man who invented peanut butter, George Washington Carver.
Weeks later, standing before this unfriendly mass, I was totally lost. Oh well, I lowered the paper and sat down at my desk,burningto find out what I had done wrong. As a classmate began his report, it all became clear, “My report is on George Washington, the man who started the American Revolution.” The whole world became quite! How could I know that she meant that George Washington?
Obviously, my grade was awful. Heartbroken but fearless, I decided to turn this around. I talked to Miss Lancelot, but she insisted: No re-dos; no new grade. I felt that the punishment was not justified, and I believed I deserved a second chance. Consequently, I threw myself heartily into my work for the rest of the school year. Ten months later, that chance unfolded as I found myself sitting in the headmaster’s office with my grandfather, now having an entirely different conversation. I smiled and flashed back to the embarrassing moment at the beginning of the year as the headmaster informed me of my option to skip the sixth grade. Justice is sweet!
1.What did the author’s classmates think about his report?
A. Controversial. B. Ridiculous.
C. Boring. D. Puzzling.
2.Why was the author confused about the task?
A. He was unfamiliar with American history.
B. He followed the advice and flipped a coin.
C. He forgot his teacher’s instruction.
D. He was new at the school.
3.The underlined word “burning” in Para. 3 probably means _______.
A. annoyed B. ashamed
C. ready D. eager
4.In the end, the author turned things around _______.
A. by redoing his task
B. through his own efforts
C. with the help of his grandfather
D. under the guidance of his headmaster
A Spanish company Siesta&Go has opened the first public napping (小睡) space in Madrid. It promises people a quiet rest in the middle of the city’s business center.
Napping spaces are nothing new; places to rest are already set up in other big cities in the world. But the idea would appear to work well with the culture of Spain, where people traditionally take an afternoon nap, called siesta.
The Madrid nap space recently opened with 19 beds. People can use them by the minute or by the hour, and they can also choose either a private or shared room. An hour of napping inside a private room costs about $15.
Siesta &Go provides all bedding, clean nightshirts and other materials. Nippers can request to be woken up when their time is up. It also offers areas to work, with armchairs, newspapers and coffee for those not wishing to sleep.
Philip &Go is one happy customer. Marco says he gets tired during the day because of hard work. He says a siesta is the perfect way to build up energy. “I come for about 30 minutes or something like that. That is usually enough for me to be full of energy.”
While many Spanish people love their naps, others like Carlos Villarroja say they are just too busy to keep the tradition. “It’s a Spanish tradition, but I think it’s more of a legend (传说) than a tradition. Because of the lifestyle and the working hours, we have very little free time for a siesta at least during the week.”
But many health experts believe there is evidence that taking a short nap can be very good for the body and mind. Scientific studies show that taking a siesta can also prevent illness and lower blood pressure.
1.What is not allowed for customers to do?
A. Sleep for free B. Choose a private room
C. Use it as an office D. Share a room with others
2.What does Philip Marco think of the Madrid nap space?
A. Costly. B. Helpful.
C. Comfortable. D. Convenient
3.What’s Carlos Villarroja’s opinion on siestas?
A. It is not necessary to take a nap.
B. They can treat high blood pleasure.
C. People have no time to take a nap.
D. It’s not true that Spanish people like naps.
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.
