_______ people were killed in the earthquake in Sichuan.
A. A large number B. A great many
C. A great deal of D. A large quantity of
—How did you like Nick’s performance last night?
—To be honest, his singing didn’t to me much.
A. occur B. belong
C. refer D. appeal
The observer’s statement about the accident was very ; we know almost everything about it now.
A. specific B. especial
C. particular D. special
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.
