My First Marathon（马拉松）
A month before my first marathon, one of my ankles was injured and this meant not running for two weeks, leaving me only two weeks to train. Yet, I was determined to go ahead.
I remember back to my 7th year in school. In my first P.E. class, the teacher required us to run laps and then hit a softball. I didn’t do either well. He later informed me that I was ＂not athletic＂.
The idea that I was ＂not athletic＂ stuck with me for years. When I started running in my 30s, I realized running was a battle against myself, not about competition or whether or not I was athletic. It was all about the battle against my own body and mind. A test of wills!
The night before my marathon, I dreamt that I couldn’t even find the finish line. I woke up sweating and nervous, but ready to prove something to myself.
Shortly after crossing the start line, my shoe laces(鞋带) became untied. So I stopped to readjust. Not the start I wanted!
At mile 3, I passed a sign: ＂GO FOR IT, RUNNERS!＂
By mile 17, I became out of breath and the once injured ankle hurt badly. Despite the pain, I stayed the course walking a bit and then running again.
By mile 21, I was starving!
As I approached mile 23, I could see my wife waving a sign. She is my biggest fan. She never minded the alarm clock sounding at 4 a.m. or questioned my expenses on running.
I was one of the final runners to finish. But I finished! And I got a medal. In fact, I got the same medal as the one that the guy who came in first place had.
Determined to be myself, move forward, free of shame and worldly labels(世俗标签), I can now call myself a ＂marathon winner＂.
1.A month before the marathon, the author ____________.
A. was well trained B. felt scared
C. made up his mind to run D. lost hope
2.Why did the author mention the P.E. class in his 7th year?
A. To acknowledge the support of his teacher.
B. To amuse the readers with a funny story.
C. To show he was not talented in sports.
D. To share a precious memory.
3.How was the author’s first marathon?
A. He made it. B. He quit halfway.
C. He got the first prize. D. He walked to the end.
4.What does the story mainly tell us?
A. A man owes his success to his family support.
B. A winner is one with a great effort of will.
C. Failure is the mother of success.
D. One is never too old to learn.
University Room Regulations
Approved and Prohibited Items
The following items are approved for use in residential(住宿的)rooms: electric blankets, hair dryers, personal computers, radios, televisions and DVD players. Items that are not allowed in student rooms include: candles, ceiling fans, fireworks, waterbeds, sun lamps and wireless routers. Please note that any prohibited items will be taken away by the Office of Residence Life.
Access to Residential Rooms
Students are provided with a combination(组合密码)for their room door locks upon check-in. Do not share your room door lock combination with anyone. The Office of Residence Life may change the door lock combination at any time at the expense of the resident if it is found that the student has shared the combination with others. The fee is $25 to change a room combination.
Cooking Policy
Students living in buildings that have kitchens are only permitted to cook in the kitchen. Students must clean up after cooking. This is not the responsibility of housekeeping staff. Kitchens that are not kept clean may be closed for use. With the exception of using a small microwave oven(微波炉) to heat food, students are not permitted to cook in their rooms.
Pet Policy
No pets except fish are permitted in student rooms. Students who are found with pets, whether visiting or owned by the student, are subject to an initial fine of $100 and a continuing fine of $50 a day per pet. Students receive written notice when the fine goes into effect. If, one week from the date of written notice, the pet is not removed, the student is referred to the Student Court.
Quiet Hours
Residential buildings must maintain an atmosphere that supports the academic mission of the University. Minimum quiet hours in all campus residences are 11:00 pm to 8:00 am Sunday through Thursday. Quiet hours on Friday and Saturday nights are 1:00 am to 8:00 am. Students who violate quiet hours are subject to a fine of $25.
1.Which of the following items are allowed in student rooms?
A. Ceiling fans and waterbeds. B. Wireless routers and radios.
C. Hair dryers and candles. D. TVs and electric blankets.
2.What do we know about the cooking policy?
A. A microwave oven can be used.
B. Cooking in student rooms is permitted.
C. A housekeeper is to clean up the kitchen.
D. Students are to close kitchen doors after cooking.
3.If a student has kept a cat in his room for a week since the warning, he will face .
A. parent visits B. a fine of $100
C. the Student Court D. a written notice
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.Who helped the students organize the show?
A. The art teacher. B. The maths teacher. C. All the teachers.
2.What was the money raised for?
A. More books. B. More computers. C. Some lights.
3.Where did the students find the useful information?
A. In magazines. B. On websites. C. From books.
4.What was everybody asked to wear at the beginning?
A. A hat. B. A jacket. C. A dress.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does the woman probably do?
A. A swimmer. B. A boxer. C. A footballer.
2.What does the woman do after lunch?
A. Have a break.
B. Get back to the pool.
C. Do track work and body exercises.
3.How does the woman spend her most nights?
A. Dancing at a club. B. Chatting online. C. Going to bed early.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What are the speakers mainly talking about?
A. The man’s sports life.
B. The man’s medical history.
C. The man’s school experience.
2.What made the man’s leg broken?
A. A football game. B. A wild cat. C. A traffic accident.
3.What does the man say about himself?
A. He is afraid of cats.
B. He left the school team at the age of 17.
C. Dust could make him sneeze.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What did Mr. Ewing ask the speakers to do?
A. Arrive at the conference centre on time.
B. Talk with the branch office workers.
C. Help out at the conference centre.
2.How will the speakers go to the conference centre?
A. By asking Mr. Ewing for a lift.
B. By driving the man’s car.
C. By taking the underground.
3.What do we know about the woman?
A. She can’t drive a car.
B. She isn’t sure about the way.
C. She doesn’t like to travel alone.
