A Welcome Gift
Dario and his mother loved their new apartment. The living room was large enough for their piano. That night, the two of them ______ side by side at the piano. They played jazz music to celebrate their new home. The loud ______ filled the room and made them feel very happy.
The next morning, ______, their happiness disappeared. Someone had left a ______ under their door during the night. One of their neighbors had written to complain about the sound of the piano. Dario’s mother asked the building superintendent (管理员) if he knew anything about it. But he said that they were all ______ people and he couldn’t imagine any of them had done that. Later that morning, Dario suggested that they write a letter to their ____ and apologize for their playing.
“Maybe we could go and ______ everyone in person.” his mother said.
“What if we invited them to come here for a ______ instead?” Dario asked.
They both loved the ______. Over the next few days, they sent out invitations and prepared desserts ______ their guests. They decorated the apartment with streamers (彩带) and party lights.
Finally, the day of the party ______. Some guests brought presents. Others brought flowers. Some even brought desserts to ______. One woman, Mrs. Gilbert, ______ Dario’s mother with a book of piano music by Chopin.
“I heard you playing the other night,” she said. “The sounds woke me out of bed. I ____ that you might play like this every night. So I wrote a short note. I hope you don’t think I disliked the playing.”
Dario’s mother smiled at Mrs. Gilbert. “I think maybe we ______ you an apology.” she said. “I didn’t ______ how late it was when we were playing. Maybe we should play some quieter music at night.
“You play, you play!” Mrs. Gilbert said. “I like what you play! Just not so loud at night.” She pointed to the book she had given them. “These songs are not such ______ music.”
“These songs are beautiful music.” Dario’s mother said. “We will be ______ to play them in the evening.”
“And we won’t play so loud or late!” Dario said. He was already looking forward to ______ the new music. More than that, however, he was happy to see the big smile on his mother’s face. It gave him a feeling of ______ and made him feel that they were home at last.
1.A. sat B. stood C. lay D. walked
2.A. voice B. ring C. music D. cry
3.A. therefore B. however C. otherwise D. instead
4.A. note B. poster C. bill D. report
5.A. proud B. rich C. lucky D. nice
6.A. neighbors B. friends C. relatives D. audience
7.A. blame B. instruct C. question D. visit
8.A. party B. concert C. show D. play
9.A. experience B. idea C. performance D. action
10.A. to B. with C. for D. from
11.A. continued B. arrived C. passed D. finished
12.A. order B. sell C. share D. advertise
13.A. treated B. presented C. helped D. served
14.A. promised B. admitted C. agreed D. worried
15.A. give B. send C. offer D. owe
16.A. realize B. remember C. understand D. accept
17.A. sweet B. strange C. funny D. loud
18.A. brave B. sorry C. happy D. afraid
19.A. changing B. practicing C. recording D. writing
20.A. equality B. freedom C. warmth D. sympathy
A volunteering vacation can be a meaningful way to spend your time off, but to make the trip satisfying both for you and the cause you are supporting, several factors need to be considered. Here is some advice on planning the satisfactory vacation:
1. There are hundreds of causes to volunteer for, and finding one close to your heart will lead to a more worthwhile trip. Possibilities include wildlife conservation, education, environmental protection, health and nutrition. Also, consider any personal and professional skills that you can contribute. 2.
Choose your destination and setting. Your volunteering trip will be more enjoyable if you use it to reach a favorite destination. Southeast Asia is on your mind, helping with treeplanting programs in Bali would benefit the environment and let you appreciate the scenic island. 3. Is volunteering outdoors in a hot or snowy climate attractive, or do you prefer being in an airconditioned office?
Ask the right questions. 4. Be aware that most volunteering programs require a week-long stay. Ask other questions like: How many hours of work per day is required? Are there days off? Will you be working individually or as part of a team? And what are the goals of your efforts? 5. Ask if the cost includes only accommodations or meals and transportation too.
A. Figure out your cause.
B. Find a wellrespected organization.
C. And think about the surroundings you want.
D. Your duty there is to rest and play.
E. The more you know about your trip, the more successful it will be.
F. Despite the word “volunteer”, these vacations usually cost you some money.
G. If you’re a doctor, for example, working at a health clinic could be an ideal fit.
Since the first Earth Day in 1970, Americans have gotten a lot “greener” toward the environment. “We didn’t know at that time there even was an environment, let alone that there was a problem with it,” says Bruce Anderson, president of Earth Day USA.
But what began as nothing important in public affairs has grown into a social movement .Business people, political leaders, university professors, and especially millions of grass-roots Americans are taking part in the movement. “The understanding has increased many， many times,” says Gaylord Nelson, the former governor from Wisconsin, who thought up the first. According to US government reports, emissions (排放)from cars and trucks have dropped from 10.3 million tons a year to 5.5 tons .The number of cities producing CO beyond the standard has been reduced from 40 to 9. Although serious problems still remain and need to be dealt with, the world is a safer and healthier place. A kind of “Green thinking” has become part of practices.
Great improvement has been achieved. In 1988 there were only 600 recycling programs; today in 1995 there are about 6,600. Advanced lights, motors, and building designs have helped save a lot of energy and therefore prevented pollution.
Twenty –five years ago, there were hardly any education programs for environment. Today, it’s hard to find a public school, university, or law school that does not have such a kind of program. “Until we do that, nothing else will change!” say Bruce Anderson.
1.According to Anderson, before 1970, Americans had little idea about ___
A. the social movement B. recycling techniques
C. environmental problems D. the importance of Earth Day
2.Where does the support for environmental protection mainly come from?
A. The grass –roots level B. The business circle
C. Government officials D. University professors
3.What have Americans achieved in environmental protection?
A. They have cut car emissions to the lowest
B. They have settled their environmental problems
C. They have lowered their CO levels in forty cities.
D. They have reduced pollution through effective measures.
4.What is especially important for environmental protection according to the last paragraph?
A. Education B. Planning
C. Green living D. CO reduction
A farmer had a cow, and he took very good care of the cow. One day when the cow was ill, he was very worried. He telephoned the vet.
“What’s the problem?” the vet asked the farmer when he arrived.
“My cow’s ill,” the farmer said. “I don’t know what’s the matter with her. She’s just lying down and doesn’t eat anything. She’s making a strange noise.”
The vet examined the cow and said, “She’s certainly ill, and she needs to take some very strong medicine.”
He took a bottle out of his box, put two pills into the farmer’s hand and said, “The pills should make her feel better.”
“How can she take these pills?” the farmer asked.
The vet gave him a tube(管子) and said, “Put this tube in her mouth, and then put the pills in the tube and blow(吹气) into the cow’s mouth. That will make it.”
The next day the vet came to the farm again. The farmer was sitting outside his house and looked more worried.
“How is your cow?” the vet asked.
“Not better,” the farmer said, “and I’m feeling very strange myself.”
“Oh?” the vet asked. “Why?”
“I did what you said,” the farmer answered. “I put the tube in the cow’s mouth and then put the two pills in the tube.”
“And?” the vet asked.
“The cow blew first,” the farmer said.
1.In the story, the vet must be .
A. the farmer’s friend B. a milk factory
C. a hospital for cows D. a doctor who treats sick animals
2.The farmer asked the vet for help when his cow .
A. couldn’t lie down B. didn’t eat the pills
C. couldn’t make any noise D. was ill
3.The vet taught the farmer how .
A. to blow the tube B. to make the cow take the pill
C. to take the medicine D. to put the tube in his mouth
4.Which of the statements is true?
A. The farmer took the pills himself.
B. the cow got better after taking the medicine.
C. The vet came to help the farmer by chaining the cow the next day.
D. The vet waited for the farmer outside his house the next day.
1.According to the text, the following people will get some useful advice from this webpage EXCEPT.
A. elderly people B. disabled people
C. office workers D. professional athletes
2.Couch to 5K is a .
A. health website B. search engine
C. fitness programme D. physical activity organization
It’s great responsibility but also great honor to be chosen.
A. a; a B. a; / C. /; / D. /; a
