“Hey, how are you doing? I’m Courtney. What grade are you in? What’s your favorite book? Elephant and Piggy? Yeah, I got it.”
If you thought you’d walked into a library with a greeting like that, you wouldn’t be too far off. In fact, you’ve entered the workplace of Courtney Holmes, the Storybook Barber.
Two years ago, Dubuque, Iowa, held its first yearly Back to School Bash, offering needy families an opportunity to learn about free resources in the community. Holmes agreed to participate. Saturday was his busiest haircutting day, but he chose to donate his time and give free haircuts to underprivileged kids so they’d look sharp on that first day of classes. But then he had a lightbulb moment(突然醒悟的一瞬): “The kids should earn their free haircut by having to read a book to me,” Holmes said.
The idea was so popular that he continued it for the next two years. Five-to ten-year-old boys would grab a favorite book, settle into the barber chair, and read aloud while Holmes cut their hair. If they stuttered(结结巴巴) over a word, Holmes was there to help.
After the haircut, they’d review the book, from the characters and vocabulary to the themes --- just like in school, only more fun.
Holmes admits he, too, benefits from the free snip-and-reads.
“There was this seven-year-old Bob, who struggled through his book, stuttering over words even though he didn’t have a stutter,” said Holmes. He had the boy take the book home and practice. When the child came back a few days later, “He read it with no problems. That inspires me.”
Holmes and his family have recently moved from Dubuque to a Chicago suburb. When they get settled, he plans to continue his role as the Storybook Barber. “The way the world is today is with guns and violence,” he says, “it’s a safe haven for the kids, to come to the barbershop and read books.”
1.What does the underlined word “underprivileged” in Paragraph 3 mean?
A. Unruly. B. Poor. C. Intelligent. D. Unusual.
2.What did Holmes say about Bob?
A. He fired his enthusiasm. B. He gifted him a new book.
C. He preferred to read alone. D. He had a language disability.
3.What can we infer about Holmes from the last paragraph?
A. He showed great concern for kids. B. He faced serious money problems.
C. He had an excellent sense of humor. D. He built a shelter for homeless kids.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What do we know about Paul Bunyan?
A. He was a small-sized man.
B. He was a British folk hero.
C. His job was to cut down trees.
2.What is said to be created by Paul Bunyan?
A. The Great Canyon.
B. The Mississippi River.
C. The Niagara Falls.
3.What color was Paul Bunyan’s pet?
A. Black. B. Gray. C. Blue.
4.What does the speaker do most probably?
A. A radio host. B. A folklore expert. C. A TV producer.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does the man think about eating sushi with hands?
A. Unhealthy. B. Rude. C. Acceptable.
2.How does the man like to eat sushi?
A. Eat it directly.
B. Eat it with sauce.
C. Eat it with vegetable.
3.What does “wasabi” always make the woman?
A. Uncomfortable. B. Starved. C. Good.
4.What’s the relationship between the speakers?
A. Guide and tourist.
B. Chef and customer.
C. Colleagues.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Who is the letter written to?
A. The man.
B. The man’s father.
C. The woman’s father.
2.Why does NOT the woman use e-mail?
A. Her computer is broken.
B. She likes writing on paper.
C. She doesn’t know how.
3.Where does the woman find the stamp?
A. In her phone case.
B. In her purse.
C. Under her keyboard.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What muscles does the man often work out?
A. Back muscles.
B. Leg muscles.
C. Arm muscles.
2.What does the man say about gyms?
A. They usually charge too much money.
B. They always lack fitness equipment.
C. They are just places for talks.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the bag made of?
A. Animal skin. B. Cloth. C. Artificial leather.
2.How does the man want to pay for it?
A. By cash. B. By check. C. By credit card.
