Speaking Up
I never looked up when my friends were talking and joking about the ratarded (智障的) boy a few tables away. It didn’t even cross my mind that he might feel _______when people whispered about him. So I just let them talk.
Then came the day when I learned my little brother Martin’s testing for autism (自闭症) came out positive (阳性). I had never thought about him like that. I broke_______, crying.
Everything had just changed. He was no longer a(n) _______little boy.
Over time, I was able to accept his _______a little more. We had to_______because Martin needed treatment. So Martin and I both started at a new school. One day, I was standing in the bus line waiting when a “ short ” bus (for the retarded) came and_______up some kids. The children in the other line started making_______about the “ retarded ” on that bus and I felt a _______feeling in my heart. I said quietly that those comments weren’t very nice, _______no one listened.
My family moved again. In the new school I got a ________ to speak up pretty soon. That day, in a band class, my teacher _________our playing to make some comments, “ …Guys, we’re playing like the kids on the short bus! Come on! ”
The entire room was laughing loudly. I felt very ________. Then, I raised my hand. I wasn’t sure what I was going to say but I wanted to be heard.
The whole class ________down. My mouth opened and this came out: “ I don’t think we should make fun of the short bus, because there are people on that bus who have a lot in common with us and have the same feelings as we do.” I could feel my________getting louder. “So I would________it if you didn’t make fun of them.”
The room was very quiet and everyone stared at me. My teacher ________for his words and then started the song again. At the end of the class, everyone was giving me strange looks. But I didn’t _________because I knew three things: I had spoken the ________, I had taught everyone something, and while everyone in the classroom was being a follower, I had ________to take a different path since I wanted to become a ________and a role model.
1.A.amazed B.hurt C.uncertain D.cold
2.A.off B.in C.down D.away
3.A.normal B.noisy C.outstanding D.impressive
4.A.pain B.interest C.opinion D.illness
5.A.change B.move C.quit D.study
6.A.set B.took C.brought D.picked
7.A.jokes B.complaints C.choices D.discoveries
8.A.violent B.strange C.confusing D.clear
9.A.because B.if C.but D.so
10.A.chance B.position C.topic D.point
11.A.encouraged B.bothered C.enjoyed D.stopped
12.A.bad B.embarrassed C.tense D.guilty
13.A.sat B.slowed C.quieted D.looked
14.A.pace B.voice C.pulse D.breath
15.A.excuse B.appreciate C.stand D.permit
16.A.apologized B.fought C.allowed D.argued
17.A.understand B.notice C.return D.care
18.A.wisdom B.importance C.matter D.truth
19.A.helped B.decided C.agreed D.hoped
20.A.reporter B.thinker C.leader D.trainer
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。请把对应答案填涂到机读卡上，E涂AB; F涂AC; G涂AD。Every single human being on this planet has a path and purpose to fulfill, whether they realize it or not.1.List what you love and connect the dots.2.It may not make sense at first, but all of the things you enjoy doing are part of your path in one form or another, so grab a pen and a piece of paper and start writing. Once you have your list, take a step back and see how all these brilliant pieces might connect to the work you are meant to do.Identify what you do with ease. Often our passion and purpose are staring us right in the face, but it’s so natural to us that we don’t think anything about it.3.Just because they are easy for you doesn’t mean that’s the case for everyone else. By identifying what comes naturally to you, you have the ability to build on your strengths and help others in ways you never thought possible.4.Finding your passion is directly related to doing the things that light you up and set your soul on fire. If you love to teach, run, and host live events, then please, do them all! Who says your life purpose has to be just one thing? You are meant to experience life and all that it has offered.Ask others to help. If you are still feeling stuck in finding your passion and purpose in life, it might be time to ask others for help. It can be difficult for you to see where you truly shine because you are simply too close to connecting the dots on your own. Friends, family members and professionals have a view that you don’t.5.
A.Do what makes you happy.
B.Find what you do with ease.
C.Don’t overlook the things that are easy for you.
D.They can help you to see things within yourself.
E.You cannot count on others to help you completely.
F.Here are ways to find your passion and purpose from now on.
G.Identifying the things you love is the best way to find your passion and purpose.
Humans have always been curious about what Earth was like thousands of years ago. To learn more about the plants and animals that lived during that time, scientists examine their fossils or other remains. In recent years, genetics, and in particular the the study of DNA, has become an important tool for these scientists. Some people even dream of bringing ancient creatures such as dinosaurs back to life. Although no animals have been brought back yet, scientists have managed to grow a number of ancient plants from seeds. By far theoldest of these plants is a 32,000-year-old plant that has been grown again by Russian scientists.
The plant is a flower called Silenestenophylla, which used to grow in Siberia in eastern Russia. The scientists discovered seeds and fruits of the plant buried deep below the ground. They believe the seeds and fruits were put there by an ancient animal which stored them to eat during the winter. The seeds that scientists found failed to grow because they were damaged. However, the scientists were able to take genetic material from the fruit to grow a new plant. Then, this plant produced new seeds which the scientists were able to use to grow more plants.
A modern relative of the original flower still grows in Siberia, but when the ancient flower was grown, it had some important differences from the modern flower. The petals on the ancient flower were much longer and also spaced further apart. Studying the ancient flower will allow the scientists to learn more about how plants have evolved.
Before this, the oldest seed to have been grown was from a 2,000-year-year-old tree in Israel. The Russian scientists believe the reason why the Siberian seeds were preserved for so long is that they were buried in permanently frozen earth, which protected the genetic information in the seeds. The scientists believe that the permanently frozen soil in Siberia contains many other ancient seeds, so they may be able to bring back even older plants. This will help them better understand the history of plants and how they have changed over time.
1.Recently, scientist have ________.
A.been able to bring a number of ancient animals back to life
B.begun using genetics to learn more about ancient plants and animals
C.started to create a dinosaur that could live on Earth today
D.tried to create new types of fossils to study how animals used to live
2.How were Russian scientists able to grow Silenestenophylla?
A.They used genetic material from an ancient fruit they discovered.
B.They used ancient seeds that they had found deep below the ground.
C.They planted the seeds deep in the ground to protect them during the cold winter.
D.They planted fruit in a new kind of container that they had specially designed.
3.What is one thing the Russian scientists learned by comparing the ancient plant with its modern relative?
A.The plant used to produce fewer flowers than it produces now.
B.The plant has evolved to have shorter petals on its flowers.
C.The ancient plant was a different color from its modern relative.
D.The modern plant is found across a wider area of Russia than the ancient one.
4.The Russian scientists believe that ________.
A.it is unlikely that they can grow plants from seeds that are over 2,000 years old
B.ancient seeds that were kept in Israel will be easier to grow than Russian seeds
C.they will be able to grow plants in areas where the earth is permanently frozen
D.the frozen soil in Siberia is able to keep the DNA of plants safe for a long time
5.Which of the following statements is true?
A.Russian scientists would like to use frozen earth to protect seeds.
B.Human DNA can be used to help scientists learn more about the genetic history of plants.
C.The fruit and seeds of Silenestenophylla may have been buried by an ancient animal.
D.The first plant that had flowers grew in Siberia over 32,000 years ago.
I work with Volunteers for Wildlife, a rescue and education organization at Bailey Arboretum in Locust Valley. Trying to help injured, displaced or sick creatures can be heartbreaking; survival is never certain. However, when it works, it is simply beautiful.
I got a rescue call from a woman in Muttontown. She had found a young owl(猫头鹰) on the ground. When I arrived, I saw a 2-to 3-week-old owl. It had already been placed in a carrier for safety.
I examined the chick(雏鸟) and it seemed fine. If I could locate the nest, I might have been able to put it back, but no luck. My next work was to construct a nest and anchor it in a tree.
The homeowner was very helpful. A wire basket was found. I put some pine branches into the basket to make this nest safe and comfortable. I placed the chick in the nest, and it quickly calmed down.
Now all that was needed were the parents, but they were absent. I gave the homeowner a recording of the hunger screams of owl chicks. These advertise the presence of chicks to adults; they might also encourage our chick to start calling as well. I gave the owner as much information as possible and headed home to see what news the night might bring.
A nervous night to be sure, but sometimes the spirits of nature smile on us all! The homeowner called to say that the parents had responded to the recordings. I drove over and saw the chick in the nest looking healthy and active. And it was accompanied in the nest by the greatest sight of all-LUNCH! The parents had done their duty and would probably continue to do so.
1.What is unavoidable in the author's rescue work according to paragraph 1?
A.Efforts made in vain.
B.Getting injured in his work.
C.Feeling uncertain about his future.
D.Creatures forced out of their homes.
2.Why was the author called to Muttontown?
A.To rescue a woman.
B.To take care of a woman.
C.To look at a baby owl.
D.To cure a young owl.
3.What made the chick calm down?
A.A new nest. B.Some food.
C.A recording. D.Its parents.
I walked to Mrs. Windsor’s house and waited outside. She was working with another student, and I was not supposed to bother them by ringing the bell. I stood against the wall and daydreamed what I’d rather be doing. I had been tutored enough to read, understand, and even write some musical compositions, but I just didn’t have a gift for it. Mrs. Windsor had offered to give me the lessons for free, so I felt my duty to try.
The door opened and Wendy Barton came out. I walked in, sat down on the piano bench and began to sort through my sheet music. Today Mrs. Windsor introduced her niece Pasha to teach me. With a smile, Pasha sat beside me on the piano bench, opened my sheet music to the beginning page and asked me to play. I arranged my fingers on the keys. Then I frowned(皱眉) and concentrated to make the notes on the page match the finger movements. I had to admit I was a rather mechanical (呆板的) pianist.
After about a page or two, Pasha gently put her hand on top of mine as if to calm my fingers. There was a long pause. “What are you hearing in the music?” I looked at her rather strangely and admitted I didn’t know what she meant. “Like a story. Here, let me try and you listen,” Pasha advised.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting her fingers dance lightly over the keys. Then, she began to play. “See, it begins here beside some kind of river. Hear the water flowing beside you?”
Her fingers rose and fell gently on the keys. “Now the princess appears and she’s picking flowers from the water’s edge.” A happy piece of music filled the air in time to Pasha’s dancing fingers. “Oh, but she slips!” The music changed. “And our princess is being carried off by the fast-flowing stream. Quickly, the princess’ horse sees her plight (困境) and races to the river’s edge where he swims out to let her catch hold of him. Luckily, they make it to the bank.” Pasha said.
I played many pieces of music that afternoon, finding the stories in the music and learning that sometimes it takes a friend to pull you out of the river onto dry land again.
1.By describing herself as a mechanical pianist, the author meant ________.
A.she could remember the notes in a short time
B.she was playing the piano without emotion
C.her fingers couldn’t move freely
D.it had been a long time since she played last time
2.Which of the following can best describe Pasha?
A.Creative. B.Honest. C.Humorous. D.Brave.
3.Pasha’s magic of playing the piano lies in that she ________.
A.imagined herself as a princess
B.knew its original background story
C.had a strong desire to make a friend
D.combined the music with a story
4.Which of the following is the best title for the text?
A.A Friend Forever
B.Never Give up
C.A Piano Lesson
D.My Favorite Piece of Music
Pacific Science Center Guide
◆Visit Pacific Science Center’s Store
Don’t forget to stop by Pacific Science Center’s Store while you are here to pick up a wonderful science activity or souvenir to remember your visit. The store is located(位于) upstairs in Building 3 right next to the Laser Dome.
◆Hungry
Our exhibits will feed your mind, but what about your body? Our café offers a complete menu of lunch and snack options, in addition to seasonal specials. The café is located upstairs in Building 1 and is open daily until one hour before Pacific Science Center closes.
◆Rental Information
Lockers are available to store any belongings during your visit. The lockers are located in Building 1 near the Information Desk and in Building 3. Pushchairs and wheelchairs are available to rent at the Information Desk and Denny Way entrance. ID required.
◆Support Pacific Science Center
Since 1962, Pacific Science Center has been inspiring a passion(热情) for discovery and lifelong learning in science, math and technology. Today, Pacific Science Center serves more than 1.3 million people a year and brings inquiry-based science education to classrooms and community events all over Washington State. It’s an amazing accomplishment and one we cannot achieve without generous support from individuals, corporations, and other social organizations. Visit pacificsciencecenter.org to find various ways you can support Pacific Science Center.
1.Where can you buy a souvenir at Pacific Science Center?
A.In Building 1.
B.In Building 3.
C.At the the Laser Dome.
D.At the Denny Way entrance.
2.What does Pacific Science Center do for schools?
A.Train Science teachers.
B.Distribute science books.
C.Inspire scientific research.
D.Take science to the classroom.
3.What is the purpose of the last part of the text?
A.To encourage donations.
B.To advertise coming events.
C.To introduce special exhibits.
D.To tell about the Center’s history.
