(一)
Flood damage cleanup is an unforgettable experience for me. I have seen a number of news reports on television showing houses that have been by natural flooding and how the different there are coping and starting their flood damage cleanup. I have always felt for the families that have become victims of flooding; however, I couldnt imagine what they were because I have never flooding or flood damage cleanup at first hand until two years back.
My experience happened when I woke up early one morning because of the of water. As I started to get out of bed to turn on the light, I felt cold muddy water at my . I then realized that the was out. This probably happened due to the heavy and strong wind that were brought by a hurricane during the .
As the rains stopped, I decided to do my flood damage cleanup . Because I had just moved in the house and had only a few belongings, the amount of was small. It involved only washing shoes and bags with soap and water.
It was a good thing that most of my things were inside plastic buckets and most of the furniture that I bought was made of and plastic. This made my flood damage cleanup a lot . My cleanup work only involved the removal of from the apartment floors. It was also a good thing that the had hardwood floors. Had the apartment been covered with carpet, I would have had to a lot having the carpet cleaned if not replaced with a new one.
1. A. drowned B. washed C. affected D. removed
2. A. hosts B. householders C. owners D. inhabitants
3. A. sorry B. responsible C. anxious D. embarrassed
4. A. planning B. doing C. saying D. thinking
5. A. believed B. experienced C. wondered D. expected
6. A. cleanup B. flooding C. earthquake D. storm
7. A. smell B. flow C. speed D. sound
8. A. head B. neck C. feet D. breast
9. A. power B. water C. wind D. hurricane
10. A. rain B. snow C. frost D. fog
11. A. morning B. afternoon C. evening D. night
12. A. simply B. gradually C. quickly D. finally
13. A. unfolded B. unpacked C. uncovered D. unloaded
14. A. time B. money C. damage D. information
15. A. thrown B. hidden C. displayed D. stored
16. A. wood B. metal C. paper D. leather
17. A. funnier B. easier C. noisier D. busier
18. A. plastic B. carpet C. mud D. furniture
19. A. bedroom B. kitchen C. building D. apartment
20. A. spend B. avoid C. notice D. keep
(二)
Its 27 years since my last conversation with my mother, who didnt finish school like many of her contemporary girls. She often told me, “I never got my but one day you will.”
Pointing to a tree or cow, she asked me to their English names after her. Feeling , I asked, “Mama, why do I have to learn these phrases?” She held her pen right before my eyes. “Hold it firmly,” she me, “for this pen and the new foreign language will be your compass to around the world.” Sadly, my mother died of breast cancer when I was six.
Turning seven, I traveled 30 miles to live closer to my school. But “closer” is a term in Uganda, which I had to get up as the sun rose and then ran 8.8 miles barefoot to school. Also, I needed to carry a stick in of snakes and dogs. During the season, the path to school was daily and Id swim with one hand, using the other hand to the book bag on my head.
Research shows 70 percent of poor children dont primary school in Uganda. Reasons for this dropout rate includes the long some children must cover among many other .
Fortunately, Ive made it. Whenever I see the sun rise, I am of the wisdom of my mother, who me to dream big and to use the of the pen to make my dream come true.
1. A. degree B. scholarship C. recommendation D. admission
2. A. remember B. use C. repeat D. guess
3. A. anxious B. proud C. disappointed D. annoyed
4. A. tough B. new C. foreign D. boring
5. A. encouraged B. commanded C. blamed D. promised
6. A. fly B. look C. walk D. sail
7. A. relative B. real C. simple D. technical
8. A. shows B. means C. proves D. states
9. A. warm B. early C. bright D. hot
10. A. search B. possession C. spite D. case
11. A. wind B. cold C. rainy D. foggy
12. A. damaged B. repaired C. blocked D. flooded
13. A. drag B. hold C. put D. seize
14. A. attend B. enter C. complete D. continue
15. A. constant B. steady C. old D. high
16. A. distances B. periods C. lists D. stories
17. A. reasons B. children C. schools D. ways
18. A. informed B. warned C. reminded D. told
19. A. enabled B. inspired C. suggested D. intended
20. A. value B. power C. symbol D. length
(三)
There was a boy in India who was sent by his parents to a boarding school. Before being sent away this boy was the student in his class, who was at the top in every .
But the boy changed after the boarding school. His grades started and he hated being in a group. He was all the time and there were especially times when he felt like denying himself. It was that he felt and that no one loved him that all of this. Worrying about the boy and not knowing what was wrong with him, the boys father decided to travel to the boarding school and with him. They sat on the bank of the lake near the school. The father started asking him casual questions about his classes, and sports. After some time his dad said, “Do you know, son, why I am here today?” The boy answered, “To check my ?”
“No, no,” his dad . “I am here to tell you that you are the most important person for me. I want to see you happy. I dont grades but your feeling and your . You are my life.” into tears, the boy hugged his father and they didnt say anything to each other for a long time. Now the boy has everything he wants. He knows there is someone on this earth who him deeply. He means the to someone. And today this young man is in college and at the top of his class and no one has ever seen him !
Too often we dont the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the to turn a life around.
1. A. tallest B. brightest C. strongest D. youngest
2. A. competition B. chance C. place D. month
3. A. finding B. visiting C. attending D. consulting
4. A. increasing B. failing C. improving D. dropping
5. A. scared B. lonely C. busy D. shy
6. A. short B. dark C. funny D. easy
7. A. worthless B. priceless C. homeless D. fearless
8. A. replaced B. interrupted C. caused D. predicted
9. A. quarrel B. argue C. discuss D. talk
10. A. scores B. feelings C. teachers D. mistakes
11. A. grades B. homework C. knowledge D. tests
12. A. shouted B. replied C. cried D. apologized
13. A. watch out B. check out C. care about D. hear about
14. A. habit B. future C. success D. happiness
15. A. Moved B. Delighted C. Shocked D. Frightened
16. A. impresses B. loves C. touches D. understands
17. A. son B. family C. school D. world
18. A. alone B. sad C. teary D. unconfident
19. A. expect B. enjoy C. realize D. need
20. A. skill B. time C. potential D. way
(四)
Every year I will give the managers of the city some training lessons. One day during the , I asked them, “What has you to stay long enough to become a manager?” Everyone was and discussed the question heatedly when a new took the question and slowly said, “It was a $19 baseball glove.”
She told us that she first a clerk job while she looked for something better. On her second day behind the counter, she received a(n) from her nine-year-old son, Jessie. He a baseball glove for Little League. She that as a single mother, money was very , and her first check would have to go for paying bills. Perhaps she could buy his baseball glove with her second check. Her son was and quarrelled with her.
When she for work the next morning, Patricia, the store manager, asked her to come to her office. She if she had done something wrong the day before. So she was and confused.
Patricia handed her a box. “I you talking to your son yesterday,” she said, “and I know that it is to explain things to kids. This is a baseball glove for Jessie because he may not understand how important he is, you have to pay bills before you can buy gloves. You know we cant good people like you as much as we would like to; but we do care, and I want you to know you are to us.”
The thoughtfulness and love of the manager proved that people more how much an employer than how much he pays—an important lesson for the price of a Little League baseball glove. So the mother remained to this day.
1. A. course B. supper C. test D. competition
2. A. caused B. forced C. invited D. required
3. A. satisfied B. excited C. confused D. surprised
4. A. teacher B. clerk C. worker D. manager
5. A. gave up B. took up C. looked for D. prepared for
6. A. letter B. call C. email D. message
7. A. ordered B. bought C. liked D. needed
8. A. accepted B. believed C. explained D. promised
9. A. valuable B. tight C. useful D. powerful
10. A. shocked B. content C. angry D. sad
11. A. arrived B. waited C. left D. sent
12. A. asked B. minded C. doubted D. wondered
13. A. tired B. patient C. worried D. embarrassed
14. A. observed B. heard C. understood D. noticed
15. A. hard B. usual C. right D. amusing
16. A. as if B. even though C. so that D. now that
17. A. expect B. pay C. treat D. respect
18. A. important B. strong C. nice D. kind
19. A. think B. remember C. know D. catch
20. A. sees B. cares C. wants D. produces
(五)
An evening in October, I landed in Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak in Malaysia. I was an 18-year-old Dubai-raised kid away from home for the first time to start my undergraduate studies.
I had never traveled alone before. I pushed my1and headed for the airport2to find a grey car with the name of my university on it.
As we left the airport, the3began talking to me. As I am a driving4myself, we started talking about cars and driving.
“Never make a Sarawakian5 ,” he warned. “No road rage (狂怒). Very dangerous!” Not long into our6 , the lights of the car behind flashed at us. This continued more aggressively and my driver started to7 . We pulled over to the roadside. My heart was pounding but I tried to put on a(n)8face as the man from the car came up and made his way to my side of the car. As he reached my9 , I rolled it down and tried to force a10 .
I looked down at his hands to see that he was11my travel bag. It12my passport, a return ticket, as well as cash and letters for the university. I had left it behind on the trolley (手推車) at the13and this man had been trying to14it to me ever since we had left the airport.
Breathing a huge sigh of15 , I took my bag and showed16to this stranger. The man welcomed me to Kuching, wished me luck with my university studies and drove away.
This act of kindness17cheered me up and thanks to this honest18 , the initial self-doubt I had about my decision to19so far away from home was20with hope and excitement.
1. A. presents B. baggage C. books D. bike
2. A. entrance B. building C. exit D. hall
3. A. driver B. teacher C. tourist D. classmate
4. A. expert B. athlete C. enthusiast D. coach
5. A. nervous B. curious C. angry D. excited
6. A. journey B. greeting C. adventure D. practice
7. A. shout B. cry C. laugh D. panic
8. A. serious B. brave C. honest D. kind
9. A. window B. door C. car D. side
10. A. sound B. question C. word D. smile
11. A. unfastening B. holding C. searching D. emptying
12. A. protected B. displayed C. collected D. contained
13. A. airport B. station C. supermarket D. harbor
14. A. pass B. deliver C. offer D. return
15. A. doubt B. regret C. relief D. sadness
16. A. appreciation B. satisfaction C. praise D. kindness
17. A. regularly B. normally C. immediately D. occasionally
18. A. stranger B. student C. policeman D. attendant
19. A. live B. work C. travel D. study
20. A. filled B. replaced C. covered D. crowded
(六)
One of the easiest things in the world is to become a fault-finder. However, life can be1when you are not busy finding fault with it.
Several years ago I2a letter from seventeen-year-old Kerry, who3herself as a world-class fault-finder, almost always bothered by things. People were always doing things that4her, and nothing was ever good enough. She was highly self-critical and also found fault with her friends. She became a really5person.
Unfortunately, it took a horrible accident to change her6 . Her best friend was seriously hurt in a car crash. What made it almost7to deal with was that the day before the8 , Kerry had visited her friend and had spent the whole time criticizing her9of boyfriends, the way she was living, the way she related to her mother, and various other things she felt she needed to10 . It wasnt until her friend was badly hurt that Kerry became11her habit of finding fault. Very quickly, she learned to appreciate life rather than to12everything so harshly (刻薄). She was able to transfer her new wisdom to other parts of her13as well.
Perhaps most of us arent as extreme at fault-finding, but when were honest, we can be sharply14of the world. Im not suggesting you15problems, or that you pretend things are16than they are, but simply that you learn to allow things to be as they are— 17most of the time, and especially when its not a really big18 .
Train yourself to “bite your tongue”, and with a little19 , youll get really good at letting things go. And when you do, youll get20your enthusiasm and love for life.
1. A. lonely B. great C. quiet D. uneasy
2. A. received B. answered C. expected D. rejected
3. A. appointed B. acted C. described D. respected
4. A. encouraged B. interrupted C. comforted D. annoyed
5. A. caring B. boring C. interesting D. surprising
6. A. attitude B. mind C. behavior D. explanation
7. A. urgent B. necessary C. certain D. impossible
8. A. occasion B. event C. accident D. adventure
9. A. memory B. notice C. thought D. choice
10. A. hear B. contribute C. express D. admit
11. A. aware of B. afraid of C. curious about D. confused about
12. A. discuss B. realize C. judge D. settle
13. A. family B. life C. career D. study
14. A. proud B. sure C. hopeful D. critical
15. A. face B. create C. solve D. ignore
16. A. rarer B. better C. stranger D. simpler
17. A. at least B. at last C. by far D. so far
18. A. task B. deal C. result D. duty
19. A. practice B. speech C. rest D. pity
20. A. away B. along C. back D. down
(七)
Every January 1st, I would faithfully write down my resolutions for the coming year. I always1big goals like: I will study German every day. And get in2and run a marathon!
I never accomplished those resolutions. Id start out3 , but by February, Id be out of willpower and Id4quietly back into my old5 . Every winter, Id feel guilty and6 , looking back at all the amazing things I didnt do.
Two years ago, I was diagnosed (診断) with breast cancer. Before I could feel the7for the breast cancer, there was another8 —I also had appendix cancer. Thats the9 : two different cancers, with two different treatment plans, at the same time, in the same body. There was a lot to10 , and I wont lie—the next year was extremely difficult.
11 , there is one good thing about cancer—it completely12my view on my life,13about what I consider “success” and “failure”. Before, I always felt like I was14somewhere, but now simply being15and with my family felt like a huge16 .
Now I decided I dont want to17a minute of my life feeling bad or guilty. Cancer gave me a sense of18and motivated me to find a better way to feel successful. I havent19on becoming a better person. But I have learned that there are much better ways to20and grow than through New Years resolutions.
1. A. achieved B. picked C. broke D. scored
2. A. love B. power C. shape D. position
3. A. lonely B. honest C. fearful D. strong
4. A. slide B. travel C. look D. call
5. A. troubles B. habits C. ambitions D. responses
6. A. ashamed B. envious C. responsible D. sensitive
7. A. sadness B. regret C. boredom D. pity
8. A. incident B. danger C. blow D. doubt
9. A. condition B. evidence C. reality D. question
10. A. dream of B. rely on C. believe in D. deal with
11. A. Otherwise B. However C. Therefore D. Besides
12. A. formed B. confirmed C. replaced D. changed
13. A. briefly B. especially C. simply D. probably
14. A. disappearing B. mistaking C. failing D. growing
15. A. alive B. full C. ill D. rich
16. A. burden B. challenge C. decision D. success
17. A. wait B. deserve C. lose D waste
18. A. purpose B. control C. comfort D. respect
19. A. cut down B. given up C. looked down D. set out
20. A. recover B. survive C. improve D. educate
(八)
My father is a worker in authority over others who work in construction sites. When I was young, it was he who 1me sympathy through modeling. It has always been a2for me as I grow up3other construction workers who work with him come to our house every Saturday because that is the time when he will4their salaries for the week.
I know my father as someone who is a quiet man, just5everyone around himself. He is someone who is6when it comes to discipline but I have never been7when being raised by him. Maybe that is because I have seen his gentleness and8to us and to others. Since he is a worker in9 , I often see him talking to the construction workers whenever they have problems. He is more like a father than a(n)10to them.
One day, he returned home, telling me that he would treat me to dinner because he had11his salary. Later that day, his friend, a fellow worker, came to our house just to talk to him and12advice as to where he could go to seek assistance for his13child. I saw how my father listened and14his friends back while his friend was15 . When his friend was about to go home, my father got his wallet and gave his salary to him,16only 2,000 pesos in his wallet.
I was so17when he did that, but so18that my father was19to give almost all of his salary to help his friend with his child in hospital. It is a(n)20I will always treasure.
1. A. offered B. gave C. taught D. instructed
2. A. routine B. balance C. tendency D. sign
3. A. hearing B. seeing C. making D. letting
4. A. increase B. accept C. spend D. pay
5. A. noticing B. kidding C. observing D. describing
6. A. loose B. strict C. lovely D. humorous
7. A. threatened B. forced C. hated D. envied
8. A. sympathy B. bravery C. determination D. silence
9. A. order B. rank C. charge D. turn
10. A. assistant B. superior C. colleague D. engineer
11. A. wasted B. prepared C. used D. received
12. A. ask for B. look for C. head for D. care for
13. A. naughty B. abnormal C. sick D. weak
14. A. pressed B. beat C. patted D. struck
15. A. shouting B. crying C. listening D. shaking
16. A. saving B. collecting C. counting D. leaving
17. A. shocked B. excited C. frightened D. frustrated
18. A. quiet B. angry C. bitter D. proud
19. A. mean B. patient C. surprised D. willing
20. A. chance B. lesson C. experience D. promise
(九)
One day, while we were visiting my parents on a farm in late summer, Dad mentioned hed always wanted a Crimson King Maple Tree for the yard. Mom agreed that the trees were1 .
Like many other parents, mine were hard to2for, so I figured this was a great opportunity to get them something theyd3 . I also thought two would be even better. I checked the4at work and decided it was a bit more than I could5 —but all of my siblings (兄弟姐妹) agreed to give some money to buy the trees.
In northern Ohio, you dont plant maple trees at Christmas, so we decided to6Mom and Dad with a special Christmas in October before the ground7 . We asked my aunt if shed help us with the “ 8 ”, and she called my parents in9to say she was coming for a Sunday visit. Then my sisters and sisters?-in?-law went into10 , planning a big holiday turkey dinner.
On the11Sunday, we all met at my house and12the trees into a truck. I13as Santa Claus. When we arrived at my parents house, Dad was14something was wrong first. He and Mom were15when we told them why we were there.
When Christmas came around, of course, we couldnt go to our parents house16 , so Mom and Dad got17presents that year. Almost half a century later, I18drive by the old farm and smile when I see those big, handsome19and remember giving a special20to special people at Christmas in October.
1. A. distinctive B. fragrant C. expensive D. pretty
2. A. shop B. represent C. answer D. care
3. A. deserve B. appreciate C. wonder D. imagine
4. A. list B. number C. price D. bill
5. A. afford B. expect C. fancy D. handle
6. A. frighten B. assist C. surprise D. reward
7. A. warmed B. froze C. softened D. darkened
8. A. trick B. purchase C. choice D. decoration
9. A. advance B. time C. return D. case
10. A. service B. action C. effect D. production
11. A. regular B. normal C. given D. chosen
12. A. sorted B. loaded C. removed D. transported
13. A. dressed up B. passed off C. looked on D. started out
14. A. delighted B. annoyed C. confused D. convinced
15. A. scared B. upset C. amazed D. doubtful
16. A. empty-handed B. uninvited C. absent-minded D. unconcerned
17. A. generous B. additional C. double D. special
18. A. even B. just C. once D. still
19. A. farms B. trees C. trucks D. yards
20. A. shock B. gift C. donation D. greeting
(十)
Susan, thirty-four, became blind as the result of a medical accident. She was suddenly thrown into a1world. She had to depend on her husband Mark for everything.
At first Susan was so2that she wanted to end her life. How could she3the reality that she could see nothing when she was still so young? Her husband, an airforce officer, became4to use every means possible to5her.
Finally, Susan calmed down and felt ready to return to her job. For two weeks Mark taught her how to rely on her other6 , especially her hearing, to make out where she was and how to get used to her new7 . He helped her be friends with the8who could watch out for her, and save her a seat.
Two months later, Susan9to try the trip herself. Monday morning arrived. For the first time, they went their10ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday... She was11it! She was going to work all by herself!
On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to12as usual. As she got on the bus, the driver said, “Miss, I sure envy you.”13 , Susan asked the driver why.
“You know, every morning for the past week, a handsome14in military uniform has been standing across the corner15you when you get off the bus. He16you cross the street17and he watches you until you enter your office building. Then he blows you a18 , gives you a salute and walks away. You are one19lady,” the bus driver said.
Tears of happiness poured down Susans cheeks. She was so lucky for he had given her a gift more powerful than20 , a gift she didnt need to see to believe—the gift of love that can bring light where there is darkness.
1. A. quiet B. dark C. strange D. real
2. A. sad B. busy C. tired D. worried
3. A. ignore B. realize C. accept D. understand
4. A. impatient B. determined C. energetic D. anxious
5. A. save B. encourage C. cure D. excite
6. A. senses B. feelings C. behaviors D. bodies
7. A. friends B. background C. environment D. eyes
8. A. passers-by B. policemen C. doctors D. drivers
9. A. refused B. preferred C. decided D. failed
10. A. familiar B. lonely C. usual D. separate
11. A. touching B. doing C. tracking D. trying
12. A. shop B. study C. work D. travel
13. A. Curious B. Polite C. Shy D. Friendly
14. A. husband B. manager C. conductor D. gentleman
15. A. watching B. observing C. noticing D. admiring
16. A. sees off B. drops on C. makes sure D. comes across
17. A. slowly B. safely C. hurriedly D. freely
18. A. warning B. whistle C. shout D. kiss
19. A. proud B. lucky C. pretty D. attractive
20. A. money B. love C. sight D. appearance
(十一)
The city bus stopped at Centennial Drive to pick up the daily commuters (往返者). When1the bus, I luckily2a seat near the back.
When sitting down, I began to read the book On the Road Id been3 . The man next to me then asked if Id read any other books like that one from the same era. When I said yes, he seemed to become4 .
He5himself as Carl and told me he used to play the trumpet in jazz clubs. He asked if I like jazz, and I told him that I didnt really listen to it.6Carl to tell me that I should listen to “real7 ”. I was shocked when he just8and smiled, saying, “You9me of myself when I was your age. I remember how my parents10jazz, how they couldnt see how I could listen to ‘that awful11 . I bet your parents say the12thing, dont they?” Now it was my turn to smile, saying how right he was.
All the way, the more we talked, the more13I became at how much the two of us really had in common, despite the age14 . Finally, Carl got off at his stop, and mine was soon after. I havent seen him since then, but the15of our connection that day16leaves my mind.
Carl really made me17how much we can learn from each other if we just break through the barriers weve got. Carl18me that we should make an extra19to try and get to know the people around us, regardless of age, race or anything else. If we all understand each other, the world would be a much better place that we could20together.
1. A. driving B. leaving C. boarding D. stopping
2. A. spotted B. exchanged C. spared D. reserved
3. A. selling B. possessing C. checking D. carrying
4. A. satisfied B. relaxed C. interested D. encouraged
5. A. introduced B. behaved C. dressed D. claimed
6. A. Relying on B. Calling on C. Turning to D. Waiting for
7. A. music B. instrument C. problem D. performance
8. A. cheered B. apologized C. nodded D. applauded
9. A. warn B. remind C. inform D. convince
10. A. promoted B. advocated C. hated D. enjoyed
11. A. silence B. noise C. fear D. howl
12. A. precious B. contradictory C. significant D. same
13. A. annoyed B. amazed C. disappointed D. confused
14. A. connection B. advantage C. diversity D. difference
15. A. chance B. attempt C. thought D. decision
16. A. rarely B. merely C. eventually D. gradually
17. A. foresee B. determine C. admit D. consider
18. A. motivated B. taught C. promised D. witnessed
19. A. preparation B. goal C. effort D. accomplishment
20. A. share B. improve C. preserve D. construct
(十二)
Sylvia is a woman with big scars on her body. The1that left her scarred happened during a childhood game of hide-and-seek with her sister. Due to frequent power cuts, her mom used to2pots of water and put them on the bathroom floor. Her mother had told her not to enter the room, but Sylvia3in the room, forgetting her moms words. When her sister pushed the4 , she fell backwards into the5water.
It took years of surgery before she went back to school. With scars over her body, a life of hiding from6followed until the7point came in July last year. Sylvia was on holiday with her mother when she8a mans camera phone following her around the pool. Then she was9by the effect the experience had on her mother—she could see Mom staring at her scars, looking10 . Seeing this, Sylvia11to pose to make her mom12 .
“I realized Id been13for many years. I felt like I had14my familys lives and thought, ‘Now is the time for me to15 ,” Sylvia said. Sylvia felt it was time not just to make a change herself, but to help others with disfigurements (缺陷).