Martina looked out of the window. A robin was singing a lively song in the tree. At this time, Grandpa, who lived with the family since Grandma had died, came in. He looked at the floor as if looking for something. He said, "When the robin sings..." he stopped, trying to remember what he had started to say.

"Spring is here," Mum finished the sentence. "And I'm thinking of our spring cleaning," Mum suggested. "Martina, you can help me, right?" Martina agreed unwillingly.

They cleaned the house. They cleaned upstairs, downstairs, inside, outside, until everything was clean. Then Mum pointed to Grandpa's sofa and shouted. "That old sofa has got to go. We'll buy Grandpa a new one."

It was true and Martina had to agree. The sofa was really old. As they tried to move the sofa, Grandpa stood in their way. "You can't take my sofa," he shouted.

"It's old," Mum said. Grandpa tried to push his sofa back into place. "We'll buy you a new one," Mum promised.

"I don't want a new one," Grandpa insisted. Mum let go of the sofa. "We'll talk about it tonight when John gets home." John, Martina's dad, was still at work.

"Why don't you let us take away the sofa? It's too old!"Martina asked when the family were having supper. Grandpa shook his head and said, "I sat in this sofa, with your grandma right here, when I asked her to marry me. It was so long ago, but when I sit in this sofa and close my eyes I feel she is near."

"It's amazing," Martina thought, "how Grandpa can remember things from the past. These days he forgets almost everything."

The old man smiled to Martina and went on. "And the night your father was born, I sat in this sofa. I was nervous when they placed the little baby into my arms."

"I think I'm beginning to understand," Martina said. "Many years later," Grandpa continued, "I sat in this sofa when the doctor called and told me that your grandma was ill. I was lost without her, but the sofa gave me the comfort."

"I do see now," Martina looked at Grandpa. "This is not just an old sofa. This sofa is more like a friend." "Yes," Grandpa added. "We've got through a lot together." The whole family agreed that the living room would be boring without the old sofa.

1.What is a robin?

A. A bird. B. A cat. C. A fish. D. A worm.

2.What was Grandpa like these days?

A. Careless. B. Impatient. C. Organized. D. Forgetful.

3.Who was "the little baby" in Paragraph 9?

A. Martina. B. Martina's dad. C. Martina's mum. D. Martina's uncle.

4.What's the best title for this passage?

A. Martina's wish B. A spring cleaning C. A happy family D. The old sofa

Most of the time, we know what weather is heading our way— thanks to meteorologists (气象学家). Will it be sunny or rainy, hot or cold? Every day, people turn to the TV, computer, or radio to find out. And every day, meteorologists work hard to predict what the weather will be like.

For some, an interest in weather starts early. It did for Samantha Gibbons, a 10-year-old from the USA. She says she loves watching the weather. Every week, Samantha studies the science behind weather through the Internet. In January, she was the youngest kid to attend the 2015 American Meteorological Society (AMS) Annual Meeting. During the Q&A discussion at the event, she asked the experts how a halo (a ring of light around a moon or sun) appears. One expert answered her question. “I was very excited to take part in the meeting! It was like I was meant to be there,” said Samantha.

Not only does Samantha study the numbers behind weather, but she also practices speaking on air. As a member of her school’s broadcast (电视节目) club, she helps produce the school’s morning programs. “I love being on TV,” she said.

On September 3, 2014, Samantha made her first TV show on NBC Channel 12 in Phoenix, USA. Before her appearance, she woke up at 4 a.m. to arrive at the station by 5:30 a.m., a typical morning for many meteorologists. “To prepare, I practiced in front of the mirror,” said Samantha. “I learned I needed a lot of practice on camera!” Her future plans are simple: do well in school and practice broadcasting. What’s her advice for other kids interested in becoming meteorologists? “Ask lots of questions,” said Samantha. “Always have faith in what you’re doing and keep pursuing (追求) your dream.”

根据材料内容补全句子,每空词数不限。

1.Now, people find out what the weather will be like by turning to the TV, computer or_________.

2.This January, Samantha attended the 2015 AMS Annual Meeting and __________ during the Q&A discussion.

3.Samantha joined a broadcast club in her school and her job was to ____________.

4.Samantha plans to do well in school and __________ in the future.

5.The passage mainly talks about a young girl who is trying to achieve _________.

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