My teenage son Karl became withdrawn after his father died.As a single parent, I tried to do my best to talk to him.But the more I tried, the more he pulled away.When his report card arrived during his junior year, it said that he had been absent 95 times from classes and had six falling grades for the year.At this rate he would never graduate.I sent him to the school adviser, and I even begged him.Nothing worked.
One night I felt so powerless that I got down on my knees and pleaded for help.“Please God, I can't do anything more for my son.I'm at the end of my rope.I'm giving the whole thing up to you.” I was at work when I got a phone call.A man introduced himself as the headmaster.“I want to talk to you about Karl's absences.” Before he could say another word, I choked up and all my disappointment and sadness over Karl came pouring out into the ears of this stranger.“I love my son but I just don't know what to do.I've tried everything to get Karl to go back to school and nothing has worked.It's out of my hands.” For a moment there was silence on the other end of the line.The headmaster seriously said, “Thank you for your time”, and hung up.
Karl's next report card showed a marked improvement in his grades.Finally, he even made the honor roll.In his fourth year, I attended a parent-teacher meeting with Karl.I noticed that his teachers were astonished at the way he had turned himself around.On our way home, he said, “Mum, remember that call from the headmaster last year?” I nodded.“That was me.I thought I'd play a joke but when I heard what you said, it really hit me how much I was hurting you.That's when I knew I had to make you proud.”
(1)
By saying “Karl became withdrawn”, the author means that the boy changed entirely and ________.
[ ]
A.
preferred to stay alone at home
B.
lost interest in his studies
C.
refused to talk to others
D.
began to dislike his mother
(2)
There was silence on the other end of the line because ________.
[ ]
A.
the speaker was too moved to say anything to the mother
B.
the speaker waited for the mother to finish speaking
C.
the speaker didn't want the mother to recognize his voice
D.
the speaker was unable to interrupt the mother
(3)
The sentence “he even made the honor roll means that ________”.
[ ]
A.
he was even on the list to be praised at the parent-teacher meeting
B.
he was even on the list of students who made progress in grades
C.
he was even on the list of students who had turned themselves around
D.
he was even on the list of the best students at school
(4)
What is the main idea of this passage?
[ ]
A.
Children in single-parent families often have mental problems.
B.
Mother's love plays an important role in teenagers' life.
C.
Being understood by parents is very important to teenagers.
D.
School education doesn't work without full support from parents.
One night when my wife was preparing dinner, our little son took a piece of paper to her which read:
For washing the car $5.00
For making my own bed this week $1.00
Going to the provision shop $0.50
Playing with little sister $0.25
Taking out the rubbish $1.00
Getting a good report card $5.00
And for sweeping the common corridor $2.00
Total $14.75
His mother looked at him standing there expecting payment.I could see a thousand memories flashed through her mind.So she picked up the pen and turning the paper over, this is what she wrote:
For nine months I carried you, growing inside me No Charge
For the nights I sat up with you, doctored and prayed for you No Charge
For the toys, food and clothes and wiping your nose No Charge
When you add it all up, the full cost of my love No Charge
Well, when he finished reading, he had big tears in his eyes.He looked at his mother and said,“Mummy, I love you.”Then he took the pen and in great big letters wrote on the“bill”“All paid.”
(1)
What's the best title for this passage?
[ ]
A.
Part-time Job
B.
Mother's Love, No Charge
C.
Payment for House Work
D.
Greedy Mother
(2)
The write wrote the passage in order to ________.
[ ]
A.
show that children should be paid for their housework
B.
show that children should not be paid for their housework
C.
show a clever way of teaching children
D.
tell children how to spend their spare time
(3)
How do you think of the mother in the passage?
[ ]
A.
Clever
B.
Greedy
C.
Cold-hearted
D.
Selfish
(4)
From the last passage we know that ________
[ ]
A.
the boy got all the money he wanted
B.
the mother was unwilling to give the money to the boy
C.
the boy realized that it was not right to ask for money for the housework
D.
the mother was angry with what the boy said
阅读理解
Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel.Green said,“Clearly I am the most important.I am the sign of life and hope.I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves.Without me, all animals would 1 .”
Blue interrupted,“You only think about the 2 , but consider the sky and the sea. 3 the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea.Without my peace, you would all be 4 .”
Yellow chuckled(笑道),“You are all so serious.I bring laughter, fun, and 5 into the world.”
Orange started next to blow her trumpet,“I am the color of health and strength.I may be 6 , but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life.When I fill the sky 7 , my beauty is so striking that no one gives another 8 to any of you.”
Red could stand it 9 and he shouted out,“I am the ruler of all of you.I am the color of danger and of bravery.I am willing to 10 truth.I am also the color of passion and of love.”
Then came Purple and Indigo(深蓝)….
The colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own 11 .Their quarreling became louder and louder.Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening thunder.Rain started to pour down 12 .The colors crouched(蜷缩)down 13 , drawing close to one another for comfort.
In the midst of the clamor(叫嚷), rain began to speak,“You foolish colors, fighting 14 yourselves, each trying to dominate 15 .Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, 16 ?Join hands with 17 and come to me.”
Doing as they were told, the colors 18 and joined hands.They formed a colorful rainbow.From then on, whenever a good rain 19 the world, a rainbow appears in the sky.They remember to 20 one another.