Mrs. Bertha Flowers was the aristocrat of Black Stamps. She had the grace of control to appear warm in the coldest weather, and on the Arkansas summer days it seemed she had a private breeze which swirled around, cooling her.

One summer afternoon, she stopped at the store to buy supplies. Another Negro woman of her health and age would have been expected to carry the paper sacks home in one hand, but Momma said, “Sister Flowers, I’ll send Bailey up to your house with these things.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Henderson. I’d prefer Marguerite, though.” My name sounded so beautiful when she said it. “I’ve been meaning to talk to her, anyway.” They gave each other age group looks.

There was a little path beside the rocky road, and Mrs. Flowers walked in front swinging her arms and picking her way over the stones.

Without turning her head, she spoke to me, “I hear you’re working very good school work, Marguerite, but that it’s all written. The teachers report that they have trouble getting you to talk in class.” We passed the triangular farm on our left and the path widened to allow us to walk together.

“Now no one is going to make you talk—possibly no one can. But bear in mind, language is man’s way of communicating with his fellow man and it is language alone which separates him from the lower animals.” That was a totally new idea to me, and I would need time to think about it.

“Your grandmother says you read a lot. Every chance you get. That’s good, but not good enough. Words mean more than what is set down on paper.

She said she was going to give me some books and that I not only must read them, I must read them aloud. She suggested that I try to make a sentence sound in as many different ways as possible.

“I’ll accept no excuse if you return a book to me that has been badly handled.” My imagination boggled(退缩) at the punishment I would deserve if in fact I did abuse a book of Mrs. Flowers’.

The odors in the house surprised me. The sweet scent of vanilla(香草) had met us as she opened the door.

“Have a seat, Marguerite. You see, I had planned to invite you for cookies and lemonade so we could have this little chat.” She carried a plate covered with a tea towel.

As I ate she began the first of what we later called “My lesson in living.” She said that I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy. That some people, unable to go to school, were more educated and even more intelligent than college professors. She encouraged me to listen carefully to what country people called mother wit. That in those homely sayings was couched the collective wisdom of generations.

When I finished the cookies she brought a thick, small book from the bookcase. I had read A Tale of Two Cities and found it up to my standards as a romantic novel. She opened the first page and I heard poetry for the first time in my life.

“It was the best of times and worst of times...”

Her voice slid in and curved down through and over the words. She was nearly singing. I wanted to look at the pages. Were they the same that I had read? Or were there notes, music, lined on the pages? Her sounds began cascading(瀑布般落下) gently. I knew that she was nearing the end of her reading.

“How do you like that?”

It occurred to me that she expected a response. The sweet vanilla flavor was still on my tongue and her reading was a magic to my ears. I had to speak.

I said, “Yes, ma’am.” It was the least I could do, but it was the most also.

“There’s one more thing. Take this book of poems and memorize one for me. Next time you pay me a visit, I want to recite.”

I have often tried hard to search for the enchantment(着迷) I so easily found in those gifts. To be allowed, no, invited, into the private lives of strangers, to share their joys and fears, was a chance to exchange the Southern bitter wormwood(苦艾) for a cup of mead(蜂蜜酒) with Beowulf or a hot cup of tea and milk with Oliver Twist. When I said aloud, “It is a far, far better thing than anything I have ever done...” tears of love filled my eyes at my selflessness.

I was liked, and what a difference it made, I was respected not as Mr Henderson’s grandchild or Bailey’s sister but for just being Marguerite Johnson.

1.What does Mrs. Flowers mean by saying “Words mean more than what is set down on paper” (paragraph 7)?

A. Besides reading, Marguerite should talk more.

B. The content of books may have different meanings.

C. How one speaks adds extra meaning to words.

D. It is language that distinguishes humans from animals.

2. Marguerite’s opinion of A Tale of Two Cities before and after Mrs. Flowers’ reading can be described as _______.

A. poetic … musical B. satisfactory … informative

C. romantic … dramatic D. common … extraordinary

3.It can be inferred from the passage that _______.

A. Mrs. Flowers was born in a noble family.

B. The meeting between Mrs. Flowers and Marguerite was probably an intentional arrangement.

C. Marguerite hadn’t read poetry before her visit to Mrs. Flowers’ home.

D. Mrs. Flowers would recite new poems on Marguerite’s later visits.

4.Which can be the best title for the passage?

A. The Power of Language

B. A Lesson in Living

C. A Respectable Lady

D. My Initial Access to Charles Dickens

第二节 完型填空 ( 共20小题; 每小题1.5分 满分30分)

It was pouring outside. We all stood there , some patiently;others annoyed nature messed up their hurried day. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens away the dirt and dust of the world.

“Mom, let’s run through the rain,” a girl’s voice me.

“No, honey. We’ll wait until it down a bit,” Mom replied.

The young girl waited about another minute and : “Mom, let’s run through the rain.”

“We’ll get wet if we do,” Mom said.

“No, we won’t, Mom. That’s not what you said this morning,” the young girl said as she her Mom’s arm.

“This morning? did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?”

“Don’t you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, ‘If God can get us through this, he can get us through .’”

The entire crowd turned . Mom paused and thought for a moment about she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. then, we heard, “Honey, you are . Let’s run through the rain. If we get wet, maybe we just need washing,” Mom said. Then they ran.

We all stood , smiling and laughing as they ran past the cars. Yes, they got wet. But they were by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the to their cars. Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, and they can even take away your . But no one can take away your precious . So, don’t forget to make time and take the to make memories every day! I hope you still take the time to run through the rain.

1.A. talking B. waiting C. complaining D. expecting

2.A. as if B. even if C. because D. that

3.A. taking B. putting C. driving D. washing

4.A. caught B. broke C. impressed D. called

5.A. keeps B. comes C. pushes D. slows

6.A. asked B. repeated C. required D. added

7.A. pulled B. touched C. waved D. felt

8.A. Why B. How C. When D. Where

9.A. rain B. disease C. anything D. something

10.A. still B. angry C. serious D. silent

11.A. what B. how C. whether D. if

12.A. However B. But C. After D. Though

13.A. stupid B. wrong C. right D. clever

14.A. off B. along C. on D. over

15.A. sighing B. joking C. discussing D. watching

16.A. followed B. guided C. respected D. praised

17.A. time B. way C. same D. best

18.A. house B. money C. health D. time

19.A. children B. experience C. courage D. memories

20.A. possibilities B. opportunities C. risk D. challenge

As we grow old, we realize that we have so little time to read and there are so many great books that we’ve yet to get around to. Ye re-readers are everywhere around us. For certain fans, re-reading The Lord of the Rings is a conventional practice annually. One friend told me that Jane Austen’s Emma can still surprise him, despite his having read it over 50 times.

New sudden clear understandings can be gained from the process of re-reading. Journalist Rebacca Mead, a long-time Englishwoman in New York, first came across George Eliot’s Middlemarch at 17. Since then, she has read it again every five years. With each re-reading, it has opened up further; in each chapter of her life, it has resonated (引起共鸣) differently. Mead evidenced the large number of ways in which really good books not only stand the test of repeat reads, but also offer fresh gifts each time we crack their spines. These kinds of books grow with us.

Scientists have also recognized the mental health benefits of re-reading. Research conducted with readers in the US found that on our first reading, we are concerned with the “what” and the “why”. Second time round, we’re able to better appreciate the emotions that the plot continues to express. As researcher Cristel Russell of the American University explained, returning to a book “brings new or renewed appreciation of both the great book and its readers.”

It’s true that we often find former selves on the pages of old books (if we’re fond of making notes on the pages). These texts can carry us back to a time and place, and remind us of the kind of person that we were then. We’re changed not only by lived experience but also by read experience – by the books that we’ve discovered since last reading the one in our hand.

More so than the movie director or the musician, the writer calls upon our imaginations, using words to lead us to picture this declaration of love or that unfaithfulness in life. A book is a joint project between writers and readers, and we must pour so much of ourselves into reading that our own life story can become connected with the story in the book.

Perhaps what’s really strange is that we don’t re-read more often. After all, we watch our favourite films again and we wouldn’t think of listening to an album only once. We treasure messy old paintings as objects, yet of all art forms, literature alone is a largely one-time delight. A book, of course, takes up more time, but as Mead confirms, the rewards make it adequately worthwhile.

1.The two books are mentioned in Paragraph 1 mainly to __________.

A. attract the attention of readers

B. introduce the topic of the passage

C. provide some background information

D. show the similarity between re-readers

2.The underlined expression “crack their spines” in Paragraph 2 refers to ________.

A. recite them B. re-read them

C. recall them D. retell them

3.It can be learned from the passage that __________.

A. reading benefits people both mentally and physically

B. readers mainly focus on feelings on their first reading

C. we know ourselves better through re-reading experience

D. writers inspire the same imaginations as film directors do

4.The purpose of the passage is to __________.

A. call on different understandings of old books

B. focus on the mental health benefits of reading

C. bring awareness to the significance of re-reading

D. introduce the effective ways of re-reading old books

阅读下面短文,掌握其大意,从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。

He Had a Go

It was a cool spring evening in Melbourne, Australia.I drove to my boxing gym for a Friday night training session.After up, I started training.Then I noticed a tall and slim young man walking through the doors.There was something about him that caught my .

Before long, I realized that he might have a mental illness.Having volunteered for mental illness support groups, I really his problems when I looked at him.

He paid for the session, put on a pair of gloves and then started hitting the punching bags.I watched him from a and wanted to help him to punch straighter and better.Then I felt it was best to leave that up to the trainer who was watching him.

After a few seconds of punching the bag, he stopped and started staring at the .The trainer went up to him and to help him.It was almost like he woke up from a dream.He eye contact with the ceiling at once.

Then the bell rang and it was the end of the round. rounds we are required to do five push-ups(俯卧撑), all the boys that were training that night did five push-ups.He to complete his five push-ups.The bell sounded again and the next round began.He punched the bags for a few seconds and then he .This time he was staring at the walls which were decorated with boxing posters.

It was clear to me that he could not for long.

When I finished training, I decided to go up to him and offer him my help.I held the bag for him and asked him to punch.He the bag a few times and then stopped again.

I smiled at him and asked, “Do you like boxing?”

He replied with a very shy on his face, “Yes, boxing is alright.”

What else could I do than this man and his willingness to give it a go? Most people put self-imposed(自我强加的) on their lives and stop themselves from having a go.I kept thinking about this man while admiring him for even turning up to a boxing gym, let alone training at what appeared to be his .

There are many lessons to learn from this man.What I admired about this man was that he had a go! That is what ordinariness from greatness.

So what will you have a go at?

1.A.lifting B.running C.warming D.going

2.A.heart B.attention C.breath D.imagination

3.A.experienced B.mentioned C.overcame D.understood

4.A.distance B.box C.poster D.screen

5.A.still B.even C.also D.ever

6.A.bags B.walls C.ceiling D.trainer

7.A.offered B.promised C.seemed D.planned

8.A.made B.broke C.kept D.avoided

9.A.Before B.Through C.During D.Between

10.A.for B.but C.or D.so

11.A.struggled B.preferred C.refused D.decided

12.A.slowed B.stopped C.continued D.hesitated

13.A.stand B.stay C.concentrate D.remember

14.A.hit B.felt C.grasped D.watched

15.A.view B.look C.sight D.scene

16.A.accept B.appreciateC.motivate D.notice

17.A.targets B.burdens C.limitations D.minds

18.A.worst B.fullest C.greatest D.hardest

19.A.really B.hardly C.merely D.nearly

20.A.prevents B.protects C.transforms D.separates

请认真阅读下列短文,并根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格里填入一个最恰当的单词。注意:每个空格只填1个单词。请将答案写在答题卷上相应题号的横线上。

You want to be confident and feel confident, but what if you're starting with little or no confidence? True self-confidence isn't an overnight acquisition. It takes dedication to realize you are a good human being that is worthy of respect and love.

Recognize your insecurities

What does that voice in the back of your mind say? Why do you feel uncomfortable or ashamed of yourself? This could be anything from regrets to friends at school or negative experience. Whatever is making you feel unworthy, or ashamed, identify it, give it a name, and write it down. You can also tear these written pieces to start feeling positive on those points.

Get rid of insecurities gradually

Each day you should weaken it. There's no quick fix. Get to the root of the problem; focus on it and understand that you need to resolve each issue before you can move on. Check if it is an old past emotion and if it is really still relevant or applicable in your life today. And that does not mean you have to get rid of whatever makes you feel bad (many times, you simply can't). You need to learn to accept yourself, your past, your circumstances as they are, without necessarily thinking of them as “bad”.

Identify your successes

Everyone is good at something, so discover the things at which you do extremely well, then focus on your talents. Give yourself permission to be proud of them. Give yourself credit for your successes. Inferiority (自卑) is a state of mind in which you've declared yourself a victim. Do not allow yourself to be victimized.

Be Positive

Avoid self-pity, or the pity and sympathy of others. Never allow others to make you feel inferior—they can only do so if you let them. If you continue to dislike and look down upon yourself, others are going to do and believe likewise. Instead, speak in a positive way about yourself, about your future, and about your progress. Do not be afraid to show your strengths and qualities to others. By doing so, you strengthen those ideas in your mind and encourage your growth in a positive direction.

Apply “facial feedback theory”

Studies surrounding what’s called the "facial feedback theory" suggest that the expressions on your face can actually encourage your brain to express certain emotions. So look in the mirror and smile every day, and you might feel happier with yourself and more confident in the long run.

Help others

When you know you’re of help to the people around you, and are making a positive difference in other people’s lives (even if it's just being kinder to the person who serves you coffee in the morning), you'll know that you are a positive force in the world—which will boost yourself confidence.

Now, dear friends, will you let confidence keep you company? Be confident, and accomplishing your goals will be just around the corner.

Title: The ways to become confident

Specific ways

Supporting details

Recognizing insecurities

Find out what1. you uncomfortable or ashamed,

forget it and feel positive.

2. insecurities gradually

Find out the 3. of problems, resolve them and learn to accept 4. you are.

Identifying successes

Find out your talents, take 5. in them and praise yourself for your successes.

Being positive

Speak 6. about yourself.

Don’t make yourself 7.. by others.

Applying “facial feedback theory”

Look in the mirror and smile to gain more 8. ____ .

Helping others

Be9. to the people around you.

Conclusion

Confidence helps people accomplish goals and become worthy to be 10. and loved.

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