Raised in a fatherless home, my father was extremely tightfisted towards us children. His attitude didn’t soften as I grew into adulthood and went to college. I had to ride the bus whenever I came home. Though the bus stopped about two miles from home, Dad never met me, even in severe weather. If I grumbled, he’d say in his loudest father-voice, “That’s what your legs are for!” The walk didn’t bother me as much as the fear of walking alone along the highway and country roads. I also felt less than valued that my father didn’t seem concerned about my safety. But that feeling was canceled one spring evening.

It had been a particularly difficult week at college after long hours in labs. I longed for home. When the bus reached the stop, I stepped off and dragged my suitcase to begin the long journey home.

A row of hedge(树篱)edged the driveway that climbed the hill to our house. Once I had turned off the highway to start the last lap of my journey, I always had a sense of relief to see the hedge because it meant that I was almost home. On that particular evening, the hedge had just come into view when I saw something gray moving along the top of the hedge, moving toward the house. Upon closer observation, I realized it was the top of my father’s head. Then I knew, each time I’d come home, he had stood behind the hedge, watching, until he knew I had arrived safely. I swallowed hard against the tears. He did care, after all.

On later visits, that spot of gray became my watchtower. I could hardly wait until I was close enough to watch for its secret movement above the greenery. Upon reaching home, I would find my father sitting innocently in his chair. “So! My son, it’s you!” he’d say, his face lengthening into pretended surprise.

I replied, “Yes, Dad, it’s me. I’m home.”

1.What does the underlined word “grumbled” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?

A. Accepted happily. B. Spoke unhappily.

C. Agreed willingly. D. Explained clearly.

2.What made the author feel upset was ______.

A. the feeling of being less than valued

B. the fear of seeing something moving

C. the tiredness after long hours in labs

D. the loneliness of riding the bus home

3.The author’s father watched behind the hedge because ______.

A. he didn’t want to meet his son at the doorway

B. he wanted to help his son build up courage

C. he was concerned about his son’s safety

D. he didn’t think his son was old enough to walk alone

4.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A. My College Life. B. My Father’s Secret.

C. Terrible Journey Home. D. Riding Bus Alone.

My Grandpa has arthritis (关节炎), and it’s getting harder and harder for him to do certain things.

When I was a little girl, my grandpa would play this game with me. He would tell me to hold out my hand, and in it he would place a shiny silver quarter. Wow, I thought I had the world sitting in my hand. He would tell me that if I could keep it away from him, I could have it. I knew that I couldn’t keep it away from him, but I would always try. Then he would tell me that if I could get it away from him, then he would give it back to me.

I remember feeling so small compared with him, and I also remember feeling embarrassed because I knew there was no way that I could get that quarter from him. But I tried. I would climb down from my chair, with defeat weighing heavily on my back.

“Bug?” he’d say.

“Ya Grandpa?” I’d reply, trying to sound as sad as possible.

“Here.”

There in his outstretched hand would be my quarter. It always ended the same. He would always hand it over. I always knew that I would have to wait until the game was over to get my quarter, because he had so much pride and self-worth that he couldn’t lose to a 4-year-old girl. After I grew up, when we played the game again, I never wanted to defeat him. I just wanted to be with him. I loved to hear him tell me what I did wrong, and how to get it right the next time, and I loved the pride in his voice.

1.In which order did the following things happen during the game?

a. Grandpa placed a shining silver quarter in my hand.

b. Grandpa told me if I could get it away from him, I could keep it.

c. He gave the quarter over to me and I got it.

d. Grandpa told me if I could keep it away from him, I could keep it.

A. a d b c B. a b c d

C. a b d c D. a c d b

2.This passage is mainly about _______.

A. the writer’s grandpa’s serious arthritis

B. the writer’s deep feeling for her Grandpa

C. games between the grandpa and the writer

D. grandpa’s success in all games

3.Why didn’t the writer want to defeat her grandpa?

A. She couldn’t defeat her grandpa.

B. She liked to see his pride.

C. She didn’t want to shame her grandpa.

D. She was afraid that Grandpa wouldn’t play with her.

Each year, millions of people go abroad to work, study or travel. It's a great way to find out what life is like in another part of the world! You're probably hoping to make new friends and learn about the culture in your host country—everything from attitudes and beliefs to social customs and popular foods. But constantly having to deal with new situations can be frustrating, even stressful.

Homesickness, stress, fear and confusion are all symptoms of "culture shock". At first, you may feel like getting on the plane and heading home. It's OK to have those feelings, and the following are some tips to help you handle the challenges that you will face.

Don't expect to be perfect. You may feel frustrated that you have culture shock, especially since you probably spent so much time preparing for your trip. No matter how much information you read, or how well you speak the host language, it is natural to feel overwhelmed sometimes. If you give yourself some time, things will gradually get easier.

Have an open mind. While it's certainly OK to feel frustration or confusion in your new surroundings, try not to form an opinion about the new culture too soon. Don't think of the host culture as better or worse, just different—you'll be more willing to try new things.

Participate. This is obvious, but everybody needs to be reminded. Just watching life go on around you isn't good enough. You really need to try things for yourself. Don't worry about making a mistake; people in your host country will generally be very understanding and willing to help if you have questions.

Your study abroad experience is a unique and special time in your life—one that you'll never forget. If you follow our suggestions, you'll be able to handle it well, and have a wonderful time. Good luck!

1.What is culture shock according to the passage?

A. Something that you feel surprised and shocked at.

B. The problems you have when you go to another country.

C. The frightening feelings you have.

D. Something different from your own culture.

2.What should you do when you feel depressed?

A. Go back to your own homeland.

B. Talk to someone about your problems.

C. Give yourself some time to get used to it.

D. Stop thinking of it.

3.Which of the following statements is NOT true?

A. It is natural to feel overwhelmed sometimes.

B. Not everything is perfect.

C. Try to form the opinion about the new culture as soon as possible.

D. Tell others about your problems.

4.What is the main idea of the passage?

A. How to overcome culture shock.

B. Why people have culture shock.

C. Who might have culture shock.

D. When you will have culture shock.

Imagine looking at something and being able to move it just by using your brain!That is exactly what the new technology called BrainGate can do —with the help of a robotic arm,anyway.

BrainGate is the idea of Professor John Donoghue and his team of researchers at the Brown Institute for Brain Science,USA. BrainGate is attached directly to the brain. First of all,gold wires are put into the part of the brain that controls movement. These are then connected to a small computer chip(芯片) . When the person thinks about different movements,this creates electrical signals,which are picked up by the chip. After this,the signals that are created by the brain are sent back to a computer,which changes the signals into movements. Finally,the computer uses the robotic arm to carry out these movements. BrainGate can already be used to write an e-mail or play computer games,just by brain power.

The technology has already cost millions of dollars to develop and when it is available for use,it will probably cost thousands of dollars per person. There are still many challenges ahead for Donoghue and his team. They are currently planning a mini wireless version,which will allow people to be connected to the computer at all times. Donoghue also dreams of using this technology to help disabled people who can't move their arms or legs. He plans to connect BrainGate directly to their own paralysed limbs(瘫痪的胳膊或腿) .This will mean that the person can control their own body again,without relying on a robotic arm.

This research is attracting the military's (军方的) attention as well. However,it is easy to understand why scientists might be concerned about how thought-controlled machines could be used by the military.

1.What does the underlined word “These” refer to?

A. Movements. B. Thoughts.

C. Brains D. Wires.

2.What is one of BrainGate's disadvantages?

A. It needs improvement. B. It produces few movements.

C. It is too expensive. D. It is difficult to control.

3.How will Donoghue help disabled people?

A. By developing a wireless version.

B. By replacing their limbs with robotic ones.

C. By making BrainGate smaller.

D. By attaching BrainGate to their bad limbs.

4.What does the military think of thought-controlled machines?

A. They could lead to disasters. B. They would face fierce competition.

C. They could be useful. D. They would be in mass production.

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