Just over a year ago, life as an orphan(孤儿) girl in Tilinanu, southern Malawi, was uncertain.Relying on the kindness of the poor villagers for a roof over their head, many had to sleep in a room that held as many as fifteen people, eating a diet mainly of porridge.Their classroom for daily lessons was an open space in the bush.

Now 34 of them have comfortable beds in a smart new home, with a community hall and medical centre next to it.Another 175 village children eat there daily, with the adults coming in to learn English; it's an amazing transformation. Even more amazing is that the person behind it is just 21.

When Alice Pulford was waiting to get into university, she took a five­month teaching position in Malawi.She loved the place, and returned in the spring of 2009 to visit her friend Zulu in Tilinanu.His aunt Mercy owned land there and was doing her best to provide an education for the orphans, many of whom had lost parents to AIDS or malaria(疟疾).

But after helping Mercy out for some time, Alice realised that what the girls in particular really needed was a safe and permanent place to live.There was a derelict(年久失修的) church on Mercy's land.“If you give me the church, I'll set up a home for these children,” Alice told her.Mercy agreed.

Alice phoned home and told her family about her plan.The family had already helped Alice raise £1,800 to assist the orphans.After they received Alice's call, they threw themselves into raising another £6,000, organising theatre trips and special parties and dinners.

Alice found Malawian builders, selected materials and even helped with the brick­laying.In ten weeks, the church became a dormitory with toilets and a living area.In spring last year, Alice raised another £19,000 to build the medical centre and two new dormitories.

The girls are happier—and so is Alice, who has been spending around four months in Malawi a year.“The orphans think they're gaining from me, but when I see their smile, it transforms me,” she says.

36.Over a year ago, the orphans didn't have ________.

A.a classroom  B.a teacher

C.shelter  D.food

37.What is known about the home Alice has built for the orphans?

A.It looks like a community hall.

B.It depends on the villagers' help.

C.It provides a place for recreation.

D.It benefits both the children and adults.

38.Pulford's family are ________.

A.short of money 

B.fond of entertainments

C.supportive of each other 

D.unaware of Alice's plan

39.What has Alice learned from her experience?

A.Money­raising is a family business.

B.Winning orphans' smile calls for skills.

C.AIDS has made many children parentless.

D.Helping others brings changes in a person.

In 1989 an 8.2 earthquake almost flattened America, killing over 30,000 people in less than four minutes. In the middle of complete damage and disorder, a father rushed to the school where his son was supposed to be, __16__ to find that the building was __17__.

After the unforgettable shock, he __18__ the promise he had made to his son: “No matter __19__, I'll always be there for you!” And tears began to __20__ his eyes. As he looked at the pile of ruins, it looked hopeless, but he kept remembering his __21__ to his son. He rushed there and started __22__ the ruins.

As he was digging, other helpless parents arrived, __23__: “It's too late! They're all dead! __24__, face reality. There's nothing you can do!” To each parent he responded with __25__: “Are you going to help me now?” No one helped. And then he continued to dig for his son, stone by stone.

Courageously he went on alone because he needed to know __26__: “Is my boy __27__ or is he dead?” He dug for 8 hours…12 hours…24 hours…36 hours…Then, in the 38th hour, he __28__ a large stone and heard his son's __29__. He screamed his son's name, “ARMAND!” He heard back, “Dad! It's me, Dad! I told the other kids not to worry. I told them that if you were alive, you __30__ me and __31__ you saved me, they'd be saved. You promised, ‘No matter what happens, I'll always be there for you!’ You did it, Dad!”

“What's going on there?” The father asked.

“There are 14 of us __32__ out of 33, Dad. We're scared, hungry, thirsty and thankful you're here. When the building collapsed, it made __33__, and it saved us.”

“Come __34__, boy!”

“No, Dad! Let the other kids come out first, __35__ I know you'll get me! No matter what happens, I know you'll always be there for me!”

16.A.just  B.only  C.ever  D.still

17.A.as flat as a pancake  B.as high as a mountain

C.as strong as an ox  D.as weak as a kitten

18.A.memorized  B.forgot

C.kept  D.remembered

19.A.what  B.what happen

C.which  D.who

20.A.fill  B.fill in  C.come  D.burst

21.A.picture  B.promise

C.present  D.encourage

22.A.digging  B.digging through

C.digging out  D.digging into

23.A.to say  B.said

C.and saying  D.saying

24.A.Come out  B.Come again

C.Come on  D.Come off

25.A.one word  B.one sound

C.one row  D.one line

26.A.for himself  B.of himself

C.by himself  D.to himself

27.A.live  B.living  C.alive  D.lively

28.A.took back  B.picked up

C.called up  D.pulled back

29.A.sound  B.voice  C.noise  D.tone

30.A.will save  B.would save

C.save  D.would have saved

31.A.when  B.because

C.even if  D.though

32.A.remained  B.missing

C.left  D.gone

33.A.a promise  B.space

C.room  D.a triangle

34.A.in  B.for  C.out  D.along

35.A.because  B.though

C.when  D.even though

 0  44729  44737  44743  44747  44753  44755  44759  44765  44767  44773  44779  44783  44785  44789  44795  44797  44803  44807  44809  44813  44815  44819  44821  44823  44824  44825  44827  44828  44829  44831  44833  44837  44839  44843  44845  44849  44855  44857  44863  44867  44869  44873  44879  44885  44887  44893  44897  44899  44905  44909  44915  44923  151629 

违法和不良信息举报电话:027-86699610 举报邮箱:58377363@163.com

精英家教网