Rita stepped into the cool, moving water. She pushed a black inner tube(内胎) in front of her. She had a worried look on her face because she had never floated down a river before.

    “Let me hold your tube while you climb on,” said her father. He smiled at her. “There’s not a cloud in the sky. It’s a great day to be in the river, isn’t it?”

    Rita looked out across the water. People were floating by on tubes. Some talked and laughed as they floated easily down the river. Others leaned(倚靠) back with hats pulled over their faces. None of them looked terrified.

    “We’ll stay together,” said Rita’s father. “I’ll hold on to your rope(绳子).”

    “Will we go very fast?” Rita asked.

    “No,” said Dad. “We’ll move slowly for a while, and then it will get a little faster near the river’s bend(拐弯). Don’t worry, Rita. You’ll be fine.”

    Rita looked at her tube. It gently(轻轻地) moved up and down in the water. She saw a girl of her own age float by. The girl seemed to be having fun. Suddenly Rita’s worries disappeared（消失）.

    “I’m ready to climb on and ride, Dad,” she said.

1.The underlined word “floated” in the reading means “________”.

A. 划船         B. 乘坐     C. 漂浮     D. 移动

2.What is Rita’s problem in this story?   

A. She doesn’t like to be in cool water.

B. She is worried that she will get sunburned (晒伤的).

C. She is afraid to try something new.

D. She is afraid of boating.

3.What’s the weather like in the story? 

A. Cloudy.      B. Rainy.  C. Windy.   D. Sunny.

4.Which of these happened last in the story?  

A. Rita pushed her black tube.         B. Rita saw a girl of her own age.

C. Rita stepped into the water.         D. Rita looked worried.

5.What’s the best title for this passage?

A. Rita’s Ride.    B. Rita’s Trip.   C. Rita’s Visit.   D. Rita’s Tube.

One day, Jack’s parents told him that his grandpa would retire (退休) after working for forty years. Jack said in surprise, “I’m only seven, so it means Grandpa has been … err… A really long time!”
His parents said, “Yes. That’s why we are going to have a surprise party for him.”
Jack loved his Grandpa and wanted to do something special for him. He remembered the business card his grandpa had given him two years before. He knew that his grandpa would no longer have the position (职位) on that card, so he decided to build a new one for his grandpa.
When the big day came, Jack was ready. But he didn’t want to put his gift together with others’. He carried it around with him the whole evening.
When all the other people left, he took his grandpa’s hand and brought him over to a chair and gave him the gift.
His grandpa smiled, “Well, it must be a beautiful gift. May I open it now?”“Sure!” Jack said excitedly.
As Grandpa opened the gift, tears came into his eyes. Jack gave him the greatest gift he had ever got! They were business cards with his new position: FULL-TIME GRANDPA! Jack said, “Now your full-time job is my grandpa!”
“Well, how much do I get paid?” his grandpa asked, smiling. “As many hugs (拥抱) as you want!” With these words, Jack gave Grandpa a hug. “Well, I guess that means I’m the richest man in the world!” said Grandpa.
【小题1】What did Jack decide to do for his grandpa?

Assertiveness is the ability to confidently express your opinions, feelings,attitudes, and rights, in a way that doesn't infringe（侵犯） the rights of others.

    Many of us are taught that it is not nice to consider our own needs above those of others. If someone says or does something that we don't like, we should just be quiet and try to stay away from that person in the future.

    Why is Assertiveness important?

     If you don't know how to be assertive, you might experience:

•Depression - Anger, a sense of being helpless, hopeless, or of having no　control over your life.

•Resentment - Anger at others for taking advantage of you.

•Frustration - Why did I allow that to happen?

     Most people find it easier to be assertive in some situations than in others. This　makes perfect sense. It's a lot easier to hold your ground with a stranger than with　someone you love. But the more important the relationship is to you, the more　ｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔ it is to be assertive. Assertive behavior leads to increased respect from others！

      But before you decide to act assertively, you have to decide if you can live

 with the results. Although assertive behavior usually will result in a positive

 response  (积极的回应)，some people 　might react differently.

   How to be effectively（有效地） assertive:

 •Use "I" statements. Keep the focus on the problem you're having. "I'd like to be able to tell my stories without interruption." instead of "You're always interrupting my stories ! "

 •Use facts, not opinions. "Did you know that shirt has a hole?" instead of　"You're not going out looking like THAT, are you?"

 •Express ownership of your thoughts, feelings, and opinions. "I get angry when he breaks his promises. " instead of "He makes me angry. "

 • Make clear and direct requirements. Don't invite the person to say no. "Will  you please?" instead of　'Would you mind．．．?" or "Why don't you．．．?"

•Keep repeating your point. Use a low level and pleasant voice. Don't try to explain yourself.

1.The writer probably agrees that­­­____________.

A. you should consider others' response before you act assertively

B. you should be assertive if you want to get good marks

C. assertiveness is the ability to infringe others' rights.

D. assertive behavior will bring you bad feelings

2.The expression "hold yourｇround" probably means “_________________”

A. reach an agreement

B. insist on your point

C. keep your word

D. keep on fighting

3.Which of the following helps you to be effectively assertive?

A. Explaining yourself in a soft and sweet voice.

B. Expressing ownership of others' thoughts.

C. Making requirements directly and clearly.

D. Using your opinions instead of facts.

I never saw my father home from work late or ill, nor did I ever see my father take a “night out with the boys”. He had no bobbies but just took care of his family.
For 22 years, since I left home for college, my father called me every Sunday at 9:00 am. He was always interested in my life-how my family was doing. The calls even came when he and my mother were in Australia, England or Florida.
Nine years ago when I bought me first house, my father, 67 years old, spent eight hours a day for three days, painting my house. He would not allow me to pay someone to have it done. All he asked, was a glass of iced tea, and that I hold a paintbrush for him and talk to him. But I was too busy, for I had a law practice to run, and I could not take the time to hold the paintbrush, or talk to my father.
Five years ago, my 71-year-old father spent five hours putting together a swing set（秋千）for my daughter. Again, all he asked was that I get him a glass of iced tea, and talk to him, But again, I had laundry to do, and the house to clean.
The morning on Sunday, January 16, 1995, my father telephoned me as usual, this time he had seemed to have forgotten some things we had discussed the week before. I had to get to church, and I cut the conversation short.
The call came at 4:40 am. That day my father was sent to hospital in Florida. I got on a plane immediately, and I vowed（发誓）that when I arrived, I would make up for the lost time, and have a nice long talk with him ad really get to know him.
I arrived in Florida at 1:00 am, but my father had passed away at 9:12 pm. This time it was he who did not have time to talk, or time to wait for me.
In the years since his death I have learnt much about my father, and even more about every single day.
【小题1】 We know from the reading that the father_____.