Have you ever thought of taking a train and having an adventure (奇遇)？Riding the train can be a real adventure.That is how I feel every time I take Amtrak.I often take a four?hour trip to visit my children.Every time I take this trip I never know what will happen.

Last week when I was on the train and over an hour into the train ride，there was a man sitting by himself in the back of the train carrying on a mobile phone conversation— in another language.It was loud and disturbed most of the people on the train.I think it was annoying.

Fortunately I sat next to a wonderful old lady who was taking a two?day trip by train.She said her two daughters were distraught at the thought of her driving for three days to reach her home，although she had no trouble driving.The train ride was the only choice for her.She loved to look out of the window and watch the world go by on the train.

She was fun to talk to and asked me when my children started being parents.That is a very good question.Both of us are old and have children.She asked that same question from time to time.

There are always many people on the train from all walks of life，different countries，and many languages.Riding the train is a great way to increase your knowledge and take in all kinds of cultures.If you get hungry，you can buy food in the food car at any time.If you need to use the restroom there is always one available.

It sure beats driving the car，which has to stop for food and restrooms.And it is better than taking the bus.

1．According to the passage，the purpose of the author’s train ride was________.

A．to do business　　　　　　　　　　　　 B．to see her children

C．to visit places of interest 　　　　　　　　　 D．to see her old friends

2．Which of the following is the closest in meaning to the underlined word “distraught” in Paragraph 3?

A．Disappointed. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B．Satisfied.

C．Worried. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D．Pleased.

3．Which of the following is TRUE about the old lady sitting next to the author?

A．She is too old to drive now.

B．She does not like to take trains.

C．Although she is old，she has a good memory.

D．Her daughters live far away from her home.

4．In the author’s opinion，on the train Amtrak________.

A．the services are quite good

B．the food is terribly expensive

C．all the passengers are polite

D．all the passengers are American

5．What is the best title for this passage?

A．Train ride—a cultural experience

B．A painful experience on the train

C．The history of Amtrak

D．A wonderful lady

I had the meanest mother in the whole world. While other kids ate candy for breakfast, I had to have porridge, eggs or toast. When others had Cokes and candy for lunch, I had to eat a sandwich. But at least I wasn’t alone when I was sad. My sister and two brothers had the same mean(刻薄的) mother as I did.?
My mother preferred to know where we were all the time. She had to know who our friends were and where we were going. We had to clean clothes and take a bath every day. The other kids got to wear the same clothes for days. We could not lie in bed “sick” in order to miss school.?
The worst is yet to come. We had to be in bed by nine each night and get up at eight the next morning. We couldn’t sleep till noon like our friends. So while they slept, my mother was brave to break the Child Labour Law. She made us work. We had to wash dishes, make beds, and learn to cook and all sorts of things at home. I believe she lay awake thinking up all things for us to do. ?
My mother was a complete failure as a mother. Two of her children received higher education. None of us have ever been arrested(taken away by the police) or divorced. She forced us to grow up into educated and honest adults. I am trying to raise my three children this way. I am filled with pride when my children call me “mean”. Why? Because now I thank God every day for giving me the meanest mother in the world.?
【小题1】 How many children does the writer’s mother have??

I had worked that day, as a nurse. Now I faced the dirty supper dishes. I wanted to  1  why Jimmy hadn’t phoned as usual to say “Good night” to Bob and Tom. “Maybe Daddy's    2  working on an accident,” I said to Bob. “Go to    3   now. You'll see him in the morning.” Soon there was a knock at the door. “There   4   be something wrong with your phone,” my neighbor told me. “The City Police Station wants you to   5 .”
I went into the living room and dialed. Then I  6   the words every police wife fears (害怕): “Your husband has been hurt.” When I reached the hospital, my heart sank (下沉). The entrance was jammed with TV-news trucks. In the   7  I saw Jimmy’s best friend, Smith. “Just tell me -is he alive ?” I asked.
Smith  8  and didn’t answer. Then I found my younger sister, Mandy. “He’s  9 .” she told me, and we began to cry together.
Later, Smith told me   10   had happened.
In the morning, when my little Bob asked, “Where’s Daddy?” I    11    him into my arms and tried to explain. “A bad man   12   Daddy last night.” I said. “Daddy can’t come home any more. He’s in heaven(天堂) now.”
My son looked at me, his blue eyes    13  the picture of trust(相信). “Do they have    14   in heaven ?” he asked. “Can I call him ?”
“No, Bob, Daddy still loves you, but Daddy can’t   15 ”.

Now lots of families keep* pets in their houses. Most pets are small animals.
Dogs are the favorite pets. The second favorite are cats and the third favorite are birds. These small animals are very cute and friendly. People usually have them as their family members. They give them nice names and let them wear beautiful clothes. They also give their pets nice food to eat. They buy food for their pets in pet shops.
Pets are all very happy. Many pets have their houses and beds. They often go out to relax and take a walk with people in the morning.
Some children like pets because they need a friend to play with at home. Many old people keep pets at home just because they often feel* lonely.  They have them as their children and they love them very much. So, pets are very important.*I think every family needs pets.
【小题1】Most people like to keep ______ animals at home.