I love it at night. It’s peaceful. And when it cools down I sometimes do some ironing. I don’t really care for it. I work full-time and I am too busy for most housework. I remember the old woman who taught me to iron. I was about 15 and I had to get a job taking care of a woman to make a living. She had been an able-bodied, healthy woman until the accident that caused her to be paralyzed.
The woman sat in an electric wheelchair all day. She could only move her head and arms. She would tell me how to do things. She would teach me in great detail on the correct ways to do things. Her home was perfect and beautiful. She would follow me around in her electric wheelchair to make sure I did everything exactly right. I’m sure she had been a perfect homemaker. She would have me fold(折叠) everything, including socks. I would complain silently and wish terrible things on her. She taught me the right way to make the bed. I know sometimes she’d get frustrated(沮丧) and impatient with me. I knew she wanted to do it herself. But she never shouted or scolded. She only insisted I do it right. I didn’t like it much, but I did it.
Today I can iron pretty well. I know where to start on a shirt and the right way to do the trousers. Now when I think about it, I don’t think she is an old lady. I think she might have been about my age now. Anyway, when I iron, I think of her and silently thank her for all the things I learned.
【小题1】The writer used to take care of the lady because ________.

Tiffany, a 16-year-old girl, was very, shy. Last September, her best friend, Sophie, moved abroad with her family because she had to continue her studies in America. She even said she would not come back for at least a few years. Tiffany became    【小题1】  and helpless. "I was really sad the moment I heard the bad news and I didn't know what to do," Tiffany recalled (回忆). "I    【小题2】   myself in my room for a whole week. It was then that my aunt took me to a sports club one Saturday and I saw' so many young people playing various sports there. I signed up for a beginners' course in volleyball and since then I have been playing this sport. Now I practise twice a week there. It is wonderful playing sports in this club and I have made lots of    【小题3】  as well. What's more, I feel I am much healthier than before."
The most basic aim of playing sports is that you can improve your health even if you are not very good at sports.   【小题4】   , you can get to know a circle of people at your age while playing sports. Tiffany used to be a very quiet girl. Since she joined the sports club, she has opened up herself and now she has become very    【小题5】   and enjoys meeting and talking with others.
For most people, that is one of the attractions of joining a sports club. You can get to know other young people who have similar interests. You don't have to sit down and talk to strangers.
You go in for sports and it is easier to understand your partners on the same team. Now Tiffany is quite    【小题6】   her friends and she has also gained more confidence.
Try to do regular sports. The mind needs exercise as well as the body.

配对阅读。左栏是五个在日常社交中遇到的问题，右栏是专家的建议。请将问题与建议配对，并将答案填写在答题卡上对应位置。

1.My American friends invite me to their dinner party. I don’t know what to bring.

2.One of my American friends invites me to dinner at eight tonight. Should I arrive earlier?

3.I’m going to a dinner party held by Americans, but I don’t know how to use the forks and knives.

4.I am going to an American friend’s party. I am not sure what to dress. Should I dress formally?

5.An American family invite me to their home for dinner. How can I let the family know that I’m thankful for their kindness after dinner?     A．Never accept an invitation unless you really plan to go. You must refuse politely.

B．Just watch the other people, and follow them. If you still have no idea of what to do, ask the person next to you.

C．If you accept a dinner invitation of your friend, tell him or her what you like and don’t like to eat.

D．You should arrive on time. Don’t get there early. If you’re going to be more than fifteen minutes late, you should call and tell them.

E. Flowers are always nice, or you may bring a bottle of wine if you know that your friends drink it.

F. Everyday dress is OK for most visits to an American’s home.

G. You should thank them for the meal and for their kindness. It’s also a good idea to send a thank you card the day after.