—________ have you been away from home?

—I have been away from home for five months.

A. How much

B. How long

C. What time

D. when

—I have been away from home for five months.

A. How much

B. How long

C. What time

D. when

My 17-year-old daughter went off to college and having her away from home brought back memories of watching Peter Pan when she was little. In the classic TV production, one scene in particular impressed me: when Mrs Darling puts her children into bed. As she turns off the last of the night lights, she takes one last look at the bedroom and says, “Dear night lights, protect my sleeping children.” As a mother, I know how much she loves her children.
It has been several weeks since we took our daughter to college and she seems to be adjusting (适应) well after a short period of homesickness. For us, though, it’s another story. Like most parents, I love checking in on my children at night. But now she’s gone, and I find nighttimes the hardest. I miss her most at night.
In my neighborhood, most of the parents whose kids are off to college are dealing with similar melancholy. My husband is filled with anxiety. One friend talked about getting this sick feeling in her stomach as she prepared for the college drop-off. We complained that many of us were too busy to truly enjoy being with our children while we had them.
For us moms, seeing Toy Story 3 only made the sadness worse as we watched the character Andy, who is the same age as our kids, say goodbye to his childhood as he prepares to leave for college. And it’s not just “first-time” parents like me. Two moms who have kids already well into college said the separation didn’t get any easier. “You feel like something has been taken away from inside you,” said one of them.
I imagine things will get easier with time, especially as I see my daughter adjust to college life. Meanwhile, as I keep my cellphone close to me in bed and text my daughter goodnight and sweet dreams every night, I like to think that messages serve as a night light that keeps her safe.

1. 1.

   The writer was deeply impressed by the scene in Peter Pan because ___________.

   1. A.
      she watched the scene with her daughter
   2. B.
      the scene was very exciting and interesting
   3. C.
      the scene taught her and her daughter a good lesson
   4. D.
      the scene showed a mother’s deep love for her children
2. 2.

   After he daughter went to college, the writer ___________.

   1. A.
      didn’t get used to the change for a long time
   2. B.
      often cried as she missed her daughter so much
   3. C.
      realized she hadn’t done enough for the daughter
   4. D.
      failed to have a good sleep every night
3. 3.

   What is the underlined word “melancholy” in Paragraph 3 similar in meaning to?

   1. A.
      Happiness.
   2. B.
      Anger.
   3. C.
      Sadness.
   4. D.
      Excitement.
4. 4.

   We can infer that watching Toy Story 3 ___________.

   1. A.
      made the writer know her daughter didn’t want to go to college
   2. B.
      improved the relationship between the writer and her daughter
   3. C.
      helped the writer realize how important education was
   4. D.
      made the writer miss her daughter even more

   Free On-line Short Stories For Kids: Trevor The Taxi

   In this children's story, suited to younger children, we have an adventure with Trevor. He is a taxi. Trevor loves his life:

   “Sometimes he takes patients to the nursing home, where they can get better after being ill, and sometimes he takes people home when they have been shopping, and Stan puts all their packages inside Trevor's boot, so they will not get wet or broken.”

   The black cab, in this adventure, goes far beyond the call of duty whilst he achieves his wildest dreams! What could this be? Well you will just have to read this short story for yourself!

   Free On-line Short Stories For Kids: The Girl Who Believed In Fairies

   The fairy queen is upset and the elves just don't know what to do:

   “Oh, oh," sobbed the queen, getting her hankie all wet with her constant crying. For the twelfth time that day, Elgie the chief elf took her hankie and wrung it out on to the carpet of grass that grew all around the palace.”

   How will they manage to help the queen? Why was she so unhappy? There is only one person that can help! Can she do it? This is a lovely fairy tale that will glow the embers of your heart - only for young little princesses!
   Free On-line Short Stories For Kids: The Envious Kings

   This story is suitable for 6 years and upwards.

   Unfolding in the story pages of this recommendation is a children's story about two kings who were competing with each other:

   “In spite of the easy life that the two kings had, they were not happy, for each of them kept thinking that the other one had a bigger and better palace, or owned more horses, or had more jewels or even had creamier milk.”

   They were both petty and, through their envy, they caused themselves much trouble. Who do you think saved the day? Well, you will just have to read the story to find out!
   Free On-line Short Stories For Kids: The Wise Old Woman

   This story is probably suited to the 8 years old age range and upwards, although would appeal to adults, alike.

   Here I introduce you to one of my kids on-line stories listed on the writing and literature section of Hubpages. In this parable you will find a magical world of wisdom involving trees, people and someone very special.
   “As she stood and watched, the knowledge melted into her and the sapling grew...The magical transition took her breath away and as she watched on with ore, she noticed something strange.”

   So, what was this strangeness and magical transition? Let me leave you with wonderment ... and a click of the link!

   Free On-line Short Stories For Kids: Unusual Stories - Faffenburger's Odyssey

   This story is probably more suited to the older child. So who is Faffenburger? Well with one of these free on-line short stories for kids, we enter into a different realm. A world of nonsense as Faffenburger moves within alpha and omega. This is a rather unusual story as you will find out!

   “My friend, Henry Faffenburger stomped down the long lane on his short stumpy legs, moonlight glancing off his bald-spot, which was a little surprising as there was no moon that night. As he rounded the bend, he saw a pair of headlights coming toward him. They drew level, and stopped. A small man with yellow eyes emerged from the darkness behind the lights, and enquired if Faffenburger would like a lift.

   "Where are you going ?" asked my friend. "Wherever you want to go", replied the owner of the yellow eyes.”

   So, the adventure begins! Where will they go? Alpha, Omega or just the middle? After all, it was a long summer - especially the middle! Take a closer look at this - you might find something a little more strange and a little more hidden that you have noticed before. Intrigued? Well you should be with Faffenburger's Odyssey!

46. Which story is more well-received by young girls?

   A. Trevor The Taxi                                     B. Faffenburger's Odyssey

   C. The Wise Old Woman                            D. The Girl Who Believed In Fairies

47. You can find the description of a night scene in _______?

   A. The Envious Kings                                 B. The Girl Who Believed In Fairies

   C. The Wise Old Woman                            D. Faffenburger's Odyssey

48. According to the passage, the kings in “The Envious Kings” can be described as_______?

   A. Jealous              B. powerful                         C. rude                       D. ugly

49. Who will most probably find the passage useful?

   A. parents with children                              B. children who love to surf the Internet

   C. teachers in high school                             D. experts who concern children