I Passed My Drive Test!

I’d been 16 for six days and was already prepared to deal with failure.

    I remember that, when my mum    1    me that morning, her voice wasn’t as screaming as it usually was. She had been    2    for more than one hour getting everything ready, and I could feel she was   3    me at the same time.

    I stayed in bed for a few minutes. I was    4   to leave its warmth and    5   to face the suffering that I’d rather let myself forget for the past months. Finally, I dragged myself    6   .

    The first thing I thought of after getting up was to    7   . I went to the kitchen and prepared a breakfast that was fairly    8   , but was still too big for my appetite(食欲，胃口) that day. I kept telling myself that I    9    eat. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and this wasn’t a(n)    10    day. Besides maybe it would    11    me a little. But I doubted it. I left the kitchen because even the    12    made me feel sick.

    I finished getting ready and tried to settle down. It didn’t    13   , so I decided that my mum and I should go. We had    14    time, so I thought we could practise parking. I   15   , with the wheel hitting the pavement(人行道). After that, the little bit of confidence I had was    16   . I tried two more times, but did not improve much. Then we went towards the driving    17    site (地点).

    I waited twenty minutes---just enough time to make myself believe that I was going to fail. Then, finally, it was my    18   . I wasn’t sure of myself at all. I just wanted to get it over and make sure that I had to come back next Thursday.

    The first thing I had to do was parking, which I did quite well. The   19   that came with it hit me like a wave. The rest of the test went well and I passed it.

    The    20    of my mum made her face softer. I knew her worry was gone and she was happy for me.

1．A．cried　　              B．woke　               C．told　　              D．shouted

2．A．up　　　　          B．over　　　　      C．out　　              D．in

3．A．smiling at              B．worrying about　 C．looking at            D．talking with

4．A．sad　　　　         B．eager　　　　     C．unwilling　          D．willing

5．A．convenience         B．friendship　　　  C．quiet　　　         D．comfort

6．A．out of bed　          B．onto bed　　　　C．into bed              D．in bed

7．A．eat　　                 B．rest　　　　　    C．drink　               D．work

8．A．large　　　　       B．small　　　　　 C．delicious　          D．good

9．A．might　　　         B．could　　　        C．should　             D．hated

10．A．important　         B．necessary　　      C．lucky　               D．ordinary

11．A．calm                   B．hurt                     C．stop                    D．like

12．A．milk                    B．bread　　            C．smoke　             D．smells

13．A．work　　            B．do                       C．calm                   D．use

14．A．little　                 B．plenty of              C．no                      D．a little

15．A．cried                   B．succeeded            C．failed                  D．left

16．A．back                   B．gone                    C．there                   D．greater

17．A．start　　　　      B．office                  C．race                    D．test

18．A．try                      B．turn                     C．car                     D．chance

19．A．happiness            B．pride                    C．confidence          D．disappointment

20．A．tears               B．lines                 C．smiles                D．eyes

In the office of the German Chancellor(总理) Angelar Merkel, there is a picture of Catherine the Great, the legendary(传奇的) Russian Empress. When asked why she has the picture, Merkel says, “She was a strong woman”. Many say the same of Merkel.

The most powerful woman in the world, according to US Forbes magazine, was in China several weeks ago. She came to discuss trade and environmental issues with China’s top leaders.

Germany’s first woman leader is known as a brave and down-to-earth stateswoman. Even since her time at school, she has the habit of getting everything in order. Every day before doing her homework she would clean the desk and think about what to do next. “I prefer a long time for full preparations to make my decision. But once I decide, I will stand up for what I believe,” Merkel said.

Perhaps it was good habits that helped her do well in her studies. At 32, she got a doctorate(博士学士) in physics and then she worked as a researcher.

However, the life of a scholar couldn’t put her off a love of politics. While working in labs, Merkel took time off to read political books and at last joined a political party. “Her calmness helped her stand out in the party. She could always find a way out while others felt hopeless,” said one of her old friends.

In her first big political job as Minister for the Environment in 1994, her scientific background proved very useful. In 2005 she became Germany’s youngest chancellor since World War Ⅱ.

Now half way through her four-year-term, the 53-year-old woman has made a name for herself both in Germany and abroad. At the EU Summit in 2005 when France quarreled with Britain over the EU budget, some people believed the EU was close to breaking down. But Merkel didn’t give up. She shuttled(穿梭) between the heads of the two powers and got them to compromise(妥协).

“Strength comes from composure and courage. Many people say I am a strong woman. But I would rather say I have perseverance,” said Merkel.

1．Why did Angela Merkel come to China last week?

       A．To strengthen the relationship between China and Germany.

       B．To negotiate on some business cases between China and Germany.

       C．To discuss trade and environmental issues with China’s top leaders.

       D．To advise the new ways to keep the world peace.

2．What may NOT be helpful for Angela Merkel in her political career?

       A．Her good habit of keeping everything in order.

       B．Her excellent scientific background.

       C．Her special personality as a politician.

       D．Her talent in science.

3．What does the underlined phrase mean in “…the life of a scholar couldn’t put her off a love politics.”?

       A．take her off                                         B．move her away from

       C．postpone or cancel a meeting                D．make her more interested in

4．What kind of person is Angela Merkel according to the story?

       A．She is one who has dreamed of working on politics since a child.

       B．She is full of love and ready to devote her life to poor people.

       C．She is very decisive and always supports what she believes.

       D．She thinks she has the power to control the world.

Hi, everybody. Over the past couple months, most of the political headlines you’ve read have probably been about the government shutdown and the launch of the Affordable Care Act(平价医疗法案). And I know that many of you have rightly never been more frustrated with Washington.

But if you look beyond those headlines, there are some good things happening in our economy. And that’s been my top priority（优先考虑）since the day I walked into the Oval Office.

After decades in which the middle class was working harder and harder just to keep up, and a punishing recession（衰退）that made it worse, we made the tough choices required not just to recover from crisis, but to rebuild on a new foundation for stronger, more durable economic growth.

Five years later, we have fought our way back. Our businesses have created 7.8 million new jobs in the past 44 months. Another 200,000 Americans went back to work last month.

The American auto industry has come back with more than 350,000 new jobs –-- jobs putting out and selling the high-tech, fuel-efficient cars the world wants to buy. And they’re leading the charge in a business that has added jobs for the first time since the 1990s –-- a big reason why our businesses sell more goods and services “Made in America” than ever before.

We decided to stop our addiction to foreign oil. And today, we produce more renewable energy than ever, more natural gas than anybody, and for the first time in nearly 20 years, America now produces more oil than we buy from other countries.

We decided to fix a broken health care system. And even though the task has been rough, so far, about 500,000 Americans gain health coverage starting January 1st. And by the way, health care costs are growing at the slowest rate in 50 years.

And one more thing: since I took office, we’ve cut our deficits (赤字) by more than half. And that makes it easier to invest in the things that create jobs –-- education, research, and so on.

Imagine how much farther along we could be if both parties were working together. Think about what we could do if the few didn’t hold the economy hostage (人质) every few months, or waste time on dozens of votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act rather than try to help us fix it.

In the weeks ahead, I’ll keep talking about my plan to build a better bargain for the middle class. Good jobs. A good education. A chance to buy a home, save, and retire. And yes, the financial security of affordable health care. And I’ll look for any willing partners who want to help.

Because of your hard work and tough sacrifices over the past five years, we’re pointed in the right direction. But we’ve got more work to do to keep moving that way. And as long as I’m President, I’ll keep doing everything I can to create jobs, grow the economy, and make sure that everyone who works hard has a chance to get ahead. Thanks, and have a great weekend.

57. Which of the following is not the reason for people’s frustration with the government?

A. The government shutdown   B. Unemployment rate

C. The addiction to foreign oil   D. Cancelling the Affordable Care Act

58. Why does the president mention more goods and services “Made in America”?

A. To show that American goods and services are very popular.

B. To indicate that American people should be dependent on themselves.

C. To show that the employment rate has been increased.

D. To show that American auto industry enjoys high technology.

59. What’s the meaning of the underlined word “repeal”?

A. put an end to      B. try hard to fix    C. make stronger   D. get accustomed to

60. According to the speech, which of the following can be implied?

A. American people have every reason to feel frustrated with the government.

B. Health care costs are growing at the slowest rate in 50 years.

C. The president feels sorry that the economy is not moving in the right direction.

D. Some government officials don’t agree with the president on the medical care system.

Miss Lovely began to work in our office last year. She thought she was__1__and hardly talked with us. Her house was a little far from our company and she had to go to work __2__ every day.

Of course, she had to spend a lot of __3__on this. She decided to have her own car, and began to __4__how to drive two months ago. Now she was able to drive, but had to__5__a licence before she could buy a car. It took her a week to__6__the traffic regulations. She was sure she would__7__the examinations.

It was finally time for her to take the examinations yesterday. Miss Lovely didn't come to work. We__8__she would drive her new car to our company this morning. But to our__9__she came here by taxi and didn't tell anybody about it. None of us asked her the__10__but her face clearly showed she had__11__in the exams.

This afternoon one of our workmates told us __12__had happened to the girl when she was__13__. Yesterday the chief examiner had asked her some questions, but she could answer only a __14__. For example, "Would you run over a man or a dog if you see them both in the middle of the__15__?"

"Of course I'd run over the dog, sir", Miss Lovely answered without __16__.

"I'm sorry to tell you, Miss Lovely," the examiner shook his__17__and said, "you have to take the examination again!"

"I don't think my answers were__18__, sir," the girl said in a hurry. "I__19__ run over a man, you know!"

"I agree with your__20__, Miss Lovely," the chief examiner said with a smile. "but why not brake (刹车)?"

1. A. old         B. foolish        C. clever         D. kind

2. A. by taxi      B. by train       C. on foot        D. by plane

3. A. time        B. money        C. energy        D. room

4. A. teach       B. plan          C. operate        D. learn

5. A. find        B. apply for      C. look for       D. make

6. A. learn       B. forget         C. teach         D. break

7. A. take        B. prepare       C. explain        D. pass

8. A. suggested   B. described      C. thought       D. replied

9. A. surprise     B. joy           C. anger        D. pleasure

10. A. name      B. reason        C. rule          D. notice

11. A. believed    B. heard         C. found        D. failed

12. A. why       B. how          C. what         D. when

13. A. ill         B. alone         C. in           D. out

14. A. few        B. several       C. all           D. lot

15. A. room      B. playground    C. hospital       D. road

16. A. asking     B. thinking       C. discussing    D. advising

17. A. foot       B. nose          C. ears         D. head

18. A. wrong     B. correct        C. right         D. true

19. A. can       B. need          C. can't         D. needn't

20. A. car       B. opinion        C. fact         D. purpose

I devote myself to music because of my grandmother. My mom and I lived with my grandparents from the time I was two __36__ I was eight. And even then, I was at their house before and after school every day while my mother was __37__.
Grandma loved music. It was she that first __38__ me to Elvis Presley (猫王) as a very young child, and once I heard his music, I was truly in __39__ with it. Most five-year-olds ask for __40__ for birthdays, but I wanted Elvis’ albums. I would play them non-stop and __41__ to the music in my grandma’s family room though my movements didn’t look good.
Grandma played the piano and __42__ me to sing “America the Beautiful” and “Somewhere over the Rainbow”. I __43__ started playing music on the piano, and soon Grandma was paying for me to __44__ piano lessons from a lady living in the __45__. I would come home from __46__ and walk three houses down for my lesson. I __47__ took about nine months of lessons, but it was enough to give me a foundation (基础) and __48__ me to continue to teach myself.
Last month when I came home to visit Grandma in the hospital, I __49__ my guitar with me. She was in a lot of pain, but the music seemed to __50__ her soul. She had me sing some songs and when I started to sing “Somewhere over the Rainbow”, her weakened voice __51__ in with mine for a few lines. That experience was one of the most __52__ of my lifetime and one I will certainly cherish forever. I told her of my music career and she was very __53__ and said, “That’s wonderful!” I __54__ to play for her throughout the week I was home.
My grandma passed away two days ago. In my opinion, part of her will live on through every __55__ I write or sing in my life.