第三部分阅读理解(共15小题，每小题2分，满分30分)
A
Our first winter in Canada was the happiest we have ever experienced. We were living in the countryside then and had just arrived from Hong Kong that autumn. One evening in mid December snow began to fall. When we looked out of the window and saw that it was snowing, we all cheered. It was the first snow we had ever seen and we were excited. We could hardly wait  for the snow to stop so that we could go out lo play. Next morning when we woke up,it was still snowing. We switched on the radio and learned that more than ten inches of snow had fallen during the night and that since the roads were blocked, there would he no school that day. We jumped up and down for joy and beg mother to let us go outside to play in the snow, She said we could go out after breakfast if we dressed warmly and promised to come back as soon as we felt cold. When we went out, the snow had almost stopped. The roads, paths, gardens, and playgrounds were all hidden under a white blanket of soft snow. It was the most beautiful sight we had ever seen. Just then we saw some neighbours, children coming out to play. We ran over to join them. Together we built a snowman and a snow house. After that, we took turns sliding down a hill on a large piece of carboard. We were having so much fun when supper time came. Mother almost had to force us to go in and eat.
56. The children in the story had come from Hong Kong______ before the event described in the story happened
A. a year       B. the summer     C. a few weeks   D. the winter
57. The children were jumping with joy when they saw the snow because        .
A. they would go to school the following day
B. it was the first time they had seen snow
C. their mother would buy them warm clothes
D. they liked cold winter
58. When the children asked their mother lo let them go out to play, she ____.
A. asked them to go to school          B. refused to let them go outside
C. told them to switch on the radio .     D. told them to wait until after breakfast

    There are two types of people in the world. Although they have equal degrees of heath and wealth and other comforts of life, one becomes happy, the other becomes miserable. This arises from the different ways in which they consider things, persons, and events, and the resulting effects upon their minds.

    People who are to be happy fix their attention on the conveniences of things: the pleasant parts of conversation, the well prepared dishes, the goodness of the wines, the fine weather. They enjoy all the cheerful things. Those who are lo be unhappy think and speak only of the contrary things. Therefore, they are continually discontented. By their remarks, they sour the pleasures of society, offend many people, and make themselves disagreeable everywhere. If this turn of mind were founded in nature, such unhappy persons would be the more to be pitied. The tendency to criticize and be disgusted is perhaps taken up originally by imitation (摹仿). It grows into a habit, unknown to its possessors. The habit may be strong, but it may be cured when those who have it are convinced of its bad effects on their interests and tastes. I hope this little warning may be of service to them, and help them change this habit.

    Although in fact it is chiefly an act of the imagination, it has serious consequences in life since it brings on deep sorrow and bad luck. Those people offend many others; nobody loves them. and no one treats them with more than the most common politeness and respect, and scarcely that. This frequently puts them in bad temper and draws them into arguments. If they aim at obtaining some advantage in rank or fortune, nobody wishes them successful. Nor will anyone stir a step or speak a word to favor their hopes.  If they bring on themselves public disapproval, on one will defend or excuse them, and many will join to criticize their misconducts.  These should change this bad habit and condescend (屈尊，放下架子) to be pleased with what is pleasing, without worrying needlessly about themselves and others. If they do not, it will be good for others to avoid any contact with them. Otherwise, it can be disagreeable and sometimes very inconvenient, especially when one becomes mixed up in their quarrels.

64. People who are unhappy       .

   A. always consider things differently from others

   B. usually are influenced by the results of certain things

   C. can discover the pleasant part of certain things

   D. usually have a fault-finding habit

65.What does the phrase "sour the pleasures of society" ( Line 5, Para. 2) most probably mean?

   A. "have a good taste to the pleasures of society"

   B. "aren't content with the pleasures of society"

   C. "feel happy with the pleasures of society"

   D. "enjoy the pleasures of society"

66. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

   A. We should pity all such unhappy people.

   B. Such unhappy people are not critical about everything.

   C. If such unhappy people recognize the bad effects of the habit on themselves they may get rid of it.

   D. Such unhappy people are also not content with themselves.

67. The phrase "scarcely that" (Line 4, Para. 3) means      .

   A. "just like that"                                       B. "almost not like that"

   C. "more than that"                                   D. "not at all like that"

68. If such unhappy persons don't change their bad behavior, the author's solution to the problem is that people should      .

   A. avoid contact with them                                 

   B. criticize their misconduct

   C. help them recognize the bad effects of the habit

It was late afternoon when the train pulled into the station．There were many people standing there，and Jeff could see his grandfather standing near the hack of the crowd．Each summer Jeff spent a month with him at the seashore．

    When Jeff and Iris grandfather reached Grandpa's old truck．Grandpa lifted the suitcase into the back of the truck．They started their way down the road to Grandpa's cottage．As they parked in front of the cottage，Grandpa smiled and nodded his head toward the beach．“Go on，”he said with a smile，“and I’ll get supper on．”

    Sand shifted and settled beneath Jeff's feet as he walked along the beach．Jeff loved how calm the water was at sunset．He closed his eyes and took a deep breath of salty air．Suddenly the peace was broken when close by he heard something．His eyes opened wide, and he saw a big seagull（海鸥）flying around his head．“Aawk，”it cried，swooping down again and again．

    Covering his head with his arms，Jeff dashed back to Grandpa’s collage and told him about the seagull．“It surely had a reason to act that way．”Grandpa said．“l wonder what it is．”

    The next morning，the sun shone brightly as Jeff bravely returned to the beach in search of interesting stones，shells，or pieces of driftwood．Once again，though，he soon found himself under attack．“Go away!” Jeff shouted and ran to the nearby bushes．

    There he heard a softer bird sound，“Eeep!” Gently pushing branches aside，he saw a young seagull．Its feet were tangled in（缠绕）plastic rings．“No wonder your mom’s upset，”Jeff said，Carefully he untwisted the rings．Finally free，the bird fluttered onto the sand crying，“Eeep!”

    “Aawk，”its mother replied，swooping down．Together they flew up into the blue sky．

    Jeff ran to fell Grandpa the news．”Now you can collect your rocks in peace．”Grandpa said． Grabbing a large bag．Jeff said．“I think I’ll collect some trash first．”Grandpa looked at Jeff with new eyes and  he said，” Would you mind if I join you?”

1．The author attempts lo entertain，inform，and persuade the reader by telling ______．

A．a sad story about visiting the beach and spending time with family members

    B．a thoughtful story while showing how being careless with trash can he harmful

    C．a boy's exciting story about the beach as well as facts about studying the ocean

   D．a funny story and asking important questions that require research to answer

2．If the author added a sentence at the end of paragraph 3，which of these would fit best?

    A．The seagull's threatening behavior was unusual and strange．

    B．Another time Jeff WON chased down by a little dog．

    C．There was nothing more lovely than seagulls at the beach，flying over the water．

    D．Sunset was Jeff's favorite time of day at the beach．

3．Why does the seagull swoop down to attack Jeff?

A．She has a nest of eggs to guard．   

B．She thinks he will take her food．

C．She has been hurt by people before．   

D．She wants to protect her young．

4．Grandpa discovers that the best way to spend time with Jeff is to _________．

A．clean the beach                                          B．play games   

C．watch the sunset                                       D．collect rocks