I will be the first to say that I am not materialistic. My friends regard me as a goody-goody; my parents say I am conservative and modest when it comes to clothes. None of my skirts or shorts end above my knees.

So why, why did I feel so invited? My family and I were in Target, and there it was, waiting. A skirt, specifically designed not to cover anything. It looked like something that one of those modern schoolgirls would wear.

I checked my purse. The skirt cost $10. I had the money. I could buy it. I imagined walking into school and my friends’ jaws (下巴) dropping. Guys would ask me out, and I would be happy. I could buy it, no, — I should buy it.

I showed my mother. She was surprised but said it was my decision. My sister looked on enviously.

I went into the dressing room to try it on. So sure was I that this skirt would change me, somehow make me not what I am but what I wished to be. I slid my jeans off and put it on. I looked in the mirror. There I was — a terrible girl in a Superman T-shirt and sneakers. My glasses fogged up as I started to cry. www.zxxk.com

The skirt did not change me. Though it fit well and might make me look good in the eyes of today’s world, it was not me. I am not a girl who wears cool clothes to fit in.

I took the thing off and slid back into the ­comfort of modesty. My mom knocked on the door. “Emily, are you okay?”

I wiped away my tears. “I’m fine.” I looked in the ­mirror again and saw a slim girl with funny ­glasses. I saw myself.

1.In the author’s eyes the skirt that interested her was ______.

A. not modern                                                          B. very short              

C. too expensive                                                      D. poorly designed

2.The author thought if she went to school in this skirt her schoolmates would be ______.

A. shocked                           B. hurt                         C. confused                          D. happier

3.The underlined sentence in the 3^rd paragraph indicates the author ______.

A. hesitated about buying the skirt

B. made up her mind to buy the skirt

C. was able to afford to buy the skirt

D. worried about others’ opinion on the skirt

4.The author cried because ______.

A. she found that she looked ugly in the skirt

B. she was aware the skirt didn’t fit her well

C. she realized it’s a wrong decision to make a change

D. she was disappointed the skirt failed to change her

I will be the first to say that I am not materialistic. My friends regard me as a goody-goody; my parents say I am conservative and modest when it comes to clothes. None of my skirts or shorts end above my knees.
So why, why did I feel so invited? My family and I were in Target, and there it was, waiting. A skirt, specifically designed not to cover anything. It looked like something that one of those modern schoolgirls would wear.
I checked my purse. The skirt cost $10. I had the money. I could buy it. I imagined walking into school and my friends’ jaws (下巴) dropping. Guys would ask me out, and I would be happy. I could buy it, no, — I should buy it.
I showed my mother. She was surprised but said it was my decision. My sister looked on enviously.
I went into the dressing room to try it on. So sure was I that this skirt would change me, somehow make me not what I am but what I wished to be. I slid my jeans off and put it on. I looked in the mirror. There I was — a terrible girl in a Superman T-shirt and sneakers. My glasses fogged up as I started to cry. www.zxxk.com
The skirt did not change me. Though it fit well and might make me look good in the eyes of today’s world, it was not me. I am not a girl who wears cool clothes to fit in.
I took the thing off and slid back into the ­comfort of modesty. My mom knocked on the door. “Emily, are you okay?”
I wiped away my tears. “I’m fine.” I looked in the ­mirror again and saw a slim girl with funny ­glasses. I saw myself

1. 1.

   In the author’s eyes the skirt that interested her was ______

   1. A.
      not modern
   2. B.
      very short
   3. C.
      too expensive
   4. D.
      poorly designed
2. 2.

   The author thought if she went to school in this skirt her schoolmates would be ______

   1. A.
      shocked
   2. B.
      hurt
   3. C.
      confused
   4. D.
      happier
3. 3.

   The underlined sentence in the 3^rd paragraph indicates the author ______

   1. A.
      hesitated about buying the skirt
   2. B.
      made up her mind to buy the skirt
   3. C.
      was able to afford to buy the skirt
   4. D.
      worried about others’ opinion on the skirt
4. 4.

   The author cried because ______

   1. A.
      she found that she looked ugly in the skirt
   2. B.
      she was aware the skirt didn’t fit her well
   3. C.
      she realized it’s a wrong decision to make a change
   4. D.
      she was disappointed the skirt failed to change her

It used to be our custom to take handmade baskets to friends on May Day.We would1baskets on a doorstep, knock on the door, and then run away as fast as our legs could2us.It was delightful to peer (窥视) around a bush and watch our friends open their3and pick up the colorful gift,4who had left it out for them.
I clearly5the May Day of the year when I turned ten.That year I was faced with a(an)6involving one of my dearest friends, Pam.We had studied and7together nearly every day, but things8after a new family had moved into our small town.Pam was spending more and more time at their house and I felt9and left out.
When my mother asked me10I was going to take a May Day basket to Pam’s house, I responded11, “Absolutely not! I hate Pam.” I began to cry.
Mom wiped away my12and told me that things and people change.She explained that one of the greatest things friends can do is to give each other a13to grow, to change and to develop, and that it’s14for one’s friends to spend time with other people.
I15decided to give Pam a basket as a sign of forgiveness, and asked my sister to help me do it.As we watched from our16place, Pam picked up the basket and said loudly enough for us to hear, “Thank you, Susie, I hoped you wouldn’t17me!”
That day, I made a18that changed my life: I decided to hold my friends tightly in my heart, but19in my expectations of them, allowing them20to grow and to change—with or without me.

1. 1.
   1. A.
      hang
   2. B.
      place
   3. C.
      throw
   4. D.
      give
2. 2.
   1. A.
      send
   2. B.
      transport
   3. C.
      carry
   4. D.
      support
3. 3.
   1. A.
      baskets
   2. B.
      eyes
   3. C.
      arms
   4. D.
      doors
4. 4.
   1. A.
      asking
   2. B.
      wondering
   3. C.
      mentioning
   4. D.
      informing
5. 5.
   1. A.
      remember
   2. B.
      experience
   3. C.
      remind
   4. D.
      grasp
6. 6.
   1. A.
      plan
   2. B.
      task
   3. C.
      opportunity
   4. D.
      challenge
7. 7.
   1. A.
      lived
   2. B.
      played
   3. C.
      traveled
   4. D.
      discussed
8. 8.
   1. A.
      failed
   2. B.
      finished
   3. C.
      changed
   4. D.
      proved
9. 9.
   1. A.
      started
   2. B.
      hurt
   3. C.
      paid
   4. D.
      injured
10. 10.
    1. A.
       why
    2. B.
       what
    3. C.
       whether
    4. D.
       how
11. 11.
    1. A.
       anxiously
    2. B.
       weakly
    3. C.
       angrily
    4. D.
       happily
12. 12.
    1. A.
       tears
    2. B.
       thoughts
    3. C.
       unhappiness
    4. D.
       freedom
13. 13.
    1. A.
       reason
    2. B.
       means
    3. C.
       chance
    4. D.
       direction
14. 14.
    1. A.
       able
    2. B.
       impossible
    3. C.
       acceptable
    4. D.
       doubtful
15. 15.
    1. A.
       nearly
    2. B.
       hardly
    3. C.
       finally
    4. D.
       generally
16. 16.
    1. A.
       covering
    2. B.
       hiding
    3. C.
       cheering
    4. D.
       passing
17. 17.
    1. A.
       miss
    2. B.
       forget
    3. C.
       disturb
    4. D.
       control
18. 18.
    1. A.
       decision
    2. B.
       mistake
    3. C.
       suggestion
    4. D.
       difference
19. 19.
    1. A.
       deeply
    2. B.
       shortly
    3. C.
       highly
    4. D.
       loosely
20. 20.
    1. A.
       time
    2. B.
       space
    3. C.
       sense
    4. D.
       care

In what may be the most terrified shower news since Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” a study says shower heads can hide tiny bacteria that come spraying into your face when you wash. People with normal immune systems have little to fear, but these bacteria could be a concern for those with AIDS, people who are undergoing cancer treatment or those who have had a recent organ transplant.

Researchers at the University of Colorado tested 45 showers in five states as part of a larger study of the microbiology of air and water in homes, schools and public buildings. They report their showers findings in Tuesday’s edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

In general, is it dangerous to take showers? “Probably not, if your immune system is not compromised in some way,” lead author Norman R. Pace says. “But it’s like anything else---there is a risk associated with it.”

The researchers offer suggestions for caution, such as getting all-mental shower heads, which microbes have a harder time clinging to.

 Still, it is hard to clean the shower heads, the researchers note, and the bacteria come back even after cleaning. People who have filtered(过滤的) shower heads could replace the filter weekly, added co-author Laura K. Baumgartner. And, she said, baths don’t splash bacteria into the air as much as showers.

Indeed, studies by the National Jewish Hospital in Denver suggest increases in infections in the lungs in the Untied States in recent decades from species like M.
    Symptoms of infection can include tiredness, a persistent, dry cough, shortness of breath, weakness and “generally feeling bad,” he said.

Shower heads were sampled at houses, apartment buildings and public places in New York, Illinois, Colorado, Tennessee and North Dakota.

 The researchers sampled water flowing from the shower heads, then removed them, wiped the interiors of the devices and separately sampled water flowing from the pipes without the shower heads.

 By studying the DNA of the samples they were able to determine which bacteria were present.

66. Which group of persons of the following don’t have to fear the bacteria in the shower head?

A. Those who suffer from AIDS

B. Those with normal immune system

C. Those undergoing cancer treatment

D. Those that have had organ transplanted recently

67. In Para 3, what does Norman R. Pace suggest?

A. People with abnormal immune system will die from taking showers.

B. People shouldn’t take shower for there is always a risk there.

C. Bacteria in shower heads may harm those with abnormal immune system 

D. Abnormal immune system is associated with taking showers.

68. What does the underlined word “cling to” mean in Para. 4?

A. Holding onto tightly                                   B. Spreading widely

C. Breaking out                                               D. Cleaning up

69. What suggestions do NOT the researchers offer for caution?

A. Using all-metal shower heads.                 B. Replacing the filter weekly.

C. Stopping splashing microbes                   D. Taking baths instead of showers 

70. What is the best title of this passage?

A. Microbes hidden in shower heads            B. An important research on showers

C. Taking baths instead of showers              D. Terrible murder in the showers

I tried not to be biased, but I had my doubts about hiring Stevie. His social worker assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy. But I had never had a mentally handicapped employee. He was short, a little fat with the smooth facial features and thick-tongued speech of Down’s Syndrome (唐氏综合症). I thought most of my customers would be uncomfortable around Stevie so I closely watched him for the first few weeks.

I shouldn't have worried. After the first week, Stevie had my staff wrapped around his fat little finger, and within a month my regular truck customers had adopted him as their official truck stop mascot(吉祥物). After that, I really didn't care what the rest of the customers thought of him. He was like a 21-year-old in blue jeans and Nikes, eager to laugh and eager to please, but fierce in his attention to his duties. Every salt and pepper shaker was exactly in its place, not a coffee spill was visible when Stevie got done with the table. Our only problem was persuading him to wait to clean a table until after the customers were finished.

Over time, we learned that he lived with his mother, a widow who was disabled after repeated surgeries for cancer. Money was tight, and what I paid him was probably the difference between them being able to live together and Stevie being sent to a group home.

That's why the restaurant was a gloomy place that morning last August, the first morning in three years that Stevie missed work. He was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester getting a heart surgery. His social worker said that people with Down’s Syndrome often have heart problems at an early age so this wasn't unexpected, and there was a good chance he would come through the surgery in good shape and be back at work in a few months.

A ripple of excitement ran through the staff later that morning when word came that he was out of surgery, in recovery, and doing fine. Frannie, the head waitress, did a little dance when she heard the good news. Belle Ringer, one of our regular trucker customers, stared at her and asked, "OK, Frannie, what was that all about?"

"We just got word that Stevie is out of surgery and going to be okay."

"I was wondering where he was. I had a new joke to tell him. What was the surgery about?"

Frannie quickly told Belle Ringer and the other two drivers about Stevie's surgery, then sighed: "Yeah, I'm glad he is going to be OK," she said. "But I don't know how he and his Mom are going to handle all the bills. From what I hear, they're barely getting by as it is." Belle Ringer nodded thoughtfully, and Frannie hurried off to wait on the rest of her tables.

After the morning rush, Frannie walked into my office. She had a couple of paper napkins in her hand and a funny look on her face.

"What's up?" I asked.

"I cleared off that table where Belle Ringer and his friends were sitting after they left, and I found this was folded and put under a coffee cup."

She handed the napkin to me, and three $20 bills fell onto my desk when I opened it. On the outside, in big, bold letters, was printed "Something For Stevie".

That was three months ago. Today is Thanksgiving, the first day Stevie is supposed to be back to work. His social worker said he had been counting the days until the doctor said he could work. I arranged to have his mother bring him to work, met them in the parking lot and invited them both to celebrate his day back.

I led them toward a large corner booth. I could feel and hear the rest of the staff following behind as we marched through the dining room. We stopped in front of the big table. Its surface was covered with coffee cups, and dinner plates, all sitting slightly bent on dozens of folded paper napkins.

"First thing you have to do, Stevie, is clean up this mess," I said.

Stevie looked at me, and then at his mother, then pulled out one of the napkins. It had "Something for Stevie" printed on the outside. As he picked it up, two $10 bills fell onto the table. Stevie stared at the money, then at all the napkins peeking from beneath the tableware, each with his name printed on it.

I turned to his mother. "There's more than $10,000 in cash and checks on that table, all from truckers and trucking companies that heard about your problems. "Happy Thanksgiving !"

Well, it got really noisy about that time, with everybody hollering and shouting, and there were a few tears, as well. But you know what's funny?

While everybody else was busy shaking hands and hugging each other, Stevie, with a big, big smile on his face, was busy clearing all the cups and dishes from the table.

55. Which of the following is true about Stevie?   

A. Stevie worked on a bus selling bus fare. 

B. Stevie was a mentally healthy boy.

C. Stevie was bad-tempered because he suffered Down’s Syndrome.               

D. Stevie wiped tables and mopped floors in a restaurant.

56. According to the story, which of the following sentences is true?

A. Stevie made customers uncomfortable.    B. Stevie usually cleaned the table too early

C. Stevie often spilled coffee out of cups.    D. Stevie couldn’t fix his attention on his work.

57. By saying the underlined sentence in Para. 3, the author meant that the money she paid Stevie ________.

A. could help Stevie out of the money trouble. 

B. couldn’t thoroughly solve Stevie’s problem.

C. could make a great difference to Stevie’s life.

D. couldn’t send Stevie to a group home.

58. Why did Frannie sigh after she got word that Stevie would be OK ?

A. She was worried about Stevie’s finance problem.

B. She was worried about Stevie’s health.

C. She was worried that the owner would fire Stevie.

D. She was worried that no one would help Stevie.

59. Why did the author ask Stevie to clean up the mess on the table after he returned?

A. It was Stevie’s duty to clean the table.

B. The table was so dirty that it needed cleaning.

C. Stevie would find the money that was given to him.

D. She wanted to congratulate Stevie on his coming back.

60. Stevie was popular among the staff and customers in the restaurant because of ______.

A. his special appearance.           B. his hard work and optimism.

C. his funny speeches and actions.    D. his kind-hearted behaviours.