I’m Alfred. I was born with a problem in my backbone and mobility(行走能力）was a big challenge, but thanks to my teachers and friends, my school life was excellent.

My friends and I used to sit together and have lots of fun. Whenever we got a free period, we used to start shouting or play games. I would take part in all competitions, such as poetry writing, story writing and painting and all activities like Teachers’ Day or anybody’s birthday and had much fun.

My English teacher was very tall. The moment she would enter the class, we would all sit quiet and open the books. She would encourage me by giving me important assignments and also morning news to read during the assembly. She would come down and hear my English debate(辩论), which made me participate in all debate competitions.

The same was true of my biology and science teacher. She was very nice and sweet. She would always give me extra information on the biology project. I could not go to the lab for the practicals (lessons or exams in science, cooking etc. in which you have to do or make something yourself rather than write or read about it), so she would bring the lab down and help me with the biology and science practicals and would give me excellent marks.

My friends made me monitor and the naughty boys listen to me. My friends used to help me with my notes if I was absent. My teachers always gave me important project work and I felt proud when they patted me on the back after I finished it quickly and correctly.

I was never shouted at or made fun of or scolded(批评) by any of my friends and teachers. Today I saw the terrible punishments given to students on television news. I felt very sad.

I really want to express my love and thanks to all my wonderful teachers and friends, without whom my school life would not have been so excellent and unforgettable. I really pray to God that each child in the world is blessed with caring teachers and wants to attend school every day.

1.Alfred’s problem in his backbone _________ .

A．made him have fewer friends than others

B．prevented him enjoying an excellent school life

C．left him feeling down all the time in his life

D．made it impossible for him to move freely

2.How many Alfred’s teachers are mentioned in the passage?

A．One.             B．Two.              C．Three.            D．Four.

3.Alfred tried to do the following EXCEPT _________.

A．play games during a free period with his friends

B．take part in all competitions and all activities

C．go to the school lab to do the practicals

D．complete his project work quickly and correctly

4.The underlined part “patted me on the back” is closest in meaning to “_________”.

A．scolded and hit me                      B．encouraged and praised me

C．touched my backbone                    D．made me calm down

5.By writing the passage, Alfred aims to __________.

A．tell us how lucky a boy student he was

B．express his thanks to his teachers and friends

C．get understanding and care from more people

D．show us his great school achievements

My young daughter and I were flying to Miami for holiday. The plane was totally    36   . We couldn’t get seats together and were separated by the aisle. I asked two men if they would like to change 37   with us, so that we could be together. They 38    .

At the same time, a mother 39     three children also had the same problem as us. The mother 40     her baby, but her young son and his older brother were separated from her. She was very concerned about the boys sitting with 41  . She was very worried, but 42    helped her. Suddenly a man said, “I think we can help you.” Then he and his group managed to make enough space for the 43     .

My young daughter, however, was afraid of not being next to a window or her mom. I told her I couldn’t do anything; we had to sit 44    we were. Amazingly, the man sitting next to me turned to me and said he really liked the seat near the aisle, so we changed seats and continued our trip 45    .

Would that man give us his seat if the others hadn’t done so for the mom and her children? I don’t know. Perhaps kindness is contagious.

1.A. crowded      B. uncomfortable   C. full     D. noisy

2.A. money       B. seats           C. minds    D. ideas

3.A. agreed       B. refused         C waited   D. nodded

4.A. with         B. except          C. next to    D. besides

5.A. held         B. raised          C. carried    D. brought

6.A. friends       B.waitresses       C.strangers   D.relatives

7.A. somebody    B. anybody        C. everybody  D. nobody

8.A. family       B. home           C. house     D. team

9.A. that         B. what            C. where     D. when

10.A. sadly        B. hurriedly        C. slowly    D. happily

Have you ever wondered what goes through your mind when you choose where to sit in a new classroom? Or in a waiting room full of strangers? Or on a bus? Researchers have found out some interesting facts.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, we prefer to sit closer to people like ourselves. Girls sit by girls and boys sit by boys. Adults sit together and young people choose another young person to sit near. But it goes further than this. We even choose to sit near someone who looks like us. People with glasses are more likely to sit near other people with glasses. People with long hair sit closer to other people with long hair.
We seem to believe that people with similar habits or hobbies will share similar attitude and we are more likely to be accepted by people like ourselves or even, we think we may be safer with people who look like us. Sometimes that’s true but it's a pity if we always stick to the same people, the same group. The danger in always staying in our comfort zone (舒适区)is that we just recycle the same opinions, the same tastes and the same ideas. We lose the chance to learn something new, find out about interesting things, hear funny stories and discover difference.?
When we always stick to the same people, how can we ever break down the barriers which prevent us from getting to know people with different ideas? And how can we avoid the ignorance (无知),which too often leads to prejudice (偏见) and even fear? If instead you want to live in a society that opens to changes and new things and different opinions, be the cat among the pigeons.
Move out of your comfort zone. Go and sit next to someone different. And don't just sit there in silence. Say hello. Ask a question. Start a conversation. That’s how we make friends. That’s how we learn about people. That’s how we open our minds to new ideas. That's how we live an exciting life.
【小题1】From the passage, we know that people prefer sitting by someone who

We love to sit on the floor and _____________ the beach and the sea.