"I didn’t hear them call my name," explained Shelley Hennig to Active Teens (AT) as she talked about that exciting moment on national television when she won the honor of Miss Teen USA 2004. "Are you ready?" is what she heard. Then she said, "I shook my head no, and then they said ‘yes’ and it was announced again."

It was four days after that life changing moment for the seventeen-year-old high school student from Destrehan, Louisiana—she was still on cloud nine.

"I was so shocked! I never believed that it could actually really happen." Present in the audience that day were: her mother and father, older brother, her friends, and her dance teacher.

Understanding why members of her family and her friends would be there, AT asked why her dance teacher had traveled so far to see her compete（比赛）."She’s always been my role model. I’ve danced with her since I was six. She’s been through so many difficulties and came through them all. I’ve learned to get over bad life’s experiences and learned how to move on because of her."

One of those bad life’s experiences for Shelley happened three years ago when her brother Brad was killed in a drunk driving accident. He was 18. She found writing helped her get through the hard days. She said, "I write a lot about my brother. I write a lot, a lot, a lot...”

As Miss Louisiana Teen, she traveled around the state speaking to teens about the dangers of drinking and driving. In her role as Miss Teen USA, Shelley will continue to speak to youth about safe driving, in addition to(除…之外) many other things to help the youth.

When AT asked Miss Teen USA if she had any advice for our readers, she said, "Don’t let anyone change you. Hang out with people that make you feel good about yourself. That way, it is easy to be yourself."

1.What do the words “on cloud nine” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A. hard to believe       B. hard to forget

C. very happy       D. very satisfied

2.Shelley’ dance teacher was present in her competition mainly because _______.

A. she just expected to help Shelly to move on

B. she wanted to stay with Shelly when in need

C. she experienced as many difficulties as Shelly

Dear Darcy,

I have braces(牙套), so it’s important that I brush my teeth．But I don’t like to brush my teeth at all．Do you have any ideas for how to make me enjoy brushing?

    —Annoying in Gainesville

Darcy：A few changes should help you feel better about brushing．Start by getting a new toothbrush in your favorite color．A tasty toothpaste might make you smile．

Dear Darcy,

My best friend has moved to the countryside and I’m finding school really hard without him．What shall I do?

—Lonely in Los Angeles

Darcy：Face the situation bravely! What’s more important, try to be friendly and find other kids that share your interest．That way you and other kids will have much to talk about．Sure you’ll make new friends with each passing day．

Dear Darcy,

My friend’s birthday is coming soon．I want to give her something special but I haven’t got enough money and I’m not good at making things．What’s your advice, please?

—Anxious

Darcy：When your friend knows what you’re thinking, I think she will be happy．Does your friend mind how much money you will spend on the gift? Write a letter to her or buy her a girl with the money you can afford．A true friend never cares how much a gift costs．

Dear Darcy,

I listen to your program every night．I also have a problem．My cousin’s dog has just had babies and I really want to have one for a pet．My parents won’t allow the baby dog in! I really need your help．

   —Helpless in Seattle

Darcy：Your parents sure have their reasons for not having a pet．Maybe they don’t have time looking after it．So have a talk with them and make them believe you can be a good pet owner．

根据材料内容选择最佳答案，并将其标号填入题前括号内。

1．According to Darcy, he who        is easier to make new friends．

A．likes writing letters to her                                B．takes good care of himself

C．can share his interest with others               D．buys special gifts for others

2．Helpless in Seattle has a problem that              ．

A．she has no money to buy a dog              B．she can’t find her dog

C．she has no time looking after her dog            D．she can’t have a dog at home

3．There is no information in the text about where          comes from．

A．Helpless              B．Anxious             C．Annoying           D．Lonely

4．Darcy most probably works at              ．

A．a school           B．a hospital            C．a radio station     D．an airport

5．We can learn from the text that              ．

A．they have the same problem                         B．Annoying will change her braces

C．Anxious won’t buy an expensive gift            D．Lonely also moves to the countryside

I remember my maths teacher Mr Young very well. He stood out because the kids made fun of him. He was missing one of his fingers. In school Maths was my worst subject. I don’t think there was ever a day I went to school that I was not afraid.
One day, I was told that if I got one more E on my report card, my parents would be called to school.
I tried really hard for weeks to learn Maths. I just couldn’t understand how to make different parts of numbers into whole things; my brain just couldn’t do it, no matter how hard I tried.
The day before report cards were to come out, I knew that Mr Young would give me an E, just like he always did.
After class ended, I went to Mr Young and told him what would happen if I got another E. He told me there was nothing he could do; it would be unfair to the other kids if he gave me a better grade than I had actually earned.
I looked at the teacher and said, “Mr Young, you know how all the kids make fun of you because you’re missing your finger?”
He looked at me, and said nothing.
“They shouldn’t do that to you because you can’t help not having a finger, Mr Young. Just like I can’t help not being able to learn numbers and matters like that,” I said.
Again, he said nothing as he looked down at his desk, and began grading papers.
The next day, when I got my report card, I looked at my grades: Geography: B- , English: D-  , History: C- , Gym: B+ , Art: C, Maths: D- .
That Math grade was the most favorite one I ever received in my whole life. I knew that someone in the world finally understood what it was like for me to be missing a finger inside my head.
【小题1】Where was Mr Young different from others?