My friend Robert started a new job this week and he’s been in the training class for two days. The employer has a very strict dress code—dark blue shirts and pants.

On the first day, an older gentleman in his class did not have the proper clothes and he was strictly told that he would be fired if he didn’t have the right clothes the next day. He explained, “Sir, I had been told about this, but because of my larger size, it’s sometimes difficult to find the right clothing for a price I can afford.”

Last night, Robert and I decided that this old man shouldn’t lose the chance of work simply because he couldn’t afford the clothes. I had some cash on hand and Robert took it with him this morning just in case it was needed.

When training started this morning, the trainer was ready to fire the older gentleman. “You have 10 minutes to be in proper clothes,” he was told. At this point, Robert spoke up and asked if he could have 10 minutes to get him the clothes. He then ran out to the store and bought the proper-sized pants and a shirt; he returned with both and gave them to the older man.

The older gentleman began to cry and told him that he couldn’t accept such a gift from a stranger. Robert told him he had to because he had lost the receipt(收据) and couldn’t return them—a little white lie. The pants were a perfect fit, the shirt was a bit tight but he was able to keep his job.

“My wife and I tried to gather together some money last night, but we didn’t have enough to buy the clothes,” he told Robert. “It’s unbelievable to me that a person would do such a thing for only knowing me a day!”

More unbelievable is how good it has made Robert and me feel to do this.

1.If the older man did not have the proper clothes, he would _____.

A. be punished  B. be offered another job   C. put off the training class   D. lose his job

2.The money which was paid for the clothes was _____.

A. the trainer’s   B. the older man’s          C. the writer’s           D. Robert’s

3. How did Robert persuade the older man to accept the clothes?

A. He told the older man that he would lose his job if he did not take them.

B. He told a lie that the clothes didn’t fit himself.

C. He told the older man that he could save money and return it later.

D. He told the older man that he had no way to send them back.

4.What might be the best title for the passage?

A. Proper clothes for a stranger            B. Fight against strict rules

C. A strange employer                   D. An unbelievable thing

Adults（成年人）usually do not remember most of the things that are taught by their teachers at school. But this story is one such lesson that I will never forget. Every time I drift off course, I think of this story.

         It was a normal Monday morning, and my teacher was teaching us on important things in life and about devoting ourselves to what is important to us. This is how the story went:

         An old man lived in a certain part of London, and he would wake up every morning and go to the subway. He would get onto the train right to Central London, and then sit at the street corner and beg（乞讨）. He would do this every single day of his life. He sat at the same street corner and begged for almost 20 years.

         His house was dirty, and a stench (恶臭) came out of the house and it smelled terrible. The neighbors could not stand the smell any more, so they called for the police officers to clear the place. The officers knocked down the door and cleaned the house. There were small bags of money all over the house that he had collected over the years.

         The police counted the money, and they soon realized that the old man was a millionaire (百万富翁). They waited outside his house expecting to share the good news with him. When the old man arrived home that evening, one of the officers told him that there was no need for him to beg any more as he was a rich man now, a millionaire.

         But the old man said nothing at all; he went into his house and locked the door. The next morning he woke up as usual, went to the subway, sat at the street corner and continued to beg.

         Clearly, this old man had no great plans, dreams or anything significant (有意义的) for his life. We learn nothing from this story other than（除了）staying focused on（专心于）the things we enjoy doing.

1.The underlined part in the first paragraph may mean ______.

A. I get tired of learning my subjects

B. I fail to listen to lessons attentively

C. I go in the wrong direction of life

D. I wouldn’t like to go to school

2.The neighbor called the police because ______.

A. the old man kept begging money from them every day

B. there was something dangerous in the old man’s house

C. the old man wouldn’t buy tickets for the train

D. they couldn’t bear the smell from the old man’s house

3.When the old man knew he was a millionaire, he ______.

A. remained calm           B. became excited  

C. felt worried          D. became nervous

4.What lesson do we learn from the story?

A. Make great plans for your life.          

B. Keep on doing what you like.

C. Do something that is good to society.     

D. Depend on yourself rather than others.   

It was freezing outside my car and I did not want to get out of it. We were passing by a small shop when I noticed an old man 36 with cold. It was freezing that night. 37, here he was, seated in the corner, waiting for anyone who would give him a(n)38 coin or a cup of hot tea.

I asked my husband to go over and 39 a packet of biscuits to this old man. He looked into my husband’s face 40 and smiled. I felt so happy and 41 I prayed for him to live through the cold night.

I 42 to visit again and find out 43 he was the next day. I did so the next evening, and he was still there.44 my car, the old man came up to my 45 and smiled at me. I became 46 once more and this time I gave him a bag of food, which I brought with the 47 of finding him in the same spot. He 48 for the bag and I gave him my hand. He 49 my hand and said，“ May God bless you. Thanks for your help.” With his cap on his head and the 50 of his hand and the smile on his face, he 51 me of my father.

At a closer 52, I saw my father in this old man, waiting for anyone to show him some 53 or love. Maybe one day, it could 54 to one of us, so do not pass by a poor person without offering  at least a word of 55 and a kind smile or an act kindness of any kind.

1.A. standing   B. shaking   C. walking   D. crying

2. A. Therefore  B. Finally    C. Instead   D. However

3. A. new       B. extra     C. single    D. remaining

4. A. buy       B. hand      C. throw    D. order

5.A. seriously   B. angrily    C. carefully  D. gratefully

6.A. in fact     B. in addition  C. in turn   D. in all

7.A. agreed     B. promised   C. managed  D. decided

8.A. where     B. what       C. how       D. whom

9.A. Recognizing  B. Following  C. Stopping  D. Leading

10.A. place       B. window    C. way     D. seat

11.A. nervous     B. happy     C. excited   D. sad

12.A. hope       B. aim       C. plan       D. idea

13.A. looked up   B. stood up   C. reached out   D. set out

14.A. accepted    B. pulled    C. touched   D. held

15.A. size       B. warmth    C. power    D. shape

16.A. reminded   B. informed   C. told     D. convinced

17.A. appearance  B. look      C. inspection  D. survey

18.A. favor      B. respect     C. support   D. mercy

19. A. go        B. appear      C. exist    D. happen

20.A. romance   B. admiration   C. love    D. passion

My friend Robert started a new job this week and he’s been in the training class for two days. The employer has a very strict dress code—dark blue shirts and pants.
On the first day, an older gentleman in his class did not have the proper clothes and he was strictly told that he would be fired if he didn’t have the right clothes the next day. He explained, “Sir, I had not been told about this. Because of my larger size, it’s sometimes difficult to find the right clothing for a price I can afford.”
Last night, Robert and I decided that this old man shouldn’t lose the chance of work simply because he couldn’t afford the clothes. I had some cash on hand and Robert took it with him this morning just in case it was needed.
When training started this morning, the trainer was ready to fire the older gentleman. “You have 10 minutes to be in proper clothes,” he was told. At this point, Robert spoke up and asked if he could have 10 minutes to get him the clothes. He then ran out to the store and bought the proper-sized pants and a shirt; he returned with both and gave them to the older man.
The older gentleman began to cry and told him that he couldn’t accept such a gift from a stranger. Robert told him he had to because he had lost the receipt(收据) and couldn’t return them—a little white lie. The pants were a perfect fit, the shirt was a bit tight but he was able to keep his job.
“My wife and I tried to gather together some money last night, but we didn’t have enough to buy the clothes,” he told Robert. “It’s unbelievable to me that anybody would do such a thing for only knowing me a day!”
More unbelievable is how good it has made Robert and me feel to do this.
【小题1】If the older man did not have the proper clothes, he would _____

Many years ago in a small village, an old man was hired to clear the spring (泉水) up on the mountain. He patrolled (巡逻) the spring every day, and swept away all the leaves and other things that would dirty the fresh flow of water. Soon, beautiful swans (天鹅) came to the clear spring, and the village became a popular attraction for visitors.
Years passed. One evening the town leaders held a meeting. As they looked at the salary list, one of them said, “Why do we keep this old man on year after year? I don’t think we need him or his work.” Later, the old man was asked to leave.
For several weeks, nothing changed. By early autumn, the leaves began to fall off the trees, and the spring was covered with leaves. A few days later, the water was much darker. Only a few months after the old man left, all the swans left, as did the tourists. Disease reached deeply into the village.
Quickly, the leaders held a special meeting. Realizing their mistake, they rehired the old man. Then within a few weeks, the spring began to clear up. Soon new life returned to the village.
So, my friends, do you see? No matter how small your work or your life seems to be, never overlook it. Anything we can do will make a difference.
【小题1】The leaders decided to ask the old man to leave because they thought ______.