They say there are three ways to experience the Grand Canyon; on foot, on mules(骡子) or by air. We chose the first. Up early; my husband and I and our three children couldn’t wait to get started. We decided to walk along a lovely path named Bright Angel Trail.
As we set out, I was shocked at how narrow the path was. And I couldn’t help noticing that the other tourists weren’t like us. They had heavy backpacks, water bottles, and hats. But as usual we were dressed, As the sun rose higher, Arizona’s famous heat seemed to roast(烘烤)　us. There was no shade and our legs were aching. We decided to go back, with the girl on my back and the boys far behind. By the time we finally got back, our legs were like jelly.
The next day, after we’d had a long rest and a good breakfast, we were ready for another view of the Canyon – by air. After our last walk, this would be the easiest thing in the world.
We called to each other excitedly as the plane took off and circled around the Canyon. But the smiles on our faces disappeared as the pilot tossed(翻转)　the plane around, pretending he was going to hit the ground. I shouted, “STOP, TAKE US BACK!” When we finally arrived back on land, once again our legs were like jelly. We hardly spoke as we drove back.
As I said, there are three ways to view the Grand Canyon. We never tried the mules, but personally I’d suggest a fourth: buy yourself a good magazine like National Geographic. That way, you can see the Canyon, without fear or tiredness.
【小题1】Which of the following is true according to the second paragraph?

I will be traveling to Australia as a Student Ambassador with People to People. People to People arranges for American students to travel all around the world to learn about other cultures, and to help others understand American culture. The program was founded by former President Dwight D. Eisenhower to promote peace through understanding.

I had to put in many hours of special work to get to this point. First, a teacher nominated (推荐) me, and then I attended an informational meeting about the program. The application process included an interview, and finally, I was accepted.

That’s when the hard work really began. In addition to attending monthly meetings to prepare for the big trip, my parents encouraged my twin sister Beth (also participating in the program) and me to raise $ 2,000 each to help pay for the cost. And so the fund-raising began. We did everything from selling candy bars to selling an old car to decorating people’s mailboxes during the holiday season. We also babysat, washed cars, held a yard sale, and washed windows. After months of hard work I had raised a total of $2319.87! Combined, Beth and I raised over $ 4500.00!

Now I have a problem-packing. Yes, I know it sounds unimportant, but my suitcase seems to have shrunk (收缩) as I placed my belongings inside. According to airline regulations (规定), a suitcase can be no larger than 54 inches and weigh no more than 44 pounds. For a person who likes to wear a different outfit every day, packing all my clothes into such a small space seemed an impossible task. However, I have lessened my load and my suitcase which started out weighting overweight now checks in at a mere 36. Apart from a slightly bloated (臃肿) carry-on bag, my luggage is definitely manageable.

I doubt that I will not get much sleep tonight because I am so excited! I know that what lies ahead is going to be the trip of lifetime!

When does the author write the passage?

       A. Before leaving for Australia.                B. Several months before the journey.

       C. Just hours after reaching the destination.      D. The night when she was accepted.

Which of the following is not the aim of People to People program?

       A. To promote peace through understanding.     B. To collect money for traveling.

       C. To make American culture known to others.    D. To learn about other cultures.

Which is the correct order of the author’ preparation for the journey?

       a. being accepted as a member

       b. raising money for the trip

       c. attending a meeting about the program

       d. packing belongings

       e. being nominated by the teacher

       A．e, a, b, c, d        B．a, c, e, d, b        C．e, c, a, d, b         D．e, c, a, b, d

What does the author think of the journey?

       A．It could be a tiring expensive journey.

       B．It could be long-lasting journey, which needs taking all daily necessities.

       C．It could be an exciting, unforgettable journey.

       D．It could be an overseas journey, during which she would experience hard labor.

完形填空（共15小题, 每小题1分， 满分15分）
阅读下面的短文，从短文所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳答案。
For years we have been told that encouraging a child’s self-respect is important to his or her success in life.__41__ child experts are now learning that __42__ praise can lead to the opposite effect. Praise-aholic(受表扬上瘾的) kids who __43__ it at every turn may become teens who try to get the same kind of __44__ from friends when asked if they want to go in the backseat of the car. ks5*u
The meaning of saying “You are the __45__ girl in class,” or talking about the goals she scored but not her general __46__, is that you love her __47__ when she looks the best, scores the highest, achieves the most. And this __48__ over to the classroom.
Social psychologist Carrol Dweck, PhD, tested the effects of overpraise on 400 fifth graders __49__ she was at Columbia University. She found that the kids who were __50__ for “trying hard” did better on tests and were more likely to take on difficult tasks than __51__ praised for being “smart”.
“Praising qualities or abilities leads to a false __52__ that success will come to you because you __53__ that quality, and it devalues(贬值) effort. __54__, children are afraid to take on challenges, ” says Dweck, now at Stanford University, “They think they’d better __55__while they’re ahead.”
【小题1】  

This was my grandmother’s first Christmas without grandfather. When we reached her house, it did seem a little 36 without grandfather.
Grandfather had always said the Christmas  37 was the most important. So we set to work assembling（组装）the beautiful  38 tree that was stored in grandfather’s closet（储藏室）. After we finished, we stepped back to  39 our work. It looked wonderful. But something was  40 .
“Where’s the star?” I asked. It was my grandmother’s  41 . As we emptied box after box and found no star, my grandmother’s eyes  42 with tears. Grandfather had given it to Grandmother fifty years ago. Now, on her first Christmas without  43 , the star was gone, too.
“Let’s  44 in the closet where the tree was,” my sister Donna said. We  45 under beds and over shelves, inside and outside  46 we had exhausted every possibility. We could see Grandmother was  47 , although she tried not to show it. By now, it was  48 outside, and time for bed, as Santa would soon be here.
The next morning, my sisters and I  49 early to see what Santa had left under the tree. After breakfast, the family sat together to  50 presents. “The last gift is to Grandmother from Grandfather.” Father said, in a puzzled voice.
“From who?” There was  51  in my grandmother’s voice.
“I found that  52 in the closet when we got the tree down,” Mother explained.
My grandmother opened it. Her face lit up when she pulled out a(n)  53  golden star. There was a note attached. Her voice trembled（颤抖）as she read it:
Don’t be  54  with me, dear. I broke your star while putting away the tree. Thought it was time for a new one, I hope it brings you as much  55  as the first one. Merry Christmas.