It was one of the happiest times of my life. I was 29 and had just received my bachelor’s degree, graduating with honors despite working two jobs and being a wife and mother. My parents and five-year-old son were in the audience when I walked onto the stage at Ashland University to get my diploma. I was so excited and proud to be starting a teaching career and contributing more to my family’s well-being.
But when I got home that evening, there was a note from my husband written on the back of an envelope. It basically said he had come to get his clothes and wouldn’t be back. We’d been having trouble, but the finality of that note still came as a shock. He had emptied our bank account. We were horribly in debt. I had quit my previous jobs in expectation of interviewing for a teaching position. Plus, I was eight months pregnant.
I had my son, and I was about to bring a new life into the world, so despite my deep sadness, I had to go on. The next morning, I woke up, put my feet on the floor, took a deep breath, fixed breakfast, and basically did everything I always did. I used my routine to keep me moving. After being in the military for six years, I guess you can say I relied on my training, like all good soldiers do in tough situations. One small step after one small step was the way I bounced back(恢复原状).
And in the seven years since, I’ve continued moving forward. I got a job as a kindergarten teacher, earned a master’s degree in education, and watched my babies grow to twelve and seven. I certainly would never have chosen to put them through this, but looking back, I’m glad it happened to me when it did. It helped me find my voice and myself a lot sooner. It helped me grow independent, confident, and strong—things I’m hopefully instilling(灌输) now in my children.

1. 1.

   After getting her bachelor’s degree, the author expected to ________.

   1. A.
      become a teacher
   2. B.
      be a wife and mother
   3. C.
      work two jobs
   4. D.
      get divorced
2. 2.

   What do we know about the author from Paragraph 2?

   1. A.
      Her husband wrote a note to congratulate her on her graduation.
   2. B.
      She had just been to a job interview when her husband left her.
   3. C.
      Her husband paid off all the debts from the bank.
   4. D.
      She was going to have another baby soon.
3. 3.

   The author’s hardships in life made her ________.

   1. A.
      become confident and independent
   2. B.
      work harder in the kindergarten
   3. C.
      use her routine to move forward
   4. D.
      feel pleased with what happened to her
4. 4.

   It can be inferred from the passage that __________.

   1. A.
      The author’s parents helped her a lot
   2. B.
      The author received further education later
   3. C.
      The author earned a master’s degree when she was 29
   4. D.
      The author didn’t know how to deal with marriage
5. 5.

   What helped the author to pull through her hard time?

   1. A.
      The divorce with her husband.
   2. B.
      Her fellow soldiers in the army.
   3. C.
      Her decision to find a new job.
   4. D.
      A strong mind and love for her kids.

My father had always been an alert(警觉的) observer of human character. Within seconds of meeting someone, he could sum up their strengths and weaknesses. It was always a challenge to see if any of my boyfriends could pass Dad’s test. None did. Dad was always right---they didn’t pass my test either. After Dad died, I wondered how I’d figure it out on my own.

That’s when Jack arrived on the scene. He was different from any other guy I’d dated. He could sit for hours on the piano bench with my mother, discussing some composers. My brother Rick loudly announced that Jack wasn’t a turkey like the other guys I’d brought home. Jack passed my family’s test. But what about Dad’s?

Then came my mother’s birthday. The day he was supposed to drive, I got a call. “Don’t worry,” he said, “but I’ve been in an accident. I’m fine, but I need you to pick me up.”

When I got there, we rushed to a flower shop for something for Mom. “How about gardenias?” Jack said, pointing at a beautiful white corsage(胸花). The florist put the corsage in a box.

The entire ride, Jack was unusually quiet. “Are you all right?” I asked. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking,” he said. “I might be moving.” Moving? Then he added, “Moving in with you.” I nearly put the car on the sidewalk. “What?” I asked. “I think we should get married,” he said. He told me he’d planned his proposal in a fancy restaurant, but after the accident, he decided to do it right away. “Yes,” I whispered. We both sat dumbfounded, tears running down our cheeks. I’d never known such a tender moment. If only Dad were here to give his final approval.

“Oh, let’s just go inside.” Jack laughed. My mother opened the door. “Happy Birthday!” we shouted. Jack handed the box to her. She opened it up. Suddenly, her eyes were filled with tears. “Mom, what’s wrong?” I asked. “I’m sorry,” she said, wiping her eyes. “This is only the second gardenia corsage I’ve ever received. I was given one years ago, long before you kids were born.” “From who?” I asked. “Your father,” Mom said. “He gave me one right before we were engaged.” My eyes locked on Jack’s as I blinked away(眨掉) tears. Dad’s test? I knew Jack had passed.

1.According to the text, we know the writer’s father was __________.

A．interested in observing things around

B．good at judging one’s character

C．strict with her boyfriend

D．fond of challenges

2.What is the main idea of Paragraph 2?

A．Jack got the family’s approval except Dad’s.

B．Jack was different from any other boy.

C．Jack was getting on well with Mother.

D．Jack knew a lot about piano.

3.The underlined word “proposal” in Paragraph 5 means __________.

A．piece of advice                         B．wedding ceremony

C．celebration of birthday                   D．offer of marriage

4.On hearing “moving in with you”, the writer felt          .

A．pleased           B．worried           C．surprised          D．disappointed

5.Why did the writer’s mother cry?

A．The gift was the same as the one her husband gave her.

B．She had never received such a beautiful gift.

C．Her daughter found her life partner at last.

D．The gardenia corsage was too expensive.

A couple of years ago, I decided it was time to take a break. I was about to       ,and I wanted to reward myself for all those college years.

As I was curiously       different websites and guidebooks, getting ready for my little adventure, I        that besides getting all the necessities, I also needed to get a sun        .

When I got to the shop, it        occurred to me that in the middle of planning my       ,I somehow hadn’t paid much attention to the calendar. It was Feb.14, and Valentine’s fever had         the whole shopping center.

I finally       a rack(货架) with summer hats hanging on it .I walked over and tried on a couple. I really liked one        .I just couldn’t decide whether I wanted to get the one with a pink ribbon or a blue ribbon       decoratively around it.

“You looked really great on those hats, ”a middle-aged man        there waiting to be helped…and said to me.

“Oh, thank you.” I        answered and increased my pace. I was in no mood to have a        with a stranger. I stopped by a sale rack and looked through colorful shirts.

“Excuse me.” A voice suddenly         my dreamy state of mind. I turned around and that man was standing right behind me. He looked          but determined.

Before I could do or say anything, he continued with what he wanted to say. “I’m sorry to         you, but those hats looked really nice on you. You see, I don’t         anybody to buy a Valentine’s gift for this year, so I got you one of the hats. I         you don’t mind.” he said while handing me a plastic bag and disappeared immediately.

“Thank you!” I finally breathed out ,feeling quite surprised. Who would imagine that a        would walk up to you and give you a present?

I do hope the man found his Valentine        .And most of all--I no longer feel blue on Valentine’s Day, even when I’m alone, because I remember my hat story.

1.A.retire                   B.speak              C.defeat                        D.graduate

2.A.searching           B.searching for              C.looking                D.looking for

3.A.announced              B.suggested         C.realized                      D.declared

4.A.hat              B.glass               C.shirt                         D.bag

5.A.proudly         B.suddenly          C.curiously           D.patiently

6.A.study            B.reward          C.trip                          D.present

7.A.handed over             B.taken over       C.given out                     D.turned out

8.A.bought          B.made             C.kept               D.saw

9.A.on business    B.in particular                C.at work                      D.in danger

10.A.formed                B.tied               C.collected          D.torn

11.A.lying                   B.stopping           C.standing                     D.following

12.A.angrily                 B.politely            C.unhappily                    D.sadly

13.A.bargain                B.trade             C.cooperation       D.conversation

14.A.continued             B.interested       C.attracted                    D.interrupted

15.A.tired                   B.shy                C.surprised          D.sorry

16.A.bother                B.satisfy              C.meet              D.fit

17.A.catch                  B.ask                C.have              D.advise

18.A.think                  B.consider          C.find                D.hope

19.A.lover                  B.patient            C.teacher           D.stranger

20.A.in time                 B.on time                       C.at times              D.over time

—Was it there ______ you were away to see your friend off?

—I’m not sure．But when I got back, it was gone.

         A．that        B．which            C．while             D．where

My father had always been an alert observer of human character. Within seconds of meeting someone, he could sum up their strengths and weaknesses. It was always a challenge to see if any of my boyfriends could pass Dad’s test. None did. Dad was always right---they didn’t pass my test either. After Dad died, I wondered how I’d figure it out on my own.

That’s when Jack arrived on the scene. He was different from any other guy I’d dated. He could sit for hours on the piano bench with my mother, discussing some composers. My brother Rick loudly announced that Jack wasn’t a turkey like the other guys I’d brought home. Jack passed my family’s test. But what about Dad’s?

Then came my mother’s birthday. The day he was supposed to drive, I got a call. “Don’t worry,” he said, “but I’ve been in an accident. I’m fine, but I need you to pick me up.”

When I got there, we rushed to a flower shop for something for Mom. “How about gardenias?” Jack said, pointing at a beautiful white corsage(胸花). The florist put the corsage in a box.

The entire ride, Jack was unusually quiet. “Are you all right?” I asked. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking,” he said. “I might be moving.” Moving? Then he added, “Moving in with you.” I nearly put the car on the sidewalk. “What?” I asked. “I think we should get married,” he said. He told me he’d planned his proposal in a fancy restaurant, but after the accident, he decided to do it right away. “Yes,” I whispered. We both sat dumbfounded, tears running down our cheeks. I’d never known such a tender moment. If only Dad were here to give his final approval.

“Oh, let’s just go inside.” Jack laughed. My mother opened the door. “Happy Birthday!” we shouted. Jack handed the box to her. She opened it up. Suddenly, her eyes were filled with tears. “Mom, what’s wrong?” I asked. “I’m sorry,” she said, wiping her eyes. “This is only the second gardenia corsage I’ve ever received. I was given one years ago, long before you kids were born.” “From who?” I asked. “Your father,” Mom said. “He gave me one right before we were engaged.” My eyes locked on Jack’s as I blinked away(眨掉) tears. Dad’s test? I knew Jack had passed.

1.According to the text, we know the writer’s father was __________.

A. interested in observing things around

B. good at judging one’s character

C. strict with her boyfriend        

D. fond of challenges

2.What is the main idea of Paragraph 2?

A. Jack got the family’s approval except Dad’s.   

B. Jack was different from any other boy.

C. Jack was getting on well with Mother.        

D. Jack knew a lot about piano.

3.The underlined word “proposal” in Paragraph 5 means __________.

A. piece of advice                       B. wedding ceremony

C. celebration of birthday               D. offer of marriage

4.On hearing “moving in with you”, the writer felt           .         .

A. pleased           B. worried       C. surprised       D. disappointed

5.Why did the writer’s mother cry?

A. The gift was the same as the one her husband gave her.

B. She had never received such a beautiful gift.

C. Her daughter found her life partner at last. 

D. The gardenia corsage was too expensive.