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.

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 belonged to _____

A．the trainer                            B．the older man

C．the writer                             D．Robert

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

请阅读下面短文，选择最佳答案，将其标号在答题卡上涂黑。

There are many kinds of friends. Some are always        you, but don't understand you. Some say only a few words to you, but understand you. Many people will step in your life, but only        friends leave footprints.

I shall always recall the autumn and the girl with the        . I know she will always be my best friend. I could see the yellow leaves         in the cool wind. In such a        , I liked walking alone in the leaves,         to the sound of them. Autumn is a harvest season. However,         is uninteresting. The free days always get me      . But one day, the sound of a violin       into my ears like a stream flowing in the mountains. A young girl, standing in the wind, was        in playing her violin.  I had        seen her before. The music was so nice that I listened quietly. Lost in the music, I didn't know that I had been     _  there for so long but my existence(存在) did not seem to disturb（打扰）her.

Every day she played the violin in the corner of the building        I went downstairs to watch her performance. The autumn seemed no longer lonely and life became       . Though we didn't know each other, I thought we were already good       .

One day, when I was listening carefully, the sound suddenly       . To my surprise, the girl came over to me. “You must like violin，” she said. “Yes. And you play very well. Why did you stop?” I asked. Suddenly, a        expression appeared on her face and I could feel something unusual. “I came here to see my grandmother, but now I must leave, I once played very badly. It was your listening every day that       me,” she said. “In fact, it was your playing        gave me a meaningful autumn，” I answered, “Let's be friends.” The girl smiled, and so did I.

I never heard her play again in my life. But I will always remember the fine figure(身影) of the girl. She is like a       －so short, so bright, like a shooting star giving off much light that makes the autumn beautiful.

1.A. with                      B．for               C．against                        D．to

2.A. good                      B．true              C．reliable                      D．stubborn

3.A. sound                    B．song             C．partner                      D．violin

4.A. shaking              B．hanging      C．rising                           D．floating

5.A. season               B．situation     C．day                                  D．weather

6.A. watching                     B．listening     C．seeing                        D．hearing

7.A. journey             B．work                     C．life                                        D．view

8.A. bored                   B．determined   C．excited                  D．concerned

9.A. flowed               B．grew                     C．entered                     D．ran

10.A .lost                            B．active                   C．busy                                D．interested

11.A. once                   B．never             C．frequently                 D．usually

12.A. waiting            B．stopping     C．standing                         D．hearing

13.A. because                   B．but              C．when                          D．before

14.A. interesting                B．moving       C．boring                        D．tiring

15.A. partner                     B．listeners     C．players                       D．friends

16.A. stopped                    B．began                   C．gone                               D．changed

17.A. happy                  B．sad                C．strange                       D．calm

18.A. surprised                 B．excited       C．encouraged              D．interested

19.A. that                           B．which                   C．it                                  D．who

20.A. song                     B．dream          C．wind                               D．sister

I was in a rush as always, but this time it was for an important date I just couldn’t be late for! I found myself at a checkout counter behind an elderly woman seemingly in no hurry as she paid for her groceries. A. PhD. student with not a lot of money, I had hurried into the store to pick up some flowers. I was in a huge rush, thinking of my upcoming evening. I did not want to be late for this date.

We were in Boston, a place not always known for small conversation between strangers. The woman stopped unloading her basket and looked up at me. She smiled. It was a nice smile----warm and reassuring—and I retuned her gift by smiling back.

 “Must be a special lady,” whoever it is that will be getting those beautiful flowers,” she said.

 “Yes, she’s special,” I said, and then to my embarrassment, the words kept coming out. “It’s only our second date, but somehow I am just having the feeling she’s ‘the one.’ ”Jokingly, I added, “The only problem is that I can’t figure out why she’d want to date a guy like me.”

 “Well, I think she’s very lucky to have a boyfriend who brings her such lovely flowers and who is obviously in love with her,” the woman said. “My husband used to bring me flowers every week-even when times were tough and we didn’t have much money. Those were incredible days; be was very romantic and---of course---- I miss him since he’s passed away.”

I paid for my flowers as she was gathering up her groceries. There was no doubt in my mind as I walked up to her. I touched her on the shoulder and said “You were right, you know. These flowers are indeed for a very special lady.” I handed the flowers and thanked her for such a nice conversation.

It took her a moment to realize that I was giving her the flowers I had just purchased(bought). “You have a wonderful evening,” I said. I left with a big smile and my heart warmed as I saw her smelling the beautiful flowers.

I remember being slightly late for my date that night and telling my girlfriend the above story. A couple of years later, when I finally worked up the courage to ask her to marry me, she told me that this story had helped to seal it for her-that was the night that I won her heart .

Why was the writer in a hurry that day ? 

A. He was to meet his girlfriend.           B. He had to go back to school soon.

C. He was delayed by an elderly lady.       D. He had to pick up some groceries.

What does the underlined phrase “her gift” （Paragraph 2 ） refer to ?  

A. Her words.     B. Her smile.     C. Her flowers.     D. Her politeness.

Why did the writer give his flowers to the elderly lady ?

A. She told him a nice story.           B. She allowed him to pay first.

C. She gave him encouragement.        D. She liked flowers very much.

What is the message conveyed in the story ?

A. Flowers are important for a date.        B. Small talk is helpful.

C. Love and kindness are rewarding.       D. Elderly people deserve respecting.

Allen : I’ve never been a big fan of the bears , especially the vacation show . On my last trip to Disneyland (1999) we passed it by , because we didn’t want to spend the time on something we didn’t really enjoy. If we’d known it would be closed by our next visit , I’m sure we would have watched it one more time . I was just making the point that it wasn’t until Disney announced the closing that this feeling suddenly sprang (弹跳) up for the Country Bear show at Disneyland .

But I think the idea of keeping some attractions (胜迹) open forever regardless of (不顾及) the number of visitors it gets is a mistake . We all have great memories of the Bears , but clearly very few kids today (or I should say families today ) are making those same memories from this show . That may be a sad fact , but it’s a fact . For whatever reason , the show doesn’t pull in the numbers . Isn’t it right to use the Country Bear space to bring in a more popular attraction so that more kids today can make those magic memories of an attraction THEY like ? Otherwise aren’t we just telling kids today that they “have to” make great memories of the Bears , when it’s obvious that the kids themselves are not enjoying the Bears like we did ?

Roger : I am very disappointed that they have decided to retire the Country Bear Playhouse . I remember going to the show as a child , and still enjoyed it as a teenager ,

and now young adult . It is true that there aren’t a lot of shows left at DL and with this one closing even less . Being at DL does require a lot of walking , and it is nice to have a few attractions that are a place to sit and enjoy a good show . I understand that DL has to develop , but there has to be some history to the Disneyland that Walt Disney first designed . There should be some parts of DL that just never go away , and this is one of them . By the time I have children it looks like there won’t be any attractions that I can say I went to as a child at the rate they are going .

Now the Bears are leaving . What I want to say is: stop trying to compete with everyone ! DL is the best , because of attractions like the Country Bears . If DL insists on destroying all of its magic to make way for the latest , well , then it might as well be just another theme (主题) park .

What news might get people talking about the problem of the Country Bears ?

A．The Country Bear Playhouse will be closed .

B．There will be a new attraction for our guests at Disneyland

C．The number of visitors to the Country Bear Playhouse is falling .

D．The Bears will retire because of old age and can’t give shows any more .  

Allen spoke mainly to get his point across that           .

A．the Bears will be missed 

B．we should tell kids today that they “have to” make great memories of the Bears

C．the longtime attraction ought to make way for a future attraction

D．people never care about what they have until all is lost

Which is the best choice to complete Roger’s idea : “The Country Bears have been a part of Disneyland for nearly 30 years ,          .”

A．and I feel it is time to give our bears a good rest

B．but anyway , the attraction has lost interest

C．but I know that Disneyland will always be changing , and I accept that

D．and I am sad that the Bears will be leaving

Which of the following is not in the same group as the other three ?

A．an attraction    B．a theme park    C．the Bears D．the latest magic

Where can this passage be found ?

A.In a Web discussion zone (区). 

B．In a suggestion book .

C．In a report on the popularity of the Country Bears .

D．In high school students’ compositions

阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从各题所给的A、B、C和D项中，选出最佳选项。

Recently I was invited to a friend’s house for supper —and had a meal I have never had before.

All the friends invited were a little surprised. It’s not that Ben is unsociable, or a bad cook, but it’s just that he never   21   more than he has to. So how come he was inviting us round for a meal? Had he bought something   22   for his friends? He greeted us at the door and showed us into his dining room where a   23 _ table was waiting for us.“Nothing but the best for my friends!”said Ben. We all sat down and looked   24   at each other —what was he up to?

Ben returned with four bowls of hot soup. “It’s a mixture of carrots, potatoes and tomatoes,”said Ben. The next   25   was also a little strange in that we didn’t quite know what it was again. It’s just another mixture of vegetable.

As we ate we chatted and finally the   26   turned back to what we were eating. ”Was there a recipe (食谱) for this,” asked Marina, “or did you   27   it up?” Ben put his fork down. “What I cooked depended on what I could find.” Marina was surprised. “But you can find anything in supermarkets these days.” “But there’s  28   choice in what you can find outside supermarkets,” he replied.

Seeing that we had all finished the food, Ben decided to tell the truth. He had read recently that supermarkets usually throw away 5 percent of their food every day. So Ben decided to look inside his local supermarket bins. There he found food that was slightly out of __29  , boxes of throw-away vegetables and fruit.

So Ben had successfully provided a decent (体面的) meal for his friends, and made us aware of the fact that there are many poor people who need the food, but the amount of food thrown away is enough to   30   millions of people.