Robert had just moved into the street and he felt strange that he was not wanted. He knew that perhaps the other boys were trying to get an idea of what kind of a boy he was. This did not help to make him less lonely. He was new and he had to be tested. Still proving himself would not be all that easy. He did not want to run with bad boys or get into something against the law to prove that he was strong. No! He must show what he was made of in a more helpful way. That’s when he got an idea.

　　The next day was Saturday. He knew that most of the boys would be down on the playgrond and choose up side for the Saturday game. Robert knew he could play well and that just might be enough to prove he was strong and to make friends with them. He arrived early and did his step exercises. He shot the ball several times and did some other exercises—the most difficult and most wonderful in basketball. Then the boys came Robert went through what he had done before the game and showed what he could do. No one said a word. The boys just looked at each other and thought about it. In the end,when it was all over,the biggest of the group just smiled and shook his head. Robeft knew he had made it.

　　1．What does“This did not help to make him less lonely”mean. ?

　　A．Robert felt more lonely because the other boys wanted to test him.

　　B．Robert did not want himself to be less loneIy.

　　C．Robert felt as lonely as before.

　　D．The other boys did not want to make Robert feel less lonely.

　　2．Why would it NOT be easy for Robert to prove himself?

　　A．Because he was not sure if he was really strong.

　　B．Because he was new and was not wanted in the street.

　　C．Because the other boys had found out what kind of a boy he was.

　　D．Because he must choose the most difficult in basketball.

　　3．When did Robert decide to prove himself by playing basketball?

　　A．After he had thought about the two wrong ways.

　　B．Long before he moved into the street.

　　C．When the other boys came down to the playground.

　　D．As soon as he showed what he was made of in front of the other boys.

　　4．What did the biggest of the group mean by shaking his head?

　　A．He did not want to say anything about what Robert had done.

　　B．He had not thought Robert culd play so wonderfully.

　　C．He did not want to make friends with Robert.

　　D．He did not think Robert played basketball well.

　　5．The title of the story should be________.

　　A．Three Ways to Prove Oneself

　　B．Robert Is Lonely

　　C．Just One of the Boys

　　D．A Saturday BasketbaIl Game

    Compassion is a desire within us to help others．With effort, we can translate compassion into action．An experience last weekend showed me this is true．I work part-time in a supermarket across from a building for the elderly．These old people are our main customers, and it’s not hard to lose patience over their slowness．But last Sunday, one aged gentleman appeared to teach me a valuable lesson．This untidy man walked up to my register(收款机) with a box of biscuits．He said he was out of cash(现金), had just moved into his room, and had nothing in his cupboards．He asked if we could let him have the food on trust．He promised to repay me the next day．

    I couldn’t help staring at him．I wondered what kind of person he had been ten or twenty years before, and what he would be like if luck had gone his way．I had a hurt in my heart for this kind of human soul, all alone in the world．I told him that I was sorry, but store rules didn’t allow me to do so．I felt stupid and unkind saying this, but I valued my job.

    Just then, another man, standing behind the first, spoke up．If anything, he looked more pitiable．“Charge it to me,” was all he said.

    What I had been feeling was pity．Pity is soft and safe and easy．Compassion, on the other hand, is caring in action．I thanked the second man but told him that was not allowed either．Then I reached into my pocket and paid for the biscuits myself．I reached into my pocket because these two men had reached into my heart and taught me compassion.

41．The aged gentleman who wanted to buy the biscuits ______.

       A．promised to obey the store rules           

       B．forgot to take any money with him

       C．hoped to have the food first and pay later

       D．could not afford anything more expensive

42．Which of the following best describes the old gentleman?

      A．kind and lucky                                     B．poor and lonely

       C．friendly and helpful                              D．hurt and disappointed

43．The writer acted upon the store rules because ______.

       A．he wanted to keep his present job         

       B．he felt no pity for the old gentleman

       C．he considered the old man dishonest     

       D．he expected someone else to pay for the old man

44．What does the writer learn from his experience?

      A．Wealth is more important than anything else.

       B．Helping others is easier said than done.

       C．Experience is better gained through practice.

       D．Obeying the rules means more than compassion.

I grew up in a community called Estepona. I was 16 when one morning, Dad told me I could drive him into a   31  village called Mijas, on condition that I took the car in to be   32  at a nearby garage. I readily accepted. I drove Dad into Mijas, and   33  to pick him up at 4 pm, then dropped off the car at the   34 . With several hours to spare. I went to a theater.   35 , when the last movie finished, it was six. I was two hours late!
I knew Day would be angry if he   36  I’d been watching movies. So I decided not to tell him the truth. When I   37  there I apologized for being late, and told him I’d   38  as quickly as I could, but that the car had needed some major repairs. I’ll never forget the   39  he gave me. “I’m disappointed you   40  you have to lie to me, Jason.” Dad looked at me again. “When you didn’t   41 . I called the garage to ask if there were any   42 , and they told me you hadn’t  yet picked up the car. ” I felt  43  as I weakly told him the real reason. A   44  passed through Dad as he listened attentively. “I’m angry with   45 . I realize I’ve failed as a father. I’m going to walk home now and think seriously about   46  I’ve gone wrong all these years.” “But Day, it’s 18 miles!” My protests and apologies were   47 . Dad walked home that day. I drove behind him,   48  him all the way, but he walked silently.
Seeing Dad in so much   49  and emotional pain was my most painful experience. However, it was   50  the most successful lesson. I have never lied since.

My mother through her fine example instilled(慢慢灌输) within me the desire to help others. She taught me to notice those whom others ignore.
The railroad tracks were within a mile of our house. Beggars frequently would knock at the doors in our neighborhood in summer asking for food. They were often turned away. Others simply ignored the knocks.
My mum always went to the door smiling. She would invite them to stay and have something to eat. She would have me open up the card table and carry a chair out onto the covered side porch(走廊). There was a nice view into the flower gardens, and it was cool even on the hottest days.
She would bring a red and white tablecloth and set the table as carefully as she did for any company. She would pour their coffee and pile their plates with food and dessert. Usually she sent a packed lunch with them when they were ready to go, too. Sometimes she would take the newspapers to those who asked about work.
She listened to those who wanted to talk. She never asked what would lead them to be in this difficult situation. It did not matter. She saw only the need. Some thought she did too much for them. She would say, “In the depression(萧条时期) when my father was searching around for any work to feed us, thoughtful people fed him. I am just repaying their kindness. I cannot offer them money, but I can see they do not leave hungry and discouraged,” My mum was quite a lady.
36. The writer’s house was frequently visited by beggars because___________.
A. they seemed to be very rich        B. his mother was known to be generous
C. they lived near a railway station     D. there was a railway near their house
37. How did the writer’s mother treat beggars?
A. She was on guard against them.     B. She looked down upon them.
C. She respected them equally.        D. She took pride in them.
38. The writer’s mother sometimes took out newspapers_________.
A. for the beggars to kill the time       B. to teach the beggars how to read
C. to help the beggars who asked about work  
D. to help the beggars to find their families
39. Which of the following can make an explanation for the mother’s attitude to beggars?
A. Her father was once helped by others.
B. Her father liked to help beggars.
C. She was once a beggar herself.
D. Her mother taught her to help beggars.