I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard my name called for the leading role in our high school play. Mrs. Dermit, my drama(戏剧) teacher, had been looking for someone to play an energetic boy in a play. Luckily for me, she thought that I could act the   1 .

That afternoon my friend Kevin and I talked   2  about the play. Although Kevin hadn’t been   3   for a role on the stage, his job with helping all the actors was important to the success of the play. I told him I was a little __4  because I had a lot of lines(台词)to memorize. “You can do it.” he said. I knew I could   5  on him: we had been friends since the third grade, and we made a good team.

Preparations for the play moved at a rapid pace. While doing his own work, Kevin also spent hours helping me learn my lines. He often said my lines with me by silently moving his lips. We   6  that he could probably play my part as well as I could.

Three days before the    7  night, everything was ready for the performance. But when I woke up with a high fever on the day of the play, the whole production came to a sudden   __8 . Everyone in the drama department was worried,   9  there was no way I could perform. The play was   10  to open in fewer than six hours, and we had no time to cancel. I tried to think of a way to help. Then it hit me---Kevin knew the   11  as well as I did. I called Mrs. Dermit to give her my   12 . Within a few short hours, Kevin stood on the stage in costume(戏服) and makeup. The amusing lines he had   13  with me so many times made the crowd laugh and cheer. In a strange turn of events, Kevin and I had   14  the day for everyone by working as a team.

Of course, I was terribly disappointed to have missed my chance in the spotlight, but I was extremely   15  to have such a good friend.

1.                A．part           B．play            C．band D．scene

2.                A．calmly          B．sadly           C．excitedly  D．anxiously

3.                A．had            B．chosen         C．invited   D．trained

4.                A．pleased        B．bored          C．nervous  D．confused

5.                A．rely           B．operate         C．base     D．agree

6.                A．expected       B．debated        C．agreed   D．joked

7.                A．ending         B．closing         C．opening  D．greeting

8.                A．change         B．turn           C．stop D．close

9.                A．for            B．but            C．and  D．so

10.               A．written         B．taken          C．said  D．scheduled

11.               A．steps          B．lines           C．point D．case

12.               A．introduction     B．instruction      C．explanation D．suggestion

13.               A．saw           B．read           C．practiced  D．watched

14.               A．valued         B．saved          C．left   D．kept

15.               A．successful      B．thankful        C．trustful    D．hopeful

On the night of my birthday, I went with my mom to the nearest drug store to buy vitamins. Even though it was my birthday, I was feeling   11  and a bit lonely. Maybe I missed my dad who died four years ago, I just wanted him to be beside me that day.
On my way to the drug store, I was crying. When I arrived there, I cleaned my   12   up from the tears and tried to   13  when I ordered the vitamins my mom wanted to buy. While I was waiting, I looked around the building and I   14  sight of a beggar next to the door. She was with her son, a cute little boy. They were sitting on the street. Although it was in winter at the moment and I still felt   15   with my coat, I noticed that the child was just wearing an old T-shirt. I felt sorry for them. When I   16   for my vitamins, I glanced at them and had an idea. “Why don’t I contribute some of my smaller clothes to them? Today is my   17 .” I thought to myself. I had to   18  something with someone else that day. Yeah, I   19  that I had to do that. I went home in a hurry and I felt so excited as I looked for some of my smaller   20 .
At home, I told my mom my   21  and told her my idea. My mom   22  with me. I found a few clothes and went back to the drug store. When I got there, I didn’t hand the clothing over myself. I wanted it to be a   23 , so I asked someone to hand the clothes over, then I left. As I left, I   24  someone saying “thank you!” and I hoped it was for me.
On the road, my heart was full of   25  and warmth. I felt glad that I could share something on my birthday and that was a big gift for me.

Today I was at the mall waiting for friends, when a lady wearing a knit hat and a sweater came up to me and, shivering, said, “I’m homeless. Would you mind buying me some food?”
In that split second, everything I’d learned since kindergarten flashed through my mind. Don’t talk to strangers … Be a good citizen … People will take ­advantage of you … Treat others as you wish to be treated … The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return … I guess love won the debate. “Sure,” I said. “What would you like?”
She thought and then said, “I’d like to get Chinese food.” We headed upstairs. On the way she told me about when she was a teenager. She remembers taking pictures for the yearbook with her best friend. She was in the band and played basketball. She got good grades and was a good student.
She ordered soup, an egg roll, white rice, and pepper chicken. I would normally think that was a lot, but she had probably barely eaten in the last few days. I got my usual – lo mein and General Tso’s chicken.
As we ate, we got to know each other. She asked if I played any instruments. I replied that I played the violin, cello, and guitar. She told me she played the flute, piano, guitar, and violin. In the middle of our meal, I realized something. And she thought of it at exactly the same time.
“So, what’s your name?” she asked.
“I’m Claire,” I said, startled at our exact same thought. “What’s yours?”
“Joyce,” she said with a smile.
We continued talking, and she asked my favorite subjects in school and if I wanted to go to college. “Hopefully,” I replied. “I’m interested in nursing.”
“I went to college for nursing,” she said.
I was taken aback. How could we have so much in common? Was she pretending so I’d feel sympathy for her? But her eyes were genuine as she said this.
Meanwhile I was eating my lo mein, picking around the cabbage and the other vegetables. Joyce said, “If you don’t like it you can take it back.” I told her that I liked it, but was not fond of the vegetables. She broke into a big grin. “You don’t like vegetables, huh? Neither did I. But now I do.” I immediately felt guilty. How could I be picking at my food across from someone who barely gets to eat at all?
I tried my best to finish, but she seemed to sense my guilt and said, “You don’t have to eat it if you don’t want it.” How could she know what I was feeling? I told her the dish was my favorite, but I just eat slowly.
She replied, “I used to like lo mein, but pepper chicken was my dad’s favorite, so I get that now.” Noticing that she used the word “was,” I assumed her dad had passed away. I found it sweet that she gave up her favorite in order to honor her dad.
She asked why I was at the mall.
“I’m waiting for friends. We’re going to see ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,’” I replied, stumbling over the words a bit.
“‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,’” she echoed in awe. “What’s that about?” I realized that she didn’t see commercials for movies.
I explained the basic plot and she chuckled. “A man who is born 80 years old and ages backwards! That sounds interesting.”
She got up to get a to-go box. “Would you like one?” she asked, but I refused. I realized that this food would probably last her for a few days, and I was glad she had ordered a lot.
“Would you like these?” I asked, gesturing at the food I had left untouched. “Oh, no, thank you,” she said. “This is enough.” I got up to throw my tray away, feeling guilty about wasting so much.
“I need to meet my friends now,” I explained. “It was so nice to meet you, Joyce.”
“You too, Claire,” she replied with a smile. “Thank you.”
I headed to the theater, and she went back downstairs. It sounds like a perfect coincidence, but I can’t help but think that some force compelled us to meet. I kept puzzling, Why is Joyce homeless? It seems so unfair. She shouldn’t need people to buy her dinner. She was a nurse. She got good grades. She took pictures for her yearbook. She was the person I hope to be in the future. What went wrong? How could such a good life be rewarded with horrible luck?
I feel lucky to have run into Joyce. She changed my outlook. She is still a wonderful person, despite what the world has done to her. I wish her the best, and can only hope that the force that brought us together will help her find what she deserves in life.
【小题1】From the second paragraph we know that the writer _________.

On the night of my birthday, I went with my mom to the nearest drug store to buy vitamins. Even though it was my birthday, I was feeling   11  and a bit lonely. Maybe I missed my dad who died four years ago, I just wanted him to be beside me that day.

On my way to the drug store, I was crying. When I arrived there, I cleaned my   12   up from the tears and tried to   13  when I ordered the vitamins my mom wanted to buy. While I was waiting, I looked around the building and I   14  sight of a beggar next to the door. She was with her son, a cute little boy. They were sitting on the street. Although it was in winter at the moment and I still felt   15   with my coat, I noticed that the child was just wearing an old T-shirt. I felt sorry for them. When I   16   for my vitamins, I glanced at them and had an idea. “Why don’t I contribute some of my smaller clothes to them? Today is my   17 .” I thought to myself. I had to   18  something with someone else that day. Yeah, I   19  that I had to do that. I went home in a hurry and I felt so excited as I looked for some of my smaller   20 .

At home, I told my mom my   21  and told her my idea. My mom   22  with me. I found a few clothes and went back to the drug store. When I got there, I didn’t hand the clothing over myself. I wanted it to be a   23 , so I asked someone to hand the clothes over, then I left. As I left, I   24  someone saying “thank you!” and I hoped it was for me.

On the road, my heart was full of   25  and warmth. I felt glad that I could share something on my birthday and that was a big gift for me.

1.                A．happy          B． sad           C． glad D． delighted

2.                A．hand           B． cheek         C． head    D． shoulder

3.                A．smile          B． ask           C． run D． cry

4.                A．put            B． caught         C． kept D． held

5.                A．warm          B． cloudy         C． cold D． hot

6.                A．paid           B． answered      C． accounted    D． applied

7.                A．Sunday         B． holiday        C． Monday D． birthday

8.                A．share          B． discuss        C． support  D． send

9.                A．expected       B． managed       C． failed   D． decided

10.               A． clothes        B． books         C． medicine D． caps

11.               A． experience     B． practice       C． experiment   D． discovery

12.               A． discussed      B． agreed        C． argued   D． debated

13.               A． secret         B． wonder        C． news D． pride

14.               A． touched       B． heard         C． smelt D． felt

15.               A． sadness       B． happiness      C． coldness  D． worry

Today I was at the mall waiting for friends, when a lady wearing a knit hat and a sweater came up to me and, shivering, said, “I’m homeless. Would you mind buying me some food?”

    In that split second, everything I’d learned since kindergarten flashed through my mind. Don’t talk to strangers … Be a good citizen … People will take ­advantage of you … Treat others as you wish to be treated … The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return … I guess love won the debate. “Sure,” I said. “What would you like?”

    She thought and then said, “I’d like to get Chinese food.” We headed upstairs. On the way she told me about when she was a teenager. She remembers taking pictures for the yearbook with her best friend. She was in the band and played basketball. She got good grades and was a good student.

    She ordered soup, an egg roll, white rice, and pepper chicken. I would normally think that was a lot, but she had probably barely eaten in the last few days. I got my usual – lo mein and General Tso’s chicken.

    As we ate, we got to know each other. She asked if I played any instruments. I replied that I played the violin, cello, and guitar. She told me she played the flute, piano, guitar, and violin. In the middle of our meal, I realized something. And she thought of it at exactly the same time.

    “So, what’s your name?” she asked.

    “I’m Claire,” I said, startled at our exact same thought. “What’s yours?”

    “Joyce,” she said with a smile.

    We continued talking, and she asked my favorite subjects in school and if I wanted to go to college. “Hopefully,” I replied. “I’m interested in nursing.”

    “I went to college for nursing,” she said.

    I was taken aback. How could we have so much in common? Was she pretending so I’d feel sympathy for her? But her eyes were genuine as she said this.

    Meanwhile I was eating my lo mein, picking around the cabbage and the other vegetables. Joyce said, “If you don’t like it you can take it back.” I told her that I liked it, but was not fond of the vegetables. She broke into a big grin. “You don’t like vegetables, huh? Neither did I. But now I do.” I immediately felt guilty. How could I be picking at my food across from someone who barely gets to eat at all?

    I tried my best to finish, but she seemed to sense my guilt and said, “You don’t have to eat it if you don’t want it.” How could she know what I was feeling? I told her the dish was my favorite, but I just eat slowly.

    She replied, “I used to like lo mein, but pepper chicken was my dad’s favorite, so I get that now.” Noticing that she used the word “was,” I assumed her dad had passed away. I found it sweet that she gave up her favorite in order to honor her dad.

    She asked why I was at the mall.

    “I’m waiting for friends. We’re going to see ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,’” I replied, stumbling over the words a bit.

    “‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,’” she echoed in awe. “What’s that about?” I realized that she didn’t see commercials for movies.

    I explained the basic plot and she chuckled. “A man who is born 80 years old and ages backwards! That sounds interesting.”

    She got up to get a to-go box. “Would you like one?” she asked, but I refused. I realized that this food would probably last her for a few days, and I was glad she had ordered a lot.

    “Would you like these?” I asked, gesturing at the food I had left untouched. “Oh, no, thank you,” she said. “This is enough.” I got up to throw my tray away, feeling guilty about wasting so much.

    “I need to meet my friends now,” I explained. “It was so nice to meet you, Joyce.”

    “You too, Claire,” she replied with a smile. “Thank you.”

    I headed to the theater, and she went back downstairs. It sounds like a perfect coincidence, but I can’t help but think that some force compelled us to meet. I kept puzzling, Why is Joyce homeless? It seems so unfair. She shouldn’t need people to buy her dinner. She was a nurse. She got good grades. She took pictures for her yearbook. She was the person I hope to be in the future. What went wrong? How could such a good life be rewarded with horrible luck?

    I feel lucky to have run into Joyce. She changed my outlook. She is still a wonderful person, despite what the world has done to her. I wish her the best, and can only hope that the force that brought us together will help her find what she deserves in life.

1.From the second paragraph we know that the writer _________.

   A. debated with the girl over moral issues

B. hates having to make a quick decision

   C. hesitated before she decided to reach out

D. fell in love with the girl at the first sight

2.The writer felt guilty for a moment because ________.

   A. she was particular about food and also wasted so much

   B. she was a strict vegetarian who ate very little

   C. she didn’t order enough food for the girl

   D. she urged the girl to take her share of food

3.Why did Joyce end up unemployed and homeless?

   A. She was a victim of high education

B. She actually had some kind of mental disorder

   C. She graduated with average grades

D. The reason is not yet given.

4.Which detail doesn’t show the coincidence in the story?

   A. They both took interest in nursing.

   B. They were about to ask names of each other at the same time.

   C. When Claire headed to the theater, Joyce went back downstairs.

   D. They were both musical lovers.

5.The writer was very happy to have met Joyce because______.

   A. she didn’t know what she was going to be until then.

   B. this chance meeting changed her attitudes towards life in a way.

   C. she was glad to be able to pay for someone in need.

   D. hopefully the force that brought them together may bring good luck to Joyce.

6.The passage is intended to _______.

   A. arouse readers’ curiosity

B. explore social problems

   C. teach readers a lesson

D. share a sweet personal story