Friends play a very important part in everyone’s life. Friendship usually develops during childhood. New friends are made when you progress through school. Those friends that you make as a student can usually last long. Friends influence your development, maturity （成熟）and sense of responsibility. A familiar expression is “You can tell a lot about a person by knowing who his friends are.” Friendship is based on common interests. If you like sports, most of your friends are likely to be athletic. If you enjoy reading and shopping, most of your friends do the same.

   Some people call you their friend for the wrong reasons. These people are not really friends. They are superficial（表面的）only “friends” on the outside, not the inside where it counts. Superficial friends only want to be your friends if it is to their advantage. True friends are there whether you are rich or poor. It is easy to have many so-called “friends” if you are rich. By this time you should be able to separate your friends into the real or the “phoney”.

   True friends are most special. They are also difficult to find. You can consider yourself very lucky if you have one true friend. This friend is eager to help you whenever necessary. He or she knows you would do the same for them. A true friend is someone you can talk to about any subject or problem. You and your true friends have good understanding of each other. True friends support you, take your side. And build up your confidence.

56. The first paragraph tells us _________.

how to make a true friend

we should make friends in our childhood.

What is friendship based on

Friends play a very important part in our life

57. What does the underlined word mean in the second paragraph?

A. bad things            B. false things

C. serious things         D. believable things

58. Which expression misunderstands the meaning of the passage?

   A. You should tell true friends from phoney.

   B. True friendship is too difficult to find

   C. You can share your joys and sorrows with a true friend.

   D. A true friend will stand by you whatever happens.

Many years ago in a small village, an old man was hired to clear the spring (泉水) up on the mountain. He patrolled (巡逻) the spring every day, and swept away all the leaves and other things that would dirty the fresh flow of water. Soon, beautiful swans (天鹅) came to the clear spring, and the village became a popular attraction for visitors.

Years passed. One evening the town leaders held a meeting. As they looked at the salary list, one of them said, “Why do we keep this old man on year after year? I don’t think we need him or his work.” Later, the old man was asked to leave.

For several weeks, nothing changed. By early autumn, the leaves began to fall off the trees, and the spring was covered with leaves. A few days later, the water was much darker. Only a few months after the old man left, all the swans left, as did the tourists. Disease reached deeply into the village.

Quickly, the leaders held a special meeting. Realizing their mistake, they rehired the old man. Then within a few weeks, the spring began to clear up. Soon new life returned to the village.

So, my friends, do you see? No matter how small your work or your life seems to be, never overlook it. Anything we can do will make a difference.

1.The leaders decided to ask the old man to leave because they thought ______.

A．his work was unnecessary                 B．he did his work carelessly

C．he was too old to do the job               D．he could do other better jobs

2.How did the leaders feel a few months after the old man left?

A．Regretful.         B．Moved.           C．Excited.           D．Calm.

3.What does the underlined word “overlook” mean in the last paragraph?

A．Believe.           B．Ignore(忽略).       C．Praise.            D．Punish.

4.With this story, the writer wants to tell us that ______.

A．even a small job can be important           B．work can bring old people happiness

C．everyone should always respect others       D．everyone can be his own master

Many years ago in a small village, an old man was hired to clear the spring (泉水) up on the mountain. He patrolled (巡逻) the spring every day, and swept away all the leaves and other things that would dirty the fresh flow of water. Soon, beautiful swans (天鹅) came to the clear spring, and the village became a popular attraction for visitors.
Years passed. One evening the town leaders held a meeting. As they looked at the salary list, one of them said, “Why do we keep this old man on year after year? I don’t think we need him or his work.” Later, the old man was asked to leave.
For several weeks, nothing changed. By early autumn, the leaves began to fall off the trees, and the spring was covered with leaves. A few days later, the water was much darker. Only a few months after the old man left, all the swans left, as did the tourists. Disease reached deeply into the village.
Quickly, the leaders held a special meeting. Realizing their mistake, they rehired the old man. Then within a few weeks, the spring began to clear up. Soon new life returned to the village.
So, my friends, do you see? No matter how small your work or your life seems to be, never overlook it. Anything we can do will make a difference.
【小题1】The leaders decided to ask the old man to leave because they thought ______.

Making friends in the first few weeks of school is easy. Many students can find a friend in little time. They can be amazed at how close they can get to someone whose interests are completely different, and how comfortable they feel about expressing their mutual（相互的）fondness.

Unusual bonds（关系） are one of the great pleasures of school life, and can lead to enriching relationships based on mutual respect. Mostly, though, by a couple of weeks into term, they are really embarrassing. And shaking off friends can be a lot harder than making them. School is all about being busy and trying new things, so you needn’t feel too bad about ditching( 与……断绝关系) old friends in favor of new people and experiences. So long as you do it kindly.

The pace of school life can be a great excuse for turning down another invitation for a party. You can even claim to be studying---you’re at school, and you’re supposed to work hard. Another kind way of getting rid of an unwanted friend is to go on inviting them out, but to events where lots of other people will demand your time. Or you could suggest activities that you think they’d enjoy, but which you won’t actually be able to make yourself. Then you could say “I’m really  busy at the moment. I’ll give you a call when I’ve finished this assignment”.

But wait. Hasn’t someone just said that to you? How do you manage to stay such company that you’re not the one being ditched?

For a start, concentrate on how interesting the other person is. Remember the things going on in their lives and text or ring to check how they got on with those things. Do sympathize（同情） if things have gone badly, and congratulate them if things have gone well. Have a weekly time and place where you meet friends, so that you can invite new friends to drop in. There, the more cheerful you appear, the more popular you are likely to be.

68.We can base an unusual friendship on ______.

A. common interests         B. long-term contact

C. mutual respect             D. a great pleasure

69. Which of the following can be a good way to refuse unwanted friends?

   A. Telling them that you’ve received an invitation to another party.

   B. Telling them that you are busy at school and have to study.

   C. Inviting them to play outside school where they’re strangers.

   D. Suggesting activities that they don’t enjoy.

70. What does the last paragraph tell us to do?

   A. To make new friends.

   B. To keep in touch with old friends.

   C. To avoid being shaken off.

   D. To avoid hurting unusual friends.

71. What is the main idea of the passage?

   A. It mainly tells us how to treat friends

   B. It mainly introduces the importance of friends

   C. It mainly explains the lesson for shaking off friends

   D. It mainly gives advice on how to make new friends