① On Friday, January 14, 2005, my cousin, Kara Rose, came into the world. ② She looked perfectly healthy from the outside, but on the inside, the doctors had failed to discover a serious problem. ③ She often had trouble breathing and then turned blue. ④ The doctors found that Kara had been born without part of her heart. ⑤ They didn’t think she would live long enough to leave the hospital. ⑥ When she was four days old, she had her first operation. ⑦ My family stayed together during this hard time, hoping everything would turn out for the best.

Kara’s strength and determination to live were strong. Eventually, she could go home. We all waited patiently for new technology that could give Kara a new heart. When she was eighteen months old, her parents took her to a famous surgeon who performed a series of operations. There was no guarantee she would make it through the operation, but she succeeded.

Kara grew stronger every day, and it was not long before she was well enough to be around people. She had an amazing character and always wore a sweet smile. When she fell asleep against my body, happy and content, I realized how valuable life really is. As I took her in my arms with her warm breath against my neck, I decided to live every day of my life to the fullest.

This child, who is 15 years younger than I, has gone through more suffering and pain than I ever have. I admire her strength and determination. Kara has taught me that no matter how bad things seem, they can work out in the end. Knowing this small, beautiful child has made me a stronger person, I now believe that difficulty can be beaten.

1.Kara often had trouble breathing because ________.

A. she didn’t stay long enough in the hospital

B. the doctors failed to discover the problem

C. she was born with an incomplete heart

D. her first operation was not successful

2.Which of the following statements is true?

A. Kara’s determination helped her get through.

B. The new technology gave the family the hope to live on.

C. Kara eventually recovered at the age of 15.

D. Doctors were confident in the success of her operation.

3.The writer wants to tell us that _______.

A. younger people often suffer more pain

B. strong-will helps defeat difficulties

C. experienced doctors can make miracles

D. medical technology is developing fast

4.Where should the sentence in the box be added in Paragraph 1?

A. After Sentence ①.                                             B. After Sentence ③.

C. After Sentence ⑤.                                            D. After Sentence ⑦.

Hey! It's going to be Mother's day again. Have you planned something good for your Mama? If not, try even one of these tips.

Make Your Mama Proud

　　What special talents do you have? Maybe this is the right time to show it to her. She would be very proud and surprised if she'd realized that you have something that she doesn't expect.

　　What's Her Favorite?

　　Most teens don't know what their mama's favorite. You do? Then, what are you waiting for ? Buy her some of her favorite stuff and put a little twist on it. Make it more special.

　　The best time to give her that is while she is sleeping at night. Put it on the drawer next to her so that when she wakes up she'll be surprised to see it. And, maybe, a little tear may fall down from her cheeks.

　　The Memories

　　Our mothers have special memories in mind. Those are the times that they gave birth to their healthy baby. How about you? What's your best moment with her? Maybe you can tell her about the time she got mad at you because you did something that you thought is right but since that day forward you realized your mistakes. Or, you can tell her how happy you are when she was there during your painful days in your life.

　　Be Her

　　What does she look like if she is so exhausted and angry and tired? What does she do for your family? This is the right time to show her the things that she usually does at home. Try to imitate her voice when she is angry. Make your face as if you are her when she is mad.

　　Treat a Queen

　　Your house is a palace with a king and queen (it doesn't matter if you're rich or poor). Our mother is the real queen in our life and in our family though her duties make her look like she is not. Give the lady a day off by being a servant to her.

　　Make-Over Beauty

　　Because of stress and the problems that she is facing right now, especially in the family, she doesn't look great any more. Admit it! Most mothers are not into trends anymore because their focusing on us.

　　Perhaps you could take some of your savings to treat her in a salon or the department store. Then, choose nice clothes that would make her look GLAMOROUS!

　　Have Some of Your Time

　　It's the cheapest but a meaningful way. Most of us are busy from our work, friends, boy/girl friends, school. We stay home late and after several hours, we go out again.

　　Have you ever had a meaningful time with your mother where you don't think or talk about problems and arguments? Have you ever told her how much you thank her from the life she gave to you, the time she took care of you, and for every suffering she'd felt for you? Have you ever told her that you love her?

Life is short. We don't know what will happen tomorrow nor today. Those three words can make her heart jump for joy, you know? Just tell her “I love you!” and it would make her smile so sweetly. Just try! We don't want to miss a thing, right?

On Friday, January 14, 2005, my cousin, Kara Rose, came into the world. She looked perfectly healthy from the outside, but on the inside, the doctors had failed to discover a serious problem. She often had trouble breathing and then turned blue. The doctors found that Kara had been born without part of her heart. They didn’t think she would live long enough to leave the hospital. When she was four days old, she had her first operation. My family stayed together during this hard time, hoping everything would turn out for the best.

Kara’s strength and determination to live were strong. Eventually, she could go home. We all waited patiently for new technology that could give Kara a new heart. When she was eighteen months old, her parents took her to a famous surgeon who performed a series of operations. There was no guarantee she would make it through the operation, but she succeeded.

Kara grew stronger every day, and it was not long before she was well enough to be around people. She had an amazing character and always wore a sweet smile. When she fell asleep against my body, happy and content, I realized how valuable life really is. As I took her in my arms with her warm breath against my neck, I decided to live every day of my life to the fullest.

This child, who is 15 years younger than I, has gone through more suffering and pain than I ever have. I admire her strength and determination. Kara has taught me that no matter how bad things seem, they can work out in the end. Knowing this small, beautiful child has made me a stronger person, I now believe that difficulty can be beaten.

44. Kara often had trouble breathing because ________.

A. she didn’t stay long enough in the hospital

B. the doctors failed to discover the problem

C. she was born with an incomplete heart

D. her first operation was not successful

45. Which of the following statements is true?

A. Kara’s determination helped her get through.

B. The new technology gave the family the hope to live on.

C. Kara eventually recovered at the age of 15.

D. Doctors were confident in the success of her operation.

46. The writer wants to tell us that _______.

A. younger people often suffer more pain

B. strong-will helps defeat difficulties

C. experienced doctors can make miracles

D. medical technology is developing fast