He was angry with me． __________, I didn’t mean to hurt him．

A． What’s more                              B． That is to say

C． In other words                    D． To be honest

Rising above the names

I was shopping in the supermarket when I heard a young voice．

“Mom, come here! There’s this lady here my size!”

The mother rushed to her son; then she turned to me to apologize．

I smiled and told her, “It’s okay．” Then talked to the boy, “Hi, I’m Darry Kramer．How are you?”

He studied me from head to toe, and asked, “Are you a little mommy?”

“Yes, I have a son,” I answered．

“Why are you so little?” he asked．

“It’s the way I was born,” I said．“Some people are little．Some are tall．I’m just not going to grow any bigger．” After I answered his other questions, I shook the boy’s hand and left．

My life as a little person is filled with stories like that．I enjoy talking to children and explaining why I look different from their parents．

It takes only one glance to see my uniqueness．I stand three feet nine inches tall．I was born an achondroplasia dwarf （侏儒）．Despite this, I did all the things other kids did when I was growing up．

I didn’t realize how short I was until I started school．Some kids picked on me, calling me names．Then I knew．I began to hate the first day of school each year．New students would always stare at me as I struggled to climb the school bus stairs．

But I learned to smile and accept the fact that I was going to be noticed my whole life．I decided to make my uniqueness an advantage rather than a disadvantage．What I lacked in height, I made up for in personality．

I’m 47 now, and the stares have not diminished as I’ve grown older．People are amazed when they see me driving．I try to keep a good attitude．When people are rude, I remind myself, “Look what else I have – a great family, nice friends．”

It’s the children’s questions that make my life special．I enjoy answering their questions．My hope is that I will encourage them to accept their peers （a person of the same age, class, position, etc．）, whatever size and shape they come in, and treat them with respect．

1．Why did the mother apologize to the author?

      A．Because the boy ran into the author．

       B．Because the boy laughed at the author．

       C．Because they boy said the author was fatter than him．

       D．Because the mother thought the boy’s words had hurt the author．

2．What does the underlined expressions “calling me names” mean in the text?

       A．use unpleasant words to describe me in order to upset me

       B．to greet me by calling my full name

       C．warn me against danger by calling my family name

       D．use some nicknames to show the close relationship between us

3．Which of the following word can best replace the underlined word “diminished”?

       A．dislike                 B．increased             C．decreased            D．appeared

4．How does the author feel about people’s stares?

      A．Angry．              B．Calm．               C．Painful．             D．Discouraged．

　　　 It was a Sunday morning, and I was in a terrible mood. Two of my friends had gone to the movies the night before and hadn’t invited me．I was in my room thinking of ways to make them sorry when my father came in. “Want to go for a ride，today，Beck? It’s a beautiful day.”

　　　 “No ! Leave me alone!”Those were the last words I said to him that morning．

　　　 My friends called and invited me to go to the mall with them a few hours later．I forgot to be mad at them and went I came home to find a note on the table. My mother put it where I would be sure to see it. “Dad has had an accident. Please meet us at Highland Park Hospital”．

　 When I reached the hospital，my mother came out and told me my father’s injuries were extensive.“Your lather told the driver to leave him alone and just call 911，thank God! If he had moved Daddy，there’s no telling what might have happened．A broken rib（肋骨）might have pierced（穿透）a lung….”

　　　 My mother may have said more，but I didn’t hear．I didn’t hear anything except those terrible

words：Leave me alone．My dad said them to save himself from being hurt more．How much had I hurt him when I hurled those words at him earlier in the day?

　 It was several days later that he was finally able to have a conversation．I held his hand gently, afraid of hurting him．

　　　 “Daddy… I am so sorry….”

　　　 “It’s okay，sweetheart．I'll be okay．”

　　　 “No，”I said，“I mean about what I said to you that day．You know, that morning?”

　　　 My father could no more tell a lie than he could fly．He looked at me and said．“Sweetheart,

I don’t remember anything about that day， not before，during or after the accident． I remember

kissing you goodnight the night before，though．”He managed a weak smile．

　 My English teacher once told me that words have immeasurable power．They can hurt or they

can heal．And we all have the power to choose our words. I intend to do that very carefully from now on.

56．The author was in bad mood that morning because　　　 .

A．his father had a terrible accident

B．he couldn’t drive to the mall with his friends

C．his friends hadn’t invited him to the cinema

D．his father didn’t allow him to go out with his friends

57．Why did the author say sorry to his father in the hospital?

　　　 A．Because he didn’t go along with his father．

　　　 B．Because he was rude to his father that morning．

　　　 C．Because he failed to come earlier after the accident．

　　　 D．Because he couldn’t look after his father in the hospital

58．The reason why the author’s father said he forgot everything about that day is that　　　

　　　 A．he had a poor memory

　　　 B．he didn’t wanted to comfort his son

　　　 C．he just wanted to comfort his son

　　　 D．he lost his memory after the accident

59．What lesson did Beck learn from the matter?

　　　 A．Don’t treat your parents badly．

　　　 B．Don’t hurt others with rude words．

　　　 C．Don’t move the injured in an accident．

　　　 D．Don’t be angry with friends at small things

It was a Sunday morning and I was in a terrible mood. Two of my friends had gone to the movies the night before and hadn’t invited me. I was in my room thinking of ways to make them sorry when my father came in and said, “Want to go for a ride, today, Beck?”
“No ! Leave me alone!” Those were the last words I said to him that morning.
My friends invited me to go to the mall with them a few hours later. I forgot to be mad at them and went. I came home to find a note on the table. My mother put it where I would be sure to see it.    “Dad has had an accident. Please meet us at Highland Park Hospital.”
When I reached the hospital，my mother came out and told me my father’s injuries were extensive. “Your father told the driver to leave him alone and just call 911，thank God! If he had moved Daddy，there’s no telling what might have happened. A broken rib（肋骨）might have pieced（穿透）a lung…” My mother might have said more, but I didn’t hear anything except those terrible words: leave me alone.
It was several days later that he was finally able to have a conversation. I held his hand gently, afraid of hurting him. “Daddy…I am so sorry…” “It’s okay, sweetheart.” “No,”I said, “I mean about what I said to you that day.”
My father never tells lies but he looked at me and said, “I don’t remember anything about that day, not before, during or after the accident. I remember kissing you goodnight the night before, though.” I regretted for my thoughtless words.
My English teacher once told me that words have immeasurable power. They can hurt or they can heal. And we all have the power to choose our words.
【小题1】Why did the author say sorry to his father in the hospital?

When I was 11, I had an enemy, a girl who liked to point out my shortcomings(缺点). Week by week her list grew: I was very thin, I wasn’t a good student, I talked too much, I was too proud, and so on. I tried to hear all this as long as I could. In the end, I became so angry that I ran to my father with tears in my eyes.
He listened to me quietly, then he asked. “Are the things she says true or not? Janet, didn’t you ever wonder what you’re really like? Well, you now have that girl’s opinion. Go and make a list of everything she said and mark the points that are true. Pay no attention to the other things she said.” I did as he told me. To my great surprise, I discovered that about half the things were true. Some of them I couldn’t change (like being very thin), but a good number I could—and suddenly I wanted to change. For the first time I go to fairly clear picture of myself.
I brought the list back to Dad. He refused to take it.” That’s just for you,” he said.
“You know better than anyone else the truth about yourself. But you have to learn to listen, not just close your ears in anger and feeling hurt. When something said about you is true, you’ll find it will be of help to you. Our world is full of people who think they know your duty. Don’t shut your ears. Listen to them all, but hear the truth and do what you know is the right thing to do.”
Daddy’s advice has returned to me at many important moments. In my life, I’ve never had a better piece of advice.
【小题1】What did the father do after he had heard his daughter’s complaint? 

When I was 11, I had an enemy, a girl who liked to point out my shortcomings(缺点). Week by week her list grew: I was very thin, I wasn’t a good student, I talked too much, I was too proud, and so on. I tried to hear all this as long as I could. In the end, I became so angry that I ran to my father with tears in my eyes.
He listened to me quietly, then he asked. “Are the things she says true or not? Janet, didn’t you ever wonder what you’re really like? Well, you now have that girl’s opinion. Go and make a list of everything she said and mark the points that are true. Pay no attention to the other things she said.” I did as he told me. To my great surprise, I discovered that about half the things were true. Some of them I couldn’t change (like being very thin), but a good number I could—and suddenly I wanted to change. For the first time I go to fairly clear picture of myself.
I brought the list back to Dad. He refused to take it.” That’s just for you,” he said.
“You know better than anyone else the truth about yourself. But you have to learn to listen, not just close your ears in anger and feeling hurt. When something said about you is true, you’ll find it will be of help to you. Our world is full of people who think they know your duty. Don’t shut your ears. Listen to them all, but hear the truth and do what you know is the right thing to do.”
Daddy’s advice has returned to me at many important moments. In my life, I’ve never had a better piece of advice. 
【小题1】What did the father do after he had heard his daughter’s complaint? 

I was a newcomer of Miss Burn’s seventh grade. Past“newcomer”experiences had been difficult, so I was
very anxious to fit in.
Lunchtime was a pleasant surprise when the girls all crowded around my table. Their chat was friendly, so
I began to relax. My new classmates filled me in on the school, the teachers and the other kids. it wasn’t long
before the class herd(书呆子)was pointed out to me: Mary Lou. Actually she called herself Mary Louise. A
formal, overmodest young girl with old-fashioned clothes, she wasn’t ugly—not even funny looking. Practical
shoes, long wool skirt and a blouse completed the image of a complete herd. The girls’ whispers got louder and
louder. Mary Lou didn’t notice this. After school, the girls invited me to join them in front of the school.
Arms wrapped around her backpack, Mary Lou came down the school steps. The taunting began—rude,
biting comments and disrespectful words from the girls. I paused, then joined right in. My force began to pick
up as I approached her, mean(卑劣)remarks falling from my lips. I even pulled the belt of her backpack and then
pushed her. The belt broke, Mary Lou fell. Everyone was laughing and patting me. I fit in. But I was not proud.
Something inside me hurt.
Mary Lou got up, gathered her books and—without a tear shed—off, she went. She held her head high as a
small trickle of blood ran down from her injured knee.
I turned to leave with my laughing friends and noticed a man standing beside his car. His skin, dark hair
and handsome features told me this was her father. Respectful of Mary Lou’s proud spirit, he remained still and
watched the lonely girl walk toward him. Only his eyes—shining with both grief and pride—followed. As I
passed, he looked at me in silence with burning tears that spoke to my shame and scolded my heart. He didn’t
speak a word.
No scolding from a teacher or a parent could linger(逗留)as much as that hurt in my heart from the day a
father’s eyes taught me kindness and strength and dignity. I never again joined the cruel herds. I never
again hurt someone for my own gain.
【小题1】 The writer felt she fit in when      .

When I was about 12，I had an enemy，a girl who liked to point out my shortcomings．

    Week by week her list grew：I was very thin；I wasn’t a good student；I talked too much；1 was too proud，and so on．I tried to bear all this as long as I could．At last，I became very angry．I ran to my Daddy with tears in my eyes．

    He listened to me quietly，then he asked，“Are the things she says true or not? Janet，didn’t you ever wonder what you’re really like? Well，you now have that girl’s opinion．Go and make a list of everything she said and mark the points that are true．Pay no attention to the other things she said．”

    I did as he told me．To my great surprise，I discovered that about half the things were true．Some of them I couldn’t change（1ike being very thin），but a good number I could and suddenly I wanted to change．For the first time I got a fairly clear picture of myself．

    I brought the list back to Daddy．He refused to take it．“That’s just for you，”he said．“You know better than anyone，the truth about yourself．But you have to learn to listen，not just close your ears in anger and feeling hurt．When something said about you is true，you’ll find it will be of help to you．Our world is full of people who think they know your duty．Don’t shut your ears．Listen to  them all，but hear the truth and do what you know is the right thing to do．”

    Daddy’s advice has returned to me at many important moments．In my life，I've never had a better piece of advice．

1．Which do you think would be a best title for this passage?

A．Not an Enemy，but a Best Friend

B．the Best Advice I've Ever Had

C．My Father

D．My Childhood

2．What does“Week by week her list grew”mean?

A．Week by week，my shortcomings grew more serious．

B．She had made a list of my shortcomings and she kept on adding new ones to it so that it was growing longer and longer．

C．I was having more and more shortcomings as time went on．

D．Week by week she discovered more shortcomings of mine and pointed them out to me．

3．Why did her father listen to her quietly?

A．Because he believed that what his daughter’s “enemy”said was mostly true．

    B．Because he had been so angry with his daughter’s shortcomings that he wanted to show this by　keeping silent for a while．

    C．Because he knew that his daughter would not listen to him at that moment．

    D．Because he wasn’t quite sure which girl was telling the truth．

4．What did the father do after he had heard his daughter’s complaint?

A．He told her not to Pay any attention to what her“enemy”had said．

    B．He criticized her and told her to overcome her shortcomings．

    C．He told her to write down all that her“enemy”had said about her and pay attention only to the things that were true．

    D．He refused to take the list and have a look at it．

When I was about 12, I had an enemy, a girl who liked to point out my shortcomings(缺点). Week by week her list grew: I was very thin, I wasn’t a good student, I talked too much, I was too proud, and so on. I tried to hear all this as long as I could. At last, I became very angry. I ran to my father with tears in my eyes.
He listened to me quietly, and then he asked. “Are the things she says true or not? Janet, didn’t you ever wonder what you’re really like? Well, you now have that girl’s opinion. Go and make a list of everything she said and mark(标记) the points that are true. Pay no attention to the other things she said.”
I did as he told me. To my great surprise, I discovered that about half the things were true. Some of them I couldn’t change (like being very thin), but a good number I could — and suddenly I wanted to change. For the first time I go to fairly clear picture of myself.
I brought the list back to Daddy. He refused(拒绝) to take it. “That’s just for you,” he said. “You know better than anyone else the truth about yourself. But you have to learn to listen, not just close your ears in anger and feeling hurt. When something said about you is true, you’ll find it will be of help to you. Our world is full of people who think they know your duty. Don’t shut your ears. Listen to them all, but hear the truth and do what you know is the right thing to do.”
Daddy’s advice has returned to me at many important moments. In my life, I’ve never had a better piece of advice.
【小题1】What does “Week by week her list grew” mean in the first paragraph?