At Uppingham School, there is a program called the Duke of Edinburgh Awards(爱丁堡公爵奖). It encourages students to challenge themselves in a number of ways and helps them develop physical strength and personal skills. The time that is required to be spent on each task changes according to the type of award one wants to win. For the gold award, either the “physical” or “skill” test should last for 12 months.

The most challenging part of the program is the expedition(探险旅行). In the gold group we have to spend four days and three nights outdoors. We chose to go canoeing (划独木船) for our trip. It took months for us to prepare, as we had to learn some survival (生存的) skills. Although we trained hard and learned all the skills beforehand, our practice expedition was much more difficult than we expected. We had to canoe for at least six hours a day, keeping rowing through the water. We also dealt with various difficulties, such as falling into the water and having to get out of the canoe and pull it over some rocks.

Although physical strength is important, it was teamwork that really got us through the four days. We learned to work with our teammates to find the right way to paddle(划桨). When we were in trouble, we helped each other out, as well as shared our food and dry clothes. It was an unforgettable experience that turned me into a stronger and more tolerant(宽容的) person. I learned to work with both other people and with nature. I am looking forward to receiving my gold award.

1.The Duke of Edinburgh Awards are intended to ________.

A.improve students’ personal skills

B.develop students’ physical strength

C.give scholarships to students from poor families

D.encourage students to challenge themselves

2.What do we know about the writer’s expedition group?

A.They went camping by a lake.

B.They prepared a lot before the trip.

C.They failed because they didn’t have any survival skills.

3.Which word has the closest meaning to the underlined word “various” in Paragraph 2?

A.different B.few C.similar

4.What is the main idea of the last paragraph?

A.Physical strength is necessary for expeditions.

B.Students need to get close to nature.

C.Teamwork is necessary to achieve success.

5.How might the writer describe this experience?

A.Unfair. B.Effortless. C.Meaningful.

Unexpected but Good

What a fine day! Mansor was sure that he would see his birthday present on the dining table. It had been like this for the past 15 years. Whatever happened, his parents would place the present next to his glass of milk on that day. He had given various hints (暗示) about what he really wanted, and even silently put a picture of the mobile phone into his mother's handbag. It was impossible that she didn't get the message.

To his surprise, there was nothing on the table this time. The family gave morning wishes to each other as usual and talked as if there was nothing special about the day. His mother only reminded him to clear his writing table.

Mansor quickly ran out of the house as he did not want his parents to see he was sad that they had forgotten his birthday! He would feel better if he joined his friends at the Old People's Home. As he did not want to stay around the house any longer, he got into the first taxi he saw. He was still sad while he was in it.

He got down from the taxi and realized how fine the weather was. The sun was shining brightly as if to give him joy. The chirping of the birds lightened his heart. He walked with a spring in his steps to Old People's Home. As he looked around, he saw people laughing and enjoying themselves. These old people didn't get much care or attention from their busy children, yet they were happy. Why should he be sad? A mobile phone was not quite a big deal after all.

Then he decided to go home. After getting home, he started to tidy his table, knowing that his mother expected him to do so. Wait! What's this? An air ticket to Pulau Redang (热浪岛) for a scuba diving course! "The mobile phone is nice, but we prefer that you learn something rather than have the latest mobile phone.

Hope you will like our present."

With tears of excitement, Mansor realized that he should have known that his parents would never forget his birthday.

1.What did Mansor do to get the present he wanted?

A.He talked to his parents. B.He gave hints to his parents.

C.He carefully cleaned his table. D.He paid a visit to his good friends.

2.After seeing those old people, Mansor___________.

A.felt their life was so boring B.realized he shouldn't be sad

C.wanted to offer help to them D.hoped to get another present

3.What can we learn from the story?

A.Mansor liked the birthday present. B.Mansor knew his parents very well.

C.Mansor's parents would buy a new gift. D.Mansor's parents would say sorry to him.

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