People Just Like Us

I was not interested in the school project on ancient cultures at all, especially things about Egypt (埃 及) , but Grace, my research partner, insisted the ancient Egyptians were interesting, and said I would _______ my mind for sure.

“Learning about these ancient people is so boring.” I said.

“It’s not! Don’t be sure until you’ve learned about them.” said Grace.

I had to say Grace had a _______. So the next Saturday, I found myself at the Museum of Natural History, which had a big show on ancient Egypt. “So ancient Egyptians were pretty undeveloped, right?” I asked Grace as we waited in line for our tickets. “I mean, they didn’t have much _________________ , did they? Well, except for the pyramids (金字塔) – didn’t the Egyptian kings live in the pyramids?”

Grace just kept silent and pushed me forward.

The show set me straight about the pyramids. I learned that they were tombs (墓) of the ancient kings, not their _________________. I also found out the great pyramid at Giza was huge, standing 500 feet tall when it was first built!

As I walked farther, I was ___________________to find a show on ancient sports. I saw paintings showing people playing a game with a ball. Just for a moment, I could ___________ ancient Egyptian kids beside the Nile River hitting around a ball, just as I do with my friends. And the next show was all about how the ancient Egyptians treasured their children. A child was considered a great gift to the family.

“So what do you think of these _______ ancient people now?” Grace asked.

“You were right,” I said. “Ancient Egyptians are much more interesting than I_______. In fact, I know just what title to give our project. We’ll call it ‘ People Just Like Us ’!”

1.A. keep B. change C. lose D. follow

2.A. word B. plan C. point D. way

3.A. technology B. difference C. confidence D. information

4.A. fields B. grounds C. schools D. homes

5.A. tired B. careful C. surprised D. nervous

6.A. explain B. picture C. show D. enjoy

7.A. boring B. impatient C. funny D. exciting

8.A. searched B. studied C. experienced D. expected

通读下面的短文，掌握其大意，然后从短文后各题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选择最佳选项。

Mrs. Wettiner was old and blind. But she tried to do everything for herself. She even used to go for walks alone from her home once a day for exercise and fresh air, and found her way by ________ things with her white stick. She learnt where everything was, so she never lost her way. But then one day some men came and cut down some trees at the side of the road which she followed. When she reached that place that evening, she didn’t feel the trees with her stick, so she was in ________.

She stopped for a minute and ________, but she didn’t hear any other people, so she went ahead for a kilometer or two, and then she heard water under her.

“Water?” she said aloud, and stopped. “Am I ________? I suppose so. I must be on a bridge, and there must be a river under me. I’ve been told that there’s a river in this part of the country. But I don’t know its exact position(位置). How am I going back to my home from here?”

All at once she heard a young man’s friendly________ near her. It said, “Excuse me, can I help you?”

“How kind of you!” Mrs. Wettiner answered ________. “Yes, please. I’m lost. Some of the trees which I follow when I go for my evening walk have been removed today, and if I hadn’t been lucky enough to come across you, I don’t know what I’d have done. Can you please help me to get home?”

“Certainly,” the man answered. “Where do you live?”

Mrs. Wettiner told him, and they began walking. The man took Mrs. Wettiner to her home, and she ________ him in and gave him some coffee and a piece of cake. She told the man how_________ she was that she had met him.

“Don’t thank me,” the young man said. “I want to thank you. I was trying to make up my mind into the river. But I’m not going to do it now.”

1.A. reading B. touching C. making D. helping

2.A. difficulty B. happiness C. control D. action

3.A. rested B. watched C. shouted D. listened

4.A. tired B. busy C. lost D. crazy

5.A. voice B. noise C. speech D. talk

6.A. proudly B. patiently C. excitedly D. doubtfully

7.A. ordered B. joined C. helped D. invited

8.A. careful B. thankful C. forgetful D. harmful

A Faithful Father

My husband kissed the baby’s cheek, and hugged me goodbye, then rushed out of the door, into his busy day.

I stayed seated, thinking, with the baby in my arms. The ____ran into memories of the mornings with my husband rushing out of the door to meet the responsibility of life. It was only a small jump to thoughts of my own ____.

My father brought me up alone. As I looked ____I could see how much of a family man my dad was. He went to work every morning and returned home every evening. He provided food, clothing, warmth, and protection. He was a faithful father.

Setting the baby down, I telephoned my father. I had just ______the importance of the daily life going on around us, and that it needed to be recognized.

“Hi, Dad.”I said,____back tears.

“Hey, Bud. How are you?” worry was in his voice.

“Fine, I’m just calling to say … thank you.” I got it out before I cried.

“What for?”

“For getting up and going to work every morning of my life. Now that I have my own childand I see my husband doing the same, I just wanted to thank you for being faithful.”

There was ______ for a moment, and with a small tremble(颤抖) in his voice he said, “You’re welcome, Bud.”

I don’t remember much of the call, but the tremble in my father’s voice, I will never ____. There are those who are known for their heroic achievements, but the common everyday fathers are the true heroes. I’m____that my father was one of them.

1.A. thoughts B. ideas C. imaginations D. opinions

2.A. mother B. father C. husband D. son

3.A. ahead B. around C. forward D. back

4.A. wondered B. understood C. realized D. known

5.A. taking B. holding C. putting D. pushing

6.A. music B. noise C. sound D. silence

7.A. miss B. mention C. forget D. expect

8.A. thankful B. surprised C. doubtful D. satisfied

It was the last figure skating competition for this season. Our team must beat every other team to enter the state competition.
Skaters were practicing all over the ice. Suddenly my teammate Danielle knocked her head hard on the ice and cried loudly, then she was carried out of the rink (冰场) and sent to hospital.

“Allison,” Coach Janice came up to me, “Danielle can’t _______ today. So I need you to do the axel（前外一周半跳）.”

“Coach,” I couldn’t even think of words, “I only _______ it for the first time three weeks ago! ”

“I know, but you’re the only one besides Danielle who can do it.”

At that moment, the weight of the world was on my shoulders. The axel is a high point jump, and it can make or break a team’s _______. I couldn’t be the one to stop us from going to states. But I would be, I knew it.

My teammates were all very _______. They all came up, smiled and told me I would do great. But that only made me more nervous.

It was my turn. Ready or not, I had to go. I built up some speed and jumped, hoping I would land _______. But I didn’t. I fell on the ice, hard. I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks.

“Allison, take the reskate,” the coach came to me.

Once, and only once in a competition, a team can have one skater skate again. It was still early, and someone else would need the chance later. I couldn’t use it, since I might fall again and _______ it.

“I can’t, Coach!”

“Allison, you can do it. Calm down, jump high, and land it. Go!”

So I went. I raised an arm towards the judges, letting them know I was going to take the reskate. The audience got into complete _______. It seemed that everybody was holding their breath. I tried to focus. I took off and rotated（旋转）my body as much as possible in the air. Then I came down, landing on my feet. I did it! My teammates screamed with _______.

Finally, our team won! We were going to states! Landing that axel made me feel like I could do anything, and who knows, maybe I could.

1.A. run B. hear C. enjoy D. compete

2.A. taught B. landed C. moved D. checked

3.A. rules B. score C. manners D. style

4.A. shy B. bored C. supportive D. brave

5.A. quietly B. quickly C. heavily D. beautifully

6.A. waste B. refuse C. value D. keep

7.A. sadness B. craziness C. silence D. confidence

8.A. joy B. humor C. worry D. anger

阅读下面的短文，掌握其大意，然后从短文后各题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选择最佳选项。

May Day Basket

I clearly remember the May Day of the year that I was in fifth grade. That year I was faced with a challenge because of my best friend, Pam.

A new family recently had moved into our small town, and Pam was spending more and more time at their house. I felt ______ and left out.

When my mother asked me whether I would take a May Day basket to Pam’s house, I answered angrily, “Of course not!” My mother stopped what she was doing and ______ me in her arms. She told me that I would have many other friends in my lifetime.

“But Pam was my best friend ever,” I cried.

Mum told me that circumstances (环境) change and people change. She ______ that one of the great things friends can do is to give each other a chance to grow, to change and to develop into what they want to be. And sometimes, she said, that friends would ______ other people to spend time with. It’s nothing wrong with that.

She went on to say that I needed to forgive Pam for hurting me and that I could express that forgiveness (宽恕) by giving her a May Day basket.

It was a ______ decision, but I decided to give Pam a basket. I made an extra special basket of flowers with lots of yellow because that was Pam’s favorite ______. I asked my two sisters to help me deliver my basket of forgiveness. As we ______ from our hiding place, Pam picked up the flowers, pressed her face into them and said ______ enough for us to hear, “Thank you, Susie, I hoped you wouldn’t forget me!”

That day, I made a decision that changed my life: I decided to hold my friends in my heart, but not in my expectation of them, allowing them space to grow and to change – with or without me.

1.A. happy B. hurt C. stupid D. lucky

2.A. caught B. accepted C. held D. tied

3.A. complained B. explained C. doubted D. tested

4.A. direct B. survey C. control D. choose

5.A. hard B. poor C. quick D. good

6.A. food B. color C. basket D. place

7.A. greeted B. sensed C. smelled D. watched

8.A. angrily B. nervously C. loudly D. privately

Throughout history，people have used jewelry(珠 宝 ) to make their clothes look more special. Jewelry was，and still is，in fashion all over the world. Through the years，people have worn jewelry for different _______:to make themselves look beautiful，to protect them from bad things,and to _______ how much money they have.

In South Africa，men in the Ndebele tribe(部 落 )often gave their_______ jewelry made of silver or gold rings. Ndebele women wore necklaces around their necks and bracelets around their arms. Rings were _______worn on their legs. The rings showed wealth. Awoman with many rings had a( n)_______ husband. In the past，women only took the rings off when their husbands died. Today Ndebele women still wear the rings，but not all of the time.

People in India have been wearing jewelry for more than 5,000 years. In the past，both men and women wore a lot of jewelry. Women wore as many as 50 bracelets at a time!Over time，men _______ wearing so much jewelry，but for women jewelry continues to be very important. In India，jewelry means safety. If a family has trouble with money，they can always _______ their jewelry. And，as with the Ndebele tribe，jewelry means wealth. Indian women can expect to receive jewelry as gifts for each important life event，such as birth，marriage，and becoming a mother.

In ancient China，people wore jewelry not just to show wealth but also for _______. They believed that the jade(玉 石 )used in their jewelry was alive and that it could keep bad things away. Many Chinese people today still believe this， and some people only wear the bracelets on their left arms.

1.A. reasons B. clothes C. places D. problems

2.A. ask B. show C. guess D. explain

3.A. daughters B. mothers C. wives D. friends

4.A. still B. never C. just D. even

5.A. older B. richer C. smarter D. stronger

6.A. kept B. hated C. stopped D. suggested

7.A. sell B. wear C. hide D. design

8.A. fun B. beauty C. friendship D. protection

The Empty Easter Egg

Jeremy was born with a twisted body and a slow mind. At the age of 12 he was still in second grade. He would make _________, and his teacher, Doris Miller, often became angry with him.

One day, the children talked ___________ about the coming of Easter (复活节). Their teacher Doris told them the story of Jesus, and then to___________ the idea of new life springing forth, she gave each of the children a large plastic empty Easter egg. She asked them to bring it back tomorrow with something inside that shows new life.

The next morning, 19 children came to school, laughing and talking as they_______ their Easter eggs in the large basket on Miss Miller’s desk. It was time to open the now filled empty eggs. In the first egg, Doris found a flower. “Oh yes, a flower is certainly a _________ of new life,” she said. The next empty egg shell contained a plastic butterfly, which looked very real. Doris held it up. “We all know that a caterpillar changes and grows into a beautiful butterfly. Yes, that’s new life, too.”

Suddenly, Jeremy spoke up. “Miss Miller, aren’t you going to talk about my Easter egg?” Impatiently, Doris replied, “But Jeremy, your Easter egg is _________.” He looked into her eyes and said softly, “Yes, but Jesus’ tomb (坟墓) was empty, too.” Time stopped. When she could speak again, Doris asked him, “Do you know why the tomb was empty?”

“Oh, yes,” Jeremy said, “Jesus was killed and put in there. Then His Father raised Him up.” “And that’s how Easter _________!”

The recess bell rang. While the children excitedly ran out to the schoolyard, Doris cried. The cold inside her melted completely away.

Three months later, Jeremy died. Those who paid their respects were __________to see 19 Easter eggs on top of his casket (棺材), all of them empty.

1.A. noises B. friends C. eggs D. plans

2.A. worriedly B. proudly C. excitedly D. sadly

3.A. guess B. explain C. check D. change

4.A. pushed B. dropped C. threw D. placed

5.A. name B. picture C. sign D. shape

6.A. empty B. small C. big D. broken

7.A. ended B. started C. changed D. developed

8.A. happy B. angry C. disappointed D. surprised

A Sweet Lesson

Many people have clear memories of their school years. What I remember most was meeting Christopher， who had diabetes(糖尿病）at the age of four.

Christopher came to my _______right after Christmas break. He wasn’t shy at all. He stood in front of the class and introduced himself with _______.

Weeks passed and I realized Christopher was exactly like me. We both were funny and liked sports! But Christopher always wore a metal bracelet, which made him quite different.

My classmates didn’t _______ it. They stayed away from Christopher.

The day before spring break, we had a class party. Mrs. Rose invited our parents too. All kinds of candies were passed out. I tasted every kind and got some for Christopher too， but he didn’t even _______them. “Why aren’t you eating， Christopher?” I asked. He answered seriously, “I can’t. ’’I kept giving candies to him then he got _______，“I told you I can’t Stop it! He then stormed out of the room and his mother followed.

I went home that night with a million questions. My mom told me Christopher had diabetes and that was why he couldn’t eat as much sugar as everyone else. She also _______he wore the bracelet because it had all his medical information in it， in case(万一) he was in serious danger. I felt so sorry for Christopher.

When we returned to school after spring break, I asked Mrs. Rose if I could tell the class Christopher’s medical condition. She agreed. I told them about his diabetes. I also suggested that every snack or sweet that we brought to class should be OK for Christopher.

Months went by and Christopher was _______than ever. He had even more friends and didn’t feel so left out during snack time because everyone was eating the same treat. I realized this was exactly what Christopher wanted——friends who could _______ him and love him for who he was.

1.A. home B. club C. school D. party

2.A. pride B. confidence C. thankfulness D. care

3.A. believe B. value C. notice D. like

4.A. touch B. pass C. share D. buy

5.A. surprised B. excited C. mad D. afraid

6.A. guessed B. doubted C. proved D. explained

7.A. braver B. happier C. busier D. funnier

8.A. accept B. protect C. trust D. miss

An 80-year-old woman moves into a new house. She's afraid if she can deal with the new life here. She was a(n) _____ in the past.

One day, when one man happened to pass by her house, he saw the old woman. He______ to himself, "I was once her student. It has been 50 years since we met last." So he ran to her, asking, "My teacher, do you still ____ me? I made much trouble at your class." The old woman thought of him and was very _____ to see a student of hers in this new place.

From then on, the alan often comes to her house to look after her______ , he brings some vegetables here, or he______ rubbish for her. He also talks with her to make her happy. The old woman slowly gets______ to the life in her new house because of his help.

Someone may think the man is a person who is not______ for his teacher, because he didn't keep in touch with his teacher or send cards on celebration days.______ when the old woman needs help, the man tries his best. He always keeps her in mind.

As a student, we can learn that we just need to be grateful in our hearts_______ being busy with some image work, such as helping Mother do housework because that is Mother's Day.

1.A. doctor B. teacher C. worker D. artist

2.A. said B. told C. spoke D. shouted

3.A. like B. remember C. blame D. hate

4.A. bored B. excited C. interested D. puzzled

5.A. At a time B. At all times C. On time D. At times

6.A. takes away B. brings out C. takes off D. brings up

7.A. ready B. able C. used D. over

8.A. thankful B. careful C. thoughtful D. cheerful

9.A. But B. So C. Although D. However

10.A. instead of B. such as C. but also D. because of

The 5th Tour of Taihu Lake is held from 1-9 November 2014 in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. It is an international bicycle competition organized by Jiangsu Province four years ago. There are a total of 20 teams from 5 continents taking part in it. It also offers an award of 250,000 dollars. The following chart mainly introduces the stages of every city.

This Tour of Taihu Lake enriches (丰富) the activities of people around the Taihu Lake. It also strengthens the culture and tourism. The most important thing is that this competition makes contributions to our economy.

If you are interested in this competition, click here. If you want to take part in it some day in the future, you can also pay close attention to it.

1.Among the following stages, which is the right order of them?

① Changshu Kuncheng Lake Circuit ② Changxing Longshan Xinqu Taihu Tuying Circuit

③ Wujin Yancheng Park--Xitaihu Lake ④ Qidong Coastal Industrial Park--Chongming

A. ③①②③ B. ①④③② C. ③①④③ D. ①④②③

2.From the above chart, which stage is the longest?

A. Nantong Sports Exhibition Centre--Haimen.

B. Changshu Kuncheng Lake Circuit.

C. Qidong Coastal [nsdustrial Park--Chongming.

D. Zhangjiagang Shuangshandao Island Circuit.

3.What is probably the average distance of all these stages?

A. 90 km. B. 100 kin. C. 110 kin. D. 120 km.

4.Where does this information come from?

A. The Internet. B. The magazine. C. The government. D. The newspaper.

5.Which of the following information is NOT Right according to the reading?

A. The 1st Tour of Taihu Lake was held in 2010.

B. The Tour of Taihu Lake has great effect on the economy around the Taihu Lake.

C. You can watch the live competition after Christmas.

D. After this competition, there may be more and more visitors coming to the Taihu Lake.