Gift card are becoming very popular in many countries around the world.In the US,they are one of the most popular kinds of gifts.Why?People love the convenience—gift cards are easy to buy and easy to use,either in the store or online.The recipient can choose his or her own gift,and the giver does not have to worry about finding just the right thing.

Receiving a gift card,however,is not the same as receiving a gift.A real gift is a better reminder of the person who gave it.The message of a real gift is more likely to be,"I spend some time trying to find the right gift for you because I care about you."Often a gift card does not send the same message as a real gift.It may seem to say,"I was in a hurry.I didn't have time to think about what you would really like."

In today's world,gift cards are certainly convenient.However,they can make us forget the real purpose of giving gifts,which is to build a closer connection between the gift-giver and the gift-recipient.

【1】What does the underline word"recipient"mean in Chinese?

A. 商家B. 顾客C. 发行者D. 接受者

【2】What is the second paragraph mainly about?

A. Why gift cards are popular in the US.B. Different kinds of gift cards.

C. Where to buy gift cards.D. How to use gift cards.

【3】What message does a gift card send according to the writer?

A. I care about you.B. I know you like the gift cards.

C. I couldn’t find the right gift for you.D. I didn’t have time to buy you a real gift.

【4】Which of the following is the writer's opinion?

A. It's easy for people to lose gift cards.B. Gift cards are better than real gifts.

C. Gift cards help people save money.D. Real gifts can bring people closer.

One day the mother eagle said to her babies, “Come to the edge of the nest.” The three babies moved slowly and looked down, being afraid to go too far near the edge. “We are afraid,” they replied as they hid under the safety of their mother’s comfortable wings. “Come here,” she encouraged, “I’ll help you.” They came and with a loving and watchful eye, the mother eagle gently pushed the young babies out of their nest. And being brave, the babies flew up and began their colorful life.

Just as an eagle flies far above the mountains and farms, higher and higher into the blue sky, you can go on your own journey and you are more independent. Then a whole, new, clear, great life lies before you.

In our journey through life, like the baby eagles, we hope to have new, exciting experiences and a meaningful future. So be brave, independent and take a step out of your comfortable home, and you will know where you want to go tomorrow.

根据短文内容，选择最佳答案。

【1】A mother eagle and her three babies live in ______.

A. the mountain B. the water C. the house D. the street

【2】The underlined word “nest” means _______.

A. 房间 B. 帐篷 C. 树 D. 巢

【3】The mother eagle asked her babies to go to the edge of the nest to _______.

A. let them look at the blue sky B. let them fly in the air

C. teach them how to find food D. see how brave they are

【4】The mother eagle pushed the young babies out of their nest to _____.

A. make them angry B. show her deep love to the babies

C. let them begin their colorful life D. let them know the danger outside

【5】From the passage, we know we should ________.

A. learn from others B. help each other to get more success

C. have a meaningful past D. be brave and independent

When I ________ his house, I knocked on the door and he told me to come in. I noticed a wheelchair(轮椅). I thought that it might have been ________ for him to lower his body and __________ my wallet. I thanked him for finding my wallet. I ________asked him if there was _________I could do to repay his kindness, and he said, “ Just pass it on.” I said I would be ________to do that. 10 years later, I found a ________lying on the ground. It took me several days to find the ______. He lived in another state, about 60 miles away from where I found the wallet. When he called me back, we _________to meet, so I could return his wallet. When he saw all his money was still in the wallet, he was very ________. He tried to hand me a $50 bill. I told him “Thanks, but just pass it on.”

【1】A. called B. rang C. answered D. started

【2】A. knew B. understood C. asked D. replied

【3】A. terrible B. true C. nice D. common

【4】A. cover B. refuse C. tell D. teach

【5】A. where B. why C. whether D. who

【6】A. reached B. opened C. closed D. made

【7】A. pleasant B. easy C. hard D. enjoyable

【8】A. give up B. pick up C. hang out D. come out

【9】A. also B. still C. perhaps D. almost

【10】A. some things B. anything C. nothing D. everything

【11】A. glad B. sad C. nervous D. careful

【12】A. wallet B. card C. cell phone D. letter

【13】A. policeman B. boss C. owner D. teacher

【14】A. said B. agreed C. supposed D. asked

【15】A. surprised B. worried C. upset D. tired

Stay close with your old friends but don’t be afraid to make new ones. Meeting just one new person can lead you to many more friends and fun times. 【1】. It may work better than you think.

Join a team or a club. 【2】. You may want to try a club or sport that you’ve never tried before, and you may find that you really like it. But if you don’t like it, try another group, as there are many around to choose from.

【3】. Confidence attracts people and if you stay confident about yourself, you’ll soon have many friends to be around. Don’t be afraid to go up to someone and introduce yourself.

Be yourself.【4】. People may like the fake(不真实的) side of you at first, but they’ll soon discover it is all an act and then you’ll lose many friends you really like.

Get a makeover(改变形象).【5】. Show your personal advantages.

A. Don’t be shy to meet new people.

B. Become confident and outgoing.

C. If you want a change, consider a new haircut or new clothes.

D. You will meet people with similar interests as yours.

E. Acting like someone you’re not will only get you in trouble later on.

A. Don’t be shy to meet new people.

B. Become confident and outgoing.

C. If you want a change, consider a new haircut or new clothes.

D. You will meet people with similar interests as yours.

E. Acting like someone you’re not will only get you in trouble later on.

(Eric and his father are in the museum.)

Eric: Wow, there are so many beautiful things on display.

Father: Yes, they are all Chinese traditional arts.

Eric: Look at the sky lanterns. 【1】

Father: They were used for asking for help when in trouble.

Eric:【2】

Father: They are used for celebrating festivals.

Eric: Yeah! They look really beautiful. 【3】

Father: They are made of bamboo and covered with paper.

Eric:【4】

Father: When the lanterns are lit, they slowly rise into the sky, and they are seen as a bright symbol of happiness.

Eric: Sounds very interesting.【5】

Father: Of course you can.

A. What are they used for today?

B. How can we use them?

C. What were they used for?

D. I hope I can make one some day.

E. What are they made of?

F. It is used to keep warm

【1】Thank you for your ________(help) suggestions.

【2】As students, we should avoid ______ (be)late for school.

【3】It's autumn now. The ______ (leaf) of the trees are turning yellow.

【4】The new technology is __________ (wide) used in our daily life these days.

【5】The beaches in winter are ________ (crowded) because it's cold.

-______ .I may go to the USA with my mother.

A. Forget it B. It depends C. It doesn't matter D. Don't mention it

A. take after B. take off C. take place D. take away

- I don't think so. You can ask more ______ by using “could” instead of “can”.

A. polite; politely B. politely; polite C. politely; politely D. polite; polite