Vincent Van Gogh was not always an artist. In fact, he wanted to be a church minister and was even sent to the Belgian mining community of Borinage in 1879. He discovered that the miners there endured terrible working conditions and poverty-level wages. Their families were skin-and-bone and struggled simply to survive. He felt concerned that the small pay he received from the church allowed him a reasonable lifestyle, which, in contrast, seemed to him unfair.

One cold February evening, while he watched the miners trudging home, he spotted an old man staggering toward him across the fields, wrapped in a burlap(粗麻布) bag for warmth. Van Gogh laid his own clothing out on the bed, set aside enough for one change, and decided to give the rest away. He gave the old man a suit of clothes and he gave his overcoat to a pregnant woman whose husband had been killed in a cave-in.

He lived on starvation food and spent his salary on food for the miners. When children in one family caught typhoid fever, though feverish himself, he packed up his bed and took it to them.

A wealthy family in the community offered him free room and board, Van Gogh declined the offer, stating that it was the final temptation (诱惑) he must reject if he was to faithfully serve his community of poor miners. He believed that if he wanted them to trust him, he must become one of them. And if they were to learn of the love of God through him, he must love them enough to share with them.

He was acutely aware of the big difference between words and actions. He knew that our lives always speak louder and clearer than our words. Maybe that is why Francis of Assisi often said to his monks, “Wherever you go, preach(讲道). Use words if necessary.”

Others are “listening” carefully to your actions. What are you saying to them?

1. We can infer form the passage ____________.

A. our lives always speak louder and clearer than our words

B. the miners there worked under excellent working conditions

C. the ministers lived a much better and easier life than the miners at the time

D. Van Gogh himself offered to work in the Belgian mining community of Borinage in 1879.

2. What does the underlined word “trudging” in the second paragraph mean?

A. Moving very quickly              B. Moving with quick light steps

C. Walking slowly for pleasure.         D. Walking with slow heavy steps.

3. According to the passage, which of the following words can best describe Van Gogh?

A. Ambitious and aggressive.          B. Considerate and sympathetic

C. Greedy and selfish.                D. Determined and grateful

4. What does the last paragraph want to tell us?

A. Use words if necessary             B. Actions speak louder than words

C. Rome was not built in a day.         D. Where there is a will there is a way.

Many people influenced various aspects of my life, based on their personal characteristics, accomplishments (才艺）, and values. I have been fortunate to have had numerous teachers and professors who I respect for their patience and intelligence. There are artists that have inspired me by their natural talents and original creativity. I value many political leaders, who have inspired me by their contributions to society, and their ability to change our future. But of all the people I have known in my life, the person I admire most is my father.

As the youngest girl in my family, I always considered myself to be “Daddy’s little girl.” While growing up, it always made me sad to see so many of my friends and neighbours without a father or father-like figure around. This helped me appreciate how my father always takes an interest in his children’s lives. In my early life my father continuously pushes me to excel, so I could accomplish my work outstandingly among my people. Whenever I feel like giving up, or having a question or a concern, I know I can always call on him for advice. From him I have also learned that sometimes you have to put others’ needs ahead of your own, but not to the point they will begin to take advantage of you. His strength seems to be unbreakable during hard times, and he is extremely determined to accomplish anything he sets his mind on, no matter how tiny it is. I highly respect him for how he stands up for what he believes in, and will never back down. I have always admired his open mind, enthusiasm for work and people around, and sense of understanding. He is a very reserved man, but to everybody’s surprise, he has a great sense of humor, and always knows how to put a smile on the faces of his wife, his children and his friends.

Living in his affection and instruction, I am very proud of my father. He also professes how proud he is of his children, and is still there to support us in whatever we are involved in.

What is the best title for the passage?

A. How my father loved me as “Daddy’s little girl”.

B. My father – the person I admire most.

C. I am the apple on my father’s palm.

D. My father – the person who loved me most.

Which of the following could NOT be used to describe the writer’s father?

A. Considerate and humourous.          B. Affectionate and open-minded.

C. Energetic and helpful.                D. Knowledgeable and sociable.

Which of the following can best explain the underlined word “excel” in Paragraph 2?

A. Be more powerful than others.        B. Be richer than others.

C. Do better than others.               D. Be more charming than others.

By saying “you have to put others’ needs ahead of your own, but not to the point they will begin to take advantage of you” in Paragraph 2, the father was telling the writer to ______.

A. think for others and help them, but not to be made use of in negative ways

B. think for others and help them, so that you can make use of them to serve you

C. try to make use of those who want to do so to you

D. try to be good to those who are worth making friends with

What can we infer about the writer? 

A. She appreciated her father because he solved all the problems for her.

B. She was outstanding in work because her father pushed her too hard.

C. She considered her father silly and often laughed at him.

D. She has a strong sense of sympathy towards other people.

She had been shopping with her Mom in Wal-Mart. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful brown haired, freckle-faced image of innocence. Outside, it was pouring so heavily.

We all stood there just inside the door of the Wal-Mart. We waited, some patiently, others annoyed because nature messed up their hurried day. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world.

Her voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance (昏昏欲睡) we were all caught in. “Mom, let’s run through the rain,” she said.

“ No, honey. We’ll wait until it slows down a bit.” Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute and repeated, “Mom, let’s run through the rain. ”

“We’ll get soaked if we do,” Mom said.

“ No, we won’t, Mom. That’s not what you said this morning,”  the young girl said as she tore at her Mom’s arm.

“This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?”

“Don’t you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!”

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I dare say you couldn’t hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say.

Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child’s lifetime when innocent trust can be developed so that it will bloom into faith. “Honey , you are absolutely right. Let’s run through the rain. If get wet, well maybe we just need washing.” Mom said. Then off they ran.

We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they rushed past the cars and they held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, l did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

You may lose your material possessions, your money and even your health, but no one can ever take away your precious memories. So don’t forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories.

1. Which of the following is the closest in meaning to the underlined word “affirmation”?

A．happiness         B．love              C．disagreement      D．approval

2. What do we know about the mother in the story?

A．Her husband was cured of his cancer.

B．She was strong-willed and considerate.

C．She was in despair and pretended to forget what she said.

D．Her daughter completely understood the situation her family was in.

3. Which of the following may the author agree with?

A．The mother should not tell her child about the family misfortune.

B．Parents should act more bravely than their children.

C．Parents should grasp every opportunity to influence their children to grow well.

D．Children should learn to show gratitude and understanding to their parents.

4. The best title for the passage might be _______.

A．Be a Determined Mother                 B．Wait in the Rain

C．Have a wonderful experience              D．Run Through the Rain

My first most vivid and broad impression of the identity of things seems to me to have been gained on a memorable raw afternoon towards evening near my parents’ tomb in the churchyard.

    “Hold your noise!” came a terrible voice, as a man started up from among the tombs at the side of the church. “Keep still, you little devil(小鬼), or I’ll cut your throat!”

     A fearful man, all in coarse grey, with a great iron on his leg. A man with no hat, and with broken shoes, and with an old rag tied round his head. He seized me by the chin(下巴).

    “Tell us your name!” said the man. “Quick!”

    “Pip, sir.”

    “Show us where you live,” said the man. “Point out the place!”

    I pointed to where our village lay, on the flat in-shore among the alder-trees and pollards, a mile or more from the church.

    The man, after looking at me for a moment, turned me upside down, and emptied my pockets. There was nothing in them but a piece of bread.

    “You young dog,” said the man, licking his lips, “what fat cheeks you ha’ got. Darn me if I couldn’t eat em, and if I han’t half a mind to’t!”

I earnestly expressed my hope that he wouldn’t, and held tighter to the tombstone on which he had put me; partly, to keep myself upon it; partly, to keep myself from crying.

“Now then lookee here!” said the man. “Where’s your mother?”

“There, sir!” said I.

He started, made a short run, and stopped and looked over his shoulder.

“There, sir!” I timidly explained, pointed to the tombstone. “That’s my mother.”

“Oh!” said he, coming back. “And is that your father alonger your mother?”

Chinese politeness have always been formal to follow strict rules, although sometimes Chinese people seem to be impolite according to Western standards in public places. To well understand Chinese, some concepts should not be ignored.

Mianzi

The idea of shame, usually expressed as 'face' could be loosely defined as the 'status' or 'self-respect' in Chinese and by no means alien to foreigners. It is the worst thing for a Chinese to lose face. Never insult, embarrass, shame, yell at or otherwise demean a person. Since all these actions would risk putting a Chinese in a situation that he might lose face, neither try to prove someone wrong nor shout at him in public. In order to get a successful effect without letting a Chinese lose face, any criticism should be delivered privately, carefully, or else, just opposite to what you wish.

Guanxi

Throughout much of Chinese history, the fundamental glue that has held society together is the concept of guanxi, relationships between people. It is very important for the Chinese to have good relationships. They often regard good social relations as a symbol of personal ability and influence. Someone who has no connections would be disrespected and is only half-Chinese.

Keqi

Keqi not only means considerate, polite, and well mannered, but also represents respect and modesty. It is impolite to talk too proudly about oneself or one's inner circle. The expression is most often used in the negative, as in buyao keqi, meaning "you shouldn't be so kind and polite to me," or "you're welcome."

Besides, Chinese seldom express what they think directly and they prefer a roundabout way. Neither show their emotions and feelings in public. They rarely greet people with a handshake, though it is very popular among foreigners, and say nothing of embracing or kissing when greeting or saying good-bye. Consequently, it is better not to behave too carefree in public, even though you are well-intentioned. Also, it is advisable to be fairly cautious in political discussions. Do not particularly push yourself forward, or else you are unwelcome.

To sum up, do in Rome as Rome does, but you need not worry about these cultural barriers since most Chinese are hospitable and friendly and will not mind your no accomplishment.

In most Chinese’s eyes, the fundamental glue holding society together is the idea of ____.

A. relationships between people             B. influences upon others

C. dependence on others                 D. kindness to others

The underlined word “demean” in the first paragraph means make people _____.

A. respectful           B. happy            C. shameful        D. weak

Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?

A. It is impolite to insult, embarrass, shame or shout at a person.        

B. It is polite that you should bring gifts to others when invited to dinner.

C. It is necessary to show your character of being considerate, polite, and well mannered.     

D. It is important for the Chinese to have good relationships between people.

Which of the following proverbs has the same meaning as the underlined sentence “Do in Rome as Rome does.”?

A. Caution is the parent of safety.        B. Many hands make light work.

C. There’s no smoke without fire.          D. If you are elsewhere, live as they do there.