So many section mangers ________, the board meeting had to be put off until the next week.

A．were absent.              B．to be absent     C．had been absent    D．being absent

They sold their car for only 3,000 dollars, so the buyer got a wonderful ________.

A．deal                      B．price             C．bonus               D．value

________ the kids had when they experienced the first snow-fall just before the New Year!

A．How fun                  B．What fun        C．How funny          D．What a fun

-- Helen has been working at a local language school for 3 years.

-- ________ she is so familiar with the city.

A．No doubt                 B．No wonder      C．Now that            D．As a result

Most teachers believe language acquisition is a process ________ skills are more important than grammar rules.

A．on which                 B．whose          C．what                D．in which

A strong-willed person may ________ the targets he or she set for themselves whatever they are.

A．obtain                       B．complete        C．concentrate        D．reach

Since the outline has been made, let's ________ the details.

A．look up to                    B．put up with   C．get down to        D．come up with

-- Could we finish the project according to the schedule?

--I doubt that. The problem remains ________ we can get financial aid within this week.

A．that                          B．how             C．why                D．when

       Often, your mind is challenged by a flood of pop culture messages, .peer pressure, and overscheduled lives that leave little time for good reflection. So, it's easy to forget that learning values and character at homo is as important as any schoolwork or after-school activity.

       In the real world of jobs and career, people are judged by two standards: their professional skills and their personal personalities. While grade school, high school, and college can teach skills and proficiency (熟练), it's up to parents to teach children the qualifies that make for success in the real world -- diligence, a cooperative attitude, creativity, optimism, and honesty. Schools -- particularly colleges -- don't focus on these issues. That's the job of the parents, so take the responsibility seriously. Send your kids into the world ready to handle not only the tasks of life but also its barriers, social obstacles, and disappointments with skill and character.

       Children need personal reliability and morals as much as any adult. Bullies will always be around, tasks won't always be assigned fairly, the good guys won't always win, and money won't always be in plenty supply. Exposing children to the rough realities of life isn't cruel; giving them that experience and coaching them through it is part and parcel of raising kids to have courage, flexibility, and honor.

       You really can't start too soon. After all, if you don't guide and shape your children, who will?

1．The underlined word "reflection" in the 1st paragraph is of the similar meaning to the one used in  __________

      A．We could see the reflection of clouds on the water

      B．Anna stared at her reflection in the mirror carefully

      C．After a period of reflection, Andrew decided to leave

      D．Your choice of clothes is a reflection of your personality

2．School systems usually center on __________.

      A．professional capacities                      B．personal personalities

      C．sense of responsibility                     D．standards of proficiency

3．We can infer that __________.

      A．parents should take the duty to handle the tasks of their children

      B．children's personal reliability and morals are the same as any adult's

      C．children should be educated to be well prepared for the real world

      D．parents should not guide and shape their children at home too soon

4．The passage is particularly intended for _________.

      A．school students                             B．parents            

       C．social workers                               D．educators

       Everywhere I go, people are speaking on their cell telephones regardless of their surroundings. This occurs when people are walking around a lake or through town, or even driving. I have even seen a person attempting to speak on her cell phone while ordering ice cream at Dairy Queen, thus speaking to two people at once.

       As the over-spending of technology increases, people begin to take less joy in the simple pleasures of life-joys that don' t cost money -- from observing clouds, playing with children to thinking or reading. And it is not just telephones that 'claim the responsibility; too much value is placed on items from computers to automobiles. Many things are purchased merely to show off. Do you really need a cell phone that plays games, shows movies and takes pictures? No, cell phones should be purchased rouse in urgent situations. You do not need to use your telephone when you are at someone else's house or in a restaurant.

       Technology and possessions do not bring joy. While some technology is necessary, it can get ridiculous. Each possession just makes us want more, while simple pleasures can be enjoyed now and then.

       Instead of spending our time buying a third television or looking into the newest cell phone models, we should be acting more productively to improve the world by volunteering, for example. Or, we should reconsider playing computer games or taking pictures on our cell phones and read a book or imagine what shapes the clouds are in the sky instead.

1．The author mentions cell phones at the beginning just to show _________.

      A．they can be used on any occasion        B．people manage to speak to two at a time

      C．they can put drivers in great danger     D．people are keen on personal items

2．People have less joy of simple life nowadays mainly because they _________.

      A．focus on technology and their belongings

       B．use cell phones in less urgent situations

      C．buy private cars just to show off        

       D．place too much value on computers

3．We can infer that ________.

       A．people have no time-playing with their children

       B．we can take pleasure in costless joy anytime

      C．people always desire more possessions                                    

       D．we depend on volunteers to develop the world

4．According to the passage, the author holds a ______ attitude towards material demands.

      A．prejudiced           B．sensible          C．reasonable           D．critical