Last week my youngest son and I visited my father at his new home in Tucson, Arizona. He moved there a few years ago, and I was eager to see his new place and meet his friends.
My earliest memories of my father are a tall, handsome, successful man devoted to his work and his family, but uncomfortable with his children. As a child I loved him; as a school girl and young adult I feared him and felt bitter（痛苦的） about him. He seemed unhappy with me unless I got straight A’s and unhappy with my boyfriends if their fathers were not as “successful” as he was. Whenever I went out with him on weekends, I used to struggle to think up things to say, feeling on guard.
On the first day of my visit, we went out with one of my father’s friends for lunch at an outdoor café. We talked along that afternoon, did some shopping, ate on the street table, and laughed over my son’s funny facial expressions. Gone was my father’s critical (挑剔的) air and strict rules. Who was this person I knew as my father, who seemed so friendly and interesting to be around? What had held him back before?
The next day dad pulled out his childhood pictures and told me quite a few stories about his own childhood. Although our times together became easier over the years, I never felt closer to him at that moment. After so many years, I’m at last seeing another side of my father. And in so doing, I’m delighted with my new friend. My dad, in his new home in Arizona, is back to me from where he was.
【小题1】Why did the author feel bitter about her father as a young adult?

A．He was silent most of the time.	B．He was too proud of himself.
C．He did not love his children.	D．He expected too much of her.

【小题2】When the author went out with her father on weekend, she would feel         .

A．nervous

B．sorry

C．tired

D．safe

【小题3】What does the author think of her father after her visit to Tucson?

A．More critical.	B．More talkative
C．Gentle and friendly.	D．Strict and hard-working.

【小题4】The underlined words “my new friend” in the last paragraph refer to         .

A．the author’s son	B．the author’s father
C．the friend of the author’s father	D．the café owner

There is a wonderful story about a young girl who had no family and no one to love her.
One day, feeling very sad and lonely, she was walking through a grassland when she noticed a small butterfly（蝴蝶） caught in a thorn（荆棘）bush. The young girl carefully released the butterfly. Instead of flying away, the little butterfly changed into a beautiful fairy（仙女）. The young girl rubbed her eyes in disbelief.
“For your wonderful kindness,” the good fairy said to the girl, “I will give you any wish you would like.” The little girl thought for a moment and then replied, “I want to be happy.”
The fairy leaned（倾斜） toward her and whispered（耳语）in her ear. Then the fairy disappeared.
As the little girl grew up, there was no one in the land as happy as she. Everyone asked her secret of happiness. She would only smile and answer, “The secret of my happiness is that I listened to a good fairy when I was a little girl.”
When she was very old and on her deathbed, the neighbors all gathered around her, afraid that her unbelievable secret of happiness would die with her. “Tell us, please,” they begged, “Tell us what the good fairy said.” The lovely old woman simply smiled and said, “She told me that everyone, no matter how secure（安全的）they seemed, no matter how old or young, how rich or poor, had need of me.”
【小题1】Noticing the butterfly was caught by the thorn, the orphan（孤儿） girl     .

A．felt sorrow, but she didn’t help it	B．failed to help it release from the thorn
C．fell down on it too	D．helped the butterfly escape from the thorn

【小题2】The butterfly     after being saved by the little girl.

A．flied away	B．was more beautiful than before
C．changed into a fairy	D．still died

【小题3】The only thing that the little girl wanted was       .

A．wealth

B．parents

C．happiness

D．friends

【小题4】The neighbors all gathered around the old happy woman when she was dying, because      .

A．they loved this woman deeply and they didn’t want her to die

B．the woman had lots of money to be shared as soon as she died

C．they wanted to pray for her after her death

D．they wanted to know the secret of her lifetime happiness

Robby was 11 when his mother dropped him off for his first piano lesson. I prefer students begin at an earlier age. Robby insisted that it had always been his mother’s dream to hear him play the piano, so I took him in as a student.
Robby tried and tried while I listened and encouraged him and gave him more instructions (指导). But he just did not have any inborn ability.
I only saw his mother from a distance. She always waved and smiled but never came in. Then one day Robby stopped coming to our lessons. I thought about calling him but I guessed he had decided to try something else.
I was also glad that he stopped coming for the sake of my career. However, several weeks before the recital (演奏会) of my students, Robby came，telling me that he never stopped practicing and begged me to allow him to take part. I agreed but I made him perform last in the program, so I could always save his poor performance through my “curtain closer”.
I was surprised when he announced that he had chosen one piece of Mozart’s. Never had I heard a piece of Mozart’s played so well by someone at his age. When he finished, everyone was cheering.
I ran up and put my arms around Robby in joy. “I’ve never heard you play like that, Robby!  How’d you do it?”
“Well, Miss Hondorf. Do you remember I told you my mom was sick? Actually she died this morning. She was born deaf so tonight was the first time she could hear me play. I wanted to make it special. I knew I could.”  That night, Robby was the teacher and I was the student. He taught me so many important things about life.
【小题1】Why did Robby stop coming to the piano lessons suddenly?

A．He lost heart and believed that he would never make it.

B．His mother was too sick to send him to the piano lessons.

C．He thought his teacher disliked him.

D．His mother died and he didn’t need to play any longer.

【小题2】 Which statement is NOT true according to the passage?

A．The writer thought playing the piano shouldn’t start too late.

B．The writer thought that Robby had given up the piano lesson.

C．The writer taught Robby carefully although he hadn’t a gift for music.

D．No one else could play the piece of Mozart’s well.

【小题3】 From the underline sentenced we can infer that __________.

A．the writer looked down upon Robby and disliked him

B．the writer thought Robby a bad advertisement for his teaching

C．with Robby present, the other children couldn’t play well

D．the writer couldn’t teach so many students at a time

【小题4】 What did the writer learn from Robby?

A．The meaning of true love.

B．The meaning of giving up necessarily.

C．The meaning of being kind to teachers.

D．The meaning of believing in teachers.

The house was quiet at 5 am and Tim’s mother was asleep. Only the sound of the big freezer broke the quiet. He’d dreamt of the cave last night. The purring（轻微颤动声）of the freezer had been the sea.                                         
Tim pulled on a sweater and put some apples into his schoolbag. It was too early for breakfast. He’d eat after he’d been through the cave, sitting on the rocks and staring at the sea.
He wished he had a proper pack. His schoolbag would have to do. What else? Sandwiches—but his mother might wake up if he started pulling out bread for sandwiches. She’d want to know why he had to leave so early. He settled for some biscuits, and left a note stuck to the table:
Gone to Michael’s. Back tonight, Tim.
The sky was high and soft and light outside, though the sun still wasn’t up. Even the highway up the hill was quiet as he made his way down the street. The wind from the sea was fresh and sweet.
The sand hills still breathed heat from yesterday’s sun, though the top of the sand was cool. He ran down to the beach impatiently, but there was no one, just dry sand dancing in the early wind and seabirds marching up and down watching the waves.
The light changed suddenly. The first rays of sunlight stretched (延伸) across the sea. The sun was pushing its way over the edge of the world.
Over the first rocks, along to the point, Tim glanced back. The beach was still empty. The sun sailed higher in the sky.
He could see the cave now, even darker in the morning light. The sand turned silver then dark gold as the water flowed away from it. He had to force himself to go closer. Why was it so much more mysterious now? But it would be silly to go back now after so much trouble. He needn’t go in all the way...
【小题1】What did Tim do at the beginning of the story?

A．He left the house quietly.	B．He had breakfast at home.
C．He left a note on the freezer.	D．He put a sweater in his schoolbag.

【小题2】“He settled for some biscuits” means that Tim_______.

A．had to leave the biscuits on the table

B．liked biscuits better than sandwiches

C．had to take biscuits instead of sandwiches

D．could only find some biscuits in the kitchen

【小题3】What made it possible for Tim to see the entry to the cave?

A．The height of the first rocks.	B．The ups and downs of the waves.
C．The change in the position of the sun.	D．The vast stretch of the sunlit beach.

【小题4】Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the story?

A．The sea looked like a piece of gold.

B．Seabirds flew away when Tim arrived.

C．Tim was the only person on the beach.

D．The sky got dark as Tim reached the cave.

【小题5】In the story, Tim’s mood changed from_______.

A．loneliness to craziness	B．anxiousness to excitement
C．helplessness to happiness	D．eagerness to nervousness

For years I wanted a flower garden．But then we had Matthew．And Marvin．And the twins, Alisa and Alan．And then Helen．Five children．I was too busy raising them to grow a garden．
Money was tight, as well as time．Often when my children were little, one of them would want something that cost too much, and I' d have to say, “Do you see a money tree outside? Money doesn't grow on trees, you now．”
Finally, all five got through high school and college and were off on their own．
One spring morning, on Mother's Day, I was working in my kitchen．Suddenly, I realized that cars were tooting their horns as they drove by．I looked out the window and there was a new tree, planted right in my yard．I thought it must be a weeping willow, because I saw things blowing around on all its branches．Then I put my glasses on－and I couldn't believe what I saw．
There was a money tree in my yard!
I went outside to look．It was true! There were dollar bills, one hundred of them, taped all over that tree．Think of' all the garden flowers I could buy with one hundred dollars! There was also a note attached: ‘‘IOU eight hours of digging time．Love, Marvin．"
Marvin kept his promise, too．He dug up a nice ten－by－fifteen foot bed for me And my other children bought me tools, ornaments , a trellis（格架）, a sunflower stepping stone and gardening books．
That was three years ago．My garden's now very pretty, just like I wanted．When I go out and tend my flowers, I don't seem to miss my children as much as I once did．I feel like they're right there with me．
I'm still not sure that money grows on trees．But I know love does!
【小题1】Why did the mother say "Money doesn't grow on trees"?       .

A．She wanted them not to spend extra money

B．She was too sad to say anything else

C．She told them a truth on money

D．she just played a joke with them

【小题2】What do we know about the mother according to the text?       ．

A．She is a bad-tempered woman

B．She believes money can grow on a tree now

C．She is a writer

D．She is hard-working in housekeeping

【小题3】What can be inferred from the text?      ．

A．The author raised five children

B．The money tree was a Mother Day's gift

C．It cost Marvin eight hours to dug up the bed

D．Children planted a weeping willow in the yard

【小题4】Which of the following would be the best title for the text?  ___    ．

A．My Money Tree	B．The Garden of My Children
C．Mother's Love	D．Marvin's Promise

Bill Gates was born on October 28th, 1955. He and his two sisters grew up in Seattle. Their father, William H. Gates II, was a Seattle lawyer. Mary Gates, their late mother, was a school teacher.
Gates attended public elementary school before moving on to the private Lakeside School in North Seattle. It was at Lakeside that Gates began his career in personal computer soft  ware, programming computers at age 13.
In 1973, Gates entered Harvard University as a freshman, where he lived down the hall from Steve Ballmer, who is now Microsoft's president. While at Harvard, Gates developed a version (版本) of the programming language BASIC for the first microcomputer---the MITS Astair. In his junior year, Gates dropped out of Harvard to devote his energies full-time to Microsoft, a company he had started in 1975 with his boyhood friend Paul Allen. Guided by a belief that the personal computer would be a valuable tool on every office desk-top and in every home, they began developing software for personal computers.
Gates' foresight has led to the success of Microsoft and the software industry. He plays an important role in the technical development of new products. Much of his time is devoted to meeting with customers and staying in touch with Microsoft employees around the world through e-mail.
In the dozen years since Microsoft went public, Gates has donated more than $ 800 million to charities, including $ 200 million to the Gates Library Foundation to help libraries in North America make use of new technologies and the Information Age.
【小题1】Where did Bill Gates begin his career in personal computer software?

A．At public elementary school.	B．At the private Lakeside School.
C．At Harvard University.	D．At Microsoft Company.

【小题2】Why did he drop out of Harvard?

A．To change school.	B．To spend all his energies to Microsoft.
C．To find a full-time job.	D．To earn money.

【小题3】How does Gates spend much of his time?

A．Meeting with people.

B．Travelling around the world.

C．E-mailing some friends.

D．Meeting with customers and e-mailing Microsoft employees.

【小题4】What does the underlined word “donated” in the last paragraph mean?

A．gave.

B．earned.

C．made.

D．received.

It was a winter morning, just a couple of weeks before Christmas 2005. While most people were warming up their ears, Trevor, my husband, had to get up early to ride his bike four kilometers away from home to work. On arrival, he parked his bike outside the back door as he usually does. After putting in 10 hours of labor, he returned to find his bike gone.
The bike, a black Kona 18 speed, was our only transport. Trevor used it to get to work, putting in 60-hour weeks to support his young family. And the bike was also used to get groceries (食品杂货) saving us from having to walk long distances from where we live.
I was so sad that someone would steal our bike that I wrote to the newspaper and told them our story. Shortly after that，several people in our area offered to help. One wonderful stranger even bought a bike, then called my husband to pick it up. Once again my husband had a way to get to and from his job. It really is an honor that a complete stranger would go out of their way for someone they have never met before.
People say that a smile can be passed from one person to another, but acts of kindness from strangers are even more so. This experience has had a spreading effect in our lives because it strengthened our faith in humanity (人性) as a whole. And it has influenced (影响) us to be more mindful of ways we, too, can share with others. No matter how or how small, an act of kindness shows that someone cares. And the results can be everlasting.
【小题1】Why was the bike so important to the couple?

A．The man’s job was bike racing.	B．It was their only possession.
C．It was a nice Kona 18 speed.	D．They used it for work and daily life

【小题2】We can infer from the text that ________

A．The couple worked 60 hours a week	B．people were busy before Christmas
C．the stranger brought over the bike	D．life was hard for the young family

【小题3】How did people get to know the couple’s problem?

A．From radio broadcasts.	B．From a newspaper.
C．From TV news.	D．From a stranger.

【小题4】What do the couple learn from their experience?

A．Strangers are usually of little help.	B．One should take care of their bike.
C．News reports make people famous.	D．An act of kindness can mean a lot.

The meaning of the word “volunteer ” may be a little different in different countries, but it usually means “one who offers his or her services.” There are many different ways in which people can volunteer, such as taking care of sick people, working in homes for homeless children, and picking up garbage(垃圾) from beaches and parks. Volunteers may work within their own countries or in other countries. They are often people with a strong wish to help those who are less fortunate than themselves. Volunteers don’t expect any kind of pay.
At the root of volunteering is the idea that one person may have the ability to offer services that can help other people. Tracy, a good friend of mine, however, recently came back from India with a new idea of what being a volunteer means. She worked for two and a half weeks in one of Mother Teresa’s homes in Calcutta. The following is her story.
“I first heard about Mother Teresa in my high school, we watched a video(录像) about her work in India and all over the world. I was so moved by her spirit to help others and her endless love for every human being that after I graduated from high school, I too wanted to try her kind of work. So with two friends I flew to Calcutta for a few weeks.”
“I was asked to work in a home for sick people. I helped wash clothes and sheets, and pass out lunch. I also fed the people who were too weak to feed themselves and tried to cheer them up. I felt it was better to share with them than to think that I have helped them. To be honest, I don’t think I was helping very much. It was then that I realized that I had not really come to help, but to learn about and experience another culture(文化) that helped improve my own understanding of life and the world.”
【小题1】According to the text, a volunteer refers to a person who ______.

A．is willing to help those in need without pay

B．can afford to travel to different places

C．has a strong wish to be successful

D．has made a big fortune in life

【小题2】Tracy started her work as a volunteer _______.

A．after she met Mother Teresa	B．after she finished high school
C．when she was touring Calcutta	D．when she was working in a hospital

【小题3】Why did Tracy choose to be a volunteer?

A．She liked to work with Mother Teresa.

B．She had already had some experience.

C．She was asked by Mother Teresa’s example.

D．She wanted to follow Mother Teresa’s example.

【小题4】What is Tracy’s “new idea” (Paragraph 2) of being a volunteer?

A．Going abroad to help the sick.

B．Working in Mother Teresa’s home.

C．Doing simple things to help the poor.

D．Improving oneself through helping others.

Most people who live in Seattle, Washington, love their city. There is a never-ending flow of fun things to do. But, people who live there do not always enjoy the day-after-day absence of sunshine during the winter months.
It is documented fact that sunshine (or lack of it) plays a major role in how each of us meets the day. It also affects how we perform at school or work. When people are derived of sunlight, they can develop seasonal affective disorder, which makes it difficult for them to feel happy or get things accomplished. No major city in the United States is more affected by the “sunshine factor” than Seattle.
To fight drizzle and fog during the winter months, Steve Murphy created a business that is very popular among the locals. The Indoor Sun Shoppe is more than a little ray of sunshine during the gray days of Seattle’s winter. His shop offers a huge source of plants and artificial lighting for people who are trying to overcome seasonal affective disorder.
Located in Fremont, Washington, The Indoor Sun Shoppe has an amazing collection of exotic plants and “good bugs” in a humid and well-lit environment. At The Indoor Sun Shoppe, you can spend up to $400 for artificial lighting that will chase away the winter blues. It will also keep your plants healthy. You can buy a dawn simulator that will gradually fill your room with a warming wake-up glow. What better way to meet a Seattle morning when real sunshine is nothing more than a happy thought!
Murphy’s in-home waterfalls are also popular with customers. But his plants and lights remain the “main course.” On a cloudy winter day, The Indoor Sun Shoppe is a bright spot in Seattle!
【小题1】Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE according to the passage?

A．Seattle is located in the state of Washington.

B．Citizens love Seattle for their colorful city lives.

C．Sunshine in Seattle is rare during the winter months.

D．People who live in Seattle are used to the sunshine absence.

【小题2】Which of the following best defines the term seasonal affective disorder in Para.2?

A．mild temperature and a general feeling of illness caused by gray winter

B．exhaustion, depression and lack of energy caused by a lack of sunlight

C．winter-related illness caused by the low temperature and little sunlight

D．post-holiday depression that comes when relatives leave after Christmas

【小题3】The Indoor Sun Shoppe _____.

A．attracts people from different parts of the whole country

B．aims to create a humid and well-lit environment during winter months

C．brings only a little ray of sunshine during the gray days of Seattle’s winter

D．offers variety of goods helping people overcome seasonal affective disorder

【小题4】Which of the following best explains the use of a dawn simulator?

A．An alarm clock stimulated by the light rays of early morning.

B．A bringer of indoor artificial sunshine when there is none outside.

C．An automatic waterfall system helping make indoor plants healthy.

D．A better way to meet a Seattle morning with real warming sunshine.

Once you’ve tasted the joy and freedom of an all-access backstage pass, sitting in the balcony（楼厅） far from the stage has little attraction. In March of 2008, I had the opportunity to tour with a band. The experience was eye-opening.
I hadn’t realized how many misconceptions I had about the lifestyle of a world-class musician. Such a life is not as great as it appears. In fact, some aspects are extremely tedious. Hours and hours are spent waiting. The musicians wait for their transportation; they wait for the sound check; they wait to perform. After the show, they wait for the crowds of fans to go away.
When the musicians are not waiting, they are traveling. Sometimes the travel itself can seem attractive and exciting, with the limousines（豪华轿车） and the first-class seats on the plane. However, even these luxuries cannot make up for long, boring hours on the road or in the air. Basic needs are all but ignored. Late-night shows and early wake-up calls make them know the preciousness of sleep. The demanding travel itineraries（行程） and show schedules make regular meals impossible.
In spite of the sacrifices, life on tour has its advantage, at least for the talent. A support team generally travels with the band, with at least one person dedicated to meeting the musicians’ needs at all times. The musicians are expected to perform at the shows, but they are not expected to manage any detail of their lives. When I was with the band, I poured glasses of grapefruit juice, made sandwiches, prepared dressing rooms, and performed all kinds of routine work, such as buying toothpaste and getting money from the ATM. In addition, efforts are made by promoters to keep the musicians happy. Most places offer private dressing rooms for the musicians. There is also usually a green room, a room that is large with comfortable furnishings where the band can visit with friends and family while waiting to go on stage. Before the band goes on, their families and friends file out into the auditorium and find their seats. The house lights go dark and curtain rises. When the lights flash on and the band starts playing, the scene is magical. A behind-the-scenes view makes the experience even more spectacular.
【小题1】The underlined world in paragraph 2 probably means _____.

A．exciting

B．boring

C．reasonable

D．ridiculous

【小题2】We can infer from the third paragraph that _____.

A．good arrangements always make the trips comfortable and pleasant

B．most musicians would rather travel long distance than wait

C．most musicians ignore their basic needs because the travel is too luxurious

D．the lack of sleep and irregular meals seem to be a part of the life of musicians

【小题3】Which might be the best title for the passage?

A．Behind the Scene.	B．Hard Life of Musicians.
C．My Part-time Job.	D．How to Make Musicians Happy.