Sam lived in a small village. His mother was often ill and he had to spend much money on medicine. And when he was twenty-eight, he borrowed some money from his friends and married. His wife was beautiful but came from a poor family. So she could not help him. She had to tell her husband to find work in the town. She hoped he would get much money to pay for his debt(债). They young man thought she was right and had to say goodbye to her and left.

The young man could neither read nor write. Of course nobody would employ (雇用) such a man like him in the town. He had to go to an island and planted trees for a farmer there. The island was small and there were only three men on it. They lived a hard life and Sam missed his mother and wife very much. He wanted to write to them, but he couldn’t. Luckily, Charlie, who was in school for five years, helped him. Sam asked the farmer to post the letter for him. From then on he waited for the answer every day. About two months later the farmer brought his wife’s letter to the island. He was very happy but he didn’t read it. He had to ask Charlie to help him again.

The farmer came out of the house and found Sam was stopping Charlie’s ears while he was listening to the young man reading it. It surprised the farmer and he asked, “What are you doing it for, Sam?”

“I can’t let him hear my wife’s letter!”

1.Sam’s wife was a _____________ woman.

A. nice and rich????? ????????????? ????????????? B. beautiful but poor??? ????????????? C. kind and strong

2.Sam had to go to the town to find work because _________.

A. the town was a good place????????????? B. he could read and write??? C. he had to pay for his debt

3.The life on the island was ______________.

A. difficult??????????? ????????????? B. easy?????????????? ????????????? C. relaxing

4.Who posted the letter for Sam?

A. Charlie.???????????? ????????????? B. The farmer.??????? ????????????? ????????????? C. Sam himself.

5.From the story we know Sam was a ___________.

A. rude man???????? ????????????? ????????????? B. kind and hard-working man?????? C. cruel husband

Do you know some world famous brands (品脾), such as Nike, adidas, Kappa...？ What do you think of them？ Do you use their products(产品)？ Here are some students' opinions:
Sam: I am a Nike fan. Many of Nike's advertisements are fun and its products are great! I have a pair of Nike basketball shoes.
Joe: In my eyes , top brand means high quality, So I love top brand products though they're very expensive. I was glad Mum bought me a Kappa T-shirt last month.
Sally：The logos(标识) of famous brands are usually unique and nice. It's cool to own products with those logos. Sometimes I wear my adidas coat.
Jack：Many top brand products are advertised by spokesmen(代言人). I love the spokesmen of many top brand products. I've got many Nike socks.
Susan: I know it's popular for young people to have famous brand products these days. But my parents both lost their jobs. I have no interest in following the fashion. I only choose the products that are not expensive.
Adam: As a student, I don't earn money myself. It's not easy for my parents to support me. So I only use some ordinary products. I don't agree students use the famous brand products.
【小题1】Joe loves top brand products because he thinks ______.

Sam: Hey, Maria and John. This Thursday is Bill’s birthday. Let’s think about the presents.
Maria: Sure, Sam. I want to give him a computer game.
Sam: No, Bill never plays computer games.
John: I want to buy a CD of his favourite songs.
Sam: Good idea. Bill likes listening to music.
Maria: How about buying a birthday cake for him?
Sam: Oh, you don’t have to do it. His mother usually buys a birthday cake for him.
Maria: How about buying him a cinema ticket? I remember Bill likes watching films.
Sam: That sounds a good idea.
Maria &John: What about you? What would you like to buy for Bill, Sam?
Sam: It’s a secret. 
【小题1】 Bill’s birthday is ________.

Sam: Hey, Maria and John. This Thursday is Bill’s birthday. Let’s think about the presents.

Maria: Sure, Sam. I want to give him a computer game.

Sam: No, Bill never plays computer games.

John: I want to buy a CD of his favourite songs.

Sam: Good idea. Bill likes listening to music.

Maria: How about buying a birthday cake for him?

Sam: Oh, you don’t have to do it. His mother usually buys a birthday cake for him.

Maria: How about buying him a cinema ticket? I remember Bill likes watching films.

Sam: That sounds a good idea.

Maria &John: What about you? What would you like to buy for Bill, Sam?

Sam: It’s a secret.

1. Bill’s birthday is ________.

A. this Sunday B. this Saturday C. this Friday D. this Thursday

2.From the conversation, we know Bill doesn’t ________.

A. watch films B. like music

C. play computer games D. like birthday cakes

3.Bill’s mother usually buys ________ for Bill on his birthday.

A. a cinema ticket B. a birthday cake C. a CD D. a concert ticket

4.________ wants to give Bill a cinema ticket.

A. John B. Bill’s mother C. Maria D. Sam

5.Which of the following is TRUE?

A. Bill likes playing computer games.

B. Maria wants to buy a CD for Bill.

C. They would sing a Chinese song for Bill.

D. We don’t know Sam’s present for Bill.

My name is Sam . I joined a club called  “ passing help ” last month . Now let me tell you why I joined it.

 One evening this May, on my way home my old car was broken . It was 25 miles from my home . I wanted to get a ride, but there was no car . It was also hard to take a taxi . I decided to take a bus home .I went to a bus stop nearby .

 After a while , a bus came , but it did not go to my town .The bus driver was a   young woman . She was kind and she told me which bus I should take . I waited there for about thirty minutes , but no bus came . At last a car came to me and a woman came out of the car .She was just the bus driver.

“When I reached the bus station , I got to know that the bus to your town couldn't  come ,so I returned here.I just can't leave you here ,” she said , “ Get in my car and I will take you back to your home .”

 “ It is a long way .”I said.

 “ Come on ,sir, ”she said ,“ Let’s go.”

 On the way she told me a story . A few days ago, there wasn't gas(汽油）in her car . An old man drove her up to a gas station and then back to her car.

 When we got to my home , I wanted to give her some money to thank her , but she didn't accept it . “ I only want to help others and do something nice for somebody. Pass it along. ” She said.  

1.What happened to Sam one evening this May?

A. He lost his way.                B. His car broken down.      

C. He was hurt in an accident.       D. He couldn't reach the gas station.

2. Sam didnt think of going home__________ that evening.

A. by train                       B. by bus

C. by car.                        D. by taxi.

3. From the passage , we know that the young woman was _________.

A.a club boss.                 B. a taxi driver       

C. a bus driver.                D.a gas station worker.

4.The young woman wanted Sam to _________.

A.give her some money.          B. get on her bus.  

C. take her to her house.          D. help others just as she did.

5. The best title (题目）of the passage is ________ .

A. A kind old man.       B. Getting a ride.

C. Passing help.         D. A broken car.