It is well-known that the “prom”, a formal dance held at the end of high school or college, is an important date in every student’s life. What is less well-known is that the word “prom” comes from the verb “to promenade”, which means to walk around, beautifully dressed, in order to attract attention. The idea is that you should see and be seen by others.
The prom is not just an American tradition, though most people believe that it started in America. In Canada the event is called a “formal”. In Britain and Australia the old fashioned word “dance” is more and more frequently being referred to as a “prom”. Most countries have some form of celebration when students finish high school: after all, it means the end of life as a child, and the beginning of life as an adult.
The prom is expensive to organize and the tickets can cost students a lot of money. The tradition is that students themselves have to raise the money to pay for it. Selling the students newspapers is one way to raise money; so is taking a part-time job at the weekend.
Although the prom should be the experience of a lifetime, it also worries many students. There is the problem of what to wear, who to take as your partner, who will be voted “prom queen”, etc. And it is not only students who feel worried. What many parents find difficult is the realization that their children’s school days are almost over. However, for most people at the prom, once the music starts playing, everyone relaxes and stops worrying.
【小题1】In which country is the prom called a “formal”?

A．America.

B．Canada.

C．Britain.

D．Australia.

【小题2】Why is the prom important in the students’ lives?

A．It’s the sign of becoming an adult.

B．It’s an old tradition in many countries.

C．There are many problems to work out.

D．The students can raise money by themselves.

【小题3】What is the passage mainly about?

A．The history of the prom.

B．The traditions of the prom.

C．The development of the prom.

D．The general information of the prom.

As the sun rose, a dewdrop (露珠) woke up. There it sat on a leaf, catching the sunlight. Proud of its simple beauty, it was very happy. Around it were other dewdrops, some on the same leaf and some on other leaves. The dewdrop was sure that it was the best, the most special dewdrop of them all.
Ah, it was good to be a dewdrop.
The wind blew and the plant began to shake, tipping (使倾斜) the leaf. The dewdrop became frightened as it started to move towards the edge of the leaf. Why was this happening? Things were comfortable. Things were safe. Why did they have to change? Why? Why?
The dewdrop reached the edge of the leaf. It was sure that this was the end. The day had only just begun and the end had come so quickly. It seemed so unfair. It seemed so meaningless. It tried hard to do whatever it could to stay on the leaf, but it was no use.
Finally, it fell. Below there was a mirror. A reflection(反射)of the dewdrop seemed to be coming up to meet it. Closer and closer they came together until finally... the little dewdrop became a part of the great pond (池塘). Now the dewdrop was no more, but it was not destroyed.
It had become one with the whole.
【小题1】According to Paragraph 1, we know that the dewdrop _____.

A．didn’t get on well with other dewdrops	B．thought its beauty was too simple
C．regarded itself as the best dewdrop	D．couldn’t get any sunlight

【小题2】The dewdrop became _____ as it started to move towards the edge of the leaf.

A．afraid

B．happy

C．proud

D．comfortable

【小题3】Which of the following is TRUE according to the story?

A．There was only one dewdrop on the leaf.

B．The dewdrop did nothing before falling.

C．The mirror in the story refers to(指) the pond.

D．The dewdrop was actually destroyed.

【小题4】The story mainly tells us that _____.

A．we should work together against difficulties

B．people should not be too proud of themselves

C．one should work hard for his/her goals

D．it’s good to become one with the whole

As the sun rose, a dewdrop (露珠) woke up. There it sat on a leaf, catching the sunlight. Proud of its simple beauty, it was very happy. Around it were other dewdrops, some on the same leaf and some on other leaves. The dewdrop was sure that it was the best, the most special dewdrop of them all.

Ah, it was good to be a dewdrop.

The wind blew and the plant began to shake, tipping (使倾斜) the leaf. The dewdrop became frightened as it started to move towards the edge of the leaf. Why was this happening? Things were comfortable. Things were safe. Why did they have to change? Why? Why?

The dewdrop reached the edge of the leaf. It was sure that this was the end. The day had only just begun and the end had come so quickly. It seemed so unfair. It seemed so meaningless. It tried hard to do whatever it could to stay on the leaf, but it was no use.

Finally, it fell. Below there was a mirror. A reflection(反射)of the dewdrop seemed to be coming up to meet it. Closer and closer they came together until finally... the little dewdrop became a part of the great pond (池塘). Now the dewdrop was no more, but it was not destroyed.

It had become one with the whole.

1.According to Paragraph 1, we know that the dewdrop _____.

A．didn’t get on well with other dewdrops     B．thought its beauty was too simple

C．regarded itself as the best dewdrop         D．couldn’t get any sunlight

2.The dewdrop became _____ as it started to move towards the edge of the leaf.

A．afraid            B．happy            C．proud            D．comfortable

3.Which of the following is TRUE according to the story?

A．There was only one dewdrop on the leaf.

B．The dewdrop did nothing before falling.

C．The mirror in the story refers to(指) the pond.

D．The dewdrop was actually destroyed.

4.The story mainly tells us that _____.

A．we should work together against difficulties

B．people should not be too proud of themselves

C．one should work hard for his/her goals

D．it’s good to become one with the whole

 

British people are famous for drinking tea. But both Sahar and Bobby Green became young millionaires（百万富翁） when they opened a chain of American-style（美国风味的） coffee shops in the U.K.
Having the idea：It started when Sahar took a weekend trip to New York to visit her brother Bobby. One evening , in a Thai restaurant，Sahar told Bobby how much she wished she could buy American-style coffee  in London . Bobby suggested  they start their own coffee shop. Sahar fell in love with the idea.
Doing the Research: Back in London, she spent a whole day on the London subway, getting off the train at different stations to taste the coffee. “It was terrible, and I know there was a gap （缺口） in the market.” In November 1995, they opened their first Coffee Republic shop in central London.
Making it work：The first year was very difficult. There were problems finding and keeping staff, and British people were not used to the names of American coffees, like Latte and Macchiato. But being successful was their dream and they were not going to give up . Today , there are over 100 Coffee Republic shops all over the country and the company has revenues（收入） of $30 million a year.
Advice for others: Sahar has now written a best-selling book about their experience, called Anyone Can Do It! She hopes it will help other young people to start their own businesses. She believes success is 1% idea and 99% hard work, but she says, “If you think you have the energy, then get out and follow your dream.”
【小题1】What kind of company do these people run?

A．Travel.

B．Tea.

C．Coffee.

D．Hotel.

【小题2】What relationship is between Sarha and Bobby?

A．Teacher and student.	B．Sister and brother.
C．Doctor and patient.	D．Mother and son.

【小题3】What is the passage mainly about?

A．Sahar’s trip to America.

B．Sahar’s wonderful life story.

C．The American – style coffee shop

D．The success of a family business

.British people are famous for drinking tea. But brother and sister, Sarah and Bobby Green, became young millionaires when they opened a chain of American-style coffee shops in the UK.

Having the idea: It started when Sarah took a weekend trip to New York to visit her brother Bobby. One evening, in a Thai restaurant, Sarah told Bobby how much she wished she could buy American-style coffee in London. Bobby suggested they started their own coffee shop. Sarah fell in love with the idea.

Doing the Research: Back in London, she spent a whole day on the London subway, getting off the train at different stations to taste the coffee. “It was terrible, and I knew there was a gap (空缺) in the market.” In 1995, they opened their first Coffee Republic shop in central London.

Making it work: The first year was very difficult. British people were not used to the names of American coffees, like latte and macchiato. But being successful was their dream and they were not going to give up. Today, there are over 100 Coffee Republic shops all over the country and the company has ￡30 million a year.

Advice for others: Sarah has now written a best-selling book about their experience, called Anyone Can Do It ! She hopes it will help other young people to start their own businesses. She says, “If you think you have the energy, then get out and follow your dream.”

【小题 1】What kind of company do they run?

A. A fast-food restaurant.                  B. A tea shop.  

C. A coffee shop.                       D. A big hotel.

【小题 2】Where are their Coffee Republic shops?

A. All over the UK.                     B. All over the US.

C. In central London.                       D. In New York.

【小题 3】Which of the following information is mentioned(提到) in the passage?

A. Sarah was not interested in Bobby’s idea.

   B. British people never drank coffee before 1995.

   C. Sarah’s best-selling book is about how to make coffee.

   D. Sarah found a business chance while doing the research.

【小题 4】What is the passage mainly about?

   A. Sarah’s life story.                      B. Sarah’s weekend trip.

   C. The American-style coffee.            D. The success of a family business.

【小题 5】 Where may this passage come from?

A. In a scientific report.                  B. In a newspaper.

C. In a sports magazine.               D. In a novel.