A wise man used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach every morning.
One day, when he was walking along the shore（海岸）, he saw a young man moving like a
dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought that someone would dance on the beach. So he began to walk faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he saw that the young man wasn’t dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.
He called out, “Good morning! What are you doing?” The young man stopped, looked up and replied, “Throwing starfish in the ocean.” “I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?”
“The sun is up and the tide（潮汐）is going out. And if I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”
“But, young man, don’t you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can’t possibly make a difference!”
The young man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked another starfish, and threw it into the sea, and said, “It made a difference for that one.”
There is something very special in each and every one of us. We have all been gifted（赋予）
with the ability to make a difference.
We must each find our starfish. And if we throw starfish wisely and well, the world will be better.
【小题1】What was the wise man used to doing every morning?

任务型阅读。根据短文内容完成表格所缺信息，每空一词。

How to beat sadness

We all have days when we are down, tired and unhappy. That’s OK. You need days like this, or how would you know you are happy？You’ll enjoy your good days even more when you have a few bad days. Even if sadness is a part of life, Let’s try to make it small. Here are a few simple ways to help you fell better when you are feeling sad.

1.Stand up straight and this helps your energy flow(流动).When your energy is flowing freely, you can flow too.

2.Smile!It’s easy to do and have good results. This way can not only leave you in a good mood(情绪)but also bring others a good mood.

3.Listen to music. It can be your favourite music. some kinds of music work better than others, so try and find out what kind of music works the best for you.

4.Take some“me”time. You can find pleasure in reading a book, watching a sunrise or having a hot bath, or something like that.

5.Exercise.Even something as simple as taking a walk will get your blood flowing. It is a great way to clear your mind of anything that makes you sad.

These ways will cheer you up when you are down, but don’t just use them when you are sad. Try and practice them every day to make them a habit. You will be surprised to learn that these simple ways will keep your sadness away. But if you are in a deep depression(沮丧)，go to see a doctor.

A “Gap Year” is a period of time when a student takes a break before going to university. It is often spent travelling or working. It can give young people useful learning experiences and new skills.
Gap years are popular with European and Australian students, but remain less popular in America. However, in recent years, more and more American students are preparing for college by taking a gap year. The advantages of taking a gap year are as follows：
Learn about the World and Yourself
Although you don’t have to go abroad to experience gap years, most gap year students catch the chance to travel abroad. You are able to work out who you are and what you are for. The experiences of different cultures offer you interesting lessons. You can learn more about the world and get to know yourself better.
Face Challenges and Have Fun
A gap year is not only a time to take a vacation_, but also a time to face challenges. Gap year students usually work, volunteer or take service projects. You have to learn how to get along in the real world. This process isn^’t always easy, but it is an important part of growing up. Only in this way can you enjoy life and have fun.
Save Money and Improve Your College Admission Chances
There^’s a common thought that gap years are only for rich students_, but it’ s not true. Actually, taking a gap year can save your money. Gap year students often take a part-time job. Besides, at the end of a gap year, students are much more likely to know what to study in college. Clear learning goals ran keep the students working hard instead of wasting time and money playing.
Imagine an admission officer trying to admit (录取) only one between two students. Both of them are excellent and have high grades. However, one student has much practical experience or has volunteered in his vacation. Who do you think the admission officer will choose?
【小题1】A “Gap Year” means       in the passage.

根据句子意思，用所给单词的正确形式填空 (共5小题，每小题1分，计5分)

1.Danny is used to ________in this city. ( live)

2.There is a fork and two ________on the table. ( knife )

3.The park is _______ at this time of week. There are only few old people taking a walk.(crowd)

4.Could you please _______ me with my English? ( help)

5.I prefer_____(stay) at home to________(go)swimming.