There is an old saying that all of us are born with two bags hung on our necks. A small bag in front of our chest is filled up with other people's faults (缺点), while the big one at the back is full of our own shortcomings (短处).

　 So it’s easy to find other people's faults, but it's hard for us to see our faults behind us.

　 There was a boy, Tommy, who always opened the front bag to check what was in it. He saw other people's faults very quickly. When Simon was impatient with him, he said to Simon, "It's so easy for you to get angry. It is hard to be friends with you."

　 He told his mother about Jack's dishonesty. "Jack takes my things without asking. He also forgets to return them." Tommy himself did not like sharing his things with anyone.

　 When Johnny was too tired to play with him, he said, "'You are such a rude person."

　 He thought Harry was too proud of his rich parents. But Tommy was as proud of himself because he could not see any of his own shortcomings! He could not understand why he did not get on well with others.

　 If only Tommy would switch the bags around, he would discover his own impatience, dishonesty, bad manners and vanity (虚荣), which were no better than that of Simon, Jack, Johnny or Harry.

26. Tommy thought it was hard to be friends with Simon because Simon was _________.

　 A. impatient　　　　　　　　　　　 B. a rude person

　 C. dishonest　　　　　　　　　　　 D. too proud of his rich parents

27. According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?

　 A, Tommy was a person liked by others.

　 B, Tommy liked sharing his things with others.

　 C. Tommy always discovered his own shortcoming.

　 D. Maybe Tommy was no better than Simon, Jack, Johnny or Harry.

28. In this passage, the writer mainly wanted to tell us ________.

　 A. to be more patient

　 B. not to be a person with vanity

　 C. not to take others' things without asking

D. to pay more attention to our own shortcomings

Dear World,

My son starts school today. It’s going to be strange and new to him for some time. And I wish you would treat him gently.

You see, up to now, he has been king of his own room. He has been boss of the backyard. I have always been around to treat his wounds, and to comfort his feelings.

But now things are going to be different. This morning, he’s going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand and start his life.

So, World, I wish you would take him by the little hand and teach him the things he will have to know. Teach him there are heroes, leaders and friends in this world. Give him quiet time to think over the mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and flowers on the green hill.

Teach him to believe in his own ideas, even if everyone else tells him he is wrong.

Teach him to stand and fight if he thinks he is right.

Teach him never to put a price on his heart and spirit.

Teach him gently, World, but don’t love him too much, because only the test of fire makes fine steel. This is a big order, World, and see what you can do. He’s such a little fellow.

1.From the second paragraph we know that the writer’s son        .

A. is often ill

B. rules the whole family

C. has been working at home

D. has been taken good care of

2.The writer wishes her son        .

A. to treat others gently

B. not to feel strange at school

C. to develop some good habits

D. to be better than other children at school

3.Which is the best title of this passage?

A. A great moment is coming!                B. How to teach my son.

C. A mother’s letter to the world     D. Don’t be rude to my son!

Dear World,

   My son starts school today. It’s going to be strange and new to him for some time. And I wish you would treat him gently.

   You see, up to now, he has been king of his own room. He has been boss of the backyard. I have always been around to treat his wounds (伤), and to comfort his feelings.

   But now things are going to be different. This morning, he’s going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand and start on his great adventure (探险).

   So, World, I wish you would take him by the little hand and teach him the things he will have to know. Teach him there are heroes, leaders and friends in this world. Give him quiet time to think over the mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and flowers on the green hill.

   Teach him to believe in his own ideas, even if everyone else tells him they are wrong.

   Teach him to stand and fight if he thinks he is right.

   Teach him never to put a price on his heart and soul.

   Teach him gently, World, but don’t coddle (溺爱) him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel (钢). This is a big order, World, and see what you can do. He’s such a little fellow.

1.From the 2nd paragraph we know that the writer’s son ______.

A. is often ill                                        B. rules the whole family

C. has been working at home              D. has been taken good care of

2.The writer wishes her son ______.

A. to treat others gently

B. not to feel strange at school

C. to develop some good habits

D. to be better than other children at school

3.What does the writer wish her son to do when someone says her son is wrong?

A. He should listen to others and change his ideas.

B. He should not give up his idea easily.

C. He should ask the people around for advice.

D. He should ask her what to do.

4.From the passage, we know the writer ______.

A. is not worried about her son at all

B. doesn’t want her son to go to school

C. writes this passage to other parents

D. is excited about her son’s going to school

5. Which is the best title of this passage?

A. A great moment is coming!            B. How to teach my son

C. A mother’s letter to the world      D. Don’t be rude to my son!

Some people do not like anything to be out of place, they are never late for work, they can remember people’s birthdays; and they are always  31  to their friends and family members. Mr. Brown is such a person.

Mr. Brown works in a  32 , and he lives in the town alone . He only has a sister. She lives in   33  town with her husband and her son, Mike. Mr. Brown doesn’t have time to see his sister or her family, from one year to the  34 , but he never forgets  35  them different kinds of greeting cards. These days, he is busy  36  a birthday card and presents for the 20th birthday of his nephew, Mike.

Last Sunday, Mr. Brown had quite a surprise. He drove home from the hotel at the usual time, and he drove his car very  37  , not too slowly or too fast. When he got home, he parked his car as usual in the right place, and then he went into the house to make supper. Suddenly, there was a  38  the door. Mr. Brown opened the door and found a policeman standing outside the door.

“What’s wrong?” he asked  39 . ‘Did I drive on the wrong side of the street? Or did I make a mistake at work?’

“Hello, Uncle,” said the policeman with a big  40  on his face, “My name is Mike”.