The Great Barn Adventure

One morning when I was 11, I explored the town’s abandoned round grain barn（谷仓）. I found a chained sliding door that was wide enough for me to pass through.

Inside, there was a heavy smell of dead mice in the dark. After my eyes adjusted, I noticed a shaft (升降机井) that rose all the way to the top of the barn. On one side was a one-man elevator with a long rope and roller.

I stepped onto the platform and gave the rope a drag and the elevator began sliding up the shaft, but stopped halfway. After a brief panic attack, I noticed holes in the wall at regular intervals, forming a ladder. For reasons known only to an 11-year-old, I decided it would be better to go up than down. So, with shaking hands, I began climbing the wall.

After what seemed like forever, I reached the top of the shaft. I stood up, dusted myself off and found absolutely nothing of interest. It was just an empty room with a ladder leading up to the roof. I climbed all the way up here for this? Then I noticed a fire extinguisher（灭火器）,which I’d always wanted to shoot off. So this was the chance of a lifetime. I tried it, and, much to my surprise, the thing worked! It shot out a thick cloud of powder that instantly filled the room. I couldn’t breathe. I was going to choke to death, and they’d probably never even find my body.

Luckily, I remembered the ladder to the roof. I climbed up, popped the straw roof and saw a bright blue sky.

I suddenly realized the dust and powder pouring out of the top could draw attention. So when the dust had settled, I climbed down and slipped out of the chained door. I’m not sure if I was more excited about being alive or about not being caught, but I ran all the way back home.

1.When the author got inside the barn, he _______.

A. noticed a man on the elevator

B. opened the chained sliding door

C. saw many dead mice in the dark

D. found a shaft leading to the top

2.Which of the following is the right order of the author’s adventure?

a. The elevator stopped halfway.

b. He entered the round grain barn.

c. He climbed to the top of the shaft.

d. He found a fire extinguisher and shot it off.

A. b-a-c-d???????? B. a-c-b-d???????? C. c-a-d-b????? ????????????? ????????????? D. b-c-a-d

3.After getting out of the chained door, the author might feel _______.

A. inspired???????? B. relieved??????? C. surprised??????? ????????????? D. disappointed

4.From the passage, we can learn that the author was probably a boy full of _______.

A. passions????????????? ????????????? ? B. dreams????????????? ?????? C. curiosity????????????? ????????????? ????????????? D. imagination

The worker I hired to repair my house had just finished a difficult first day on the job. A broken wheel made him an hour late; his ladder (????) fell down when he was painting the roof and now his old truck wouldn' t start. With each problem he shouted angrily, more at himself than at his things. As I drove him home, the man didn't say a word.

I tried talking to the man to kill time. I managed to find out that he had come up from Blue Hills in Victoria with his family six months ago to find a job. This was his first job since moving here. I now knew why his price was lower than any other worker I could find in the local newspaper. He really needed the job. His clothes told me as much.

On arriving, much to my surprise, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked through his front garden he suddenly stopped at a small tree and placed his hands on it. Then, when he opened the door he completely changed. Instead of his troubled face, there was now a warm smile, hugs for his two children and a kiss for his wife.

The following day, I asked him about the tree.

"That's my trouble tree," he answered. "Work troubles aren't welcome at home with my wife and the children. So I hang them on that tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again. "

"And you know what else?" he said smiling,"The next morning I find that there aren't as many as I remember hanging up the night before. "

1.Which of the following things did NOT happen to the worker?

A. His truck broke down.       B. He was late for work.

C. He fell onto the roof.      D. His ladder fell down.

2.When did the worker first arrive in this town?

A. Today.      B. Last night.

C. Six weeks ago.       D. Six months ago.

3.Where did the writer find the worker?

A. Through a newspaper.       B. Beside the trouble tree.

C. In his old house.      D. In Blue Hills, Victoria.

4.Why did the worker touch the tree?

A. To get good luck,         B. To leave his trouble outside.

C. To send good wishes to his family.  D. To clean his hands.

第三部分：阅读理解（共20小题；每小题2分,满分40分）
阅读下列短文,从每篇短文后所给各题的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中,选出最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
The fog was so thick that I couldn't see the man next to me. We were led down a road to the base of a hill. An officer, unknown to us, explained that the command wanted us to spread out on the road and fix bayonets(刺刀).When the signal was given, we were to creep up the hill and take the enemy by surprise with a bayonet attack.
I didn't think too much of the idea and about a dozen fellows agreed with me, but we lost in the vote. Some others didn't have bayonets and declared that the orders didn't apply to them, but their idea, too, was denied.
Up the hill we went, feeling our way along the ground with our feet. Step by step we advanced. It seemed like an ugly dream, but I knew it was all too real. I looked to my right and to my left to find any sign of my fellows. Much to my surprise, I could make out unclear forms on each side of me. I could hear whispers all along the line and louder orders to shut up!
While we were standing around arguing, the fog suddenly disappeared, just like somebody waved a magic wand(杖).We were caught out in the open with no cover in sight. The Chinese had been caught by surprise. Both sides just stared at each other, not knowing what was going on. A single shot rang out and somebody blew a whistle and shouted "Retreat"(撤退).We rushed out at full speed down the hill.
I don't speak or understand Chinese, but from behind us I could understand joyful laughter!
61.The action that the author and his fellows were supposed to take was______ .
A. To creep up the hill                      B. To vote on how to advance
C. To fix their bayonets                                                                  D. To attack their enemy
62.The dozen fellows thought the action was _______ .
A. basically practical    B. great fun                C. not a good one        D. an ugly dream
63.They go up the hill __________ .
A. slowly                    B. quietly                   C. hurriedly                D. easily
64.We can conclude from the passage that the author ________.
A. felt sorry for not completing the action       B. was serving in the Chinese army
C. was not serious when telling the story         D. intended to owe their failure to the heavy fog

The worker I hired to repair my house had just finished a difficult first day on the job. A broken wheel made him an hour late; his ladder (????) fell down when he was painting the roof and now his old truck wouldn' t start. With each problem he shouted angrily, more at himself than at his things. As I drove him home, the man didn't say a word.

I tried talking to the man to kill time. I managed to find out that he had come up from Blue Hills in Victoria with his family six months ago to find a job. This was his first job since moving here. I now knew why his price was lower than any other worker I could find in the local newspaper. He really needed the job. His clothes told me as much.

On arriving, much to my surprise, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked through his front garden he suddenly stopped at a small tree and placed his hands on it. Then, when he opened the door he completely changed. Instead of his troubled face, there was now a warm smile, hugs for his two children and a kiss for his wife.

The following day, I asked him about the tree.

"That's my trouble tree," he answered. "Work troubles aren't welcome at home with my wife and the children. So I hang them on that tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again. "

"And you know what else?" he said smiling,"The next morning I find that there aren't as many as I remember hanging up the night before. "

1.Which of the following things did NOT happen to the worker?

A. His truck broke down.       B. He was late for work.

C. He fell onto the roof.      D. His ladder fell down.

2.When did the worker first arrive in this town?

A. Today.      B. Last night.

C. Six weeks ago.       D. Six months ago.

3.Where did the writer find the worker?

A. Through a newspaper.       B. Beside the trouble tree.

C. In his old house.      D. In Blue Hills, Victoria.

4.Why did the worker touch the tree?

A. To get good luck,         B. To leave his trouble outside.

C. To send good wishes to his family.  D. To clean his hands.

5.What can we learn from the passage?

A. Looking for a job can make trouble.

B. It is important to get to work on time.

C. Often our problems are worse than what we think.

D. A happy family can make many problems go away.

Much to my         , I’m unable to accept your kind invitation.