Vingo sat in front of three men and three women. One of the women sat beside him and introduced herself. “We’re going to Florida,” she said brightly. “What some wine?” He smiled and thanked her.

“Are you married”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” She said.

“Well, when I was in prison I wrote to my wife,” he said. “I told her that I was going to be away for a long time, and that if she couldn’t stand it, if the kids kept asking questions, or if it hurt her too much, well, she could forget me. Get a new guy, I said—she’s a wonderful woman. I told her she didn’t have to write to me. And she didn’t. Not for three and a half years.”

“And you’re going home now?”

“Yeah,” he said shyly. “Well, last week, I wrote to her again. We used to live in Brunswick, and there’s an oak tree(橡树) just as you come into town. I told her that if she didn’t have a new guy and if she’d take me back, she should put a yellow handkerchief on the tree, and I ‘d get off and come home. If she didn’t want me, forget it ---no handkerchief, and I’d go on through.”

Now Brunswick was 20 miles, 10 miles, and then five. Then, suddenly, all of the young people were up out of their seats, screaming and shouting and crying, doing small dances of joy—they saw the oak tree covered with yellow handkerchiefs—20 of them, 30 of them, maybe hundreds, a tree that stood like a flag of welcome billowing (飘扬) in the wind.

1.Where did the conservation between Vingo and the woman probably happen?

A. On a bus   B. In a coffee shop.  C. On a plane.   D. In a prison.

2.How long hadn’t Vingo and his wife live together?

A. Only one year. B. About ten years.  C. About seven years  D. Nearly four years

3.When Vingo was in prison, his wife ___________.

A. often wrote to him        B. married another man

C. still loved him as before    D. taught the kids at home

4.According to the young people, the handkerchiefs on the oak tree were ______.

A. flags of honesty  B. flags of happiness  C. a sign of freedom  D. a sign of wisdom

Being positive is very important.So I often__36__my son to be positive.But one day I was caught not__37__what I often tell him to do.

My son is 7 years old and he was__38__a show to be put on at his school.He was playing the role of an angel.On the evening before the show，he asked me，“Mom，can we__39__angels？” As usual，I seized (抓住) the__40__to teach him to be positive and I said，“Yes，__41__only those who are perfect，and think and talk positively can.” He asked，“You must have seen them then？”

I was__42__for a few seconds，not knowing what to say.I was touched by his__43__that his mother was a perfect person.He looked into my eyes，__44__a positive answer.I chose to be__45__with him and told him，“__46__.I’ve not been a good person all the time.” I was almost__47__to admit this to him.I thought that his__48__of a perfect mother would now surely be torn into pieces.But he__49__it positively and said，“It’s alright.You know to try to be better__50__.” I smiled as I replied，“That’s__51__.Sometimes，we might make a__52__，but when we do，we must always try to do better.”

My son’s__53__struck me right in my heart and are always with me.I__54__a good lesson that day “to always try to be better”．This will always__55__me in all situations where I’ll need to be positive.

36．A.paid                                               B．refuse 

C．worry                                                D．encourage

37．A.saying                                           B．sharing 

C．doing                                                 D．explaining

38．A.going through                                 B．preparing for

C．turning to                                           D．looking for

39．A.describe                                         B．draw 

C．invite                                                 D．see

40．A.feeling                                           B．attitude

C．chance                                               D．method

41．A.but                                                B．so 

C．because                                              D．if

42．A.pleased                                          B．interested 

C．excited                                               D．quiet

43．A.thought                                          B．behavior 

C．dream                                                D．story

44．A.making                                          B．expecting 

C．trying                                                 D．choosing

45．A.wrong                                           B．angry 

C．strict                                                  D．honest

46．A.No                                                B．Sure 

C．OK                                                    D．Great

47．A.glad                                               B．surprised 

C．relaxed                                               D．embarrassed

48．A.description                                     B．speech 

C．picture                                               D．idea

49．A.finished                                         B．took 

C．caught                                               D．changed

50．A.in the future                                   B．again and again

C．from now on                                      D．at times

51．A.right                                              B．fine 

C．impossible                                          D．unnecessary

52．A.plan                                               B．decision 

C．difference                                           D．mistake

53．A.words                                           B．performances 

C．joy                                                     D．progress

54．A.taught                                            B．learnt 

C．organized                                           D．created

55．A.hurt                                               B．protect 

C．help                                                   D．find

Being positive is very important.So I often__26__my son to be positive.But one day I was caught not__27__what I often tell him to do.

My son is 7 years old and he was__28__a show to be put on at his school.He was playing the role of an angel.On the evening before the show，he asked me，“Mom，can we__29__angels？” As usual，I seized (抓住) the__30__to teach him to be positive and I said，“Yes，__31__only those who are perfect，and think and talk positively can.” He asked，“You must have seen them then？”

I was__32__for a few seconds，not knowing what to say.I was touched by his__33__that his mother was a perfect person.He looked into my eyes，__34__a positive answer.I chose to be__35__with him and told him，“__36__.I’ve not been a good person all the time.” I was almost__37__to admit this to him.I thought that his__38__of a perfect mother would now surely be torn into pieces.But he__39__it positively and said，“It’s alright.You know to try to be better__40__.” I smiled as I replied，“That’s__41__.Sometimes，we might make a__42__，but when we do，we must always try to do better.”

My son’s__43__struck me right in my heart and are always with me.I__44__a good lesson that day “to always try to be better”．This will always__45__me in all situations where I’ll need to be positive.

26．A.paid                                               B．refuse 

C．worry                                                D．encourage

27．A.saying                                           B．sharing 

C．doing                                                 D．explaining

28．A.going through                                 B．preparing for

C．turning to                                           D．looking for

29．A.describe                                         B．draw 

C．invite                                                 D．see

30．A.feeling                                           B．attitude 

C．chance                                               D．method

31．A.but                                                B．so 

C．because                                              D．if

32．A.pleased                                          B．interested 

C．excited                                               D．quiet

33．A.thought                                          B．behavior 

C．dream                                                D．story

34．A.making                                          B．expecting 

C．trying                                                 D．choosing

35．A.wrong                                           B．angry 

C．strict                                                  D．honest

36．A.No                                                 B．Sure 

C．OK                                                    D．Great

37．A.glad                                               B．surprised 

C．relaxed                                               D．embarrassed

38．A.description                                     B．speech 

C．picture                                               D．idea

39．A.finished                                         B．took 

C．caught                                               D．changed

40．A.in the future                                   B．again and again

C．from now on                                      D．at times

41．A.right                                              B．fine 

C．impossible                                          D．unnecessary

42．A.plan                                               B．decision 

C．difference                                           D．mistake

43．A.words                                           B．performances 

C．joy                                                     D．progress

44．A.taught                                            B．learnt 

C．organized                                           D．created

45．A.hurt                                               B．protect 

C．help                                                   D．find

“It is a dreadful thing to be poor a fortnight before Christmas, ” said Clorinda, with the mournful sigh of seventeen years.

Aunt Emmy smiled. Aunt Emmy was sixty, and spent the hours she didn’t spend in a bed, on a sofa or in a wheel chair; but Aunt Emmy was never heard to sigh.

“The gifts which money can purchase are not the only ones we can give,” said Aunt Emmy gently, “nor the best, either.”

“Oh, I know it's nicer to give something of your own work,” agreed Clorinda, “but materials for fancy work cost too. That kind of gift is just as much out of the question for me as any other.”

“That was not what I meant,” said Aunt Emmy.

“What did you mean, then?” asked Clorinda, looking puzzled.

Aunt Emmy smiled.

“Suppose you think out my meaning for yourself,” she said. “That would be better than if I explained it. Besides, I don't think I could explain it. Take the beautiful line of a beautiful poem to help you in your thinking out: 'The gift without the giver is bare.”

“I'd put it the other way and say, 'The giver without the gift is bare,” said Clorinda. “That is my predicament(窘境)exactly. Well, I hope by next Christmas I'll not be quite bankrupt. I'm going into Mr. Callender's store down at Murraybridge in February. He has offered me the place, you know.”

“Won't your aunt miss you terribly?” said Aunt Emmy gravely. “I think she would rather have your companionship than a part of your salary, Clorinda,” said Aunt Emmy. “But of course you must decide for yourself, dear.”

“Well, I must say bye-bye and run home.” Clorinda lived just across the road from Aunt Emmy in a tiny white house behind some huge willows. But Aunt Mary lived there too--the only relative Clorinda had, for Aunt Emmy wasn't really her aunt at all. Clorinda had always lived with Aunt Mary ever since she could remember.

Clorinda puzzled over Aunt Emmy's meaning for days. Then all at once it came to her. On Christmas Day, Clorinda went over to Aunt Emmy's. Aunt Emmy was lying on the sofa before the fire, and Clorinda sat down beside her.

“I've come to tell you all about it,” she said. “Aunt Emmy, I thought for days over your meaning ... And then one evening it just came to me. At first I didn't think I could give some of them, and then I thought how selfish I was. I would have been willing to pay any amount of money for gifts if I had had it, but I wasn't willing to pay what I had. I got over that, though, Aunt Emmy. Now I'm going to tell you what I did give.”

“First, there was old Aunt Kitty. You know she was my nurse when I was a baby. She is always glad when I go to see her, but I've never gone except when I couldn't help it. She is very deaf, and rather dull and stupid, you know. Well, I gave her a whole day. I took my knitting yesterday, and sat with her the whole time and just talked and talked. She was so pleased and proud; she told me when I came away that she hadn't had such a nice time for years. ”

“Then there was ... Florence. You know, Aunt Emmy, we were always intimate friends until last year. Then Florence once told Rose Watson something I had told her in confidence. I found it out and I was so hurt. I couldn't forgive Florence, and I told her plainly I could never be a real friend to her again. Florence felt badly, because she really did love me, and she asked me to forgive her, but it seemed as if I couldn't. Well, Aunt Emmy, that was my Christmas gift to her ... my forgiveness.”

“I gave Aunt Mary her gift this morning. I told her I wasn't going to Murraybridge, that I just meant to stay home with her. She was so glad--and I'm glad, too, now that I've decided so.”

“Your gifts have been real gifts, Clorinda,” said Aunt Emmy. “Something of you--the best of you--went into each of them.”

“I didn't forget you, Aunt Emmy,” she said, as she unpinned the paper.

There was a rosebush. Aunt Emmy loved flowers. She put her finger under one of the roses and kissed it.

“It's as sweet as yourself, dear child,” she said tenderly. “And it will be a joy to me all through the lonely winter days. You've found out the best meaning of Christmas giving, haven't you, dear?”

“Yes, thanks to you, Aunt Emmy,” said Clorinda softly.

1.Clorinda felt anxious before Christmas because___________.

A. She had to leave Aunt Mary

B. She didn’t know what kind of Christmas gifts she should buy

C. She had not enough money to buy Christmas gifts

D. She had no time to make a proper decision

2. Which of the following sentences can best explain the line “The gift without the giver is bare.”？

A. A gift is valued by the mind of the giver.

B. Forgiveness is a gift for the giver and the receiver.

C. You cannot buy love or respect with expensive gifts.

D. Think twice before you give gifts to somebody

3.What is the gift that Clorinda gave to old Aunt Kitty?

A. Passion?? ????????????? ????????????? B. Sympathy?? ????????????? ????????????? C. Kindness?? ????????????? ????????????? D. Company

4.What does the underlined phrase “in confidence” mean?

A. respectfully??? ????????????? B. confidently??? ????????????? ????????????? C. secretly??? ????????????? ????????????? D. willingly

5. Which two words can best describe Aunt Emmy?

A. cute and joyful??????????????????? ????????????? B. kind-hearted and emotional

C. optimistic and wise???????????????? ????????????? D. gentle and timid (羞怯的)

6.Which of the following is the best title?

A. A Special Christmas?????????????????? B. Clorinda’s Gifts

C. Aunt Emmy????????????????????????? D. Clorinda’s Choice

Every day people often saw a boy sing in a park. In fact, they didn’t know the fact that this boy had cancer for a long time and he had no more time left. He looked very optimistic and he didn’t feel self-contemptuous（自卑的）at all.

One day, he was wandering in the park. Suddenly a good smell flew over and it attracted him to come under a peach. To his joy, he saw a girl dancing pleasingly.

“You are great! You look like a dancing butterfly!” watching her for a long time, then he said.　

“Thank you!” this girl looked up and said shyly.

“Are you blind?” said the boy amazedly.

The girl made no reply, but she nodded hard.

“Sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you!” said the boy in a hurry.

“Never mind!” the girl seemed to be easy.

They knew each other in this way.

From then on, they often met each other. And while the boy was singing, the girl danced for him.

Time passed quickly! Many days passed before they knew it.

“Look! How beautiful the peach blossoms are! They are just like you!”said the boy unconsciously（无意地）.

“But I can’t see.” the girl lowered her head.

“I’m sorry!” the boy couldn’t help regretting. He felt his heart bitten hard by a snake, “How foolish I am! How can I say such words before her?” His heart was soon covered by an inexplicable idea.

Several days later, the girl told the boy happily that her eyes would be cured quickly because someone was willing to contribute his cornea（角膜）to her. Hearing the girl’s words, the boy also smiled happily.

That day, darkness seemed to come earlier than ever. The boy said many words to the girl: “I had never believed there was forever in the world. But I know I am mistaken! There is forever indeed — friendship. Now I have to go and I am afraid that we can’t meet each other again, either. I will treasure our friendship up in my memory!”

Hearing the boy’s words, the girl couldn’t help crying. Then the boy sang again while the girl danced.

Later the boy went quietly, but he was regretless, because he gave the last song in his life to the girl.

Soon the girl’s operation succeeded, she saw everything and knew the truth, too. To people’s surprise, the peach didn’t blossom that year.

When the girl came to the appointed place with tears, she seemed to see the boy singing and walking to her in the setting sun.

41. From the passage we know that the girl was as _____ as the boy though she was disabled.

A. helpful                      B. self-contemptuous            C. old                   D. optimistic

42. From the passage we can infer that it was _____ that the boy said, “Look! How beautiful the peach

blossoms are! They are just like you!”

A. unconsciously            B. mockingly                       C. foolishly            D. on purpose

43. What do the underlined words “an inexplicable idea” refer to?

A. The fact that the boy had an incurable disease and was dying soon.

B. The idea that the boy would like to contribute his cornea to the girl.

C. The idea that the friendship between them would last forever.

D. The fact that the girl was very pitiful and badly needed help.

44. What’s the best title of this passage?

A. The Friendship                                       B. An Unselfish Boy      

C. The Last Song in Life                                   D. A Touching Story