My mother has been a true inspiration to me and changed the way I look at life. Since my birth she has made it evident that I would become ______ and that I would be one of the great ones. She has taught me that I can do anything if I put my ______to it.

As a young boy, I struggled to achieve tasks that came ______ to others. I had problems with writing, reading and especially speaking. I didn’t talk the way ______kids did and did not respond to questions or stay alert (警觉的) to my surroundings. My reading was poor ______ with teachers helping me, and my speech was hard to ______. My writing was not at the ______it should have been. Even simple things like knowing my left from my right or being able to snap my fingers (弹手指) were ______.

My mother ______ all my challenges and as a professor with a PH.D., decided to ______ the situation early in my development. She didn’t want me to ______. After a while, we did indeed get over all the problems that had ______ me. She spent hours every day ______ me everything I needed to know, determined to help me learn. ______ her I would not be anywhere close to the level I am now.

In addition, she gave ______ for my life. She told me what to do and what not to do. Her expectations have always been high ______ she knows that I can do it. For that, I thank her. She would not allow her son to be incapable. She never ______ on me, and to this day she tells me education is a must. I will be a ______ person if I continue to follow her lead. She encourages me to study hard for my ______ and attend college.

She used her gifts as a ______ to help a child --- her child --- and now I have the opportunity to become something. 

1.A. everything          B. nothing                   C. anything                  D. something

2.A. mind                  B. brain                                 C. feelings           D. work

3.A. smoothly        B. strongly                C. frequently                         D. easily

4.A. average       B. ordinary           C. normal                              D. common

5.A. just                           B. ever                 C. even                                     D. only

6.A. hear           B. write             C. read                                  D. understand

7.A. level                  B. length              C. speed                               D. degree

8.A. problems       B. excuses          C. worries                   D. duties

9.A. suffered                B. observed         C. removed                          D. tolerated

10.A. study          B. find              C. change            D. keep

11.A. fight            B. struggle         C. strike             D. challenge

12.A. interrupted           B. disturbed                   C. terrified                        D. troubled

13.A. teaching       B. giving             C. supporting              D. reminding

14.A. Without       B. Except               C. Besides           D. Beyond

15.A. information           B. advice              C. promise                      D. expectation

16.A. before         B. though           C. because                  D. unless

17.A. set up                       B. gave up                 C. pushed up                       D. looked up

18.A. rich     B. famous               C. successful                   D. powerful

19.A. training             B. grades                         C. experiments              D. abilities

20.A. woman         B. doctor            C. sister              D. teacher

“Mama, when I grow up, I’m going to be one of those!” I said this after seeing the Capital Dancing Company perform when I was three. It was the first time that my dream took on a vivid form and acted as something important to start my training. As I grew older and was exposed to more, my interests in the world of dance certainly varied but that little girl’s dream of someday becoming a dancer in the company never left me. In the summer of 2005 when I was 18, I received the phone call which made that dream a reality: I became a member of the company dating back to 1925.
As I look back on that day now, it surely lacks any sense of reality. I believe I stayed in a state of pleasant disbelief until I was halfway through rehearsals (排练) on my first day. I never actually expect to get the job. After being offered the position, I was completely astonished. I remember shaking with excitement.
Though I was absolutely thrilled with the chance, it did not come without its fair share of challenge. Through the strict rehearsal period of dancing six days a week, I found it vital to pick up the material fast with every last bit of concentration. It is that extreme attention to detail (细节) and stress on practice that set us apart. To then follow those high-energy rehearsals with a busy show schedule of up to five performances a day, I discovered a new meaning of the words “hard work.” What I thought were my physical boundaries were pushed much further than I thought possible. I learned to make each performance better than the last.
Today, when I look at the unbelievable company that I have the great honor of being a part of, not only as a member, but as a dance captain, I see a tradition that has inspired not only generations of little girls but a splendid company that continues to develop and grow-and inspires people every day to follow their dreams.
【小题1】How many years has the Capital Dancing Company existed when the author received the phone call from it?

As I look back on that day now, it surely lacks any sense of reality. I believe I stayed in a state of pleasant disbelief until I was halfway through rehearsals (排练) on my first day. I never actually expect to get the job. After being offered the position, I was completely astonished. I remember shaking with excitement.
Though I was absolutely thrilled with the chance, it did not come without its fair share of challenge. Through the strict rehearsal period of dancing six days a week, I found it vital to pick up the material fast with every last bit of concentration. It is that extreme attention to detail (细节) and stress on practice that set us apart. To then follow those high-energy rehearsals with a busy show schedule of up to five performances a day, I discovered a new meaning of the words “hard work.” What I thought were my physical boundaries were pushed much further than I thought possible. I learned to make each performance better than the last.
Today, when I look at the unbelievable company that I have the great honor of being a part of, not only as a member, but as a dance captain, I see a tradition that has inspired not only generations of little girls but a splendid company that continues to develop and grow-and inspires people every day to follow their dreams.

1. 1.

   How many years has the Capital Dancing Company existed when the author received the phone call from it?

   1. A.
      180
   2. B.
      1925
   3. C.
      2005
   4. D.
      80
2. 2.

   How did the author feel when she look back on that day now?

   1. A.
      strange
   2. B.
      unrealistic
   3. C.
      indifferent
   4. D.
      lucky
3. 3.

   Which of the following statement can best interpret the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?

   1. A.
      Though I was excited, I should share the chance with others.
   2. B.
      Though I was excited, it’s fair to share the chance when there is challenge.
   3. C.
      Though I was excited, it’s a challenge for me to share the chance with others.
   4. D.
      Though I was excited, I know clearly where there is chance there is challenge.
4. 4.

   What conclusion could be drawn from the passage?

   1. A.
      The company values practice most.
   2. B.
      The company extremely focus on intelligence.
   3. C.
      The company has an inherited tradition of inspiring its members break their limits.
   4. D.
      The company sets the members apart in order to extremely stress detail and practice.

---May I look at your map for a little while?

---Of course, ________, Jack.

A. don't worry     B. I don't mind         C. enjoy yourself       D. take your time

My name is Amanda LaMunyon. I have Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism (自闭症). I don’t see myself as a person with a disability. I share who I am when I paint, sing and write.
I started writing poetry because I wanted to tell people what it was like to have Asperger’s syndrome. I don’t know how my life would be different without Asperger’s, but I know I look at the world differently than most people. I’m also learning that you don’t have to be like everybody else. You just have to be confident in who you are.
I discovered I could paint when I was 7. My math teacher Mrs. Brock loved one of my paintings so much that she hung it on the wall in her bedroom. I was so encouraged by her and since then my life has changed greatly.
Soon after, people asked me to show my art for charity events. I began to donate prints of my work for charity auctions (拍卖). I was glad that I really made a difference. I learned that when you give, you receive happiness.
I think it is very important for teens to express themselves. It’s a way to know yourself more clearly. You can turn your thoughts and feelings into a piece of artwork or a poem.
For example, when you paint, colors can help you express different emotions. When you write a poem, you have to get really honest with yourself and not be afraid to write down what you feel.
Creativity makes you unique and sets you apart from others. Creative ideas also help you make your dreams come true. They help you look at things in a new way.
I hope my story helps people to believe they can overcome their challenges and achieve their dreams. I like to encourage others. I know what encouragement has meant to me.
【小题1】The author mentions Mrs. Brock because she ______.