This is a story  that happened 15 years ago but it has always stayed with me since then.On the way back from work every evening,more often than not there would be a homeless man standing at the exit of the freeway.He always waved at every car,he was always happy and smiling and sometimes almost dancing.Every day after work when I got there，I would quickly roll down my window and give him the coins.Occasionally the red light would be on for a minute and we would ask each other about our day.His answer would always be the same，“I’m blessed！”.
It amazed me that even in his situation of being homeless he was so positive，and his answer would remind me of how blessed I was.A single mother of four amazing kids,with a place to call home and with a job to provide for my kids.Then one day I was called into my boss’s office and was told that I was being laid off due to the economy.Needless to say that on my was home that day I was very sad and upset.I didn’t remember to look for my spare change and keep it ready like I usually did.I wasn’t feeling the joy as I got off the ramp where the homeless man would be.Yet there he was as alway，as l turned the ramp.He set his eyes on me，while still smiling and waving at others.
While I was waiting for the red light to turn，he strolled over to my car.He had a big smile he looked me straight in the eyes and said “today I will give you a dollar”.He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a dollar bill.I was blown away.I burst into tears.I wanted to jump out of my car and hug him！
You see that day he gave me more than a dollar bill，he taught me a valuable lesson.No matter  what material things are taken  from you，no one can take away your choice to be joyful.
【小题1】What is the passage mainly concerned？

A．A dollar bill from a homeless person.

B．A blessing coming from a homeless person.

C．A woman who lost her job due to the economy.

D．A homeless man standing at the exit of the freeway.

【小题2】From the lst paragraph，we know the homeless man is         .

A．optimistic

B．brave

C．Iazy

D．kind-hearted

【小题3】After leaving the boss’s office，the author         .

A．felt relaxed to get rid of the tiring job

B．still felt joyful when coming off the ramp

C．took it for granted that she was fit for her job

D．didn’t put some change aside to give to the man

【小题4】The underlined phrase“blown away”in the 3rd paragraph most probably  means
       .

A．completely defeated	B．wholly blown down
C．really amazed	D．murdered by gunfire

【小题5】It can be inferred from the passage that         .

A．material things are the most important in life

B．people should be encouraged to beg by smiling

C．the author’s ride home that dog was smooth sailing

D．we should wait others’help when faced with challenges

This is a story  that happened 15 years ago but it has always stayed with me since then.On the way back from work every evening,more often than not there would be a homeless man standing at the exit of the freeway.He always waved at every car,he was always happy and smiling and sometimes almost dancing.Every day after work when I got there，I would quickly roll down my window and give him the coins.Occasionally the red light would be on for a minute and we would ask each other about our day.His answer would always be the same，“I’m blessed！”.

It amazed me that even in his situation of being homeless he was so positive，and his answer would remind me of how blessed I was.A single mother of four amazing kids,with a place to call home and with a job to provide for my kids.Then one day I was called into my boss’s office and was told that I was being laid off due to the economy.Needless to say that on my was home that day I was very sad and upset.I didn’t remember to look for my spare change and keep it ready like I usually did.I wasn’t feeling the joy as I got off the ramp where the homeless man would be.Yet there he was as alway，as l turned the ramp.He set his eyes on me，while still smiling and waving at others.

While I was waiting for the red light to turn，he strolled over to my car.He had a big smile he looked me straight in the eyes and said “today I will give you a dollar”.He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a dollar bill.I was blown away.I burst into tears.I wanted to jump out of my car and hug him！

You see that day he gave me more than a dollar bill，he taught me a valuable lesson.No matter  what material things are taken  from you，no one can take away your choice to be joyful.

1.What is the passage mainly concerned？

A.A dollar bill from a homeless person.

B.A blessing coming from a homeless person.

C.A woman who lost her job due to the economy.

D.A homeless man standing at the exit of the freeway.

2.From the lst paragraph，we know the homeless man is         .

A.optimistic         B.brave         C.Iazy          D.kind-hearted

3.After leaving the boss’s office，the author         .

A.felt relaxed to get rid of the tiring job

B.still felt joyful when coming off the ramp

C.took it for granted that she was fit for her job

D.didn’t put some change aside to give to the man

4.The underlined phrase“blown away”in the 3rd paragraph most probably  means

         .

A.completely defeated                B.wholly blown down

C.really amazed                      D.murdered by gunfire

5.It can be inferred from the passage that         .

A.material things are the most important in life

B.people should be encouraged to beg by smiling

C.the author’s ride home that dog was smooth sailing

D.we should wait others’help when faced with challenges

 

Jason had been watching the X Games on TV. Athletes from all over the world were competing in the most amazing sports. Just then his grandmother walked into the room. “I want to be extreme. Would you really let me do that? You always worry about my safety!” said Jason.

“You will have to follow some rules,” said his grandmother. “You can only ride in the park — never on the streets. You have to promise to wear a helmet (头盔). If you hurt yourself too much, I have the right to take your skateboard away. Is it a deal?”

“You bet!” Jason was so excited that he jumped off the sofa. A week later he had a board and a helmet.

On Saturday, his grandmother dropped him off near the park. He was happy to have a grandmother who let him try new things.

Kids in the park were moving quickly up and down the ramps (坡道). They flew into the air and landed as easily as birds. When he watched the X games, Jason felt like he was doing the tricks himself. But watching these kids up close, he knew that none of it was going to be easy. He felt a little bit scared.

Very slowly he carried his board to the ramp. Taking a deep breath, he put his right foot on the board. He kicked off with his left foot. For a few seconds he glided (滑行) along, just waiting to fall. Then he came to a stop. Kicking off again, he waited for the worst to happen. Again, he stayed up. The third time he kicked, lost his balance, and fell hard on his left knee.

It hurt, but it was no big deal! Why had he been so scared? Now he felt calm because things had gone wrong, and he was fine!

Next time he kicked off harder and went fast and farther. “Excellent!” said a girl as she passed him. “Extreme!” laughed Jason to himself. “Not quite.”

1.Jason’s grandmother agreed to let him try skateboarding unless _____.

A．he finished his homework                 B．he liked the sport

C．he observed some rules                  D．he won a bet

2.Jason jumped off the sofa because _____.

A．he was allowed to go skateboarding

B．he was angry at his grandmother

C．he was going to play outside

D．he was given a board and a helmet

3.The girl praised Jason for his _____.

A．skill              B．honesty           C．courage           D．kindness

 

Hoffman, 40, a former senior vice president of a financial company, had what she describes as “one of those extreme jobs.” “I loved working,” she says. But her career path reached a crossroad when her second child was born, and she left her job in February 2007. Hoffman is one of many people who have left the work force to take a break, but she has a position as consultant. she has described this type of career detour（绕路）—— which is more common for women than for men —— as “off-ramping.” Typically it occurs when the balancing act of parenting and work becomes too tough.

A study by the center found that more than 90 percent of women who off-ramp want to on-ramp back into the work force eventually. But making the transition back to work is rarely easy, and it is even harder in this economic climate of layoffs and hiring freezes.

Considering some of the obstacles faced by on-rampers, a three-day program called “Greater Returns: Restarting Your Career” was held at Columbia University. The goal of the three days was to have them walk away with a big shot of confidence.”

According to one school of thought women looking to make a comeback might even have an advantage in the current economy, especially if they are looking for part-time or consultant positions that do not offer benefits. And a majority of on-rampers are women with extensive working experiences that could give them a slight advantage over less-experienced competition.

“You absolutely cannot be defensive about why you off-ramped,” Ms Hoffman says, “defensive” would have put her into a hard situation if the Greater Returns program had not taught her how to describe the years she spent at home. “I now feel confident talking to an employer and saying, ‘Yes, I have been out of the work force, but here is where I can make significant contributions.’”

1. What is the best title for the passage?

A. Off-ramp: it is common

B. Off-ramp: it is easy

C. Off-ramp to on-ramp: it can be a hard journey

D. Off-ramp to on-ramp: it depends on confidence

2. According to the passage, Greater Returns                    .

A. is intended to relieve the pressure of the jobless women

B. has all the jobless women restart their career

C. is to last all the year around for the jobless women

D. will build up the confidence of those in search of jobs

3. The main reason for the women’s off-ramping is that                          .

A. they have to suffer the sexual discrimination

B. they reach a crossroad of career

C. they have to parent their children

D. they have great work pressure

4. Which job is easier to get for a woman off-ramper?

A. Regular workers.             B. Casual workers.       

C. Company managers.           D. Band clerks.

5. From what Ms. Hoffman says in the last paragraph, we can conclude                        .

A. she didn't get advice from the Greater Returns program

B. she was defensive about her off-ramping

C. she didn’t get the job because she lied about her experience

D. she is on-ramp partly due to her straightforward manner

 

 

The Museum:  The only surviving London home of Dickens( from 1837 until 1839),the Charles Dickens Museum in London, is the world’s most important collection of material relating to the great Victorian novelist. It was opened in 1925 and there are four floors together. People can have a good look

at paintings, rare editions, manuscripts（手稿）, original furniture and many items relating to the life of Dickens.

Opening Hours

☆ From Mondays to Saturdays 10:00—17:00; Sundays 11:00—17:00.

☆ No admission within 30 minutes before closing time.

☆ Groups can ask for special opening times for a private view.

Admission Fees: Families: £14.00 ( 2 adults & up to five children)

Students: £4.00; Seniors: £4.00; Children: £3.00; Adults: £5.00;

Group Admission: A special group charge of £4.00 for any group of 10 or more. Children will still be admitted for £3.00 each.

Access:  We are trying to improve our collection and the access to the Museum for the disabled. Our on-going projects include the fitting of a wheelchair ramp for better access, a customer care kit and an audio tour for visitors with vision problem. Our Handling Sessions are also suitable for people with disabilities such as eye problems. There’s an online virtual（虚拟的）tour through the Museum. Just click here to visit all the rooms in the Museum online.

Rent the Museum:  You can pay to use our museum for private functions, performances, parties and other social occasions.

Transport to the Museum:  You can come to the Museum by the following ways

☆ Buses:7,17, 19, 38, 45, 46, 55, 243.

☆ Underground services: Piccadilly Line; Central Line.

☆ Click here for a map. The British Museum is within walking distance.

1.The passage is most probably taken from a(n)________.

A. textbook           B. newspaper          C. website          D. magazine

2.If a family with two adults and five children go to the Museum together, they will save _____compared to going there separately.

A. £25.00               B. £ 14.00      C. £ 11.00         D. £9.00

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

A. The Museum is located near the British Museum.

B. Visitors with poor vision cannot enjoy the Museum.

C. In any case people cannot visit the Museum after 17:00.

D. No one is allowed to use the Museum for other uses.

4.The main purpose of the passage is to _______.

A. persuade more people to visit the Charles Dickens Museum.

B. tell readers about the history of the Charles Dickens Museum.

C. introduce different functions of the Charles Dickens Museum.

D. tell readers how to make use of the Charles Dickens Museum.