For years I wanted a garden. I’d spend hours thinking of different things I could plant that would look nice together.

But then we had Matthew, and Marvin, and the twins Alisa and Alan, and then Helen. I was too busy raising them to grow a garden.

Money was not enough. Neither was time. Often when my children were little,one of them would want something that cost too much, and I’d have to say, “Do you see a money tree outside? Money doesn't grow on trees, you know.”

Finally, all the children got through high school and college and were off on their own. I started thinking again about a garden.

Then, one spring morning, on Mother’s Day, I was working in my kitchen. Suddenly, I looked out of the window and there was a new tree, planted right in my yard. There were things blowing around on it. Then I put my glasses on—and I couldn’t believe what I saw.

There was a money tree in my yard!

I went outside to look. It was true! There were dollar bills*, one hundred of them, hanging all over that tree. There was also a note among them, “Thank you for your time, Mom. We love you!”

Later, my children bought me tools, ornaments, a sunflower stepping stone and gardening books. A new page started in my life.

That was three years ago. My garden’s now very pretty, just like I wanted. When I go out and take care of my flowers, I don’t seem to miss my children as much as I once did. It feels like they’re right there with me. Now every year when winter comes, I look out of my window and think of the flowers I’ll see next spring in my little garden. I think about what my children did for me, and I get tears in my eyes—every time.

I’m still not sure that money grows on trees. But I know love does!

1.How many children did the writer have?

A．Three            B．Four             C．Five              D．Six

2. What did the mother mean when she said “Money doesn’t grow on trees”?

A．She was too busy to plant a money tree at that time.

B．She had to save money so that she could have a garden.

C．It wasn’t easy for her to make money to raise all the children.

D．They didn’t have much money because the mother lost her job.

3. The “money tree” appeared in the writer’s yard _________.

A．before her children were born

B．one spring morning when the children were little

C．after the children went to school

D．on a Mother’s Day after the children left her

4. The children planted a money tree in their mother’s yard because _________.

A．their mother needed money badly

B．they wanted to show their love to their mother

C．it was time for them to give the money back to her

D．they wanted to live together with their mother forever

 

When I was about 12, I had an enemy, a girl who liked to point out my shortcomings(缺点). Sometimes she said I was thin. Sometimes she said I was lazy. Sometimes she said I wasn’t a good student. Sometimes she said I talked too much, and so on. I tried to put up with(忍受) her as long as I could. At last, I became very angry. I ran to my father with tears in my eyes.

He listened to me quietly, and then he asked, “Are the things she said true or not? Mary, didn’t you ever wonder what you’re really like? Go and make a list of everything she said and mark the points that are true. Pay no attention to the other things she said.”

I did as he told me and to my surprise, I discovered that about half the things were true.

I brought the list back to my dad. He refused to take it. “That’s just for you,” he said. “You know better than anyone else the truth about yourself. When something said about you is true, you’ll find it will be helpful to you. Don’t shut your ears. Listen to them all, but hear the truth and do what you think is right.”

Many years have passed. The situation often appears in my mind. In our life we often meet with some trouble and we often go to someone and ask for advice. For some advice you will treasure(珍惜) all your life!

1. What did the writer’s father do after he heard her complaints(抱怨)?

A．He agreed with her “enemy”.

B．He let her continue to put up with her “enemy”.

C．He told her to write down all her “enemy” had said about her.

D．He told her not to pay attention to what her “enemy” had said.

2.The writer felt _________ when she did the things as her father had told her.

A．surprised

B．angry

C．disappointed

D．sad

3.What fact does the passage provide?

A．The “enemy” thought the writer was pretty.

B．The “enemy” thought the writer studied hard.

C．The writer and her “enemy” became best friends at last.

D．The writer is grateful to her father.

4. Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?

A．My Parents.

B．A Serious Criticism(批评).

C．What People Say About You Is Always Right.

D．The Best Advice I Ever Had.

 

按课文填空。根据课文内容填入适当的单词，完成短文。（10分）

It’s also probably a good idea for parents to  _76 teenagers to study in groups  77 the evening. I know we get  78 sometimes, but we  79 a lot from each other. We also think that vacations should be   80 . At present they’re too short. Longer vacations would give us time to do things  81  volunteering. Last summer I had an  82 to volunteer at the local hospital, but I couldn’t because I had to  _84 back to school. It would be a good  _84 for me because I want to be a doctor when I’m  85  .

 

“It’s 8:15 on a Sunday morning,” said the officer, Tidwell, “and this sort of thing seems an unlikely adventure(冒险) at such a time. Would you mind explaining?”

   The man was astonished(吃惊的) at the voice from behind. He turned about and said, “I know what you’re thinking, officer, but it isn’t true. It’s a very funny mistake.”

   “I think you’ve just left this house in a manner rather than the usual one. That may be quite all right, but I’d like to make sure.” Tidwell took out his notebook and a pen. “Name, address and occupation and then, please tell me your story.”

    “Charlie Crane, lorry(卡车) driver, from Nottingham, 51 Brecon Street. My story?”

    “Yes, What were you doing like a fly on that wall, Mr. Crane?”

    “Well, I had a breakdown yesterday and had to stay the night here. The landlady’s name is Mrs. Fern. She gave me breakfast at seven, and I was out of here in the right way and down at the lorry park by half past seven. It was only when I felt around for a cigarette that I realized I’d left $80 under the pillow(枕头) here. It’s a habit I’ve got into. I even do it almost every day.”

    “I see. Why didn’t you miss it when you meant to pay Mrs.? What’s her name?”

    “I paid her last night. You’ve got to pay when you take the room, see? So I came rushing back, but it’s Sunday, and she’d gone back to bed. I rang the bell and banged on the front door for ten minutes before I came round here. Up I went this pipe(管子) and the money was still there. You know the rest, and I hope you believe it because….”

   “Mr. Crane, whatever are you doing here? I thought you’d gone an hour ago.” It was Mrs. Fern.

1. What did Tidwell see?

A. He saw a man going to a park in a hurry 

B. He saw a man bringing a pipe out, through a window.

C. He saw a man leaving a house         

D. He saw a man trying to go up a pipe

2.When Mr. Crane was at home, he         .

A. kept his cigarettes under his pillow at night  

B. always carried his money about him at night

C. tried to give up the habit of smoking       

D. put his money under his pillow at night

3.What do you think happened in the end?

A. Mrs. Fern found the $80 in the house     

B. Tidwell took Mr. Crane to the police station

C. Mrs. Fern said sorry to Mr. Crane        

D. Mr. Crane was let go

 

Everyone has worries. How do you deal with your worries? There is always something you can do to help yourself feel less worried. Sitting there worrying is no fun and it won't solve your problems.

    Grades at school are often a top worry for kids. ff you worry most about grades, ask yourself these questions:

    ●  Why are grades important? What do grades mean to me?

    ●  How do I get ready for class? Do I go over my notes even when there isn't a test?

    ●  Do I have a good place to do my homework?

    ●  Have I tried different ways of studying?

    If your worry is about a fight you had with your friend, you might write down al! the things you could do-write a note to him or her, invite him or her to watch a basketball game, say sorry to him or her and so on. Once you have a list of things you could do, you can choose one thing that could get your friend back.

     You can ask for help when you're worried. You can find someone to talk to, such as your parents, friends, and teachers.

1.What do kids often worry most about?

     A. Their hobbies.                     B. Their homework.

     C. Their marks at school.               D. A fight with their friends.

2.According to the passage, when you're worried, you'd better _______.

     A. work hard                        B. talk to someone

     C. get ready for class                  D. write down your worries

3.If you're worried about grades, DON'T ask yourself "_______".

     A. Why are grades important?           B. What do grades mean to me?

     C. How do I get ready for class?         D. Why not give up my studies?

4.If you had a fight with a friend, you could _______.

     A. invite him or her to watch a game      B. put the blame on him or her

     C. try to make new friends              D. leave him or her alone

5.What does the passage mainly tell us?

     A. Who is often worried.               B. When people are worried.

     C. How to deal with worries.            D. What kinds of worries people have.