One day an American friend invited me to a party. It wasn’t a real party, it was some kind of informal get-together. Since it was summer time, he had a cookout where most of his American friends and relatives were known to me, but there were others I had never met before.

       It was the most embarrassing (令人尴尬) party for me when I noticed that everybody was wearing jeans and simple T-shirts for the day, while I arrived in proper dress with my shoes and my hair all fixed for a fancy party. It was hard to explain my embarrassment to other guests. When one of them turned around and said, “What nice clothes! What’s the occasion?” I felt my face burning hot with embarrassment. I did not answer at all. If she knew how bad I already felt, she wouldn’t have come near me. But she did. Maybe she didn’t ask intentionally to make me feel bad or uncomfortable, but my reaction had to do with the way I already felt. I could have told her I had to go to another party afterwards, but I did not want to continue the conversation.

       Many times I thought about going home and changing, but I knew that they would notice. It would be even worse for me, because I knew they would quickly think that I felt out of place. So I wanted to pretend that I was okay…

       I had already realized their customs were different from mine; but after I talked to my friend, I was more convinced that people here are more casual (休闲的，随意的). They care less about formality, unless it is a special occasion, like a wedding or a very formal invitation.

       In contrast, my culture is totally the opposite. For instance, in Cape Verdean culture, if a friend invited me to his house on a special day, even if it is not a real party, one should appear well dressed or otherwise the host will be annoyed thinking you are disrespectful to him or the other guests. We do dress casually for going on picnic or on ordinary days, but not normally to go over to a friend’s when invited, especially if other people will be there.

       After all, I think that my problem at the party wasn’t that I wasn’t accepted by the Americans; but my feeling was so bad that I couldn’t fit in the group even if nobody noticed, because I was the one who discovered the difference in the first place. It doesn’t matter if people dress differently, but I was the only one different in the group. I felt I was the one who should adjust to their customs. After that, I decided to learn more about American culture, so now I don’t have as many problems as I’ve had in the past.

61．Which of these statements describes the cookout in the story?

       A. It was very formal.                                      B. People wore casual clothing.

C. It took place in a restaurant.                          D. People care more about formality.

62．This story is mainly about _________.

       A. culture differences                                        B. living in the United States

C. what to do at a cookout                                 D. how to get prepared for a cookout

63．It can be inferred from the story that the author _________.

       A. left the cookout early                                    B. probably didn’t enjoy the cookout

C. never wears blue jeans                                  D. will never go to a cookout

64．Which of the following can replace the underlined word “intentionally” in the second paragraph?

       A. Patiently.                 B. Willingly.                 C. Carefully.                 D. On purpose.

One day an American friend invited me to a party. It wasn’t a real party, it was some kind of informal get-together. Since it was summer time, he had a cookout where most of his American friends and relatives were known to me, but there were others I had never met before.

       It was the most embarrassing （令人尴尬） party for me when I noticed that everybody was wearing jeans and simple T-shirts for the day, while I arrived in proper dress with my shoes and my hair all fixed for a fancy party. It was hard to explain my embarrassment to other guests. When one of them turned around and said, “What nice clothes! What’s the occasion?” I felt my face burning hot with embarrassment. I did not answer at all. If she knew how bad I already felt, she wouldn’t have come near me. But she did. Maybe she didn’t ask intentionally to make me feel bad or uncomfortable, but my reaction had to do with the way I already felt. I could have told her I had to go to another party afterwards, but I did not want to continue the conversation.

       Many times I thought about going home and changing, but I knew that they would notice. It would be even worse for me, because I knew they would quickly think that I felt out of place. So I wanted to pretend that I was okay…

       I had already realized their customs were different from mine; but after I talked to my friend, I was more convinced that people here are more casual （休闲的，随意的）. They care less about formality, unless it is a special occasion, like a wedding or a very formal invitation.

       In contrast, my culture is totally the opposite. For instance, in Cape Verdean culture, if a friend invited me to his house on a special day, even if it is not a real party, one should appear well dressed or otherwise the host will be annoyed thinking you are disrespectful to him or the other guests. We do dress casually for going on picnic or on ordinary days, but not normally to go over to a friend’s when invited, especially if other people will be there.

       After all, I think that my problem at the party wasn’t that I wasn’t accepted by the Americans; but my feeling was so bad that I couldn’t fit in the group even if nobody noticed, because I was the one who discovered the difference in the first place. It doesn’t matter if people dress differently, but I was the only one different in the group. I felt I was the one who should adjust to their customs. After that, I decided to learn more about American culture, so now I don’t have as many problems as I’ve had in the past.

1．Which of these statements describes the cookout in the story?

       A．It was very formal.                                     B．People wore casual clothing.

C．It took place in a restaurant.                         D．People care more about formality.

2．This story is mainly about _________.

       A．culture differences                                      B．living in the United States

C．what to do at a cookout                               D．how to get prepared for a cookout

3．It can be inferred from the story that the author _________.

       A．left the cookout early                                  B．probably didn’t enjoy the cookout

C．never wears blue jeans                                D．will never go to a cookout

4．Which of the following can replace the underlined word “intentionally” in the second paragraph?

       A．Patiently.                B．Willingly.                C．Carefully.                D．On purpose.

One day an American friend invited me to a party． It wasn’t a real party, it was some kind of informal get-together． Since it was summer time, he had a cookout where most of his American friends and relatives were known to me, but there were others I had never met before．

       It was the most embarrassing （令人尴尬） party for me when I noticed that everybody was wearing jeans and simple T-shirts for the day, while I arrived in proper dress with my shoes and my hair all fixed for a fancy party．It was hard to explain my embarrassment to other guests．When one of them turned around and said, “What nice clothes! What’s the occasion?” I felt my face burning hot with embarrassment． I did not answer at all． If she knew how bad I already felt, she wouldn’t have come near me．But she did． Maybe she didn’t ask intentionally to make me feel bad or uncomfortable, but my reaction had to do with the way I already felt．I could have told her I had to go to another party afterwards, but I did not want to continue the conversation．

       Many times I thought about going home and changing, but I knew that they would notice．It would be even worse for me, because I knew they would quickly think that I felt out of place．So I wanted to pretend that I was okay…

       I had already realized their customs were different from mine; but after I talked to my friend, I was more convinced that people here are more casual （休闲的，随意的）．They care less about formality, unless it is a special occasion, like a wedding or a very formal invitation．

       In contrast, my culture is totally the opposite．For instance, in Cape Verdean culture, if a friend invited me to his house on a special day, even if it is not a real party, one should appear well dressed or otherwise the host will be annoyed thinking you are disrespectful to him or the other guests．We do dress casually for going on picnic or on ordinary days, but not normally to go over to a friend’s when invited, especially if other people will be there．

       After all, I think that my problem at the party wasn’t that I wasn’t accepted by the Americans; but my feeling was so bad that I couldn’t fit in the group even if nobody noticed, because I was the one who discovered the difference in the first place．It doesn’t matter if people dress differently, but I was the only one different in the group．I felt I was the one who should adjust to their customs．After that, I decided to learn more about American culture, so now I don’t have as many problems as I’ve had in the past．

1．Which of these statements describes the cookout in the story?

       A．It was very formal．                 B．People wore casual clothing．

C．It took place in a restaurant．        D．People care more about formality．

2．This story is mainly about _________．

       A．culture differences                        B．living in the United States

C．what to do at a cookout                 D．how to get prepared for a cookout

3．It can be inferred from the story that the author _________．

       A．left the cookout early                    B．probably didn’t enjoy the cookout

C．never wears blue jeans                  D．will never go to a cookout

4．Which of the following can replace the underlined word “intentionally” in the second paragraph?

       A．Patiently．            B．Willingly．              C．Carefully．           D．On purpose．

Today I am known for my voice. Perhaps the greatest honor came when I was asked to read The New Testament《新约全书》 on　 tape.

But it 36 a long time to believe such good things could happen to me. When I was a child, I stuttered（结巴）so badly that I was completely 37 to speak in public.

38 , when I was 14, Professor Donald Crouch came to my school. He was a retired college professor. English was his favorite subject and 39 was his deepest love. He held a book of poems as if it were a crystal(水晶), 40 pages as if uncovering treasures . When he heard that our school was teaching Shakespeare and other classics, he felt 41 for not being a part of our school sooner.

When he 42 that I not only loved poetry but was 43 it, we became closer. There was, however, one 44 between us—Professor Crouch could not stand the 45 that I refused to read my poems to the class.

“Jim, poetry is 46 to be read aloud,” he said. “You should be able to speak those beautiful words.” I shook my head and 47 .

One day he 48 me.

After handing in a poem, I waited for his 49 . It didn’t come. Instead, one day as the students had gathered together, he 50 me, “Jim, I don’t think you wrote this poem.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “Why,” I started to cry, 51 flooding me, “of course I did!” Well, then,” he said, “you’ve got to prove it by getting up and reciting it from 52 .“

By then the other students had settled at their desks. With knees shaking, I walked up to the front. For a moment I stood there, 53 . Then I began, and kept going. I recited my poem all the way 54 !

Afterwards, Professor Crouch encouraged me to read other writers’ poetry before the public. I discovered I did have a( n) 55　　　 and found my classmates actually looked forward to hearing me recite.

　　 36. A. lasted　　　　　　　　　　　 B . took　　　　　　　　　 C . cost　　　　　　　　　　 D . wasted

　　 37. A. impatient　　　　　　　　　 B. unlikely　　　　　　　　 C . unable D . impossible

　　 38. A. But　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. Then　　　　　　　　　 C . Besides D . However

　　 39. A. archaeology　　　　　　　 B. art　　　　　　　　　　　 C . architecture　　　　　 D . poetry

　　 40. A. drawing　　　　　　　　　　 B. turning　　　　　　　　 C . writing　　　　　　　　 D . finding

　　 41 . A. regretful　　　　　　　　　 B. thankful　　　　　　　 C. relieved D . annoyed

　　 42. A. decided　　　　　　　　　　 B. recognized　　　　　 C .learned　　　　　　　　　 D . proved

　　 43. A. reading　　　　　　　　　　 B. reciting　　　　　　　　 C . publishing　　　　　　 D . writing

　　 44. A. difficulty　　　　　　　　　 B. promise　　　　　　　 C . agreement D . difference

　　 45 . A. matter　　　　　　　　　　 B. fact　　　　　　　　　　 C . idea　　　　　　　　　　　 D . belief

　　 46. A. said　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. found　　　　　　　　　 C . prepared　　　　　　　 D . meant

　　 47. A. turned away　　　　　　　 B. sat down　　　　　　　 C . talked back　　　　　 D . gave in

　　 48. A . greeted　　　　　　　　　　 B. scolded　　　　　　　　 C . tricked D . comforted

　　 49. A. help　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. idea　　　　　　　　　　 C . reward D. comment

　　 50. A . challenged　　　　　　　 B. attacked　　　　　　　 C . noticed　　　　　　　　 D . told

　　 51 . A . pride　　　　　　　　　　　 B. anger　　　　　　　　　 C . excitement　　　　　　 D . joy

　　 52. A. heart　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. beginning　　　　　　 C. mind　　　　　　　　　　 D. memory

　　 53. A . puzzled　　　　　　　　　　 B. disappointed　　　　 C . breathless D . aimless

　　 54. A . down　　　　　　　　　　　 B. up　　　　　　　　　　　 C . around　　　　　　　　 D . through

　　 55. A . voice　　　　　　　　　　　 B. sound　　　　　　　　　 C . gift　　　　　　　　　　　 D . interest

 (浙江省2008学年第二学期温州中学高三三模考试)

Today I am known for my voice. Perhaps the greatest honor came when I was asked to read The  New Testament（《新约全书》）on tape .

       But it  21  a long time to believe such good things could happen to me. When I was a child, I stuttered（结巴）so badly that I was completely   22  to speak in public.

         23   when I was 14, Professor Donald Crouch came to my school. He was a retired college professor. English was his favorite subject and   24  was his deepest love. He held a book of poems as if it were a crystal,    25   pages as if uncovering treasures. When he heard that our school was teaching Shakespeare and other classics, he felt   26  for not being a part of our school sooner.

       When he  27 that I not only loved poetry but was  28  it, we became closer. There was, however, one   29  -- Professor Crouch could not stand the  30  that I refused to read my poems to the class.

       “Jim, poetry is   31  to be read aloud,” he said. “You should be able to speak those beautiful words.” I shook my head and  32  .

       One day he   33  me .

       After handing in a poem, I waited for his  34  . It didn’t come. Instead one day as the students had gathered together, he   35  me , “Jim, I don’t think you wrote this poem.”

       I stared at him in disbelief. “Why,” I started,   36  flooding me. “of course I did !” “Well, then,” he said, “you’ve got to prove it by getting up and reciting it from   37  .”

       By then the other students had settled at their desks. With knees shaking, I walked up to the front. For a moment I stood there,  38  . Then I began, and kept going. I recited my poem all the way   39  !

       Afterwards, Professor Crouch encouraged me to read other writers’ poetry before the public. I discovered I did have a (n)  40  and found my classmates actually looked forward to hearing me recite.

21．A．lasted                  B．took                    C．cost                    D．wasted

22．A．impatient             B．unlikely               C．unable                 D．impossible

23．A．But                     B．Then                   C．Besides               D．However

24．A．archaeology         B．art                      C．architecture         D．poetry

25．A．drawing              B．turning                C．writing                D．finding

26．A．regretful              B．thankful               C．relieved               D．annoyed

27．A．decided               B．recognized           C．learned                D．proved

28．A．reading                B．reciting                C．publishing            D．writing

29．A．difficulty             B．promise               C．agreement           D．difference

30．A．matter                 B．fact                     C．idea                    D．belief

31．A．said                    B．found                  C．prepared              D．meant

32．A．turned away        B．sat down             C．talked back          D．gave in

33．A．greeted                B．scolded               C．tricked                D．comforted

34．A．help                    B．idea                     C．reward               D．comment

35．A．challenged           B．attacked              C．noticed                D．told

36．A．pride                   B．anger                  C．excitement           D．joy

37．A．heart                   B．beginning             C．mind                   D．memory

38．A．terrified               B．disappointed         C．breathless            D．aimless

39．A．down                  B．up                       C．around                D．through

40．A．voice                  B．sound                  C．appearance          D．interest