III. Reading Comprehension
Section A
Directions: For each blank in the following passage there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D. Fill in each blank with the word or phrase that best fits the context.
Until I took Dr. Offutt’s class, I was an underachieving student. But I left that class
__50 _never to underachieve again. He not only taught me to think, he convinced me, as much by examples as words, that it was my _51 obligation to do so and to serve others.
Neither of us could know how our relationship would 52 over the years. When I first came back to DeMatha to teach English, I worked for Dr. Offutt, the department chair. My discussions with him as he mentored me were like graduate seminars in adolescent (青少年) __53_ , classroom management and school leadership.
After several years, I was 54 department chair, and our relationship shifted again. I thought that it might be __55_ to chair the department, since all of my former English teachers were __56_ there, but Dr. Offutt supported me __57_ . He knew when to give me advice about curriculum, texts and personnel, and when to let me __58_ my own course.
In 1997, I needed his __59_ about leaving DeMatha to become principal at another school. __60_ he had asked me to stay at DeMatha, I might have. __61_ , he encouraged me to seize the new opportunity.
Five years ago, I became the principal of DeMatha. __62_ , Dr. Offutt was there for me, letting me know that I could __63_ him as I tried to fill such big shoes. I’ve learned from him that great teachers have an inexhaustible wealth of lessons to teach. Even if his students don’t know it yet, I know how __64_ they are: I’m still one of them.
50. A. anxious B. eager C. determined D. worried
51. A. family B. legal C. academic D. moral
52. A. evolve B. stay C. remain D. worsen
53. A. process B. procedure C. development D. movement
54. A. called B. appointed C. entitled D. offered
55. A. awkward B. uneasy C. unnatural D. insensitive
56. A. once B. already C. still D. never
57. A. through B. throughout C. at the beginning D. in the end
58. A. chart B. head C. describe D. manage
59. A. opinion B. request C. permission D. promise
60. A. Even if B. Although C. If D. When
61. A. Naturally B. Instead C. Consequently D. Peacefully
62. A. Once again B. Now and then C. Hopefully D. Surprisingly
63. A. count on B. account for C. call on D. appeal to
64. A. earnest B. worried C. fortunate D. desperate
Last weekends, my kids along with few other kids from the neighborhood volunteered to help me wash my car. My 10-year-old daughter came up with the idea of 31 other people’s cars as well. It was pretty 32 outside and I had no plans to 33 to be in the bright sun. She 34 wanted to give lemonade(柠檬汽水)to passersby for free. I had seen little kids 35 and sell fresh lemonade for a small cost but not free. Although I felt 36 , I decided to help her. 37 she asked me, “What if we 38 this a smile car wash?” I couldn’t hold back my tears and 39 her and the other kids to go outside the house and come up with 40 ideas. While I kept myself busy in drying the car, the gang walked up to me with a(n) 41 with beautiful images of smiles. They had “Free Car Wash” written on it and the 42 of their exercise was “smile”. It was pretty neat to see a team of kids ranging 5-11 years with the 43 to do something for others.
All that seemed 44 and came right from their heart. Nothing seemed to 45 to them: their playtime, the heat outside—they just wanted to 46 others and do something nice in the community!
I helped them make some fresh lemonade and brought out some additional 47 to help clean cars. The passersby were 48 and one even shouted back to them saying “God Bless You, my kids…” One of them even tried giving them 5 dollars, which they refused. A pretty heartwarming 49 ! I feel blessed by being 50 by such wonderful and loving souls.
A.decorating B.repairing C.washing D.drying
A.dirty B.hot C.different D.quiet
A.practice B.avoid C.continue D.suggest
A.hardly B.therefore C.already D.further
A.serve B.enjoy C.buy D.choose
A.difficult B.popular C.confused D.worried
A.Luckily B.Simply C.Then D.Finally
A.order B.leave C.make D.show
A.encouraged B.expected C.invited D.challenged
A.familiar B.ready C.changed D.creative
A.board B.picture C.idea D.car
A.purpose B.trouble C.secret D.theme
A.need B.duty C.imagination D.skill
A.important B.disappointing C.hopeful D.natural
A.matter B.object C.belong D.refer
A.relax B.try C.help D.smile
A.friends B.rags C.children D.Fruit
A.interested B.amazed C.bored D.frightened
A.scene B.gift C.story D.explanation
A.supported B.understood C.refused D.surrounded
The young couple had another quarrel. They were sitting silently when the landlady came in and asked, “You don’t 31 the house any more?” He kept silent and she 32 shook her head.
The landlady began 33 the house. After looking around, the landlady screamed, “See how you have 34 my house? The walls are full of nails! How could I rent it to others?”
She began looking around her 35 room. Four years ago on the wedding night, he felt deeply 36 to her, saying, “I feel so sorry to you for 37 you live in this small room. In the future I will buy our own big house.”
This tiny room has two nails on the wall next to the door, one for her bag and the other 38 . At that time, she threw all her stuff such as her bag and umbrella on the 39 once she entered the room, staring at the whole 40 and feeling terribly upset. Then he began 41 more nails into the wall. There were three nails on the left, on which 42 his clothes yesterday and four on the right used to 43 their wedding photo frame.
The landlady started to pull the nails out with a tool. After the nails were 44 , the walls were left with countless holes. Suddenly, she felt heartbroken as if she were 45 nonstop through these holes.
She 46 to her feet and exclaimed, “Stop removing the nails! We will rent the house 47 we buy our own!” He gazed at her surprised, and then turned round, tears over his cheek.
She 48 realized that marriage was like a wall and that all 49 and “cold wars” were like the nails on the wall. 50 , when they were removed, only a wall with holes would remain. But if all the nails were still in their own places, the wall was still complete and reliable.
A.like B.clean C.rent D.keep
A.simply B.barely C.coldly D.proudly
A.observing B.examining C.watching D.spotting
A.shared B.ruined C.kept D.decorated
A.familiar B.dirty C.empty D.bright
A.devoted B.attached C.optimistic D.guilty
A.leaving B.having C.asking D.getting
A.clothes B.pictures C.umbrellas D.hats
A.floor B.wall C.ceiling D.door
A.trouble B.mess C.confusion D.order
A.putting B.striking C.driving D.beating
A.hung B.fastened C.dropped D.swung
A.connect B.fix C.hang D.put
A.replaced B.separated C.unfastened D.removed
A.crying B.aching C.bleeding D.disturbing
A.jumped B.held C.stuck D.got
A.if B.unless C.as D.until
A.especially B.eventually C.fortunately D.sadly
A.chaos B.troubles C.quarrels D.challenges
A.Therefore B.Besides C.Thus D.However
As I was driving out of the store parking lot, they crossed in front of me.My first reaction was filled with 36 at being delayed for a whole ten seconds.But I quickly became 37 when I realized that it was an elderly 38 .
The man leaned on his 39 who walked in front of him.He not only used her for 40 but it was obvious that he was blind.The two of them _41 as one—each needing the other to 42 in this fast-changing world.
That little example of true strength 43 my whole personal perception(理解) of life that day.Suddenly I wasn’t so 44 having to work a few extra hours on Saturdays.I had my 45 ,and I was still 46 young.
That picture of those two elderly people walking with dignity(尊严) and strength 47 me the entire week.My 48 wasn’t so bad after all.I had my health and a good job.I had a wonderful,49 wife.I started to think—not only was I 50 to have these all, but so was that wonderful old couple,who,_51 the trials and sufferings of a long life,still had the love and support of each other to 52 them through this world.
There are so many people out there just like that couple.My wife and I sometimes 53 ourselves in our old age, walking arm in arm into the sunset. That image always gives us a 54 feeling.Just remember, none of us would be here if it wasn’t for our elders.We all should spend a little extra time and patience, 55 helping our elder friends.
A.tension B.anger C.surprise D.puzzle
A.nervous B.worried C.patient D.satisfied
A.couple B.driver C.policeman D.truck
A.friend B.daughter C.wife D.mother
A.fun B.free C.support D.care
A.worked B.stood C.thought D.considered
A.warn B.point C.remind D.function
A.ruin B.remove C.change D.fail
A.sure of B.mad about C.excited with D.curious about
A.courage B.freedom C.dream D.strength
A.similarly B.extremely C.naturally D.relatively
A.agreed with B.stayed with C.happened to D.connected with
A.family B.plan C.life D.salary
A.supportive B.famous C.active D.pretty
A.lucky B.fit C.willing D.eager
A.unless B.despite C.owing to D.since
A.challenge B.value C.carry D.arrange
A.picture B.share C.compare D.teach
A.sad B.bitter C.serious D.warm
A.in case of B.regardless of C.as a result of D.when it comes to
A boy was walking home from school when he saw a large, tempting (诱人的)apple on one of the branches of an apple tree hanging out over a tall fence. The boy wasn’t much of a fruit-eater, 1a bar of chocolate if given the choice, but, as they say, the forbidden fruit can be tempting. Seeing the apple, the boy wanted it. The more he looked at it, the2 he felt and the more he wanted that apple.
3 as high as he could, but even at his tallest 4 , he was unable to touch it. He began to 5 up and down , as high as he could, at the 6 of each jump stretching his arms to get the apple . Still it remained out of7 . Not giving up , he thought , if only he had something to 8 on . His school bag wouldn’t give enough height and he didn’t want to 9 the things inside , like his lunch box , pencil case , and Game boy. Looking around, he hoped he might find an old box , a rock , or , with luck , even a ladder , but it was a tidy neighborhood and there was nothing he could use. He had tried everything he could think to do. Without seeing any other choices , he gave up and started to walk 10 . At first he felt angry and disappointed thinking about how hungry he had become from his 11 , and how he really wanted that apple .The more he 12 like this , the more unhappy he became.
However ,the boy of our story was a pretty smart guy, even if he couldn’t always get what he wanted .He started to say to himself . This isn’t 13 ,I don’t have the apple and I’m feeling miserable as well. There’s14 more I can do to get the apple-that is unchangeable-but we are supposed to be able to 15 our feelings. If that’s the case, what can I do to feel better?
A.preferring B.offering C.receiving D.allowing
A.sadder B.angrier C.hungrier D.tastier
A.Expanding B.Stretching C.Swinging D.Pulling
A.strength B.length C. range D.height
A.jump B.look C.walk D.glance
A.tip B.stage C.top D. level
A.put B.stand C.get D.hold
A.break B. shake C.take D.strike
A.back B. away C.up D.down
A.wishes B. beliefs C.efforts D.goals
A.thought B.imagined C.tried D.claimed
A.skilful B.cheerful C.harmful D. helpful
A.something B.anything C.everything D.nothing
A.change B.express C.forget D.describe
The back door of the ambulance(救护车) was suddenly shut and the driver ran to the front, jumped into his seat, and started the engine. Inside were the 36 parents, Mr and Mrs Green, the mother holding their baby daughter Ally. The little girl had 37 food stuck in her throat and could hardly breathe.
The driver, Mr white, 38 his siren (报警器) and flashing light, and started speeding towards the nearest hospital, fighting against_39 _. The cars ahead of him pulled out of the way as he drove through the 40. From the back of the41 the parents were shouting at him to 42 , since Ally had almost stopped 43 . In front of him he saw some traffic lights, with the red “STOP” light shining. Mr White knew that he had no time to 44 , so he drove straight past the traffic lights, looking 45 his left and right as he did so.
Coming towards him from his right was a taxi. The driver had the windows 46 , since the car was air-conditioned, and he was playing his radio. He did not 47 the ambulance. The lights were green, so he drove straight 48 into the path of the ambulance.
Mr White tried to stop his ambulance but it was too late. It hit the taxi. Everybody was shaken but no one was hurt. Mr White looked to see 49 little Ally was. He was astonished to see relief (宽慰) instead of 50 on the faces of the parents.
“Look!” cried Mrs Green. “She is 51 again.”
“It must have been the 52 .” said her husband. “It 53 the food out of her throat.” The baby’s color was turning to normal, and she was crying in a loud but healthy 54 .
They were all joyful, and quite forgot about the accident, the taxi, and the lines of 55 all around them.
A.worried B.angry C.happy D.surprised
A.little B.some C.no D.few
A.opened on B.turned on C.turned off D.sped up
A.police B.enemy C.lights D.time
A.empty street B.busy traffic C.crowds D.deserted place
A.street B.cars C.traffic D.ambulance
A.hurry B.be careful C.stop D.drive
A.breathing B.seeing C.saying D.talking
A.think B.look about C.lose D.miss
A.at B.from C.forward D.to
A.open B.clean C.up D.down
A.hear B.see C.find D.notice
A.away B.on C.off D.out
A.how B.what C.where D.who
A.pleasure B.anger C.fear D.surprise
A.crying B.breathing C.smiling D.speaking
A.light B.policeman C.car D.crash
A.took B.picked C.knocked D.made
A.sound B.voice C.tone D.noise
A.people B.policemen C.lights D.cars