I’ve loved my mother’s desk since I was just tall enough to see above the top of it as Mother sat doing letters. Standing by her chair, looking at the ink bottle, pens, and white paper, I decided that the act of writing must be the most wonderful thing in the world.
Years later, during her final illness, Mother kept different things for my sister and brother. “But the desk”, she said, “is for Elizabeth”.
I never saw her angry, never saw her cry. I knew she loved me, she showed it in action. But as a young girl, I wanted heart-to-heart talks between mother and daughter.
They never happened. And a gulf opened between us. I was “too emotional”. But she lived “on the surface”
As years passed and I had my own family. I loved my mother and thanked her for our happy family. I wrote to her in careful words and asked her to let me know in any way she chose that she did forgive me.
I posted the letter and waited for her answer. None came.
My hope turned to disappointment,then little interest, finally, peace---it seemed that nothing happened. I couldn’t be sure that the letter had even got to Mother. I only knew that I had written it, and I could stop trying to make her into someone she was not.
Now the present of her desk told me, as she’d never been able to, that she was pleased that writing was my chosen work, I cleaned the desk carefully and found some papers inside---a photo of my father and a one-page letter, folded(被折叠) and refolded many times.
Give me an answer, my letter asks, in any way you choose, Mother, you always chose the act that speaks louder than words.
81. The writer began to love her mother’s desk________.
A. after Mother died B. before she became a writer
C. when she was a child D. when Mother gave it to her
82. The passage shows that__________.
A. Mother wrote her daughter in careful words
B. Mother cared much about her daughter in words
C. Mother was too serious about everything her daughter had done
D. Mother was cold on the surface but kind in her heart to her daughter
83. The word “gulf” in the passage means________.
A. part of the sea going far in land
B. free talks between mother and daughter
C. different ideas between the mother and the daughter
D. deep understanding between the old and the young
84. What did Mother do with her daughter’s letter asking for forgiveness?
A. She had never received the letter.
B. She read the letter again and again till she died.
C. For years, she often talked about the letter.
D. She didn’t forgive her daughter at all in her life.
85. What’s the best title of the passage?
A. My letter to Mother B. Mother and Children
C. My Mother’s Desk D. Talks between Mother and Me
Wanted,Someone for a Kiss
We’re looking for producers to join us on the sound of London Kiss 100 FM. You’ll work on the station’s music programs. Music production experience in radio is necessary,along with rich knowledge of modern dance music. Please apply in writing to Producer Vacancies,Kiss 100.
Father Christmas
We’re looking for a very special person,preferably over 40,to fill our Father Christmas suit.
Working days:Every Saturday from November 24 to December 15 and every day from December 17 to December 24 except Sundays, 10:30-16:00.
Excellent pay.
Please contact the Enterprise Shopping Centre,Station Parade,Eastbourne.
Accountants Assistant
When you join the team in our Revenue Administration Unit,you will be providing assistance within all parts of the Revenue Division,dealing with post and other general duties. If you are educated to GCSE grade C level we would like to talk to you. This position is equally suitable for a school leaver or for somebody who has office experience.
Wealden District Council
Software Trainer
If you are aged 24-45 and have experience in teaching and training,you could be the person we are looking for. You should be good at the computer and have some experience in program writing. You will be allowed to make your own decisions,and to design courses as well as present them. Pay upwards of£15,000 for the right person. Please apply by sending your CV (简历) to Mrs R. Oglivie, Palmlace Limited..Who should you get in touch with if you hope to work in a radio station?
A.Producer Vacancies,Kiss 100. |
B.Mrs Oglivie,Palmlace Limited. |
C.The Enterprise Shopping Centre. |
D.Wealden District Council. |
.We learn from the ads that the Enterprise Shopping Centre needs a person who________.
A.is aged between 24 and 40 |
B.may do some training work |
C.should deal with general duties |
D.can work for about a month |
.Which position is open to recent school graduates?
A.Producer,London Kiss. |
B.Father Christmas. |
C.Accountants Assistant. |
D.Software Trainer. |
.What kind of person would probably apply to Palmlace Limited?
A.One with GCSE grade C level. |
B.One with some office experience. |
C.One having good computer knowledge. |
D.One trained in producing music programs. |
For years, business people in Western Europe were worried. They knew they could not compete against business from the U.S. The United States is much larger and had many more resources than any Western European countries.
Some European people realized that the European nations need to join together to help each other. If they could forget their language differences and the differences in customs, they might become strong competition against other countries.
In 1958, six of the European countries --- Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany and Italy got together and decided to cooperate. They called their group the European Economic Community, or the Common Market. These countries agreed to join their resources together.
Within a few years, the European Economic Community had worked so well that its members were more prosperous than many other European nations. Soon, other nations began to realize the advantage of the Common Market. Today the Common Market includes most of the important countries in Western Europe. It is helping Western Europe to again take its place as a leader among the industrial nations of the world. From the passage we know the U.S. is much richer than _____ in resources.
A.any other Western European countries |
B.any other country in Western Europe |
C.any country in Western Europe |
D.every country in Europe |
The members of the European Economic Community have developed fast because they ___.
A.share their resources and become more prosperous |
B.can again take the place as a leader in the world |
C.forget the differences in their languages and customs |
D.have become strong competition against the U.S. |
Which statement is true?
A.The Common Market is only a political association. |
B.The Common Market is an economic and political association |
C.The Common Market is only an economic association |
D.The Common Market is neither an economic association nor a political one. |
. In order to____, the Western European countries decided to cooperate.
A.join together to found a united country |
B.help each other to smooth away the differences in customs |
C.work and act together for common purpose |
D.work together and fight against the U.S. |
My husband and children think they are very lucky that they are living and that it’s Christmas again. We live on a dirty street in a dirty house among people who aren’t much good. But Johnny and children can’t see this,never can they see! What a pity it is that our neighbors have to make happiness out of all this dirt. I decided that my children must get out of this. The money that we’ve saved isn’t nearly enough.
The McGaritys have money but they are so proud. They look down upon the poor. The McGarity girl just yesterday stood out there in the street eating from a bag of candy while a ring of hungry children watched her. I saw those children looking at her and crying in their hearts; and when she couldn’t eat any more she threw the rest down the sewer(下水道). Why, is it only because they have money? There is more to happiness than money in the world, isn’t there?
Miss Jackson who teaches at the Settlement House isn’t rich, but she knows things. She understands people. Her eyes look straight into yours when she talks with you. She can read your mind. I’d like to see the children be like Miss Jackson when they grow up.This passage mainly suggests that the writer _______.
A.is easy to get along with |
B.is unhappy with the life they are living |
C.is good at observing and understanding |
D.is never pleased with her neighbors |
What do you think of McGarity girl?
A.She is proud and hungry. | B.She is selfish and cruel. |
C.She is lonely and friendless. | D.She is unhappy and misunderstood. |
In this text, the writer tries to tell us that _______.
A.money is the key to everything |
B.the more money you have, the less happy you’ll be |
C.there is something more important than money |
D.when talking to people we should look into their eyes |
Why play games? Because they are fun, and a lot more besides, following the rules, planning your next move, acting as a team member…. These are all “game” ideas that you will come across throughout your life.
Think about some of the games you played as a young child, such as rope-jumping and hide-and-seek. Such games are entertaining and fun. But perhaps more importantly, they translate life into exciting dramas that teach children some of the basic rules they will be expected to follow the rest of their lives, such as taking turns and cooperating.
Many children’s games have a practical side. Children around the world play games that prepare them for work they will do as grown-ups. For instance, some Saudi Arabian children play a game called bones,which sharpens the hand-eye coordination(协调)needed in hunting.
Many sports encourage national or local pride. The most famous games of all, the Olympic Games, bring athletes from around the world together to take part in friendly competition. People who watch the event wave flags, knowing that a gold medal is a win for an entire country, not just the athlete who earned it. For countries experiencing natural disasters or war, an Olympic win can mean so much.
Sports are also an event that unites people. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. People on all continents play it—some for fun and some for a living. Nicolette Iribarne, a Californian soccer player, has discovered a way to spread hope through soccer. He created a foundation to provide poor children with not only soccer balls but also a promising future.
Next time you play your favorite game or sport, think about why you enjoy it, what skills are needed, and whether these skills will help you in other aspects of your life.Through playing hide-and-seek, children are expected to learn to _____.
A.be a team leader |
B.obey the basic rules |
C.act as a grown-up |
D.predict possible danger |
The underlined part in Paragraph 2 most probably means that games can_____.
A.describe life in an exciting way |
B.turn real-life experiences into a play |
C.make learning life skills more interesting |
D.change people’s views of sporting events |
According to the passage, why is winning Olympic medals so encouraging?
A.It inspires people’s deep love for the country. |
B.It proves the exceptional skills of the winners. |
C.It helps the country out of natural disasters. |
D.It earns the winners fame and fortune. |
Iribarne’s goal of forming the foundation is to _______.
A.bring fun to poor kids |
B.provide soccer balls for children |
C.give poor kids a chance for a better life |
D.appeal to soccer players to help poor kids |
Dear Kind-Trustee-Who-Sends-Orphans-to-College,
Here I am! I traveled yesterday for four hours in a train. It’s a funny feeling, isn’t it? I never rode in one before.
College is the biggest, most puzzling place — I get lost whenever I leave my room. I will tell you more about it later when I’m feeling less confused; also I will tell you about my lessons. Classes don’t begin until Monday morning, and this is Saturday night. But I wanted to write a letter first just to get acquainted(认识的).
It seems strange to be writing letters to somebody you don't know. It seems strange for me to be writing letters at all — I've never written more than three or four in my life, so please overlook it if these are not a model kind.
Before leaving yesterday morning, Mrs. Lippett and I had a very serious talk. She told me how to behave all the rest of my life, and especially how to behave towards the kind gentleman who is doing so much for me. I must take care to be very respectful.
But how can one be very respectful to a person who wishes to be called John Smith? Why couldn’t you have picked out a name with a little personality? I might as well write letters to Dear Flagpole or Dear Clothes-line.
I have been thinking about you a great deal this summer; having somebody take an interest in me after all these years makes me feel as though I had found a sort of family. It seems as though I belonged to somebody now, and it’s a very comfortable feeling. I must say, however, that when I think about you, my imagination has very little to work upon. There are just three things that I know: I.You are tall. Ⅱ. You are rich.Ⅲ. You hate girls.
I suppose I might call you Dear Mr. Girl-Hater. Only that's rather rude to me. Or Dear Mr. Rich-Man, but that's rude to you, as though money were the only important thing about you. Besides, being rich is such a very external(外在的) quality. Maybe you won’t stay rich all your life; lots of very clever men get broke in Wall Street. But at least you will stay tall all your life! So I've decided to call you Dear Daddy-Long-Legs. I hope you won’t mind. It’s just a private pet name we won’t tell Mrs. Lippett.
The ten o’clock bell is going to ring in two minutes. Our day is divided into sections by bells. We eat and sleep and study by bells. It's very lifeful. There it goes! Lights out. Good night.
Observe how precisely I obey rules — due to my training in the John Grier Home.
Yours most respectfully,
Jerusha Abbott
To Mr. Daddy-Long-Legs SmithJerusha thought that she couldn’t be very respectful to “John Smith” because __________.
A.he was a total stranger to her |
B.she was sure it was a false identity |
C.the name was too common |
D.nobody would like to be called that way |
According to Jerusha, being rich may be __________.
A.temporary | B.unimaginable | C.traditional | D.rude |
The fact that her day is “divided into sections by bells” makes Jerusha feel __________.
A.too busy | B.restricted by rules |
C.pressed for time | D.full of energy |
Jerusha decided to call the trustee Dear Daddy-Long-legs __________.
A.in order to show her respect for him |
B.because it was his only inner quality |
C.in order to make them feel closer to each other |
D.because she had always wanted a father |