A lesson in caring
It was a cold evening. My daughter and I were walking up Broadway. I didn’t notice a guy sitting inside a cardboard box. But Nora 36 . She wasn’t even four, but she 37 at my coat and said, “That man’s cold. Daddy, can we take him home?”
I don’t remember my 38 . But I do remember a sudden 39 feeling inside me. I had always been delighted at how much my daughter noticed in her 40 , whether it was 41 flying or children playing. But now she was noticing 42 and beggary.
A few days later, I saw an article in the newspaper about volunteers who picked up a food package from a nearby school on a Sunday morning and 43 it to an elderly person. It was quick and easy. I signed us up. Nora was 44 about it. She could understand the importance of food, so she could easily see how 45 our job was. When Sunday came, she was ready, but I had to 46 myself to leave the house to fetch the food package. On my way to the school, I fought an urge (强烈愿望) to turn 47 . The Sunday paper and coffee were waiting for me at home. Why do this? 48 , we phoned the elderly person we’d been appointed. She 49 us right over.
The building was in a bad state. Facing us was a silver-haired woman in an old dress. She took the package and asked us to come in. Nora ran inside. I unwillingly followed. 50 inside, I saw that the department belonged to someone poor. Our hostess showed us some photos. Nora played and when it came time to say goodbye, we three hugged. I walked home 51 .
Professionals call such a(n) 52 “a volunteer opportunity”. They are opportunities and I’ve come to see. Where else but as volunteers do you have the opportunity to do something 53 that’s good for others as well as for yourself? Nora and I regularly serve meals to needy people and 54 clothes for the homeless. Yet, as I’ve 55 her grow over these past four years, I still wonder—which of us has benefited more?
A．did B．was C．has D．had
A．pulled B．replaced C．waved D．aimed
A．debate B．reply C．explanation D．expression
A．general B．funny C．heavy D．magical
A．web B．dream C．castle D．world
A．insects B．animals C．plants D．birds
A．coldness B．illness C．suffering D．appearance
A．sent B．returned C．devoted D．posted
A．concerned B．sorry C．worried D．excited
A．creative B．valuable C．shocking D．simple
A．warn B．stop C．allow D．push
A．back B．away C．up D．out
A．Therefore B．But C．Anyhow D．Also
A．requested B．promised C．invited D．helped
A．Although B．Once C．Because D．Though
A．in tears B．in surprise C．in reality D．in disappointment
A．stay B．visit C．reception D．challenge
A．fair B．famous C．difficult D．enjoyable
A．collect B．make C．order D．design
A．let B．made C．watched D．affected
When Alice started to cycle home from Jenny’s house, she wasn’t nervous. She was certainly not afraid of the dark. 31 , it was only a 15-minute ride home. But halfway there, she began to wish that she hadn’t been so 32 .
As she rounded a sharp bend, it suddenly 33 cold－very cold. Alice’s breath became puffs of white cloud and her legs were so cold that it became hard to ride.
With her heart beating fast, she struggled so hard to move 34 that she didn’t hear the car which suddenly appeared beside her. She stopped by the road. The big black car also 35 . Slowly, the passenger-window began to slide down. Alice held her breath. In the soft light inside the car, something 36 . Then, the light brightened and Alice was staring at a sweet, grey-haired old lady. “Hello, dear,” said the old lady. “I need 37 . I’m afraid I’m lost. I need to find the nearest airport. I must be there in the next five minutes. ”
“Airport? You 38 are lost,” Alice said. “You need to go back five kilometers 39 you reach the T-junction. Turn left and 40 for about another 10 kilometers to the main highway. From there, just follow the 41 to the airport. But I’m afraid there’s no 42 you’ll get there in five minutes!”
“Thank you very much, dear.” replied the old lady. “Don’t worry—I’ll 43 in time. ”
The 44 moved up and the car started off. A little way ahead, it 45 and with headlights flashing, it drove past Alice. But then, something 46 happened. The car began changing. First, its color 47 from black to silvery- grey. And then the wheels began disappearing, but the car continued to move forward, 48 just above the ground. As the car 49 into the dark sky, the big red tail-lights grew larger and larger and glowed more and more brightly. With a faint whistling 50 , the car was gone in seconds, leaving Alice shaking her head in disbelief…
A．However B．Besides C．Therefore D．Otherwise
A．brave B．excited C．curious D．stubborn
A．fell B．seemed C．proved D．grew
A．aside B．around C．forward D．backward
A．arrived B．stopped C．stayed D．started
A．gathered B．existed C．dropped D．moved
A．help B．gas C．rest D．water
A．necessarily B．normally C．basically D．certainly
A．if B．until C．unless D．as
A．drive B．walk C．follow D．march
A．address B．signs C．notices D．guidance
A．doubt B．room C．time D．way
A．have it B．get it C．make it D．finish it
A．door B．window C．headlight D．wheel
A．passed B．rushed C．turned D．continued
A．strange B．sensitive C．imaginable D．horrible
A．developed B．approved C．spread D．faded
A．rolling B．floating C．drawing D．flashing
A．pointed B．returned C．broke D．rose
A．tune B．voice C．sound D．tone
One rainy night many years ago ,an elderly couple entered the hall of a small hotel in Philadephia. The couple walked to the front desk hoping to get some 21 for the night. “Could you give us a 22 here?” the husband asked.
The waiter, a 23 man with a bright smile, looked at the couple and 24 that there were three meetings in town. “All of our rooms are taken,” the waiter said. “ 25 I can’t send a nice couple like you out into the rain at one o’clock in the morning. Would you be 26 to sleep in my room? It’s not 27 a suite(套房)，but it will be good enough to make you 28 for the night.”
When then couple refused 39 , he explained, “Don’t worry about me.”So the couple 30 . The next morning, the elderly man said to the waiter, “you are the kind of manager who should be the boss of the best 31in America. Maybe someday I’ll 32 one for you.” The waiter looked at them and 33 .Then they drove away.
Two years passed. The waiter had almost 34 it when he received a letter from the old man. It recalled（提起）that 35 night and enclosed（附上）a round-trip to New York, asking the young man to pay them a visit.
The old man 36 knowledge, the knowledge of the life, history and geography of the people whose 37 him in New York and led him to Fifth Avenue and 34th Street. He 38 to a great new building there.
“That is the hotel I have just built for you,” said the elderly man.
“You must be 39 ,” the young man said.
“I’m not,” said the elderly man.
The elderly man was William Waldor-Aster, and that 40 building was the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The young waiter who became its first manager was George Boldt.
A．food B．shelter C．light D．space
A．room B．help C．bed D．chair
A．serious B．patient C．friendly D．careful
A．decided B．thought C．suggested D．explained
A．So B．And C．But D．If
A．ready B．glad C．grateful D．natural
A．clearly B．nearly C．exactly D．simply
A．calm B．special C．successful D．comfortable
A．easily B．politely C．give D．know
A．left B．agreed C．complained D．happened
A．hotel B．shop C．school D．restaurant
A．build B．keep C．find D．invent
A．checked B．excused C．smiled D．changed
A．expected B．realised C．discovered D．forgotten
A．bright B．warm C．cloudy D．stormy
A．ticket B．map C．form D．travel
A．met B．thanked C．missed D．watched
A．waved B．pointed C．moved D．returned
A．laughing B．arguing C．joking D．reporting
A．small B．common C．simple D．beautiful
At 8:30 on a busy morning of one day，an elderly gentleman in his 80s came to the hospital . I heard him saying to the nurse that he was in a hurry for an appointment at 9:30.
The nurse had him take a 36 in the waiting area, 37 him it would be at least 40 minutes 38 someone would be able to see him. I saw him 39 his watch and decided, since I was 40 busy—my patient didn’t 41 at the appointed hour, I would examine his wound. While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment.
The gentleman said no and told me that he 42 to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his 43 . He told me that she had been 44 for a while and that she had a special disease. I asked if she would be 45 if he was a bit late. He replied that she 46 knew who he was, that she had not been able to 47 him for five years now. I was 48 , and asked him, “And you 49 go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?”
He smiled and said, “She doesn’t know me, but I know who she is.” I had to hold back 50 as he left.
Now I 51 that in marriages, true love is 52 of all that is. The happiest people don’t 53 have the best of everything; they just 54 the best of everything they have. 55 isn’t about how to live through the storm, but how to dance in the rain.
A．breath B．test C．seat D．walk
A．persuading B．telling C．understanding D．promising
A．if B．after C．since D．before
A．very B．also C．not D．seldom
A．go away B．see off C．come on D．turn up
A．happened B．forgot C．pretended D．needed
A．wife B．daughter C．mother D．sister
A．late B．there C．around D．well
A．worried B．lonely C．doubtful D．hungry
A．so far B．neither C．no longer D．already
A．believe B．answer C．recognize D．expect
A．moved B．surprised C．disappointed D．satisfied
A．still B．then C．thus D．only
A．curiosity B．judgment C．words D．tears
A．suggest B．realize C．hope D．predict
A．acceptance B．expression C．agreement D．exhibition
A．naturally B．completely C．necessarily D．frequently
A．learn B．make C．favor D．try
A．Adventure B．Beauty C．Trust D．Life
A little boy was visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot(弹弓）to 21in the woods. He practiced and practiced but could never 22 the target. Becoming somewhat 23 , he headed back for dinner.
As he was returning, he saw Grandma’s 24 duck. Without thinking, he shot his slingshot, hit the duck right 25 the head and killed it. He was shocked and sad. Quickly, he 26 the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his 27 watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.
After 28 that day, Grandma said, “Sally, you wash the dishes.” But Sally said, “Grandma, Johnny told me that he wanted to 29in the kitchen today, didn't you, Johnny?” And then she 30 to him, “Remember, the duck?” Then Johnny did the dishes.
Later, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to __31__ fishing, and Grandma said, “I’m sorry but I __32__ Sally to help me make supper.” But Sally smiled and said, “Well, that’s all right. Johnny told me he wanted to __33__.” And she whispered again, “Remember, the 34 ?” So Sally went fishing and Johnny 35 at home.
After several days, Johnny finally couldn't 36 it any longer. He went to Grandma and 37 that he had killed her pet duck and asked for her 38 .
Hearing this, Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug, and said, “Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the 39 and saw the whole thing from the house. And because I 40 you, I forgive you, but I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make you her slave.”
A．work on B．carry out C．look after D．play with
A．get B．hit C．find D．miss
A．discouraged B．nervous C．helpless D．foolish
A．pet B．big C．pretty D．little
A．to B．at C．by D．in
A．took B．got C．hid D．found
A．grandpa B．grandma C．sister D．brother
A．lunch B．supper C．breakfast D．school
A．support B．cook C．help D．stay
A．shouted B．spoke C．nodded D．whispered
A．go B．play C．discover D．find
A．make B．have C．punish D．need
A．stay B．do C．help D．beat
A．farm B．duck C．supper D．slingshot
A．waited B．smiled C．stayed D．cried
A．stand B．keep C．face D．hide
A．promised B．explained C．admitted D．described
A．apology B．advice C．forgiveness D．permission
A．window B．roadside C．kitchen D．farm
A．punished B．mistook C．love D．respect
Cars are an important part of life in the United States． Without a car， most people feel that they are___36___．And even if a person is poor， he doesn’t feel___37___poor when he has a car．
Henry Ford was the man who first started ___38___cars in large numbers． He probably didn’t know how much the car was going to ___39___American culture．The car made the United States a nation on ___ 40___． And it ___41___to make the United States what it is today．
There are three main reasons that the car has become so___42___in the United States． ___43___，the country is a huge one and Americans like to __44__around in it ．The car__45__the most comfortable and cheapest form of transportation． With a car， people can go any place___46___spending a lot of money．The second reason is that the United States never really developed an efficient（有效地） and inexpensive form of public___47___． Long distance trains have never been as ___48___in the United States as they are in other parts of the world．Nowadays there is a good system of air-service provided by ___49__．But it is too expensive to be used ___50__． The third reason is the most ___51__one．The American spirit of ___52___is what really made cars popular． Americans don’t like to wait for a bus or a train ___53___a plane． They don’t like to have to ___54___an exact schedule． A car gives them the freedom to schedule their own time．And this is the freedom that Americans want___55___to have．
A．healthy B． poor C．pretty D．rich
A．actually B．truly C．really D．exactly
A．making B．doing C．designing D．owing
A．afford B．affect C．effort D．effect
A．foot B．horse backs C．wheels D．chairs
A．helped B．tried C．hoped D．got
A．well-known B．popular C．lovely D．famous
A．In all B．After all C．Above all D．First of all
A．walk B．transport C．move D．go
A．provides B．offers C．takes D．proves
A．with B．by C．for D．without
A．journey B．transportation C．travel D．trip
A．unusual B．usual C．common D．ordinary
A．bikes B．ships C．planes D．rockets
A．completely B．continuously C．frequently D．fully
A．important B．funny C．common D．simple
A．dependence B．independence C．selfishness D．self-confidence
A．nor B．but C．and D．or even
A．take B．receive C．accept D．follow
A．most B．worst C．best D．least