One summer several years ago, my family was enjoying a barbecue on the beach. After the barbecue, my father-in-law invited me to go fishing. Fishing was his hobby, but I 36 went fishing. We walked a little way along the beach and reached a rock by the shore, and I 37 the hook into the sea from there. Frankly speaking, I am a (n) 38 person, and although I had not felt a tug (猛拽) on the line, I reeled up the hook after five minutes or so. I had caught 39 . It was a starfish. It trembled uneasily when I 40 the hook from its ugly mouth. I threw the starfish back into the sea. After another five minutes I caught another starfish and I threw it back again.
After a while, I caught yet another starfish. That was 41 time, and this time I really got angry. I hit the starfish on the rock 42 throwing it into the sea. I was not in the 43 to continue fishing any more.
When I was 44 the fishing tools, I noticed a little girl looking at the starfish on the rock. We 45 looks with each other. The little girl spoke to me in a 46 voice. “Sir, would you mind if I 47 the starfish back into the sea?”“Not at all,” I replied. “"But you know, there are too many starfish in the sea, and they eat many shellfish. 48 , they look so ugly. I don't like them.”
“I understand,” said the little girl. “But if the starfish cannot get back to the sea, it will be 49 by the sun and die. My dead grandfather once told me that there are no living creatures that have no right to exist in the world. God 50 every creature because it was needed by nature. Poisonous snakes, spiders, and starfish were born into this world with a certain 51 for their existence.”
“All right, dear, please throw the starfish back into the sea,” I said to the little girl, feeling 52 . The girl picked up the starfish and gently put it into the sea, and she 53 at me and said, “Thank you, sir.”
Many people like "cute" creatures such as dogs, cats, and rabbits, while they tend to dislike “ugly” creatures such as snakes, spiders, and starfish. However, the “cuteness” and “ugliness” of things are decided 54 only on one’s personal opinions. There are no living creatures that have no 55 in the world-- this is what I learned from the little girl.
A．even B．still C．seldom D．ever
A．dragged B．pulled C．cast D．pushed
A．imaginable B．careless C．impatient D．confident
A．anything B．something C．everything D．nothing
A．received B．released C．replaced D．relaxed
A．a second B．the second C．the third D．a third
A．other than B．instead of C．more than D．except for
A．sense B．hope C．mood D．peace
A．putting off B．putting out C．putting in D．putting away
A．changed B．exchanged C．experienced D．arranged
A．frightened B．hopeless C．puzzled D．hesitating
A．put B．threw C．cast D．dropped
A．Therefore B．However C．Besides D．Still
A．died out B．worn out C．turned out D．dried out
A．protected B．blessed C．created D．admitted
A．idea B．excuse C．purpose D．ability
A．very satisfied B．a little ashamed C．quite angry D．a bit tired
A．smiled B．shouted C．looked D．laughed
A．carrying B．based C．depended D．following
A．value B．right C．price D．life
Risha loved school. However, there was one class Risha worried about more than any other—art. She didn’t know why she just wasn’t any good at , painting, or cutting.
Ms. Clay, the art teacher, stood at the front of the room. “Class, next Friday our school is going to have an art ,” she announced. Ms. Clay was a great teacher, and Risha liked her a lot. But this announcement made Risha . “Everyone in the school will create a piece of artwork to in the library. You can use the different types of artwork we have been studying.” Ms. Clay was quite excited when she spoke Risha found herself sinking lower in her chair.
Risha had the whole weekend to work on her project, she could not think of anything to do. On Monday, Risha felt frightened, so after school Risha asked Ms. Clay if she could write an art paper doing an art project.
“I understand this project you, Risha,” Ms. Clay said. “Just remember, you can
any kind of art you want.” Ms. Clay smiled at her. “Art is a person’s way of expressing his or her feelings—it isn’t always painting, drawing, or cutting. I know you will think of something very creative, and I can’t to see it.”
When Risha arrived home, she took out a piece of paper and a pencil. She Ms. Clay’s words. “Art is a person’s way of expressing his or her feelings.” Risha wrote the word “terrified” on her paper. She crumpled(把……揉成团) the paper and threw it to the side of her desk. Then Risha stared at the crumpled ball. It reminded her of a snowball. an idea struck her. Why not create a winter wonderland out of crumpled paper? Risha didn’t have to draw or paint or cut.
Risha crumpled lots of paper balls, glued them all together, and them on a big piece of hard paper to form a snowman. The snowman a hat made of black paper and a scarf made of red paper. And she even crumpled brown and green paper to create a forest. Her project was really wonderful.
On Friday, Risha carefully carried her project into the library. She noticed the and the nods from teachers and other students she put her work on a table. Ms. Clay walked over to Risha.
“You have created an original and amazing piece of artwork. I am so proud of you!” Ms. Clay said.
Risha was proud of herself too. Her pride when Ms. Clay placed a first-place star on her artwork. “Maybe I am a good after all,” Risha thought.
A．drawing B．writing C．cleaning D．spelling
A．lesson B．meeting C．collection D．competition
A．excited B．nervous C．satisfied D．surprised
A．paint B．sell C．donate D．show
A．before B．unless C．while D．because
A．and B．but C．or D．therefore
A．in case of B．because of C．instead of D．by means of
A．shocked B．encouraged C．pleased D．scared
A．refuse B．change C．create D．receive
A．wait B．afford C．come D．stand
A．noticed B．imagined C．remembered D．heard
A．Suddenly B．Seriously C．Lately D．Slowly
A．never B．even C．just D．nearly
A．knocked B．placed C．destroyed D．shared
A．showed B．owned C．wore D．kept
A．finished B．used C．improved D．uncompleted
A．doubt B．tears C．anger D．smiles
A．though B．since C．if D．as
A．disappeared B．grew C．exploded D．decreased
A．artist B．teacher C．organizer D．advertiser
For John and Amy, birthdays have always been a big deal—a welcome excuse to celebrate life．When their son, Alex, three in 2005, they invited 20 friends to a nearby park．Not long after that the were brainstorming ways to teach Alex about giving to ．“We wanted to do something that would have a（n） on our community（社区）, and that our young child could in．We started wondering what fortunate kids do on their birthdays．The next day, we called a local shelter, and learnt that children typically didn’t do to celebrate at all．No cake．No gifts．No party．” The couple said．
Several weeks later, threw a party at the for the children who had birthdays that month．They decorated, served cake, and danced with 50 kids．Alex helped presents．
that first party, the couple have turned their simple idea Birthday Blessings, a non-profit that hosts monthly parties at 10 shelters．
To date, Birthday Blessings （birthday blessings．org．） has thrown more than 500 at different shelters and handed out 22,000 party to nearly 4,000 homeless children in and around their community．
Birthday Blessings is entirely by volunteers．The charity（慈善）will take almost anything — toys, clothing, candy, baby items— it’s not used．“These kids never get anything new．” John said, “It makes a big to them psychologically．”
Being “part of this labor love” is making an impression on their son Alex．On his seventh birthday, his grandparents sent a check． it, the first thing he said was that he wanted to give half to the birthday kids．
A．turned B．grew C．came D．got
A．shelters B．neighbors C．friends D．couple
A．the other B．another C．others D．each other
A．impression B．influence C．permission D．limitation
A．participate B．take C．bring D．move
A．fairly B．less C．rather D．more
A．penniless B．jobless C．homeless D．hopeless
A．nothing B．anything C．everything D．something
A．Alex B．John C．Amy D．the family
A．shelter B．church C．school D．community
A．make out B．pass out C．show out D．leave out
A．Before B．Until C．After D．Since
A．into B．down C．out D．off
A．birthdays B．parties C．presents D．donations
A．cakes B．honors C．favors D．surprises
A．continued B．undertaken C．operated D．performed
A．as far as B．as soon as C．as simple as D．as long as
A．difference B．surprise C．benefit D．advantage
A．never B．always C．hardly D．already
A．Realizing B．Saving C．Opening D．Folding
A teacher teaching Maths to seven-year-old Laiq asked him, “If I give you one apple and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?”
Within a few seconds, Laiq confidently, “Four!”
The confused teacher was expecting a(n) correct answer, three. She was disappointed. “Maybe the child did not listen .” she thought. She , “Laiq, listen carefully. If I give you one apple and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?”
Laiq had seen the on his teacher’s face. He again on his fingers. But within him he was also the answer that would make the teacher happy. This time hesitatingly he replied, “Four.”
The disappointment stayed on the teacher’s face. Suddenly she that Laiq like strawberries. She thought maybe he didn’t like apples and that was why he couldn’t answer the question. This time with an excitement in her she asked, “If I give you one strawberry and one strawberry and one strawberry, then how many you will have?”
Seeing the teacher , young Laiq calculate on his fingers again. There was no pressure on him, but a little on the teacher. She wanted her new to succeed. a hesitating smile young Laiq replied, “Three?”
The teacher now had a smile. Her approach had succeeded. She wanted to herself. But one last thing remained. she asked him, “Now if I give you one apple and one apple and one more apple how many will you have?”
Confidently Laiq answered, “Four!” The teacher was . “How Laiq, How?” she demanded in a little annoyed voice.
In a voice that was and hesitating young Laiq replied, “Because I already have one in my bag.”
The story tells us: someone gives you an answer that is from what you expect, don’t think they are wrong. There shall be an angle that you may not have thought about yet.
A．replied B．added C．told D．wrote
A．careless B．effortless C．worthless D．selfless
A．Possibly B．actively C．strictly D．properly
A．repeated B．ordered C．whispered D．complained
A．satisfaction B．disappointment C．punishment D．determination
A．recognized B．discovered C．calculated D．insisted
A．searching for B．waiting for C．arguing about D．talking about
A．decided B．noticed C．expressed D．remembered
A．mouth B．hands C．eyes D．nose
A．sad B．happy C．pitiful D．lovely
A．invention B．system C．reform D．approach
A．On B．In C．With D．By
A．victorious B．precious C．lasting D．appealing
A．thank B．congratulate C．help D．enjoy
A．Above all B．In vain C．On purpose D．Once again
A．astonished B．concerned C．amused D．relaxed
A．high B．clear C．easy D．low
A．strawberry B．apple C．coin D．box
A．Before B．After C．Until D．When
A．free B．absent C．different D．safe
A long time ago, there was an emperor(皇帝). One day he told his horseman that if he could ride on his horse and as much land area as he liked, he would give him the area of land he had covered. enough, the horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and as fast as possible to cover as much land area as he could. He riding and riding, whipping the horse to go as fast as possible. Even when he was or tired, he did not stop he wanted to cover as much area as possible. When he at last covered a large amount of land, he was exhausted and was . Then he asked himself, “Why did I myself so hard to cover so much land area? Now I am dying and I only a very small area to myself.”
The above story is to the journey of our . We push ourselves very hard every day to make more , to gain power or recognition. We neglect(疏忽，忘记) our , time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding and the things we love to do. One day we look back, we will that we don’t really need that much, then we cannot turn back time for what we have .
Life is not about making money. Life is definitely(肯定地) not about work! Work is only to keep us living so as to enjoy the beauty and pleasures of life.
A．use B．get C．work D．cover
A．Sure B．Strange C． Good D．Interesting
A．rode B．ran C．expanded D．struggled
A．gave up B．asked for C．kept on D．succeeded in
A．sad B．hungry C．confused D．excited
A．because B．so C．but D．if
A．dying B．arguing C．sleeping D．smiling
A．make B．push C．destroy D．prove
A．find B．have C．need D．show
A．live B．support C．bury D．sleep
A．useful B．certain C．special D．similar
A．future B．past C．history D．life
A．money B．progress C．discoveries D．friends
A．freedom B．career C．honor D．health
A．things B．condition C．beauty D．people
A．before B．when C．unless D．since
A．regret B．realize C．apologize D．explain
A．but B．until C．however D．or
A．saved B．won C．reduced D．missed
A．possible B．probable C．necessary D．suitable
Tears were streaming down Ruth Ann Kittelson's face as she hung up the phone. Her daughter, Lora, wanted to ____ her husband and move back home with her new baby. For the first time Ruth Ann ____ if she had the strength to keep Lora from getting her own way. As Lora grew up, Ruth Ann would do anything for her. "If Lora wanted something I would be ____ that she got it," she recalled.
Lora's father had left the ____ when Lora was 15. A year later Ruth Ann married a Christian man named Wayne.
When Lora was 20 years old, she ____ Scott Mesker, and the early years of their married life were plainful and exhausting. As college students, Scott had three jobs and Lora worked on campus. ____ the birth of their son. Josh, the pressures became overwhelming. Scott and Lora became ____ in the same household.
Coming from a divorced home, Lora knew her choices. ____ she had been a Christian since childhood, some of her best friends advised, "____ will forgive you if you get a divorce."
Lora knew that her mom ____ let her come home with the baby. ____, her mom would do anything for her.
Ruth Ann knew Lora's marriage was in ____, and had discussed the situation with Wayne and he ____ that Ruth Ann should not come to Lora's rescue. Lora needed to make a commitment to her marriage.
Ruth Ann had not always ____ to Wayne when Lora was a teenager, but she would now. She could not ____ Lora taking her young son through the ____ of divorce.
As she talked with Lora on the phone, she sensed that God was telling her not to ____ to Lora's request to move home. So she reluctantly said, "I just can't ____ you come home. You love Scott. You have to take a stand and make this work!"
Lora was in ____. "How could Mom do this to me?" she wondered. What she didn't see was Ruth Ann's body ____ from uncontrollable weeping.
A．keep B．leave C．quit D．stop
A．wondered B．minded C．cared' D．considered
A．sure B．necessary C．likely D．possible
A．work B．task C．job D．family
A．met B．recognized C．knew D．married
A．With B．For C．As D．In
A．workers B．students C．parents D．strangers
A．If B．When C．While D．Although
A．Mother B．God C．Husband D．Child
A．should B．will C．would D．need
A．In all B．After all C．All in all D．At all
A．danger B．time C．trouble D．state
A．announced B．declared C．decided D．advised
A．seen B．listened C．pointed D．referred
A．think B．meet C．imagine D．receive
A．feeling B．excitement C．pain D．pleasure
A．want B．expect C．agree D．approve
A．ask B．let C．make D．force
A．comfort B．horror C．surprise D．disbelief
A．crying B．shaking C．standing D．falling