Breathe, wave and smile. Along with more than 300 other seniors, I marched into the stadium on the afternoon of May 10. The audience burst into deafening cheers. The huge stadium shook with all the whistling and clapping.
It was as if a Hollywood superstar had walked on stage. And indeed, every single senior that day was a star of the moment. Each deserved it. The seniors had been preparing for four years for this once-in-a-lifetime moment—the commencement.
Seated, I waited anxiously for the opening address. As a foreign exchange student, I was not able to receive a diploma. However, I still had the wonderful feeling of being part of things. Like the other graduates, I was dressed in marron(紫褐色)cap and gown(方帽长袍).
Our principal, Mr. Glover, delivered a short, warm greeting. The US national anthem followed and then, hands on chests, a solemn Pledge of Allegiance(对美国的效忠宣誓).
Students who had excelled academically gave farewell speeches. The tears in some eyes convinced me that many had deep feelings about the occasion. It was as the class motto says, “Life brings us tears, smiles and memories. The tears dry; the smiles fade; but the memories last forever.”
Then came the core (核心) of the commencement. Hundreds of names were announced. Each graduate walked across the stage to receive his or her diploma from the principal. From the different cheers each graduate got, we had the funny sense that it was a kind of competition of who could cheer the loudest.
To be honest, the presentation of diplomas got boring. A girl sitting next to me even started yawning. But it wasn’t boring for those receiving the diploma: they would treasure the moment the principal placed the sacred brown document in their hands for the rest of their lives.
A new page in the book of that person’s life had turned. They were glimpsing(开始领悟) their futures: futures of challenge, hardship, perhaps loneliness too, which would take all of their courage.What’s the article mainly about?
A.An American graduation ceremony. |
B.The opening ceremony of a sports meeting. |
C.A presentation of college diplomas. |
D.A US college’s farewell party. |
According to the text, which of the following statements about the author is TRUE?
A.Hollywood superstars went to attend the ceremony. |
B.Every single senior became a superstar at the ceremony. |
C.When each graduate got his or her diploma, there were cheers. |
D.All graduates would treasure the diploma for the rest of their lives. |
The right order of the following events is________.
a. Diplomas were presented to graduates. b. Students gave farewell speeches.
c. The US national anthem was played. d. The principal gave a short, warm speech.
e. Seniors went into the stadium.
A.b-c-a-d-e | B.b-d-c-e-a | C.e-d-b-a-c | D.e-d-c-b-a |
From the text, we can infer that_______.
A.foreign exchange students could get a diploma |
B.a diploma guarantees a bright future |
C.the ceremony symbolizes the beginning of a new stage in life |
D.everyone felt excited at the presentation of the diploma |
We know from the text that the author _________.
A.felt lost about the future |
B.was actually one of the graduates |
C.received her diploma on May 10 |
D.felt it boring to be at the presentation ceremony |
A father with Parkinson’s disease was arrested as he watched the Olympic cycling road race because he failed to smile or look as if he was enjoying himself.
Mark Worsfold, a martial arts trainer and former soldier, claims that he was thrown to the floor and handcuffed just as cyclists passed by. His worried wife Nicola only found out he was being held after she reported him missing when he did not turn up for their daughter’s ninth birthday party. The 54-year-old man had his fingerprints, DNA and mugshot taken before being questioned about why he did not appear to be enjoying the event on July 28. Police said Mr. Worsfold, who was held for over five hours, was arrested because of his manner, his state of dress and his being too near to the course. A spokesman added that the arrest was necessary to avoid a breach (破坏) of the peace because he was standing near a group of protesters (抗议者).
But Mr. Worsfold, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2010, said that one of the symptoms of the disease is muscle rigidity, which can cause his face to become expressionless. “I was sitting minding my own business”, he told a local newspaper. “Before I knew anything the police grabbed me off this seven-foot wall, threw me to the floor and handcuffed me, so all I saw of the cycle race was between the feet of people from the pavement. It could have been done better. I was arrested for not smiling. I have Parkinson’s disease. ”
Mr. Worsfold has since asked for a letter of not being guilty from police. The officers who made the arrest have apologized to him. Which word can be used to replace the underlined word “mugshot” in the second paragraph?
A.clothes | B.photos | C.measures | D.tools |
Which statement is TRUE according to the passage?
A.Worsfold’s wife was immediately informed of his being arrested by the police. |
B.Worsfold was arrested because he was extremely dangerous. |
C.Worsfold enjoyed the cycle race though he saw it between the feet of people from the pavement. |
D.Worsfold was arrested because of his clothes as well as his facial expression. |
What can we infer from the passage?
A.The officers must have been punished for Worsfold’ arrest. |
B.Worsfold has an expressionless face and probably looks strong. |
C.The officers apologized to Worsfold after one day’s arrest. |
D.Worsfold was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease four years ago. |
Have you felt annoyed when a cellphone rings during the class? Something must be done to stop this.Now in New York City, USA,a rule is carried out in schools.Students can’t even bring cellphones to schoo1.Is it a good thing or not?
Anxious parents say that cellphones are an important tool in holding New York city’s families together.
“I worry about it,” said Elizabeth Lorris Ritter, a mother of a middle school kid. It’s necessary in our everyday life.We have a washing machine. We have running water, and We have cellphones.”
Many American parents think cellphones connect them to their children on buses,getting out from subways, walking through unknown places.
“I have her call me when she gets out of school,”said Lindsay Walt, a schoolgirl’s mother. “No one in New York is going to let their child go to school without a cellphone”
What about the cellphone owners, the students? Most of the students said cellphones were essential and the cellphone was like all extra(额外的)hand or foot for them.
“I feel so empty,”said May Chom,1 4.There is also no way to listen to music on the way to school without my phone.It will be a really, really boring trip.”You can use a cellphone___________.
A.to enjoy listening to music |
B.to work as running water |
C.to work as a washing machine |
D.to send children to school |
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. Many American parents don’t think cellphones are necessary for the students. |
B.Cellphones only bring troubles to the school life. |
C. Cellphones connect children with their families when they are outside. |
D. All the school children agreed not to use cellphones at school. |
What does the underlined word “essential” mean in Chinese?
A.时髦的. | B.必要的. | C.昂贵的. | D.浪费的 |
The article is about the____ in carrying out the rule not to use a cellphone in schoo1.
A.happiness | B.interest | C.problem | D.satisfaction |
A businessman lost his wallet. There was plenty of money in it. So he made a promise, "If someone finds my wallet and returns it to me, I'll give half the money to him."
A dustman found the wallet in a dustbin. He sent it back to the loser. But the businessman changed his mind.
"There was still a diamond ring in my wallet," said the loser, "I won't give half the money in my wallet to you until you return it to me!"
"I've never seen a diamond ring in the wallet," said the dustman.
They began to quarrel. The businessman refused to do what he had said. The dustman became angry and took him before a judge.
After the judge heard what had happened to them, he said to the businessman, "I'm sure you are an honest man. It's true that you have lost a wallet in which there was a diamond ring. But it's also clear that there is only a lot of money in this wallet. I don't think it's yours. Wait for some time. Perhaps someone will be able to return your wallet to you!"
Then the judge turned to the dustman and said, "Take the wallet home. If the loser doesn't go to get it back in three days, it will belong to you!"The wallet the businessman lost ________.
A.was found in a shop |
B.was sent to the judge |
C.was found in a dustbin |
D.was never to be found |
The businessman was eager to get back the wallet because _________.
A.there was the address of an important judge in it |
B.there was a lot of money in it |
C.he put in it a diamond ring he had just bought |
D.it was a very expensive one |
Having heard what had happened, the judge _________ .
A.took the side of the businessman |
B.made a wise decision |
C.took pity on the loser |
D.did not know what to do |
Where do you think was the diamond ring?
A.The businessman hid it. |
B.The dustman kept it |
C.The judge stole it. |
D.The story of the ring was nothing but a lie. |
Victor’s hobby was collecting stamps. He had stamps from many countries, like England, Canada and China. On his birthday, can you guess what people gave him? That’s right---stamps.
Victor’s favourite stamps came from France. He had almost every stamp from 1954 to 2004. He only needed one. That was a 1974 special edition*. It was very hard to find.
He looked for it everywhere. He asked his friends and relatives to help him. But nobody could find the stamp. It made Victor very sad.
“Don’t worry. Never give up,” his father said to him. “If you have enough patience, you’ll find it one day.”
“I hope so,” Victor said.
Victor also liked writing. He had a penfriend in France. They wrote to each other every month. Victor’s penfriend, Phillip, usually used new stamps to send letters. Sometimes, his mother gave him stamps to use. Once Phillip’s mother gave him a big, green stamp. It looked old. When Victor received the letter, he was very surprised. On the envelope, he looked carefully at the stamp. It was the 1974 special edition stamp. Victor was so happy. He told his sister, his mother and his father.
“ You see,” his father said. “ You did find your stamp. So, it’s good to have two things in life.”
“What are they?” Victor asked.
“ Friends and patience.” He answered.It was very difficult for Victor to find a special French stamp of _________.
A.1954 | B.1974 | C.1994 | D.2004 |
What does the underlined word “patience” mean?
A.勇气 | B.知识 | C.耐心 | D.目标 |
Who owned the special edition stamp at the very beginning?
A.Phillip. | B.Phillip’s mother. | C.Victor. | D.Victor’s father. |
The passage mainly tells us that ________ is(are) important to people.
A.a happy family | B.a good hobby |
C.relatives and friendship | D.friends and patience |
Who is writing the postcard?
A.Fiona. | B.Janet. | C.Terry. | D.Jacqui. |
Where are they staying now?
A.North of the Great Wall. | B.In the south of England. |
C.In a big city. | D.In a village. |
Which one is NOT right?
A.John is reading a newspaper. |
B.The children are swimming in the river. |
C.Terry is lying in the sun. |
D.Janet is in the house. |
How do they like the holiday?
A.enjoyable | B.terrible | C.boring | D.bad |