For years I wanted a garden. I’d spend hours thinking of different things I could plant that would look nice together.
But then we had Matthew, and Marvin, and the twins Alisa and Alan, and then Helen. I was too busy raising them to grow a garden.
Money was not enough. Neither was time. Often when my children were little,one of them would want something that cost too much, and I’d have to say, “Do you see a money tree outside? Money doesn't grow on trees, you know.”
Finally, all the children got through high school and college and were off on their own. I started thinking again about a garden.
Then, one spring morning, on Mother’s Day, I was working in my kitchen. Suddenly, I looked out of the window and there was a new tree, planted right in my yard. There were things blowing around on it. Then I put my glasses on—and I couldn’t believe what I saw.
There was a money tree in my yard!
I went outside to look. It was true! There were dollar bills*, one hundred of them, hanging all over that tree. There was also a note among them, “Thank you for your time, Mom. We love you!”
Later, my children bought me tools, ornaments, a sunflower stepping stone and gardening books. A new page started in my life.
That was three years ago. My garden’s now very pretty, just like I wanted. When I go out and take care of my flowers, I don’t seem to miss my children as much as I once did. It feels like they’re right there with me. Now every year when winter comes, I look out of my window and think of the flowers I’ll see next spring in my little garden. I think about what my children did for me, and I get tears in my eyes—every time.
I’m still not sure that money grows on trees. But I know love does!How many children did the writer have?
A.Three | B.Four | C.Five | D.Six |
What did the mother mean when she said “Money doesn’t grow on trees”?
A.She was too busy to plant a money tree at that time. |
B.She had to save money so that she could have a garden. |
C.It wasn’t easy for her to make money to raise all the children. |
D.They didn’t have much money because the mother lost her job. |
The “money tree” appeared in the writer’s yard _________.
A.before her children were born |
B.one spring morning when the children were little |
C.after the children went to school |
D.on a Mother’s Day after the children left her |
The children planted a money tree in their mother’s yard because _________.
A.their mother needed money badly |
B.they wanted to show their love to their mother |
C.it was time for them to give the money back to her |
D.they wanted to live together with their mother forever |
We were standing at the top of a church tower. My father had brought me to this high tower in a small town not far from our home in Rome. I wondered why.
“Look down, Elsa," Father said. I gathered all my courage and looked down. I saw the square in the center of the village. And I saw several streets leading to the square. ‘‘See, my dear," Father said gently. “There is more than one way to the square. Life is like that. If you can't get to the place where you want to go by one road, try another."
Now I understood why I was there. Earlier that day I had begged my mother to do something about the bad lunches that were served at school. But she refused because she could not believe the lunches were as bad as I said.
When I turned to Father for help, he would not help. Instead, he brought me to this high tower to give me a lesson. By the time we reached home, I had a plan.
At school the next day, I poured my lunch soup into a bottle and brought it home. Then I asked our cook to serve it to Mother at dinner. The plan worked perfectly. She tried one spoonful and sputtered. “The cook must have gone mad!” Quickly I told what I had done, and Mother promised that she would take up the matter of lunches at school the next day!
In the years that followed I often remembered the lesson Father taught me. I began to work as a fashion designer two years ago. I wouldn’t stop working until I tried every possible way. Father’s wise words always remind me that there is more than one way to the square.Father brought Elsa to the top of the church tower to_________________ .
A.have sports with Elsa |
B.explain what he means clearly |
C.enjoy the views |
D.have a rest there |
Elsa wanted her mother to_____________ earlier that day.
A.do something delicious for lunch |
B.know he was complaining about his lunch |
C.speak to the school about lunch |
D.change the terrible eating habit |
By sharing her own experiences, Elsa tries to tell us________
when one road is blocked , try another
B. how bad the lunch of her school is
C. how wise her father is
D.how terrible her mother is
Dear Micheal,
How's your vacation? I'm visiting my uncle in Spain. He lives in the sunny and beautiful city of Valencia, in Spain.
Yesterday, I had great fun. My uncle took me to the tomato festival in Bunol, which is just 30 miles away from where my uncle lives. You have probably never heard of this festival before. Neither had I. The tomato festival is called "La Tomatina"in Spanish. It was the biggest and messiest tomato fight in the world. When we first got to the square where the festival took place, it was very crowded with people from all around the world, and many trucks were carrying tomatoes. My uncle told me the crowded people here were around 38,000 and this was more than four times the population of Bunol.
The tomato fight started as soon as the first banger was beaten. Then everyone including me started throwing tomatoes at each other. I took red tomatoes and threw them at anyone that ran, moved, bent down, or turned around. Tomatoes must be squashed before people threw them in order not to hurt anybody.
After a little while, the streets, people and nearby buildings were splashed with red. There was no winner in this fight,but we all had fun. As soon as a second banger was beaten, people stopped throwing.
I really had a great time, I wish you were here, too. I hope I hear from you soon.Take care.
With love,
From Spain
LindaFrom the letter,we can know ____.
A.Linda lives in Valencia |
B.Linda doesn't want to go to Spain |
C.Linda is visiting her uncle in Spain |
D.Linda is studying in Spain |
The population of Bunol is ____.
A.around 38,000. |
B.more than 38,000. |
C.more than 152,000 |
D.about 9,300. |
What is the main idea of this letter?
A."La Tomatina"is a fun and popular festival in Spain. |
B."La Tomatina"is a day for eating tomatoes. |
C.Micheal has a great vacation. |
D.Linda enjoyed the beautiful city of Valencia. |
Little Mary is a good girl. She’s in Grade 2 now. Her home is not far from school, but she is often late for class because she likes watching TV, listening to music in the evening and she goes to bed very late. So she can’t get up on time in the morning.
This term Mr White, Mary’s uncle, works in her school. He teaches Grade 2 history. He often tells Mary to follow the school rules and come to school on time.
Today Mary get up late again. When she comes to school, it is 8:15 . Her uncle is waiting for her at the school gate. “You are ten minutes late for the first class.” Mr White says angrily (生气地). “Why are you often late for class?” “Every time when I get to the street corner(街角), I always see a sign(标志). It says ‘SCHOOL-GO SLOW!(慢行)’ ” says Mary.Mary is a _______year student.
A.fifth | B.second | C.first | D.three |
Mary is often late for school. Which reason (原因)is NOT true?
A.She likes watching TV |
B.She likes listening to music. |
C.Her mother isn’t at home |
D.She can’t get up on time in the morning |
What does Mr White teach? He teaches___________.
A.English | B.Chinese | C.math | D.history |
The first class begins at _________.
A.8:10 | B.8:00 | C.8:05 | D.8:15 |
The sign(标志) on the street corner(街角) is for _______.
A.drivers | B.Mary | C.students | D.teachers |
Dear Tom,
Thanks for your letter. Do you want to know about my evening? Well, I usually get home from work at 6:00 pm. I cook dinner for my family—my parents, my sister and my brother. After dinner I usually watch TV, play computer games or play chess. I like playing chess because my father works in a chess club. I take a shower at around nine o’clock and then go to bed at around nine- thirty. Sometimes I read some books because I can learn something about my work.
How about your evening? Write to me soon, please.
Best wishes,
VictorVictor’s family has _____people.
A.2 | B.3 | C.4 | D.5 |
What doesn’t Victor do in the evening?
A.watch TV | B.play computer games |
C.play the piano | D.play chess |
The letter is mainly(主要地)about______.
A.Victor’s work | B.Victor’s evening |
C.Victor’s family | D.Victor’s dinner |
Name:KelseyAge:22 I can sing and dance. I can play the violin and the piano, but I can’t play the guitar. |
Name:PaulAge:13 I can sing,but I can’t dance. I can play the trumpet and the guitar but I can’t play the violin. |
Kelsey can_________.
A.sing | B.dance | C.A and B | D.run |
Can Paul dance?
A.Yes, he can | B.No,he can’t | C.Yes, he is | D.No, he isn’t. |