The other day, I happened to meet someone I hadn’t seen for many years. I couldn’t believe the change in him. In fact, he didn’t even seem like the 36 person.
When I first knew Bill , back in 37 , he was one of the most carefree(无忧无虑)people I had ever 38 . He was always ready to have a party. He thought 39 of going out for beer at three o’clock in the morning or driving 15 miles to see an old 40 he really liked. Bill and I were in the same class in college, and 41 was never dull when he was 42 . With him there was one wild 43 after another. Sometimes I wonder how we 44 to study for our exams.
Last week I was in Houston on business and I ran into Bill in the bar at the hotel. 45 , I wasn’t even sure it was 46 . Was this short-haired businessman really the same person? I wasn’t really sure until I came near him but it indeed was Bill. Now he works for a bank. He 47 most of the evening about his job, his new car and his house. How he had changed! Back when we were in college, the 48 thing Bill cared about were possessions(财富). Now they seemed to be his main 49 . Although I have changed quite a bit myself, somehow I never 50 Bill changing so much. My image of him 51 the one I had formed 52 the time when we were college students together.
I suppose it’s 53 to expect people to remain the same, especially 54 I have changed so much myself. But I must say that I enjoyed the old Bill much more than the new Bill. Maybe he 55 the same way about me.
A.proper B.usual C.same D.right
A.childhood B.the army C.his thirties D.college
A.considered B.met C.supposed D.expected
A.most B.much C.nothing D.none
A.movie B.hospital C.man D.country
A.learning B.life C.work D.fun
A.in B.out C.around D.away
A.joke B.mistake C.chance D.adventure
A.managed B.continued C.decided D.hoped
A.First of all B.At first C.Now and then D.All the time
A.that B.he C.there D.us
A.thought B.spent C.argued D.talked
A.first B.next C.last D.only
A.interest B.event C.subject D.problem
A.forgot B.minded C.imagined D.liked
A.remained B.reminded C.suggested D.became
A.since B.from C.at D.till
A.unnecessary B.foolish C.common D.unusually
A.because B.that C.how D.when
A.discovered B.acted C.looked D.felt
The Fitting-in of Suzy Khan
The first time I saw Suzy Khan, I knew I had to help her. She was really small for her age of 12. The boy in my class often about her and laughed their heads off. She would open a book, pretending to read, with tears dropping on the open page.
All I knew was that she was an orphan (孤儿) from Africa. She had just been adopted by a family in town who that the best way for her to learn American ways of life was to be with american kids. I looked down at this girl and promised myself that somehow I would help her.
But how could I help her in with us? There had to be a .
One day, when I went into the classroom, I saw that Suzy had her geography book to a picture of a train, and in her notebook, she had made a(n) copy.
I was surprised and thought that she could do something in the coming show. So, I took her to see the art teacher, Miss Parker, and showed her what Suzy had . “why, it’s wonderful,” said Miss Parker, who then showed us a poster she had painted the talent show. “I need more of these, but I just don’t have enough . Could you help me, Suzy?”
On the day of the talent show, Suzy’s were everywhere ---- all over the hall and all over the school, each one different.
“And finally,” said Mr Brown, the schoolmaster, at the end of the show, “we have a (n) award. I’m sure you’ve all noticed the wonderful posters.” Everyone nodded. “One of our own students them.”
I could hear everyone whispering. “Who in our school could draw well?”
Mr. Brown waited a while before saying, “ this student worked so hard on the posters, she deserves a ,too. Our mystery(神秘) artist is our new student ---- Suzy Khan!”
Mr. Brown thanked her for all the wonderful posters and gave her a professional artist’s set. “Thank you,” she cried.
I , at that time when I was looking at her excited face, she’d probably never anything in her whole life.
Everyone started to their hands. Suzy Khan gave them a shy smile and the applause was defening. I knew then Suzy was going to ne all right.
A.joked B.cared C.trains D.worried
A.reported B.decided C.complained D.questioned
A.rich B.proud C.tiny D.popular
A.come B.fall C.fit D.tie
A.manner B.pattern C.choice D.way
A.read B.taken C.opened D.put
A.free B.perfect C.final D.extra
A.are B.talk C.quiz D.talent
A.colored B.written C.carved D.drawn
A.at B.after C.for D.around
A.room B.time C.paper D.interest
A.gifts B.books C.photos D.posters
A.special B.academic C.national D.rayal
A.painted B.found C.printed D.collected
A.very B.that C.quite D.too
A.If B.Though C.Unless D.Since
A.prize B.rank C.rest D.place
A.replied B.realized C.remembered D.regretted
A.offered B.valued C.owned D.controlled
A.clap B.wave C.raise D.shake
In 2012, I had just recovered form a serious illness when I received an invitation to a writer's conference in Orlando, Florida. My family persuaded me that a(n) might be just what the doctor ordered, so off I .
Arriving in the Sunshine State was rather tiring, but I to catch a taxi to my and settle in. Next morning, I took another to the shopping centre to buy a few souvenirs. I went to a cafe to have lunch, but all the tables were . Then I heard a friendly voice saying, "You can my table."
I gratefully sat down with the lady and we had a happy lunch together. As the drew to a close she asked how long I would be in Orlando. I had already told her that I hadn't a car, and hadn't realised how taking taxis would he, After a while she said, "My dear, don't use any more taxis. I'm retired and it would be my pleasure to you wherever you wish." I told her that I couldn't put her to that ,but she brushed aside my protests (反对)。She asked me where I was and next morning she was waiting at my apartment at the time to take me to Disney World. She spent some time with me before leaving me to alone. At the end of the day, she to take me back to my accommodation. I her money but she refused to take any.
I'll never forget that wonderful lady who, through her , filled my brief holiday in Florida with wonderful memories.
A.holiday B.ceremony C.operation D.experiment
A.kept B.went C.dropped D.knocked
A.intended B.promised C.managed D.deserved
A.hospital B.company C.university D.accommodation
A.colleague B.passenger C.suitcase D.taxi
A.Instead B.First C.Later D.Once
A.classified B.occupied C.decorated D.painted
A.share B.reserve C.set D.possess
A.old B.poor C.innocent D.stubborn
A.journey B.meal C.speech D.interview
A.donated B.repaired C.hired D.guided
A.convenient B.worthwhile C.unfortunate D.expensive
A.inspire B.entertain C.call D.drive
A.business B.argument C.trouble D.challenge
A.working B.staying C.moving D.shopping
A.appointed B.limited C.favourite D.regular
A.digest B.explore C.perform D.calculate
A.forgot B.refused C.returned D.preferred
A.sent B.lent C.offered D.owed
A.confidence B.dignity C.curiosity D.kindness
A shopkeeper sent his son to learn about the secret of happiness. The boy wandered through the wilds for many days. He ____ reached a beautiful castle, where a wise man lived.
Entering the ____, the boy saw the wise man talking with some people listening ____. It was two hours before it was his ____. The boy explained why he had come. The wise man suggested that the boy ____ and return in two hours.
“Meanwhile, I want you to do something”, said the wise man, handing the boy a spoon that held two drops of ____. “As you walk around, carry this spoon without allowing the oil to spill (溢出).”
The boy began ___ up and down many stairs, keeping his eyes fixed on the ____. After two hours, he returned to the room where the wise man was.
The wise man asked, “Did you see the Persian tapestries (壁毯) ____ in my dining hall? Did you see the ____ that took a master gardener ten years to build?”
The boy was ___, and admitted that he had observed nothing. His only ____ was not to spill the oil he was given.
“Go back and observe the marvels of my world”, said the wise man. “You cannot ____ a man if you know nothing about his house.”
Relieved, the boy picked up the spoon and ____ his exploration again. This time he observed all the ____ of art on the ceilings and the walls. Upon returning, he related ____ everything he had seen.
“But where are the drops of oil I had given to you?” asked the wise man. Looking down at the spoon he ____, the boy saw that the oil was ____.
“Well, there is only one piece of ____ I can give you”, said the wise man. “The secret of happiness is to ____ all the marvels of the world and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon.”
A.suddenly B.happily C.finally D.accidentally
A.castle B.palace C.cottage D.kitchen
A.eagerly B.attentively C.seriously D.quietly
A.conversation B.report C.chance D.turn
A.look around B.look back C.set down D.set out
A.milk B.water C.oil D.coffee
A.sweeping B.climbing C.running D.jumping
A.man B.castle C.way D.spoon
A.hanging B.knitting C.storing D.flying
A.house B.farm C.garden D.lake
A.disappointed B.embarrassed C.surprised D.confused
A.worry B.plan C.energy D.concern
A.trust B.suggest C.accept D.thank
A.sought B.continued C.began D.stopped
A.treasures B.works C.designs D.exhibits
A.in detail B.in common C.in general D.in particular
A.contained B.needed C.bought D.held
A.stolen B.gone C.dry D.ready
A.discover B.keep C.own D.see
A.information B.clothing C.advice D.equipment
Many Tuesday mornings, I have coffee with my father. Although my father is a man of few words, I really ____ the time along with him.
One recent Tuesday, I found it a bit ___ when I rang the doorbell, no one seemed to be home. I climbed in through the window, noticing the lights that shone from the kitchen, and ____ that my dad must be there, but he wasn't. I ____ through his home, checking every room. I tried not to ____.Yet, upstairs, downstairs, no Dad anywhere.
I was worried. ____, my father was seventyone years old. Anything could have happened to him. Then, I got in my car and drove to my mother's aerobics(有氧运动)class.
On the drive, I thought a lot about my father and our ____ together. Suddenly, I was three years old and he was ____ me up to the living room window to see the Christmas lights. In his ____, I was safe and secure. At age ten, he used to wake me up with warm breakfast in bed. Then I was twelve and my dad was ____ all the kids at my birthday party with his magic tricks. I was so ____ of my father for being so ____ and talented. He'd made my party a ____.
As I entered my mother's class. I was nervous. My mom looked at me in ____.
“Mom, where's Dad?” I asked, “He's working in the ____ on the side of the house!” she answered.
And I hurried to my car and ____ back to the yard.“Hey, Dad!” I yelled out and told him about my fears of the last half hour. My dad ____ laughing his typical laugh that was always ___. I was so thankful that I still had my daddy. And so, as I ___ the door to my father's house, we went inside for our usual cup of coffee.
Thanks, Daddy, for all the ____ and more importantly, for all your love.
A.dislike B.share C.get D.enjoy
A.dangerous B.unusual C.joyful D.relaxing
A.decided B.hoped C.expected D.wondered
A.lived B.pulled C.hurried D.came
A.cry B.panic C.believe D.confirm
A.Above all B.In all C.After all D.For all
A.journey B.family C.interest D.history
A.holding B.picking C.calling D.bringing
A.heart B.chest C.eyes D.arms
A.amazing B.cheating C.inviting D.providing
A.sure B.aware C.proud D.afraid
A.honest B.special C.lucky D.practical
A.feast B.prize C.secret D.success
A.anger B.worry C.sorrow D.surprise
A.yard B.kitchen C.room D.home
A.fought B.raced C.looked D.fled
A.kept B.remembered C.began D.stopped
A.bitter B.simple C.familiar D.tight
A.closed B.unlocked C.kicked D.knocked
A.memories B.chances C.assistance D.advice
One year ago, I traveled 15,000 kilometers from Australia to the US. I am from a beachside town in the ____ of Sydney, and thought there would be almost no ____ differences between my home country and my ____. I was surprised at how wrong I was, and at ____ different the two countries could be.
The United States is ____ in almost every aspect. The buildings are gigantic (巨大的) and so are the people who ____ and work in them. At mealtimes, the portions (份额) often ____ to me to be big enough for three or four people. I once ____ a baked potato which turned out to be bigger than my head! This was a big ____ for me.
The longer I spent in the US, the more I started to ____ smaller differences like the culture of ____ in restaurants. In Australia we don't tend to give a tip ____ the service has been really excellent. In the US you tip for ___ everything, even at the hairdresser. Waiters and shop assistants ____ to be given 15 percent of the bill, although in places ____ New York or Washington DC, a tip can be as much as 20 percent.
___, I also became more wary (谨慎的) of believing the stereotypes (成见) I had heard at home as I traveled. Not all Americans are ignorant of geography, for example.Despite this, certain stereotypes about places did seem to ____ true for me. There is an immense (强烈的) sense of speed in New York. Everyone ___ to and fro, and very seldom takes time to ____ the moment. This is very different from the Australian lifestyle. Australians are laid back. Even in a major city like Sydney, we “Aussies” take time to “stop and smell the roses”—very different from our American counterparts.
Navigating (驾驭) the culture divide between Australia and the US was challenging at times. But I took up that ____ and learned a lot from it. It was an adventure.
A.heart B.city C.center D.suburbs
A.cultural B.commercial C.economic D.scientific
A.home town B.departure C.location D.destination
A.how B.why C.however D.where
A.big B.modern C.small D.fashionable
A.travel B.survive C.live D.serve
A.happened B.seemed C.proved D.managed
A.brought B.ordered C.designed D.fetched
A.laughter B.pleasure C.shock D.embarrassment
A.prefer B.notice C.tell D.appreciate
A.serving B.tipping C.donating D.toasting
A.unless B.if C.when D.since
A.rarely B.mostly C.almost D.hardly
A.try B.wait C.think D.expect
A.like B.along C.for D.in
A.So B.Therefore C.However D.But
A.come B.become C.turn D.get
A.walks B.drives C.wanders D.rushes
A.depend on B.reflect on C.spy on D.watch on
A.experience B.job C.challenge D.business