Robby was 11 when his mother dropped him off for his first piano lesson. I prefer students begin at an earlier age. Robby insisted that it had always been his mother’s dream to hear him play the piano, so I took him in as a student.
Robby tried and tried while I listened and encouraged him and gave him more instructions (指导). But he just did not have any inborn ability.
I only saw his mother from a distance. She always waved and smiled but never came in. Then one day Robby stopped coming to our lessons. I thought about calling him but I guessed he had decided to try something else.
I was also glad that he stopped coming for the sake of my career. However, several weeks before the recital (演奏会) of my students, Robby came，telling me that he never stopped practicing and begged me to allow him to take part. I agreed but I made him perform last in the program, so I could always save his poor performance through my “curtain closer”.
I was surprised when he announced that he had chosen one piece of Mozart’s. Never had I heard a piece of Mozart’s played so well by someone at his age. When he finished, everyone was cheering.
I ran up and put my arms around Robby in joy. “I’ve never heard you play like that, Robby! How’d you do it?”
“Well, Miss Hondorf. Do you remember I told you my mom was sick? Actually she died this morning. She was born deaf so tonight was the first time she could hear me play. I wanted to make it special. I knew I could.” That night, Robby was the teacher and I was the student. He taught me so many important things about life.Why did Robby stop coming to the piano lessons suddenly?
| A．He lost heart and believed that he would never make it. |
| B．His mother was too sick to send him to the piano lessons. |
| C．He thought his teacher disliked him. |
| D．His mother died and he didn’t need to play any longer. |
Which statement is NOT true according to the passage?
| A．The writer thought playing the piano shouldn’t start too late. |
| B．The writer thought that Robby had given up the piano lesson. |
| C．The writer taught Robby carefully although he hadn’t a gift for music. |
| D．No one else could play the piece of Mozart’s well. |
From the underline sentenced we can infer that __________.
| A．the writer looked down upon Robby and disliked him |
| B．the writer thought Robby a bad advertisement for his teaching |
| C．with Robby present, the other children couldn’t play well |
| D．the writer couldn’t teach so many students at a time |
What did the writer learn from Robby?
| A．The meaning of true love. |
| B．The meaning of giving up necessarily. |
| C．The meaning of being kind to teachers. |
| D．The meaning of believing in teachers. |
Have you ever wondered when people will make up their minds to become friends? Dr. Leon answered the question in his book, “During their first four minutes together! Whenever you meet someone in a social situation, remember to focus your undivided attention on him for four minutes. That would change a lot of people’s whole lives.”
When you are introduced to new people, you are supposed to appear friendly and self-confident to attract them. Generally speaking, “You like those who like you.” On the other hand, it’s unwise to make others think you are too sure of yourself.
You may not sure about such advice, saying, “But In reality, I’m not either friendly or self-confident. That’s not my nature. Wouldn’t it be dishonest for me to behave that way?” For that question, Dr. Leon would tell you that a little practice can help you feel comfortable about changing your social habits. You will get used to any changes you choose to make in your personality(性格). “It’s like getting used to a new car. It may be unfamiliar at first, but it goes much better than the old.”
However, you may still wonder if it’s dishonest to give the appearance of friendly and self-confidence while you don’t actually feel that way. Perhaps, but according to Dr. Leon, “Entire honesty” is not always good for social relationships, especially during the first few minutes of two strangers’ being introduced to each other. There is a time for a certain amount of play-acting may be the best choice for the first few minutes of contacting a stranger. That is not a suitable time to complain about one’s health or to mention shortcomings you find in other people. It is not the right time to tell the whole truth about one’s opinions and impressions.
The author also makes it clear that that interpersonal(人际的) relations need to be regarded as a required course in every school, along with reading, writing, and mathematics. In his opinion, success in life depends mainly on how you get along with other people. That is at least as important as how much you know.Introduced to a new person, you are supposed to _______.
| A．be sure of yourself without caring about the other’s feelings |
| B．be honest and always tell the whole truth even if it hurts |
| C．look friendly and confident at least for the first few minutes |
| D．directly point out faults you find in the other person |
The author will probably agree that interpersonal relations ________.
| A．should be treated as a required course in schools |
| B．are more important than other courses in school |
| C．play an equal part as other courses in some schools |
| D．are the only secrets to lead you to success in life |
The underlined word “play-acting” in Para 4 means _________.
| A．being totally honest |
| B．being a little dishonest |
| C．acting out what one feels |
| D．acting a role in a play |
The best title for the passage could be __________.
| A．The Key to Success |
| B．Best Ways to Make Friends |
| C．Personal Relations |
| D．The First Four Minutes |
Earthquakes belong to disasters that we human beings cannot avoid. The 9.0magnitude earthquake, which centered near the east coast of Japan, about 230 miles northeast of Tokyo, was the most powerful one in its recorded history, whose great effect was only beginning to be felt.
The quake creating 30foot walls of water caused huge losses of life and property. Waves were strong enough to reach as far as about six miles inland in Prefecture on the east coast, sweeping across rice fields and tearing cars and boats into pieces. It destroyed entire towns by dragging houses onto highways. A train had left its rail and governments had lost contact with four trains in coastal areas. Electricity was cut off, affecting six million households, more than 10% of the total in Japan. In fact, there was no rail service overnight in Tokyo, highways were shut early on Saturday and the streets were crowded with displaced people.
What’s worse, there were still hundreds of deaths even when lucky survivors were pulled from roofs and carried to safety by military helicopters.
It was shocking that hundreds of more people were missing and tens of thousands of people were homeless. Naoto Kan said he had got used to earthquakes during his 30 years living in Japan but never experienced what he felt like that on Friday. “Buildings shook strongly and fell into pieces, setting off flames and fires. I was afraid the world was coming to an end,” he said afterwards.
It’s reported that the earthquake occurring at 2:46 pm, caused great terror and the US National Weather Service released tsunami (海啸) warnings for more 50 countries.
This passage mainly describes about_____ of Japan’s 9.0magnitude earthquake.
| A．the causes | B．the impact |
| C．the rescue work | D．people’s feelings |
What Naoto Kan said suggested that he was ________.
| A．terrified | B．calm |
| C．angry | D．disappointed |
Which statement about the Japan’s 9.0magnitude earthquake is TRUE?
| A．It created six miles high waves. |
| B．It burnt tens of thousands of houses. |
| C．It was centered on the east coast of Japan. |
| D．It caused the most deaths in recorded history. |
According to the US National Weather Service, we know ________.
| A．weather would greatly change after the earthquake |
| B．other countries would not be directly hit by a tsunami |
| C．Prefecture would be most seriously hit by the tsunami |
| D．more countries were likely to be struck by a tsunami |
Vacation
| Vacation News Welcome to Plymouth to spend your school holidays at a country hotel, a drive away from the sea. The comfortable, friendly home-from-home lies near the quiet countryside with beautiful scenery. Simple but nice food is offered. Children and pets are welcome. Reduced prices for low season. |
| The Green Center A mountain climbing lesson is provided for young people in the Green Center. We charge only￡57 for a week for beginners, equipment, food and rooms included. Don’t worry about walking shoes, which can be hired at a low cost. Be prepared to go through a period of body exercises. This could be the beginning of a real mountain climbing adventure. So keep good health if you want to sign up for the center. |
| The Wonderful World Sea Trip Our Wonderful World Sea Trip of 2015 will be different from any other holidays you have ever experienced before. Instead of one hotel after another, with all its packing and unpacking waiting and traveling, you just go to bed in one country and wake up in another. You will be well taken care of once you get on board the ship. You may expect first-class meals and comfortable cabins like your home. During the trip, you can either rest on deck(甲板)or enjoy yourself in the games rooms. Dance to our musical team and watch our wonderful plays when evenings fall. You will visit all the places most people only dream about – from Venice and Hawaii to Macau and Cape Town. Come on! For a few thousand pounds, all you are dying for can be yours. |
If you want to go on holidays with pets, you are likely to ______.
| A．Join the Wonderful World Sea Trip |
| B．Go to the Green Centre. |
| C．Choose the holiday in Plymouth. |
| D．Visit Venice and Hawaii. |
In what way is the Green Centre different from the other two holidays?
| A．It provides a sport lesson. |
| B．It holds family gatherings. |
| C．It serves you with good food. |
| D．It offers comfortable room. |
What is special about the Wonderful World Sea Trip?
| A．You can have free meals on deck every day. |
| B．You can sleep on a ship and tour many places. |
| C．You will have chances to watch and act in a play. |
| D．You have to do your own packing and unpacking. |
At the Green Centre, ￡57 covers the following EXCEPT .
| A．food | B．rooms |
| C．body exercises | D．walking shoes |
Strange it may sound, this is a true story about a lesson of honesty happening between a lucky thief and a worthy professor.
Once a thief won a lottery ticket but left it at his crime(犯罪) scene when he stole a suitcase from a professor. To his great surprise, his victim, who picked up the ticket and took the prize money of ￡25 000, managed to get in touch with him in order to return him the case. The robbery took place when John Smith, a math professor was changing a tyre on the motorway. The thief happened to pass by. He appeared to be a warm-hearted guy and stopped “to help”. When the professor found his suitcase in the car missing, the thief had driven off as fast as he could. The professor picked up the dropped ticket on the floor and put it in his pocket before driving home.
John Smith didn’t realize it was a winner until he knew the lottery results on TV. He got the prize money and began a battle with himself silently in his heart. At last，he decided not to keep the money although he just had been robbed of his suitcase by the owner of the ticket. He set out to advertise in newspapers and on radio for finding the owner, “ Don’t be surprised that I’m trying to find the man who robbed me in order to returned him the ￡25 000—a lottery win. Please meet me without telling me your real name if you don’t want to. ”.
Later John received tens of hundreds of calls from people around the country trying to trick him into handing them the cash. But he didn’t arrange to meet the right person in the park until he recognized the voice. The robber, was moved into tears when he returned the suitcase. “Why didn’t you keep the money？”he asked, not believing what was happening. The honest professor replied simply, “Because it’s not mine.” With these words, he walked off，spurningthe thief’s offer of a reward.The underlined sentence “Then he began a battle with himself silently.” suggested that .
| A．he made an immediate decision on knowing the lottery results |
| B．he silently decided to punish the robber by keeping the ticket |
| C．he realized that money played an important role as honesty . |
| D．he hesitated about how to deal with the ticket for some time |
Hundreds of people phoned the professor because they _______.
| A．lost their lottery ticket |
| B．hoped to take the money |
| C．knew who the robber was |
| D．wanted to make fun of him |
The underlined word “spurning” in the last sentence is similar to______.
| A．forgetting | B．accepting |
| C．refusing | D．making |
Which of the following can be used as the best title for the passage?
| A．A Magical Lottery |
| B．A Thief’s Lucky Day |
| C．A Stubborn Professor |
| D．A Reward of Honesty |
Coca-Cola has created a publicity stunt (作秀) in Singapore — a vending machine (自动售货机) which gives out free cans of Coke in return for hugs. The whacky idea is part of the company’s Open Happiness campaign designed to attract young people in Singapore.
Students at the National University of Singapore were surprised to find that the soft drinks company had placed the machine in the schoolyard. But instead of the drinks brand’s logo (标志), the words “Hug Me” are written across its red-and-white logo. Instead of paying money, customers have to hug the drinks machine to receive a free can of Coke.
Public displays of affection are uncommon and have long been discouraged in Singapore, but are on the rise among young people. The move is part of a campaign created by the advertising firm Ogilvy & Mather, intended to let the youth to see the brand as a non-threatening friend.
Leonardo O’Grady, leader of the campaign, said, “Happiness is contagious (传染的). The Coca-Cola Hug Machine is a simple idea to spread some happiness. We want to spread happiness in an unexpected, creative way to attract not only the people present, but the audience at large.”
He hopes that it will encourage consumers to bring positivity, optimism and fun into their lives and to open a Coke, sharing a little happiness.
The machines have been such a success that there are plans to roll them out across Asia. Mr. O’Grady added, “The reaction was amazing — at one point we had four to five people hugging the machine at the same time as well as each other! In fact, there was a long line of people looking to give hugs.”The underlined word “whacky” in Paragraph1 can be replaced by “______”.
| A．free | B．strange |
| C．uncertain | D．traditional |
What was the purpose of the campaign?
| A．To help sell more Coca-Cola drinks. |
| B．To display the famous logo of Coca-Cola. |
| C．To tell the young Coca-Cola is their friend. |
| D．To show Coca-Cola is especially generous. |
Leonardo O’Grady thinks that _______.
| A．the Coca-Cola Hug Machine is the best advertisement |
| B．the Coca-Cola Hug Machine can spread happiness |
| C．the Coca-Cola Hug Machine should be open only to the students |
| D．people who enjoy the campaign would buy more Coca-Cola drinks |
What can we infer from the passage?
| A．The campaign has achieved good results. |
| B．The campaign has cost Coca-Cola much money. |
| C．The Coca-Cola Hug Machines will be seen worldwide. |
| D．Coca-Cola focuses more on sharing happiness than on sales. |
The passage mainly tells us that ______.
| A．it is quite simple to spread some happiness |
| B．Coca-Cola soft drinks are popular in Singapore |
| C．people in Singapore are more positive across Asia |
| D．the Coca-Cola vending machine asks for hugs rather than money |