When I was a teenager I volunteered to work at the water station at a 10,000m race. My job was to__36__ water to the runners, I remember being so __37__ to see all the different kinds of people who passed by and grabbed a cup of water. Some ran past, some walked past and a few wheeled past. I saw so many types of people doing it. I thought maybe I could do it too! So the next year I __38__ up for the race.
That first 10,000m race was quite an __39 _. I jogged, I walked, I jogged and I walked. __40__ , I didn’t know if I could finish. Then came a defining(起决定性作用的)__ 41__ .
At one point near the end, a 70-year-old man ran past me, very, very fast, and I felt __42__ because I was 15 years old, younger than him but I couldn’t even keep up with him. I felt __43_ for a second.
But then I __44__ something. He was running his race and I was running mine. He had__45_ abilities, experience, training and goals for himself. I had mine. Remember my _46_ was only to finish.
After a minute, it_47__ me that this was a lesson I could draw from. I learned something about myself at that moment. I turned my embarrassment into __48__ .
I __49__ that I would not give up running races. In fact, I would run even more races and I would learn how to train and prepare __50__ and one day I would be one of those 70-year-old persons who were still running. As I crossed the finish line, I was proud of my __51 __.
In life we all have those moments when we __52__ ourselves with others. It’s only__53 .__ Don’t allow those moments to __54___ you. Turn them into motivation and let them inspire you. With the proper preparation and training, you can improve your result to __55__ anything you want in life.
A．bring out B．pass out C．take out D．pick out
A．excited B．worried C．concerned D．anxious
A．achievement B．encouragement C．interest D．experience
A．At times B．In time C．In all D．At all
A．victory B．decision C．moment D．conclusion
A．embarrassed B．annoyed C．moved D．thrilled
A．relaxed B．defeated C．puzzled D．inspired
A．realized B．lost C．noticed D．remembered
A．necessary B．evident C．common D．different
A．motto B．plan C．goal D．direction
A．worried B．hit C．reached D．hurt
A．attraction B．devotion C．expectation D．inspiration
A．hoped B．promised C．decided D．suggested
A．slightly B．hardly C．clearly D．properly
A．excitement B．accomplishment C．movement D．judgment
A．introduce B．relate C．present D．compare
A．important B．natural C．strange D．ridiculous
A．weaken B．wound C．amuse D．cheer
A．prevent B．deliver C．achieve D．abandon
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 she53 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 55in 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
When my oldest son was in high school, he planned to attend a Christian contemporary concert with the you
th group from our church. To my 36 , Aaron invited me to go along. I 37 accepted; however, by the time the date of the concert arrived, my youngest son had been ill, and I was 38 about him. My husband 39 me to attend the concert, promising he would take care of our youngest. I hesitated.
Finally, it 40 me. Aaron was sixteen years old. How many 41 would I have to do something fun with him 42 he went away to college? And how many youth actually 43 their mothers to attend a concert with them that was clearly for teens? The 44 was made. I would not miss this opportunity.
At the concert, I sat with Aaron in the third row, stuffing (填塞) cotton in my ears to block out the 45 , ear-splitting music of the first performer. I stood when the kids stood, clapped when they clapped, and never let anyone know how 46 I was to feel the floor vibrate (震动) beneath my feet. Aaron and his friends were 47 at my enthusiasm.
By the time we left the concert, my ears were ringing, but it quickly passed. 48 did my son's teenage years. 49 he was in college and away from home. I missed him more than I could say. On days when I was especially 50 for his ready smile and his teasing manner, I would think back to the concert we attended and be thankful once again that I didn't 51 an opportunity to spend time with my son.
Aaron is now grown and has a family of his own, but we are still very 52 . Some days he calls just to 53 and tell me about his day. I drop everything and 54 the moment, knowing these times too shall 55 .
A．amazement B．agreement C．argument D．disappointment
A．hardly B．suddenly C．readily D．rapidly
A．crazy B．merciful C．patient D．concerned
A．prevented B．encouraged C．stopped D．refused
A．determined B．hit C．controlled D．annoyed
A．opportunities B．years C．festivals D．moments
A．after B．since C．when D．before
A．invited B．advised C．allowed D．promised
A．invitation B．design C．demand D．decision
A．silly B．pleasant C．loud D．sweet
A．excited B．nervous C．curious D．surprised
A．puzzled B．annoyed C．amused D．disappointed
A．Such B．Neither C．So D．Either
A．In no time B．In time C．At a time D．At the time
A．tired B．worried C．upset D．lonely
A．have B．miss C．obtain D．grasp
A．close B．open C．young D．positive
A．talk B．speak C．chat D．communicate
A．wait B．spend C．listen D．enjoy
A．pass B．gain C．lose D．keep
Why did I come today? I wondered. My Christmas (36) _______ contained several people that claimed they wanted nothing but I knew their feelings would be hurt (37) _______ I didn’t buy them anything, so buying gifts was (38) _______ but fun.
Hurriedly, I finished shopping and (39) _______ the long checkout lines. In front of me were a boy of about 5 and a younger girl. She carried a beautiful pair of (40) _______ slippers. When we finally (41) _______ the checkout register, the girl (42) _______ placed the shoes on the counter. She treated them as though they were a (43) _______.
“That will be $6.09,” the cashier said. The boy (44) _______ all his pockets. He finally came up with $3.12. “I guess we will have to put them back,” he said (45) _______, “We will come back some other time, maybe tomorrow.” With that statement, a soft (46) _______ broke from the little girl. “But Jesus would have loved these shoes,” she cried.
“Well, we’ll go home and work some more. Don’t cry. We’ll surely (47) _______,” he said. Quickly I handed $3 to the cashier. These children had waited in line for a long time. And, (48) _______, it was Christmas. Suddenly a pair of arms came around me and the girl said (49) _______, “Thank you, lady.”“What did you (50) _______ when you said Jesus would like the shoes?” I asked. The boy answered, “Our mommy is sick and going to (51) _______. Daddy said she might go before Christmas to be with Jesus.” The girl spoke, “My Sunday school teacher said the streets in heaven are shiny gold, just like these shoes. Won’t mommy be (52) _______ walking on those streets in these shoes?”
My eyes (53) _______ as I looked into her tear-streaked face. “Yes,” I answered, “I am (54) _______ she will.” Silently I thanked God for using these children to (55) _______ me of the true spirit of giving.
A．plan B．list C．goods D．purchases
A．if B．because C．unless D．since
A．something B．nothing C．anything D．everything
A．waited B．joined C．attended D．gathered
A．cotton B．leather C．gold D．silver
A．approached B．passed C．checked D．found
A．immediately B．hesitantly C．shyly D．carefully
A．gift B．treasure C．life D．prize
A．opened B．touched C．tore D．searched
A．bravely B．uncertainly C．slowly D．doubtfully
A．tear B．sob C．smile D．sigh
A．leave B．come C．return D．arrive
A．above all B．at last C．at least D．after all
A．gratefully B．sweetly C．gracefully D．kindly
A．request B．expect C．mean D．attempt
A．hospital B．tomb C．heaven D．sky
A．equal B．comfortable C．convenient D．beautiful
A．pained B．flooded C．shut D．froze
A．sure B．afraid C．glad D．confident
A．inform B．warn C．cure D．remind
A couple of years ago, I went to a lady’s house to buy some vitamins. Upon entering the house, I 36 that there was an electronic keyboard on a stand, leaning 37 the wall. Being a piano music lover and 38 , I asked, if the woman played. She nodded and added that she had been
39 lessons at age 54! I told her that it was very 40 that she was pursuing （追求） her passion（热情）to play the piano. . .
Then she asked me 41 question. “I have been playing for 8 years now,” I answered.
“Then you must play a song for me before you leave,” she 42 .I thought she was joking and I simply smiled. At the end of the deal of the vitamins, she 43 me of our musical “44 _”. She then showed me to an old upright piano in the living room,45 asked me to play a song for her. I thought46 and decided to play David Lantz’s “Return to the Heart”, since 
she had so much passion for 47 ,and it was my soul-searching song.
I played the song to the best of my ability, and with my emotions 48 into it as possible. She loved it. 49 I was about to step out of the door, I heard a weak voice ca
lling out, “Young man!”
I turned around. And there was an old lady 50 one little ste
p at a time with the help of another woman. “I wanted to come out to 51 you for the beautiful song that you played. I have been very sick, and it’s very hard for me to 52 my bed, but your music made me feel good ”sh
e said. With that, she turned around and walked 53 back to her room.
I was deeply 54 by her appreciation and felt a deeper understanding for the song. It served its purpose beautifully, returning to one’s 55 for peace and joy.
A．observed B．watched C．noticed D．caught
A．on B．at C．over D．against
A．player B．teacher C．composer D．starter
A．giving C．teaching D．reviewing
A．interesting B．wonderful C．moved D．impressive
A．another B．a different C．the same D．other
A．advised B．ordered C．demanded D．requested
A．warned B．reminded C．asked D．required
A．course B．task C．discussion D．deal
A．and B．but C．as a result D．what’s more
A．for the moment B．at the moment C．for a moment D．at a moment
A．music B．songs C．the piano D．vitamins
A．dropping B．falling C．pouring D．running
A．Since B．As C．While D．Because
A．taking B．making C．having D．giving
A．thank B．praise C．admire D．owe
A．get on B．get up C．get off D．get down
A．quietly B．calmly C．happily D．slowly
A．shocked B．touched C．delighted D．disturbed
A．world B．heart C．brains D．dreams
My Teacher in the School of Life
I spent the opening day of school this year at DeMatha Catholic High School in much the same way I spent the first day of classes36 30 years ago; I sat in Dr Charles E. Offutt’s British literature class, listening to him 37 what his seniors would learn and get them excited about the journey they would 38 . I’m the principal (校长) of the school now , but for a few minutes I was back in 1975,39 what the future held.
I have been learning from Dr Offutt for 30 of the 51 years he had been teaching at DeMatha. He not only taught me to think, he40 me, as much by example as41 , that it was my moral duty to do so and to serve 42 .
Neither of us could know how our 43 would develop over the years. When I first came back to DeMatha to teach English. I worked for Dr Offutt, the then department chair. After several years, I was 44 department chair, and our relationship changed45 . I thought that it might be 46 chairing the department, since all of my former English teachers were still there, but Dr Offutt 47 me throughout. He knew when to give me48 about curriculum, texts and personnel, and when to let me design my own course.
In 1997, I needed his advice about leaving DeMatha to become principal at another school. If he had asked me to stay at DeMatha, I might have.49 , he encouraged me to seize the new50 .
Five years ago, I became the 51 of DeMatha. Once again, Dr Offutt was there for me, letting me know that I could 52 on him as I tried to fill such big shoes. I’ve learned from him that great teachers have a (n)53 wealth of lessons to teach. 54 his students don’t know it yet, I know how 55 they are; I’m still one of them.
A．mostly B．exactly C．only D．simply
A．explain B．predict C．speak D．teach
A．keep B．achieve C．choose D．take
A．preparing B．discovering C．wondering D．realizing
A．assisted B．reminded C．advised D．convinced
A．words B．action C．explanation D．models
A．the others B．everyone C．others D．anyone
A．relationship B．position C．situation D．condition
A．pointed B．named C．given D．taken
A．already B．yet C．still D．again
A．foolish B．surprising C．uncertain D．challenging
A．promoted B．accepted C．supported D．welcomed
A．advice B．information C．notice D．thought
A．Otherwise B．Therefore C．Furthermore D．Instead
A．choice B．opportunity C．occupation D．possibility
A．teacher B．principal C．officer D．clerk
A．live B．look C．depend D．take
A．rich B．little C．valuable D．endless
A．Once B．Even if C．Unless D．Until
A．fortunate B．curious C．innocent D．satisfied