This was my grandmother’s first Christmas without grandfather. When we reached her house, it did seem a little 36 without grandfather.
Grandfather had always said the Christmas 37 was the most important. So we set to work assembling（组装）the beautiful 38 tree that was stored in grandfather’s closet（储藏室）. After we finished, we stepped back to 39 our work. It looked wonderful. But something was 40 .
“Where’s the star?” I asked. It was my grandmother’s 41 . As we emptied box after box and found no star, my grandmother’s eyes 42 with tears. Grandfather had given it to Grandmother fifty years ago. Now, on her first Christmas without 43 , the star was gone, too.
“Let’s 44 in the closet where the tree was,” my sister Donna said. We 45 under beds and over shelves, inside and outside 46 we had exhausted every possibility. We could see Grandmother was 47 , although she tried not to show it. By now, it was 48 outside, and time for bed, as Santa would soon be here.
The next morning, my sisters and I 49 early to see what Santa had left under the tree. After breakfast, the family sat together to 50 presents. “The last gift is to Grandmother from Grandfather.” Father said, in a puzzled voice.
“From who?” There was 51 in my grandmother’s voice.
“I found that 52 in the closet when we got the tree down,” Mother explained.
My grandmother opened it. Her face lit up when she pulled out a(n) 53 golden star. There was a note attached. Her voice trembled（颤抖）as she read it:
Don’t be 54 with me, dear. I broke your star while putting away the tree. Thought it was time for a new one, I hope it brings you as much 55 as the first one. Merry Christmas.
A．empty B．cold C．slow D．absent
A．wish B．tree C．spirit D．work
A．unique B．artificial C．widespread D．alive
A．follow B．show C．judge D．admire
A．losing B．happening C．missing D．falling
A．doubt B．reward C．honour D．treasure
A．filled B．covered C．put D．removed
A．them B．it C．her D．him
A．stop B．move C．start D．stay
A．hid B．searched C．lay D．found
A．as B．until C．because D．though
A．disappointed B．amazed C．excited D．shocked
A．snowing B．raining C．blowing D．darkening
A．cheered up B．picked up C．woke up D．took up
A．pack B．open C．pick D．exchange
A．happiness B．fright C．surprise D．hope
A．gift B．book C．note D．letter
A．big B．old C．shining D．broken
A．generous B．angry C．strict D．important
A．sadness B．concern C．peace D．joy
It was Mother’s Day morning and I was doing some shopping at our local supermarket with my five-year-old son, Tenyson.
As we were leaving, we found that an elderly woman had fallen over at the and had hit her head on the concrete. Her was with her, but there was blood everywhere and the woman was embarrassed and clearly . Walking 39 the scene, Tenyson became very upset about had happened to the couple. He said to me, “Mum, it’s not much fun falling over in front of everyone.”
At the front of the supermarket, a charity group had set up a selling cooked sausages and flowers to funds. Tenyson that we should buy the lady a flower. “It will make her feel ,” he said. I was that he’d such a sweet idea. So we went over to the flower seller and asked her we could buy a flower for the lady to cheer her up. “Just take it,” she . “I can’t take your money for such a wonderful gesture.”
we walked up to her, my son became frightened by all the blood and medical equipment. He said he was just too to go up to her. , I gave the flower to the woman’s husband and told him, “My son was very upset for your wife and wanted to give her this flower to make her feel better.”
that, the old man started crying and said, “Thank you so much, you have a wonderful son. Happy Mother’s Day to you.”
The man then bent down and gave his wife the flower, her who it was from. badly hurt and shaken, the old lady looked at Tenyson with love in her eyes and gave him a little smile.
A．entrance B．front C．middle D．end
A．son B．husband C．daughter D．friend
A．in time B．in case C．in shock D．in short
A．towards B．through C．over D．by
A．which B．that C．who D．what
A．building B．study C．notice D．stand
A．get B．make C．raise D．rise
A．suggested B．asked C．told D．admitted
A．less B．more C．worse D．better
A．angry B．happy C．amazed D．sad
A．catch up with B．come up with C．get away with D．put up with
A．because B．though C．if D．when
A．asked B．replied C．repeated D．received
A．As B．Since C．For D．With
A．energetic B．scared C．satisfied D．excited
A．Instead B．However C．Also D．So
A．For B．At C．About D．Of
A．talking B．begging C．ordering D．telling
A．When B．Because C．Why D．Though
A．away B．off C．up D．down
Americans are proud of their variety and individuality, yet they love and respect few things more than a uniform. Why are uniforms so in the United States?
Among the arguments for uniforms, one is that in most people’s eyes they look more professional than civilian clothes. A television repairman who appears in a uniform inspires more trust than one who doesn’t. Faith in the skill of a mechanic is by a uniform. What easier way is there for a nurse, a policeman, or a barber to lose professional than stepping out of uniform?
Uniforms also have many practical . They save on other clothes and laundry bills. They are often more durable than civilian clothes.
Primary among the arguments uniforms is their lack of individuality. While there are many types of uniforms, the wearer of any particular type is generally stuck with it, without change, until retirement. When people look alike, they tend to think, speak, and act , on the job at least.
Uniforms also practical problems. Though they are long-lasting, often their initial cost is greater. Some uniforms are also to maintain, requiring professional dry cleaning rather than the home laundering possible with many types of civilian clothes.
A．special B．fashionable C．popular D．common
A．increased B．created C．reduced D．presented
A．popularity B．ability C．stability D．identity
A．benefits B．characters C．functions D．purposes
A．about B．with C．against D．over
A．honestly B．similarly C．confidently D．differently
A．bring up B．come up with C．result from D．give rise to
A．expensive B．easy C．complex D．cheap
It was New Year’s Night. An aged man was standing at a window. He had already sixty of the stages leading to it, and he had brought from his journey nothing but errors and remorse.
The days of his appeared like dreams before him, and he recalled the moment when his father placed him at the entrance of the two roads.—one leading to a peaceful, sunny place, with flowers, fruits and resounding with soft, sweet songs ; the other leading to a deep, dark cave, which was endless.
He looked towards the sky and cried , “ Oh, my youth, return! Oh ,my , place me once more at the entrance to life, and I ’ll the better way!” But both his father and the days of his youth had passed away.
The clock in the high church tower struck and the sound made him remember his early love for him. They had taught him and prayed to God for his good. But he chose the wrong way. His darkened eyes were full of , and with a despairing effort , he burst out a cry, “Come back, my early days! Come back!”
And his youth did return, for all this was only a which he had on New Year’s Night.
Those who still linger on the of life, hesitating to choose the bright road, remember that when years pass away and your stumble on the dark mountains, you will cry bitterly, but in vain, “Oh , my youth, return! Oh , give me back my early days! ”
A．brought B．passed C．paid D．took
A．youth B．age C．work D．future
A．happy B．serious C．dangerous D．terrible
A．placed B．smiled C．covered D．put
A．painfully B．carefully C．faithfully D．terribly
A．mother B．father C．sister D．brother
A．talk B．write C．advise D．choose
A．sisters’ B．parents’ C．teachers’ D．brothers’
A．jobs B．talks C．tears D．clothes
A．story B．dream C．chance D．joke
A．entrance B．building C．street D．way
A．teeth B．hands C．heads D．feet
A single mother and her daughter living in my community are two of the most unfriendly people I have ever come across in my life. They are totally , mixing with nobody. As they drive past neighbors they keep their eyes looking away and make no sign of other people. The only fame they have is making a nuisance (讨厌的人) of themselves to the local police station by music played too loud, dogs barking more than once a day and any other little .
Upon moving into this neighborhood, I was of these two but decided I would make up my own mind. This proved quite a to me as more than once either the mother or the daughter would knock on my door and blast (猛烈抨击 ) me with some or other. I answered politely and made sure I as they went past my place and also made the effort now and then to make a kind about their garden or pets.
Time passed and in October, as part of the Kindness Rock Give, Maureen and I decided to place a kindness rock in their garden. Their remained unchanged, however, and I continued to be as friendly as possible. During the Easter give, we decided once again to these two unhappy ladies to our list and a packet of cookies on their gate. Imagine my when two days later they at my gate and jokingly said they were hanging their Christmas stocking on their gate, and they brought me a bunch of（一束）flowers!
So, my fellow gifters, do not give up on your random（随机的）gifts of kindness. You may never just what this to others, nor how many broken or hearted people you may just change a simple act of kindness.
A．protected B．depressed C．separated D．worried
A．helping B．greeting C．hating D．blaming
A．accepting B．requesting C．reporting D．refusing
A．events B．mistakes C．accidents D．affairs
A．informed B．warned C．reminded D．told
A．challenge B．success C．failure D．chance
A．quarrels B．opinions C．explanations D．complaints
A．seldom B．never C．always D．sometimes
A．waved B．stared C．noticed D．laughed
A．change B．smile C．gesture D．remark
A．smile B．attitude C．decision D．anger
A．add B．lead C．refuse D．include
A．shared B．saved C．left D．threw
A．fear B．anxiety C．surprise D．doubt
A．whispered B．stopped C．shouted D．lay
A．imagining B．watching C．considering D．recalling
A．admit B．regret C．know D．doubt
A．refers B．means C．relates D．donates
A．kind B．willing C．hard D．weak
A．to B．for C．by D．with
The Spring Festival marks the first day of a new year, so the first meal is rather important. People from the North and the South have different about the foods they eat on this day. In Northern China, people eat Jiaozi. The word Jiaozi in Chinese means the and the beginning of time. According to historical , in the past people from the North and the South both ate Jiaozi on Chinese New Year’s Day. Perhaps the areas in Southern China more rice than those in Northern China, southern people slowly to eat many other kinds of food on New Year’s Day. , the most common foods for the first are noodles, New Year Cake and Tangyuan. The noodle long life. The New Year Cake is called Niangao in Chinese, which the hope of improvement in year after year. Tangyuan is a symbol of according to the Chinese.
To a New Year visit to relatives and friends is an important activity during the Spring Festival. People also send cards to a New Year’s greeting. What children love most is to set off firecrackers. , as the pace of life is becoming faster and faster, people have new ways to celebrate the Chinese traditional New Year. For example, many people no longer send out greeting cards. , they use short messages or emails. Also to travel during the New Year holidays has come into .
A．words B．habits C．meanings D．stories
A．usual B．unforgettable C．common D．special
A．seldom B．usually C．always D．hardly
A．end B．future C．result D．effect
A．reasons B．records C．notes D．stories
A．as long as B．though C．when D．because
A．caused B．took C．produced D．brought
A．understood B．knew C．made D．began
A．Besides B．Therefore C．Consequently D．Usually
A．subject B．title C．program D．meal
A．symbolizes B．reveals C．shows D．indicates
A．transports B．represents C．fetches D．takes
A．health B．family C．life D．work
A．reunion B．luck C．happiness D．harmony
A．do B．pay C．get D．carry
A．expres B．describe C．establish D．define
A．Luckily B．Unfortunately C．However D．Besides
A．given away B．made out C．got into D．taken up
A．Instead B．Fortunately C．Moreover D．Furthermore
A．fashion B．effect C．sight D．Power