Fannie Cratty wasn’t really my aunt. I only referred to her as “My Aunt Fannie” because the name always made my father laugh and gave my mother cause to look angrily at both of us---at me for being disrespectful of my elder and at my father for encouraging my bad behavior.
As a young woman, my mother had worked in the kitchen of a large Victorian farmhouse owned by Fannie Cratty. During those years my mother helped Aunt Fannie make the best blueberry jam ever tasted by anyone in Glenfield. Aunt Fannie was well known for her jam and for never sharing the recipe with another living soul. Even though my mother knew the recipe by heart, as long as Aunt Fannie was alive (and she lived to be ninety-six!), she never made the jam without Ms. Cratty in our kitchen to direct the process and preserve the secret.
Each August, when blueberry season would roll around, my mother would prepare me for Aunt Fannie’s visit. It was vital that I should be on my best behavior. After all, the woman was old, wealthy, very strict with children. Whenever she was at the house, I didn’t need to be reminded to guard my thoughts and watch my tongue.
One year, after I had been particularly helpful with the jam process, Aunt Fannie gave me a quarter(25分硬币) and then made me promise that I would never spend it. “Hold onto this quarter,” she said, “and someday you will be rich. I still have my very first quarter, given to me by my grandfather.” It had obviously worked for her. So, I kept the 1938-quarter into a small box, put it in my dresser drawer, and waited to become rich.
I now have the blueberry jam recipe and the quarter from Aunt Fannie. In people’s eye Aunt Fannie’s success was due to that secret recipe. But to me, it was just a common recipe. Neither has significantly contributed to my wealth, but I keep them as reminders to hold onto the valuable things in life. Money can make you feel rich for a while, but it is the relationships and the memories of time spent with friends and family that truly leave you wealthy. And that is a fortune that anyone can build. Paragraph 2 implies that my mother .
A.used to forget the secret blueberry jam recipe |
B.wanted to show off her excellent cooking skills |
C.was unable to make the jam without Aunt Fannie’s direction |
D.tried to convince Aunt Fannie that she would keep the secret |
According to Paragraph 4, the author believed that Aunt Fanni was rich because .
A.she had kept her first quarter |
B.she had never wasted money |
C.she had worked very hard |
D.she had kept her promise |
The author thinks that we can feel wealthy if we .
A.share our wealth with others |
B.have good fortune and money |
C.know the secret of a jam recipe |
D.own lasting love and friendship |
Which would be the best title for this passage?
A.An old quarter | B.Valuable Things |
C.Blueberry Jam Recipe | D.Memories of old time |
One morning more than thirty years ago, I entered the Track Kitchen, a restaurant where everyone from the humbles(卑微的) to the most powerful came for breakfast. I noticed an empty chair next to an elderly, unshaven man, who looked somewhat disheveled. He was wearing a worn-out hat and was alone. I asked if I might join him. He agreed quietly and I sat down to have my breakfast.
We cautiously began a conversation and sopke about a wide range of things. We never introduced ourselves. I was concerned that he might have no money and not be able to afford something to eat. So as I rose to go back to the counter and buy a second cup of coffee, I asked.
“ May I get you something?”
“A coffee would be nice.” Then I bought him a cup of coffee. We talked more, and he accepted another cup of coffee. Finally, I rose to leave, wished him well, and headed for the exit, at the door I met one of my friends. He asked.
“How did you get to know Mr. Galbreath?”
“Who?”
“The man you were sitting with. He is chairman of the Board of Churchill Downs.”
I could hardly believe it. I way buying, offering a free breakfast, and feeling pity for one of the world’s richest and most powerful men!
My few minutes with Mr. Glbreath changed my life. Now I try to treat everyone with respect, no matter who I think they are, and to meet another human being with kindness and sincerity.
What does the underlined word”disheveled’ mean?
A.Unfriendly | B.Untidy. | C.Gentle. | D.Kind. |
The author bought coffee for the old man because ______.
A. he thought the old man was poor B. he wanted to start a conversation
C. he intended to show his politeness C. he would like to thank the old man How did the authr probably feel after he talked with his friend?
A. Proud. B. Pitiful. C, Surprised. D. Regretful.
What is the message mainly expressed in the story?
A.We should learn to be generous. |
B.It is honorable to help those in need. |
C.People in high positions are not like what we expect. |
D.We should avoid judging people by their appearances. |
It is a hot summer day,and you feel thirsty.A friend gives you a glass of cold lemonade.How do you feel when you see the glass? Will you describe your feeling as happiness or as pleasure? I believe you will say it is a feeling of pleasure.There is a connection between these two kinds of feelings,and sometimes one causes the other,but they are not the same.Pleasure is a more dependent on the five senses while happiness is independent of them.
When you are happy,little unpleasant events usuallv do not disturb you.When you are unhappy,you feel as if everything is against you.You may compensate for it by eating chocolate and sweets because this gives you pleasure,yet you stay unhappy.A person may smoke cigarettes because it gives him pleasure,yet this does not make him happier,especiallv if he knows the fact that it is not good for his heahh.
The physical world is always in a changing state.At each moment a new thing is being created,changed,transformed and then destroyed.This is the normal state of things and no one can change it.If we stay still in a certain state,we are sure to experience unhappiness sooner or later.0n the other hand, if
we adjust to the environment,nothing can influence our moods.Then outer events have nothing to do with our inner joy of mind.
The room of the mind is filled with worry or fear.If you are free of thinking about them,the room has been emptied,and then you will see what is happening and experience it.When your mind stays quiet,you will see that happiness comes from the inside.
What does t
he underlined phrase”compensate for“in Paragraph 2 most probably mean?
A.to make a suitable payment for |
B.to let out your anger for |
C.to provide with a balancing effect for![]() |
D.to solve the problems for |
According to the passage,in which of the following situations can you feel happy?
A.A friend gives you a glass of cold lemonade when you feel thirsty. |
B.You eat chocolate and sweets when you feel as if everything is against you. |
C.Smoke cigarettes even though you know the fact that it is not good for your health. |
D.You are free from worry or fear when your mind stays quiet. |
We call learn from the passage
A.happiness is more dependent on the five senses |
B.pleasure sometimes arouses happiness |
C.you feel happy when nothing around you changes in a certain state |
D.you feel unhappy because you have to adjust to the environment |
Which can be the best title for the passage? ]
A.Pleasure Leads to Happiness |
B.Happiness Changes Us |
C.Happiness Is Within Us |
D.Stay a Quiet Mind |
Unlike Britain, the US does not have a national health care service. Most people buy medical insurance to help pay for medical care. The government only helps pay for some medical care for the old and the people who are on low incomes. The problems of those who cannot afford insurance have become an important political subject.
In Britain, when people are ill, they usually go to a family doctor first. However, people in America sometimes go straight to an expert. Children are usually taken to a doctor who is an expert in the treatment of children. In Britain, if a patient needs to see a specialist doctor, their family doctor will usually recommend a specialist, which will save more time and money both for the patients and the public fund(基金).
In Britain, doctors do not go to people’s homes when they are ill. People always make appointments to see the doctor in the doctor’s office. In a serious situation, people call for an ambulance. In America, hospitals must treat all seriously ill patients, even if they do not have medical insurance. The gov-ernment will then help pay for some of
the cost of the medical care.
The majority of Americans pay for medical care.
A.through the national health care service | B.by buying medical insurance |
C.with the help of the government | |
D.by increasing their income |
The author implies in Paragraph 2 that.
A.Americans don’t trust family doctors |
B.family doctors are helpless to the patients |
C.he is more in favor of the British medical care service |
D.sick children should go to family doctors first |
In the States, seriously ill patients will.
A.be treated if they have an insurance |
B.go to see the doctor by making an appointment |
C.receive treatment even without insurance |
D.normally go to see an expert for treatment |
Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?
A.Health Care in the United States and Britain |
B.Types of Doctors in the United States |
C.Treatment of Sick Children in the United States |
D.Medical Insurance in the United States and Britain |
How to make friends with people from a different culture? The rules are as follows:
Appreciate the Person.
Most Americans like to be recognized as individuals as someone special with unique personalities. Therefore, never say, “You’re from America so I want to be your friend.” Also don’t imply that the reason why you approached them is that you wanted someone to practice your English with. That turns people off.
Instead try saying,” You seem like a real nice and interesting person and I would like to get to know you better.” This way, they are much more inclined to be friendly because you see them as a three dim
ensional person and appreciate them for who they are in the inside. And by doing so, you not only learn about Americans and practice your English, but also gain a r
eal friend in the process.
Quit Calling Us Foreigners.
Please avoid calling a foreigner a foreigner especially in his face. The word makes people feel like an outsider, and even unwelcome, suggesting separation and insurmountable differences, widening an already existing gap in the situation. When Americans travel, they rarely say, “ I’m foreign to your place.” They tend to say, “ I’m new in town. I’m new here.” The reason is because new and unfamiliar things can become old and familiar. But can foreign things become native? Aha? You catch my drift.
Just Do It.
Some students like to be told about American culture but are less interested in spending the time and the effort to actually experience it. As Americans always say, “ Get your hands dirty.” You should have first hand and hands on experience, or you’ll never really know anything.
Find that Common Language.
Now I must stress the importance of finding a common language. By that I don’t mean English, Chinese, German, French, etc. I mean finding something you have in common with another person on a spiritual and philosophical level: likes, dislikes, worldviews, ways of thinking , and attitudes toward life. And to start, you must first enhance your knowledge of the particular culture from which your potential new friend comes form.
The underlined sentence “ Get your hands dirty” means.
A.get involved | B.start with dirty work |
C.talk about American culture | D.don’t wash your hands too often |
Americans prefer to make friends with those who.
A.avoid talking about their homeland |
B.recognize their personalities |
C.obey rules of communicating with friends |
D.needn’t practice English while playing together |
According to the passage, which of the following is friendly?
A.I am longing to make friends with an American. |
B.This is my friend Tom, who is a foreigner. |
C.There must be a gap between us in many things. |
D.You’ve got a great personality. |
A woman whose sports car was stolen with her dog in it put up notices all over the area that made it clear getting back her pet was more important than her cat.
“Whoever did this can keep my car.Please let Benjerman come home,”the notice said.
It is not known whether the thief showed any pity,but al-most 30 hours after the 1 pm theft Friday,Atkins and Benjerman,a 12-year-old black retriever(猎犬),were reunited after the police located them in Barrington.
“He’s hungry,he’s dirty,but he’s very happy to be home.”Atkins said.
The car was found at about 5 pm Saturday off Route 125 in a swampy area frequented by off-the—road cars and dirt bikes.However,the police couldn’t control Benjerman, and they had to call Atkins to come and get him.
Atkins said the thief cared for Benjerman a little by providing him with some dry cat food.She believed Benjerman ended up drinking some muddy warer in the area.She said they have been together for nearly 1 l years after she took him back from a society shelter in Dallas.Texas.
Before Benjerman was found.Atkins and several friends put up notices all over the city and in Somersworth.They also contacted animal shelters throughout southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts.The notice stated there was a reward and also that the dog needed medication.Any caller could remain anonymous(匿名的).
Atkins had parked the car outside a hardware store with the keys inside and gone in to rent a carpet cleaner.
“It was 10 minutes and I came out and my car was gone along with Benjermma in broad daylight.”Atkins said.The car thief threw Atkins’ wallet and other personal items out of the car before escaping from the scene.Which of the following shows the correct order of what happened?
a.Notices were put up saying there was a reward.
b.Atkins saw Benjerman again.
c.The police found Atkins' car.
d.Atkins took Benjerman back from a society sheher.
e.Atkins hired a carpet cleaner in a hardware store.
A.d,e,a,b,c | B.d,e,a.c.b |
C.e,a,d,b,c | D.e,a,c,d,b |
We can infer from the passage
A.the dog was treated extremely badly by ![]() |
B.car stolen accidents happen frequently nowadays |
C.the dog was found because of the reward |
D.the thief stole the car easily |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.Benjerman was sent back immediately after Atkins put up the notices. |
B.Atkins and her friends made a great effort to look for Benjerman. |
C.The thief gave the dog back b![]() |
D.The dog was back at 1 pm on a Friday. |