Have you ever had an embarrassing（尴尬的）experience? Last week we asked readers to tell us about embarrassing experiences. We received thousands of letters! Here is a selection.
Tony:
My most embarrassing experience happened when I had just left university. I had just started teaching in a Liverpool secondary school. One morning my alarm clock didn't ring. I woke up at half past eight and school began at nine. I quickly washed, dressed, jumped into my car and rushed to school. When I arrived, the students had already gone into class. I didn't go to the office, but went straight into class. After two or three minutes the students began laughing, and I couldn't understand why! Suddenly I looked down and understood. I had put on one black shoe and one brown shoe!
Henry:
The most embarrassing experience I've ever had, happened two years ago. After seeing a film, my wife and I had lunch in our favourite restaurant in town. Then we decided to take a walk along the street. The street was very busy and we started holding hands. Suddenly my wife saw a dress that she liked in a shop window, and stopped. I started looking at some watches in the next window. After a minute or two I reached for my wife's hand. There was a loud scream, and a woman slapped my face. I hadn't taken my wife's hand. I'd taken the hand of a complete stranger!
James:
My wife and I had decided to buy a new house, and I'd made an appointment to see our bank manager. I'd never met him before. I went into town in my car and I was lucky enough to find a parking space outside the bank. I'd just started reversing(倒车) into the space when another car made its way into it. I was irritated! I opened my window and shouted at the man in the car. He ignored me and walked away. It took me twenty minutes to find another place. As soon as I had parked the car, I rushed back to the bank. I was ten minutes late for my appointment. I went to the manager's office, knocked and walked in. The manager was sitting behind his desk. He was the man who had taken my parking space!The students began laughing when they saw Tony_______.
| A．wearing a wrong shoe | B．carrying an alarm clock |
| C．looking down suddenly | D．rushing into the classroom |
Henry was embarrassed because he_______.
| A．slapped the woman in the face |
| B．took the hand of a complete stranger |
| C．heard his wife screaming in the street |
| D．knocked over some watches in the shop |
James went into town to_______.
| A．put money in the bank | B．look for a job |
| C．meet the bank manager | D．buy a new car |
The underlined word "irritated" probably means "_______ ".
| A．angry | B．impolite | C．worried | D．embarrassed |
My husband and I had just opened up a pet sitting business earlier that year. Our customers had slowly risen from three to thirty a month. We were busy through those hot summer months, driving between visits. Our work was strictly done at the pet owner’s home. It was almost too busy for the two of us, but we were making good money!
We asked pet owners new to our business to phone two weeks ahead so we had enough time to meet the owners and pets at their homes and make any following meetings before the owner leaves.
One day, we decided to take on a new customer just two days before they would leave. We met the family, filled in a form, and spent some time with their dog, Hercules. He playfully jumped on us and touched our hands and arms using his tongue. The family laughed as he did this, showing us that he was very loving.
Two days later I appeared at the house, alone. I came up to Hercules and said hello happily. I filled up his water bowl and cleaned any messes he made. Meanwhile, he was so lovely sitting beside. I thought this would be the good picture to send to the owners as usual. After the light and “click” sound went off, Hercules rushed at me. I didn’t know what had just happened until I noticed the drops of blood. I ran out and did the only thing—calling my husband.
Then I went to neighbors for help. My husband arrived after ten minutes. The helpful neighbor and my husband led Hercules back into his pen(圈). Then my husband and I took off to the hospital.
I must have looked like I was shot when I walked into the hospital. The nurses quickly moved me to a room. I asked the doctor in a weak but playful manner, “Am I going to die?” He replied, “Finally.”According to the text, the author’s work was_____________ .
| A．tiring and dangerous | B．easy and free |
| C．well paid | D．done outdoors |
What did the author often do during her work?
| A．Cleaning the customers’ house. |
| B．Walking the pets outside. |
| C．Bringing the pets to her own house. |
| D．Sending a photo of pets to the owners. |
It can be inferred from the text that the author was attacked because___________ .
| A．Hercules feared the sound and the flash |
| B．the author attacked Hercules first |
| C．Hercules was very hungry then |
| D．the author treated Hercules badly |
The doctor’s answer gave us a sense of____________ .
| A．anger | B．humor |
| C．carelessness | D．patience |
| Ballet NY Dancing can provide an outstanding cardiovascular (心血管的) workout, but this week the members of Ballet NY come to Pittshurgh to dance for people whose hearts need help. The performance will benefit the Artificial Heart Program of the Heart, Lung and Esophageal Surgery Institute of UPMC. Ballet NY was founded 10 years ago by former New York City Ballet principal ballerina Judith Fugate and internationally famous dancer Medhi Bahiri, and former members of top dance companies. The performance starts at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Byham Theater, Downtown. Admission: $35~$125. The top price includes post-concert coffee and dessert reception with the dancers. Details: 412-453-7777. |
| Classic rock, literally Mannheim Steamroller will bring a breath of “Fresh Air” to the Benedum Center, Downtown, Monday. The band, which blends (交融) classical and rock influences with electronic and ancient instruments, is on the road in its “Fresh Air” tour. The name comes from a series of eight albums with that title. Music begins at 8 p.m. Admission: $40, &50 or $60. Details: 412-456-6666. Expansive endeavors Outdoors adventure goes beyond fun. It is a way of encountering the weakness of our existence and seeing ourselves as rather small creatures after all. The Banff Mountain Film Festival helps us see that with movies that also are just downright good. Sponsored here by Venture Outdoors, the festival will be at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Byham Theatre, Downtown, with different films each night. Admission: $10, or $15 for both nights, in advance﹙提前﹚; $15 at the door. Details: 412-255-0564. |
| In bloom Children with spring fever (春倦症) can find an outlet on Saturday at the Frick Art& Historical Center, which is hosting “Green Kids—What’s up?” The program brings children aged 4-8 into the garden on Frick’s Point Breeze grounds, so that they can see what flowers are coming up in the early spring. The program, which runs 11-11:45 a.m., is free and includes an interactive tour and take-home activity. Meet in the Visitors’ Center at the Frick, 7227 Reynolds St., Point Breeze. Details: 412-371-0600. |
Where can you enjoy a program for free?
| A．Classical rock, literally. |
| B．Expansive endeavors. |
| C．In bloom. |
| D．Ballet NY. |
If a person with heart problem goes to Ballet NY, he will _________.
| A．enjoy some wonderful dances |
| B．be cured of his illness |
| C．dance on the stage |
| D．drink coffee for free |
If you are a music fan, you should go to _________.
| A．Expansive endeavors | B．Classical rock, literally |
| C．Ballet NY | D．In bloom |
If three adults go straight to the Byham Theatre and buy tickets just before the festival starts, how much will they spend?
| A．$40. | B．$30 |
| C．$45. | D．$35. |
I'm here today to share a good lesson with you. It is a true story about astudent who studied in Germany.
After years of hard work, this student graduated with amazing achievements. Everyone was sure that he was going to get a good job easily and have a bright future. But to his surprise, he was not even given the chance for an interview! The third time he was refused, he couldn't help telephoning the company to ask why they didn't want him. The answer was simple. “We don't offer jobs to dishonest people in Germany.”
What was wrong, you might wonder? The truth is, shortly after he arrived in Germany, this clever student found that it was easy to skip(逃票) buying subway tickets in this country. So in order to save money, he often went in the subway without a ticket. As a result, he had been caught without a ticket many times.
From this story, we learn that we may get short-term benefits in dishonest ways, but the truth will com out sooner or later and the cost is high. So remember: honesty is the best rule.Did the student often buy a ticket when he took the subway?
_________________________________________Where did the student study?
__________________________________________According to the passage, what is the best rule?
___________________________________________
A TV series in England，Away from it all，has surprised everyone by becoming a success with young people across the country. Its success is surprising because the series is about the relaxing lifestyles of people who live in the country. There is none of the action that we usually see on TV today. There are also no stressful moments, busy offices or crowded cities. Away from it all is set in the peaceful English countryside and tells simple stories about people’s kindness.
The director of the TV series says that its success is a sign of teenagers suffering from stress. They say that watching Away from it all helps teenagers forget about the pressures of exams and homework, and the troubles that fill the world today. They also say that it’s a good sign of today’s young people turning to happier TV series as it shows they want a happier and healthier world.
Although the series’ success might have a good side, many teachers and parents are worried, however. They say that some of their students and children spend more time before TV and are using Away from it all as an excuse for not finishing homework. Some children have even refused to learn for exams because they say that they can only get personal happiness by avoiding stressful situations.
And what do the experts say? Paula Ray, a doctor of education, says that TV can influence children’s lifestyles. But she says that if a child reacts strongly, it’ s likely that there are other reasons for his change in behaviour. She says that there is nothing wrong with watching Away from it all but suggests that parents should let their children know TV is not the same as real life.The success of the new TV series is surprising because__________.
| A．it is different from other successful TV series |
| B．it is the same as other successful TV series |
| C．it is about the English countryside |
| D．it is about life in busy cities |
The director of Away from it all believes that the series helps young people deal with__________.
| A．simple stories | B．stress |
| C．busy life | D．exams |
The success of the series shows that young people would like__________.
| A．a world with no homework | B．English TV series |
| C．relaxing jobs | D．a happier and healthier world |
__________ are worried about the effects of the series.
| A．Experts and teenagers. | B．Teachers and experts. |
| C．Teachers and parents. | D．Young people and parents. |
Once, there was a big apple tree. A little boy loved to climb to the tree top, ate the apples and played around it. With time on, the little boy grew up. He no longer played around it every day. One day, the boy came back, sad. “Come and play with me,” the tree said. “I am no longer a kid.” The boy replied, “ I need money to buy toys.” “I don’t have money..., but you can pick all my apples and sell them.” The boy was so excited. He picked all apples and left happily. The boy never came back after that.
One day, the boy returned. “Come and play with me,” the tree said happily. “I have no time to play. We need a house for my family.” “You can cut off my branches.” So the boy cut all the branches off the tree and left happily. But he never came back since then.
Again, the boy returned and said. “ I want to make a navigation across the sea. Can you give me a boat?” “Use my trunk(主干) to build your boat.” So the boy cut the trunk to make a boat. He went sailing and never showed up for a long time. Finally, the boy returned after he left for so many years. “Sorry, my boy. But I don’t have anything for you anymore. the only thing left is my dying roots.” the tree said with tears.
“I don’t need much now, just a place to rest. I am tired after all these years.” The boy replied.
“Good! Old tree roots is the best place to rest. Come and rest with me.” The boy sat down and the tree was glad and smiled with tears.
You may think that the boy is cold to the tree but that’s how we are treating our parents. The tree is our parents. When we were young, we loved to play with them. When we grow up, we leave them, and only come to them when we need something or when we are in trouble. Whatever we ask for, parents will give everything they have and always be there waiting for us home.The apple tree in the passage is just like__________ in the life.
| A．our kid | B．our parent |
| C．our friend | D．our sister or brother |
The boy made his house for his family by __________.
| A．picking the apples |
| B．cutting off all the branches of the tree. |
| C．cutting the trunk of the tree. |
| D．digging the dying roots of the tree |
The underlined word navigation means__________.
| A．飞翔 | B．航行 |
| C．赛车 | D．徒步 |
The passage mainly tells us__________.
| A．parents hardly give help when children are in trouble |
| B．whatever we ask for, parents try to meet our needs in their whole life |
| C．children always do something to thank their parents’ great effort and help in return |
| D．children always care about parents’ feeling as they grow up |