My husband Jeff and I moved into our new home in Scottsbluff last year just before Christmas. I did not have the or energy to carry out my traditional Christmas decorating and baking activities. What was the point, anyway? It was going to be a Christmas after all.
, the neighborly nature of west Nebraska residents started to trickle (陆续来临) in.
There was a on the door one evening. It was Jeff’s new colleague, John Smith, and his wife, Phyllis. The Smiths had stopped by to us to town with a loaf of homemade bread. They pointed out a on the porch (门廊). Apparently the doorbell wasn’t working in the cold snowy weather and we had a visit from the Browns, our across-the-street neighbors, who brought us a Christmas card and more Christmas cookies.
The feelings brought by these thoughtful gestures lasted longer than the food.
As Jeff and I were clearing pre-Christmas from our driveway, Ernie Guzman came over from next door to us to dig out.
Then, we received an invitation to a Christmas Eve meal with our neighbors, Ernie and Nancy Sommer, and their —a 90-year-old lady, who also had no family in the immediate area with whom to spend the holiday.
Our Christmas Eve was quite merry, thanks to our . Our Christmas morning was special, thanks to the Smiths’ gift of bread. I was so for these gestures of welcome, especially during the holidays.
This year, we were again unable to be with our families for Christmas. The and work schedules just made things too difficult. that sense of Christmas isolation (孤立) all too well, we decided to try to round up some other folks who were in the holidays.
Lonely people are all around us, but most of us notice them. Just take a look around you. Sometimes, the smallest gesture can make a world of difference.
A．chance B．anxiety C．time D．ability
A．lonely B．free C．merry D．usual
A．Therefore B．However C．Somehow D．Meanwhile
A．sign B．knock C．card D．note
A．invite B．welcome C．drive D．send
A．tree B．flower C．mail D．package
A．forgot B．missed C．arranged D．received
A．warm B．deep C．true D．mixed
A．rubbish B．snow C．dust D．leaves
A．teach B．urge C．help D．forbid
A．prepare B．share C．taste D．exchange
A．guest B．aunt C．maid D．partner
A．folks B．relatives C．neighbors D．colleagues
A．call B．greeting C．meeting D．breakfast
A．sorry B．eager C．grateful D．ready
A．season B．expense C．distance D．situation
A．Knowing B．Showing C．Studying D．Discovering
A．happy B．busy C．alone D．active
A．always B．usually C．finally D．seldom
A．careful B．kind C．pretty D．patient
My dad has been driving a truck for almost his entire life．He's usually all the weekdays and comes home only at weekends．Sometimes he stays for two weeks at a time. I don't get to see him as often as I wish, we remain very ．
My dad is the type of person who doesn't let you up anything that you start．When I was eleven, my father bought me a piano． At first I was so about it that I would spend hours and hours learning how to play． Then it got ．I was so tired of it that I asked if I could stop． Much as I tried, he me to go on．Now I have been playing for almost five years． I love it and I'm glad I my dad's advice．
My dad is talented, for he has been playing the guitar for over 20 years． Under his influence, I also like now． Sometimes my dad can be my biggest ． He makes me smile even when I lose in a talent show sometimes he can be my biggest critic（批评家）． He ignores the small mistakes I make． He encourages me never to lose because he thinks that all my efforts will one day．
My dad is generous． Every Thursday night, he to read to the children at a children's club． When he reads, their light up with curiosity about what will happen next． I feel of having a person in my family who cares enough to volunteer to .
I love my dad with all my heart． He's a hero in my heart and the most wonderful person in the world．
A． on B．with C．out D．in
A．home B．alone C．inside D．away
A．Even though B．In case C．If only D．As if
A．polite B．kind C．different D．close
A．put B．give C．take D．speed
A．nervous B．crazy C．familiar D．anxious
A．rough B．difficult C．boring D．disappointing
A．Persuaded B．promised C．reminded D．suggested
A．receive B．challenged C．listened D．took
A．Physically B．musically C．exactly D．typically
A．dancing B．composing C．writing D．drawing
A．supporter B．director C．scholar D．sponsor
A．however B．so C．still D．and
A．ever B．often C．even D．never
A．aim B．dream C．heart D．strength
A．come true B．take risks C．let out D．pay off
A．agrees B．likes C．offers D．intends
A．bodies B．arms C．faces D．hands
A．jealous B．optimistic C．happy D．proud
A．read B．help C．work D．Drive
A very tired traveler came to the bank of a river. There was no . It was winter, and the surface of the river was covered with . It was getting dark, and he to reach the other side while there was enough . On the other hand, he worried a lot, not sure whether the ice would his weight.
Eventually, he got down on his knees and began very to crawl（爬）across the surface of the ice hesitating（犹豫）for a long time. He hoped that by distributing（分散）the of his body, the ice would be unlikely to under the load. After he made his and painful journey about halfway across the river, he suddenly heard the sound of behind him. Out of the dusk, there came a 4-horse load of coal driven by a man singing happily he went his happy way. Here was the traveler, fearfully crawling his way on his hands and knees. And there, as if whisked (挥动) along by the winter’s wind, went the , his horses, his sled , and the heavy load of coal over the river!
The story shows how many of us life. Some people crawl through life for fear of thin ice. Their is not strong enough to them up. Still there are those who sing as they go. Their faith is .
When we face the river of , we don’t have to fear, nor do we crawl through life. With determination, courage and optimism, we can happily make our way to the other successfully.
A．bridge B．water C．road D．station
A．snow B．ice C．smoke D．air
A．agreed B．helped C．wanted D．managed
A．light B．time C．power D．strength
A．admit B．control C．lose D．support
A．quickly B．happily C．cautiously D．freely
A．in B．after C．by D．at
A．weight B．shape C．height D．direction
A．shake B．fall C．break D．move
A．brave B．strange C．joyful D．slow
A．laughing B．water C．wind D．singing
A．before B．as C．for D．but
A．manager B．visitor C．driver D．passenger
A．similar B．same C．deep D．clear
A．go through B．come across C．fight against D．talk about
A．dream B．feeling C．talent D．faith
A．give B．make C．hold D．use
A．unshakable B．simple C．true D．unavoidable
A．mistakes B．difficulties C．questions D．changes
A．state B．part C．land D．side
Several days ago,I met a stranger in the street who stopped and asked me directions． I to show him the way to the destination, but to my , he coldly refused my offer. I asked him why. Finally he told me he was I would ask him for money if I him in this way.
Money! I deep into thought. Is it money that comes between us? Money has no , it cannot be with good or bad.
The problem what attitude we have towards it.
At present, we have a more material life than ever before, but we’re becoming more and more . Why? In my opinion, the is the change in people’s personal .They wrongly believe that money should be their only aim in life, so they all sorts of ways they can to this aim.
They are afraid of being and fooled. If everyone thinks like this, what will our be like?
Needless to say，money is becoming more and more important in our society, it shouldn’t be the “be-all and end-all” of life. If a person only concentrates on , he will be lonely and void(空虚), and even go astray(犯错误).
It is up to us to make our lives happy, not money. We should try our best to help others and freely. If everyone does so, our society will be better and better.
A．advised B．offered C．asked D．wished
A．joy B．fear C．excitement D．surprise
A．anxious B．afraid C．sorry D．glad
A．stopped B．told C．asked D．helped
A．kept B．felt C．fell D．caught
A．problem B．price C．life D．use
A．joined B．judged C．connected D．seemed
A．takes in B．depends on C．leads to D．smooths away
A．powerful B．beautiful C．plentiful D．healthy
A．cold-hearted B．warm-hearted C．good-looking D．humorous
A．key B．money C．man D．creature
A．worth B．habits C．fame D．values
A．taking B．habits C．making D．spending
A．think up B．pick up C．go up D．come up
A．realize B．recognize C．take D．shoot
A．found B．discovered C．cheated D．followed
A．life B．society C．belief D．money
A．or B．but C．if D．since
A．life B．nature C．society D．money
A．separately B．obviously C．mainly D．whole-heartedly
As I got up today, I smelt fresh coffee. I woke up to a cup of it with some biscuits on my bedside table. This reminded me of , the old school and college days, when mom used to wake me up by serving a cup of coffee. The taste is still so in my memories.
A thought hit me, "I was in bed, so who prepared this coffee for me? Is it a dream?"
I pinched（掐）myself, ouch... that hurt, which meant I was not . I walked out of the room with the cup of coffee, my roommate. I asked him whether he prepared that for me, and the answer was YES.
I was relaxed somehow my heart wanted him to say NO, because I wanted to be in a that my mom prepared it for me. The whole reminded me of mom and I her at that moment.
On my way to my office, I was thinking about those days when mom used to cook my meal. I could not any single day when I slept without food. But now, I no longer the food mom cooked.
This very thought tears to my eyes and I decided to call up mom. I reached the office and gave her a call.
The first thing she asked was, "Is everything all right?" I was . And I thought, "How the time has ."
When I was with her, I used to call her after every hour when I was out with my friends. In those days she asked me what was wrong, as she knew that it was my habit. My call at this point of the day to her meant that I was in .
Time has changed, she is still the same, and it is who have changed.
A．drink B．find C．prepare D．cook
A．home B．comfort C．warmth D．kitchen
A．smelling B．cooking C．steaming D．pouring
A．deep B．heavy C．fresh D．recent
A．funny B．possible C．realistic D．sudden
A．thinking B．dreaming C．working D．reacting
A．in place of B．in favor of C．in search of D．in case of
A．and B．but C．or D．so
A．sense B．relief C．sorrow D．belief
A．scene B．loss C．care D．matter
A．hated B．expected C．missed D．questioned
A．last B．every C．tasty D．complete
A．check B．count C．remember D．cover
A．pack B．finish C．imagine D．enjoy
A．brought B．caused C．pushed D．raised
A．careless B．speechless C．rootless D．homeless
A．influenced B．passed C．flied D．changed
A．never B．still C．often D．almost
A．peace B．surprise C．trouble D．progress
A．my roommate B．she C．the situation D．I
When I entered Berkeley, I hoped to earn a scholarship. Having been a Straight-A student, I believed I could tough subjects and really learn something. One such course was World Literature given by Professor Jayne. I was extremely interested in the ideas he in class.
When I took the first exam, I was to find a 77, C-plus, on my test paper, English was my best subject. I went to Professor Jayne, who listened to my arguments but remained .
I decided to try harder, although I didn’t know what that because school had always been easy for me. I read the books more carefully, but got another 77. Again, I with Professor Jayne. Again, he listened patiently but wouldn’t change his .
One more test before the final exam. One more to improve my grade. So I redoubled my efforts and, for the first time, the meaning of the word “thorough”. But my did no good and everything as before.
The last hurdle (障碍) was the final. No matter what I got, it wouldn’t cancel three C-pluses. I might as well kiss the goodbye.
I stopped working hard. I felt I knew the course material as well as I ever would. The night before the final, I even myself to a movie. The next day I decided for once I’d have with a test.
A week later, l was surprised to find I got an A. I hurried into Professor Jayne’s office. He to be expecting me. “If I gave you the As you , you wouldn’t continue to work as hard.”
I stared at him, that his analysis and strategy (策略) were correct. I had worked my head , as I had never done before.
I was speechless when my course grade arrived: A-plus. It was the only A-plus given. The next year I received my scholarship. I’ve always remembered Professor Jayne’s lesson: you alone must set your own standard of excellence.
A．take B．discuss C．cover D．get
A．sought B．presented C．exchanged D．obtained
A．shocked B．worried C．scared D．anxious
A．but B．so C．for D．or
A．unchanged B．unpleasant C．unfriendly D．unmoved
A．reflected B．meant C．improved D．affected
A．quarreled B．reasoned C．bargained D．chatted
A．attitude B．mind C．plan D．view
A．choice B．step C．chance D．measure
A．memorized B．considered C．accepted D．learned
A．ambition B．confidence C．effort D．method
A．stayed B．went C．worked D．changed
A．grade B．answer C．lesson D．comment
A．scholarship B．course C．degree D．subject
A．helped B．favored C．treated D．relaxed
A．fun B．luck C．problems D．tricks
A．happened B．proved C．pretended D．seemed
A．valued B．imagined C．expected D．welcomed
A．remembering B．guessing C．supposing D．realizing
A．out B．over C．on D．off