Golden sunlight danced in the treetops, and children’s laughter filled the park. The smell of popcorn played on the breeze, and life seemed good. It was one of the happiest Saturday mornings I had spent with my little daughter, Gigi.
That is, until two strangers threw her into their car and sped away. It seemed like a bad dream. I could barely whisper when the police questioned me. For hours we waited，but there was no word on the whereabouts of the car. Tears would start to come. Then nothing. I was numb with fear.
“Go home, Ma’am,” the police officer said. “I’ll have someone drive you. We’ll also want to monitor your telephone. The kidnappers might call, and we’ll want to keep track. Trust me, these guys can’t get far. ” After what had just happened, it was hard for me to trust anything.
My friend Gloria came over that afternoon. “I heard about Gigi on the radio,” she said. “Everyone is looking for the car. The interstates are all blocked.” She took my hand.
“Look here,” Gloria said. “ I want you to have this picture, and I want you to pray with me.”
It was a picture of a little girl sound asleep in her bed. Standing by the bed was a tall, blond angel. His hand was touching the girl’s shoulder as he smiled down at her.
My nerves were frazzled. “You know I don’t believe in that kind of thing!” I snapped. “I’m too exhausted for any hocus-pocus right now, Gloria！I want my daughter home!” I started to shake, and then I began sobbing.
Gloria placed the photo on our mantle and knelt down beside me. “Just pray with me,” she said, holding my hand.
I had no strength left, so we prayed and waited what seemed an eternity. Together, we waited by the phone until sunset. The phone never rang.
Suddenly, the front door swung open. I looked up and screamed.
There stood Gigi. “Gigi! Thank God!” I cried, throwing my arms around her, “Where did those men take you? How did you get home? Did the police find you?”
“No Mommy!” said Gigi. “I was really scared because those men said they were taking me far away. We were going really fast on an old rock road never seen before. But then a tall man walked out in front of the car, and they ran off the road and hit a tree.”
Then the tall man ran up and opened the car door and pulled me out. He was really nice, and said I would be okay now, and that those men couldn't hurt me. I must have gone to sleep, because then I woke up here in front of our house. He must have brought me home,”
“But who... how did he know... where to bring you?” My voice broke and trailed to a whisper.
“I don’t know, Mommy,” Gigi said. “But he was really friendly, and I wasn’t scared of him at all.”
Just then Gigi noticed Gloria’s picture on the mantle. “That's him!” She gave a loud cry, pointing at the picture. “Mommy, the tail blond man dressed like an angel. That’s the man that pulled me out of the car!”
I felt chill-bumps across my neck and arms. Gloria turned pale. “Are you sure that's the man?” Gloria asked.
“Yeah, that's him. Except he didn’t have wings, and he was wearing blue jeans and a tee shirt. But that's him exactly. I’d remember him anywhere!”
Later that night, the police found the injured kidnappers in their damaged car fifty miles from our home. When questioned-the driver remembered making a sharp turn to avoid hitting a tall blond man and the backseat door that Gigi sat by had been completely torn off its hinges.
Twenty years have gone by. We have never heard from anyone claiming to have rescued Gigi and there have been no logical explanations for Gigi’s miraculous escape and return home from a wreck so far away.
There have always been things that people can't explain. But, from that day forward, I believe that all experiences, positive and negative, are given to us for our strengthening and learning.
Gigi now takes her little girl to the park on Saturdays. They enjoy the sunlight as it dances in the treetops, the smell of popcorn, and the laughter of children. She keeps Gloria's picture on her mantle, and she remembers her angelic friend. And, like my daughter, I have a faith that has carried me through many trials since that day many years ago.The writer describes a happy scene at the beginning of the passage to___________.
| A．introduce a topic |
| B．attract readers’attention |
| C．make a sharp contrast |
| D．show the beauty of nature |
What is the writer’s attitude towards the pray together with Gloria?
| A．Doubtful | B．Curious |
| C．Grateful | D．Causal |
The main reason why the kidnappers could be arrested was that__________.
| A．the police followed and caught them |
| B．Gloria’s best friend helped the police to find them |
| C．an angel spotted them and took them to the police station |
| D．they had an accident when a tall man tried to stop their car |
What is conveyed in this passage?
| A．the police are not reliable sometimes. |
| B．any bad man will be punished one day. |
| C．we should believe in God and pray every day. |
| D．we should always stay positive whatever happens. |
We can learn from the passage that__________.
| A．the story was told from Gigi’s point of view |
| B．the man who rescued Gigi had known her before |
| C．Gigi was sure that the angel in the picture rescued her |
| D．the writer believed what Gigi said at the very beginning |
What can be best title for the passage?
| A．picture of an angle | B．power of God |
| C．Gigi’s escape | D．Mommy’s anxiety. |
Today just as technology changed the face of industry, farms have undergone an “agricultural revolution”. On the farm of today, machines provide almost all the power.
One of the most important benefits will be the farm computer. A few forward-looking farmers are already using computers to help them run their farms more efficiently. The computers help them keep more accurate records so they can make better decisions on what crops to plant, how much livestock (家畜) to buy, when to sell their products, and how much profit they can expect. Many computer companies have been developing special computer programs just for farmers. Programs are being written for hog producers, grain farmers, potato farmers, and dairy farmers. In the future, farmers will be able to purchase computer programs made to their needs. Because of the growing importance of computers on the farm, students at agricultural colleges are required to take computer classes in addition to their normal agricultural courses. There can be no doubt that farmers will rely on computers even more in the future. While the old-time farm depended on horse power, and modern farms depend on machine power, farms of the future will depend on computer power.
Another technological advance which is still in the experimental stage is the robot, a real “mechanized hired hand” (机械化雇工) that will be able to move and, in some ways, think like a human being. Agricultural engineers believe that computer-aided robots will make startling changes in farming before the end of the century. Unlike farmers of the present, farmers of the future will find that many day-to-day tasks will be done for them. Scientists are now developing robots that will be able to shear sheep, drive tractors, and harvest fruit. Even complex jobs will be done by robots. For example, in order to milk their cows, farmers must first drive them into the barn, then connect them to the milking machines, watch the machines, and disconnect them when they are finished. In the future, this will all be done by robots. In addition, when the milking is completed, the robots will automatically check to make sure that the milk is pure. The complete mobilization of the farm is far in the future, but engineers expect that some robots will be used before long. According to the passage, computers can not help farmers decide _______.
| A．how much money they can earn from their products |
| B．whether to plant a certain kind of crop |
| C．how much livestock to raise |
| D．when to sell their products |
Which of the following statements is true?
| A．Farmers in the future will depend totally on computers. |
| B．Both computers and robots have been in use on today’s farms. |
| C．Farmers mainly use machines on their farms at present. |
| D．Students at agricultural colleges can do nothing without the help of computers on today’s farms. |
According to the engineers, _______will be done by robots in the near future.
| A．most of the farm work | B．milking cows |
| C．all farm work | D．some farm work |
What is the best title for the whole passage?
| A．Computer, Farmers’ Best Friend |
| B．Farmers in The Future |
| C．The Agricultural Revolution |
| D．Computers and Robots |
Wanted, Someone for a Kiss
We’re looking for producers to join us in the second of London 100FM. You’ll work on the station’s music programmes. Music production experience in radio is necessary, along with rich knowledge of modern dance music. Please apply(申请) in writing to Producer Vacancies, Kiss 100.
Father Christmas
We’re looking for a very special person preferably over 40, to fill our Father Christmas suit.
Working days: Every Saturday from November 24 to December 15 and every day from December17 to December24 except Sunday, 10:30—16:00
Excellent pay.
Please contact(联系)the Enterprise Shopping Center, Station Parade, Eastbourne.
Accountants Assistant
When you join them in our Revenue Administration Unit, you will be providing assistance within all parts of the Revenue Division, dealing with post and other general duties. If you are educated to GCSE grade C level we would like to talk to you. This position is equally suitable for a school leaver or for somebody who has office experience.
Wealden District Council
Software Trainer
If you are aged 24-45 and have experience in teaching and training, you could be the person we are looking for. You should be good at the computer and have some experience in programme writing. You will be allowed to make our decision, and to design courses as well as present them. Pay upwards of ￡15,000 for the right person. Please apply by sending your CV (简历) to Mrs R. Oglivie, Palmlace Limited. Who should you get in touch with if you hope to work in a radio station?
| A．Producer Vacancies, Kiss 100. |
| B．Mrs R. Oglivie, Palmlace Limited. |
| C．The Enterprise Shopping Centre |
| D．Wealden District Council. |
. which position is open to recent school graduates?
| A．Producer, London Kiss. | B．Father Christmas. |
| C．Accountants Assistant | D．Software Trainer |
. What kind of person would probably apply to Palmace Limited?
| A．One with GCSE grade C level. |
| B．One with some office experience. |
| C．One having good computer knowledge |
| D．One trained in producing music programmes. |
It was already dark when an old man came to a small town. He found an inn and wanted to stay there for the night. After he had gone to his room, the owner said to his wife, “Look at his bag, dear. I’m sure there are lots of valuable things in it. I want to steal it when he is asleep.”
“No, no,” said the woman. “He must look for his bag tomorrow morning. Then he’ll take you before the judge.” They thought and at last the woman had an idea. “We have forgetful grass,” said the woman, “Why not put some into his food? If he has the food, he will forget to take his bag away.” “How clever you are!” said the owner, “Don’t forget it when you prepare supper for him.”
The old man had the food with the forgetful grass and went to bed. The next morning, when the owner got up, he found the door was open and the old man had left with his bag. He woke his wife up and said angrily, “What a fool! Your forgetful grass isn’t useful at all.”
“No, no,” said the woman. “I don’t think so. He must forget something.”
“Oh, I’ve remembered!” The owner cried out suddenly, “He forgot…” The owner and his wife put the forgetful grass into the food because _______.
| A．the old man always forgot something |
| B．they wanted to make the food better |
| C．they hoped the old man would leave the bag in the inn |
| D．they wanted to know if the grass was useful |
According to the passage the old man forgot _______.
| A．to take his bag away |
| B．to tell the owner when he left |
| C．to close the door when he went to sleep |
| D．to pay them the inn money |
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．Both the owner and his wife were clever. |
| B．The owner of the inn got nothing from the old man. |
| C．The old man left the inn without his bag. |
| D．The woman forgot to put the grass into the food. |
A federal agency on Tuesday called for a ban on all cellphone use by drivers --- the most far-reaching recommendation up to now — saying its decision was based on a decade of investigations into distraction-related (与分散注意力有关的) accidents, as well as growing concerns that powerful mobile devices are giving drivers even more reasons to look away from the road.
As part of its recommendation, the National Transportation Safety Board is urging states to ban drivers from using hands-free devices, including wireless headsets. No state now has made laws to ban such activity, but the Board said that drivers faced serious risks from talking on wireless headsets, just as they do by taking a hand off the wheel to hold a phone to their ears.
However, the concern was heightened by increasingly powerful phones that people can use to send e-mails, watch movies and play games.
“Every year, new devices are being on sale.” she said. “People are attracted to update their Facebook page, to play music with cellphone, as if sitting at a desk. But they are driving a car.”
The agency based its recommendation on evidence from its investigation of numerous crashes in which electronic distraction was a major contributing factor.
Ms. Hersman said she understood that this recommendation would be unwelcome in some circles, given the number of drivers who talk and text. But she compared distracted driving to drunken driving and even smoking, which required wholesale cultural shifts to change behavior.
“It’s going to be very unpopular with some people.” she said. “We’re not here to win a popularity contest. We’re here to do the right thing. This is a difficult recommendation, but it’s the right recommendation and it is time.”
The agency’s recommendation is not required for states to adopt such a ban. And it won’t likely be agreed upon by state lawmakers who are unwillingly to anger those who have grown accustomed to using their device behind the wheel.
The ban also deserves attention because it is the first call by a federal agency to end the practice completely, rather than the partial ban that some lawmakers have put in place by allowing hands-free talking. The ban on all cellphone use by drivers was put forward ______.
| A．after a long discussion and recommendation |
| B．after about ten years’ investigation in it |
| C．because of the most powerful mobile devices |
| D．for the reason of heading away from the road |
We can know from the passage that ______.
| A．electronic distraction resulted in numerous crashes |
| B．numerous crashes were caused by drunk driving |
| C．electronic distraction contributed much to the ban |
| D．the recommendation was based on electronic distraction |
Which of the following is the best title of the passage?
| A．Cellphone Ban in Cars |
| B．Valuable Ban for Cellphones |
| C．Drivers Ban Cellphones |
| D．Cellphone Ban while Driving |
This column is part of a series on websites that are useful for English language learning．Activities for ESL Students
Includes various types of tests, exercises and puzzles designed to help people studying English as a second language （ESL）．The activities include grammar, vocabulary and idiom tests at easy, medium and difficult levels．The specially designed Chinese-English vocabulary tests can help Chinese memorize English words．
http://a4esl．org/
Interesting Things for ESL Students
Contains a comprehensive list of audio clips （听力剪辑） from the Special English programs of Voice of America （VOA）．The list covers news of all kinds on VOA．The listening and vocabulary exercises and the word list designed with the clips will help English learners improve listening ability and increase vocabulary．
http://www．manythings．org/voa/
World-English
This site provides a list of radio or TV channels offering English news clips．It includes the BBC radio program clips from England, CNN and ABC news clips from the US, and other news clips from other English-speaking countries．Click on the links and you will be taken to channels where you can listen to clips．This is a good way to practice listening．
http://www．world-english．org/listening．html
Listen to English
Offers a large number of materials for English learners to practice listening．The materials include business English, English literature, history, movies, and politics．Students can improve their English while enjoying the beauty of the English of literature, songs, movies, and news in different countries．
http://eleaston．corn/listen, htmlIf you want to test how well you are learning English, which website can you enter?
| A．http://a4esl．org/ |
| B．http://www．manythings．org/voa/ |
| C．http://www．world-english．org/listening．html |
| D．http://eleaston．com/listen, html |
According to this passage, you had better listen to clips of _______ programs to learn more English words．
| A．VOA | B．BBC | C．CNN | D．ABC |
How many of the four websites can you use to improve your English as well as to learn about recent news?
| A．One． | B．Two． | C．Three． | D．Four． |