For John and Amy, birthdays have always been a big deal—a welcome excuse to celebrate life. When their son, Alex, three in 2005, they invited 20 friends to a nearby park. Not long after that the were brainstorming ways to teach Alex about giving to 1 . “We wanted to do something that would have a(n) on our community（社区）, and that our young child could in. We started wondering what fortunate kids do on their birthdays. The next day, we called a local shelter, and learnt that children typically didn’t do to celebrate at all. No cake. No gifts. No party.” The couple said.
Several weeks later, threw a party at the for the children who had birthdays that month. They decorated, served cake, and danced with 50 kids. Alex helped presents.
22 that first party, the couple have turned their simple idea Birthday Blessings, a non-profit that hosts monthly parties at 10 shelters.
To date, Birthday Blessings (birthdayblessings.org.) has thrown more than 500 at different shelters and handed out 22,000 party to nearly 4,000 homeless children in and around their community.
Birthday Blessings is entirely by volunteers. The charity（慈善）will take almost anything — toys, clothing, candy, baby items— it’s not used. “These kids never get anything new.” John said, “It makes a big to them psychologically.”
Being “part of this labor love” is making an impression on their son Alex. On his seventh birthday, his grandparents sent a check. it, the first thing he said was that he wanted to give half to the birthday kids.
A．turned B．grew C．came D．got
A．shelters B．neighbors C．friends D．couple
A．the other B．another C．others D．each other
A．impression B．influence C．permission D．limitation
A．participate B．take C．bring D．move
A．fairly B．less C．rather D．more
A．penniless B．jobless C．homeless D．hopeless
A．nothing B．anything C．everything D．something
A．Alex B．John C．Amy D．the family
A．shelter B．church C．school D．community
A．make out B．pass out C．show out D．leave out
A．Before B．Until C．After D．Since
A．into B．down C．out D．off
A．birthdays B．parties C．presents D．donations
A．cakes B．honors C．favors D．surprises
A．continued B．undertaken C．operated D．performed
A．as far as B．as soon as C．as simple as D．as long as
A．difference B．surprise C．benefit D．advantage
A．never B．always C．hardly D．already
A．Realizing B．Saving C．Opening D．Folding
I had been playing hockey（冰球）for about10 years. I wasalways the one sittingat the end of the bench, and 36 got into a game. I went to all the 37 and showed up even when it was so 38 that your ‘breath froze’ andwhen the otherplayers had decided to stay home. I felt I had 39 enough and thought of quitting.
I finally decided to 40 the news to mymom that I was leaving the team.Mymommay have looked like atiny and quiet lady but on 41 my words, she said, “Remember, ‘A quitter never wins and a winner never quits.’ Your mother didn’t raise 42 ,so think about yourself in a 43 way and see yourself as a winner!”So I worked harder than ever at getting in better shape, 44 my shot（投球） accuracy and changing my 45 .
Once in a match, we 46 our first game badly. What’s worse, one of our best players got hurt.I was sitting at my 47 place,at the end of the bench,when the coach came over and told me I was going 48 . I was nervous, excited and terrified all at the same time.
The opposing team was fast and I had to admit I was a little 49 .But my mom’s words 50 out in my head like a church bell.Instead of being afraid, I was “pumped” and I very quickly found that all my 51 work waspaying off.I was as fast a skater as anyone else on the ice, and I seemed to get the 52 to score.The crowd went quiet. All the time I spent on the ice when everyone had gone home had 53 me for this moment.
Won!I won!
The lesson I learned from my mom’s 54 has stayed with me over the years.Ihear them whenever I am faced with a challenge, or whenever I 55 myself.
A．once B．seldom C．usually D．evenB
A．meetings B．shows C．matches D．practices
A．cloudy B．wet C．cold D．windy
A．suffered B．explained C．planned D．escaped
A．write B．break C．read D．speak
A．noticing B．gathering C．hearing D．analyzing
A．talkers B．dreamers C．attackers D．losers
A．positive B．familiar C．brief D．convenient
A．testing B．improving C．questioning D．affecting
A．aim B．taste C．habit D．attitude
A．lost B．controlled C．practiced D．continued
A．usual B．safe C．secret D．private
A．off B．in C．by D．up
A．annoyed B．awkward C．scared D．bitter
A．put B．rang C．gave D． stood
A．exact B．extra C．creative D．casual
A．chance B．message C．order D．note
A．spared B．requested C．prepared D．sent
A．actions B．reasons C．words D．promises
A．judge B．express C．comfort D．doubt
阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
One winter morning, an old couple around the age of 70, walked into a lawyer’s office to sign
a 36 after quarreling all their 45 years of marriage. The lawyer was very 37 , after having a chat with them, he got their 38 . They hung on because of their children, afraid that it might39 their growth. Now, all they wanted was to lead their own life free from all these years of __40 from their marriage, so both agreed on a divorce.
The lawyer was having a hard time getting the papers done, but he still couldn’t understand why the old couple would want a divorce, suggesting a 41 together, just three of them. At the table, there was a silence of 42 . The first dish was roasted chicken.43 , the old man took the drumstick for the old lady, “Take this, it’s your favorite. ” Looking at this, the lawyer thought maybe there was still a 44 , but the wife answered frowning. “This is where the problem 45 . You always think so highly of yourself, never thought about how I feel, don’t you know that I hate 46 ?”
Little did she know that, over the years, her husband was trying all ways to 47 her; little did she know that drumsticks were her husband’s favorite. Little did he know that she never thought he understood her at all; little did he know that she hated drumsticks even though all he wanted was the best for her.
That night, both of them were difficult to fall asleep. After hours, the old man couldn’t 48_ it any more, wanting to tell her himself, “I love you and I can’t live without you.” He picked up the phone to dial her number. Ringing never stopped. On the other side, she was upset, 49 to answer any phones. The next day, she received news that he had 50 , learning that he had a heart attack when he was still trying to get through her phone line.
51 enough, she had to clear his 52in his apartment , only to find an insurance policy（保险单）dating from the day when they got married, and the beneficiary （受益人）was her. Together in that file there was this note: “To my dearest wife, I bought this policy for you, 53__ the amount is only $100, I hope it will be able to help me continue my promise that I made when we got married, and I want you to know I will always be around by your side. I love you.” Tears __54 freely down her cheeks when the lady read it.
When you love someone, do let them know, for you 55 know what will happen the next minute.
A．marriage B．divorce C．record D．project
A．puzzled B．excited C．painful D．embarrassed
A．family B．money C．story D．lesson
A．destroy B．effect C．hit D．affect
A．happiness B．pleasure C．unhappiness D．amusement
A．dinner B．supper C．lunch D．breakfast
A．sorrow B．ignorance C．awkwardness D．satisfaction
A．As soon as B．Once C．The moment D．Immediately
A．right B．opportunity C．need D．chance
A．stores B．buries C．lies D．stands
A．fish B．steak C．drumsticks D．duck
A．comfort B．please C．anger D．hate
A．stand B．treat C．forget D．regret
A．eager B．hungry C．anxious D．reluctant
A．passed away B．passed through C．passed by D．passed on
A．Sadly B．Disappointedly C．Fortunately D．Hopefully
A．clothes B．belongings C．cupboards D．drawers
A．unless B．if C．though D．even
A．floated B．flew C．followed D．flowed
A．never B．ever C．forever D．seldom
My name is Nick Vujicic, an Australian who was born without any limbs（四肢）. In recent years one of my most 36 videos on YouTube shows my skateboarding, surfing, playing music, and best of all, 37 hugs from all fields of great people.
All in all, those are pretty ordinary 38 that just about anyone can do, right? So 39 do you think that video has been viewed millions of times? My theory is that people are 40 to watch it because in spite of my physical limitations, I’m living 41 I had no limits.
People often think someone 42 a severe disability to be inactive, upset, maybe even crazy. But I’d like to 43 them by showing that I lead a very adventurous and fruitful life
Among the hundreds of 44 on that video, here’s one typical remark:” seeing a guy like this being happy makes me wonder why I feel 45 for myself sometimes －or feel not funny enough, or whatever. How can I 46 think thoughts like that when this guy is living without limbs and still being happy!?”
I found happiness when I realized that imperfect 47 I may be, I am the perfect Nick Vujicic. I’m designed 48 God’s plan. That’s not to say that there isn’t 49 for improvement. I’m always trying to be better so I can better 50 the world!
I do believe my life has no 51 . I want you all to feel the same way about your life, no matter what your challenges may be. As we 52 our journey together, please take a moment to 53 about any limitations you’ve placed on your life. Now think about what 54 would be like to be 55 of those limitations. What would your life be if anything were possible?
A．disappointing B．unforgettable C．popular D．useful
A．receiving B．collecting C．returning D．gathering
A．sports B．activities C．affairs D．wonders
A．how B．what C．when D．why
A．drawn B．expected C．required D．ordered
A．even though B．in case C．as though D．if only
A．of B．from C．in D．with
A．advise B．greet C．surprise D．please
A．comments B．pictures C．replies D．statements
A．nervous B．sorry C．eager D．desperate
A．still B．ever C．also D．even
A．if B．as C．while D．although
A．according to B．thanks to C．owing to D．up to
A．stage B．area C．place D．room
A．protect B．rescue C．serve D．reserve
A．challenges B．limits C．doubts D．endings
A．finish B．continue C．start D．stop
A．worry B．think C．care D．talk
A．we B．one C．it D．you
A．free B．short C．aware D．fond
In the clinic, I asked if Michael could be retested, so the specialist tested him again. To my _36_, it was the same score.
Later that evening, I _37_ told Frank what I had learned that day. After talking it over, we agree that we knew our _38_ much better than an IQ test. We _39_ that Michael’s score must have been a _40_ and we should treat him _41_ as usual.
We moved to Indiana in 1962, and Michael studied at Concordia High School in the same year. He got _42_ grades in the school, especially _43_ biology and chemistry, which was a great comfort.
Michael _44_ Indiana University in 1965 as a pre-medical student, soon afterwards, his teachers permitted him to take more courses than _45_. In 1968, he was accepted by the School of Medicine, Yale University.
On graduation day in 1972, Frank and I _46_ the ceremony at Yale. After the ceremony, we told Michael about the _47_ IQ score he got when he was six. Since that day, Michael sometimes would look at us and say _48_, “My dear mom and dad never told me that I couldn’t be a doctor, not until after I graduated from medical school!” It is his special way of thanking us for the _49_ we had in him.
Interestingly, Michael then _50_ another IQ test. We went to the same clinic where he had _51_ the test eighteen years before. This time Michael scored 126, an increase of 36 points. A result like that was supposed to be _52_.
Children often do as _53_ as what adults, particularly parents and teachers, _54_ of them. That is, tell a child he is“ _55_”, and he may play the role of a foolish child.
A．joy B．surprise C．disappointment D．dislike
A．hopefully B．fearfully C．cheerfully D．tearfully
A．student B．son C．friend D．doctor
A．decided B．realized C．argued D．understood
A．joke B．mistake C．warning D．wonder
A．specially B．naturally C．strictly D．carefully
A．poor B．average C．good D．standard
A．in B．about C．of D．for
A．visited B．chose C．passed D．entered
A．allowed B．described C．required D．offered
A．missed B．held C．delayed D．attended
A．high B．same C．different D．low
A．curiously B．eagerly C．jokingly D．calmly
A．faith B．interest C．pride D．delight
A．looked for B．asked for C．waited for D．prepared for
A．received B．accepted C．organized D．discussed
A．imperfect B．uncertain C．impossible D．unsatisfactory
A．honestly B．well C．much D．bravely
A．expect B．learn C．hear D．speak
A．wise B．rude C．shy D．stupid
THE CHARM OF CHARITY
A poor young man lost his job and had no one to help him. Helpless, homeless and hopeless, he decided to commit suicide. He 36 all the coins he had with him and bought a ripe banana wrapped in an old newspaper. He opened the packet and started to eat his last food 37 an old beggar approached him. With trembling lips, the beggar told him that he hadn’t had anything to eat for several days and was too weak to walk. The young man felt 38 . So he didn’t eat the banana. 39 , he gave the banana to the beggar. The beggar ate it with great joy and 40__ him. While leaving, the beggar gave him a very old coin, saying, “Thank you very much. You gave me everything you had. Kindly accept this coin as my gift 41 your kindness.”
After the old man left, he 42 glanced at the piece of paper used to wrap the fruit. There he saw a（n） 43 from an agency dealing with old coins. Anyone 44 old coins was invited to visit the agency and receive suitable price for their old coins on the spot. Out of simple 45 , he carried the coin to the agency after 46 it by phone. He showed the coin gifted by the beggar. The person who 47 the agency stared at it and told him in excitement, “What a __48 ! It is very 49 and several centuries old. It is worth a（n）50 !” Jumping with joy on receiving the 51 amount of money, he searched everywhere to find the old man who gifted him the coin. He wanted to 52 his joy and the money with the beggar. But he could not find him anywhere. Since then, he started a new life with renewed 53 and enthusiasm about the future.
Kindness will be 54 . It always comes back! As William Wordsworth wrote,“ The best part of a good life is the little, nameless, unremembered acts of 55 and love.”
A．collect B．spread C．spotted D．donated
A．while B．when C．before D．until
A．worried B．nervous C．pity D．guilty
A．Still B．Thus C．Besides D．Instead
A．scolded B．admired C．respected D．thanked
A．in search for B．in terms of C．in return for D．in favor of
A．carelessly B．purposely C．Immediately D．normally
A．suggestion B．advertisement C．appeal D．requirement
A．possessing B．seeing C．ordering D．deserving
A．distrust B．curiosity C．wonder D．hobby
A．replying B．repeating C．contacting D．begging
A．charged B．consisted C．attended D．managed
A．shame B．prize C．surprise D．pleasure
A．private B．fresh C．rare D．casual
A．value B．fortune C．wealth D．effort
A．unexpected B．unlucky C．unlimited D．unnoticed
A．hide B．share C．cover D．spare
A．wisdom B．chance C．hope D．luck
A．changed B．damaged C．lost D．rewarded
A．courage B．promise C．memory D．kindness