Last spring, I was fortunate to be chosen to participate in an exchange study program. In my application letter, I was careful to how much I wanted to see France;evidently, my excitement really came through in my words. Once I
that I was going, all I could think about was the fun of foreign travel and making all sorts of new and
friends. While travelling was inspiring and meeting people was
, nothing about my term in France was what I
.
The moment I arrived in Paris, I was by a nice French couple who would become my host parents. My entire experience was joyous and exciting
I received some shocking news from my program coordinator: there had been a death in my host parents’ extended family. They had to travel outside France for several weeks. That afternoon, I had to
out of one family’s house into another. The exchange coordinator told me I’d have a
this time and asked whether I could share a bedroom with an English speaker. To avoid the temptation to
my native language, I asked not to be
with an English-speaking roommate. When I got to my new room, I
myself to my new roommate Paolo, a Brazilian the same age as I, whom I was surprised to find playing one of my favorite CDS! In just a few hours, we knew we’d be good friends for the rest of the
.
I left France with many , so when people asked me what my favorite part of the trip was, they are always
to hear me talk about my Brazilian friend Paolo and scores of weekdays in class, weeknights on the town, and weekends
France we enjoyed together. I love how people
seem so different, but end up being so
. The most valuable lesson I gained from studying in France wasn’t just to respect the French people
to respect all people, for your next best friend could be just a continent away. I would recommend an exchange program to anyone who wants to experience foreign cultures and gain meaningful
.
A. discuss B. express C. announce D. argue
A. approved B. knew C. warned D. denied
A. stubborn B. anxious C. universal D. interesting
A .boring B. upsetting C. exiting D. promising
A. expected B. liked C. doubted D. feared
A. sponsored B. witnessed C. greeted D. supported
A. until B. when C. since D. while
A. move B. travel C. walk D. rush
A. housekeeper B. leader C. roommate D. colleague
A. learn B. appreciate C. speak D. master
A. combined B. fitted C. involved D. placed
A. added B. introduced C. devoted D. adapted
A. term B. week C. month D. vacation
A. presents B. suitcase C. stories D. dream
A. surprised B. disturbed C. embarrassed D. connected
A. studying B. exploring C. describing D. investigating
A. need B. shall C. must D. can
A. generous B. independent C. similar D. distant
A .and B. but C. or D. so
A. instructions B. friendships C. facts D. data
One dark stormy night, an elderly couple hurried into a hotel and asked whether they could be put up for the night. “I’ m very 36 ,” the clerk on night shift said politely, “we are all 37 tonight. But you could stay in my room if you don’t 38 . As I’m on duty, I’ll be staying up in the office anyway,” The young man gave the 39 _ advice.
The elderly couple 40 his offer with gratitude(感激). They 41 for the inconvenience they had caused him. The next day, the rain stopped and it cleared up. When the old gentleman went to pay his 42 , the clerk behind the counter was that same helpful young man. “The room you and your wife stayed in is not a proper guest room in this hotel, 43 you don’t need to pay,” said the clerk, with the same friendly smile.
The old gentleman nodded in 44 , “You are an employee that every boss in the hotel business would 45 . Perhaps 46 I’ll build a hotel for you. ” The clerk was amazed but, deciding that the guest must have been joking, he gave the remark no more 47 .
Two years later, the young man received a registered letter(挂号信) from the old gentleman, in which he 48 the experience of that dark stormy night. The letter also enclosed(附上) a formal 49 and a round-trip air ticket to New York, asking the young man to pay a visit.
At a street comer in Manhattan, the young man met his 50 guest. The old gentleman, pointing to a magnificent new 51 towering over the crossroads, said, “Look, that is the hotel I 52 to build for you. I hope you will manage it for me. Remember what I said then? Well, I was serious about it.”
“But…will there be any conditions, sir? Why do you choose me? And who are you?”
“My name is William Aster. There’s not any condition. 53 I told you before, you are the best employee…!”
This building was none 54 the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Starting business in 1931, this hotel has been a symbol of supreme status and honor in the city of New York. The young man who became its first 55 was George Boldt, the man who turned Waldorf into one of the most glamorous hotels in the world.
A.sorry B.happy C.anxious D.lucky
A.advertised B.decided C.booked D.taken
A.mind B.bother C.trouble D.complain
A.reliable B.valuable C.precious D.sincere
A.accepted B.thanked C.refused D.weighed
A.applied B.prepared C.blamed D.apologized
A.service B.house C.food D.bill
A.but B.however C.so D.yet
A.relief B.appreciation C.surprise D.silence
A.give up B.dream of C.devote to D.fight for
A.any time B.another day C.the other day D.some day
A.value B.thought C.judgment D.attention
A.called on B.called at C.called for D.called up
A.invitation B.check C.card D.letter
A.old B.interesting C.former D.new
A.house B.building C.room D.park
A.wanted B.agreed C.promised D.longed
A.Since B.Once C.As D.Because
A.other than B.more than C.rather than D.less than
A.employer B.manager C.housekeeper D.president
It was a warm March evening,and I’d just taken a seat on the bus that would take me home.It was nearly 6:00 PM,but the bus was not yet full and the driver gave no 26 that he intended to start the bus.
A middle-aged woman took a seat opposite me . She was crying.Not speaking to anyone in particular,she 27 told her story.
She had come to the city to visit her daughter.On the way to the terminal(终点站),a thief had _28_ one of her bags.It had contained half of the money she’d brought with her.The other half was hidden under her blouse, so she _29_ still had some money left.The bus conductor,driver,and other passengers listened to her tale.
At this time, an old man _30_got on the bus.He sat in the seat directly in front of the woman.After a few minutes, all seats were __31__.The driver started the engine.The bus conductor collected tickets and began asking us where we were _32__.When he came to the old man’s seat,he became __33__ and asked the old man whether he had any money.The old man _34__ that he did not.He explained that he _35_ all his money this morning when he’d accidentally got on the wrong bus and now he was trying to go home.
Upon hearing this,the bus conductor _36_ the old man to get off the bus.The old man was almost in tears as he begged the bus conductor to let him take that bus _37_ he could get home before dark.The bus driver approached the old man,and repeated the conductor’s _38__ to get off the bus.
“Stop troubling him! Can’t you see he’s only trying to get home?”she interrupted.“He doesn’t have any money!”the driver shouted.“Well, that’s no _39_ to throw him off the bus,”she insisted.Then she said,“How much is his fare?”The bus conductor mumbled the amount.“Fine.”said the woman.She _40_ inside her blouse, took out her __41__ money,and handed the fare to the bus conductor.“Here’s his fare and mine.Just stop giving him a hard time.”
All eyes turned _42__ the woman,who,just minutes before,had been crying over the money she’d lost.“It’s only money,” she shrugged.
By the time the bus pulled out of the terminal,she had given the old man some bread and a dollar.She rode the rest of the way home _43__ a Mona Lisa smile of peace and grace,and the money she’d lost _44_was forgotten.
On the road of life,the politeness and smiles of _45__ can lighten our loads and lift our spirits.How much sweeter the journey when we make it a little smoother and richer for others !
A.answer B.agreement C.sign D.meaning
A.tearfully B.excitedly C.helplessly D.proudly
A.got B.stole C.pulled D.caught
A.surprisingly B.peacefully C.naturally D.fortunately
A.in rags B.shyly C.happily D.in disorder
A.had B.crowded C.full D.taken
A.getting on B.getting down C.getting off D.getting in
A.conscious B.suspicious C.curious D.anxious
A.realized B.pretended C.admitted D.remembered
A.spends B.has spent C.had spent D.was spent
A.asked B.ordered C.led D.begged
A.so B.until C.if D.when
A.arrangement B.command C.advice D.decision
A.good B.sense C.reason D.doubt
A.picked B.removed C.touched D.reached
A.left B.saving C.borrowed D.remaining
A.in B.to C.down D.on
A.owning B.wearing C.hating D.losing
A.earlier B.sooner C.later D.former
A.customers B.friends C.strangers D.conductors
The story is told about what happened on a flight between a passenger and an air hostess. The passenger rang and told the air hostess (乘务员) that he needed a cup of __21__to take his medicine when the plane just took off. She told him that she would_22__him the water in ten minutes.
Thirty minutes later, when the passenger’s ring for_23__sounded, the air hostess was in a hurry. She was kept so_24__that she forgot to deliver (送) him the water. As a result, the passenger was_25__to take his medicine.She_26__over to him with a cup of water, but he_27__it.
In the following hours on the_28__, each time the air hostess passed by the _29__ she would ask him with a smile_30__he needed help or not. But the passenger__31__paid attention to her.
When the passenger was going to get__32__the plane, he asked the air hostess to__33__him the passengers’ booklet (意见薄). She was very__34__. She knew he would write down_35__words, which might result in the loss of her job. _36__with a smile she handed it to him.
Off the plane, she_37__the booklet, and cracked a smile, _38__the passenger put it, “On the flight, you asked me whether I need help or not for twelve times_39__. How can I refuse your twelve sincere(真诚的) smiles?”
That’s__40__! Who can refuse twelve sincere smiles from a person?
A.coffee B.tea C.water D.cola
A.take B.bring C.carry D.hold
A.food B.drink C.service D.medicine
A.tired B.silent C.calm D.busy
A.delaying B.delayed C.delays D.delay
A.hurried B.went C.came D.got
A.refused B.accepted C.liked D.hated
A.seat B.air C.floor D.flight
A.customer B.passenger C.guest D.visitor
A.whether B.when C.what D.that
A.never B.often C.always D.seldom
A.on B.to C.off D.from
A.hand B.take C.throw D.lend
A.glad B.angry C.curious D.sad
A.good B.sharp C.polite D.nice
A.So B.Because C.And D.But
A.hid B.tore C.opened D.closed
A.if B.for C.after D.when
A.in all B.above all C.or else D.or so
A.wrong B.wonderful C.impossible D.right
I believe in miracles because I’ve seen so many of them.One day,a patient was referred to me who was one hundred and two years old.“There’s a 36 in my upper jaw,”she said.“I told my own dentist it’s nothing,but he 37 I come to see you.”
Her eighty-year-old son accompanied her.He would 38 to add something,but she stopped him.She wanted to tell everything hereslf.I found a large cancer that spread over much of the 39 of her mouth.A careful examination later 40 that it was a particularly bad sort of cancer.
During her next appointment,I explained to her the 41 of the problem.She clasped my hand in hers and said,“I know you’re worried about me,but I’m just 42 .”
I thought otherwise.After considerable 43 on my part,and kindness on her part because she wanted to 44 me,she agreed to have me refer her to a cancer surgeon.She saw him,but as I expected, 45 treatment.
About six months later she retarned to my office,still energetic and 46 .
“How are you?”I asked.
“I’m just fine,honey,”she responded 47 high spirits.“When can I get started on fixing my dentures(假牙)?”
Surprised to see her at all,I answered 48 ,“Let me take a look in your mouth and we’ll see about it.”
I couldn’t believe my eyes.The cancer that had 49 nearly the entire roof of her mouth was gone—only one small area of redness 50 .
I had read of such things happening,but had 51 seen them with my own eyes.That was my first miracle.Since then I’ve seen many others,because they keep getting 52 to see.In fact,miracles are daily events for me now.And people are a miracle, 53 through them we have a chance to know ourselves and to 54 the miracles of one another.
Since my first miracle,I’ve come to understand that the time and place for a miracle is 55 we choose to find it.
A.pain B.wound C.cut D.cancer
A.declared B.promised C.insisted D.suspected
A.manage B.continue C.keep D.attempt
A.corner B.roof C.bottom D.surface
A.considered B.convinced C.confirmed D.concluded
A.possibility B.seriousness C.importance D.resolution
A.old B.sick C.glad D.fine
A.permission B.effort C.approval D.support
A.persuade B.encourage C.please D.astonish
A.received B.provided C.refused D.required
A.to B.in C.with D.by
A.worriedly B.patiently C.confusedly D.confidently
A.reached B.covered C.spread D.grown
A.left B.faded C.expanded D.remained
A.ever B.also C.never D.already
A.easier B.rarer C.happier D.closer
A.for B.so C.yet D.or
A.read B.keep C.see D.make
A.whatever B.wherever C.whoever D.whichever
Doing community service work, I spent three or four hours handing out warm dinner to the homeless out in the streets. After that I went to a 16 shelter not far from the Bay Bridge.
I was in high school and at the time my sister was too young to 17 . She wanted to help, 18 she made four or five dozen chocolate chip cookies for me to 19 and hand out to people. When getting to the homeless shelter I passed out the remaining meals. I had the containers with my 20 cookies in them and began to 21 , offering them to anyone near me.
I 22 an old gentleman and said, “Sir, would you like a cookie?” He stopped and turned around, looked at me 23in the eye and said, “What did you say? Did you call me sir?” I told him I had, and his eyes 24a little bit and he said, “No one has 25 called me sir.” He was completely taken aback.
It struck me.
I explained I had been raised that 26 color and social status, everyone deserved 27 . It made me 28 to think that just because he was homeless, no one 29 him the honor. It broke my 30 , and I couldn’t help 31 cry. I just didn’t understand 32 no one ever called him sir? I had never thought that anyone was below me because I wasn’t raised that way. Every 33 person deserves to be treated with dignity. Years later, I still carry that memory and the 34 it taught me. Sometimes, what we take for granted can 35 make a difference in someone’s life.
How have you made a difference to others? How have others made a difference to you?
A.useless B.careless C.homeless D.hopeless
A.participate B.involve C.choose D.go
A.however B.but C.yet D.so
A.bring B.fetch C.collect D.take
A.classmate’s B.schoolmate’s C.sister’s D.family’s
A.walk around B.knock around C.come around D.stand around
A.went B.came C.approached D.met
A.right B.even C.still D.just
A.watered B.cried C.tore D.dropped
A.already B.ever C.still D.yet
A.in spite B.regardless of C.concerned about D.for fear of
A.happiness B.truth C.respect D.help
A.strong-minded B.sad C.frightened D.pleased
A.handed B.afforded C.provided D.supplied
A.eyes B.mind C.opinions D.heart
A.but B.and C.until D.or
A.what B.when C.whether D.why
A.single B.poor C.ordinary D.normal
A.stories B.lessons C.experiences D.tears
A.equally B.hardly C.really D.finally