Though I have traveled in hundreds of trains, few unusual things have ever happened to me. But one day in a train something did happen. I do not mean that I was hurt: no one was hurt.
I do my work in a hot country far away from England. Every September I go there to do my business, and every July I come back to England to have a rest. So every September I go to Paris and take a train from the great French city to Mendova, and at Mendova I catch my ship.
There is one very fast train from Paris to Mendova, and it suits me well. It goes as far as Endoran, but it stops at Mendova for a few minutes to let travelers get out or in. It is called The Flying Bluebird. It reaches Mendova at seven minutes past nine in the morning, and it is never late.
A ship leaves Mendova at half past eleven, and so you will understand that The Flying Bluebird suits me very well. I always travel by it, and I have nearly two and a half hours at Mendova to go from the station to the ship. That is more than enough time.
Well, one September night, I took my place in The Flying Bluebird as usual. The train leaves Paris at nine o’clock every night, and I was in my place soon after half past eight. There were three or four people there with me, but very soon a lot of others got into the train. When no more people could sit down, they began to stand up near us and also in the corridor(走廊). In a short time the corridor was full too, and it was impossible for any more travelers to get into the train.
I could see a lot of other people outside the corridor windows, but they could not get in, and the train left Paris without them. The man sitting next to me started to ask all kinds of questions: “Where do you work? How long does it take you to get there? Are you married? How many children do you have? How much money do they pay you every year? How much do you have in the bank? How much do you spend every month?”
He asked questions for about twenty minutes but I did not give him any clear answers, and at last he stopped and began to read the paper.
I usually sleep quite well in the train, but this time I slept only a little. There were too many people, and there were too many things: small bags, large bags, coats, hats, boxes, newspapers and food. As usual, we got angry about the window. Most people wanted it shut, and two of us wanted it open. But that always happens. It was shut all night, as usual.
When I awoke in the early morning I felt hot and dirty, and glad that the journey was reaching its end. At seven minutes past nine The Flying Bluebird stopped. We were at Mendova, and I stood up thankfully. I took my two suitcases, held one in each hand, and tried to move towards the door into the corridor. In order to get out of the train, I had to pass down the corridor to the door at the far end. There was no other way out.
I could not even into the corridor. There was a suitcase on the floor by my feet, and three men were standing in my way. I felt a touch of fear. I had to get out, you see; I had to catch my ship, which left at half past eleven. And the train did not stop again until it reached Endoran, two hundred miles away.
“I must get out!” I cried. Everyone there understood me, but no one could move.
At last I was able to put one foot over the suitcase on the floor, and I nearly reached the door into the corridor. But then, very slowly, the train began to move. It was taking me away!
“Stop!” I cried. “I want to get out!” But no one outside the train could hear me, and the people inside did not care much. The train moved a little faster. What could I do? I was not even in the corridor.
Fear made me think quickly. In front of my eyes, just, above the door, was a notice that told everyone how to stop the train. I had to pull an iron thing near the notice. I did not waste time. I pulled it.
Well, a noise started above our heads. That was to show everyone that there was something wrong. It was not a small sound. Possibly the men in my ship two miles away could hear it. Then the train stopped.
No one likes to stop a train if there is no need. But I had to catch my ship. That was the only thought in my mind: to get out and catch my ship.The purpose of the author writing the first paragraph is to _______.
| A.answer some questions |
| B.arouse (激发) the readers’ curiosity |
| C.express some unusual feelings |
| D.give some advice in advance |
What do we know about the author and the man sitting next to him?
| A.The author didn’t like the man’s foolish questions |
| B.They talked with each other all night |
| C.They got angry about the window |
| D.The author didn’t understand the man’s words |
On this journey on The Flying Bluebird, the author felt uncomfortable because _______.
| A.he couldn’t find a seat by the window |
| B.he was angry with the man sitting next to him |
| C.the window was kept shut all night |
| D.there were too many people on the train |
It can be learned from Para.10 that the author was afraid that ______.
| A.he would have to spend another sleepless night on the train |
| B.more people might crowd into the train |
| C.he would miss the ship that went where he worked |
| D.he would have to buy another ticket |
The noise in the underlined sentence “a noise started above our heads”(Para.15) was made by ________.
| A.the angry passengers shouting at the top of their voices |
| B.the ship that was lying two miles away |
| C.the falling of boxes and suitcases to the floor |
| D.the train itself telling people that something was wrong |
What would be the best title for the text?
| A.A Train that Is Never Late |
| B.A Quick and Wise Decision |
| C.A Journey to Mendov |
| D.A Bad Experience on the Train |
Have you ever heard of a great Chilean poet? He was once referred to as the Picasso of poetry. Beloved by Chileans of all classes, he is one of the most widely read and respected poets in history. And this year is the 110th birthday of Pablo Neruda (1904-1973).
Born with the name Neftali Ricardo Reyes Basolto, he was a tall, shy and lonely boy. He loved to read and started to write poetry when he was ten. The American poet Walt Whitman, whose framed picture Neruda later kept on his table, became a major influence on his work.
However, his father did not like the idea of having a poet for a son and tried to discourage him from writing. To cover up the publication of his first poem, he took the pen name Pablo Neruda.
In 1924 Neruda gained fame with his most widely read work “Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair’’. Yet his rich experience as a diplomat and exile made him go beyond the theme of love. His work also reflected the political struggle of the left and development of South America. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971.
Neruda loved the sea which he saw as creative, destructive and forever moving. He found inspiration in the power and freedom of the waves and the seabirds on the coast. “I need the sea because it teaches me,” he wrote. “I move in the university of the waves.” He loved how the sea forever renewed itself, a renewal echoed (共鸣) in his work.The underlined word “Picasso” can probably be replaced by “________”.
| A.poem fan |
| B.most important person |
| C.famous person from Picasso |
| D.freedom fighter in Picasso |
Neftali Ricardo Reyes Basolto took the pen name Pablo Neruda because ________.
| A.he was greatly influenced by other poets |
| B.literary greats usually used the pen name |
| C.his father encouraged him to use the name |
| D.he wanted to prevent his father knowing the publication |
Which of the following is not the theme of his works?
| A.Social reform. | B.Love. |
| C.Political struggle. | D.Development of South America. |
The last paragraph mainly tells us ________.
| A.Neruda loved to write his poems near the sea |
| B.the sea gave Neruda vast writing inspiration |
| C.the beautiful scenery along the Chile coast |
| D.Neruda’s poems were widely read overseas |
Born in 1982 in Australia, Nick came into the world with neither arms nor legs. Through his childhood Nick dealt with the challenges of studies as well as sadness as he was questioned why he was different from all the other kids. But soon he realized that even with them, he was still unlike his classmates.
As Nick grew up he learnt to do more and more things on his own. He adapted to his situation and found ways to finish tasks that most people could only do by using their arms. As time went by Nick began to embrace his situation and achieve greater things. In grade seven Nick was elected captain of his school and worked on various fund-raising events for local charities.
After school Nick went on with further study and get a double bachelor degree(本科学位). By the age of 19 Nick started to fulfil his dream of being able to encourage other people through motivational(励志的)speaking and telling his story. Nick believes that there is a purpose in each of the struggles we meet in our lives and that our attitude towards those struggles can be the single most effective factor in overcoming them.
At 25 years old he moved to California, USA, where he is the president of an international organization.Since his first motivational speaking when he was 19, Nick has traveled around the world,sharing his story with millions of people..At the age of seven, Nick`s hope was that____________.
| A.he could get high marks |
| B.he was the same as other kids |
| C.he could become famous speaker |
| D.he was liked by his classmates |
.The underlined word”embrace” in the second paragraph means__________.
| A.refused | B.finished |
| C.received | D.accepted |
Nick`s story shows his belief that_________.
| A.attitude is everything |
| B.nothing is impossible |
| C.no pains ,no gains |
| D.good beginning is half done |
Which of the following shows the right order of Nick`s life experience?
| A.his first speaking---a captain of his school---his double bachelor degree---the president of an organization |
| B.his double bachelor degree--- his first speaking---a captain of his school---the president of an organization |
| C.a captain of his school--- his double bachelor degree ---his first speaking--- the president of an organization |
| D.the president of an organization---his first speaking---a captain of his school---his double bachelor degree |
Modeled after US hot website.com, group buying websites are now popular in China. These websites use the power of group buying to get competitive discounts (打折)for a daily deal on some best stuff to do, see, eat and buy in the cities across China. Discounts are available within just one click. Zhao lei, a software engineer in Beijing, loves the one-hour lunch break at noon,as it is the best time for him to check “today`s special” at his favorite group buying websites . Sometimes he searches for great deals at directory sites devoted to the new shopping space. Zhao spends around 800 yuan($117.65) on group buying every month, mostly to buy food coupons (优惠劵)for eating at some nice restaurants and occasionally to find something fun to do. “ I love group buying. In addition to the competitive discounts it offers, it helps me get something fun, exciting and new, and such surprises give me a reason to try something new,” he said. When he finds a really good bargain, he will send the link to friends or colleagues through MSN,QQ, or e-mail, or share the information at some social networking websites. In doing so, he often gets a certain cut off the price. At some sites, buyers are invited to leave notes about what they want to buy and the website will consider it if similar applications(申请)reach a certain number. That is how Zuo got her digital camera after waiting for two months. “It is cool. I want to buy a new digitgal camera for my trip to Switzerland this winter, but I never expected such cheap prices!” Zuo said.We can learn from the passage that________.
| A.China is the first country to start group buying |
| B.the price of group buying depends on the market |
| C.you can`t get the best you need through group buying |
| D.group buying is becoming popular in China |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
| A.Zhao Lei has to spend about 800 yuan on group buying per month. |
| B.Zhao Lei never surfs at other directory sites for group buying. |
| C.Zhao Lei finds it easy to do group buying. |
| D.Zhao Lei can`t buy food coupons to eat at a nice restaurant. |
What is the passage mainly about?
| A.Zhao Lei`s online purchasing life. |
| B.Group buying |
| C.The US hot websites |
| D.A new digital camera |
Zhao Lei succeeded in getting a certain cut off the price by__________.
| A.bargaining face to face |
| B.discussing with the sellers |
| C.providing the link to others |
| D.inviting others to talk about the price |
When you get tense(紧张的) about something that happens in your life, you are experiencing stress. Too much stress can cause anger, depression and other related symptoms, which you need to seriously look into.
The following are simple ways that can be used to deal with stress.
Be Gentle with Yourself
There are times when you are not fair to yourself. Often you are harder on yourself than you are of other people. If you can learn to accept yourself just the way you are, especially unconditionally, this would reduce the pressure you apply to yourself.
Exercise
Go for a walk. Go to the shops. You can join a local walk, swim or jog team. If you are tired out from doing housework and haven`t left your workstation, have a stretch. Change your environment for an hour or so.
Stop Comparing Yourself with Others
Often you don`t realize that a great deal of unhappiness is caused by constant comparisons you make. You says, “if only I had a big house like she was…”, “if only my husband were as rich as hers…” The comparison is endless. The only comparison that counts is the comparison between where you were and where you are now . By all means, admire others, congratulate them and be proud of their achievements, but remind yourself that only you can decide the standard(标准) you want to set for yourself.
Talk the Stress Out
Sometimes it helps to share or talk about your stress to close friends or family members. The other person`s active listening can help.The passage is mainly about________.
| A.doing exercise is good for you health |
| B.how to deal with stress in life |
| C.comparing yourself with others is wrong |
| D.how to lead a happy life in daily life |
According to the fifth paragraph, we should________.
| A.make comparisons with others constantly |
| B.remind yourself that you`re unhappy |
| C.compare with yourself instead of others |
| D.set the standard of happiness |
What can we learn from the passage?
| A.Comparing with others makes us happy. |
| B.Too much stress is bad for our health |
| C.Others put much pressure on us. |
| D.Talking out our stress might dangerous |
I am ex-navy officer(前海军官员) and now working as a primary school volunteer teacher in Chiang Rai. Our school is located in the most northern part of Thailand.
I used to teach according to my plan and in addition I had to take care of students` safety. Early this month(November) we all needed to put on our light jacket to prevent cool weather. One morning during the first break I saw a group of primary level boys were playing police and thief game. They were a playing with a plastic pistol(手枪), which can shoot with plastic balls. It seemed to me very dangerous for their eyes. Immediately I called them and ask to hand over their toy gun. I placed it between my back bone and waist belt. No one can see it because it is under my light jacket.
In the afternoon I needed to pay my house electric bill and I had to withdraw some money from Kung Thai Bank. I walked into the bank and sat in waiting chair with other customers. I relaxed my back to the seat and then I realized that toy gun in my body. Oh, God! I made a big mistake because it is gun forbidden area. I looked around and my eyes met with the guard’s eyes.
I became sweating and couldn`t move from my seat until my turn announced from public addresser. As soon as I received my money and I shouted without voice “ I will never make the same mistake again”. The following period before I taught my lesson to class I told them what happened to me today. All my students enjoyed laughing without end.Why did the author take away their toy gun?
| A.Because the children are too young to play with toy gun. |
| B.Because the teacher wanted to play himself. |
| C.Because the teacher must take care of the students` safety. |
| D.It is against the school rules to play with toy guns. |
What does the underlined word mean?
| A.move away | B.pull back |
| C.draw back | D.take out |
Why did the writer say he made a big mistake when in bank?
| A.Because he forgot the password of his bank account. |
| B.Because he took the gun into the gun forbidden area. |
| C.Because his eyes met with the guard’s eyes. |
| D.Because he forgot to return the toy gun to the children |
From the end of the story, we can infer that____________.
| A.The teacher is getting on well with his students. |
| B.The students hate their teacher because he took away their toy gun. |
| C.The students laugh at their teacher because he is very silly. |
| D.The teacher is careless because he often makes mistakes. |