Centuries ago, a group of people left India. No one really knows . Over time, they journeyed west to Europe, where most have ever since. These people called themselves the Roma. Europeans, thinking they came from Egypt, called them “gypsies.” Many people think of gypsies as groups of people. They are associated with colorful clothing, fortune telling and music. But this is not the real of Roma culture.
In fact, not all Roma are . Those in Western Europe have historically moved from place to place. But others who in Eastern Europe built homes and stayed in one place. Roma culture among regions. But most speak both the language of the people and their own language, Romany.
For centuries, Roma practiced trades. Some were horse traders or musicians. Others made things out of metal or wood. But today, Roma may be found in any .
Each Roma settlement developed its own style, combining local music with Roma traditions. These styles often sound to the music of the surrounding culture. However, most Roma music some characteristics, including the timing of the notes and the harmonies. Roma music has also affected the music of other . Roma influences have shaped European folk and classical music and even some American styles.
Like people of many cultures, the Roma love to tell . Their conversations often include brief references tales that the entire settlement knows. But they also tell long stories during the evenings or while working. Some stories are funny, others Roma traditions.
Over the years, the Roma have many challenges. Their neighbors did not them and even accused them of being thieves. Today, many face poverty, prejudice and other problems. Nevertheless, the Roma people are proud of their history and their rich culture.
A．when B．why C．where D．how
A．died B．visited C．left D．lived
A．So B．Or C．But D．Then
A．wandering B．challenging C．encouraging D．inspiring
A．life B．article C．picture D．attitude
A．farmers B．travelers C．musicians D．tailors
A．begged B．learned C．toured D．settled
A．varies B．spreads C．passes D．divides
A．Indian B．travelling C．surrounding D．Egyptian
A．traditional B．illegal C．international D．fair
A．occasion B．profession C．village D．town
A．cultural B．social C．agricultural D．musical
A．strange B．different C．similar D．natural
A．shares B．spares C．speaks D．seeks
A．tribes B．cultures C．groups D．religions
A．lies B．fortunes C．gossips D．stories
A．at B．in C．for D．to
A．write down B．get away C．take in D．pass down
A．faced B．overcome C．fought D．welcomed
A．fear B．help C．accept D．support
After spending a weekend away with my adult son, I was so impressed by his generous heart that I sent him this letter.
Dear son,
I want to thank you for teaching me a very valuable lesson in life by the great example you 31 . When we were eating at that cafe in Boston and a person who had 32 his hamburger didn’t have enough money to pay for it, without 33 , you went over and 34 the extra $2 into his hand.
When we were leaving, you 35 threw a five-cent coin onto the pavement and said something like, “Some kid will really enjoy 36 this.”
Last week, a young man 37 me in the line at a petrol station didn’t have 38 money to pay for his petrol. I asked the money collector, “How much 39 is he?” She told me he had meant to put $15 of petrol in his car 40 he had been looking at the wrong gauge (计量表) and had put in 15 41 , which came to a little over $20. That is an easy mistake as both gauges run fast.
Something made me think of you and 42 you did that night at the cafe in Boston. I handed the man $6. He was so 43 and said, “But why would you do this for me?” I just smiled as I thought of you.
Thank you, son, for teaching me that “it’s 44 to give than to receive”. Now when I see a five-cent coin on the 45 and want to pick it up, I think of you and leave it there, just in case some kid will get a kick out of finding it.
Love always, Mum.
A．followed B．gave C．set D．took
A．ordered B．booked C．offered D．bought
A．hesitation B．doubt C．permission D．difficulty
A．spread B．put C．threw D．loaded[
A．again B．already C．only D．also
A．finding B．accepting C．looking for D．pointing at
A．behind B．beyond C．ahead of D．next to[
A．much B．some C．any D．enough
A．far B．long C．short D．high
A．and B．but C．so D．while
A．kilometers B．kilograms C．pounds D．litres
A．what B．which C．how D．that
A．excited B．surprised C．interested D．encouraged
B．better C．faster D．worse
A．comer B．mud C．ground D．carpet
Ann，a mother of 3 children, is a warm-hearted social worker and she has done a lot to help people 36 . The family’s dinner conversation often turns to local poor families, and she 37 tries her best to seek help for them. This year, Ann 38 that Santa Claus would make a special 39 to a young unemployed mother named Ashley, who was 40 two sons by herself.
One Sunday morning, the family were joyfully having breakfast 41 the phone rang, saying that the aid she had requested for Ashley had 42 . No Santa Claus, no presents, nothing. On hearing the news, Ann noticed the 43 disappear from her children's faces.
Kinzie, t
he youngest one, 44 down from her chair and ran out of the kitchen room. In a matter of 45 , she returned carrying her piggy bank and began to 46 the coins over and over again, $3.30 in total. “Mom,” she shook her head 47 , “I know it's not much. But maybe this will buy a 48 for the children.” Then suddenly everyone was reaching into their pockets and 49 their purses. Immediately the money –- coins and bills 50 on the table. On Christmas Eve, Ann as well as Kinzie drove to Ashley’s house. After Ann wished the 51 woman a merry Christmas, she began to unload the gifts from the car, 52 them to Ashley one by one and told her the whole story.
Ashley was moved to tears 53 the words: Kinzie opened not only her piggy bank but also her 54 , and my children as well as I myself would be able to do something 55 for someone else in need.
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A couple of years ago, I went to a lady’s house to buy some vitamins. Upon entering the house, I 36 that there was an electronic keyboard on a stand, leaning 37 the wall. Being a piano music lover and 38 , I asked, if the woman played. She nodded and added that she had been
39 lessons at age 54! I told her that it was very 40 that she was pursuing （追求） her passion（热情）to play the piano. . .
Then she asked me 41 question. “I have been playing for 8 years now,” I answered.
“Then you must play a song for me before you leave,” she 42 .I thought she was joking and I simply smiled. At the end of the deal of the vitamins, she 43 me of our musical “44 _”. She then showed me to an old upright piano in the living room,45 asked me to play a song for her. I thought46 and decided to play David Lantz’s “Return to the Heart”, since 
she had so much passion for 47 ,and it was my soul-searching song.
I played the song to the best of my ability, and with my emotions 48 into it as possible. She loved it. 49 I was about to step out of the door, I heard a weak voice ca
lling out, “Young man!”
I turned around. And there was an old lady 50 one little ste
p at a time with the help of another woman. “I wanted to come out to 51 you for the beautiful song that you played. I have been very sick, and it’s very hard for me to 52 my bed, but your music made me feel good ”she said. With that, she turned around and walked 53 back to her room.
I was deeply 54 by her appreciation and felt a deeper understanding for the song. It served its purpose beautifully, returning to one’s 55 for peace and joy.
A．observed B．watched C．noticed D．caught
A．on B．at C．over D．against
A．player B．teacher C．composer D．starter
A．giving C．teaching D．reviewing
A．interesting B．wonderful C．moved D．impressive
A．another B．a different C．the same D．other
A．advised B．ordered C．demanded D．requested
A．warned B．reminded C．asked D．required
A．course B．task C．discussion D．deal
A．and B．but C．as a result D．what’s more
A．for the moment B．at the moment C．for a moment D．at a moment
A．music B．songs C．the piano D．vitamins
A．dropping B．falling C．pouring D．running
A．Since B．As C．While D．Because
A．taking B．making C．having D．giving
A．thank B．praise C．admire D．owe
A．get on B．get up C．get off D．get down
A．quietly B．calmly C．happily D．slowly
A．shocked B．touched C．delighted D．disturbed
A．world B．heart C．brains D．dreams
It was an unforgettable experience. By the time we made it to the 36 , my hands were wet. I37 he would remember everything I had taught him over and over again.38 he stopped and asked, “So, Mom, how do you like my39 ?”
I must admit that his performance was40 . He had both hands on the wheel. His eyes never left the highway and his handling was far better than I’d ever imagined it would be,41 it still needed improving.
Several42 ago, I was teaching him to ride his bike. We started 43 . The third grade primary school student was44 that his training wheels were taken off. Of course it was a long evening. He45 several times but always got up quickly and kept46 until he mastered riding.
Viewing the47 , I guess it really wasn’t about him driving. It was about him48 ---gaining more and more independence; not 49 me so much anymore.
He will be a(n)50 in high school this fall. This will truly be a 51 year for both of us. He’s ready to have one of the best years of his young life and I will have (a) complete mental52 . For this is probably the last year that my baby will be at home on a(n) 53 basis.
After this school year, he’ll go to college and then into the real world. Things all happen so54 .
Now I see the time has just arrived for him to perform what he’s learned.
So, I guess you could say his driving lessons are lessons for me too. Yes, I’m being 55 that it’s his time to drive through life’s green lights and move towards his future as smoothly and skillfully as possible.
A．club B．park C．pool D．road
A．knew B．hoped C．guessed D．thought
A．Eventually B．Suddenly C．Mysteriously D．Curiously
A．riding B．driving C．shooting D．swimming
A．terrible B．just so so C．good D．perfect
A．as B．for C．and D．though
A．years B．months C．weeks D．days
A．at dawn B．in the morning C．at noon D．before dark
A．worried B．scared C．excited D．surprised
A．fell B．quitted C．hesitated D．escaped
A．moving B．trying C．struggling D．weeping
A．past B．progress C．situation D．success
A．thinking B．learning C．insisting D．growing
A．disobeying B．embarrassing C．needing D．depending
A．junior B．senior C．athlete D．journalist
A．hard B．short C．fruitful D．memorable
A．blank B．relaxation C．breakdown D．disability
A．annual B．regular C．voluntary D．unpredictable
A．similarly B．unfavorably C．quickly D．unforgettably
A．taught B．reminded C．rewarded D．comforted
In the winter vocation of 2008, I was fixed with a job. I worked as a(n) 21 at Mr Breen’s fruit shop. The fruit shop did good business. Most of the trade came from the housewives who lived in the neighborhood, 22_ he also had regular customers who arrived outside the shop in cars. Mr Breen 23 them all by names and they sometimes even had their order already made up, always 24 me to carry it out to their car. They were clearly longstanding customers, and I 25 they must have stayed faithful to him because he had promised to sell good quality fruits. He had a way with them---- I had to 26 that. He called every woman “madam” for a start, 27 those who clearly were not, but when he said it, it did not sound like flattery(恭维). It just sounded 28 in an old-fashioned way. He was a great chatter 29 . If he did not know them, he would greet them with a few 30 about the weather, 31 he did, he would ask about their families or make 32 , always cutting his cloth 33 his customers. Whatever their bills came to, he34 gave them back the few odd pence(零钱), and I was sure they thought he was very generous. But I thought he was the opposite. He never threw anything away. He was always looking for 35 for nothing.
A．operator B．assistant C．waiter D．secretary
A．so B．when C．therefore D．but
A．sold B．knew C．gave D．sent
A．making B．letting C．getting D．keeping
A．wished B．insisted C．declared D．supposed
A．admit B．expect C．announce D．promise
A．yet B．only C．just D．even
A．serious B．strange C．polite D．familiar
A．as well B．as usual C．either D．also
A．sayings B．questions C．words D．speeches
A．and then B．and so C．even if D．but if
A．preparations B．jokes C．repairs D．friends
A．according to B．due to C．instead of D．up to
A．never B．ever C．seldom D．always
A．something B．anything C．somebody D．anybody