My life as a tax-paying employed person began in middle school, when, for three whole days, I worked in a baking factory.
My best friend Betsy's father was a manager at Hough Bakeries, which, at Easter time, ____41____little bunny ( 兔子 ) cakes for all its ____42____throughout Cleveland. It happened that the plant downtown needed eight kids for ____43____help during our spring break, for which I had no ____44____beyond listening to my favorite records. I'd ____45____minimum wage. I'd see how a factory ____46____. My parents thought all of this was a grand idea and called Betsy's dad with their ____47____.
Our ____48____in the factory were simple: Place cakes on a moving belt. Attach icing (糖霜) ears. Apply icing eyes and nose. ____49____bunny from the belt. This was _____50_____than it sounds. _____51_____a bit and the cakes pile up. As I told my parents at dinner that first night, it was all a little more high-pressure than I'd _____52_____.
Dad ____53____. The son of a grocer, he'd spent the summers of his childhood _____54_____food in Benardsville, New Jersey. This was the sort of work that made you _____55_____the dollars you earned and respect those who did the work, he told me.
41.
| A． |
sold |
B． |
ordered |
C． |
made |
D． |
reserved |
42.
| A． |
stores |
B． |
families |
C． |
schools |
D． |
citizens |
43.
| A． |
generous |
B． |
financial |
C． |
technical |
D． |
temporary |
44.
| A． |
plans |
B． |
problems |
C． |
excuses |
D． |
hobbies |
45.
| A． |
offer |
B． |
earn |
C． |
set |
D． |
suggest |
46.
| A． |
worked |
B． |
closed |
C． |
developed |
D． |
survived |
47.
| A． |
ambition |
B． |
permission |
C． |
experience |
D． |
invitation |
48.
| A． |
joys |
B． |
ideas |
C． |
roles |
D． |
choices |
49.
| A． |
Save |
B． |
Keep |
C． |
Stop |
D． |
Remove |
50.
| A． |
harder |
B． |
better |
C． |
longer |
D． |
cheaper |
51.
| A． |
Calm down |
B． |
Slow down |
C． |
Stay on |
D． |
Move on |
52.
| A． |
indicated |
B． |
witnessed |
C． |
expected |
D． |
remembered |
53.
| A． |
cried |
B． |
smiled |
C． |
hesitated |
D． |
refused |
54.
| A． |
tasting |
B． |
finding |
C． |
sharing |
D． |
delivering |
55.
| A． |
withdraw |
B． |
donate |
C． |
receive |
D． |
appreciate |
Late one night, a thief crept into a wealthy merchant’s house. He was a young thief, without experience. In fact, this was his first professional______. So he had______everything carefully.
All went quite well at first. He found, as he______, an unlatched window and got into the room easily. But, stepping his way through the______room, he stubbed (碰到) his ______against a table leg. Choking (抑制) back a cry of pain, terrified of waking the merchant, he hit_____on the forehead and called himself a fool. He had______to bring a light.
In the darkness,______, he was able to see an oil lamp on the table, and lit it, then he gave a______of relief. As he______the lamp, a small spider came out from under its______.
“Thank you for saving my life,” said the spider. “Before he went to bed, the merchant set this lamp down on top of me so I couldn’t escape. If you hadn’t come along, I wouldn’t have______the night; ______, I’d have such an uncomfortable situation for a long time.”
“You have saved a life and shown compassion (同情),” the spider went on, ______the impatient thief said he had not______to do so. “______yet, you have done so without the______thought or hope of reward. You have gained more merits (优点) than you could possibly imagine.”
“But you’re only a spider,” said the thief.
“And you’re only a man.” said the spider. “My dear thief, when you understand that______is life, whether on eight legs or_____, you will have understood much. Your deed, ______, has got rid of the bad things from your heart. Go from here with a fresh spirit. And good luck to you.”
The thief did so and never thought to steal again.
A．job B．mistake C．appearance D．finding
A．explained B．managed C．planned D．imagined
A．expected B．remembered C．reminded D．meant
A．dull B．dark C．sitting D．terrible
A．head B．shoulder C．hand D．toe
A．the merchant B．the spider C．the thief D．himself
A．remembered B．forgotten C．avoided D．happened
A．however B．when C．so that D．therefore
A．applause B．cry C．sigh D．laugh
A．woke up B．laid down C．picked up D．turned over
A．base B．cap C．cover D．foot
A．wasted B．lasted C．hated D．worried
A．in time B．however C．anyhow D．indeed
A．although B．so C．so that D．as if
A．said B．led C．cared D．meant
A．Better B．Worse C．Natural D．Lucky
A．hopeful B．least C．ordinary D．most
A．man B．spider C．life D．chance
A．three B．two C．a dozen D．a hundred
A．by no means B．at ease C．in any case D．without delay
A group of graduates got together to visit their old university professor．They talked about the topic-happiness．But soon their conversation turned into complaints about in work and life．
To offer his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and with a large pot of coffee and a variety of ---plastic, glass, metal, porcelain （陶瓷）, some plain-looking , some very ．The professor told his students to help themselves to hot coffee．
When all the students had a cup of coffee in ．the professor said"lf you have noticed, all the nice-looking cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones．While it is for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the of your problems and stress．The professor continued," Believe that the cup itself adds no to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases it even what we drink．What all of you wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went the best cups．Now this life is coffee, the jobs, money, and in society are the cups which are just tools to hold and life, and the different types of cups we have don't decide, nor the quality of life．lf we concentrate only on the cups, we will to enjoy the coffee in it．So don't let the cups you．．．enjoy the coffee instead．"
At these words, the graduates looked at each other in embarrassment．
A．hot B．sensitive C．famous D．easy
A．pay B．joy C．experience D．stress
A．cooked B．took C．returned D．met
A．cups B．gifts C．plates D．drinks
A．common B．special C．rare D．delicate
A．order B．time C．hand D．place
A．pretty B．different C．colorful D．expensive
A．necessary B．normal C．good D．possible
A．situation B．answer C．result D．source
A．quality B．energy C．weight D．color
A．makes B．gives C．hides D．includes
A．finally B．really C．especially D．nearly
A．for B．with C．off D．to
A．forget B．discuss C．consider D．try
A．position B．relation C．workmates D．friends
A．create B．support C．contain D．own
A．damage B．determine C．change D．increase
A．come B．stop C．have D．fail
A．drive B．hold C．take D．control
A．quiet B．speechless C．amazing D．Reasonable
A group of graduates got together to visit their old university professor．They talked about the topic-happiness．But soon their conversation turned into complaints about in work and life．
To offer his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and with a large pot of coffee and a variety of ---plastic, glass, metal, porcelain （陶瓷）, some plain-looking , some very ．The professor told his students to help themselves to hot coffee．
When all the students had a cup of coffee in ．the professor said"lf you have noticed, all the nice-looking cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones．While it is for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the of your problems and stress．The professor continued," Believe that the cup itself adds no to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases it even what we drink．What all of you wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went the best cups．Now this life is coffee, the jobs, money, and in society are the cups which are just tools to hold and life, and the different types of cups we have don't decide, nor the quality of life．lf we concentrate only on the cups, we will to enjoy the coffee in it．So don't let the cups you．．．enjoy the coffee instead．"
At these words, the graduates looked at each other in embarrassment．
A．hot B．sensitive C．famous D．easy
A．pay B．joy C．experience D．stress
A．cooked B．took C．returned D．met
A．cups B．gifts C．plates D．drinks
A．common B．special C．rare D．delicate
A．order B．time C．hand D．place
A．pretty B．different C．colorful D．expensive
A．necessary B．normal C．good D．possible
A．situation B．answer C．result D．source
A．quality B．energy C．weight D．color
A．makes B．gives C．hides D．includes
A．finally B．really C．especially D．nearly
A．for B．with C．off D．to
A．forget B．discuss C．consider D．try
A．position B．relation C．workmates D．friends
A．create B．support C．contain D．own
A．damage B．determine C．change D．increase
A．come B．stop C．have D．fail
A．drive B．hold C．take D．control
A．quiet B．speechless C．amazing D．Reasonable
Things have been kind of tough lately for Shannon Baker and her little family. They have each other’s parents and young daughter and for that they are . But she and her husband are both currently . And their car is in great need of . And then there is the matter of their second child, who is soon. So things are a little tense for the Baker family these days.
When Shannon and her daughter were walking through a store lot recently, Shannon picked up an envelop from the ground that $4,000 in cash. There were a of different interpretations（理解） that could be considered. Was this a kind of good ? Could it be an attempt by the universe to balance everything? Could it be simply a gift from God? Shannon didn’t know. The only thing she knew was that the cash in that envelope to someone else.
Oh, and one other thing she knew: Her young daughter was . “My kid was standing right there I found it,” Shannon told WLS-TV in Chicago. “So basically I wanted to teach my daughter how to be . And for me that was enough.”
Never mind the bills that were , or the car that needed to be fixed, or the baby that would come soon. And forget that when she the money over to the police she was told that there was actually nothing illegal if she it.
The police were able to return the money to the person who it: an old woman. And one can imagine the and relief she felt when the police handed the lost envelop back to her. “She came to my house and she was almost in tears, me,” Shannon said. “She gave me a hug and an envelope with a small in it. But the amount, large or small, wasn’t . What was important was the opportunity to teach my daughter honesty.”
A．controlled B．upset C．sensitive D．grateful
A．unemployed B．appreciated C．disappointed D．removed
A．repair B．protection C．cash D．sale
A．sick B．serious C．due D．dull
A．gathering B．parking C．cleaning D．begging
A．included B．contained C．charged D．paid
A．number B．deal C．plenty D．flood
A．expense B．prize C．hope D．luck
A．pointed B．owned C．belonged D．possessed
A．demanding B．watching C．laughing D．affecting
A．before B．though C．because D．when
A．honest B．loyal C．ripe D．humorous
A．piling up B．giving away C．showing off D．passing by
A．watched B．turned C．got D．collected
A．kept B．made C．checked D．promoted
A．sent B．disliked C．lost D．generated
A．respect B．regret C．tension D．joy
A．comforting B．congratulating C．offending D．thanking
A．amount B．present C．envelope D．choice
A．enough B．acceptable C．important D．matter
Countless people appear in your life---familiar or strange, close or distant. Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there to serve some sort of , to teach you a lesson, or to help you who you are or who you want to become. You never think about who these people may be (possibly your roommate, neighbor, co-worker, long lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger), but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will your life in some way.
And sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful and unfair at first, but with more you find that without overcoming those difficulties you would have realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.
Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens or by means of good luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and complete stupidity all occur to the limits of your soul. these small tests whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved（铺设）, straight, flat road to . It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and . The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become.
Even the experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant(伤心的) and important ones. If someone hurts you, you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back , not only because they love you, but because , they are teaching you to love and how to open your and eyes to things.
Make every day count. every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to , and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don’t believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you. You can make your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no .
Most importantly, if you LOVE someone, tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in . And learn a lesson in life each day that you live.
That’s the story of life.
A．people B．intention C．purpose D．advantage
A．figure out B．let out C．give out D．hold out
A．create B．affect C．challenge D．rescue
A．consideration B．explanation C．expectation D．instruction
A．ever B．never C．already D．almost
A．on purpose B．by itself C．on principle D．by accident
A．set B．reach C．test D．exceed
A．Despite B．Without C．For D．With
A．anywhere B．somewhere C．nowhere D．everywhere
A．pointless B．bored C．undeserved D．meaningful
A．good B．different C．pleasant D．bad
A．watches B．loves C．understands D．betrays
A．temporarily B．eventually C．unconditionally D．cautiously
A．in a way B．on the way C．under way D．by the way
A．mouth B．heart C．mind D．emotion
A．Expand B．Adjust C．Expect D．Appreciate
A．evidently B．entirely C．previously D．casually
A．every B．each C．proper D．exact
A．ambition B．hatred C．beliefs D．regrets
A．future B．store C．existence D．time