The life of an actor appears attractive and many young people dream about becoming one. But the truth is, it is very hard work. If you’re successful, there are deadlines to be met, appointments to keep and the press to deal with. If you’re not successful, then life is extremely tough.
I remember when I started out, I had to search the advertisement board at my drama school every day to look for acting jobs. Drama school was expensive and I needed extra cash to help pay the fees. I welcomed every small job. I played extras in many crowd scenes and became a confident participant in a lot of TV commercials for hair shampoo, soap and washing powder.
I had been working for about two years before I got my lucky break. One day, as I was passing the drama school, I decided to go in to check the notice board. There was nothing on it and I was just leaving when the secretary came along the corridor with a piece of paper. She asked me how I was and I told her life was hard and work was difficult to find. The next moment, she put the paper in my hand and walked away. My hands were shaking as I unfolded the paper, full of expectation. To my surprise, it was an audition (试演) for a clown（小丑）for the Canadian circus. I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. I had expected an audition with a famous director for a new film!
When I was at drama school, there had been a course in acrobatics and clown tricks. I had gained top marks in this course for originality and daring. Later I went to the audition feeling very strange. This was not what I’d had in mind when I enrolled in drama school. To my surprise, the job as a clown turned out to be exactly what I wanted. I loved every moment of getting dressed up and putting on the make-up. I had the opportunity to travel the world and I was more than an actor, I was an entertainer as well. I had visited over 32 different countries and entertained millions of people.
小题1:The first paragraph is about how _______ it is to be an actor, whether you’re successful or not.

A．easy

B．attractive

C．enjoyable

D．difficult

小题2:According to paragraph 3, the writer went into the drama school __________.

A．to look for a job

B．to see the secretary

C．to collect a piece of paper

D．to put a notice on the notice board

小题3:Which of the following can best describe the author’s feeling when he unfolded the paper?

A．Extremely frightened.	B．Feeling anxious and excited.
C．Very worried.	D．Trembling with fear.

小题4:From the whole passage, we can tell that the writer is ___________.

A．sad that he was not a famous actor

B．happy to travel the world

C．feeling very strange to be a clown

D．very content with his life

小题5:Which of the following would be the best title?

A．The Life of a TV Actor	B．Acrobatics and Clown Tricks
C．More than an Actor	D．Going to Drama School

When I was a teenager I volunteered to work at the water station at a 10,000m race. My job was to 36 water to the runners, I remember being so 37 to see all the different kinds of people who passed by and grabbed a cup of water. Some ran past, some walked past and a few wheeled past. I saw so many types of people doing it. I thought maybe I could do it too! So the next year I 38 up for the race.
That first 10,000m race was quite an 39 . I jogged, I walked, I jogged and I walked. 40 , I didn’t know if I could finish. Then came a defining(起决定性作用的) 41 .
At one point near the end, a 70-year-old man ran past me, very, very fast, and I felt 42 because I was 15 years old, younger than him but I couldn’t even keep up with him. I felt 43 for a second.
But then I 44 something. He was running his race and I was running mine. He had 45 abilities, experience, training and goals for himself. I had mine. Remember my 46 was only to finish.
After a minute, it 47 me that this was a lesson I could draw from. I learned something about myself at that moment. I turned my embarrassment into 48 .
I 49 that I would not give up running races. In fact, I would run even more races and I would learn how to train and prepare 50 and one day I would be one of those 70-year-old persons who were still running. As I crossed the finish line, I was proud of my 51 .
In life we all have those moments when we 52 ourselves with others. It’s only 53 . Don’t allow those moments to 54 you. Turn them into motivation and let them inspire you. With the proper preparation and training, you can improve your result to 55 anything you want in life.

小题1:	A．bring out B．pass out C．take out D．pick out

小题2:	A．excited B．worried C．concerned D．anxious

小题3:A gave B. made    C. signed       D. dressed

小题4:	A．achievement B．encouragement C．interest D．experience

小题5:	A．At times B．In time C．In all D．At all

小题6:	A．victory B．decision C．moment D．conclusion

小题7:	A．embarrassed B．annoyed C．moved D．thrilled

小题8:	A．relaxed B．defeated C．puzzled D．inspired

小题9:	A．realized B．lost C．noticed D．remembered

小题10:

A．necessary B．evident C．common D．different

小题11:

A．motto B．plan C．goal D．direction

小题12:

A．worried B．hit C．reached D．hurt

小题13:

A．attraction B．devotion C．inspiration D．expectation

小题14:

A．hoped B．promised C．decided D．suggested

小题15:

A．slightly B．hardly C．clearly D．properly

小题16:

A．excitement B．accomplishment C．movement D．judgement

小题17:

A．introduce B．relate C．present D．compare

小题18:

A．important B．natural C．strange D．ridiculous

小题19:

A．weaken B．wound C．amuse D．cheer

小题20:

A．prevent B．deliver C．achieve D．abandon

The simplest way to say it is this: I believe in my mother. My __1__ began when I was just a kid．I __2__ becoming a doctor.
　　My mother was a domestic．Through her work, she observed that __3__ people spent a lot more time reading than they __4_ watching television. She announced that my brother and I __5__ watch two to three pre-selected TV programs during the week. With our free time, we had to read two books each from the Detroit Public Library and __6__ to her written book reports. She would mark them up with check marks and highlights. Years later we realized her marks were a __7__. My mother was illiterate.
　　When I entered high school I was a(n) __8__, but not for long. I wanted the fancy clothes. I wanted to __9__ with the guys. I went from being an A-student to a B-student to a C-student. One night my mother came home from __10__ her various jobs and I complained about not having enough Italian knit shirts. She said, "Okay, I'll give you all the money I make this week scrubbing floors and cleaning bathrooms, and you can buy __11__ food and pay the bills. With everything __12__, you can have all the Italian knit shirts you want." I was very __13__ with that arrangement but once I got through allocating money, there was __14__ left. I realized my mother was a financial genius to be able to __15__ a roof over our heads and any kind of food on the table, __16__ buy clothes. I also realized that immediate satisfaction wasn't going to get me anywhere. Success required intellectual preparation. I went back to my _17__ and became an A-student again, and eventually I __18__ my dream and I became a doctor.
　　My story is really my mother's story-a woman with __19__ formal education or property who used her position as a parent to change the lives of many people around the globe. There is no job __20__ than parenting. This I believe.

小题1:	A．belief B．work C．education D．promise

小题2:	A．majored in B．got used to C．dreamed of D．got tired of

小题3:	A．lazy B．easy-going C．successful D．reliable

小题4:	A．cost B．paid C．took D．did

小题5:	A．could only B．could not C．must not D．should often

小题6:	A．read B．present C．teach D．explain

小题7:	A．joke B．means C．tool D．trick

小题8:	A．A-student B．B-student C．C-student D．D-student

小题9:	A．get along B．hang out C．break away D．keep in touch

小题10:

A．making B．stopping C．working D．getting

小题11:

A．your brother B．yourself C．your sister D．the family

小题12:

A．left over B．paid off C．used up D．carried out

小题13:

A．angry B．pleased C．disappointed D．bored

小题14:

A．anything B．everything C．something D．nothing

小题15:

A．take B．give C．keep D．get

小题16:

A．let alone B．let out C．let in D．leave alone

小题17:

A．guys B．mother C．studies D．play

小题18:

A．made B．fulfilled C．changed D．tried

小题19:

A．little B．much C．few D．high

小题20:

A．more interesting B．less important C．more important D．less interesting

It was a busy morning，about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80s came to the hospital. I heard him saying to the   11  that he was in a hurry for an appointment(约会) at 9:30.
The nurse had him take a   12  in the waiting area, telling him it would be at least 40 minutes before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his   13  and decided, since I was not busy—my patient didn’t   14  at the appointed hour, I would examine his wound. While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment. He said no and told me that he   15  to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his   16 , who had been there for a while for a special disease. I asked if she would be   17  if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not been able to   18  him for five years. I was   19 , and asked him，“And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?”
He smiled and said. “She doesn’t know me but I know who she is.” I had to hold back   20  as he left.
Now I   21  that in marriages，true love is   22  of all that is. The happiest people don’t   23  have the best of everything; they just   24  the best of everything they have.   25  isn’t about how to live through the storm, but how to dance in the rain.

小题1:	A．friend B．patient C．nurse D．doctor

小题2:	A．test B．chance C．shower D．seat

小题3:	A．nurse B．blackboard C．watch D．doctor

小题4:	A．turn up B．show off C．come on D．go away

小题5:	A．needed B．forgot C．agreed D．happened

小题6:	A．daughter B．wife C．mother D．sister

小题7:	A．lonely B．worried C．doubtful D．hungry

小题8:	A．recognize B．answer C．believe D．expect

小题9:	A．moved B．disappointed C．surprised D．satisfied

小题10:

A．curiosity B．tears C．words D．judgment

小题11:

A．realize B．suggest C．hope D．prove

小题12:

A．agreement B．expression C．acceptance D．exhibition

小题13:

A．necessarily B．completely C．naturally D．frequently

小题14:

A．learn B．make C．favor D．try

小题15:

A．Adventure B．Beauty C．Trust D．Life

In the fall of 1985, I was a bright-eyed girl heading off to Howard University, aiming at a legal career and dreaming of sitting on a Supreme Court bench somewhere. Twenty-one years later I am still a bright-eyed dreamer and one with quite a different tale to tell.
My grandma, an amazing woman, graduated from college at the age of 65. She was the first in our family to reach that goal. But one year after I started college, she developed cancer. I made the choice to leave college to care for her. It meant that school and my personal dream would have to wait.
Then I got married with another dream: building my family with a combination of adopt and biological children. In 1999, we adopted our first son. To lay eyes on him was fantastic—and very emotional. A year later came our second adopted boy. Then followed Son No. 3. In 2003, I gave birth to another boy.
You can imagine how busy I became, raising four boys under the age of 8! Our home was a complete zoo—a joyous zoo. Not surprising, I never did make it back to college full-time. But I never gave up on the dream either. I had only one choice: to find a way. That meant taking as few as one class each term.
The hardest part was feeling guilty about the time I spent away from the boys. They often wanted me to stay home with them. There certainly were times I wanted to give up, but I knew I should set an example for them to follow through the rest of their lives.
In 2007, I graduated from the University of North Carolina. It took me over 21 years to get my college degree!
I am not special, just single-minded. It always struck me that when you’re looking at a big challenge from the outside it looks huge, but when you’re in the midst of it, it just seems normal. Everything you want won’t arrive in your life on one day. It’s a process. Remember: little steps add up to big dreams.
小题1:When the author went to Howard University, her dream was to be ______.

A．a writer

B．a teacher

C．a judge

D．a doctor

小题2:The author quit school in her second year of college because she ______.

A．wanted to study by herself

B．fell in love and got married

C．suffered from a serious illness

D．decided to look after her grandma

小题3:What can we learn about the author from Paragraphs 4 and 5?

A．She was busy yet happy with her family life.

B．She ignored her guilty feeling for her sons.

C．She wanted to remain a full-time housewife.

D．She was too confused to make a correct choice.

小题4:What does the author mostly want to tell us in the last paragraph?

A．Failure is the mother of success.

B．Little by little, one goes far.

C．Every coin has two sides.

D．Well begun is half done.

小题5:Which of the following can best describe the author ?

A．Caring and determined.	B．Honest and responsible.
C．Ambitious and sensitive.	D．Innocent and single-minded.

The passengers on the bus watched with sympathy as Susan made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and then, using her hands to   11 the seats, settled in one of them.
It had been a year since Susan became blind. As the result of an accident she was suddenly thrown into a world of   12 . Susan’s husband Mark watched her sink into    13  and he was   14  to use every possible means to help his wife.
Finally, Susan felt ready to   15  to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but she was now too    16  to get around the city by herself. Mark   17  to ride the bus with Susan each morning and evening until she could manage it by herself.
For two weeks, Mark accompaniedSusan to and from ____18____ each day. He taught her how to rely on her other   19   , specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new   20  .
At last, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived. Before she left, she hugged her husband   21  , her eyes filled with tears of gratitude. She said good-bye and, for the first time, they went their    22   ways. Each day went perfectly, and a wild excitement took hold of Susan. She was doing it!
On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was getting off the bus, the driver said, “Miss, I sure  23 you.” Curious, Susan asked the driver why.
“You know, every morning for the __24_ week, a fine-looking gentleman in a military uniform(军服) has been standing across the corner watching you until you enter your office building safely,” the bus driver said.
Tears of happiness poured down Susan’s cheeks. She was so lucky for he had given her a gift more powerful than_25_, That is the gift of love that can bring light where there is darkness.

小题1:	A．touch B．fall C．count D．feel

小题2:	A．weakness B．sickness C．darkness D．sadness

小题3:	A．hopefulness B．hopelessness C．carefulness D．loneliness

小题4:	A．encouraged B．determined C．honored D．pleased

小题5:	A．return B．adjust C．prefer D．stick

小题6:	A．skilled B．astonished C．excited D．frightened

小题7:	A．volunteered B．tried C．continued D．refused

小题8:	A．school B．shop C．work D．bus

小题9:	A．feeling B．abilities C．skills D．senses

小题10:

A．position B．environment C．tradition D．role

小题11:

A．politely B．calmly C．briefly D．tightly

小题12:

A．broad B．separate C．long D．lonely

小题13:

A．respect B．admire C．know D．support

小题14:

A．past B．same C．first D．next

小题15:

A．courage B．will C．sight D．hearing

It was one of the hottest days of the dry season. We had not seen rain in almost a month. The crops were dying. Cows had stopped giving milk. The streams were long gone back into the earth. If we didn’t see some rain soon we would lose everything.
I was in the kitchen making lunch for my husband and his brothers when I saw my six-year old son, Billy, walking toward the woods. He was obviously walking with a great effort... trying to be as still as possible. Minutes after he disappeared into the woods, he came running out again, toward the house.
Moments later, however, he was once again walking in that slow purposeful long step toward the woods. This activity went on for over an hour: walking cautiously to the woods, then running back to the house. Finally, my curiosity got the best of me. I crept out of the house and followed him on his journey.
He was cupping both hands in front of him as he walked; being very careful not to spill(溅出) the water he held in them. Branches and thorns slapped his little face but he did not try to avoid them. He had a much greater purpose. As I leaned in to spy on him, I saw the most amazing site.
Several large deer appeared threatening in front of him. But Billy walked right up to them. I almost screamed for him to get away. And I saw a baby deer laying on the ground, obviously suffering from heavy loss of water and heat exhaustion, lift its head with great effort to lap(舔) up the water cupped in my beautiful boy’s hand.
I stood on the edge of the woods watching the most beautiful heart I have ever known working so hard to save a life. As the tears that rolled down my face began to hit the ground, they were suddenly joined by other drops... and more drops... and more. I looked up at the sky. It was as if God, Himself, was weeping with pride.
小题1:What can be learned from Paragraph 1?

A．The writer lived in the hottest place.

B．It wouldn’t rain during the dry season.

C．All the crops in the area were dead.

D．People were in great need of rain.

小题2:Billy walked carefully to the woods because ______.

A．he was not old enough to walk freely

B．he didn’t want to be followed by his mother

C．he tried not to spill the water in his hands

D．he wanted to attract his mother’s attention

小题3:Why did the writer almost scream for Billy to get away?

A．Because she saw the most amazing site in the woods

B．Because those large deer appeared dangerous

C．Because she saw a baby deer laying on the ground

D．Because the deer suffered from heavy loss of water

小题4:After learning about the truth, the author felt _______.

A．curious and confused	B．scared and excited
C．moved and curious	D．proud and moved

小题5:Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

A．The Water of Life	B．Importance of Water
C．How to Save Animals	D．Animals in Danger

While many teenagers may dream of meeting with pop star Jay Chou or NBA hero Yao Ming, Li Jing had a far more powerful person on her mind. The Senior 2 from Beijing No. 35 High School dreamt of meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
After more than a year of hard work and with a little good luck, Li fulfilled(实现) her dream. On October 11, 2004, the 16-year-old girl joined a team of Chinese Journalists who went to the Kremlin(克里姆林宫), Moscow, to interview Putin.
Li felt nervous before talking with Putin.“But his greeting and warm smile put me at ease,” she said.
Li admires Putin very much, because of his strong will and style of leadership. “He looks very cool,” Li said. During her interview, Li asked Putin whether he plans to educate his two teenage daughters to be officials in the future. Putin smiled and answered he hopes they can do whatever job suits their interests and personalities.
Although Li would only have several minutes, she started working on her interview questions last August after applying for the opportunity. “Journalists” work is by no means easy. You need to do lots of homework on your interviewee,”she said. She read many books about Putin and Russia in her spare time.
Li’s parents encouraged her to be a student journalist. “We fully support her, as long as it does not affect studies,”said her father. Previous in her job for a student magazine, Chinese Young Journalists, she wrote a letter to President Hu Jintao during the SARS epidemic(流行疫情).
Li has learnt a lot from her experience. She said learning to manage her time and develop the confidence to speak with important people were not things she could learn in class.
小题1:The underlined word “interviewee” in the fifth paragraph probably means __________.

A．the person who interviews others

B．the person who is interviewed

C．the person who know how to interview

D．the person who plan to interview famous people

小题2:Which of the following best describes Li Jing’s parents’ attitude towards her being a student journalist?

A．They think to a student journalist is purely a waste of time.

B．They worry that to be a student journalist will affect her studies

C．They consider it is quite good for Li Jing if it doesn’t affect her studies.

D．They neither support it nor object to it.

小题3:Li Jing is different from those students of her age because __________.

A．she doesn’t like pop star Jay Chou

B．she hates meting with the NBA hero Yao Ming

C．she wants to meet neither Jay Chou nor Yao Ming

D．She dreams of meeting the president powerful Russian leader

小题4:Which of the following statements is Not True?

A．Li realized her dream not just because of her hard work

B．Li was at easy at the first sight of president Putin

C．Li considers Putin a great leader because of his strong will and style of leadership

D．Li thinks impossible to learn in class the confidence to speak with great people

小题5:It can be inferred from the passage that________

A．Everybody can be a journalist easily.

B．Putin will force his daughters to what he plans for them.

C．President Hu Jintao answered Lijing’s letter.

D．Journalists must get permission to ask questions.

Whenever my kids have a party at school, I am the mom who always signs up to bring the juice boxes. It’s not because I’m   26  or that I don’t care if my kids have a good party. I am just not good at making homemade bread into holiday-themed shapes like other mothers.   27 , I’m happy to try, even though it’ll   28  me a long time to do it.
People say that housewives should have the   29  to make delicious meals, keep their houses clean, and   30  every minute of their child’s life. Their words used to   31  me a lot. I felt that I should also be able to do those things as a housewife. So   32  I couldn’t make the turkey-shaped cookies, I   33  feeling like a failure as a mom.
After many   34  attempts at baking, and many afternoons spent crying over my inabilities as a mother, I finally accepted the   35  that my lot(命运) in life is to be the juice box mom. I worked hard to be the   36  one in the elementary school. And after one of my daughter’s class parties, it   37 . Her teacher stopped me as I was leaving and said,＂Thank you so much for always bringing   38  drinks. Sometimes parents forget that other children will also   39  class parties, and they end up being left out because we don’t have enough   40  for everyone.＂
I just accepted her appreciation, rather than telling her that I brought extra drinks because I could   41  remember how many kids were in the class. But her   42  taught me an important lesson: I’m not a failure as a mom.
Not everyone is cut out to be a(n)   43  mom. I believe it’s okay to be the juice box mom. I may not bake cookies and decorate them beautifully, but I   44  something to drink. And I think that’s just as   45 .

小题1:	A．smart B．lazy C．tired D．desperate

小题2:	A．However B．Therefore C．Otherwise D．Besides

小题3:	A．cost B．give C．introduce D．take

小题4:	A．dream B．ability C．experience D．tool

小题5:	A．compare B．save C．treasure D．teach

小题6:	A．reflect B．puzzle C．upset D．amuse

小题7:	A．unless B．because C．though D．when

小题8:	A．ended up B．went on C．insisted on D．set about

小题9:	A．failed B．careless C．successful D．useful

小题10:

A．goal B．opinion C．fact D．impression

小题11:

A．slowest B．best C．worst D．quickest

小题12:

A．stood out B．got out C．came back D．paid off

小题13:

A．cold B．soft C．extra D．fresh

小题14:

A．attend B．hold C．enjoy D．leave

小题15:

A．cookies B．drinks C．books D．cups

小题16:

A．already B．always C．ever D．never

小题17:

A．contribution B．appreciation C．Congratulation D．comprehension

小题18:

A．loyal B．clever C．able D．rich

小题19:

A．provide B．make C．buy D．retell

小题20:

A．believable B．ridiculous C．interesting D．important

War Horse is a historical story by Michael Morpurgo. It is written for kids ages 8 to 12. Now just sit and get through the introduction to the plot.
In 1914, a young horse named Joey is sold to a farmer. The farmer' s son, Albert, is thrilled. He cares for Joey. When the family begins to feel the financial impact of war, Albert' s father secretly sells Joey to an army officer named Captain Nicholls. Albert begs the captain to let him join the army. Albert is too young, but Nicholls promises to take good care of Joey for him.
Nicholls treats Joey well. Though Joey still remembers Albert, he grows to like his new master. He develops a friendship with another horse, Topthorn., who belongs to Nicholls' friend, Captain Stewart. The horses and men are shipped overseas for battle. They soon face their own battle in France, and Captain Nicholls is killed.
A young soldier named Warren becomes Joey’s new owner. Joey and Topthorn do well in battle, but the Germans capture Warren and Stewart and their horses. The horses' duty of pulling carts full of wounded German soldiers earns them praise. An old farmer and his granddaughter, Emilie, dote on the horses as well. When the German army moves out of the area, Emilie and her grandfather keep the two horses. Joey and Topthorn are content to work the farm until another band of soldiers takes them. They become workhorses under bad conditions. Joey is very upset when Topthorn dies of exhaustion.
Alone and frightened, Joey wanders into "no-man's-land” between the German and English camps. An English soldier takes him back to camp.
Joey is reunited with Albert. As the war ends, Albert' s officer announces the horses will be sold in France. An old Frenchman buys Joey. The man, Emilie' s grandfather, tells Albert how Emilie lost the will to live after the horses were taken. However, he eventually sells Joey to Albert for one penny, as long as Albert promises to share Emilie' s story so her life will not be in vain. Joey and Albert return home.
小题1:Why does Albert's father secretly sell Joey?

A．Because he’s in need of money.

B．Because Captain Nicholls is fond of Joey.

C．Because Albert is too young to care for Joey.

D．Because he believes Joey will contribute to the country.

小题2:Which of the following is TRUE about Captain Nicholls?

A．He’s a rich man.

B．He’s a Frenchman.

C．He’s a man of his word.

D．He doesn’t win Joey’s trust.

小题3:The underlined phrase "dote on" in Paragraph 4 probably means ____.

A．train

B．ride

C．raise

D．love

小题4:Which of the following words can be used to describe Emilie’s grandfather?

A．Brave.

B．Generous.

C．Hardworking.

D．Humorous.