Many years ago my student asked me the question, “Mrs. Kindred, why do you teach?” Without taking time to reflect, I answered, “Because someday I might say something that might make a difference in someone’s life.” Even though I was sincere, that wasn’t a very good answer and my student didn’t let it slide.

“Let me get this straight,” he said, “You went to college for four years so you could come here every day because you have the hope that someday you might say something that will influence someone?” He shook his head as if I were crazy and walked away looking confused. I’m one of those people who look back and wish they had said something smart or witty, or swift.

Even though that particular student might no longer wonder why I teach, there are days when I wonder. On those days, I remind myself of the real reasons I teach:

It’s in my blood. My mother was my most influential teacher, and she was a 6th grade reading teacher until her death in 1990. She instilled(逐渐灌输) in me a love of reading and the knowledge that education opens doors.

Teaching is a way to make a difference. If you throw a stone in a pond the ripples go on and on until they reach the shore. You can’t have ripples without a “stone.” Good teachers throw stones that make a positive difference, and that’s what I strive to do.

I genuinely love teenagers.

I want to share with others what I know and what I have learned through the years. Life is full of ups and downs, and if I can help students avoid some potholes on the road of life, I want to do so. If they’ll allow me to celebrate their victories with them, I want to do too.

Teaching isn’t for everyone, but I know I made the right career choice.

What do you think of the writer?

  A. Stupid.         B. Honest.      C. Conservative.     D. Polite.

According to the text, which of the following is NOT true?

  A. The writer’s mother has the greatest influence on her.

  B. The writer’s answer made the student confused.

  C. In the writer’s opinion, some people in the world are unfit to teach.

  D. The writer annoyed the student who asked the question.

Why did the student continue to ask the question about the writer’s being a teacher?

  A. Because he thought her answer was unbelievable.

  B. Because the writer was insincere.

  C. Because the student was naughty.

  D. Because the answer was difficult to understand.

What’s the main idea of the text?

  A. A student’s silly question.            B. A good teacher who likes students.

  C. A confused student.                  D. The reason why I teach.

We can infer from the text that _________.

  A. the writer was also a good teacher in school

  B. the writer often plays with her students beside a pond

  C. the writer devotes herself to teaching and her students

  D. the writer often accompanies the students on their way home

To Whom It May Concern:

My husband and I got married in 1965 and for the first ten years of our marriage I was very happy to stay home and raise our three children. Then four years ago, our youngest child went to school and I thought I might go back to work.

My husband was very supportive and helped me to make my decision. He emphasized all of the things I can do around the house, and said he thought I could be a great success in business.

After several weeks of job-hunting I found my present job, which is working for a small public relations firm. At first, my husband was very proud of me and would tell his friends , "My clever little wife can run that company she's working for."

But as his joking remark approached reality, my husband stopped talking to me about my job. I have received several promotions and pay increases, and I am now making more money than he is. I can buy my own clothes and a new car. Because of our combined incomes, my husband and I can do many things that we had always dreamed of doing, but we don't do these things because he is very unhappy.

We fight about little things and my husband is very critical of me in front of our friends. For the first time in our marriage, I think there is a possibility that our marriage may come to an end.

I love my husband very much, and I don't want him to feel inferior（自惭形秽）, but I also love my job. I think I can be a good wife and a working woman, but I don't know how. Can you give me some advice? Will I have to choose one or the other or can I keep both my husband and my new career?

Please help. "Distressed"

45.The letter was most probably written ________.

A. in 1975                   B. around 1980     C. four years ago     D. in 1965

46. Her husband ________ when she first found her present job.

A. was very critical of her           B. felt disappointed

C. was proud of her                     D. was happy but critical

47. What does the underlined word "promotion" mean?

A. scolding              B. criticism        C. prize          D. advancement

48. As her income increased, ________.

A. she found a gap（分歧）emerged（显露）between her and her husband

B. she bought more clothes and a house

C. she did the many things she and her husband dreamed of

D. she felt very proud of herself

 

Directions: Complete the following sentences according to the first given letter or the Chinese in the sentence.

1. The club is for _____and people in their early twenties, so that’s why some old people will not accept it.

2.All the teachers and students in our school are______(要求) to attend school assembly on Monday morning.

3.The mid-term exam is not a ______for all the students because it is so easy.

4.Jack disappeared for a few days, and when he came back, he didn’t give any _____of his strange behavior.

5.His parents felt regretful because they thought they were too _____on him.

6.There are some small differences between American English and Britain English. For example, in American English, we often say “on______”(假期) instead of “on holiday”.

7.The car accident was not the driver’s _______(过失) as there was a man suddenly running across the road.

8.It is hard for me to make a _______(决定). Can you tell me what to do?

9.As students, you have to_______ (平衡) work and play, or you might feel very confused.

10.How ________ (尴尬的) I was when I made a mistake with many people looking.

 

A woman id her sixties lived alone in her little cottage with a pear tree at her door. She spent all her time taking care of the tree. But the children nearby drover her    21      by making fun of her. They would climb her tree and then run away with pears,     22   “Aunty Misery” at her.

One evening, a passer by asked to    23     for the night. Seeing that he had an   24   Face, she let him in and gave him a nice    25   . The next morning the stranger, actually a sorcerer (巫师), thanked her by granting (允准) her   26     that anyone who climbed up her tree  27   not be able to come back down until she   28  it.

     When the children came back to steal her   29   , she had them stuck on the tree. They had to beg her
long   30   she gave the tree permission to let  31    go. Aunty Misery was free from the   32   at last.

One day another man    33    her door. This one did not look trustworthy to her,   34   she asked who he was . “I am Death, I’ve come to take you   35    me.” said he.

Thinking fast Aunty Misery said, “Fine, but I’d like to  36    some pears from my dear tree to remember the 37          
it brought to me in this life. But I am too    38   to climb high to get the best fruit. Will you be so   39    as to do it for me?” With a deep sigh, Mr. Death climbed up the tree   40   and was immediately stuck to it. No matter how much he warned or begged, Aunty Misery would not allow the tree to let Death go.

21.  A. hopeless         B. painful        C. dull              D. crazy

22.  A. calling             B. shouting    C. announcing    D. whispering

23.  A. stay                B. live            C. hide             D. lie

24.  A. interesting        B. honest       C. anxious        D. angry

25.  A. gift                 B. kiss           C. treat             D. smile

26.  A. suggestion       B. demand     C. permission    D. wish

27.  A. could              B. should        C. might           D. must

28.  A. permitted        B. promised    C. answered      D. declared

29.  A. branch            B. food          C. tree              D. fruit

30.  A. after               B. while          C. since            D. before

31.  A. it                    B. them          C. him              D. her

32.  A. trick               B. question     C. trouble         D. difficulty

33.  A. stepped into     B. left for       C. stopped at    D. walked around

34.  A. so                  B. but             C. although       D. because

35.  A. with               B. off             C. upon            D. for

36.  A. choose           B. pick           C. shake           D. hit

37.  A. honor             B. pleasure      C. hope            D. excitement

38.  A. light                B. short         C. old              D. thin

39.  A. proud             B. kind           C. fine              D. smart

40.  A. disappointedly  B. cheerfully  C. unwillingly     D. eagerly

 

 

Don’t interrupt me ,John ．       you force me to tell you the truth at the moment?

    A．Might    B．Must C．Should   D．Would