A friend of mine named Paul received an expensive car from his brother as a Christmas present. On Christmas Eve when Paul came out of his office, a street urchin(顽童) was walking around the shining car. “Is this your car, sir?” he asked. Paul answered, “Yes, my brother gave it to me for Christmas.” The boy was surprised. “You mean your brother gave it to you and it did cost you nothing? Sir, I wish…” He hesitated(犹豫). Paul thought of course he knew what the boy wanted, but what the boy said surprised him greatly. “I wish,” the boy went on, “that I could be a brother like that.” Paul looked at the boy in surprise, and then he said again,“Would you like to take a ride in my car?” “Oh yes, I’d love to,” the boy answered.

    After a short ride, the boy said and with his eyes shining, “Sir, would you mind driving in front of my house?” Paul smiled a little. He thought he knew what the boy wanted. He wanted to show his neighbors that he could ride home in a big car. But Paul was wrong again. “Will you stop where those two steps are?” the boy asked. He ran up to the steps.

Then in a short while Paul heard him coming back, but he was not coming fast. He was carrying his little crippled(残疾的) brother. He sat down on the step and pointed to the car.

“There he is, Buddy, just like I told you upstairs. His brother gave it to him for Christmas and it didn’t cost him a cent. And some day I’m going to give you one just like it…then you can see for yourself all the nice things in the Christmas windows that I’ve been trying to tell you about.”

    Paul got out and lifted the boy to the front seat of his car. The shining-eyed elder brother climbed in beside him and the three began an unforgettable holiday ride.

1.The street urchin was very surprised when _______.

A. he met Paul                          

B. Paul told him about the car

C. Paul received an expensive car            

D. he was walking around the car

2. From the story we can see the urchin _______.

A. wished to give his brother a car           

B. wanted Paul’s brother to give him a car

C. wished he could have a brother like Paul’s  

D. wished Paul could be a brother like that

3.The urchin asked Paul to stop his car in front of his house ______.

A. to show he had a rich friend          

B. to show his neighbors the big car

C. to let his brother ride in the car        

D. to tell his brother about his wish

4. We can find from the story that _______.

A. the urchin wished Paul to give his car to Buddy

B. the urchin wished to have a rich brother

C. the urchin had a deep love for his brother

D. the urchin’s wish came true in the end

A Manchester teenager has received a phone bill (账单)for over £450 after sending 3 ，500 text messages in just one month.
Tony Russell has had his new mobile phone for only three months, but now his father, Lionel, has taken it away.
He's been asking me for a mobile for years because all his friends have got one，“ explained Lionel. "I finally bought one for his birthday because he's been doing so well at school, but he and his friends are crazy (疯狂的)about sending text messages. They do it all the time. They even text each other from different sides of the school playground.
Tony said, "I thought texting was much cheaper than phoning, so I've been texting my friends all day long and even into the early hours of the morning. I've been going to bed at 2 ： 00 most nights. Sometimes my hand hurt because I pressed the buttons so much, but I was having such good fun that I couldn't stop！"
His father said,"! have forgiven him, but I am angry with the phone company as they are encouraging this crazy behaviour. " He has made his son promise to pay back the money, so Tony has been working on Saturdays. He has found a job in a shoe shop. "I think it will take me about a year to clear this debt(债务)，"he said.
A Xiangtan teenager has received a phone bill for over 350 yuan after sending 3,500 text messages in just one month.
Tan Wei has had his new mobile phone for only three months, but now his father has taken itaway
He's been asking me for a mobile for years because all his friends have got one," explained Tan Wei's father. "I finally bought one for his birthday because he's been doing so well at school, but he and his friends are crazy about sending text messages They do it all the time. "
Tan Wei said, "I thoughttexting was much cheaper than phoning, so I've been texting my friends all day long and even into the early hours of the morning, Sometimes my Angers hurt because I pressed the buttons(按键)so much, but I was having such good fun that l couldn’t I stop！”
His father said, “I am angry with the phone company as they are encouraging this crazy behaviour.' He has made his son promise to pay back the money, so Tan Wei has been working on Saturdays He has found a pan-time job in a shoe shop 'I think it will take me about half a year to clear this debt(债务)he said.
【小题1】Tan Wei got the mobile phone because_____
A he's been asking for it for years
B. all his friends have got one
C he's been doing well at school
【小题2】The underlined word "texting" probably means_____
A. 读课文 B. 短信 C. 发邮件
【小题3】When he sent text messages, Tan Wei_______ .
A, made friends at school
B. got himself injured
C .felt quite happy
【小题4】How much money does Tan Wei get for his job every month?
A. About 40 yuan  B. About 60 yuan  C. About 80 yuan

根据对话内容，从下面方框中选择适当的单词或词组填空，使对话内容完整正确。

A: Though you guys are busy, could you just lend me an ear for a moment？

B: Something wrong? You are not yourself today. I observe(观察) you    1  , you know.

A: I’ve been getting into    2   because I don’t know how to focus on my study as a Grade 9 student. And I really wish for tips from you because you have set a good example for me.

B: To tell you the truth, I really experienced a hard time like you. However, I could face problems confidently. That    3   a big difference.

A: Can you tell me how to adjust(调整) my habit of learning and    4   a lot?

B: I’m afraid you’d better change your way of listening in class. I mean that you not only look at the blackboard while listening carefully but also follow the teacher and speak if possible. Listening, thinking and speaking can work together to improve yourself greatly.

A: It makes sense. I will try and won’t just listen lazily. Thanks a lot.

B:   5   with your new way of learning.