They crossed in front of me as I was driving out of the store parking lot. I would be delayed for a whole ten seconds. However, I realized that it was an elderly couple who were briefly delaying my departure. No more anger.

         The man leaned on his wife who walked in front of him. He not only used her for support but it was obvious that he was blind．She was his eyes as well. The two of them worked as one----- each needing to function in this fast-changing world．

         That little example of true strength that day changed my whole personal perception of life. Suddenly I wasn’t so mad about having to work a few extra hours on Saturday. I had my strength, and I was still relatively young.

         That picture of those two elderly people walking with dignity and strength stayed with me the entire week. My life wasn’t so bad after all. I had my health and a good job．My wife always gave me good advice whenever I needed it. I started to think--- not wonderful old couple, who, despite the trials and hardships of a long life, still had the love and support of each other to carry them through this world．

         There are so many people out there just like that couple. My wife and I sometimes picture ourselves in our old age, walking arm-in-arm into the sunset. That image always gives us a warm feeling of comfort. Just remember, none of us would be here if it weren’t for our elders. We should spend an extra minute to listen and learn when it comes to helping our elder friends. They need it.

     1. What was the author’s first reaction when he was stopped by the old couple ?

        A．He showed great pity for the couple.

        B．He didn’t mind at all.

        C．He got angry at being delayed．

        D．He waited patiently.

     2. Before meeting the old couple, the author had a（n） ______attitude towards life.

        A．energetic        B．enthusiastic        C．doubtful     D．negative

     3. From the fourth paragraph, we can learn that ___________.

        A．the author once decided to change his job

        B．the author’s wife gave him lots of support

        C．old people are more likely to get impatient with others

        D．it is a bad thing to live a long life full of hardships

     4. The main message that the author wants to get across in the last paragraph is that ___________.

        A．everyone should live with dignity and strength

        B．we should be patient when dealing with old people

        C．old people can teach us many important lessons

        D．happiness lies in a positive attitude towards life

BIG things were happening in my life the summer after I turned 13. In the middle of that summer, my parents     my entire world when they told me they were getting divorced. I couldn’t believe that our family was going to     . Though I always knew my parents weren’t very happy and they often fought, I still wanted my family to stay       .

My life changed completely after the divorce. My mother and I moved into a small apartment       town, while my father and brother, Bill, stayed in our house. I now became a visitor       I went to see my Dad and Bill on the weekends. And immediately I had my stepfather, Dan,        I showed no interest in. I was clearly sad, especially after Dan and my mother married       I realized that there was no way that things could change       the way they were.

Even though I refuse all Dan’s trying to get to know me and wasn’t very nice to him, he never gave      on me. Gradually, I began to trust him. I realized that we actually had some things in common, especially when     came to movies and TV shows. We spent a lot of time together     out to watch movies. That gave us a chance to talk and get to know each other     .

Better still, Dan showed an interest in me that I had       experienced from my own father. Dan was always around when I needed       on school or friends. Once I began to         Dan, the three of us began spending a lot of time together. We often went out to eat and       short trips. Eventually, I discovered that I finally had the happy family that I had always      .

I now realize my parents were       about getting the divorce. Their breakup was the best thing to happen for all of us. My father also found happiness—he       and had another child, my half-sister, Michelle.

At 13, I       an important truth –change is not always the worst thing that can happen. Sometimes, it is just what we need most.

1.A. shook                            B. broke                      C. hurt                         D. changed

2.A. break down        B. break up                 C. break in                  D. break out

3.A. a same                 B. same                        C. the same                 D. at same

4.A. at                                   B. from                        C. across            D. over

5.A. when                   B. while                       C. that                          D. whenever

6.A. whoever             B. which             C. whom             D. that

7.A. but                       B. and                          C. however                 D. also

8.A. back                     B. back to           C. into                          D. for

9.A. up                         B. in                    C. out                           D. off

10.A. that                    B. it                               C. he                            D. we

11.A. go                       B. went                        C. to go                        D. going

12.A. more deeply    B. much deeply          C. more deeper         D. very deeper

13.A. either                         B. too                           C. before           D. never

14.A. suggestion                 B. advices          C. advice            D. tip

15.A. receive             B. accept            C. recognize               D. know

16.A. went                           B. began             C. took                         D. go for

17.A. wished              B. hoped            C. dreamed                 D. wanted

18.A. right                            B. wrong            C. necessary               D. good

19.A. divorced           B. united            C. married                   D. remarried

20.A. found                          B. discover                  C. learned                   D. Understand