What’s a “gift”? If you look it up in the dictionary, you’ll see that it’s another word for a present. For example, “They brought him some gifts.” However, if you’re German, “gift” means something completely different: poison!

This word “gift” is an example of a false friend--- a word that looks the same in two languages, but which actually has two different meanings. As English is basically a mixture of German, French and Latin, there are many words that are similar in these languages. For example, the English word “education” is “education” in Spanish. And the English words “word, book, nine, house” are “Wort, Buch, Neun, Haus” in german.

   These similar-looking words can be very helpful when learning other languages --- they’re our “friends”. However, sometimes they can turn out or be “false friends”. Here are a few examples.

   In English, someone who is “sensible” thinks before they act and shows good judgement. For example , “The sensible thing to do would be to consult a lawyer.” However, in Spanish, “sensible ” means “sensitive” (showing understanding of other people’s problems, needs or feelings).

   The English word “coin” refers to a piece of money made of metal. For example, “I had a few coins in my pocket.” But the French word “coin” means “corner”.

   The English word “library” is a place where you can go to borrow books. For example, “I borrowed six books from the library.” But the Spanish word “libreria” refers to a bookshop (where you buy books).

   The English word “actually” means “in fact”. For example, “Actually I’m not Italian, I’m form American.” But the Spanish word “actualmente” means “currently” or “at the moment”.

   Finally, the English word “embarrassed” means “ashamed”. For example, “They looked a bit embarrassed.” However, the Spanish term “embarazada” means “pregnant” (with a child).

1. We can learn from the first two paragraphs that English _______.

A. is easy to master

B. is simpler than Spanish

C. has a complex background

D. has changed greatly throughout history

2. Which of the following pairs of words are true friends according to the author?

A. Nine and Neun.                         B. Library and libreria.

C. Actually and actualmente.                 D. Embarrassed and embarazada.

3. According to the text, in Spanish ______.

A. “coin” means “corner”

B. “gift” refers to something negative

C. “educacion” simply means “book”

D. “sensible” doesn’t necessarily means “wise”

4. The author develops the text mainly by ______.

A. following the order of space               B. comparing different ideas

C. providing typical examples                D. analyzing the cause and effect

What’s a “gift”? If you look it up in the dictionary, you’ll see that it’s another word for a present. For example, “They brought him some gifts.” However, if you’re German, “gift” means something completely different: poison!
This word “gift” is an example of a false friend--- a word that looks the same in two languages, but which actually has two different meanings. As English is basically a mixture of German, French and Latin, there are many words that are similar in these languages. For example, the English word “education” is “education” in Spanish. And the English words “word, book, nine, house” are “Wort, Buch, Neun, Haus” in german.
These similar-looking words can be very helpful when learning other languages --- they’re our “friends”. However, sometimes they can turn out or be “false friends”. Here are a few examples.
In English, someone who is “sensible” thinks before they act and shows good judgement. For example , “The sensible thing to do would be to consult a lawyer.” However, in Spanish, “sensible ” means “sensitive” (showing understanding of other people’s problems, needs or feelings).
The English word “coin” refers to a piece of money made of metal. For example, “I had a few coins in my pocket.” But the French word “coin” means “corner”.
The English word “library” is a place where you can go to borrow books. For example, “I borrowed six books from the library.” But the Spanish word “libreria” refers to a bookshop (where you buy books).
The English word “actually” means “in fact”. For example, “Actually I’m not Italian, I’m form American.” But the Spanish word “actualmente” means “currently” or “at the moment”.
Finally, the English word “embarrassed” means “ashamed”. For example, “They looked a bit embarrassed.” However, the Spanish term “embarazada” means “pregnant” (with a child)

1. 1.

   We can learn from the first two paragraphs that English _______

   1. A.
      is easy to master
   2. B.
      is simpler than Spanish
   3. C.
      has a complex background
   4. D.
      has changed greatly throughout history
2. 2.

   Which of the following pairs of words are true friends according to the author?

   1. A.
      Nine and Neun
   2. B.
      Library and libreria
   3. C.
      Actually and actualmente
   4. D.
      Embarrassed and embarazada
3. 3.

   According to the text, in Spanish ______

   1. A.
      “coin” means “corner”
   2. B.
      “gift” refers to something negative
   3. C.
      “educacion” simply means “book”
   4. D.
      “sensible” doesn’t necessarily means “wise”
4. 4.

   The author develops the text mainly by ______

   1. A.
      following the order of space
   2. B.
      comparing different ideas
   3. C.
      providing typical examples
   4. D.
      analyzing the cause and effect

A gray sweater hung limply on Tommy’s empty desk, a reminder of the depressed boy who had just followed his classmates from our third-grade room. Soon Tommy’s parents, who had recently separated, would arrive for a conference on his failing schoolwork and disruptive behavior. Neither parent knew that I had invited the other.
Tommy, an only child, had always been happy, cooperative and an excellent student. How could I convince his father and mother that his recent failing grades represented a broken-hearted child's reaction to his loved parent’s separation and divorce?
Tommy's mother entered and took one of the chairs I had placed near my desk. Soon the father arrived. Good! At least they were concerned enough to be on time. A look of surprise and anger passed between them, and then they pointedly ignored each other.
As I gave a detailed account of Tommy's behavior and schoolwork, I prayed for the right words to bring these two together, to help them see what they were doing to their son. But somehow the words wouldn't come. Perhaps if they saw one of his spotted, carelessly done papers.
I found a crumpled（压皱的）tear-stained sheet stuffed in the back of his desk, an English paper. Writing covered both sides—not the assignment, but a single sentence scribbled（潦草地写） over and over.
Silently I smoothed it out and gave it to Tommy's mother. She read it and then without a word handed it to her husband. He frowned. Then his face softened. He studied the scribbled words for a long time.
At last he folded the paper carefully, placed it in his pocket, and reached for his wife's outstretched hand. She wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled up at him. My own eyes were brimming(湿润的), but neither seemed to notice. He helped her with her coat and they left together.
In his own way God had given me the words to reunite that family. He had guided me to the sheet of yellow copy paper covered with the anguished outpouring（流露） of a small boy's troubled heart.
The words, "Dear Mother ... Dear Daddy ... I love you ... I love you ... I love you."
1. Which of the following word has the closest meaning to the word “disruptive”（Line3,Para.1）  mean?
A. terrible         B. careless         C. cheerful             D. good
2. What caused Tommy’s failing behavior and schoolwork fundamentally?
A. His parents’ ignorance of his education.
B. His parents’ separation and divorce.
C. His parents’ lacking love to him.
D. His parents’ firm administration to him.
3. What helped Tommy’s parents see their influence on their son?
A．A single sentence on a sheet of paper in his desk.   
B．Tear stains on Tommy’s papers.
C．Tommy’s disruptive behavior.       
D．A gray sweater.
4. You can infer from the passage that_________.
A. The teacher found suitable words to persuade Tommy’s parents reunite.
B. Tommy’s love to his parents saved their marriage and the whole family.
C. Tommy’s parents scheduled their time to come to school together.
D. A broken family might cause a child’s bad behavior and his shortage of love for others.

I’ve loved my mother’s desk since I was just tall enough to see above the top of it as Mother sat doing letters(学问). Standing by her chair, looking at the ink bottle, pens, and white paper, I decided that the act of writing must be the most wonderful thing in the world.
Years later, during her final illness, Mother kept different things for my sister and brother. “But the desk”, she said again, “is for Elizabeth.” I never saw her anger, never saw her cry. I knew she loved me; she showed it in action. But as a young girl, I wanted heart-to-heart talks between mother and daughter. They never happened. And a gulf opened between us. I was too emotional. But she lived “on the surface”.
As years passed, I had my own family. I loved my mother and thanked her for our happy family. I wrote to her in careful words and asked her to let me know in any way she chose that she did forgive（原谅）me. I posted the letter and waited for her answer. None came. My hope turned to disappointment, then little interest and, finally, peace-it seemed that nothing happened. I couldn’t be sure that the letter had even got to Mother. I only knew that I had written in, and I could stop trying to make her into someone she was not.
Now the present of her desk told me, as she’d never been able to, that she was pleased that writing was my chosen work. I cleaned the desk carefully and found some papers inside－a photo of my father and a one-page letter, folded and refolded many times. Give me an answer, my letter asks, in any way you chose. Mother, you always chose the act that speaks louder than words.
【小题1】The writer began to love her mother’s desk _______.

B
In a recent class I was asked “What is a short story?” My first answer was that it was something that could be read in one sitting and brought an illumination (启示) to the reader, sudden and golden like sunlight cracking through heavy cloud. I went on to say that in my opinion a “real” short story was closer to poetry than to the novel.
Here are some definitions of the short story. My favorite is Benet’s: “something that can be read in an hour and remembered for a lifetime”. One writer said: “the theme of a novel won’t fit into the framework of a short story; it’s like trying to squeeze (压缩) a large painting done on a wall into a miniature. And as in a miniature painting, the details need to be sharp.”
The short story is an example of one aspect of human nature. Short stories usually “say something”, often a character undergoes some event, often a small thing, but something similar to a life experience, even a life-moment for some readers. A short story is an account, rarely over 10,000 words or below 500 words— more commonly 1,500-5,000 words— a single-sitting read, but with enough time and weight to move the reader.
Writer Isabelle Allende once wrote: “Novels are, for me, adding up details, just work, work, work, then you’re done. Short stories are more difficult— they have to be perfect, complete in themselves.”
45. The underlined word “undergoes” in the third paragraph probably means ________.
A. discovers              B. experiences        C. discusses       D. appreciates
46. Which statement of the following is true?
A. The ideal short story should be at most 10,000 words in length.
B. The ideal short story should be below 500 words in length
C. The ideal short story should be around 1,500 words in length
D. The ideal short story should be over 5,000words in length
47. What’s the difference between novels and short stories?
A. Novels are too long for us to read.
B. Short stories are too short for us to read.
C. Novels are more details than short stories.
D. Short stories are more perfect and difficult than novels.
48. What would be the best title for the passage?
A. How Do You Write a Short Story?             B. Is a Short Story Similar to Poetry?
C. What Exactly Is a Short Story?          D. Are Short Stories Perfect and Complete?