I’m Alfred. I was born with a problem in my backbone and mobility(行走能力）was a big challenge, but thanks to my teachers and friends, my school life was excellent.
My friends and I used to sit together and have lots of fun. Whenever we got a free period, we used to start shouting or play games. I would take part in all competitions, such as poetry writing, story writing and painting and all activities like Teachers’ Day or anybody’s birthday and had much fun.
My English teacher was very tall. The moment she would enter the class, we would all sit quiet and open the books. She would encourage me by giving me important assignments and also morning news to read during the assembly. She would come down and hear my English debate(辩论), which made me participate in all debate competitions.
The same was true of my biology and science teacher. She was very nice and sweet. She would always give me extra information on the biology project. I could not go to the lab for the practicals (lessons or exams in science, cooking etc. in which you have to do or make something yourself rather than write or read about it), so she would bring the lab down and help me with the biology and science practicals and would give me excellent marks.
My friends made me monitor and the naughty boys listen to me. My friends used to help me with my notes if I was absent. My teachers always gave me important project work and I felt proud when they patted me on the back after I finished it quickly and correctly.
I was never shouted at or made fun of or scolded(批评) by any of my friends and teachers. Today I saw the terrible punishments given to students on television news. I felt very sad.
I really want to express my love and thanks to all my wonderful teachers and friends, without whom my school life would not have been so excellent and unforgettable. I really pray to God that each child in the world is blessed with caring teachers and wants to attend school every day.
【小题1】Alfred’s problem in his backbone _________ .

I’m Alfred. I was born with a problem in my backbone and mobility(行走能力）was a big challenge, but thanks to my teachers and friends, my school life was excellent.

My friends and I used to sit together and have lots of fun. Whenever we got a free period, we used to start shouting or play games. I would take part in all competitions, such as poetry writing, story writing and painting and all activities like Teachers’ Day or anybody’s birthday and had much fun.

My English teacher was very tall. The moment she would enter the class, we would all sit quiet and open the books. She would encourage me by giving me important assignments and also morning news to read during the assembly. She would come down and hear my English debate(辩论), which made me participate in all debate competitions.

The same was true of my biology and science teacher. She was very nice and sweet. She would always give me extra information on the biology project. I could not go to the lab for the practicals (lessons or exams in science, cooking etc. in which you have to do or make something yourself rather than write or read about it), so she would bring the lab down and help me with the biology and science practicals and would give me excellent marks.

My friends made me monitor and the naughty boys listen to me. My friends used to help me with my notes if I was absent. My teachers always gave me important project work and I felt proud when they patted me on the back after I finished it quickly and correctly.

I was never shouted at or made fun of or scolded(批评) by any of my friends and teachers. Today I saw the terrible punishments given to students on television news. I felt very sad.

I really want to express my love and thanks to all my wonderful teachers and friends, without whom my school life would not have been so excellent and unforgettable. I really pray to God that each child in the world is blessed with caring teachers and wants to attend school every day.

1.Alfred’s problem in his backbone _________ .

A．made him have fewer friends than others

B．prevented him enjoying an excellent school life

C．left him feeling down all the time in his life

D．made it impossible for him to move freely

2.How many Alfred’s teachers are mentioned in the passage?

A．One.             B．Two.              C．Three.            D．Four.

3.Alfred tried to do the following EXCEPT _________.

A．play games during a free period with his friends

B．take part in all competitions and all activities

C．go to the school lab to do the practicals

D．complete his project work quickly and correctly

4.The underlined part “patted me on the back” is closest in meaning to “_________”.

A．scolded and hit me                      B．encouraged and praised me

C．touched my backbone                    D．made me calm down

5.By writing the passage, Alfred aims to __________.

A．tell us how lucky a boy student he was

B．express his thanks to his teachers and friends

C．get understanding and care from more people

D．show us his great school achievements

In Britain ,people often invite friends for a meal , a party or just coffee. People who know each other very well may visit each other’s houses without  an invitation(邀请),but if we invite new friends, usually an invitation is needed. When people invite someone to their homes , they often say ,“Would you like to come for dinner on Saturday ?” Answers are, “Thanks, we’d love to. What time?” or “I’m sorry, We’d love to ,but we have tickets for the concert.” However, it is not polite to say,“No, we wouldn’t.”
Sometimes, the British use expressions that sound like invitations but which are not invitations. For example. “You must come over for a drink sometime .” or “Let’s go out for a meal one of these days.”  These are usually just polite ways of ending a talk . They are not real invitations because they don’t mention an exact time or day. They just show that the person is trying to be friendly and the answers are ,“Yes , that would be nice .” or “OK, yes ,thanks.”
So next time you hear what sounds like an invitation, listen carefully. Is it a real invitation or is the person just being friendly?

1. 1.

   It’s always necessary for        to visit each other’s houses with an invitation

   1. A.
      close friends
   2. B.
      family members
   3. C.
      neighbours
   4. D.
      new friends
2. 2.

   It is not polite to answer the real invitation by saying “     “

   1. A.
      Sorry. We’d love to, but we have tickets for the concert
   2. B.
      Thanks. We’d love to, what time?
   3. C.
      Sure. We’d like to. Thanks a lot
   4. D.
      No, we wouldn’t!
3. 3.

   If the British just want to end a talk politely, they may say,”      ”

   1. A.
      Would you like to come for dinner on Saturday?
   2. B.
      Let’s go out for a meal one of these days
   3. C.
      Let’s go out for a meal on Saturday
   4. D.
      Shall we go for a drink this afternoon
4. 4.

   The British often use “     ”to answer the invitations that are not real

   1. A.
      Yes , what time ?
   2. B.
      No, that’s not a real invitation
   3. C.
      OK, yes , thanks
   4. D.
      No, you just want to be friendly
5. 5.

   Which is the best title for the passage?

   1. A.
      Britain
   2. B.
      Invitation
   3. C.
      A Talk with Friends
   4. D.
      A Letter to Friends