My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister’s bureau（衣橱）and picked out a wonderful skirt. “Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at least 8 or 9 years ago .She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion.” Well, I guess this is the occasion.
He took the skirt from me and put it on the bed. His hands touched the soft material for a moment, then he shut the drawer and turned to me, “Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you’re alive is a special occasion.”
I’m still thinking about his words, and they’ve changed my attitude to life. I’m spending more time with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experience to enjoy, not suffer. I’m trying to recognize these moments now and treasure them.
“Someday” and “one of these days” are being lost from my vocabulary. If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now . I’m not sure what my sister would have done if she had known she wouldn’t have tomorrow.
I think she would have called family members and a few close friends. She might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend her fences for past things. I like to think she would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, her favorite food.
If I knew that my hours were limited, those little things left undone would make me angry. Angry because I put off seeing good friends whom I was going to get in touch with someday. Angry and sorry because I didn’t tell my husband and daughter often enough how much I truly love them.
I’m trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that every day, every minute, and every breath truly, is…a gift from God.
小题1:What’s the best title for the passage?

A．Every day is a gift

B．My poor sister

C．Value friendship every day

D．Every day is an important occasion

小题2:Jan bought the wonderful skirt but didn’t wear it, because(   )

A．She wanted to wear it on special occasions

B．She kept it as a special gift for someone else

C．She saved it until she grew older

D．She wanted to keep it as a sweet memory

小题3:Which of the following is not the writer’s attitude to life?

A．Spending more time staying with family every day.

B．Attending social activities as often as possible

C．Enjoying life and valuing every day.

D．Trying to get along well with friends

Nobody likes home economics (家政学). But restoring the program could help us in the fight against obesity and chronic (慢性的) diseases today.
The home economics movement was founded on the belief that housework and food preparation were important subjects that should be studied scientifically. The first classes occurred in the agricultural and technical colleges that were built in the 1860s. When most departments of universities rejected women, home economics was a back door into higher education.
Indeed, in the early 20th century, home economics was a serious subject When few people understood germ (微生物) theory and almost no one had heard of vitamins, home economics classes offered vital information about washing hands regularly, eating fruits and vegetables and not feeding coffee to babies.
However, today we remember only the fixed ideas about home economics, forgetting the movement’s most important lessons on healthy eating and cooking. Too many Americans simply don’t know how to cook. Our diets, consisting of highly processed foods made cheaply outside the home, have contributed to many serious health problems. In the last decade, many cities and states have tried to tax junk food heavily or to ban the use of food stamps (食品券) to buy soda. Clearly, many people are doubtful about any governmental steps to promote healthy eating. But what if the government put the tools of obesity prevention in the hands of children themselves by teaching them how to cook?
My first experience with home economics happened two decades ago when I was a seventh grader in a North Carolina public school. A year later, my father’s job took our family to Wales, where I attended a large school for a few months. It was the first time I had ever really cooked anything. I remember that it was fun, and with an instructor standing by, it wasn’t hard. Those lessons stuck with me when I first started cooking for my husband and myself after college and they still do. Teaching cooking in public schools can help solve some problems facing Americans today. The history of home economics shows it’s possible.
小题1:Home economics______.

A．is a subject becoming more and more popular with Americans

B．is often used to help fight against obesity and chronic diseases

C．once offered women a. special approach to university education

D．was first taught in the agricultural and technical colleges in the early 1900s

小题2:The third paragraph mainly tells us______ .

A．the importance of regular hand washing

B．the health benefits of fruits and vegetables

C．the contents of home economics classes in the early 20th century

D．the significance of teaching home economics in the early 20th century

小题3: In the opinion of the author, how should we fight against childhood obesity?

A．Children should be taught how to cook.

B．A heavy tax should be put on junk food

C．Healthy eating should be promoted at school

D．Using food stamps to buy soda should be banned

小题4:What does the author imply in the last paragraph?

A．Her family moved frequently in her childhood.

B．Cooking classes have a far-reaching influence on her later life.

C．To receive a better education, she went to a large school in Wales.

D．Teaching cooking is the key to solving Americans’ health problems.

Do you know some people who just have all the luck? They seem to get all the       and you ask yourself: “Why don’t I get    ? Why don’t I get a great education?” But the real reason why most people are successful or lucky is that they’ve learned how to       themselves in a place so they can be lucky. They’ve learned how to, in a way,       their own luck!
I’m not       about dishonest or illegal ways. I’m talking about hard,       work. But successful people work smart. They keep improving and making the most of their abilities. Yet they also learn to      for help in things they themselves are not that good       doing. So we not only must make the most of our own special strengths, we must also learn our       and weaknesses.
A man recently got his lucky big break. Everyone said, “That guy’s so lucky!” But that man created his own luck       by arriving at the office early. He apologized and       when he was wrong. He even shared the credit and reward with others       he had done much of the work. He was never satisfied just to get       and do average work. He always       the extra effort to do his very best.
We have to work hard and do what it      to be on the way to luck and success when it comes.        , weMI miss it because we aren’t ready. You never know when the right opportunity will come your way, and when the right, important person is watching your excellent        and work. That’s when you’ll get your lucky break! But when you put your life in Jesus Christ’s         , the right important person is always         you and all that you do. Then he will      and bless vour life in manv wavs as vou do vour very best to please him in every thina every dav.

小题1:	A．qualifications B．occupations C．breaks D．licenses

小题2:	A．comfortable B．lucky C．happy D．important

小题3:	A．put B．pray C．send D．expect

小题4:	A．control B．invent C．create D．meet

小题5:	A．thinking B．teaching C．talking D．calling

小题6:	A．practical B．honest C．meaningful D．adequate

小题7:	A．trap B．appreciate C．charge D．ask

小题8:	A．at B．with C．through D．from

小题9:	A．pressures B．limits C．strengths D．abilities

小题10:

A．always B．sometimes C．seldom D．never

小题11:

A．admitted B．promised C．realized D．conveyed

小题12:

A．because B．when C．so D．before

小题13:

A．after B．by C．behind D．over

小题14:

A．raised B．explored C．found D．made

小题15:

A．obtain B．affords C．takes D．adapts

小题16:

A．Therefore B．Otherwise C．However D．Anyway

小题17:

A．approach B．administration C．attitude D．action

小题18:

A．hands B．places C．homes D．minds

小题19:

A．catching B．adopting C．affecting D．watching

小题20:

A．decorate B．cheer C．reward D．value

The other day I decided to come home early because it was such a beautiful day. The      were outside playing in my apartment complex (公寓大楼) and the ice cream truck was whistling its tune. As I       slowly to avoid an accident, I noticed a little boy       at the ice cream truck. He didn’t get anything and he walked away with a       look on his face. I asked the ice cream seller what happened and he said the little boy had no      . I had no cash on me so I drove to my building and went upstairs to       some cash. When I found it, the ice cream seller was       waiting but the little boy had      .
I went in the      I thought he might have gone and I saw a       getting out of her vehicle. I asked her if she had a little boy and she said yes. She then told me that she and her son had gone to the grocery store the day before and had       ice cream but she did not have enough money to buy        .
She quickly went into the        to get her son, and when she        several minutes later, I realized that he was not the         little boy I had seen. This boy was a bit older and his sister came out with him. I took them both to the truck and let them         out what they wanted.
I        told the mom it was not the same boy I was talking about. I        myself to the mother properly and         my baby-sitting services free of charge if she ever needed them. 1 couldn't find the original boy        but 1 hope he gets some ice cream soon.

小题1:	A．cats B．kids C．dogs D．students

小题2:	A．walked B．ran C．climbed D．drove

小题3:A knocking        B. shooting     C. lying           D. looking

小题4:	A．puzzled B．curious C．disappointed D．delighted

小题5:	A．excuse B．money C．parents D．friends

小题6:A put away         B. look for     C. borrow       D.  lend

小题7:	A．still B．anxiously C．doubtfully D．nervously

小题8:	A．left B．appeared C．cried D．escaped

小题9:	A．station B．line C．sight D．direction

小题10:

A．woman B．girl C．granny D．conductor

小题11:

A．chosen B．ordered C．wanted D．eaten

小题12:

A．it B．ones C．them D．those

小题13:

A．house B．shop C．truck D．market

小题14:

A．disappeared B．returned C．waited D．stayed

小题15:

A．lost B．strange C．short D．same

小题16:

A．look B．pick C．speak D．make

小题17:

A．never B．seldom C．often D．ever

小题18:

A．explained B．admitted C．devoted D．introduced

小题19:

A．denied B．resigned C．offered D．operated

小题20:

A．somewhere B．everywhere C．anywhere D．nowhere

Dreaming is a natural part of who we are. We explore our dreams and develop personal dreams. We even like to dream BIG!
For the most part our dreams and wishes focus on the end result. We see ourselves in love, married, driving a great car, on vacation, with tons of money, in a great career, etc. Dreaming about the end result is just fantasizing and wishing. Wishing relies on some magical force to make our dreams turn into reality, and we become unhappy as we’re not living(实现) our dreams.
So how can we make our dreams come true? That is a question we all often struggle with. Even though we struggle with the answer, the answer is not that clear. We make our dreams come true with the action we take.
In my opinion, if you dream about being in good health, then change your dream to see yourself working out and eating right day by day. See the beginning of the dream and let the dream build day by day with all the action that gets you to the end dream of you being in good health.
If you want riches, then change the dream. Dream of yourself going to school, developing a career, working hard and taking the steps to arrive at the destination. If you want love, love the process. Love the dating process(过程). Love yourself and the journey to find love.
Make all your dreams include the beginning, middle and end. Then when you are doing the action instead of thinking to yourself, “This is a drag. I don’t like working out,” or if you are having any negative thoughts about doing the work it takes to create your visions(梦幻), realize then that every step of the way you are living your dream. You are living your dream because you made the action and journey part of your dream.
小题1:According to the writer, most of the people____.

A．pay more attention to developing their dreams

B．enjoy the process of their dreams

C．are always ignoring the process of living their dreams

D．probably dream of making much more money easily

小题2:In order to live our dreams, we must____.

A．struggle with dreams day and night.

B．have great wishes and thoughts.

C．have magical forces every night.

D．take action or steps.

小题3: If you want to keep fit,______

A．you’d better dream a sweet dream first.

B．you must love the process of the journey.

C．you would rather begin with your diet and exercise.

D．you should have a good beginning first.

小题4: what can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．It’s important to focus on your final result.

B．Good mind and action can help you live your dream.

C．Think to yourself while living your dream.

D．Creating your visions comes first.

Don’t talk to me; I’m busy with my iPhone
Riding a London subway, a person from China will notice one major difference: in London, people do not look at each other. In fact, eye contact is avoided at all times. That’s not rudeness—people are just too busy to bother looking.
Busy doing what, you ask? Well, they’re certainly not using the time for a moment of quiet reflection, nor are they reading a book. New technology has replaced quiet habits. Today the only acceptable form of book on the London underground is an e-book.
Apple must earn a fortune from London commuters（乘车上下班的人）. Since the launch of the iPhone in 2007, over 40,000—yes, that’s 40,000—“apps” （programs downloaded for the iPhone） have been designed.
Commuters love them because they are the perfect time-fillers. One “app”, called iShoot, is a game that features tanks. Another one, Tube Exits, tells passengers where to sit on the train to be closest to the exit of their destination. ISteam clouds the iPhone screen when you breathe into the microphone. You can then write in the “ steam” on your phone screen.
For those without an iPhone, another Apple product, the iPod, may be another choice. It’s not just teenagers who “plug in” to their music—iPods are a popular way to pass the time for all ages.
And if games, e-books and music aren’t enough to keep you occupied， then perhaps you would prefer a film. The development of palm DVD technology means many commuters watch their favorite TV show or film on the way to work. With all this entertainments, it’s amazing that people still remember to get off the train.
小题1:People in London do not make eye contact on the subway because they are busy ________.

A．playing games, reading e-books, listening to music or watching films.

B．going to work

C．reading books

D．thinking private things

小题2:Those who like war games can download ________ to their iPhones.

A．Tube Exits

B．iShoot

C．ISteam

D．iPod

小题3:The underlined word “occupied” in the last paragraph probably means ________.

A．delighted

B．busy

C．controlled

D．amused

小题4:The article tells us that ________.

A．London commuters are unfriendly to strangers

B．Apple has earned a lo of money from selling 40,000 iPhones

C．with all the new time-fillers, London commuters often forget to get off the train.

D．technology is changing the way London commuters spend their traveling time.

A little stream flowed down from a high mountain far, far away through many villages and forests, until it reached a desert. The stream then thought, “I’ve been through countless obstacles. I should have no problem crossing this desert!” But when she decided to start her journey, she found herself gradually disappearing into the mud and sand. After numerous tries, she found it was all in vain and was very upset. “Maybe it’s my destiny(命运) ! I’m not destined to reach the vast ocean in the legend, ” she murmured sadly to herself.
At this time, a deep voice came, saying, “If a breeze can cross the desert, so can a river.”
It was the voice of the desert. Unconvinced, the little stream replied, “That’s because a breeze can fly, but I can’t.”
“That’s because you stick to what you are. If you’re willing to give it up, and let yourself evaporate （蒸发） into the breeze, it can take you across, and you can reach your destination,” said the desert in its deep voice.
The little stream had never heard of such a thing. “Give up what I am now and disappear into the breeze? No! No!” She could not accept this idea. After all, she had never experienced anything like it before. Wouldn’t it be self-destruction to give up what she was now?
“How do I know if this is true?” asked the little stream.
“The breeze can carry the vapor across the desert and release it as rain at an appropriate site. The rain will form a river again to continue its course,” answered the desert very patiently.
“Will I still be what I am now?” asked the little stream.
“Yes, and no. Whether you’re a river or invisible vapor, your inner nature never changes. You stick to the fact that you’re a river because you don’t know your inner nature,” answered the desert.
Deep down, the stream vaguely remembered that before she became a river, it was perhaps also the breeze that carried her halfway up a high mountain, where she turned into rain and fell onto the ground and became what she was now. Finally the little stream gathered her courage and rushed into the open arms of the breeze, which carried her to the next stage of her life.
Perhaps you can try asking yourself these questions: What is my inner nature? What is it that I cling （紧抓） to? And what is it that I really want?
小题1:When reaching the desert at first, the little stream was ________ to cross it.

A．upset

B．confident

C．pessimistic

D．hesitant

小题2:The desert suggests that the stream ________ in order to cross the desert.

A．change its form	B．disappear into the desert
C．stick to what it is	D．turn to another stream for help

小题3:Finally the stream successfully crossed the desert with the help of ________.

A．the rain

B．the desert

C．the breeze

D．the mountain

小题4:In the text the writer compares the stream to ________.

A．the Truth

B．the courage

C．the course of life

D．the obstacles in life

Around twenty years ago I was living in York. ___ I had a lot of experience and a Master’s degree, I could not find ____ work.
I was ____ a school bus to make ends meet（使收支相抵）and ____ with a friend of mine, for I had lost my flat. I had ____ five interviews with a company and one day between bus runs they called to say I did not ___ the job. “Why has my life become so ____?” I thought painfully.
As I pulled the bus over to ___ a little girl, she handed me an earring ____ I should keep it ___ somebody claimed it. The earring was painted black and said “BE HAPPY”.
At first I got angry. Then it ____ me -- I had been giving all of my ____ to what was going wrong with my ____ rather than what was right! I decided then and there to make a ____ of fifty things I was happy with. Later, I decided to ____ more things to the list. That night there was a phone call for ____ from a lady who was a director at a larger ____. She asked me if I would ___ a one-day lecture on stress (压力) management to 200 medical workers. I said yes.
My ____ there went very well, and before long I got a well-paid job. To this day I know that it was because I changed my way of ____ that I completely changed my life.

小题1:	A．As B．Though C．If D．When

小题2:	A．successful B．extra C．satisfying D．convenient

小题3:	A．driving B．repairing C．taking D．designing

小题4:	A．working B．travelling C．discussing D．living

小题5:	A．prepared for B．attended C．asked for D．held

小题6:	A．lose B．like C．find D．get

小题7:	A．hard B．busy C．serious D．short

小题8:	A．wave at B．drop off C．call on D．look for

小题9:	A．ordering B．promising C．saying D．showing

小题10:

A．in case B．or else C．as if D．now that

小题11:

A．hurt B．hit C．caught D．moved

小题12:

A．feelings B．attention C．strength D．interests

小题13:

A．opinions B．education C．experiences D．life

小题14:

A．list B．book C．check D．copy

小题15:

A．connect B．turn C．keep D．add

小题16:

A．her B．a passenger C．me D．my friend

小题17:

A．hospital B．factory C．restaurant D．hotel

小题18:

A．listen to B．review C．give D．talk about

小题19:

A．plan B．choice C．day D．tour

小题20:

A．operation B．speaking C．employment D．thinking

I was on a plane that was about to take off when my phone rang. I felt something ______ had happened. It was my neighbor saying I needed to get to the ______ at once. She explained that she’d ______ my two boys, George, then five, and Mickey, then four, crying. At first, she had ______ it, but when the crying continued for a long time, she ______ something was wrong. So she came round and discovered my wife, Mary, lying on the ______ floor. She had been emptying the dishwasher ______ a live wire fell and touched her.www. .com
Mary was taken to hospital. When I arrived, doctors were trying to rescue her, but there was no ______. I explained to the boys that Mum had died; I felt it was important to be ______ with them. For a year I was in a suffering ______ of mind. I went through the activities of a father but inside I felt _____. www. .com
Later, I felt I had to honor my love for Mary by not breaking ______. She married me because I was a ______ man and I knew I had to carry on and actively chose to swim rather than ______.
We moved to another city but two years later, I was diagnosed with cancer. The anxiety that had been gone came ______ back—would my boys be left with no parents? ______, the disease was in its early stage and doctors could treat it in time.
______ everything happening to me, I realized merely thinking “why me” doesn’t ______. We have to learn to accept and adapt to the ______it has brought about. It is no use thinking about the past or being worried about the future. Instead, just focus on the ______.

小题1:	A．amazing B．strange C．awful D．exciting

小题2:	A．house B．exit C．entrance D．hospital

小题3:	A．seen B．heard C．recognized D．sensed

小题4:	A．ignored B．hesitated C．imagined D．confused

小题5:	A．wondered B．realized C．expected D．predicted

小题6:	A．bathroom B．bedroom C．toilet D．kitchen

小题7:	A．while B．when C．until D．as

小题8:	A．use B．doubt C．breath D．point

小题9:	A．clear B．familiar C．strict D．pleased

小题10:

A．situation B．condition C．state D．occasion

小题11:

A．curiously B．lonely C．coldly D．lively

小题12:

A．down B．up C．away D．off

小题13:

A．rich B．considerate C．handsome D．strong

小题14:

A．dive B．sink C．fall D．float

小题15:

A．flooding B．returning C．looking D．calling

小题16:

A．Gradually B．Hopefully C．Thankfully D．Eventually

小题17:

A．For B．As C．With D．Through

小题18:

A．matter B．affect C．count D．help

小题19:

A．changes B．experiences C．disabilities D．decisions

小题20:

A．activity B．honor C．present D．life

The world is filled with smart, talented, educated and gifted people．We meet them every day. A few days ago, my car was not running well．I pulled it into a garage and the young mechanic had it fixed in just a few minutes．He knew what was wrong by simply listening to the engine．I was amazed．The sad truth is that great talent is not enough．
I am constantly shocked at how little talented people earn. I heard the other day that less than 5 percent of Americans earn more than $100,000 a year. A business consultant who specializes in the medical trade was telling me how many doctors and dentists struggle financially. It was this business consultant who gave me the phrase, “They are one skill away from great wealth．”
There is an old saying that goes, "Job means 'just over broke（破产）"．And unfortunately, I would say that the saying applies to millions of people．Because schools do not think financial intelligence is intelligence, most workers "live within their means"．They work and they pay the bills．Instead I recommend to young people to seek work for what they will learn, more than what they will earn．
When I ask the classes I teach, “How many of you can cook a better hamburger than McDonald's?” almost all the students raise their hands. I then ask, “So if most of you can cook a better hamburger, how come McDonald's makes more money than you?” The answer is obvious: McDonald's is excellent at business systems. The world is filled with talented poor people. They focus on perfecting their skills at building a better hamburger rather than the skills of selling and delivering the hamburger.
小题1:The author mentions the mechanic in the first paragraph to show that      ．

A．he is just one of the talented people

B．he is ready to help others

C．he has a sharp sense of hearing

D．he knows little about car repairing

小题2:The underlined part in the third paragraph can be best replaced by____   ．

A．spend more than they can afford

B．1ive within what they earn

C．1ive in their own circle

D．do in their own way

小题3:Why do talented people earn so little according to the author?

A．They don’t work hard enough．

B．They have no specialized skills．

C．They don't make full use of their talents．

D．They lack financial intelligence．

小题4:The main purpose of the author is to tell us____      ．

A．how young people can find a satisfactory job

B．What schools should teach about finance

C．why so many talented people are poor

D．how McDonald's makes much money