Honesty, my mum always used to tell me, is the best policy. Of course, this didn't include her when she
told me that if I didn't eat all my vegetables Father Christmas would find out and wouldn't give me any presents.
     But when it comes to medicine, I had assumed it was important to always be honest with my patients.
After all, the doctor patient-relationship is based on trust, and therefore honesty is essential. Or so I thought.
     I had just started working in geriatrics (老年病科). Mr. McMahon was brought in when his belly was
found very swollen. I took a medical history from his daughter who'd accompanied him in the ambulance.
She'd been his main career for years. I stood looking at him as she gave a detailed history." Has he lost any
weight recently?" I asked, "Well, it's funny you should mention that, but yes," she said slowly. There was
silence for a few moments. "Why? What are you worried about?" she asked. I hesitated. She was obviously
very involved in his care and it was only fair that I told her the truth. "Well, we need to prove it's not cancer,"
I said and talked briefly about some of the tests I was going to order.
     Half an hour later, a nurse called me:"Mr. McMahon's daughter broke down-she said you told her he had
cancer." My heart sank. By the time I arrived at the ward, my consultant was already there, explaining that
we still had to run lots of tests and that it was by no means confirmed that he had cancer. I stood silently at
the end of the bed. My consultant was obviously angry with me and as we left Mr. McMahon, she turned to
me. "Why on earth did you do that?" she asked in disbelief. I looked at her and bit my lip. "She asked me what
I was worried about and I told her." I said, hanging my head. "And give her more to worry about?" replied my
consultant. "You don't say the word 'cancer' until it's confirmed. Even if you suspect it, think very carefully
before you tell people."
     As it turned out, it wasn't cancer. But I did learn that when someone is stressed and worried about their
loved one they're sometimes selective in what they hear-and as a doctor it's important to be mindful of this.
In being truthful, I'd made the situation worse.

1. The purpose of the first two paragraphs is to show that the author _____.

A. misunderstood the doctor-patient relationship
B. was anxious to receive Christmas gifts
C. regarded honesty as the best policy
D. had an unhealthy eating habit

2. The author's consultant was angry with him because _____.

A. he told the daughter what he suspected
B. he delayed running the necessary tests
C. he failed to confirm the parent's disease
D. he forgot what the consultant had advised

3. The author hung his head (the underlined part in Para.4) because he was feeling _____.

A. guilty
B. hurt
C. disappointed
D. helpless

4. What lesson has the author learnt from his experience?

A. Learning from parents is necessary.
B. Jumping to a conclusion is dangerous.
C. Telling the truth may not always be the best solution.
D. Selecting pleasant words may not be the perfect policy.

     Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?" Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want
someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son, mentally and physically disabled,
were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence.
     Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play, not expecting much.
The boy looked around and said, "We're losing by six runs (分) and the game is in the eighth inning (局). I
guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the final inning."
     Shay struggled over to the team's bench and put on a team shirt with a broad smile and his father had a
small tear in his eye and warmth in heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted.
     In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top
of the final inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the field. Even though no hits came his way, he was
obviously joyful just to be in the game and on the field. In the bottom of the final inning, Shay's team scored
again. Now, Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. Would they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win
the game?
     Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was almost impossible. The first pitch (投)
came and Shay missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to throw the ball softly towards Shay. As
the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.
     The pitcher could have easily thrown he ball to the first baseman and Shay would have been out and that
would have been the end of the game.Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the head of the first baseman,
beyond the reach of all teammates. The audience and the players from both teams started screaming, "Shay,
run to first!" Never in his life had Shay ever run that far but made it to first base, wide-eyed and shocked.
Everyone should, "Run to second!" Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second.By the time Shay
rounded towards second base, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team fir
the first time,could have thrown the ball to the second baseman, but he understood the pitcher's intentions and
he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head.
     All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the way Shay." Shay reached third base when one opposing
player ran to help him and shouted, "Shay, run to third." As Shay rounded third, all were on their feet, crying,
"Shay, run home!" Shay ran to home, stepped on the home base and was cheered as the hero who the who
won the game for his team.
     That day, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece true love and humanity into this world. Shay didn't
make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father
so happy and coming home and seeing his mother tearfully hug her little hero of the day!

1. Not expecting much, Shay's father still asked the boy if Shay could play, mainly because the father _____.

A. noticed some of the boys on the field were heisting
B. guessed his presence would affect the boy's decision
C. learned some of the boys on the field knew Shay well
D. understood Shay did need a feeling of being accepted

2. In the bottom of the final inning Shay was given the bat because the boys _____.

A. believed they were sure to win the game
B. would like to help Shay enjoy the game
C. found Shay was so eager to be a winner
D. fell forced to give Shay another chance

3. The smallest boy threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head, probably because that boy _____.

A. was obviously aware of the pitcher's purpose
B. looked forward to winning the game for his team
C. failed to throw the ball to the second baseman
D. saw that Shay already reached second base

4. Which of the following has nothing to do with Shay's becoming the hero for his team?

A. The pitcher did not throw the ball to the first baseman.
B. The audience and the players from both teams cheered for him.
C. The opposing players failed to stop his running to home.
D. One of the opposing players ran to help him.

5. What to you think is the theme of the story?

A. True human nature could be realized in the way we treat each other.
B. Everyone has his own strength even if mentally or physically disabled.
C. Everyone can develop his team spirit in sports and please his parents.
D. The results of the game should not be the only concern of the players.

     "I didn't hear them call my name," explained Shelley Hennig to Active Teens (AT) as she talked about that
exciting moment on national television when she won the honor of Miss Teen USA 2004. "Are you ready?" is
what she heard. Then she said, "I shook my head no, and then they said 'yes' and it was announced again."
     It was four days after that life changing moment for the seventeen-year-old high school student from
Destrehan, Louisiana-she was still on cloud nine.
     "I was so shocked! I never believed that it could actually really happen." Present in the audience (觀眾)
that day were: her mother and father, older brother, her friends, and her dance teacher.
     Understanding why members of her family and her friends would be there, AT asked why her dance teacher
had traveled so far to see her compete (比賽). "She's always been my role model. I've danced with her since
I was six. She's been through so many difficulties and came through them all. I've learned to get over bad life's
experiences and learned how to move on because of her."
     One of those bad life's experiences for Shelley happened three years ago when her brother Brad was killed
in a drunk driving accident. He was 18. She found writing helped her get through the rough days. She said, "I
write a lot about my brother. I write a lot, a lot, a lot..."
     As Miss Louisiana Teen, she traveled around the state speaking to teens (青少年) about the dangers of
drinking and driving. In her role as Miss Teen USA, Sheiley will continue to speak to youth about safe driving,
in addition to many other things to help the youth.
     When AT asked Miss Teen USA if she had any advice for our readers, she said, "Don't let anyone change
you. Hang out with people that make you feel good about yourself. That way, it is easy to be yourself."

1. What do the words "on cloud nine" in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A. frightened
B. troubled
C. very happy
D. very angry