When you do some minor image editing (修正) on your computer screen, you may make some mistakes, so from time to time you’d click undo (撤消).
There are things in life we cannot undo as easily and completely as we would with our computer files. A wrong turn, a hurtful word said to a loved one, a bad move — these we all commit as we walk our life’s journeys, no matter how careful we are in our steps. Once committed, we can no longer undo many of these mistakes, especially because unlike with our computer documents, each thing we do and say has vast impact as they involve not just us — the file that we are working on — but also others, the unopened files and computer programs in our system.
So I guess our life’s mistakes are not like our pencil scrawls (潦草書寫) that can be effectively corrected with an eraser, or errors on our computer works that can be undone with an undo button. But there are effective and reliable tools we can use—APOLOGY and FORGIVENESS. Simply click the APOLOGY button when you have committed a mistake that has hurt a loved one and the words “I’m Sorry” will flash on the other person’s screen. But, you have to be truly sorry and you must be prepared not to commit the same mistake again for your APOLOGY to work. Sincerity is definitely a necessary part.
When someone clicks the APOLOGY button and the words “I’m sorry” flash on your screen, all you have to do is click back the FORGIVENESS (原諒) button. It means that you have wholeheartedly accepted the other person’s APOLOGY. But not only that. You also have to click it when someone has sent you back the message “It’s okay. Forget about it.”. It means that you are also forgiving yourself for your mistake; that you won’t keep feeling so bad having committed it.
And lastly, don’t forget to keep clicking the SAVE button. Going through the whole process of editing—of doing and undoing, of apologizing and forgiving — is useless if you fail to save the LESSON for future use. Let the saved file be a reminder of the healing process you once went through to make yourself better; for you not to forget the lesson; and for others to access and learn from.
【小題1】Which of the following is TRUE?

A．However careful we are, we still make mistakes in life.

B．Things we do and say can affect computer programs in our system.

C．We can undo life’s mistakes if we are careful enough.

D．An eraser is an effective tool for our computer works.

【小題2】 The APOLOGY button should be clicked when ________.

A．one wants to make the computer work perfectly

B．one’s mistakes won’t influence others any more

C．one is actually saying “I’m sorry”

D．one won’t make the same mistake again

【小題3】What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 4 refer to?

A．The UNDO button.	B．The APOLOGY button.
C．The SAVE button.	D．The FORGIVENESS button.

【小題4】We need to click the SAVE button in life because ________.

A．we want to go through the whole process of editing

B．we need to learn a lesson from the past mistakes

C．we want to make the healing process faster

D．we need to use the computer properly

A sunflower is a sunflower. A mobile phone is a mobile phone. But can you combine the two to do something for your local environment? As early as next year it may well be possible. When you have finished with your mobile phone you will be able to bury it in the garden or a plant pot and wait for it to flower.
A biodegradable (生物可降解的) mobile phone was, this month, introduced by scientists. It is hoped that the new type of phone will encourage consumers to recycle (再利用). Scientists have come up with a new material over the last five years. It looks like any other plastic, but overtime it can break down into the soil without giving out any poisonous chemicals. British researchers used the new material to develop a phone cover that contains a sunflower seed. When this cover turns into waste, it forms nitrates (硝酸鹽). These feed the seed and help the flower grow. “We’ve only put sunflower seeds into the cover so far. But we are working with plant experts to find out which flowers will perform best. Maybe we could put roses in next time.” said one scientist.
As phone technology is developing so quickly people are constantly throwing their mobiles away. This means producers are under pressure to find ways of recycling them. Some 650 million mobile phones have been sold this year. Most of them will be thrown away within two years, adding plastic, heavy metal and chemical waste to the environment. A biodegradable cover can offer some relief for nature, according to the scientists. “The seed is released and the flower grows in the pot so you don’t have to concern yourself with the phone when you have finished using it,” said Kerry Kirwan, the leader of the research team.
【小題1】After you have finished using the new type of mobile phone, _______.

A．the sunflower seed will come out and flower in the pot

B．the phone cover will break down very soon in the soil

C．it will be recycled by the producers

D．it can charge itself with electricity in a green way

【小題2】This type of research is done because ________.

A．the technology of making phones is changing rapidly

B．too many waste mobile phones may lead to environmental problems

C．nobody has ever thought of recycling mobile phones

D．producing mobile phones uses a lot of energy

【小題3】We can infer from the story ________.

A．the new type of mobile phones is already on the market

B．the new type of mobile phones will sell extremely well

C．the material of the new type of phones is harmful

D．other flowers may be used in the new type of mobile phones

For years I wanted a flower garden. I spent hours and days thinking of different things I could plant that would look nice together.
But then we had Matthew. And Marvin. And the twins, Alisa and Alan. And then Helen. Five children. I was too busy raising them to grow a garden.
Money was tight, as well as time. Often when my children were little, one of them would want something that cost too much, and I’d have to say, “Do you see a money tree outside? Money doesn’t grow on trees, you know.”
Finally, all five children got through high school and college and were off on their own. I started thinking again about having a garden.
I wasn’t sure, though. I mean, gardens do cost money, and after all these years I was used to living on a pretty poor, no-frills budget (預(yù)算).
Then, one spring morning, on Mother’s day, I was working in my kitchen. Suddenly, I realized that cars were tooting their horns as they drove by. I looked out of the window and there was a new tree, planted right in my yard. I thought it must be a weeping willow, because I saw things blowing around on all its branches. Then I put my glasses on—and I couldn’t believe what I saw. There was a money tree in my yard!
I went outside to look. It was true! There were dollar bills, one hundred of them, tied all over the tree. Think of all the garden flowers I could buy with one hundred dollars! There was also a note attached: “IOU eight hours of digging time. Love, Marvin.”
Marvin kept his promise, too. He dug up a nice ten-by-fifteen foot bed for me. And my other children bought me tools, a trellis (繃架), a sunflower stepping stone and gardening books.
That was three years ago. My garden’s now very pretty, just like what I wanted. When I go out to weed or tend my flowers, I don’t seem to miss my children as much as I once did. It feels like they are right there with me.
I live up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where winters are long and cold, and summers are too short. But every year now, when winter sets in, I look out of my window and think of the flowers I’ll see next spring in my little garden. I think about what my children did for me, and I get tears in my eyes---every time.
I’m still not sure that money grows on trees. But I know love does.
【小題1】By saying “Do you see a money tree outside?”, the mother actually means _____.

A．Observation is the best teacher	B．Seeing is believing
C．The outsider sees the most of the game	D．It is not easy to gain money

【小題2】The underlined word “no-frills” in the fifth paragraph is similar in meaning to _____.

A．wasteful

B．tight

C．deserted

D．helpful

【小題3】From the last two paragraphs we can infer that the mother is _____.

A．divorced when she was young	B．not caring for her kids any longer
C．a(chǎn)lone but not at all lonely	D．prouder with her garden than with her kids

【小題4】The best title for the passage would probably be _____.

A．My flower garden	B．Marvin helps to realize my dream
C．Love in Michigan	D．Money grows on trees

When a storm is coming, most people leave the area as quickly as possible and head for safety…But there are a few people who will get into their cars and go straight for the center of the storm．These people are willing to risk being killed by floods or 100-Kilometer- an-hour winds for the excitement of watching the storm close up．
　 “Storm chasing (追逐)”is becoming an increasingly popular hobby，especially in the Midwest of the United States, where there are frequent storms between March and July．A storm chaser begins the day by checking the Internet for the latest weather reports, and then drives up to l,000 kilometers to where the storm will be and waits for it to develop．
　  Although anyone can do it，storm chasing is extremely dangerous．The power of a big storm  can throw a cow into the air or destroy a whole house in seconds．Storm chasers are also often hurt in accidents caused by driving in a heavy rain．If you are a beginner, it is much safer to join a group for storm - chasing vacations during the storm season．
　  Even then，storm chasing is not all adventure and excitement．“Storm chasing is 95％driving，”says Daniel Lynch，who spends most of his summer storm-chasing．“Sometimes you
Can sit around for hours waiting for something to happen，and all you get is blue sky and a few light showers.”
　  However，for storm chasers，it is all worth it. “When you get close to a storm，it is the most exciting sight you will ever see in your life，”says Jasper Morley．“Every storm is an example of the power of nature．It is the greatest show on Earth．”
【小題1】For storm chasing，the first thing storm chasers do is to　　　 ．

A．head straight for the center of the storm

B．get into the car for safety

C．wait patiently for the storm to develop

D．collect information about a coming storm

【小題2】Beginners of storm chasing are advised　　　　
　 

A．not to drive in a heavy rain

B．to do it in an organized way

C．not to get too close to a storm

D．to spend more time on it in summer

【小題3】By saying “it is all worth it” in the last paragraph，the author means that　　　

A．storm chasing costs a lot of money

B．storm chasing is worth hours of waiting

C．storm chasing is worth hours of waiting

D．a(chǎn) storm presents the greatest show on Earth

【小題4】What can we learn from the text?

A．Sometimes storm chasers get nothing but disappointment．

B．Many storm chasers get killed in the storms．

C．Storm chasing is becoming popular around the world．

D．Storm chasing is only fit for young people

Father Maurice Chase used a special way to celebrate his 90^th birthday. The Catholic priest（神父） took $ 15,000 in cash to Los Angeles’ Skid Row (貧民區(qū)) and gave it away. Twenty wheelchair – bound people received $100 bills, while the rest received $1to $ 3 each.
“I come out here to tell them that God loves them and I love them and that some one is concerned about them,” Chase said.
Chase has given away cash and blessings every Sunday at the same corner for 24 years．Several hundred people wait for him every week.
He makes a point of coming on Thanksgiving and Christmas, too, but this is the first year he spent his birthday in the downtown neighborhood where people live mainly in shelters and on dirty sidewalks.
“ It’s the place that makes me the happiest. I just love it,” said Chase. “I look forward to coming here.”
The money comes from donations he receives from rich and famous people he met during his work as assistant to the president of Loyola Marymount University.
The crowd broke into choruses of “Happy Birthday” several times. Some people presented him birthday cards, to his delight.
Travis Kemp, a 51 – year – old disabled man with long black hair, was one of the lucky 20 to receive $ 100. He said he had no special plans for spending the money. “He has a lot of respect from me,” Kemp said. “I know I couldn’t do it.”
【小題1】On his 90^th birthday, Chase      .

A．handed out cash to the needy	B．collected money for poor people
C．visited poor people’s homes with gifts	D．held a party at Los Angeles’ Skid Row

【小題2】Which of the following makes Chase feel the happiest?

A．Celebrating his birthday with his neighbours.

B．Working in Loyola Marymount University.

C．Celebrating Christmas with the people he has helped.

D．Going to Los Angeles’ Skid Row to help people there.

【小題3】What’s the source of the money Chase used to help people?

A．All his savings.

B．His earnings as a Catholic priest.

C．Donations from the wealthy and celebrities(名人).

D．Donations from Loyola Marymount University.

【小題4】Travis Kemp is mentioned in the text to show________.

A．he was the luckiest person on that day

B．the disabled need to be taken care of

C．Chase is greatly appreciated by the needy

D．even old people came to celebrate Chase’s birthday

【小題5】Which statement is CORRECT according to the passage?

A．Every recipient could get $100 in cash from Father Maurice Chase.

B．Father Maurice Chase gave the cash away not only on his birthday but also on other occasions.

C．Although Father Maurice Chase gave the cash away on his birthday, he didn’t receive anything in return.

D．Father Maurice Chase earned much money as assistant to the president of Loyola Marymount University.

It’s really true what people say about English politeness: it’s everywhere. When squeezing past someone in a narrow aisle, people say “sorry”. When getting off a bus, English passengers say “thank you” rather than the driver. In Germany, people would never dream of doing these things. After all, squeezing past others is sometimes unavoidable, and the bus driver is only doing his job. I used to think the same way, without questioning it, until I started traveling to the British Isles and came to appreciate some more polite ways of interacting (交往) with people.
People thank each other everywhere in England, all the time. When people buy something in a shop, customers and retail assistants in most cases thank each other twice or more. In Germany, it would be exceptional to hear more than one “thank you” in such a conversation. British students thank their lecturers when leaving the room. English employers thank their employees for doing their jobs, as opposite to Germans, who would normally think that paying their workers money is already enough.
Another thing I observed during my stay was that English people rarely criticize others. Even when I was working and mistakes were pointed out to me, my employers emphasized (強(qiáng)調(diào)) several times that none of their words were intended as criticism. It has been my impression that by avoiding criticism, English people are making an effort to make others feel comfortable. This is also shown in other ways. British men still open doors for women, and British men are more likely to treat women to a meal than German men. However, I do need to point out here that this applies to English men a bit more than it would to Scottish men! Yes, the latter (后者) are a bit tightfisted.
【小題1】What is the author’s attitude towards English politeness?

A．He appreciatesit.	B．He gives no personal opinion.
C．He thinks it is unnecessary.	D．He thinks it goes too far.

【小題2】 What can we learn about customers and retail assistants in Germany?

A．A customer never says thank you to a retail assistant.

B．They may say thank you only once.

C．It’s always a retail assistant who says thank you.

D．They always say thank you to each other.

【小題3】We can learn from the last paragraph that Scottish men __________.

A．a(chǎn)re not so willing to spend money for women

B．a(chǎn)re more polite than English men

C．treat women in an impolite way

D．a(chǎn)re more likely to be involved in a fighting

【小題4】The author develops the text through the method of ____________.

A．giving reasons

B．telling stories

C．giving comments

D．making comparisons

Americans are proud of their variety and individuality，yet they love and respect few things more than a uniform，whether it is the uniform of an elevator operator or the uniform of a five­star general. Why are uniforms so popular in the United States?
Among the arguments for uniforms，one of the first is that in the eyes of most people they look more professional than civilian(百姓的)clothes. People have become conditioned to expect superior quality from a man who wears a uniform. The television repairman who wears a uniform tends to inspire more trust than one who appears in civilian clothes. Faith in the skill of a garage mechanic(技工) is increased by a uniform. What easier way is there for a nurse，a policeman，a barber，or a waiter to lose professional identity（身份）than to step out of uniform?
Uniforms also have many practical benefits. They save on other clothes. They save on laundry(洗衣店）bills. They are tax­deductible(可減稅的)．They are often more comfortable and more durable than civilian clothes.
Primary(主要的) among the arguments against uniforms is their lack of variety and the consequent loss of individuality experienced by people who must wear them. Though there are many types of uniforms，the wearer of any particular type is generally stuck with it，without change，until retirement. When people look alike，they tend to think，speak，and act similarly，on the job at least.
Uniforms also give rise to some practical problems. Though they are long­lasting，often their initial(最初的)expense is greater than the cost of civilian clothes. Some uniforms are also expensive to maintain（維持，維護(hù)），requiring professional dry cleaning rather than the home laundering(洗滌) possible with many types of civilian clothes.
【小題1】It is surprising that Americans who worship variety and individuality______.

A．still judge a man by his clothes

B．hold the uniform in such high regard

C．enjoy having a professional identity

D．will respect an elevator operator as much as a general in uniform

【小題2】People are accustomed to think that a man in uniform ____.

A．suggests quality work	B．discards(丟棄)his social identity
C．a(chǎn)ppears to be more practical	D．looks superior to a person in civilian clothes

【小題3】The chief function of a uniform is to ____.

A．provide practical benefits to the wearer	B．make the wearer catch the public eye
C．inspire the wearer ' s confidence in himself	D．provide the wearer with a professional identity

【小題4】According to the passage, people wearing uniforms ____.

A．a(chǎn)re usually helpful	B．have little or no individual freedom
C．tend to lose their individuality	D．enjoy greater popularity

【小題5】The best title for this passage would be ____.

A．Uniforms and Society	B．The Importance of Wearing a Uniform
C．Practical Benefits of Wearing a Uniform	D．Advantages and Disadvantages of Uniforms

Where we live, on the eastern shore of Maryland, the gentle waters run in and out like fingers slimming at the tips.
The Canada geese know this place, as do the white swans and ducks. In the autumn, they come home for the winter. Once or twice each year, snow and frozen rain move into the area. When this happens, if the river is at its narrowest, there is a freeze which hardens the water to the ice.
One morning, a friend of mine set the breakfast table beside the huge window, which overlooked the Tred Avon River. Suddenly she leaned forward and cried out, “There is a goose out
there.”
We saw the figure of a large Canada goose, very iii, its wings folded tight to its sides, its feet frozen to the ice.
Then from the dark sky, she saw a line of swans. They floated from the top of the sky downward and at last landed on the ice. My friend was on her feet now, with one unbelieving hand against her mouth. As the swans surrounded the frozen goose, she feared what life it still had might be pecked（啄）out by those great swan beaks.
Instead, those beaks began to work on the ice. The long necks were lifted and curved down, again and again. It went on for a long time. At last, the goose’s head lifted. Its body pulled. Then the goose was free and standing on the ice. And the swans stood in the air watching. Then, as if it had cried, “I cannot fly,” four of the swans came down around it. Their powerful beaks chipped off the ice and held in the feathers. Slowly, the goose spread its wings as far as they could go, and moved slowly into the sky.
This is a true story. I just think of it in the bad moments, and from it comes only one hopeful question:“ If so for birds, why not for man?”
【小題1】What happened to the Canada goose?

A．It was deserted by other geese.	B．It was stuck in the ice.
C．It was wounded and couldn’t fly.	D．It was lost in the water.

【小題2】 At first the author’s friend was worried that ________.

A．the swans would not help the Canada goose

B．the swans would have the same fate with the Canada goose

C．the Canada goose wouldn’t identify with the swans

D．the swans would peck the Canada goose to death

【小題3】What did the swans do when they saw the Canada goose couldn’t fly?

A．They chipped off the ice held in its feathers.

B．They waited patiently for the ice held in its feathers to melt.

C．They came down and lifted it up to the sky together.

D．They stayed with it and protected it.

【小題4】What would probably happen to the author’s friend in the end?

A．She stood there, watching attentively, still feeling a bit worried.

B．She was on her feet, laughing at the swans and the Canada goose.

C．She was embarrassed and went on with her breakfast silently.

D．She stood there quietly, not realizing tears had come down her cheeks.

When I was a child, I often dreamed of the time when I could leave home and escape to the city. We lived on a farmstead, in the winter especially, we wear quite out off from the outside world. As soon as I left school, I packed my bags and moved to the capital. However, I soon discovered that city life has its problems too.
One big disadvantage is money. It costs so much to go out, not to mention basics like food and housing. Another disadvantage is pollution. I suffer from asthma（哮喘）, and at times the air is so dirty that I am afraid to go outside. Then there is the problem of traveling round. Although I have a car, I seldom use it because of the traffic jams. One choice is to go by bicycle, but that can be quite dangerous.
Of course there are advantages. First, there is so much to do in the city, whatever your tastes in culture or entertainment. Besides, there are wonderful jobs and greater chances of moving to a more important job or position. Finally, if you like shopping, the variety of goods is very surprising - and, what is more, shops are often only a short walk away.
Is life better then, in the city? Perhaps it is, when you are in your teens or twenties. However, as you get older, and especially if you have small children, the peace of the countryside may seem preferable. I certainly hope to move back there soon.
【小題1】What was the writer always thinking about when he was a child?

A．Staying on the farm.	B．Moving to the countryside.
C．Leaving home for the city.	D．Running away from the school.

【小題2】Which of the following is true about the writer?

A．He is very old now.	B．He is in good health.
C．He prefers driving a car.	D．He lives in the city now.

【小題3】In the passage, the writer tries to _________.

A．express his opinions about way of life

B．describe his life in the countryside

C．show an interest in the outside world

D．persuade the reader to live in the city

【小題4】How is the passage mainly developed?

A．By inferring.	B．By comparing.
C．By listing examples.	D．By giving explanations.

What time is it？Most people are pretty accurate in their answer. And if you don’t know for sure, it’s very likely that you can find out. There may be a watch on your wrist; there may be a clock on the wall, desk, or computer screen; or maybe you’re riding in a car that has a clock in the dashboard .
Even if you don’t have a timepiece of some sort nearby, your body keeps its own beat. Humans have an internal clock that regulates (調(diào)節(jié)) the beating of our heart, the peace of our breathing, the discharge (排出) of chemicals within our bloodstream, and many other bodily functions.
Time is something from which we can’t escape. Even if we ignore it, it’s still going by, ticking away, second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour. So the main issue in using your time well is, “who’s in charge？” We can allow time to slip by and let it be our enemy. Or we can take control of it and make it our ally.
By taking control of how you spend your time, you’ll increase your chances of becoming a more successful student. Perhaps more importantly, the better you are at managing the time you devote to your studies, the more time you will have to spend on your outside interests.
The aim of time management is not to schedule every moment so we become slaves of a timetable that governs every waking moment of the day. Instead, the aim is to permit us to make informed choices as to how we use our time. Rather than letting the day go by, largely without our awareness, what we are going to discuss next can make us better able to control time for our own purposes.
【小題1】The underlined word “ally” in Para.3 most likely means somebody or something that is____________.

A．your slave and serves you	B．your supporter an helps you
C．under your control and obeys you	D．under your influence and follows you

【小題2】The author intends to tell us that time __________.

A．could be regulated by a timepiece such as a clock or a watch

B．could be managed by the internal clock by human bodies

C．should be well managed for our own interest

D．should be saved for outside interests

【小題3】In the next part, the author would most probably discuss with you ________.

A．how to keep up with the times	B．how to make up for lost time
C．how to have a good time	D．how to make good use of time