As you grow rapidly through your teenage years, you will experience a lot lf changes．The changes may seem difficult and they may seem to happen quickly. Don’t panic! You will deal successfully with them! You are a young adult now!
With more responsibility, you will find more freedom to make your own choices. This is a time to be well informed about own choices. This is a time to be well informed about your choices so that you can make healthy balanced decisions that will help shape your future. You may already know your career path or you may have no idea at all what you want to do. Both situations are fine! Work hard and the right opportunity will present itself to you.
Young adulthood means greater freedom and more choices. You will probably want to be independent. But try not to shut your family out of your life. You should learn to think of others even though you are old enough to look after yourself. Your family have been with you since you came into this world.
It is also perfectly natural in this time for you to spend more time with your friends than your family. Choose your friends wisely. A true friend will stand by you no matter what happens.
This period is a part of the life cycle. There are some people who will be with you throughout life’s journey and there will be some people with whom you part and go separate ways. Leaving school can be hard. The reality is that you may not ever see all of your classmates again.
You are a young adult. It is your life. No one can live it for you. The choices that you make from now on will be your choices. So making the right choices will be important to you. Life is for living. Enjoy your life wisely!
【小題1】The best title for this passage would be       ．

A．The Choices in Life	B．The Key to Success
C．Say Goodbye to the Past	D．Becoming a Young Adult

【小題2】Who do the underlined words “ some people”(Paragraph 5)probably refer to?

A．your parents

B．your classmates

C．true friends

D．your relatives

【小題3】The author thinks teenage years are      ．

A．a(chǎn) period of complete freedom

B．too hard for young people to get through

C．a(chǎn)n important time for the young to make the right choices

D．a(chǎn) very important period for young students to leave their parents

【小題4】Who is the passage mainly written for?

A．Teenagers．

B．Teachers．

C．Young parents．

D．Adults．

One day while shopping in a small town in southern California，it was my misfortune to be approached by a clerk whose personality conflicted with mine. He seemed most unfriendly and not at all concerned about my intended purchase. I bought nothing，and marched angrily out of the store. My hostility（敵意） toward that clerk increased with each step.
On the outside，standing by the road，was a dark­skinned young man in his early twenties. His expressive brown eyes met and held mine，and in the next instant a beautiful, dazzling smile covered his face. I gave way immediately. The magnetic（磁力的） power of that smile dissolved all bitterness within me，and I found the muscles in my own face happily responding（回應(yīng)）.
“Beautiful day，isn't it？”I remarked，in passing. Then，I turned back.“I really owe you a debt of gratitude，”I said softly.
His smile deepened, but he made no attempt to answer．A Mexican woman and two men were standing nearby．The woman stepped forward and volunteered, "Sir, but he doesn't speak English．Do you want me to tell him something?" In that moment I felt transformed（改變）．The young man's smile had made a big person of me．My friendliness and good will toward all mankind stood ten feet tall．
"Thank you?" The woman seemed slightly puzzled．
I gave her arm a friendly pat as I turned to leave．"Just tell him that," I insisted．"He'll understand．I am sure !"
Oh, what a smile can do! Although I have never seen that young man again, I shall never forget the lesson he taught me that morning．From that day on, I became smile-conscious, and I practice the art anywhere and everywhere, with everybody．
【小題1】Why did the author leave the store angrily?

A．The clerk treated him unkindly．	B．He couldn't buy what he wanted．
C．The clerk didn't speak English．	D．The store's goods were too dear．

【小題2】By saying "I felt the muscles（肌肉） in my own face happily responding" （in Paragraph 2）, the author means __.

A．he was still angry	B．he did not want to smile
C．he would thank the young man	D．he smiled back at the young man

【小題3】The author asked the woman to say "Thank you!" to the young man because the young man_____.

A．had helped the author before	B．taught the author how to smile
C．was a kind employee of the store	D．taught the author a valuable lesson

【小題4】In the passage, the author seems to suggest that we should __   ___.

A．be generous to strangers	B．practice smiling every day
C．smile at other people	D．help people in trouble

The teacher was leaving the village, and everybody seemed sorry.  The miller at Cresscombe lent him the small cart and horse to carry his goods to Christminster, the city of his destination, such a vehicle proving of quite enough size for the teacher’s belongings.  For his only article, in addition to the packing-case of books, was a piano that he had bought when he thought of learning instrumental music.  But the eagerness having faded, he had never acquired any skill in playing, and the purchased article had been a permanent trouble to him.
The headmaster had gone away for the day, being a man who disliked the sight of changes.  He did not mean to return till the evening, when the new teacher would have arrived, and everything would be smooth again.
The blacksmith, the farm bailiff and the teacher were standing in confused attitudes in the sitting room before the instrument.  The teacher had remarked that even if he got it into the cart he should not know what to do with it on his arrival at Christminster, since he was only going into a temporary place just at first.
A little boy of eleven, who had been assisting in the packing, joined the group of men, and said, “Aunt has got a fuel-house, and it could be put there, perhaps, till you’ve found a place to settle in, sir.”
“Good idea,” said the blacksmith.
The smith and the bailiff started to see about the possibility of the suggested shelter, and the boy and the teacher were left standing alone.
“Sorry I am going, Jude.” said the latter gently.
Tears rose into the boy’s eyes.  He admitted that he was sorry.
“So am I,” said Mr. Phillotson.
“Why do you go, sir?” asked the boy.
“Well ----- don’t speak of this everywhere.  You know what a university is, and a university degree?  It is the necessary hallmark of a man who wants to do anything in teaching.  My scheme, or dream, is to be a university graduate.  By going to live at Christminster, I shall be at headquarters, so to speak, and if my scheme is practicable at all, I consider that being on the spot will afford me a better chance.”
The smith and his companion returned.  Old Miss Fawley’s fuel-house was practicable; and she seemed willing to give the instrument standing-room there.  So it was left in the school till the evening, when more hands would be available for removing it; and the teacher gave a final glance round.
At nine o’clock Mr. Phillotson mounted beside his box of books, and waved his friends good-bye.
【小題1】It can be inferred that the teacher _______.

A．was not getting on well with the headmaster

B．had lived a rather simple life in the village

C．was likely to continue to practice playing the piano

D．would get a rise in the city on arriving there

【小題2】The motivation of the teacher’s moving lay in his _________.

A．a(chǎn)mbition

B．devotion

C．a(chǎn)dmiration

D．inspiration

【小題3】The boy named Jude may be described as _________.

A．polite, generous and cheerful	B．a(chǎn)ctive, modest and friendly
C．kind, bright and helpful	D．calm, confident and humorous

【小題4】From the passage, we could get a general idea of the teacher’s ______.

A．love for music and his dislike for musical instruments

B．hard work in the village and his strong interest in city life

C．friendship with some villagers and also conflicts with others

D．eagerness to go to the city and his love for the village

【小題5】Which person does the underlined “his companion” refer to?

A．Mr. Phillotson

B．Miss Fawley

C．The bailiff

D．The headmaster

At a meeting, a well-known speaker lifted up a bill of 20 dollars before starting his speech.
Facing 200 people, he asked, “Who wants this 20-dollar bill?” A great many hands were put up. Then he continued to say, “I intended to give it to any one of you, but allow me to do a thing before giving it to you.” Suddenly he crumpled （揉）it into a round mass. Then he asked, “Who wants it? ” Still some hands were lifted up.
He asked again, “Well, how could it be if I do it like this?” he threw the bill onto the ground, stepped on it and twisted it. As he picked it up, the bill had become not only dirty but wrinkled.
“Who still wants it?” Still a few people put up their hands.
“My dear friends, you have had a meaningful class. No matter how I treated this bill, you still want it, because it is worth 20 dollars. On your life road, you may be knocked down（擊垮） or even broken into pieces by your determination(決心) or unfavorable（不利的） situations. We may feel ourselves worth nothing, but, my darling, remember that whatever happens in the future, you should never lose your value（價(jià)值） in the God’s heart. You’re particular ---- never forget it.”
【小題1】The underlined word “wrinkled” in the third paragraph probably means ________.

A．broken	B．having small lines or folds in it
C．flat	D．having holes on it

【小題2】The speaker did this test in order to _____________.

A．tell the audience that one should never lose one’s own value

B．tell the audience that God values money most

C．test if some of the audience were extremely interested in money

D．play a trick on the audience

【小題3】What would the speaker probably talk about next?

A．How money can make people crazy.

B．How to avoid being knocked down in one’s life.

C．How to keep one’s value of life.

D．How to give a meaningful class

Last year, around Labor Day, I read a “Happy Ad” in our local newspaper． There was a lady in a local nursing home, who was celebrating her 90th birthday and her family wanted everyone to know about it． It said that if you wanted to drop her a line, here was her address． So I did． I found a birthday card and dropped her a short note, wishing her a happy birthday．
A week or so later, someone knocked at my front door． I opened the door and found a middle-aged man standing on my doorstep． He introduced himself as the son of this woman to whom I had sent the card． He explained that he just wanted to drop by in person and thank me for sending such a nice card to his mom． Apparently, like many older folks, she did not receive much mail and was quite excited to receive mine． I just didn’t know what to say． I told him it was my pleasure and that I hoped his mom had enjoyed her birthday．
That year, I did not send out any Christmas cards, except to this lovely old lady in the nursing home． I just told her that I was thinking about her and hoped that she had a nice holiday． I sent her a Valentine and also a couple of notes in between． I just thought she might like to have someone write to her, to get some mail．
She passed away a couple of months ago． I never met this lady, but I did keep her and her family in my thoughts． I dropped them a line of sympathy． I hope that my few little notes were enough to brighten a couple of her days here on earth．
【小題1】The old lady’s address was given because ____________．

A．her family wanted to make her well-known

B．the old lady wanted to receive a birthday card

C．the son of the old lady wanted to meet the author

D．her family wanted to give her a happy birthday

【小題2】Which of the following best describes the author?

A．Brave．

B．Polite．

C．Caring．

D．Faithful．

【小題3】Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

A．A Kind Act

B．An Old Lady

C．A Happy Ad

D．A Considerate Son

We all remember seeing hitchhikers, standing by the side of the road, thumb, sticking out, waiting for a lift. But it is getting rare nowadays. What killed hitchhiking? Safety is often mentioned as a reason. Movies about murderous hitchhikers and real-life crime have put many drivers off picking up hitchhikers. That no single women picked me up on my journey to Manchester no doubt reflects the safety fear: a large, strangely dressed man is seen as dangerous.
But the reason may be more complex: hitchhiking happens where people don’t have cars and transport services are poor. Plenty of people still hitchhike in Poland and Romania. Perhaps the rising level of car ownership in the UK means the few people lift hitchhiking are usually considered strange. Why can’t they afford cars? Why can’t they take the coach or the train?
Three-quarters of the UK population have access to a car; many of the remainder will be quite old. The potential hitchhiking population is therefore small. Yet my trip proves it’s still possible to hitchhike. The people who picks me up were very interesting-lawyer, retired surgeon, tank commander, carpenter, man who live in an isolated farmhouse and a couple living up in the mountains. My conclusion is that only really interesting people are mad enough to pick up fat blokes in red, spotted scarves. Most just wanted to do someone a good turn; a few said they were so surprised to see a hitchhiker that they couldn’t help stopping.
The future of hitchhiking most likely lies with car-sharing organized over the Internet, via sites such as hitchhikers. org. But for now, you can still stick your thumb out (actually, I didn’t do much of that, preferring just to hold up my destination sign) and people—wonderful, caring, sharing, unafraid people—will stop.
In the UK, with its cheap coaches and reasonable rail service, I don’t think I’ll make a habit of it. But having enjoyed it so much, I’m ready now to do a big trip across Europe and beyond. In the 1970s a female friend of my wife’s hitchhiked to India. How wonderful it would be to have another go, though Afghanistan might be a challenge. I wish I’d got that tank commander’s mobile number.
【小題1】The author tried to hitchhike but was rejected by single women drivers because       .

A．they were not heading towards Manchester

B．they thought most hitchhikers were dangerous

C．hitchhiking had been banned and they didn’t want to break the law

D．he was a strong man in strange clothes who seemed dangerous

【小題2】Which of the following statements is not true according to the passage?

A．Movies have discouraged people from hitchhiking

B．Car ownership levels are lower in Romania than in the UK.

C．25% of UK people don’t have access to cars.

D．Increased car ownership has reduced the need for hitchhiking.

【小題3】The “fat blokes in red, spotted scarves” in Paragraph 3 most likely means    .

A．murderous hitchhikers	B．friendly and talkative hitchhikers
C．typical hitchhikers	D．strange hitchhikers like the author

【小題4】According to the author, future hitchhikers are more likely to             .

A．visit websites and find people to share cars with

B．stand by roads with their thumbs sticking out

C．stick out signs with their destinations written on

D．wait for some kind people to pick them up

【小題5】From the last paragraph, we know that the author         .

A．frequently hitchhikes in Britain

B．plans to hitchhike across Europe

C．thinks public transport is safer for travel

D．is going to contact the tank commander

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. Standing by her chair, looking at the ink bottle, pens,   and white paper, I decided that the act of writing must be the more wonderful thing in the world.
Years later, during her final illness, mother kept different things for my sister  and brother. “But the desk,” she’d said again, “it’s for Elizabeth. ”
I never saw her angry, 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(易動(dòng)感情的)”. But she lived “on the surface(表面)”.
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(原諒) me.
I posted the letter and waited for her answer. None came.
My hope turned to disappointment(失望), 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 it, and I could stop trying to make her into someone she was not.
Now the present of her desk told, 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(折疊) and refolded many times.
Give me an answer, my letter asks, in any way you choose. Mother, you always chose the act that speaks louder than words.
【小題1】The writer began to love her mother’s desk ______.

A．a(chǎn)fter Mother died

B．before she became a writer

C．when she was a child

D．when Mother gave it to her

【小題2】The passage shows that ______.

A．mother was cold on the surface but kind in her heart to her daughter

B．mother was too serious about everything her daughter had done

C．mother cared much about her daughter in words

D．mother wrote to her daughter in careful words

【小題3】The word “gulf” in the passage means ______.

A．deep understanding between the old and the young

B．different ideas between the mother and the daughter

C．free talks between mother and daughter

D．part of the sea going far in land

【小題4】What did mother do with her daughter’s letter asking forgiveness?

A．She had never received the letter.

B．For years, she often talked about the letter.

C．She didn’t forgive her daughter at all in all her life.

D．She read the letter again and again till she died.

【小題5】What’s the best title of the passage?

A．My letter to Mother

B．Mother and Children

C．My mother’s Desk

D．Talks between Mother and Me

When I was growing up, I was embarrassed to be seen with my father. He was badly crippled (跛腳), and when we would walk together, his hand on my arm for balance, people would stare, I would be ashamed of the unwanted attention. If ever noticed or bothered, he never let on.
It was difficult to walk together—and because of that, we didn’t say much as we went along. But as we started out, he always said, “You set the pace. I will try to follow you.”
Our usual walk was to or from the subway, which was how he got to work. He went to work sick, and even in bad weather. He almost never missed a day, and would make it to the office even if others could not. It was a matter of pride for him.
When snow or ice was on the ground, it was impossible for him to walk, even with help... Such times my sister or I would pull him through the streets of Brooklyn, N.Y., on a child’s sleigh to the subway entrance. Once there, he would try to grasp handrail until he reached the lower steps that the warmer tunnel air kept ice free. In Manhattan the subway station was the basement of his office building, and he would not have to go outside again until we met him in Brooklyn on his way home. w.w.w.k.s.5.u.c.o.m
When I think of it now, I am surprised at how much courage it must have taken for a grown man to suffer from shame and disability. And I am also surprised at how he did it—without bitterness or complaint.
He never talked about himself as an object of pity, not did he show any envy of the more fortunate or able. What he looked for in others was a “good heart”, and if he found one, the owner was good enough for him.
Now that I am older, I believe that is a proper standard by which to judge people, even though I still don’t know exactly what a “good heart” is. But I know the times I don’t have one myself.
He has been away for many years now, but I think of him often. I wonder if he sensed my reluctance to be seen with him during our walks. If he did, I am sorry I never told him how sorry I was, how unworthy I was, how I regretted it. I think of him when I complain about my troubles, when I am envious of another’s good fortune, when I don’t have a “good heart”.
【小題1】How did the man treat his father when he was young?

A．He helped his father happily.	B．He never helped his father.
C．He helped his father, but not very happily.	D．He only helped his father take a walk after supper.

【小題2】As a disabled man, his father____.

A．didn’t work very hard	B．didn’t go to work from time to time
C．hated those who had good fortune	D．was happy and satisfied, and never lost hope

【小題3】What does the underlined word “reluctance” mean in the article? It means ____.

A．a(chǎn)nger

B．sadness

C．happiness

D．unwillingness

【小題4】How did the father get to work usually?

A．By subway.

B．By bus.

C．By wheelchair.

D．By bike

When a friend is sad about a tragedy(悲劇)，it’s hard to know how to comfort(安慰) him/ her. But the worst thing you can do is say nothing. It could mean that you don’t care. You don’t have to say much.. A single supportive phrase doesn’t require absolutely perfect words to break the ice. Here are some conversation starters when life difficult situations have your tongue tied.
1. A friend loses his baby.
Don’t say: “Don’t worry. You’re so young. You’ll have another baby.” Do say: “ I’m so sorry. I can’t begin to imagine what you are going through, but if you want to talk about it, call me anytime.”
2. A guy deserts（拋棄）your friend.
Don’t say: “I never liked that rat bastard (壞蛋) anyway!” ( If the couple winds up reconciling (和解)， you could end up losing your friend.) Do say: “Breaking up is always hard to deal with, but I’m here for you, whatever you need.”
3. A friend has a death in the family.
Don’t say: “It’s God’s will.” or “I know exactly how you feel.” Do say: “I’m sorry about your loss. What can I do to help?”
4. A friend loses a job suddenly.
Don’t say: “Work is always boring. Those bosses didn’t suit you!” Do say: “I’m sorry for that, but I know there’s an even better job waiting for you there. Let’s think about possibilities.”
5. Someone’s pet dies.
Don’t say: “Gee! It was only a cat!” or “My roommate doesn’t like her dog and she is getting rid of her dog. Do you want it?” Do say: “I’m sorry, she was such a great cat. How long did you have it?”
【小題1】Which of the following has the same meaning as the underlined part “have your tongue tied”?

A．make your tongue shut	B．tie your tongue in order not to say.
C．have no suitable words to say.	D．say what you want freely.

【小題2】As a whole, what’s the suitable way to comfort your friend troubled with a tragedy?

A．To show your sorrow and offer your help.

B．To try to make the tragedy less serious.

C．To tell your friend not to think about it any more.

D．To do your best to make him/her cheerful again.

【小題3】Though your friend is deserted, you’d better not say dirty words about her/ his friend because _______________________ .

A．they might get along well again and you might be deserted

B．your friend might not like you to say that against her / his friend

C．it may be a sign that you don’t care for your friend

D．your friend might hate you in the future

【小題4】Which of the following might be suitable words when your friend’s dog dies?

A．Don’t worry too much. I’ll give you a good one.

B．I’m sorry to hear that. It was such a good dog.

C．I’ m sorry you lost your dog. But it was at its ripe age.

D．You must be sad about it. That’s enough.

A friend of mine named Paul received an expensive car from his brother as a Christmas present. On Christmas Eve when Paul came out of his office, a street urchin (頑童)was walking around the shining car. "Is this your car, Paul?" he asked.
Paul answered, "Yes, my brother gave it to me for Christmas." The boy was surprised. "You mean your brother gave it to you and it didn't cost you anything. Boy, I wish..."He hesitated (猶豫).
Of course Paul knew what he was going to wish for. He was going to wish he had a brother like that. But what the boy said surprised Paul greatly.
"I wish," the boy went on, "that I could be a brother like that." Paul looked at the boy in surprise, then he said again; "Would you like to take a ride in my car?" "Oh, yes, I'd love that." After a short ride, the boy turned and with his eyes shining, said, "Paul, would you mind driving in front of my house?"
Paul smiled a little. He thought he knew what the boy wanted. He wanted to show his neighbors that he could ride home in a big car. But Paul was wrong again. "Will you stop where those two steps are?" the boy asked.
He ran up to the steps. Then in a short while Paul heard him coming back, but he was not coming fast. He was carrying his little crippled ( 殘疾 ) brother. He sat him down on the step and pointed to the car.
"There he is, Buddy, just like I told you upstairs. His brother gave it to him for Christmas and it didn't cost him a cent. And some day I'm going to give you one just like it. Then you can see for yourself all the nice things in the Christmas window that I've been trying to tell you about."
Paul got out and lifted the boy to the front seat of his car. The shining-eyed older brother climbed in beside him and three of them began an unforgettable holiday ride.
【小題1】The street urchin was very surprised when______________ . 

A．Paul received an expensive car	B．Paul told him about the car
C．he saw the shining car	D．he was walking around the car

【小題2】The urchin asked Paul to stop his car in front of his house______________ .

A．to show his neighbours the big car	B．to show he had a rich friend
C．to let his brother ride in the car	D．to tell his brother about his wish

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

A．Paul couldn't understand the urchin

B．the urchin had a deep love for his brother

C．the urchin wished to have a rich brother

D．the urchin's wish came true in the end

【小題4】The best title of the story is__________ .

A．A Christmas Present	B．A Street Urchin
C．A Brother Like That	D．An Unforgettable Holiday Ride