I can remember the day my father came home from the war. As he walked up the front path of our home, he saw Mum and me and he dropped the suitcase.
I was only five years old so Dad made a fuss of me, then began making an even bigger fuss of my mother. This left me free to examine all the stuff lying around the broken suitcase, and I was quick to notice a newspaper advertisement displaying a new piano. When Dad saw me holding up the newspaper cutting, he smiled.
“Yes, that’s right,” he said. “I bought your mum a piano for ten pounds down and two pounds a week.”
A few moments later, a horse pulled a cart with a piano on top. Soon we all stared at it in our small lounger room. Mum had never been close to a piano before, except at the kindergarten I attended, and she used to say how wonderful it would be if the teachers could teach her to play.
After tea that night, Mum began to teach herself to play. She plinked the keys for about two hours and drove everybody in the street mad, until Dad gently said, “Enough is enough.”
From that day on, she would plink between doing the cooking and housework. Three months went by and Mum was now a skilled pianist, holding parties with all the neighbors gathering around to sing.
Although we were poor, Mum felt like a princess and was delighted at all the attention she was receiving.
At the height of Mum’s happiness, I began to notice that Dad was looking increasingly worried. It turned out that since returning from the war, he’d been unable to find a job. Then, a few weeks later, I observed two men taking Mum’s piano away. Mum sobbed in the kitchen. Suddenly, it all became clear to me: no job, no money, no piano.
Dad finally got a job. Mum was happy again as if he’d just win the lottery(彩票). Dad had to study to qualify as an account. Every night after dinner he’d place a stack of books on the kitchen table and study late into the night. Mum didn’t say much but I could tell she was proud of Dad.
Two years later, Dad bought Mum another piano. This time he paid cash for it.
【小題1】How did the author’s Dad buy the piano for his mum?

A．He paid part of the bill regularly.

B．He earned it by winning a bet.

C．He paid cash for it.

D．He bought it as a big bargain.

【小題2】By saying “Enough is enough”, the author’s dad meant_______.

A．practice makes perfect

B．it was time to stop practicing

C．he couldn’t bear being troubled

D．his wife played the piano well enough

【小題3】What happened to the author’s mum’s first piano?

A．It was lost.

B．It was broken by one neighbor.

C．It was sold by his dad.

D．It was taken away.

【小題4】What made the author’s mum proud of his dad?

A．His dad’s willingness to help cook.

B．His dad’s winning the lottery luckily.

C．His dad’s loyalty to his motherland.

D．His dad’s determination to rebuild his life.

Jonny Jones was a nice and popular boy, who everyone loved．He was so much fun, so good and so kind to everyone that they treated him wonderfully. But as everything he needed was given to him without asking, Jonny became a weed. He was so spoiled by everyone that he couldn’t stand any hardship.
One day Johnny heard a mother saying to her son “Come on, my boy, get up and stop crying. You are behaving like Johnny Jones.” That made Johnny feel very ashamed. But he was sure that he would prefer to be known as a good boy rather than a fool. Worried, he spoke to his father about all this, though he was afraid that maybe he would be laughed at for having such worries. His father, far from laughing at Johnny, told him that a teacher had taught him a secret trick to turn him into the toughest boy off all. “Eat a candy less, study a minute more, and count to five before crying.” Johnny asked, “Just that? ” “Yes, just that,” said his father, “It’s very simple, but I warn you that it won’t be easy.”
Johnny was happy like a bird, ready to follow the advice. He went to see his mother, and she noticed how happy he was when she offered him candies. “One candy less”, thought Johnny, so he only took one. That afternoon he had another chance to put it into practice by studying one minute more. The result was that he missed the first minute of his favorite program! But having achieved this gave him a great feeling of satisfaction. The same happened when he ran up against the corner of the kitchen table. He only managed to count to four before crying, but that was left deeply in his mother’s memory.
Over the following days Johnny kept using the motto in his life as his father told him. And the more he put this into practice ,the easier it got. Before long he realized that he could also do things that would seem impossible before.
【小題1】The underlined word "weed" in the first paragraph refers to ____．

A．a person with a strong v/ill

B．a person with a weak character

C．a person who isn't popular with everyone

D．a person who changes his behavior according to the situation

【小題2】What made Jonny Jones decide to change himself?
A．A mother's words．              B．Others' attitude to him．
C．His father's advice．           C．His teacher's warning．
【小題3】What is the key point of the advice from Jonny's father?

A．Eat fewer candies than before．

B．Count to five before crying．

C．Talk with parents and follow their advice．

D．Learn to control oneself and keep using the motto in life．

【小題4】What message does the writer want to convey through the story?

A．One should be brave to face his mistakes．

B．Nothing is difficult as long as you set your mind on it．

C．Spoilinga child too much may result in his selfish behaviors．

D．A strong will can be developed by small but consistent efforts．

Australia has passed regulations that will enable more international students to further their education in the country.
The new measures were released by the Australian Department of Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations in September and will take effect in mid-2012.
As a result, the student visa application process for overseas students has been simplified, and the deposit (押金) required to study in Australia has been reduced. Language requirements for overseas students have also been eased.
Also, overseas students receiving a higher education in Australia will be granted a working visa lasting from two to four years after graduation, as long as they meet the basic IELTS requirement.
"This change will definitely make Australia a more attractive destination for Chinese students planning to study overseas," says Wang Lan, a consultant from Education International Cooperation Group (EIC), a Beijing-based company that provides services to students wishing to study overseas.
However, in the past few years, many of Wang's student clients (客戶) could not start studies in Australia because they did not meet the language requirements, visa processing took a long time and deposit regulations were tough. The change in policy is good news for the parents of students wishing to study in Australia, Wang says.
A 22-year-old female student surnamed Li, in Beijing, who is planning to do her postgraduate studies in Australia, learned about the policy change several weeks ago.
"According to the previous deposit requirement for my student visa, my family was required to put down 550,000 yuan ($86,850). Now we only need to prepare 410,000 yuan. This is a relief for my parents," Li says.
She also says that the two to four years working visa makes her feel much clearer about her study plans.
"I believe several years of working experience abroad will strengthen my competitiveness when I return to China," she says.
Gaining a competitive advantage is the major reason for Chinese students to study abroad, according to the report by EIC.
【小題1】What's the main idea of the passage? 

A．Language requirement for overseas students have been eased in Australia.

B．Australia is a most attractive place for students in China.

C．Australia widens window of opportunity for international students.

D．More students will work in Australia after their graduation.

【小題2】 Which of the following is NOT the content of the new regulations? 

A．The student visa application process for overseas students has been simplified.

B．The deposit required to study in Australia has been reduced.

C．Language requirements for overseas students have been more difficult.

D．After graduation, some overseas students can get a working visa in Australia.

【小題3】After the new regulations are passed, _______ . 

A．more students will come to Australia to work

B．more Chinese students will choose to live in Australia.

C．the opportunities to work in Australia decrease for overseas students

D．more Chinese students will choose to further their education in Australia

【小題4】How much can Li's parents save according to the new regulations? 

A．550,000 yuan

B．140,000 yuan

C．410,000 yuan

D．86,850 yuan

【小題5】 Why do many students want to work in Australia after their graduation? 

A．The working experience abroad will strengthen their competitiveness.

B．They can earn more money in Australia.

C．Their working experience can make them stay in Australia forever.

D．They have to do so according to the new regulations.

It’s not uncommon in America for a person to belong to some kind of volunteer group. Donating one’s time and services is very much a part of the American way of life. Most charitable activities are organized by churches and groups around the nation and even encouraged by the government. The helping hand is extended to the poor， the homeless and the disabled. Some people work to teach youngsters how to read. Others open up soup kitchens to feed the homeless. Volunteers also take care of the disabled by making reading tapes for the blind and working in orphanages（孤兒院）to help children without parents.
High school students are often encouraged to become volunteers and many school club activities center around volunteer services. Students may work with disabled children during a summer program， or participate in a club activity which helps to bring meal to senior citizens who are shut-ins. With their sense of idealism（理想主義）students are often eager to donate their spare time. They see such activities as a way of becoming involved in the community and the adult-world. Social action for them becomes as   important as their academic studies.
In a like manner， throughout the year，fund raising drives are also conducted by schools and community groups to raise money for a worthy cause. They may respond to a recent earthquake in a foreign country， a flood somewhere within their own， or another natural disaster which has left people destitute and homeless. They may organize drives to collect food， clothing and medicines to serve an immediate need. Today even the Halloween custom of ‘trick or treat’has become an occasion to collect money for a charitable cause.
The motive to help those less fortunate comes from the poor origins of the American nation. Those immigrants who were poor and downtrodden（受壓迫的）became dependent on the kindness of their neighbors to make a new life for themselves.
American volunteers work throughout the world in less developed countries. They volunteer by serving as a champion of goodwill both at home and abroad， which no doubt enriches both his life and those whom he serves.
【小題1】 Which of the following charitable activities is NOT mentioned in the passage?

A．Some people open up soup kitchens to feed homeless people.

B．Some students bring meals to old people who can’t go out easily.

C．Some people collect money to help a foreign country with a recent earthquake.

D．Some students donate books to children in mountainous areas.

【小題2】 Why are American high school students eager to do voluntary work?

A．Because they want to participate in some social activities.

B．Because they want to go to better universities.

C．Because they can get higher scores at school.

D．Because they can realize their dream sooner.

【小題3】The underlined word “destitute” in Paragraph 4 probably means           .

A．lifeless

B． penniless

C．useless

D．valueless

【小題4】 American charitable activities started because ___________.

A．Americans are always ready to share with others

B．Americans are mostly kind

C．poor immigrants needed help badly

D．poor Americans couldn’t live on without help

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

A．The Call from the Poor	B．Voluntary Work in the US
C．Ways to help the Poor	D．American Volunteers Around the World

There are two types of people in the world. Although they have equal degree of health and wealth and other comforts of life, one becomes happy and the other becomes unhappy. This arises from the different ways in which they consider things, persons, events and the resulting effects upon their minds.
People who are to be happy fix their attention on the convenience of things: the pleasant parts of conversation, the well prepared dishes, the goodness of the wine and the fine weather. They enjoy all the cheerful things. Those who are to be unhappy think and speak only of the opposite things. Therefore, they are continually dissatisfied. By their remarks, they sour the pleasure of society, offend (hurt) many people, and make themselves disagreeable everywhere. If this turn of mind was founded in nature, such unhappy persons would be the more to be pitied. The intention of criticizing(批評) and being disliked is perhaps taken up by imitation(模仿). It grows into a habit, unknown to its possessors(擁有者). The habit may be strong, but it may be cured when those who have it realize its bad effects on their interests and tastes. I hope this little warning may be of service to them, and help them change this habit.
Although in fact it is chiefly an act of the imagination, it has serious results in life since it brings on deep sorrow and bad luck. Those people offend(冒犯) many others; nobody loves them, and no one treats them with more than the most common politeness and respect. This frequently puts them in bad temper and draws them into arguments. If they aim at getting some advantages in social position or fortune, nobody wishes them success. Nor will anyone start a step or speak a word to favor their hopes. If they bring on themselves public objections, no one will defend or excuse them, and many will join to criticize their wrongdoings. These should change this bad habit and be pleased with what is pleasing, without worrying needlessly about themselves and others. If they do not, it will be good for others to avoid any contact(接觸) with them. Otherwise, it can be disagreeable and sometimes very inconvenient, especially when one becomes mixed up in their quarrels.
【小題1】People who are unhappy________.

A．always consider things differently from others

B．usually are affected by the results of certain things

C．always discover the unpleasant side of certain things

D．usually misunderstand what others think or say

【小題2】The underlined phrase “sour the pleasure of society” most nearly means________.

A．make others unhappy	B．have a good taste with social life
C．tend to scold others openly	D．enjoy the pleasure of life

【小題3】 We can conclude (推斷) from the second paragraph that________.

A．we should pity all such unhappy people

B．people can get rid of the habit of unhappiness

C．such unhappy people are dangerous to social life

D．unhappy people can not understand happy persons

【小題4】 In this passage, the writer mainly________.

A．describes two types of people

B．suggests the unhappy people should get rid of the habit of unhappiness

C．laughs at the unhappy people

D．tells people how to be happy in life

                                                                              A
Everywhere I go, people are speaking on their cell telephones regardless of their surroundings (環(huán)境) . This happens when people are walking around a lake or through town, or even driving. I have even seen a person attempting to speak on her cell phone while ordering ice cream at Dairy Queen, thus speaking to two people at once.
As the over-spending of technology increases, people begin to take less joy in the simple pleasures of life—joys that don’t cost money—from observing clouds, playing with children to thinking or reading. And it is not just telephones that take the responsibility; too much value is placed on items (物品) from computers to cars. Many things are purchased (購買) merely(僅僅) to show off. Do you really need a cell phone that plays games, shows movies and takes pictures? No, cell phones should be purchased to use in urgent situations.You do not need to use your telephone when you are at someone else’s house or in a restaurant.
Technology and possessions (財產) do not bring joy. While some technology is necessary, it can get ridiculous(可笑的). Each possession just makes us want more, while simple pleasures can be enjoyed now and then.
Instead of spending our time buying a third television or looking into the newest cell phone models, we should be acting more productively to improve the world by volunteering, for example. Or, we should reconsider playing computer games or taking pictures on our cell phones and read a book or imagine what shapes the clouds are in the sky instead.
【小題1】The author mentions cell phones at the beginning just to show _________.

A．they can be used on any occasion.

B．people manage to speak to two at a time.

C．they can put drivers in great danger.

D．people are fond of personal items.

【小題2】People have less joy of simple life nowadays mainly because they _________.

A．focus on technology and their belongings.

B．use cell phones in less urgent situations.

C．buy private cars just to show off.

D．place too much value on computers.

【小題3】We can infer that ________.

A．people have no time to play with their children.

B．we can take pleasure in using cell phones at any time.

C．people always desire more possessions.

D．we depend on volunteers to develop the world.

How often one hears children wishing they were grown-ups and old people wishing they were young again. Each age has its pleasures and its pains, and the happiest person is the one who enjoys what each age gives him without wasting his time in useless regrets.
Childhood is a time when there are few responsibilities to make life difficult. If a child has good parents, he is fed, looked after and loved, whatever he may do. It is impossible that he will ever again in his life be given so much without having to do anything in return. What’s more, life is always presenting new things to the child — things that have lost their interest for older people because they are too well-known. But a child has his parents. He is not so free to do what he wishes to do; he is continually being told not to do things or being punished for what he has done wrong.
When the young man starts to earn his own living, he can no longer expect others to pay for his food, his clothes, and his room, but has to work if he wants to live comfortably. If he spends most of his time playing about in the way that he used to as a child, he will go hungry. And if he breaks the laws of society as he used to break the laws of his parents, he may go to prison. If, however, he works hard, keeps out of trouble and has good health, he can have the great happiness of building up for himself his own position in society.
【小題1】According to the second paragraph, the writer thinks that __.

A．life for a child is comparatively easy

B．a child is always loved whatever he does

C．if much is given to a child, he must do something in return

D．only children are interested in life

【小題2】After a child grows up, he __.

A．will have little time playing

B．has to be successful in finding a job

C．can still ask for help in time of trouble

D．should be able to take care of himself

【小題3】Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?

A．People are always satisfied with each part of their life.

B．Life is less interesting for old people.

C．Children are free to do what they want to do.

D．Adults should no longer rely on others.

【小題4】The underlined word "responsibilities" in the second paragraph means__________.

A．duties

B．jobs

C．suggestions

D．desires

【小題5】The main idea of the passage is _________ .

A．life is not enjoyable since each age has some pains

B．young men can have the greatest happiness if they work hard

C．childhood is the most enjoyable time in one's life

D．one is the happiest if he can make good use of each age in his life

A firm handshake is key to interview success. As any serious job-hunter knows, it helps to dress smartly and smile at that all-important interview. But research has showed that a firm handshake is what really matters when it comes to impressing potential employers.
The US research looked at 98 undergraduates taking part in mock (模擬) interviews with businesses. As each undergraduate was graded on their overall performance, five "handshake raters" also marked them on their grasp, strength, duration, vigor and eye contact.
Professor Greg Stewart, from the University of Iowa, who led the study, said those who scored highly with the handshake raters were also considered to be the most hirable by the interviewers. Students with " wimpy" shakes were judged to be more timid and less impressive.
The study also found women with a firm handshake were likely to be evaluated more favorably than their male counterparts.
Professor Stewart said: "We've always heard that interviewers make up their mind about a person in the first two or three minutes of an interview. But we found that the first impression begins with a handshake that sets the tone for the rest of the interview. We don't consciously remember a person's handshake but it is one of the first non-verbal clues we get about the person's overall personality, and that impression is what we remember."
Women were less likely to have a highly rated handshake, partly because traditionally they shake hands less than men. But when women did possess a firm handshake, they were likely to be evaluated more favorably than their male counterparts.
Body language experts warn, however, that the firmness needs to be just right, - as an over enthusiastic "bone crusher" handshake can indicate self-importance, a controlling personality and a lack of trustworthiness.
The handshake is thought to have originated in medieval Europe as a way for kings and knights to show that they did not intend to harm each other and possessed no hidden weapons.
【小題1】The passage is probably intended for ______.

A．job-hunters

B．an undergraduate

C．employers

D．handshake raters

【小題2】From the first paragraph we know that in an interview ______.

A．dressing smartly is more important than a firm handshake

B．smile has no effect on impressing potential employers

C．a firm handshake is more important than dressing smartly, and smile

D．dressing smartly, smile and a firm handshake are of the same importance

【小題3】Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?

A．The firmer your handshake is the better impression you leave.

B．The undergraduates without a firm handshake are thought to be less impressive.

C．Generally speaking, women shake hands less with others.

D．It's said that the handshake dates back to medieval Europe.

【小題4】What is the main idea of the passage?

A．Women with a firm handshake were likely to leave a better impression than men.

B．A successful job interview starts with a firm handshake.

C．Dressing, smile and a firm handshake are all important to a successful job interview.

D．Job interview success depends on interviewees' body language.

Happiness is for everyone. You don’t need to care about those people who have beautiful houses or those who have nice cars and a lot of money and so on. Why? Because those who have big houses may often feel lonely and those who have cars may want to walk on the country roads at their free time.
In fact, happiness is always around you if you put your heart into it. When you are in trouble at school, your friends will help you; when you study hard at your lessons, your parents are always taking good care of your life and your health; when you get success, your friends will say congratulations to you; when you do something wrong, people around you will help you to correct it. And when you do something good to others, you will feel happy, too. All these are your happiness. If you notice a bit of them, you can see that happiness is always around you.
Happiness is a feeling of your heart. When you are poor, you can also be very happy, When you meet with difficulties, you can say loudly you are very happy, because you have more chances to challenge yourself. So you cannot always say you are poor and poor and you have bad luck. If you take every chance you get, you can be a happy and lucky person.
【小題1】Those who have big houses may often feel ________.

A．happy

B．lonely

C．free

D．excited

【小題2】What will your friends say to you when you succeed?

A．Oh, so do I.	B．Congratulations.
C．Good luck.	D．It’s just so-so.

【小題3】Happiness is ________ according to the writer.
A. having a lot of money  B. having a big house   C a feeling of heart  D.having a car
【小題4】Which of the following is this passage about?

A．Bad luck.

B．Good luck.

C．Life.

D．Happiness.

【小題5】Which idea is Wrong according to the passage?

A．People who have cars would never like to walk in the open air.

B．You can get help from others when you make mistakes.

C．You can still be a happy person even if you have little money.

D．Happiness is always around you though difficulties come towards you.

AAAGH! The Generation 90s is coming!
Wearing earphones, using complex Net language and constantly text messaging friends, the Gen-90s following the Gen-80s begin to make their world debut （初次登臺）．
Each generation or age group has its own symbols and lifestyle．Read on and judge for yourselves if you fit the Gen-90s group．               
Earphones
These little devices seem to grow on the heads of the Gen-90s．They might lead to MP3, MP4 or MP101 players, giving these young people a plugged-in, cool and perhaps self-addicted look, of course, life is not always music to the ears．     
Martian language
They have created their own code-like online language．It’s a mixture of English, Japanese and Chinese that perhaps only Martians can understand．This is an imaginative generation, though they need to be careful to keep it out of their term papers．                
Self-Portrait
Saying “cheese” to their own digital cameras is usual for this generation．A little bit of narcissism （自戀） never hurts anyone．It helps them reflect a little on their own lives．But be aware of the risks of posting private photos online．
Text-messaging
They can type their mobile phones as fast as they can speak．This is a generation that respects efficiency．However, oral communication is important and will never go out of style．
【小題1】According to the text, the writer will choose ______ as a good example to the Gen-90．

A．Li Hua likes music and always wearing ipod

B．Zhang Chao is not only an imaginative boy but do everything efficiently．

C．Lily is a shy girl and she doesn’t like making friends．

D．Fangfang likes being taken photos and often posting them on line．

【小題2】According to this passage, which is FALSE?

A．Not all teens are cautious about posting photos．

B．They type their mobile phones so fast that it can catch the speed of speaking．

C．The Gen-90s have a preference for some music players, and even regard them as a necessary part of life．

D．They don’t use the cool and complex online language in formal writing．

【小題3】The main idea of the passage is about________．

A．the Gen-90s’ happy life

B．the difference between the Gen-80s and the Gen-90s

C．the Gen-90s’ unique lifestyle and some practical warnings

D．the similarities between the Gen-80s and the Gen-90s