Something roared like thunder. The earth shook a little and we heard the rat-a-tat-tat of gunfire. "Father!" Hassan cried. We sprung to our feet and raced out of the living room.
"Father! What's that sound? Hassan screamed, his hands outstretched toward Ali. Ali wrapped his arms around us. A white light flashed and lit the sky in silver. It flashed again and was followed by rapid sharp sounds of gunfire. "They're hunting ducks." Ali said in a hoarse voice. "They hunt ducks at night, you know." Don't be afraid.
A siren(汽笛) went off in the distance. Somewhere glass broke and someone shouted. I heard people on the street, jolted from sleep and probably still in their pajamas, with ruffled hair and puffy eyes. Hassan was crying. Ali pulled him close, clutched him with tenderness.
We stayed huddled that way until the early hours of the morning. The shootings and explosions had lasted less than an hour, but they had frightened us badly, because none of us had ever heard gunshots in the streets. They were foreign sounds to us then. The generation of Afghan children whose ears would know nothing but the sounds of bombs and gunfire was not yet born. Huddled together in the dining room and waiting for the sun to rise, none of us had any notion that a way of life had ended. The end came when Russian tanks were rolling into the very same streets where Hassan and I played, bringing the death of the Afghanistan I knew and marking the start of a still ongoing era of bloodletting.
Just before sunrise, Baba's car peeled into the driveway. His door slammed shut and his running footsteps pounded the stairs. Then he appeared in the doorway and I saw something on his face. Something I didn't recognize right away because I'd never seen it before: fear. "Amir! Hassan!" He cried as he ran to us, opening his arms wide. "They blocked all the roads and the telephone didn't work. I was so worried!"
We let him wrap us in his arms and, for a brief moment, I was glad about whatever had happened that night.
【小題1】Who is the author of the passage?

A．Hassan

B．Ali

C．Baba

D．Amir

【小題2】By saying “they are hunting ducks”, Ali ___________.

A．told the children the truth

B．tried to calm the children

C．played a joke on the children

D．cheered the children up

【小題3】We can infer from the passage that__________.

A．there were thunderstorms that night

B．Afghan children were used to the war

C．that night was the end of people’s peaceful life

D．people on the street shouted and broke the windows

【小題4】 From the last sentence of the passage, we know_________.

A．the author was glad to see his father come home safe

B．there was a chance that a world in peace was to come

C．what happened that night seemed nothing to the author

D．Baba’s arms gave the author temporary comfort and joy

Every year, I tell my sons what I'd like for Mother's Day: a letter. Something written from the heart and offered freely rather than bought from a store and wrapped neatly. I don't always get my wish, nor do I always take the time to write to my own mother.
This year, my boys will be in two different states on Mother's Day. My mom and dad will be away together, and I'11 be driving home from a writer's workshop in Massachusetts. Thinking of the fact that many friends have already lost their mothers and that a few have lost children, I am deeply grateful that what separates us, for now at least, is merely distance. It won't always be so, and there is no way to prepare for that fact other than to appreciate the moment that is. My sons know that they can please me on Sunday with a phone call or an e-mail, and that is enough as I love their words. The very best gift they can possibly give me is their own happiness, the very fact of their busy. full and well-lived lives.
Still, knowing that my years of staying with my sons are over, I do Feel doleful. The truth is, I miss being the center of the universe to two little boys. And this holiday can be a bit painful.
I wonder if my own mother ever felt nostalgic ('VTIH WJ) for the passing of my childhood. I wonder if she realizes that she is still at the center of my universe and always has been. I don't often pause to think about it. but of course she is the one who has been right there, at my side from the moment I drew my very first breath. How to ever fully appreciate the woman whose presence and 1ove and example have shaped me into the adult I am? How to describe even a small part of the sharing. sacrificing. and support she has given me over the years?
【小題1】The author mainly wants to tell us through the first paragraph that _____.

A．she hopes to get her son's letters very much

B．her sons don't often write to her on Mother's Day

C．Mother's Day is the very date that she longs for most

D．she is very sorry not to write to her mother often

【小題2】The author is deeply grateful for the present life because ____.

A．her sons don't live far away from her home

B．her parents and children are still alive

C．her parents are coming to her house to spend Mother's Day

D．her sons can please her on Sunday with a phone call

【小題3】According to the author ______

A．young people nowadays tend to ignore their parents

B．parents should not give their children too much freedom

C．children's happiness and success are the biggest comfort to parents

D．parents are not the center of their children's universe when children grow up

【小題4】What does the underlined word "doleful" in paragraph 3 mean?

A．sad

B．excited

C．guilty

D．proud

【小題5】What will the author probably tell about after the last paragraph?

A．She'll tell the reader about her mother's present situation.

B．She'll recall how her mother educated and cared for her.

C．She'll describe the reunion of her family on Mother's Day.

D．She'll tell the reader about her mother's achievements in her career.

Nursing at Beth Israel Hospital produces the best patient care. If we are to solve the nursing shortage. hospital administration and doctors everywhere would do well to follow Beth Israel's example .
At Beth Israel each patient is assigned to a primary nurse who visits at length with the patient and constructs a full-scale health account that covers everything from his medical history  to his emotional state. Then she writes a care plan centered on the patient's illness but which also  includes everything else that is necessary.
The primary nurse stays with the patient through his hospitalization. keeping track with his progress and seeking further advice from his doctor. If a patient at Beth Israel is not responding  to treatment. it is not uncommon for his nurse to propose another approach to his doctor. What  the doctor at Beth Israel has in the primary nurse is a true colleague.
Nursing at Beth Israel also involves a decentralized (分散的) nursing administration; every  unit is a self-contained organization. There are nurse-managers instead of head nurses; in addition  to their medical duties they do all their own hiring and dismissing, employee advising, and they make salary recommendations. Each unit's nurses decide among themselves who will work what  shifts and when.
Beth Israel's nurse-in-chief ranks as an equal with other vice presidents of the hospital. She  is also a member of the Medical Executive Committee. which in most hospitals includes only  doctors.
【小題1】Which of the following best characterizes the main feature of the nursing system at Beth    Israel Hospital?

A．The doctor gets more active professional support from the primary nurse.

B．Each patient is taken care of by a primary nurse day and night.

C．The primary nurse writes care plans for every patient.

D．The primary nurse keeps records of the patient's health conditions every day.

【小題2】It can be inferred from the passage that_____.

A．compared with other hospitals, nurses at Beth Israel Hospital are more patient

B．in most hospitals, patient care is inadequate from the professional point of view

C．in most hospital, nurses get low salaries

D．compared with other hospitals, nurses have to work longer hours at Beth Israel Hospital

【小題3】A primary nurse can propose a different approach of treatment when

A．the present one is refused by the patient

B．the patient complains about the present one

C．the present one proves to be ineffective

D．the patient is found unwilling to cooperate

【小題4】The main difference between a nurse-manager and a head nurse is that the former

A．is a member of the Medical Executive Committee of the hospital

B．has to arrange the work shifts of the unit's nurses

C．can make decisions concerning the medical treatment of a patient

D．has full responsibility in the administration of the unit's nurses

【小題5】The author's attitude towards the nurse system at Beth Israel Hospital is___

A．negative

B．neutral

C．critical

D．positive

Regarded as one of the English language’s most gifted poets, John Keats wrote poetry that concentrated on imagery, human nature, and philosophy. Although Keats didn’t receive much formal literary education, his own studies and passion brought him much success. Additionally, his own life situation influenced his poetry greatly.
Growing up as a young boy in London in a lower middle-class family, the young John didn’t attend a private school, but went to a public one. His teachers and his family’s friends regarded him as an optimistic boy who favored playing and fighting much more than minding his studies. After his father’s death in the early 1800s, followed by his mother’s passing due to tuberculosis (肺結(jié)核), he began viewing life differently. He wanted to escape the world and did so by reading anything he could get his hands on.
At around the age of 16, the teenage John Keats began studying under a surgeon so that he too might become a doctor. However, his literary appetite had taken too much of his fancy, especially with his addiction to the poetry of Ehmund Spenser. He was able to have his first full poem published in the Examiner in 1816, entitled O Solitude! If I Must With Thee Dwell. Within two months in 1817, Keats had written an entire volume of poetry, but was sharply criticized by a magazine. However, the negative response didn’t stop his pursuit of rhythm (韻律).
John Keats’ next work was Endymion, which was published in May 1818. The story involves a shepherd who falls in love with the moon goddess and leads him on an adventure of one boy’s hope to overcome the limitations of being human. Following Engymion, however, he tried something more narrative-based and wrote Isabella. During this time, John Keats began seeing his limitations in poetry due to his own limit in life experiences. He would have to have the “knowledge” associated with his poems. His next work was Hyperion that would attempt to combine all that he learned. However, a bout (發(fā)作) with tuberculosis while visiting Italy would keep him from his work and eventually take his life in 1821.
【小題1】John Keats’ attitude towards life changed because of _________.

A．his early education from school	B．the deaths of his parents
C．Edmund Spenser’s poetry	D．the criticism of a magazine

【小題2】What is the common thing between John Keats and his mother?

A．They read many books.

B．They had a bad childhood

C．They died of the same disease.

D．They showed strong interest in poetry

【小題3】What do we know from the passage?

A．Keats received little education at school.

B．Keats once had a chance of becoming a doctor.

C．In 1816 Keats spent two months writing a poem.

D．Endymion was about a real love story.

【小題4】While pursuing his dream of becoming a poet at first, John Keats was __________.

A．determined

B．experienced

C．knowledgeable

D．impatient

【小題5】What can we infer from the passage?

A．Keats’ family must have been very poor when he was young.

B．Edmund Spenser was the greatest poet in Keats’ time.

C．It is likely that Keats rewrote his poem Isabella.

D．The poem Hyperion wasn’t completed by Keats.

I decided to go back to school in the fall of 2008 after not being happy with my current job and financial status. I obtained my Associate’s Degree in May 2002 in Commercial Arts. After graduation, I had trouble obtaining a job in that field. For years, I was going from one job to another feeling unfilled, and I was not satisfied with the instability.
I decided to go back to school for either International Business or Psychology. I weighed the pros and cons of both professions and Psychology won. I like helping my friends and family, when they go through hard situations in their life by giving them sound advice and being honest with them. Also, I was interested in “the mind”.
I was searching for online schools because my work schedule at my current job would not allow me to attend a regular class. I was nervous about starting online classes because I heard mixed stories from other friends who were taking online classes. I decided to do it anyway to experience something different. I wanted to find an online school that was affordable and reputable. Through my search, I discovered Walden University, which is specially for working adults who want to obtain a bachelor’s degree or higher. The process of getting accepted was easy, which included writing an essay on why I wanted to attend their school, transferring my previous credits, etc.
I am currently enrolled in the Bachelors program for psychology, and I am paying for college via financial-aid loans and grants. This experience has been interesting yet trying as sometimes it was difficult to balance work, school and home life. I learned a lot about psychology and myself. For example, I like writing about current events, relationships and traveling. I thought my English composition was ordinary, but after taking a few classes at Walden University, I improved my English composition and it made me feel confident enough to start writing professionally so I became a freelance (自由撰稿) writer. Currently, I am only three classes away from obtaining my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology! It was one of the best decisions I made in my life.
【小題1】What did the author study originally when he was in college?

A．Psychology

B．Commercial Arts

C．International Business

D．English Composition

【小題2】What do we know about the author from Paragraph 2?

A．He decided to study International Business at first.

B．He wanted to study two majors.

C．He liked Psychology better.

D．He chose his major with the help of his friends.

【小題3】Why was the author nervous about starting online classes?

A．Because he heard some negative remarks about it.

B．Because he was worried that he didn’t have enough time to study.

C．Because he feared he would fail the entrance exam.

D．Because he was afraid that he didn’t have enough money.

【小題4】Which of the following best describes the author’s learning experience?

A．Dull and challenging.	B．Interesting and easy.
C．Interesting and challenging.	D．Dull and easy

【小題5】According to the passage, the author _________.

A．was not able to find a full-time job

B．is most interested in writing

C．pays for his schooling with the help of his family

D．is satisfied with his achievements.

Computer programmer David Jones earned ￡35,000 a year designing new computer games, yet he cannot find a bank prepared to let him have a check card, he has been told to wait another two years until he is 18.
He works for a small firm in Liverpool, where most young people of his age are finding jobs. David’s biggest headache is what to do with his money. Though he has high payment, he cannot drive a car, or get credit card(信用卡).
David got his job four months ago, a year after leaving school with six O-levels（普通成績(jī)）and working for a time in a computer shop. “I got the job because the people who run the firm knew I had already written some programs,” he said.
“I suppose ￡35,000 sounds a lot but I hope it will come to more than that this year.” He spends some of his money on records and clothes, and gives his mother ￡20 a week as he lives with his parents. But most of his spare time is spent working.
“Unfortunately, computing was not part of our studies at school, ” he said. “But I had been studying it in books and magazines for four years in my spare time. I knew what I wanted to do and never considered staying on at school. Most people in this business are fairly young, anyway. I would like to earn a million and I suppose early retirement(退休) is a possibility. You never know when the market might disappear.”
【小題1】Why is David so different from other young people of his age?

A．He earns an extremely high payment

B．He has got a job.

C．He lives at home with his parents.

D．He does not go out much.

【小題2】David’s greatest problem is that______.

A．he can’t be treated as an adult by the bank.

B．he doesn’t make as many games as he wishes.

C．he doesn’t know what to buy with the money.

D．he is too young to drive a car.

【小題3】He was employed by the company because ____.

A．he had worked in a computer shop.

B．he had written some computer programs.

C．he is clever and works hard at his lessons.

D．he had learnt to use computers at school.

【小題4】He left school after taking six O-levels because____.

A．he was afraid of getting too old to start computing.

B．he did not enjoy school.

C．he wanted to work with computers.

D．he wanted to earn a lot of money.

【小題5】Why does David think he might retire early?

A．He thinks computer games might not always sell so well.

B．He wants to stop working when he is a millionaire.

C．One has to be young to write computer programs.

D．He thinks his firm might close down.

Instead of a normal court hearing, the trial on Wednesday appeared more like a prepared drama. Hundreds of reporters waited outside the court, in the hope of learning “shocking” information about the case, which includes well-known military singer Li Shuangjiang’s son, who gang-raped a woman with another four men on February.
The case was not a public hearing because it includes teenagers, whose privacy must be protected under law, but many details had been exposed by the lawyers before the trial.
Lawyers of all five suspects and the woman’s lawyer made a lot of debate on the Internet before the trial, making the case more confused.
Wu Ming’an, a law professor from the China University of Political Science and Law, said it was a pity to see such a “performance” by the lawyers.
“It can be understood that the two parties freely spoke their opinions, but it’s not professional or wise to see lawyers do the same,” Wu said. “Instead, the lawyers should guide and persuade their clients(當(dāng)事人) to calm down, especially for such a non-public and sensitive case.”
China has no clear rule to manage lawyers’ behavior before trials, “but it should be general knowledge that the lawyers of the two sides cannot leak too many details, particularly in a case that includes teenagers”, Wu added.
Yi Shenghua, a lawyer who has been following the case, said it does more harm than good to both parties for such detailed information to be exposed before the trial.
“It’s OK for lawyers to speak, but what is said must be reasonable and legal. Although judgments should not be affected by public opinion, it’s hard for them not to be,” he said, suggesting judicial authorities should speak out if the case goes wrongly.
Trials must be conducted based on evidence, while lawyers should protect their clients’ rights instead of adding fuel to the flames, Yi said.
In my eyes, the most important aspect of the case, lies in how to make lawyers do their work more professionally and reasonably.
【小題1】Why was the case not a public hearing?

A．Because it included the well-known military singer Li Shuangjiang’s son.

B．Because the victim was a woman.

C．Because teenagers’ privacy must be protected under law.

D．Because many details had already been exposed before the trial.

【小題2】What is Wu ming’an’s attitude towards the lawyers’ behavior of making a lot of debate on the internet before the trial?

A．a(chǎn)pproval

B．critical

C．neutral

D．indifferent

【小題3】The underlined part “l(fā)eak” in para. 6 refers to_________.

A．give away

B．squeeze out

C．break down

D．sweep up

【小題4】From Yi Shenghua, we know that _______________.

A．The lawyers’ behavior before trials hasn’t been ruled.

B．It doesn’t matter whether the detailed information is exposed before the trial.

C．What lawyers say must be reasonable and legal.

D．It is hard for judgments to be affected by public opinion.

I spend a lot of time backpacking and hiking the outdoors and there are two pieces of equipment that are with me on each trip: an Adventure Medical Kits Weekender and an Adventure Medical Kits Suture Syringe Kit. Both proved very helpful on my most recent adventures to the Wrangell in Alaska.
On that day, we were “blessed” with rain, making our water crossing on the Dixie Pass very difficult. Our party of 12 had almost reached our destination when I slipped, severely gashing(劃傷) my knee open in the process. While I could not see the wound at first because of the rain pants I was wearing, I knew it was severe.
Blood was running freely and I made those standing nearby aware of the damage. They quickly came over to assist, pulled my pack off and removed the Weekender First Aid Kit and Suture Kit from it. Fortunately, one of my partners is a doctor called William, who has often performed this type of work in the operating room, not out in the wild.
I seriously think he was more nervous about all this than me! I, of course, was more than happy that I did not have to stitch(縫合) myself up. As a marine, I’ve had to do it before. Fortunately, the sky had cleared up about two hours before, so we had great sunlight to work with. The doctor worked quickly with the assistance of another fellow camper acting as a nurse and placed seven stitches into my knee once the wound had been cleaned up.
Later that evening we used a syringe(注射器) we set aside loaded with Iodine(抗炎藥) to clean the wound and then bandaged it again. The doctor was very impressed with the kits contents!
I’ve already ordered another Suture Syringe Kit. I have to say the kits are worth their weight in gold! Thanks for the contents in the kits!
【小題1】What does the underlined word “it” in paragraph 2 probably refer to?

A．the wound

B．the rain

C．the kit

D．the knee

【小題2】Why did the author think that William was more nervous while performing the first aid than himself?

A．Because William didn’t know how to use the kits.

B．Because the author didn’t trust William.

C．Because the author hurt himself severely.

D．Because William had no experience of doing it in the wild.

【小題3】From the passage, we can infer that the kits are__________.

A．useless

B．extremely useful

C．troublesome

D．not essential

【小題4】What is mainly discussed in the passage?

A．How first aid kits saved a backpacker in Alaska.

B．How a doctor did the operation in the wild.

C．How the author with 12 fellow campers hike the outdoors.

D．How the author hurt himself.

Nearly a quarter-century after a German boy threw a message in a bottle off a ship in the Baltic Sea, he’s received an answer.
A 13-year-old Russian, Daniil Korotkikh, was walking with his parents on a beach when he saw something lying in the sand.
“I saw that bottle and it looked interesting,” Korotkikh told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “it looked like a German beer bottle and there was a message inside. ”
It said, “My name is Frank, and I’m five years old. My dad and I are traveling on a ship to Denmark. If you find this letter, please write back to me, and I will write back to you.” The letter, dated 1987, included an address in the town of Coesfeld.
The boy in the letter, Frank Uesbeck, is now 29. His parents still live at the letter’s address.
The Russian boy and the German man met each other earlier this month through an internet video link. The Russian boy said he did not believe that the bottle actually spent 24 years in the sea. He believed it had been hidden under the sand where he found it for a long time.
Uesbeck was especially happy that he was able to have a positive effect on a life of a young person far away from Germany. “It‘s really a wonderful story,” he said. “And who knows? Perhaps one day we will actually be able to arrange a meeting in person. ”
【小題1】What is this passage mainly about?

A．Traveling on a ship.	B．A beautiful beer bottle.
C．Message in a bottle.	D．Meeting an old friend.

【小題2】When the German boy threw the bottle into the sea, ________________.

A．he was going back home.

B．he was traveling to Denmark by ship with his dad.

C．he was walking with his parents on a beach.

D．he was already 29 years old.

【小題3】According to the text, which of the following statements is TRUE?

A．Korotkikh’s parents still live in the town of Coesfeld.

B．The German boy did not believe that the bottle actually spent 24 years in the sea.

C．Frank Uesbeck and Daniil Korotkikh have met each other in person.

D．Daniil Korotkikh and Frank Uesbeck have got in touch with each other.

【小題4】Why was Uesbeck very happy when he got the information of the 24 years’ beer bottle?

A．Because he could have a new friend.

B．Because the two boys could surf the internet together.

C．Because he could have a positive influence on a life of a young person.

D．Because he finally got what he had lost.

I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree.
He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. “What are you doing?” I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat, and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know.
He then answered me with a simple statement“TEACH THE CHILDREN！”
I was puzzled; what did he mean?
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR(杉木) TREE .“Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round，describing the everlasting hope of mankind，all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven.”
He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. “Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a savior(救世主) for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of his promise.”
He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. “Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of he who displaces(取代) the darkness.”
Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. “Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.”
Santa looked back and was pleased. I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, “Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but an humble servant of the one that is, and I bow down to worship HIM, our LORD, our GOD.”
【小題1】Author opened the door when he was going to sleep because________.

A．he heard something unusual

B．he was not sleeping at the moment

C．he saw the Santa at the moment

D．he wanted to step out of the room

【小題2】According to Santa, the star was ________.

A．a(chǎn) symbol of man's thoughts turning towards heaven

B．the sigh of fulfillment of the Santa's promise

C．the symbol of the light of the world

D．the sound of the bell which ring mankind to the fold

【小題3】What does the underlined word “twinkle” refer to?

A．Tears.

B．Smiles.

C．Glasses.

D．Eyes.