2、      I was in a rush as always, but this time it was for an important date I just couldn’t be late for! I found myself at a checkout counter behind an elderly woman seemingly in no hurry as she paid for her groceries. A PhD student with not a lot of money, I had hurried into the store to pick up some flowers. I was in a huge rush, thinking of my upcoming evening. I did not want to be late for this date.

     We were in Boston, a place not always known for small conversation between strangers. The woman stopped unloading her basket and looked up at me. She smiled. It was a nice smile-warm and reassunring-and I retuned her gift by smiling back.

     “Must be a special lady,” whoever it is that will be getting those beautiful flowers,” she said.

     “Yes, she’s special,” I said, and then to my embarrassment, the words kept coming out. “It‘s only our second date, but somehow I am just having the feeling she’s‘the one ，’”jokingly, I added, “The only problem is that I can’t figure out why she’d want to date a guy like me.”

     “Well, I think she’s very lucky to have a boyfriend who brings her such lovely flowers and who is obviously in love with her,” the woman said .”My husband used to bring me flowers every week-even when tines were tough and we didn’t have much money. Those were incredible days; be was very romantic and-of course- I miss him since he’s passed away.”

      I paid for my flowers as she was gathering up her groceries. There was no doubt in my mind as I walked up to her. I touched her on the shoulder and said “You were right, you know. These flowers are indeed for a very special lady.” I handed the flowers and thanked her for such a nice conversation.

      It took her a moment to realize that I was giving her the flowers I had just purchased. “You have a wonderful evening,”I said. I left het with a big smile and my heart warmed as I saw her smelling the beautiful flowers.

      I remember being slightly late for my date that night and telling my girlfriend the above story. A couple of years later, when I finally worked up the courage to ask her to marry me, she told me that this story had helped to seal it for her-that was the night than I won her heart .

 41．Why was the writer in a hurry that day?

A. He was to meet his girlfriend.        B. He had to go back to school soon.

C. He was delayed by an elderly lady.    D. He had to pick up some groceries.

42．What does the underlined phrase “her gift” (Paragraph 2 ) refer to?

A. Her words.   B. Her smile.    C. Her flowers.    D. Her politeness.

43．Why did the writer give his flowers to the elderly lady?

A. She told him a nice story.       B. She allowed him to pay first.

C. She gave him encouragement.   D. She liked flowers very much.

44．What is the message conveyed in the story?

A. Flowers are important for a date.      B. Small talk is helpful.

C. Love and kindness are rewarding.     D. Elderly people deserve respecting.

1、

The trip to that city was eye-opening for everyone, and near its end, all the young people in our group began to reflect on what it had meant. We __21___the first night we had arrived. We had all gone into the markets of the city ___22__the young people could experience its energy. But what we actually saw simply __23__ us all ---- the rundown houses, the children in rags, the people begging for money … Walking home, ___24____ under a low bridge, we came across ___25___ families of homeless people seeking a bit of dry ground to sleep on __26__ the night. We had to step over bodies as we found our way through the darkness. ks5u

The poverty（貧困） was __27__ than anything my young companions had ever imagined. Back in the hotel, an air of sadness settled over the group. Many __28__ and cried. Spending time in this ___29__ moves a person to care about humanity. ks5u

That evening, our group spent hours talking about what we had ___30___. Gently, I encouraged everyone to talk about the difficult ___31__ that day’s discoveries had inspired. Sitting together ___32__ a circle as everyone had a chance to speak, we all began to realize that __33___ of us was alone in our struggle to cope with our reactions. ks5u

Based on my __34___ in poverty-stricken areas, I suggested that __35___ the emotions we had were painful, they could also be important in helping us to move forward. We all__36__ that we had seen things that should never be allowed to happen. ___37___, what could we do about it? Together, we began to brainstorm ways we could help to case the __38__ we had seen. As I encouraged group members to focus on __39__ they could do, a sense of determination __40___ the previous sadness, Instead of despair, these young people began to feel a call to action. ks5u

28、She’ll never forget her stay there ________ she found her son who had gone missing two years before. ks5u

A. that     B. which   C. where       D. when ks5u

27、She’ll never forget her stay there ________ she found her son who had gone missing two years before. ks5u

A. that     B. which   C. where       D. when ks5u

26、My uncle’s house in the downtown area is much smaller than ours , but it is twice _______ expensive . ks5u

A. as        B. so     C. too       D. very ks5u

25、As a new diplomat. he often thinks of ______ he can react more appropriately on such occasions.

24、David threatened ______ his neighbor to the police if the damages were not paid.

A. to be reported    B. reporting    C. to report     D. having reported

23、Hearing the dog barking fiercely, away ______.

A. fleeing the thief  B. was fleeing the thief   C. the thief was fleeing  D. fled the thief

22、It is not immediately clear _______ the financial crisis will soon be over.

21、During the period of recent terrorist activities, people _______ not to touch any unattended bag.

A. had always been warned                     B. were always being warned

C. are always warning                             D. always warned