For John and Amy, birthdays have always been a big deal-a welcome excuse to celebrate life.
When their son, Alex,  36 three in 2005, they invited 20 friends to a nearby park. Not long after that the  37 were brainstorming ways to teach Alex about giving to  38 . “We wanted to do something that would have a(an)  39 on our community, and that our young child could  40 in. We started wondering what  41 fortunate kids do on their birthdays. The next day, we called a local shelter, and learnt that  42 children typically didn’t do  43 to celebrate at all. No cake. No gifts. No party.” The couple said.
Several weeks later,   44 held a party at the  45 for the children who had birthdays that month. They decorated, served cake, and danced with 50 kids. Alex helped to  46 presents.
47 that first party, the couple have turned their simple idea_ 48 Birthday Blessings, a nonprofit that hosts monthly parties at 10 shelters.
To date, Birthday Blessings (birthdayblessings.org.) has thrown more than 500  49 at different shelters and handed out 22, 000 party   50 to nearly 4000 homeless children in and around their community.
Birthday Blessings is 51 entirely by volunteers. The charity（慈善）will take almost anything—toys, clothing, candy, baby items—  52 it’s not used. “These kids never get anything new.” John said, “It makes a big  53 to them psychologically.”
Being “part of this labor love” is 54 making an impression on their son Alex. On his seventh birthday, his grandparents sent a check.   55 it, the first thing he said was that he wanted to give half to the birthday kids.

小題1:	A．turned B．grew C．came D．got

小題2:	A．shelter B．neighbors C．friends D．couple

小題3:	A．the other B．a(chǎn)nother C．others D．each other

小題4:	A．impression B．influence C．permission D．description

小題5:	A．participate B．guide C．bring D．move

小題6:	A．fairly B．less C．rather D．more

小題7:	A．penniless B．jobless C．homeless D．hopeless

小題8:	A．nothing B．a(chǎn)nything C．everything D．something

小題9:	A．Alex B．John C．Amy D．the family

小題10:

A．shelter B．church C．school D．community

小題11:

A．make out B．hand out C．show out D．leave out

小題12:

A．Before B．Until C．After D．Since

小題13:

A．into B．down C．out D．off

小題14:

A．birthdays B．parties C．presents D．donations

小題15:

A．cakes B．honors C．gifts D．surprises

小題16:

A．continued B．a(chǎn)nalyzed C．operated D．instructed

小題17:

A．a(chǎn)s far as B．a(chǎn)s soon as C．a(chǎn)s simple as D．a(chǎn)s long as

小題18:

A．difference B．surprise C．benefit D．a(chǎn)dvantage

小題19:

A．never B．a(chǎn)lways C．hardly D．a(chǎn)lready

小題20:

A．Folding B．Saving C．Unfolding D．Realizing

The other day I decided to teach my son about the power of small acts of kindness. He had won some lollies(棒棒糖) in a prize machine in the local supermarket, so I asked him if he would like to   46  his prizes with another child. He hesitated(猶豫) for a while because he is a(n)   47  boy, but said yes after I   48  him a bit.
A father and his daughter were   49 . I approached the father and asked if my son could give his   50  a lolly that he had won. The father looked at me in   51  and was unsure what to say. I   52  explained that I was teaching my son about the power of kindness. Eventually he said it was okay.
  53 , his daughter, who was looking at us sideways(側(cè)向一邊地),   54  accept the lolly! At this moment, my son was rather embarrassed(尷尬) and then he   55  to me, “We go to the same   56 , Mum.”
Rather than say sorry to my son for embarrassing him and give up this   57 , I put a couple of lollies into their shopping bags and   58  them a great day!
When we left the supermarket, I   59  to my son, “People in the world today are not so open to   60  because their thoughts and opinions have been   61  by the past. However, we can reshape their opinions by   62  small acts of kindness. So don’t be embarrassed. Hey, they may have been standoffish(冷淡的), but I’m sure we left them   63 , moved and inspired in some way. Not only that,   64  the young girl will probably remember you as the boy with a   65  heart when she comes across you at school!”

小題1:	A．give B．show C．eat D．share

小題2:	A．shy B．outgoing C．handsome D．kind

小題3:	A．praised B．encouraged C．persuaded D．blamed(責(zé)備)

小題4:	A．far away B．out of sight C．nearby D．lost

小題5:	A．daughter B．friend C．wife D．mother

小題6:	A．joy B．sorrow C．surprise D．a(chǎn)nger

小題7:	A．only B．further C．hardly D．difficultly

小題8:	A．Therefore(因此) B．Besides C．Anyway D．However

小題9:	A．shouldn’t B．mustn’t C．wouldn’t D．couldn’t

小題10:

A．shouted B．whispered(小聲說(shuō)) C．smiled D．cried

小題11:

A．shop B．school C．hospital D．park

小題12:

A．moment B．girl C．lolly D．lesson

小題13:

A．hoped B．helped C．wished D．offered

小題14:

A．explained B．shouted C．pointed D．cried

小題15:

A．happiness B．kindness C．luck D．presents

小題16:

A．turned B．viewed C．tested D．shaped

小題17:

A．doing B．reading C．learning D．knowing

小題18:

A．disappointed B．touched C．sad D．a(chǎn)ngry

小題19:

A．a(chǎn)nd B．or C．but D．so

小題20:

A．small B．big C．cool D．hot

Money, jewels and important documents are not the only valuable placed in banks these days. Some mothers store their breast milk in banks.
There’re ten breast banks set up across the United States, where mothers can donate their extra milk for other women’s babies. Experts say breast milk is the best food for babies. The World Health Organization says it is the only food babies should get during the first six months of life, in most cases. Breast milk is especially important for babies born too early. Sometimes these premature babies must stay in the hospital for many weeks.
James Cameron is a doctor who treats newborns at Lutheran Children’s Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He says breast milk is almost like medicine. Doctor James Cameron said, “The fact is that there are so many different proteins and specialized sugars in the breast milk that the mom’s able to make that help provide immunity. It’s very important for the health of the newborn.”
There are several reasons some mothers may not be able to breastfeed. Some are not able to produce enough milk. Others might be taking medicines or have medical problems that prevent the process.
Lucy Baur lives near Fort Wayne. She fed her milk to both her children and always had more milk than they needed. She wanted to donate to the Indiana Mothers Milk Bank in Indianapolis. But freezing and shipping milk can be costly. Then, a donor station opened near her home.
Milk donations in the United States work like this: Donors must be willing to provide almost three liters of breast milk. They freeze the milk and take it to the station. There, employees warm the milk and mix it with other mothers’ milk. Then, the milk is heated to kill bacteria. After that, the technicians test samples of all the milk to make sure it is safe and healthful. The milk is re-frozen and sent to the main milk bank. The milk bank transports the milk to hospitals to feed premature or sick babies. Donors are tested for diseases before any milk is accepted. They are not permitted to smoke tobacco, use illegal drugs or drink too much alcohol.
小題1:The purpose of setting up breast milk banks is to_____.

A．store extra fresh milk for school children

B．provide milk to children who go hungry

C．help mothers donate milk to other babies

D．offer free breast milk to premature babies

小題2:The breast milk is important for newborns because_____.

A．it protects them from any possible disease

B．it contains rich nutrients that they need

C．it is the only food that babies can eat

D．it benefits them as the best medicine

小題3:The underlined word “they” in the last paragraph refers to____.

A．milk bank employees	B．milk bank doctors
C．milk bank nurses	D．breast milk donors

小題4:Which of the following shows the process of milk donations in the USA?
a. The mixed breast milk is heated to kill bacteria.
b. Breast milk is donated by mothers, frozen by them and sent to the stations.
c. The breast milk samples are tested for safety reason.
d. Different donors’ breast milk is warmed and mixed together by the station.
e. The milk is frozen again and sent to the main milk bank.

A．bdace

B．bcdea

C．badec

D．cbaed

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

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.

The Price of a Dream
I grew up poor, living with my wonderful mother. We had little money but plenty of love and attention.  I was   36  and energetic. I understood that no matter how poor a person was, he could still   37  a dream.
My dream was to be a sportsman.   38  I was sixteen, I had started playing baseball. I could throw a ninety-mile-per-hour fastball and hit anything that moved on the football field.  I was also   39 . My high-school coach was Ollie Jarvis, who not only believed in me, but taught me  40 to believe in myself. He   41 me the difference between having a dream and realizing the dream. One particular   42  with Coach Jarvis changed my life forever.
It was the summer between my junior and senior years, and a friend recommended (推薦) me for a summer job. This meant a chance for money in my pocket—money for a new bike and new clothes, and the   43  of savings for a house for my mother. Then I realized I would have to   44  summer baseball to deal with the work schedule, and that meant I would have to tell Coach Jarvis I wouldn’t be playing. 
When I told Coach Jarvis, he was as   45  as I expected him to be.  “You have your whole life to work,” he said.  “Your playing days are limited. You can’t   46  to waste them.” I stood before him with my head hanging, trying to think of the   47  that would explain   48  him why my dream of buying my mom a house and having money in my pocket was worth facing his   49  in me.
“How much are you going to make at this job, son?” he asked. “Three twenty-five an hour,” I replied.
“Well,” he asked, “is $3.25 an hour the   50  of a dream?”
That simple question made it   51  to me the difference between   52  something right now and following a dream. I   53  myself to sports that summer, and within the year I was   54  by the Pittsburgh Pirates to play baseball, and was   55  a $20,000 contract. In 2000, I bought my mother the house of my dream!

小題1:	A．happy B．polite C．shy D．honest

小題2:	A．lose B．have C．make D．need

小題3:	A．By the time B．The time C．At one time D．At a time

小題4:	A．right B．popular C．lucky D．confident

小題5:	A．how B．why C．when D．whether

小題6:	A．gave B．taught C．brought D．a(chǎn)sked

小題7:	A．a(chǎn)ccident B．matter C．problem D．experience

小題8:	A．a(chǎn)im B．idea C．start D．purpose

小題9:	A．keep up B．put up C．give up D．pick up

小題10:

A．mad B．happy C．frightened D．shameful

小題11:

A．a(chǎn)dopt B．a(chǎn)fford C．a(chǎn)ffect D．effect

小題12:

A．a(chǎn)nswers B．excuses C．words D．ways

小題13:

A．for B．to C．on D．in

小題14:

A．sadness B．regret C．hopelessness D．disappointment

小題15:

A．source B．prize C．price D．a(chǎn)llowance

小題16:

A．direct B．clear C．clean D．straight

小題17:

A．wanting B．changing C．dreaming D．choosing

小題18:

A．provided B．devoted C．headed D．imagined

小題19:

A．worked B．mentioned C．fired D．hired

小題20:

A．paid B．got C．offered D．signed

The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young woman with the white cane（杖，手杖） made her way carefully up the steps. She 36 the driver and, using her hands to feel the  37 of the seats, walked down and found the  38 which the driver had told her was empty. Then she settled in.
It had been a year since Mary, 34,  39 a medical misdiagnosis (誤診), was suddenly thrown into a world of  40 . Mark, her husband, was an Air Force officer and he loved Mary with all his heart. He  41  her how to rely on her other  42 , specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and  43 to adapt herself to the new environment. He helped her befriend（友好對(duì)待） the bus drivers who could  44 for her, and save her a seat.
 45 , Mary decided that she was ready to try the  46 on her own. Monday morning, she said good-bye and for the first time, they went their  47  ways.
On Friday morning, Mary took the bus to work as usual. As she was  48 the bus, the driver said, “Boy, I  49 envy you.” Mary had no  50  what the driver was talking about, and asked, “What do you  51  ?”
The driver answered, “You know, every morning for the  52 week, a fine-looking gentleman  53  a military uniform has been standing across the corner  54 you as you get off the bus. He  55  you cross the street safely and he watches until you enter your office building. You are one lucky lady.”          
Tears of gratitude poured down Mary’s cheeks.    

小題1:	A．thanked B．a(chǎn)sked C．discovered D．paid

小題2:	A．location B．shape C．size D．cost

小題3:	A．ticket B．bus C．seat D．bag

小題4:	A．a(chǎn)ccording to B．instead of C．thanks to D．due to

小題5:	A．a(chǎn)nger B．darkness C．happiness D．light

小題6:	A．a(chǎn)sked B．encouraged C．taught D．praised

小題7:	A．feelings B．sights C．senses D．a(chǎn)bilities

小題8:	A．how B．when C．where D．who

小題9:	A．make out B．watch out C．find out D．work out

小題10:

A．Finally B．Luckily C．However D．Besides

小題11:

A．visit B．trip C．bus D．work

小題12:

A．opposite B．separate C．difficult D．usual

小題13:

A．getting on B．getting in C．getting off D．getting up

小題14:

A．must B．may C．will D．do

小題15:

A．idea B．opinion C．way D．thought

小題16:

A．want B．mean C．say D．suggest

小題17:

A．next B．old C．past D．following

小題18:

A．by B．on C．with D．in

小題19:

A．searching B．watching C．calling D．noticing

小題20:

A．looks out B．takes up C．believes in D．makes sure

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

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

One day I came home from school, changed my clothes and got ready for work. I work at a local restaurant in town as a cashier and waiter.
I went to work feeling   36  . And to make matters worse, I was busy that evening. It' s the same thing over and over again.  37 with customers who complain about their food andwhere they are  38 is too big or too small. Little things like that tend to  39 a lot of us  40 but we manage to deal with it.
Three elderly ladies walked in and sat by the windows. It happened to be the very   41  near where I keep the dirty   42 in the boxes. Trying to keep up with all the dirty tables, customers leaving and coming in and   43 running all over the house, it was crazy．  44  these elderly women were watching   45  I was working to make sure every table was clean and ready for the next customers.
When they   46  their meals, I took their plates back to the kitchen. They talked to me for a while about school, how I was doing, what   47  I was in and what I planned to do in the future.
 48 they were leaving, they walked past me and one of them said to me in a  49  and gentle voice, “You are going places.（你前途無(wú)量） And that was it.” They left the  50 and I had tears in my eyes, because they gave me  51 to believe in myself．They   52  my spirit from being down and gave me a   53 to keep on working hard.
People used to tell me that I couldn’t have a career in    54  until I had a degree. I'm now a co-anchor (聯(lián)合主持人) of a student-produced television  55 . And the best thing is: I'm only 17 years old and I am a senior in high school.

小題1:	A．tired B．excited C．down D．up

小題2:	A．Helping B．Dealing C．Talking D．Meeting

小題3:	A．seated B． sat C．laid D．seating

小題4:	A．a(chǎn)ttract B．a(chǎn)void C．a(chǎn)nnoy D． adjust

小題5:	A．customers B．employees C．boss D．employers

小題6:	A．table B．box C．kitchen D． spot

小題7:	A．rooms B．dishes C．clothes D．chairs

小題8:	A．men B．women C．people D．servers

小題9:	A．And B．Otherwise C．But D．So

小題10:

A．how B．what C．where D．why

小題11:

A．completed B．finished C．ordered D．got

小題12:

A．grade B．place C．mark D．position

小題13:

A．Before B．While C．After D．As

小題14:

A．confident B．loud C．low D．pleasant

小題15:

A．house B．kitchen C．table D．restaurant

小題16:

A．courage B．a(chǎn)bility C．imagination D．time

小題17:

A．put down B．picked up C．took over D．pointed out

小題18:

A．reason B．cause C．present D．permission

小題19:

A．government B．television C．school D．restaurant

小題20:

A．company B．factory C．a(chǎn)dvertisement D．show