The most important lesson I learned in high school had nothing to do with maths or American history. It came at graduation, several minutes before I left Miramonte High School.

I was rather shy back then, content to hang around with my few friends and to concentrate on my _______. I was doing so well that by the end of senior year I had perfect scores and enough credits(學分) to go to college.

But my good record soon became a _______to my well-being. In early June of senior year, the headmaster railed me into his office. He asked me to give a leave-taking speech at graduation. I looked at him. my heart _________ fast. This was the reward(回報) for my hard work? I said something, but not very clearly, and hurried away from the office.

I was hesitant(猶豫不決) about the decision, finally agreeing to compromise. I wasn't the only speaker—I would _______ the honor with five other students. Still, it was doubtful whether the task was _________ me. How would I give a speech to hundreds of people?

Graduation day soon arrived and, as _______, I was nervous. I'd been practicing my speech for days, and I had it _______. But I had never been so terrified in my life. The first half hour of the ceremony passed, and then my mother came…

Now I still have the video tape of that speech. My voice trembled (顫抖) a little, but _______ it was clear and strong. I'm proud of that tape. I achieved something I'd never _______ — I spoke in front of hundreds of people. ________ I didn't realize it at the time, the successful completion of that speech gave me the __________ to participate in class at college, to give oral reports, and to eventually break free of my ________.

1.A. characters B. Interests C. games D. subjects

2.A. luck B. benefit C. fear D. solution

3.A. burning B. breaking C. aching D. beating

4.A. share B. bring C. spare D. give

5.A. about B. for C. upon D. beyond

6.A. known B. hoped C. expected D. planned

7.A. thrown B. hoped C. remembered D. planned

8.A. partially B. immediately C. frankly D. mostly

9.A. dreamed B. made C. decided D. mostly

10.A. Because B. When C. Although D. Unless

11.A. respect B. confidence C. freedom D. excuse

12.A. shyness B. pride C. stupidity D. courage

Thank you so much, cause you’re always there;

You walk beside me, so I’m not alone;

You wag your tail to tell me you care;

You’re more like a friend than a pet I own.

Thank you so much for the love that you’ve shown;

No matter what happens, you don’t turn away;

The best kind of “person” that I’ve ever known;

You’re someone I love, more than these words can say.

1.This poem is addressed to a_______

A. brother or a sister B. classmate

C. snake D. dog

2.This poet(詩人) probably_______

A. is more comfortable around people than animals

B. Thinks that some animals are kinder than people

C. won’t eat hot dogs

D. lives on a farm

3.Why are quotation marks(引號) in the next to last line of the second stanza(詩節(jié))?

A. They are used to show that the poem is almost over.

B. They are used to show that a person is talking.

C. They are used to show that someone is asking a very important question.

D. They are used because a dog isn’t really a person, but is like a person in an important way.

4.It is Not possible to tell that the poet believes________.

A. a human can love an animal

B. an animal can love a human

C. all people are mean

D. dogs can let their owner know how they feel

While many women are busy with planning their bridal showers (新娘送禮會), a baby shower usually comes as a complete surprise. A baby shower is a party where a pregnant (懷孕的) woman is “showered” with gifts and good wishes. A baby shower is usually given by a close female friend or a relative of the mother-to-be. Sometimes co-workers of a pregnant person will also hold a baby shower for her.

The baby shower is usually given when the mother-to-be is between 6 and 9 months pregnant. Predicting the date of a baby’s birth isn’t always exact. Sometimes a baby shower can also happen after the baby is born. A baby shower can be held in someone’s home or outside, like in a restaurant or a catering hall. Traditionally only women are invited to a baby shower. However, more and more baby showers are also including the father-to-be.

Like a bridal shower, a mother-to-be will register (登記) a wish list of things she wants at one or several stores. This list usually includes things the mother wants for her baby like clothes, diapers and even furniture. This way friends and family members can go to the stores and buy something from the list. Registering helps make sure that there aren’t repeat items, like 30 bottles when a new mom only needed 15.

At a baby shower, people can give cards with wishes for the new baby and mom. Most of these cards also include money or gift cards to help the mom-to-be buy whatever else she needs for the baby. Sometimes there are games as well. In one game everyone guesses the date of the baby. Another game lets people taste baby food and guess the flavor.

1.Who was only invited to a baby shower traditionally?

A. Men. B. Children. C. Women. D. Pregnant women.

2.Why does a mother-to-be register a wish list of things?

A. To prevent others from buying the repeat items.

B. To remind herself to buy some items for the party.

C. To remember to buy the necessary things for her friends.

D. To invite friends or family members to the baby shower.

3.What can friends and family members do at a baby shower?

A. Play games. B. Get some money and gifts.

C. Feed the baby. D. Register a wish list of things.

4.According to the passage, we know that ______.

A. the baby shower only happens at home

B. the baby shower never takes place after the baby is born

C. people have baby showers instead of bridal showers now

D. people hold the baby shower to send wishes to the mother-to-be

As graduation day approached, excitement increased. Being out of high school meant I was finally coming of age. Soon I would be on my own, making my own decisions, doing what I wanted without someone looking over my shoulder and it meant going to school with boys—a welcome change coming from an all-girl high school. There was never any question in my mind that I would go to a college away from home.

My mother’s idea, on the other hand, was just the opposite. Trying her best not to force her preferences on me, she would subtly ask whether I had considered particular schools—all of which happened to be located in or near my hometown of Chicago.

Then panic set in. My feelings took a 180-degree turn. I really didn’t want to leave high school at all, and it was questionable whether I wanted to grow up after all. It had been nice being respected as a senior by the underclass students for the past year; I didn’t enjoy the idea of being on the bottom rung of the ladder again.

Despite months of expectation, nothing could have prepared me for the impact of the actual day. As the familiar melody(旋律) of “Pomp and Circumstance” echoed(回聲) in the background, I looked around at the other figures in white caps and gowns as we seriously lined into the hall. Tears welled up uncontrollably in my eyes, and I was consumed by a rush of sadness. As if in a daze(恍惚), I rose from my seat when I heard my name called and slowly crossed the stage to receive my diploma. As I reached out my hand, I knew that I was reaching not just for a piece of paper but for a brand-new life. Exciting as the future of a new life seemed, it wasn’t easy saying good-bye to the old one—the familiar faces, the familiar routine. I would even miss that chemistry class I wasn’t particularly fond of and the long travel each day between home and school that I hated. Good or bad, it was what I knew.

Although going back is impossible, it’s comforting to know I can revisit my special memories any time.

1.Expectation and excitement suddenly changed into anxiety and fear. Which of the

following did the author NOT include as a reason for that change?

A. Growing homesick might seriously affect her academic performance at college.

B. She might make a wrong choice and enter a university she did not like at all.

C. Her being a top student at high school did not mean a successful academic career for her.

D. It might be hard for her to make friends under new circumstances.

2.The author’s mother ________.

A. did not care very much which college her daughter went to

B. was greatly disappointed at her decision to go to a college on the East Coast

C. willingly allowed her to go to a college of her own choice

D. wished that she would study at a college or university close to home

3.On the actual graduation day, ________.

A. she sang a song “Pomp and Circumstance”

B. reaching out for diploma, she was aware of a new stage in life ahead of her

C. she came to realize that she had a passion for her old school

D. she went through the whole ceremony in a daze

4.What does the underlined part “being on the bottom rung of the ladder” mean?

A. Being a freshman. B. Being an unpopular student.

C. Being a loser. D. Being a childish person

5.The author adopts a(n)________ tone in writing this article.

A. negative B. serious C. emotional D. cold-blooded

6.What does the author mainly describes in this article?

A. her happiness to be admitted to a wonderful university

B. her eagerness to go to a wonderful university far away from home

C. Her excitement during the months leading to the graduation ceremony.

D. her mixed feelings during the months before and on graduation day.

What makes a successful speech? First, you should have a good speech script(稿子)so that your ideas and language can attract people's attention．And some skills are necessary, too．

　　Here are some suggestions on giving great speeches：

　　◆Beat nerves

　　Relax yourself before and when making a speech．Practice your opening sentence three or four times．This will help make a sure start and a successful speech．When you stand on the stage, think of the audience(觀眾)as your family members and friends．

　　◆Keep it natural

　　Natural body languages will help your speech：smile, stand straight and look at the audience．Do not drop your head or play with a pen．Also, dressing yourself nicely will help the audience feel respected．

　　◆Pace and pause(節(jié)奏和停頓)

Pace and pause add color to your speech．Speak fast enough to keep people excited and slowly enough for people to fully understand you．After an important point, pause for a moment．It'll change the atmosphere(氣氛)in the audience．

1.Why should a speaker have a good speech script?

__________________________________________________________

2.When you giving a speech some skills aren’t necessary, are they?

__________________________________________________________

3.What helps to make a sure start of the speech?

__________________________________________________________

4.If you don’t dress yourself nicely, how will the audience feel?

__________________________________________________________

5.What does this passage talk about?

_________________________________________________________

A. Fine, thank you. B. Nice to meet you. C. Yes, I am.

A. I’m from England. B. I’m Mary. C. I’m twelve years old.

A. My name is Tony. B. His name is Tony. C. I’m in Class Five.

A. He’s in China. B. He’s from America. C. She’s from England.

A. Jim Green. B. Green. C. My name is Kate Black.