In my life, I have received many gifts from my mother. The most important was my life. However, there’s another special gift I will never forget.
When I grew up, I left home and got a job in South America. One day , a call came from my brother, “Something is wrong with Mom. She’s forgetful (健忘). She thinks we’re hiding (藏) you from her…”
I got back home at once. It was clear that she would not be able to stay in the house alone.
For nearly 4 years I stayed with my mother and we had fun. We even planted some vegetables together in the garden. It was not easy for me. I had to stop working. When I had to leave , I had to ask someone to look after her or drive her to my brother’s.
When it became clear that she was near the end, family memebers were called to come to say their good byes. For 3 weeks my sister and I just sat with Mom, took long walks and spent some real time with each other. My sister and I were both with Mom when she was passing away (去世), holding her hands and telling her how much we loved her. At the end of life, my mother gave me the gift of time with my sister in a way we would never have given ourselves.
【小題1】The writer knew there was something wrong with her mother________.

A．by giving her mother a call	B．when she stayed with her mother
C．from her brother’s call	D．by talking with her doctor

【小題2】The writer spent 4 years _______.

A．working hard	B．planning vegetables
C．building a garden	D．looking after her mother

【小題3】The writer’s family memebers were called _________.

A．to say good bye to Mother

B．to take care fo Mother

C．to help Mother do some housework

D．to have a family get -together

【小題4】From the passage, we know___________.

A．the writer didn’t get on well with her sister

B．the writer was kind and loved her mother

C．the writer’s mother didn’t like her sister

D．the wrter’s brother hid her from her mother

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

A．The most important gift	B．A special gift
C．A happy family	D．My dear mother

Dick often goes traveling when the summer holiday begins. But he was out of luck this summer.
He went to an old temple(廟)on a high mountain by himself. On his way there it suddenly began to rain heavily and he hurried to go down the mountain. When he got to the foot of the mountain, he found the wooden bridge was under the water, so he had to spend the rainy night in a broken farmhouse. He was so hungry that he hardly fell asleep.
The next morning the rain stopped and he found the bridge was damaged. He saw the river was not too deep and tried to swim across it. In the middle of the river the water nearly washed him away. Luckily , two farmers saved him, but he lost his bag. They gave him some food and dry clothes. He thanked them and went to the nearest town to call up his parents.
At the end of the street, Dick found a small hotel and went in. He asked the price for a room.
“A room on the first floor is twenty dollars, on the second floor, fifteen dollars and on the third, ten dollars,” answered the owner.
The young man had only eight dollars in all his pockets. He said thanks and was leaving. The owner asked, “Don’t you like our hotel?”
“Yes, it’s good,” said Dick, “but it’s not tall enough!”
【小題1】Dick spent the rainy night ______.

A．in the old temple	B．in a farmhouse
C．on the bridge	D．in a hotel

【小題2】Why couldn’t Dick go to sleep that rainy night?

A．Because he was afraid of the dark.

B．Because he had nothing for supper.

C．Because he felt cold.

D．Because he couldn’t call his parents.

【小題3】What did Dick do the next morning when he found the bridge was damaged?

A．He went back to the temple

B．He stayed in a farmhouse.

C．He decided to swim across the river.

D．He asked the farmers for some food.

【小題4】What do you think of Dick’s summer holiday this year?

A．Happy

B．Terrible

C．Boring

D．Exciting

【小題5】From Dick’s words in the last paragraph, we can infer(推測) that______.

A．Dick liked tall buildings

B．Dick went to borrow money from his good friends.

C．Dick went to look for a better hotel at last

D．Dick was not able to pay for a room in the hotel

One morning, Bill said he was ill. His mother called a taxi and took him to the doctor. The doctor asked Bill, “What’s the matter, young man?” Bill answered, “I’m feeling sick. I’m coughing(咳嗽) and having a headache(頭痛). I won’t be able to go to school today, I’m afraid.” The doctor looked him over carefully, and then asked his mother, “What did he have for breakfast?” His mother said, “He had four pieces of dread, two eggs, a bottle of milk and an orange.” The doctor smiled, “Don’t worry. It’s nothing serious. The boy will be all right after the football match.” The mother said, “I don’t understand, Doctor.” The doctor smiled again,” This afternoon, the biggest football game of the year will be on TV. Your boy doesn’t want to miss it. I think he will be fine after the game. You wait and see.”
【小題1】Bill and his mother went to the doctor_________ that morning.

A．by bus

B．by taxi

C．in a car

D．on foot

【小題2】 Bill had _______ for his breakfast.

A．nothing

B．four eggs

C．a(chǎn) lot of food

D．just a little

【小題3】 The doctor didn’t give Bill any medicine(藥), because ________.

A．he didn’t think Bill was ill	B．Bill didn’t like having medicine
C．Bill’s mother didn’t have enough money	D．he had no medicine left(剩下)

【小題4】 There was_______ on TV.

A．a(chǎn) volleyball game	B．a(chǎn)n English play
C．a(chǎn) funny match	D．a(chǎn) football match

【小題5】 In fact(事實上),_______.

A．there was something serious with Bill

B．Bill liked watching football matches better than going to school

C．Bill was an honest(誠實) boy

D．Bill’s mother was a doctor and she knew Bill was not ill

“Well, we're in our new house. Let's get a new pet to get along with it,” Mrs. Brown said to her husband.” That sounds like a pretty good idea,” he answered. “Do you want to see the ads in the newspaper？” “No. Let's go to the animal shelter. Many pets there need homes. Since tomorrow is Saturday, we can both go,” she said.
The next morning the Browns met Mr Snow at the animal shelter. “We want to be sure that the pets here go to good homes,” Mr Snow said, “So I need to ask you some questions.”
After they talked for a while, the Browns decided to get a small dog. It wouldn't need a big house or a big yard. A small dog would bark（吠）and warn them if someone tried to break into their house. After Mr Snow gave the Browns a book on pet care, they chose one and wanted to take her home right away. But the animal doctor hadn't checked her yet. So Mr Snow told them to return on Sunday.
On Sunday afternoon the Browns went to the animal shelter. The animal doctor said, “Shadow has had all of her shots(預(yù)防針). She will be healthy.” The browns thanked the doctor and took Shadow home.
【小題1】From the reading we learn that _______.

A．the Browns have never had a pet before.

B．the Browns knew about Shadow from the newspaper.

C．Shadow is a small and healthy dog.

D．Mr Brown didn't quite agree with his wife.

【小題2】The underlined word shelter in the reading means _______.

A．a(chǎn) place to sell small dogs

B．a(chǎn) place to keep homeless animals

C．a(chǎn) place to study animals

D．a(chǎn) place to sell books on pet care

【小題3】Mr Snow asked the Browns some questions to _______.

A．see if they had moved to a new house

B．find out how rich the Browns were

C．know where they'd keep their new pet

D．make sure they'd take care of pets

【小題4】The Browns thinks that a small dog _______.

A．doesn't need any room to keep

B．can help them watch their house

C．eats less food than a bigger one

D．usually has a beautiful name

【小題5】It's clear that _______.

A．Shadow will not be easy to get ill

B．the Browns were not good with Shadow

C．Mr Snow didn't check Shadow at all

D．Shadow likes barking a lot

Jack is a twenty-year-old young man. Two years ago, when he finished middle school, he found work in a shop. Usually he works until ten o'clock in the evening. He is very tired when he gets home. After a quick supper he goes to bed and soon falls asleep. His grandma who lives downstairs is satisfied with (滿意) him.
One day, on his way home, he met Mary. They were both happy. He asked the girl to his house, she agreed happily. He bought some fruit and drinks for her. And they talked about their school, teachers, classmates and their future . They talked for a long time.
“Have a look at your watch, please,” said the girl. “What time is it now?”
　　“Sorry, something is wrong with my watch,” said Jack. “Where's yours?”
　　“I left it at home.”
　　Jack thought for a moment and found a way. He began to stamp his foot on the floor, “Bang! Bang! Bang!”
　　The sound woke his grandma up. The old woman shouted downstairs, “It's twelve o'clock in the night, Jack. Why are you still jumping upstairs?”
【小題1】Jack was ________ when he finished middle school.

A．sixteen

B．eighteen

C．twenty

D．fifteen

【小題2】The old woman is satisfied with Jack because ________.

A．he's her grandson	B．he's clever
C．he can keep quiet	D．he gets home on time

【小題3】From the story, we can know that Mary is Jack's ________.

A．classmate

B．colleague (同事)

C．a(chǎn)unt

D．wife

【小題4】The word “stamp” in the story means ______ in Chinese.

A．蓋印

B．跺

C．貼郵票

D．承認(rèn)

【小題5】Jack stamped his foot on the floor in order (為了) ________.

A．to wake his grandma up

B．to make his grandma angry

C．that his grandma was going to tell him the time

D．that his grandma was going to buy him a watch

Nick is a knight(騎士). But he doesn’t like to ride and he doesn’t like to fight. Nick likes to read and write, and he likes to knit(編織).
One night, there was a knock at the door. “I need you to fight a dragon(龍)!” cried King Kareen.
“But I’m the wrong kind of knight!” said Nick. “I don’t like to fight.”
“Never mind! Hurry up!” cried the King.
“The dragon is in my bed!” said the King. Nick’s knees were knocking. He lifted the blanket(毯子) and saw a little dragon. “I’m freezing.” The dragon said.
Nick quickly started knitting. He knitted a coat, some long socks and some pants for the dragon. The dragon was glad. “Thank you!” he said and off he went.
“I think you’re the right kind of knight!” said the king.
【小題1】What does Nick do?

A．A king

B．A knight

C．A knitter

D．A writer

【小題2】Nick likes to read ,write and ______ .

A．ride

B．fight

C．sing

D．knit

【小題3】Why were Nick’s knees knocking ? Because Nick was ___________

A．so glad	B．too frightened
C．a(chǎn) wrong kind of knight	D．a(chǎn) right kind of knight

【小題4】The dragon was in the King’s bed because ___________.

A．he liked the king	B．he was hungry
C．he was freezing	D．he liked Nick

【小題5】The dragon was very glad and went off after__________.

A．Nick knitted some clothes for him

B．Nick had a big fight with him

C．the King gave him much food

D．the King gave him much money

Tom and Gina usually go to school by car .They drive(駕車) pasta cinema a supermarket a post office. The post office is next to the supermarket on Center Street .Mary and Ann usually go to school by bus. They go down Sixth Avenue, past a bank and a library. The bank is across from the library. Jenny usually goes to work by bike,he rides(騎車) past a hotel and three streets．

．

【小題1】How many people are there in the passage(短文)?

A．Two．

B．Three．

C．Four．

D．Five

【小題2】Where is the post office?

A．It’s on Sixth Avenue

B．It’s between the Cinema and the supermarket

C．It’s in front of the school．

D．It’s next to the supermarket．

【小題3】Who usually goes to school by bus?

A．Tom and Gina．

B．Mary and Ann．

C．Only Mary

D．Jenny．

【小題4】Where is the  library?

A．It’s on Center Street．	B．It’s next to the bank．
C．It’s across from the bank．	D．I don’t know．

【小題5】Which is wrong？（錯誤 ） ．

A．Jenny usually goes to work by bike．

B．Jenny rides past a bank and a street．

C．Tom drives past a post office．

D．A bank and a library are on Sixth Avenue．

I used to be very close to my father when I was a child. He gave me almost everything I wanted. Whenever I quarreled with my mother, I would turn to my father for comfort. He was everything to me.
Time flies like a bird. As I got older, I became silent and found it hard to start a conversation with my father. The gap(代溝) between us began to grow. He had done so much for me but I always took it for granted（理所當(dāng)然）.
Last time our school gave us two days off, and daddy gave me a ride home on his motorbike. I was tired and fell asleep on his back. Later my mother said he was very happy because it had been a long time since we got close last. Suddenly I felt a little shamed. I realized that I had paid no attention to him a lot during the last few years.
The next day I stayed in bed and when daddy tried to wake me up to have breakfast, I pretended(假裝) that I couldn’t hear him. At last he brought a bowl of noodles to my bed, and said, “Come on, dear, have your breakfast and then continue your dream.” I got so angry with him for troubling my sleep that I shouted, “__________.”
As I said this, I sat up quickly, and the bowl of noodles broke on the floor. Hearing the noise, mum came in and shouted at me, “What do you think your father is? Who else treats you as well as he does?”
I was shocked and didn’t know what to say. Finally I rushed with tears all over my face. I went to the pool where I used to go fishing with daddy. A few minutes later, I heard the sound of daddy’s motorbike. He was looking for me worriedly, but he didn’t notice me as I was sitting behind a tall brush.
I didn’t return home until 10 a.m.. The moment my parents saw me, they rushed to me. Mum hugged me tightly and daddy looked at me with worry in his eyes. “Are you hungry, dear?” he said at last. Before I could say anything, he had gone off on his motorbike to buy food for me.
【小題1】When the writer grew older, he found it         for him to have a talk with his father.

A．good

B．pleasant

C．a(chǎn) problem

D．fantastic

【小題2】The sentence in this passage “He was everything to me” means ________.

A．My father gave me everything

B．My father would give me whatever I wanted

C．When my father was angry, he wouldn’t give me anything

D．I used to depend on him in everything in my life

【小題3】Which of the following can be put in the blank(空白處) in Paragraph 4?

A．Stay with me.

B．Take me out.

C．Leave me alone.

D．Pick me up.

【小題4】The best title for this passage is _________.

A．The gap between the Father and the Son	B．Father’s Love
C．How to get on with Father	D．I Love Father

Nora, a 17-year-old American, notices that when she has to do a paper for school and researches it on the Internet, she rarely reads a whole page and does deep reading. “I’ll read the beginning of a paragraph and then I'll skip(跳過) the rest,” she says.
While Nora's mother, Martha, loves sitting down with a good book and reading carefully, her daughter may be the wave of the future.
“Deep reading”, or slow reading, is a process in which people think carefully while they read. With most, that means slowing down --- even stopping and rereading a page or paragraph to really understand what the author is trying to say.
Last summer, Google CEO Eric Schmidt said he was concerned about what he sees as a decline（衰退）in slow reading. Instant messages and 140-character tweets（微博）appear to be reducing out ability to concentrate on a single idea or theme of a book, he told Foreign Policy Magazine.
It's easy to forget the benefits of deep reading in an age when anything worth doing is done fast. Experts warn that without deep reading, it is impossible to be an educated person of the world, a knowledgeable voter or even an imaginative thinker.
“If you want to have a deep relationship with a text and understand a complex idea, then slow reading is a preferred style. It is good for pleasure, too. It is not a rushed experience and you can lose yourself in a text,” said Canadian writer John Miedema, the author of the book Slow Reading.
US' Ohlone College English professor Cynthia Lee Katona says reading is a highly social activity that builds the mind and social connections. If you read, she says, you simply know more and have more to talk about with friends, partners and people you know.
Deep reading can also take a reader on a trip around the world even if they are sitting in a living room armchair, Katona says. Also, deep reading helps people develop thinking, writing and conversation skills.
“If you like beautiful things, authors put words together that are really beautiful and expressive,” she says. “If you want to write well--- and there are lots of reasons to express yourself clearly --- you should read.”
【小題1】The comparison（對比）between Nora and her mother's reading habits _______.

A．introduces the wave of future

B．a(chǎn)dds a lot of fun for readers

C．explains what deep reading is

D．calls attention to deep reading

【小題2】What leads to the decline of deep reading, according to Eric Schemidt?

A．The fast pace of modern society.

B．The lack of desire for knowledge

C．The weakening ability to concentrate.

D．The wide use of instant messages and tweets.

【小題3】What does the underlined word “it ” refer to in paragraph 6?

A．A deep relationship.	B．A complex idea.
C．Slow reading.	D．A preferred style.

【小題4】According to the article, Cynthia Lee Katona's opinion of deep reading is that _______.

A．it makes sure you a better paid job

B．it makes you a better writer

C．it is better than travelling

D．it helps build better family relationship

【小題5】What is the main point of the article?

A．The importance of deep reading.

B．How to improve reading skills.

C．The benefits of different reading styles.

D．The secrets of a knowledgeable person

Four years ago my sweet mom went to be with her Lord. She did it her way.
I got the call at work, and I headed home quickly. Mom and Dad lived on a small farm that they had owned since I was seven. I hated going there every weekend. There was nothing for a young girl to do but watch the one station on the old TV set, if the weather allowed reception（接收）.
My mom, on the other hand, loved the peace and quiet of the land and loved to work in the garden among her flowers and vegetables. The place was simple, with no indoor plumbing or heat. We had a big wood stove in the kitchen that did its best to heat the little farmhouse, but it always seemed cold and too quiet to me.
In the evenings, my mom and I would sit for hours singing in the little kitchen. I sang the melody and Mom harmonized. Her favorite song was "Moon River" and we sang it over and over. Mom told me stories about how when I was a little girl, I could sing before I could talk. She loved to tell how my playpen（嬰兒圈欄）sat in the kitchen next to the radio and there was one song I particularly loved called "Ivory Tower".
As time passed, I had my own children and went to visit the farm every week or two. The kids loved the farm and the tractor rides with my dad. Me, well, I still hated the silence of the farm. While my mom loved to sit at her kitchen table and look out at her garden and flowers and retell all the old stories, I missed the hustle and bustle（喧鬧）of my life at home. But I sat there listening quietly as she reminisced.
Now, I sat back in the silence and the silence was deafening so I finally leaned over to turn on an old radio. Music always comforted me.
My heart skipped a beat. "Moon River" was playing on the radio. I sat there stunned, with a tear running down my cheek, as I listened to every familiar note.
Then the radio announcer of this oldie station came on. "Here's one we haven't heard in a while," and an unfamiliar song began. I began to cry harder as I heard the words sung over the airwaves. “Come down, come down from your Ivory Tower...”.
【小題1】The writer didn’t like staying in the farm for the following reasons EXCEPT that
________.

A．it was too cold and quiet

B．she could only sing one song on the small farm

C．there was nothing more that could make her excited

D．The place was simple, with no indoor plumbing or heat

【小題2】From the first paragraph, we know that the writer’s mother ________.

A．passed away four years ago

B．left the small farm with Lord

C．left for Lord to live her own way

D．preferred to be with Lord

【小題3】The underlined word reminisced in the fifth paragraph probably means ________.

A．recalled

B．comforted

C．shouted

D．sighed

【小題4】Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage _______.

A．The writer was able to sing before she could speak.

B．The writer preferred to live a busy life in the city.

C．The writer was still quite familiar with the song "Ivory Tower".

D．The writer treasured all her childhood memories in the small farmhouse.

【小題5】Which of the following would be the best title for this passage? _______

A．Cherish life	B．My happy childhood
C．Our small farmhouse	D．Mom’s music