Engagement, wedding, and birth of a baby are the three steps of a new family. The Danes’ special ways of doing these things inform their native culture.
People in other places of the world usually give their lovers a finger ring or a bundle of flowers as a gift of engagement. 36 in some areas of Denmark, it is still considered 37
for a young man to 38 his fiancée with the wooden clappers once used to 39 clothes
40 in a stream. These clappers were engraved with love-poems, and 41 tradition, they ensured good fortune and happiness.
And their country weddings also show a tint of local convention(传统). Until recently, a Danish country wedding was an event which 42 all who lived in the surrounding 43 . Everyone was tacitly(不言而喻地) invited to celebrate with the young couple. Preparations for the wedding lasted for many days but were made 44 , because to show happiness openly 45
arouse the anger and jealousy of evil spirits.
46 the wedding morning the couple met in the courtyard of the bride’s house. The relatives and friend presented themselves to the couple, bowed and placed gifts at their feet. Every gift was 47 by good wishes recited in prose(散文) or in verse; 48 modest the gift the more elaborate(精致的) the wishes had to be. 49 who had neither the means to give 50
the imagination to make a speech were, as a sign of their goodwill, placed 51 guard over the presents and, in the evening, over the couple’s bed.
52 the conclusion of the ceremony a large jar of beer was taken to the courtyard. The hands of the betrothed(已订婚的) were joined over the jar and it was 53 into fragments(碎片). These pieces were picked 54 by the girls of marriageable age who were present, the girl with the largest 55 being destined to marry first.
36．A．However B．But C．Therefore D．So
37．A．a luck B．luck C．lucky D．lucks
38．A．send B．present C．bring D．give
39．A．strike B．beat C．hit D．blow
40．A．to wash B．washed C．to be washed D．washing
41．A．according to B．with a view to C．so far as D．in addition to
42．A．stated B．related C．concerned D．considered
43．A．area B．district C．zone D．region
44．A．publicly B．silently C．unknowingly D．secretly
45．A．would B．should C．must D．may
46．A．At B．In C．On D．To
47．A．completed B．accompanied C．accomplished D．matched
48．A．much more B．the more C．any more D．more
49．A．These B．Those C．People D．They
50．A．or B．and C．nor D．then
51．A．in B．on C．at D．against
52．A．At B．In C．To D．For
53．A．smashed(弄碎) B．ruined C．crashed D．cracked
54．A．out B．up C．on D．at
55．A．part B．fragment C．section D．block
I met Jane Black in university, and soon we became friends．The first time I went to her home I found her family quite different from my own．
In my family, it was always important to place 1 when anything bad happened．
"Who did this? "my mother would scream about a dirty kitchen．
" This is all your 2 , Katharine, " my father would insist when the cat got out or the dishwasher 3 .
From the time we were little, my sister, brothers and I told on each other．We set a place for blame at the dinner table．
4 ,the Whites didn't worry about who had done what．They picked up the pieces and 5 with their lives．The beauty of this was driven home to me the summer Jane died．
In July, the White sisters and I decided to take a car 6 from their home in Florida to New York．The two older sisters, Sarah and Jane, were college students, and the youngest, Amy, had recently 7 sixteen．Proud of having a new driver' s license, Amy was excited about practicing her driving on the trip．She 8 her license to everyone she met．
The big sisters 9 the driving of Sarah' s new car during the first part of the trip, but when they reached _10_ crowded areas, they let Amy 11 ．Somewhere in South Carolina, we pulled off the highway to eat．After lunch, Amy got behind the wheel．She came to a crossroads with a stop sign．Whether she was nervous or just didn't see the sign no one would 12 know, but Amy continued into the crossroads without stopping．The driver of a large truck, unable to stop in time, ran into our car．
Jane was killed immediately．I was only 13 injured．The most difficult thing that I’ve ever done was to call the Whites to tell them about the accident and that Jane had died．Painful __14_ it was for me to lose a good friend, I knew that it was far worse for them to lose a child．
When Mr．and Mrs．White arrived at the hospital, they found their two daughters sharing a room．Sarah had a few cuts on the head and Amy' s leg was broken．They hugged us all and cried tears of 15 and of joy at seeing their daughters．They 16 away the girls' tears and made a few jokes at Amy as she learned to use her crutches （拐仗）.
To both of their daughters, and especially to Amy, over and over they simply said, "We' re so glad that you' re alive．"
I was 17 ．No blame．No accusations．
Later, I asked the Whites why they never talked about the fact that Amy was driving and had run a stop sign．
Mrs. White said, "Jane' s gone, and we miss her 18 ．Nothing we say or do will ever bring her back．But Amy has her whole life ahead of her．How can she _19____ a full and happy life if she feels we blame her for her sister' s death?"
They were right．Amy graduated from the University of California and got married several years ago．She works 20 a teacher of learning-disabled students．She' s also a mother of two little girls of her own, the oldest named Jane．
A．anger B．blame C．scream D．pride
A．fault B．mistake C．benefit D．action
A．broke B．caught C．stopped D．worked
A．Then B．However C．Therefore D．Still
A．had on B．put on C．got on D．moved on
A．drive B．voyage C．trip D．tour
A．became B．reached C．got D．turned
A．showed off B．turned up C．brought out D．took off
A．took B．tasted C．shared D．experienced
A．more B．less C．far D．quite
A．turn up B．get down C．take over D．take up
A．hardly B．never C．even D．ever
A．seriously B．slightly C．lightly D．quickly
A．as B．so C．when D．while
A．pity B．sadness C．shame D．sympathy
A．swept B．gave C．wiped D．cleaned
A．delighted B．excited C．amused D．astonished
A．terribly B．hard C．gradually D．rarely
A．direct B．guide C．lead D．conduct
A．for B．as C．like D．to
It was an afternoon in the winter. Some friends and I were talking at a restaurant. We talked and talked and soon swimming became the ___1____. Suddenly I hit upon an idea. “Wouldn’t it be ___2___ if we went swimming? Others went swimming in winter, and __3___ couldn’t we? Besides, we could be ___4__ if we did. ” I told them about this and they all said it was a good idea indeed.
Early in the morning, three days __5____, we four were standing at the bus stop, with bags in our hands, ___6___ for a bus to take us to the __7___. The sky was clear, the sun was shining, but all the same, it was very cold, __8___ our heavy overcoats were not enough to keep us ___9__. We all felt that we should go back, but no one wanted to __10___.
We soon reached the sands. There was nobody there, but we were not to be discouraged. __11___ we were proud that we were the __12___ ones that dared to challenge the weather. Besides, the sun could keep us warm. So we __13__ ourselves quickly.
But things were not going to be so nice as we thought. The sea wind was blowing, we felt __14___ cold and we shook from head to feet. At last we decided to ____15__ the sea water. We put our feet in first, only to take them back___16___. The water was unbelievably cold. ___17___ I suggested that we should all jump in at the same time. We all went back ten steps. I gave the order and we all rushed forward. We jumped. That feeling I had when I was in the water I shall never ___18___. I was up and rushed again to the seaside. So __19___ my friends. We put on our clothes as quickly as possible and went home.
We four did not go to school the next three days, for we all __20__ a bad cold. We missed the lessons, but we had this unforgettable experience.
A．object B．topic C．opinion D．center
A．interesting B．lucky C．happy D．surprising
A．what B．how C．that D．why
A．worse B．ill C．stronger D．better
A．later B．past C．since D．before
A．asking B．meeting C．waiting D．looking
A．swimming pool B．sands C．lake D．river
A．only B．though C．even D．since
A．cold B．warm C．hot D．cool
A．speak out B．talk about C．shout at D．think over
A．For B．Instead C．Sometimes D．Unless
A．only B．lucky C．younger D．happy
A．helped B．enjoyed C．dressed D．changed
A．such B．a little C．very D．a bit
A．go down B．go into C．jump into D．take off
A．carefully B．quickly C．bravely D．finally
A．Last B．Next C．When D．Then
A．remember B．forget C．believe D．tell
A．did B．do C．were D．had
A．became B．felt C．turned D．caught
A man found the cocoon (茧) of a moth (蛾). He took it home so that he could 1 the moth come out of the cocoon. On that day a small 2 appeared. He sat and watched the moth for several hours as the moth struggled to 3 the body through that little hole. Soon it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had 4 as far as it could and it could go no further. It just seemed to be stuck. So the man, out of his kindness, decided to help the moth. He took a pair of scissors and cut off the 5___ bit of the cocoon. The 6 then came out easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriven (无用的) wings. The man continued to watch the moth because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and 7 to be able to support the 8 , which would get smaller in time. Neither happened! In fact, the little moth spent the rest of its life 9 around with a swollen body and shriven wings. It was 10 able to fly.
What the man in his kindness 11 was that the small cocoon and the 12__of the moth to get through the 13 opening was a way to push fluid (液体) 14 the body of moth 15 its wings so that it would be ready to fly 16 it got out of the cocoon. Freedom and 17 would come only after the struggle. By taking the struggle away, he also took away the moth’s health.
Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If we were to 18 our lives without any difficulties, we would become disabled. We would not be as 19 as what we could have been. Give every opportunity a chance. Leave no room for 20 .
A．help B．protect C．watch D．see
A．opening B．line C．moth D．butterfly
A．push B．draw C．make D．force
A．got B．done C．tried D．struggled
A．covering B．remaining C．shell D．skin
A．moth B．butterfly C．cocoon D．worm
A．lessen B．widen C．expand D．shorten
A．standing B．flight C．themselves D．body
A．flying B．crawling C．walking D．lying
A．already B．certainly C．never D．seldom
A．shouldn’t do B．thought C．did D．didn’t understand
A．crawling B．struggle C．fight D．force
A．tiny B．beginning C．right D．above
A．in B．on C．by D．from
A．into B．to C．in D．onto
A．after B．once C．before D．until
A．courage B．hope C．flight D．survival
A．stand on B．get on C．go through D．live
A．great B．determined C．brave D．strong
A．regrets B．death C．failure D．wishes
This economy has really got a lot of people moving and not always by a choice they wanted to make. My wife and I now find ourselves among those unfortunates feeling that 1 .
At the end of last year, our customers just 2 . We had to make the painful decision to 3 our office and put our house up for 4 . We haven’t lived in it for two years yet and expected it would be the 5 one for a long time. How 6 this world economic mess is changing our lives!
As I get older, I find moving less adventurous and more 7 . This time, we’re in the process of moving without knowing where we’ll 8 next. Job searching has been thrown into the quagmire(困境) of an unsettled life. Both my wife and I had been feeling pretty 9 from all this. I’ve been challenged to find the positive in all this down that’s 10 us.
But then it happened while I watched my wife 11 things up. She’s an absolute whiz(能手) when it comes to packing. I took delight in watching her 12 just the right boxes for 13 in front of her and filling in the 14 with pillows and towels. I began feeling something like a wind lift me up and sail me through my own 15 of the packing and loading.
Some friends will be helping us with the 16 . I’ve told them that they’re not 17 friends but gaining some new vacation spots.
I have 18 that we’ll get through this transition finally. We all will always have work to do, by choice or 19 , and we can also consciously make the effort to create a sense of 20 in a new place.
A．pressure B．pleasure C．heat D．chance
A．stayed up B．turned up C．dried up D．came up
A．open B．close C．visit D．paint
A．help B．comparison C．decoration D．sale
A．last B．next C．only D．special
A．little B．quickly C．frequently D．well
A．dangerous B．common C．stressful D．interesting
A．return B．arrive C．study D．prepare
A．relaxed B．excited C．ashamed D．depressed
A．improving B．encouraging C．beating D．killing
A．packing B．washing C．pulling D．dividing
A．bring up B．keep up C．size up D．set up
A．others B．nothing C．another D．everything
A．cars B．gaps C．tanks D．holes
A．boat B．share C．wish D．promise
A．settling B．cooking C．cleaning D．moving
A．valuing B．losing C．inviting D．making
A．idea B．faith C．feeling D．opinion
A．otherwise B．indeed C．worse D．rather
A．panic B．connection C．humor D．home
Sometimes I really doubt whether there is love between my parents. Every day they are very busy trying to 36 in order to pay the high tuition for my brother and me. They don’t act in the 37 ways that I read in books or I see on TV. In their opinion, “I love you” is too 38 for them to say. Sending flowers to each other on Valentine’s Day is even more out of 39 .
One day, my mother was sewing a quilt. I sat down beside her. “Mom, I have a question to ask you. Is there 40 between you and Dad?” I asked her in a very low voice. She didn’t answer immediately. She 41 her head and continued to sew the quilt.
I was very worried because I thought I had 42 her. I was 43 and I didn’t know what I should do. But at last I heard my mother say the following words:
“Susan,” she said thoughtfully, “Look at this thread．Sometimes it 44 , but most of it disappears in the quilt. The thread really makes the quilt 45 . If life is a quilt, then love should be a thread．It can hardly be seen 46 , but it’s really there. Love is 47 .”
I listened carefully but I 48 her until the next spring. At that time, my father suddenly 49 seriously. My mother had to stay with him in the hospital for a month. When they returned from the hospital, they both looked 50 . It seemed both of them had had a serious illness. After they were back, every day in the morning and dusk, my mother helped my father 51 on the country road．
“Dad, how are you feeling now?” I asked him one day.
“Susan, don’t 52 me.” he said gently. “To tell you the truth, I just like walking with your mom.” 53 his eyes, I know he loves my mother deeply.
Once I thought love meant flowers, gifts and 54 . But from this experience, I understand that love is just 55 in the quilt of our life. Love is inside, making life strong and warm.
A．keep fit B．rise early C．earn money D．collect money
A．magic B．romantic C．fantastic D．attractive
A．simple B．easy C．relaxing D．luxurious
A．the question B．question C．reach D．control
A．feeling B．love C．quarrel D．smile
A．raised B．shook C．nodded D．bowed
A．hurt B．injured C．wounded D．harmed
A．in great surprise B．in a great embarrassment C．with deep depression D．at extreme sorrow
A．happens B．comes about C．appears D．occurs
A．warm and soft B．hot and hard C．thin and cool D．strong and durable
A．somewhere and sometime B．anywhere or anytime C．more or less D．here and there
A．inside B．outside C．faraway D．nearby
A．could believe B．couldn’t understand C．wouldn’t recognize D．might know
A．got sick B．got stuck C．threw up D．became disabled
A．quite healthy B．very pale C．fairly red D．much surprised
A．jump high B．go hurriedly C．run fast D．walk slowly
A．think about B．talk with C．worry about D．laugh at
A．Reading B．Seeing C．Saying D．Writing
A．fresh roses B．gold ring C．sweet kisses D．beautiful jewelry
A．a thread B．a needle C．the cloth D．the cotton
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