It was the first snow of winter — an exciting day for every child but not for most teachers. Up until now, I had been old enough to dress myself, but today would need some help. Miss Finlayson, my kindergarten teacher, had been through brst snow days many times, but I think she may still remember this one.
I managed to get into my wool snow trousers. But I struggled won my jacket because it didn’t fit well. It was a hand-mc-down from my brother, and if made me wonder why I had to wear his ugly clothes, At least my hat and scarf were mine, and they were quite pretty. Finally it was time to have Miss Finlayson help me with my boots（靴子）.
In her calm, motherly voice she said, “By the end of winter, you will all be able to put on your own boots.” I didn’t realize at the at the time that this was more a statement of hope than of confidence（信心）.
I handed her my boots and stuck out my foot. Like most children, I expected grown-ups to do all the work. After much pushing, she managed to get first one into place and then, with a sigh, worked the second one on too.
I announced, “They’re on the wrong feet.”
She struggled to get the boots off and went through the joyless task of putting them on again.
“They’re my brother’s boots, you know,” I said. “I hate them”.
Somehow, from long years of practice, she managed to act as though I wasn’t an annoying（烦人的） little girl, She struggle with me, she asked, “Now, where are your mittens（连指手套）？”
I looked into her eyes and said, “I didn’t want to lose them, so I hid them in the toes of my boots. The little girl was more satisfied with her_____.
| A．trousers | B．jacket | C．boots | D．hat |
Miss Finlayson had difficulty with the girl’s boots mainly because_____.
| A．the girl got them from her brother | B．the girl put something in them |
| C．they were on the wrong feet | D．they did not fit the girl well |
Why does the author Miss Finlayson would remember that first snow day?
| A．Because the little girl was in her brother’s clothes. |
| B．Because it was the most exciting day of the winter . |
| C．Because the little girl played a trick on her. |
| D．Because the little girl wore a pretty scarf. |
We can learn from the text that Miss Finlayson____.
| A．was losing confidence in the little girl. |
| B．gradually lost patience with the little girl. |
| C．became disappointed with the little girl. |
| D．was getting bored with the little girl. |
Here is some information about several famous local bakeries(面包烤房) in Indiana, the US. They serve as a social gathering place for locals.
Maple Lane Bakery
At 8260 S. State Rd. Claypool, IN. (574) 566-2917, it offers a variety of cooked pies, cookies, and bread. With 20 years’ experience Maple Lane Bakery has specialized in the making of pies. The menu includes peach pie $7.19, berry pie $7.70, apple pie $7.19 and banana pie $6.99. Feel free to place an order at least 24 hours in advance.
Betty’s Cakes & Candy Shop
At 816 E. Winona Avenue Warsaw, IN. (574) 269-1231, it specializes in cakes and offers cookies and candies. The chocolate cookies are sold at $8.99 a dozen. Betty’s Cakes & Candy Shop, started half a century ago, specializes in wedding cakes and birthday cakes. Buying a cake from Betty’s will not disappoint you as they are always excellent.
Crepes’ Quality Bakery
At 217 S. Cavin Street Ligonier, IN. (260) 894-3024, this third generation bakery is located downtown Ligonier. It offers cookies and cupcakes, and specializes in rolls and bread. If you plan to buy cookies for the office or work area, you had better get there early as the building workers arrive just before 5:00 am waiting for the doors to open.
Olympia Candy Kitchen
At 136 N. Main Street Goshen, IN. (574) 533-5040, it has been welcoming visitors for almost a century in its unchanged location in downtown Goshen, Indiana. Its tradition began in 1912 when Greek Nicholas began making his own chocolates. Today this family-owned operation offers all kinds candies and boxed candies.
If you need an order, you should call ahead of time to see if they can meet your request.Which of the following pies is the most expensive?
| A．Banana pie. | B．Berry pie. |
| C．Peach pie. | D．Apple pie. |
If you want to order a birthday cake, you are advised to call _________.
| A．(574) 533-5040 | B．(574) 566-2917 |
| C．(260) 894-3024 | D．(574) 269-1231 |
Which of the following bakeries has the shortest history?
| A．Maple Lane Bakery | B．Crepes’ Quality Bakery |
| C．Olympia Candy Kitchen | D．Betty’s Cakes & Candy Shop |
The author wrote this passage mainly to __________.
A. warn customers to order bakeries in advance
B. tell readers some travel information
C. make the bakeries better known to readers
C. persuade more people to eat pies
We spent a day in the country, picking wild flowers. With the car full of flowers we were going home. On our way back my wife noticed a cupboard (柜厨) outside a furniture shop. It was tall and narrow. “Buy it, ” my wife said at once. “We’ll carry it home on the roof rack. I’ve always wanted one like that.”
What could I do? Ten minutes later I was ￡20 poorer; and the cupboard was tied on the roof rack. It was six feet long and eighteen inches square, quite heavy too.
In the gathering darkness I drove slowly. Other drivers seemed unusually polite that evening. The police even stopped traffic to let us through. Carrying furniture was a good idea.
After a time my wife said, “There’s a long line of cars behind. Why don’t they overtake, I wonder?” In fact a police car did overtake. The two officers inside looked at us seriously as they passed. But then, with great kindness, they led us through the rush-hour traffic. The police car stopped at our village church. One of the officers came to me.
“Right, sir, ” he said. “Do you need any more help?”
I was a bit puzzled. “Thanks, officer, ” I said. “You have been very kind. I live just on the road.”
He was staring at our car, first at the flowers, then at the cupboard. “Well, well, ” he said, laughing. “It’s a cupboard you’ve got there! We thought it was something else.”
My wife began to laugh. The truth hit me like a stone between the eyes. I smiled at the officer. “Yes, it’s a cupboard, but thanks again.” I drove home as fast as I could.Other drivers thought the author and his wife were _______.
| A．carrying a cupboard to the church |
| B．sending flowers to the church |
| C．carrying nothing but a piece of furniture |
| D．going to attend a funeral at the church |
The police will be more polite to those who are _______.
| A．driving in gathering darkness |
| B．in great sorrow |
| C．driving with wild flowers in the car |
| D．carrying furniture |
What did the husband think of this matter?
| A．It was very strange. | B．He took great pride in it. |
| C．He felt ashamed of it. | D．He was puzzled at it. |
Scientists fear rising energy bills may lead to an increase in obesity （肥胖） after discovering a link between poorly-heated homes and higher body -fat．
Researchers from the University of Stirling’s Behavioural Science Centre set out to explore claims that warm indoor temperatures have contributed to rising obesity levels in winter．Instead, the team found that people who live in well-heated homes are more likely to have low body mass index （体重指数） levels while those who keep their heating turned down or off tend to be heavier．
Dr Michael Daly, behavioral scientist and senior lecturer, said: "We set out to investigate the scientific claims that cooler indoor temperatures help us maintain a healthy weight by pushing our bodies to use up more energy. In fact, the research suggests people may eat less and burn more energy when in a warmer indoor environment．
The 13-year study, published in the journal Obesity, involved more than 100,000 adults across England．
Researchers found reduced weight levels among people living in homes heated to above 23°C（73F）, which involved about 15,000 of the households studied．
Dr Daly said: "As national gas bills continue to rise faster than the rate of inflation, this research suggests the obesity could worsen where heating is turned down below comfortable levels or off for long periods to cut costs．"
This is not just about people who live in well-heated homes being in the financial position to afford more expensive low-calorie foods, exercise classes and sporting activities, and therefore finding it easier to maintain a low BMI level．The study took age, sex, social class and other factors into account．
"The comfortable temperature of 20°C -23°C is where we feel comfortable in our clothes and are neither hot nor cold．At temperatures above this, we use more energy and we eat less because our appetite is affected．" The findings of the research can be described as ___ ．
| A．horrible | B．surprising |
| C．funny | D．encouraging |
According to the passage, with rising gas bills, people may turn down or off their heating to______.
| A．stay in shape | B．maintain a low BMI level |
| C．save money | D．avoid eating more |
Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?
| A．Obesity links to poorly-heated homes |
| B．Well-heated home's contribute to obesity |
| C．Obesity--- A weighty problem in England |
| D．Rising energy bills help maintain a healthy weight |
Italians were reminded to slow down and relax on World Slow Day, an annual event celebrating life's simple pleasures.
"Let's take this day to stop and think about all the things we miss while we're rushing through our lives," said Bruno Contigiani, the President of the Art of Living Slowly Association. Contigiani, 62, a one-time high-powered manager, is now an ambassador for the slow life movement around the world. He started the first World Slow Day in 2007 to encourage the values of living and working at a more natural pace, and to make people rethink their daily lifestyle.
Contigiani's association suggests "14 commandments (诫条) " for living better, such as waking up five minutes earlier to enjoy breakfast without rushing. Others include walking whenever possible, and reading in the evenings instead of watching television.
This year, Contigiani left Italy where the event has spread around the country for Shanghai, one of the fastest moving cities in the world. The slow-living supporter said he wandered around the busiest streets of the commercial center for an entire afternoon, inviting people to "slow down". "Among the ‘14 commandments’, the one about waking up five minutes earlier was the most popular by far, " Contigiani said.
Back in Italy, the now well-known event hosts a lot of activities, such as reminding people to stop and smell the roses. In central Milan you would probably be fined if you walk too fast. In parks and public spaces, free yoga and Tai Chi (太极拳) lessons are important parts of the events.
Italian farmers' union noted that Italians spent less and less time preparing meals, a habit connected to rising levels of obesity（肥胖）. Therefore, the group said World Slow Day was a good opportunity to remind Italians to take extra time at meals in particular.
World Slow Day is by now an international event. A total of 90 “Slow Cities" in 11 countries inspired by the “live well" philosophy are supporting the day. What's the best title of the text?
| A．Slow Life Supporters | B．Lifestyle of Italy |
| C．World Slow Day | D．Living Well |
World Slow Day is intended to .
| A．tell people to walk slowly |
| B．encourage people to enjoy pleasant things |
| C．advise people to adjust to modern lifestyle |
| D．remind people to live and work at a natural pace |
Which of the following goes against the "commandments"?
| A．Walking whenever possible. |
| B．Slowing down to smell flowers. |
| C．Watching TV in the evenings instead of reading. |
| D．Waking up five minutes earlier to enjoy breakfast. |
In which section of a newspaper is the text probably put?
| A．Advertisement. | B．Culture. |
| C．Business. | D．Entertainment. |
''If you can see the magic in a fairytale童话）, you can face the future”-- Danielle Steel
Who have not read fairytales? We all have had the experience of taking great delight in the beauty and innocence of fairytales．May it be Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty．．．Fairytale is a word which cannot be new to us. But haveyou ever travelled ages back to the earliest of times and uncovered the fascinating facts about these stories?
The history of the fairytale is particularly difficult to track．The oral tradition of the fairytale came long before the written page．The oldest known fairytales date back to ancient Egypt around 1300B.C.and now, after travelling through various periods of time, they have grown and matured in various aspects and have become the most popular forms of stories for young children
The characters and themes of fairytales are simple and similar:Princesses and goose girls, youngest sons and brave princes, wicked, stepmothers, fairy godmothers, talking animals, glass mountains, witches, castles and the like. The tale goes into an unreal world and in this never-never land our heroes kill the enemy, succeed to kingdoms and marry the ever beautiful princesses. W. H Auden said, “The way to read a fairytale is to throw yourself in.” It is very true indeed or you will not be able to feel the ecstasy of reading a fairytale. So whenever you read a fairytale, imagine you arethe hero/heroine and you will be carried to a mysterious land where everything will be as you want.
Every child believes in fairies（仙女), dragons, etc. Yet, as we grow up we fail to believe in these fantasy-based characters．Fairytales are told to children when they are young. This is very essential indeed, for if in the beginning of our lives, our minds are touched by the beauty, innocence and the morals in these tales, we will be able to obtain the optimistic side of happenings．In life, sometimes, believing in such mystics can lead to greathappiness．
Well, I don’t know about you, but I do believe in fairies…and who knows I may someday meet one because, after all, believing is just the beginning! And as J.M. Barries said, “When you say I don’t believe in fairies, a fairy somewhere drops dead.” And I wouldn’t want anyone dead on my account, would you?In Paragraph 1, thewriter mentioned Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty to __
| A．tell the beauty and innocence of thefairytales |
| B．present us the fascinating facts behind them |
| C．show us that fairytales are something we are familiar with |
| D．describe his feeling towards fairytales |
The underlined word '"ecstasy" in Paragraph 3 probably means“___”
| A．delight | B．innocence |
| C．mystery | D．the optimistic side |
Why is it important to tell the fairytales to the children when young?
| A．Because they can gain greathappiness． |
| B．Because it is easier for the children to throw themselves in the role |
| C．Because they tend to have wild imagination |
| D．Because when they see the magic in the tales in the beginning, they can face the future |
How do you understand the sentence in the last paragraph "When you say I don't believe in fairies, a fairy somewhere drops dead.” ?
| A．If you don’t believe in the tales, the fairy will be really sad． |
| B．We need the beauty, innocence, and moral of the fairytales to stay optimistic． |
| C．If nobody believes in us, we will be heartbroken． |
| D．The writer is just trying to be humorous by saying this． |
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