In 1945, a 12-year-old boy saw something in a shop window that set his heart racing. But the price-five dollars-was far beyond Reuben Earle's means. Five dollars would buy almost a week's groceries for his family.
Reuben couldn't ask his father for the money. Everything his father made through fishing went to her mother, Dora, who struggled to feed and clothe their five children.
Nevertheless, he opened the shop's weathered door and went inside. Standing proud and straight in his flour-sack shirt and washed-out trousers, he told the shopkeeper what he wanted, adding ,“But I don't have the money right now. Can you please hold it for me for some time?”
“I'll try,”the shopkeeper smiled.“Folks around here don't usually have that kind of money to spend on things. It should keep for a while.”
Reuben respectfully touched his worn cap and walked out. He would raise the money and not tell anybody. On hearing the sound of hammering from a side street, Reuben suddenly had an idea. People built their own homes in Bay Roberts, using nails purchased in sacks from a local factory. Sometimes the used sacks were disposed of at the construction site, and Reuben knew he could sell them back to the factory for five cents a piece.
That day he found two sacks, which he sold to the man in charge of packing nails.
The boy's hand tightly clutched the five-cent pieces as he ran the two kilometers home.
Near his house stood an ancient barn. Reuben found a rusty soda tin and dropped his coins inside. Then he climbed into it and hid the tin beneath a pile of hay.
It was dinnertime when Reuben got home. His father was ready to serve dinner as Reuben took his place at the table. He looked at his mother and smiled. Slim and beautiful, she was the center of the home, the glue that held it together. Her chores were never-ending, but she was happy as her family and their well-being were her highest priority.
Every day after chores and school, Reuben scouted the town, collecting the nail sacks. Summer vacation came, and no student was more delighted than Reuben. Now he would have more time for his mission. All summer long, despite chores at home weeding and watering the garden, cutting wood and fetching water — Reuben kept to his secret task.
Then all too soon fall arrived, and the winds blew cold and gusty from the bay. Reuben wandered the streets, diligently searching for his treasures. Often he was cold, tired and hungry, but the thought of the object in the shop window sustained him. Sometimes his mother would ask:"Reuben, where were you? We were waiting for you to have dinner."
“Playing, Mum. Sorry.”
Dora would look at his face and shake her head. Boys.
Finally the time had come! He ran into the barn, climbed to the hayloft and uncovered the tin can. He poured the coins out and began to count.
Then he counted again. He needed 20 cents more. Could there be any sacks left anywhere in town? He had to find out and sell them before the day ended. Reuben ran down Water Street. The shadows were lengthening when Reuben arrived at the factory. The sack buyer was about to lock up.
“Mister! Please don't close up yet.”
The man turned and saw Reuben, dirty and sweat stained.
“Come back tomorrow, boy.”
“Please, Mister. I have to sell the sacks now — please.”The man heard a tremor in Reuben's voice and could tell he was close to tears.
“Why do you need this money so badly?”
“It's a secret.”
The man took the sacks, reached into his pocket and put four coins in Reuben's hand. Reuben murmured a thank you and ran home.
Then, clutching the tin can, he headed for the shop.
“I have the money,”he solemnly told the owner.
The man went to the window and retrieved Reuben's treasure.
He wiped the dust off and gently wrapped it in brown paper. Then he placed the parcel in Reuben's hands.
Racing home, Reuben burst through the front door. His mother was busy in the kitchen.
“Here, Mum! Here!”Reuben exclaimed as he ran to her side. He placed a small box in her work-roughened hand.
She unwrapped it carefully, to save the paper. A blue-velvet jewel box appeared. Dora lifted the lid, tears beginning to blur her vision. In gold lettering on a small, almond-shaped brooch was the word "Mother". It was Mother's Day, 1946.
Dora had never received such a gift; she had no finery except her wedding ring. Speechless, she smiled radiantly and gathered her son into her arms.
Why did Reuben enter the shop?
| A．Because he wanted to bargain with the shop keeper. |
| B．Because he wanted to ask the shop keeper for a favor. |
| C．Because he wondered if he could get what he wanted for free. |
| D．Because he wanted to have a better look at the thing that appealed to him. |
Reuben must have felt ______ after talking with the shop keeper.
| A．relieved and nervous | B．disappointed and sad |
| C．stressed but hopeful | D．happy but determined |
What is the possible meaning of the underlined word in the tenth paragraph?
| A．visited | B．searched |
| C．wandered | D．escaped |
How did Reuben manage to raise the 20 cents short for his purchase?
| A．By begging some passers-by for a favor. |
| B．By demanding a discount from the shop keeper . |
| C．By asking for some extra pocket money from his mother. |
| D．By sweating himself in collecting and selling more sacks. |
What message is conveyed through the story?
| A．Happiness comes from giving. |
| B．Money can't buy everything. |
| C．Where there is a will, there is a way. |
| D．A mother understands what a child does not say. |
What would be the best title for the passage?
| A．A Boy with a Mission |
| B．A Valuable Gift |
| C．A Special Mother's Day |
| D．An Unforgettable Experience |
When first entered, Vanak Restaurant does not look like much of a restaurant, but once the pleasant smells of kabob （烤肉串）hit the senses, you are incapable of calling it anything less.
Owned by a local couple, this Persian restaurant has an inviting, homelike atmosphere that many restaurants lack.
The space is small with only a few dining tables and nearly no decoration, but the environment is truly chaiming.
Lying in a hardly noticeable street corner, the restaurant still attracts all customer especially those experienced in the delights of Middle Easrern cooking.
A common sight is that of old Persian men sitting in the corner talking loudly about world topics, wathcing news events on TV, drinking a black tea known as Persian chai, an reading local Persian nespapers all the while trying to finish off their plates piled wit food.
The variety of food at the restaurant is limited, but the amount of each dish is fairly large. Most of the meals can serve two people and are under $10, so not only is it affordably but practical as well.
The food, especially appeals to health-conscious eaters because each dish is very healthy,made with limited fat and oil and served straight off the grill（烤肉架）.
The main dish that the restaurant is popular for is its kabobs, which are different style of grilled meat.
One delicious and extremely healthy dish is the Jooieh Kabob, which is made of grille chicken pieces served with either rice or bread. Another great kabob is the Chelo Kabob, kabob consisting of grilled beef.
Although the restaurant is small, the atmosphere and the food is delicious. It is a plan that should not be overlooked.When first entering the restaurant ,one can find that it
| A．is splendidly decorated. |
| B．has pleasant smells of kabobs. |
| C．is crowded with dining table. |
| D．looks like a common restaurant. |
What activity is also mentioned apart from dining in the restaurant?
| A．Watching news events on TV. |
| B．Drinking a kind of black coffee. |
| C．Reading local English newspaper. |
| D．Discussing world topics in low voices. |
The food of the restaurant _____________.
| A．is served in small amounts. | B．is rather expensive. |
| C．is rich in variety. | D．is very healthy |
What is the dish Joojeh Kabob mainly made of ？
| A．Rice | B．Chicken | C．Bread | D．Beef |
LONDON (Reuters) Ecotourism is causing a lot of damage to wildlife and may be endangering the survival of the very animals people are flocking to see, according to researchers.
Biologists and conservationists are worried because polar bears, dolphins, penguins and other creatures are getting stressed and losing weight and some are dying.
"Evidence is growing that many animals do not react well to tourists in their backyard，” New Scientist magazine said.
The immediate effects "researchers have noticed are changes in behavior, heart rates. or stress hormone levels but they fear it could get much worse and over the long term “ could endanger the survival of the very wildlife they want to see. ”
Although money produced through ecotourism, which has been growing at about 10-30 percent a year, has major benefits for poor countries and people living in rural areas, the Swiss-based World Conservation Union (IUCN) and some governments fear not all projects are audited（审计） and based on environmentally friendly policies，according to the magazine.
Transmission of disease to wildlife，or small changes to wildlife health through disturbance of daily life or increased stress levels, while not obvious to the casual observer, may translate to lower survival and breeding，” said Philip Seddon , of the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Scientists have noticed that bottleneck dolphins along the northeastern coast of New Zealand become nervously excited when tourist boats arrive. Similar changes in behavior have been observed in polar bears and yellow-eyed penguins in areas visited by colorists are producing smaller babies.
Conservationists are now calling for more research into the effect of ecotourism on animals and say the industry must be developed carefully. They also want studies done before new ecotourism projects are started.
“The animals’ welfare should be very important because without them there will be no ecotourism，” said Rochelle Constantine of the University of Auckland in New ZealandWhich is not discovered to have changed in animals disturbed by tourists?
| A．behavior | B．birth rate | C．hormone levels | D．heart rates |
We may learn from the text that _____.
| A．ecotourism must be developed properly |
| B．polar bears are losing weight without enough food |
| C．all the poor countries have stopped ecotourism |
| D．money produced through ecotourism should be spent on wildlife |
Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the text?
| A．Many animals do not react well in their backyard |
| B．Studies should be done before new ecotourism projects are started |
| C．Ecotourism has been growing at about 10—30 percent a year. |
| D．polar bears in areas visited by ecotourists are producing smaller babies. |
What Rochelle Constantine said in the last paragraph implies that _____.
| A．if people want to get high income, they must develop ecotourism |
| B．animals have rights to live their own life |
| C．animals are people's good friends |
| D．people should take good care of wildlife |
| ★ WE NEED 1．Your NAME，YEAR of birth, HOME ADDRESS CITY／STATE／PHONE NUMBER，SCHOOL NAME (and English teacher)and EMAIL ADDRESS so we can email you if you're published． For photo, place the information on the back of each envelope: PLEASE DON'T FOLD． 2．This statement MUST BE WRITTEN on each work: “I promise the above work is completely original,” and sign your name． ★ SEND IT ALL SUMMER！ By mail—Teen Ink Box 30 Newton, MA 02461 On the web—TeenInk.com/Submissions By email—Submissions@TeenInk.com ★ THE FINE PRINT Type print carefully in ink. Keep a copy． Writing may be edited; we reserve the right to publish it without your permission． If due to the personal nature of a piece you don't want your name published, we will respect your request, but you MUST include your name and address for our records． Include a self-addressed envelope, and we'll send a coupon(优惠券)for any Pepsi product and an announcement to let you know we got your work． If published, you will receive a copy of Teen Ink, and a wooden pen． All works submitted will not be returned and all copyrights belong to Teen Ink. We keep the rights to publish all such works in any forms. All material in Teen Ink is copyrighted to protect us and prevent others from republishing your work． |
All of the following must be submitted EXCEPT ．
| A．school address | B．English teacher’s name | C．phone number | D．time of birth |
We can conclude from the passage that Teen Ink is a ．
| A．research center | B．publishing house | C．magazine | D．advertising company |
What can be learned from the passage?
| A．They must ask your permission before having your work published． |
| B．The copyrights will be shared by Teen Ink and Pepsi． |
| C．They only accept your written work． |
| D．The Pepsi Company sponsors Teen Ink． |
Each year on February 2nd, there is special festival called Groundhog Day (土拨鼠日 )' forecasting event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. When it comes, people from around the world, including 5,000 in the small town today, watch this tongue-twisting(发音饶舌的) small town for a sign from one groundhog that supposedly predicts when that years' spring will arrive.
If it's a cloudy day outside when the groundhog pops from its cave, then spring will arrive early that year. However, if it is sunny outside, the groundhog will supposedly be scared by its own shadow, hiding underground for six more weeks of cold weather.
Of course, Punxsutawney Phil's prediction is no more able to guarantee the extended forecast than your local weatherman. ABC News reports that an analysis by the National Climate Data Center found that Phil's predictions are more often wrong than right.
Philis is also found to have made some unpleasant predictions. Ever since 1887, he has predicted 99 extended winters and just 16 early springs .Nine of the years' predictions were unavailable, according to ABC.
The holiday began as a German tradition in 18th century and became even more of a cultural phenomenon after the 1993 film Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray.
Punxsutawney Phil has become a celebrity in his own right. Each year, the fatter animal with long teeth is watched by millions as he emerges from a cave in the town he is named after. Phil has become so beloved by the town that he actually lives in the local library with his “wife" Phyllis.
Taking inspiration from the hard state of Bill Murray’s character in the classic film, Yahoo contributor Owen Rust says Groundhog Day is a good time to reflect on one’s routines. The underlined word “pops” means “ ”.
| A．escapes | B．appears | C．increases | D．hides |
The reason why Phil's predictions aren't pleasing is that_____________.
| A．some of the predictions were unavailable |
| B．Phil wants to do that for fun |
| C．Phil likes to make unpleasant predictions |
| D．he has predicted more late springs |
How does Punxsutawney Phil become a celebration?
| A．By an accident. |
| B．From people's life improving. |
| C．By his own attractive force |
| D．From much money raised by the town. |
Which does this passage mainly talk about?
| A．The National Climate Data Center |
| B．A German tradition |
| C．A tongue-twisting small town |
| D．Groundhog Day weather forecasting |
Many years ago, I pulled a family out of a burning car somewhere in Wyoming. Last week I received a telephone call from a woman who could not stop crying as she told me that one of my stories had saved her son from committing suicide. In closing she called me a hero.
That got me thinking about what a hero is. Was I a hero because I pulled a family from a burning car? If so, how could I be a hero just because I wrote a story that saved someone’s life?
Today I looked up the word “hero” in the dictionary to see exactly what it meant. It read “a person who does something brave” and also “a person who is good and noble”.
That statement impressed me more than the part about being brave. So I thought about something very important. And I remembered what happened to me years ago.
After my marriage of twenty years ended, I was in such a condition. I was within hours trying to get enough courage to end the pain and misery. When I returned home, someone had sent me a card in the mail which told me how much they would appreciate me as a friend. That wonderful card probably saved my life. That person, without even knowing it, saved a life and became a hero.
The many stories I kept writing in the following years saved the life of a teenage boy. In turn that makes the person who sent me the card a double hero. I suppose that is why I fight so hard to help the children now living in orphanages (孤儿院). Most children come out of these institutions with a very hard and bitter attitude against the world. The gifts we send them let them know that they have not been forgotten. Hopefully, most of them will never hurt anyone because of the kindness shown to them by those of us who cared. If it works, we will also become "heroes".The main idea of the passage is _______________.
| A．why the writer should be a hero | B．what a hero exactly is |
| C．whether the writer is a hero | D．that everyone is a hero |
Why did the woman call the writer a hero at the end of the call?
| A．Because he asked her son not to kill himself. |
| B．Because he saved a family from a burning car. |
| C．Because his story saved her son’s life. |
| D．Because he was cute and kind to everybody. |
What does the underlined word “it” in the last sentence of Paragraph 5 refer to?
| A．The wonderful card the writer received. |
| B．The action of sending the card. |
| C．The fact that the sender helped the writer. |
| D．The fact that the sender was a friend of the writer. |
What’s the writer’s attitude to “brave people”?
| A．neutral | B．supportive | C．objective | D．irony |
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