Beth is a shy girl. Any things can affect her    1  . She often feels unhappy. She wants to    2  friends with her classmates, but she doesn’t know how to talk    3   them. Helen is a nice girl. She often    4   Beth jokes and makes her    5  . Having Helen around her (Helen在身边), Beth doesn’t feel  6   any more. She    7   Helen to be her friend, but she doesn’t know what to do. Could you give Beth some    8  ? Please call us    9   25681089. If you do that, she will    10   better.

Can you ________ it ________ your own words?

1. A.
   speak; with
2. B.
   say; in
3. C.
   tell; with
4. D.
   talk; in

Excuse me . May I ______ my friend Tim you?

1. A.
   introduce, of
2. B.
   introduce, to
3. C.
   tell, with
4. D.
   talk, about

With a determined(坚定的) look on his face, Chicago’s Michael McCarthy held on to the banister(扶手) and climbed to the top of the Willis Tower not long ago. The Tower stands 1,451 feet tall, the      building in the US.

As he got to the last step, McCarthy      fell down, but that didn’t stop him. The 14-year-old boy finally finished climbing the 2,109 steps and arrived at the top, where he      cheers from many people.

“I just want to show people that      a kid with no legs can do it, anyone can do it,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy, who was born without legs, has to wear prosthetic legs(假肢) and use a stick to walk. But McCarthy has a strong     . He believes having a disability shouldn’t stop anyone     achieving his or her success.

He has been in a special school      he was four. When he decided to climb the Willis Tower, his teacher, Jeff Kohn, was moved by his determination(决心) and offered      train him. They      more than ten hours practicing climbing stairs and keeping balance with the prosthetics and sticks on the steps every day. “     seems that he never knows how difficult it is.      I was so tired that I asked him to rest for a day,” said Kohn. “But he said he was still full of energy and wanted more      .”

Kohn always walked with McCarthy for the climb. “I  found when climbing the last 10 floors, he went faster,” said Kohn. “He’s the      sportsman I’ve ever trained.”

McCarthy said he was       of himself and that the tower now holds special meaning. “When I’m older, I’ll  point(指着) to the building and      ‘Look at this building I climbed’,”

1.A. largest                 B. highest                   C. earliest                            D. latest

2.A. seldom                         B. hardly                        C. always                         D. almost

3.A. enjoyed                       B. needed                      C. made                           D. kept

4.A. while                            B. after                           C. if                               D. though

5.A. mind                            B. legs                             C. body                                  D. love

6.A. by                        B. for                                    C. in                                      D. from

7.A. as                        B. since                          C. until                             D. before

8.A. help               B. to help                        C. helping                    D. helped

9.A. used                             B. spent                          C. took                             D. wasted

10.A. Here                          B. There                         C. He                                      D. It

11.A. However                    B. Sometimes                      C. Again                          D. Then

12.A. friends                        B. helpers                  C. time                            D. exercise

13.A. strong                        B. stronger                     C. strongest                  D. strongly

14.A. excited                      B. curious                   C. worried                   D. proud

15.A. say                   B. speak                     C. talk                                   D. tell

Talk about happiness
We should not hesitate too much during the first half of our lives, while we should not regret at what we’ve done during the other half. We should seize every opportunity to find a way out in our lives, for it goes off swiftly. We should say something urgent slowly, something serious clearly, something small humorously and something unsure cautiously. We should never say something that did not happen, something that you cannot do, something that does harm to others, and something that is disgusting. We should tell others our happiness on specific occasions and should not tell anyone our unhappiness. Do not easily say something about others. We should follow our own heart and interest, and fulfill what we should do instead of merely paying lip service and looking forward to the future.
Everyone is longing for a happy life, but owning wealth does not necessarily mean owning happiness. To truly reach happiness, we need to know how to get on with others. So we need to understand what happiness is really about and achieve what we desire.
We need to know and understand happiness before we finally get it. A smart man must know to do something good even though it may be small, and not to do something evil even though it may be tiny in the course of socializing. As long as we keep a kind heart and do everything morally and legally, we can live a peaceful life. But if we keep an evil heart and do whatever we want, we are indeed digging a tomb for ourselves. A smart man knows to learn a lesson from his falls, for he knows that every setback is a precious experience leading to happiness in the future. He will not waste his time in criticizing others. Instead, he tends to spend more time seeking his own happiness. He knows to keep a heart of conscience and not to spread others’ mistakes. He also knows to think before he leaps so that he will not feel regretful afterwards. Moreover, he knows to tolerate others, so he can naturally lead a happy life.
Without happiness, one will feel terribly miserable, for he always insists that he has done the right thing all the time and that others often do wrong to him. He blames every mistake on others or the environment instead of reflecting on himself, which keeps him farther and farther away from happiness. A celebrity once said, “Nobody intends to make mistakes. One makes mistakes because of his ignorance.” Therefore, if someone makes mistakes, we need to care about him, forgive him and enlighten him by setting a good example to him instead of losing temper and hating him. Otherwise, we are also ignorant like him, for we also make a stupid mistake that leads us farther from happiness.
In order to possess a happy life, we need to know more about others, about the society, about our culture and history. We should be patriotic(爱国的), obey the law and realize our own responsibility, and then we will definitely have a happy life.

With all the wars, fighting and sadness in the world today, it's not only necessary, but also essential to have a good sense of humor just to help us get through each and every day of our lives. Putting a smile on someone's face when you know they are feeling down in the dumps ( 处于沮丧中), as the saying goes, makes me feel good and warms my heart.
How would you feel if you could not joke around with your wife, husband, child, co-worker neighbor, close friend, or even just someone that you are standing in line with at your comer store? I am always saying things that make others smile or laugh, even if I don't know the person I'm joking around with. My Grandma always found humor in everything she did, even if it was the hardest job anyone could imagine. This not only relieves stress in any situation, but also is common courtesy (礼貌) to speak to others that are around you.
I know of a few people that don’t have a funny bone in their bodies, as they say. Everyone around them could be rolling on the floor after hearing a great joke and they would sit there without the slightest smile on their face. They don't get the joke that makes others laugh. I am busting a gut while they just sit there, looking at me as if I were from outer space. How can people not get a really funny joke?
Laughing is essential to keep your stress levels under control. Without humor we would find ourselves with a lot of psychological problems, or on a lot of medications to keep us from going crazy. There is too much sadness in this present world. It drives people crazy. We all need to find a way to bypass the sadness and bring a little light into our lives. So, I believe our best medicine is to get together and tell some jokes and have some fun laughing together.
1. According to the author, humor is useful in the aspect that ____________.
A. it makes people more confident
B. it can pick up people' s spirits
C. it can help get rid of the cruelty in the world
D. it can help people get on well with others
2. The author answers the question in the second paragraph with ___________.
A. facts and descriptions                B. evidence and argument   
C. examples and conclusion             D. stories and persuasion
3. The phrase “busting a gut" in the third paragraph can be replaced by __________.
A. explaining carefully                 B. speaking loud
    C. keeping silent                      D. laughing hard
4. In writing the passage, the author mainly intends to __________.
A. talk about his own understanding of humor
B. encourage people to be humorous in daily life
C. introduce a practical way to get through daily life
D. convince people of the power of being optimistic about life[来源:学*科*网]
5. What is the author' s attitude towards the present world?[来源:学科网ZXXK]
A. Positive.          B. Critical.            C. Satisfied.           D. Indifferent.

With large and small keyboards everywhere, neither children nor adults need to write much of anything by hand. That’s a big problem. Study after study suggests that handwriting is important for brain development — helping kids get fine motor skills and learn to express and create ideas. Yet the time devoted to teaching penmanship in most schools has shrunk to just one hour a week. Is it time to give up handwriting? Have a look at the link between the brain and penmanship, and you may get the answer.
A test among students in grades 2, 4 and 6 found that they not only wrote faster by hand than by keyboard, but also created more ideas when composing essays with handwriting. And other research shows that the finger movements required to write by hand activate brain areas involved with thought, language, and short-term memory.
A recent Indiana University study had one group of children practice writing letters by hand while a second group just looked at those letters. Then, both groups of kids entered a functional MRI (核磁共振)that scanned their brains as the researchers showed them the same letters. Researchers found that the brain activity in the first group was far more advanced and “adult-like”.
Handwriting also affects other people’s way they think of adults and children. Several studies have shown that the same average essay will score much higher if written with good penmanship and much lower if written out in poor handwriting. These studies have also found that people judge the quality of a person’s ideas based on his or her handwriting. And the consequences are real: On standardized tests with handwritten sections, like the SAT, all essay that is considered hard to recognize gets a big zero.
Studies show that this isn’t only an English-language phenomenon. Chinese and Japanese youths are suffering from “character amnesia”. They can’t remember how to write characters, thanks to computers and text messaging. Some experts fear that Chinese writing and reading are so closely linked in the brain that China’s reading ability as a nation could suffer.
【小题1】.
What does the Indiana University study imply?

Tell our story, make your mark
Havering is one of London’s largest towns. It is a place of contrasts, from the shopping and nightlife of Romford to the cultural quarter of Hornchurch; from the industrial Thames riverside in Rainham to the ambitious regeneration(复兴) project in Harold Hill. The London Borough of Havering has a great story to tell, and we’re looking for the right people to tell it.
Campaigns and Marketing Manager
A creative strategist(战略家) is needed to plan and deliver campaigns that change behaviour across the town and form Havering’s reputation beyond its borders.
Media Manager
An experienced professional is required, who fully understands how the news media works and works well under pressure. You will manage a team of three, as well as our media message.
Communications Business Manager
As a senior member of the communications team, you will be part salesperson and part business strategist, with wide-ranging power to increase our commercial potential as much as possible and save taxpayers’ money.
Senior Media Officers
Two experienced persons are needed to turn the stories that we talk about into the stories that everyone is talking about.
Community Newspaper Journalist (12month contract at the beginning)
Our community newspaper, Living, is being expanded as an energetic publication once every two weeks. We need an editor and a journalist or writer who produces brilliant copy, even against the tightest deadlines.
Pay & grading award are yet to be decided for all posts.
Full details are available on our website. For an informal conversation about these positions, please contact Mark Leech, Head of Communications, by calling 01708 434373.
Any disabled applicants, meeting the necessary standards set out in the profile(简介) for a job, will be guaranteed an interview.
Please apply online via the Council's website at www.havering.gov.uk or contact the Recruitment Team at 01708 433039.
Closing date for completed applications is Friday, 18th April 2008.
Interviews will be scheduled for the week beginning 28th April 2008.
【小题1】Havering is in need of high-level personnel ________.

With healthy self-confidence you’ll take more chances and overcome obstacles faster. How do you boost your self-confidence? Here are some easy-to-try-out trips.
Speak well of yourself. We become what we think about most of the time. 【小题1】 If you continually tell yourself you “can’t do something”, you’re sure to create that reality for yourself, because that is how you see yourself. On the other hand, if you repeatedly say and think to yourself something like, “I am capable of creating a life I love”, soon you will begin creating a life you love.
Surround yourself with self-confident people and positive environments. It sounds a bit obvious, but if you have friends that lack confidence, you probably do too. If you’re surrounded by people who criticize others and speak poorly of themselves, get out! Remove yourself from their company.  【小题2】 Seek out friends who are confident and you’ll feel your confidence increasing.
 【小题3】 Don’t say you’re going to do something unless you really intend to do it. We’ve all met the “big talkers” – people who talk about their big plans but never do anything to make them happen. The “big talkers” lose face because no one believes they’ll do what they say they’re going to do.
Accept fear and obstacles as a natural part of life and growth. Don’t beat yourself up when you find yourself gripped(抓住) by fear and other emotions. 【小题4】Be aware when these feelings are present but don’t let them stop you. Keep moving forward by telling yourself you’re much more than the obstacles you face and failures you experience.
 【小题5】 Once a month, take a few moments to write down all that you have done well. Acknowledge the work you do and your strengths on a regular basis. In doing so, you’ll begin seeing and appreciating all the good you do.

With large and small keyboards everywhere, neither children nor adults need to write much of anything by hand. That’s a big problem. Study after study suggests that handwriting is important for brain development — helping kids get fine motor skills and learn to express and create ideas. Yet the time devoted to teaching penmanship in most schools has shrunk to just one hour a week. Is it time to give up handwriting? Have a look at the link between the brain and penmanship, and you may get the answer.

A test among students in grades 2, 4 and 6 found that they not only wrote faster by hand than by keyboard, but also created more ideas when composing essays with handwriting. And other research shows that the finger movements required to write by hand activate brain areas involved with thought, language, and short-term memory.

A recent Indiana University study had one group of children practice writing letters by hand while a second group just looked at those letters. Then, both groups of kids entered a functional MRI (核磁共振) that scanned their brains as the researchers showed them the same letters. Researchers found that the brain activity in the first group was far more advanced and “adult-like”.

Handwriting also affects other people’s way they think of adults and children. Several studies have shown that the same average essay will score much higher if written with good penmanship and much lower if written out in poor handwriting. These studies have also found that people judge the quality of a person’s ideas based on his or her handwriting. And the consequences are real: On standardized tests with handwritten sections, like the SAT, all essay that is considered hard to recognize gets a big zero.

Studies show that this isn’t only an English-language phenomenon. Chinese and Japanese youths are suffering from “character amnesia”. They can’t remember how to write characters, thanks to computers and text messaging. Some experts fear that Chinese writing and reading are so closely linked in the brain that China’s reading ability as a nation could suffer.

1.According to the passage, it can be learned that ________________.

A. many researches have been done on handwriting

B. essays can’t be composed without handwriting

C. all children write faster by keyboard than by hand

D. most schools are trying to teach more handwriting

2.What does the Indiana University study imply?

A. Children should practice writing letters

B. Handwriting can increase brain activity

C. It’s good for children to enter a functional MRI. 

D. Letters should often be shown to children

3.What does the 4th paragraph mainly talk about?

A. Handwriting affects both adults and children.    

B. Handwriting helps a person write better essays.

C.SAT should be done with good handwriting.     

D. Good handwriting makes a person seem smarter.

4.Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. Essays written with keyboards will get lower scores.

B. The quality of your ideas depends on your handwriting.

C. Chinese and Japanese youths don’t know how to write.

D. Less handwriting may affect China’s reading ability.

5.The passage tries to tell us that __________________.

A. keyboards are more popular than handwriting     

B. we shouldn’t judge people by their handwriting

C. handwriting is of great importance              

D. it’s time to give up using keyboards

With healthy self-confidence you’ll take more chances and overcome obstacles faster. How do you boost your self-confidence? Here are some easy-to-try-out trips.

Speak well of yourself. We become what we think about most of the time. 1. If you continually tell yourself you “can’t do something”, you’re sure to create that reality for yourself, because that is how you see yourself. On the other hand, if you repeatedly say and think to yourself something like, “I am capable of creating a life I love”, soon you will begin creating a life you love.

Surround yourself with self-confident people and positive environments. It sounds a bit obvious, but if you have friends that lack confidence, you probably do too. If you’re surrounded by people who criticize others and speak poorly of themselves, get out! Remove yourself from their company.  2. Seek out friends who are confident and you’ll feel your confidence increasing.

 3. Don’t say you’re going to do something unless you really intend to do it. We’ve all met the “big talkers” – people who talk about their big plans but never do anything to make them happen. The “big talkers” lose face because no one believes they’ll do what they say they’re going to do.

Accept fear and obstacles as a natural part of life and growth. Don’t beat yourself up when you find yourself gripped(抓住) by fear and other emotions. 4.Be aware when these feelings are present but don’t let them stop you. Keep moving forward by telling yourself you’re much more than the obstacles you face and failures you experience.

 5. Once a month, take a few moments to write down all that you have done well. Acknowledge the work you do and your strengths on a regular basis. In doing so, you’ll begin seeing and appreciating all the good you do.

A．Start with small steps.

B．We become what we say about ourselves.

C．Negative environments are hard to escape.

D．Don’t judge yourself for having these feelings.

E. In fact, no company is better than bad company.

F. Take action on what you say you’re going to do.

G. Take time out to focus on all that you have done well.

With large and small keyboards everywhere, neither children nor adults need to write much of anything by hand. That’s a big problem. Study after study suggests that handwriting is important for brain development — helping kids get fine motor skills and learn to express and create ideas. Yet the time devoted to teaching penmanship in most schools has shrunk to just one hour a week. Is it time to give up handwriting? Have a look at the link between the brain and penmanship, and you may get the answer.

    A test among students in grades 2, 4 and 6 found that they not only wrote faster by hand than by keyboard, but also created more ideas when composing essays with handwriting. And other research shows that the finger movements required to write by hand activate brain areas involved with thought, language, and short-term memory.

  A recent Indiana University study had one group of children practice writing letters by hand while a second group just looked at those letters. Then, both groups of kids entered a functional MRI (核磁共振)that scanned their brains as the researchers showed them the same letters. Researchers found that the brain activity in the first group was far more advanced and “adult-like”.

  Handwriting also affects other people’s way they think of adults and children. Several studies have shown that the same average essay will score much higher if written with good penmanship and much lower if written out in poor handwriting. These studies have also found that people judge the quality of a person’s ideas based on his or her handwriting. And the consequences are real: On standardized tests with handwritten sections, like the SAT, all essay that is considered hard to recognize gets a big zero.

  Studies show that this isn’t only an English-language phenomenon. Chinese and Japanese youths are suffering from “character amnesia”. They can’t remember how to write characters, thanks to computers and text messaging. Some experts fear that Chinese writing and reading are so closely linked in the brain that China’s reading ability as a nation could suffer.

1..

 What does the Indiana University study imply?

A. Children should practice writing letters           

B. Handwriting can increase brain activity

C. It’s good for children to enter a functional MRI.   

D. Letters should often be shown to children

2..

 What does the 4th paragraph mainly talk about?

A. Handwriting affects both adults and children.

B. Handwriting helps a person write better essays.

C.SAT should be done with good handwriting.     

D. Good handwriting makes a person seem smarter.

3..

 Which of the following statements is TRUE?

   A. Essays written with keyboards will get lower scores.

B. The quality of your ideas depends on your handwriting.

C. Chinese and Japanese youths don’t know how to write.

D. Less handwriting may affect China’s reading ability.

4..

 The passage tries to tell us that __________________.

A. keyboards are more popular than handwriting     

B. we shouldn’t judge people by their handwriting

C. handwriting is of great importance              

D. it’s time to give up using keyboards

  With large and small keyboards everywhere, neither children nor adults need to write much of anything by hand. That’s a big problem. Study after study suggests that handwriting is important for brain development — helping kids get fine motor skills and learn to express and create ideas. Yet the time devoted to teaching penmanship in most schools has shrunk to just one hour a week. Is it time to give up handwriting? Have a look at the link between the brain and penmanship, and you may get the answer.

    A test among students in grades 2, 4 and 6 found that they not only wrote faster by hand than by keyboard, but also created more ideas when composing essays with handwriting. And other research shows that the finger movements required to write by hand activate brain areas involved with thought, language, and short-term memory.

  A recent Indiana University study had one group of children practice writing letters by hand while a second group just looked at those letters. Then, both groups of kids entered a functional MRI (核磁共振) that scanned their brains as the researchers showed them the same letters. Researchers found that the brain activity in the first group was far more advanced and “adult-like”.

    Handwriting also affects other people’s way they think of adults and children. Several studies have shown that the same average essay will score much higher if written with good penmanship and much lower if written out in poor handwriting. These studies have also found that people judge the quality of a person’s ideas based on his or her handwriting. And the consequences are real: On standardized tests with handwritten sections, like the SAT, all essays that are considered hard to recognize gets a big zero.

    Studies show that this isn’t only an English-language phenomenon. Chinese and Japanese youths are suffering from “character amnesia”. They can’t remember how to write characters, thanks to computers and text messaging. Some experts fear that Chinese writing and reading are so closely linked in the brain that China’s reading ability as a nation could suffer.

1.According to the passage, it can be learned that ________________.

  A. many researches have been done on handwriting

  B. essays can’t be composed without handwriting

  C. all children write faster by keyboard than by hand

D. most schools are trying to teach more handwriting

2. What does the Indiana University study imply?

  A. Children should practice writing letters           

B. Handwriting can increase brain activity

  C. It’s good for children to enter a functional MRI     

D. Letters should often be shown to children

3.What does the 4th paragraph mainly talk about?

  A. Handwriting affects both adults and children.    

B. Handwriting helps a person write better essays.

  C.SAT should be done with good handwriting.     

D. Good handwriting makes a person seem smarter.

4. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

  A. Essays written with keyboards will get lower scores.

B. The quality of your ideas depends on your handwriting.

  C. Chinese and Japanese youths don’t know how to write.

  D. Less handwriting may affect China’s reading ability.

5. The passage tries to tell us that __________________.

A. keyboards are more popular than handwriting     

B. we shouldn’t judge people by their handwriting

C. handwriting is of great importance              

D. it’s time to give up using keyboards

With large and small keyboards everywhere, neither children nor adults need to write much of anything by hand. That’s a big problem. Study after study suggests that handwriting is important for brain development — helping kids get fine motor skills and learn to express and create ideas. Yet the time devoted to teaching penmanship in most schools has shrunk to just one hour a week. Is it time to give up handwriting? Have a look at the link between the brain and penmanship, and you may get the answer.
A test among students in grades 2, 4 and 6 found that they not only wrote faster by hand than by keyboard, but also created more ideas when composing essays with handwriting. And other research shows that the finger movements required to write by hand activate brain areas involved with thought, language, and short-term memory.
A recent Indiana University study had one group of children practice writing letters by hand while a second group just looked at those letters. Then, both groups of kids entered a functional MRI (核磁共振) that scanned their brains as the researchers showed them the same letters. Researchers found that the brain activity in the first group was far more advanced and “adult-like”.
Handwriting also affects other people’s way they think of adults and children. Several studies have shown that the same average essay will score much higher if written with good penmanship and much lower if written out in poor handwriting. These studies have also found that people judge the quality of a person’s ideas based on his or her handwriting. And the consequences are real: On standardized tests with handwritten sections, like the SAT, all essay that is considered hard to recognize gets a big zero.
Studies show that this isn’t only an English-language phenomenon. Chinese and Japanese youths are suffering from “character amnesia”. They can’t remember how to write characters, thanks to computers and text messaging. Some experts fear that Chinese writing and reading are so closely linked in the brain that China’s reading ability as a nation could suffer.
【小题1】According to the passage, it can be learned that ________________.

“Tell me again how you learned to ride a horse,” I would ask my father when I was a little girl in Denmark. I was no more than four years old—too little to learn to ride a horse by myself. But I liked to hear my father tell his story. And then he would begin.
“When I was a little boy, as little as you are now,” he would say, “I wanted to ride the horses. But I was too small to mount a horse. So I would slip into my father’s stables to be with the horses and admire them. Such big, powerful animals they were!
“The gentle workhorses stood quietly in their stalls, eating their hay. I would climb up the side of one of the stalls and slide over onto the horse’s back.
“Then I would hold its mane and imagine us running quickly over the grasslands, down to the shore, and even into the sea.
“When I grew tall enough to mount a horse,” he said, “my wish came true.”
“You swim with the horses now,” I said. “You even swim with Fiery. And he has spirit!”
Everybody knew about Fiery, the great black male horse with the fierce temper, and how he behaved when he first came to the stables. He raised itself on its back legs with the front legs in the air. He snorted and kicked. He rolled his eyes. And everyone was afraid of him. Everyone, except my father.
I wanted to hear more. “Now tell me how you made Fiery your friend,” I begged. This was my favorite story.
“Well, little Else,” my father went on, “I just talked to him. I talked as a friend. You must talk to a horse like Fiery.
“I’d say, ‘No, little horse. No, my friend. You can’t run free. You must learn to let me ride you.’
“And soon Fiery began to listen. He knew from my voice that I would be his friend.”
So Fiery let my father teach him to carry a rider. Then Fiery would take my father across the soft green grasslands or even into the lively waters of the northern sea. I loved to see Father riding Fiery without a saddle(马鞍) into the sea. There they swam, Father and Fiery, out in the cold, clear water.
Often I would watch them from the shore, holding tight to my mother’s hand. They swam so bravely. I was so proud of them!
Then Father and Fiery would come splashing out of the water and run along the shore toward us. They made a fine stop—just in time!
Fiery towered over us. He tossed his head and shook sea water from his shining black coat.
Father was laughing and patting Fiery’s neck.
And I was making a wish.
I wished that someday I could have a horse, too . . . but a smaller one!
【小题1】What is Fiery like when he first comes to the stables?

“Tell me again how you learned to ride a horse,” I would ask my father when I was a little girl in Denmark. I was no more than four years old—too little to learn to ride a horse by myself. But I liked to hear my father tell his story. And then he would begin.

“When I was a little boy, as little as you are now,” he would say, “I wanted to ride the horses. But I was too small to mount a horse. So I would slip into my father’s stables to be with the horses and admire them. Such big, powerful animals they were!

“The gentle workhorses stood quietly in their stalls, eating their hay. I would climb up the side of one of the stalls and slide over onto the horse’s back.

“Then I would hold its mane and imagine us running quickly over the grasslands, down to the shore, and even into the sea.

“When I grew tall enough to mount a horse,” he said, “my wish came true.”

“You swim with the horses now,” I said. “You even swim with Fiery. And he has spirit!”

Everybody knew about Fiery, the great black male horse with the fierce temper, and how he behaved when he first came to the stables. He raised itself on its back legs with the front legs in the air. He snorted and kicked. He rolled his eyes. And everyone was afraid of him. Everyone, except my father.

I wanted to hear more. “Now tell me how you made Fiery your friend,” I begged. This was my favorite story.

“Well, little Else,” my father went on, “I just talked to him. I talked as a friend. You must talk to a horse like Fiery.

“I’d say, ‘No, little horse. No, my friend. You can’t run free. You must learn to let me ride you.’

“And soon Fiery began to listen. He knew from my voice that I would be his friend.”

So Fiery let my father teach him to carry a rider. Then Fiery would take my father across the soft green grasslands or even into the lively waters of the northern sea. I loved to see Father riding Fiery without a saddle(马鞍) into the sea. There they swam, Father and Fiery, out in the cold, clear water.

Often I would watch them from the shore, holding tight to my mother’s hand. They swam so bravely. I was so proud of them!

Then Father and Fiery would come splashing out of the water and run along the shore toward us. They made a fine stop—just in time!

Fiery towered over us. He tossed his head and shook sea water from his shining black coat.

Father was laughing and patting Fiery’s neck.

And I was making a wish.

I wished that someday I could have a horse, too . . . but a smaller one!

1.What is Fiery like when he first comes to the stables?

A. He is quiet and lazy.

B. He is wild and full of spirit.

C. He makes friends with everyone.

D. He only lets Else’s father ride him.

2.Where does Else most like to watch her father ride Fiery?

A. At the seashore. B. On the farm.

C. In the grasslands. D. In the stables.

3.In the passage, the underlined word “mount” means___________.

A. feed withB. talk about C. fasten to D. climb onto

4.How does Else feel about horses after watching her father ride Fiery?

A. She wants a horse just like Fiery.

B. She has no interest in riding horses.

C. She would like to have a smaller horse.

D. She thinks horses should not go into the sea.

5.What does Else learn from her father’s story?

A. How to train a workhorse.

B. How to swim with a horse.

C. How to make friends with a horse.

D. How to ride a horse without a saddle.

With all the wars, fighting and sadness in the world today, it's not only necessary, but also essential to have a good sense of humor just to help us get through each and every day of our lives. Putting a smile on someone's face when you know they are feeling down in the dump, makes me feel good and warms my heart.

How would you feel if you could not joke around with your wife, husband, child, co-worker, neighbor, close friends, or even just someone that you are standing in line with at your corner store? I am always saying things that make others smile or laugh, even if I don't know the person I'm joking around with. My Grandma always found humor in everything she did, even if it was the hardest job anyone could imagine. This not only relieves stress in any situation, but also is common courtesy(礼貌)to speak to others that are around you.

I know of a few people that don’t have a funny bone in their bodies, as they say. Everyone around them could be rolling on the floor after hearing a great joke and they would sit there without the slightest smile on their face. They don't get the joke that makes others laugh. I am busting a gut while they just sit there, looking at me as if I were from outer space. How can people not get a really funny joke?

Laughing is essential to keep your stress levels under control. Without humor we would find ourselves with a lot of psychological problems, or on a lot of medications to keep us from going crazy. There is too much sadness in this present world. It drives people crazy. We all need to find a way to ignore the sadness and bring a little light into our lives. So, I believe our best medicine is to get together and tell some jokes and have some fun laughing together.

1. According to the author, humor is useful in the aspect that _________.

A. it makes people more confident

B. it can pick up people’s spirits

C. it can help get rid of the cruelty in the world

D. it can help people get on well with others

2. From the second paragraph, we can know that __________.

A. the writer is funny and polite

B. family members should play tricks on each other

C. the writer’s grandma is humorous

D. we should relieve stress in any situation

3.The phrase “busting a gut" in the third paragraph can be replaced by _______.

A. explaining carefully

B. speaking loud

C. keeping silent

D. laughing hard

4.In writing the passage, the author mainly intends to _______.

A. encourage people to be humorous in daily life

B. talk about his own understanding of humor

C. introduce a practical way to get through daily life

D. convince people of the power of being optimistic about life

5.What is the author’s attitude towards the present world?

A. Critical B. Positive

C. Satisfied D. Indifferent