The first time I saw Carlos I would never have believed he was going to change my life. I had my arms full of books and I was tearing into the classroom when 1 ran into something solid. It was Carlos.

“My God, you’re tall,” he said.

Of course, the class began to laugh. Angry, I walked to my seat without a word.

I glanced back to see if Reed Harrington was laughing with the rest. That would be the last straw. But Reed was studying chemistry and did not seem to be aware of anything else. I didn’t know why I considered Reed my friend. Maybe just because he was a good two inches taller than I. Anyway, every time I blew out my birthday candles and made a wish, it was for a date with Reed Harrington.

“Take that seat，” Mr. McCarthy told the cocky newcomer Carlos，pointing to the only empty one，in the back of the room.

Carlos laughed widely. “But I need a couple of dictionaries.” Again the class laughed, but now they were laughing with Carlos，not at him. He had been here only 10 minutes and already he had them on his side.

The bell rang for classes. As I stood up to go, I saw Carlos coming toward me. “ I’ sorry I embarrassed you,” he said. I looked straight head over the top of his black hair. “That’s all right.”

    “ I ought to know better.” He was still blocking my way.” What’s your name?” “Karen Forbes.” “ You probably heard me say I’m Carlos Herrera.” He held out his hand. Unwillingly, I shook hands with him. He looked up at me seriously with his brown eyes.” “ I don’t see why you’re so touchy.”

    I brushed by him and said sharply, “You wouldn’t understand.”

    He followed me a few steps. “I’m just the one who should, Karen,” he said. “ You and I have a lot in common.”

    It was the school elections that made me think of Carlos again. Reed Harrington was voted president and Carlos vice-president. “How come?” I kept asking myself,” How come this shrimp who’s only been in town for a little over a month gets to be so popular?”

    So that morning，I stopped Carlos and said，“It doesn’t seem to bother you — being short.” He looked up at me, “Of course I mind being short. But there isn’t anything I can do about it. When I realized I was going to have to spend my life in this undersized skin，I just decided to make the best of it and concentrate on being myself.” “You seem to get along great,” I admitted, “But what about me? Nobody wants to date a girl taller than he is.” “The trouble with you is that you’re afraid to be yourself. You’re smart. And you could be pretty. In fact, you might be more than pretty.” I felt myself turning red…

1.The author was angry because ________.

A．the class made fun of her                    B．Carlos was too rude to her

C．she had to carry many books                D．Reed Harrington didn’t date her

2.Which of the following about Carlos is NOT TRUE?

A．He was popular.                                        B．He was new in the school.

C．He was shorter than the author.            D．He was chosen president in the school elections. 

3.The underlined word “ touchy” in paragraph 8 probably means________

A. moved              B. cheerful           C. curious      D. annoyed

4.We can infer from Paragraph 4 that the author ________.

A. cared much about Reed’s attitude        B. hoped Reed was laughing with others

C. thought Reed was the same as others      D. couldn’t stand Carlos playing tricks on her

5.According to the text, which is the most likely ending?

A.Carlos and Reed became very good friends

B.Carlos and the author argued with each other.

C.The author changed her attitude towards Carlos.

D.Carlos was elected president of the student committee.

 

The first time I saw Carlos I would never have believed he was going to change my life. I had my arms full of books and I was tearing into the classroom when I ran into something solid. It was Carlos. “My God, you’re tall,” he said. Of course, the class began to laugh. Angry, I walked to my seat without a word.

I glanced back to see if Reed Harrington was laughing with the rest. That would be the last straw. But Reed was studying chemistry and did not seem to be aware of anything else. I didn’t know why I considered Reed my friend. Maybe just because he was a good two inches taller than I. Anyway, every time I blew out my birthday candles and made a wish, it was for a date with Reed Harrington.

“Take that seat,” Mr. McCarthy told the cocky newcomer Carlos, pointing to the only empty one, in the back of the room. Carlos grinned, “But I need a couple of dictionaries.” Again the class laughed, but now they were laughing with Carlos, not at him. He had been here only 10 minutes and already he had them on his side.

The bell rang for classes. As I stood up to go I saw Carlos coming toward me. “I’m sorry I  embarrassed you,” he said. I look straight ahead over the top of his black hair. “That’s all right.” “I ought to know better.” He was still blocking my way. “What’s your name?” “Karen Forbes.” “You probably heard me say; I’m Carlos Herrear.” He held out his hand. Unwillingly, I shook hands with him. He looked up at me seriously with his brown eyes. “I don’t see why you’re so touchy.” I brushed by him and said sharply, “You wouldn’t understand.” He followed me a few steps. “I’m just the one who should, Karen,” he said. “You and I have a lot in common.”

It was the school elections that made me think of Carlos again. Reed Harrington was voted president and Carlos vice-president. “How come?” I kept asking myself, “How come this shrimp who’s only been in town for a little over a month gets to be so popular?”

So on that morning, I stopped Carlos and said, “It doesn’t seem to bother you—being short.” He looked up at me. “Of course I mind being short. But there isn’t anything I can do about it. When I realized I was going to have to spend my life in this undersized skin, I just decided to make the best of it and concentrate on being myself.” “You seem to get along great,” I admitted. “But what about me? Nobody wants to date a girl taller than he is.” “The trouble with you is you’re afraid to be yourself. You’re smart. And you could be pretty. In fact, you might be more than pretty.” I felt myself turning red...

56. It is a story about a short boy who ________.

A. won the school election            B. is ashamed of his height

C. has learned to accept his size        D. is embarrassed by his class

57. What can be inferred from Paragraph 2?

A. The author cared much about Reed’s attitude.

B. The author was relieved to find Reed focused on his studies

C. The author thought Reed was the same as the others.

D. The author couldn’t stand Carlos playing tricks on her.

58. What does the underlined word “touchy” in Paragraph 4 most probably mean?

A. Moved.         B. Cheerful.       C. Curious.          D. Annoyed.

59. From the text, we can see Carlos is _________.

A. handsome and proud            B. humorous and confident

C. diligent but shy                  D. honest but sensitive

60. According to the text, which is the most likely ending of the story?

A. Reed and Carlos became very good friends.

B. Carlos and the author argued with each other.

C. The author changed her attitude to Carlos.

D. Carlos was elected president of the student committee.

根据句意及首字母或汉语提示，写出各句中所缺单词的正确形式。

1.With the d____ of economy, people’s living standards are improved now.

2.The reason he gave to a_____ for his absence was unbelievable.

3.Our farm s_____ the market with fruits and vegetables every day.

4.My teacher is a strict man and he has no s_____ of humor.

5.They shouldn’t treat their mother in a rude m______. They should respect her.

6.We are in the _____ （少数）; more people are against us than with us.

7.Peter will _____ (逐渐地) get used to the weather in China.

8.They stood there, _____ （怒视） at each other without a word.

9.This factory will bring _____ （好处）to the people around it.

10.We had a light _____ （误解） with them last night.