THE CHARM OF CHARITY
A poor young man lost his job and had no one to help him. Helpless, homeless and hopeless, he decided to commit suicide. He   36  all the coins he had with him and bought a ripe banana wrapped in an old newspaper. He opened the packet and started to eat his last food   37  an old beggar approached him. With trembling lips, the beggar told him that he hadn’t had anything to eat for several days and was too weak to walk. The young man felt   38 . So he didn’t eat the banana.   39 , he gave the banana to the beggar. The beggar ate it with great joy and   40__  him. While leaving, the beggar gave him a very old coin, saying, “Thank you very much. You gave me everything you had. Kindly accept this coin as my gift   41  your kindness.”
After the old man left, he   42  glanced at the piece of paper used to wrap the fruit. There he saw a（n）  43  from an agency dealing with old coins. Anyone   44  old coins was invited to visit the agency and receive suitable price for their old coins on the spot. Out of simple   45 , he carried the coin to the agency after   46  it by phone. He showed the coin gifted by the beggar. The person who   47  the agency stared at it and told him in excitement, “What a   __48  ! It is very   49  and several centuries old. It is worth a（n）  50  !” Jumping with joy on receiving the   51  amount of money, he searched everywhere to find the old man who gifted him the coin. He wanted to   52  his joy and the money with the beggar. But he could not find him anywhere. Since then, he started a new life with renewed   53  and enthusiasm about the future.
Kindness will be   54 . It always comes back! As William Wordsworth wrote,“ The best part of a good life is the little, nameless, unremembered acts of   55  and love.”

小題1:	A．collect B．spread C．spotted D．donated

小題2:	A．while B．when C．before D．until

小題3:	A．worried B．nervous C．pity D．guilty

小題4:	A．Still B．Thus C．Besides D．Instead

小題5:	A．scolded B．a(chǎn)dmired C．respected D．thanked

小題6:	A．in search for B．in terms of C．in return for D．in favor of

小題7:	A．carelessly B．purposely C．Immediately D．normally

小題8:	A．suggestion B．a(chǎn)dvertisement C．a(chǎn)ppeal D．requirement

小題9:	A．possessing B．seeing C．ordering D．deserving

小題10:

A．distrust B．curiosity C．wonder D．hobby

小題11:

A．replying B．repeating C．contacting D．begging

小題12:

A．charged B．consisted C．a(chǎn)ttended D．managed

小題13:

A．shame B．prize C．surprise D．pleasure

小題14:

A．private B．fresh C．rare D．casual

小題15:

A．value B．fortune C．wealth D．effort

小題16:

A．unexpected B．unlucky C．unlimited D．unnoticed

小題17:

A．hide B．share C．cover D．spare

小題18:

A．wisdom B．chance C．hope D．luck

小題19:

A．changed B．damaged C．lost D．rewarded

小題20:

A．courage B．promise C．memory D．kindness

Which comes first, happiness or money? Are richer people happier? And if so, how do people get much richer? A recent study could tell you the answer.
The study looked into thousands of teenagers and found that those who felt better about life as young adults tended to have higher incomes by the time they turned 29. Those who were happiest earned an average of $8,000 more than those who were the most depressed.
The researchers, from University College London and the University of Warwick, say that very gloomy teens, no matter how tall or smart they were, earned 10% less than their peers, while the happier ones earned up to 30% more.
Happier teenagers have an easier time getting through school, college and a job interview, chiefly because they always feel better about life. It may also be true that happier people find it easier to make friends, who are often the key to homework help or networking.
A report in June suggested that professional respect was more important than dollars in terms of workplace happiness. In August scientists announced that they had found the gene for happiness in women, Alas （the same gene doesn’t appear to have the same effect on men）. And in October researchers in the UK and in the US announced that people who eat seven portions of fruit and vegetables a day report being the happiest.
The big question is: if it really is true that happier kids end up being wealthier kids, is it necessary for parents to get their kids to do the homework? The fact is that no homework will make kids happy but surely hurt their grades. Studies do show, after all, that more education leads to better-paid jobs, which may give us a deep thought.
“These findings show that the teenagers’ happiness is important to their future success,” one of the report’s authors writes. “But what is the most important is that we should find a way to help children gain more satisfaction from doing schoolwork.”
小題1:What conclusion can the researchers draw from the recent study?

A．Happy teenagers grow up to be wealthier.

B．Money can make people become happier.

C．Wealth has nothing to do with happiness at all.

D．Schoolwork can help teens achieve success.

小題2:The main reason why happier people have more chances to succeed is that ________.

A．they are easy to communicate with others

B．they are good at doing their schoolwork

C．they are hopeful and optimistic about their life

D．they eat much more fruit and vegetables a day

小題3:The underlined word “gloomy” in Paragraph 3 probably means “________”.

A．upset

B．glorious

C．happy

D．wealthy

小題4:What can be the best title for the text?

A．The way to educate kids.	B．The source of happiness.
C．How to achieve your goal.	D．The secret of being wealthier.

My name is Nick Vujicic, an Australian who was born without any limbs（四肢）. In recent years one of my most 36 videos on YouTube shows my skateboarding, surfing, playing music, and best of all, 37 hugs from all fields of great people.
All in all, those are pretty ordinary 38 that just about anyone can do, right? So 39 do you think that video has been viewed millions of times? My theory is that people are 40 to watch it because in spite of my physical limitations, I’m living 41 I had no limits.
People often think someone 42 a severe disability to be inactive, upset, maybe even crazy. But I’d like to 43 them by showing that I lead a very adventurous and fruitful life
Among the hundreds of 44 on that video, here’s one typical remark:” seeing a guy like this being happy makes me wonder why I feel 45 for myself sometimes －or feel not funny enough, or whatever. How can I 46 think thoughts like that when this guy is living without limbs and still being happy!?”
I found happiness when I realized that imperfect 47 I may be, I am the perfect Nick Vujicic. I’m designed 48 God’s plan. That’s not to say that there isn’t 49 for improvement. I’m always trying to be better so I can better 50 the world!
I do believe my life has no 51 . I want you all to feel the same way about your life, no matter what your challenges may be. As we 52 our journey together, please take a moment to 53 about any limitations you’ve placed on your life. Now think about what 54 would be like to be 55 of those limitations. What would your life be if anything were possible?

小題1:	A．disappointing B．unforgettable C．popular D．useful

小題2:	A．receiving B．collecting C．returning D．gathering

小題3:	A．sports B．a(chǎn)ctivities C．a(chǎn)ffairs D．wonders

小題4:	A．how B．what C．when D．why

小題5:	A．drawn B．expected C．required D．ordered

小題6:	A．even though B．in case C．a(chǎn)s though D．if only

小題7:	A．of B．from C．in D．with

小題8:	A．a(chǎn)dvise B．greet C．surprise D．please

小題9:	A．comments B．pictures C．replies D．statements

小題10:

A．nervous B．sorry C．eager D．desperate

小題11:

A．still B．ever C．a(chǎn)lso D．even

小題12:

A．if B．a(chǎn)s C．while D．a(chǎn)lthough

小題13:

A．a(chǎn)ccording to B．thanks to C．owing to D．up to

小題14:

A．stage B．a(chǎn)rea C．place D．room

小題15:

A．protect B．rescue C．serve D．reserve

小題16:

A．challenges B．limits C．doubts D．endings

小題17:

A．finish B．continue C．start D．stop

小題18:

A．worry B．think C．care D．talk

小題19:

A．we B．one C．it D．you

小題20:

A．free B．short C．a(chǎn)ware D．fond

There are two dangers to be guarded against in old age. One of these is undue absorption in the past. It does not do to live in memories, in regrets for the good old days, or in sadness about friends who are dead. One’s thoughts must be directed to the future and to things about which there is something to be done.
It is unwise to be too attached to the youth in the hope of sucking vigor from its vitality. When your children are grown up they want to live their own lives, and if you continue to be as interested in them as you were when they were young, you are likely to become a burden to them, unless they are cold to you.
I think that a successful old age is easiest for those who have strong impersonal interests involving appropriate activities. It is in this sphere that long experience is really fruitful, and it is in this sphere that the wisdom born of experience can be exercised without being oppressive. It is no use telling grown-up children not to make mistakes, both because they will not believe you, and because mistakes are an essential part of education. But if you are one of those who are incapable of impersonal interests, you may find that your life will be empty unless you concern yourself with you children and grandchildren. In that case you must realize that while you can still render them material services, such as making them an allowance or knitting them jumpers, you must not expect that they will enjoy your company.
Some old people are afraid of death. But in fact the best way is to make your interests gradually wider and ore impersonal. An individual human existence should be like a river-small at fist, rushing passionately past rocks and over waterfalls. Gradually the river grows wider and the banks move back and in the end they become mixed in the sea without any visible break.
The old man who can see life in this way will not suffer from the fear of growing old and death.
小題1:The author suggests that old people should_______.

A．develop impersonal interests with proper activities.

B．tell their children not to make mistakes

C．concern themselves with their children

D．not give their children an allowance

小題2:The underlined word “render” in Paragraph 3 is close to the meaning of  “_____”.

A．return

B．reward

C．offer

D．demand

小題3:The author compares an individual human existence to a river because _____.

A．Life is like a river, first small, and then it becomes wide

B．life is like a river finally flowing into the sea

C．old age and death are both natural just like a river

D．old people will be mixed in the crowd like a river mixed in the sea

小題4:What’s the best title of this passage?

A．Setting Sun Is Beautiful	B．Growing Old Successfully
C．Why Fear Getting Old	D．Caring for Olds More

I was eight when my neighbors got a TV. It was small and expensive, but that didn’t matter. IT WAS WONDERFUL. Everyone in the building came up to the fifth floor to see this latest wonder of the modern world. That was in 1948.
Soon, a lot of people got a TV, but not us. My parents didn’t think it was good for children. Being a good son, I didn’t argue with them. But I secretly watch TV—at my friends’ homes.
By 1955, televisions weren’t so expensive and were much larger. My parents still thought they were not good for us, but my sisters insisted, saying they were the only people in the neighborhood who didn’t have one. All their friends talked about certain programs and actors, but they couldn’t. Their friends laughed at them, which made them feel very unhappy. My youngest sister cried, saying she was never going back to school and that life without a TV wasn’t worth living. Nothing my parents said made her feel better. The next morning, without telling us, they went out and got a new TV.
When we were young our parents allowed us to watch TV for two hours a night. And we couldn’t watch until our homework was finished. But after a year or two, TV wasn’t exciting or new anymore. It became just another part of our lives like shoes or soap. My parents still had fears about TV. We were going to forget how to read, and TV was going to fill our minds with violence, they said.
Today people still argue about the value of TV. Nobody can deny the power of TV, which has a powerful influence on our lives. On average, Americans spend 30 hours a week watching TV. Is this influence good or bad? This is an unanswerable question indeed: It is hard enough to measure influence; and it is even harder to decide what is good and what isn’t. What is good, I suppose, is that many people are concerned about TV’s influence and that we have the power to change what we don’t like.
The people of Monhegan Island, 18 kilometers away off the coast of Maine, don’t have electricity, and they decided; once again, that they liked that way. Electricity, they think, would make life too easy and spoil their way of life. Maybe the young people wouldn’t want to go to town dances anymore. Maybe they would be more interested in staying at home and watching TV.
小題1:How old was the author, when their family got a TV?

A．About 15.

B．8.

C．18.

D．About 10.

小題2:The author’s parents finally decided to buy a TV because _______.

A．they wanted to meet their daughters’ needs .

B．the children couldn’t go to school without a TV

C．the sisters would like to be like their friends

D．they had to do as the youngest daughter told them to

小題3:The author thinks “to judge whether a TV’s influence is good or bad” is ________.

A．concerning

B．hard

C．meaningless

D．important

小題4:The last paragraph is written to show ________.

A．the disadvantage of TV

B．TV influences people a great deal

C．the advantage of TV

D．we can change what we don’t like

Fill Her Tank First
The summer of 1975 I’d just graduated from college in Southern California and received a 1968 Ford Capri for a graduation present. I had my first job, in Los Angeles. One Sunday night, __36__ myself a very independent grown-up, I left my uncle’s place in South Laguna after a visit, without __37__ to him that I had less than an __38__ of a tank of gas and no cash to buy __39__ on the way to L.A. I pulled onto the Pacific Coast Highway and watched the needle __40__ as I headed north. When I started running on fumes, I pulled into a __41__. There was no self-service __42__; there were no credit cards, no ATMs.
I begged the guy at the station. I __43__ write him a check for gas, I said, or I could sleep in my car and try to __44__ to a town with a bank the next morning. As he was informing me that I could sleep in my car but he’d have me __45__, a station wagon __46__ to the next pump. The driver--- a thin, plain, middle-aged guy---overheard the tail end of my __47__ request. As the attendant went to serve him, he nodded at me. “__48__ her tank first,” he said.
“Really?” I said. Hope __49__. “Oh, thank you. Thank you. But please. I just need two dollars’ __50__. I just need to go home.”
“Fill it,” he __51__ to the attendant. Then to me, “You will do the same one day, for someone else.”
I keep looking for that unlucky young person, __52__ to save her night on the road. Meanwhile, in case she never __53__ up, I try for other acts of random kindness. That __54__ driver is always at the pump a few feet away, __55__ the attendant to fill mine first.

小題1:	A．thinking B．hoping C．knowing D．showing

小題2:	A．confirming B．convincing C．a(chǎn)dmitting D．concerning

小題3:	A．eighty B．eight C．eighth D．eighths

小題4:	A．a(chǎn)nother B．more C．much D．some

小題5:	A．drop B．increase C．reduce D．decrease

小題6:	A．train station B．bus station C．railway station D．gas station

小題7:	A．a(chǎn)t one time B．a(chǎn)t a time C．a(chǎn)t times D．a(chǎn)t that time

小題8:	A．could B．might C．should D．must

小題9:	A．scramble B．drive C．climb D．walk

小題10:

A．ordered B．helped C．warned D．a(chǎn)rrested

小題11:

A．went up B．drove up C．pulled up D．drew into

小題12:

A．tried B．succeeded C．reasoned D．failed

小題13:

A．Fill B．Filled C．Filling D．To fill

小題14:

A．increased B．raised C．a(chǎn)ccumulated D．fired

小題15:

A．value B．worthy C．worth D．money

小題16:

A．pardoned B．repeated C．said D．spoke

小題17:

A．ensuring B．supposing C．hoping D．considering

小題18:

A．shows B．goes C．grows D．comes

小題19:

A．easy-going B．polite C．powerful D．quiet

小題20:

A．introducing B．instructing C．interesting D．interacting

Comedian Groucho Mark said, “Those are my principles. If you don’t like them, I have others.”
You and I have principles and we also have  31 . I have opinions about what I think is right or wrong or good or bad. But they’re only opinions —I could be  32 ! I won’t try to build my life  around my opinions,  33  I’ll try to keep to my principles.
A 15-year-old boy learned a valuable  34 about life principles. One day, he found a wallet that 35 $127 as well as a woman’s  36 . He jumped onto his  37  and went to her house. He told her he found her wallet and she gave him a big  38 . She also gave him twenty dollars.
That evening the boy told his parents about the  39 and his father said, “I don’t think you should have  40  $20 for doing what you should have done. A person shouldn’t be rewarded for being  41 .”
He considered his father’s statement and  42 that he would return the money. He  43 biked to the lady’s home and gave her back the money. She didn’t want to  44 it, but he told her she had to — that his father  45  something to him that he had  46 realized before.
When ideals such as honesty and a personal standard of always doing the right thing guide our every action and decision, we  47 develop a good character. These great principles  48 our lives and make us into a person of  49 . They teach confidence. That boy is  50 to be raised by a wise father who had the wisdom to say, “Those are my principles.”

小題1:	A．lives B．opinions C．conditions D．purposes

小題2:	A．happy B．different C．wrong D．clever

小題3:	A．so B．a(chǎn)nd C．or D．but

小題4:	A．lesson B．skill C．secret D．course

小題5:	A．cost B．contained C．got D．covered

小題6:	A．name B．script C．identification D．house

小題7:	A．bicycle B．car C．horse D．taxi

小題8:	A．hand B．surprise C．chance D．hug

小題9:	A．performance B．event C．principle D．trade

小題10:

A．a(chǎn)ccepted B．paid C．earned D．saved

小題11:

A．generous B．honest C．selfless D．confident

小題12:

A．imagined B．expected C．predicted D．decided

小題13:

A．once B．even C．a(chǎn)gain D．still

小題14:

A．fetch B．take C．return D．spare

小題15:

A．pointed out B．gave out C．picked up D．a(chǎn)dded up

小題16:

A．a(chǎn)lways B．often C．never D．ever

小題17:

A．suddenly B．a(chǎn)ctually C．immediately D．personally

小題18:

A．shape B．protect C．encourage D．understand

小題19:

A．a(chǎn)ttitude B．sense C．direction D．character

小題20:

A．sure B．free C．fortunate D．tough

John, a famous musician, took his priceless antique violin and played it in the crowded subway station. The music from the violin was delicately streaming throughout the whole station. However, during the one-hour play, only six or seven people were truly appreciating the charming music. A three-year-old kid was so fascinated by the music that he forgot everything around. John only got 52 dollars for his work that day.
However, in normal days, when John is about to hold a concert, one ticket can be sold at more than 100 dollars and it is extremely hard to buy a ticket even at such a high price. Therefore, later, many passers-by in the station that day felt deeply regretful for not recognizing the famous musician and missing such a valuable but cheap music feast.
I have a very busy friend who had totally changed after knowing that his wife came down with incurable illness. He cooked by himself for the family and took a walk with his wife every day. Nonetheless, his wife still did not manage to conquer the illness and passed away after three months. After that, he often sighed miserably that due to his past busy life, he had missed a lot of beautiful time with his wife. But now, it is impossible to make up for it.
It is no use crying over spilt milk. We have missed a lot of precious things in our life without knowing to cherish them.
Actually, I also missed something precious before. The reason why we would have missed those precious things is less than simple: we had thought that we could still own them tomorrow.
Nevertheless, tomorrow is actually by no means reliable. There was a famous Buddhist monk saying that in many people’s lives, they have only done two things: waiting and regretting. The result is that they were always too late to cherish what they had before they lost it. We would often claim to do something when we grow up, or when we have money or when we become old, etc. However, when we reach the condition we have expected, we could no longer realize our wish, because we have lost it by then.
小題1:The reason why people often regret may be that _______.

A．they are too busy to notice the beautiful things

B．they are too careless to cherish precious things

C．they are lazy to observe the surroundings

D．they think that it’s none of their business

小題2:The idea the author would like to get across to us seems that _______.

A．a(chǎn)ctions speak louder than words

B．a(chǎn) bad beginning makes a bad ending

C．the lost will never come back

D．each day brings its own bread

小題3:What method does the author employ to support his opinion？

A．By listing data.	B．By comparing the details .
C．By explaining the procedures .	D．By taking examples.

小題4:How do we understand the underlined parts “waiting and regretting”?

A．Many people will not cherish what they have until they lost them.

B．Many people cannot do well until they get older.

C．Many people know what they are doing.

D．Many people regret for what they don’t possess.

As I grew older, my dad and I grew further apart．We always had totally different  opinions．He thought that college was a waste of time，but for me it was important to finish college．He wanted me to work my way to the top as he had done in his field，but l wanted a different life．There was a time when we did not talk with each other．
A few months ago, I heard that my 84-year-old dad was in poor health．When he called and asked whether I could move from Colorado back to Tennessee to help him，I knew he was seriously ill．I am his only child and so it was time to meet my father’s requirement．
Two weeks after moving back，we bought a boat and started fishing again．Fishing was one of the few things that we did while l was young and that we both enjoyed．It is strange but true that as we are fishing we are able to put things that have kept us apart for so many years behind us．We are able to talk about things that we have never talked about before．Fishing has been healing the old wounds that have kept us apart．
It is not important how many fish we catch．It is about enjoying the relationship that we have not had for years．I’m 62 and he is 84．When we are on the lake fishing，it is like two kids enjoying life．It is far better to find a way to put the unhappy past behind．I am so lucky to spend the happy time with my father in his last years．Now my heart is filled with love．A smile always graces my lips．
小題1:The author and his father became further apart because______________．

A．they lived very far from each other

B．they had different views on things

C．they only communicated by phone

D．they seldom went to see each other

小題2:Why did the author come back to Tennessee?

A．Because his father invited him to go fishing

B．Because he decided to live in a different city

C．Because his father is ill and needs caring

D．Because he regretted being rude to his father

小題3:For the author，fishing with his old father___________ ．

A．helps cure his father’s disease

B．is a good way to get close to nature

C．makes him realize the importance of relaxation

D．provides a chance for them to communicate

小題4:According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?

A．The writer’s car is always breaking down.

B．Father intended me to be a fisherman.

C．I was unwilling to came back.

D．Father uesed to think it was useless to attend college..

小題5:What can be the best title for the text?

A．Fishing Brings Us Together	B．Forgiving Is Difficult
C．Memories of Old Days	D．My Beloved Father

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."
You probably heard those lines in grammar school, but do you really agree that harsh (嚴厲的) or negative words do not harm us? Words have power. Surely we all have had our feelings hurt by something someone said.
We may not say words to hurt others, but the way we interpret (解釋) them and how we say them may cause great harm. Here’s an example:
An ancient king dreamed all his teeth had fallen out. He sent for a wise man to explain his dream to him: the dream means that all your relatives will die and you will be left alone!
The king was very angry and threw the interpreter into prison. He then sent for another interpreter who said, "Congratulations! King! You will live many more years. In fact, you will survive all your relatives. Long Live the King!"
Both interpreters gave the same interpretation, but there was a huge difference in the way they said it.
Our speech must be understood by those who hear our words, but the way we say things and the intention behind them have as much power as the words themselves. Words can cause anger or appreciation. Which would you rather receive?
People who say harsh and negative things may not mean to harm, but have you ever known anyone who is a naysayer? They often look at the dark sides of things. They always see the glass as half empty rather than half full. How do you feel when you are around this type of person? Remember words have power. Use them wisely.
小題1:The author mentions the story of the ancient king to show that _____.

A．one dream sometimes has different explanations

B．good words can bring good luck to people

C．people should be careful when talking to a king

D．different ways of saying things have different effects

小題2:The underlined word "naysayer" in the last paragraph refers to a person who always _____.

A．has a negative attitude	B．likes to be praised
C．talks big	D．likes to repeat what others say

小題3:According to the text, how can people understand each other better?

A．By sharing different life experiences

B．By accepting different habits.

C．By properly using words

D．By recognizing different values.

小題4:The author wrote the last paragraph to ______.

A．show how the dark sides of things affect people

B．a(chǎn)dvise people to see and say things positively

C．show how harsh and negative words hurt people

D．a(chǎn)dvise people to stay away from negative people

小題5:The passage mainly talks about ______.

A．the power of words	B．the cruelty of the king
C．how to understand others	D．how to build good relationships