One day, a young man was cleaning out his late grandfather’s belongings when he  36  a bright red envelope. Written on the  37  were the words, “To my grandson. ”   38  it was his grandfather’s handwriting, the boy opened the envelope. A letter inside read;

Dear Ronny,

Years ago you  39  to me for help. You said, “Grandpa, how is it that you’ve   40  so much in your life? You’re still full of  41  ,but I’m already  42  of struggling. How can I get that same enthusiasm that you’ve got?”

I didn’t know what to say to you then. But knowing my days are numbered, I figure that I   43  you an answer. So here is what I believe.

I think it has something to   44  with how a person looks at things. I call it “keeping your eyes wide open”.

First, realize that is filled with surprises, but many are good ones. If you don’ keep  45  for them, you’ll miss half the excitement. Expect to be excited  46  ,and you will be.

When you meet with  47  ,welcome them. They’ll leave you wiser, stronger, and more capable than you were the day before. When you make a mistake, be  48  for the things it taught you. Learn to use that lesson to help you reach your goals.

It’s also important to   49  exactly what you want . Then keep your mind focused on it , and be prepared to receive it.

As you grow with the years, you’ll be given bigger shoes to fill. So be ready for endings as well as challenging  50  .

Sometimes we have to be brave enough to move from the familiar to the unfamiliar. Life isn’t just reaching peaks. Part of it is moving from one  51  to the next. If you  52  too long in between, you might be tempted（誘惑）to   53  . Leave the past in the past. Climb the next mountain and enjoy the view.

Most important of all, never give up on yourself. The person that ends up a winner is the one who resolves（決心，決定）to   54  . Give life everything you’ve got, and life will give its best  55  to you.

Love always,

Grandpa

A concert violinist was performing a difficult piece in front of a large audience. Suddenly there is a loud snap( 斷裂聲 ) and the1could be heard throughout the auditorium( 禮堂 ).The audience 2knew that a string( 弦)had broken. They all 3the concert to stop for a short time 4another instrument was brought to the musician.
But instead, the 5composed( 使鎮(zhèn)定 ) herself and then signaled the conductor to start again.The orchestra( 管弦樂(lè)團(tuán) ) continued where they had 6and the musician played the music on three strings. In her 7she worked out new fingering to make up for the missing string. A work that few people could play 8on four strings, the violinist played on three.
When she 9and bowed to the audience,there was a silence in the hall. And then the crowd rose to their feet and cheered wildly. The violinist 10and wiped sweat from her forehead. When 11returned to the hall, she 12why she had continued to play although there was a 13string. "You know," she said, "sometimes it is the artist's 14to find out how much music you can still 15with what has been left."
Maybe we've lived most of our lives and we have only a little time left. Maybe disease has 16us of our capacity( 能力 ) to work. Or perhaps a financial(財(cái)政的) loss has left us very17. Can we still make "music"?
There will come a time when we all 18loss. Can we find the 19to discover how much "music" we can still make with what has been left, just like the violinist? And if it takes extra courage to make the "music", others will 20 your effort. Some people have lost more than others, but they are brave enough to face it. They inspire the rest of us to reach greater heights.

1. 1.
   1. A.
      voice
   2. B.
      sound
   3. C.
      music
   4. D.
      scream
2. 2.
   1. A.
      immediately
   2. B.
      gradually
   3. C.
      hardly
   4. D.
      eventually
3. 3.
   1. A.
      hoped
   2. B.
      advised
   3. C.
      urged
   4. D.
      expected
4. 4.
   1. A.
      when
   2. B.
      until
   3. C.
      after
   4. D.
      since
5. 5.
   1. A.
      audience
   2. B.
      conductor
   3. C.
      violinist
   4. D.
      pianist
6. 6.
   1. A.
      left
   2. B.
      stopped
   3. C.
      remained
   4. D.
      arrived
7. 7.
   1. A.
      hands
   2. B.
      eyes
   3. C.
      opinion
   4. D.
      mind
8. 8.
   1. A.
      fast
   2. B.
      badly
   3. C.
      well
   4. D.
      gently
9. 9.
   1. A.
      started
   2. B.
      performed
   3. C.
      finished
   4. D.
      paused
10. 10.
    1. A.
       worried
    2. B.
       smiled
    3. C.
       apologized
    4. D.
       escaped
11. 11.
    1. A.
       thought
    2. B.
       happiness
    3. C.
       excitement
    4. D.
       silence
12. 12.
    1. A.
       asked
    2. B.
       wondered
    3. C.
       explained
    4. D.
       introduced
13. 13.
    1. A.
       broken
    2. B.
       lost
    3. C.
       bad
    4. D.
       difficult
14. 14.
    1. A.
       dream
    2. B.
       plan
    3. C.
       suggestion
    4. D.
       task
15. 15.
    1. A.
       take
    2. B.
       get
    3. C.
       make
    4. D.
       carry
16. 16.
    1. A.
       warned
    2. B.
       reminded
    3. C.
       required
    4. D.
       robbed
17. 17.
    1. A.
       poor
    2. B.
       brave
    3. C.
       guilty
    4. D.
       rich
18. 18.
    1. A.
       appreciate
    2. B.
       avoid
    3. C.
       experience
    4. D.
       improve
19. 19.
    1. A.
       assistance
    2. B.
       hope
    3. C.
       support
    4. D.
       courage
20. 20.
    1. A.
       comment
    2. B.
       applaud
    3. C.
       accept
    4. D.
       blame

If you asked high school girls to name their favorite sports, most would probably say basketball or volleyball. I happen to be one of the few girls who would1:surfing. But isn’t that a boy thing? Some people2.Most certainly not.?
I started surfing about five years ago and3in love with the sport on the very first day. Riding that first 4 was the best feeling I had ever experienced.?
When I try to5 surfing with other things, I find it very difficult because, in my6,there’s nothing like it. It involves body,7,and soul. There’s sand between my toes and cool, salt water all8 us. The feeling I get when I’m surfing across that9,becoming one with the10,is like I’m weightless.?
The one thing I can11 from surfing and not any other sport is endless challenge. You can never be the “best surfer” because the ocean12 an uncountable variety of waves that nobody can ever master. The variations of surfing styles are wonderful. Some surfers are free and flowing; others are very aggressive and13.All of these things attract me to surfing and make it ?14 ? from any other sport.?
I’ve15 to tell every girl I know to do something that people don’t think girls can do. It’s part of being human to advance to new16,so shouldn’t it be expected that girls should step up and start17 the limits of things boys and men used to dominate??
There’re women18 side by side with the President of our country, so why not side by side with the boys19 the football team or out in the water surfing? Give girls a chance to20, and they will.?

1. 1.
   1. A.
      tell
   2. B.
      answer
   3. C.
      give
   4. D.
      realize
2. 2.
   1. A.
      wonder
   2. B.
      understand?
   3. C.
      reply
   4. D.
      believe
3. 3.
   1. A.
      stayed
   2. B.
      came
   3. C.
      dropped
   4. D.
      fell
4. 4.
   1. A.
      wave
   2. B.
      storm
   3. C.
      sail
   4. D.
      boat
5. 5.
   1. A.
      bring
   2. B.
      connect
   3. C.
      compare
   4. D.
      tie
6. 6.
   1. A.
      work
   2. B.
      study
   3. C.
      holiday
   4. D.
      life
7. 7.
   1. A.
      mind
   2. B.
      effort
   3. C.
      health
   4. D.
      time
8. 8.
   1. A.
      along
   2. B.
      above
   3. C.
      around
   4. D.
      by
9. 9.
   1. A.
      beach
   2. B.
      water
   3. C.
      board
   4. D.
      lake
10. 10.
    1. A.
       sky
    2. B.
       world
    3. C.
       earth
    4. D.
       ocean
11. 11.
    1. A.
       take
    2. B.
       get
    3. C.
       make
    4. D.
       keep
12. 12.
    1. A.
       catches
    2. B.
       includes?
    3. C.
       offers
    4. D.
       collects
13. 13.
    1. A.
       sharp
    2. B.
       great
    3. C.
       hard
    4. D.
       calm
14. 14.
    1. A.
       known
    2. B.
       right?
    3. C.
       far
    4. D.
       different
15. 15.
    1. A.
       chosen
    2. B.
       tried?
    3. C.
       learned
    4. D.
       promised
16. 16.
    1. A.
       levels
    2. B.
       points
    3. C.
       steps
    4. D.
       parts
17. 17.
    1. A.
       reaching
    2. B.
       accepting?
    3. C.
       pushing
    4. D.
       setting
18. 18.
    1. A.
       sitting
    2. B.
       walking
    3. C.
       fighting
    4. D.
       working
19. 19.
    1. A.
       of
    2. B.
       from
    3. C.
       on
    4. D.
       with
20. 20.
    1. A.
       think
    2. B.
       succeed
    3. C.
       perform
    4. D.
       feel

The letter was a great disappointment to me. It was from Holy Cross, the only school I really wanted to1. I scanned the page, “…. We had a great applicant pool this year. …We can’t offer spaces to2… and place you on our waiting list.”
“What does it say, honey?” my dad asked, his voice full of3for me.
“I didn’t get in, but I’m on the waiting list.”
“Well, at least it isn’t4,” he said brightly.
“Yeah, but5, I don’t want to be on the waiting list; I want to be6. No one gets in off the waiting list. It’s a way of saying ‘Thanks for7’.”
“Then let’s go out there and tell them so.”
“That sounds8, dad.” I said sadly, “It doesn’t work.”
Upset and annoyed, I9myself in my room. However，my father’s advice kept10in my head. I thought about it for a few days, finally coming to the11that he was right. And the next day I seated myself across from Mr. Luis Soto, my admissions officer.
“What can I do for you, Nacie?” he asked pleasantly.
“Well, sir, I am here to tell you that I love this school and would love a12to be here. I just wanted to tell you how much going here would13to me—it is my only dream college— and that I would use my time here to the best14. I wanted to let you know that if you gave me a chance and reconsidered my application, you wouldn’t15it.” The words had poured out16I could stop them or check their desperate tone.
Mr. Soto looked me over for a minute before he smiled broadly.
“OK, that is the kind of thing we love to hear. Congratulations, you’re in.”
It was so17and I asked, “I’m sorry?”
“We want people in the class who want to be here, who will18the best of this education. I’m glad you came to talk19to me. I’m happy to offer you a position in the Class of 2009.”
The whole experience taught me a lesson: if you truly want something, never, ever20.

1. 1.
   1. A.
      attend
   2. B.
      study
   3. C.
      admit
   4. D.
      visit
2. 2.
   1. A.
      everyone
   2. B.
      anyone
   3. C.
      someone
   4. D.
      no one
3. 3.
   1. A.
      trust
   2. B.
      pity
   3. C.
      anxiety
   4. D.
      curiosity
4. 4.
   1. A.
      admission
   2. B.
      imagination
   3. C.
      restriction
   4. D.
      rejection
5. 5.
   1. A.
      ever
   2. B.
      again
   3. C.
      also
   4. D.
      still
6. 6.
   1. A.
      recognized
   2. B.
      received
   3. C.
      accepted
   4. D.
      permitted
7. 7.
   1. A.
      writing
   2. B.
      trying
   3. C.
      replying
   4. D.
      waiting
8. 8.
   1. A.
      lame
   2. B.
      reasonable
   3. C.
      painful
   4. D.
      practical
9. 9.
   1. A.
      enjoyed
   2. B.
      comforted
   3. C.
      stayed
   4. D.
      buried
10. 10.
    1. A.
       saying
    2. B.
       ringing
    3. C.
       showing
    4. D.
       reminding
11. 11.
    1. A.
       point
    2. B.
       conclusion
    3. C.
       agreement
    4. D.
       arrangement
12. 12.
    1. A.
       chance
    2. B.
       motivation
    3. C.
       degree
    4. D.
       change
13. 13.
    1. A.
       refer
    2. B.
       turn
    3. C.
       mean
    4. D.
       stick
14. 14.
    1. A.
       contribution
    2. B.
       condition
    3. C.
       advantage
    4. D.
       result
15. 15.
    1. A.
       suspect
    2. B.
       disappoint
    3. C.
       refuse
    4. D.
       regret
16. 16.
    1. A.
       as
    2. B.
       when
    3. C.
       until
    4. D.
       before
17. 17.
    1. A.
       unbelievable
    2. B.
       unforgettable
    3. C.
       unbearable
    4. D.
       favorable
18. 18.
    1. A.
       take
    2. B.
       get
    3. C.
       make
    4. D.
       receive
19. 19.
    1. A.
       patiently
    2. B.
       openly
    3. C.
       carefully
    4. D.
       calmly
20. 20.
    1. A.
       get through
    2. B.
       give up
    3. C.
       keep on
    4. D.
       try out

Having a son as a woman who has only really been around women can be a strange experience. I sometimes tell my husband that raising our 3-year-old boy 1someone dropped me off on another planet where I didn’t know the 2and had no map.
My son makes me laugh like no other, but his desires and interests sometimes do feel as 3to me as another galaxy(銀河系). He has taught me so much about the bigger man in my life (my husband) and even more about 4in general.
When I get mad at my husband now, I look at our son and 5. He was once as sweet and precious as my son, even if he is so 6now.
My mother-in-law’s attitude used to be confusing to me, but now I kind of 7it. I love my son violently. If some woman ever 8him, she’d be punished for that.
9my daughter can’t find something, she searches. But my son is 10calling, “Mommy! Daddy! Where is my toy?” It’s so much like my husband. He will also spend 0.1 seconds 11before calling out to me and 12where the butter, cheese, or coat is. My son has taught me it’s a male thing. 13, that doesn’t mean I won’t break of it. I 14will. Isn’t that what all moms say?
My husband showers every day on most 15days. But on the weekends or on vacation? Forget it. Now I understand that. My son hates bath time and 16the whole time. I have to fight with him and reward him to get 17.
Nothing is sweeter for a mom than her baby boy. My son and daughter are equally18to me, but in a different way. He tells me he loves me and how 19I am. I wish I could bottle that sweetness and 20it for the teen years.

1. 1.
   1. A.
      feels like
   2. B.
      competes with
   3. C.
      contributes to
   4. D.
      turns out
2. 2.
   1. A.
      connection
   2. B.
      movement
   3. C.
      language
   4. D.
      change
3. 3.
   1. A.
      risky
   2. B.
      mild
   3. C.
      foreign
   4. D.
      classic
4. 4.
   1. A.
      interests
   2. B.
      planets
   3. C.
      kids
   4. D.
      men
5. 5.
   1. A.
      stop
   2. B.
      grow
   3. C.
      rise
   4. D.
      burst
6. 6.
   1. A.
      exciting
   2. B.
      confusing
   3. C.
      touching
   4. D.
      annoying
7. 7.
   1. A.
      set
   2. B.
      get
   3. C.
      make
   4. D.
      take
8. 8.
   1. A.
      approaches
   2. B.
      hurts
   3. C.
      ignores
   4. D.
      persuades
9. 9.
   1. A.
      Before
   2. B.
      Because
   3. C.
      If
   4. D.
      Unless
10. 10.
    1. A.
       sincerely
    2. B.
       immediately
    3. C.
       fortunately
    4. D.
       obviously
11. 11.
    1. A.
       guessing
    2. B.
       imagining
    3. C.
       wondering
    4. D.
       looking
12. 12.
    1. A.
       thinking
    2. B.
       telling
    3. C.
       asking
    4. D.
       debating
13. 13.
    1. A.
       However
    2. B.
       Moreover
    3. C.
       Otherwise
    4. D.
       Therefore
14. 14.
    1. A.
       finally
    2. B.
       probably
    3. C.
       mainly
    4. D.
       definitely
15. 15.
    1. A.
       cold
    2. B.
       rainy
    3. C.
       meeting
    4. D.
       working
16. 16.
    1. A.
       laughs
    2. B.
       screams
    3. C.
       talks
    4. D.
       sings
17. 17.
    1. A.
       weak
    2. B.
       tight
    3. C.
       clean
    4. D.
       clever
18. 18.
    1. A.
       close
    2. B.
       welcome
    3. C.
       strange
    4. D.
       similar
19. 19.
    1. A.
       regretful
    2. B.
       beautiful
    3. C.
       skillful
    4. D.
       shameful
20. 20.
    1. A.
       remind
    2. B.
       exchange
    3. C.
       save
    4. D.
       appreciate