Passage one

I talk to strangers for a living and love the challenge of getting their stories published in newspapers. I've been married for years, but until six months ago, I could be a typical absent—minded husband. Often l was just nodding when l was supposed to. When my wife asked, “Did you even hear what I just said?”1 would defensively say, “of course I did!”

In January, I began to lose my voice. Doctors told me I needed surgery, or my throat would be permanently damaged. Total silence would be required for the first few weeks of my recovery.

Two hours after the surgery, my eyes filled with tears as my two-year-old son looked puzzled because l wouldn't answer his questions. I wanted to talk but couldn't. Luckily, I'd recorded myself reading some of his favorite books. That would come in handy the next couple of weeks.

It had never left. I'd just stopped noticing. I found myself understanding her better on topics I'd previously dismissed as “things I just don't get as a guy”. I also realized my son wasn't just talking nonstop but that he often had thoughtful things to say. Even while walking my dog in the woods near our home, I began hearing pleasant patterns in birdsongs. Before my surgery, I'd have spent those walks on my phone.

59______

• A.Where are you going today
• B.That's not our bus
• C.I'll catch up on my reading to kill time
• D.There isn't a cloud in the sky
• E.Did you catch the news today
• F.How long have you been waiting
• G.Have a nice day
• H.Don't forget your book

60______

• A.Where are you going today
• B.That's not our bus
• C.I'll catch up on my reading to kill time
• D.There isn't a cloud in the sky
• E.Did you catch the news today
• F.How long have you been waiting
• G.Have a nice day
• H.Don't forget your book

你(Li Yuan)在英语学习中遇到了一些困难, 希望得到帮助。请给你的英国笔友(Jason)写封信, 内容包括：

·介绍你学习英语的经历;

·描述你在英语学习中遇到的困难;

·希望笔友给你一些建议。

58______

• A.Where are you going today
• B.That's not our bus
• C.I'll catch up on my reading to kill time
• D.There isn't a cloud in the sky
• E.Did you catch the news today
• F.How long have you been waiting
• G.Have a nice day
• H.Don't forget your book

57______

• A.Where are you going today
• B.That's not our bus
• C.I'll catch up on my reading to kill time
• D.There isn't a cloud in the sky
• E.Did you catch the news today
• F.How long have you been waiting
• G.Have a nice day
• H.Don't forget your book

Mary：We couldn't ask for a better day, could we?

John：I know. ____56____.I love this time of the year.

Mary：This bus seems to be running late, doesn't it? ____57____ ?

John：I've been here for at least ten minutes.

Mary：Ah, here comes a bus!

John：Oh good. Wait ! ____58____ .That bus goes downtown.

Mary：Well, it looks like we'11 be waiting a little longer. ____59____ , I guess.

John：Oh, I'm afraid you have no time for that. Here's our bus.

Mary：Oh great! I thought it would never come.

John：____60____ !

Mary：You too.

56______

• A.Where are you going today
• B.That's not our bus
• C.I'll catch up on my reading to kill time
• D.There isn't a cloud in the sky
• E.Did you catch the news today
• F.How long have you been waiting
• G.Have a nice day
• H.Don't forget your book

What is the reason for setting an official holiday for stepparents?

• A.Because they love their role as stepparents.
• B.Because they are often treated as heroes in the family.
• C.Because they deserve respect and honor as family members.
• D.Because they are often seen as the most loving family members.

Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word“inherent”in paragraph 2 ?

• A.Unbelievable.
• B.Tough.
• C.Lasting.
• D.Inevitable.

Passage Five

• As we recently discovered, there is a Stepmother's Day, though it is not on any official holiday calendar. So, it would be safe to assume that there is a similar day for stepdads, too.    Right? Well, it depends on what you read. A
• It's interesting to note that there is a National Grandparents' Day. President Jimmy Carter signed it into law in 1978. Law! While grandparents are undoubtedly special people in our children's lives, they are often seen as the most loving fami
• Are you with me? Follow me and get your voice heard. How cool it would be if we could make this happen!    What does the underlined word“that” in Paragraph 1 refer to?
• A.Father figures who are equally honored in the U.S.
• B.30 people who support Stepfather's Day on the Facebook page.
• C.3.3 million men who live with at least one stepchild in the world.
• D.11.1%of U.S. fathers who live with at least one stepchild in the U.S.

What did President Jimmy Carter sign into law in 1978 ?

• A.The National Grandparents' Day.
• B.The National Grandchildren's Day.
• C.The National Stepparents' Day.
• D.The National Stepchildren's Day.