Whatever life threw at us each year, our family had one tradition at Christmas: our dog Pepper opened our presents for us.

Last year, everyone made it home for a Christmas get-together. However, it couldn't feel perfect because Pepper's health was becoming worse. Her life had already been longer than we expected—she was fourteen—and yet her mind was still sharp. Her love for life made us feel better. But her body could not keep up with her mind.

Probably it was Pepper's last Christmas, so we decided to make sure she would enjoy it. On Christmas Eve, we each prepared presents for her.

Soon, Pepper selected her first Christmas gift. She turned the present, just as she was a young dog once more. She pulled the paper off the dog treat before she chewed it slowly. Our family was so happy.

Pepper saw the other three presents, and then turned to Mom as if asking, "May I open another?"

"Go ahead, girl!" Mom encouraged.

For the next few minutes, Pepper opened each of her Christmas presents. While she did, she reminded us of the joy of being together. Our family felt as a whole—not because we were in the same room or city, but because our love brought us together.

Pepper passed away after Christmas. Her peaceful passing made us tearful. Her passing was also a celebration of life, because she gave my family so much love and laughter.

I still treasure (珍惜) Pepper’s final Christmas gift. She taught me that no matter where we each spend the holidays, the smallest act of sincere giving can unite our family through our love. For me, that knowledge is the longest-lasting gift of all.

【1】The dog Pepper usually _________ at Christmas.

A. chewed the dog treat slowlyB. chose the presents for herself

C. played with the author's family happilyD. opened the presents for the author's family

【2】The author thought the Christmas wasn't perfect last year because_________.

A. he didn't get a Christmas giftB. Pepper was in poor health

C. Pepper died on Christmas EveD. he didn't feel the joy of being together

【3】The dog Pepper got _________ Christmas gifts last year.

A. twoB. threeC. fourD. five

【4】The underlined phrase "the longest-lasting gift" in the last paragraph refers to "_________".

A. the friendship with the dogB. the holiday the author spent with family

C. the Christmas present for the dogD. the life lesson the author learned from Pepper

【5】Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?

A. Pepper passed away peacefully after Christmas.

B. The smallest act of sincere giving can unite the author's family.

C. Pepper brought the author's family a lot of trouble and tears.

D. The author's family felt as a whole because of the love among them.

【6】The best title for the passage can be "_________".

A. The Power of LoveB. Celebrating Christmas

C. The Importance of Helping OthersD. Enjoying the Happiness of Making Friends

A.Chinese B. England C. American

A. is wastedB. wastes

C. was wastedD. wasted

A. good B. better C. well D. best

A. parent’; all B. parents’; both C. parent’s; all D. parent’s; both

Mrs. Dermit, my drama (戲劇) teacher, wanted to look for someone to play a leading role--an energetic boy in a play. ______, she thought that I could act this important part. After hearing the good news, my friend Kevin and I talked about the play happily. ______ Kevin wasn't chosen for a role on the stage, his job with helping all the actors was important to the success of the play. I told him I was a little ______ because I had a lot of lines (臺(tái)詞) to memorize. "You can do it." he said. I knew I could depend on him: we had been friends since the third grade, and we made a good team.

Preparations for the play moved at a quick pace. While doing his own work, Kevin also spent hours helping me learn my lines. He often said my lines with me by silently moving his lips. We even ______ that he could probably play my part as well as I could.

Everything was ready for the performance. However, on the day of the play, I woke up with a high fever and I couldn't perform. The play was planned to open in fewer than six hours, and we had no time to cancel it. I tried to think of a way to help. Then it hit me--Kevin knew the lines as well as I did. I called Mrs. Dermit to give her my ______. Within a few short hours, Kevin stood on the stage in costume (戲服) and makeup. The amusing lines he had practised with me so many times made the crowd laugh and cheer. In a strange turn of events, Kevin and I had ______ the day for everyone by working as a team.

Of course, I was terribly disappointed to have missed my chance in the spotlight, but I was extremely thankful to have such a good friend.

【1】A. Recently B. Personally C. Luckily D. Probably

【2】A. While B. Although C. Because D. After

【3】A. nervous B. bored C. satisfied D. lonely

【4】A. proved B. promised C. expected D. joked

【5】A. question B. information C. suggestion D. explanation

【6】A. kept B. saved C. provided D. spent

A. win ，winner B. will win ， winner

C. wins， winning D. wins， winner

--- _______．I’ll go there by myself．

A．All B．Either C．Neither D．None

I still remember my first 10,000m race. That was an unforgettable experience. I was not good at running. I was not strong enough, either. Why did I take part in the race? That's because of my volunteer work. When I was 14 years old, I volunteered to work at the water station at a 10,000m race. My job was to pass out water to the runners. I felt e【1】 when I saw all the different kinds of people pass by and take a cup of water hurriedly. Some ran past, some walked past and a few wheeled past. After seeing so many t【2】 of people do it, I thought maybe I could also do it. So the next year I signed up for the race.

During the race, I jogged, I walked, I jogged and I walked. Sometimes I was even not sure i【3】 I could finish. Then came an important moment.

At one point near the end, an old man ran past me, very, very fast. Therefore, I was embarrassed because I was much younger than him, but I couldn’t keep up with him. I felt hopeless for a second. But then I r【4】 something. He was running his race and I was running my race. He had different abilities, experience, training and goals for himself. I had m【5】. Remember my goal was only to finish.

I learned something important at that moment. I turned my embarrassment into inspiration (鼓舞). I decided that I would not give up though many people ran past me. As I c【6】 the finish line, I was proud of my success.

In life we all have those moments when we compare ourselves with others. It’s only n【7】. Don’t allow those moments to weaken you. Turn them into motivation (動(dòng)力) and let them inspire you.

A. builtB. was built

C. is builtD. will be built