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Generation Date: 04/01/2014 Generated By: Cheryl Shelton Title: 10th grade Reading- theme
Beijing teens study how to award Olympic medals
BEIJING (Reuters) - For 16-year-old Li Miaomiao, sore feet from wearing high heels for hours at a time and an achy jaw from constant smiling are worth the chance of hanging a medal around an athlete's neck come the Beijing Olympics.
The willow-thin high school student is one of 34 Chinese girls "training" to be an Olympic medal presenter at the Beijing Foreign Affairs School (BFAS). It is one of several state-run colleges charged with producing camera-friendly girls for awards ceremonies.
When not balancing books on her head to improve posture during medal presentation rehearsal sessions, Li and her classmates study English, cultural training and look at pictures of past medal presenters and their uniforms.
Most important for Li, though, is the smile.
"I practice at home, and smile to the mirror for an hour every day," Li said. "I want to present my smile to the world, and let them know that the Chinese smile is the warmest."
Cut-throat Competition
Li says her school is doing its bit to mold well-mannered, natural communicators to deal with foreign guests. BFAS will produce staff to wait on International Olympic Committee officials at their hotel.
More than 800,000 Chinese have applied for only 100,000 Olympic volunteer positions on offer. Similarly, the competition to become one of the coveted 380-odd medal presenters is cut-throat.
The 34 hopefuls at BFAS are up against specialist dance schools, universities and possibly winners of regional contests across the country, Li said.
The Perfect Smile
Further exacting standards are demanded from BFAS's students. Apart from common- sense communication tips, such as looking directly at someone while talking to them, students are also informed the perfect smile consists of "only showing the eight top teeth," according to 17-year-old student Li Bogeng, who wants to make cocktails for IOC officials.
For Li Miaomiao, the perfect smile comes naturally&##8212;after having practiced for hours in the mirror.
It no doubt helped Li become one of only seven girls chosen from dozens of applicants to present medals to winning boxers at an Olympic test event in Beijing last November.
Being 16, Li is technically ineligible from becoming an Olympic presenter. The guidelines call for 18-25 year-old university students. But she rates herself a contender, anyway.
"I'm very confident. I think I have an 80 percent chance," she said, flashing a winning smile. Copyright 2008 Reuters. Reprinted with permission from Reuters. Reuters content is the intellectual property of Reuters or it s third party content providers. Any copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reute rs and the Reuters Sphere Logo are registered trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world. For additional information about Re uters content and services, please visit Reuters website at www.reuters.com.
1. One theme of the passage is that hard work pays off. How does Li Miaomiao reflect this theme?
A. She is chosen from many applicants to present medals at an Olympic test event.
B. She is ineligible from becoming an Olympic presenter because she is only 16.
C. She would like to show the world that the Chinese smile is the warmest.
D. She wants to make cocktails for the International Olympic Committee officials.
The Deserted Child by Isabel C. Byrum
“Why, woman, you are not thinking of leaving that child in this place for us to look after! Our hands are more than full already. The child is scarcely a month old. We have orders to accept no children under seven months of age without their mothers. You have to remain for that length of time to help us care for it.” It was August Engler, steward of the county poorhouse, that spoke these words to Mrs. Fischer, a young woman who had come to the poorhouse with the intention of leaving her infant child. Mrs. Fischer had recently lost her husband, a soldier in the Civil War, in battle and immediately had gone into deep mourning as far as her dress was concerned. The care of her child, however, she felt was too great a responsibility to assume alone, and she had decided that the best thing to do was to give her child away and that the sooner it was done the better. To conceal the fact that the poorhouse was a miserable place to stay would have been impossible, but regardless of consequences, the selfish mother cared only to be freed from her burdens and responsibilities as a mother. So the answer that Mr. Engler gave her only stirred within her evil heart the anger and cruelty already there. She took a step toward a hard couch, threw the bundle she held in her arms upon it, and disappeared through the open doorway. When Mr. Engler recovered from his surprise and went to look for her, he saw her running up the road as fast as her feet would carry her. Mr. Engler left his wife in charge of the little one while he set out to find the runaway mother. The task proved to be difficult, but at last she was returned to the infirmary and was given orders by the authorities not to repeat the offense of deserting her baby. As the people at the poorhouse sometimes caused trouble by running off, large balls of iron had been provided to chain their feet. It was thought best to use this method of securing Mrs. Fischer. Mrs. Engler hoped that among the other mothers, Mrs. Fischer would grow to love her child, but such a heartless woman could not be expected to do her duty. Scolding and criticizing the mother did neither the mother nor the child any good. As the days and weeks glided by, it was as Mrs. Engler had feared, and the cruel manner in which the babe was handled was pitiful to behold. Seven months passed, and the day of Mrs. Fischer‟s departure arrived. Her pretty costume of black was faded and worn, and the glossy hair was tangled and unkempt, but within the eye the light of evil was shining brighter than ever. It was indeed a glad moment for her when she heard the chains about her ankles clanking heavily upon the floor, and she knew that she was once more a free woman and could go and do as she pleased. And without a thought for the comfort or a plan for the future of her helpless child, she left him. adapted from The Poorhouse Waif by Isabel C. Byrum
2. Which excerpt shows the theme of selfishness through Mrs. Fischer's characterization?
"As the people at the poorhouse sometimes caused trouble by running off, large balls of
A. iron had been provided to chain their feet. It was thought best to use this method of securing Mrs. Fischer." "Seven months passed, and the day Mrs. Fischer's departure arrived. Her pretty costume of
B. black was faded and worn, and the glossy hair was tangled and unkempt. . . ." ". . . she knew that she was once more a free woman and could go and do as she pleased.
C. And without a thought for the comfort or a plan for the future of her helpless child, she left him." "Mrs. Fischer had recently lost her husband, a soldier in the Civil War, in battle and
D. immediately had gone into deep mourning as far as her dress was concerned."
3. This passage shows that
A. no good can come from war.
B. the majority is always right. C. one cannot be forced to love.
D. sacrifice brings happiness.
The Wild Swans at Coole by William Butler Yeats
The trees are in their autumn beauty, The woodland paths are dry, Under the October twilight the water Mirrors a still sky; Upon the brimming water among the stones Are nine-and-fifty swans.
The nineteenth autumn has come upon me Since I first made my count; I saw, before I had well finished, All suddenly mount And scatter wheeling in great broken rings Upon their clamorous wings.
I have looked upon those brilliant creatures, And now my heart is sore. All‟s changed since I, hearing at twilight, The first time on this shore, The bell-beat of their wings above my head, Trod with a lighter tread.
Unwearied still, lover by lover, They paddle in the cold Companionable streams or climb the air; Their hearts have not grown old; Passion or conquest, wander where they will, Attend upon them still.
But now they drift on the still water, Mysterious, beautiful; Among what rushes will they build, By what lake‟s edge or pool Delight men‟s eyes when I awake some day To find they have flown away?
4. Which statement best describes the theme of the poem?
A. The first duty of love is to listen.
B. Time brings the heartache of change. C. Autumn is an important time for swans.
D. Nature is humankind's worst enemy.
Full of Envy and Jealousy by Diane Tran
Flipping through my magazine, I saw the newest beauty queen, With flawless skin and golden hair. Oh how I wished to be as fair!
Next I glimpsed a five-page spread. On one star‟s home in France it said, “Twelve Stunning Rooms, a Private Niche.” If only I could be so rich!
I turned the page and then read That two celebs were soon to wed. The headline: “Match Made From Above.” Oh how I wished to fall in love!
Full of envy and jealousy, I went to sit and watch TV. On channel four, the news report: “Country in War that Needs Support.”
Ragged, old men with nowhere to go, Abandoned children all full of woe, Young soldiers burnt and racked with disease, Grieving mothers brought down to their knees.
How foolish I was to wallow in greed When there is nothing more I really need.
5. Which of these lines from the poem most directly states its main theme?
A. "How foolish I was to wallow in greed / When there is nothing more I really need."
B. "Ragged, old men with nowhere to go, / Abandoned children all full of woe,"
C. "Full of envy and jealousy, / I went to sit and watch TV."
D. "With flawless skin and golden hair. / Oh how I wished to be as fair!"
6. Which lines show how the author supports the theme of self-indulgence in popular culture? A. "On one star's home in France it said, / 'Twelve Stunning Rooms, a Private Niche.' "
B. "How foolish I was to wallow in greed / When there is nothing more I really need."
C. "On channel four, the news report: / 'Country in War that Needs Support.' "
D. "Abandoned children all full of woe, / Young soldiers burnt and racked with disease,"
Maasai girl escapes to education by David Conrad
ARUSHA, Tanzania (Reuters) - At 12, brown-eyed Neema Laizer persuaded her elementary school teacher to accept one liter of milk each morning instead of money because her father refused to pay for a girl to be educated.
At 13, her father selected a 30-year-old stranger to be her husband. The next day, she was supposed to drop out of school and begin a new life as a housewife and a mother within a year, a common fate for young Maasai girls in Tanzania.
Laizer had a different plan.
While her father slept, she and her mother quietly packed a small backpack of clothes, then she slipped on a pair of black rubber sandals and escaped by moonlight through heavy tears and forest brush, running more than a mile to her uncle's home.
The next morning, the two of them drove for six hours to a refuge 200 miles away that he had whispered to her about.
Now 19, Laizer is preparing to start college in the autumn—hoping to be the country's first Maasai woman doctor—and speaking out against female genital mutilation, forced marriage, and violence against Maasai women in the East African country.
The Maasai number about 1 million throughout the hills of northern Tanzania. Fewer than 10 percent of girls reach secondary or high school and fewer than 12 have received a college diploma, according to Maasai schools and support groups.
Most young women are denied education, are forced to marry men decades older, and face a life of servitude, abuse and rape.
"These aren't traditions worth protecting ... because girls are being refused education, they just don't understand," Laizer told Reuters. "Some are starting to say it's wrong, but only in secret. I am ready to talk openly about it. The Maasai must change."
School of Discovery
The refuge that freed Laizer from her tribal traditions lies in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro at the end of a ruddy dirt road, behind 10-foot high bushes and white steel gates. Since it opened in 1998 Emusoi, a Maasai word meaning "discovery," has placed more than 400 in 80 boarding schools across Tanzania after housing them for one year. Of the 240 or so Maasai girls who started secondary school in the country last year, 119 had been through Emusoi.
Emusoi students are set to be the first Maasai women to take up several professional roles in the country: one of the school's earliest students, Teika Simango, 25, is due to complete her legal training later this year.
The Maasai's seclusion—and resistance among the males—remain major obstacles, said teacher Shinini.
"I will go to the door of many girls' homes in remote villages, and tell them 'just graduate from primary school and then I know where you can go,'" said Shinini. "It's dangerous, but I want to help my people. What else can I do?" Copyright 2008 Reuters. Reprinted with permission from Reuters. Reuters content is the intellectual property of Reuters or it s third party content providers. Any copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reute rs and the Reuters Sphere Logo are registered trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world. For additional information about Reuters content and services, please visit Reuters website at www.reuters.com.
7. Based on her actions in the news article, which piece of advice would Neema Laizer most likely give?
A. Fight for what you believe in.
B. Traditions are worth protecting.
C. Always obey your parents.
D. Arranged marriages are sacred.
Water runs dry in rural Tennessee town by Matthew Bigg
ORME, Tennessee (Reuters) - A small town tucked away in the mountains of southern Tennessee is getting by on just a few hours of water a day. Its spring has run dry in the drought sweeping the Southeast.
Each evening, residents wait for Mayor Tony Reames to make the short drive from his home up to a water tower on a wooded hill above the town to open a valve.
When the water is flowing families can fill buckets and water jars, do laundry, take showers and wash dishes before the faucets run dry and they wait for the next evening.
Resident Julie Hoover described Orme as a "hideaway" and a "piece of heaven." It was safe and everyone knew each other, but she said the water shortage had created serious problems.
"People don't like change and they don't like losing their water," said Hoover, who started filling up buckets with water draining from an air-conditioner to get water to flush toilets when the spring ran dry in August.
Hoover and her sisters have also taken to cooking one big family meal for all their children to save water, something she said had proved a blessing.
Help at Hand
Sporadic water supply is the norm for much of the world's population but for Orme, near the border of Alabama and Georgia, help is at hand. Local businesses and churches donate bottled water, bringing it to the town's one-room fire house for residents to collect.
Orme received a $377,590 grant from the Department of Agriculture plus a further grant of $229,000 to build a water pipe from Bridgeport, Alabama, to the town's water tower, Reames said.
Workmen laying down sections of the bright blue pipe beneath the side of a road leading to the town move closer each day.
Reames has spent his whole life in the town, which has two small churches, no school, no shops and no cell phone service.
In the past, a creek and a waterfall fed the town but the creek dried up years ago and the waterfall slowed to a trickle in August, exposing a fissure in the rock that leads down to a big network of caves, residents said.
"Back then you could ride ponies and horses up on the mountains and you didn't need to go half a mile and you would find a stream," Reames said, adding: "A person don't know what they have got till it's gone." Copyright 2007 Reuters. Reprinted with permission from Reuters. Reuters content is the intellectual property of Reuters or it s third party content providers. Any copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reute rs and the Reuters Sphere Logo are registered trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world. For additional information about Reuters content and services, please visit Reuters website at www.reuters.com.
8. Which best describes the main theme of this passage?
A. People need to try to resist change.
B. People need to adapt for survival.
C. People need to remember the past.
D. People need to take shorter showers.
9. Reames says, "A person don't know what they have got till it's gone." Which person below best reflects this theme?
A. one who destroys buildings for a job B. one who gives a present to a friend
C. one who loses a home in a tornado
D. one who donates money to charity
Cleaning U.S. rivers, one refrigerator at a time by Andrea Hopkins
PADUCAH, Kentucky (Reuters) - The day's catch from one of America's greatest rivers is massive: dozens of tires, coils of barge rope, thousands of plastic bottles, an old green couch—and a single naked leg.
The clean-up volunteers spotted the severed limb of a small mannequin almost as soon as they landed on the bank of the Ohio River. The white plastic flesh was stained with mud from hip to toes, like most of the garbage that would soon fill the Living Lands & Waters barge to near overflowing.
"Dolls are the creepiest things you find," said Brent Pregracke, 37, one of about 100 people out on a recent spring day to help his brother Chad clean America's rivers one beer can—or refrigerator—at a time. Chad Pregracke was considered little more than a boyish nut when he set out on the Mississippi 10 years ago in a small fishing boat, determined to clean a 435-mile stretch of America's most storied river.
Bored by college and disgusted by the trash littering the river near his home, Pregracke, then 22, tried to convince companies to fund his project. Only Alcoa Inc. signed on— and Pregracke took their $8,400 check and got to work.
Ten years later, Pregracke has dozens of sponsors, an $800,000 annual budget, a board of directors, office staff and five full-time crew members who share his mission. In 2006 alone, the project pulled 3.5 million pounds of trash from various rivers, including 615 refrigerators and 22,396 tires.
"We barely find cans in the weeds on the upper Mississippi, and the garbage is not returning," Pregracke said.
But for every river he cleans, Pregracke finds another full of trash, and his sunburned, mud-splattered crew has expanded their efforts to include the Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, Potomac and Anacostia rivers.
Pregracke's determination to forge ahead despite legal wranglings and myriad river mishaps—chronicled in his book "From the Bottom Up," published in April—has inspired many.
Towboat captain Mike Hanlin, 65, in charge of steering the group's barges through busy industrial waterways, joined the project in 1999 after retiring as a school administrator. He had a Master's license and planned to spend his retirement piloting yachts. Then he heard about Pregracke's project.
"In my wildest imagination, I never would have thought it would turn into what it has," Hanlin said. "It's not often you get to be part of a dream."
Volunteers are equally enthusiastic.
"We have garbage groupies who follow us around, driving three hours to get to the next cleanup," said crew member Tammy Becker, 30, who runs onboard workshops on river management and restoration for visiting teachers.
"I didn't do this to be inspirational," Pregracke said. "I saw a problem and decided to do something about it." Copyright 2007 Reuters. Reprinted with permission from Reuters. Reuters content is the intellectual property of Reuters or its third party content providers. Any copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reute rs and the Reuters Sphere Logo are registered trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world. For additional information about Reuters content and services, please visit Reuters website at www.reuters.com.
10. Which best describes the theme of this passage?
A. Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
B. All companies should donate resources to volunteer organizations.
C. People are out of place in nature and need technology to survive.
D. The world's worst horrors are found in the most unexpected places.
11. What advice would Chad Pregracke most likely give?
A. Picking up trash will make you famous.
B. Complaining helps get things done.
C. It is good to stop while you're ahead.
D. Never give up on what you believe in.
12. One theme of the passage is that if people set a good example, others will follow. How does Chad Pregracke reflect this theme?
A. He was considered crazy when he first started his project.
B. His project has pulled 3.5 million pounds of trash from rivers.
C. He has inspired many to join him in cleaning up the rivers.
D. He has convinced dozens of companies to donate money.
The Night Has A Thousand Eyes by Francis William Bourdillon
The night has a thousand eyes, And the day but one; Yet the light of a bright world dies When day is done.
The mind has a thousand eyes, And the heart but one; Yet the light of a whole life dies When love is done.
13. This poem shows that
A. life is depressing without love.
B. the stars are brighter than the sun.
C. people should think before they act.
D. the world looks better at night.
Cripple by Carl Sandburg
Once when I saw a cripple Gasping slowly his last days with the white plague, Looking from hollow eyes, calling for air, Desperately gesturing with wasted hands In the dark and dust of a house down in a slum, I said to myself I would rather have been a tall sunflower Living in a country garden Lifting a golden-brown face to the summer, Rain-washed and dew-misted, Mixed with the poppies and ranking hollyhocks, And wonderingly watching night after night The clear silent processionals of stars.
14. Which statement best describes the main theme of the poem?
A. Take care of the disabled.
B. Life is like a sunflower.
C. Pity the unfortunate.
D. Escape in nature's beauty.
Study Break by J. Robbins
"I hope you guys are hungry," called Vera as she brought a tray of snacks from her kitchen into the living room. Her friends barely looked up from their textbooks. "I'm too worried about this test to be hungry," Nesky moaned dramatically. "I usually love to try new foods, but stress is making me sick. I may never eat again!" "You'll change your mind once you taste a pelmeni," Vera told him. "My grandmother taught me how to make them, and they are delicious. You'll study better once you have a full stomach." "These look disgusting!" said Raul rudely. "Why couldn't you make pizza rolls or something normal for us to eat?" His sister Schmi swatted the back of his head with her notebook. "You are too stressed over this test, and it is causing you to treat your friends badly," Schmi said. "Pizza rolls are normal snacks at our house, but that doesn't mean they are normal snacks for everyone. Vera is from Russia, and her grandmother is teaching her to cook traditional Russian food. I think it's great!" Vera smiled gratefully at her friend's supportive words. "I guess I could try one," muttered Raul as he reached for a pelmeni. "These snacks remind me of my mother's pierogis," Nesky said through a mouthful of food. "She is from Poland, though, so how could her food taste like Russian food?" "Many cultures make dumplings similar to pelmeni," replied Vera. "Dumplings filled with spicy meat are popular all over the world." "I can't believe it," Raul said, sitting up straight in his chair. "These dumplings are tasty! Pelmeni may look like little rocks, but they are even better than pizza rolls." "It sounds like you've convinced my brother to widen his cultural horizons after all," laughed Schmi. "I never would have guessed by looking at Raul that he could be so open-minded," Vera replied with a wink.
15. One of the themes of this passage is "appearances can be deceiving." How does the character of Raul demonstrate this theme?
A. He is rude to Vera until he realizes that she is a generous person.
B. He convinces his friends to try eating pizza rolls as afternoon snacks.
C. He thinks Russian food is identical to Polish food until Vera corrects him.
D. He believes pelmeni are disgusting until he tries one and enjoys it.
16. Which of the following best describes a theme expressed in this passage?
A. Most people have prejudiced beliefs about people from other cultures.
B. People from different cultures have more in common than they realize. C. People should learn about life from their friends, not from textbooks.
D. Sometimes humor is the only way to overcome conflicts between friends.
17. Authors often include multiple themes in their writing. One theme expressed in this passage is
A. family members are more forgiving than friends are.
B. family traditions can alienate people from their friends.
C. people's behavior can be affected by their emotions.
D. people are often judged unfairly by their close friends.
Jackie and I became friends about three years ago, in the middle of the 7th grade. Having just moved to Houston from Oklahoma City, she was introduced to our class that morning. At lunch, I was sitting with the rest of the drama club when I noticed her standing awkwardly with her tray. I could see she was debating on where she should sit. Having just moved to the area a couple of years ago, I knew exactly how she felt. Feeling kind, I called out, “Hey! Wanna sit with us?” With a hopeful smile, Jackie looked toward the table where Mindy, the “coolest” girl in school, and her followers sat, but seeing no one looking at her, she turned, puzzled, and saw me waving at her. What happened next surprised me. She gave me a haughty look and turned back around. “A „no, thank you‟ would have been a bit kinder,” I muttered. My friend Lindsey patted me on the back. “Look at how she‟s dressed—designer jeans and a trendy top. You can tell she‟s one of those.” With a shrug, she said, “Some girls just care about being 'popular.' ” The new girl straightened her shoulders. She approached Mindy, and although I couldn‟t hear what was being said, I did see Mindy laugh and give her the wave to go away. The poor girl got rejected. Mindy must have made a cruel comment at Jackie‟s expense because eruptive laughs and spiteful looks were aimed her way. I watched as Jackie walked to an empty table across the room. She looked like she was about to cry. I shook my head at the irony. What goes around comes around fast, I thought to myself. After lunch, I stopped by the bathroom. As I washed my hands, I heard sniffling coming from one of the stalls. “Are you okay?” I called out. No answer came. Not knowing what else to do, I just said, “The bell‟s going to ring soon.” With that, I heard the click of the lock, and out stepped the new girl. “Hi,” I said, startled. I stuck out my hand. “I‟m Steph.” “I‟m Jackie,” she said, shaking my hand. Her damp eyes and pink nose proved that she had been crying. “Sorry about earlier. I was pretty rude.” “Not as rude as Mindy was,” I answered with a sympathetic smile. “Come on. We better get to class.”
18. Which statement best describes the theme of the passage?
A. Every new idea appears crazy to people at first.
B. If you work hard in life, good things will happen.
C. Don't wait for people to be friendly, show them how.
D. Only tell your friend what you would tell your enemy.
19. Which of the following actions contributes to the story's theme of kindness?
A. The narrator watches as Jackie tries to become friends with Mindy.
B. The narrator asks Jackie if she wants to sit with her and her friends.
C. The narrator yells at Mindy for embarrassing Jackie in front of everyone.
D. The narrator sees Jackie crying in the bathroom and offers her a tissue.
Times I Did Not Stand Up for My Mother by Mitch Albom
I am six years old. It is Halloween. The school is having its annual Halloween parade. All the kids will march a few blocks through the neighborhood. “Just buy him a costume,” my father says, “They have ‟em at the five-and-dime.” But no, my mother decides, since this is my first parade, she will make me a costume: the mummy, my favorite scary character. She cuts up white rags and old towels and wraps them around me, holding them in place with safety pins. Then she layers the rags with toilet paper and tape. It takes a long time, but when she is finished, I look in the mirror. I am a mummy. I lift my shoulders and sway back and forth. “Oooh, you‟re very scary,” my mother says. She drives me to school. We start our parade. The more I walk, the looser the rags get. Then, about two blocks out, it begins to rain. Next thing I know, the toilet paper is dissolving. The rags droop. Soon they fall to my ankles, wrists, and neck, and you can see my undershirt bottoms, which my mother thought would make better undergarments. “Look at Charley!” the other kids squeal. They are laughing. I am burning red. I want to disappear, but where do you go in the middle of a parade? When we reach the schoolyard, where the parents are waiting with cameras, I am a wet, sagging mess of rags and toilet paper fragments. I see my mother first. As she spots me, she raises her hand to her mouth. I burst into tears. “You ruined my life!” I yell. from For One More Day by Mitch Albom 20. What is the most important lesson that is taught in the passage?
A. Try to see the good intentions behind one's actions.
B. Find friends who appreciate you for who you are.
C. Always buy your Halloween costume at the store.
D. Check the weather forecast before leaving home.
Story-Time by Edgar Guest
"Tell us a story," comes the cry From little lips when nights are cold, And in the grate the flames leap high. "Tell us a tale of pirates bold, Or fairies hiding in the glen, Or of a ship that's wrecked at sea." I fill my pipe, and there and then Gather the children round my knee.
I give them all a role to play— No longer are they youngsters small, And I, their daddy, turning gray; We are adventurers, one and all. We journey forth as Robin Hood In search of treasure, or to do Some deed of daring, or of good, Our hearts are ever brave and true.
We take a solemn oath to be Defenders of the starry flag; We brave the winter's stormy sea, Or climb the rugged mountain crag, To battle to the death with those Who would defame our native land; We pitch our camp among the snows Or in the tropics burning sand.
We rescue maidens, young and fair, Held captive long in prison towers; We slay the villain in his lair, For we're possessed of magic powers. And though we desperately fight, When by our foes we are beset, We always triumph for the right; We have not lost a battle yet.
It matters not how far we stray, Nor where our battle lines may be, We never get so far away That we must spend a night at sea. It matters not how high we climb, How many foes our pathway block, We always conquer just in time To go to bed at 9 o'clock.
21. According to this poem, stories
A. help people cope with the problems that they experience.
B. let people have adventures from the comfort of home.
C. transform fathers into wonderful heroes for their children.
D. give children terrible nightmares if told before bedtime.
Morey closed his eyes and listened to the waves of the Pacific Ocean—the one sound that managed to soothe him. When will this pain go away? he asked himself. For fifteen years, he had had everything a man could ask for—a wonderful wife and two beautiful kids. Then, just like that, they were gone. Nothing he did could change that. It had been a year since their passing—a year since an idiotic drunk driver ended the lives of three innocent people, but the ache in his chest had not dulled. After the funeral, he tried everything to rid himself of the memories. Maybe then the agony would go away. He sold the house, quit his job, and moved to California. Unable to bear the pity in their eyes, he had shut out his friends and co-workers, refused their help. His whole life, he had been strong and independent. As an orphan, you had to be. No way would he let anyone see him in pain. He knew Jane would have understood. She was the only one who ever could. But their faces and voices still haunted him. He heard Lily‟s laugh among the children in the park. He saw Greg‟s eyes in his own reflection. In the dark hours of the night, he could still feel Jane‟s warm presence in the empty space beside him. Nothing he did made these things disappear. He had never felt so powerless.
22. What does the passage reveal about life?
A. Running away is an effective solution to most of life's problems.
B. By the time you understand life, there is too little left to live.
C. The people you care about are sometimes taken away too soon. D. Parents should not sacrifice all for a better life for their children.
23. Which excerpt shows the theme of helplessness through Morey's characterization?
"Morey closed his eyes and listened to the waves of the Pacific Ocean—the one sound that
A. managed to soothe him." "He sold the house, quit his job, and moved to California. Unable to bear the pity in their
B. eyes, he had shut out his friends and co-workers, refused their help." "For fifteen years, he had had everything a man could ask for—a wonderful wife and two
C. beautiful kids. Then, just like that, they were gone. Nothing he did could change that." "His whole life, he had been strong and independent. As an orphan, you had to be. No way
D. would he let anyone see him in pain."