2024备战英语高考——狂刷模拟之阅读表达1（天津专版）含答案与解析

中小学教育资源及组卷应用平台
2024备战英语高考——狂刷模拟之阅读表达1（天津专版）
（1）
（2022天津耀华中学校考模拟预测）阅读短文，并按照题目要求用英语回答问题。
Kevin Randall, a biology teacher at Grandville High School, runs the environmental club at the high school, which has around 2,000 students. The club is known as the GHS Green Team, and it aims to raise awareness among students. It also works on projects to reduce the environmental footprint of the building itself.
One of the club’s recent projects focused on reducing waste in the school cafeteria. Randall said their cafeteria supervisor told them that the school went through 54,000 plastic forks every year. The club applied for a financial help, built recycling centers for the cafeteria, and purchased metal silverware.
And now every student uses a durable metal for kora spoon instead of disposables(一次性用品) , “and that’s just one way we’re trying to capture the low-hanging fruit, if you will,” Randall said.
The efforts of Randall and his students have earned Grandville High School the Michigan Green School certification from the state. In addition to their work reducing waste in the cafeteria, the GHS Green Team has also built a garden with flowers and vegetables on campus, and leads cleanups on site and out in the community. Over the years, Randall and his students have also been working on raising money to install solar panels(太阳能板) on the roof of the high school.
Randall said he was motivated to take the lead on environmental issues for his school because he wanted his students to have someone to turn to in the building who understands what’s at stake(利害攸关) when it comes to climate change.
“And I also felt like I needed to do more in my life for my own two children at home,” Randall added, “They need to know that their dad is working as hard a she can to reduce the effects of climate change, and to spread the word, and to make sure that other students out there are leaning about this just the way they are at home.”
1. What is the purpose of the GHS Green Team club (No more than 10 words)
2. How did the club help the school cafeteria reduce waste (No more than 15 words)
3. How do you understand the underlined part the low-hanging fruit in Para 3 (No more than 5 words)
4. What’s the fourth paragraph mainly about (No more than 10 words)
5. Suppose you are in charge of a similar Green Club, what activity will you organize And why (No more than 20 words)
（2）
（2022天津和平耀华中学校考模拟预测）阅读表达
Before entering college, I had heard so many stories about how stressful freshman year could get and that this would potentially be the most difficult experience I would ever have to go through. And yes, for the most part, those stories did live up to the reality.
In the first several months, I was urged to improve my social skills and to befriend people. Personally, there was a clear struggle on wanting to adjust and not simply adapt. Adapting required a change in behavior for the sake of fitting in and I didn’t want that. Luckily and eventually, I was able to find my own group. It just required extra work and patience.
Naturally, there were academic obstacles that arose. The biggest one was my major. I was enrolled as a communication studies major. I chose it because it seemed like a safe haven. But I later discovered that it didn’t actually fit my likes. After two quarters, serious thinking and several mini breakdowns, I switched to philosophy.
Ever since I was younger, I have known I wanted to work in the field. It has always intrigued me. To be honest, I’ve never had to read such challenging texts in my life, but I enjoy it. It pushes me beyond my limits in a good way. It introduces me to concepts and theories that I’ve never heard of. More importantly, it doesn’t only make me more logical. It also makes me more empathic(有移情作用的)and understanding of others.
I eventually overcame the obstacles. As I recall it now, I’m thankful that the good always outweighed the bad. The good came in the form of new friends, significant learning and deepened self-understanding. As I head off to sophomore year, I plan to bring this good with me.
1. How was the author’s freshman year in college (no more than 5 words)
2. What troubled the author in his first several months in college (no more than 10 words)
3. Why did the author switch to philosophy (no more than 10 words)
4. What does the underlined part in Paragraph 4 mean (no more than 10 words)
5. What do you think of the author Please explain. (no more than 25 words)
（3）
（2021天津河西统考一模）阅读短文，并按题目要求用英语回答问题。
Behind the band, there was a picture of a young man named Philip Hancock shown on the screen. And he was the reason they were all there. Hancock was a 27-ycar-old Australian who taught English in Chongqing. When he died in 2018 due to complications from diabetes, his parents followed his wishes and donated his organs with the help of the Red Cross Society of China’s Chongqing branch.
“I’m Philip’s liver”; “I’m Philip’s kidney”; “Philip’s eyes...”
The five people — a salesperson, a farmer, a former truck driver and two doctors introduced themselves onstage.
“Last year, Red Cross officials told me that Philip’s parents mentioned during an earlier memorial service that he loved music and dreamed of having his own band one day,” said former truck driver Chen Xianjun. Chen instantly wanted to form a hand in memory of Philip, and so did the other four receivers.
Since they had no music experience, they had to start from scratch. From learning the guitar to mastering the maracas (响葫芦) and faking on the drum they took time out of their busy lives to practice over the past year.
“Picking up a new instrument is certainly difficult at my age, but we have a clear goal in mind and are determined to achieve it.” said Mo Li, the 36-year-old real estate salesman.
Peter Hancock, Philip’s father, said after watching the bands performance that his biggest wish was for the five to enjoy their lives more. think Philip not only gave them a new life, but also some musical cells that enable them to appreciate beautiful melodies."
1. What do these five people have in common (no more than 8 words)
2. What does the underlined part “from scratch” mean in English (no more than 5 words)
3. What goal did these five people want to achieve (no more than 10 words)
4. What was Philip’s father’s biggest wish (no more than 8 words)
5. What inspiration do you get from the story Please say it in your own words. (no more than 20 words)
（4）
（2021天津红桥统考一模）阅读短文，并按照题目要求用英语回答问题.
I started drawing houses at six. Unlike most girls, my dream was to build a backyard clubhouse-an unrealistic dream because we lived in an apartment. By high school I continued drawing and my dreams broadened—to become an architect. My elder brother told me that took a university education. But my family couldn’t afford that kind of education. Still, I fanned the name of hope.
I got a part-time job at Bayside Bowl and started saving money. My bank account however, was growing quite slowly. When I looked at college catalogues, I couldn’t imagine how I would ever get there. I decided to shrink（缩小）my dreams to a more realistic size.
Soon after that, a newcomer started frequenting Bayside Bowl. She arrived alone and always carried a pink hag with a hall inside. Her dark, wrinkled skin and curly gray hair made her stand out among our younger customers. She talked to me whenever I cleaned near her lane（球道）. I learned her name was Bessie. She had been a singer for as long as she could remember. In her 20s she had tried to get a job as a restaurant singer, "I was a young black woman, and in the early 1950s doors didn’t exactly open wide for me. Zilch! （无价值之人）" she said.
But I appreciated her advice. "Life’s like bowling," she would say. "Set your eyes on your target and follow through. " Indeed, Bessie hadn’t let the "zilches" stop her. She had saved up and enrolled in the Brightwood Music Academy. It turned out this lady with the pink bowling bag was the Bessie Richards, a recording artist of the 1960s.
Before leaving, Bessie left me some lines of poetry she had copied from a book. Bessie said, "Read this when the going seems tough. It’ll help you follow through and reach for your goal." These are the lines:
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
A year has passed since I last bowled with Bessie, and I’ve restarted my drawing. I’m working and saving money, taking drafting classes, and applying for internships（实习）. Whenever I’m discouraged, I reread those lines of poetry, There’ll be no barren（盆脊）field of frozen snow nor zilches for me. Inspired by Bessie and the poem, I plan to continue to dream.
1. What was the author’s dream when she was in high school （no more than 5 words）
2. Why did the author shrink her dream to a realistic size （no more than 10 words）
3. How do you understand the underlined sentence "Life is like bowling” （no more than 20 words）
4. Describe one of Bessie’s characteristics and explain why. （no more than 15 words）
5. Who is the "Bessie" in your life How does he or she help you to pursue your dream （no more than 30 words）
（5）
（2021天津统考一模）阅读短文，并按照题目要求用英语回答问题。
In March 2019, when Sara Cook first got a letter in the mail telling her that someone had paid off a large amount of her medical debt, she simply couldn’t believe it. Cautiously, she called the number listed on the letter. What she learned was that this was not a scam. It was 100 percent real.
A remarkable nonprofit called RIP Medical Debt had indeed paid $5,000 toward her bills. The organization didn’t take care of all the debt she’d accumulated from several back surgeries, but the former nurse was still moved by the gesture. “I felt really loved and blessed,” she says, “knowing that complete strangers just did that out of the goodness of their hearts.
Craig Antico and Jerry Ashton do have good hearts. They’re also former collection agents who have seen how heavy health-related debt has destroyed lives. “I never thought about all the hardship of the people who couldn’t pay. Now I’m trying to find the people who need help.” said Antico. They got their money from individuals and charities that support RIP’s mission.
RIP researches potential receivers based on three criteria. First, they look for people who make no more than two and a half times the amount established as the federal poverty level. Then they screen for those whose debt is equal to 5 percent or more of the gross income (总收入). Third, they look to see whether a person can pay off debts.
For the people who do qualify, RIP’s help is life-changing. “After their letter, I realized that my life really wasn’t so hard,” says Cook, “I may never be able to work as a nurse again but I can sit at the school library and help kids read or serve up food in the soup kitchen. When people do something out of the kindness of their hearts, sometimes they may wonder: Does it really make a difference I want people to know that this has a positive impact.”
1. What does the underlined word in Para.1 most probably mean (1 word)
2. What was Sara Cook’s reaction to RIP Medical Debt (no more than 2 words)
3. How did RIP Medical Debt get funds (no more than 10 words)
4. What’s the main idea of the 4th paragraph (no more than 8 words)
5. What’s your example of doing "kindness" Please share. (no more than 20 words)
（6）
（2022天津市新华中学校考模拟预测）阅读下面短文并完整回答问题。注意：不能引用文中原句，每个回答不超过10个单词。
It was late on a Saturday afternoon. A young boy and his father were sitting quietly, watching the snow fall.
“Son, you see every snowflake is different, but when they are all together, they are so beautiful.” Dad, smiling, turned to his son, “Just like people. God makes every one of us different.”
Then came a question. “If people are like snowflakes, unique and special, how could they get along ”
Dad sat there for a moment, thinking. “Choice,” he said. “One of the greatest gifts God has given us is the gift of choice. Different as we all are, we have one thing in common. We can choose what we do, how we dress, where we live, and how we treat each other.”
“But some people don’t get along. So their choice is a bad thing ” the boy asked.
“Oh, no. Only when they choose the wrong things.”
“How do we know what’s right and what’s wrong ”
Without a word, Dad began to work with the snow. First he made several snowballs. And then he placed three of them on top of each other.
“It’s a snowman!” the boy shouted with excitement. “Those that made the snowman did the right thing.”
“Yes, these three came together and joined in an effort to build up mankind,” Dad said.
Then he held his boy tightly and said, “I pray to God that your world will learn to work and live together.”
The boy leaned back in the comfort and protection of his father’s arms, and said, “I will make the right choice. I will learn to build the best snowman ever.”
1. What was the weather like in the story
2. What do people have in common according to Dad
3. How did Dad show the right choice with the snowballs
4. What does “the right choice” in the underlined sentence mean
5. What do you think of the father in the text
（7）
（2022天津耀华中学校考模拟预测）阅读短文，按照题目要求用英语回答问题。
I was traveling with my husband and three teenage sons, in the United States. We ordered our food at a fast-food place, and with my meal I also wanted a blueberry pie. My husband is the chatty one in the family and likes to socialize, so he started to a conversation about the place where blueberries grow with the girl. She answered, with some anxiety, “They grow on trees.”
The whole family’s jaws dropped! How could this girl not know where blueberries grow We tried not to embarrass her, and just took the opportunity to teach her a little about how blueberries grow, on small shrubs on the ground. She seemed to appreciate learning something new. We can’t know all the same things, as you’ll see from the next thing I’m going to tell you.
In 2002 our family made a short trip to a coffee plantation. The road to the plantation was narrow filled with hairpin bends. I worried about hitting another car. We didn’t, lucky us! When we finally got to our destination, we learned a lot about the plantation and coffee production, but we didn’t see any coffee plants. Where were they We decided to ask one of the people working there. “So where are the coffee plants We can’t see them anywhere.”
She reached out her arm and caught a twig right next to us and explained, “This is the coffee plant and these little things will be coffee beans.” I looked around in embarrassment, as we were surrounded by coffee plants! She explained that coffee plants aren’t big and that they have to grow in the shade of other bigger plants. I appreciated her lesson.
We love our coffee, but I’m sure most of my countrymen would not be able to recognize a coffee plant among other tropical plants if asked. Our jaws can drop at different things, depending on geographical locations, at what we know and don’t know. Never take anything for granted!
1. What topic did the author’s husband discuss with the girl (no more than 5 words)
2. How do you understand the underlined part in Paragraph 2 (no more than 10 words)
3. How was the way to the coffee plantation (1 word)
4. What did the author learn from the worker (no more than 15 words)
5. What inspiration do you get from the story Please express it in your own words. (no more than 20 words)
（8）
（2022天津耀华中学校考模拟预测）阅读短文，并按照题目要求用英语回答问题。
When I was a little girl, I spent memorable holidays with my grandmother, who lived in a small village. She was a farmer with a stooped (弯曲的) back that made it seem like she was always leaning forward to examine something. Early in the morning, she would tie a cloth around her waist and set out to the farm. I would skip breathlessly alongside, trying to keep up. On our way, she would greet everyone we passed.
There was the standard greeting, “Did you wake up on the right foot this morning ” Then, the more personalized greetings. To Patriarch Kosi who sat under the mango tree, she would ask, “Are the grandchildren in good health ” To the Bean Stew Seller who was preparing to serve breakfast, she would inquire, “Are your boys well ”
Sometimes, the greetings were spoken soothingly (安慰地). When we walked past the widow, Dada Mawusi, many months after her husband’s death, Grandmother would say directly, “How is your grieving ” She didn’t like to beat around the bush. The greeting made more sense to her to acknowledge the woman’s suffering, and in doing so, empathize (理解) with her.
The people that Grandmother greeted would respond similarly. “I see you have your granddaughter with you today. How is her father ” or “I see you have woken up before the cock’s crow today. May it be a fruitful day at the farm.” As a young girl, I thought these greetings were unnecessarily time-consuming. What I now realize is that the greetings increased a sense of belonging. My grandmother taught me that there is always time to greet someone before getting down to business. You can always take a few extra seconds to say a greeting to a person. We enrich our society when we acknowledge the unique presence of one another.
1. Where did the writer spend holidays when she was young (no more than 6 words)
2. What made the writer feel breathless (no more than 8 words)
3. How do you understand the underlined sentence in Paragraph 3 (no more than 10 words)
4. What did the writer think about greetings when she was young (no more than 10 words)
5. Why do you think greeting neighbors is important Give your reasons, (no more than 20 words)
（9）
（2017天津红桥统考一模）阅读短文，并按照题目要求用英语回答问题。
John and Bobby joined a wholesale company together just after graduation from college the same year. Both worked very hard. After several years, however, the boss promoted Bobby to the position of manager but John remained an ordinary employee. John could not take it anymore. So without hesitation, he presented a tender resignation to the boss quickly, complaining the boss did not know how to identify a good clerk and did not value hard-working staff, but only promoted those who flattered (讨好) him.
The boss knew that John worked very hard for the years. He thought a moment and said, “Thank you for your criticism, but I have a request. I hope you will do one more thing for our company before you leave. Perhaps in time you will change your decision and take back your resignation.” John agreed.
The boss asked him to go and find out anyone selling watermelon in the market. John went and returned soon. He said he had found out a man selling watermelon. The boss asked how much per kg John shook his head and went back to the market to ask and returned to inform the boss $1.2 per kg.
The boss told John to wait a second, and he called Bobby to come to his office. He asked Bobby to go and find anyone selling watermelon in the market. Bobby went, returned and said, “Boss, only one person selling watermelon. $1.2 per kg, $10 for 10 kg, and he has inventory of 340 melons. On the table 58 melons, every melon weighs about 2 kg, bought from the South two days ago. They are fresh and red, of good quality.”
John was very impressed and realized the difference between himself and Bobby. He decided not to resign but to learn from Bobby.
My dear friends, a more successful person is more observant, thinks more and explores in depth. Chances exist in the daily details. For the same matter, a more successful person sees more and farther so that he can find out an opportunity and catch it to realize his aim. If a person sees one year ahead, while another sees only tomorrow, the difference between a year and a day is 365 times. How could you win
1. After Bobby’s promotion, what did John do (no more than 12 words)
2. What’s the meaning of the underlined word “take” in Paragraph 1 (no more than 3 words)
3. What was “one more thing” the boss asked John to do before he left the company (no more than 15 words)
4. What kind of person is Bobby (no more than 12 words)
5. To be a more successful person, what would you like to do Please tell your reason(s). (no more than 25 words)
（10）
（2022天津市滨海新区大港油田实验中学校考模拟预测）阅读下面的短文，请根据短文后的要求答题。
Yang Xiaomeng lives 11 km away from her company in Beijing. The 26-year-old has been cycling to work for three months. “I used to take the subway before the COVID-19 outbreak. But now riding a bike seems to be a safer choice.”
Finding it relaxing and healthy, Yang said she would keep cycling in the future. In fact, many people have turned from public transportation to riding bikes these days. On Beijing’s bike-only lane (自行车专用道), from Huilongguan to Shangdi, the number of cyclists has increased by 17.6 percent due to the outbreak, Xinhua reported.
In fact, biking has been booming globally since the COVID-19 outbreak. In Spain, bike sales increased 22-fold (倍) in May compared with last year. In London, large parts of the city are being closed off to cars so that people can walk and cycle safely. Cities like Berlin and Montreal have also added new, wider bike lanes.
How will this change influence life in the city The environmental advantages are clear. According to studies, cycling can clearly reduce the pollution of the environment. Since most gyms are still not open, cycling can also give people a chance to exercise and enjoy fresh air.
Increased biking can also bring economic benefits (经济效益) to the society. Compared with drivers, cyclists tend to spend more money in stores, bars and restaurants, according to Huff post. “When you make an area become attractive to people on foot or on a bike—when you slow down the pace (节奏) of life in that neighborhood just a little—suddenly visitors are staying longer and stopping in more stores,” Rachel Quednau wrote for Strong Towns.
1. How did Yang go to work before the COVID-19 outbreak (no more than 5 words)
2. What does the underlined word in Paragraph 3 probably mean (1 word)
3. Why are large parts of London being closed off to cars (no more than 10 words)
4. What are the advantages of riding a bike (no more than 10 words)
5. What’s your attitude towards cycling Please explain. (no more than 20 words)
（11）
（2023天津河西统考三模）阅读下面短文，并根据短文内容完成下列各题。
Meet Mahdi Gilbert, the 25-year-old Canadian magician making waves in the world of magic. He practices card manipulation (握牌手法) and sleight of hand (敏捷手法), a common skill set for a magician, but what makes him different is his lack of hands.
Standing at four feet and six inches, Gilbert’s left arm stops at the elbow, and he has an appendage (附肢) on his right arm. Gilbert was forced to reinvent magic for himself, individually recreating all of the techniques used in his mind. Despite his lack of access to information about magic, having never visited any magic stores, or read any magic books, Gilbert confidently told his high school guidance teacher. “I’m going to be a magician.” She asked, “Do you do magic now ” to which he replied “Not yet. But I will.”
Mahdi began seeking out magicians online and on television as a teenager, and soon became a follower of David Blaine. When he was sixteen, Gilbert decided to move away from mental based magic toward more magical tricks. He bought a deck of cards and a book on card manipulation, but he didn’t tell anyone what he was doing. Eventually, he mastered shuffling (洗牌) and then began to master different magical tricks in more complex ways.
He began to make connections with other magicians through magic shops and his reputation began to mount. In March, Gilbert attended Magic-Con, a magic conference in San Diego, where many famous magicians were in attendance, including David Blaine. Gilbert quickly became the talk of the conference, and his reputation took off. In the seven years since that Magic-Con. Gilbert has gone on to appear on television shows and has traveled to and performed in 18 countries.
1. As a magician, what makes Gilbert different from others (no more than 5 words)
2. How did Gilbert learn magical skills (no more than 5 words)
3. As a teenager, how did Gilbert feel about his dream (no more than 10 words)
4. What does the underlined word in the fourth paragraph mean (1 word)
5. What can you learn from Gilbert’s story Put it in your own words. (no more than 20 words)
（12）
（2019天津校联考一模）阅读短文，按照题目要求用英语回答问题。
One out of many important things for the whole family to do is to have dinner together. Researchers began reporting the benefits of family dinner about a decade ago, focusing mainly on how it affects children. Studies show that those families who eat dinner at least 3 or 4 times a week together, benefit in many ways.
Eating together helps families achieve open communication and build stronger and healthier relationships. Children have better grades at school and are better adjusted as teens and adults, and the entire family enjoys healthier nutrition. For many families, eating dinner together proves to be a good and effective way to reduce the risk of youth rates of addiction, and helps to nurture healthier children. It is also a great time to share the events of the day, discuss news and ideas and just be together and enjoy each other’s company.
During dinner time parents have better opportunity to show that they are the prior to their children. Sitting at the same table and sharing meals is where and when parents can find out more about their children’s school performance, daily activities and attitudes toward life. When parents have all this information they can better direct their kids toward positive things in life. They also have better chance to reduce the possibility that children will get involved with alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.
However, family researchers say that the benefits of family dinner by no means can be considered as automatic. Parents can sit down to dinner with their kids every day and achieve nothing. Family dinner may not benefit if there is too much arguing going on, if there is no meaningful conversation or, what is even worse, if there is just plain silence during gathering.
1. What may be the best title for this passage (no more than 8 words)
2. What benefits can children get from eating together (no more than 15 words)
3. How do you explain the underlined word “nurture” in Paragraph 2 (no more than 2 words)
4. What information can parents probably get about their children at family dinner (no more than 15 words)
5. What should be avoided at the dinner table according to the author And why (no more than 15 words)
（13）
（2022天津市新华中学校考模拟预测）The World Health Organization (WHO) says there has been a sharp increase in the number of children in developing countries who weigh too much. In African countries, the WHO says the number of overweight or obese children is two times as high as it was 20 years ago.
Around the world, about 43 million children under the age of five were overweight in 2011. Doctors use height, weight and age to measure whether a person is underweight, normal, or obese.
Overweight children are more likely to become overweight or obese adults. The condition can lead to serious health problems like diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Francesco Branca, director of the WHO Department of Nutrition for Health and Development, says people are eating manufactured or processed food more often, which often has a high sugar，fat and salt content. Another reason of gaining weight is the city lifestyle. They travel in cars or other vehicles more than on foot, and have less physical activities in general.
Mr. Branca says reducing the number of overweight children will not be easy. He says the goal is difficult to meet even in wealthy countries.
The WHO has some basic solutions for individuals（个人） : to lower your in-take of fat ,sugar, salt and processed food, eat more fruit and vegetables, and increase physical activity. These actions are especially important for children and governments should concern providing vitamin for children.
Reducing the number of overweight children will not be easy. The goal is difficult to meet even in wealthy countries. Educational campaigns about problems linked to obesity would also help. Food manufactures must balance quality and taste with the dangers of sugar, fat and salt.
The current goal of the WHO’s World Health Assembly is to prevent an increase in the percentage of overweight children during the next twelve years.
1. What’s the main idea of the passage (No more than 15 words)
2. What is the meaning of the underlined word "obese" in Paragraph 2 (No more than two words)
3. What diseases can overweight or obesity lead to (No more than 10 words)
4. Why do people put on weight easily (No more than 12 words)
5. If you are overweight or obese, what should you do (No more than 20 words)
（14）
（2022天津市新华中学校考模拟预测）When my friends went to college in great delight, I restarted my senior high school life．My spirit sank．Surrounded by strange classmates, I felt like I was in a maze and was sorry about myself．There were some complex feelings in my minds．I was frightened, nervous and lonely．
To make matters worse, I recalled my failure again and again, which put more pressure on me than I could bear．As a result, I was always feeling down during class time．
My teacher found me spiritless．One day he asked me to come to his office and told me about his attitude towards life: we might suffer from mistakes, but it’s important to learn lessons from them．All the pains and the embarrassing things we experience are part of the process．So keep up your spirit! At last, he added, “If you are optimistic, things you want may happen to you!”
Warmth rushed through my soul．I suddenly found the sun shining again when I stepped out of his office．
With the teacher’s help, I eventually got over my depression．From then on, I no longer bowed my head and began smiling to my classmates．I would put up my hand confidently in class and play with my new friends in my spare time．Meanwhile, I was gradually embraced by my classmates．
Now faced with fierce competition, we all study hard because we know that every second counts．Moreover, there is an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect between us．I love my class; I love my classmates!
To be frank, I still have a thirst for my dream university, but I’m not afraid of failure because I can profit by it．With parents and teachers’ encouragement, I’m quite certain of my success and I’m sure I can fly high．
1. Why was the writer in low spirits at the beginning （No more than 10 words）
2. What did the teacher expect the writer to do （No more than 10 words）
3. What is the main idea of Paragraph 5 （No more than 15 words）
4. The underlined word “embraced” in paragraph 5 means ______．（No more than 5 words）
5. What does the writer think of failure now （No more than 10 words）
（15）
（2023天津和平统考二模）阅读短文，并按照题目要求用英语回答问题。
The Appalachian Trail attracts thousands of serious hikers each spring, only one in four hikers completes the entire trail.
The Sutton family recently finished hiking the entire trail. They are a unique trio (三人组) as their son Harvey turned five on the trail, which makes him the youngest to complete the Appalachian Trail. Josh and Carrie Sutton said they needed to take, breaks from busy work called mini-retirements. “We set the family goal of living a life with extraordinary stories. Doing things like hiking with a child on the Appalachian Trail gives you extraordinary stories,” Josh Sutton said.
When Harvey turned three, they took him winter camping, and by the time he was four, the family completed a 50-mile hike, camping over six days. Seeing that Harvey developed a passion for hiking, they planned a thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. Hiking from end to end is called a thru-hike and generally takes five to seven months to complete.
They hit the trail in Georgia on January 13, 2021. The first weeks were cold. The trail was icy and snow-covered, and the weather was often cloudy and bitter, so they made slow progress. They would wake up early each day, pack their gear (装备), and then start walking. As they had many miles to cover each day, they had to be inventive and started using imagination and Skittles (彩虹糖) as incentive for little Harvey.
The family completed their journey on August 9, 2021. Little Harvey learned to count all the way to 2,193, the total miles his little feet traveled, and a big number for someone who just started kindergarten. “I will do it again because like it so much,” said Harvey.
Although the Suttons are now back home, they have incredible memories of this mini-retirement. The journey is a life-changing experience for the Sutton family and is an inspiration for families who dream of taking a similar journey.
1. Why did the Sutton family decided to hike the Appalachian Tail (no more than 10 words)
2. What does the third paragraph mainly talk about (no more than 10 words)
3. What made their journey difficult (no more than 10 words)
4. What does the underlined word “incentive” in Paragraph 5 probably mean (no more than 1 word)
5. How does the Sutton family’s story inspire you Explain in your own words. (no more than 20 words)
（16）
（2021天津红桥统考模拟预测）Henry Ford, one of the few men that made mainstream automobiles a reality. He was born into a family of farmers who originated from England and Ireland. Not the wealthiest of families, but not poverty-stricken either.
In his teenage years, his father had given him a timepiece which he later took to pieces just to see if he could piece it together again successfully, which he did. He then did the same with other people’s timepieces and eventually he repaired them too. Henry was also a sufferer of Dyslexia (阅读困难者), and although this was a hurdle it was not a reason to give up.
He completed an apprenticeship (学徒期) with James F. Flower & Bros, and also with the Detroit Dry Dock Company. In 1891 he met with Thomas Edison, who liked his concept of an auto-mobile, so he allowed him to use his warehouses to manufacture two vehicles. Ford was grateful but later built his own company so he could build the cars on his own terms backed by William H. Murphy and in 1899 he founded the Detroit Automobile Company.
This was short lived, however, as the vehicles produced lacked the quality and precision. And they were horribly expensive. The business went under, but it didn’t stop him. Ford went on to build the Cadillac Automobile company.
After almost failing a second time because of lack of sales and high debts, more partners came into the business and the name was changed to the Ford Motor Company. The Ford Motor Company generated around 156 billion U.S. dollars in revenue (税收) in 2019.
1. Why did the author mention the timepiece (no more than 10 words)
2. What does the underlined part in Paragraph 2 mean (no more than 3 words)
3. Who helped Henry Ford before he founded the Detroit Automobile Company (no more than 6 words)
4. What is the main idea of Paragraph 4 (no more than 15 words)
5. What do you think of Henry Ford Please explain. (no more than 20 words)
（17）
（2021天津和平统考一模）阅读短文，并按照题目要求用英语回答问题。
Today, the first thing you see when you drive into the small town of McFarland, California, is a welcome poster. "Home of the State Champions, it says proudly. Written across the bottom are the names of the members of the running teams that have brought McFarland nine state championships over the past twenty years. Today, this little farming town is the “home of champions”, but things weren’t always like this.
It all began with a group of seven young men, who were McFarland High Schools first running team. They were called “cloud runners" because it looked like they were floating on a brown cloud of dust as they carved paths through the surrounding fields.
They weren’t a very good team. But the turning point came one hot summer afternoon when the young men were doing hill practice. As there were no hills in McFarland, their coach, Jim White, made them run up and down large piles of nut shells covered in white plastic sheets.
“Enough!” one of the young men cried. The sound of breaking shells could be heard as he beat his fists on the sheet. The plastic tore and a river of nut shells poured out. "Do you know what these are, Mr. White They’re almond shells. Do you know where they come from My family has been working on farms picking almonds for forty years.
You and your family, living in your big comfortable home, eat these without giving a single thought to where they came from. And now you are making us run on them! I’ve had enough!"
“We’re losers, Mr. White, not winners," another young man continued his face wet with tears and sweat. "Nothing has changed here for forty years and nothing’s ever going to change! Running is for rich kids in private schools in the big city, not for us poor farm boys. We can’t even afford real shoes for running. We’re ‘pickers’. I’m going home!”
Something in Jim White’s heart changed that day. He went into the fields and worked with the ‘pickers’. He bought running shoes for the boys. He spent evenings having dinner with the boys’ families. His wife baked and sold cookies to raise money. One small act of kindness led to another. Other families began to take notice, and slowly, the entire town came to support Mr. White as he helped these young men change from farm workers to champions.
1. What is the town proud of (no more than 5 words)
2. In paragraph 4, why did the young man get angry with Mr. White (no more than 15words)
3. What did the young man mean by saying “We’re pickers." (no more than 12 words)
4. What does the last paragraph mainly tell us (no more than 20 words)
5. To whom did that summer afternoon represent a turning point Please give your reason, (no more than 25words)
（18）
（2020天津校联考二模）阅读文章回答问题。
A couple of weeks ago, my grandfather explained his favorite expression, “Nothing is ever easy.” Then the following day, as I tried to complete my day’s work, I happened to notice a bumblebee(大黄蜂) on the skylight(天窗). The skylight was particularly high up, but I thought removing the bee would take no more than five minutes. An hour later, the bee still remained. All that had changed was that the living room was a mess and that I was dizzy from looking up into the sunlight. I did not expect to waste an hour on an insect so tiny, but by doing so, I understood what my grandfather meant.
It is not only time that we tend to underestimate — we don’t account for unexpected costs. We often imagine what can work in our favor, but we seldom think of all the negative things that could affect us. However, it is important to remember that your day or week or year might not go as planned, and that is completely normal. It is perfectly acceptable to feel challenged — even at a task you thought was simple — because that is part of life.
If you can accept that nothing will ever be easy, then life might seem slightly more manageable. In middle school, I thought high school might be easier because I could choose the classes I wanted to take. In high school, I thought college might be easier because I could have a schedule best suited for myself. Yet each time, I was both wrong and disappointed. After accepting that school wouldn’t (and shouldn’t) be easy, I found myself with a more positive attitude and improved results.
Of course, there should be preparations made to account for expenses or time. Doing so can only help you accomplish your goals in a better way. However, there is no need to beat ourselves up(过分自责) when something stands in our path. Maybe we cannot see a bee coming our way, but we can always give ourselves the extra time to catch it.
1. What was out of the author’s expectation when he removed the bumblebee on the skylight (no more than 15 words)
2. What does the underlined phrase “account for” in Paragraph 2 mean (no more than 3 words)
3. What does Paragraph 3 mainly tell us (no more than 15 words)
4. According to the passage, how will you deal with what stands on your path (no more than 15 words)
5. What do you understand the sentence—“Nothing is ever easy.” (no more than 25 words)
（19）
（2021校联考一模）阅读下面短文，按照要求完成阅读任务。
I’ve noticed that conversations with my children have stalled to turn into something that I don’t like. It could be my fault. I don’t always think before 1 open my mouth. For example, my kids would call me to tell me about something that’s been bothering them. Then, as soon as they’re finished, I go into mom mode. I can’t help it. It’s my de — fault setting(默认设置).
"You should ..." "You need to consider ...’"Have you thought of..." "If I were you, I’d ...
“Mom!”
The tone is foil of frustration and annoyance. The meaning is obvious—"Stop!”
I am the queen of unwanted advice. When I get one of my adult kids on the phone, I become an expert on everything and anything, which I’m obviously not. I want to be part of their lives. More importantly. I want to prevent them from making mistakes that seem so obvious to me.
I’m hardly alone in this. Over lunch the other day, a friend told me that her son rarely listened to anything she said. "It’s like talking to a wall," she added. I know that feeling all too well. But I’m learning, very slowly, that talking at is not the same as talking with.
Giving advice to children can be full of problems. Though we may see ourselves sharing the wisdom of our years, they see something else. They see a controlling parent who hasn’t accepted the fact that they’re adults with their own thoughts and feelings.
They’re not looking for any smart recipe because they have their own system and don’t need your tips. They may not even want an immediate solution to a difficult problem. What they’re really hoping for is a safe place to talk with a person who loves and supports them no matter what.
Because of this, I’ve given myself the goal of becoming a better parent by being a better listener. It’s not an easy task. But I’m determined, I’m strong.
1. What causes the children’s tone of frustration and annoyance in the conversations with the author (no more than 6 words)
2. Why does the author like giving advice to her children (no more than 15 words)
3. What does the underlined word mean ( no more than 1 word)
4. What do the children actually need in the talk with their parents according to the passage (no more than 15 words)
5. What do you expect your parents to do when you are talking with them about your school life Please explain it. (no more than 25 words)
（20）
（2021天津南开统考一模）阅读短文，按照题目要求用英语回答问题。
The Board Meeting had come to an end. Bob started to stand up and pushed the table, spilling his coffee over his notes. “How embarrassing! I am getting so clumsy in my old age.”
Everyone had a good laugh, and soon we were all telling stories of our most embarrassing moments. It came around to Frank who sat quietly listening to the others.
Frank began, “My Dad was a fisherman. He worked hard and would stay out until he caught enough to feed the family. Not just enough for our family, but also for his Mom and Dad and the other kids that were still at home.”
Frank’s voice dropped a bit. “When the weather was bad, he would drive me to school. He would pull right up in front, and it seemed like everybody would be standing around and watching. Then he would lean over and give me a big kiss on the cheek and tell me to be a good boy. It was so embarrassing for me. Here I was twelve years old, and my Dad would lean over and kiss me good-bye!”
He paused and then went on, “I remember the day I thought I was too old for a good-bye kiss. When we got to the school, he had his usual big smile. He started to lean toward me, but I put my hand up and said, ‘No, Dad.’ It was the first time I had ever talked to him that way, and he had this surprised look on his face. I said, ‘Dad, I’m too old for a good-bye kiss. I’m too old for any kind of kiss.’ My Dad looked at me for the longest time, and his eyes started to tear. I had never seen him cry. He turned. ‘You’re right,’ he said. ‘You are a big boy ... a man. I won’t kiss you anymore.’”
For the moment, the tears began to well up in Frank’s eyes. “It wasn’t long after that when my Dad went to sea and never came back.”
I looked at Frank and saw that tears were running down his cheeks. Frank spoke again. “Guys, you don’t know what I would give to have my Dad give me just one more kiss on the cheek.”
1. What happened at the end of the board meeting (no more than 8 words)
2. Why did Frank feel so embarrassed when his father drove him to school (no more than 12 words)
3. What’s the main idea of Paragraph 5 (no more than 10 words)
4. What does the underlined phrase “well up” probably mean (no more than 2 words)
5. What do you think of Frank’s “embarrassing story” And give your reasons. (no more than 20 words)
（21）
（2023天津南开中学校考模拟预测）阅读短文，按照题目要求用英语回答问题。
All through school, I had only one close friend. We spent years together, essentially joined at the hip. But then Greg moved away, and it would take more than 50 years to bring us together again.
As children, Greg and I dove into everything with passion. We raced our bikes and illustrated our own comic books. We even became attracted to the same blonde girl from around the corner, a sixth-grader named Joanne who barely knew we existed.
The last time I saw Greg was sometime in 1966. I can’t recall saying goodbye before he moved. But then, a few summers ago, I saw a familiar woman. “Excuse me. Would your name happen to be Joanne ” “Uh, yes...” She didn’t recognize me until I explained who I was. We hadn’t exchanged more than a few dozen words in our entire lifetime. “Have you stayed in touch with Greg ” she asked. I was surprised she even knew of our friendship. “No. I haven’t,” I admitted. “I wish I had.”
Back at the cabin I checked my messages. I glanced at one email, then read it from start to finish. The email was from Greg. Greg had tracked me down through social media. He was now married, had two children and had become a musician and entrepreneur. We exchanged several emails before connecting by phone. A month later, my wife and I drove to meet Greg and his family.
Standing at his front door, I felt unsure of what to say or do. So much time had passed. But after hugs and introductions, the years dissolved as we exchanged stories about our lives. I had brought along the only picture I could find containing the two of us from my sixth birthday. As he gazed at the photo, Greg handed me a small, old card：Greg’s invitation to my sixth birthday party, signed “From Donnie” in faded blue crayon.
There were a few other keepsakes shared that evening, but none as meaningful as the invitation and the snapshot, companion pieces stored apart and saved for the reunion of two old friends.
1. What is the meaning of the underlined part in Paragraph 1 (no more than 5 words)
2. What does Paragraph 2 mainly talk about (no more than 10 words)
3. How did the author get in touch with Greg again (no more than 10 words)
4. Why did the author consider the invitation and snapshot meaningful (no more than 15 words)
5. Suppose you have a long-lost friend, how do you plan to get back in touch with him Please explain.(no more than 20 words)
（22）
（2021天津河东统考一模）阅读下面短文，并按照题目要求用英语回答问题。
Climb of a lifetime
British historian Jacob Bronowski once wrote， “Man masters nature not by force, but by understanding.”
This is especially true for extreme climber Alex Honnold, who climbed the California’s EI Capitan by himself, without any safety ropes. The New York Times called it “one of the greatest athletic feats of any kind, ever”.
Now you can watch him do it. The documentary Free Solo, which hit Chinese mainland cinemas on Sept. 6, shows Honnold’s brave journey up the 914-meter vertical(垂直的) mountain. The film won the 2019 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in February. In it, Honnold gives us some useful advice: “You’ll always feel fear, but over time you’ll realize the only way to truly manage your fear is to broaden your comfort zone.”
In fact, free climbing is a testament to perseverance(毅力), control, and concentration. “I’m not thinking about anything when I’m climbing,” Honnold said. “I’m focused on executing(执行) what’s in front of me.” This strong focus on the present is sort of meditation(冥想) that we can use in our daily routines.
While the documentary seemingly praises extreme athletes for pushing the limits of human potential, some are concerned about Honnold recklessly(不顾一切地) risking his own life. “His continued pursuit of ropeless ascents(攀登) puts significant stress on his loved ones, even when he succeeds,” Climbing Magazine noted.
Free Solo seems to say that with enough courage and dedication(全心投入), one can accomplish any goal. However, the movie may also be viewed as the disturbing story of a climber who went against all better judgment and got away with it(未遭遇不测).
1. How did Alex Honnold climbed the California’s EI Capitan (within 10 words)
2. What is Free Solo mainly about (within 15 words)
3. What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 3 mean (within 15 words)
4. What do Honnold’s loved ones think of him, according to Climbing Magazine (within 15 words)
5. What can you learn from the documentary Free Solo (within 20 words)
（23）
（2021天津和平统考二模）阅读短文, 并按照题目要求用英语回答问题。
The story of Christopher Reeve’s life is one that is almost impossible to imagine---from a wildly successful Hollywood career, to the horror of life-threatening injury; Reeve experienced both. Thus, not only is he known as a superhero in the Superman films, but he is also regarded as a superhero to many in real life.
He starred in his first school play at the age of eight, and was eventually given the lead role in a Superman film. He starred in four Superman films from 1978 to 1987. His roles in these films had given him the opportunity to be a real-life superman, and he soon gained a reputation for raising awareness for good causes. He worked with organizations such as Save the Children to help those most in need.
Unfortunately, in 1995, a disaster struck Reeve. While horseback riding, he was thrown off his horse and broke his neck. His injuries were so severe that he had no movement or feeling in his body at all and even needed a machine to help him breathe. At first, his doctors did not believe that he would survive. During this time, Reeve felt like he had lost all hope. He wished that he was dead and even thought of ending his own life. He fell into a depression which lasted for many months. It was only due to the ongoing support of his wife, parents and friends that he eventually found the will to live again. For the years that followed he focused his attention on his goal of one day walking again.
With a new sense of energy and commitment, Reeve undertook an intense exercise programme to help him achieve this goal. He engaged in a wide range of exercises designed to rebuild muscle, and made remarkable progress. Shortly after, he managed to return to his film career by directing, producing and even starring in films. He also wrote a biography and returned to his charity work. Reeve became a passionate and energetic advocate for people with back injuries and disabilities, raising millions of dollars in support of medical research. “What I do is based on powers we all have inside us…and you don’t have to be a ‘superman’ to do it.” His positive attitude inspired many people who were stuck in illness.
1. According to the passage, what experience made Christopher Reeve special (no more than 15 words)
2. Before he got injured, what did Reeve do that made him a superman outside the film (no more than 15 words)
3. What does Para 4 mainly tell us (no more than 15 words)
4. What does the underlined sentence in the last paragraph tell us (no more than 20 words)
5. What qualities, do you think, make a superman Please give your opinion. (no more than 25 words)
（24）
（2021天津校联考二模）阅读下面短文，按照要求完成阅读任务。
How do you keep a library when you’ve got no room for your books With rising rents and record numbers of young people having to move with their parents, it’s clear that we are a moving generation.
As a student in Leeds I moved three times in four years, in London it was seven times in three years. Regularly having to load our possessions into laundry bags and boxes takes a lot of our finance and energy, but the effect on our book collections is rarely considered. Keeping a collection of beloved books in a damp flat with no shelves, which you’ll probably have to move out in six months’ time, is a challenge. Deciding which books to keep and which to reject becomes increasingly difficult. Do you hold on to the books you know you’ll reread or do you keep the to-be-read pile intact
Donating books to a charity shop or local school may be virtuous, but when you haven’t had time to read them since your last move, it becomes depressing. There’s a copy of Much Ado About Nothing I’ve been moving around with for nearly a decade because it is the only piece of Shakespeare in the marketplace.
“Just buy a Kindle!” you might argue - but for many people, books are more than just books. They offer us an emotional connection to the past, to the person who gave them to us. They are a way to brighten up a dark flat; they are a link to home; they are the hardest thing to move and the most enjoyable thing to unpack. They can’t be removed.
So what if you are already lacing your second move this year and can’t bear the thought of pensioning off more of your beloved books You start reading more. Read all the books in your current bedroom and work out if they’re worth the trip; give away as many books as you can; leave books with trusted friends to be reclaimed at a later point. Start looking at your books creatively.
1. Why has the moving generation appeared (no more than 15 words)
2. What makes the author keep a copy of Much Ado About Nothing (no more than 10 words)
3. What is the main idea of the fourth paragraph (no more than 10 words)
4. What does the underlined phrase “pensioning off” in Paragraph 5 mean (no more than 3 words)
5. What would you do with your books when you have to move Give a persuasive reason, (no more than 25 words)
（25）
（2023天津模拟预测）阅读下面短文，按照要求完成阅读任务。
My family had moved into a new house with big back yard. For some time, my older brother and I had been expecting a family pet. Finally, we managed to persuade our parents that the time had come for keeping one.
Though my brother and I were of like minds about the goal of having a family member, what exactly it meant to each of us was entirely different. I was excited and happy when my parents brought home the dog, Snoopy. Despite the fun of playing with him，I knew it was really more my brother’s pet than mine. I really, really wanted a cat! I tried to show my joy for getting a pet while trying to hide my disappointment that he wasn’t a cat. My parents must have known how I was feeling because they suggested that I could make a wish about it.
Running to my bedroom, I made a wish sincerely that I would have a cat. Not more than a minute or two passed when I heard a faint scratching sound(轻微的抓挠声) coming from the front door. Curious, I stood up, approaching the open front door. There, sitting calmly before me was a large, white cat.
I was absolutely amazed! I went close to the white cat, and it began walking towards me. I gathered his mass into my arms and then I went into the back yard where my parents and brother were playing with Snoopy. So, Snowball joined our household that day, too.
Although my parents always denied having anything to do with Snowball’s arrival, I guessed they might have. However, even if they did somehow arrange for him to appear at the front door at the very moment when I was making a wish for a cat, it would not reduce the miracle of a cat doing in my life.
1. What were the author’s parents persuaded to do (no more than 10 words)
2. Why did the author feel disappointed (no more than 10 words)
3. What happened to the author after her wish (no more than 10 words)
4. How can we understand the underlined part in Paragraph 4 (no more than 10 words)
5. What do you think of the author’s parents And why (no more than 20 words)
（26）
（2021天津河西统考二模）阅读短文，并按题目要求用英语回答问题。
When Katie Stagtiano was 9 years old, she was given a class project to grow her first cabbage from just one seed. She took it home and planted it in the back corner of her home garden. It didn’t even take a Jong lime to come up and begin to grow. But as friends came over, they pointed out that it “as bigger than any of theirs”. They asked her what she did and she just told them that she watered it every day. The cabbage ended up weighing 40 pounds! Katie then decided that she could use this cabbage to do something nice for the community. So she took the huge cabbage to a local soup kitchen (施舍处),where they used it, and cooked it with ham and rice. And because of her cabbage, 275 people were fed.
She began to realize that gardening and helping people is what she likes to do most. So, she decided to start her first garden on a plot of land donated by her school. Now, just 9 years later, Katie is now 18 years old. and has set up her own business called “Katie’s Krops" with the help of her friends. But this doesn’t even come close to the other amazing part. She has raised over 200,000 dollars! And there are over 100 Katie’s Krops within 33 states in the United States. She loves gardening and loves inspiring other children to experience the joy of gardening as well.
Not only does Katie have a green thumb, but she has so much determination and the right attitude. Ever since she was 9, she has been inspired to grow champion vegetables, and is pretty amazing at it!
As of today, her first garden is still doing amazing things and is even responsible for supplying over 3,000 pounds of produce donated to local charities. Her goal now To get 500 gardens across all 50 states.
1. What was the difference between Katie Stagtiano’s cabbage and her friends’ (no more than 6 words)
2. What did Katie Stagtiano do with her cabbage (no more than 15 words)
3. What does Katie Stagtiano love to encourage other kids to do (no more than 10 words)
4. What does the underlined part in Paragraph 3 mean (no more than 8 words)
5. What do you think of Katie Stagtiano’s deed Please explain. (no more than 20 words)
（27）
（2021天津河东统考二模）阅读下面短文,并按照题目要求用英语回答问题。
Within five minutes of meeting Olivia Ports, I knew she was a special teenager. I knew before she picked up her guitar and performed a song. I knew before I found out how a condition she was born with changed her childhood. And I knew before her mother told me Olivia performed recently in front of 1200 people.
In addition to her impressive musical talents, Olivia is just so friendly, funny and grateful to those who made her first show such a success. Like all children fighting chronic (慢性的) diseases, the journey she has been on has made her stronger.
Olivia admits that she’s not like many kids her age. Describing herself as “a little bit crazy”, she acts older than she is.
She was born with a compromised immune system (缺乏抵抗力的免疫系统). When she realized she would have to give up her beloved gymnastics, she picked up her mom’s old high school guitar and taught herself to play. “I had to have something to do with so much time,” she said.
It was during a hospital visit that she met Classical Blast, a popular band that invited Olivia to join them as a guest performer on their annual Christmas tour. Their encouragement gave her the courage to begin playing at public events in the area, and she was soon a regular on stage. It was yet another treatment that led to her most recent passion. Recovering in her room for 15 days last Christmas, Olivia saw firsthand “how sad it can be”for children to be in hospital during the holidays. That’s why this year Olivia decided to do a benefit, asking guests to bring a toy that could be taken to young patients.
Speaking of the future, the high school senior plans to head to college with the goal of opening a music school for those with health challenges. “When you fill your life with things you love,” she said, “it makes every day more meaningful.”
1. What made Qlivia learn to play the guitar ( within 10 words)
2. In which way is Olivia special Give one example. (within 20 words)
3. What’s the meaning of the underlined word “benefit” (within 5 words)
4. What does the passage mainly about (within 10 words)
5. In your opinion, how do you make life meaningful (within 15 words)
（28）
（2021天津红桥统考二模）阅读短文，并按照题目要求用英语回答问题。
I always do voluntary work in the hospital. As a patient visitor, my primary goal is to deliver quality services to patients and families. By providing companionship for patients in a sometimes lonely environment, I try my best to serve and help to diminish the loneliness and frustration patients may feel after staying in a hospital for a stretch of time for weeks or even months.
Every Saturday afternoon for three to four hours, with a list of patients who have requested a patient visitor service, I head up to the 5th 6th or 7th floor to first visit my priority patients. At the nurse’s station, I kindly ask the nurses or the medical staff about the condition of the patients on that unit and confirm that the patients would like a visitor. After receiving an update from the nurse, I gently knock on the door of the patients and enter with a friendly “Hello”. Then, I introduce myself and again politely ask if they would like a patient visitor. I usually try to prepare a few starting conversation topics such as the current news, sports scores and fun facts. However, the patients usually engage me first in an interesting conversation.
When volunteering as a patient visitor, I spent a lot of time communicating one-on-one with patients. Individual patients had individual needs and possessed. extraordinary personal stories. Therefore, I found every visit fascinating. From generous and kind patients I have learned about their diseases and their course of treatment. Additionally, I learned about literature, life during the Great Depression and wilderness of Northern Minnesota. On the whole, not only did I learn about the hospital settings and system, but I learned about the diverse life of others.
Many of the patients I have visited were truly inspiring and I always admire them for their strength. Although difficult, they were often willing to share their stories of pain, suffering, hopes and optimism. I realize that I am truly grateful and honored that they would share their personal stories with just a volunteer like me.
1. What does the underlined word “diminish” in Paragraph I mean (1 word)
2. What are the topics the author prepares for the patients (no more than 10 words)
3. What did the author learn from her talking with the patients (no more than 12 words)
4. How does the author feel about the patients telling her their stories (no more than 8 words)
5. What can you learn from the author’s story (no more than 15 words)
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（2022天津模拟预测）阅读短文，并按照题目要求用英语回答问题。
We all know that in our lives, we never stop learning. In fact, there are those individuals who continue at an advanced age to learn new concepts, new information, and new skills. Grandfather Domenico, an elderly man who lives in Bari in southern Italy, decided to go back to middle school to get his eighth-grade diploma at the age of 83.
In grandfather Domenico’s times, going to school was a completely different matter! Poverty was very common. Four students had to share one school desk, and education ended as soon as it was possible to find a job and go to work.
It was the birth of his grandchildren that changed everything! In the evenings, Domenico often found himself reading and telling simple stories to his grandchildren, and right at that time, he began thinking about an idea that he had always had in the back of his mind. He wondered: “What if I decided to study and get my middle school diploma ”
So,