A group of swans flew down to a beach where a crow (烏鴉) was jumping around. The crow watched them with disdain (筆試).
“You have no flying skills at all!” he said to the swans. “All you can do is to move your wings. Can you turn over in the air? No, that’s beyond you. Let’s have a flying competition. I’ll show you what real flying is!”
One of the swans, a strong young male, took up the challenge (挑戰(zhàn)). The crow flew up and began to show his skills. He flew in circles, performed other flying tricks, and then came down and looked proudly at the swan.
Now it was the swan’s turn. He flew up, and began flying over the sea. The crow flew after him, making all kinds of comments (評(píng)價(jià)) about his flying. They flew on and on till they couldn’t see the land and there was nothing but water on all sides. The crow was making fewer and fewer comments. He was now so exhausted that he found it hard to stay in the air, and had to struggle to keep himself from falling into the water.
The swan pretended (假裝) not to notice, and said, “Why do you keep touching the water, brother? Is that another trick? “
“No,” said the crow. He knew he had lost the competition. “I’m in trouble because of my pride (自大) ! If you don’t help me, I’ll lose my life...”
The swan took pity on him, and took him on his shoulders and flew back to the beach.
【小題1】What’s the correct order of the following events?
a. The crow followed the swan and got into trouble.
b. The swan felt pity for the crow and saved it.
c. The crow had to ask the swan for help.
d. The swan accepted a challenge of performing flying tricks.

A．a(chǎn), d, b, c

B．a(chǎn), b, d, c

C．d, a, c, b

D．d, c, a, b

【小題2】What does the underlined word “exhausted” in Paragraph 4 mean?

A．Tired.

B．Bored.

C．Nervous.

D．Frightened.

【小題3】What do we learn from the passage?

A．Practice makes perfect.	B．The early bird catches the worm.
C．No pains, no gains.	D．Pride goes before a fall.

In the opinion of many people, the two­parent family is the correct way to raise children. Traditionally, this has been as the most natural way, but single­parent families have had to face prejudices(偏見) against their life­style. However, the single­parent family is the fastest growing type of family. In the United States, a national survey showed that at least 50% of children will be members of a single­parent family. So we think it is important to throw prejudices away and to see the advantages of single­parent families.
When compared to two­parent families, single­parent families are usually at a disadvantage in some ways. They are often in short of money, and children receive less attention. What’s more, single parents can find themselves under too much pressure(壓力) of both work and home. Despite(盡管) these disadvantages, it is possible for single­parent families to look for support from friends, schools, communities or other organizations. They need to remember that nobody can do it alone.
Surprisingly, single­parent families also have some advantages over two­parent families. Single parents have greater flexibility(靈活性) in spending time with children, because they don’t have to consider the needs of a husband or wife. So they can develop closer relationships with their children. Another advantage comes from the fact that single parents often work together with their children to solve problems, which makes children feel more needed and valued.
It’s important to remember that single­parent families have, until now suffered prejudices from some people. They think that it’s easier for the children in single­parent families to drop out of school in teens, and to be jobless in their early twenties. But, with the support from friends, schools and communities, single­parent families become more accepted by society, and this situation is certain to improve. In the future we will probably see these prejudices disappear.
【小題1】What does the writer mainly tell us in Paragraph 1?
A. People shouldn’t have prejudices against single­parent families.
B. The single­parent family is not good for raising children.
C. The two­parent family is the correct way to raise children.
D. 50% of children will be members of a single­parent family in the USA.
【小題2】Which disadvantage of single­parent families is NOT mentioned in Paragraph 2?

A．They are often in short of money.

B．Children may receive less attention.

C．Children also suffer from the prejudice.

D．Parents are under pressure of both work and home.

【小題3】How can single parents make their children feel more needed and valued?

A．Don’t consider the needs of others.

B．Pay more attention to their children.

C．Develop closer relationships with their children.

D．Discuss and solve problems together with their children.

【小題4】Which of the following may be the best title for this passage?

A．Advantages and Disadvantages

B．Changing Views on Single­parent Families

C．Best Life­style for Children

D．Comparing Two Types of Family

Mr. King works very long hours every day. He usually gets up at 5:30. He brushes his teeth quickly and goes to his workplace (工作地點(diǎn)). Then he runs with some kids. After that he takes a shower. He eats his breakfast at 7:00. His work starts at 8:10. He is good at math and many boys and girls learn math from him. All the kids like him very much. He often talks or plays games with the kids. He usually goes to bed after 22:00. He is often very tired but he likes his job and loves the kids. He doesn’t work on weekends. Mr. King likes reading at home on weekends. Sometimes some kids’ parents come to his home to talk about their kids. When Monday comes, Mr. King gets busy again.

1. Mr. King has a shower _________.

A. at 5:00       B. at 7:00        C. after he brushes his teeth    D. after he runs

2.Mr. King is good at _________.

A. English      B. science        C. history                  D. math

3.Mr. King is a _________.

A. student     B. worker         C. teacher               D. musician

4.What does Mr King do at weekends?

    A. Mr King works at weekends                          

 B. Mr King does some reading.

C. Mr King talks with some kids’ parents about their kids.    

D. Both B &C.

 5.Which of following is NOT true?

     A. Mr. King usually gets up early.         B. Mr. King is usually goes to bed at 22:00.

C. Mr. King likes reading on weekends.    D. Mr. King works at a school.