(一)

Until last summer I had a very comfortable life: winter vacations skiing and summer cruises. My parents spent a lot of money on a private school, so they could get me into a competitive middle school. Everything was about tomorrow, next year, my graduation. We never had to worry about today.

Before last summer I never thought much about the people in the world who live day to day, every day, whose lives are controlled by poverty and hunger. Then I enrolled in a two-week intensive program. We lived in a “Tribal Village,” in a hot, dry open grassland in Arkansas, a state of the south-centra l United State s. I am a tribal member in Mozambique, a country of southeast Africa. Every meal, I make the fire for my family, and feel the flames lick up my nostrils as I blow to keep the fuel alive. I cook mush with vegetables. This is all my family is ever given. I feed the hen and three rabbits their dinner. I grow attached to the rabbits, even though I know I shouldn’t. I name them. I’m not getting enough to eat; it’s time to decide whether or not to kill the rabbits. I feel pain but it’s a privileged child’s pain because I know I will soon be eating again. That’s not true for a lot of other children around the world.

Growing up comfortably in the U.S., I’ve never had to worry about my dinner, and even though this whole process was only a simulation, it changed my life. Now I believe in doing whatever I can to help find practical ways to defeat hunger.

So I’ve become president of Roots and Shoots, a group working to improve local environments for people and animals. I’m also working to create a program at my high school called the “Safe Passage” trip to help young people in the Guatemala City dump. And I’ve got plans to do more.

I’m often thinking of laboring in the hot sun and the millions who still do. Now, I try to live for today and stop worrying so much about the future. When I eat or feel full, I am grateful for this fortunate life and want to extend the same feeling to others.

I believe in offering help to those who need it.

31. What is true about the author before last summer?

A. Her life was under great pressure.

B. Her life was well-planned.

C. She didn’t have to worry about the future.

D. She had to worry about her dinner

【答案】B

【解析】细节理解题。根据Until last summer I had a very comfortable life因为父母已经给作者安排好了一切，故选B。

32.We can learn from the second paragraph that _______________.

A. the author raised some rabbits as pets

B. the author took part in a two-week program in Africa

C. the author had a very difficult life in the “Tribal Village”

D. the author never thought about poor people after the program

【答案】C

【解析】细节理解题。根据We lived in a “Tribal Village,” in a hot, dry open grassland in Arkansas, a state of the south-central United States.作者在Tribal Village过着非常艰难的一段时间，故选C。

33. The author feel pain because ____________ .

A. she is a privileged child

B. she is not getting enough to eat

C. she doesn’t want to kill the rabbits

D. she can’t go back to her regular life

【答案】C

【解析】细节理解题。根据it’s time to decide whether or not to kill the rabbits. I feel pain but it’s a privileged child’s pain because I know I will soon be eating again.因为作者不想杀死这些兔子，故选C。

34. What does the underlined word “simulation” in the fourth paragraph probably mean?

A. Reality B. Experience C. Imagination D. Imitation

【答案】D

【解析】词义猜测题。根据第二自然段的内容可知作者是在Tribal Village体验生活，所以即使这种生活是一种仿制的(Imitation)，但是也改变了作者，故选D。

35. What influence did the author’s experience in the “Tribal Village” have on her?

A. It gave birth to a belief in helping others.

B. It taught her to be grateful to her parents.

C. It has made her life more comfortable.

D. It inspired her to start two groups to help others.

【答案】A

【解析】细节理解题。根据Now I believe in doing whatever I can to help find practical ways to defeat hunger.使她坚信以后要多帮助别人，故选A。

（一）

Hi, I’m Michael J.Lindell, Inventor, Manufacturer, and President of My Pillow Corporation.Years ago, like you, I found myself extremely frustrated with my pillow going flat.Most pillows are designed to break down. I would wake up in the morning with a sore arm, my neck would hurt, my fingers would be numb, and I would toss and turn all night not knowing why.I tried many different exact individual needs regardless of sleep position, and stays healthy for your full l0-year guarantee.It is non-allergic, and you can wash and dry it as easily as your favorite jeans.

My Pillow is not available in stores.I have spent the last seven years selling My Pillow face to face at fairs, expos and events.Hundreds of experts and medical doctors carry and recommend them for their patients.I have been featured on medical talk shows that air around the world.I have sold hundreds of thousands of pillows and have received great gratitude from satisfied customers regarding how My Pillow has changed their lives and provided a more comfortable, restful sleep.

And, My Pillow comes in different sizes and is fit for your size and sleeping pattern.So you can be assured that you will have the most comfortable pillow for you.

I truly believe it is the best pillow in the world and that if everyone had one and got better sle ep, the world would be a much nicer place.

56.What makes My Pillow unique?

A.It is easily washed and dried. B.It suits your sleeping position.

C.It contains special cooling medicine. D.It helps you stay healthy for 10 years.

57.Where can people probably buy My Pillow?

A.At fairs. B.In stores. C.In markets. D.On the Internet.

58.What is the author’s purpose in writing this article?

A.To introduce a comfortable pillow.

B.To encourage people to buy My Pillow.

C.To give some advice on sleeping problems.

D. To tell us how to select a comfortable pillow.

【参考答案】56、C

57、A

58、B