PART 1
Four days after Dad’s 67th birthday,he had a heart attack.He was lucky—he survived.But something inside him had died.His enthusiasm for life was gone.
My husband and I asked Dad to live with us on our small farm,hoping the fresh air would help him adjust.Within a week after he moved in,I regretted the invitation.He criticized everything I did.I became frustrated.
One day I read an article about a nursing home.Several depressed patients’ attitudes had improved dramatically when they were given dogs.So I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon.As soon as I got there,a pointer’s(指示犬) eyes caught my attention.He watched me calmly.
A staff member said,“He got here two weeks ago and we’ve heard nothing.His time is up tomorrow.”I turned to the man in horror.“You mean you’re going to kill him?”
“Ma’am,” he said gently,“we don’t have room for every unclaimed dog.”
The pointer’s calm brown eyes awaited my decision.“I’ll take him,” I said.
Glancing at the dog,Dad wrinkled his face and turned back toward the house.Then,suddenly,the pointer pulled free from my grasp.He sat down in front of Dad.Dad’s anger melted,and soon he was hugging the animal.
It was the beginning of a warm friendship.Dad named the pointer Cheyenne.Together they spent long hours walking down dusty lanes and relaxing on the banks of streams.
Dad’s bitterness faded,and he and Cheyenne went on to make many friends.Then,one night two years later,I felt Cheyenne’s cold nose searching through my bed covers.He had never come into our bedroom before at night.I ran into my father’s room and found that he had passed away.
Two days later,my shock and grief deepened when I discovered Cheyenne lying dead beside Dad’s bed.As I buried him near their favorite stream,I silently thanked the dog for restoring Dad’s peace of mind.
1.Why did Dad criticize everything the author did?
A.He didn’t like his daughter’s farm.
B.The disease took away his interest in life.
C.The state of his illness worsened.
D.His daughter couldn’t do things well.
2.What was Dad’s attitude when he first saw the dog?
A.Friendly.
B.Unfriendly.
C.Excited.
D.Satisfied.
3.What was the dog’s greatest help to Dad?
A.It accompanied him on his walk.
B.It helped him make many friends.
C.It brought peace of mind back to him.
D.It improved the relationship between him and his daughter.
4.What’s the best title for the passage?
A.An Abandoned Dog.
B.Dad’s Recovery.
C.Friends In The End.
D.Dad’s Last Days.
PART 2
Teens and younger children are reading a lot less for fun,according to a Common Sense Media report published Monday.
While the decline over the past decade is steep for teen readers,some data in the report shows that reading remains a big part of many children’s lives,and indicates how parents might help encourage more reading.
According to the report’s key findings,“the proportion(比例) who say they ‘hardly ever’ read for fun has gone from 8 percent of 13-year-olds and 9 percent of 17-year-olds in 1984 to 22 percent and 27 percent respectively today.”
The report data shows that pleasure reading levels for younger children,ages 2-8,remain largely the same.But the amount of time spent in reading each session has declined,from closer to an hour or more to closer to a half hour per session.
When it comes to technology and reading,the report does little to counsel(建议) parents looking for data about the effect of e-readers and tablets on reading.It does point out that many parents still limit electronic reading,mainly due to concerns about increased screen time.
The most hopeful data shared in the report shows clear evidence of parents serving as examples and important guides for their kids when it comes to reading.Data shows that kids and teens who do read frequently,compared to infrequent readers,have more books in the home,more books purchased for them,parents who read more often,and parents who set aside time for them to read.
As the end of school approaches,and school vacation reading lists loom(逼近) ahead,parents might take this chance to step in and make their own summer reading list and plan a family trip to the library or bookstore.
1.What is the Common Sense Media report probably about?
A.Children’s reading habits.
B.Quality of children’s books.
C.Children’s after-class activities.
D.Parent-child relationships.
2.Where can you find the data that best supports “children are reading a lot less for fun”?
A.In paragraph 2. B.In paragraph 3.
C.In paragraph 4. D.In paragraph 5.
3.Why do many parents limit electronic reading?
A.E-books are of poor quality.
B.It could be a waste of time.
C.It may harm children’s health.
D.E-readers are expensive.
4.How should parents encourage their children to read more?
A.Act as role models for them.
B.Ask them to write book reports.
C.Set up reading groups for them.
D.Talk with their reading class teachers.
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