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(A)

Even though the longest bicycle ride she has ever finished is 100 miles, Kristen Jablonski is undaunted(沒(méi)被嚇倒的) by the thought of starting on a 3,300-mile bicycle ride across the United States. Jablonski, 24, of Valparaiso, is one of 50 people riding in the Big Ride Across America, a fundraiser(募集資金者) for the American Lung Association. Jablonski, like the other riders, had to raise at least $5,500 to participate.

The 48-day trek—which will go from Seattle to Washington, D.C.—begins today and ends up Aug. 11.

“Its been a lifelong dream to be able to bike across the country and help people,” Jablonski said. “Its just an amazing opportunity.”

Jablonski, who works in sales and service at Bucks Bicycle Shop in Valparaiso, will pull behind her Trek bicycle a trailer(拖車(chē)) full of everything from spare bicycle parts to her tent, clothing and toiletries(洗漱用品). She and the other riders will pedal about 85 miles most days and will camp out most nights, but have five nights scheduled for college dormitories. Jablonski is especially one of the excited riders who are set to come into Valparaiso on July 28 and leave two days later.

Jablonski raised the $5,500 she needed for the trip by writing letters and soliciting businesses. A piggy bank(豬形儲(chǔ)錢(qián)罐) at Bucks Bicycle Shop also helped raise money. Bucks owner Roger Walsworth matched the customers donations and donated other supplies for the trip.“We encouraged it,” Walsworth said. “A lot of people say ‘I wish I would have done it. ”

Jablonski said her parents thought shes crazy, and they told her they would never do anything like that. But theyre eager to hear her stories from the trip once its over.

“Im ready for it,” she said. “It just takes heart, thats all.”

1. Why is Kristen Jablonski taking part in the ride? ____.

A. To break a ride record B. To get more exercise

C. To catch others attention D. To raise money for others

2. It can be inferred that to finish the ride, Kristen Jablonski will

have to ____.

A. travel day and night

B. often change her bikes

C. carry enough things for daily use

D. borrow lots of money from neighbors

3. According to the passage, the ride ____.

A. will last about one month

B. began at the end of June

C. will go through a lot of parts of the world

D. got much help from the American Lung Association

4. As for Kristen Jablonskis behavour, ____.

A. her boss gave her some support

B. many people found it very crazy

C. her parents completely encouraged it

D. Jablonski herself felt a little frightened

(B)

It was no wonder I wasnt looking forward to entering the ninth grade. High school is well known for being a battleground, where everyone seems to be going through awkward physical changes, emotional mood swings, and low self-esteem（自尊）. For me, height was my nemesis（強(qiáng)敵）.

I had always felt insecure and out of place as one of the taller members of my class, standing a head above the other girls and stooping （彎腰站立） at the back of the line to avoid sticking out.

I especially hated being around large groups of people, like during the social hour after services at my synagogue（猶太人的集會(huì)）. Once the prayers were finished, I would leave as quickly as possible so I could avoid another well-meaning congregant squealing, “Ruthie! Look how tall youre getting!”Ugh.

My grandfather would watch me grow increasingly uncomfortable, but he didnt laugh at my self-consciousness（害羞）. Instead, he would admonish（警告） me.

“Stand straight and tall,” hed say, as I unsuccessfully tried to shrink myself.

And each time, I would sheepishly comply（順從）. Even at age 15, I understood that his advice was about more than just feet and inches.

In order to encourage me, my grandfather often told me his story.

My grandfather grew up in war-torn Europe. After the war, he boarded a boat for America. All alone in a new country, he was frightened about his future.

Still, he marched head-on into the hustle and bustle of the streets of New York. Soon he met other European immigrants, each of them trying to find his or her own way.

If they could do it, why couldnt he? “Stand straight, stand tall,” he would remind himself.

At first my grandfather refused to enter an American synagogue.But soon he began to long again for the beauty of Judaism and the comfort of the Jewish community. He felt his faith returning. When he walked into the synagogue that first time, he walked in proudly.

1. The author didnt want to enter the ninth grade mainly because ____.

A. high school is well known for being a battleground

B. every high school student is going through awkward physical changes

C. the author was going through emotional mood swings

D. the author thought that her height was her nemesis

2. The underlined word “insecure” in Paragraph 2 means ____.

A. not feeling safe B. not providing good support

C. lacking confidence D. full of confidence

3. The authors grandfather often warned her to stand straight and tall in order to make her ____.

A. have self-esteem B. have self-consciousness

C. be proud of herself D. be proud of himself

4. According to the passage, we can know that ____.

A. the authors grandfather was born in America

B. the authors grandfather was a European immigrant

C. the authors grandfather was an Asian immigrant

D. the authors grandfather spent his childhood in America

5. It can be inferred from the text that ____.

A. at first, the author wanted to go to high school

B. the authors grandfather fought against America in the war

C. affected by the authors grandfather, she was sure to walk proudly D. affected by the authors grandfather, she was the same just like before

Key(1)