A“You can use me as a last resort(选择), and if nobody else volunteers,then I will do it.” This was an actual reply from a parent after I put out a request for volunteers for my kids lacrosse(长曲棍球)club.I guess that there's probably some demanding work schedule, or social anxiety around stepping up to help for an unknown sport. She may just need a little persuading. So I try again and tug at the heartstrings. I mention the single parent with four kids running the show and I talk about the dad coaching a team that his kids aren’t even on … At this point the unwilling parent speaks up,“Alright. Yes, I’ll do it.”I’m secretly relieved because I know there’s real power in sharing volunteer responsibilities among many. The unwilling parent organizes the meal schedule, sends out emails, and collects money for end-of-season gifts. Somewhere along the way, the same parent ends up becoming an invaluable member of the team. The coach is able to focus on the kids while the other parents are relieved to be off the hook for another season. Handing out sliced oranges to bloodthirsty kids can be as exciting as watching your own kid score a goal.Still, most of us volunteers breathe a sigh of relief when the season comes to a close. That relief is coupled with a deep understanding of why the same people keep coming back for more: Connecting to the community(社区)as you freely give your time, money, skills, or servicesprovides a real joy. Volunteering just feels so good.In that sense, I’m pretty sure volunteering is more of a se lfish act than I’d freely like to admit. However, if others benefit in the process, and I get some reward too, does it really matter where my motivation lies?24.What can we infer about the parent from her reply in paragraph l?A. She knows little about the club.B. She isn't good at sports.C. She just doesn't want to volunteer.D. She's unable to meet her schedule.25.What does the underlined phrase“tug at the heartstrings”in paragraph 2 mean ?A. Encourage team work .B. Appeal to feeling.C. Promote good deeds.D. Provide advice.26. What can we learn about the parent from paragraph 3 ?A. She gets interested in lacrosse.B. She is proud of her kids.C. She’ll work for another season.D. She becomes a good helper.27. Why does the author like doing volunteer work?A. It gives her a sense of duty.B. It makes her very happy.C. It enables her to work hard.D. It brings her material rewards.24. C 25. B 26. D 27. BBI work with V olunteers for Wildlife, a rescue and education organization at Bailey Arboretum in Locust Valley. Trying to help injured, displaced or sick creatures can be heartbreaking; survival is never certain. However, when it works, it is simply beautiful.I got a rescue call from a woman in Muttontown. She had found a young owl(猫头鹰) on the ground. When I arrived, I saw a 2-to 3-week-old owl. It had already been placed in a carrier for safety.I examined the chick(雏鸟) and it seemed fine. If I could locate the nest, I might have been able to put it back, but no luck. My next work was to construct a nest and anchor it in a tree.The homeowner was very helpful. A wire basket was found. I put some pine branches into the basket to make this nest safe and comfortable.I placed the chick in the nest, and it quickly calmed down.Now all that was needed were the parents, but they were absent. Igave the homeowner a recording of the hunger screams of owl chicks. These advertise the presence of chicks to adults; they might also encourage our chick to start calling as well. I gave the owner as much information as possible and headed home to see what news the night might bring.A nervous night to be sure,but sometimes the spirits of nature smile on us all! The homeowner called to say that the parents had responded to the recordings.I drove over and saw the chick in the nest looking healthy and active.And it was accompanied in the nest by the greatest sight of all —LUNCH! The parents had done their duty and would probably continue to do so.24.What is unavoidable in the author’s rescue work accordin g to paragraph 1?A.Efforts made in vain.B.Getting injured in his work.C.Feeling uncertain about his future.D.Creatures forced out of their homes.25.Why was the author called to Muttontown?A.To rescue a woman.B.To take care of a woman.C.To look at a baby owl.D.To cure a young owl.26.What made the chick calm down?A.A new nest.B.Some food.C.A recording.D.Its parents.27.How would the author feel about the outcome of the event?A.It’s unexpected.B. It’s beautiful.C. It’s humorous.D. It’s discouraging.24. A 25. C 26. A 27. BCI first met Paul Newman in 1968, when George Roy Hill, the director of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, introduced us in New York City. When the studio didn’t want me for the film - it wanted somebody as well known as Paul - he stood up for me. I don’t know how many people would have done that; they would have listened to their agents or the studio powers.The friendship that grew out of the experience of making that film and The Sting four years later had its root in the fact that although therewas an age difference, we both came from a tradition of theater and live TV. We were respectful of craft(技艺)and focused on digging into the characters we were going to play. Both of us had the qualities and virtues that are typical of American actors: humorous, aggressive, and making fun of each other - but always with an underlying affection. Those were also at the core(核心)of our relationship off the screen.We shared the brief that if you’re fortunate enough to have success, you should put something back - he with his Newman’s Own food and his Hole in the Wall camps for kids who are seriously ill, and me with Sundance and the institute and the festival. Paul and I didn’t see each other all that regularly, but sharing that brought us together. We supported each other financially and by showing up at events.I last saw him a few months ago. He’d been in and out of the hospital.He and I both knew what the deal was,and we didn’t talk about it.Ours was a relationship that didn’t n eed a lot of words.24.Why was the studio unwilling to give the role to author at first?A.Paul Newman wanted it.B.The studio powers didn’t like his agent.C.He wasn’t famous enough.D.The director recommended someone else.25.Why did Paul and the author have a lasting friendship?A.They were of the same age.B.They worked in the same theater.C.They were both good actors.D.They had similar characteristic.26.What does the underlined word “that” in paragraph 3 refer to?A.Their belief.B.Their care for children.C.Their success.D.Their support for each other.27.What is the author’s purpose in writing the test?A.To show his love of films.B.To remember a friend.C.To introduce a new movie.D.To share his acting experience.24. C 25. D 26. A 27. BDMinutes after the last movie ended yesterday at the Plaza Theater, employees were busy sweeping up popcorns and gathering coke cups. It was a scene that had been repeated many times in the theater’s 75-year history. This time, however, the cleanup was a little different. As one group of workers carried out the rubbish, another group began removing seats a nd other theater equipment in preparation for the building’s end.The film classic The Last Picture Show was the last movie shown in the old theater. Though the movie is 30 years old, most of the 250 seats were filled with teary-eyed audience wanting to say good-be to the old building. Theater owner Ed Bradford said he chose the movie because it seemed appropriate. The movie is set in a small town where the only movie theater is preparing to close down.Bradford said that large modern theaters in the city made it impossible for the Plaza to compete. He added that the theater’s location(位置) was also a reason. “This used to be the center of town,” he said. “Now the area is mostly office buildings and warehouses.”Last week some city officials suggested the city might be interested in turning the old theater into a museum and public meeting place. However, these plans were abandoned because of financial problems. Bradford sold the building and land to a local development firm, which plans to build a shopping complex on the land where the theater is located.The theater audience said good-by as Bradford locked the doors for the last time. After 75 years the Plaza Theater has shown its last movie. The theater will be missed.24. In what way was yesterday’s cleanup at the Plaza special?A. It made room for new equipment.B. It signaled the close down of the theater.C. It was done with the help of the audience.D. It marked the 75th anniversary of the theater.25. Why was The Last Picture Show put on?A. It was an all-time classic.B. It was about the history of the town.C. The audience requested it.D. The theater owner found it suitable.26. What will probably happen to the building?A. It will be repaired.B. It will be turned into a museum.C. It will be knocked down.D. It will be sold to the city government.27. What can we infer about the audience?A. They are disappointed with Bradford.B. They are sad to part with the old theater.C. They are supportive of the city officials.D. They are eager to have a shopping center.24.B 25.D 26.C 27.B。