【浙江英语·八年级下册】2024年期中提分精炼：阅读理解（人与自我）

阅读理解

A smile is the best language. The truth of a smile is that it's like a seed that can grow in a garden called "life".

If there is one thing I have missed the most in the past 3 years, it is to see other people smile. When every face has a mask(口罩)on it, you might feel safer. But your mind might start to feel sick. Over these last months, I've learned to notice the "stars" in people's eyes that they still have when they smile from behind a mask. But it isn't quite the same.

Every smile is like a gift. As I grow up, my mom's smile always warms my heart. I am so happy that it appears on the faces of my children. My grandparents' smile always has a happy "Hello!" along with it. My dad hardly smiles to us, but I always loved seeing it.

Over the years, I have also learned a lot about smiles. I have read that "We don't smile because we are happy. We are happy because we smile." I also read that "I have never seen a smiling face that wasn't beautiful." And I know that both of these things were true. What I remember most, though, is something from my teacher. He said, "If nobody wants us to be happy, why does smiling feel so good?"

It doesn't matter if you are wearing a mask or not. It doesn't matter if your teeth are white or not. Show the world your smile. Smiles share our love. Smiles spread our joy. Smiles make the world's better place. One of the greatest, kindness and most loving things you can do is to give another person your smile.

 阅读理解

In the middle of the first term of school, the entire eighth grade was tested for basic skills. Steve hurried through his tests, and continued to dream of other things. His heart was not in school, but in the woods. 

One day, Miss White's impatient voice broke into his daydreams. "Steve! Pay attention!" Steve turned to look at her, fixing his eyes on Miss White, as she began to go over the test results for the eighth grade.

"You all did pretty well," she told the class, "except for one boy, and it breaks my heart to tell you this, but..." She hesitated, her eyes searching his face. "...The smartest boy in the eighth grade is failing my class!" She just stared at Steve. Steve dropped his eyes.

After that, it was war! Steve still wouldn't do his homework. Even as the punishments became more severe, he remained stubborn（顽固不化的）.

"Just try it! ONE WEEK!" He was unmoved.

"You're smart enough! You'll see a change!" Nothing touched him.

"Give yourself a chance! Don't give up on your life!" Nothing.

"Steve! Please! I care about you!"

Wow! Suddenly, Steve got it! Someone cared about him? Steve went home from school, thoughtful, that afternoon. Walking into the house, both parents were out. He, quickly, gathered up a jar of peanut butter, a loaf of bread, a bottle of water, and this time...his schoolbooks.

The following Monday he arrived at school on time, and he waited for Miss White to enter the classroom. She walked in, all smiles! God, she was beautiful! 

Miss White, immediately, gave a quiz on the weekend homework. Steve hurried through the test and was the first to hand in his paper. With a look of surprise, Miss White took his paper. Obviously puzzled, she began to look it over. Miss White's face was in total shock! The smartest boy in the eighth grade had just passed his first test!

From that moment nothing was the same for Steve. Life at home remained the same, but life still changed. He discovered that not only could he learn, but he was good at it!

He discovered that he could understand knowledge and translate the things he learned into his own life. Steve began to go ahead! 

阅读理解

Last month, I took my son Tom to see his grandparents in the countryside. His grandpa took him to the yard to play. Tom was curious about everything.

At lunch, Tom told me, "Dad, I saw a hen flying."

"Impossible!" I said without thinking. "How can a hen fly?"

"Dad the dog ran after the hen in the yard. The hen was tapped (被困) in a corner. When the hen saw no other way out, she suddenly flapped her wings and flew up to the roof (房顶). The hen escaped. Dad, I didn't know hens could fly. How can she fly?" my child asked.

I thought for a while and said, "Maybe because of love. The hen loves her own life and that helps her fly!"

Tom nodded (点头). He seemed to have understood.

Last weekend, we visited Tom's grandparents again. This time I heard Tom shouting from the yard, "Dad! The dog is chasing the hen again! Come and see!"

I ran out of the house. The hen was running after a group of chickens, followed closely by the dog. Then the hen suddenly stopped and turned around-she raised up wings and clucked at the dog.

I ran over and got between the dog and the hen, shouting at the dog to drive it away.

"Dad, why didn't the hen fly away? She knows she can't fight the dog." Tom asked.

I thought for a while and said, "Maybe because of love. She loves her babies more than anything in the world."

Tom thought for a long time and nodded. He seemed to have understood.

 阅读短文，回答问题

I asked my dad if I'd ever made him cry before because I couldn't remember ever seeing him cry.

"There was once," he said.

He told me that when I was 1 year old, he put a pen, a piece of paper money, and a toy in front of me. He wanted to see which one I would pick. It's a tradition that a lot of Chinese people do when their kids are 1 year old. According to this tradition. it shows what the kid will value (重视) most when they grow up. For example, if the kid takes the pen, it means he or she will be a smart person in the future. If the kid takes the' money, it means he or she will value money more than others and will become rich. If the kid takes the toy, it means he or she will like fun things and play a lot.

My father was just doing it for fun. It was interesting for him to see which one I'd pick anyway. He said that I just sat there and stared at the three things. He sat across from me and waited to see the result. According to him, I moved toward him and he held his breath. Then I pushed (推开) everything aside and went right into his arms. He had never thought that I would choose him. And that was the first and only time I made him cry.

 阅读短文，回答问题

Some people work a job all their lives and for them, it is only a way to make a living. But Carole and Russ Cassidy are lucky. They-worked-as special education teachers with interest and got lots of satisfaction. Now they are retired (已退休的) and luck is still with them.

"We just didn't want to be sitting and not doing anything," Carole said. "We tried several things. but they were not meant for us." Soon, they found the Princeton Public Library's Children's Storytime program and wanted to get involved. "We were lucky. They came and found us and asked to volunteer." Rebecca Marrs. Children's Librarian at the Princeton Public Library said. Marrs said the kids loved the retired special education teachers.

Marrs began the Children's Storytime program-at the-Princeton Public Library about eight years ago. The Book Babies program, for newborns to 3-yeat-olds, is held on Thursday and the Preschool program takes place (举行) on Friday.

The Cassidys and Marrs said that they didn't expect the children to sit still during the storytime. They understand that children can listen while playing." I love being with kids. I enjoy watching kids playing together and using their imagination most," Carole said. "For example, I asked them why they made a robot with bricks (积木) and they explained it to me. Their imagination is so good."