A Lucky Pen

＂Mommy,I've got something for you!"George ran through the door after school one day.He waved something above his head."See,it's a lucky pen!"26  I looked at the pen in my hand.There was nothing special about it.But I didn't realize how special it was at that moment.I had made the decision to pursue a career in writing.27  I had dreamed about it for a long time but I was afraid to take a chance.I was scared of rejection.

The night before,I had voiced those fears to my husband when I thought George wasn't listening.But George must have overheard us.Now he stood in front of me,watching me

examine the pen."You don't have to be scared now,"he said."This pen will make your stories great and everyone will love you."Tears filled my eyes.28   Rejection didn't

seem like such a big deal any more.Even if I never sold the first story,I had everything I could ever need.George in my life!

I found out later how lucky I was when I heard what he did to get the pen.During lunch break at school that day,George heard a boy talking about a lucky pen he had.29  The

boy was a tough negotiator but George didn't give up.In the end,he traded his lunch,his favorite cartoon book,and his new football,his most prized possession for that pen.Just to make me feel better. 30   It never fails to remind me just how lucky I am!I am the luckiest mother in the world now and forever.

A.He got it as a birthday gift.

B.It was a decision full of fear and anxiety for me.

C.He wanted to get it for me.

D.He handed me the pen happily and proudly.

E.I grabbed him and pulled him tight against me.

F.I still have that pen,though it's long out of ink.

My brother's first year at college was terrible.

• A、True

• B、False

• C、Not Given

Easy Ways to Green up Your Life

1. Eating meat produces greenhouse gas emissions(排放）。If you can't give up meat completely,you can reduce your consumption or give up beef.Don't eat out-of-season farm

products.They are grown in greenhouses.A lot of energy goes into heating the greenhouses.And shipping such out-of-season farm products by air from remote places consumes huge amount of energy,too.Just look for local and in-season foods.

2. Spend less time behind the wheel,cycle and walk more,and use public transport more.If you have to drive,the first thing is to choose a car that uses comparatively less fuel.Besides.

stick to the speed limit,keep your tires properly filled with air,empty your trunk of heavy items,and accelerate and brake gently.

3.Want to take a vacation trip by plane?Don't hurry.Think again.Air travel has a big impact on the environment compared with most other forms of travel.You have better choices Consider having a vacation within driving distance.Of course,taking the train is the best choice.

4.Think about how much"stuff”you own.A big part of emissions are linked to our consumption.To reduce it we need a change in consumption culture.Do we really need all the things we buy?And do we always need the newest one?Getting fewer things and making the ones you own last longer will reduce energy use.

5.Your choices about heating and cooling your home are some of the most important things you can do in terms of cutting your greenhouse gas emissions. Keeping the temperature a little lower in the winter and higher in the summer can make a big difference

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A. Change your shopping habit
B. Drive less if possible
C. Take fewer air trips
D. Use air-conditioning moderately
E. Take fewer vacations
F.Eat less meat and more in-season foods
Task 2
21. Eating beef can___
22. One is advised to remove heavy things___

23. One had better take a train___
24. Buying less is one way to___
25. To save energy, properly control___
A. from his car trunk

B. your room temperature
C. for a vacation trip
D. increase greenhouse gas production

E. reduce energy use
F. your water consumption