17．
　　Betty Kwan has an unusual new company called "It's Done." She does errands (跑腿) for (1)       people. She'll mail your letters at the (2)      , pick up your medicine at the drugstore and even go shopping at a supermarket for you. Her customers (3)       her for each hour of her service.
　　Betty got the idea for "It's Done." while she was working in an office. "I never had enough time for all my errands. (4)       my lunch time, I had to run to the bank, and the post office, and the dry cleaner's. I was always rushing. I really wished someone could do all those things for me. When I mentioned this to my friends, they all said it sounded a great idea for a business. And that's how it started."
　　Betty is (5)       very busy. "Yesterday, I went to the post office three times and then to the airport. Today I have to buy presents for all the secretaries in a company. But it's always interesting, and I really love (6)       my customers."

37．Ana and the African Lions
　　Ana was excited. Her family was going to a restaurant with an African theme. The owner was a naturalist who collected animal shells and bones. Ana saw beautiful shells and feathers decorating the walls. But then she saw a lion's head hanging on the wall. The owner, Mr. Tate, came over.
　　"That's my African lion."
　　"Did you kill that lion?" Ana asked. "I thought you were a naturalist!"
　　"I am," he laughed. "I love studying animals. I didn't kill it. But I did buy it. A lot of people buy lion trophies (战利品) here, too. Do you like it?"
　　Ana didn't say anything.
　　"I'm sorry that you're upset," he said kindly. "You can eat in the other room."
　　That night, Ana went to her computer and read about lions for a long time. Then she made a poster. Ana sent the poster to Mr. Tate. She went back to the restaurant with her family a few days later.
　　"Ana," said Mr. Tate. "I got your poster. I'm sorry, but I don't want to take down the lion. My customers love it!"
　　Ana stared at him, "But lions might become extinct (灭绝). May I put up the poster I sent you?"
　　"OK." He smiled. "You may put up your poster for a few days."

　　The next week, Ana went back to the restaurant and saw Mr. Tate.
　　"Hello, Ana! I'm glad to see you. My customers have seen your poster, and they've been talking about it. You have inspired (激发) some of them to write letters. Now they don't want my African lion on the wall. I've decided to take it down. Do you want to know what I want to do?"
　　"What?"
　　"I want to get my money back and give it to that conservation organization (保护组织) on your poster. You have inspired me, too!"

38．　　My best friend and I were in the shop that she owns. It was the middle of the afternoon. We were both very happy and making plans for the weekend. Suddenly a man entered the shop. We knew that he didn't look like one of our usual customers, but we welcomed him (1)       anyway. Without any hesitation he pulled something out of his coat. We didn't notice that it was a (2)       until he ordered us to go into the back with him.
　　After he warned us that he could fire at any time, he looked for the money everywhere, in the bank, from our wallets, and then he asked for our jewellery (珠宝) and we gave him all he wanted. Finally, he finished his "job" and left.
　　When I was a child, I felt safe with my parents in my home or wherever I was not alone. Then I began to understand the news and I learnt that (3)      things were happening "out there", but I still kept thinking that those events were just other people's (4)      , not mine. From the moment the man walked out of the shop, I completely (5)      . I always look around to see which kinds of people are possibly following me. Now I usually double-check everything:if I've locked myself in the car or in the house. I am always careful not to wear any jewellery. Whenever a stranger is getting too close or is trying to get information from me, I feel nervous. I know that it is wrong, and that not everyone is going to (6)       me again.
　　After all, I consider myself lucky, since nothing really bad happened to me or my friend, but since that day I haven't felt safe any more. I hate that man not for having taken my jewellery and money, but for having deprived (剥夺) of my innocence.

39．　　Text messaging, or simply "texting (短信)" allows people to send and receive messages on mobile phones.
　　The a(1)       of texting are obvious. Texting helps to save money. If you have a few words to greet your families and friends on their birthdays or on some important festivals, sending messages can be c(2)       than phone calling. Texting helps to save time. Even if you want to send a message to 100 people, you can do it one s(3)      . Texting helps you to "talk" to someone when he is too busy to answer the phone. Texting can also help you to "talk" to someone in silence if you don't want o(4)       to hear what you are talking on the phone. These advantages are so amazing that many people are crazy about it. They hold mobile phones in hands all day long, sending dozens of messages each day.
　　H(5)      , texting has its disadvantages. Junk messages may come into your mobile phone box now and then.
　　What's more, if you don't do texting properly, for example, texting w(6)       driving or walking, it can be dangerous. It can c(7)       injuries and even death.
　　Texting is a wonderful way of communication. Only when we use it properly, can we fully enjoy the fun it brings.

40．　　Students in the US don't begin their spring break at the same time. It depends on where they live. While students from one town are on vacation, their neighbours in the next town may have classes as usual.
　　You may have heard of it from many hit US TV shows and films. It's usually in the middle of March, when characters on shows like Gossip Girl get a week off from classes, go to the beach and throw big parties. It's spring break — or "party time"!
　　Unlike our semester (学期), which starts in late February or early March this year. American schools, ranging from kindergartens to college, give students one to two weeks off school.
　　College students often take planes to places like Florida or Cancun, Mexico. They relax on the beach, enjoy cold drinks and get a tan (晒黑的肤色).
　　Younger kids take trips with their parents, visiting a new state or even a new country. Sometimes teachers lead overseas trips for groups of students. On a ten-day trip, for example, students may go on a tour through Spain, France, and Italy, which gives them a great chance to see different parts of the world.
　　Having a "staycation", which means being a tourist in your own city, is another popular trend. You can visit local art galleries, museums or have a big meal in a nice restaurant.
　　For those who are not in the mood to go out, spring break is a good time to catch up with hit TV series or play video games.
　　There are also students who want a different kind of spring break experience. Instead of playing, they choose to do community service, help with disaster-hit areas and do other volunteering work.
　　No matter how they've spent the break, one thing is for true — students return to school feeling refreshed (恢复活力的) and ready to finish the school year.

41．Write at least of 60 words on the topic " brings me happiness" (以"为我带来快乐"为题, 写一篇不少于60个词的短文, 标点符号不占格)
我们的生活多姿多彩, 在学习和生活中, 总有一些经历、习惯、爱好或一些人会为你带来快乐. 请结合自身经历, 谈谈你的感想)
(注意:短文不能出现任何人名, 学校及其他相关信息, 否则不予评分)
The following is for reference only (以下仅供参考)
be full of
make…happy
be fond of