I once had a hard time making a living in France. Three years ago, I moved to a new neighborhood and felt an intense(强烈的) need to meet people so I went to the cinema. Outside the cinema was a woman with long gray hair who had a strong smell and was asking for money. I reached for my wallet to give her a Euro and then something made me stop and enter into conversation with her. I said, “Look, all the women going to the cinema here on a Tuesday night are seeing a film that can change your life. I'd rather buy you a ticket than give you money.”

    She hesitated（犹豫） for a moment and then came in with me. She hid behind me because, she said, the people running the theater didn't like her. I got her a ticket and she sat next to me. There were about 80 women there; I noticed some of them were turning around and looking at me with expressions of surprise and curiosity(好奇心).

    I encouraged the woman I had bought the ticket for to come the following night to an event where there would be many representatives(代表) of various social services. I thought they could be of some help to her. She did come and I was able to direct her to an agency that helped women in her situation. At the same time, a woman came toward me and said, “Are you the person who bought a ticket for the woman outside the theater asking for handouts?” When I said yes she said, “I want you to come to the community center where I work. I want the other employees there to meet you.”

    This was the beginning of a deep friendship and colleague relationship. I now have a great job and have more work than I've ever had in my 20 years in France. And the woman I took to the cinema that night? I learned that she was not homeless and that she was a secretary.

    The Sweetest Sight

    I was in the most beautiful city in the world, yet I only wanted home.

    It was an amazing week for my husband and me –the trip of a lifetime. Months ago, when my husband told me that he would have a meeting in London. I expressed my 1to go to Europe together with him. Then we asked his mother to 2our two children and started off.

    During the week's time, 3visited London and Paris –as much as we could, Big Ben, the Louvre and so on. All these were beautiful places we expected to see before. We really enjoyed ourselves.

    On our last night in Paris,4we enjoyed the night view(夜景) of the Eiffel Tower, my husband called home. His mother 5the phone. In a second, my husband's face fell and he looked so worried. I could feel something6happened.

    “What's wrong?” I asked.

    He didn't answer and continued to listen. A few minutes later, he said 7to me that Tony, our seven-year-old son, had fallen off his bike and8his leg. He must be sent to hospital at once.

    At that moment, Paris suddenly lost its charm(魅力).

    “I don't want to be here! I shouldn't be here! I should be home 9my kids!”

    We hurried back to our hotel and then to the airport …

    Finally, we got home. We rushed into our children's bedroom. Seeing our two children, I suddenly realized the truth: there is no10sight(风景)in the world than your children's faces that greet you at home.

B

    I'm David. Long ago I came to the city near my hometown to find a job. I met all kinds of difficulties and I used up all my money soon.

    It was dark outside one day. I got on a bus quietly. Suddenly, a passenger cried in a loud voice, "someone has stolen my money!" I felt nervous, because his money was in my hand. Some people suggested the driver drive the bus to the police station, but some were against it because they were in a hurry to go back home. The whole bus was very noisy. The driver then stopped the bus by the roadside and turned on the lights. At that time, one passenger said, "Turn off the lights and give the thief(小简)a chance to take out the money."Then the bus got dark.

    When I was still thinking about whether to take out the money or not, the lights were turned on again. There was no money on the floor. Someone said, "Give him one more chance." Then the lights were turned off again. I became even more nervous. The lights were turned on again but they got the same result.

    Then the passengers fell into an open discussion. Later, someone said, "Give him the last chance!" I felt awakened(醒悟的) and took out all the money when the lights were turned off again.

    For many years I have been grateful to those who gave me three chances. When the first and Second chances come, you may not be prepared well or don't have enough courage to act. When the third chance comes, you should know clearly what you should do.

根据短文内容，选择最佳选项。

C

    One night, when I was eight, my mother gently asked me a question I would never forget. "Cindy, my company wants to promote (升职) me but needs me to work in Brazil. This is like your teacher telling you that you've done well and allowing you to skip (跳) a grade, but you'll have to leave your friends. Would you say yes to your teacher?" She gave me a hug and asked me to think about it. I was lost in thought. The question kept me wondering for the rest of the night. I had said "yes" but for the first time, I realized the difficult decisions adults had to make.

    For almost four years, my mother would call us from Brazil every day. Every evening I'd eagerly wait for the phone to ring and then tell her everything happened during the day. A phone call, however, could never take her place and it was difficult not to feel lonely at times.

    During my fourth-grade Christmas break, we flew to Rio to visit her. Looking at her large empty apartment,   ▲    It was then I started to understand the difficult choices she had to make. She needed to think about both family and work. Faced with difficult decisions, she used to tell me, you wouldn't know whether you make the right choice, but you could always make the best out of the situation, with a positive attitude.

    Back home, I reminded myself that what my mother could do, I could, too. If she managed to live in Rio all by herself, I, too, could learn to be independent. I learn how to take care of myself and set high but achievable goals.

    My mother is now back with us. But I will never forget what the experience has really taught me. I've learned a lot because of this separation. There are lots of difficult decisions that we have to face in our life. We need to have a positive attitude no matter what happens.

    Most musicians agree that the best violins were first made in Cremona, Italy, about 200 years ago. These violins sound better than any other violin. They even sound better than the violins made today. Violin makers and scientists try to make instruments like the Italian violins. But they aren't the same. Musicians still prefer the old ones.

    Some people think it is the age of the violins. But not all the old violins sound wonderful. Only the old violins from Cremona are special. So age cannot be the correct answer.

    Other people think the secret to those violins is wood. The wood must be from certain kinds of trees. But the kind of wood may not be so important. It may be more important to cut the wood in a special way. Wood for a violin must be cut very carefully. It has to be the right size and shape. The smallest difference will change the sound of the violin.  Musicians sometimes think that it is the secret of the Italians. Possibly they understood more than us about how to cut the wood.

    Size and shape may not be the answer either. Scientists can make new ones which are exactly the same size and shape. But the new violins still do not sound as good as the old ones. Some scientists think the secret may be the varnish (清漆). Varnish is what covers the wood of the violin. It makes the wood look shiny. It also helps the sound of the instrument. But no one knows what the Italian violin makers used in their varnish.

    For most of us, the idea of giving up our jobs to travel around the world seems impossible. However, one young couple has made it come true. What's more, they're getting a lot of money. How can they do this?

    While traveling in Fiji in 2016, Jack Morris, 26, met his girlfriend Lauran Bullen. After that, they began to travel around the world together.

    Now the two have become Internet stars with nearly three million followers from 45 different countries. To everyone's surprise, a simple photo taken during their trips can easily bring them thousands of dollars.

    Talking in his blog Do You Travel, Jack shared many stories behind their wonderful photos. He said that they were used to taking photos at a certain time.

    "Most of the time we like to take photos around one hour after sunrise. At this time of day, most places of interest aren't so busy," Jack wrote. He also said that they never dressed up their photos and tried to keep what they were like." People prefer a true life, I believe. "

    Now the couple live in Bail. They are always posting inspirational(灵感的)photos to the Internet. At the same time, they are planning to visit one new country each month.