晨读英语美文60篇六级13

The Difference A Teacher Can Make

Steve, a 12-year-old boy with alcoholic¹ parents, was about to be lost forever. He had been failing since first grade, as he was passed on from grade to grade.

Steve was a big boy, looking more like a teenager than a 12-year-old. Yet Steve went unnoticed, until Miss White.

Miss White was a smiling young beautiful redhead, and Steve was in love. Yet he never did his homework and he was always in trouble with Miss White.

In the middle of the first semester of school, the entire 7th grade was tested for basic skills. As Miss White began to go over the test results for the 7th grade, Steve locked his gaze on Miss White with adolescent adoration².

′′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, pinning Steve to his seat with a sharp stare, her eyes searching his face, ′′the smartest boy in the 7th grade is failing my class. ′′ She just stared at Steve, and the class spun³ around for a good look. Steve dropped his eyes and carefully examined his fingertips.

After that, it was war. Steve still wouldn′t do his homework. ′′Just try it, one week!′′ - He was unmoved. ′′You are smart enough. You′ll see a change!′′ - Nothing fazed 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? Someone totally unattainable and perfect, cared - about - him ?

Steve went home from school, thoughtful that afternoon. He could not bear the overpowering stench in his house. He quickly gathered up his camping gear⁴: a jar of peanut butter, a loaf of bread, a bottle of water, and this time his school books. Grim-faced and determined⁵, he headed for the woods.

The following Monday Miss White gave a quiz on the weekend homework. Steve hurried through the test and was 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. She glanced up at Steve, then down then up. Suddenly her face broke into a radiance of smile. The smartest boy in the 7th grade had just passed his first test.

From that moment nothing was the same for Steve. Steve began to excel⁶. And he continued this course throughout his school life. After high school Steve enlisted⁷ in the Navy, and he had a successful military career. Steve began a second career after the Navy, and he continued to inspire others, as astral professor in a nearby college. Miss White left great legecy - she saved one boy who has changed many lives.

You see, it′s simple, really. One change within the heart of a boy, all because of one teacher, who cared.

1 alcoholic   

adj.（含）酒精的，由酒精引起的；n.酗酒者

参考例句：

• The alcoholic strength of brandy far exceeds that of wine.白兰地的酒精浓度远远超过葡萄酒。
• Alcoholic drinks act as a poison to a child.酒精饮料对小孩犹如毒药。

2 adoration   

n.爱慕，崇拜

参考例句：

• He gazed at her with pure adoration.他一往情深地注视着她。
• The old lady fell down in adoration before Buddhist images.那老太太在佛像面前顶礼膜拜。

3 spun   

v.纺，杜撰，急转身

参考例句：

• His grandmother spun him a yarn at the fire.他奶奶在火炉边给他讲故事。
• Her skilful fingers spun the wool out to a fine thread.她那灵巧的手指把羊毛纺成了细毛线。

4 gear   

n.齿轮，传动装置，设备，衣服；vt.使适应

参考例句：

• We have to gear our lives to the new changes.我们必须使自己的生活适应新的变化。
• The teeth of the wheel gear into each other.齿轮互相啮合。

5 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

6 excel   

v.胜过，优于，杰出，善于，擅长于

参考例句：

• If your talent combines with diligence,you can excel in your pursuit.如果你把天赋与勤奋结合起来，你所追求的事业便会出类拔萃。
• He is working hard to excel his predecessors.他正努力超越他的前任。

7 enlisted   

adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持）

参考例句：

• enlisted men and women 男兵和女兵
• He enlisted with the air force to fight against the enemy. 他应募加入空军对敌作战。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》