C
Mr Clarke hated to do the housework. He wouldn’t stay at home on weekends. As his wife always told him to do some washing or cleaning, or he had to cook for his family. So he always made some excuses on Friday evenings.
Recently Mr Clarke was interested in playing cards , but he was afraid to let his wife know. So every Sunday afternoon he brought some fish home. It made his wife happy and she never asked where he spent his weekends.
One Saturday morning, Mr Clarke left home at 7 o’clock. He took a bus and got off at a stop near a small town. His friends were waiting for him in a small hotel. They played cards there. Mr Clarke didn’t go home until 7 o’clock on Sunday evening. He went in the shop near the bus stop as usual. As soon as the shopkeeper saw him, the man said, “I’m sorry, Mr Clarke. I have no fish today. What about some chicken legs?”“Don’t be silly!” said Mr Clarke, “I can’t tell my wife that I have fished some chicken legs, can I?”
()8. What was Mr Clarke interested in?
A. Fishing.
B. Playing cards.
C. Shopping
D. Swimming.
()9. How long was Mr Clarke away from his home?
A. About 24 hours.
B. About 36 hours.
C. About 48 hours.
D. About 72 hours.
()10. Mr Clarke played cards with his friends .
A. at home
B. in a shop
C. in a hotel
D. at hospital
()11. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Mr Clarke hardly stayed at home on weekends.
B. Mr Clarke played cards only this weekend.
C. Mrs Clarke believed he fished on weekends.
D. Mr Clarke didn’t like to do the housework.

8. B
9. B
10. C
11. B

D
Sweet Home for the Spring Festival
Hi, I’m Lily, a Grade 8 student. When the Spring Festival comes, my family and I always go back to our hometown in Shandong. It’s the best time of the year because we get to be together.

Two days before New Year’s Eve, we start pre-festival cleaning. Mom and I sweep the floor and wash the windows. “Cleaning the house means sweeping away bad luck,” Mom says with a smile. Grandma and I make dumplings in the kitchen. She shows me how to wrap( 包 ) them. “Add a little meat and vegetables,” she says. “See? Like this.” Even though my dumplings look funny, Grandma says they’re the best she’s ever seen.
On New Year’s Eve, we all wear new clothes. Dad cooks a big dinner — fish, chicken, and lots of vegetables. I help set the table and pour tea for everyone. When we sit down to eat, Grandpa says, “Family together is the sweetest thing.” We raise our cups and laugh loudly.
No matter how far we go, home is always there. It’s not just a house with walls and a roof—it’s where family smiles, cooks together, and fills our hearts with love. Home is our warm harbor forever.
()12. Who teaches Lily to make dumplings?
A. Her mom.
B. Her dad.
C. Her grandma.
D. Her little brother.
()13. What does pre-festival cleaning mean?
A. Sweeping away good luck.
B. Sweeping away bad luck.
C. Buying new clothes.
D. Putting up window paper-cut.
()14. Why does Grandma say Lily’s dumplings are “the best she’s ever seen”?
A. Because they taste delicious.
B. Because Lily is good at cooking.
C. Because Grandma wants to encourage Lily.
D. Because the dumplings look very beautiful.
()15. What’s the passage mainly about?
A. How Lily travels back to her hometown.
B. Lily’s experience of spending the Spring Festival.
C. The history of Spring Festival.
D. Why Lily likes making dumplings.

12. C
13. B
14. C
15. B