Until recently, women in advertisements wore one of three things — an apron, an attractive dress or a frown. Although that is now changing, many women still feel angry about offending advertisements. “This ad degrades women.” they protested（抗议）.Why does this sort of advertising exist? How can advertisers and ad agencies still produce, sometimes, after months of research, advertising that offends the consumer?
The ASA, the body which deals with complaints about print media, is carrying out research into how women feel about the way they are pictured in advertisements. Its conclusions are likely to be what the advertising industry already knows: although women are often annoyed by the ads, few feel strong enough to complain.
Women are not the only victims of poor and boring stereotypes（老套）— in many TV commercials men are seen either as useless, childish fools who are unable to perform the simplest household tasks, or as inconsiderate fellows, always on the lookout for an escape to the pub. But it is women who seem to suffer more from the industry’s inability to put people into an authentic present-day situation. Yet according to Emma Bennett, director of a London advertising agency, women are not aggressive or extremely angry about those stereotypes and sexist （歧视妇女）advertising. “They just find it annoying or tiresome.”
She says that it is not advertising’s use of the housewife role that bothers women, but the way in which it is handled. “The most important thing is the advertisement’s tone of voice. Women hate being insincerely praised or given desperately down-to-earth common-sense advice.”
In the end, the responsibility for good advertising must be shared between the advertiser, the advertising agency and the consumer. Advertising does not set trends but it reflects them. It is up to the consumer to tell advertisers where they fail, and the process of change will remain slow until people on the receiving end take the business seriously and make their –feelings known.Despite recent changes in attitudes, some advertisements still fail to .
| A．change women’s opinions of themselves |
| B．show any understanding of consumers’ feelings |
| C．persuade the public to buy certain products |
| D．meet the needs of the advertising industry |
According to the writer, the commonest fault of present-day advertising is to .
| A．condemn the role of the housewife |
| B．ignore protests about advertisements |
| C．present a misleading image of women |
| D．picture the activities of men wrongly |
Emma Bennett suggests that advertisement ought to .
| A．give further emphasis to practical advice |
| B．change their style rather than their content |
| C．use male images instead of female ones |
| D．sing higher praise for women than before |
We can learn from the passage that advertising industry should .
| A．take its job more eagerly |
| B．do more pioneering work |
| C．take notice of the public opinion |
| D．concentrate on the products advertised |
Dear Friend,
The recent success of children's books has made the general public aware that there's a huge market out there.
And there's a growing need for new writers trained to create the $3 billion worth of children's books bought each year " ，plus stories and articles needed by over 650 publishers of magazines for children and teenagers.
Who are these needed writers? They're ordinary folks like you and me.
But am I good enough? I was once where you might be now. My thoughts of writing had been pushed down by self-doubt, and I didn't know where to turn for help.
Then, I accepted a free offer from the Institute to test my writing aptitude(潜能），and it turned out to be the inspiration I needed.
The promise that paid off
The Institute made the same promise to me that they will make to you, if you show basic writing ability ：
You will complete at least one manuscript (手稿)suitable to hand in to a publisher by the time you finish our course.
I really didn't expect any publication before I finished the course, but that happened. I sold three stories. And I soon discovered that was not unusual at the Institute.
Since graduation, I have authored 34 nationally published children's books and over 300 stories and articles.
Free test and brochure
We offer a free aptitude test and will send you a copy of our brochure describing our recognized home-study courses on the basis of one-on-one training.
Realize your writing dream today. There's nothing sadder than a dream delayed until it fades forever.
Sincerely,
Kristi Holl, Instructor
Institute of Children's Literature From the first three paragraphs, we learn that _________.
| A．children's books are usually bestsellers |
| B．publishers are making $3 billion each year |
| C．magazines for teenagers have drawn public attention |
| D．there is a growing need for writers of children's books |
When finishing the course, you are promised to _________.
| A．be a successful publisher |
| B．become a confident editor |
| C．finish one work for publication |
| D．get one story or article published |
Kristi Holl mentions her experience mainly to _________.
| A．prove she is a good instructor |
| B．promote the writing program |
| C．give her advice on course preparation |
| D．show she sold more stories than articles |
Imagination and fantasy can play an important role in achieving the things we fear. Children know this very well. Fred Epstein, in his book If I Make It to Five, tells a story he heard from one of his friends about Tom, a four-year-old boy with a cancer in his back bone. He came through several operations and a lot of pain by mastering his imagination.
Tom loved to pretend, and he particularly loved to play super-heroes. Dr. Epstein explained that it was actually a brilliant way for his young mind to handle the terrifying and painful life he led.
The day before his third trip to the operating room, Tom was terribly afraid. " Maybe I could go as Superman " ，he whispered to his mom. Hearing this, the mother hesitated for a while. She had a-voided buying the expensive costume (戏装），but finally she a-greed.
The next day Tom appeared as the powerful Superman, showing off through the hospital halls and coolly waving his hand to the people greeting him along the way. And Tom, with the strength of his fantasy, successfully made it through the operation.
The power of for imagination need not be reserved for children only. We all have the power to use our fantasies to attempt things we never thought possible, to go through those things that seem impossible, and to achieve what we never believed we could. Just as Dr. Epstein puts it, “If you can dream it, you can do it.”
It doesn't mean that you should dress as a superhero for your next job interview. But, next time you are tested in a way that seems impossible, imagine what it would take to overcome it. Become the person you need to become to win over your challenge and do it in your mind first. So, let your imagination run wild, and dare to dream. What do we know about Tom?
| A．He was seriously ill. | B．He was a dishonest boy. |
| C．He was crazy about magic. | D．He was Dr. Epstein's patient. |
What can be inferred about Tom's mother?
| A．She was a rich lady. |
| B．She refused Tom's request. |
| C．She wanted Tom to be a superhero. |
| D．She wanted to get Tom through the pain. |
When Tom went for the third operation, he _________.
| A．pretended to be painful | B．acted like a superhero |
| C．appeared in poor spirits | D．argued with his mother |
In the last paragraph, you are advised _________.
| A．to go through some difficult tests |
| B．to wake up from your wild dreams |
| C．to become a powerful person in your mind |
| D．to wear expensive clothes for job interviews |
What is the purpose of the passage?
| A．To tell us an interesting story. |
| B．To help us make right decisions. |
| C．To advise us to care about children. |
| D．To encourage us to use our imagination. |
In 1947 a group of famous people from the art world headed by an Austrian conductor decided to hold an international festival of music, dance and theatre in Edinburgh. The idea was to reunite Europe after the Second World War.
It quickly attracted famous names such as Alec Guinness, Richard Burton, Dame Margot Fonteyn and Marlene Dietrich as well as the big symphony orchestras (交响乐团）. It became a fixed e-vent every August and now attracts 400，000 people yearly.
At the same time, the “Fringe " appeared as a challenge to the official festival. Eight theatre groups turned up uninvited in 1947，in the belief that everyone should have the right to perform, and they did so in a public house disused for years.
Soon, groups of students firstly from Edinburgh University, and later from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Durham and Birmingham were making the journey to the Scottish capital each summer to perform theatre by little-known writers of plays in small church halls to the people of Edinburgh.
Today the " Fringe " ，once less recognized, has far outgrown the festival with around 1，500 performances of theatre, music and dance on every one of the 21 days it lasts. And yet as early as1959，with only 19 theatre groups performing, some said it was get-ting too big.
A paid administrator was first employed only in 1971，and to-day there are eight administrators working all year round and the number rises to 150 during August itself. In 2004 there were 200places housing 1，695 shows by over 600 different groups from 50different countries. More than 1. 25 million tickets were sold. What was the purpose of Edinburgh Festival at the beginning?
| A．To bring Europe together again. |
| B．To honor heroes of World War Ⅱ. |
| C．To introduce young theatre groups. |
| D．To attract great artists from Europe. |
Why did some uninvited theatre groups come to Edinburgh in 1947?
| A．They owned a public house there. |
| B．They came to take up a challenge. |
| C．They thought they were also famous. |
| D．They wanted to take part in the festival. |
Who joined the “Fringe “after it appeared?
| A．Popular writers. |
| B．University students. |
| C．Artists from around the world. |
| D．Performers of music and dance. |
We may learn from the text that Edinburgh Festival _________.
| A．has become a non-official event |
| B．has gone beyond an art festival |
| C．gives shows all year round |
| D．keeps growing rapidly. |
I was working with a client who was completely burned out on her career and life and then ready for a career change. As we were talking, she said, “I just wish I had meaningful work. I don't feel like I am making a difference. I am just wasting my life. “This is the theme I hear most often from clients who have been in the work-force a while. All of us want to feel like we are making a difference. We want to believe our work means something. The problem comes in defining “meaningful work “. What is it? That answer is different for everyone. For some meaningful work might be helping others organize their office. For others it may mean making a million dollars.
What really matters is how you see it. What is meaningful work to you? Take out a piece of paper and answer these questions. How do you define meaningful work? When do you feel like you are really making a difference? What work have you done so far that feels the most meaningful? Write down whatever comes to mind.
It is very easy to start judging yourself as being selfish. Stop! Allow yourself to be honest. The fact is when Picasso painted; he was doing it because he liked to paint. He was not thinking. “Oh, I hope this brings joy to others' lives.” He painted because he wanted to. When Beethoven composed, he did it because he loved music. Even scientists searching for a cure for cancer are immersed in their work because it fascinates them.
It is easy to downplay the importance of work that feels meaningful. I remember Tony Robbins told a story of talking with the owner of a major company. The man said to Tony, " I wish I could do what you do because it makes such a difference in people's lives. " Tony said, " You've got to be kidding！ Look at what a difference you make. You provide work, health insurance and security for thousands of people ！”Don’t underestimate the value you provide.
Take a look at what you have written about meaningful work. Do you see any themes? How do you wish to contribute to this world? Whatever you choose, remember that the greatest gift you can give is to find work that makes you feel fulfilled and joyful. Honor your preferences because giving your gifts to the world, whatever they look like, is the most meaningful action you can ever take. Which should come first to see whether you are doing something meaningful?
| A．What is meaningful work to you? |
| B．Where can you find meaningful work? |
| C．How do you wish to contribute to the world? |
| D．How can you make a difference in your work? |
What does the writer mean by mentioning the famous people?
| A．Famous people are selfish to start work for themselves. |
| B．Doing meaningful work requires our interest in it. |
| C．Interest is the best teacher in learning. |
| D．Honesty makes for the greatest people. |
When you “downplay “the value of your work, you tend to think it is _________.
| A．quite different | B．very successful |
| C．not meaningful | D．less important |
According to the passage, what meaningful job does the writer advise us to take?
| A．The one which is popular in society. |
| B．The one which brings you profits. |
| C．The one which wins you fame. |
| D．The one which interests you. |
In Britain and other countries, young people sometimes lake a " gap year " ，a year off between high school and college. This idea never gained a big following in America. Recent news reports have suggested that interest may be growing, though there are no official numbers.
Charles Deacon, the dean of admissions at Georgetown University in Washington, D. C. ，estimates that in the current first-year class of1，600 students, only about 25 decided to take a year off. He says this number has not changed much over the years.
Mr. Deacon says the most common reason for taking a “gap year “is to have a chance to travel. But he says international students may take a “gap year “to meet requirements at home for military duty.
Some high school graduates see a year off as a chance to recover after twelve years of required education, but it can also give students a chance to explore their interests. Students hoping to be doctors, for example, could learn about the profession by volunteering in a hospital.
Many colleges and universities support gap-year projects by permitting students to delay their admission. Experts say students can grow emotionally and intellectually as they work at something they enjoy.
The Harvard admissions office has an essay on its website called “Time Out or Burn Out for the Next Generation “. It praises the idea of taking time off to step back, think and enjoy gaining life experiences outside the pressure of studies. It also notes that students are sometimes admitted to Harvard or other colleges in part because they did something unusual with that time.
Of course, a “gap year “is not for everyone. Students might miss their friends who go on directly to college. And parents might worry that their children will decide not to go to college once they take time off. Another concern is money. A year off, away from home, can be costly.
Holly Bull's job is to specialize in helping students plan their “gap year “. She notes that several books have been written about this subject. She says these books, along with media attention and the availability of information on the Internet, have increased interest in the idea of a year off, and she points out that many gap-year programs cost far less than a year of college. What is the passage mainly about?
| A．More and more American students are choosing to lake a year off. |
| B．If you want to go to an American university, take a “gap year “first. |
| C．It is likely that taking a “gap year " is becoming popular in America. |
| D．Americans hold different opinions towards students' taking a gap year. |
How many reasons for students, taking a “gap year " are mentioned in the passage?
| A．2. | B．3. | C．4. | D．5. |
The essay “Time Out or Burn Out for the Next Generation “suggests that _________.
| A．every student must take a “gap year “before applying for a famous university |
| B．some famous universities encourage students to gain more life experiences |
| C．taking a “gap year “can make students free from life learning |
| D．the stress of studies does harm to the students' health |
What can we learn from the passage?
| A．Books and media have contributed to the students, interest in school learning. |
| B．Charles Deacon doesn't support the idea of the students' taking a “gap year, “. |
| C．Parents who are concerned about their children's future might disagree with the program. |
| D．Experts agree taking a year off will benefit the students emotionally and physically. |
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