Everyone knows that the Frenchmen are romantic, the Italians are fashionable and the Germans are serious. Are these just stereotypes or is there really such a thing as national character? And if there is, can it affect how a nation succeed or fail?
At least one group of people is certain that it can. A recent survey of the top 500 entrepreneurs in the UK found that 70% felt that their efforts were not appreciated by the British public. Britain is hostile to success, they said. It has a culture of jealousy. As a result, the survey said, entrepreneurs were “unloved, unwanted and misunderstood.” Jealousy is sometimes known as the “green – eyed monster” and the UK is its home.
Scientists at Warwich University in the UK recently tested this idea. They gathered a group of people together and gave each an imaginary amount of money. Some were given a little, others a great deal. Those given a little were given the chance to destroy the large amount of money given to others – but at the cost of losing their own. Two thirds of the people tested agreed to do this.
This seems to prove that the entrepreneurs were right to complain. But there is also conflicting evidence. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development recently reported that the UK is now the world’s fourth largest economy. That is not bad for people who are supposed to hate success. People in the UK also work longer hours than anyone else in Europe. So the British people are not lazy, either.
“It is not really success that the British dislike,” says Carey Cooper, a professor of management at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. “It’s people using their success in a way that seems proud or unfair or which separates them from their roots.”
Perhaps it is the entrepreneurs who are the problem. They set out to do things in their way. They work long hours. By their own efforts they become millionaires. But instead of being happy they complain that nobody loves them. It hardly seems worth following their example. If they were more friendly, people would like them more. And more people want to be like them.Most entrepreneurs surveyed believe that .
| A．the British people hate success |
| B．the British people are hardworking |
| C．love of success is Britain’s national character |
| D．they are considered as “green – eyed monsters” |
What does the result of the Warwich University’s test show.
| A．Two thirds of the people tested didn’t love money. |
| B．Most people would rather fail than see others succeed. |
| C．An imaginary amount of money does not attract people. |
| D．Most people are willing to enjoy success with others. |
The writer of the passage seems to suggest that .
| A．jealousy is Britain’s national character |
| B．British entrepreneurs are not fairly treated |
| C．the scientists at Warwich University did a successful test |
| D．the entrepreneurs in the UK do not behave properly |
The best title for this article can be .
| A．Be More Modest and We Will Love You More |
| B．Proud Entrepreneurs |
| C．The Frenchmen are Romantic While The British are Hostile |
| D．Only Pains but No Gains |
The New York Times announced Wednesday that it intended to charge frequent readers for access to its website, a step being debated across the industry that nearly every major newspaper has so far feared to take.
Starting in early 2011, visitors to NYTimes.com will get a certain number of articles free every month before being asked to pay a standard and fixed fee for unlimited access. Subscribers to the newspaper’s print edition will receive full access to the site.
But executives of The New York Times Company said they could not yet answer fundamental questions about the plan, like how much it would cost or what the limit would be on free reading. They stressed that the amount of free access could change with time, in response to economic conditions and reader demand. Still, publishers fear that money from digital subscriptions would not make up for the resulting loss of audience and advertising income.
NYTimes.com is by far the most popular newspaper site in the country, with more than 17 million readers a month in the United States, according to Nielsen Online, and analysts say it is the leader in advertising income, as well. That may make it better positioned than other general-interest papers to charge—and also gives The Times more to lose if the move produces an opposed result.
The Times Company has been studying the matter for almost a year, searching for common ground between pro-and-anti pay campaigns—a debate mirrored in dozens of media-watching blogs-- and the system will not go into effect until January 2011. Executives said they were not bothered by the possibility of absorbing barbs(挖苦) for moving cautiously.
“There’s no prize for getting it quick,” said Janet L. Robinson, the company’s president and chief executive. “There’s more of a prize for getting it right.” What’s the function of the first paragraph?
| A．It servers as a comment. |
| B．It serves as a background |
| C．It serves as a lead-in |
| D．It serves as a conclusion. |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．Non-paying subscribers will get no access to NYTimes.com. |
| B．Readers will be charged more to read articles on NYTimes.com. |
| C．Readers will get more free online articles to log on NYTimes. com more often. |
| D．Subscribers to the paper’s print edition will also enjoy full access to the site. |
Which of the words can best describe The Time Company’s attitude towards its announcement?
| A．Unwilling. |
| B．Serious. |
| C．Hasty |
| D．Doubtful |
What is the main idea about the passage?
| A．The Times to offer free access to its web site. |
| B．The Times to increase audience to its web site. |
| C．The Times to attract advertisement to its web site |
| D．The Times to charge for frequent access to its web site. |
Andy Tomas is proof of the typical case that life-changing disaster awaits the drunken driver.
“A lot of teachers say, ‘Don’t drink,’ but I’m not going to say that, because I know that students are going to do it,” Andy says. “I just say, ‘Don’t get in a car.’”
As an 18-year-old, he could be a classmate or a friend, and that familiarity adds to the power of his words. He has spoken to more than 2500 high school students so far, and he has noticed their unusual silence.
One year ago, Andy, having been with friends drinking, lost control of his car and was thrown into trees 20 feet away. He was found covered in blood, with many bones broken. He was diagnosed with a severe brain injury and remained in an unconscious state and on life support for nearly three weeks. His skull was opened to reduce pressure on his brain.
At Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, Doctor Erin Leahy initially found Andy unable to move the right side of his body. But by the end of his six-week stay, he was able to walk out of the building. Leahy called that an inspiration and a surprise.
Yet Andy’s recovery is incomplete. Brain and muscular therapy(治疗) has helped him regain movement in his right arm, but he still struggles with right hand.
In the process of recovery, Andy has thought deeply about what happened and why, and decided to share his story. Encouraged by his doctor, he began to attending meetings, delivering speeches.
He said he was nervous at first, but has grown used to the spotlight. “I feel like I know how to talk to people.” He said. And his recovery and visible injury help him draw serious attention from students.
Drunk driving, he tells students, is like playing gambles. “You might do it a bunch of times, but something is going to happen.”
Now his days are all about the therapy, work and going to the gym. Mentally, he says, “ I’m a lot happier in my life.” What’s the main purpose of the author?
| A．Warn students about the danger of drinking. |
| B．Tell readers the danger of driving a car. |
| C．Advise people not to drive a car after drinking. |
| D．Show readers Andy’s amazing recovery experience. |
Why does the author say Andy’s story is powerful as an 18-year-old boy?
| A．Because his family supported him and cared for him carefully. |
| B．Because he is just like one of our classmates or friends. |
| C．Because doctors and family never gave him up.[ |
| D．Because his classmates and friends are familiar with him. |
What does the underlined sentence mean?
| A．Drunk driving will be fined a lot of money eventually. |
| B．Drunk driving will eventually have a serious accident. |
| C．Drunk driving is as adventurous and thrilled as gamble. |
| D．Drunk driving is banned even if you are an experienced driver. |
What happened to Andy after the accident?
| A．He made a full recovery and returned to his normal life. |
| B．He recovered quite well at an unbelievable speed. |
| C．He became more experienced and eager for more adventures. |
| D．He shared his stories with others to warn them not to try drunk driving. |
Long queues at cinemas buying hot tickets for blockbusters(巨片) will become rare as Beijing residents will be able to order film tickets via cell phone networks in a month.
Film ticket circulation service on cell phone, also called the “Green channel of film tickets ordering”, is aiming at lowing the cost of ticket circulation and easing the ticket distribution pressure on such popular film-watching days as summer and winter vacations or Valentine’s Day.
“People log onto the net through cell phones, then choose cinema seats, watch trailers, browse information for new films and read cinema introductions,” said Guan Zheng, the publicity chief of Xingmei Digital Media Company Ltd., the service provider.
“Film fans can enjoy various discount prices if they order tickets via cell phones,” Guan said.
Meanwhile, the cell phone ticket circulation platform provides subscribers general mobile phone services like jokes, videos, flashes, phone ring downloads and games.
The service is about to be put into trial at the Beijing-based Xingmei International Cinema for a month before being putting into use at other cinema chains both in and outside Beijing, as the service is going to be improved through gradual expansion, said Guan.
China’s film industry that is being restored has seen more and more enthusiastic moviegoers. Up to the end of 2009, China has had more than 5,000 specialized cinemas, among which there are 2,243 modern cinemas with 3, 668 silver screens and 56 cinema chains.
Currently, many people buy film tickets on the Internet or by phoning the cinema’s ticket office or simply queuing at the cinema gate. More people want to buy tickets on popular days like May Day holiday, National Day holiday or Valentine’s Day. Yet the inefficient ticket circulation system contributes the most to the failure.What can we learn from the passage?
| A．The price of the ticket ordered via cell phone will be lower. |
| B．Ordering tickets through the net can get good seats. |
| C．Few people would like to watch films on the net. |
| D．More and more people like to watch films on the net. |
What does the underlined part “watch trailers” in the third paragraph mean?
| A．You can watch films after downloading them. |
| B．You can watch commercial ads free of charge. |
| C．You can watch short ads for new movies. |
| D．You can watch films on the net at home. |
What does the passage imply?
| A．The service is only intended to put into use at the cinema in Beijing for a month. |
| B．China’s film industry saw the decreasing number of moviegoers by the end of 2009.[ |
| C．The traditional ticket selling system makes it hard to get film tickets on popular days. |
| D．The green channel of tickets ordering is aiming at provides general mobile phone services.. |
The best title for the passage would probably be ________.
| A．Rare Beijingers to watch films on the net |
| B．Few Beijingers to buy film tickets in line |
| C．Beijingers to watch films via cell phone |
| D．Beijingers to order film tickets via cell phone |
By Road Around the World
Nickname: Walker
Email: ragwani@hotmail.com
When to travel: May 2011-Aug 2011
Who am I: I am 55. From my childhood, have this dream to go around the world by hitch hiking. However this is now changed and I want to go by road.
My travel plans: Going throughout the world and study various people, culture, habits.
Who am I looking for: A female companion, and she must have similar interest as me.
Just for fun
Nickname: Stream
Email: qrutta@yahoo.co.uk
When to travel: Jan 2011-Dec 2011
Who am I: Young slim girl, looking to see Asia with anyone who wants to travel.
My travel plans: I most prefer a white man in his late30’s to have fun with me as he travels either on business or leisure trips
Whom am I looking for: Someone who is honest, friendly; good sense of humor, adventurous.
22yr old Australian looking for travel companion
Nickname: Angela
Email: alyssia_europe@hotmail.com
When to travel: March 2011
Who am I: a lovely girl, with fun, honest, caring.
My travel plans: I will be traveling to Europe cities, then the world!
Who am I looking for: An extremely fun and entertaining male/female, middle-aged, someone that I can enjoy every travel moment with.
★Fun and maybe more
Nickname: Sunnygirl
Email: sunnygirl2008@yahoo.com
When to travel: Jun2011-Aug2011
Who am I: Slender African girl in her late 20’s. Quite charming, loving, pretty,fun to be with.
My travel plans: Nothing in mind for sure, just looking to come with you.
Whom am I looking for: Looking for a white male between 40-50 years, someone who is full of energy and lively.What way would Walker like to choose for his travel this time?
| A．By plane. |
| B．By road. |
| C．By water. |
| D．By hitch hiking. |
Stream will probably travel to ______ according to the ad.
| A．France | B．Egypt |
| C．Japan | D．Australia |
Who’s to travel for the shortest time with a companion?
| A．Sunny girl | B．Angela |
| C．Stream | D．Walker |
A middle-aged man wants to travel from June to August in 2011, he should send an email to _______ to find a travel companion.
| A．sunnygirl@yahoo.com |
| B．alyssia_europe@hotmail.com |
| C．qrutta@yahoo.co.uk |
| D．ragwani@hotmail.com |
What do those countries have in common? People are killing each other or drive others out of their homes. Why is this happening? Very simple, in each of these, one group of people believes another group is different from them and dangerous to them. It has been thus through history. How different are humans from each other?
We come in different colors: red, black, white, yellow and brown; we have a variety of political systems, social systems, religious views or none at all; We are different in mind, have different educational systems, different economic classes. We speak different languages, and have different customs and dresses.
If we were to break each of these further, we would have quite a long list of qualities and characteristics that make humans appears to be different from each other. I say they appear to be different, because most of what have been listed stand for what we see or hear, not what is true of human. Man is man everywhere. It is only where he lives, when he lives there, with whom he lives there, and al the others that have effect on how he lives, that is, what he believes, what he wears, his customs, his language and so on. These are man-made facts that each group develops over tome, living together, facing the same problems, needing and desiring the same things. They are his culture. The truth is that we are much more same than different. If you wear one type of clothing and I wear another, we both wear some kind of clothing. Our culture demands it. If you speak one language and I another, we both speak so that others will understand us; we must communicate with each other. Nothing is gained by giving too many differences, but much is lost. If we understood our differences as the ones of culture, then we could make our world more peaceful.
Differences does not mean better or worse, right or wrong. It means only that differences have been made by society. Differences produce variety of thoughts, work out human problems peacefully. Which of the following is the best tile for this passage?
| A．Differences. | B．Humans | C．Cultures. | D．Customs. |
People in those countries fight each other because______
| A．They have different colors. |
| B．They have different customs and dresses. |
| C．They have different education systems. |
| D．They think that others are different and harmful. |
If you pay much attention to differences, ________.
| A．we will get something. |
| B．we will produce problem. |
| C．we will develop further. |
| D．Nothing will be lost. |
From this passage it can be inferred that ________.
| A．Our world would be more peaceful if we understand and communicate with each other. |
| B．People don’t know how differences are caused. |
| C．It is only differences that can solve man’s problems. |
| D．Man is man everywhere but not woman. |
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