Shyness is the cause of much unhappiness for a great many people. Shy people are anxious and self-conscious; that is, they are over concerned with their own appearance and actions. Worrisome thoughts are constantly occurring in their minds: what kind of impression am I making? Do they like me? Do I sound stupid? Am I wearing unattractive clothes?
It is obvious that such uncomfortable feelings must affect people unfavorably. Adperson’s self concept is reflected in the way he or she behaves and the way a person behaves affects other people's reactions. In general, the way people think about themselves has a deep effect on all areas of their lives. Shy people ,have low self-esteem(自尊), are likely to be passive and easily influenced by others. They need reassurance（再保证，放心） that they are doing “the right thing”. Shy people are very sensitive to criticism. It makes them feel inferior(自卑).They also find it difficult to be pleased by praises because they believe they are unworthy of praise . A shy person may respond to a praise with a statement like this one:” You’re just saying that to make me feel good .I know it's not true.” It is clear that, while self-awareness is a healthy quality, overdoing it is harmful. Can shyness be completely got rid of ,or at least reduced? Fortunately, people can overcome shyness with determination. It is important for people to accept their weaknesses as well as their strengths, for example, not fair for them to label themselves inferior because they have to be realistic. Living on the impossible leads to absence of inferiority. Each one of us has his or her own characteristics. We are interested in our own personal ways. The better we understand ourselves. the easier it becomes to live up to our chances for a rich and fulfilling life.The first paragraph is mainly about ________.
| A．the thoughts of shy people |
| B．the cause of shyness |
| C．the effect of shyness on people |
| D．the questions in the minds of shy people |
According to the wirter, self-awareness is _________.
| A．harmful to people | B．a weak point of shy people |
| C．the cause of unhappiness | D．a good characteristic |
What is the shy people's reaction to praise?
| A．They are pleased by it | B．They feel it is not true |
| C．They are very sensitive to it | D．They feel they are worthy of it |
We can learn from the passage that shyness can _________.
| A．help us to live up to our full development |
| B．enable us to understand ourselves better |
| C．block our chances for a successful life |
| D．have nothing to do with lack of self esteem |
A sun-starved Norwegian town has finally seen the light—by installing giant mirrors on the surrounding mountains to reflect rays onto its market square.
The small town of Rjukan sits deep in the narrow Vestfjord Valley，in the Telemark region south-west of Oslo. The towering peaks that surround it rise to almost 2,000 meters above sea level and block out the sunlight for half the year, meaning Rjukan residents live in a permanent shadow from September to March.
But all that changed this week, with the official launch of a project first proposed a century ago. Three high-tech mirrors，with a combined reflective surface of 50 square meters, have been put into operation on a ridge(山脊) on Gaustatoppen mountain，brightening up the previously gloomy town center by flooding it with up to 600 square meters of sunlight.
Twenty-first century technology has made the $850, 000 project possible, with heliostats—computer-powered mirrors—shifting every 10 seconds to track the movements of the sun during the day.
But the idea to lighten up the dark town actually dates back 100 years. Rjukan was originally founded as a company town for Norsk Hydro, which set up a fertilizer plant here to make use of the hydro power from the nearby 104 meter Rjukanfossen waterfall. The story goes that the aluminum(铝) and renewable energy company’s founder，Sam Eyde，wanted a way to brighten up the existence of his shadowed 1aborers--and also to make them work more effectively during the winter.
The local newspaper published a suggestion by local bookkeeper Oskar Kittelsen to use a mirror to reflect sunlight onto the town，and Eyde picked up on the idea. Technological limitations of the day meant the plan never came to fruition，however, and instead northern Europe’s first cable car was built in 1928 to give Rjukan residents sunlight exposure at the top of the mountain.Rjukan residents used to 1ive in a permanent shadow from September to March .
| A．because it sits near the ArcticCircle(北极圈) |
| B．because it is located in a deep valley |
| C．because the sunlight was stopped by peaks |
| D．because it 1ies to the southwest of Oslo |
The underlined word“flooding”in the third paragraph means .
| A．covering | B．counting |
| C．widening | D．viewing |
Norsk Hydro set up Rjukan because .
| A．there were quantities of cheaper labors |
| B．there existed large amounts of hydro power |
| C．it was very convenient to use water |
| D．there was rich aluminum and water resources |
Based on new analysis, we are rapidly approaching major climate change and the effects on society and the environment could be quite severe. Geographers predict that within the next eighty years, current world climate zones could shift and some could completely disappear. Polar regions will get colder while tropical regions will get even hotter, forcing animals to migrate (迁徙) north.
Climate changes like these could lead to the spread of diseases. Tropical storms and hurricanes will not only increase but may also become more intense. If the changes come too quickly, animal and plant species may not be able to adapt fast enough and could disappear.
According to Science Daily, a new study predicts that by the year 2100, many of today’s familiar climates will be replaced by climates unknown in today’s world. It is urgent that we reduce the risks of these far-reaching consequences for the whole world. The planet itself has been showing signs of change. In 2004, a serious tsunami created by a major earthquake killed thousands in Sumatra and in 2008, thousands died in China because of another severe earthquake. Egypt was hit in 2009 with a major earthquake and Haiti was devastated in 2010 by yet another massive earthquake.
Within just the last few months, new reports from around the world have been coming in and most agree that our climate situation is much worse than previously thought. At this point, it doesn’t matter what is causing it, but rather, what can be done about it. What’s more, our world is getting more and more unstable every year. There is war and threat of war everywhere. Natural disasters are becoming more frequent and serious.
However, other planets are experiencing global warming as well as our own and some scientists believe there may be some connection between this. No one knows anything for sure at this point because there is simply not enough data.Which of the following would be the best title for the Passage?
| A．Ways to protect our planet. |
| B．Solutions to climate change. |
| C．Be prepared for climate change. |
| D．Climate change and its effects. |
What is the author’s purpose in using the examples of earthquakes?
| A．To show the damage earthquakes caused. |
| B．To remind people to prevent future earthquakes. |
| C．To show major changes are taking place on the planet. |
| D．To tell us more earthquakes will happen in the future. |
What does the underlined word “devastated” in Paragraph 3 mean?
| A．Separated. | B．Destroyed. |
| C．Removed. | D．Affected. |
What can be inferred from the Passage?
| A．Animals and plants won’t die out as long as climate changes slowly. |
| B．There’s enough data for us to predict the future of climate change. |
| C．The world is getting more unstable because of animal migration. |
| D．The earth is not the only planet that is experiencing climate change. |
It’s a great sunny day, so it’s time to get out and enjoy the weather. Many of us would like to, but we have projects due, tasks that need to be done, people that we need to see and money that needs to be made.
What if your company gave you that time off as compensation for the great effort that you gave to the team to finish a project on time? See, when it comes to teamwork, the main focus is for the team to work together. In a ‘‘winning” team there is an equal balance of people who have unique strengths and weaknesses.
Take the example of the Chicago Bulls(芝加哥公牛队) of the 1990s. Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player to play the game, but did they win a championship every year when Michael had played? No. It took a (D-type) Michael Jordan to lead the team and control the outcome. It took a(n) (I-type) wild and energetic Dennis Rodman to keep the team fun and interesting. It took (S-types) Scottie Pippin, Bill Cartwright, and John Paxson to support the team. And it took the (C-type) analytical mind of Coach Phil Jackson to create a foundation for the players to play on. In the end they, the Chicago Bulls, were able to win six championships within eight years.
What is your team made up of? All Jordans? All Jacksons? All Rodmans? Or all Pippins, Cartwrights and Paxsons? It is you who can choose who’s on your team. Try finding the right people for the right job, and you will have a “winning” team every time!The underlined word “compensation” in the second paragraph means “ ”.
| A．reward | B．present | C．money | D．duty |
According to this passage, a winning team is made up of .
| A．a group of people who are tall and strong |
| B．a group of people who don’t have weaknesses |
| C．a group of people who don’t quarrel with each other |
| D．a group of people whose strengths and weaknesses can get to balance |
The Chicago Bulls were able to win six championships within eight years because .
| A．Michael Jordan was a good team leader |
| B．Coach Phil Jackson created a foundation |
| C．all the players and the coach worked together |
| D．Dennis Rodman kept the team fun and interesting |
What would be the best title for this passage?
| A．Working Is Happy | B．The Story of the Chicago Bulls |
| C．Good Choice | D．Working Together for a Team |
There’s nothing like having a child to remind you that you are no longer the center of your own universe. But every now and then, I need to relax with some“me”time.
I booked an overnight trip to Dover, Delaware. We arrived in Delaware right after sunset. Mom and I settled into our hotel room and went downstairs to the restaurant, and then I ordered myself a drink. I had just taken two sips when my husband called me.
“I’m so sorry to bother you,”Craig said.“The baby is burning up and we are on the way to the hospital.”I didn’t know how to reply. I was so desperate to get away to take a break. My baby was sick but I couldn’t do a thing for him. The situation made me feel so helpless.“I don’t know what to do,”I told him.“I’m five hours from home!”“I know,”my husband said.“You can’t help that. I’ll call you when I know what’s wrong.”My husband and my father took the baby to the emergency room. Meanwhile, I searched the restaurant for my mom. Once I found her, we went to our hotel room and waited for a phone call.
Over an hour later, Craig called to tell me that the baby had bronchitis(支气管炎). He seemed to be feeling better. The next morning, when I returned home, the baby was already back to his happy self.
Ever since this incident, I have really struggled with the concept of“me”time. I try to figure out why I need a break from the child who I love very much. However, sometimes I need to feel like a person and not just a mommy machine. In recent months, I have taken some“me”time. My mom helped keep the baby so I could go shopping, take a nap, and clean my house. On a couple of occasions, Craig and I went to dinner with friends. And this summer, I even managed to read an entire novel while the baby rested.
Now I’ve decided not to leave the baby overnight again or travel a long distance without him. I remember when I first announced my pregnancy(怀孕), a friend told me there was no ‘me’ in mommy. Maybe there’s not. But for me, I’m taking“me”time when I can.After the author answered the first phone call, she .
| A．took a taxi to the hospital |
| B．didn’t want to go home |
| C．was too concerned to have dinner |
| D．telephoned her father immediately |
The author’s husband called her again to .
| A．tell her to look after his mother |
| B．inform her of the baby’s condition |
| C．advise her to buy some medicine |
| D．complain about their child’s bad behavior |
For the author, “me”time mainly refers to the time when she needn’t .
| A．focus on taking care of her baby |
| B．read interesting stories to her baby |
| C．travel a long distance with her baby |
| D．spend time doing housework by herself |
What’s the author’s attitude towards her friend’s words?
| A．Interested. | B．Satisfied. |
| C．Disappointed. | D．Doubtful. |
April 27 is Take Our Daughters to Work Day in Britain. Started at first in the United States and brought to Britain in 1994, Take Our Daughters to Work Day has become a special day for girls between 11 and 15. On that day thousands of girls take a day off school and go together with one of their parents to their work places. The purpose of this day is to broaden girls’ horizons and raise their self-confidence .
For many years people have thought that boys can do better than girls in society. But actually, “girls can be whatever they want to be just like boys, whether it is a pilot, a nurse or a chief executive (主管).” says the chairman of the Our Sons and Daughters Charitable Trust, an organization which supported the activity of the Day. “Now the girls have a close look at what their parents are doing and this may help them to be more self-confident when they are faced with a choice of work.”
Schools and many companies support the activity too. Palmers Green High School for girls in north of London, has made the day a necessary part of careers education.
Zarina Bart, 15, from Palmers Green, went with her mother Gwen to her Lawyer’s office this year’s Take Our Daughters to Work Day. “I learned how to fill in a legal aid form and I read details of a case. Then I went to see the actual trial.” she said.
Zarina found it interesting to see her mother at work “It’s really strange seeing Mum at work--running around, getting serious and telling people what to do.” She has always liked this idea of going into law and thinks it likely that she will follow in her mother’s footsteps. Having a chance to see how her mother works has given her more self-confidence.
Experts believe that girls with higher self-confidence aim higher and are more likely to be successful in life. Parents have important effect on the confidence of teenage girls. If parents believe in their daughters and show examples both at work as well as at home for them, this will give a lot of help to girls. Take Our Daughters to Work Day is surely a step in the right direction. The writer’s purpose in writing this text is to ______.
| A．broaden girls’ view and raise their confidence |
| B．introduce to us a special day for girls |
| C．tell how the special day for girls came into being |
| D．show us the girls can do as well as boys |
A particular mention of Zarina’s story ______.
| A．shows a successful parents’ effect on the daughter |
| B．serves as an example of how the Day works |
| C．tells what a woman lawyer’s daily work is like |
| D．explains why a girl should go to see mum’s office rather than dad’ |
After seeing her mum at work, Zarina Bart ______.
| A．started to work with her mum |
| B．felt more certain about her future |
| C．learned how to work as a lawyer |
| D．decided to become a lawyer |
In the text the writer especially suggests the importance of ______.
| A．support from society |
| B．understanding of the parents |
| C．parents ’job |
| D．girls’ self-confidence |
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