It seems recently that more and more of my friends are facing some seemingly (似乎) unbeatable challenges in their lives. A few have lost their jobs and some have failed marriages. All too many have health problems.
I don't know if it is desperation (绝望) that causes them to turn to me for advice or whether they have come to value our friendship. But it is difficult to offer words of hope when all they feel is hopeless. They expect answers to get them back on their feet again.
I have often struggled with what to say, mostly because I have faced many of the same challenges in my own life. I remember how empty I felt after someone cheerfully offered words like "Things will get better!" "Hang in there!(坚持到底)" etc.
Now, being thought of as a source (源泉)of hope or a good example of what to do through printed words, I have even more people contacting me.
So what do I say? "Begin again."
It almost sounds too simple. But it is indeed the answer. All life challenges bring about an ending and the chance for beginning.
A job loss presents an opportunity to start over somewhere else and maybe even in another career.
A failed marriage doesn't mean you have no chance to love or to be loved. It means there are others just like you needing to be loved. Find them.
A life-threatening disease doesn't mean giving up. It means starting a new path to recovery and discovering within yourself the ability to fight back and win.
And if you are a person of faith, even death doesn't mean it's over. It means "to begin again".What did the author think of the advice offered when he was in trouble?
| A．Positive enough to encourage him to go on. |
| B．Some was effective but some was useless. |
| C．Not as effective as he had expected. |
| D．It was not worth listening to at all. |
Life challenges, in the opinion of the author, _______.
can beat a person's fighting spirits
B. can test how strong friendship is
C. can be avoided if people are careful enough.
D. mean the chance of a new beginning What does the author mean when he says "begin again"?
Stay positive no matter what difficulties you may face.
B. Turn to your friends for help when you are in trouble.
C. Success only comes after failure.
D. Only by trying many times can you find out your real strengths. What does the author probably do?
He is a famous actor.
B. He is an inspiration writer.
C. He is a physical expert.
D. He is a famous speaker.
Early this morning, I got up to make a batch of Rice Krispie Treats for my neighbor across the hall. She barely greets me when we see each other, and her sweet little boy, who's now four, has picked up her mother's manner and will not talk to me, either．
Last Monday, she had called the firefighters when a pan I'd forgotten on the stove caused my flat to fog up while I was out taking a walk. When I came home, the street in front of our apartment house was blocked by a police car, a fire truck and an ambulance! The instant I saw them, I remembered the pan! Luckily, nothing serious had happened, and all my neighbors agreed with the firefighter who said, "It could have happened to anyone．" When I thanked the neighbor who had called the firefighters-let's call her Ivy-and apologized for causing the trouble, she just asked if my cats were all right．When I said they were fine, she said, "Well, that's ok then," and turned into her flat．l felt strangely safe, knowing that even though we don't get along, she'd done the right thing and didn't blame me．So, the Rice Krispie Treats．
Last Christmas, my neighbor carelessly let it out that she was holding a grudge （怨恨） towards me because of an incident we'd had four years ago．I had particularly apologized and asked if there was anything I could do to improve our relationship. She would not accept my apology．
It had taken me a lot of courage to apologize and ask that question instead of insisting that we both shared responsibility for what had happened．Her flat-out refusal to make amends（补偿） really shocked and saddened me．After that, I decided I'd just leave her be-a relationship takes two to work．So, you see, I was really scared she was going to refuse my offer again, leaving me standing on her doorstep, facing the closed door and holding my plate of treats． I know some people have a hard time understanding how the possibility of rejection can make an adult so afraid, but that's just the way I felt．
Then, I reminded myself of how loving and good I had felt yesterday when I'd done some random acts of kindness （thanks to helpothers．org）, after telling myself: Feet the fear, and do it anyway! So I put the squares of Rice Krispie Treats on a beautiful plate, opened my apartment door-and there she was, standing in the hallway．I smiled and said, "Hi," but when she saw me, she turned on her heels and went back inside, even though she seemed to have just stepped out．I went after her, regardless, and quickly said, "I'm sorry, I've got something for you ! I just wanted to tell you how grateful I am that you were paying attention on Monday．" When she heard me speaking, she turned around． As I held the plate towards her, explaining these were very sweet American treats, and that she could just try and see whether she and her family would like them, her eyebrows winged up-and she took the plate．l was so happy and excited．We then talked a bit about how she'd become aware of the smoke in my flat, and parted ways．
Back in my place, I did a "happy dance", because I had dared to be kind even though I hadn't been sure at all my kindness would be welcome．I do hope that our relationship will slowly get better; I know I was and still am biased（存有偏见）towards her at times, but even if we don't make amends, I want to be able to be kind without depending on other people's behaviors and reactions .The neighbor held a grudge towards the writer most probably because_____．
| A．the writer's cats disturb her neighbor frequently |
| B．the writer didn't thank her for calling the firefighters |
| C．the writer never apologized to her for her misbehaviors |
| D．the writer had an unpleasant experience with the neighbor long ago |
From Paragraph 4, we can learn that the author_____.
| A．was afraid of being rejected again by her neighbor |
| B．didn't know how to get along with her neighbor |
| C．didn't admit it was her fault in the last incident |
| D．refused to forgive her neighbor's rude behavior |
After the writer said "Feel the fear, and do it anyway!", she decided to_____.
| A．do an act of kindness |
| B．leave her neighbor be |
| C．apologize to her neighbor once more |
| D．do something to let her neighbor down |
What can we learn about the writer?
| A．She was a professional dancer． |
| B．She often had quarrels with her neighbor． |
| C．She had a bias against her neighbor sometimes． |
| D．She had an unpleasant experience at Christmas this year． |
What does the author try to tell us?
| A．Don't punish yourself because of other's mistakes． |
| B．We should be kind to others, regardless of their behavior． |
| C．We must keep a good relationship with our neighbors． |
| D．When we make a mistake, we should have the courage to admit it． |
On August 5 at 10:31 p.m. PST, a rover（探测器）named Curiosity touched down safely on the surface of Mars, and I was lucky enough to have a front-row seat.
My name is Clara, and when I was in Grade 6, I won the essay contest NASA held to name its next Mars rover. The essay I wrote was not even 250 words long, but somehow it was enough to change my life.
I still remember that cold December day, sitting in a science class. I’d finished a worksheet early and decided to get a Time for Kids magazine off Mrs. Estevez’s bookshelf. It was the 2008 Invention Issue, but that wasn’t the only thing that caught my eye. In the magazine, there was an article about a girl who named the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity. The article also talked about the essay contest NASA was holding to name its next Mars rover. Before I even knew anything else about it, a single word flooded my 11-year-old mind: Curiosity.
I couldn’t wait for the bell to ring so I could get started on my essay. That afternoon, I raced home from the bus stop, sat down at the computer and typed until my fingers ached. It turned out that I was just in time. A few days later, and the contest would have closed.
Five months later, shortly after I had turned 12, I was watching a National Geographic special on mammoths when the phone rang. My mom answered, and immediately, a wide smile spread across her face. When she told me that I had won, I was happier than I could ever remember being, I screamed and ran up and down the stairs and all around the house. I completely forgot about the mammoths and did not even remember to turn off the TV until it was really late.
Curiosity is such an important part of who I am. I have always been fascinated by the stars, the planets, the sky and the universe. I remember as a little girl, my grandfather and I would sit together in the backyard for hours. He’d tell me stories and point out the stars.
My grandfather lived in China, thousands of miles away from my home in Kansas. I loved the stars because they kept us together even when we were apart. They were always there, yet there was so much I didn’t know about them. That’s what I love so much about space. No matter how much we learn, it will always possess some mystery.
In the past, space exploration may have been a competition to see who got somewhere first or the fastest. But now, it is one of the few things that bring people together. Science is a language that needs no translation. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what you look like – you just have to have a thirst for knowledge and a passion for learning in order to succeed.
People often ask me why we go to faraway places like Mars. Why do we explore? My answer to that is simple: because we can; because we’re curious; because we as human beings do not just stay holed up in one place. We are constantly wondering and trying to find out what’s over the hill and beyond the horizon.
The curiosity rover is more than just a robot. It is more than just a titanium body and aluminum wheels. Curiosity represents the hard work, passion, love and commitment of thousands of people from all over the world who were brought together by science. Science is so awesome. It is breathtaking and mind-blowing; and sometimes, it’s just a little bit crazy. The discoveries we make about our world are incredibly humbling. They move us forward and have the potential to benefit all of mankind.
This December it will be four years of my life that have been tied to Curiosity in some way. I’ve met so many amazing people through this experience, from scientists to engineers to administrators to volunteers. Their devotion and enthusiasm inspire me greatly. My journey with Curiosity and the MSL mission team has shaped the person that I am today, as well as the person I would one day like to become.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who made it possible for me to have this amazing adventure.
And to you, I hope your curiosity takes you far. The method the writer uses to begin the passage is _____.
| A．telling a story | B．giving an example |
| C．offering an explanation | D．describing a scene |
Why did the writer hurry home to finish the essay for the contest NASA held?
| A．She had just gathered enough information from Time for Kids |
| B．She wanted to write down what flashed through her mind in time. |
| C．She knew from Mrs. Estevez the deadline for the contest was approaching. |
| D．She was afraid she might miss the chance to compete with the former winner. |
The writer mentions her grandfather in order to show that ______.
| A．she missed him very much. |
| B．he knew a great deal about space |
| C．he influenced her to love the stars |
| D．she treasured their happy moments |
Which of the following serves as a summary of Paragraph 11?
| A．The writer was inspired to be a volunteer by the people she met. |
| B．The writer owed her success to her team members’ encouragement. |
| C．The writer met many difficulties in her four-year life with Curiosity. |
| D．The writer has benefited a lot from her experience tied to Curiosity. |
Which best describes the writer’s tone in the passage?
| A．Sharp. | B．Proud. | C．Aggressive. | D．Enthusiastic. |
What is conveyed in the passage?
| A．Curiosity is important to human beings. |
| B．A thirst for knowledge helps one grow up. |
| C．Entering a contest is a way to achieve success. |
| D．Curiosity changes people’s attitude towards science. |
Surviving treasures from the National Museum of Afghanistan
AFGHANISTAN
CROSSROADS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD
3 MARCH — 3 JULY 2013
At the heart of the silk road, Afghanistan linked the great trading routes of ancient Iran, Central Asia, Indian and China, and the more distant cultures of Greece and Rome.
Nearly lost during the years of civil war and later Taliban (塔利班) rule, precious objects that reveal this diverse past were bravely hidden in 1989 by officials from the National Museum of Afghanistan to save them from destruction.
The surviving treasures date from 2000 BC to the 1st century AD and included rich gold ornaments (装饰品) found at a burial site and limestone (石灰石) sculptures of a Greek city.
This is a unique opportunity to discover the story of Afghanistan’s ancient culture, its immense fragility, and the remarkable dedication (奉献) shown to its survival and protection.
DETAILED INFORMATION
| OPENING HOURS The exhibition is open late on Fridays until 20:30. ￡10, members free |
| EXHIBITION AND EVENTS BOOKING www.britishmuseum.org 020 7323 8181 |
| MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VISIT ﹡On weekdays, take advantage of a classic afternoon tea package in the Court Restaurant for just ￡26 (including exhibition ticket). ﹡The exhibition catalogue (￡25 paperback) and other related titles are available in the museum shops or online at www.britishmuseum.org/shop. ﹡The exhibition Multimedia Guide (￡1) is available at the exhibition entrance. ﹡If you are visiting with a group, ask for the group ticket price. Details on group lecture packages are available at www.britishmuseum.org/groupvisits. |
| SPECIAL EVENTS ﹡Nowruz Monday 18 March, 17:30. Nowruz, or New Year, is celebrated in many countries from Afghanistan and Iran to Uzbekistan. 17:30~18:00 Entrance to exhibition. 19:00 Talks and discussion on Nowruz. ￡15 (including exhibition entry). ﹡Performance: The art of the Afghan rubab. Tuesday 14 May, 16:30~17:30. Afghan rubab virtuoso Soudi Homayun Sakhi and tabla player Yusuf Mahmoud give a performance of a full raga and folk pieces. ￡5, members ￡3. ﹡Easter holiday activities Thursday 18 ~ Monday 22 April,11:00~16:00. Explore the rich culture of Afghanistan. Listen to stories of Alexander the Great, try making a kite and be inspired by the treasures from the Hill of Gold. Suitable for all ages. Free, just drop in. |
If you arrive at the museum on April 20th, what can you enjoy?
| A．Near Year celebration. |
| B．Performance: The art of the Afghan rubab. |
| C．Easter holiday activities. |
| D．The exhibition without any special events. |
When seeing “The art of the Afgahan rubab”, a tourist can pay less by ________.
| A．booking tickets online |
| B．attending talks and discussion on Nowruz |
| C．calling at 020 7323 8181 |
| D．becoming a member of the British Museum |
Which of the following statements is true?
| A．Of all the special events Performance costs least. |
| B．Museum officials saved these objects from destruction. |
| C．The Multimedia Guide is offered to visitors without any charge. |
| D．You can learn details about group visit either on website or by phone. |
Where can you most probably find this passage?
| A．In a high school text book. | B．In a history magazine. |
| C．In a state-owned newspaper. | D．In a traveler’s booklet. |
Many trees in the Brackham area were brought down in the terrible storms that March. The town itself lost two great lime trees from the former market square. The disappearance of such striking features had changed the appearance of the town center entirely, to the annoyance of its more conservative inhabitants(居民).
Among the annoyed, under more normal circumstances, would have been Chief Inspector Douglas Pelham, head of the local police force. But at the height of that week's storm, when the wind brought down even the mature walnut tree in his garden, Pelham had in fact been in no fit state to notice. A large and healthy man, he had for the first time in his life been seriously ill with an attack of bronchitis.
When he first complained of an aching head and tightness in his chest, his wife, Molly, had tried to persuade him to go to the doctor. Convinced that the police force could not do without him, he had, as usual, ignored her and attempted to carry on working. Predictably, though he wouldn't have listened to anyone who tried to tell him so, this had the effect of fogging his memory and shortening his temper.
It was only when his colleague, Sergeant Lloyd, took the initiative (主动) and drove him to the doctor's door that he finally gave in. By that time, he didn't have the strength left to argue with her. In no time at all, she was taking him along to the chemist's to get his medicine and then home to his unsurprised wife who sent him straight to bed.
When Molly told him, on the Thursday morning, that the walnut tree had been brought down during the night, Pelham hadn’t been able to take it in. On Thursday evening, he had asked weakly about damage to the house, groaned (含糊不清地说) thankfully when he heard there was none, and pulled the sheets over his head.
It wasn't until Saturday, when the medicine took effect, his temperature dropped and he got up, that he realized with a shock that the loss of the walnut tree had made a permanent difference to the appearance of the living-room. The Pelhams’ large house stood in a sizable garden. It had not come cheap, but even so Pelham had no regrets about buying it. The leafy garden had created an impression of privacy. Now, though, the storm had changed his outlook.
Previously, the view from the living-room had featured the handsome walnut tree. This had not darkened the room because there was also a window on the opposite wall, but it had provided interesting patterns of light and shade that hid the true state of the worn furniture that the family had brought with them from their previous house.
With the tree gone, the room seemed cruelly bright, its worn furnishings exposed in all their shabbiness. And the view from the window didn’t bear looking at. The tall house next door, previously hidden by the tree, was now there, dominating the outlook with its unattractive purple bricks and external pipes. It seemed to have a great many upstairs windows, all of them watching the Pelhams' every movement.
“Doesn’t it look terrible?” Pelham whispered to his wife. But Molly, standing in the doorway, sounded more pleased than dismayed. “That's what I’ve been telling you ever since we came here. We have to buy a new sofa, whatever it costs.”Why were some people in Brackham annoyed after the storm?
| A．No market could be held. |
| B．The police had done little to help. |
| C．The town looked different. |
| D．Fallen trees had not been removed. |
In the third paragraph, what do we learn about Chief Inspector Pelham’s general attitude to his work?
| A．He finds it extremely annoying. |
| B．Не is sure that he plays an important role. |
| C．Не considers the systems are not clear enough. |
| D．He does not trust the decisions made by his superiors. |
What aspect of the Pelhams’ furniture does “shabbiness” in paragraph 8 describe?
| A．its condition. | B．its colour. | C．its position. | D．its design. |
As a result of the storm, the Pelhams’ living-room _____.
| A．was pleasantly lighter | B．felt less private |
| C．had a better view | D．was in need of repair |
Why did Molly sound pleased by her husband’s comment?
| A．It proved that he was well again. |
| B．She agreed about the tree. |
| C．She thought he meant the sofa. |
| D．It was what she expected him to say. |
Most people think their time problems are outer, and that they are caused by the telephone, meetings, visitors, and delayed information or decisions. Although these problems often have a bad effect on us, as when people call or drop in, we usually contribute to them. We fail to have calls screened(审查)by a skillful secretary or assistant, or we leave our door open, actually assuring constant interruptions.
In almost all cases, it is possible to influence our time. If not controlled, it usually can cause problems, such as, slowness and indecision, lack of self-discipline, the inability to delegate(委托), or the tendency to act without thinking and to jump from task to task without finishing any of them.
Time is constant that cannot be changed. The clock cannot be slowed down or sped up. Thus we cannot manage time itself. We can only manage our activities with respect to time.
The same skills are needed as those used in managing others－the abilities to plan, organize, delegate, direct, and control. Time management is simply self-management. It is impossible to be effective in any position without controlling one’s time effectively.
Successful time management does not mean working harder, but working smarter. All kinds of management skills must be used in the home and office to get most value from time. You must think ahead about what to do, and more timely than others, making it get maximum results in the shortest possible period.What does “outer” in the first sentence mean?
| A．being away from a center |
| B．situated outside |
| C．objective |
| D．relating to a person’s body or physical appearance rather than to a person’s mind or spirit |
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as internally generated time wasters?
| A．Slowness and indecision. |
| B．Lack of self-discipline. |
| C．Jumping from task to task without finishing any of them. |
| D．Working hard. |
It can be concluded from the passage that the abilities to plan, organize, delegate, direct and control should .
| A．be used in managing others’ activities |
| B．be used in managing one’s own activities |
| C．not be used in time management |
| D．be used in managing both other’s and one’ activities |
We can also draw a conclusion that the key to successful time management is .
| A．working harder and harder |
| B．clever self-management |
| C．thinking of what to do, and how and when to do it |
| D．employing a skillful secretary |
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