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. |
Welcome to Our Clubs in Masonic Village
☆Art Club
The Art Club provides a place for aged people to paint, improve their artistic talents and show their works of art. Members can also sell items that they painted. The money raised goes toward providing painting supplies for club members. Anyone may join the Art Club, whether you already know how to paint or you want to learn how to better express your creativity. Painting supplies are provided by the club for free.
Time: Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Freemasons Cultural Center Art Studio.
Cost: $12 per year
☆Computer Club
This club is meant for aged people with little knowledge of computers. Various topics are discussed at each meeting about computers (such as the Internet, software and email) as well as related technologies. The club has a computer lab with high-speed Internet connection. Members of the club have free access to the computer lab.
Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Computer Resource Room on Level 2 of Smith North. Open general lab sessions are available for free.
Cost: $35 per year
☆Tai Chi for Arthritis
Arthritis is a common disease for old people. The joints (关节) in the patients’ body often hurt badly. Tai Chi for Arthritis is designed to improve the quality of life of those people who are suffering from arthritis using Sun-style Tai Chi. This style includes quick-moving steps and exercises that may improve mobility, breathing and relaxation. The movements don’t require deep bending.
Time: Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Irem Clubhouse.
Cost: $65 per year For whom are these clubs probably designed for?
| A．Retired workers. |
| B．Talented teenagers. |
| C．Curious kids. |
| D．Learned experts. |
Members of the Art Club can do the following EXCEPT .
| A．drawing paintings |
| B．teaching others about painting |
| C．displaying their paintings |
| D．selling their paintings |
If a member of Computer Club attends an open general lab session, he or she ____.
| A．is required to buy a laptop |
| B．has to pay $35 for a session |
| C．has to take an iPad with him/her |
| D．needn’t pay for the session |
Which of the following is one feature of arthritis according to the passage?
| A．Terrible coughs. | B．Red eyes. |
| C．Painful joints. | D．Cold hands and legs. |
Sun-style Tai Chi can help people .
| A．bend deeply | B．move freely |
| C．sleep well | D．improve memory |
When you get tired of homework, several minutes’ walk in a nearby green park helps you relax at once. Or you may stand facing the lake or the seas. They will calm (not to be excited or nervous) you just like the green plants.
Wonder why? Color is a key part of the answers. Since it is so, green and blue help make people feel more quiet and safe.
All colors have special power. Scientists have found that many colors have specific effects on people’s mind and feelings.
Try an easy and interesting experiment and you’ll see how color “misleads” you sometimes. Wrap (包装) two boxes of the same size with colored paper, one red and the other white. Then weigh the two boxes with your hands. Which one is heavier? Most people will think that the red box is heavier, even though they weigh the same.
Colors can affect learning. Scientists have found that students spend more time reading if they read information written in blue text. Blue helps most people calm down and think more.
Clever uses of colors in daily life are to be seen everywhere. Hospitals and libraries seldom paint their walls, tables and desks red. They use light colors, like light blue or green. Red makes people excited while light colors help them relax. Haven’t worked out how color affects your daily life? Start with your small room. Try to make some changes in it and you’ll get to know how important color is! The underlined word “misleads” means _____.
| A．affects |
| B．effects |
| C．causes someone to have a wrong idea |
| D．give wrong directions |
We’d better paint the walls of the hospital in _____.
| A．light blue or light green |
| B．deep red or deep brown |
| C．deep orange or deep red |
| D．light green or light yellow |
If you want to ______, you’d better sit in the room painted blue.
| A．weigh something with your hands |
| B．study attentively |
| C．face the lake or the sea |
| D．enjoy some rock music |
Which of the following is NOT true?
| A．When you are going to have a rest, you’d better sit in the room painted green |
| B．Scientists have known some differences among some colors |
| C．When you get tired of homework, you should look at the green plants far away |
| D．The passage has told us clearly why some colors are warm and other colors are cool. |
The reading mainly shows us _____.
| A．the difference between red and blue |
| B．how to get on well with others |
| C．how to make smart uses of different colors in our daily life |
| D．how to paint and decorate our rooms |
Rodd and Todd were lucky children chosen to see Santa Claus himself up at the North Pole. Some elves(精灵) come in and said, "Santa Claus is very busy. You'll only be able to see him for a short while, so make the most of it."
Santa Claus appeared, carrying all the toys the two boys had ever wanted. While Todd ran to hug Santa Claus, Rodd went over to the bicycle he had always dreamed of having. Santa was only there for a few seconds, and disappeared before Rodd had even looked at him. He cried and complained, but within a few hours the two boys had been returned to their homes.
From that day on, every time Rodd saw a toy he felt the excitement of receiving a present, but he would instantly look around to see what else of importance he was missing. And in this way, Rodd helped those who had nothing, giving love to those who almost never received it, and putting smiles on the faces of the unhappy. All by himself, he managed to change the atmosphere of his town, and no one could know him without being grateful to him.
One Christmas, while he was sleeping, he felt someone pulling his leg. Rodd opened his eyes and saw the long white beard and the soft red suit. "Forgive me. I didn't know how to choose what was most important," said Rodd. But Santa Claus answered with a smile. "I chose to spend some time with the best boy in the world, just before I leave you the great gift you've earned for yourself. Thank you!” And the next morning, there were no presents under the Christmas tree. That Christmas, the gift had been so big that it couldn't fit down the chimney; the only place it could fit was in Rodd's heart. The story mainly tells us ______.
| A．to respect Santa Claus |
| B．to spend Christmas with Santa Claus |
| C．not to miss the important thing |
| D．not to ask for too many gifts for Christmas |
Rodd and Todd were told by elves that _______.
| A．it was not easy to meet Santa Claus |
| B．they had to wait for a long time |
| C．they have only a little time to be with Santa Claus |
| D．they would be sent back a few hours later |
Rodd missed Santa Claus because_______.
| A．he only focused on the present |
| B．he preferred the present to Santa Claus |
| C．he had never received any presents before |
| D．he was too young to know what was more important |
What was the people’s attitude towards Rodd in the town?
| A．They were grateful for his help. |
| B．They didn’t know him well. |
| C．They treated him as Santa Claus. |
| D．They gave him many presents. |
We can infer from the story that _____.
| A．Todd was cleverer than Rodd |
| B．Rodd would give present to others. |
| C．Rodd would go to the North Pole again |
| D．Rodd got more than common boys at last. |
This is VOA. The National Cryptologic Museum is on Fort George G. Meade, a military base near Washington, DC. The method of hiding exact meanings is called coding. People have used secret codes throughout history to protect important information. The National Cryptologic Museum celebrated 60 years of cryptologic excellence in 2012. One event there marked the sixtieth anniversary of the National Security Agency. Two former NSA workers shared their memories of operating a code machine called Sigaba.
In 1940, an American woman named Genevieve Grotjan found some information being repeated in Japanese coded messages. Her discovery helped the United States understand secret Japanese diplomatic messages. After the United States understood the code, it was possible to study messages from the Japanese ambassador to Germany and to his supervisors in Japan.
Understanding these messages helped the United States prepare for a possible war in the Pacific with Japan. After the attack on Pearl Harbor. the American naval commander in the Pacific Ocean was Chester Nimitz. His forces were much smaller than the Japanese Naval forces. And the Japanese had been winning many victories. Joseph Rochefort had worked for several months to read the secret Japanese Naval code called JN-25. If he could understand enough of the code, he would be able to give Admiral Nimitz very valuable information.
From the beginning of 1942, the Japanese code discussed a place called "AF." Joseph Rochefort felt the Japanese were planning an important battle aimed at "AF." After several weeks, he and other naval experts told Admiral Nimitz that their best idea was that the "AF" in the Japanese code was the American-held island of Midway. Admiral Nimitz said he must have more information to prepare for such an attack.
The Navy experts decided to trick Japan. They told the American military force on Midway to broadcast a false message. The message would say the island was having problems with its water-processing equipment. The message asked that fresh water be sent to the island immediately. This message was not sent in code.
Several days later, a Japanese radio broadcast in the JN-25 code said that "AF" had little water. Joseph Rochefort had the evidence he needed. "AF" was now known to be the island of Midway. He also told Admiral Nimitz the Japanese would attack Midway on June 13.The battle that followed was a huge American victory. That victory was possible because Joseph Rochefort learned to read enough of the Japanese code to discover the meaning of the letters "AF."
One American code has never been broken. Perhaps it never will. It was used in the Pacific during World War Two. For many years the government would not discuss this secret code. Listen for a moment to this very unusual code. Then you may understand why the Japanese military forces were never able to understand any of it.
The code is in the voice of a Native American. The man you just heard is singing a simple song in the Navajo language. Very few people outside the Navajo nation are able to speak any of their very difficult language.
At the beginning of World War Two, the United States Marine Corps asked members of the Navajo tribe to train as Code Talkers.
The Cryptologic Museum says the Marine Corps Code Talkers could take a sentence in English and change it into their language in about 20 seconds. A code machine needed about 30 minutes to do the same work.
The Navajo Code Talkers took part in every battle the Marines entered in the Pacific during World War Two. The Japanese were very skilled at breaking codes. But they were never able to understand any of what they called "The Marine Code."
The Cryptologic Museum has many pieces of mechanical and electric equipment used to change words into code. It also has almost as many examples of machines used to try to change code back into useful words.The NSA was founded__________.
| A．in 1940 | B．1942 |
| C．in 1952 | D．in 2012 |
According to the passage, which one is not right?
| A．“Cryptologic’’ implies containing some hidden information |
| B．The US decoded “AF” and won the victory in Midway Islands |
| C．Both Rchefort and Nimitz were American navy commanders |
| D．The US Marine Corps was fallen for in Midway Islands battle |
The Americans used the Navajo language in their coding system during the Second World War for the reason that .
| A． unusual language was successfully used for codes |
| B．it was commonly used in coding system worldwide |
| C．the United States Marine Corps invented it then |
| D．it was the most beautiful language in the world |
This passage is probably adapted from ____________.
| A．an evening paper |
| B．a science fiction |
| C．a broadcasting program |
| D．a travel guidebook |
Superstorm Sandy’s march of destruction claimed at least 43 lives and left more than eight million people without electricity by late Tuesday, in one of the largest storms ever to strike the East Coast.
Less violent but still dangerous, the storm swept across Pennsylvania on Tuesday and the northeastern US began its slow process of recovery. As dawn broke Tuesday on the storm’s trail of destruction, it began exposing stories of heroism and tragedy, bad decisions and lucky breaks.
In Broad Channel in New York City, a 29-year-old mother was forced to dive and swim out of her house’s front window with her 8-year-old daughter. And in Freeport, N.Y., Nicole Smith returned home --- to find a boat on her lawn. She asked passers-by for $5 to take a snapshot. A 13-year-old girl was found dead, in her pajamas, a block from her washed-out Staten Island home. On Monday night, Sandy’s waves ripped out the entire deck of Jeffrey Ratner’s home, along with the back wall. Still, Mr. Ratner said, he remains optimistic about the future. “We are going to rebuild it,” he said.
The official warnings to evacuate(疏散)were clear, a couple said. But staying home just seemed easier. “It’s not their fault; it’s ours,” said Mary Norton, 88, head in her hands. “We did not leave.”
New York’s extensive transit system, a lifeline for millions of commuters(上下班往返的人), suffered the greatest damage as floodwaters drowned all seven subway tunnels connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn. Jseph Lhota, Chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, described it as the most destroying in the 108-year history of the New York subway.
Forecaster said Sandy, which had maximum continuing winds of 45 miles an hour Tuesday afternoon, would cross western Pennsylvania on Tuesday night before moving into Canada on Wednesday as it meets cold air fronts. Another inch of rain was expected from the eastern Great Lakes across the mid-Atlantic and into southern New England.The passage mainly talks about________.
| A．New York’s extensive transit system |
| B．when and why superstorm formed |
| C．the latest information about Sandy |
| D．superstorm Sandy’s destruction in America |
Mary Norton and her husband didn’t leave their home because________.
| A．they didn’t know a superstorm was on the way |
| B．they didn’t believe the government’s warnings |
| C．they didn’t want to take the trouble to move |
| D．they had no chance of leaving before Sandy hit the area |
The transit system mentioned in the last paragraph but one refers to_________.
| A．the bus route | B．the ship route |
| C．the flight course | D．the subway route |
Which of the following statements about Sandy is WRONG?
| A．It had killed at least 43 lives when the news was released. |
| B．It would move into Canada on Tuesday night. |
| C．It would bring another rain to the eastern Great Lakes |
| D．It led to power failure in many areas in America. |
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