It’s really true what people say about English politeness: it’s everywhere. When squeezing (挤) past someone in a narrow aisle (通道), people say “sorry”. When getting off a bus, English passengers say “thank you” rather than the driver. In Germany, people would never dream of doing these things.
After all, squeezing past others sometimes can’t be avoided and the bus driver is merely doing his job. I used to think the same way, without questioning it, until I started traveling to the British Isles and came to appreciate some more polite ways of communicating with people.
People thank each other everywhere in England, all the time. When people buy something in a shop, customers and retail assistants in most cases thank each other twice or more. In Germany, it would be exceptional to hear more than one thank you in such a conversation. British students thank their lecturers when leaving the room. English employers thank their employees for doing their jobs, as opposed to Germans, who would normally think that paying their workers money is already enough.
Another thing I observed during my stay was that English people rarely criticize others. Even when I was working and mistakes were pointed out to me, my employers stressed several times but none of their explanations were intended as criticism. It has been my impression that by avoiding criticism, English people are making an effort to make others feel comfortable. This also is shown in other ways. British men still open doors for women, and British men are more likely to treat women to meals than German men. However, I do need to point out here that this applies to English men a bit more than it would to Scottish men. Yes, the latter are a bit tightfisted.What is the author’s attitude towards English politeness?
| A．He appreciates it. |
| B．He gives no personal opinion. |
| C．He thinks it is just an act. |
| D．He thinks it goes too far. |
What can we learn about customers and retail assistants in Germany?
| A．It’s always retail assistants who say thank you. |
| B．Customers never say thank you to retail assistants. |
| C．They always say thank you to each other. |
| D．They may say thank you only once. |
We can learn from the last paragraph that Scottish men ______.
| A．are more likely to be involved in a fight |
| B．are not so willing to spend money for women |
| C．are more polite than English men |
| D．treat women in a polite way |
The author develops the text through the method of ______.
| A．giving comments | B．telling stories |
| C．making comparisons | D．giving reasons |
Next autumn, studying for a degree in Britain will become more expensive, and the results are already clear. This week, figures from UCAS(the Universities and College Admissions service)show a 15-percent downturn in applications(申请) from this time last year. With fees having reached ￡9,000 a year, some students are beginning to consider other ways of getting higher education—including distance learning, which allows them to get a degree while still living, and earning money, at home.
That is important, because fees are only part of the picture. The National Union of Students says that UK students pay an average of ￡4,900 a year for basics such as rent, food, books, equipment, field trips and the like. If those costs can be reduced, the burden of fees will be lessened. Therefore, many people are thinking not only about what and where to study, but how—that is, whether they have to be on campus to get a degree.
Distance learning is best suited to certain subjects and to ultra-motivated(极有主动性的)student, according to Carrie-Anne Rice of Resource Development International(RDI).“The advantage is that the fee system is more flexible(灵活的), and you can have full-time work while studying, Rice says.”“You graduate three years ahead of possible competitors(竞争对手)— with the same degree, but with three years of work experience and without the debt.”
“I left school and went straight into work. But at the age of 23, I changed career and soon realized I needed a degree to advance. Because of lack of money ad time, full-time university wasn’t a good choice, but I discovered that distance learning was financially flexible and enabled me to work and gain skills from my workplace without affecting the quality of my life,” Andy Cain, a distance learning student says.
Although distance learning has many advantages, a campus-based university experience remains the dream of most school-leavers. There is no question that “being there” is not only fun, but rich in shared experience, pooled knowledge, and—perhaps most importantly—friendships that will go on long after the degrees have been awarded.The number of students applying to universities compared to this time last year.
| A．has increased greatly | B．has decreased |
| C．hasn’t shown any change | D．has become zero |
Students who study on campus spend each year, on average.
| A．￡9,000 | B．￡4,900 | C．￡13,900 | D．￡4,100 |
Which of the following is NOT the benefit of distance learning?
| A．Lower debt levels | B．A head start on the job market. |
| C．Valuable friendships | D．A flexible fee system. |
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
| A．The change in fees has had no effect on school-leavers. |
| B．Distance learning has the same advantages as campus-based learning. |
| C．Distance learning is so attractive that nobody wants to go to university any more. |
| D．Distance learning doesn’t suit all subjects or all students. |
The title of next James bond film is Skyfall, which has already started filming. The film will be on in the UK on 26 October 2012 and in the United States on 9 November 2012. It has been 50 years since Sean Connery was announced as the first man to play Bond in the film named Dr No. Do you expect Skyfall which is the 23rd film in the 007 series?
At London’s Corinthi a Hotel, the official gave a little information about the storyline: Bond’s loyal attitude toward his boss Miss M will be tested when one of her past staff comes back to hurt her. As MI6 (英国陆军情报六局) is in danger, 007 needs to solve problems and protect MI6 whatever it costs.
Mendes, who won a best director Oscar for 1999’s American Beauty, told fans that Skyfall would have all the features of a classic Bond movie, such as a lot of action. “Daniel Craig is back for a third time as 007 along with Dame Judi Dench as his boss Miss M.” said Mendes. Many famous actors and actresses who have Oscar wins and nominations (提名)are included, but the filmmakers remain keeping their roles in the film secret.
Producers are showing no signs of cutting off the cost of Skyfall. “It is at the same level as the 2008’s Quantum of Solace, which cost about $200m. The film will be made in the Whitehall, Scotland, China and Turkey, as well as Pinewood Studios.” Said a producer.
Why has 007 been popular for so long? Professor James Chapman of Leicester University, the author of the book A Cultural History of the James Bond Films, said, “They manage to let each new film meet the changes not just in society but in the popular taste of film culture. That lets each generation get their own Bond.”The first film of the 007 series is .
| A．American Beauty | B．Quantum of Solace |
| C．Dr No | D．Skyfall |
The task of James Bond in the new James Bond film is to .
| A．let MI6 be famous around the world | B．show off himself as a hero |
| C．protect MI6 when it’s in trouble | D．manage the cost of Skyfall |
Which is true about the actors and actresses in Skyfall?
| A．They are all new faces for audiences. |
| B．Many of them have achieved a lot in acting. |
| C．They have played in all the films of the 007 series. |
| D．They are fans of James Bond and Mendes. |
According to Professor James Chapman, what keeps the 007 films popular for so long?
| A．Handsome actors and beautiful actresses. | B．The great and exciting action scenes. |
| C．The interesting story and famous director. | D．Successful changes for each generation. |
Blackbird (画眉)
★A good sign
★Paradise
★Magic
Seeing a blackbird for most is a good sign. It can also mean shyness and insecurity, which directly means a lack of self-confidence. The color black, as we know, is connected with supernatural power.
Bluebird (蓝知更鸟)
★The arrival of spring
★Hard work
★Joy
Bluebirds are connected with joy, and they most often mean a happy condition or good news coming your way. They may also refer to the hope of an individual for their inner child, which means innocence (单纯).
Bluejay (冠蓝鸦)
★Fearless
★Truthful
★Talkative
A bluejay can mean being faithful to others. Seeing a bluejay either in its natural habitat or in your dreams could also send across a message to develop an innate (先天的) talent.
Canary(金丝雀)
★Joy
★Freedom
★Intellectual development
Canaries are happy birds that spread joy and a sense of well-being. For some, a flying canary can be a sign of the spread of unwanted information. It can also mean that you are the cause of the gossip (闲话) as an individual. A canary is also a symbol of selflessness.Both the bluebird and the canary can be a sign of .
| A．innocence | B．joy | C．the coming of spring | D．shyness |
Which bird can be a sign that someone is not confident?
| A．The blackbird. | B．The bluebird. | C．The bluejay. | D．The canary. |
What does it mean when you see a bluejay in your dream?
| A．It means you spread unwanted information. |
| B．It means you man develop an innate talent. |
| C．It means you will have joy. |
| D．It means someone is missing you. |
Which bird can mean selfessness?
| A．The blackbird. | B．The bluebird. | C．The bluejay. | D．The canary. |
Today was a big day for my eldest son, Kevin. He had his first big boy haircut. Before today, we have always stood by his side, told the hairdresser what to do and watched over the whole thing. We’ve been working on the rewards (奖赏) of responsibility with my son for quite some time. Today, he got one of those rewards by having his own haircut.
When they arrived at the shop, his father showed him a book with lots of styles of haircuts for boys. After he made his choice, he waited patiently for his turn. My husband decided he would get his own hair cut at the same time.
When their names were called, Kevin showed the hairdresser the picture of his chosen haircut, which, thankfully, was not a strange haircut. The hairdresser looked to my husband for approval (批准) and he told her his son was in charge.
During his haircut, Kevin talked happily with the hairdresser. My husband, who was getting his haircut in the next chair, kept silent. When all was said and done, Kevin looked quite handsome.
When it was time to pay, he reached into his pocket and took out the cash my husband gave him. He handed it to her and said, “Thanks, it’s all yours.” I guess that’s the six-year-old equivalent (对应的语句) of “keep the change.”
I have to admit I was a little nervous about the whole thing before, but I’m a believer now. My son is growing up and ready for new big boy experiences.When Kevin got his haircut, the author used to .
| A．do her own thing | B．leave him alone |
| C．talk happily with her son | D．manage the whole thing |
What did the author’s husband do at the hairdresser’s?
| A．Picked out a hair style for his son. | B．Talked happily with the hairdressers. |
| C．Had his own haircut silently | D．Stood together with the author. |
What was the hair style that Kevin chose like?
| A．It was very strange. | B．It suited him well. |
| C．It was very bad. | D．It was more like a girl’s |
American doctors have been trying to figure out the secrets behind Asians being healthier than Americans since the early 90s - The Japan has the lowest mortality rates in the world and Chinese medicine has been around for thousands of years, since around 2000 B.C. only meant that there's more to Asian health philosophy. In Asian medicine, there's an acknowledgment of the whole-body theory of medicine, instead of isolationism that's prevalent in many American doctor's offices.
The main reason behind a better health lies in the difference between Asian and American culture. Diet, exercise, and a holistic approach to medicine all contribute to Asians living longer and healthier than their American counterparts. In addition, the result of the Asian lifestyle has led to a stronger overall immune system and better detoxification（解毒） efficiency.
The more preferred drink in the American lifestyle is soda, beer or coffee. However, in Asian culture, the preferred drink is water or herbal tea. Consumption of water serves to immediately strengthen one's body detoxification program, since water dilutes toxins and helps flush the body. Americans savor red meat and pork, while most Asians prefer chicken, rice and fish. Also, the foods in Asia are mostly organic and lack the hormonal toxins that American food carries. Overall the Asian diet leads to less food-introduced toxins into the body, and allows the body to spend its energy on its immune system rather than toxin control. Also, the fish that Asians consume have very strong immunological effects, providing more antioxidants than the red meat preferred in America.
The average American family has more than one car. In Asia, on average there's 1 car per 4 families. In Asian cultures, people use bicycles more than four-wheeled transportation. The Asian lifestyle also involves more labor and physical work, such as agricultural labor and gardening. The American lifestyle praises white-collar jobs which lead to Americans sitting in front of computer screens for hours on end. Exercise helps detoxification in two ways: it speeds up metabolism, and induces sweat.
Medicine in Asia centers mostly on natural ingredients that have healing properties. Asian medicine also addresses the mind-body connection and the importance of mental balance. There are more traditional medicine doctors per person in Asia than in America. American medicine costs more and is symptom-focused, often ignoring the overall cause of the symptoms. In America, the prescriptions that are chemically derived are dangerous toxins that stress the body's detoxification system. Using Asian medicine means using only natural ingredients, which the body can easily detoxify while getting the same health benefit.
It is not very difficult to adopt the Asian lifestyle and improve your body's detoxification and immune system. You can change your lifestyle today by eating and drinking organic, exercising rigorously at least three times a week, and using organic health alternative therapies over dangerous prescription medicines.
Emma Deangela is the author of detox and fasting site at eDetoxify.com. Combining both Asian and Western philosophy, Emma Deangela has helped many people by giving them health consultation to make their lives better and healthier through natural health philosophy. Visit eDetoxify.com to discover the health philosophy that leads many people to a healthy life.According to the first paragraph, which theory is more popular among American doctors?
| A．whole-body theory | B．isolationism |
| C．Combined Theory of East and West | D．Not clearly mentioned. |
The differences between Asian and American culture are not discussed in _____
| A．Diet | B．Exercise | C．Medicine | D．Accidents |
“contribute to” in the second paragraph means _____.
| A．leads to | B．pay money to | C．agree on | D．result from |
From the third and fourth paragraphs, the writer thinks Asians live longer than Americans because ______.
| A．Asians don’t eat beef or mutton |
| B．Asians are good at catching fish |
| C．Asian lifestyle involves physical work more |
| D．Asians are not fond of office work |
The writer’s advice is put forward in the ____ paragraph.
| A．last | B．last but one | C．first | D．missing |
The passage is overall a(n)______.
| A．advertisement to a website | B．lecture to college students |
| C．magazine introduction | D．newspaper front-page |
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