When Dekalb Walcott III was just 8 years old, his father, a Chicago fire chief, let him tag along on a call. Dekalb says a lot of kids idolized(崇拜) basketball player Michael Jordan when he was growing up in Chicago in the 1990s. Not him.
“I wanted to be like Dekalb Walcott Jr.,” he says of his father.
So when his dad asked if he wanted to go on that call with him when he was 8, Dekalb was excited. “I'm jumping up and down,” saying, “Mom, can I go? Can I go?”
The experience changed Dekalb's life, he tells his dad on a visit to StoryCorps. “My eyes got big from the moment the alarm went off.” the younger Dekalb says. “This is the life that I want to live someday. ”
Now 27, the younger Dekalb is living that life. He became a firefighter at 21 and went to work alongside his dad at the Chicago Fire Department. Before his father retired, the pair even went out on a call together — father supervising(监督) son.
“You know, it's everything for me to watch you grow,”his father says. But he also recalls worrying about one particular fire that his son faced.
“I received a phone call that night. And they said, 'Well, your son was at this fire.' I said, 'OK, which way is this conversation going to go?' ” Dekalb Walcott Jr. recalls.
“And they said, 'But he's OK. And he put it out all by himself. Everybody here was proud of him.'”And the word went around, 'Who was out there managing that fire? Oh, that's Walcott! That's Walcott up there!' So, you know, moments like that, it's heaven on Earth for a dad."
Dekalb Walcott Jr. retired in 2009. The younger Dekalb says he's proud of being a second
-generation firefighter. "You know, it makes me look forward to fatherhood as well, because I'm definitely looking forward to passing that torch down to my son."
The underlined phrase “tag along” in Paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ______.
| A．put out fire | B．watch basketball |
| C．ask his mother’s permission | D．follow his father |
Dekalb Walcott III determined to become a firefighter at the age of _________
| A．8 | B．21 | C．35 | D．27 |
What can we learn from the last paragraph?
| A．Dekalb Walcott Jr is proud to be a second-generation firefighter. |
| B．Dekalb Walcott III wants his son to become a firefighter too. |
| C．Dekalb Walcott Jr wants to pass the torch to Dekalb Walcott III. |
| D．Dekalb Walcott III is proud that his son has become an excellent firefighter. |
Which of the following is the best title of the passage?
| A．Putting Out Fire: A Challenging Job for Father and son |
| B．Passing The Torch: A Firefighter Dad's Legacy |
| C．Dekalb Walcott III: A Second-generation Firefighter |
| D．Dekalb Walcott Jr.: A Chicago Fire Chief |
A scientist turns out to be able to see the future by offering each of some four-year-olds a piece of candy and watching how he or she deals with it. Some children reach eagerly for the treat they see. Some last a few minutes before they give in. But others are determined to wait until the last moment.
By the time the children reach high school, something remarkable has happened. A survey found that those who as four-year-olds had enough self-control to hold out generally grew up to be more popular, adventurous, confident and dependable. The children who gave in to temptation early on were more likely to be lonely, easily frustrated and inflexible .
Actually, the ability to delay reward is a sign of emotional intelligence which doesn’t show up on an IQ test.
The hardware of the brain and the software of the mind have long been scientists’ concerns. But brain theory can’t explain what we wonder about most, like the question why some people remain upbeat in the face of troubles that would sink a less resistant soul.
Here comes the theory of Daniel Goleman, writer of Emotional Intelligence: when it comes to predicting people’s success, brain ability as measured by IQ may actually matter less than the qualities of mind once thought of as “character”.
EQ is not the opposite of IQ. What researchers have been trying to understand is how they work together; how one’s ability to handle stress, for instance, affects the ability to concentrate and put intelligence to use. Among the elements for success, researchers now generally agree that IQ counts for about 20%; the rest depends on everything from social class to luck.
While many researchers in this relatively new field are glad to see emotional issues finally taken seriously, some few fear EQ invites misuse. Which of the following is true of EQ and IQ according to the text?
| A．The higher a person’s EQ is, the higher his or her IQ is. |
| B．The higher a person’s IQ is, the higher his or her EQ is. |
| C．Some people can be blessed with lots of both, but some with little of either. |
| D．Scientists have already discovered the way in which EQ and IQ work together. |
The underlined word “upbeat” in Paragraph 4 probably means .
| A．kind | B．floating | C．excited | D．optimistic |
What is most likely to be written in the paragraph that follows?
| A．Information about famous people with high EQ. |
| B．Examples showing the opposite voice about EQ. |
| C．Some reasons why EQ is a relatively new field. |
| D．Strong demand for basic emotional education. |
Decision-making can be extremely difficult. Decision-making styles are significantly different in different cultures.
In any approach to a problem and in any negotiations, the Western world turns to the“I to you” approach while Japan，the “you to you” approach. The former means both sides present their arguments openly from their own point of view. Naturally, often comes a conflict situation, which Westerners are very skillful in dealing with.The latter is based on each side trying to understand the other person’s point of view. Thus, the direction of the meeting is a mutual(相互的) attempt to reduce confrontation and achieve harmony.
Besides, Western decision-making goes mostly from top management and often does not consult middle management or the worker. However, in Japan great consideration is given to the thoughts and opinions of everyone at all levels. Based on “bottom-up direction”, ideas can be created at the lowest levels, travel upward through an organization and have an effect on the final decision.
Difference in decision-making also comes from different communication styles. The Japanese business person works to achieve harmony, even if the deal fallsthrough, and will spend whatever time is necessary to determine a “you to you” approach, communicating personal views only indirectly. They put a thorough job above the Western deadline approach. So the Japanese are thorough in their meetings. Thus Americans are often annoyed by the many meetings in many Japanese businesses. But where the American is pressingfor a specific decision, the Japanese is trying to think up a rather broad direction.
On the other hand, once a given agreement is made, it is the Japanese who sometimes wonderat the slow pace in which Westerners carry out the decision. The Japanese are eager to move forward and Westerners, perhaps, fall behind as they take the time for in-depth planning.A Japanese business bases its decision .
| A．on top-down direction | B．on nothing but its workers’ views |
| C．on bottom-up direction | D．only on its top leaders’ opinions |
The text mainly tells us that Japan and the Western world .
| A．face great difficulty in making decisions |
| B．are different in decision-making styles |
| C．have all members contribute to a decision |
| D．have two approaches: “I to you” and “you to I” |
The author’s attitude towards Japanese decision-making is .
| A．positive | B．critical | C．negative | D．casual |
With their weakening bodies, advanced age or increasing pressure of work or study, people have been advised and usually persuaded to have health care products. Do you remember your first time to take a nutritional supplement(营养补充品)? What was your first impression?
Posted by Amy, Dec. 23, 2010 8:05 PM
Madeline on Dec. 24, 2010 7:25 PM
Years ago, as a young mom with two small children, I struggled to keep up with the demands of a busy life. One day, I woke up feeling so tired that I knew something had to change!
A friend gave me some Royal Jelly—an amazing matter from the beehive(蜂房). I was doubtful, but desperate…so I tried it! In time, I began to experience renewed energy and vitality like never before! Now, over two decades later, I travel all round the country, sharing my life-changing experience. I’m grateful for the energy to keep up and love to share this wonderful discovery with others.
Blanca on Dec. 25, 2010 7:02 PM
Ten years ago, when I was 73, my mind wanted to be busy and useful, but my body didn’t. I became tired and in low spirits. That’s when my daughter Madeline tried to persuade me to try her special Royal Jelly. It made such a dramatic difference in her life, so she was sure it could help me too! Hesitating for 2 days, I gave in. She was right! I no longer felt worn out. I had a new, youthful enthusiam for life and I’ve been OK — thanks to Royal Jelly!
Lori on Dec. 25, 2010 10:27 PM
When my mom Madeline was introduced to Royal Jelly, it affected my life, too! Mom gave me some of her fantastic Royal Jelly. Boy, things did turn around! I had more energy and stamina and was finally able to keep up with high school and, eventually, college activities. Today, I’m a busy mom in my mid-thirties with two active boys and a new business! I have enough energy to do it all! I’m glad I took my Mom’s advice. From the text, we learn that .
| A．Madeline became more than willing to take Royal Jelly at the very beginning |
| B．Lori was grateful partly because Royal Jelly helped him to improve his studies |
| C．Royal Jelly is a product that can help renew a person’s energy and vitality |
| D．Amy has benefited from Royal Jelly so she posted a topic about the product |
Which of the following is true of Blanca?
| A．She replied to the topic on Christmas Eve. | B．She tried Royal Jelly without hesitation. |
| C．She is now supposed to be in her seventies. | D．She was the second one to reply to the topic. |
What’s the relationship between the Royal Jelly takers?
| A．Lori and Blanca are Madeline’s grandchildren. |
| B．Madeline is Blanca’s daughter and Lori’s mother. |
| C．Blanca is Lori and Madeline’s great grandmother. |
| D．They have no blood relationship but friendship. |
Where can we most probably read this text?
| A．In a sports club. | B．On an Internet page. | C．In a fiction. | D．In a travel magazine. |
Wednesday，October fifteenth，is the first Global Hand Washing Day. Activities are planned in more than twenty countries to get millions of people in the developing world to wash their hands with soap（肥皂）. Experts say people around the world wash their hands but very few use soap at so-called critical(至关重要的) moments. These include after using the toilet，after cleaning a baby and before touching food.
Global Hand Washing Day is the idea of the Public-Private Partnership for Hand Washing with Soap. Partners include the United Nations Children’s Fund, and soap makers Unilever and Procter and Gamble. The goal，they say，is to create a culture of hand washing with soap.
The organizers say all soaps are equally effective at removing disease-causing germs(病菌). They say the correct way to wash hands is to wet your hands with a small amount of water and cover them with soap. Rub it into all areas，including under the fingernails. Then，rinse（用清水冲洗） well under running water. Finally，dry your hands with a clean cloth.
The Partnership says soap is important because it increases the time that people spend washing. Soap also helps to break up the grease（油脂）and dirt that holds most of the germs. And it usually leaves a pleasant smell，which increases the possibility that people will wash again. It also says washing with soap before eating and after using the toilet could save more lives than any vaccine（疫苗）or medicine. When people get germs on their hands, they can infect themselves by touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Then they can infect others.Global Handwashing Day is set to ______________.
| A．create a culture of hand washing with soap | B．force people to wash their hands |
| C．teach people how to wash their hands | D．protect people from being hurt by germs |
Which one shows the advantages of washing hands with soap?
① increasing the washing time ② preventing any infection
③ removing disease-causing germs ④ helping people to wash more
⑤ keeping vaccine away
| A．①②③ | B．①②④ | C．②③⑤ | D．①③④ |
The main idea of this passage is to ______________.
| A．introduce Global Handwashing Day | B．remind people to care about their health |
| C．criticize people who don't use soap to wash hands | D．help soap makers to sell more soap |
Everybody hates rats．But in the earthquake capitals of the world-Japan，Los Angeles，Turkey-rats will soon be man's new best friends．
What happens after an earthquake? We send in rescue（救援） dogs. Why? Because they can smell people．Dogs save lives．They help rescuers to find living people．But dogs are big and they can't get into small spaces．So now a new research project is using a smaller animal to save lives：the rat．
How does it work? First，the rat is trained to smell people．When this happens，the rat's brain gives a signal（信号）．This is sent to a small radio on its back，and then the rescuers follow the radio signals．When the rat's brain activity jumps，the rescuers know that someone is alive．The rat has smelled that person．
Although there are already robots which can do this job，rats are better．Christian Linster at Cornell University—New York says，“Robots' noses don't work well when there are other smells around．Rats are good at that．” Rats can also see in the dark．They are cheaper and quicker to train than dogs，and unlike robots，they don't need electricity!
The “rat project” is not finished，but Julie Ryan of International Rescue Corps in Scotland says，“It would be fantastic．A rat could get into spaces we couldn't get to and a rat would get out if it wasn't safe．” Perhaps for the first time in history，people will be happy to see a rat in a building（but only after an earthquake，of course）．In the world earthquake capitals，rats will become man's best friends because they can _________．
| A．take the place of man's rescue jobs |
| B．find the position of people alive who are trapped in buildings |
| C．serve as food for people alive who are trapped in buildings |
| D．get into small spaces |
From the third paragraph we know the rescuers can judge a person is alive by_________．
| A．the noise made by the rat | B．the rat's unusual behavior |
| C．the signal sent by the radio on the rat's back | D．the smell given off by the person |
In doing rescue jobs，_________．
| A．rats smell better than dogs |
| B．dogs don't need to be trained to smell people |
| C．robots' sense of smell can be affected by other smells around |
| D．rats can see in the dark and smaller than robots |
Rats have all the following advantages except that_________．
| A．they are more fantastic than other animals | B．they are less expensive to train than dogs |
| C．they don't need electricity | D．they are small and can get into small places |
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