Who is a genius? This question has greatly interested humankind for centuries.
Let's state clearly: Einstein was a genius. His face is almost the international symbol for genius. But we want to go beyond one man and explore the nature of genius itself. Why is it that some people are so much more intelligent or creative than the rest of us? And who are they?
In the sciences and arts, those praised as geniuses were most often white men, of European origin. Perhaps this is not a surprise. It's said that history is written by the victors, and those victors set the standards for admission to the genius club. When contributions were made by geniuses outside the club-women, or people of a different color or belief-they were unacknowledged and rejected by others.
A study recently published by Science found that as young as age six, girls are less likely than boys to say that members of their gender（性别）are "really, really smart." Even worse, the study found that girls act on that belief Around age six they start to avoid activities said to be for children who are "really, really smart." Can our planet afford to have any great thinkers become discouraged and give up? It doesn't take a genius to know the answer: absolutely not.
Here's the good news. In a wired world with constant global communication, we're all positioned to see flashes of genius wherever they appear. And the more we look, the more we will see that social factors（因素）like gender, race, and class do not determine the appearance of genius. As a writer says, future geniuses come from those with "intelligence, creativity, perseverance（毅力）, and simple good fortune, who are able to change the world."
12. What does the author think of victors' standards for joining the genius club?
| A． |
They're unfair. |
B． |
They're conservative. |
| C． |
They're objective. |
D． |
They're strict. |
13. What can we infer about girls from the study in Science?
| A． |
They think themselves smart. |
| B． |
They look up to great thinkers. |
| C． |
They see gender differences earlier than boys. |
| D． |
They are likely to be influenced by social beliefs |
14. Why are more geniuses known to the public?
| A． |
Improved global communication. |
| B． |
Less discrimination against women. |
| C． |
Acceptance of victors' concepts. |
| D． |
Changes in people's social positions. |
15. What is the best title for the text?
| A． |
Geniuses Think Alike |
B． |
Genius Takes Many Forms |
| C． |
Genius and Intelligence |
D． |
Genius and Luck |
I think that the most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention and especially if its given from the heart. When people are talking, there’s no need to do anything but receive them. Just take them in. Listen to what they’re saying. Care about it. Most times caring about it is even more important than understanding it.
When we interrupt what someone is saying to let them know that we understand, we move the focus of attention to ourselves. When we listen, they know we care.
I have even learned to respond to someone crying by just listening. In the old days I used to reach for the tissues(纸巾), until I realized that passing a person a tissue may be just another way to shut them down, to take them out of their experience of sadness and pain. Now I just listen. When they have cried all they need to cry, they find me there with them.
This simple thing has not been that easy to learn. It certainly went against everything I had been taught since I was very young at school. I thought people listened only because they were too timid to speak or did not know the answer. A loving silence often has far more power to connect and to heal than the most well-intentioned(善意的)words.When we communicate with others we had better ________________.
| A．listen more | B．understand more |
| C．speak more | D．look here and there |
If we interrupt what someone is saying,________________.
| A．they may think we are too rude to them |
| B．they must be very angry with us |
| C．they may know we dont care about them |
| D．they must stop and listen to us |
Passing a person who is crying a tissue perhaps means_______________
| A．stopping them from crying any more |
| B．Stopping them from saying anything |
| C．advising them to have a rest |
| D．helping them to accept the sadness |
It is very difficult for us to learn to listen because _______________
| A．we may know the answer |
| B．we have an interesting topic |
| C．parents teach us to speak |
| D．it goes against what we have been taught |
What is probably the best title for this article?
| A．Listening and talking |
| B．Listen, just listen |
| C．Listening is not easy to learn |
| D．How to comfort others |
The meaning of the word "volunteer” may be a little different in different countries, but it usually means "one who offers his or her services.” There are many different ways in which people can volunteer, such as taking care of sick people, working in homes for homeless children, and picking up garbage from beaches and parks. Volunteers may work within their own countries or in other countries. They are often people with a strong wish to help those who are less fortunate than themselves. Volunteers don’t expect any kind of pay.
At the root of volunteering is the idea that one person may have the ability to offer services that can help other people. Tracy, a good friend of mine, however, recently came back from India with a new idea of what being a volunteer means. She worked for two and a half weeks in one of Mother Teresa’s homes in Calcutta（加尔各答）. The following is her story.
"I first heard about Mother Teresa in my high school, we watched a video about her work in India and all over the world. I was so moved by her spirit to help others and her endless love for every human being that after I graduated from high school, I also wanted to try her kind of work. So with two friends I flew to Calcutta for a few weeks."
"I was asked to work in a home for sick people. I helped wash clothes and sheets, and pass out lunch. I also fed the people who were too weak to feed themselves and tried to cheer them up. I felt it was better to share with them than to think that I have helped them. To be honest, I don’t think I was helping very much. It was then that I realized that I had not really come to help, but to learn about and experience another culture that helped improve my own understanding of life and the world."According to the text, a volunteer refers to a person who ______.
| A．is willing to help those in need without pay |
| B．can afford to travel to different places |
| C．has a strong wish to be successful |
| D．has made a lot of money in life |
Tracy started her work as a volunteer ______.
| A．after she met Mother Teresa |
| B．after she finished high school |
| C．when she was touring Calcutta |
| D．when she was working in a hospital |
Why did Tracy choose to be a volunteer?
| A．She liked to work with Mother Teresa. |
| B．She had already had some experience. |
| C．She was asked by Mother Teresa. |
| D．She wanted to follow Mother Teresas example. |
What is Tracysnew idea (Paragraph 2) of being a volunteer?
| A．Going abroad to help the sick. |
| B．Working in Mother Teresa’s home. |
| C．Doing simple things to help the poor. |
| D．Improving oneself through helping others. |
What is the best title for the passage?
| A．How to Be a Volunteer. |
| B．The Life of Volunteer in India. |
| C．A Different Meaning of Volunteer. |
| D．Inspiration from Mother Teresa |
Eco City Farms(生态城市农场) are becoming more popular in cities and towns around the Unites States.
Eco City Farms in Edmonton, Maryland, is located near shopping centers, car repair shops and homes. The neighborhood is a working-class community(社区). People do not have very much money. And they have limited access to fresh food in markets.
Over the past two years, the farm has attracted volunteers from the community like Marcy Clark. She schools her four children at home. On a recent day she brought them to Eco City Farms for a lesson. Her son Alston Clark thinks his experience is very valuable.“I like coming out here,”he says,“You know, you connect with the earth, where your food comes from. You appreciate the food a little bit more.”
Margaret Morgan started Eco City Farms. She thinks of it as a place where people can learn to live healthier lives. “Growing food in a community brings people together,”she continues,“Every piece of what we do here is a demonstration(示范) to show people everything about how to have an eco-friendly community.”she says. From the Eco City Farms people come to know that they are not only growing food and raising chickens and bees, but improving the soil with compost(肥料)made from food waste.
Eco City Farms is an experimental operation. The farm gets its power not from the local electricity networks, but from the sun with solar panels. In winter, the green house use a geothermal(地热)system.
Vegetables can be grown all year. So once a week, all winter long, neighbors like Chris Moss and her three children bike to the farm to pick up a share of the harvest.
“I like eating the vegetables ”say five-year-old Owen Moss.What is mainly talked about in the passage?
| A．Eco City Farms save a lot of energy. |
| B．Eco City Farms are gaining popularity. |
| C．Eco City Farms are influencing community life. |
| D．Eco City Farms helps the working-class live better. |
According to the passage, Eco City Farms are close to the following places EXCEPT______.
| A．shopping centers | B．car repair shops |
| C．fast-food restaurants | D．working-class community |
What is the author’s attitude toward Eco City Farms?
| A．Enthusiastic(热心的). | B．Disappointed. |
| C．Surprised. | D．Doubtful. |
In which column(专栏) of a newspaper can you most probably read this article?
| A．People. | B．Travel. | C．Environment. | D．Education. |
In the winter months the temperature in most of Canada usually stays below 0℃. However, in some parts of Canada, such as southern British Columbia, the temperature rarely goes below 0℃. In most areas where people live, snow will be on the ground from mid-December to the middle of March. Though Canada’s winter may be much colder and longer than you are used to, it can be very enjoyable. For many Canadians, being active in winter is an important part of enjoying life. There are many outdoor winter activities, including skiing, ice fishing, walking, and skating. Joining in one of these activities may help you appreciate winter and enjoy your time outside in the snow.
Dressing for winter.
During winter in Canada, you will need warm clothing. If possible, arrive with these items or be prepared to buy them soon after your arrival. You will need:
＊A warm waterproof(防水) boots.
＊A scarf(围巾) for your neck.
＊A hat that covers your ears.
＊Gloves for your hands.
＊Thick winter coats, pants(裤子) and sweaters.
Layers(层) keep you warm.
It’s a good idea to layer your clothing by, for example, wearing a T-shirt and a sweater underneath a jacket. If you become too hot, it is always easier to remove a piece of clothing than to add another. On the West Coast, prepare to dress for cool rainy or snowy weather. You will need:
＊A warm waterproof coat.
＊Waterproof hats.
＊An umbrella.
＊Rain boots or snow boots.
Learn more about weather and seasons across Canada. You can also contact(联系) Related Links.com, for example, an immigrant-serving(移民服务) organization in the community where you live for more information about dressing for winter. What is the main purpose of the first paragraph?
| A．To tell about the details about Canada. |
| B．To show many outdoor winter activities. |
| C．To introduce the daily life of Canada. |
| D．To encourage you to enjoy winter in Canada. |
What is the important part for many Canadians in winter?
| A．Ice fishing. | B．Joining a group |
| C．Leading an active life. | D．Staying in the snow |
If you spend a winter in Canada, you will prepare all EXCEPT_______.
| A．an umbrella and sunglasses |
| B．thick winter coats and a scarf |
| C．waterproof hats and a scarf |
| D．snow boots and gloves |
The author suggest layering your clothing probably because_______
| A．it is cool to dress like that. |
| B．it is a rule to dress like that. |
| C．the weather there is changeable. |
| D．the weather is usually very hot. |
We are all called upon to make a speech at some point in life, but most of us don’t do a very good job. This article gives some suggestions on how to give an effective speech.
You have to give a speech, and you’re terrified. You get nervous, you forget what you want to say, you stumble(结巴) over words, you talk too long, and you bore your audience. Later you think, “Thank goodness, it’s over. I’m just no good at public speaking. I hope I never have to do that again.”
Cheer up! It doesn’t have to be that bad. Here are some simple steps to take the pain out of speech making. Ask yourself the purpose of your speech. What is the occasion(场合)? Why are you speaking? Then, gather as many facts as you can on your subject. Spend plenty of time doing your research. Then spend plenty of time organizing your material so that your speech is clear and easy to follow. Use as many examples as possible, and use pictures, charts, and graphs if they will help you make your points more clearly. Never forget your audience. Don’t talk over their heads, and don’t talk down to them. Treat your audience with respect. They will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Just remember: be prepared. Know your subject, your audience, and the occasion. Be brief. Say what you have to say and then stop. And be yourself. Let your personality come through so that you make person-to-person contact with your audience.
If you follow these simple steps, you’ll see that you don’t have to be afraid of public speaking. In fact, you may find the experience so enjoyable that you volunteer to make more speeches! You’re not convinced yet? Give it a try and see what happens.The main idea of this article is that .
| A．you can improve your speaking ability |
| B．a poor speaker can never change |
| C．you should always make a short speech |
| D．it is hard to make a speech |
Paragraph 2 implies that .
| A．many people are afraid of giving a speech |
| B．many people are happy to give a speech |
| C．many people do not prepare for a speech |
| D．many people talk to long |
The phrase “talk over their heads” means .
| A．speaking too loudly |
| B．looking at the ceiling |
| C．looking down upon them |
| D．using words and ideas that are too difficult |
The title for this passage may be “ ”.
| A．Do Not Make a Long Speech |
| B．How to Give a Good Speech |
| C．How to Prepare for a Speech |
| D．Try to Enjoy a Speech |
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