Some people think that as more and more people have televisions in their homes, fewer and fewer people will buy books and newspapers. Why read an article in the newspaper, when the TV news can bring you the information in a few minutes and with pictures? Why read the life story of a famous man, when a short television program can tell you all that you want to know?
Television has not killed reading, however. Today, newspapers sell in very large numbers. And books of every kind are sold more than ever before. Books are still a cheap way to get information and enjoyment. Although some books with hard covers are expensive, many books are printed today as paperbooks (平装本), which are quite cheap. A paperback collection of short stories, for example, is always cheaper than an evening at the cinema or the theater, and you can keep a book for ever and read it many times.
Books are a wonderful provider of knowledge and pleasure and some types of books should be in every home. Every home should have a good dictionary. A good encyclopedia (百科全书), though expensive, is useful, too, because you can find information on any subject. Besides, you can have such books as history books., science textbook, cookbooks, and collections of stories and poems. Then from time to time you can take a book of poems off your shelves and read the thoughts and feelings of your favorite poets.
It can be inferred from the passage that ________.
A.TV programs are a chief provider of knowledge |
B.cinemas are the best choice in getting information |
C.reading is a cheap way of learning and having fun |
D.newspapers are an expensive way to enjoy oneself |
What does the sentences “Television has not killed reading, however ” underlined in the second paragraph suggest?
A.People only need reading, though. | B.Reading is still necessary today. |
C.Reading is more fun than television. | D.Watching television doesn’t help reading. |
What can we learn from the passage?
A.Fewer and fewer people will buy books. |
B.A good dictionary should be kept in every home. |
C.Books with hard covers sell better than paperbooks. |
D.More people like TV programs about famous men. |
As you research music, you will find music that is familiar to you. You will find music which tells of interesting places and exciting things to do. You will find music which expresses feelings that are often your own.
Music is an expression of the people. As you research, you will find music of people at work and play. You will find music expressing love of the country, love of nature, and love of home.
Music is also an expression of the composer(作曲家). The composer expresses his own musical ideas. He studies the materials of music and discovers ways of using them. He looks for new kinds of musical expression.
Music can suggest actions and feelings which we all share. We can enjoy playing and singing music, dancing and listening to the music of the people and the composers of different times and places.
In the first paragraph, the author tells us to_______.
A.find entertainment(娱乐) in music | B.be friendly to music |
C.express your feelings in music | D.discover the things and places in music |
From the second paragraph, we know that ________.
A.if we love music, we will love the country, nature and home |
B.music sings of the country, nature and home |
C.you may listen to music at work or at play |
D.music can express how people live, work and think |
By means of music, the composer wishes that ________.
A.you would study with them |
B.you would share his feelings and ideas |
C.you would express your own feelings |
D.you help discover ways of using music and new kinds of musical expression |
The last paragraph shows that music makes it possible ________.
A.the music can express actions and feelings at the same time |
B.bring understanding between people of different times and places |
C.that people can enjoy playing and singing music, dancing and listening to the music at the same time |
D.that people of different time and places can get together |
Which of the following statements is NOT true. Music expresses ________.
A.the feelings of our own | B.people’s love of the country |
C.the composer’s feelings | D.people’s musical ideas |
love charity(慈善) shops and so do lots of other people in Britain because you find quite a few of them on every high street. The charity shop is a British institution, selling everything from clothes to electric goods, all at very good prices. You can get things you won’t find in the shops anymore. The thing I like best about them is that your money is going to a good cause and not into the pockets of profit-driven companies, and you are not damaging the planet, but finding a new home for unwanted goods.
The first charity shop was opened in 1947 by Oxfam. The famous charity’s appeal to aid postwar Greece had been so successful it had been flooded with donations(捐赠物). They decided to set up a shop to sell some of these donations to raise money for that appeal. Now there are over 7,000 charity shops in the UK. My favourite charity shop in my hometown is the Red Cross shop, where I always find children’s books, all 10 or 20 pence each.
Most of the people working in the charity shops are volunteers, although there is often a manager who gets paid. Over 90% of the goods in the charity shops are donated by the public. Every morning you see bags of unwanted items outside the front of shops, although they don’t encourage this, rather ask people to bring things in when the shop is open.
The shops have very low running costs: all profits go to charity work. Charity shops raise more than £110 million a year, funding(资助)medical research, overseas aid, supporting sick and poor children, homeless and disabled people, and much more. What better place to spend your money? You get something special for a very good price and a good moral sense. You provide funds to a good cause and tread lightly on the environment. (08天津卷)
The author loves the charity shop mainly because of _______.
A.its convenient location |
B.its great variety of goods |
C.its spirit of goodwill |
D.its nice shopping environment |
The first charity shop in the UK was set up to ____.
A.sell cheap products |
B.deal with unwanted things |
C.raise money for patients |
D.help a foreign country |
Which of the following is TRUE about charity shops?
A.The operating costs are very low. |
B.The staff are usually well paid. |
C.90% of the donations are second-hand. |
D.They are open twenty-four hours a day. |
Which of the following may be the best title for the passage?
A.What to Buy a Charity Shops. |
B.Charity Shop: Its Origin & Development. |
C.Charity Shop: Where You Buy to Donate. |
D.The Public’s Concern about Charity Shops. |
When building houses, people used to think about not only the climate of the areas but also the building materials and the fashions for their houses. However, since electricity became more and more expensive, people began to pay much more attention to the energy they could get for their houses and the new ways they could find to protect their houses from both cold and heat.
Now, houses of an old yet new type have been widely built. In some parts of the world, people share their houses with their livestock(家畜).During cold weather, they gather their cows, goats, or other animals and keep them on the first floor of their houses. The reasons are that the animals can be protected from the cold and that they can help to heat the houses as well. The body heat given off by the animals rises to the second floor of the houses, where people live. By sharing their houses with their livestock, people gain a source of heat.
People who live in or near cities do not usually keep livestock. However, home builders use the fact that heat rises. This natural law can be used in building houses in these areas. Instead of keeping livestock on the first floor, builders fill it with large rocks. As they are open to the sun’s rays during cold weather, these rocks take in heat. They also give off the heat, and, of course, the warm air rises into the living areas of the houses. So these houses are energy saving.
House building becomes a great challenge(挑战)to building designers and energy engineers. They try to meet this challenge by learning from old traditions and by using modern technology. And someday in the future, people will be able to live in more energy saving houses.
What did people begin to consider as electricity was no longer cheap?
A.The climate of their areas. |
B.The energy for their houses. |
C.The fashions for their houses. |
D.The building materials for their houses. |
People in some areas gain a source of heat by _________.
A.keeping their livestock downstairs |
B.protecting their livestock from the cold |
C.sharing their houses only with their cows |
D.living on the second floor with their livestock |
The underlined words “natural law” in the third paragraph refer to the fact that ________.
A.heat raises the temperature in the houses |
B.heat goes in the upward direction |
C.heat goes up if temperature is raised |
D.heat increases the temperature of rocks |
From the passage, we can conclude that __________.
A.people will no longer consider building materials in the future |
B.energy saving buildings will become more popular in the future |
C.almost all people will move into the houses heated by large rocks |
D.energy engineers will devote themselves only to modern technology. |
You’re sitting on the train home and the person opposite you yawns(打哈欠). Suddenly, you’re yawning with him, though you’re not tired.
This phenomenon confused scientists for years until a recent study found that people tend to sympathize with fellow humans. Supporting this claim was the discovery that those children who were unable to form normal emotional ties with others did not experience contagious(有感染力的) yawning, which showed that humans communicate regularly with out words.
Hugo Critchley, a neuroscientist, has conducted an experiment recently, which will prove that happiness and sadness can spread like the common cold. According to Critechley, our mind and body are in constant exchange about how we’re feeling. “Emotions are closely linked with states of internal(内部的) responses,” he explained. “ There are also more visible changes in our gestures and facial expression. When we’re in a group, these signals can spread to another person. For example, there’s the obvious tendency to smile when smiled at and there are less obvious changes that reflect emotions of surprise, anger or sadness such as a change in our heart rate and blood pressure.
Hugo Critchley further explained, “Our bodies synchronies and when we like the other person, we ever copy his behavior. Next time you chat with a friend, take note of how you’re sitting— it’s pretty likely that you will be the same. Scientists believe it’s our way of telling each other that we’re partners. Through body language, humans give each other very subtle(微妙的) but clear signals that show emotions.”
So, what lessons can we learn from this? “ Spend time with happy people— otherwise your health could suffer,” said Critchley.” When we’re sad, our body goes into fight or flight mode. But when we’re happy, our body works normally and we feel relaxed and positive. So we look bright, our skin glows, we feel healthy and it affects everyone around us.”
According to Hugo Critchley, ________.
A.emotions are as visible as facial expressions |
B.we yawn more frequently when we have a cold |
C.emotions are connected with states of internal responses |
D.the change of blood pressure is not linked with the change of emotions. |
The underlined word “synchronies” in Paragraph 4 means “_____”.
A.move slowly | B.change rapidly | C.relax temporarily | D.respond accordingly |
From the passage we can learn ________.
A.sadness is as contagious as happiness |
B.anger is less contagious than friendliness |
C.surprise is more contagious than smile |
D.surprise is the most contagious among emotions |
Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
A.Emotions have delicate influence on fellow humans. |
B.Children like copying the actions of the fellow humans. |
C.Scientists are still confused about contagious yawning |
D.People tend to communicate more with body language. |
It was the summer of 1965. DeLuca, then 17, visited Peter Buck, a family friend. Buck asked DeLuca about his plans for the future. “I’m going to college, but I need a way to pay for it,” DeLuca recalls saying. “Buck said, ‘You should open a sandwich shop.’”
That afternoon, they agreed to be partners. And they set a goal: to open 32 stores in ten years. After doing some research, buck wrote a check for $1000. DeLuca rented a storefront (店面) in Connecticut, and when they couldn’t cover their start-up costs, Buck kicked in another $1000.
But business didn’t go smoothly as they expected. DeLuca says, “After six months, we were doing poorly, but we didn’t know how badly, because we didn’t have any financial controls.” All he and Buck knew was that their sales were lower than their costs.
DeLuca was managing the store and going to the University of Bridgeport at the same time. Buck was working at his day job as a nuclear physicist in New York. They’d meet Monday evenings and brainstorm ideas for keeping the business running. “We convinced ourselves to open a second store. We figured we could tell the public, ‘We are so successful, we are opening a second store.’” And they did—in the spring of 1966. Still, it was a lot of learning by trial and error.
But the partners’ learn-as-you-go approach turned out to be their greatest strength. Every Friday, DeLuca would drive around and hand-deliver the checks to pay their suppliers. “It probably took me two and a half hours and it wasn’t necessary, but as a result, the suppliers got to know me very well, and the personal relationships established really helped out,” DeLuca says.
And having a goal was also important. “There are so many problems that can get you down. You just have to keep working toward your goal,” DeLuca adds.
DeLuca ended up founding Subway Sandwich, the multimillion-dollar restaurant chain.
DeLuca opened the first sandwich shop in order to ____.
A.support his family |
B.pay for his college education |
C.help his partner expand business |
D.do some research |
Which of the following is true of Buck?
A.He put money into the sandwich business. |
B.He was a professor of business administration. |
C.He was studying at the University of Bridgeport. |
D.He rented a storefront for DeLuca. |
What can we learn about their first shop?
A.It stood at an unfavorable palace. |
B.It lowered the prices to promote sales. |
C.It made no profits due to poor management |
D.It lacked control over the quality of sandwiches |
They decided to open a second store because they ___.
A.had enough money to do it. |
B.had succeeded in their business |
C.wished to meet the increasing demand of customers |
D.wanted to make believe that they were successful |
What contribute most to their success according to the author?
A.Learning by trial and error. |
B.Making friends with suppliers. |
C.Finding a good partner. |
D.Opening chain stores. |
Some people make you feel comfortable when they are around. You spend an hour with them and feel as if you have known them half your life. These people have something in common. And once we know what it is, we can try to do it ourselves.
How is it done? Here are several skills that good talkers have. If you follow the skills, they’ll help you put people at their ease, and make friends with them quickly.
First of all, good talkers ask questions. Almost anyone, no matter how shy he is, will answer a question. One well-known businesswoman says, “At business lunches, I always ask people what they did that morning. It’s a common question, but it will get things going.” From there you can move on to other matters—sometimes to really personal questions. And how he answers will let you know how far you can go.
Second, once good talkers have asked questions, they listen to the answers. This point seems clear, but it isn’t. Your questions should have a point and help to tell what sort of person you are talking to. And to find out, you really have to listen carefully and attentively.
Real listening at least means some things. First it means not to change the subject of conversation. If someone sticks to one topic, you can take it as a fact that he’s really interested in it. Real listening also means not just listening to words, but to tones of voice. If the voice sounds dull, then, it’s time for you to change the subject.
Finally, good talkers know well how to deal with the occasion of parting. If you’re saying good-bye, you may give him a firm handshake and say, “I’ve really enjoyed meeting you.” If you want to see that person again, don’t keep it a secret. Let people know what you feel, and they may walk away feeling as if they’ve known you half their life.
Asking questions might be a quite good and suitable way _______.
A.for you to make more and more new friends |
B.to begin your business talks |
C.to get the conversation going smoothly |
D.for you to make a deep and lasting impression on others |
After having asked somebody a question, it’ll be polite of you to _______.
A.make clear what kind of person he is |
B.listen to his reply attentively |
C.wait quietly and patiently for his answer |
D.go on asking him more questions |
Generally speaking, good talkers are persons who _______.
A.are good at making any topic interesting |
B.never talk too much or too little |
C.always speak in a gentle way |
D.know how and when they should change the topic of the talk |
If you really take delight in meeting someone again, _______.
A.you may take him as your lifelong trustworthy friend |
B.it seems necessary for you to let him know it |
C.it’s proper for you to give him a second handshake |
D.it’ll be helpful for you to have further understanding of him |
To Chinese immigrants, in the mid-1800s, California was “The Land of the Golden Mountain.” In their homeland they had heard the words, “There’s gold in California.” They sailed 7,000miles to join the gold rush and strike it rich. Between 1849 and 1882, more than 30,000 Chinese came to California. Most were men. They had been farmers in China. They came here to be miners and laborers. They ended up doing many other jobs, too.
Like many other immigrants, they did not plan to stay in America. They came because of their ties to their homeland and their families. They planned to return to China with their fortunes and help their families.
Only a few Chinese gold miners struck it rich. Most picked over the areas that had been mined already. But still, white miners resented the Chinese. Slowly, they drove the “yellow peril” from the mining camps.
By the end of the 1850s, many Chinese returned home. Those who stayed found other jobs.
Few women had come west in the gold rush. The Chinese saw a good business opportunity. They began doing the jobs women would have done. Many became house servants. Many more opened laundries.
The Chinese opened restaurants. Chop suey and show mein are popular Chinese-American dishes. The Chinese probably created these dishes to serve to the white miners.
Other Chinese became fishermen, farmers, and even cigar makers.
Why did Chinese go to America in the mid-1800s?
A.Because they could find good jobs there. |
B.Because they had found gold there. |
C.Because they could open laundries and restaurants there. |
D.Because they heard there was gold there. |
The underlined word “resented” mean “________”.
A.liked | B.helped | C.hated | D.served |
of the following was NOT mentioned in the passage?
A.Some Chinese became drivers. |
B.Many Chinese opened shops to help wash clothes. |
C.Many Chinese picked gold around the old mines. |
D.Many Chinese returned to China by the end of the 1850s. |
should be the title of the passage?
A.Early Chinese immigrants in America |
B.Dream to strike it rich |
C.The difference between men and women |
D.Gold miners in America |
Modern life is a lot les s to the advantage of friendships and neighborliness than it used to be. The average American moves every five years. People drive straight into their garages, hire lawn services, hang out in their backyards instead of their front porches (前走廊). These days, neighbors don't even know each other's names.
Good neighbors and good friends are a lot like electricity or running water: We don't know how much we depend on them until we don't have them. In fact, the authors of a recent book, Refrigerator Rights, claim that refrigerators are signs of close relationships--after all, you wouldn't snatch a drumstick(鸡腿) from the refrigerator of a stranger.
The surprising thing is that all it takes to strengthen your relationship with friends and neighbors is respect for their feelings, concern for their property, and a helping hand when it's needed. Here's how to develop your relationships with two types of vitally important people in your life.
_________________. A true friend doesn't flee when changes occur. The sign of a good friend is one who stays true through it all--marriage, parenthood, new jobs, new homes, the losses. Just because situations change doesn't mean the person has to.
Friendships fade away if there isn't an balance between the give and the take. So make sure you aren't being a burden to your friends. Be sensitive to how much your friend can and can't offer you--be it time, energy, or help -- and don't step over the line. Meanwhile, friendships that drain(耗尽) you will not last. If a friendship is out of balance in this way, you'll need to talk the situation through.
1. Which sentence in the passage is the closest in meaning to the following one?
A true friend will stay the same even when the situations change.
2. Fill in the blank in Paragraph 4 with a proper sentence. (Within 10 words)
3. What advice is given in the last paragraph? (Within 10 words)
4. What do you think the author will go on talking about if the passage continues?(Within 10 words)
5. Translate the underlined sentence in the last paragraph into Chinese.
Play is the basic business of childhood, and in recent years research has shown the great importance of play in the development of a human being. From earliest infancy (婴儿), every child needs opportunity and the right materials for play, and the main tools of play are toys. The main function of toys is to suggest, encourage and play. To succeed in this, they must be good toys, which children will play with often, and will come back to again, and again. Therefore it is important to choose suitable toys for different stages of a child’s development.
In recent years research on infant development has shown that the standard a child is likely to reach, within the range of his inherited (遗传的) abilities, is largely determined in the first three years of his life. So a baby’s ability to benefit from the right play materials should not be underestimated. A baby who is encouraged, talked to and shown things and played with, has the best chance of growing up successfully.
In the next stage, from three to five years old, curiosity knows no bounds. Every type of suitable toys should be made available to the child, for trying out, experimenting and learning, for discovering his own particular ability: Bricks and jigsaws (七巧板) and construction toys; painting, scribbling (涂鸦) and making things; sand and water play;toys for imaginative and pretending play — the first social games for learning to play and get on with others.
But at the third stage of play development — from five to seven or eight years old — the child is at school. But for a few more years play is still the best way of learning, at home or at school. It is easier to see which type of toys the child most enjoys.
Until the age of seven or eight, play and work mean much the same to a child. But once reading has been mastered, then books become the main source of learning. Toys are still interesting and valuable, which lead up to new hobbies, but their significance has changed — to a child of nine or ten years old, toys and games mean, as to adults, relaxation and fun.
according to the first passage we know that as a child grows up________.
A.he should be allowed to choose his own toys |
B.he should be given the same toys |
C.he should be given different toys |
D.he should be given fewer and fewer toys |
according to the passage, the abilities a child has inherited from his parents________.
A.determine his character |
B.will not change after the age of three |
C.partly determine the standard he is likely to reach |
D.to a large extent determine the choice of toys |
We learn from the passage that a child has boundless curiosity________.
A.when he is two | B.when he is around four |
C.when he is six | D.when he is eight |
The passage is mainly about________.
A.the importance of pre-school education | B.the importance of schooling |
C.the role of play in a child’s development | D.the choice of toys for youngster |
Everyone has got two personalities—the one that is shown to the world and the other that is secret and real.You don't show your secret personality when you're awake because you can control your behaviour,but when you're asleep, your sleeping position shows the real you.In a normal night,of course,people frequently change their position.The important position is the one that you go to sleep in.
If you go to sleep on your back,you're a very open person.You normally trust people and you are easily influenced by fashion or new ideas.You don't like to upset people,so you never express your real feelings.You're quite shy and you aren't very confident.
If you sleep on your stomach,you are a rather secretive(不坦率的)person.You worry a lot and you're always easily upset.You're very stubborn(顽固的),but you aren't very ambitious.You usually live for today not for tomorrow.This means that you enjoy having a good time.
If you sleep curled up(卷曲),you are probably a very nervous person.You have a low opinion of yourself and so you're often defensive.You're shy and you don't normally like meeting people.You prefer to be on your own.You're easily hurt.
If you sleep on your side,you have usually got a well-balanced personality.You know your strengths and weaknesses.You're usually careful. You have a confident personality.You sometimes feel anxious,but you don't often get depressed.You always say what you think even if it annoys people.
According to the writer,you naturally show your secret and real personality _____.
A.only in a normal night |
B.only when you go to sleep |
C.only when you refuse to show yourself to the world |
D.only when you change sleeping position |
Which is NOT mentioned in the second paragraph about a person's personality?
A.He or she is always open with others. |
B.He or she always likes new ideas earlier than others. |
C.He or she is always easily upset. |
D.He or she tends to believe in others. |
Point out which sentence is used to show the personality of a person who is used to sleeping on his or her stomach?
A.He or she is careful not to offend others. |
B.He or she doesn't want to stick to his or her opinion. |
C.He or she can't be successful in any business. |
D.He or she likes to bring others happiness. |
Maybe you don't want to make friends with a person who sleeps curled up.Why?
A.He or she would rather be alone than communicate with you. |
B.He or she is rarely ready to help you. |
C.He or she prefers staying at home to going out. |
D.He or she wouldn't like to get help from you. |
It appears that the writer tends to think highly of the person who sleeps on one side because ______ .
A.he or she always shows sympathy for people |
B.he or she is confident,but not stubborn |
C.he or she has more strengths than weaknesses |
D.he or she often considers annoying people |
Dear Hamilton,
We are fortunate that in such a large, high-pressure office we all get along so well. You are one of the people who keep the social temperature at such a comfortable setting. I don’t know anyone in the office who is better liked than you.
You can perhaps help with this. The collection of contributions towards gifts for employees’ personal-life events is becoming a little troubling. Certainly, the group sending of a gift is reasonable now and then. In the past month, however, there have been collections for two baby shower gifts, one wedding shower gift, two wedding gifts, one funeral(葬礼)remembrance, four birthday gifts, and three graduation gifts.
It’s not only the collected-from who are growing uncomfortable (and poor), but the collected-for feel uneasy receiving gifts from people who don’t know them outside the office, who wouldn’t even recognize their graduating children, their marrying daughters and sons, or their dead relatives.
This is basically a kind gesture (and one that people think well of you for), but the practice seems to have become too wide-ranging and feels improper in today’s office setting.
Thank you for understanding.
The underlined word “contributions” probably means ________.
A.money | B.suggestions | C.reports | D.understanding |
Hamilton is expected to _______.
A.show more kindness. | B.discontinue the present practice |
C.quit being the organizer for gift giving | D.know more about co-workers’ families |
This is basically a letter of ________.
A.apology | B.sympathy | C.appreciation | D.dissatisfaction |
Traveling can be a way to gain life experiences, especially during Spring Break — a week long school vacation in the United States. But what if you’re a student and don’t have enough money for a trip? Don’t worry. Here are some useful suggestions.
●Save: This probably is the most important preparation for traveling. Cut expenses to fatten your wallet so you’ll have more choices about where to go and how to get there.
●Plan ahead: Don’t wait until the last minute to plan your trip. Tickets may cost more when bought on short notice. Giving yourself several months to get ready can mean security(安全) and savings.
●Do your homework: No matter where you go, research the places you will visit. Decide what to see. Travel books will provide information on the cheapest hotels and restaurants.
●Plan sensibly: Write down what you expect to spend for food and hotels. Stick to your plan or you may not have enough money to cover everything.
●Travel in groups: Find someone who is interested in visiting the same places. By traveling with others you can share costs and experiences.
●Work as you go: Need more money to support your trip? Look for work in the places you visit.
●Go off the beaten path: Tourist cities may be expensive. You may want to rethink your trip and go to a lesser-known area. Smaller towns can have many interesting activities and sights.
●Pack necessary things: The most important things to take are not always clothes: Remember medicine in case you get sick and snacks in case you cannot find a cheap restaurant.
●Use the Internet: The Net can help to save money. Some useful websites include www. Travelocity. com, www. bargains-lowest fare. com and www. Economic travel. com.
By planning sensibly, even students can enjoy the travel. Your travel experiences will be remembered for a lifetime.
This passage is about _______.
A.how to plan your travel | B.how to travel with enough money |
C.how to make your travel interesting | D.how to get life experiences |
Before your trip, the first thing you should do is _______.
A.to make a plan of the route | B.to get information in the Internet |
C.to save money by spending less | D.to buy tickets in advance |
The writer advises you _______.
A.to share costs with any other people | B.not to go to well-known places |
C.not to visit dangerous places | D.to buy anything you want to buy |
During your trip, _______.
A.you need more shoes than clothes |
B.you shouldn’t look for work all the way |
C.you can gain valuable life experiences |
D.you should forget to do your homework |
There are two types of people in the world. Although they have equal degree of health and wealth and other comforts of life, one becomes happy and the other becomes unhappy. This arises from the different ways in which they consider things, persons, events and the resulting effects upon their minds.
People who are to be happy fix their attention on the convenience of things: the pleasant parts of conversation, the well prepared dishes, the goodness of the wine and the fine weather. They enjoy all the cheerful things. Those who are to be unhappy think and speak only of the opposite things. Therefore, they are continually dissatisfied. By their remarks, they sour the pleasure of society, offend(hurt) many people, and make themselves disagreeable everywhere. If this turn of mind was founded in nature, such unhappy persons would be the more to be pitied. The intention of criticizing(批评) and being disliked is perhaps taken up by imitation(模仿). It grows into a habit, unknown to its possessors. The habit may be strong, but it may be cured when those who have it realize its bad effects on their interests and tastes. I hope this little warning may be of service to them, and help them change this habit.
Although in fact it is chiefly an act of the imagination, it has serious results in life since it brings on deep sorrow and bad luck. Those people offend many others; nobody loves them, and no one treats them with more than the most common politeness and respect. This frequently puts them in bad temper and draws them into arguments. If they aim at getting some advantages in social position or fortune, nobody wishes them success. Nor will anyone start a step or speak a word to favor their hopes. If they bring on themselves public objections, no one will defend or excuse them, and many will join to criticize their wrongdoings. These should change this bad habit and be pleased with what is pleasing, without worrying needlessly about themselves and others. If they do not, it will be good for others to avoid any contact(接触) with them. Otherwise, it can be disagreeable and sometimes very inconvenient, especially when one becomes mixed up in their quarrels.
People who are unhappy _______.
A.always consider things differently from others |
B.usually are affected by the results of certain things |
C.usually misunderstand what others think or say |
D.always discover the unpleasant side of certain things |
The phrase “sour the pleasure of society” most nearly means “_______”.
A.have a good taste with social life | B.make others unhappy |
C.tend so scold others openly | D.enjoy the pleasure of life |
We can conclude from the passage that _______.
A.we should pity all such unhappy people |
B.such unhappy people are dangerous to social life |
C.people can get rid of the habit of unhappiness |
D.unhappy people can not understand happy persons |
If such unhappy persons insist on keeping the habit, the author suggests that people should _______.
A.prevent any communication with them |
B.show no respect and politeness to them |
C.persuade them to recognize the bad effects |
D.quarrel with them until they realize the mistakes |
In this passage, the writer mainly _______.
A.describes two types of people |
B.laughs at the unhappy people |
C.suggests the unhappy people should get rid of the habits of unhappiness |
D.tells people how to be happy in life |
LONDON — Life for Cathy Hagner and her three children is set to permanent(永久的) fast-forward.
Their full school day and her job as a lawyer's assistant are busy enough. But Hanger also has to take the two boys to soccer or hockey or basketball while dropping off her daughter at piano lessons or Girl Scout Club.
Often, the exhausted family doesn't get home until 7 pm. There is just time for a quick supper before homework. In today's world, middle-class American and British parents treat their children as if they are competitors racing for some finishing line.
Parents take their children from activity to activity in order to make their future bright. It seems that raising a genius has become a more important goal than raising a happy and well-balanced child.
“Doctors across the country are reporting a growing number of children suffering from stomachaches and headaches due to exhaustion and stress,” says child expert William Doherty of the University of Minnesota.
Teachers are dealing with exhausted kids in the classroom. It's a very serious problem. Many children attend after-school clubs by necessity. But competitive pressures also create an explosion of activities. They include sports, language, music and math classes for children as young as four.
“There is a new parenting trend(趋势) under way which says that you have to tap all your child’s potential(潜能) at a young age; otherwise you will let him down,” says Terry Apter, a Cambridge-based child and adolescent psychiatrist(青少年精神病专家).
“It isn't entirely new: there have always been pushy parents. But what was previously(以前) seen as strange behaviour is now well accepted.”
From the second paragraph of this passage we can find that _______.
A.Hagner wastes much time helping her children's lessons |
B.Hagner doesn't spend much time on her full-time job |
C.Hagner is interested in sports and music |
D.Hagner busies herself by following a trend |
British parents, as the writer described in this passage, _______.
A.treat their children as sports players |
B.pay no attention to their children's lessons |
C.bring up their children in a simple way |
D.give their children little time to develop freely |
The writer's opinion about after-school clubs is that ________.
A.activities in the country are too competitive |
B.children should attend four clubs at a time |
C.some clubs result in competitive pressures |
D.clubs should have more subjects for school children |
The last paragraph tells us that in Britain _______.
A.parents used to take their children to every club |
B.parents used to be wise on how to raise children |
C.parents have all benefited from children’s clubs |
D.parents have come to know the standard of education |