A. committed B. compared C. contact D. delegation E. destructive F. humble G. negotiate H. respelled I. similarity J. superiors K. witnessed |
Some Very "American" Words Come from Chinese
Many of the Chinese words that are now part of English were borrowed long ago. They are most often from Cantonese (粤语) or other Chinese languages rather than Mandarin. Let's start with them.
kowtow
The English word kowtow is a verb that means to agree too easily to do what someone else wants you to do, or to obey someone with power in a way that seems (1) . It comes from the Cantonese word kau tau, which means "knock your head". It refers to the act of kneeling and lowering one's head as a sign of respect to (2) such as emperors, elders and leaders. In the case of emperors, the act required the person to touch their head to the ground. Britain's Lord George Macartney refused to "kau tau" to the Qianlong Emperor. Soon after, the English word "kowtow" was born. In 1793, Britain's King George III sent Lord George Macartney and other trade ambassadors to China to (3) a trade agreement. The Chinese asked them to kowtow to the Qianlong Emperor. As the story goes, Lord Macartney refused for his (4) to do more than bend their knees. He said that was all they were required to do for their own king.
It is not surprising, then, that Macartney left China without negotiating the trade agreement. After that, critics used the word kowtow when anyone was too submissive to China. Today, the usage has no connection to China, nor any specific political connection.
gung﹣ho
Another borrowed word that came about through (5) between two nations is gung﹣ho. In English, the word gung﹣ho is an adjective that means extremely excited about doing something. The Chinese characters "gong" and "he" together mean "work together, cooperate." The original term gongyehezuoshe means Chinese Industrial Cooperatives. The organizations were established in the 1930s by Westerners in China to promote industrial and economic development. Lt. Colonel Evans Carlson of the United States Marine Corps observed these cooperatives while he was in China. He was impressed, saying "…all the soldiers (6) themselves to one idea and worked together to put that idea over." He then began using the term gung﹣ho in the Marine Corps to try to create the same spirit he had (7) . In 1942, he used the word as a training slogan for the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion during World War II. The men were often called the "Gung Ho Battalion." From then, the word gung﹣ho spread as a slogan throughout the Marine Corps. Today, its meaning has no relation to the military.
typhoon
In English, a typhoon is a very powerful and (8) storm that occurs around the China Sea and in the South Pacific. The word history of typhoon had a far less direct path to the English language than gung﹣ho. And not all historical accounts are the same. But, according to the Merriam﹣webster New Book of Word Histories, the first typhoons reported in the English language were in India and were called "touffons" or "tufans." The word tufan or al﹣tufan is Arabic and means violent storm or flood. The English came across this word in India and borrowed it as touffon. Later, when English ships encountered violent storms in the China Sea, Englishmen learned the Cantonese word tai fung, which means "great wind." The word's (9) to touffon is only by chance. The modern form of the word typhoon was influenced by the Cantonese but (10) to make it appear more Greek.
To forgive is a virtue, but no one has ever said it is easy. When someone has deeply hurt you, it can be extremely difficult to let go of your hate. However, forgiveness is possible, and it can be surprisingly beneficial to your physical and mental health. People who forgive show less sadness, anger and stress and more hopefulness, according to a recent research.
___________ Try the following steps:
Calm yourself. ___________ You can take a couple of breaths and think of something that gives you pleasure: a beautiful scene in nature, or someone you love.
Don’t wait for an apology. Many times the person who hurt you does not intend to apologize. They may have wanted to hurt you or they just don’t see things the same way. _________ Keep in mind that forgiveness does not necessarily mean becoming friends again with the person who upset you.
Take the control away from your offender(冒犯者). Rethinking about your hurt gives power to the person who causes you pain. Instead of focusing on your wounded feelings, learn to look for the love, beauty and kindness around you.
_________ If you understand your offender, you may realize that he or she was acting out of unawareness, fear, and even love. You may want to write a letter to yourself from your offender’s point of view.
Don’t forget to forgive yourself. __________ But it can rob you of your self-confidence if you don’t do it.
A.Why should you forgive? |
B.How should you start to forgive? |
C.Recognize the benefits of forgiveness. |
D.Try to see things from your offender’s angle. |
E.For some people, forgiving themselves is the biggest challenge.
F.To make your anger die away, try a simple stress-management technique.
G.If you wait for people to apologize, you could be waiting an awfully long time.
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How can we all get more laughter into our lives? Here is what the experts suggest:
_________
Nancy Alguire, a teacher in Clifton Park, N.Y. was once painfully shy and she seldom laughed. Then she married a circus clown (小丑). “I became interested in the clowns,” she recalls,“ One day I put on a costume and paint my face. That afternoon my whole life changed. I learned to laugh and enjoy life in a way I had never done before.” _________ To this day, she still makes it a rule to be with people who enjoy life and laughing.
_________
It doesn’t take you too much time and can be easy. Collect favorite cartoons and jokes. Also, keep a paper for writing down humor you find in everyday life.“Good ideas come and go fast, you have to capture them quickly or they are gone,” says Virginia Tooper.
Laugh when you need it most.
“_________” says comedian Bill Cosby.“And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it,” he insists.
Gray Alan, a sociology professor at the University of Minnesota, claims that laughter is a skill we can all gain—because it comes naturally. _________ Just remember: we are just here for a period, so get a few laughs.
A.You can soften the worst blows through humor. |
B.Mix with people who laugh. |
C.Practise the art of laughing. |
D.Keep a laughter file. |
E. He who laughs last laughs best.
F. But it’s also something that has to be developed.
G. People’s joy can affect those around them.
Stress is a normal part of life and usually comes from everyday occurrences.
____
◆Try physical activity
When you are nervous, angry or upset, try releasing the pressure through exercise or physical activity.__ __
◆___
You should make every effort to eat well and get enough rest. If you easily get angry and can't sleep well enough,or if you're not eating properly,it will be more likely that you will fall into stressful situations.If stress repeatedly keeps you from sleeping,you should consult a doctor.
◆Make time for yourself
Schedule time for both work and entertainment.Don't forget,play can be just as important to your overall well-being as work.__ _Go windowshopping or work on a hobby.Allow yourself at least a half hour each day to do something you enjoy.
◆Make a list of things to do
Stress can result from disorganization and a feeling that “there's so much to do,and not enough time”.Trying to take care of everything at once can be too much for you and as a result,you may not achieve anything.__ __Set out to do the most important task first.
A.If you feel stress is hard to control, seek professional help. |
B.Competing with others, whether in accomplishments, appearance, or possessions, is an avoidable source of stress |
C.Here are some ways you can deal with everyday sources of stress. |
D.Instead,make a list of everything you have to do, and then do one thing at a time. |
E. You need a break from your daily routine to just relax and have fun.
F. Running, walking, playing tennis, and working in your garden are just some of the activities you might try.
G. Take care of yourself
信息匹配
A: Now,tell me about the man who stole your neighbour's car.What did he look like?
B: Well,sir.He was tall.
A:
B: Oh yes,and he was younger than you—only about thirty,I'd say.
A: Well! And what colour was his hair?
B: It was brown,and short.it was similar to yours,actually.
A:
B: No.He was clean-shaven.
A: OK.Now have a look at these photos—can you see him?
B:
A: But that's Frankie Famham—he's got a beard,and he's very short!
B: Hm,well...
A:
B: Yes,the strangest thing was that he appeared to be a gentleman—he was wearing a suit...not
like a thief at all.
A: Hm,like this photo?
B: Yes,that's him!
A: That’s Bill Mahony: he's in prison! Are you sure you saw the thief?
B:
A.No,I can't. |
B.Taller than me? |
C.How tall was he? |
D.Did he have a beard? |
E. Well,er,it was very dark...
F. Oh yes,he looked exactly like this one here.
G. Do you remember anything else about the man?
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Seven ways to find out what you really want in life
Be good to yourself
You can’t pinpoint(准确指出) exactly what you want in life .You’re constantly sacrificing your time and dreams for other people. Ask yourself: if you weren’t tied down by your job, family, or anything else, then what would you be doing right now?
Regret nothing
To be good to yourself is not selfish. It’s your life. It’s time for you to live it exactly the way you want to. If you constantly regret things you did or didn’t do in the past, then you won’t be able to move forward.
Figure out what you need
Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what you need. Sit down and think about what you need most. The freedom to express yourself? Love? Financial security? Something else? If it helps, you can make a list. Also think about the kind of legacy(遗产) you want to leave behind.
You can fly only by pushing back against something you don’t want. Figure out what upsets you, and be specific about it. Don’t just say that you hate your office job. Pinpoint exactly why you hate it. Could it be your strict boss? Your workload? Your meaningless job title? Or all of the above?
Determine what makes you truly happy
There’s no life to waste if you’re happy with living it. Think about what makes you happy. Being around children? Is it traveling? Owning a successful business? Financial freedom?
Let people around you know what you’re trying to achieve
Don’t keep your goals and desires to yourself. Voice it all out! If you tell people what you’re trying to accomplish, they will most likely support you and give you new ideas. Sometimes mother does know best!
Stay positive
Life doesn’t always go how you want it. Don’t feel discouraged as your plans stray(偏离). Take control. Instead of being anxious, try your best to advance with the changes. You will get there someday. You’re just taking a little detour.
A.Don’t live in the past but live in the present! |
B.Sometimes a positive attitude is all you need to keep going. |
C.Determine what really bothers you. |
D.Once you pinpoint the one thing that makes you happy the most, you’ll have a pretty clear idea of what you should struggle hard to get in your life. |
E. You have to put yourself first, because if you don’t, then no one else will.
F. Determine what you are going to do next.
G. You should think of things positively.
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As Nicole and Mike Zupan get closer to retirement, they worry about more than just covering their own living expenses for the next several decades.
He is autistic(患自闭症的) and may never be able to live on his own. Their idea of retirement is to live a quiet life close to their son. They want to create a special needs trust to help pay for treatment and other expenses he might face as an adult.
“Because of our son’s needs, I guess I never really considered true retirement for us,” she says.
She is to attend college in a few years.
The Zupans’ ideal plan is for Mike, 60, to retire first, in five to seven years, and for Nicole, 52, to continue working for several years beyond that before she joins him in retirement.
But before they can get there, they want to pay off the $18,000 in credit card debt, partly because their son’s treatment is not covered by insurance. They have about $230,000 left on the mortgage(按揭) for their home in Fairfax County, Va., which they assess will take about 12 years to pay off.
Matters are complicated by the fact that Nicole, who worked as a preschool teacher, is now unemployed while she recovers from foot operation. Mike’s $120,000 income, which he earns as a government clerk, is enough to cover their basic living expenses. But Nicole wants to get back to work so the family could afford more treatment for Josef and pay down their debt faster. They also would be able to save more for their long-term goals, including retirement, their daughter’s college tuition and their son’s future living expenses.
A.Besides they have a $14,000 loan they used on home improvements. |
B.It’s unlikely that Josef will go to college. |
C.They’re also trying to save for their 14-year-old daughter, Elshaday. |
D.They want to set aside enough money for their 15-year-old son, Josef. |
E. It could be a few weeks before she can return to the workforce.
F. Can their retirement savings cover them?
G. He may need to move into a group home when he gets older.
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A. |
It's not a simple matter to determine the nature of talent. |
B. |
Sports team owners spend millions of dollars attracting top talent |
C. |
The group interaction and its effect drew the researchers' attention. |
D. |
Stars apparently do not follow this basic principle of sportsmanship. |
E. |
Several recent studies examined the role of talent in the sports world. |
F. |
Building up a dream team is more complex than simply hiring the best talent. |
G. |
This task interdependence distinguishes baseball from football and basketball. |
Much of the work in today's world is accomplished (完成) in teams. Most people believe the best way to build a great team is to gather a group of the most talented individuals. ________ Companies spend millions hiring top business people. Is their money well spent?
________ They focused on football, basketball and baseball. The results are mixed. For football and basketball, adding talented players to a team proves a good method, but only up to the point where 70% of the players are top talent; above that level, the team's performance begins to decline. Interestingly, this trend isn't evident in baseball, where additional individual talent keeps improving the team's performance.
To explain this phenomenon, the researchers explored the degree to which a good performance by a team requires its members to coordinate (协调) their actions. ________ In baseball, the performance of individual players is less dependent on teammates. They conclude that when task interdependence is high, team performance will suffer when there is too much talent, while individual talent will have positive effects on team performance when task interdependence is lower. If a basketball star is, for example, trying to gain a high personal point total, he may take a shot himself when it would be better to pass the ball to a teammate, affecting the team's performance. Young children learning to play team sports are often told, "There is no I in TEAM." ________
Another possibility is that when there is a lot of talent on a team, some players may make less effort. Just as in a game of tug-of-war (拔河比赛), whenever a person is added, everyone else pulls the rope with less force.
________. An A-team may require a balance-not just a players, but a few generous B players as well.
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Personal Forgiveness
ㅤTaking responsibility for mistakes is a positive step,but don't beat yourself up about them. To err (犯错)is human.(1)____You can use the following writing exercise to help you do this.
ㅤIn a journal or on a piece of paper,put the heading "Personal strengths."(2)____ Are you caring?Creative?Generous?A good listener?Fun to be around?They don't have to be world ﹣changing,just aspects of your personality that you're proud of.
ㅤAt the top of a second page,put the heading"Acts of kindness." On this one,list all the positive things you've done for others. It might be the time when you helped a friend with their homework,when you did the ironing without being asked,or when you baked cookies after the family had had a tiring day.(3)____
ㅤYou could ask a friend or family member to help add to your list.(4)____That way,you could exchange thoughts on what makes each of you special and the aspects of your personality that shine through. In fact,don't wait until you've made a mistake to try this—it's a great way to boost self﹣confidence at any time.
ㅤIt's something of a cliché(陈词滥调) that most people learn not from their successes but their mistakes.
The thing is,it's true.(5)____We' re all changing and learning all the time and mistakes are a positive way to develop and grow.
A. |
A little self﹣forgiveness also goes a long way. |
B. |
Now list all the characteristics you like about yourself. |
C. |
They might even like to have a go at doing the exercise. |
D. |
It's just as important to show yourself some forgiveness. |
E. |
It doesn't mean you have to ignore what's happened or forget it. |
F. |
Whatever it is,no matter how small it might seem,write it down. |
G. |
Whatever the mistake,remember it isn't a fixed aspect of your personality. |
Tricks To Becoming A Patient Person
ㅤHere's a riddle:What do traffic jams,long lines and waiting for a vacation to start all have in common?There's one answer(1) .
ㅤIn the Digital Age,we're used to having what we need immediately and right at our fingertips.However,research suggests that if we practiced patience,we'd be a whole lot better off.Here are several tricks.
ㅤ●Practice gratitude(感激)
ㅤThankfulness has a lot of benefits:Research shows it makes us happier,less stressed and even more optimistic.(2) . " Showing thankfulness can foster self control," said Ye Li,researcher at the University of California.
ㅤ●Make yourself wait
ㅤInstant gratification( 满足) may seem like the most " feel good" option at the time,but psychology research suggests waiting for things actually makes us happier in the long run.And the only way for us to get into the habit of waiting is to practice. (3) .Put off watching your favorite show until the weekend or wait 10 extra minutes before going for that cake.You'll soon find that the more patience you practice,the more you start to apply it to other,more annoying situations.
ㅤ●(4)
ㅤSo many of us have the belief that being comfortable is the only state we will tolerate,and when we experience something outside of our comfort zone,we get impatient about the circumstances.You should learn to say to yourself, "(5) . " You'll then gradually become more patient.
A. |
Find your causes |
B. |
Start with small tasks |
C. |
Accept the uncomfortable |
D. |
All this adds up to a state of hurry |
E. |
It can also help us practice more patience |
F. |
This is merely uncomfortable,not intolerable |
G. |
They're all situations where we could use a little extra patience |
A. The format of magazines enables children to be exposed to a wide variety of subjects. B. Magazines and newspapers provide adults with critical news. C. Being exposed to magazines and newspapers benefits you a lot. D. Keep interesting magazine pictures to give children story ideas. E. Magazines are valuable assets for many people, but in particular to children. F. Magazines and newspapers are expensive now but out of style. |
Magazine Articles: More Valuable Than You May Think
Parents are often surprised when teachers suggest their children read magazines. Read on to learn about the benefits that reading magazines offers to young readers and how to introduce your children to the medium.
Magazine Benefits
Magazine articles can provide reluctant readers with a lively, breezy writing style that can inspire them to read more.
The articles in magazines are generally short, which allows a child to finish reading a feature article without losing interest due to a short attention span. The writing in magazines also tends to be easy to read, especially if it is a children's publication.
By allowing your child to read magazines at an early age, you are encouraging development of a useful skill.(1) Getting into the habit of reading periodicals as a child will foster the habit of reading news articles that may continue into adulthood.
(2) Magazine articles challenge students to think about issues they may have never considered or cause them to rethink their world view. Information is available in a wide variety of reading levels because magazines are written for every audience imaginable. Many publications cover the same material in different writing styles that might make it easier for your child to comprehend.
Magazine Activities
Reading magazines as a family can be used to introduce each other to the various interests that each family member possesses. When your children are finished with their magazines, encourage them to pass their issue on to a sibling or other family member.
Once each family member has finished reading each magazine, you can use them for art and writing projects. These projects are for family members of all ages:
1. Cut out pictures to help your preschool and kindergarten children learn their alphabet, numbers, and colors.
2. (3) Paste the picture at the top of a page and have them write a story about what is happening or what the picture represents.
3. Clip pictures to create a collage. Many teenagers love using their artistic talents to collage.
(4) The skills that students utilize and strengthen when reading magazines can be applied to higher level reading and other academic subjects. Encouraging your child to read by giving them a magazine subscription could cause them to take the leap from being a reluctant reader to a voracious page﹣turner.
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Color is fundamental in home design-something you'll always have in every room. A grasp of how to manage color in your spaces is one of the first steps to creating rooms you'll love to live in. Do you want a room that's full of life? Or are you just looking for a place to relax after a long day?___36_____, color is the key to making a room feel the way you want it to feel.
Over the years, there have been a number of different techniques to help designers approach this important point.___37_____, they can get a little complex. But good news is that there're really only three kinds of decisions you need to make about color in your home: the small ones, the medium ones, and the large ones.
____38____.They're the little spots of color like throw pillows, mirrors and baskets that most of us use to add visual interest to our rooms. Less tiring than painting your walls and less expensive than buying a colorful sofa, small color choices bring with them the significant benefit of being easily changeable.
Medium color choices are generally furniture pieces such as sofas, dinner tables or bookshelves.___39_____.They require a bigger commitment than smaller ones, and they have a more powerful effect on the feeling of a space.
The large color decision in your rooms concern the walls, ceilings, and floors. Whether you're looking at wallpaper or paint, the time, effort and relative expense put into it are significant.___40_____.
A. | While all of them are useful |
B. | Whatever you're looking for |
C. | If you're experimenting with a color |
D. | Small color choices are the ones we're most familiar with |
E. | It's not really a good idea to use too many small color pieces |
F. | So it pays to be sure, because you want to get it right the first time |
G. | Color choices in this range are a step up from the small ones in two major ways |
A Few Tips for Self﹣Acceptance
We all want it …to accept and love ourselves.But at times it seems too difficult and too far out of reach.(1) Here's a handful of ways that will set you in the right direction.
●(2) Do not follow the people who make you feel not﹣good﹣enough.Why do you follow them?Are you hoping that eventually you will feel empowered because your life is better than theirs?Know that your life is your own;you are the only you in this world.
●Forgive yourself for mistakes that you have made.We are often ashamed of our shortcomings,our mistakes and our failures.(3) You will make mistakes,time and time again.Rather than getting caught up in how you could have done better,why not offer yourself a compassionate (有同情心) response?"That didn't go as planned.But,I tried my best."
●Recognize all of your strengths.Write them down in a journal.Begin to train your brain to look at strength before weakness.List all of your accomplishments and achievements.You have a job,earned your degree,and you got out of bed today.(4)
●Now that you've listed your strengths,list your imperfections.Turn the page in your journal.Put into words why you feel unworthy,why you don't feel good enough.Now,read these words back to yourself.(5) Turn to a page in your journal to your list of strengths and achievements.See how awesome you are?
A. |
Feeling upset again? |
B. |
Where do you start? |
C. |
Nothing is too small to celebrate. |
D. |
Remember, you are only human. |
E. |
Set an intention for self﹣acceptance. |
F. |
Stop comparing yourself with others. |
G. |
When does the comparison game start? |
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Taking good notes is a time-saving skill that will help you to become a better student in several ways . Second, your notes are excellent materials to refer to when you are studying for a test. Third, note-taking offers variety to your study time and helps you to hold your interest.
You will want to take notes during classroom discussions and while reading a textbook or doing research for a report. .Whenever or however you take notes, keep in mind that note-taking is a selective process. .
The following methods may work best for you.
●Read the text quickly to find the main facts and ideas in it.
●Carefully read the text and watch for words that can show main points and supporting facts.
● Write your notes in your own words.
● .
● Note any questions or ideas you may have about what was said or written.
As you take notes, you may want to use your own shorthand(速记). When you do, be sure that you understand your symbols and that you use them all the time. .
A.Use words, not complete sentences. |
B.There are three practical note-taking methods. |
C.You must write your notes on separate paper. |
D.Otherwise, you may not be able to read your notes later. |
E. you will also want to develop your own method for taking notes.
F. That means you must first decide what is important enough to include in your notes.
G. First, the simple act of writing something down makes it easier for you to understand and remember it.
Getting your children to study can be a little like getting them to eat their vegetables.
Make a study time and have it at the same time every day. This will help your kids to learn to schedule their day and will give them a sense of control over how they spend their time.
Allow them to study in blocks of time, such as for half an hour with a five-minute break in the middle. Ideal (理想的)study times are after dinner or right after school before dinner.
Never allow your children to study in front of the television, as that will encourage passive activity. You’ll also need to help your kids find the right place to study. After you’ve set up a good study time for little learners, set up a good place where they can get those creative juices flowing.
Make sure there is a table or a desk and a comfortable chair.
This includes helping them out with their homework sometimes and being there for them with the answers to any questions. The input you give your children during study periods will help form a bond and help make studying enjoyable.
A.Hold them to the schedule they create for themselves. |
B.Pick a place where your children can study properly. |
C.Keep the atmosphere light and offer lots of encouragement, too. |
D.One of the best ways to form good study habits for your kids is to design a schedule that they keep to. |
E. Try to stop this bad habit by offering some sort of reward.
F. Instead, use TV as a treat or a reward when the homework is completed.
G. Finally, spend time with your kids when they’re studying.