Supershorttalesoftheunexpected-优题课

In modern society there is a great deal of argument about competition. Some value it highly, believing that it is responsible for social progress and prosperity; others say that competition is bad; that it sets one person against another; that it leads to unfriendly relationship between people.
I have taught many children who held the belief that their self-worth relied on how well they performed at tennis and other skills. For them, playing well and winning are often life-and-death affairs. In their single-minded pursuit of success, the development of many other human qualities is sadly forgotten.
However, while some seem to be lost in the desire to succeed, others take an opposite attitude. In a culture which values only the winner and pays no attention to the ordinary players, they strongly blame competition. Among the most vocal are youngsters who have suffered under competitive pressures from their parents or society. Teaching these young people, I often observe in them a desire to fail. They seem to seek failure by not trying to win or achieve success. By not trying, they always have an excuse: “I may have lost, but it doesn’t matter because I really didn’t try.” What is not usually admitted by themselves is the belief that if they had really tried and lost, that would mean a lot. Such a loss would be a measure of their worth. Clearly, this belief is the same as that of the true competitors who try to prove themselves. Both are based on the mistaken belief that one’s self-respect relies on how well one performs in comparison with others. Both are afraid of not being valued. Only as this basic and often troublesome fear begins to dissolve can we discover a new meaning in competition.
What does this passage mainly talk about?

A．Competition helps to set up self-respect.

B．Opinions about competition are different among people.

C．Competition is harmful to personal quality development.

D．Failures are necessary experiences in competition

Why do some people favor competition according to the passage?

A．It pushes society forward.

B．It builds up a sense of duty.

C．It improves personal abilities.

D．It encourages individual efforts.

What is the similar belief of the true competitors and those with a desire to fail ?

A．One’s worth lies in his performance compared with others.

B．One’s success in competition needs great efforts.

C．One’s achievement is determined by his particular skills.

D．One’s success is based on how hard he has tried.

Which point of view may the author agree to?

A．Every effort should be paid back.

B．Competition should be encouraged.

C．Winning should be a life-and-death matter.

D．Fear of failure should be removed in competition.

Opening week specials at Munchies Food Hall
At the corner of Green and Brown Streets in the city
Monday 7th of January until Sunday, 13th of January 2008
Feast until you’re full ! Come down to Munchies this week to enjoy the special dishes on offer at all of our food outlets. Order from the following:

·Succulent chicken rice ·Spicy satay beef
·Delicious noodle dishes ·Plump park chops
·Seafood specialties ·Crunchy vegetables
·Sweet tropical fruit
Halal food is available at the stall Malay Food Heaven
Win Prizes and Gifts !
·Spend $ 20.00 or more and win instant prizes from our lucky draw box.
·Collect a free party balloon and whistle for each young diner.
·Enjoy a free meal if you are the first customer of the day at any of our stalls.
·Win a holiday to Western Australia. A free raffle ticket is given with every receipt. Just fill in your information and place your entry in the box provided.
Winner to be announced in The Straits Times on the 15th of January.
Join in the Fun !
Between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm each evening until the 10th of January, your favorite Channel 3 television actors and singers will entertain you:
·May Lee ·Jackie Chen
·Kim Yap ·Kamal
Autograph sessions will follow each performance ! And who will be our extra special mystery star? Come down on Saturday at noon to find out.
The prices at Munchies are__________.

A．lower than usual

B．bargain prices for the opening

C．lower for two people

D．lower if you spend $ 21.00

Everyone who eats at Munchies will receive a _________.

A．free raffle ticket

B．lucky draw coupon

C．free meal

D．balloon and whistle

I will find out who has won the trip to Western Australia when I _________.

A．watch Channel 3 television

B．come down to Munchies at noon

C．read The Straits Times on the 15th of January

D．attend the lucky draw at Munchies Food Hall

When a child is told he is "uncool", it can be very painful. He may say he doesn't care, and even act in ways that are opposite of cool on purpose. But ultimately, these are simply ways to handle sadness by pretending it's not there.
Helping a child feel better in school had to be careful. If you say, "Why are you worried about what other children think about you? It doesn't matter!" children know that it does matter. Instead, an active way may be best. You could say, "I'm going to do a couple of things for you to help you feel better in school."
If a boy is having trouble making friends, the teacher can help him. The teacher can arrange things so that he has chances to use his abilities to contribute to class projects. This is how the other children learn how to value his good qualities and to like him. A teacher can also raise a child's popularity in the group by showing that he values that child. It even helps to put him in a seat next to a very popular child, or let him be a partner with that child in activities, etc.
There are things that parents can do at home, too. Be friendly when your child brings others home to play. Encourage him to invite friends to meals and then serve the dishes they consider "super". When you plan trips, picnics, movies, and other shows, invite another child with whom your child wants to be friends.
What you can do is to give him a chance to join a group that may be shutting him out. Then, if he has good qualities, he can start to build real friendship of his own.
A child who has been informed of being "uncool" may _____.

A．care nothing about it

B．develop a sense of anger

C．do something uncool purposely

D．pretend to get hurt very much

A teacher can help an unpopular child by _____.

A．seeing the child as the teacher's favourite

B．asking the child to do something for partners

C．forcing other children to make friends with the child

D．offering the child chances to show his good qualities

How can parents help their child fit in better?

A．By cooking delicious food for him.

B．By being kind to his schoolmates.

C．By forcing him to invite friends home.

D．By taking him to have picnics in the park.

Which of the following is TRUE?

A．Children don't care about others' comments on them.

B．It's only a teacher's work to make children popular.

C．Parents should take their children out for picnic and shows more often.

D．Inviting children's friends to family activities is good for them to make friends.

BEIJING, March 9—The central government will require an additional three years of use for official vehicles for ministers and governors to reduce the costs of purchasing new cars, media have reported.
The new rule has been applied among all Party and government departments nationwide, the Beijing News reported on Tuesday. The new rule has not yet been made public, said Li, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee.
Under the old rules, the cars used by minister-level officials could be replaced as often as every five years, Li said. These officials will also retain the same cars when they assume new posts, he added.
The new rule also reiterated（重申） that officials ranking below minister-or governor-levels should not be allocated(分配) cars. The cars possessed by their departments should be used on demand.
“It violates（违反） the rules for lower-ranking-even county-level-officials to be allocated cars, “Li said.
Purchases of vehicles for official use have been heavily investigated, as they account for a large expenditure of public funds every year.
A survey on the Web news www. ifeng. com found 64 percent of respondents believed the new rule will be difficult to implement（执行实施） because it is related to officials’ interests.
“Local government departments had halted approvals for requests for such vehicles and had started to work on new quotas under the new rules.” Li said.
“The future reform of official vehicle use will introduce market mechanisms and monetization.”
Premier Wen Jiabao said in the annual government work report on Saturday that expenditures on such vehicles will not increase in 2011 compared with a year ago.
Beijing’s standing deputy mayor Ji Lin last week said the municipal government will release the number of vehicles for official use in the capital as early as at the end of this month.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Finance had published a rule regulating the budgets for such vehicles.
What is the purpose of the new rule allocating vehicles among officials?

A．To promote a low-carbon lifestyle.

B．To cut down the present huge expenditures of purchasing cars.

C．To make good use of the budgets for official cars.

D．To solve the problem of severe traffic jam.

How often could the care used by minister-level officials be replaced according to the new rule?

A．Every 3 years.	B．Every 5 years.
C．Every 8 years.	D．Every 10 years.

What about the officials ranking below minister-or governor-levels in terms of official vehicles?

A．They can still possess special cars.

B．They can use their own private cars.

C．They can use cars whenever officially necessary.

D．They can be allocated second-hand cars.

What is the public’s attitude toward the new rule’s fulfillment?

A．Skeptical.	B．Optimistic.
C．Indifferent.	D．Passive.

Is there something that you’ve always wanted to try but just never have the time? Well, make plans to try it now since you are on summer vacation. Not all vacations call for taking a tour bus to take photos of famous landmarks. Some vacations allow you plenty of opportunities to learn.
The most difficult aspect of a learning vacation may be choosing one because the possibilities are endless. If you enjoy cooking, various companies can take you to Italy, France, Spain, Mexico or even Peru. Once there, you can learn to prepare the local cuisine(烹饪). Trips are often planned to fit in with local food festivals or special events.
The term “learning vacation” often brings language to mind. The best way to learn a language is in an environment where it’s spoken. Study Spanish, French or English. Or attempt a more unusual language like Polish, Estonian or Thai. You’ll be able to learn about the country and absorb the culture at the same time.
If you are fond of sports, you can polish your skills or learn new ones. Golf and tennis schools welcome players of all levels. If you want a bigger thrill, you can learn to surf, go climbing or race cars. It’s ever possible to learn the art and techniques of bull fighting while on vacation!
You can also discover your inner artist. Many places offer painting classes in different mediums. The scenic locations of the schools offer plenty of subjects that provide inspiration for practice.
If you prefer capturing the world on film, take a photography vacation. Travel with a small group to photograph beautiful animals or scenery. You can also practice your technique on people or at historical sights.
Once you decide on a vacation, choose a company carefully. Request names of recent customers you can contact, and then ask them for an evaluation(评价). The more you know before you go, the better prepared you’ll be. Then go out and learn something!
Why is it hard for you to decide on a learning vacation?

A．Because it is hard for you to make plans.

B．Because the possibilities are unlimited.

C．Because there are many good foods from abroad.

D．Because there’s too many food festivals or events.

The advantages of learning a language in its native country is that .

A．the environment is fit for you to use the language

B．you are able to learn the original foreign language

C．native speakers offer you a lot of chances to practice

D．you can learn the language and experience its culture

Which of the following sports suits you if you don’t like thrills?

A．Car racing.	B．Playing tennis.
C．Rock climbing.	D．Surfing.

The purpose of writing the text is to .

A．advertise some popular summer programmes

B．encourage readers to have a good time relaxing

C．offer some tips on how to enjoy a learning vacation

D．attract more readers to spend summer time learning