You must have been troubled by when to say "I love you" because it is one of the greatest puzzles in our life.
What if you say it first and your partner doesn’t love you back? Or if they do say it but you don’t feel they mean it? Being the first to declare your love can be never racking (紧张) and risky and can leave you feeling as vulnerable as a turtle with no shell. But is the person who says it first really in a position of weakness? Doesn’t it pay to hold back, play it cool and wait until the other half has shown their hand faster?
“A really good relationship should be about being fair and being equal,” says psychologist Sidney Crown. “But love is seldom equal.” “All relationships go through power struggles but,” he says, “if a love imbalance continues for years, the rot will set in.” That feeling of “I’ve always loved you more” may be subverted (颠覆,破坏) for a time, but it never goes away completely and it often emerges in squabbling (大声争吵). In love, at least, the silent, withholding type is not always the most powerful. “The strongest one in a relationship is often the person who feels confident enough to talk about their feelings,” says educational psychologist Ingrid Collins. Psychosexual therapist Paula Hall agrees. "The one with the upper hand is often the person who takes the initiative.” In fact, the person who says “I love you” first may also be the one who says “I’m bored with you’ first.” Hall believes that much depends on how "I love you" is said and the motivation of the person saying it. Is it said when they’re drunk? Is it said before their partner flies off on holiday, and what it really means is “Please don’ t be unfaithful to me” ? By saying “I love you”, they are really saying “Do you love me?” If so, wouldn’t it just be more honest to say that. Collins agrees that intention is everything. "It’s not what is said, but how it’s said. What it comes down to is the sincerity of the speaker.”What is the main idea of this passage?
A.The importance of "I love you" | B.The meaning of "I love you" |
C.The time of saying "I love you". | D.The place of saying "I love you" |
In the first sentence the author means that____________.
A.it is easy to say "I love you" |
B.it is hard to say "I love you" |
C.we have many troubles in our life |
D.people usually do not know when to say "I love you" |
According to the expert, a good relationship should be _____________.
A.fair and equal | B.fair and kind |
C.powerful and equal | D.confident and fair |
In the third paragraph, the phrase "with the upper hand" means __________.
A.being low in spirit | B.having only one hand |
C.being active | D.being passive |
What is the most important for you to consider when somebody say "I love you" to you?
A.The intention. | B.The place. | C.The time. | D.The determination. |
Learning English well is a great challenge, but with the help from technology(技术) it can be as easy as a piece of cake.
As well as the classroom, teachers and textbooks, the Internet, TV and radio programs can play an active role in helping learn English. The Internet is full of rich and up-to-date information. English learners might wish to try http://www.in2english.com.cn. It provides cultural information about Britain.
Another useful website for middle school students and teachers is: Besides reading 21st Century School Edition online, students are also invited to put their views on different topics up on the website.
Compared with the Internet, TV programs have their own advantages(优点): one does not have to sit at a computer and one can hear and watch the programs much better.
One popular English-learning program is called "Modern English". This focuses on spoken English in practical situations such as taking photos and shopping.
If you watch Beijing Television Channel 8, you might see a program titled "Study Abroad". Cartoons are used to explain how to use the word in daily life. Listening to the radio may not be a new way to learn English but it is easy.
China Radio International airs a program called "Studio Classroom" at 6:30 a.m. every day. This 25-minute program is aimed at middle school students and covers subjects from current news to travel and history, all in simple language.The author wants the readers to know that learning English __________.
A.is very difficult for us |
B.is very easy for us |
C.is neither easy nor difficult |
D.can be much easier with the help of technology |
One can practise spoken English in everyday situations in ___________.
A.Studio Classroom | B.21st Century School Edition |
C.Study Abroad | D.Modern English |
According to the author, TV programs are better than programs on the Internet because they __________.
A.can let you hear and watch the programs much better |
B.cost you nothing |
C.have more English passages |
D.have English courses whenever you need them |
What’s the main idea of this passage?
A.It introduces some websites of learning English |
B.It introduces some TV and radio programs of learning English |
C.It gives suggestions on learning English in modern ways |
D.It explains different English courses |
Frank Smithson woke up and leaned over to turn off the alarm clock. "Oh no!" he thought to himself. " Another day at that office; a boss who shouts at me all the time."
As Frank went downstairs his eyes fell on a large brown envelope by the door. He was overjoyed when he opened it and read the letter inside. "Bigwoods Football Pools(足球赌博公司)would like to congratulate you. You have won half a million pounds."
Frank suddenly came to life. The cigarette fell from his lips as he let out a shout that could be heard halfway down the street.
At 11:30 Frank arrived at work. "Please explain why you're so late," his boss said. "Go and jump in the lake," replied Frank. "I've just come into a little money so this is good-bye. Find yourself someone else to shout at."
That evening Frank was smoking a very expensive Havana cigar(雪茄) when a knock was heard on the door. He rushed to the door. Outside were two men, neatly(整洁) dressed in grey suits. "Mr. Smithson," one of them said, "we're from Bigwoods Football Pools. I'm afraid there's been a terrible mistake…"What do we know about Frank?
A.He was a lazy man. |
B.He made a lot of money. |
C.He didn't get on well with his boss. |
D.He was a lucky person. |
When he heard the knock at the door, Frank probably thought_______.
A.someone had come to make an apology |
B.someone had come to give him the money |
C.his friends had come to ask about the football pools |
D.his friends had come to congratulate him on his luck |
On hearing "…there's been a terrible mistake…" Frank was most likely to be ______.
A.disappointed | B.worried |
C.nervous | D.curious |
Have you ever noticed that the more you have the more you want? Let’s face it.Thinking our life is good enough doesn’t come naturally to many people.When we have high expectations of everything in life we will run into disappointment.Only when we are aware that needs are different from desires can we live with satisfaction.Here are a few ideas to help you be happier with what you have and who you are.
Focus on what you are thankful for.Most people want things to be better than they are, or when things are going well, we forget to appreciate what we have.Learn to reflect on how much better things are than they could be.Focus on what you are thankful for.Write down 5 things you are grateful for right now.
When we hold onto regrets from decisions we have made, it can really poison our well-being.Many people regret something they can no longer change, which ends up holding them back from moving forward in a more positive manner.What happened in the past is done and gone, so work to stay present and be mindful of the current moment to find more joy and fulfillment.
When we use other people as the measuring stick for our personal success and quality of life we are likely to be less satisfied.Social comparisons can provide useful information when we try to learn from others, but they also hold our perspective in a discontented position.Compare yourself less with others so you can be satisfied more.
When you are focused on your big ambitions and future goals you might elide the daily pleasures that surround you.Learn to slow down and absorb the wonder and beauty around you.Stay present and focus on the task you’re undertaking at the moment.Don’t let the life pass you by because you’re always on the go and distracted by ambition.
Practice looking at life through the lens of contentment and it will become more natural.How can we live with contentment?
A.To change our lifestyle. |
B.To have a motivation in life. |
C.To give less attention to what we are grateful for. |
D.To realize the difference between needs and desires. |
What’s the main idea of Paragraph 3?
A.Make wise decisions |
B.Know the present situation |
C.Let go of regrets |
D.Remember the past |
The underlined word “elide”(in Paragraph 5) probably means “______”.
A.enjoy | B.change | C.create | D.neglect |
What should you do to put yourself in a good mood?
A.Make time for simple pleasures. |
B.Learn from successful people. |
C.Focus on your future goals. |
D.Create chance to learn more. |
As many as 4 out of every 1,000 infants born today have permanent hearing loss.When parents learn that their child has hearing loss, they are faced with many difficult decisions.These decisions can include choosing therapies and schools, as well as finding financial help for hearing aids or cochlear implants (人工耳蜗).
Help Me Hear Foundation is a public charity that gives the gift of hearing to deaf children from families existing on very low incomes around the world.The foundation offers life-changing services for impoverished families, and provides real help for children with hearing impairment who may otherwise be left behind in schools or society due to their lack of hearing.
Help Me Hear Foundation believes that a child’s first years of development are critical.Being able to hear is vital to human, and Help Me Hear Foundation seeks to provide a positive lasting impression on society through its programs.Help Me Hear Foundation has many goals, including relieving the burden on communities with hearing-impaired infants and children, and strengthening the social structure of families and neighborhoods.
Recipients of Help Me Hear Foundation’s benefits receive state-of-the-art hearing devices that otherwise would cost thousands of dollars per child over the course of their lifetime.The Foundation raises money through donations for hearing aids and cochlear implants, which saves recipients and their families on average over $50,000 on related expenses.
The Foundation tries to be a transparent charity, and wants to be a catalyst for allowing deaf and hearing-impaired children to develop in a typical fashion alongside their peers.
Needy families can obtain information on specific services, and find out about deafness education by visiting the Help Me Hear Foundation’s website.The website offers helpful information on how hearing aids work, and how hearing aids ease many of the learning and language challenges that hearing-impaired children deal with on a daily basis.Help Me Hear Foundation was probably set up to _____.
A.build schools for deaf children |
B.research deaf children’s behavior |
C.protect deaf children from being ignored |
D.offer real help to poor deaf children |
We learn from the text that _____.
A.the local government is in charge of the foundation |
B.the work of the foundation depends on donations |
C.even blind children can turn to the foundation |
D.poor deaf African children cannot get help from the foundation |
Visit the foundation’s website, and you will learn about _____.
A.the function of hearing aids |
B.the specific services the foundation needs |
C.the challenges that children face every day |
D.the prices of a variety of hearing aids |
For whom is the text most probably written?
A.Poor parents who have deaf children. |
B.Doctors who want to improve skills. |
C.Students who cannot see the blackboard clearly. |
D.Teachers who have deaf children in their class. |
The author writes the text mainly to _____.
A.tell how to avoid permanent hearing loss |
B.explain how hard a life deaf children live |
C.introduce Help Me Hear Foundation |
D.advise people to give money to Help Me Hear Foundation |
Homestay UK/Great Britain
Here you will find a selection of homestay hosts and host families in the UK.If you want to learn more about the British host family of your choice, please click on information at www.Homestaybooking.Com.You will then see a personal introduction of the UK homestay host.If you don’t want to search yourself, just register for free and receive our matching recommendations.
Chika and Tara from London, the United Kingdom
Information about the homestay host
Chika is 28 years old.She is away from home most of the time.Tara is 18 years old.She is at home every day.They both speak English.
Chika and Tara’s guests can stay for at least 5 nights and up to a maximum of 365 nights.Chika and Tara have no children living at home.It is a non-smoking residence(住宅).No pets live in this household.
Information about the homestay accommodation
The accommodation is in London.The name of the neighborhood is Greenwich.The distance to the city center is 1.6km.The next access point to public transport is at 15 m distance.
Three guests can stay in Tara and Chika’s house at the same time.The following accommodation is generally available:
Single room with shared use of the family bathroom
*Size: 12.0 ㎡
*Facilities: desk, Internet access, mirror, hairdryer and wardrobe(衣橱)
*Price per night per person: £20.00 per night(one single)
Twin room with shared use of the family bathroom
*Size: 15.0 ㎡
*Facilities: TV, desk, Internet access, mirror, hairdryer and wordrobe
*Price per night per person:
£20.00 per night(one guest)
£17.00 per night(two guests)
The room charge includes the following services: Internet access, regular room cleaning, breakfast, free use of the washing machine.
Additional available service at an extra charge: Pick-up service(£60.00 one-way); Lunch(£6.00 per person per day); Dinner(£6.00 per person per night)
Vegetarian(素食的) meals are available.Chika and Tara’s house would be a good choice for _______.
A.a pet lover |
B.a heavy smoker |
C.a person who eats no meat |
D.one who needs a one-night stay |
What do we know about Chika and Tara’s house?
A.It lies in the center of the city. |
B.It is not far away from Greenwich. |
C.Public transport is convenient there. |
D.The distance from the house to London is 1.6 km. |
If Mary chooses a twin room and pick-up service(two-way), how much should she pay per day?
A.£140. | B.£137. | C.£80. | D.£77 |