E
About ten years ago, a young and very successful businessman named Josh was traveling down a Chicago neighborhood street. He was going a bit too fast in his shiny, black, 12 cylinder Jaguar XKE, which was only two months old.
He was watching for kids rushing out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no child came out, but a brick sailed out and-WHUMP!-it hit the Jag’s shiny black side door! SCREECH…!!!! Immediately Josh stopped the car, jumped out, seized the kid and pushed him up against a parked car. He shouted at the kid, “What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing?!” Building up a head of steam, he went on. “That’s my new Jag, that brick you threw is going to cost you a lot of money. Why did you throw it?”
“Please, mister, please… I’m sorry! I didn’t know what else to do!” begged the youngster. “I threw the brick because no one else would stop!” tears were streaming down the boy’s face as he pointed around the parked car. “It’s my brother, mister,” he said. “He rolled of the curb(路沿) and fell out of his wheelchair and I can’t lift him up.” Sobbing, the boy asked the businessman, “Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He’s hurt and he’s too heavy for me.”
Moved beyond words, the young businessman tried hard to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. Straining, he lifted the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapers and cuts, checking to see that everything was going to be OK. He then watched the younger brother push him down the sidewalk toward their home.
It was a long walk back to the black, shining 12 cylinder Jaguar XKE-a long and slow walk. Josh never did fix the side door of his Jaguar. He kept the dent(凹痕) to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at him to get his attention. Feel for the bricks of life coming at you.
67.The boy threw a brick at the businessman’s car because ________.
A.he wanted to ask for some money
B.he envied the brand-new car very much
C.the businessman drove at a high speed
D.he wanted to get help from the driver
68.Which of the following is the right order of the story?
a.The younger brother threw a brick at Josh’s car.
b.The elder brother fell out of his wheelchair.
c.The younger brother begged Josh for help.
d.Josh lifted the elder brother back into his wheelchair.
e.Josh shouted at the younger brother.
A.b,a,c,e,d B.a,c,d,b,e
C.b,a,e,c,d D.a,c,b,e,d
69.What can we learn from the passage?
A.Josh was a kind-hearted man.
B.The two kids were Josh’s neighbors.
C.Josh would accept the money from the kids.
D.Josh’s new car broke down easily.
70.According to the passage, we must ________.
A.try to be more understanding seeing others in trouble
B.drive fast in a neighborhood street that is dangerous
C.try to get ready for the trouble in your future life
D.protect oneself from being hurt
About 45 percent of Americans don’t get enough sleep, according to a recent survey. However, the benefits of getting enough sleep far outweigh the thrill of watching TV for one more hour or surfing the web. Getting a better night’s sleep will help you lose or keep your weight more effectively. Try these simple steps to improve your quality of sleep.
Take time to relax
So many of us go-go-go until it’s time for bed, but it’s important to take time to slow down and relax before sleeping. Do relaxing things, such as listening to soothing (抚慰的) music or deep breathing. Avoid stimulating (刺激的) activities such as writing e-mails, talking on the phone and watching TV. Some guidelines (指导方针): no e-mail after 8 p.m. and no TV or phone calls after 9 p.m..
Darker is better
Your body regulates your sleep cycle in response to the presence and absence of light, so dim the lights as evening approaches. Try getting ready for bed by candlelight. When you’re ready to sleep, make sure your room is as dark as possible.
Put your thoughts to bed
We all need time to process our day, but bed is not the place to do it if you want to sleep well. Take 10 to 15 minutes to record your thoughts in a journal. This effective technique will capture what’s in your mind so you don’t lie awake. Tell yourself you’re putting your thoughts to bed so that you can go to bed.
No sugar or alcohol before bed
These may wake you up. If you need a snack before bed, make it protein.
Try to get more sleep
Get an extra hour or two of sleep every night for a week and see how you feel. You’ll notice the difference!The purpose of writing this text is to ________________________.
A.share some ways to slow down and relax before sleeping |
B.guide readers to improve their quality of sleep |
C.tell readers the importance of getting a good night’s sleep |
D.publish the results of a recent survey on quality of sleep |
According to the text, we know that __________________________.
A.we should keep our bedrooms in strong light before going to bed |
B.writing a diary may excite us and influence our sleep |
C.we should never get up later on weekends than we do on weekdays |
D.candlelight is a good choice for our bedrooms when we’re getting ready to sleep |
We should take time to slow down because it can _________________________.
A.inform us of the importance of sleeping |
B.signal to our body it’s time to sleep |
C.tell us to stop watching TV for making phone calls |
D.tell us not to do stimulating activities |
It is not clear who first fried potatoes in hot oil. However, it is widely agreed that French fries(炸薯条) were prepared as early as the 1700s in Europe. Most people believe that it was the Belgians (比利时人), instead of the French, who invented “French”fries. They think that French fries got this name from the cooking word “to french” --- to cut green beans into long thin strips (条).
When Thomas Jefferson traveled to France, he enjoyed the deep-fried potatoes very much and brought them home with him. Ever since he served French fries to his guests at a Whitehouse dinner in 1802, the dish has become very popular in America.
In the summer of 1853, an American Indian called George Crum worked as a cook at Moon Lake Lodge, a hotel in Saratoga Springs, New York. He was good at making French fries. One evening, a dinner guest found Crum’s French fries too thick and sent them back to the kitchen. Crum then cut and fried some thinner French fries, but these, too, were met with disapproval. This time, the cook got angry. So he decided to play a trick on the guest. He finally made fries that were too thin to eat with a fork. To his surprise, the guest loved the browned, paper-thin chips. The browned chips, then called Saratoga Chips, became one of the most popular dishes of the hotel. Soon they were being sold, first in local restaurants, then throughout New England.The French fries were believed to be introduced to America in _________________________.
A.the early 1700s | B.the early1800s |
C.the early 1900s | D.the summer of 1853 |
By saying “these, too, were met with disapproval” in Paragraph 3, the author means that __________________.
A.the guest still didn’t like the dish |
B.the French fries were thin enough |
C.the cook prepared the chips carefully |
D.the cook had met the guest’s need |
How were Saratoga Chips invented?
A.They were introduced by Thomas Jefferson. |
B.A guest told a cook how to make the chips. |
C.A cook made them only to play a trick on a guest. |
D.A cook invented them in order to attract more guests. |
Which of the following would be the best title for the text?
A.America’s Favorite Food | B.Who Invented Saratoga Chips? |
C.George Crum --- a Clever Cook | D.The History of French Fries |
Sightseeing Tours in Germany
Germany has a variety of cities each with its own characteristics, from the busy city of Berlin, to the ancient city of Cologne, to the Bavarian capital of Munich. Thankfully, these major German cities offer sightseeing tours that offer the opportunity to better explore the surrounding regions and the country’s most historic sites.
Berlin on Bike
Berlin on Bike takes visitors through the German capital via five bicycle tours, all with guides. Regular tours include the Wall Tour and Berlin’s Best, with stops at some of the city’s most famous landmarks, such as the Reichstag explores what life was like in East Berlin under Communist Rule. The cost of the tour includes the bike and helmet rental, and tourists may choose to continue renting their bikes once the tour has ended.
Berlinonbike.de/English/index.php
Munich City Sightseeing Tour
The Munich City Sightseeing Tour transports travelers throughout the city via an open-air, double-decker bus. Passengers can hop on and off at various stops throughout the day. This tour includes stops at such sites as the Munich central train station, the 1972 Olympic Stadium Park, Munich’s opera house and Karlsplatz, the gate to the historic city. The bus features a narrated tour guide and offers an English-language option.
Raileurope.com/activities/munich-city-sightseeing-tour/index.html
Nice City Tours- Cologne
Nice City Tours offers three tours of Cologne, available to private or business groups in a variety of languages. The old Town Tour runs for two hours and includes a guided tour of the Cologne Cathedral and some of the city’s old squares. The Brewery Pub Tour explores some of the city’s most beloved breweries and pubs, and details the history behind Kolsch, Cologne’s resident beer. Finally, the Old Town and Rhine Tour begins by visiting some of old town’s most historic sites and ends with a ride down the Rhine River.
Nicecitytours.con/tours.htmThe similarity of the three tours lies in that they all include_____.
A.bus tours | B.English service | C.three routes | D.guide’s service |
If you take a great interest in beer, which tour might be suitable for you?
A.The Wall Tour | B.The Brewery Pub Tour |
C.The Old Town Tour | D.The Munich City Sightseeing Tour |
Where can you probably see this passage?
A.In a textbook. | B.On a website. |
C.In an encyclopedia. | D.In a journal. |
When you are far away from home for the first time and have a lot to adjust to,you can't do it alone. However independent you are,it is good to have a roommate during your first year.
Living with someone helps ease your loneliness. Sure it may seem appealing to be able to play your music and turn up your TV as loud as you want, but coming home to an empty room every day can be depressing. If you have a bad day, you may want to talk to someone.
Friends are great sources of venting (宣泄), but friends can't always be there. Even worse, they may be selfcentered and show no interest in your problem. It's not that roommates aren't like this, but even just small talk can help you feel better.
Having a roommate teaches you how to get along with people and settle conflict. You two should set up rules immediately and discuss what to do when there is conflict. If you two don't like each other,you still study,relax,and sleep in the same room. You must find a way to get along.
Finally,having a roommate exposes (使接触) you to different ways of living. Your roommate may come from a different city,and have different living habits. He or she also has different interests and personalities. You don't have to end up liking the same things your roommate does,but try to learn something different. You will be surrounded by many different people in college and have the chance to try things you never have before. Why not start learning from your roommate?
Having a roommate gives you the skills and personal background you will need to utilize (利用) when you are out on your own. Make the most of living with a stranger and besides,there will be plenty of opportunities for you to have your own room later in your college years.Who are probably the intended readers of the passage?
A.University teachers. |
B.Students who are not independent. |
C.Students in the first year of college. |
D.Students who will graduate from college soon. |
From the passage,we can learn that .
A.roommates will become good friends in the end |
B.there may be disagreements between roommates |
C.students can choose those they like as their roommates |
D.those with similar interests can become roommates |
How is the passage organized?
The purpose of the passage is to .
A.tell the importance of friends |
B.compare friends with roommates |
C.encourage students to find a roommate |
D.state the different ways of living |
Negative (消极的)self talk and negative energy can affect you in many ways and cause you additional stress. Because of this,developing more Positive self talk is an important way to reduce stress in your life. You can help yourself keep a positive frame of mind 一which will help with positive self talk一by surrounding yourself with positive energy in your life. You can get that by adding some elements to your life.
Listening to music that not only has a soothing melody,but an uplifting(令人振奋的) message,can be great for developing positive self talk. Have you ever had a song “stuck in your head” for a few hours or days,the lyrics(歌词) repeating themselves in your mind?’’ If those lyrics were positive and inspirational,that would be a good thing. It’s a much better mental soundtrack to have than a running stream of complaints,criticisms of self-limiting thoughts,or even songs that had more depressing or sad lyrics.
Books on strength, personal power, enlightenment, or self help can be good resources to help you change your outlook and the things you say to yourself. Rather than bringing habitual self-defeating thoughts,you can find yourself thinking of new can-do concepts when times get tough.
One of the most important ways you can get and keep positive energy in your life is with the company you keep. Do your friends uplift you,or bring you down? Are they critical,or complementary? Ideal friendships provide support when you’re down, fun when you’re up,wisdom when you’re lost,and positive regard. Good friends can inspire you to reach greater heights,and see your strengths even when you don’t always. Pay attention to how your friends make you feel,and if they’re less than supportive,start putting your energy and time toward people who are better suited to be your friend.
In addition,positive affirmations (肯定) can certainly change your self talk from negative to positive. Now,why not begin working positive affirmations into your life in some creative ways? What does the passage mainly talk about?
A.Reducing stress by surrounding yourself with positive energy. |
B.Adding some elements to your life. |
C.Getting positive energy from the company you keep. |
D.Changing your self talk with positive affirmation. |
How many ways does the author suggest to keep a positive frame of mind?
A.3. | B.4. | C.5. | D.6. |
According to the passage,your best company should be those who __________.
A.uplift you or bring you down | B.provide fun when you’re down |
C.encourage you to do things even better | D.are less than supportive |
What will probably be talked about in the following paragraph?
A.How negative self talk influences a person. |
B.How positive self talk reduces stress in one’s life. |
C.Some great ways of making great friends. |
D.Some creative ways of practicing affirmation. |