At present, in many American cities especially, many teachers in the public schools say they are underpaid. They point to jobs such as secretary or truck driver, which often pay more to start than that of a teacher. In many other fields, such as law, medicine, computer science, a beginning worker may make more than a teacher who has taught for several years.
Teaching has never been a profession that attracted people interested in high salaries. It is by history a profession that has provided rewards in addition to money—the satisfaction of sharing knowledge, of influencing others, of guiding young people. But in the past several years, there are more difficulties in teaching, for many, than there are rewards.
Unruly students, especially in big cities, large classes and a lack of support from the public in terms of money and understanding have led many public school teachers to leave the profession.
As a result, many of the best students, who would have chosen teaching as their life career in the past, are going into other fields.
Another reason for this change in teacher candidates is the changing status of women in the United States. Until the late 1960s and 1970s, one of the most popular choices for women was teaching. But as other professions, such as law and medicine opened up to women, women stopped pouring into teacher training programs. Thus, a major pool of excellent candidates for the teaching profession dwindled.
Bit by bit government officials and others realized that the status of the teacher had suffered. They talked about change. But the change in a vast society like the United States is not easy. People’s attitudes have formed over many years, and sometimes change takes many years.
60．The underlined word “that” in Paragraph 1 refers to “____________”.
A．money B．job C．secretary D．truck driver
61．What is the present situation of the teaching?
A．Teachers work harder and get underpaid.
B．Teachers have no opportunities to work in other fields.
C．Teaching can attract best students to work as a teacher.
D．Teaching can provide rewards as well as high salaries.
62．Many public school teachers turn to other professions because____________.
A．the government doesn’t financially support them
B．they have to work longer hours than a lawyer
C．their students refuse to listen to them
D．they are not fairly treated
63．The author believes that change in teachers’ status in the United States____________
A．is not great B．is impossible
C．influences people’s attitude D．needs time
Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was. Ugly was the resident tomcat. Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and, shall we say, love.
The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly. To start with, he had only one eye and where the other should have been was a gaping hole. He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot appeared to have been badly broken at one time, and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner. His tail has long ago been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk and twitch.
Ugly would have been a dark grey tabby, striped-type, except for the sores covering his head, neck, even his shoulders with thick, yellowing scabs. Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction. "That's one UGLY cat!!"
All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their home or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave. Ugly always had the same reaction. If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked（浸湿）until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around feet in forgiveness.
Whenever he spied children, he would come running, meowing frantically and bump his head against their hand begging for their love. If you ever picked him up, he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earring whatever he could find.
One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbor's huskies. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly attacked. From my apartment I could hear his scream and I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was obvious Ugly's sad life was almost at an end. Ugly lay in a wet circle, his back legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape, a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front. As I picked him up and tried to carry him home, I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling. It must be hurting him terribly, I thought. Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear. Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying, was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head, then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring. Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled-scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion.
At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, or even try to get away from me, or struggle in any way. Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.
Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterward thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly. Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand book lecture or talk show specials ever could, and for that I will always be thankful. He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply. To give my total to those I cared for.
Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be Ugly.Why did the tomcat get 3 things with him?
| A．Because his mother deserted him. |
| B．Because the residents disliked him |
| C．Because other animals always attacked him. |
| D．Because he spent his life outside, which affected him.. |
Children were always warned not to touch tomcat, because ___?
| A．the tomcat was not kind to the children |
| B．the tomcat sometimes bit young children |
| C．the tomcat was really dirty and nasty. |
| D．the tomcat might carry some viruses with him |
Which caused the tomcat to die?
| A．The adults threw rocks at him |
| B．The neighbors wanted to drive him with a pipe |
| C．The owners would get his paws trapped in the doors |
| D．The tomcat was killed by some dog |
What did the tomcat do when coming to death?
| A．He shared his love with the writer |
| B．He struggled to stand up |
| C．He shouted at the writer |
| D．He begged the writer to save him. |
Why did the writer say he would try to be Ugly?
| A．Because he loved Ugly so deeply |
| B．Because the Ugly taught him to love totally and truly |
| C．Because he hated it that his neighbors were so cruel |
| D．Because he found some similarities between them |
It does not have to be January 1st to give yourself a chance to make the most out of your day — and your life. Every day is a new day and a fresh start to learn, grow, develop your strengths, heal yourself from past regrets or hurts, and move forward older and wiser. Every day gives you a chance to reinvent yourself, to fine-tune who you are, and build on lessons of what you have learned. It is never too late to change things that are not working in your life and switch gears, instead of thinking in the same old ways, hoping for a different outcome.
Be intelligent, be flexible, and keep and open mind to start each day anew! Flexibility is the key!
Ask yourself: How do you wake up each day? Do you start your day going already feeling pressured and rushed? Do you go through the morning routine without much thought at all, doing what you "have to do" to start your day?
How about starting each new day with a moment to stop, breathe and think of a positive intention for the day.
Think not just what you want to DO, but how you want to BE today?
Each day is a new beginning and a blank slate. How would you like to create your day? Think of it as a blank canvas — what would you like to paint on it. What can you create? If you wake up in a negative mindset, you are more likely to paint a dark picture throughout the day, and your canvas will not reflect hope, happiness and joy.
If you take each day to think positively, and have a positive intention for how you would like to create your day, how would your life be different? What positive outcome can reflect your positive intention?
What can daily positive intentions do for you? Every day you will give yourself the gift of an "attitude of gratitude."
Visualizing how you would like your day will help release positive energy from within you and you will attract more positive energy from those around you. Instead of spinning your wheels in an old way of thinking, each day is a chance to reframe and re-look at things in a different way.
You can experience each day an awe （敬畏）in the beauty and creation of the world — and the beauty of you who is in it!
You find yourself shifting from an "I can't mindset" to an "I can" mindset.
With a focus on positive intentions, you feel more empowered and more like a "victor" than a "victim."
You are more mindful of the present, and will be more likely to live fully in the present each moment of each day. After all, the past is a great place to visit, but you don't want to live there!
So how about starting each day taking a moment to think of a positive intention for the day? Each morning, write it down and reflect each evening on how you did!
Here are examples of Positive Intentions:
"Today I would like to replace my feelings of annoyance towards my co-worker to feelings of acceptance."
"I am looking forward today to focusing on what I am grateful for in my life, rather than what is missing, and express gratefulness to others."
"Today I want to slow my life down and take time to savor the moment, especially with my children".。
Using each day to recommit yourself to positive thinking and intention will help you create the life you want and that you deserve!According to the writer, which is the most important?
| A．changeable | B．positive | C．forgettable | D．active |
When you get up, what is the right way to start?
| A．Just do as you do regularly |
| B．Brushing teeth and washing as quickly as possible |
| C．Stopping for a short while and planning some active things |
| D．Doing morning exercise to build up your body |
Which of the followings is considered to be positive intention?
| A．The boss told me to finish the task, so I have to hurry today |
| B．Mr. Smith treated me to dinner, so I’d like to send him a card. |
| C．I have finished all the tasks ,so I’m free today. |
| D．I didn’t sleep well last night, but it’s time to go to work.. |
What can daily intention do for you ,except______?
| A．You can live fully |
| B．You will become mindful everyday |
| C．You will feel powerful |
| D．You can spend your day happily |
It was the Year from Hell-September 1993 to September 1994-the dog died, my marriage of 24 years ended, and my house burned down. I had moved into a new rented house with my youngest son, after my husband and I split up. We'd been in the house just six weeks. I went to a dinner party one night, and as I drove home, I saw helicopters hovering in the general vicinity of my new home. Smoke was billowing into the sky, and sirens were wailing. As I got closer, I thought, Wouldn't it be awful if that was my house? Then I turned the corner, and sure enough, it was my house.
I was devastated. It had been such a horrible year, and now everything I owned had gone up in smoke. Mementos, baby pictures, family keepsakes, clothes, furniture-everything was destroyed. My marriage was gone, my dog was gone, my home was gone, and all my worldly possessions, except my car and the clothes on my back, were gone too.
My son and I stayed with a friend for a couple of nights. Then my friend Gail heard about the fire, called me up, and said, "Come move into my house. I have seven bedrooms and five bathrooms-plenty of space for you and your son." It was a sprawling ranch house on a double lot in La Jolla, with an ocean view, to boot. Gail had three kids at home, but there was still plenty of room for me and my son, Sutton. Her offer was a godsend. Little did I know that her offer of a temporary place to stay would turn into a living arrangement that lasted two and a half years.
Gail and I had a lot in common. We had both been raised Catholic and our unconscious minds had been programmed the same way-we saw ourselves as good little Catholic girls who were gonna stay married forever. But both of our husbands decided they didn't want to be married anymore, and so here we were, two single mothers, dazed, confused, and in a fog. We had followed the rules... why were we not happy? Gail and I spent the next couple of years sorting out a lot of things together.
After we moved in, I soon began to look for a permanent place to live. After a few weeks, Gail said, "Please don't leave. I've never had so much freedom!" Having me in the house meant someone to help take care of her kids, someone to share cooking and gardening, and someone to share day-to-day life. She loved having me there, and I loved being there. So we stayed.
It was an important chapter in my life. Gail and I gardened together, talking back and forth as we worked in the soil. We both needed time to heal from our divorces, time to sort out the confusion, time to get some clarity on the past and some focus on the future. It was a time of deeper insight and spiritual growth for both of us. Over time, I grew to realize how strong I really was, how even-tempered, and how I really could get my act together and go on with my life.
Gail's generosity was more than anyone could ever ask or expect from a friend. She gave me a safe haven in which to mourn and heal and grow into the next chapter of my life. She showed her love in countless ways. I am eternally grateful to have a friend like Gail.
I'm also grateful for the lessons I learned from the fire and the other losses that came so suddenly, so fast. Much to my surprise, I found gratitude among the ashes. I was tested sorely-literally trial by fire. But, like a phoenix, I rose from the ashes strong and whole. I would not be the person I am today if not for that Year from Hell.Why did the writer say Sep 1993 to Sep 1994 was the Year from Hell?
| A．She got divorced from her husband |
| B．Both of her houses were burned down |
| C．She met some misfortune one after another |
| D．Her dog was killed in the big fire |
What did the writer and Gail have in common?
| A．Both of them had one son |
| B．Both of them believed in the same faith |
| C．Both of them lost the home |
| D．Both of them decided to divorce |
How did the writer spend the days with Gail?
| A．She looked after the 4 kids alone |
| B．She planted some flowers with Gail |
| C．She shared the same bedroom with Gail |
| D．They did some cleaning together |
which is the right order of the following events?
①、She wanted to find a permanent house
②、She shared cooking with Gail
③、She went to a dinner party one night
④、She stayed with a friend for a couple of days
⑤、She lost her dog
| A．③⑤④①② | B．④①⑤③② | C．③④②⑤① | D．①③⑤④② |
What is the best title for the text?
| A．Generosity from a friend |
| B．Recover from the pain |
| C．The Year from Hell |
| D．Gratitude among the ashes |
Here 's your weekly roundup of who's hiring in town and in nearby St. Charles County and Maryland Heights.
Who's Hiring: Petco
Location: St. Charles
Job: Cashier
Description: The cashier will help achieve store sales goals while helping to provide cus tomers with the products they need for happy and healthy pets. Petco is looking to you to pro vide exceptional customer service as you perform all aspects of point of sale service - cash, credit and check sales, returns and exchanges: This means offering quick and polite response to those customers who choose to shop with us.
Requirements: While a high school diploma is preferred, you must be able to demonstrate basic math skill and strong communication skills. You must be customer service focused and able to interact professionally and effectively through both verbal and written communication with everyone with whom you come into contact.
To Apply: Apply online .
Who's Hiring: City of St. Peters
Location: St. Peters
Job: Temporary Parks Worker
Description: Performs general labor to repair and maintain parks, playgrounds. athletic fields, and trails. Operates and performs minor maintenance to light and heavy equipment, power tools, motorized equipment, and vehicles.
Requirements: Must be a U.S. Citizen. High School graduate certificate. One year of applicable experience. Ability to frequently lift and/or move up t0 50 pounds and carry it a reasonable distance, and occasionally lift and/or move more than 75 pounds.
Pay: $15.27 per hour
To Apply: Apply in person ,fax t0 636-477-1044. or mail to: #1205-Human Resources. City of St. Peters, P.O. Box 9, St.Peters M0 63376.
Who's Hiring: Commerce Bank
Location: Maryland Heights
Job: Teller
Description: Responsible for handling deposits, check cashing, money orders, official checks. traveler's checks, and saving bonds. Know customers' needs and suggest appropriate bank services. Make referrals (移交 )to sales staff to assist the branch in meeting its sales goals. Commerce Bank reserves the right to fill all Part Time Teller positions as soon as qualified candidates are identified.
To Apply: Apply online .If you want to be a cashier
| A．you should provide customers what they need for free. |
| B．you should make the customers satisfied all the time |
| C．you should exchange ideas with customers freely |
| D．you should select goods instead of helping the customers |
If you apply for the Temporary Parks worker______ .
| A．you must be an excellent athlete |
| B．you should finish the college course |
| C．you must be an American citizen |
| D．you should have your own vehicle |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．A teller should make advice for customers wisely. |
| B．A parks worker should weigh less than 75 pounds. |
| C．You must get in touch with Commerce Bank by phone. |
| D．You can earn the most if you choose City of St. Peters. |
San Francisco's Chinatown is the biggest and oldest in the country. It's the third most visited tourist destination in the city. It's also the city's most densely populated neighbor- hood. So why are. businesses in Chinatown struggling?
In this week's paper, I outline some of the reasons for why Chinatown's crowded streets and busy shops might be declining. Underneath the surface, Chinatown is falling. And the city, local organizations and businesses are trying to figure out what they can do to turn things around.
While numbers of people visit Chinatown, they don't stay long and they don't spend a lot of money. And beyond annual festivals,1ike Chinese New Years, this month's Moon Festival and last month's Sunday Streets - which drew about 15,000 t0 20.000 people – the neighborhood has a hard time attracting locals.
Can you remember the last. time you went to Chinatown ?If you can't, You're not alone. Locals told me that Chinatown doesn't have much to offer them - that the stores are all the same. There are some good eating joints, people said, but they don't know how to find them. Some people even told me that they sometimes go to extreme measures to avoid the neighborhood altogether. But when asked if the-v would like to see Chinatown gone, the answer was always a strong no.
Locals are hopeful that things will get better and traffic will increase when the Central Subway is complete. But chat's not for another five years. at least. And if' new shops or restaurants don't make their way into Chinatown. the same problem of attracting locals will exist.
Not that Chinatown's going to die. The dragon still has some fire in its belly. And many people are rooting for positive change. The question is, how does Chinatown change without losing the very importance of what makes it unique?Which can we know about Chinatown according to the passage?
| A．Businesses in Chinatown are going well. |
| B．Local people like going shopping there. |
| C．A great number of people visit it every year. |
| D．No period has seen a more prosperous Chinatown. |
According to the locals we can know that _______.
| A．Chinatown doesn't love to offer them assistance |
| B．shops in Chinatown lack their own characteristics |
| C．it is hard to buy quality goods at proper prices |
| D．they feel annoyed to see so many familiar faces |
What is the author's attitude towards Chinatown?
| A．Negative. | B．Sympathy. | C．Hopeful. | D．Indifferent. |
It can be inferred from the passage ______.
| A．the Central Subway is under construction |
| B．Chinatown has to make way for subway |
| C．many restaurants have been closed down |
| D．the locals hope Chinatown will be extinct |