How do successful people think? What drives them? Interviews and investigations indicate that there are several keys to success that successful people share.
First of all, successful people never blame someone or something outside of themselves for their failure to go ahead. They realize that their failure lies in their own hands. They understand that they cannot control things in life, such as nature, the past and other people. But in the meantime, they are well aware that they can control their own thoughts and actions. They take responsibility for their life and regard this as one of the most empowering(给人以权利的) things they can do. Perhaps what most separate successful people from others is that they live life “on purpose”-they are doing what they believe they are put here to do. In their opinion, having a purpose in their life is the most important element that enables them to become fully functioning people. They hold that when they live their life on purpose, their main concern is to do the job right. They love what they do-and it shows. People want to do business with them because of their commitment(投入、献身). To live their life on purpose, successful people find a cause they believe in and create a business around it. Besides, they never easily give up. Once they have set up goals in their life, they’re willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. Top achievers always bear in mind that they don’t have forever.
Rather than seeing it negative or depressing, they use the knowledge to support themselves and go after what they want energetically and passionately.
56. Successful people owe their failure to ___.
A. others B. the society C. themselves D. their fate
57. Successful people know that they can only control ___ forever.
A. society B. the past C. their thoughts and actions D. other people
58. The biggest difference between successful people and general people is that ___.
A. successful people have a purpose in life B. successful people can work hard
C. successful people have better minds D. successful people can always win support
59. People like to do business with successful people because of their ___.
A. money B. cleverness C. fame D. devotion to work
60. The writer wants to tell us ___.
A.how people live on purpose B. how people can be successful
C. how people make plans D. how people do business
An African-American man named John Henry was the hero of former slaves and the people who built the railroads in the US in the 19th century.
John Henry was born a slave. He was known for his strength. Many people say he represents the spirit of growth in America during that period.
John Henry grew up in a world that did not let children stay children for long. Before he was six years old, he was carrying stones for workers building a nearby railroad. By the time John Henry was a young man, he was one of the best railroad workers in the country.
John Henry was asked to lead workers on a hard project, creating a tunnel through a mountain. The project required about 1,000 laborers and lasted three years. Hundreds of men became sick as a result of the hot weather and tiredness. John Henry was the strongest and fastest man. Concerned his friends might lose their jobs, he picked up their hammers and began doing their work. He worked day and night, rarely stopping to have a rest.
One day, a salesman came to the work area with a new drilling machine powered by steam. He said it could drill holes faster than twelve men working together.
John Henry looked at the machine and saw images of the future. He saw machines taking the place of America’s best laborers. He saw himself and his friends unemployed and sanding by a road, asking for food. He decided he would never let the machine take their jobs. Therefore, a competition between a man and a machine began .At first, the steam-powered drill worked twice faster. Then, John Henry started working with a hammer in each hand. He worked faster and faster. People cheered when the machine broke down and was pulled away. But they were sad to find John Henry fall to the ground, with blood spilling all around, and still holding a hammer in one of his hands.“I beat them,”he said. Then he took his last breath.What does the underlined part in Paragraph 3 most probably mean?
| A．Many children in those days starved to death. |
| B．Children at that time grew much faster. |
| C．Children in those days had to work like adults. |
| D．Children at that time couldn’t stay together. |
Why did hundreds of workers become sick?
| A．Because they had to work long hours. |
| B．Because the weather was hot and they were tired. |
| C．Because the project was too hard. |
| D．Because they didn’t have time to eat. |
John Henry helped do his friends’ work.
| A．because he was the strongest and fastest man |
| B．for fear that his friends would lose their jobs |
| C．so that they could regain their strength |
| D．in order be the hero of the railroad workers |
Which of the following best describes John Henry?
| A．Kind and determined. | B．Cautious and considerate. |
| C．Brave and strict. | D．Hardworking and stubborn. |
Think about the different ways that people use the wind. You can use it to fly a kite or to sail a boat. Wind is one of our cleanest and richest power sources, as well as one of the oldest. Evidence shows that windmills(风车) began to be used in ancient Iran back in the seventh century BC. They were first introduced to Europe during the 1100s, when armies returned from the Middle East with knowledge of using wind power.
For many centuries, people used windmills to grind(碾碎) wheat into flour or pump water from deep underground. When electricity was discovered in the late 1800s, people living in remote areas began to use them to produce electricity. This allowed them to have electric lights and radios. However, by the 1940s when electricity was available to people in almost all areas of the United States, windmills were rarely used.
During the 1970s, people started becoming concerned about the pollution that is created when coal and gas are burned to produce electricity. People also realized that the supply of coal and gas would not last forever. Then, wind was rediscovered, though it means higher cost. Today, there is a global movement to supply more and more of our electricity through the use of wind. From the text we know that windmills________.
| A．were invented by European armies |
| B．have a history of more than 2,800 years |
| C．used to supply power to radio in remote areas |
| D．have rarely been used since electricity was discovered |
What was a new use for wind power in the late 19th century?
| A．Sailing a boat. | B．Producing electricity. |
| C．Grinding wheat into flour. | D．Pumping water from underground. |
One of the reasons wind was rediscovered in the 1970s is that_______.
| A．wind power is cleaner |
| B．it is one of the oldest power sources. |
| C．it was cheaper to create energy from wind |
| D．the supply of coal and gas failed to meet needs |
What would the author probably discuss in the paragraph that follows?
| A．The advantages of wind power. |
| B．The design of wind power plants. |
| C．The worldwide movement to save energy. |
| D．The global trend towards producing power from wind. |
How to be Prepared
Electricity, water, gas and telephone may not be working after an earthquake. The police and fire department are likely to be tied up. You should be prepared to take care of yourself for at least three days, preferably for a week.
This list can also be applied to other disasters, such as floods or wildfires.
1. food and water (a gallon a day per person)
2. a first aid kit
3. a fire extinguisher suitable for all types of fires
4. flashlights, a portable radio extra batteries
5. blankets, clothes, shoes and money (ATMs may not work)
6. baby and pet food
It’s also a good idea to decide beforehand how and where your family will reunite if separated during a quake and to conduct in-home practice drills.
During an Earthquake
If you are indoors, stay there. Get under and hold onto a desk or table, or stand against an interior wall. Stay away from exterior walls, glass, heavy furniture, and stay away from windows and outside walls and do not use the elevator.
If you are outside, get into the open, stay into the open, stay away from buildings, power lines or anything else that could fall on you.
If you are driving, move the car out of traffic and stop, avoid parking under or on bridges or overpasses, Try to get clear of trees, light posts, signs and power lines.
If you are in a crowded public place, avoid panicking and do not rush for the exit. Stay low and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.
After an Earthquake
If the phone is working, only use it in case of emergency. Likewise, avoid driving if possible to keep the streets clear for emergency vehicles.
Be aware that items may fall out of cupboards or closets when the door is opened, and also that chimneys can be weakened and fall with touch. Check for cracks and damage to the roof and foundation of your home.
Listen to the radio for important information and instructions. Remember that aftershocks, sometimes large enough to cause damage in their own right, generally follow large quakes.
If you leave home, leave a message telling friends and family your location.Whichofthefollowingitemsisunnecessarytopreparebeforeanearthquake？
| A．Batteries | B．Cash | C．Medicine | D．Creditcard |
Whenanearthquakecomes，youshould______.
| A．hideyourselfinthekitchen |
| B．rushfortheexitimmediately |
| C．stayawayfromheavyobjects |
| D．callthepolicerightaway |
Whenanearthquakeisover，youshould______.
| A．driveacartotakeyourfamilytothesafeplace |
| B．checkthesecurityofyourhome |
| C．callyourrelativestotellthemyouaresafe |
| D．clearupthemessassoonaspossible. |
Whichofthefollowingsentencesistrueaccordingtothepassage？
| A．You’dbettermakeitclearhowandwhereyourfamilywillreuniteifseparatedduringaquakeafterthequakehappens. |
| B．Ifyouareindoors,getintotheopen. |
| C．Ifyouareinacrowdedpublicplace,avoidpanickinganddorushfortheexit. |
| D．Ifthephonestillworks,onlyuseitwhennecessary. |
Whatdoestheunderlinedword“aftershock”mean?
| A．Alessseriousquakefollowingalargeearthquakeinthesamearea. |
| B．Afurtherreactionfollowingtheshockofadeeplydisturbingthing. |
| C．Amessonehastodealwithafteraterriblething. |
| D．Aninstructionthegovernmentgivestosolveproblems. |
Old Bear
Kevin Henkes(2008), under 40 pages
Target Audience: Preschoolers
Price: $3.8
Content: It is snowing really hard and Old Bear is getting ready for his long nap. As he sleeps, he dreams of being a cub again and enjoying the wonders of nature. He dreams about summer, fall, winter and spring and how each season brings him so much joy! The illustrations(插图) show the beauty of the seasons that Old Bear dreams about. Great book!
Half-Minute Horrors
Susan Rich(2009), 120~160 pages
Target Audience: Intermediates (4th~6th grade)
Price: $9.6
Content: Looking for a scary book that is also quick to read? How about a one-paragraph tale of terror or a simple drawing that will make your skin crawl? This book is a collection of very short stories, pictures and cartoons from an impressive group of authors and illustrators.
Leaves
David Ezra Stein(2007), under 40 pages
Illustrated by David Ezra Stein
Target Audience: Toddlers, Preschoolers
Price: $3.4
Content: It’s Little Bear’s first year. Fall has come to his island. When the leaves begin to fall, he wonders what to do. However, after following his instinct and sleeping through the winter, he awakens in spring to find everything blooming once again.
Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’
Eileen Spinelli (2003) , under 40 pages
Illustrated by Megan Lloyd
Target Audience: Preschoolers
Price: $3.5
Content: The Tappletons (bears) are gathered together for their big Thanksgiving feast. However, all is not going well during the preparations. The turkey slides out of the house, down a hill and into a pond. There are no pies at the bakery and the lettuce for the salad has been given to the rabbits. As they sit down for the feast, Grandmother Tappleton reminds them that although they have nothing to eat, they can still be thankful that they have each other.Which book has the most pages?
| A．Old Bear | B．Half-Minute Horrors |
| C．Leaves | D．Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’. |
What can we learn from the book Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’?
| A．We should always keep things in order. |
| B．We should try to make more delicious food on Thanksgiving. |
| C．If we don’t work hard, there will be no food. |
| D．Family love is the most important thing. |
If you like reading horror stories, which book would you like?
| A．Old Bear | B．Half-Minute Horrors |
| C．Leaves | D．Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’. |
Who are the main readers of these books?
| A．Adults. | B．Old people |
| C．Little children | D．Middle school students. |
Where can you probably find this passage?
| A．In a travel guide. | B．In an advertisement. |
| C．In a science textbook. | D．In an official report |
I wish there would be a way to describe China in simple terms but that’s impossible. For the most part Chinese people are friendly, easy-going and optimistic. They are curious and unusually patient and they are also the hardest-working people I have ever met.
In China, family is everything. In my English classes when the students were asked what they would do if they only had a few hours to live, most students told me how they would spend their last few hours with their families and parents. Many times the subjects in the classes center on families and friends. I teach many students a year, talking to them freely.
The cost of living here is very low compared with that of the US. The city of Xiang Fan I live in isn’t large and I live better. Non-imported(非出口的) foods are very cheap, so are clothing and articles of everyday use. The cost of public transportation is very low, too. Chinese value education. However, it is reported that many children can’t afford the expenses of schooling and are forced to leave school in some poor area in China. But they organized Project Hope many years age. It creates conditions for the poor children to go back to school. In my opinion, Project Hope is of great importance to the development of the rural education.
When we read news of China in the west, rarely, if ever, will we see anything mentioned of the positive changes China has gone through. While it is true that economic miracles have not reached many areas of China, but we also have the same problems.
When I am asked which country I consider better. China or the US, my answer has always been the same, “We are not worse or better than each other, we are only different.”What does the author think of Chinese people?
| A．He thinks most Chinese people hardly work. |
| B．He thinks most Chinese people are proud. |
| C．He praises most Chinese people a lot. |
| D．He dislikes most Chinese people. |
What is the author doing in China?
| A．He is visiting the places of interest. |
| B．He is teaching English in a school. |
| C．He is studying in a college. |
| D．He is on business. |
What are not cheap in China in the author’s opinion?
| A．Clothes and shoes made in China. | B．Local foods |
| C．Public transportation tickets. | D．Imported foods |
We can infer from the passage that the author thinks________.
| A．the westerners have got to know China well |
| B．China’s economic miracles have appeared everywhere |
| C．the progress of China is seldom reported in the US |
| D．the education in rural areas is never cared about in China |
In the author’s eyes,________.
| A．China is different from the US |
| B．China is better than the US |
| C．Americans are richer than Chinese |
| D．China bears great similarities to the US |