Who's in control of your life? Who is pulling your string? For the majority of us, it's other people-society, colleagues, friends, family or our religious community. We learned this way of operating when we were very young, of course. We were brainwashed. We discovered that feeling important and feeling accepted was a nice experience and so we learned to do everything we could to make other people like us. As Oscar Wilde puts it, “Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry(模仿),their passions a quotation.”
So when people tell us how wonderful we are, it makes us feel good. We long for this good feeling like a drug-we are addicted to it and seek it out wherever we can. Therefore, we are so eager for the approval of others that we live unhappy and limited lives failing to do the things we really want to. Just as drug addicts and alcoholics live worsened lives to keep getting their fix(一剂毒品),we worsen our own existence to get our own constant fix of approval.
But just as with any drug, there is a price to pay. The price of the approval drug is freedom-the freedom to be ourselves. The truth is that we cannot-control what other people think. People have their own agenda(日程安排), and they come with their own baggage and, in the end, they're more interested in themselves than in you. Furthermore, if we try to live by the opinions of others, we will build our life on sinking sand. Everyone has a different way of thinking, and people change their opinions all the time. The person who tries to please everyone will only end up getting exhausted and probable pleasing no one in the process.
So how can we take back control? I think there's only one way-make a conscious decision to stop caring what other people think. We should guide ourselves by means of a set of values-not values imposed from the outside by others, but innate values which come from within. If we are driven by these values and not by the changing opinions and value systems of others, we will live a more authentic(真实的), effective, purposeful and happy life.What Oscar Wilde says implies that .
A.most people's thoughts are controlled by others. |
B.we have thoughts similar to those of others. |
C.most people have a variety of thoughts. |
D.other people's thoughts are more important. |
What does the author try to argue in the third paragraph?
A.The price of taking the drug is freedom. |
B.Changing opinions may cost us our freedom. |
C.We may lose ourselves to please others. |
D.We need to pay for what we want to get. |
It can be concluded from the passage that .
A.it's important to accept others' opinions. |
B.it's better to do what we like. |
C.we shouldn't care what others think. |
D.we shouldn't change our![]() |
The author tries to persuade the readers to accept his arguments mainly by .
A.making suggestions. | B.analyzing causes and effects. |
C.providing examples and facts. | D.discussing questions |
Amateur Performance Night
Every third Thursday of the month, aspiring(有抱负的)artists present, read or perform original or existing material, at the Amateur Performance Night -- and anyone can come and watch. So come to the Amateur Performance Night to enjoy presentations and performances on a wide variety of subjects, and practice your languages (Chinese and English) while you do!
7-9 pm, March 15
20 yuan (entrance fee includes one drink and a snack)
Room 109, 2 Dongping Road
amateur.performance.night@gmail.com
Good-Heart Sale
ENO holds a seasonal sale at discounted prices, some more than 50 percent off. When you mention SCAA (Second Chance Animal Aid), 10 percent of the sales income will be donated to the animal rescue group.
Cash only
March 10-24
In Factory, 6F, building A, 1147
Xikang Road, near Wuning Road
Free Coffee for All!
This Friday, March 16, wil be an exciting day for most coffee buyers, especially those who love Starbucks. Between 10 am and 12 noon, Starbucks will hold its second “Coffee Break” and everyone who drops by a local Starbucks outlet can get a free Tall (12-ounce) cup of coffee. The event was first held in America last year and attracted more than 500,000 people. This year the Coffee Break will spread to all Starbucks stores in the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and, best of all, China.
Shanghai BookCrossing
Bring books you want to exchange, take away your next fab read. Books are mostly of English language, and include novels, thrillers, chicklit, biography, non-fiction, travel books, classics magazines, etc. Open to all, no registration necessary. Joining in is fun and FREE.
2 pm, March 17, April 21
Figaro Coffee, 160 Xingye Road
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shanghaibxers/
60. In which section will the text appear in the newspaper?
A. News reports. B. Business world.
C. Different voices. D. Life events.
61. By attending which of the events will it be likely for you to practise your English?
A. Amateur Performance Night and Shanghai Book Crossing.
B. Amateur Performance Night and Good heart sale.
C. Good Heart Sale and Shanghai Book Crossing.
D. Good Heart Sale and Free Coffee for All.
62. What can we infer from the passage?
A. Tickets to all the events are free.
B. Free coffee for all will attract more Chinese than foreigners.
C. If you want to get any information about the events, you can only surf the Internet.
D. Both the organizers and participants of Good heart sale show concern about animals.
四、阅读理解。(共20小题:每小题2分,满分40分)
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。
GUANGZHOU: The successful Guangdong International Tourism and Culture Festival has become a perfect stage to showcase the popularity of Guangdong and Pan Pearl River Delta (PPRD) region as a tourism destination, said Tang Bingquan, vice-governor of Guangdong Province.
According to the provincial tourism administration of Guangdong, more than 40,000 people attended the opening ceremony of the festival. More than 1, 000 high-ranking officials from the central government and Guangdong provincial government, World Tourism Organization, consulates (领事馆) of various countries in Guangzhou, and other provinces of China, also showed up in the ceremony. The activities in the past few days attracted a large number of visitors from home and abroad.
In the past 30 years, Guangdong Province has been one of the leaders in the nation in terms of economic development. Its average annual economic growth maintained a rate of 13.8 percent, according to Tang.
Last year, Guangdong’s gross domestic product (GDP) hit 330 billion, accounting for one-eighth of the total of the country. The province’s import and export volume hit 527.2 billion, accounting for one-third of the country’s total foreign trade volume.
Guangdong Governor Huang Huahua earlier predicted that the province’s GDP will surpass that of Taiwan by the end of this year.
“Guangdong is also leading the development of the whole country’s tourism industry,” Tang said.
Last year, Guangdong’s tourism revenue (年收入) hit 212.5 billion, occupying one-fourth of the country’s total tourism income. The net profit of the province’s tourism industry was 7.5 billion, which was one fifth of the nation’s total.
Tang noted that the tourism festival will give a further boost (促进) to the tourism development of Guangdong and the entire PPRD region.
The closing ceremony of the festival will take place tonight in Foshan, a city in Guangdong Province.(China Daily Nov. 30, 2007)
56. What would be the best title for the passage?
A. Event to boost Guangdong’s tourism industry.
B. Guangdong -- China’s leading city in economy.
C. The increase in Guangdong’s tourism revenue.
D. The development of Guangdong’s tourism industry.
57. Which of the following is NOT true?
A. The past 30 years have seen Guangdong’s fast development in economy.
B. Guangdong is one of the leading provinces in national tourism industry.
C. Guangdong’s GDP makes up almost 13% of the total country last year.
D. Guangzhou will be the host city for the closing ceremony of the festival.
58. Which of the following word is the closest to the underlined word in the text?
A. replace B. survive C. overtake D. succeed
59. What is the writer’s attitude towards the event?
A. indifferent B. neutral C. opposed D. supportive
Soccer is played by millions of people all over the world, but there have only been few players who were truly great. How did these players get that way---was it through training and practice, or are great players “born, not made”? First, these players came from places that have had famous stars in the past---players that a young boy can look up to and try to imitate(模仿). In the history of soccer, only seven countries have ever won the World Cup---three from South America and four from western Europe. There has never been a great national team---or a really great player---from North America or from Asia. Second, these players have all had years of practice in the game. Alfredo Di Stefano was the son of a soccer player, as was Pele. Most players begin playing the game at the age of three or four.
Finally, many great players come from the same kind of neighbourhood---a poor, crowded area where a boy’s dream is not to be a doctor, lawyer, or businessman, but to become a rich, famous athlete or entertainer(艺人). For example, Liverpool, which produced the Beatles, had one of the best English soccer teams in recent years. Pele practiced in the street with a “ball” made of rags(破布). And George Best learned the tricks that made him famous by bouncing the ball off a wall(对着墙壁踢球) in the slums(贫民窟) of Belfast.
All great players have a lot in common, but that doesn’t explain why they are great. Hundreds of boys played in those Brazilian streets, but only one became Pele. The greatest players are born with some unique quality that sets them apart from all the others.
46. According to the writer, which of the following statements is true?
A. Soccer is popular all over the world, but truly great players are few.
B. Millions of people all over the world are playing soccer, but only seven countries have ever had famous stars.
C. Soccer is played by millions of people all over the world, but only seven countries from South America and western Europe have ever had great national teams.
D. Soccer is one of the most popular games all over the world, but it seems the least popular in North America and Asia.
47. The world “tricks” at the end of Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ______.
A. experienceB. cheating C. skillsD. training
48. The Brazilian streets are mentioned to illustrate that ______.
A. famous soccer players live in slum areas
B. people in poor areas are born with some unique quality
C. children in poor areas start playing football at the age of three or four
D. a great soccer player may be born in a slum area
49. In the last paragraph the statement “…but only one became Pele” indicates that ______.
A. Pele is the greatest soccer player
B. the greatest players are born with some unique quality
C. Pele’s birthplace sets him apart from all the others
D. the success of a soccer player has everything to do with the family background
50. The writer mentions all the factors that may affect a soccer player’s success except ______.
A. his family background B. his neighbourhood
C. his practice D. his character
第三节:阅读理解(共10小题,每小题2分,满分20分)
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出最佳选项,并在答题纸上将该选项标号涂黑。
Good health is the most valuable thing a person can have, but one cannot take good health for granted. It is important to remember that the body needs proper care in order to be healthy. There are three things that a person can do to help stay in good shape: eat right food, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly.
Proper nutrition(营养) is important for good health. Your body cannot work well unless it receives the proper kind of “fuel”. Don’t eat too much food with lots of sugar and fat. Eat plenty of foods high in protein(蛋白质), like meat, fish, eggs and nuts. Vegetables and fruits are very important because they provide necessary vitamins(维他命) and minerals. However, don’t overeat. It is not helpful to be overweight.
Getting the proper amount of sleep is also important. If you don’t get enough sleep, you feel tired and easily get angry. You have no energy. Over a long period of time a little amount of sleep may even result in a change of personality(个性). Be sure to allow yourself from seven to nine hours of sleep each night. If you do, your body will feel strong and refreshed, and your mind will be sharp.
Finally, get plenty of exercise. Exercise firms the body, strengthens the muscles, and prevents you from gaining weight. It also improves your heart and lungs. If you follow a regular exercise program, you will probably increase your life-span(寿命). Any kind of exercise is good. Most sports are excellent for keeping the body in good shapes: basketball, swimming, bicycling, running and so on are good examples. Sports are not only good for your body, but they are enjoyable and interesting, too.
If everybody were to eat the right foods, get plenty of sleep and exercise regularly, the world would be a happier and healthier place. We would all live to be much older and wiser.
41.Accordingtothepassage, ______.
A.weshouldalwayskeepfit
B.ifwewerehealthy,wecouldspendourdaysindoingthingswithlesssleep
C.onecaneatalottostayingoodshape
D.oneneedn’ttakeanyexerciseifheishealthy
42. Inordertokeepgoodhealth,______.
A.weshouldeatalotofsweets
B.oneneedsalargeamountoffat
C.peopleshouldeataccordingtothefoodsnutrition
D.wemusttrytosleepnowandthen
43.Eatingmoreandsleepingless ______.
A.cankeephealthy B.isnogoodforyou
C.getsyoumoreenergy D.willkeepyourpersonality
44. Thewriterexplains______ inthispassage.
A.howtoeat B.theimportanceofdoingexercise
C.howtokeephealthy D.whattoeat
45. Thetitleofthearticleshouldbe ______.
A.EatingandExercising B.HowVitaminsWorkinMan’sBody
C.StayingHealthy D.SleepingWell
People believe that climbing can do good to health. Where can you learn the skill of climbing then? If you think that you have to go to the mountains to learn how to climb, you’re wrong. Many Americans are learning to climb in city gyms. Here, people are learning on climbing. The climbing wall goes straight up and small holding places for hands and feet.
How do people climb the wall? To climb, you need special shoes and harness (保护带) around your chest to hold you. There are ropes tied to your harness. The ropes hold you in place so that you don’t fall. A beginner’s wall is usually about 15 feet high, and you climb straight up. There are small pieces of metal that stick out for you to stand on and hold on to. Sometimes it’s easy to see the new piece of metal. Sometimes, it’s not. The most difficult is to control your fear. It’s normal for humans to be afraid of falling, so it’s difficult not to feel fear. But when you move away from the wall, the harness and the ropes hold you, and you begin to feel safe. You move slowly until you reach the top.
Climbing attracts people because it’s good exercise for almost everyone. You use your whole body, especially your arms and legs. This sport gives your body a complete workout. When you climb, both your mind and your body can become stronger.
58. What can we infer from the passage?
A. People are fairly interested in climbing nowadays.
B. It is impossible to build up one’s body by climbing.
C. People can only learn the skill of climbing outdoors.
D. It is always easy to see holding places in climbing.
59. The most difficult thing to do in wall climbing is _______.
A. to tie ropes to your harness B. to control your fear
C. to move away from the wall D. to climb straight up
60. The word “workout” underlined in the last paragraph most probably means _________.
A. settlement B. exercise C. excitement D. tiredness
61. Why does the author write this passage?
A. To tell people where to find gyms. B. To prove the basic need for climbing
C. To encourage people to climb mountains. D. To introduce the sport of wall climbing