There are two basic ways to see growth: one as a product, the other as a process. People have generally viewed personal growth as an external (外在的) result or a product that can easily be identified and measured.The worker who gets a rise, the student whose grades improve, the foreigner who learns a new language—all these examples of people who have measurable results to show for their efforts.
By contrast (对照) , the process of personal growth is much more difficult to determine, since it is a journey and not the specific signposts or landmarks along the way.The process is not the road itself, but the attitudes, feelings people have , and their caution or courage, as they meet with new experiences and unexpected difficulties.In this process, the journey never really ends;there are always new ways to experience the world, new ideas to try, new challenges to accept.
In order to grow, to travel new roads, people need to have a willingness to take risks, to face the unknown, and to accept the possibility that they may “fail” at first.How we see ourselves as we try a new way of being is necessary for our ability to grow.Do we see ourselves as quick and curious? If so, we tend to take more chances and be more open to unfamiliar experiences.Do we think we’re shy and indecisive? Then our sense of fear can cause us to hesitate, to move slowly, and we think we are slow to adapt change or that we’re not smart enough to deal with a new challenge.Then we are likely to take a more passive role or not try at all.
These feelings of insecurity and self-doubt are both unavoidable and necessary if we are to change and grow.If we protect ourselves too much, then we stop growing.We become trapped inside a shell of our own making.
In the author’s eye, one who views personal growth as a process would ______.
A.succeed in climbing up the social ladder |
B.grow up from his own achievements |
C.face difficulties and take up challenges |
D.aim high and reach his goal each time |
Which of the following can be viewed as the process of personal growing?
A.Our manager was always willing to accept new challenges. |
B.Jane won the first prize in the speech competition. |
C.Jerry picked up French during his stay in Paris. |
D.Father’s salary rose from 5, 000 to 7,000. |
For personal growth, the author is in favor of all the following EXCEPT _______.
A.being curious about more changes |
B.being quick in self-adaptation |
C.having an open mind to new experiences |
D.staying away from failures and challenges |
The best title for this passage should be ______.
A.Facing New Challenges B Growth—Product or Process
C.Two Basic Ways of Growth D Overcoming Internal Fear
Mark Twain was a great writer. He was from the USA. He was born in 1835. He was also a famous speaker. He was famous for his sense of humour. Many people liked to listen to him talk because he liked to tell some interesting stories to make people laugh all the time. One day Mark Twain was going to a small town because of his writing. Before he was going to leave, one of his friends said to him that there were always a lot of mosquitoes in the town and told him that he’d better not go there. Mark Twain waved (摇动) his hand and said, “It doesn’t matter. The mosquitoes are no relatives of mine. I don’t think they will come to visit me.”
After he arrived at the town, Mark Twain stayed in a small hotel near the station. He went into his room, but when he was just about to have a rest, quite a few mosquitoes flew about him. The waiters felt very sorry about that. “I’m very sorry, Mr. Mark Twain. There are too many mosquitoes in our town.” One of them said to him.
Mark Twain, however, made a joke, saying to the waiter, “The mosquitoes are very clever. They know my room number. They didn’t come into the wrong room.” What he said made all the people present laugh heartily.
But that night Mark Twain slept well. Do you know why? That was because all the waiters in the hotel were driving the mosquitoes away for him during the whole night.That day Mark Twain went to the town _____.
A.to see one of his friends |
B.because he wanted to do something there for his writing |
C.because he was told there were a lot of mosquitoes there |
D.to see one of his relatives |
The waiters felt sorry because _____.
A.they did something wrong to Mark Twain |
B.their hotel was too small |
C.the room was not very clean |
D.there were quite a few mosquitoes in Mark Twain’s room |
All the people present laughed heartily because _____.
A.the mosquitoes were very clever and they didn’t come into the wrong room |
B.the mosquitoes knew Mark Twain’s room number |
C.Mark Twain gave the waiters some nice presents |
D.Mark Twain made a joke |
From the story we know _____.
A.no mosquitoes troubled Mark Twain in the night |
B.the owner of the hotel told the waiters to look after Mark Twain well at night |
C.Mark Twain didn’t have a good rest that night |
D.there were no mosquitoes in the hotel any longer |
To many students, high school is just a basic routine. You go to class in the morning, take a break for lunch and go home in the afternoon.
This isn't quite that simple for pupils at Royal West Academy. As if classes and homework weren’t already enough, students are also required to complete a range of extracurricular activities, or ECAs.
The range of ECAs being offered at the school is various, including everything from guitar and jewelry-making clubs, fund-raising marches, to student committees, swimming and tennis.
“I love ECAs. I’m so happy we have them,” said grade 11 student Adrienne, who is a soccer player and member of the graduation committee. “They motivate the students, and they’re a great bonding experience. I think that without them, not half as many students would be joining up for the soccer team.”
Requiring students to complete ECAs is a sign of the times. That’s because young people are preparing for the future in ways that weren’t considered necessary before. This is an era when ECAs are seen as important. Whether it’s for leadership experience, sports, craft skills or volunteer these things are seen as rounding out the individual and improving their future.
ECAs can also help students discover their likes and dislikes. But as the old song says, you can’t always get what you want, especially when so many students are all trying to sign up for the most popular activities.
ECAs can cut into study and homework time if you’re not careful. You really have to get organized or you’ll fall apart.The students at Royal West Academy may do the following ECAs except ______.
A.to play musical instruments |
B.to raise money for an organization |
C.to attend sports events |
D.to have classes discussions |
From what Adirienne said, we know that _______.
A.most of his classmates are interested in football |
B.one can make many new friends in ECAs |
C.students get encouraged to join in ECAs |
D.half of his classmates are unwilling to join in ECAs. |
Why are ECAs important now?
A.They prepare the students for their future. |
B.They can make students get what they want. |
C.they can help students find their strong points. |
D.They can reduce students’ learning time. |
From the last paragraph, we can infer that _______.
A.ECAs can increase your burden of learning |
B.you may fall down when playing in ECAs |
C.too many ECAs may leave you in trouble |
D.you need to organize other students in ECAs |
With help from a Mr.H, you can.
A.stop using batteries. |
B.finish your homework on time. |
C.remember your teacher’s instructions. |
D.get your room tidied on your way home. |
A PENGO WATCH CONTROL can help you to .
A.repair your TV | B.organize your homework |
C.be a James Bond | D.know what the weather is like |
You can get your Mr. H for .
A.$499 | B.$299 | C.$199 | D.$99 |
Where would you be most likely to find the two texts?
A.On a notice board | B.In a company brochure. |
C.On a teenage website | D.In a college newspaper. |
On March 19, 2013, Malala Yousafzai, a 15-year-old Pakistani student and women’s-education activist(积极分子), returned to the classroom for the first time since being attacked by a member of the Taliban on October 9, 2012. Malala was shot on her way home from school in Mingora, Pakistan. The Taliban(塔利班) said that they did the attack. The group said the attack should be a warning to others. Malala was targeted(作为目标) because she expresses her opinion publicly about girls’ rights to education.
After a long period of recovery, Malala is starting as a ninth-year student at Edgbaston High School. It is the oldest independent girl’s school in Birmingham, England. Though she has no specific plans to return to Pakistan, Malala still speaks out as a voice for change in her country, and everywhere. “I’m excited that today I have realized my dream of going back to school. I want all girls in the world to have this kind of chance,” Malala said in a statement .
Malala has been an Internet blogger since she was 11 years old. In 2011 she was awarded Pakistan’s National Peace Award for her bravery in writing about the difficulties of life and education in the shadow of the Taliban. She has spoken publicly about children’s rights and been nominated(提名) for an international children’s peace prize.Why did the Taliban attack Malala?
A.She is a Pakistani student. |
B.She was targeted without being planned. |
C.She didn’t want to be a member of the Taliban. |
D.She spoke publicly about girls’ rights to education. |
How long did it take Malala to recover from the attack?
A.Four years. | B.About one year. |
C.Over five months. | D.About four months. |
We can learn from the passage that Malala______.
A.is now attending school in Pakistan |
B.is still under the shadow of the attack |
C.has made a careful plan for her future |
D.cares about the situation in her home country |
There was a story many years ago of a school teacher — Mrs. Thompson. She told the children on the first day that she loved them all the same. But that was a lie. There in the front row was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. He didn’t play well with the other children and he always needed a bath. She did not like him.
Then Mrs. Thompson got to know that Teddy was actually a very good boy before the death of his mother. Mrs. Thompson was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when, like all her other students, Teddy brought her a Christmas present too. It was his mother’s perfume(香水).
Teddy said, “Mrs. Thompson, today you smell just like my Mom used to.” After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she stopped teaching reading, writing and math. Instead, she began to teach children.
Mrs. Thompson paid more attention to Teddy. The boy’s mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he improved. By the end of the sixth grade, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class.
Six years went by before she got a note from Teddy. He wrote that he had finished high school and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. He went to college. Mrs. Thompson got two more letters from him with the last one signed: Theodore Stoddard, M.D.(医学博士).
The story doesn’t end there. On his wedding day, Dr. Stoddard whispered(低声说) in Mrs. Thompson’s ear, “Thank you, Mrs. Thompson, for believing in me. You made me feel important and showed me that I could make a difference.”
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back, “Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn’t know how to teach until I met you.”What did Mrs. Thompson do on the first day of school?
A.She made Teddy feel very ashamed. |
B.She asked the children to play with Teddy. |
C.She changed Teddy’s seat to the front row. |
D.She told the class something untrue about herself. |
What did Mrs. Thompson find out about Teddy?
A.He told lies every now and then. |
B.He was quite good at math, in fact. |
C.He needed care from mother or someone like that.[ |
D.He enjoyed playing with others. |
In what way did Mrs. Thompson change after she received the gifts?
A.She taught fewer school subjects. |
B.She became stricter with her students. |
C.She no longer liked her job as a teacher. |
D.She cared more about educating students. |
Why did Teddy thank Mrs. Thompson at his wedding?
A.She had kept in touch with him. |
B.She had given him encouragement. |
C.She had sent him Christmas presents. |
D.She had taught him how to judge people. |