Cole Bettles had been rejected by a number of universities when he received an e-mail from the University of California, San Diego, last month, congratulating him on his admission and inviting him to tour the campus. His mother booked a hotel in San Diego, and the 18-year-old Ojai high school senior arranged for his grandfather, uncle and other family members to meet them at the campus for lunch during the Saturday tour.
“They were like ‘Oh my God, that’s so awesome (棒的)’, ” Bettles said. Right before he got in bed, he checked his e-mail one last time and found another message saying the school had made a mistake and his application had been denied.
In fact, all 28, 000 students turned away from UC San Diego, in one of the toughest college entrance seasons on record, had received the same incorrect message. The students’ hopes had been raised and then dashed (破灭) in a cruel twist that shows the danger of instant communications in the Internet age.
UCSD admissions director Mae Brown called it an “administrative error” but refused to say who had made the mistake, or if those responsible would be disciplined (受训)。
The e-mail, which began, “We’re thrilled that you’ve been admitted to UC San Diego, and we’re showcasing (展示) our beautiful campus on Admit Day, ” was sent to the full 46, 000 students who had applied, instead of just the 18, 000 who got in, Brown said.
The error was discovered almost immediately by her staff, who sent an apology within hours.
“It was really thrilling for a few hours; now he’s crushed (压垮), ” said Cole’s mother, Tracy Bettles. “It’s really tough on them.”
The admissions director said she was in the office on Monday until midnight answering e-mails and phone calls from disappointed students and their parents. She said she took full responsibility for the error. “We accessed the wrong database. We recognize the incredible pain receiving this false encouragement caused. It was not our intent.”How many students received an admission e-mail from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD)?
A. 18, 000 B. 28, 000 C. 46, 000 D. 18 Which of the following statements is TRUE about the wrong e-mail message?
| A.The mistake was made on purpose to cause pain among the applicants. |
| B.It was UCSD admissions director Mae Brown who made the mistake. |
| C.UCSD admissions staff got information from the wrong database. |
| D.Staff did not discover the mistake until next Monday. |
The admissions director Mae Brown did what she could to __________.
| A.protect the person who made the mistake |
| B.punish herself for the mistake |
| C.make up for the mistake |
| D.help the disappointed students enter the university |
What does the passage mainly talk about?
A. Cole Bettles was admitted to the UCSD.
B. Cole Bettles was rejected y a famous university.
C. USCD admissions office often makes “administration errors”。
D. False admission information raised the students’ hopes and then dashed them.
One year, my school report made my parents angry. On Christmas Eve, all the presents were stolen, along with our TV. My parents told me that there were no presents because Santa was very angry with my behavior over the past year. The next year on Christmas Eve I slept downstairs with a plastic sword waiting for Santa to make sure that he didn't steal the new TV. The next morning, when I woke up, I saw Santa standing there. As soon as I saw that there were no presents, I grabbed my plastic sword and ran at him, shouting angrily: "THIEF! THIEF!"
Jack
When I was young, we always had a specific room for the Christmas tree. My mom never really liked the location, so one year she moved the tree into another room. I was convinced that Santa would not know where the tree was and would get lost in our house. I was worried that he would be mad and put me on the "bad" list and would not give me any gifts because he couldn't find the tree. I came up with the idea to make signs leading from the fireplace to the tree. They said things like: "Tree this way" or "Santa, put the gifts over here." When my big brother saw them he began to laugh his head off.
Lucy
Does everyone remember going to the mall and sitting on Santa’s lap to have his picture taken at Christmas time?
Well, I used to think that if I did that, Santa would get mad because he would have to go all around the world and give every kid the chance to have his picture taken with him. Of course his lap would hurt and he would be very fired. I thought he might keep a copy of the picture and that would be how he decided who would be on his naughty list.
My mom couldn't get me onto Santa's lap until she made him promise I wouldn't end up on his naughty list.
LydiaWhich of the following would be the best title for the passage?
| A.Belief in Santa |
| B.The Excitement on Christmas |
| C.Christmas Gifts |
| D.Christmas Celebration |
The real reason why Jack's TV was taken away is that ______________.
| A.his parents were too careless |
| B.his parents thought he had watched too much TV |
| C.Santa Claus was not satisfied with Jack’s behavior |
| D.Santa gave the TV to another child as a present |
Which of the following is NOT the reason why Lucy didn't want the tree to be moved?
| A.Santa would not know where the tree was. |
| B.Santa would be angry and would not give her any gifts. |
| C.Her big brother might laugh at her. |
| D.Santa might think she was a "bad" child. |
When it comes to success in business and success in life, there are few qualities as important as confidence.
People naturally have different levels of confidence.Some have a higher level of confidence than others do, but even those whose confidence is lacking can learn to build their level of confidence and reach their most important goals.Increasing self confidence is one of the most common reasons people give for seeking the help of psychologists and other professionals.
One of the many places where a greater level of confidence is useful is in the workplace. We all know how difficult it can be, for instance, to ask the boss for a raise.This process can be extremely difficult for those who lack confidence in their own abilities.After all, if you are unsure about your own abilities, how will you ever convince your boss that you deserve more money for the work you do?
Even if you are not asking for that big raise, having plenty of confidence in your abilities is important to success.If you are certain of your abilities, chances are that those around you, whether they are your coworkers, your colleagues or your superiors, will see that confidence, and that will help to assure them that you aree the best at what you do.
Being thought of as the person to go to, and being seen as an expert in your chosen field, is naturally very important to success on the job.If you can make yourself the person people go to for guidance and advice, you will help to protect yourself from the ever present danger of downsizing(裁员).After all, if you are a recognized expert at the office, you will be regarded as an indispensable member of the team.
Having a high level of confidence, after all, does not mean overlooking the places where you could improve.Knowing what you do well and where you need help will help you enjoy increased success and confidence.What is the passage mainly about?
| A.The influence of confidence on one's life. |
| B.The difference of people's confidence.. |
| C.The importance of confidence to success |
| D.The judgment on one's confidence. |
Psychologists and other professionals can offer help to those ______.
| A.who dream to be recognized experts |
| B.who expect to give guidance to others |
| C.who want to ask the boss for a raise |
| D.who think their goals are hard to reach |
What does the underlined word "indispensable" in Paragraph 5 probably mean?
| A.outgoing | B.attractive | C.important | D.energetic |
What message does the author want to convey(传递) in the last paragraph?
| A.To overlook one's disadvantages. |
| B.To make full use of one's advantages. |
| C.To have great confidence in one's abilities. |
| D.To make objective evaluations of one's abilities. |
Millions of girls grow up with the hope of becoming a famous singer. Some even win local talent competitions as children, but only a few such early successes and dreams turn into reality. Jessica Andrews is one of the few whose dreams have come true.
Andrews, first taste of success came at the age of 10. She won a talent competition in her home town of Huntingdon, Tennessee, singing I Will Always Love You, originally sung by Whitney Houston. Houston's version of the song appeared on The Bodyguard sound track, which happened to be the first album Andrews ever bought.
Within two years, talk of Andrews had spread to Nashville and caught the attention of producer Byron Gallimore, whose credits include work with Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Jo Dee Messina. With Gallimore signed on to produce, Andrews soon had a recording contract (合同)with Dream Works' Nashville label.
Andrews' professional career was launched with 1999's Heart Shaped World, recorded when she was 14 years old. The album included the country hit I Will Be There For You, which also appeared on The Prince Of Egypt. She followed up the release of the album by touring as a support act for such country superstars as Faith Hill and Trisha Yearwood.
With the release of 2001's Who I Am, Andrews became a star in her own right. The album was certified (证明)gold for sales of 500,000 copies. Andrews returned in April 2003 with Now, an album that she promised would show a new side of the young artist. "This album has a very different feeling for me," she said. "It's a lot more personal and there's a confidence that wasn't quite there on the first two. I feel especially connected to this group of songs." What's the meaning of the underlined word “launched" in the fourth paragraph?
| A.Aimed. | B.Sent. | C.Started. | D.Set. |
Which of the following statements is WRONG according to the passage?
| A.The Bodyguard was the first album Andrews ever bought. |
| B.After Andrews sang Who I Am, she became a star in her own right. |
| C.I Will Always Love You was originally sung by Whitney Houston. |
| D.Now expresses a new feeling of Andrews. |
Which of the following may NOT be Andrews' album?
| A.Now. | B.Heart Shaped World. |
| C.The Prince of Egypt. | D.Who I Am |
Which of the following is the best title of the passage?
| A.Jessica Andrews' Life | B.Jessica Andrews' Dream |
| C.Jessica Andrews' Songs | D.Jessica Andrews' Success as a Singer |
Usually, when your teacher asks a question, there is only one correct answer. But there is one question that has millions of correct answers. That question is “What’s your name?” Everyone gives a different answer, but everyone is correct.
Have you ever wondered about people’s names? Where do they come from? What do they mean?
People’s first names, or given names, are chosen by their parents. Sometimes the name of a grandparent or other member of the family is used. Some parents choose the name of a well-known person. A boy could be named George Washington Smith; a girl could be named Helen Keller Jones.
Some people give their children names that mean good things. Clara means “bright”; Beatrice means “one who gives happiness”; Donald means “world ruler”; Leonard means “as brave as a lion”.
The earliest last names, or surnames, were taken from place names. A family with the name Brook or Brooks probably lived near brook(小溪);someone who was called Longstreet probably lived on a long, paved road. The Greenwood family lived in or near a leafy forest.
Other early surnames came from people’s occupations. The most common occupational name is Smith, which means a person who makes things with iron or other metals. In the past, smiths were very important workers in every town and village.Some other occupational names are: Carter---a person who owned or drove a cart; Potter---a person who made pots and pans.
The ancestors of the Baker family probably baked bread for their neighbors in their native village. The Carpenter’s great-great-great-grandfather probably built houses and furniture.
Sometimes people were known for the color of their hair or skin, or their size, or their special abilities. When there were two men who were named John in the same village, the John with the gray hair probably became John Gray. Or the John was very tall could call himself John Tallman. John Fish was probably an excellent swimmer and John Lightfoot was probably a fast runner or a good dancer.
Some family names were made by adding something to the father’s name. English-speaking people added –s or –son. The Johnsons are descendants of John; the Roberts family’s ancestor was Robert. Irish and Scottish people added Mac or Mc or O. Perhaps all of the MacDonnells and the McDonnells and the O’Donnells are descendants of the same Donnell.Which of the following aspects do the surnames in the passage NOT cover?
| A.Places where people lived. | B.People’s characters. |
| C.Talents that people possessed. | D.People’s occupations. |
According to the passage, the ancestors of the Potter family most probably _______.
| A.owned or drove a cart | B.made things with metals |
| C.made kitchen tools or containers | D.built houses and furniture |
Suppose an English couple whose ancestors lived near a leafy forest wanted their new-born son to become a world leader, the baby might be named _______.
| A.Beatrice Smith | B.Leonard Carter |
| C.George Longstreet | D.Donald Greenwood |
The underlined word “descendants” in the last paragraph means a person’s _____.
| A.later generations | B.friends and relatives |
| C.colleagues and partners | D.later bosses |
In ancient Egypt,the pharaoh(法老)treated the poor message runner like a prince when he arrived at the palace, if he brought good news. However,if the exhausted runner had the misfortune to bring the pharaoh unhappy news,his head was cut off.
Shades of that spirit spread over today's conversations. Once a friend and I packed up some peanut butter and sandwiches for an outing. As we walked light-heartedly out of the door,picnic basket in hand,a smiling neighbor looked up at the sky and said,"Oh boy,bad day for a picnic. The weatherman says it's going to rain." I wanted to strike him on the face with the peanut butter and sandwiches. Not for his stupid weather report,for his smile.
Several months ago I was racing to catch a bus. As I breathlessly put my handful of cash across the Greyhound counter,the sales agent said with a broad smile,"Oh that bus left five minutes ago." Dreams of head-cutting!
It’s not the news that makes someone angry. It’s the unsym pathetic attitude with which it’s delivered(递送). Everyone must give bad news from time to time, and winning professionals do it with the proper attitude. A doctor advising a patient that she needs an operation does it in a caring way . A boss informing an employee he didn’t get the job takes on a sympathetic tone. Big winners know, when delivering any bad news, they should share the feeling fo the receiver.
Unfortunately,many people are not aware of this. When you're tired from a long flight,has a hotel clerk cheerfully said that your room isn't ready yet?When you had your heart set on the toast beef,has your waiter merrily told you that he just served the last piece?It makes you as traveler or diner want to land your fist right on their unsympathetic faces.
Had my neighbor told me of the upcoming rainstorm with sympathy(同情),I would have appreciated his warning. Had the Greyhound salesclerk sympathetically informed me that my bus had already left,I probably would have said,"Oh,that's all right I'll catch the next one." Big winners,when they bear bad news,deliver bombs with the emotion the bombarded(被轰炸的)person is sure to have.In Paragraph 1,the writer tells the story of the pharaoh to ____.
| A.make a comparison | B.introduce a topic |
| C.describe a scene | D.offer an argument |
In the writer's opinion,his neighbor was ___.
| A.friendly | B.warm-hearted | C.not considerate | D.not helpful |
From "Dreams of head-cutting!"(Paragraph3),we learn that the writer___.
| A.was mad at the sales agent |
| B.was reminded of the cruel pharaoh |
| C.wished that the sales agent would have had dreams |
| D.dreamed of cutting the sales agent's head that night. |
What is the main idea of the text?
| A.Delivering bad news properly is important in communication. |
| B.Helping others sincerely is the key to business success. |
| C.Receiving bad news requires great courage. |
| D.Learning ancient traditions can be useful. |