It was a winter morning, just two weeks before Christmas 2005. While most people were warming up their cars, Trevor, my husband, had to get up early to ride his bike four kilometers away from home to work. On arrival, he parked his bike outside the back door as he usually does. After putting in 10 hours of labor, he returned to find his bike gone.
The bike was our only transport. Trevor used it to get to work, putting in 60-hour weeks to support his young family. I was so sad that someone would steal our bike that I wrote to the newspaper and told them o
ur story. Shortly after that, several people in our area offered to help. One wonderful stranger even bought a bike, then called my husband to pick it up. Once again my husband had a way to get to and from his job. It really is an honor that a complete stranger would go out of their way for someone they have never met before.
People say that a smile can be passed from one person to another, but acts of kindness from strangers are even more so. This experience has had a spreading effect in our lives because it strengthened our faith in humanity as a whole. And it has influenced us to be more mindful of ways we, too, can share with others. No matter how big or how small, an act of kindness shows that someone cares. And the results can be everlasting. Why was the bike so important to the couple? (Within 10 words)
_______________________________________________________________________.How did people get to know the couple’s problem? (Within 3 words)
_______________________________________________________________________.What do the couple learn from their experience? (Within 12 words)
_______________________________________________________________________.
Love, success, happiness, family and freedom ---- how important are these values to you? Here is one interview which explores the fundamental questions in life._______My name is Misbah, 27 years old. I was born in a war-torn area. Right now I’m a web designer.
_______My parents used to take us to hunt birds, climb trees, and play in the fields. For me it was like a holiday because we were going to have fun all day long. Those are my great memories.
_______Yes. As life was very hard, I used to work to help bring money in for the family. I spent my childhood working, with responsibilities beyond my age. However, it taught me to deal with problems all alone. I learnt to be independent.
_______My parents supported me until I came of age. I want to give back what I’ve got. That’s our way. But I am working in another city. My only contact with my parents now is through the phone, but I hate using it. It filters out your emotion and leaves your voice only. My deepest feelings should be pleased through sight, hearing and touch.
Are you truly happy? Do you ever know what it means to be happy and what it takes to achieve happiness? The following are a few tips that I follow to create happiness in my life.
Make a plan for attaining(实现)goals that you believe will make you happy.Your moods will be likely to increase if you are going after something you value.
Surround yourself with happy people. It is easy to begin to think negatively when you are surrounded by people who think that way.
When something goes wrong,try to figure out a solution instead of being absorbed in self-pity.Truly happy people don’t allow setbacks to affect their mood because they know that with a little thought they can turn the circumstances back to their favor.These few minutes will give you the opportunity to focus on the positive things in your life and will lead you to continuous happiness.
Whether you treat yourself to lunch, take a long, relaxing bath or simply spend a few extra minutes on your appearance, you will be subconsciously (下意识地) putting yourself in a better mood.
Finding the humor in situations can also lead to happiness.Find a way to make light of a situation that would otherwise make you happy.
Keeping healthy is another way to achieve happiness.
| A．What makes one person happy may be very different from what makes someone else happy. |
| B．On the contrary,if you are around people who are happy,their emotional state will be infectious(感染的). |
| C．Being overweight or not eating nutritious foods can have a negative effect on your mood. |
| D．These are important questions for anyone who is seeking happiness to ask themselves. |
E.Spend a few minutes each day thinking about the things that make you happy.
F.There are some tips in life that lead to happiness.
G.It’s also important to take some time each day to do something nice for yourself.
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填人空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
When I was 16 years old, a boy gave me an important gift. .
It was the early autumn of my first year at a junior high school, and my old school was far away. . I was very lonely, and afraid to make friends with anyone.
Every time I listened to other students talking and laughing, I felt my heart break. I couldn’t talk about anyone with my problems. And I didn’t want my parents to worry about me.
Then one day, my classmates talked happily with their friends, but I sat at my desk unhappily as usual. I didn’t know who he was. He passed me and then turned back. He looked at me, with a smile on his face.
Suddenly, I felt the touch of something bright and friendly. It made me feel happy, lively and warm.I started to talk with other students and made friends. Day by day, I became closer to everyone in my class. The boy with the lucky smile has become my best friend now!
I believe that the world is what you think it is. If you think it lonely, you might always be alone. So smile at the world and it will smile back.
| A．At that moment, a boy entered the classroom. |
| B．He’s living in Australia now and he loves it. |
| C．It doesn‘t matter because all the dark days have gone. |
| D．It was a smile. |
E. That smile changed my life.
F. It’s practically impossible to make friends here.
G. As a result, no one knew who I was.
Although many Chinese students say that their knowledge of English grammar is good, most would admit that their spoken English is poor. Whenever I speak to Chinese students, they always say, "My spoken English is poor."I would like to suggest that there may be some reasons for their problems with spoken English.
First, they fail to find suitable words to express themselves due to a limited vocabulary. However，you can speak with a limited vocabulary if your attitude is positive. Others will follow you as long as you use the words that you know.
Sometimes they make mistakes when they are speaking because they are shy and nervous. Yet students should remember that their goal in speaking should be fluency not accuracy. You want to get your message across, to talk to someone in English, as quickly and well as you can, even though sometimes you may use a wrong word or tense, but it doesn't matter.
The third reason is that not enough attention is paid to listening. You have one mouth but two ears! All that hearing is necessary for you to start speaking.
Fourth, most Chinese students are reactive(被动反应的) rather than proactive（积极行动的） language learners. Instead of actively seeking out opportunities to improve their spoken English they passively wait for speaking opportunities to come to them and wonder why their English always remains poor.
| A．The person you are speaking to will understand you and make allowances for mistakes he hears. |
| B．They may try to avoid making similar mistakes next time. |
| C．Obviously the better way is to expand their vocabulary. |
| D．If you have proactive outlook（观点）, then you will see English opportunities wherever you go. |
E. However, their spoken English does not have to remain poor
F. Second, they are afraid of making mistakes.
G. The second reason lies in the unwillingness of using what has just been learned.
How to Host a Successful Party
Everyone loves a party but when you’re the host, making sure the event goes as planned can be stressful. Before the big day, take some time to prepare well and you’ll have a better chance of throwing a successful party.
Pick a theme for your party. It doesn’t have to be anything complicated. A loved one’s homecoming, a wedding announcement, and a block party to meet the neighbors are only a few examples of party themes.
Send out the invitations. Generally, guests should receive their invitations two weeks before the party. If a guest will be traveling a long way, the earlier they get the invitation, the better.
If you’re hosting a party at home, look at your surroundings with a critical（挑剔的） eye. Put small articles away for a clean look and add some decorations to make the room more festive.
Plan your food list and shop ahead of time. If you’re the host, you will need lots of advance notice of your menu and the number of guests you are expecting.
Double-check the details the night before the party. Do a quick walkthrough, starting at your front door, and make sure there’s an area for guests’ coats. Finally, count your serving plates and glasses to make sure there are enough.
| A．Create the proper atmosphere. |
| B．Dress early for the party. |
| C．But it should be related to the reason for having the party. |
| D．Then walk through your home and make sure everything is fine. |
E. This gives them time to schedule the event into their time frame.
F. Allow time for guest arrival before serving a meal.
G. Dishes that are prepared in advance will save you much time.