There are two types of people in the world. Although they have equal degree of health and wealth and other comforts of life, one becomes happy, the other becomes unhappy. This arises from the different ways in which they consider things, persons, events and the resulting effects upon their minds.
People who are to be happy fix their attention on the convenience of things. The pleasant parts of conversation, the well prepared dishes, the goodness of the wine, the fine weather. They enjoy all the cheerful things. Those who are to be unhappy think and speak only of the opposite things. Therefore, they are continually dissatisfied. By their remarks, they sour the pleasure of society, offend(or hurt) many people, and make themselves disagreeable everywhere. If this turn of mind was founded in nature, such unhappy persons would be the more to be pitied. The intention of criticizing and being disliked is perhaps taken up by imitation. It grows into a habit, unknown to its possessors. The habit may be strong, but it may be cured when those who have it realize its bad effects on their interests and tastes. I hope this little warning may be of service to them, and help them change this habit.
Although in fact it is chiefly an act of the imagination, it has serious results in life since it brings on deep sorrow and bad luck. Those people offend many others; nobody loves them, and no one treats them with more than the most common politeness and respect. This frequently puts them in bad temper and draws them into arguments. If they aim at getting some advantages in social position or fortune, nobody wishes them success. Nor will anyone start a step or speak a word to favor their hopes. If they bring on themselves public objections, no one will defend or excuse them, and many will join to criticize their wrongdoings. These should change this bad habit and be pleased with what is pleasing, without worrying needlessly about themselves and others. If they do not, it will be good for others to avoid any contact with them. Otherwise, it can be disagreeable and sometimes very inconvenient, especially when one becomes mixed up in their quarrels.The phrase“sour the pleasure of society” most nearly means__________.
A.have a good taste with social life | B.make others unhappy |
C.tend to scold others openly | D.enjoy the pleasure of life |
We can conclude from the passage that__________.
A.people can get rid of the habit of unhappiness |
B.such unhappy people are dangerous to social life |
C.we should pity all such unhappy people |
D.unhappy people can not understand happy persons |
If such unhappy persons insist on keeping the habit, the author suggests that people should ______.
A.prevent any communication with them |
B.show no respect and politeness to them |
C.persuade them to recognize the bad effects |
D.quarrel with them until they realize the mistakes |
In this passage, the writer mainly________.
A.describes two types of people | B.laughs at the unhappy people |
C.suggests ways to help them unhappy | D.tells people how to be happy in life |
In a new article, Zehr, a professor at the University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, describes his success in using the Caped Crusader (披篷骑士) to engage students in the study of physiology.
"Batman (蝙蝠侠) has such powerful influence on readers because he is a fictional human with superpowers that seem within reach if we only work at it," writes Zehr, in a new article published in Advances in Physiology Education, a journal of the American Physiological Society. Zehr believes that it is not Batman's vast wealth that allows him to protect the citizens of Gotham City (哥谭市) , but his dedication to developing a wide range of physical skills.
Zehr uses Batman to establish a framework, grounded in his fictional universe as well as our real one, in order to discuss the various components of exercise and physical training and illustrate how the body's physiological systems respond. His experiences in teaching undergraduate courses in physiology and neurophysiology made him realize that connecting science to popular culture helped students understand the lessons better.
He first presented a formal analysis of the personal and physical discipline that would be required to transform an ordinary person into a superhero in his book, Becoming Batman: The Possibility of a Superhero. The book drew on Zehr's understanding and work in human movement and the plasticity of nerves and muscles associated with exercise. By coincidence, the book was published in the wake of The Dark Knight, the blockbuster movie which recounts Batman and his arch-enemy, the Joker.
With the casting almost complete for the sequel(续集), The Dark Knight Rises, Dr. Zehr writes about his experiences connecting science to popular culture, which is captured in the Advances, article, "A Personal View: From Claude Bernard to the Batcave and Beyond: Using Batman as a hook for physiology education."In Zehr's opinion, what makes Batman be able to defend his citizens?
A.his large amount of fortune | B.his devotion to developing varieties of physical skills |
C.his habit of wearing a cape | D.his developing so wide range of magic power |
Which one of the following statements is TRUE according to the third paragraph?
A.Students of physiology and neurophysiology should have more physical training |
B.To become a batman needs developing a wide range of physical skills |
C.Only Batman can illustrate the respond of the body’s physiological system |
D.combining science with popular culture can be beneficial to students’ study |
To help students study physiology well, Dr.Zehr uses Batman to do the following EXCEPT___
A.set up his theoretical principles of teaching physiology |
B.discuss the different components of physical training |
C.illustrate the ways of body’s physiology system responding |
D.perform many physiology experiments on the body movement |
.According to the book Becoming Batman, what does the possibility of becoming a superhero mainly lie on?
A.Dr. Zehr’s formal analyses of the body's movement rules |
B.the flexibility of nerves and muscles when being trained well |
C.the physical training conducted by Dr. Zehr |
D.the final influence of Batman on one person |
This passage is mainly about .
A.Batman’seducation significance in physiology | B.introduction to Zehr’ s books on physiology |
C.how to become a superhero like Batman | D.Batman’s powerful effects on the readers |
Heavy downpours last month in Rhode Island led to widespread flooding, causing millions of dollars in property damage and leaving thousands homeless. The floodwaters also poured vast amounts of raw sewage (污水) into the rivers and streams that flow into Narragansett Bay.
It sounds like the makings of an environmental nightmare, but in fact it’s just the opposite. To scientists’ delight, the sewage-loaded floodwaters have caused a well-timed growth of phytoplankton, the microscopic creatures that form the foundation of marine food chains. With more food available for fish, clams and other sea creatures, the bay’s fisheries industry is expected to benefit.
In decades past, Narragansett Bay typically experienced a late winter/early spring algal (海藻) bloom that fed creatures up and down the water column. But in recent years, the waters of Narragansett Bay have warmed greatly, interrupting this seasonal event.
Mark Berman, an oceanographer with the National Marine Fisheries Service, said the flood seemed to have sent the bay back to its normal state.
However, local, state and federal officials in Rhode Island have been battling other algal blooms that, by contrast, are causing widespread harm to the Narragansett Bay ecosystem. During summer months, sewage and agricultural runoff flows into the bay, causing large blooms. But instead of becoming food for sea creatures, much of the phytoplankton is consumed by bacteria, which grow fast in the warmer waters. The rapid bacteria growth leads to hypoxia – a decrease of oxygen in the water that can cause large fish kills. One such die-off occurred in 2003, when millions of oxygen-starved fish washed up on the beaches of Narragansett Bay.
The flood’s positive impact will probably be a one-time event, Mr. Berman said. Meanwhile, efforts to curb the harmful summer blooms continue; in 2008, for instance, Providence completed a $359 million sewage tunnel under the city designed to reduce the polluted storm overflow into Narragansett Bay. Scientists believe that the raw sewage flowing into the bay will _______.
A.pollute the island’s environment | B.cause lots of property damage |
C.increase the fisheries production | D.destroy the food chains in the bay |
The potential benefit of fisheries industry relies on the _______.
A.warm temperatures of the bay | B.growth of phytoplankton |
C.large summer alga blooms | D.consumption of oxygen by bacteria |
People struggle against the summer blooms because they will ________.
A.pollute the local natural environment | B.increase the production of fishery industry |
C.cause large fish kills of the bay indirectly | D.provide too much food for sea creatures |
It can be inferred that _______.
A.money spent on the summer blooms has been wasted |
B.the government is investing to promote the local fisheries |
C.research of oceanology should be encouraged |
D.opinions on the raw sewage impact are currently contradictory |
The underlined word “curb” in the last paragraph can be defined as “______”.
A.control | B.consume | C.cause | D.cure |
Your House Will Take Care of You In Old Age
Have you ever thought what your life would be like in old age? Everyone talks about the “aging” society with large numbers of elderly people needing home care. Now German researchers have set up a “smart” house, programmed to help the elderly live at home with dignity. Scientists at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute say the house combines existing technology with future-oriented technology.
For example, the “smart” bathroom has a touch screen mirror that can remind people to take their medicine, wash their hands or brush their teeth. The hardware behind Fraunhofer’s electronic bathroom is not new, and the software runs on a regular personal computer.
When the medicine cabinet is opened, a display in the middle of the mirror tells the person how many pills to take. The mirror is linked to a care provider, who can remotely check whether a patient at home is actually taking medicine and brushing his or her teeth. As many elderly people have arthritic(关节炎的) conditions that make it difficult to operate water taps, the mirror also has displays that turn the water tap on or off or control the water temperature.
The bathroom is only the start. Kitchens, bedrooms and all other parts of the “intelligent” home will become “user-friendly” to meet all kinds of individual needs. Sensors in doors, toilets, taps, light switches and carpets detect every activity and record them electronically. Doctors or care staff can see from the computer records what personal hygiene tasks have been completed, how often the elderly person visits the bathroom or uses the toilet. In case of an emergency, the computer automatically alerts the chosen contact person or calls the care center. The ‘smart” bathroom has a touch screen mirror ________.
A.that can help the elderly brush their teeth | B.which is linked to a nursing house |
C.behind which is a medicine cabinet | D.that can remind people to do many things |
The underlined word “them” in the last paragraph refers to ________.
A.every activity | B.doors, toilets, taps, light switches and carpets | C.individual needs | D.sensors |
The house mentioned in the passage can be described as _________.
A.smart but expensive | B.intelligent and convenient |
C.smart and environmentally-friendly | D.fashionable and energy-saving |
How is the passage mainly developed?
A.By inferring | B.By listing examples. | C.By comparing. | D.By introducing a practical method. |
The author of the text mainly _________.
A.calls on people to care for the old | B.encourages the old to live with dignity |
C.introduces a new house | D.promotes a new house |
For a small but increasingnumber of young women in modern-day China, true love is all about the numbers. A potential suitor may have a good sense of humor and reasonable good looks, but what they say really matters is if he owns an apartment and how many square feet it is. A sizable bank account is also a must, and, some say, so is a luxury car。
At least, that’s the way things look if you watch Chinese television these days. The latest reality-TV scandal to shock the nation involves Ma Nuo, a 22-year-old model from Beijing who appeared on China's most popular dating show,If You Are the One.She rejected an offer from a male contestant to take a ride on his bike. "I'd rather cry in a BMW (宝马) car than laugh on the backseat of a bicycle," Ma told her suitor with a giggle.
The televised words swept the Internet and made an instantcelebrityof Ma, who becomes one of the most talked-about women in the country. Thereaction among young Chinese was especially severe, reflecting growing anxieties over the widening gap between rich and poor, shifting societal values and public attention on the difficulties of finding a mate in a country where men are expected to outnumber women by 24 million in a decade.
As disgusted as they have been by some of the contestants, viewers continue to watch religiously. Why are people still tuning in? "Audiences like programs because they are honest. They show the current reality of Chinese society," says Yan Mu, one of the founders of Baihe.com. Young people are so focused on making money and building their careers these days, they have little time to devote to dating, he says. "Many people feel pressure from their parents and peers," Yan adds. " It can be a struggle to find a partner." Money may not buy you love. But on China's reality shows, it can at least get you a date.The underlined words“numbers”in the first paragraph include the following except_______
A.the age and degree | B.the size of the house | C.the sum of the deposit | D.the price of the belonging |
What does Ma Nuo mean by saying“I’d rather cry in a BMW car than laugh on the backseat of a bicycle.”in the second paragraph?
A.When she is in a BMW car, she will cry | B.When she is on a bike, she will laugh |
C.She prefers money to true love | D.She prefers true love to money |
Why do many young men take part in TV dating shows?
A.because they think they may get true love from them |
B.because they think China’s reality shows can at least give them a chance to date |
C.because their parents and peers force them to do so |
D.because viewers like dating shows |
Which one of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A.some contestants have been disgusted because they are dishonest |
B.young people are too busy to take part in dating shows |
C.some people are worried that societal value are changing |
D.Ma Nuo rejected the bike offered by the contestant |
What is the best title of the passage?
A.China’s TV Dating Show | B.Date for Love or money |
C.Date Makes You a Celebrity | D.Popular TV Dating Show |
While in Banff, make time for a walk around town. A special treat is to go up the mountainside on the Banff Gondola for a surprising view of the valley below .Here is The Pines, whose cook has developed a special way of mixing foreign food such as caribou, wild boar, and reindeer with surprising sauces.
Best time to visit is during the off-season, from early May to mid-June, or in October .This way you can avoid sharing the high way with mobile(移动的)homes which can be pulled by cars .But whatever the season, take some lunch with you from Banff, because there are only a few food stops on the road.
Forty minutes north of Banff ,side by side with the Banff National Park ,sits world-famous Lake Louise .This surprisingly small body of water is attractive with towering mountains around it .Glaciers ,huge masses of ice ,moving very slowly against rocks ,produce what is called glacier rock flour ,making its water dark to see .It is worth taking a walk around the grounds of the Chateau Lake Louise ,another beauty ,proud of its early 20th century history.
Back on the road , and it’s time to continue north past the astonishing Columbia Icefield, then turn off the highway and take the short road to the base of the Athabaska Glacier .You can rent ice cleats(夹板)and do some climbing or do a more pleasant snowmobile tour .Either way, you can enjoy endless beautiful sights.
Finally you’ll reach Jasper ,the usual turning around the place for the Banff-Jasper loop(回路).It’s worth riding the Jasper Skytram, and be sure to visit the wonderful Jasper Park Lodge ,also dating back to the 1920s.If you can have lunch there ,do it .The restaurant has an adventurous menu and their wine list would put a smile on any visitor’s face.According the passage, The Pines is a ________.
A.place in which you ca![]() |
B.mountain where you can get a good view of the valley |
C.town which happens to be near the Banff National Park |
D.restaurant where you can ask for some special kinds of food |
What will probably happen when visitors come at the end of June?
A.They may have trouble finding a restaurant. |
B.They may come across traffic jams. |
C.They may travel more easily with cars. |
D.They may do much more sightseeing. |
Similar to the Chateau Lake Louise, ________.
A.the Banff National Park is to the west of Banff |
B.the Columbia Icefield lies between Lake Louise and the Banff National Park |
C.the Jasper Skytram has a history of more than 80 years |
D.the Jasper Park Lodge was built in the 1920s |
Besides the beautiful sights in Jasper Park Lodge ,visitors to Jasper can enjoy themselves by ________.
A.taking the Jasper Skytram and eating in the restaurant |
B.taking the Banff-Jasper loop and Jasper Skytram |
C.having a lot of food to order in the restaurant |
D.taking the Jasper Skytram back to Banff |