Quit while you're ahead
I am one of those people who are terrible at saying no.I take on too many projects at once, and spend too much of my time doing things I'd rather not be doing.I get work done, but it's not always the best I can do, or the best way I could spend my time.
That's why my newest goal, both as a professional and a person, is to be a quitter.
Being a quitter isn't being someone who gives up, who doesn't see important things through to the end.I aspire (渴望) to be the opposite of that.The quitter I want to be is someone who gets out when there's no value in what he's doing, or when that value comes at the expense of something more important.
A friend of mine once told me, "I knew I was an adult when I could stop reading a book, even after getting 500 pages into it." Strange though it sounds, we all tend to do this.We get involved in something, realize we don't want to be a part of it, but keep on going.We say "Well, I've already invested so much time in this, I might as well stick it out."
I propose the opposite: quit as often as possible, regardless of project status or time invested.If you're reading a book, and don't like it, stop reading.Cut your losses, realize that the smartest thing to do is to stop before your losses grow even more, and quit.Instead of reading an entire book you hate, read half of a bad one and half of a good one.Isn't that a better use of your time?
Step back for a second.Let's learn how to say "no" at the beginning, or in the middle, and free up more of our time to do the things we'd like to be doing, and the things actually worth doing. Saying no is hard, and admitting a mistaken yes is even harder.If we do both, we'll start to make sure that we're spending our time creating value, rather than increasing our losses.Let's be quitters together.The author wants to be a quitter, because he _____.
A.hopes to improve his personality |
B.wishes to have more time for relaxation |
C.expects to make more efficient use of his time |
D.has found it hard to do several things at one time |
In what circumstances does the author suggest quitting is a good idea?
A.When you feel tired and need a rest. |
B.When you know a task cannot be finished. |
C.When you meet with difficulties along the way in your life. |
D.When you realize what you are doing is not worth the time. |
If you stop reading a book you hate, the author might think that ______.
A.you are wise to cut your losses |
B.it's a pity that you have wasted so much time |
C.you should finish a book that you have started |
D.you should regret choosing the wrong book |
The message the author tries to convey is to ______.
A.learn to say no |
B.live your life to the fullest |
C.create more value |
D.stop doing many things at once |
Part-time Front Desk Position
Kirchoff.Inc, a book development company, is looking for a part-time front desk office worker. This position is perfect for a person who is cheerful, dependable, and pleasant to work with. Also, you should be able to welcome guests, redirect phone call, and take messages. More importantly, you can stay cool under pressure. You are expected to work 5:00--6:00 pm weekdays. You need to fill in some forms if you are interested.
Forms can be collected at
Kirchoff.Inc
866 United Nations Plaza, #525
New York, NY 10037
Important Points to Remember When Swimming
•Wait at least an hour after meals.
•Follow the advice of lifeguards.
•Don’t dive into unknown waters. Always swim in line with the shore.
•Find out at the seaside when and where it is safe to swim.
•Don’t use floating toys on the water. Wind can easily sweep them out to sea.
•Get out of the water if you feel tired or cold. Cold can kill even strong swimmers.
Help Telephone:212-543-5902
Atlantic City Beach Office
______________________
Arrive on time.
Introduce yourself in a polite manner.
Read company materials while you wait.
Have a firm handshake.
Listen.
Use body language to show interest.
Smile and nod to the interviewers.
Ask about the next thing you should do.
Thank the interviewer.
Write a thank-you letter to anyone you have spoken to.
For more information, please visit jobweb.com
368 Cooper Square, New York.If you want to work in an office, where can you get the forms to fill in?
A.jobweb.com |
B.Atlantic City Beach Office. |
C.368 Cooper Square, New York, NY |
D.866 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10037. |
According to the above information, what is the right thing to do when you swim?
A.To keep close to the beach. |
B.To dive into unknown waters. |
C.To use floating toys on the water. |
D.To swim soon after lunch. |
The best title for the last piece of information would be_________.
A.Tips on Showing Interest in a Job |
B.Steps to a Successful Interview |
C.Advice on Introducing Yourself Politely |
D.Rules of Body Language in an Interview |
Good afternoon, and welcome to England. We hope that your visit here will be a pleasant one. Today, I would draw your attention to a few of our laws.
The first one is drinking. Now, you may not buy wine in this country if you are under 18 years of age, nor may your friends buy it for you.
Secondly, noise. Enjoy yourselves by all means, but please don’t make unnecessary noise, particularly, at night. We ask you to respect other people who may wish to be quiet.
Thirdly, crossing the road. Be careful, the traffic moves on the left side of the road in this country. Use pedestrian crossing(人行横道) and don’t take any chance when crossing the road.
My next point is about rubbish. It isn’t lawful to drop rubbish in the street. When you have something to throw away, please put it in your pocket and take it home, or put it in a dustbin.
Finally, as regards smoking, it is against law to buy cigarettes or tobacco if you are under 16 years of age.
I’d like to finish by saying that if you require any sort of help or assistance, you should contact the police, who will be pleased to help you. You can call, write or directly go to any policeman.The phrase “take any chance” in the passage means .
A.冒险,碰运气 | B.趁机 |
C.失去机会 | D.生气 |
Who do you think is most likely to make the speech?
A.A guide | B.A person who makes the law |
C.A teacher | D.An English officer |
How many laws are there discussed in the speech?
A.Three | B.Four | C.Five | D.Six |
The main purpose of this speech is to ________ .
A.tell people above 18 can smoke and drink there |
B.declare the different laws of England |
C.give advice to travelers to the country |
D.warn people against going to the country |
From the speech we have learnt that __________ .
A.if you are 18 years of age, you may not buy wine, but your friends can buy it for you here. |
B.you may not buy cigarettes or tobacco unless you are above 16 years of age. |
C.because of the left-side traffic rule, you must use pedestrian when crossing the road. |
D.you can’t make a noise except at night. |
Once a boy came to ask a fisherman how to become cleverer, because his mother always called him “foolish boy”.
“That’s easy,” answered the fisherman. “I know one way to make you become cleverer.”
“Really?”
“Of course. It is said a fish head is good for brain. If you eat one, you’ll become cleverer indeed. Pay only three pounds for one fish head.” The boy paid him three pounds and the fisherman cut off a fish head and handed it to him.
A raw fish head is not good—not even for a hungry boy to eat but the boy ate it up in two gulps.
“Do you feel anything?” asked the fisherman.
“Not in my head,” said the boy.
The boy lay on the ground and thought. “One whole fish costs only two pounds. I have paid him three pounds for the fish head. Why couldn’t I have the whole fish for soup, a head for brain and one pound left over?” He jumped up and shouted at the fisherman. “You thief! You are fooling me!” The fisherman laughed, saying, “The fish head works now, you see.”The boy ate up the raw fish head only in two gulps, because he __________.
A.enjoyed it | B.wanted to taste it |
C.took it as a good medicine | D.was a foolish boy |
The boy came to the fisherman in order to __________.
A.buy a fish head | B.ask the fisherman a question |
C.buy a whole fish | D.A and C |
The boy paid three pounds. He should have had __________.
A.a whole fish |
B.a fish head and one pound back |
C.a whole fish and one pound back |
D.a whole fish, a fish head and one pound back |
__________ helped the boy become cleverer.
A.A good meal | B.The raw fish head |
C.Nothing | D.What had happened |
A student is learning to speak British English. He wonders (想知道): Can I communicate with Americans? Can they understand me? Learners of English often ask: What are the differences between British and American English? How important are these differences?
Certainly! there are some differences between British and American English. ‘There are a few differences in grammar. For example, speakers of British English say “in hospital” and “Have you a pen?” Americans say “in the hospital!” and “Do you have a pen?”. Pronunciation is sometimes different. Americans usually sound theirs in words like “bird” and “hurt”. Speakers of British English do not sound theirs in these words. There are differences between British and American English in spelling and vocabulary. For example, “ colour” and “ honour” are British, “color” and “honor” are American.
These differences in grammar, pronunciation, spelling and vocabulary are not important, however. For the most part, British and American English are the same language.According to this passage, a student who is learning to speak American English might be afraid that_______.
A.British people cannot understand him |
B.American people cannot understand him |
C.the grammar is too hard for him |
D.the spelling is too hard for him |
American English and British English are different in ________.
A.spelling | B.pronunciation |
C.Grammar | D.all of the above |
What is not mentioned (提及) in the passage?
A.Whether there are differences between British English and American English. |
B.Whether British English and American English are one language or two. |
C.How the differences between British English and American English came about. |
D.How important the differences are. |
Most ________ say “Do you have a watch?”
A.British people | B.Americans |
C.Children | D.Teachers |
Dear Editor(编辑),
I used to be a doctor in a children’s hospital. Sometimes I treated children who had been poisoned(中毒)by medicines for older family members. The children didn’t know the medicine was dangerous; they just knew it tasted sweet. Children easily opened the bottle that we now use in China.
Some days ago I talked about medicine with an American. He showed me a kind of plastic bottle. The design was very quite simple and I’m sure our Chinese factories could produce these bottles. The top of the bottle locks but can be opened by pressing down on it while turning. This is difficult for most young children to do, though grown-ups can open these bottles very easily.
I’m certain that the price of making such tops would be very low. As a doctor, I’d love to see this done. And most parents would be grateful.
Yours,
Li HuaThe writer’s job in the hospital was mainly to________.
A.treat sick children | B.treat poisoned children |
C.give medicine to people | D.give medicine to children |
The doctor seems to be ________.
A.happy about China’s hospital |
B.angry with what has happened |
C.anxious to solve the problem |
D.pleased with his invention |
The doctor thinks that we should ________.
A.study the Americans |
B.buy that kind of bottle |
C.produce this kind of plastic bottle |
D.turn to Americans for help |
The letter was written to the editor to ask for______.
A.money from the newspaper |
B.the plastic bottles from the readers |
C.medicine from the editor |
D.support from the Chinese factories |