Whatever field we are involved in，we always have to look for ways to expand our knowledge.An increase in knowledge in a particular subject can lead to a better understanding，grasp，judgment，intelligence and ability in that area.So how do we go about gaining knowledge?
I think people are the biggest source of knowledge for anybody.Right from childhood，we have learned things by watching others.Whatever field you want to gain knowledge in，there must be many who have experience in that field.So make use of this valuable source of information by learning from the experience，success，mistakes and skills of others. Study carefully and associate with people who are experts in the field you want to gain knowledge in.
The next best source of knowledge should be books.There are millions and millions of books in every language and on almost any topic imaginable.Whatever problem you are facing must have been faced by somebody else before，and its solution is likely to have been preserved in the form of a book.If you are serious about gaining knowledge about a topic，then read any book，magazine，article etc.You can lay your hands on the books related to that topic.Read as much as you can.
It is said that experience is a great teacher，so learn from your past experience and the experience of others.Learn from your and others’ past and present achievements as well as mistakes.
Experimenting with new things and observing new things can help you learn very quickly. Keep in mind，though，that while experimenting，you may encounter a few failures , too.Do not become discouraged as failures are a part of the learning curve，especially while attempting something new.Try to earn from failures instead of becoming disheartened.Which of the following statements is TRUE according to this text?
| A．Books are the biggest source of knowledge. |
| B．An expert can teach people everything useful. |
| C．Mistakes are the best source of knowledge. |
| D．People from an early age have learned things from others. |
If a person decides to learn about a topic，he or she should________.
| A．prepare well for the coming problems |
| B．experiment or observe as much as possible |
| C．read as many books related to that topic as possible |
| D．make friends with as many experts in that field as possible |
The author would NOT agree that________.
| A．experimenting with new things is the quickest way to learn |
| B．people can learn from their own experience and others’ |
| C．people can learn from both achievements and mistakes |
| D．failures teach people something |
This text mainly talks about________.
| A．the importance of learning |
| B．means of gaining knowledge |
| C．ways to become successful |
| D．the advantages of reading |
Hillary Diane Clinton arrived at the White House after serving as First Lady of Arkansas for twelve years. During that time she worked as a full-time partner of a law firm, chaired an education committee that set public school standards in Arkansas, managed a home, and cared for her husband and child.
Hillary Diane Rodham, daughter of Hugh and Dorothy Rodham, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 26, 1947. She and her younger two brothers grew up in Park Ridge, Illinois, as a close-knit family. As an excellent student, she was also a Girl Scout and a member of the local Methodist youth group. Hillary also enjoyed sports and was always interested in politics. She entered Wellesley College in 1965. Graduating with high honors, she moved on to Yale Law School, where she served on the Board of Editors of the Yale Review of Law and Social Action. While at Yale, she developed her special concern for protecting the best interests of children and their families. It was there that she met Bill Clinton, a fellow student.
In 1973, Hillary became a lawyer for the Children’s Defense Fund. In 1975 Hillary left Washington and followed her heart to Arkansas（阿肯色州）, marrying Bill Clinton. The couple taught together in the University of Arkansas. Their daughter, Chelsea, was born in 1980.
As First Lady of Arkansas, Hillary continued to work tirelessly on behalf of children and families. In addition to chairing the Arkansas Education Standards Committee, she founded the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. She introduced a pioneering program called Arkansas Home Instruction for Preschool Youth, which trained parents to work with their children in preschool preparedness and literacy. Hillary also served on the board of the Arkansas Children's Hospital. In recognition of her professional and personal accomplishments, Hillary was named Arkansas Woman of the Year in 1983 and Arkansas Mother of the Year in 1984.
Women’s International Center proudly presents the Living Legacy Award to Hillary Rodham Clinton for her vast contributions in so many fields, especially honoring her work for women and children. Hillary did all the following things before going to college EXCEPT.
| A．joining the local Methodist youth group |
| B．taking an active part in sports |
| C．showing great interest in politics |
| D．beginning to care for the interests of children |
The topic sentence of the fourth paragraph is .
| A．sentence 1 | B．sentence 2 | C．sentence 4 | D．sentence 5 |
What is the main reason why Hillary won the Living Legacy Award?
| A．Her being Arkansas Woman of the Year in 1983. |
| B．Her tireless work for woman and children. |
| C．Graduating with high honors from Yale. |
| D．Being a perfect wife and caring for her child |
What do we know about Hillary from this passage?
A She and Bill Clinton were schoolmates at Yale.
B. She was in her thirties when she married Bill Clinton.
C. She has been a full-time lawyer for more than 20 years.
D. She once worked as a doctor in the Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Most Americans believe that someone isn’t grown-up until the age of 26 and they should complete their education, have a full-time job, have a family to support and be financially independent. They also believe that becoming a real grown-up is a process which begins at about the age of 20 and takes about five years, according to the report from the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center.
The findings are based on a representative sample of 1,398 people over the age of 18 who were surveyed in person. The survey found that people expect the transitions to grown-up status to be completed at the following ages: age 20.9 self-supporting; age 21.1 no longer living with parents; age 21.2 having a full-time job; age 22.3 education completed; age 24.5 being able to support a family financially; age 25.7 getting married; and age 26.2 having a child.
“There is a large degree of agreement across social groups on the relative importance of the seven transitions,” said Tom Smith, director of the survey. The only obvious pattern of differences is on views about supporting a family, having children and getting married. Older adults consider these more important than younger adults do. This probably shows in large part a change in values across generations away from traditional family values. The most valued step toward reaching adulthood, the survey found, is completing education, followed by full-time employment, supporting a family, financial independence, living independently, and marriage.According to the first paragraph, someone is a grown-up when he _______.
| A．has found a full-time job |
| B．has finished his study in university |
| C．can make money and support himself after completing his education |
| D．can support a family and be financially independent after graduation |
A young man of 24 may be busy ________.
| A．finding a job | B．finding a girl friend |
| C．making money | D．preparing for his wedding |
The underlined word “status” in the second paragraph probably means “________”.
| A．position | B．rank | C．level | D．situation |
From the passage, we learn that _________.
| A．being grown-up is just a matter of age |
| B．being grown-up is a process which takes some time |
| C．all people think completing education means being grown-up |
| D．the survey found everyone had a different view about being grown-up |
The best title for the passage should be “________”
| A．It takes a long time to grown up. |
| B．Are we grown-up yet? |
| C．Getting married means being grown-up. |
| D．Completing education means being grown-up. |
From their beginnings New England towns had a special democratic system of government. At a stated time all the citizens would assemble at a town meeting, where they would discuss local problems and express opinions freely. They also elected the town’s officials at these gatherings and made decisions about the taxes they would pay and about other community matters. These meetings were usually held at the town hall, which was located in the central square.
In the eighteenth-century town meetings, only men who owned property and who were church members actually voted, although everyone present was allowed to express their opinions. Later, all citizens were allowed to vote. Thus the town meeting became truly democratic. Town meetings are still common in New England communities.
In recent years the town meeting idea has been widely imitated. There are open sessions of this kind on radio and television. Occasionally a meeting of this type is called by a government agency in order to give an opportunity for free and open discussion on current problems and policies.At a town meeting, people do the following things EXCEPT __________.
| A．express their opinions about the government |
| B．elect officials of the towns |
| C．make a decision about whom they should marry |
| D．discuss some community matters |
In the 18th century, who had the right to vote?
| A．All the citizens. |
| B．All the men except those who were church members. |
| C．The rich. |
| D．The rich men and the church members. |
Why has the town meeting been widely imitated?
| A．Because many people are interested in it. |
| B．Because it is very democratic. |
| C．Because many people enjoy themselves at town meetings. |
| D．Because sometimes government agencies call them. |
According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true?
| A．Citizens can elect the officials in the town meeting. |
| B．In recent years, town meetings are often called by a government agency. |
| C．People can say what they want to say at the town meeting. |
| D．Nowadays this kind of meeting is also held on radio and television. |
This passage mainly talks about _______.
| A．the New England town meeting | B．modern town meetings |
| C．a democratic meeting | D．New England towns |
Down-to-earth means being honest, open, and easy to deal with. It is a pleasure to find someone who is down-to-earth. A person who is down-to-earth is easy to talk to. He or she accepts others as equals. A down-to-earth person may be an important member of society, of course, but they do not let their importance go to their heads, and they do not consider themselves to be better than others who are less important. Someone who is filled with self-importance and pride, often without cause, is said to have his nose in the air. There is no way a person with his nose in the air can be down-to-earth.
Americans use another expression that is similar in some way to down-to-earth. The expression is both feet on the ground. Someone with both feet on the ground is a person with a good understanding of reality. He has what is called common sense. He may have dreams but he does not allow them to block his knowledge of what is real. The opposite kind of person is one who has his head in the clouds. A man with his head in the clouds is a dreamer whose mind is not in the world. Sometimes such a dreamer can be brought back to reality; sharp words from the teacher, for example, can usually get a daydreaming student to put both feet back on the ground.
The person who is down-to-earth usually has both feet on the ground. But the opposite is not always true. Someone with both feet on the ground may not be as open and easy to deal with as someone who is down-to-earth. When we have both our feet firmly on the ground, we are realistic and we act honestly and openly toward others, and our lives are like the ground below us, solid and strong.If a person has his nose in the air, he ____.
| A．is down to the earth |
| B．is easy to deal with |
| C．always thinks he is more important than others |
| D．is confident |
If a person has both feet on the ground, he ____.
| A．is in touch with reality, and doesn’t have any dreams |
| B．has some dreams but he is realistic |
| C．is honest, open and easy to deal with |
| D．is honest, open but hard to deal with |
From the second paragraph, we know that sharp words from a teacher can usually ________.
| A．help a student get down to the earth |
| B．wake a student up |
| C．help a daydreaming student come down to the ground |
| D．help a daydreaming student to become more realistic |
The underlined sentence “But the opposite is not always true.” most probably means that ______.
| A．the person who has his nose in the air is not true |
| B．a man with his head in the clouds is often not intelligent |
| C．the opposite direction is always wrong |
| D．a person who has both feet on the ground may not be down-to-earth |
From the passage, we can infer the person who is _______ is the most popular kind of person.
| A．down-to-earth | B．standing on the ground |
| C．with his nose in the air | D．with his head in the clouds |
The English, as a race, are very different in many ways from all other nationalities, including their closest neighbors, the French, the Belgians and the Dutch. It is claimed that living on an island separated from the rest of Europe has much to do with it. Whatever the reasons are, it may be fairly stated that the Englishman has developed many attitudes and habits which distinguish him from other nationalities.
Broadly speaking, the Englishman is a quiet, shy, reserved person who is fully relaxed only among people he knows well. In the presence of strangers or foreigners he often seems restrained, even embarrassed. You have only to witness a city train any morning or evening to see the truth of this. Serious-looking businessmen and women sit reading their newspapers or having a light sleep in a corner, and no one speaks. In fact, to do so would seem most unusual. An Englishman, pretending to be giving advice to overseas visitors, once suggested, “On entering a railway carriage, shake hands with all the passengers.” Needless to say, he was not being serious. There is an unwritten but clearly understood code of behavior which, if broken, makes the person immediately suspected.
In many parts of the world it is quite normal to show openly extremes of enthusiasm, emotion, excitement, etc, often accompanied by appropriate gesture. The Englishman is somewhat different. Of course, an Englishman feels no less deeply than anyone of a different nationality, but he tends to display his feelings far less. This is reflected in his use of language. Imagine a man commenting on the great beauty of a young girl. A more emotional man might describe her state “Oh, she is a goddess”, whereas an Englishman might just say “Oh, she’s all right.” An Englishman who has seen a highly successful and enjoyable film recommends it to a friend by commenting, “It’s not bad you know”, or on seeing some very unusual scenery he might convey (表达) his pleasure by saying, “Nice, yes, very nice.” The overseas visitor must not be disappointed by this apparent lack of interest and involvement. Instead, he must realize that “all right,” “not bad,” and “nice,” very often have the sense of “first-class,” “excellent,” “beautiful”. This unique style of language use is particularly common in England, and is known as restrained statement.According to the passage, the English are different from other nationalities in _______.
| A．habits | B．attitudes | C．character | D．all of the above |
The underlined word “restrained” in the second paragraph probably means “”.
| A．calm and controlled | B．polite and friendly |
| C．nervous and quiet | D．silent and kind |
In Britain, if you don’t want other people to think you are strange, you’d better _________.
| A．talk with others as much as possible |
| B．behave just like the English do |
| C．say nothing about yourself |
| D．shake hands with everyone you meet |
If an Englishman says “all right”, it may mean “________”.
| A．not bad | B．correct | C．quite right | D．wonderful |
From the passage, we can infer that an Englishman _________.
| A．doesn’t like to show his feelings so much |
| B．has less emotion than people of other nationalities |
| C．finds it easy to express his emotion |
| D．likes to have a joke with strangers |