LEEDS, England—A Leeds University psychology professor is teaching a course to help dozens of Britons forgive their enemies.
"The hate we hold within us is a cancer, " Professor Ken Hart said, adding that holding in anger can lead to problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
More than 70 people have become members in Hart's first 20-week workshop in London—a course he says is the first of its kind in the world.
These are people who are sick and tired of living with a memory. They realize their bitterness is a poison they think they can pour out, but they end up drinking it themselves, said Canadian- born Hart.
The students meet in groups of eight to ten for a two-hour workshop with an adviser every fortnight.
The course, ending in July, is expected to get rid of the cancer of hate in these people. "People have lots of negative attitudes towards forgiveness," he said, "People confuse forgiveness with forgetting. Forgiveness means changing from a negative attitude to a positive one."
Hart and his team have created instructions to provide the training needed.
"The main idea is to give you guidelines on how to look at various kinds of angers and how they affect you, and how to change your attitudes towards the person you are angry with," said Norman Claringbull, a senior expert on the forgiveness project.
Hart said he believes forgiveness is a skill that can be taught, as these people "want to get free of the past".From this passage we know that________.
A.high blood pressure and heart disease are caused by hate |
B.high blood pressure can only be cured by psychology professors |
C.without hate, people will have less trouble connected with blood and heart |
D.people who suffer from blood pressure and heart disease must have many enemies |
If you are angry with somebody, you should________.
A.attend Hart’s course |
B.never meet him or her any longer |
C.persuade him or her to have a positive talk with you |
D.treat him or her positively instead of negatively |
In Hart's first 20- week workshop, people there can ________.
A.meet their enemies | B.change their attitudes |
C.enjoy the professor's teaching | D.learn how to quarrel with others |
If you are a member in Hart's workshop, you'll________.
A.meet in eight or ten groups |
B.get rid of the illness of cancer |
C.attend a gathering twice a month |
D.pour out everything stored in your mind |
The author wrote this passage in order to________.
A.persuade Britons to go to Hart's workshop |
B.tell us the news about Hart's workshop |
C.tell us how to run a workshop like Hart's |
D.help us to look at various kinds of angers |
One spring, when I was 10, during one of my father’s layoffs, I could tell my mother was unhappy. I decided to cheer her up by buying her a special Mother’s Day gift.
One day after school I rode my bike to the Agins, which, I learned years later, was known for its high-end fashions and style. I introduced myself to Sylvia Agins, telling her I was looking for a Mother’s Day present.
“Do you think she’d like a purse?” she asked. “I think she might.” I told her.
She took out an Italian handbag made of leather. She asked me what I thought, and I told her that my mom would like it.
“How much money do you have?” she asked.
“Twelve dollars,” I said.
“You’re in luck,” she told me. “It’s only $11. You have a dollar left over for the card.” She wrapped the purse and thanked me for my business, and I rode off home with the package under my arm.
When my mother opened the gift the next Sunday morning, she asked in an accusing tone, “Where did you get this?”
“I bought it at the Agins. It cost me $11.” I said.
My mother was shocked into silence.
It wasn’t until many years later, when I learned that the purse was worth several hundred dollars, that I appreciated just how wonderful Sylvia Agins had been to me. I always felt regretful that I never had a chance to properly thank her.
“You know, my son, what really amazes me to this day,” my mother said. “Letting you have the purse for just a few dollars was unbelievable enough. But the fact that she let you leave the store with a dollar for the card was a touch of kindness that I’ll never forget.”The author bought his mother a purse to_________.
A.surprise his mother | B.make his mother happy |
C.show his ability of making money | D.thank his mother for buying him a bike |
Why was the author’s mother shocked into silence?
A.The purse was bought from the Agins. |
B.She wasn’t expecting a gift from her son. |
C.The author bought a card to go with the purse. |
D.The Agins charged so little money for the purse. |
Sylvia Agins’ behavior shows that_________.
A.she is critical and mean | B.she is kind and thoughtful |
C.she is good at making money | D.she knows how to choose presents |
What amazed the mother most was that_________.
A.the shop owner left one dollar for her son to buy a card |
B.her son bought her a beautiful purse on Mother’s day |
C.her son rode his bike to buy things by himself |
D.the purse was worth several hundred dollars |
Which can be the best title for the text?
A.An Unforgettable Event | B.A Considerate Mother |
C.A Priceless Mother’s Day Gift | D.A Clever Shop Owner |
The number of speakers of English in Shakespeare’s time is estimated(估计) to have been about five million. Today it is estimated that some 260 million people speak it as a native language, mainly in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. In addition to the standard varieties of English found in these areas, there are a great many regional and social varieties of the language as well as various levels of usage that are employed both in its spoken and written forms.
In fact, it is impossible to estimate the number of people in the world who have acquired an adequate(足够的) working knowledge of English in addition to their own languages. The purpose for English learning and the situations in which such learning takes place are so varied that it is difficult to explain and still more difficult to judge what forms an adequate working knowledge for each situation.
The main reason for the widespread demand for English is its present-day importance as a world language. Besides serving the indefinite needs of its native speakers, English is a language in which some of important works in science, technology, and other fields are being produced, and not always by native speakers. It is widely used for such purposes as meteorological(气象的) and airport communications, international conferences, and the spread of information over the radio and television networks of many nations. It is a language of wider communication for a number of developing countries, especially former British colonies. Many of these countries have multilingual populations and need a language for internal communication in such matters as government, commerce, industry, law and education as well as for international communication and for entrance to the scientific and technological developments in the West. What would be the best title for this passage?
A.The Difficulties of Learning English |
B.International Communications |
C.The Standard Varieties of English |
D.English as a World Language |
Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A.Some 260 million people in the world have an adequate working knowledge of English. |
B.There are some 260 million native speakers of English in the world. |
C.It is almost impossible to estimate the number of people with an adequate working knowledge of English. |
D.People learn English for a variety of reasons. |
According to the passage, what is the main reason for the widespread use of English?
A.It was popular during Shakespeare’s time. |
B.It is used in former British colonies. |
C.It serves the needs of its native speakers. |
D.It is a world language that is used for international communication. |
What forms an adequate working knowledge of English?
A.The ability to read a newspaper. |
B.Being able to speak several languages. |
C.It is difficult to judge because it differs for each situation. |
D.Being a native speaker. |
What type of developing countries would be most likely to use English?
A.Those geographically close to the United States. |
B.Those interested in the culture of the United States. |
C.Former colonies of Great Britain. |
D.Countries where international conferences are held. |
There was once a professor of medicine, who was very strict with the students. Whenever he took the chair on the exam committee, the students would be in fear, because he was seldom pleased with the answers they gave. A student would be lucky enough if he or she could receive a good mark from him. At the end of the term, the students of medicine would take their exam again. Now a student entered the exam room and got seated before the committee. This student was a little nervous as he knew it would not be so easy to get through the exam at all.
The professor began to ask. The student was required to describe a certain illness, his description of which turned out to be OK.
Then the professor asked about the cure (药剂) for illness, and the student, too, answered just as right.
“Good,” said the professor, “ and how much will you give the patient?”
“A full spoon”, answered the student.
“Now you may go out and wait for what you can get.”, said the professor. At the same time, the committee discussed carefully the answers the student had given. Suddenly the student noticed that there was something wrong with his last answer. “ A full spoon is too much,” he thought to himself. Anxiously he opened the door of the room and cried, “Mr Professor, I’ve make a mistake! A full spoon is too much for a patient. He can take only five drops.”
“I’m sorry, sir.” Said the professor coldly, “But it’s too late. Your patient has died.The students were afraid of the professor because_________.
A.they often angered and disappointed him |
B.their answers often astonished him |
C.their answers seldom satisfied him |
D.he often misunderstood(误解) them and give them bad marks |
The student’s description of the illness was _____.
A.not correct | B.not satisfied | C.completely discouraging | D.accepted. |
Before he left the room the student was almost sure that ______.
A.he had passed the exam, and the only thing was to wait for the mark |
B.his last answer was satisfying |
C.he had made a mistake |
D.he had not done well in the exam. |
Which of the following is Not true?
A.The patient will be in danger if he’s taken as much as a full spoon. |
B.The doctor will be in trouble if he’s given the patient a full spoon. |
C.Since one spoon is less than five drops, the patient will be all right soon if he takes only one full spoon at a time. |
D.If the patient wants to remain safe, he should take no more than five drops at a time. |
Which guess is the most reasonable from the passage?
A.The student must have passed the exam. |
B.The student may not have passed the exam. |
C.The student must have been very happy when he heard, “Your patient has died.” |
D.The professor must have been very pleased and given the student a good mark. |
Riding School:
You can start horse—riding at any age.Choose private or group lessons any weekday
between 9 a.m.and 8:30 P.m.(3:30 p.m.on Saturdays).There are 10 kilometers of tracks and paths for leisurely rides across farmland and open country.You will need a riding hat.
Opening Hours:Monday through Friday:9:00 a.m.—8:30 p.m.
Phone:(412)396—6754 Fax:(412)396—6752
Sailing Club:
Our Young Sailor’s Course leads to the Stage 1 Sailing qualification.You’ll learn how to sail safely and the course also covers sailing theory and first aid.Have fun with other course members , afterwards in the clubroom.There are 10 weekly two-hour 1essons (Tuesdays 6 p.m.~8 p.m.).
Opening Hours:Tuesdays:6:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.
Phone:(412)396—6644 Fax:(412)396—6644
Diving Centre: Our experienced instructors offer one-month courses in deep-sea diving for beginners.There are two evening lessons a week,in which you learn to breathe underwater and use the equipment safely.You only need swimming costume and towel.Reduced rates for couples.
Opening Hours:Monday and Friday:6:30 p.m.—8:30 p.m.
Phone:(412)396—6312 Fax:(412)396—6706
Medical Center:
The staff of the Medical Center aim to provide convenient and comprehensive medical care to students and staff of the university.The center is well equipped and the staff here are trained to deal with a broad range of medical problems.Both female and male doctors as well as nursing staff are available for consultation.Also,all kinds of medicines are sold here and are cheaper for students than other drugstores.
Opening Hours:24 hours from Monday to Sunday
Phone:(412)396--6649 Fax:(412)396—6648
Watersports Club:
We use a two-kilometer length of river for speedboat racing,and water-skiing,A beginners’course consists of ten 20-minute lessons.You will learn to handle boats safely and confidently,but must be able to swim.The club is in a convenient central position and is open daily from 9 a.m to 4 p.m,with lessons all through the day.
Opening Hours:Monday through Friday:9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.
Phone: (412)396—6899 Fax396—6890If you want to swim and enjoy activities which are fast and a bit dangerous,you should join ________ .
A.Diving Centre | B.Riding School | C.Watersports Club | D.Sailing Club |
If you want to experience a new activity in the countryside in the mornings,you may fax _____________________________ .
A.(412)396—6752 | B.(412)396—6648 | C. (412)396—6876 | D.(412)396—6706 |
If you are planning to explore the ocean depths.you should attend your lessons at ______ .
A.Monday through Friday:7:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m. |
B.24 hour from Monday to Sunday |
C.Tuesdays:6:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m. |
D.Monday and Friday:6:30 p.m.—8:30 p.m. |
You want to do an activity one evening a week and get a certificate in the end,you can go to __________________________.
A.Diving Center | B.Sailing Club | C.Riding School | D.Watersports Club |
Which is NOT the convenience that the Medical Center provides?
A.Well trained staff members. | B.Nursery for newly-born babies. |
C.Good equipment. | D.Various less expensive medicines. |
Popeye the Sailor first became a popular cartoon in the 1930s.The sailor in that cartoon ate lots of spinach to make him strong. People watched him, and they began to buy and eat a lot more spinach. Popeye helped sell 33 percent more spinach than before! Spinach became a necessary part of many people’s diets. Even some children who hated the taste began to eat the vegetable.
Many people thought that the iron in spinach made Popeye strong, but this is not true. Spinach does not have any more iron than any other green vegetable.
People only thought spinach had a lot of iron because the people who studied the food made a mistake. In the 1890s, a group of people studied what was inside vegetables. This group said that spinach had ten times more iron than it did. The group wrote the number wrong, and everyone accepted it.
Today, we know that the little iron that is in spinach cannot make a difference in how strong a person is. However, spinach does have something else which the body needs—folic acid.
It is interesting to point out that folic acid can help make a person strong. Maybe it was really the folic acid that made Popeye strong all along.A good title for this reading passage is______.
A.Popeye the Sailor | B.The Truth About Spinach |
C.A Mistake with Numbers | D.Folic Acid Makes You Strong |
Why did many people eat spinach after they saw Popeye the Sailor?
A.They thought spinach made them strong. |
B.They thought Popeye was funny. |
C.Spinach had a lot of iron. |
D.People liked folic acid. |
A research group told people that spinach______.
A.made Popeye strong |
B.was a green vegetable |
C.had less iron than other green vegetables |
D.had more iron than other green vegetables |
The reading passage says that perhaps Popeye got his strength from______.
A.iron | B.folic acid | C.spinach | D.exercise |
Folic acid is ______.
A.something in food | B.a vegetable | C.dangerous | D.a certain kind of spinach |