Alfred Alder, a famous psychiatrist, had an interesting experience. When he was a small boy he got off to a poor start in arithmetic. His teacher got the idea that he had no ability in arithmetic, and told his parents what she thought in order that they would not expect too much of him. In this way, they too developed the idea, “Isn’t it too bad that Alfred can’t do arithmetic?” He accepted their mistaken estimate of his ability, feeling that it was useless to try, and that he was very poor at arithmetic, just as they expected.
One day he became very angry at the teacher and the other students because they laughed when he said he saw how to do a problem which none of the other students had been able to solve.
Adler succeeded in solving the problem. This gave him confidence. He rejected the idea that he couldn’t do arithmetic and was determined to show them that he could. His anger and his new found confidence stimulated him to go at arithmetic problems with a new spirit. He now worked with interest, determination, and purpose, and he soon became extraordinarily good at arithmetic. He not only proved that he could do arithmetic, but he learned early in life from his own experience that, if a person goes at a job with determination and purpose, he may astonish himself as well as others by his ability.
This experience made him realize that many people have more ability than they think they have, and that lack of success is as often the result of lack of knowledge of how to apply one’s ability, lack of confidence, and lack of determination as it is the result of lack of ability.Alfred gained confidence in learning arithmetic_______.
A.after he managed to find a solution to a difficult problem |
B.after his teacher made his parents know his ability in arithmetic |
C.after he grew up and became famous |
D.after his parents gave him encouragement |
In Alfred’s opinion, if a person is unsuccessful, he may be_______.
A.slow- thinking. | B.disabled | C.self-centered | D.undetermined |
The last sentence of paragraph 1 implies________.
A.Alfred thought he couldn’t change others’ mind |
B.Alfred agreed with the wrong judgment |
C.Alfred believed it was no use learning arithmetic |
D.Alfred expected that he could succeed though it was hard |
What can we conclude from the text?
A.Alfred has a strong determination and a firm belief |
B.Others’ opinions are important |
C.A person lacking in ability can still succeed |
D.Alfred’s teacher and classmates will regret. |
The UN Environment Programme says that rising temperatures could mean the end for some migrating animals.
Migrating or mobile animals move through several environments as they travel away from the cold of winter to warmer areas. Birds may fly from one part of the world to another, perhaps stopping at feeding grounds on the way. Whales and turtles (海龟) cover vast areas of ocean. The report says that changes in any one of the places which these animals use can cause serious harm. "Obviously these animals have developed their travelling patterns over thousands of years. But climate change is almost certain to be extreme over the next 25 to 50 years and it is extremely unlikely that these animals can change their habits fast enough," said the report author Dr Robert Hepworth.
Hardest hit by rising temperatures are turtles. Scientists have found that at higher temperatures, turtles produce far more female eggs than male ones. In parts of Malaysia, turtle birthing sites are producing only females, the report says. It also provides evidence that some turtles are more likely to develop cancer as the waters get warmer.
With birds, the main problem is climate-related damage to important areas at either end of the travels or at resting places along the way. About one-fifth of migrating birds are now in danger because of climate-related changes including rising sea levels, land loss and more violent storms, the report concludes.
Other animals picked out as particularly in danger include:
· the North Atlantic Right Whale, whose main food (tiny shrimp) is disturbed by the change in ocean flows and
· the White-Nose Dolphin, which is out-competed by other kinds of dolphins in warmer waters.
The report is not all bad news. Even with major climatic changes, protecting the environment can still help mobile animals to recover. "We need governments to start taking action at the national and international lever. “The clock is running.” said Dr Hepworth. And some animals are already adapting, with the report mentioning whales that are changing their feeding behaviour, finding new feeding grounds and new foods to eat.What is the main topic of the text?
A.The effect of climate change on migrating animals. |
B.How animals are adapting to changes in temperature. |
C.The actions required to save migrating animals. |
D.The need for government policies to prevent global warming. |
By saying "the clock is running" in the last paragraph, Dr Hepworth means that “_______”.
A.it may be too late to save some animals |
B.it is time to start protecting the animals |
C.there is not much time to solve the problem |
D.it takes time to complete the actions |
According to the report, how will global warming affect turtles in the future?
A.They will only produce female babies. |
B.Their food supply will gradually disappear. |
C.Some will suffer from higher rates of cancer. |
D.They will be in greater danger because of more violent storms. |
Which of the following is mentioned as a consequence of rising temperatures?
A.More storms will affect the ability of whales to find their feeding grounds. |
B.20 percent of all birds are likely to die out because of land loss. |
C.Migrating animals are likely to start adapting to the changes more quickly. |
D.Warmer oceans will increase the competition between different kinds of dolphins. |
What can be inferred (推断) about turtles from the text?
A.They are the only animals besides humans that suffer from cancer. |
B.They have traditionally lived longer than other ocean-based animals. |
C.Those born nearer a hotter area are more likely to be female. |
D.Most kinds of turtles are likely to die out within 50 years. |
FOR many young people, having to attend school with a parent would be their worst nightmare. However, Senior 1 student Li Qinmei is happy taking her father with her as long as she can go to classes. He is disabled and unable to take care of himself.
The 16-year-old country girl in Zhucheng, Shandong Province has experienced one disaster after another in her short life. Li lost her mother at three. Four years later, her father became paralyzed after a tractor accident. At 12, her misfortune returned with the death of her grandma. Since then she has been forced to shoulder all the responsibility for her broken family.
Li learnt to cook and managed to live a life with an allowance of only 24 yuan per month. The most difficult thing she had to deal with was helping her father bathe, dress and use the toilet as he could hardly move.
"I felt embarrassed, and so did my dad. It was really hard at the beginning," she recalled.
During most of her junior school years, Li went to classes only once a month as her father was seriously ill at the time.
"I taught myself at home and asked teachers for help on my school days," she explained.
Li's hard work paid off this fall. She was admitted by Zhucheng No 1 High School, a local key school, based on her good performance in the entrance exams.
The school offered Li and her father a room on campus to live in so she could look after him during breaks.
Once in a while, Li felt sad when she saw her classmates going shopping or hanging out with friends.
"I envy them sometimes because they have both mum and dad to look after them. However, I soon feel relieved as I still have my dad with me," she said.
Li admitted that the difficulties in life had taught her to be strong.
"I believe I will go on and continue my studies at a good university," she said, in a confident tone.
Her teacher Mr. Wang has the same belief. Li made great progress in the recent monthly exams. "She works hard and is always eager to excel (好强的). It's not easy for her never to be late for school, but she has managed to make it work," Wang said.Li Qinmei has to shoulder the family because ________.
A.her father was badly injured in a car accident |
B.her mother passed away when she was 3 |
C.her grandma died when she was 12 |
D.misfortune in her life forced her to do so |
From the passage we can infer that _________.
A.Li Qinmei doesn’t like others talking about her father |
B.many young students hate going to school with their parents |
C.Li Qinmei has made great progress in her study |
D.Li Qinmei has lost three relatives and has to take care of her father |
What’s the meaning of the underlined phrase “hanging out” in the passage?_________.
A.playing outside | B.working hard | C.exchanging ideas | D.talking happily |
According to the passage, which statement is Not True? __________.
A.Li Qinmei was admitted to a local key school because of his good scores in the exams |
B.Li Qinmei is not very embarrassed when she helps her father bathe |
C.Li Qinmei often goes to attend her father after class |
D.Li Qinmei is able to go to class on time though she has to attend her father |
What’s the best title of the story?________.
A.Difficulties make strong |
B.A touching story |
C.A strong-minded girl-Li Qinmei |
D.Li Qinmei’s successful study life |
If there is one thing I’m sure about, it is that in a hundred years from now we will still be reading newspapers. It’s not that newspapers are a necessity. Even now some people get most of their news from television or radio. Many buy a paper only on Saturday or Sunday. But for most people reading a newspaper has become a habit passed down from generation to generation.
The nature of what is news may change. What basically makes news is what affects our lives — the big political stories, the coverage(报导)of the wars, earthquakes and other disasters, will continue much the same. I think there will be more coverage of scientific research, though. It’s already happening in areas that may directly affect our lives, like genetic(基因)engineering. In the future, I think there will be more coverage of scientific explanations of why we feel as we do — as we develop a better understanding of how the brain operates and what our feelings really are.
It’s quite possible that in the next century newspapers will be transmitted(传送) electronically from Fleet Street and printed out in our own home. In fact, I’m pretty sure that how it will happen in the future. You will probably be able to choose from a menu, making up your own newspaper by picking out the things you want to read — sports and international news, etc.
I think people have got it wrong when they talk about competition between the different media. They actually feed off each other. Some people once foresaw that television would kill off newspapers, but that hasn’t happened. What is read on the printed page lasts longer than pictures on a screen or sound in the air. And as for the Internet, it’s never really pleasant to read something just on a screen.What is the best title for the passage?
A.The Best Way to Get News. |
B.The Changes of Media. |
C.Make Your Own Newspaper. |
D.The Future of Newspaper. |
In the writer’s opinion, in the future, _______.
A.more big political affairs, wars and disasters will make news |
B.newspapers will not be printed in publishing houses any longer |
C.newspapers will cover more scientific researches |
D.more and more people will prefer watching TV to reading newspapers |
From the passage, we can infer _______.
A.newspapers will win the competition among the different media |
B.newspapers will stay with us together with other media |
C.television will take the place of newspaper in the future |
D.the writer believes some media will die out |
The phrase “feed off” in the last paragraph means ______.
A.depend on | B.compete with | C.fight with | D.kill off |
At exactly eleven Sir Percival knocked and entered, with anxiety and worry in every line of his face. This meeting would decide his future life, and he obviously knew it.
“You may wonder, Sir Percival,” said Laura calmly, “if I am going to ask to be released(免除)from my promise to marry you. I am not going to ask this. I respect my father’s wishes too much.”
His face relaxed a little, but one of his feet kept beating the carpet.
“No, if we are going to withdraw(退出)from our planned marriage, it will be because of your wish, not mine. ”
“Mine?” he said in great surprise. “What reason could I have for withdrawing?”
“A reason that is very hard to tell you,” she answered. “There is a change in me.”
His face went so pale that even his lips lost their color. He turned his head to one side.
“What change?” he asked, trying to appear calm.
“When the promise was made two years ago”, she said, “my love did not belong to anyone. Will you forgive me, Sir Percival, if I tell you that it now belongs to another person?”
“I wish you to understand”, Laura continued, “that I will never see this person again, and that if you leave me, you only allow me to remain a single woman for the rest of my life. All I ask is that you forgive me and keep my secret.”
“I will do both those things,” he said. Then he looked at Laura, as if he was waiting to hear more.
“I think I have said enough to give you reason to withdraw from our marriage,” she added quietly.
“No. You have said enough to make it the dearest wish of my life to marry you,” he said.How did Percival feel during his meeting with Laura?
A.Angry. | B.Calm. | C.Excited. | D.Nervous. |
We can learn from the passage that ______.
A.Laura’s father wished to end her marriage |
B.Laura had once promised to marry Percival |
C.Percival had been married to Laura for two years |
D.Percival asked to be released from the marriage |
What do you think is the ending of the story?
A.Laura was married to Percival. |
B.Laura was married to another man. |
C.Percival was married to another woman. |
D.Both Percival and Laura remained single for the rest of their lives. |
Some people believe that a Robin Hood is at work, others that a wealthy person simply wants to distribute(分发)his or her fortune before dying. But the donator who started sending envelopes with cash to deserving causes, accompanied by an article from the local paper, has made a northern German city believe in fairytales(童话).
The first envelope was sent to a victim support group. It contained €10,000 with a cutting from the Braunschweiger Zeitung about how the group supported a woman who was robbed of her handbag; similar plain white anonymous(匿名)envelopes, each containing €10,000, then arrived at a kindergarten and a church.
The envelopes keep coming, and so far at least €190,000 has been distributed. Last month, one of them was sent to the newspaper’s own office. It came after a story it published about Tom, a 14-year-old boy who was severely disabled in a swimming accident. The receptionist at the Braunschweiger Zeitung opened an anonymous white envelope to find 20 notes of €500 inside, with a copy of the article. The name of the family was underlined.
“I was driving when I heard the news,” Claudia Neumann, the boy’s mother, told Der Spiegel magazine. “I had to park on the side of the road; I was speechless.”
The money will be used to make the entrance to their house wheelchair-accessible and for a course of treatment that their insurance company refused to pay for.
“For someone to act so selflessly, for this to happen in such a society in which everyone thinks of himself, was astonishing,” Mrs. Neumann said. Her family wonder whether the donator is a Robin Hood character, taking from banks to give to the needy.
Henning Noske, the editor of the Braunschweiger Zeitung, said: “Maybe it is an old person who is about to die. We just do not know.” However, he has told his reporters not to look for the city’s hero, for fear that discovery may stop the donations. The Braunschweiger Zeitung is name of _____.
A.a church | B.a bank | C.a magazine | D.a newspaper |
Which of the following is TURE about the donation to Tom?
A.The donation amounted to €190,000. |
B.The donation was sent directly to his house. |
C.His mother felt greatly surprised at the donation. |
D.All the money will be used for his treatment. |
It can be inferred from the passage that .
A.the donation will continue to come |
B.the donator is a rich old man |
C.the donation comes from the newspaper |
D.the donator will soon be found out |
What would be the best title for the passage?
A.Money Is Raised by the Newspaper. |
B.Unknown Hero Spreads Love in Envelopes. |
C.Newspaper Distributes Money to the Needy. |
D.Robin Hood Returns to the city. |