Adults usually do not remember most of the things that are taught by their teachers at school. But this story is one such lesson that I will never forget. Every time I drift off course, I think of this story.
It was a normal Monday morning, and my teacher was teaching us on important things in life and about devoting ourselves to what is important to us. This is how the story went:
An old man lived in a certain part of London, and he would wake up every morning and go to the subway. He would get onto the train right to Central London, and then sit at the street corner and beg. He would do this every single day of his life. He sat at the same street corner and begged for almost 20 years.
His house was dirty, and a stench (恶臭) came out of the house and it smelled terrible. The neighbors could not stand the smell any more, so they called for the police officers to clear the place. The officers knocked down the door and cleaned the house. There were small bags of money all over the house that he had collected over the years.
The police counted the money, and they soon realized that the old man was a millionaire (百万富翁). They waited outside his house expecting to share the good news with him. When the old man arrived home that evening, one of the officers told him that there was no need for him to beg any more as he was a rich man now, a millionaire.
But the old man said nothing at all; he went into his house and locked the door. The next morning he woke up as usual, went to the subway, sat at the street corner and continued to beg.
Clearly, this old man had no great plans, dreams or anything significant (有意义的) for his life. We learn nothing from this story other than staying focused on the things we enjoy doing.The neighbor called the police because ______.
| A．the old man kept begging money from them every day |
| B．there was something dangerous in the old man’s house |
| C．the old man wouldn’t buy tickets for the train |
| D．they couldn’t bear the smell from the old man’s house |
When the old man knew he was a millionaire, he ______.
| A．remained calm | B．became excited |
| C．felt worried | D．became nervous |
What lesson do we learn from the story?
| A．Make great plans for your life. |
| B．Keep on doing what you like. |
| C．Do something that is good to society. |
| D．Depend on yourself rather than others. |
Some people bring out the best in you in a way that you might never have fully realized on your own．My mom was one of those people．
My father died when I was nine months old，making my mom a single mother at the age of eighteen．While I was growing up，we lived a very hard life．We had little money，but my mom gave me a lot of love．Each night，she sat me on her lap and spoke the words that would change my life，“Kemmons，you are certain to be a great man and you can do anything in life if you work hard enough to get it．”
At fourteen，I was hit by a car and the doctors said I would never walk again. Every day，my mother spoke to me in her gentle，loving voice，telling me that no matter what those doctors said. I could walk again if I wanted it badly enough．She drove that message so deep into my heart that I finally believed her．A year later，I returned to school--walking on my own．
When the Great Depression(大萧条)hit，my mom lost her job．Then I left school to support the both of us．At that moment，I was determined never to be poor again．
Over the years, I experienced various levels of business Success．But the real turning point occurred on a vocation I took with my wife and five kids in 1951．I was dissatisfied with the second-class hotels available for families and was angry that they charged an extra$2 for each child．That was too expensive for the average American family．I told my wife that I was going to open a motel(汽车旅馆)for families that would never charge extra for children．There were plenty of doubters at that time．
Not surprisingly，mom was one of my strongest supporters．She worked behind the desk and even designed the room style．As in any business，we experienced a lot of challenges．But with my mother’s words deeply rooted in my soul，I never doubted we could succeed．Fifteen years later，we had the largest hotel system in the world—Holiday Inn. In 1979，my company had 1759 inns in more than fifty countries with an income of $ 1 billion a year．
You may not have started out life in the best situations．But if you can find a task in life worth working for and believe in yourself，nothing can stop you．What Kemmons' mom often told him during his childhood was．
| A．caring | B．moving | C．encouraging | D．interesting |
What caused Kemmons to start a motel by himself?
| A．His terrible experience in the hotel． |
| B．His previous business success of various levels． |
| C．His mom’s support． |
| D．His wife’s suggestion． |
．Which of the following best describes Kemmoms’ mother?、
| A．Modest，helpful，and hard-working． |
| B．Loving，supportive，and strong-willed． |
| C．Careful，helpful，and beautiful． |
| D．Strict，sensitive and supportive． |
Which of the following led to Kemmons’ success according to the passage?
| A．Self-confidence，hard work，clear goals and a poor family． |
| B．Mom's encouragement，clear goals，self-confidence，and hard work． |
| C．Clear goals，mom’s encouragement，a poor family，and higher education． |
| D．Mom's encouragement，a poor family，higher education and opportunities． |
In Germany, English expressions are used in conversations and increasingly in written form. Advertisements are often expressed completely in English. When I go to the gym, there are “aerobic-classes (增氧健身法课程)”. We “warm up”. We go “jogging.” In business, we attend a “meeting” and we have “good connections.”
Other nations, like France, have taken action to protect their language from the influence of “Americanization”. In Germany, however, there is concern that those rules could be connected with Hitler’s Third Reich (帝国), when the language had to be pure. If the government curbed the use of English words now, this could be considered by some as a return to that terrible past.
Some German citizens are now trying to stop the use of English vocabulary in German. However, I think generally it is not a big deal to use some common English expressions as they often describe things more directly. But we should know that it is important to use English correctly. All too often, bad English is spoken or even written instead of good German. The proper use of the German language would be the better choice. However, there are some fields that require the use of English words, for example, in the high-tech communication and the Internet fields, there is no alternative to English. Also, I think sometimes I have to speak English when I introduce some scenic places to tourists.
I think you have to find a balance and decide when it is better to use good German in place of bad English or when the use of correct English words is more suitable. Languages have always changed naturally, and I disagree with a restriction by law. Some nice expressions borrowed from other languages can make a conversation more vivid.By giving many examples in the first paragraph, the writer shows that __________.
| A．most Germans have no difficulty in understanding English |
| B．English is more and more widely used in Germany |
| C．it is more convenient to use English in some situations |
| D．English has completely replaced German in Germany |
From the passage, we can learn that when Hitler was in power, __________ in Germany.
| A．all languages except English could be used |
| B．only some foreign languages could be used |
| C．only the upper class could speak English |
| D．only the German language could be used |
What job does the writer probably do?
| A．A travel guide. | B．A lawyer. | C．A computer engineer. | D．A teacher. |
What is the writer’s attitude towards the use of English in Germany?
| A．There should be a law to protect the dominance of German. |
| B．It is foolish for Germans to worry about their native language. |
| C．Germans should be encouraged to speak more English. |
| D．Proper use of English can make conversations more colorful. |
We live in a digital world now, and a student's technology needs have changed. For the early years, say when you are in primary school, you can get by with no technology at all. Even if you have a computer, it's a good idea to get children familiar with libraries. At this age, trips to the library are like family outings.
As you get closer to middle school, a computer with Internet access becomes more of a necessity. Teachers will often give assignments that require a student to use the Internet for research. After a computer, technology choices for students become more difficult to make – especially when it comes to cell-phones. Kids will beg their parents for a cell-phone, especially in middle school. For many parents, it's a safety issue: They want to know that their kids can reach them quickly if necessary. For teachers, cell phones can be used to record lessons when students are absent. But many teachers dislike cell-phones. Some kids send messages or have talks in the class. Sending messages also raises the problem of cheating on exams. More and more schools are now forbidding the use of cell-phones.
Many kids see iPods as necessary things to have. IPods are great for music, but do they do anything good for your children’s education? Maybe they do. That’s the opinion of Doug Johnson, an educator for 30 years. Johnson says that educators should accept all new forms of technology in the classroom, including iPods. “Some do more with their cell- phones than we can do with our laptops,” he jokes. “I don’t think we should be afraid. The truth is that it’s easier to change the way we teach than to change the technology habits of an entire generation.” According to author, primary school children should___.
| A．use the computer and the Internet regularly | B．ask their parents to buy them cell-phones |
| C．buy iPods to listen to music | D．go to libraries to read more books |
Why do parents agree to buy their children cell-phones?
| A．They want their children to be cool. | |
| B．They think cell-phones be helpful to their study. | |
| C．They want to keep in touch with their children. |
D．They want their children to keep up to date. |
The following are all reasons why many teachers dislike cell-phones EXCEPT ____.
| A．cell-phones can be used to cheat on exams |
| B．schoolchildren will send messages during class |
| C．cell-phones can be used to record lessons |
| D．schoolchildren might talk on them during class |
We can infer from what Doug Johnson said that _____.
| A．cell-phones are not useful to students |
| B．teachers should let students use cell-phones |
| C．it’s better for teachers to change their teaching methods |
| D．schoolchildren should follow the trends(潮流) of fashion |
Trip 1 Black Bear Count
There have been fires in this area in the last few years and the Office of the National Park is not sure how many black bears are still living. Some bears have been seen since the fires, and the Office has asked for young people to help count them. The entire trip will last three hours. Booking necessary.
Cost: Free When: May 8
Trip 2 Garland Valley
Bring your drink and lunch for this walk in a beautiful area of the Blue Mountains. Garland Valley is close to the town of Garland but is part of the National Park. Many wild animals live in this area, including many rare birds. This is a great walk for bird-lovers. The trip lasts four hours. Bookings necessary.
Cost: ￡15. When: May 8, May 15
Trip 3 Flashlight Adventure
Put on your warm clothes, bring a flashlight and a pair of glasses, and come for a night walk along the Dungog Valley. A guide will lead the tour. Many of the animals you will see on this trip can only be seen at night. The guide will tell you about the lives of the animals you see. Numbers are strictly limited on night trips, so be sure to book early. This walk lasts two and a half hours.
Cost: ￡ 12 When: May 8, May 15, May 22
Equipment to the needed:
* Please bring enough water and food for all walks.
* Wear good walking shoes ---no high heels.
* Wear a hat for day walks.
* Dress warmly for night walks.
* Children must be with an adult.
* Make sure you flashlight works well and bring extra batteries for night walks.
* Follow all instructions from guides during the walks.
The mountains is a dangerous place.
Bookings:
* Bookings for the above trips can be made by telephone (893－4847) or on the Internet at www.bluemountaintour.com.Where are these trips?
| A．In a large valley | B．In a park in the mountains. |
| C．In a special kind of zoo. | D．In three different countries. |
On which trip might you see animals that sleep during the day?
| A．Black Bear Count. | B．Garland Valley. |
| C．Flashlight Adventure. | D．None of the trips. |
Which of the following is NOT necessary for the three trips?
| A．Good walking shoes. | B．plenty of batteries. |
| C．Food and water. | D．A sleeping-bag. |
What is the best title for the passage?
| A．Adventure Travel in America |
| B．Hunting around the Great Mountains |
| C．Interesting Trips in the East of the USA |
| D．Discovery Trips in the Blue Mountains |
Feeling tired lately? Has the doctor said he can’t find anything wrong with you? Perhaps he sent you to a hospital, but all the advanced equipment there shows that there is nothing wrong.
Then consider this, you might be in a state of subhealth（亚健康）.
Subhealth, also called the third state or grey state, is explained as an indefinate state between health and disease. According to an investigation by the National Health Organization, over 45 per cent of subhealthy people are middle-aged or elderly. The percentage is even higher among people who work in management position as well as students around exam.
Symptoms（症状）include a lack of energy, depression, slow reactions, insomnia（失眠）,Worries and poor memory. Others symptoms include shortness of breath, sweating and aching in the waist and legs.
The key to preventing and recovering from subhealth, according to some medical experts, is to form good living habits, alternate work with rest, exercise regularly, and take part in open-air activities.
As for meals, people are advised to eat less salt and sugar. They should eat more fresh vegetables, fruits and fish, because they are rich in nutritional（营养的）elements—vitamins and tiny elements—that are important to the body.
Nutrition experts point out that it is not good to eat too much at one meal because it may cause unhealthy changes in the digestive tract. They also say that a balanced diet is very helpful in avoiding subhealth.According to this passage, when you are in a state of subhealth, you should .
| A．stay home and keep silent | B．go to see a doctor and buy some medicine. |
| C．have yourself examined in foreign countries | |
| D．find out the reasons and relax yourself |
Middle-aged people may feel subhealthy, because they .
| A．have used up their energy | B．have lost their living hopes |
| C．have more pressure in life and work | D．began to get older and older |
As for food, experts suggest that we should .
| A．never eat meat | B．have meals with less salt and sugar |
| C．eat less | D．have meals without salt or sugar |
The underlined word “alternate” in this passage means .
| A．arrange by turn | B．cause to take place | C．keep up | D．take up |