Thomas Edison tried two thousand different materials to make the light bulb. When none worked successfully, his assistant __16_, “All our work is in vain. We have learned nothing.”
Thomas Edison replied very __17_, “Oh, we have come a long way and we have _18__ a lot. We now know that there are two thousand materials which we cannot _19__ to make a good light bulb.”
If you learn from your mistakes, then you are _20__. If you learn from someone else’s mistakes, then you are a genius. Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines __21__ daily and failure is nothing more than a few small __22_ repeated daily.
How __23_ the above lines are! Success takes __24_. We’ll make mistakes _25__ we do things in too much of a hurry. When we do not practice disciplines in life, we don’t build enough confidence to __26__ new and challenging tasks which are important and matter in life. Our confidence __27__ what we think of ourselves and whether we believe in ourselves. We are all born with exceptional _28__, but only a few really _29___ their true potentials and make efforts in life and the others just lead a(n) _30__ life. Do you want to be exceptional?
Success is a fruit which everyone wants to _31__, but it is not found everywhere and no one can __32_ it without serious efforts.
Those who want to succeed will find a way; those who don’t will find a(n) _33__!
Success depends on previous __34__, and without it we will end in failure.
When you are __35__, please enjoy it and give your hand to others who want to accomplish something.
A．celebrated B．complained C．explained D．answered
A．confidently B．madly C．carelessly D．angrily
A．remembered B．refused C．learned D．ordered
A．test B．ignore C．invent D．use
A．healthy B．enthusiastic C．intelligent D．generous
A．shown B．prevented C．recorded D．practiced
A．errors B．machines C．jobs D．steps
A．common B．strange C．familiar D．true
A．effect B．time C．drugs D．roles
A．as though B．so that C．unless D．if
A．keep B．attempt C．give D．see
A．depends on B．sets aside C．turns down D．sets up
A．appearance B．experiences C．qualities D．feelings
A．own B．realize C．provide D．research
A．active B．hard C．rich D．average
A．sell B．draw C．eat D．praise
A．achieve B．watch C．offer D．recognize
A．story B．excuse C．key D．plan
A．preparation B．influence C．life D．generation
A．powerful B．wonderful C．successful D．hopeful
Employers fear they will be unable to recruit (招募) students with the skills they need as the economic recovery kicks in, a new survey ___21___.
Nearly half of the organizations told researchers they were already struggling to find ___22___ with skills in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), ___23___ even more companies expect to experience ___24___ of employees with STEM skills in the next three years.
The Confederation of British Industry___25___694 businesses and organizations across the public and ___26___sectors , which together employ 2.4 million people.
Half are ___27___ they will not be able to fill graduate posts in the coming years, while a third said they would not be able to ___28___ enough employees with the right A-level skills.
“___29___ we move further role recovery and businesses plan ___30___ growth, the demand for people with high-quality skills and qualifications will ___31___.” said Richard Lambert, Director General, CBI. “Firms say it is already hard to find people with the right ___32___ or engineering skills. The new government must make it a top ___33___ to encourage more young people to study science-related ___34___.”
The survey found that young people would improve their job prospects (预期) ___35___ they studied business, maths, English and physics or chemistry at A-level. The A-levels that employers ___36___least are psychology and sociology. And while many employers don’t insist on a ___37___ degree subject . A third prefer to hire those with a STEM-related subject.
The research ___38___ worries about the lack of progress in improving basic skills in the UK ___39___. Half of the employer expressed worries about employees’ basic literacy and numeracy（计算) skills, while the biggest problem is with IT skills, ___40___ two-thirds reported concerns.
A．submits B．reveals C．launches D．relieves
A．audience B．officials C．partners D．staff
A．while B．because C．for D．although
A．exits B．shortages C．absences D．sources
A．surveyed B．searched C．exposed D．expanded
A．collective B．private C．personal D．civil
A．conducted B．combined C．concerned D．confused
A．provide B．reach C．transfer D．hire
A．Lest B．Unless C．Before D．As
A．with B．for C．on D．by
A．control B．stretch C．ensure D．heighten
A．creative B．technical C．narrative D．physical
A．priority B．option C．challenge D．judgment
A．procedures B．academics C．thoughts D．subjects
A．until B．since C．whereas D．if
A．rate B．discuss C．order D．observe
A．typical B．particular C．positive D．general
A．highlighted B．described C．focused D．touched
A．masses B．workforce C．faculty D．communities
A．what B．whom C．where D．why
Directions: Complete the following passage by filling in each blank with one word that best fits the context.
Job hunting has always been a headache for college graduates. Though many graduates are employed right after graduation, some are 48. Most serious of all, some still have no idea49to go working even a long time after graduation.
The reasons 50this phenomenon are various. On the one hand, a few years ago colleges and universities enrolled so many students in popular majors, such as economy, finance and so on51the number of graduates is greater than the need in the market. On the other hand, most graduates would rather stay in large cities without suitable jobs to do 52go to the country.
I believe the problem can be solved 53both colleges and students take measures. First, they should research the market and develop special skills to suit 54needs. Second, students’ attitude towards employment should be changed. They should go to some 55cities and the countryside. There they can also give full play to their professional knowledge. In a word, if we pay much attention, the problem can be solved.
Don’t shoot butterflies with guns.
Can you 36 someone running after a butterfly with a gun in his hands? Won’t such stupidity make you burst out laughing? But wait. Stop and consider how often you might have done something 37 .
A hen, Henny-Penny, lived in a forest with many other animals and birds. One fine, sunny morning, she was busy looking for 38in the ground. Suddenly she let out a frightened cackle (咯咯叫) with wings flapping 39 . A dry leaf had fallen down on her, and she went 40 at whoever she met, “Run, run for your lives; the sky is falling.” The other creatures stopped whatever they were doing. Some ran behind Henny-Penny, screaming warnings with her, while others 41 the unfounded story that the sky was falling.
We all have 42 people like this hen. The rest of us are like the other foolish creatures who didn’t stop to verify (证实) the 43 for themselves. They shoot butterflies with guns. They just will not think for themselves. Why don’t people think for themselves? Often because of laziness, or because they don’t want to be 44 for their way of thinking.
Walking through life 45 is more dangerous than crossing a busy road with eyes closed. Our thoughts should lead us towards the light of wisdom and sense. Our thinking should be high, 46 us to the ranks of the sensible. We have been blessed with reasoning, sensitive minds. Let us make use of them and be 47 of our own minds. Don’t let your mind be enslaved by someone else. Stop, think and then go ahead.
.
A．suggest B．imagine C．recall D．prevent
A．different B．extraordinary C．unusual D．similar
A．trees B．worms C．nests D．leaves
A．in delight B．in cheer C．in fear D．in amazement
A．screaming B．staring C．praising D．criticizing
A．recite B．edit C．spread D．print
A．come across B．searched for C．looked after D．cared about
A．impact B．process C．advantage D．truth
A．desperate B．good C．regretful D．responsible
A．speechlessly B．hopelessly C．mindlessly D．homelessly
A．declining B．raising C．wiping D．smoothing
A．masters B．slaves C．authors D．employees
I grew up in a community called Estepona. I was 16 when one morning, Dad told me I could drive him into a 31 village called Mijas, on condition that I took the car in to be 32 at a nearby garage. I readily accepted. I drove Dad into Mijas, and 33 to pick him up at 4 pm, then dropped off the car at the 34 . With several hours to spare. I went to a theater. 35 , when the last movie finished, it was six. I was two hours late!
I knew Day would be angry if he 36 I’d been watching movies. So I decided not to tell him the truth. When I 37 there I apologized for being late, and told him I’d 38 as quickly as I could, but that the car had needed some major repairs. I’ll never forget the 39 he gave me. “I’m disappointed you 40 you have to lie to me, Jason.” Dad looked at me again. “When you didn’t 41 . I called the garage to ask if there were any 42 , and they told me you hadn’t yet picked up the car. ” I felt 43 as I weakly told him the real reason. A 44 passed through Dad as he listened attentively. “I’m angry with 45 . I realize I’ve failed as a father. I’m going to walk home now and think seriously about 46 I’ve gone wrong all these years.” “But Day, it’s 18 miles!” My protests and apologies were 47 . Dad walked home that day. I drove behind him, 48 him all the way, but he walked silently.
Seeing Dad in so much 49 and emotional pain was my most painful experience. However, it was 50 the most successful lesson. I have never lied since.
A．lonely B．small C．distant D．familiar
A．kept B．washed C．watched D．serviced
A．agreed B．planned C．determined D．promised
A．village B．community C．garage D．theater
A．However B．Then C．Therefore D．Still
A．realized B．found out C．thought D．figured out
A．went B．ran C．walked D．hurried
A．started B．left C．arrived D．come
A．word B．face C．look D．appearance
A．find B．decide C．believe D．feel
A．turn up B．drive out C．go away D．come out
A．ashamed B．frightened C．nervous D．surprised
A．nervousness B．sadness C．silence D．thought
A．you B．myself C．me D．yourself
A．where B．how C．why D．when
A．asking B．persuading C．begging D．following
A．physical B．practical C．personal D．natural
A．indeed B．always C．also D．almost
My first job was at a local restaurant, where I worked for seven years and learned so many lessons, especially from a fellow 36 .
Helen was in her 30s and had extraordinary self-confidence, something I was really 37 . I looked up to Helen 38 she was doing what she loved— 39 people better. She always made everyone, customers and co-workers, 40 and feel good.
Being a waitress changed my life. One of my 41 customers was Fred Hasbrook. He always ate an omelet, and when I saw him _42 , I tried to have it on his table as soon as he sat down.
Thanks to the newfound confidence I 43 __from Helen, I dreamed of having my own __44 . But when I called my parents to ask for a loan, they said, “We just don’t have the money.”
The next day, Fred saw me and asked, “What’s 45 ? You’re not smiling today.” I __46__my dream with him and said, “Fred, I know I can do more if somebody 47 just have faith in me.”
Before long he handed me checks 48 __$50,000—along with a note that I have to this day. It reads, “The only collateral（抵押品）on this loan is my trust in your 49 as a person. Good people with a dream should have 50 __to make that dream come true.”
I took the checks to Merrill Lynch, where the money was provided for me. I_ 51 __working at the restaurant, making 52 for the restaurant I would open. My plans soured, though, and I lost the 53 .
Later I decided to apply for a job at Merill Lynch. Even though I had no experience, I was__54 and ended up becoming a pretty good agent. 55 . I paid back Fred the $50,000, plus 14-percent annual interest. Five years later, I was able to open my own firm.
A．friend B．waitress C．citizen D．customer
A．losing B．earning C．sharing D．lacking
A．while B．though C．because D．unless
A．serving B．respecting C．helping D．praising
A．work B．eat C．smile D．speak
A．regular B．favorite C．respected D．fresh
A．eating B．greeting C．smiling D．coming
A．found out B．picked up C．got back D．took away
A．restaurant B．work C．house D．money
A．ahead B．that C．there D．up
A．exchanged B．discussed C．shared D．explained
A．should B．would C．might D．must
A．totaling B．counting C．adding D．valuing
A．ability B．honesty C．responsibility D．identity
A．patience B．confidence C．choice D．chance
A．loved B．practiced C．continued D．enjoyed
A．tables B．plans C．decisions D．suggestions
A．faith B．honesty C．money D．friend
A．hired B．rejected C．encouraged D．determined
A．Fortunately B．Excitedly C．Personally D．Eventually