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One of the most difficult questions to answer is how much a job is worth. We naturally expect that a doctor’s salary will be higher than a bus conductor’s wages. But the question becomes much more difficult to answer when we compare a miner with an engineer, or an unskilled man working on an oil-rig(钻探平台)with a teacher in a secondary school. What the doctor, the engineer and the teacher have in common is that they have devoted several years to studying in order to obtain the necessary qualifications for their professions. We feel instinctively that these skills and these years should be rewarded. At the same time we recognize that the work of the miner and the oil-rig laborer is both hard and dangerous, and that they must be highly paid for the risks they take.
  Another aspect we must take into consideration is how socially useful a man’s work is. Most people would agree that looking after the sick or teaching children is more important than, say, selling second-hand cars. Yet it is almost certain that the used-car salesman earns more than the nurse and the schoolteacher.
  Indeed, this whole question of just rewards can be turned on its head. You can argue that a man who does a job which brings him personal satisfaction is already receiving part of his reward in the form of a so-called “psychic(精神的)wage”, and that it is the man with the boring, repetitive job who needs more money to make up for the soul-destroying repetitiveness of his work. It is significant that the jobs like nursing and teaching continue to be poorly paid, while others, such as those in the world of sport or entertainment, carry financial rewards out of all proportion to their social worth.
Although the amount of money that people earn is largely determined by market forces, this should not prevent us from seeking some way to decide what is the right pay for the job. A starting point would be to try to decide the ratio(比率)which ought to exist between the highest and the lowest paid. The picture is made more complicated by two factors: firstly by the welfare benefits which every citizen receives, and secondly by the taxation system which is often used as an instrument of social justice by taxing high incomes at a very high rate indeed. Most countries now regard a ratio of 7:1 as socially acceptable. If it is less, the highly-qualified people carrying heavy responsibilities will become disappointed, and might even end up by leaving for another country. If it is more, the difference between rich and poor will be so great that it will lead to social unrest.
Why do people naturally expect that doctors should be well-paid?

A.Their work requires greater intelligence.
B.They are under constant pressure at work.
C.They work harder than most other people.
D.They have studied for years to get qualified.

In Paragraph 2 and 3, the author indicates that __________.

A.the talented should do more important work
B.unskilled jobs have less social responsibility
C.those with more socially useful jobs earn less
D.people want to pay more to important services

Which of the following statements would the author agree?

A.It’s difficult to define the social value of a job.
B.The market will decide what the right pay is for a job.
C.People should find a proper ratio between high and low pay.
D.Those receiving high salary should carry heavy responsibilities.
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MUMBAI, India —The children in their party clothes on the stage were very excited when they received the award. And the two of them said, "It’s unbelievable!"
Nine-year-old, Rubina Ali, and Azharuddin Ismail, 10, were living a very different life and obviously loving every minute of it. The two, some of the child stars of the Oscar-winning Slum dog Millionaire(《贫民窟的百万富翁》)movie, know the Indian slums very well. That was where they grew up, and it is where they will return at the end of their Hollywood dream trip.
But before going back home, there was an interview with the host, Ryan Seacrest. During the interview they smiled and repeated their disbelief in what was happening to them. To their surprise, their movie won first place in the Oscars. When the two received the award, it was late morning in the children’s home city of Mumbai, where family, friends and many fellow residents of the slums watched the result from Hollywood.
"I don’t really know what the Oscars are," Rubina’s mother said. "I’m just glad my daughter looks happy, though she told me she missed Indian food."
"Our children lead a dog’s life," Rubina’s mother said, pointing out the rubbish everywhere, the open drains (下水道) and the lack of education opportunities.
In a few days they will be back in Mumbai and back in the slums which are their home. Fortunately, according to media reports, the movie’s director, Danny Boyle, has promised to help the children chosen from the slum and make sure they will go to a proper school.
The two don’t need to worry about their daily lives because of the Oscar success of Slum dog Millionaire. But the poverty and lack of opportunity —the central theme of the movie—is always all around.
Which of the following is NOT true about the two children?

A.They were both excited about receiving the award.
B.They had been having a difficult life in India.
C.They were interviewed before they went back home.
D.They were the only two child stars in the movie, Slum dog Millionaire.

What can we infer from the text?

A.The two children have played in other movies before.
B.Rinoms’s mother also went to the Hollywood.
C.Rubina may not get used to the American food.
D.They will travel to other countries before returning home.

What will happen to the two children after they return to India?

A.They will go back to the miserable life.
B.They will play in movies as famous actors.
C.They will leave school to learn acting.
D.They will have a better education.

According to the author, the value of the movie is that ________.

A.it has been given an Oscar Award
B.it has made the two children famous
C.it has become popular all over the world
D.its central theme has become known to the public

One year, my school report made my parents angry. On Christmas Eve, all the presents were stolen, along with our TV. My parents told me that there were no presents because Santa was very angry with my behavior over the past year. The next year on Christmas Eve I slept downstairs with a plastic sword waiting for Santa to make sure that he didn't steal the new TV. The next morning, when I woke up, I saw Santa standing there. As soon as I saw that there were no presents, I grabbed my plastic sword and ran at him, shouting angrily: "THIEF! THIEF!"
Jack
When I was young, we always had a specific room for the Christmas tree. My mom never really liked the location, so one year she moved the tree into another room. I was convinced that Santa would not know where the tree was and would get lost in our house. I was worried that he would be mad and put me on the "bad" list and would not give me any gifts because he couldn't find the tree. I came up with the idea to make signs leading from the fireplace to the tree. They said things like: "Tree this way" or "Santa, put the gifts over here." When my big brother saw them he began to laugh his head off.
Lucy
Does everyone remember going to the mall and sitting on Santa’s lap to have his picture taken at Christmas time?
Well, I used to think that if I did that, Santa would get mad because he would have to go all around the world and give every kid the chance to have his picture taken with him. Of course his lap would hurt and he would be very fired. I thought he might keep a copy of the picture and that would be how he decided who would be on his naughty list.
My mom couldn't get me onto Santa's lap until she made him promise I wouldn't end up on his naughty list.
Lydia
Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

A.Belief in Santa
B.The Excitement on Christmas
C.Christmas Gifts
D.Christmas Celebration

The real reason why Jack's TV was taken away is that ______________.

A.his parents were too careless
B.his parents thought he had watched too much TV
C.Santa Claus was not satisfied with Jack’s behavior
D.Santa gave the TV to another child as a present

Which of the following is NOT the reason why Lucy didn't want the tree to be moved?

A.Santa would not know where the tree was.
B.Santa would be angry and would not give her any gifts.
C.Her big brother might laugh at her.
D.Santa might think she was a "bad" child.

When it comes to success in business and success in life, there are few qualities as important as confidence.
People naturally have different levels of confidence.Some have a higher level of confidence than others do, but even those whose confidence is lacking can learn to build their level of confidence and reach their most important goals.Increasing self confidence is one of the most common reasons people give for seeking the help of psychologists and other professionals.
One of the many places where a greater level of confidence is useful is in the workplace. We all know how difficult it can be, for instance, to ask the boss for a raise.This process can be extremely difficult for those who lack confidence in their own abilities.After all, if you are unsure about your own abilities, how will you ever convince your boss that you deserve more money for the work you do?
Even if you are not asking for that big raise, having plenty of confidence in your abilities is important to success.If you are certain of your abilities, chances are that those around you, whether they are your coworkers, your colleagues or your superiors, will see that confidence, and that will help to assure them that you aree the best at what you do.
Being thought of as the person to go to, and being seen as an expert in your chosen field, is naturally very important to success on the job.If you can make yourself the person people go to for guidance and advice, you will help to protect yourself from the ever present danger of downsizing(裁员).After all, if you are a recognized expert at the office, you will be regarded as an indispensable member of the team.
Having a high level of confidence, after all, does not mean overlooking the places where you could improve.Knowing what you do well and where you need help will help you enjoy increased success and confidence.
What is the passage mainly about?

A.The influence of confidence on one's life.
B.The difference of people's confidence..
C.The importance of confidence to success
D.The judgment on one's confidence.

Psychologists and other professionals can offer help to those ______.

A.who dream to be recognized experts
B.who expect to give guidance to others
C.who want to ask the boss for a raise
D.who think their goals are hard to reach

What does the underlined word "indispensable" in Paragraph 5 probably mean?

A.outgoing B.attractive C.important D.energetic

What message does the author want to convey(传递) in the last paragraph?

A.To overlook one's disadvantages.
B.To make full use of one's advantages.
C.To have great confidence in one's abilities.
D.To make objective evaluations of one's abilities.

Millions of girls grow up with the hope of becoming a famous singer. Some even win local talent competitions as children, but only a few such early successes and dreams turn into reality. Jessica Andrews is one of the few whose dreams have come true.
Andrews, first taste of success came at the age of 10. She won a talent competition in her home town of Huntingdon, Tennessee, singing I Will Always Love You, originally sung by Whitney Houston. Houston's version of the song appeared on The Bodyguard sound track, which happened to be the first album Andrews ever bought.
Within two years, talk of Andrews had spread to Nashville and caught the attention of producer Byron Gallimore, whose credits include work with Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Jo Dee Messina. With Gallimore signed on to produce, Andrews soon had a recording contract (合同)with Dream Works' Nashville label.
Andrews' professional career was launched with 1999's Heart Shaped World, recorded when she was 14 years old. The album included the country hit I Will Be There For You, which also appeared on The Prince Of Egypt. She followed up the release of the album by touring as a support act for such country superstars as Faith Hill and Trisha Yearwood.
With the release of 2001's Who I Am, Andrews became a star in her own right. The album was certified (证明)gold for sales of 500,000 copies. Andrews returned in April 2003 with Now, an album that she promised would show a new side of the young artist. "This album has a very different feeling for me," she said. "It's a lot more personal and there's a confidence that wasn't quite there on the first two. I feel especially connected to this group of songs."
What's the meaning of the underlined word “launched" in the fourth paragraph?

A.Aimed. B.Sent. C.Started. D.Set.

Which of the following statements is WRONG according to the passage?

A.The Bodyguard was the first album Andrews ever bought.
B.After Andrews sang Who I Am, she became a star in her own right.
C.I Will Always Love You was originally sung by Whitney Houston.
D.Now expresses a new feeling of Andrews.

Which of the following may NOT be Andrews' album?

A.Now. B.Heart Shaped World.
C.The Prince of Egypt. D.Who I Am

Which of the following is the best title of the passage?

A.Jessica Andrews' Life B.Jessica Andrews' Dream
C.Jessica Andrews' Songs D.Jessica Andrews' Success as a Singer

Usually, when your teacher asks a question, there is only one correct answer. But there is one question that has millions of correct answers. That question is “What’s your name?” Everyone gives a different answer, but everyone is correct.
Have you ever wondered about people’s names? Where do they come from? What do they mean?
People’s first names, or given names, are chosen by their parents. Sometimes the name of a grandparent or other member of the family is used. Some parents choose the name of a well-known person. A boy could be named George Washington Smith; a girl could be named Helen Keller Jones.
Some people give their children names that mean good things. Clara means “bright”; Beatrice means “one who gives happiness”; Donald means “world ruler”; Leonard means “as brave as a lion”.
The earliest last names, or surnames, were taken from place names. A family with the name Brook or Brooks probably lived near brook(小溪);someone who was called Longstreet probably lived on a long, paved road. The Greenwood family lived in or near a leafy forest.
Other early surnames came from people’s occupations. The most common occupational name is Smith, which means a person who makes things with iron or other metals. In the past, smiths were very important workers in every town and village.Some other occupational names are: Carter---a person who owned or drove a cart; Potter---a person who made pots and pans.
The ancestors of the Baker family probably baked bread for their neighbors in their native village. The Carpenter’s great-great-great-grandfather probably built houses and furniture.
Sometimes people were known for the color of their hair or skin, or their size, or their special abilities. When there were two men who were named John in the same village, the John with the gray hair probably became John Gray. Or the John was very tall could call himself John Tallman. John Fish was probably an excellent swimmer and John Lightfoot was probably a fast runner or a good dancer.
Some family names were made by adding something to the father’s name. English-speaking people added –s or –son. The Johnsons are descendants of John; the Roberts family’s ancestor was Robert. Irish and Scottish people added Mac or Mc or O. Perhaps all of the MacDonnells and the McDonnells and the O’Donnells are descendants of the same Donnell.
Which of the following aspects do the surnames in the passage NOT cover?

A.Places where people lived. B.People’s characters.
C.Talents that people possessed. D.People’s occupations.

According to the passage, the ancestors of the Potter family most probably _______.

A.owned or drove a cart B.made things with metals
C.made kitchen tools or containers D.built houses and furniture

Suppose an English couple whose ancestors lived near a leafy forest wanted their new-born son to become a world leader, the baby might be named _______.

A.Beatrice Smith B.Leonard Carter
C.George Longstreet D.Donald Greenwood

The underlined word “descendants” in the last paragraph means a person’s _____.

A.later generations B.friends and relatives
C.colleagues and partners D.later bosses

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