Most people say “yes” much more readily than “no”.
A friend is moving house this weekend and would like some help, and you agree. But, what you really wanted was a couple of quiet days relaxing at home. Or a roommate spends the entire weekends playing video games and wants to borrow your homework for “reference”. But, you’ve just finished it after taking a whole day to work hard.
Many people say “yes” to these kinds of requests. They tend not to consider their own interests and feelings, and are often angry with themselves afterwards.
Saying “no” requires courage and considerable practice, in fact, according to psychologists.
“Everyone wants to be liked,” says Gabriele Steinki, a German psychologist. “Saying ‘no’ risks losing the affection of the person asking the favor or even a job.”
The result is that many people say “yes” just for keeping the peace. But experts say this is regrettable. Anyone should have the right to say “no”.
In fact, rejecting a request can even help to strengthen a relationship because it expresses a true feeling.
But, for people used to agreeing to every request, changing can be a long and uncomfortable learning process.
Most people believe that “If I say ‘no’, I’ll lose the affection of the person. But the affection is important to me.” This way of thinking can be replaced by this: “If he only likes me because I always do what suits him , then the price of his affection is too high in the long term.”
Steinki says the key is talking to the other person to find a mutual (相互的) solution. “One needs to present the situation from one’s own point of view, and to suggest how the situation can be dealt with to the advantage of both parties. The other person must have the feeling that his interests are being considered.”[
When the refusal is not accepted, Steinki advises giving the reasons calmly again until the person gets the message.Most people say “yes” much more readily than “no” because ________.[
| A．they don’t care about their own interests and feelings |
| B．they don’t know they will regret afterwards |
| C．they have already been used to saying “yes” |
| D．they care more about others’ affection |
In the opinion of experts, _________ .
| A．people need a lot of practice to say “no” |
| B．people should say “yes” to keep the peace |
| C．saying “no” means losing a job |
| D．people have the right to be liked |
According to the writer, what should you do if you want to refuse the other person’s request?
| A．Just say you can’t help him. |
| B．Say sorry to him. |
| C．Refuse him clearly. |
| D．Talk to the other person to find a mutual way. |
According to the writer, what should you do if your refusal is not accepted?
| A．Say yes to him. | B．Repeat your reason for his acceptance |
| C．Just go away | D．Say no to him |
What is the best title of the passage?
| A．You Need Courage To Say “No” | B．“Yes” More Than “No” |
| C．Nobody Has the Right To Say “No” | D．It’s Easy To Say “Yes” |
The gray-haired lady can’t wait to leave the building to search for her dad. Unless watched, she will walk in the streets in an effort to find her father, who died 30 years ago.
Not all cases of Alzheimer’s disease(老年痴呆症) look like this, but Alzheimer’s is a serious disease that is said to be the fourth or fifth leading cause of death for people over age 75. It is said that about three percent of the U.S. population over age 65 have Alzheimer’s. In the early stages, people may exhibit short-term memory loss. Some may experience changes in personality, easy to be angry. As the disease progresses, patients might lose the ability to move and may be unable to speak or move at all. This progressive disease generally lasts 8 to 10 years before death occurs.
While no one is certain what causes these changes in the brain’s nerve fibers （神经纤维）, their effect is certain. Alzheimer’s destroys not only the patients, but also spouses（配偶）, friends and families.
What should you do if you notice progressive memory loss in yourself or a loved one? Have the person examined by a doctor who is a specialist in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease? Though many reasons other than Alzheimer’s disease may cause memory loss, its early diagnosis（诊断）and treatment may delay some of the most serious effects.
What feeling will you likely experience if a loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s disease? A person will often go through the various stages of sadness, shock, anger, and so on. If the spouse develops the disease, you may experience hurt and disappointment when he or she doesn’t remember you are married.
Life for the Alzheimer’s patients and their loved ones will never be the same as the disease progresses, bringing a deep sorrow, loss and even anger towards God. No matter what feelings are present, facing them honestly will serve one better than burying them.What can be inferred from the passage about the gray-haired day?
| A．She has been living with her father. |
| B．She was sad about the death of her father. |
| C．She can’t search for her father without being watched. |
| D．She suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. |
When people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, ________.
| A．their families and friends will suffer from the same disease |
| B．their families and friends will experience mental sufferings |
| C．they will certainly die in 8 to 10 years |
| D．they will forget everybody but their spouses |
Memory loss occurs ________.
| A．from Alzheimer’s disease and nothing else |
| B．from sadness, shock, anger, and so on |
| C．for a number of reasons |
| D．with changes in personality |
From the passage we know that .
| A．early treatment may stop Alzheimer’s disease occurring |
| B．it is still unknown what causes the changes in the brain’s nerve fibers |
| C．nerve fibers in the brain will cause Alzheimer’s disease |
| D．when one suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, he will be buried |
The tradition of birthday parties started a long time ago. There are some traditions that you can find almost anywhere, anytime, such as sending birthday cards, blowing out the candles on a birthday cake and singing the 'Happy Birthday' song. Others are only found for certain ages and in certain countries.
In China, on a child's second birthday, family members put many things on the floor around the child. According to Chinese tradition, the first thing that the child picks up tells you what profession(职业) the child will choose later in life.
For Japanese children, the third, fifth and seventh birthdays are especially important. At this age, there is a special celebration Shichi-Go-San (seven, five, three in Japanese) when children go to the temple wearing a new kimono (和服). The priest (僧侣) gives them special sweets, and the parents usually organize a party for their friends in their home.
In Argentina, Mexico and several other Latin American countries, girls have a special birthday celebration when they reach the age of fifteen. After a special ceremony (仪式), the girls dance a waltz with their father and other boys.
Eighteen is the traditional “coming of age”— the age when (in many countries) you have the right to vote (选举), join the army and (in Britain) drink alcohol or buy a house.
In many English-speaking countries, a twenty-first birthday cake often has a key on top, or the cake itself is sometimes in the shape of a key. The key means that the young person is now old enough to leave and enter the family home at any time they want to! Which of the following birthday traditions can be found almost anywhere, anytime?
| A．Putting many things on the floor. |
| B．Wearing a new kimono. |
| C．Dancing a waltz. |
| D．Sending birthday cards. |
In many countries you can ________ when you reach the age of eighteen.
| A．join the army |
| B．have a key |
| C．have a special ceremony |
| D．have special sweets |
Which of the following sentences is NOT true?
| A．The tradition of birthday parties started a long time ago. |
| B．Some birthday traditions are only found in certain countries. |
| C．You become the owner of your house at the age of fifteen. |
| D．In many countries you have the right to vote at the age of eighteen. |
Which is the best title of this passage?
| A．Birthday Traditions around the World |
| B．Chinese Birthday Celebrations |
| C．Japanese Special Celebration |
| D．The Drinking Age in Many Countries |
NEW YORK PLUMBING(管道) & HEATING
Since 1968
Plumbing and Heating Fixing
LARGE OR SMALL
24 Hours 7 Days Service
Tel: 56568833
268 Pine Street 5th AvenueWhich shows New York P & H (Plumber & Heating) has been in business for a long time?
| A．“Since 1968” | B．“24 Hours 7 Days Service” |
| C．“56568822” | D．“268 Pine Street 5th Avenue” |
For which of the following problems would one call New York P & H?
| A．Rainwater drops from the roof. |
| B．A refrigerator stops working. |
| C．The floor of the bathroom is covered with water. |
| D．There’s something wrong with the furniture. |
Which of the following is NOT clear in the reading?
| A．Where P & H is. | B．How big P & H is. |
| C．What P & H does. | D．When P & H was set up |
You’re standing with your classmates. Everyone is talking—except you. Perhaps you’re afraid they will laugh at what you say. Or maybe you just aren’t brave enough to speak.
I’ve been there, and so have many other people all over the world. Shyness is like a snake that crawls(爬进) into our mouths and stops us speaking. But we shouldn’t let it stay there.
I am 29 years old. Even today, that snake still sometimes visits me. But when I was in high school, I was so shy that I wouldn’t talk to anyone except my parents and best friends. If a stranger asked me the way to a local shop, it was as if I’d forgotten how to talk.
One summer, I got a job in a restaurant and that helped a lot. It meant I had to talk to customers. I had to tell them how much their meal cost. I had to ask them if they wanted to drink Coke or Sprite. I had to tell the people in the kitchen if someone wanted pickle（泡菜）on their sandwich.
This job taught me how to speak with people.
You may not be old enough to find a part-time job. But you can look for other chances to speak with people. You can offer to help an old woman carry her heavy bag. Or you can go to get a newspaper for your family.
If you do these things for a while, the “shyness” snake will soon begin to leave you alone. It’ll look for another mouth to crawl into.The example in the first paragraph is used to .
| A．show that everyone has the right to speak in class |
| B．tell readers that it is not right to laugh at others |
| C．introduce the fact that many people have a shyness problem |
| D．argue that it is alright to keep silent in public |
The underlined sentence in the second paragraph probably means .
| A．he’s been in many situations that make other people feel shy |
| B．he is confident that he can find a way to get over shyness |
| C．he is sad because he knows he will always be shy |
| D．like many other people he once was troubled by shyness |
The author’s duties in the restaurant included .
| A．cooking the meals for customers |
| B．taking the customers’ orders |
| C．discussing the menu with the manager |
| D．helping people in the kitchen |
Who was the article written for?
| A．Shy early teenagers. |
| B．College students. |
| C．People who work at a restaurant. |
| D．People who need a part-time job. |
A man was driving at 70 miles in a 40-mile-zone, when a police car came behind him with the light on. __1__. As the policeman came to him, he said,” Hi, officer, I guess you caught me a little bit over the limit. I was in a rush to get home, to be with my wife and kids, you know my younger son wasn’t feeling well when I left home this morning.”
The policeman said, “Well, I guess so,” and started writing something in his notebook.__2__. A few moments later, the policeman came to his window and handed him a paper, and returned to his car without saying a single word. The man started to wonder, how much this ticket was going to be as he began to look at the paper.__3___ But something which read: “I had a daughter who was killed by a speeding car at the age of six, by a speeding driver like you. He got a fine, a few months in prison, and was free, free to hug two other daughters.__4__ I have tried to forgive that man a thousands times, and I thought I had. Maybe I really forgive him, but I have to do it again, even right now.__5__.”
The man was very surprised and could not move for the next few minutes. When finally he did, he drove slowly, even a few miles under the speed limit, praying for forgiveness.
| A. So pray for you, and be careful when you drive again, your daughter is all you have left. B. I only had one, and now I had to wait I go to heaven before I can hug her again. C. Right away the man started thinking of excuse to give. D. He was surprised it was not a ticket. E. So pray for me, and be careful when you drive again, my son is all I have left. F. As minutes went by, he hadn’t asked for his driver’s license. G. He was surprised it was not a ticket as he began to read. |