In bringing up children, every parent watches eagerly the child's acquisition (学会) of each new skill m the first spoken words, the first independent steps, or the beginning of reading and writing. It is often tempting to hurry the child beyond his natural learning rate, but this can set up dangerous feelings of failure and states of worry in the child. This might happen at any stage. A baby might be forced to use a toilet too early, a young child might be encouraged to learn to read before he knows the meaning of the words he reads. On the other hand, though, if a child is left alone too much, or without any learning opportunities, he loses his natural enthusiasm for life and his desire to find out new things for himself.
Parents vary greatly in their degree of strictness towards their children. Some may be especially strict in money matters. Others are severe (严格的) over time of coming home at night or punctuality for meals. In general, the controls represent the needs of the parents and the values of the community as much as the child's own happiness.
As regards the development of moral standards in the growing child, consistency is very important in parental teaching. To forbid a thing one day and excuse it the next is no foundation for morality (道德). Also, parents should realize that "example is better than precept". If they are not sincere and do not practice what they preach (说教), their children may grow confused when they grow old enough to think for themselves, and realize they have been to some extent fooled.
A sudden awareness of a marked difference between their parents' principles and their morals can be a dangerous disappointment.Eagerly watching the child’s acquisition of new skills, _________________.
| A.should be avoided |
| B.is universal among parents |
| C.sets up dangerous states of worry in the child |
| D.will make the child lose interest in learning new things |
In the process of children’s learning new skills, parents _________________.
| A.should encourage them to read before they know the meaning of the words they read |
| B.should expect a lot of the children |
| C.should achieve a balance between pushing them too hard and leaving them on their own |
| D.should create as many learning opportunities as possible |
The second paragraph mainly tells us that _________________.
| A.parents should be strict with their children |
| B.parental controls reflect only the values of the community |
| C.parental restrictions vary, and are not always for the benefit of the children alone |
| D.it’s parents’ and society’s duty to control the children |
The word “precept” in Paragraph 3 probably means “_________________”.
| A.opinion | B.punishment | C.behavior | D.instruction |
In terms of moral matters, parents should _____________________.
| A.follow the rules themselves |
| B.be aware of the huge difference between adults and children |
| C.forbid their children to follow hook teachings |
| D.always ensure the security of their children |
Some people are lucky enough to be born with a good sense of direction and even if they have only visited a place once, they will be able to find it again years later.
I am one of those unfortunate people who have poor sense of direction and I may have visited a place time after time but I still get lost on my way there. When I was young I was so shy that I never dared ask complete strangers the way and so I used to wander round in circles and hope that by some chance I would get to the spot I was heading for.
I am no longer too shy to ask people for direction, but I often receive replies that puzzle me. Often people do not like to admit that they didn’t know their hometown and will insist on telling you the way, even if they do not know it; others, who are anxious to prove that they know their hometown very well, will give you a long list of directions which you cannot possibly hope to remember, and still others do not seem to be able to tell between their left and their right and you find in the end that you are going in the opposite direction to that in which you should be going.
If anyone ever asks me the way to somewhere, I always tell them I am a stranger to the town in order to avoid giving them wrong direction but even this can have embarrassing results.
Once I was on my way to work when I was stopped by a man who asked me if I would direct him the way to the Sunlight Building. I gave my usual reply, but I had not walked on a few steps when I realized that he had asked for directions to my office building. However, at this point, I decided it was too late to turn back and search for him out of the crowd behind me as I was going to meet with someone at the office and I did not want to keep him waiting.
Imagine my embarrassment when my secretary showed in the very man who had asked for directions of my office and his astonishment when he recognized me as the person he had asked.What is the writer going to do when someone asks him for direction?
| A.He will direct the right way to the person willingly. |
| B.He will reply to it by the means of being a stranger to the town. |
| C.He will give the very person long list of direction. |
| D.He is going to show the man an opposite direction. |
Why did the writer consider himself to be an unlucky dog?
| A.Because of his poor sense of direction. |
| B.Because he always forgot the way home. |
| C.Because he did not have any friend. |
| D.Because he used to be shy and dared not ask others the way. |
How did the visitor feel when he was showed into the very room?
| A.He felt strange. | B.He felt embarrassed. |
| C.He felt very sad. | D.He felt astonished. |
Who showed the right way to the interviewee according to the passage?
| A.Someone we don’t know. |
| B.The writer did it for himself. |
| C.The secretary did so. |
| D.A warm-hearted old lady did such a thing. |
Here is some information about several famous local bakeries(面包烤房) in Indiana, the US. They serve as a social gathering place for locals.
Maple Lane Bakery
At 8260 S. State Rd. Claypool, IN. (574) 566-2917, it offers a variety of cooked pies, cookies, and bread. With 20 years’ experience Maple Lane Bakery has specialized in the making of pies. The menu includes peach pie $7.19, berry pie $7.70, apple pie $7.19 and banana pie $6.99. Feel free to place an order at least 24 hours in advance.
Betty’s Cakes & Candy Shop
At 816 E. Winona Avenue Warsaw, IN. (574) 269-1231, it specializes in cakes and offers cookies and candies. The chocolate cookies are sold at $8.99 a dozen. Betty’s Cakes & Candy Shop, started half a century ago, specializes in wedding cakes and birthday cakes. Buying a cake from Betty’s will not disappoint you as they are always excellent.
Crepes’ Quality Bakery
At 217 S. Cavin Street Ligonier, IN. (260) 894-3024, this third generation bakery is located downtown Ligonier. It offers cookies and cupcakes, and specializes in rolls and bread. If you plan to buy cookies for the office or work area, you had better get there early as the building workers arrive just before 5:00 am waiting for the doors to open.
Olympia Candy Kitchen
At 136 N. Main Street Goshen, IN. (574) 533-5040, it has been welcoming visitors for almost a century in its unchanged location in downtown Goshen, Indiana. Its tradition began in 1912 when Greek Nicholas began making his own chocolates. Today this family-owned operation offers all kinds candies and boxed candies.
If you need an order, you should call ahead of time to see if they can meet your request.Which of the following pies is the most expensive?
| A.Banana pie. | B.Berry pie. |
| C.Peach pie. | D.Apple pie. |
If you want to order a birthday cake, you are advised to call _________.
| A.(574) 533-5040 | B.(574) 566-2917 |
| C.(260) 894-3024 | D.(574) 269-1231 |
Which of the following bakeries has the shortest history?
| A.Maple Lane Bakery | B.Crepes’ Quality Bakery |
| C.Olympia Candy Kitchen | D.Betty’s Cakes & Candy Shop |
The author wrote this passage mainly to __________.
A. warn customers to order bakeries in advance
B. tell readers some travel information
C. make the bakeries better known to readers
C. persuade more people to eat pies
We spent a day in the country, picking wild flowers. With the car full of flowers we were going home. On our way back my wife noticed a cupboard (柜厨) outside a furniture shop. It was tall and narrow. “Buy it, ” my wife said at once. “We’ll carry it home on the roof rack. I’ve always wanted one like that.”
What could I do? Ten minutes later I was £20 poorer; and the cupboard was tied on the roof rack. It was six feet long and eighteen inches square, quite heavy too.
In the gathering darkness I drove slowly. Other drivers seemed unusually polite that evening. The police even stopped traffic to let us through. Carrying furniture was a good idea.
After a time my wife said, “There’s a long line of cars behind. Why don’t they overtake, I wonder?” In fact a police car did overtake. The two officers inside looked at us seriously as they passed. But then, with great kindness, they led us through the rush-hour traffic. The police car stopped at our village church. One of the officers came to me.
“Right, sir, ” he said. “Do you need any more help?”
I was a bit puzzled. “Thanks, officer, ” I said. “You have been very kind. I live just on the road.”
He was staring at our car, first at the flowers, then at the cupboard. “Well, well, ” he said, laughing. “It’s a cupboard you’ve got there! We thought it was something else.”
My wife began to laugh. The truth hit me like a stone between the eyes. I smiled at the officer. “Yes, it’s a cupboard, but thanks again.” I drove home as fast as I could.Other drivers thought the author and his wife were _______.
| A.carrying a cupboard to the church |
| B.sending flowers to the church |
| C.carrying nothing but a piece of furniture |
| D.going to attend a funeral at the church |
The police will be more polite to those who are _______.
| A.driving in gathering darkness |
| B.in great sorrow |
| C.driving with wild flowers in the car |
| D.carrying furniture |
What did the husband think of this matter?
| A.It was very strange. | B.He took great pride in it. |
| C.He felt ashamed of it. | D.He was puzzled at it. |
Scientists fear rising energy bills may lead to an increase in obesity (肥胖) after discovering a link between poorly-heated homes and higher body -fat.
Researchers from the University of Stirling’s Behavioural Science Centre set out to explore claims that warm indoor temperatures have contributed to rising obesity levels in winter.Instead, the team found that people who live in well-heated homes are more likely to have low body mass index (体重指数) levels while those who keep their heating turned down or off tend to be heavier.
Dr Michael Daly, behavioral scientist and senior lecturer, said: "We set out to investigate the scientific claims that cooler indoor temperatures help us maintain a healthy weight by pushing our bodies to use up more energy. In fact, the research suggests people may eat less and burn more energy when in a warmer indoor environment.
The 13-year study, published in the journal Obesity, involved more than 100,000 adults across England.
Researchers found reduced weight levels among people living in homes heated to above 23°C(73F), which involved about 15,000 of the households studied.
Dr Daly said: "As national gas bills continue to rise faster than the rate of inflation, this research suggests the obesity could worsen where heating is turned down below comfortable levels or off for long periods to cut costs."
This is not just about people who live in well-heated homes being in the financial position to afford more expensive low-calorie foods, exercise classes and sporting activities, and therefore finding it easier to maintain a low BMI level.The study took age, sex, social class and other factors into account.
"The comfortable temperature of 20°C -23°C is where we feel comfortable in our clothes and are neither hot nor cold.At temperatures above this, we use more energy and we eat less because our appetite is affected." The findings of the research can be described as ___.
| A.horrible | B.surprising |
| C.funny | D.encouraging |
According to the passage, with rising gas bills, people may turn down or off their heating to______.
| A.stay in shape | B.maintain a low BMI level |
| C.save money | D.avoid eating more |
Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?
| A.Obesity links to poorly-heated homes |
| B.Well-heated home's contribute to obesity |
| C.Obesity--- A weighty problem in England |
| D.Rising energy bills help maintain a healthy weight |
Italians were reminded to slow down and relax on World Slow Day, an annual event celebrating life's simple pleasures.
"Let's take this day to stop and think about all the things we miss while we're rushing through our lives," said Bruno Contigiani, the President of the Art of Living Slowly Association. Contigiani, 62, a one-time high-powered manager, is now an ambassador for the slow life movement around the world. He started the first World Slow Day in 2007 to encourage the values of living and working at a more natural pace, and to make people rethink their daily lifestyle.
Contigiani's association suggests "14 commandments (诫条) " for living better, such as waking up five minutes earlier to enjoy breakfast without rushing. Others include walking whenever possible, and reading in the evenings instead of watching television.
This year, Contigiani left Italy where the event has spread around the country for Shanghai, one of the fastest moving cities in the world. The slow-living supporter said he wandered around the busiest streets of the commercial center for an entire afternoon, inviting people to "slow down". "Among the ‘14 commandments’, the one about waking up five minutes earlier was the most popular by far, " Contigiani said.
Back in Italy, the now well-known event hosts a lot of activities, such as reminding people to stop and smell the roses. In central Milan you would probably be fined if you walk too fast. In parks and public spaces, free yoga and Tai Chi (太极拳) lessons are important parts of the events.
Italian farmers' union noted that Italians spent less and less time preparing meals, a habit connected to rising levels of obesity(肥胖). Therefore, the group said World Slow Day was a good opportunity to remind Italians to take extra time at meals in particular.
World Slow Day is by now an international event. A total of 90 “Slow Cities" in 11 countries inspired by the “live well" philosophy are supporting the day. What's the best title of the text?
| A.Slow Life Supporters | B.Lifestyle of Italy |
| C.World Slow Day | D.Living Well |
World Slow Day is intended to .
| A.tell people to walk slowly |
| B.encourage people to enjoy pleasant things |
| C.advise people to adjust to modern lifestyle |
| D.remind people to live and work at a natural pace |
Which of the following goes against the "commandments"?
| A.Walking whenever possible. |
| B.Slowing down to smell flowers. |
| C.Watching TV in the evenings instead of reading. |
| D.Waking up five minutes earlier to enjoy breakfast. |
In which section of a newspaper is the text probably put?
| A.Advertisement. | B.Culture. |
| C.Business. | D.Entertainment. |