Sharing Beauty
It was in October. I was aimlessly wandering down the street, heading into a most gloriously beautiful sunset. I had an urge to speak to someone on the street to share that beauty, but it seemed everyone was in a hurry.
I took the next-best action. Quickly I ducked into a department store and asked the lady behind the counter if she could come outside for just a minute. She looked at me as though I were from some other planet. She hesitated, and then seemingly against her better judgment, she moved toward the door.
When she got outside I said to her, “Just look at that sunset! Nobody out here was looking at it and I just had to share it with someone.”
For a few seconds we just looked. Then I said, “God is in his heaven and all is right with the world.” I thanked her for coming out to see it; she went back inside and I left. It felt good to share the beauty.
Four years later my situation changed greatly. I came to the end of a twenty-year marriage. I was alone and on my own for the first time in my life. I lived in a trailer park which, at the time, I considered a real come-down, and I had to do my wash in the community laundry room.
One day, while my clothes were going around, I picked up a magazine and read an article about a woman who had been in similar circumstances. She had come to the end of a marriage, moved to a strange community, and the only job she could find was one she disliked: clothing sales in a department store.
Then something that happened to her changed everything. She said a woman came into her department store and asked her to step outside to look at a sunset. The stranger had said, “God is in his heaven and all is right with the world,” and she had realized the truth in that statement. From that moment on, she turned her life around. The author asked the woman to go outside to ______.
| A．admire the sunset | B．cheer her up | C．offer some help | D．have a chat |
Four years later, the author ______.
| A．found her dream job |
| B．put an end to her marriage |
| C．worked in a laundry room |
| D．lived in the same community |
After reading the article in the magazine, the author was probably______.
| A．disappointed | B．puzzled | C．inspired | D．overjoyed |
Being considered a leader in our society is indeed of high praise. Leadership means power, commands respect and, most important, encourages achievement. Unlike vitamin C, leadership skills can't be easily swallowed down. They must be carefully cultivated.
Different from popular belief, most good leaders are made, not born. They learn their skills in their everyday lives. But which do they develop? How do they (and how can you) get others to follow?
Always give credit. Many leaders note that the most efficient way to get a good performance from others is to treat them like heroes. Giving public credit to someone who has earned it is the best leadership technique in the world. It is also an act of generosity (慷慨) that's never forgotten.
Giving credit is more effective than even the most constructive criticism (批评), which often hurts rather than helps. Kenneth Blanchard, the author of The One-Minute Manager, agrees. "Catch people doing something right!" he says. Then tell everyone about it.
Take informed risks. "The best leaders know that taking a risk is not a thoughtless exercise," says management adviser Marilyn Machlowitz. "Sky divers don't go up in an airplane without checking the parachutes (降落伞) beforehand."
Because the idea of risk also carries with it the possibility of failure, many of us usually wait for others to take charge. But if you want to be a leader, you must learn to fail and not die a thousand deaths. Pick yourself up and start all over again.
Encourage enthusiasm. (热情) "When people understand the importance of work, they lend their mental strengths," says Lee Ducat. But when they get excited about the work, all their energy gets poured into the job. That's a great force ! Is this the best way to create excitement? Be enthusiastic yourself - You will be followed by everyone.
1. The underlined word "cultivated" (Paragraph 1 ) roughly means ______.
A. encouraged B. compared C. examined D. developed
2. The part Always give credit tells us that a leader should ______.
A. give helpful criticism B. regard others as real heroes
C. praise people for their good performances D. praise everyone
3. To be a good leader, you should ______.
A. not be afraid of any risks
B. think twice before taking risks
C. try to avoid any possible failures
D. know what a thoughtless exercise is
4. Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?
A. Leadership Is of Skills and Techniques B. Leadership Is Very Important
C. Not Many Can Be LeadersD. How to Be a Leader
第三部分．阅读理解(共20小题；每小题2分，满分40分)
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项，
并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
We have two daughters: Kristen is seven years old and Kelly is four. Last Sunday evening, we invited some people home for dinner. I dressed them nicely for the party, and told them that their job was to join Mommy in answering the door when the bell rang. Mommy would introduce them to the guests, and then they would take the guests' coats upstairs and put them on the bed in the second bedroom.
The guests arrived. I introduced my two daughters to each of them. The adults were nice and kind and said how lucky we were to have such good kids.
Each of the guests made a particular fuss over Kelly, the younger one, admiring her dress, her hair and her smile. They said she was a remarkable girl to be carrying coats upstairs at her age.
I thought to myself that we adults usually make a big "to do" over the younger one because she's the one who seems more easily hurt. We do it with the best of intentions.
But we seldom think of how it might affect the other child. I was a little worried that Kristen would feel she was being outshined. I was about to serve dinner when I realized that she had been missing for twenty minutes. I ran upstairs and found her in the bedroom, crying.
I said, "What are you doing, my dear?"
She turned to me with a sad expression and said, "Mommy, why don't people like me the way they like my sister? Is it because I 'm not pretty? Is that why they don't say nice things about me as much?"
I tried to explain to her, kissing and hugging her to make her feel better.
Now, whenever I visit a friend's home, I make it a point to speak to the elder child first.
1. The underlined expression ' make a big "to do" over' (Paragraph 4) means ______.
A. show much concern about B. have a special effect on
C. list jobs to be done for D. do good things for
2. The guests praised Kelly for carrying coats upstairs because of her ______.
A. beautiful hair B. pretty clothes C. lovely smile D. young age
3. Kristen felt sad and cried because ______.
A. the guest gave her more coats to carry
B. she didn't look as pretty as Kelly
C. the guests praised her sister more than her
D. her mother didn't introduce her to the guests
4. We can conclude from the passage that ______.
A. parents should pay more attention to the elder children
B. the younger children are usually more easily hurt
C. people usually like the younger children more
D. adults should treat children equally
People who are outdoors in cold weather should avoid actions like suddenly lifting a heavy basket full of snow. Even walking through heavy, wet snow can strain a person’s heart.
Many people aren’t conditioned to the physical stress of outdoor activities and don’t know the dangers of being outdoors in cold weather. Those who like winter sports can suffer accidental hypothermia if they don’t make certain preparations.
Hypothermia means the body temperature has fallen below normal. It occurs when your body can’t produce enough energy to keep the internal (内部的) body temperature warm enough. It can kill you. Heart failure causes most deaths in hypothermia.
Children, the elderly and those with heart disease are at special risk. As people age, their ability to keep a normal internal body temperature often decreases. Elderly people can suffer hypothermia without knowing they’re in danger because they can’t notice the cold conditions as quickly as the young.
Besides cold temperatures, high winds, snow and rain can also steal body heat. Wind is especially dangerous because it removes the layer of heated air from around your body. At 30 degrees Fahrenheit in a 20-mile-per-hour wind, the cooling effect is equal to calm air at four degrees. Similarly dampness (湿气) causes the body to lose heat faster than it would at the same temperature in drier conditions.
To keep warm, wear more clothes. This traps air between layers. Also, wear a hat or head scarf. Much of your body’s heat can be lost through your head. Keep your hands and feet warm, too, as they tend to lose heat rapidly.
Don’t drink alcohol before going outdoors or when outside. Alcohol makes you feel warm at first because blood vessels in the skin expand. But heat is then drawn away from the body’s important organs.
1. The underlined word “strain” in Paragraph 1 means ________.
A. injure B. warm C. control D. burn
2. What is implied in the passage about hypothermia?
| A. |
It means the body temperature falls rapidly. |
| B. |
Most heart attacks are caused by it. |
| C. |
It is not as scary as people think. |
| D. |
It can threaten a person’s life. |
3. Based on the passage, one of the reasons why the elderly are at special risk of suffering from hypothermia is that _______.
| A. |
they like exercising outside in cold mornings |
| B. |
they can’t notice cold conditions if they are not told |
| C. |
their body temperature is generally lower than young people’s |
| D. |
their ability to keep a normal internal body temperature is not so good |
4.What is Paragraph 5 mainly about?
| A. |
What causes the body to lose heat faster. |
| B. |
The advantages of drier conditions. |
| C. |
What else can steal body heat. |
| D. |
Dangers of high winds. |
5. Which of the following is NOT a result of drinking alcohol before going outdoors?
| A. |
Feeling warm at first |
| B. |
The body’s heat is taken away |
| C. |
Blood vessels in the skin expand |
| D. |
The risk of hypothermia is reduced |
Don’t be surprised when strangers talk to you in Canada! You will find that many Canadians will smile at you as they pass in the street, or say something to you like “Hi!” or “How’s it going?” Just reply with something similar. In the UK the reply would be “I’m fine”, but in Canada they say “I’m good”.
In company, when someone is offering you a second helping of food or more wine, if you don’t want any more, use the same expression— “I’m good”. In this case, it means “No, thank you. I’ve had enough”. Most Canadians don't press you to eat more than you want.
In restaurant, your plate will be cleared away almost immediately you have finished eating. When you go into a shop or store, the shop assistant asks you how you are or if they can help you, it is their way of being friendly and making conversation with the customers.
Canadians eat early and go home early. When you are invited to a Canadian’s home, you may be asked to arrive at 5:30 pm or 6 pm. But guests in Europe don’t expect to arrive until 7:30 pm or 8 pm. Remember to take off your shoes and leave them inside the door without being asked. It’s not a religious custom, but it’s practical. In winter, there can be a lot of snow and dirt on your shoes, once you are in the warm house it melts and falls off, making a mess. Canadians tend to have light colored carpets or hardwood floors.
If you’re invited for dinner, it will be a full sit- down meal. Meat is usually barbecued in the freezing cold of winter. Do take something with you, like a bottle of wine. Arrive on time and don’t stay over 10 pm.
1. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?
| A. |
“I’m good” can mean you do not need more food in Canada. |
| B. |
In Canada, you will meet strangers in the street saying “Hi” to you. |
| C. |
In a Canadian restaurant, the plates will stay at the table until you leave. |
| D. |
Canadians usually say “I’m good” to answer the greeting of “How’s it going?” |
2. If you are invited for dinner in your Canadian friend’s home, ________.
| A. |
you will have a full sit-down meal |
| B. |
you don’t have to bring any gift for the host |
| C. |
you are expected to arrive at 7:30 or 8 pm |
| D. |
you don’t have to take off your shoes when you enter the room |
3. When a Canadian shop assistant says “How are you?” to you, it suggests that _______.
| A. |
they hope to make friends with you |
| B. |
they want to ask you for help |
| C. |
they are very friendly to customers |
| D. |
they are your good friends |
4. What can we learn from the passage?
| A. |
Canadians like dark colored carpets. |
| B. |
In Canada, meat will not be barbecued even in the cold winter. |
| C. |
You will always be asked to eat more food than you want in Canada. |
| D. |
It is usually rude to stay over 10 pm in your Canadian friend’s home. |
5.What would be the best title for this passage?
| A. |
Some customs in Canada |
| B. |
Dinner party rules in Canada |
| C. |
Studying in Canada |
| D. |
Doing business in Canada |
IV. 阅读理解：（共20题，每小题2分，共40分）
A long time ago, before there was any money (coins or paper money), people got the things that they needed by trading or exchanging. Salt was one of the first items used to exchange for other items. Later, some of the common things that were used for exchanging were tea leaves, shells, feathers, animal teeth, tobacco, and blankets. Around 3000 BC, barley, a type of grain, was used for exchanging.
The world’s first metal money was developed by the Sumerians who melted silver into small bars all weighing the same. This was around 1000 BC. About three hundred years later, people started using coins as official money.
Around 640 BC, people in the ancient kingdom of Lydia ( which was in Turkey) created special coins of exact with and purity (纯度). They were made of gold and silver and were stamped with a lion’s head.
Later, other empires such as Greece, Persia, and Rome adopted the concept of coins and started developing their own in many different shapes and different metals.
Around the year 1000, the Chinese started using paper money. The Chinese were the first to use paper money. The Europeans discovered this thanks to Marco Polo who went to China in 1295. the Chinese had different values for the paper notes which were made by the Chinese government.
Around 1661, Sweden became the first European country to make paper money. Until 1850, the Spanish dollar was the coin most widely used throughout the world.
1What is the best title for this passage?
| A. |
The history of money |
| B. |
How people traded in the past |
| C. |
The invention of paper money |
| D. |
The use of coins around the world |
2We learn that before coins and paper money were used, _____.
| A. |
barley had always been used for exchanging |
| B. |
only a few people knew how to trade with others |
| C. |
salt was the most widely used item for exchanging |
| D. |
many kinds of things were used for exchanging |
3According to the passage, when did people start using coins as official money?
| A. |
Around 1300 BC. |
B. |
Around 1000 BC. |
| C. |
Around 700 BC. |
D. |
Around 640 BC. |
4The underlined word “adopted” in Paragraph 4 probably means “____”.
| A. |
replaced |
B. |
changed |
| C. |
accepted |
D. |
invented |
5. Which of the following countries first started to use paper money?
A. Spain B. China C. Sweden D. Lydia