After the classmates reunion, some graduates decided to visit their old university professor.
The conversation soon turned into about stress in work and life. his guests with coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and with a large pot of coffee and a variety of cups—porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some , some expensive, some exquisite— them to help themselves to the coffee.
When all the students had a cup of coffee , the professor said, “ you have noticed, all the nice-looking expensive cups have been taken up, the plain and cheap ones. While it is for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the of your problems and stress. "
"Be assured that the cup itself adds no to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even what we drink. "
"What all of you really want is coffee, not the cup, but you went for the best cups... and then you began each other’s cups.”
“Now consider this: life is the ; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life, and the type of cup we have does not , nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee. the coffee, not the cups! Don’t let the cups you ... enjoy the coffee 50 .”
A．compliments B．conflicts C．challenges D．complaints
A．Showing B．Offering C．Providing D．Handing
A．turned B．returned C．replaced D．placed
A．ever-lasting B．plain-looking C．easy-going D．best-selling
A．demanding B．saying C．ordering D．asking
A．in order B．in place C．in hand D．in number
A．Since B．For C．But D．As
A．leaving out B．leaving behind C．leaving aside D．leaving off
A．normal B．convenient C．guilty D．unbearable
A．key B．source C．resource D．symptom
A．cost B．charm C．quality D．credit
A．hides B．pollutes C．changes D．rejects
A．constantly B．mildly C．positively D．consciously
A．looking B．eyeing C．pouring D．stabbing
A．coffee B．pot C．cup D．race
A．limit B．defend C．define D．deny
A．in B．at C．on D．by
A．Take B．Buy C．Tell D．Taste
A．treat B．defeat C．delight D．drive
A．yet B．instead C．meanwhile D．anyway
Sometimes a part of us must die before another part can come to life. Even though this is a and necessary stage of our growth, it is often painful or if we don’t realize what’s happening. In fact, confusion is often the that tells us a change is taking place within us. These changes happen throughout the lives of all humans, as we move from babyhood to to teenage years and beyond. With each change from one to another, we find ourselves goodbye to an old friend, the identity (个性，身份) that we in order to move through that particular time.
Sometimes we shape these identities in relationships or jobs, and when we change, those areas of our life become . Usually, if we take the time to look into the changing surface of things, we will find that a change is taking place us. For example, we may go through one whole part of our lives creating a protective shell around ourselves we need it in defense of ourselves. One day, , we may find ourselves feeling limited and bored, wanting to move outside the we used to need; the new part of ourselves cannot be born within the of the shell our old self needed.
We may feel a strange of excitement and sadness as we say goodbye to a part of ourselves that is and make way for a whole new identity to in its place. We may find inspiration in working and studying when we think of the image of an animal who sheds (蜕毛；蜕皮) in order to way for new skin, fur, or feathers to . For example, keeping a piece of snake skin, or some other symbols of change, can us that death and rebirth are simply nature’s way of growing. We can give in to this process, letting go of our past self with great love and gratitude, and the new with an open mind and heart, ready for our next stage of life.
A．natural B．dusty C．humorous D．rare
A．moving B．confusing C．tiring D．scared
A．report B．notice C．sign D．idea
A．brotherhood B．neighborhood C．adulthood D．childhood
A．animal B．people C．school D．stage
A．saying B．speaking C．telling D．reading
A．showed B．left C．shaped D．realized
A．influenced B．remained C．defended D．directed
A．of B．within C．for D．between
A．although B．while C．until D．because
A．moreover B．therefore C．however D．so
A．area B．shelter C．room D．space
A．limits B．contents C．connection D．requirement
A．influence B．mixture C．appearance D．relation
A．dying B．coming C．escaping D．running
A．come back B．come down C．come out D．come across
A．become B．reach C．name D．make
A．appear B．disappear C．go D．exist
A．convince B．remind C．warn D．tell
A．hoping B．imaging C．welcoming D．supplying
England was one of the first countries to set aside a day to recognize mothers．In the eighteenth century, many people worked as household servants for the , "Mothering Sunday" was _ for them to return home to be with their mothers．Though this stopped when the Industrial Revolution altered the working and living patterns of people, one for mothers was established as a holiday in the twentieth century．
In the United States, Mother's Day did not become a（n） holiday until 1915．Its establishment was due to the perseverance and love of one , Anna Jarvis．Anna's mother had provided strength and support as the familytheir home in West Virginia and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania her father served as a minister．
When Mrs Jarvis died on May 5, 1905, Anna was determined to her．She asked a minister at the church in West Virginia to give a sermon（布道） memory of her mother．
On the same Sunday in Philadelphia, ministers there honoured Mrs.Jarvis and all mothers with a (n) Mother's Day service．Anna Jarvis began writing to congressmen, asking them to a day to honour mothers. In 1910, the governor of West Virginia proclaimed(宣布) the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day and a year later every state it．
On Mother' s Day morning some American children the tradition of serving their mothers breakfast in bed．Other children will give their mothers which they have made themselves or bought in ．Adults give their mothers red carnations, the official Mother's Day flower．If their mothers , they may bring white carnations to their grave（坟墓）sites．This is the busiest day of the year for American ．On the special day, family members do not want Mom to cook dinner!
A．before B．since C．when D．until
A．rich B．poor C．living D．injured
A．protected B．reserved C．changed D．persuaded
A．form B．custom C．habit D．plan
A．Monday B．Wednesday C．Sunday D．Friday
A．ordinary B．common C．regular D．official
A．nearly B．largely C．deeply D．highly
A．mother B．sister C．daughter D．waitress
A．destroyed B．found C．made D．left
A．where B．when C．why D．how
A．reward B．honour C．award D．inspire
A．on B．at C．in D．for
A．special B．expensive C．simple D．easy
A．put off B．give up C．take on D．set aside
A．understood B．received C．celebrated D．prevented
A．follow B．refuse C．accept D．support
A．letters B．gifts C．calls D．toys
A．schools B．churches C．stores D．hospitals
A．went ahead B．moved on C．stayed up D．passed away
A．restaurants B．departments C．offices D．markets
When I was 12, a story happening to me told me what true forgiveness meant.
One Saturday afternoon I was playing, throwing little stones, with several boys of my age when I_____ a porch window carelessly.___ frightened me was that I would get caught by the owner, an old woman customer for whom I delivered papers every day._____, several days later, when I made sure I hadn’t been found, I came to feel （39）_____for her loss. _____, each day she _____ me when greeting me as I delivered her papers, but I felt somehow _____ when I faced her.
Then I made up my mind to save money to _____ the loss. Three weeks later, I _____ to save 7 dollars and put it in an envelope with a note ____ that I was sorry for having broken her window and hoped that the seven dollars would ____ the repairing cost. After that, I put the envelope in her letter slot that evening. In this way, I felt _____ and I couldn’t wait for the freedom of, once again, looking straight _____ the old lady’s eyes.
On the day that followed, I delivered her paper and was able, _____, to smile at her as she did. She thanked me for her being _____ and then gave me _____cookies. After eating several cookies, I felt an envelope and (52) _____ it out of the bag. I was _____when I opened the envelope, inside which were the very 7 dollars and a short _____ reading “I am proud of you”. I _____it was true forgiveness.
A．opened B．broke C．closed D．repaired
A．They B．That C．What D．It
A．However B．Therefore C．Still D．Besides
A．ashamed B．guilty C．innocent D．stupid
A．In general B．To conclude C．As usual D．For sure
A．smiled to B．pointed to C．spoke to D．shouted to
A．unfortunate B．unfriendly C．uncomfortable D．unfair
A．look for B．compensate for C．ask for D．apply for
A．tried B．succeeded C．managed D．meant
A．speaking B．explaining C．talking D．writing
A．cover B．cut C．increase D．balance
A．free of charge B．free of tax C．free of shame D．free of duty
A．into B．at C．for D．to
A．in turn B．in return C．on the contrary D．by contrast
A．cheated B．awarded C．served D．informed
A．a number of B．a bag of C．a plate of D．a box of
A．pushed B．pulled C．picked D．forced
A．pleased B．interested C．shocked D．terrified
A．note B．notice C．map D．picture
A．said B．expected C．knew D．regretted
We all need a healthy environment. ____, we produce waste every day and it ____ harm to our environment. Though we are young, we can still do ____ to help. In fact, even the simplest everyday activities can make a real ____ to the environment. Here are some ideas for you to live a ____ life.
Remember these three _____: reduce, reuse and recycle.
Reduce means “use less”. Don't ____ things. This saves money and reduces pollution and waste going into the environment. Before we buy something new, think if it is really ____ or maybe the ____ one will be just as good! When we do buy things, choose local products if possible, and try not to buy too many things from a ____ country.
Reuse means “use again”. Use things for ____ possible. When we buy things, make sure that they ____ a long time. We should take care of them ____ they will last, and we should ____ them if we can instead of throwing them away and buying new ones. Don't use a paper cup or a paper bag. It’s better to use a china cup and a lunch box because you can use them ____.
Recycle means “change things into something else”. Although it ____ energy to change something into something else, it’s better than ____ things or burning them. Find out ____ can be recycled in your neighbourhood and take part in recycling programmes. We should also buy ____ made from recycled materials, such as recycled paper, to help save ____.
A．Therefore B．However C．Otherwise D．Besides
A．gives B．takes C．causes D．does
A．something B．everything C．nothing D．everything
A．difference B．mistake C．effect D．help
A．busy B．hard C．green D．happy
A．letters B．words C．sentences D．lessons
A．buy B．produce C．save D．waste
A．necessary B．important C．helpful D．useful
A．cheap B．expensive C．new D．old
A．rich B．developed C．foreign D．poor
A．as soon as B．as long as C．as much as D．as well as
A．use B．last C．keep D．live
A．so that B．if C．because D．though
A．sell B．lend C．throw D．repair
A．less B．more C．again D．better
A．costs B．spends C．takes D．pays
A．throwing away B．putting away C．taking away D．giving away
A．that B．which C．what D．how
A．cups B．bags C．boxes D．products
A．money B．trees C．paper D．time
Half a year before graduation from college, my son began to seek a job. the financial crisis, fewer companies would like to new staff. My son targeted a company that was to employ only one person there were more than 20 people filing their resumes﹙简历﹚.
After the interview, there would only be 3 who could enter the final round, which would later one person to be employed. Everything seemed to go quite and my son passed the first round and entered the final round in a week.
On the day of the final interview, my son and the two candidates（候选人）arrived at the interview place on time, the test. The interview was unbelievably . The interviewer only said to them, “All of you are very super. Please go home and wait for our . We will tell you the in 3 days. Good luck to all of you” On the morning of the third day, my son received a text from the company shortly after breakfast that he was not employed. We all felt very .
In nightfall that day, my son suddenly told me on phone, “Dad, I have been employed!” Greatly surprised, I could not wait to ask him, “What’s the whole ?” My son told me that he received another text saying that he was employed. Actually the first text sent to my son was also of the test in the interview. Three men received the same text this morning and only my son’s was “Thank you” while the others said “Goodbye”.
Only then did I know that my son’s hope in that way. That is, when you feel disappointed, do not to say “Thank you” to the one who disappoints you. Saying “Thank you” shows respect for others’ work and shows your great . Therefore, while under the same condition, you will get the upper hand in terms of compared with others!
A．Due to B．As to C．By way of D．Thanks to
A．promote B．train C．discover D．employ
A．encouraged B．allowed C．intended D．supposed
A．since B．while C．because D．if
A．decide B．attract C．meet D．represent
A．slowly B．secretly C．smoothly D．silently
A．other B．another C．others D．either
A．watching over B．waiting for C．thinking about D．looking into
A．formal B．funny C．simple D．strange
A．advertisement B．order C．notice D．suggestion
A．choice B．result C．mark D．idea
A．annoyed B．puzzled C．shocked D．disappointed
A．doubtfully B．calmly C．excitedly D．worriedly
A．opinion B．matter C．attitude D．tip
A．middle B．ending C．course D．part
A．reply B．way C．problem D．question
A．came B．grew C．changed D．advised
A．expect B．regret C．dislike D．forget
A．curiosity B．unselfishness C．honor D．humor
A．abilities B．opportunities C．faults D．shortcomings