Elizabeth and I are 18 now, and about to graduate. I think about our elementary school friendship, but some memories have blurred(模糊). What happened that day in the fifth grade when Beth suddenly stopped speaking to me? Does she know that I’ve been thinking about her for seven years? If only we could go back, and discover what ended our relationship.
I have to speak with Beth. I see her sometimes, and find out school is “fine”. It’s not the same. It nvever will be. Someone says that she’s Liz now. what happened to Beth?
I can’t call her. Should I write? What if she doesn’t answer me? How will I know what she’s thinking?
Yes, I’ll write her a letter. These things are easier to express in writing. “Dear Be-,” no, “Dear Li-” no, “Dear Elizabeth,” I begin. The words flow freely, as seven-year-old memories are reborn. I ask her all the questions that have been left unanswered in my mind, and pray she will answer. I seal my thoughts in the perfect white envelope, and imagine Beth looking into the mailbox. Will she know why I’m writing? Maybe she once thought of writing the same letter.
As the mailman takes my envelope from me forever, I wonder if I’ve made the right decision. Do I have the right to force myself into Beth’s life again? Am I simply part of the past? I have taken the first stop. Beth has control of the situation now.
One day has passed. Are my words lying on the bottom of the post office floor.
Two days are gone. I’m lost in thought and don’t even hear the phone ring.
“Hello? It’s Elizabeth”What can we learn about Beth?
| A．She had a quarrel with the author in the fifth grade |
| B．She moved to another school in the fifth grade |
| C．She is now called Liz instead of Beth |
| D．She hasn’t seen the author for seven years |
Why does the author decide to write a letter instead of calling?
| A．She is sure that Beth will not answer |
| B．She’s afraid that they’ll quarrel on the phone |
| C．She doesn’t know Beth’s telephone number |
| D．It is easier to express her feelings in writing |
What does the underlined sentence mean in the fifth paragraph?
| A．It’s up to Beth to decide what to do next |
| B．Beth is to be blamed for the ending of their friendship |
| C．Beth is in the same situation as the author is |
| D．The author is completely in the hands of Beth now |
What might happen at the end of the story?
| A．Beth answers her letter two day later |
| B．The letter doesn’t reach Beth at all |
| C．They make up their friendship |
| D．Beth refuses to make peace with her |
Although there is no possibility of living completely free of stress , it is possible to prevent stress as well as reduce its effect when it can’t be avoided. The US Department of Health and Human Services offers the following suggestions for the ways to deal with stress.
Try physical activity
When you are nervous, angry or upset, try reducing the pressure through exercise of physical activity. Running, walking, playing tennis or working in your garden are just some of the activities you might try. Physical exercise will relieve your anxiety and worry and help you to relax. Your body and your mind will work together to ease the stress in your life.
Share your stress
It helps to talk to someone about your anxiety and worries. Perhaps a friend, family member, teacher or even your leader can help you a better view of what is troubling you. If you feel your problem is serious, you might seek professional help from psychologist or a doctor. Knowing when to ask for help is an important step in avoiding serious problem later
Take care of yourself
You should make every effort to eat well and get enough rest. If you easily get angry and cannot sleep well enough, or if you are not eating properly, it will be more likely that you will fall into stressful situations. If stress repeatedly keeps you from sleeping, you should consult a doctor
Make time for yourself
Schedule time for both work and entertainment. Don’t forget, play can be just as important to your over-all well-being as work. You need a break from your daily routine to just relax and have fun. Go window-shopping or work on a hobby. Allow yourself at least a half hour each day to do something you enjoy.
Make a list of things you need to do
Stress can result from disorganization and a feeling that “there is so much to do, and not enough time.” Trying to take care of everything at once can be too much for you and as a result, you may not achieve anything. Instead, make a list of everything you have to do, then do one thing at a time, checking off each task as it is completed. Set out to do the more important tasks first.
Go ahead and cry
A good cry can a healthy way to bring relief to your anxiety. It might even help you avoid a headache or other physical effect of anxiety and stressWhat is most probably the writer’s purpose in writing the article?
| A．To release his or her working pressure |
| B．To help solve the universal problem of stress |
| C．To reduce her or his own anxiety |
| D．To help more people cry out |
Physical activity can help people release stress in that ______
| A．only your body movement can help you relax |
| B．your mind can work better to free you of anxiety |
| C．your body and mind can cooperate(合作) in releasing your stress |
| D．physics can always play in important part in reducing nervousness |
What is the similarity between “Share your stress” and “ Go ahead and cry”?_____
| A．They both help you let out your feelings |
| B．They both need physical movement |
| C．They both require mental relaxation |
| D．They can help you live an orderly life |
The sentence “ Trying to take care of everything at once can be too much for you and as a result, you may not achieve anything” is close to the meaning of ______
| A．Strike the iron while it is hot | B．Practice makes perfect |
| C．More hurry, less speed | D．Quietness wins time |
Louis Armstrong had two famous nicknames (绰号). Some people called him Bagamo. They said his mouth looked like a large bag. Musicians often called him Pops, as a sign of respect for his influence on the world of music.
Born in 1901 in New Orleans, he grew up poor, but lived among great musicians. Jazz was invented in the city a few years before his birth. Armstrong often said, “Jazz and I grew up together.”
Armstrong showed a great talent for music when he was taught to play the cornet (短号) at a boy’s home. In his late teens, Armstrong began to live the life of a musician. He played in parades, clubs, and on the steamboats that traveled on the Mississippi River. At that time, New Orleans was famous for the new music of jazz and was home to many great musicians. Armstrong learned from the older musicians and soon became respected as their equal.
In 1922 he went to Chicago. There, the tale of Louis Armstrong begins. From then until the end of his life, Armstrong was celebrated and loved wherever he went. Armstrong had no equal when it came to playing the American popular song.
His cornet playing had a deep humanity (仁爱) and warmth that caused many listeners to say, “Listening to Pops just makes you feel good all over.” He was the father of the jazz style and also one of the best-known and most admired people in the world. His death, on July 6, 1971, was headline news around the world.Armstrong was called Pops because he _________.
| A．looked like a musician |
| B．was a musician of much influence |
| C．showed an interest in music |
| D．traveled to play modern music |
The third paragraph is developed _________.
| A．by space | B．by examples | C．by time | D．by comparison |
Which statement about Armstrong is true?
| A．His tale begins in New Orleans. |
| B．He was born before jazz was invented. |
| C．His music was popular with his listeners. |
| D．He learned popular music at a boy’s home. |
Which would be the best title for the text?
| A．The Invention of the Jazz Music | B．The Spread of Popular Music |
| C．The Making of a Musician | D．The Father of the Jazz Style |
Two friends have an argument that breaks up their friendship forever, even though neither one can remember how the whole thing got started. Such sad events happen over and over in high schools across the country. In fact, according to an official report on youth violence, “In our country today, the greatest threat to the lives of children and adolescents is not disease or starvation or abandonment, but the terrible reality of violence”. Given that this is the case, why aren’t students taught to manage conflict the way they are taught to solve math problems, drive cars, or stay physically fit?
First of all, students need to realize that conflict is unavoidable. A report on violence among middle school and high school students indicates that most violent incidents between students begin with a relatively minor insult. For example, a fight could start over the fact that one student eats a peanut butter sandwich each lunchtime. Laughter over the sandwich can lead to insults, which in turn can lead to violence. The problem isn’t in the sandwich, but in the way students deal with the conflict.
Once students recognize that conflict is unavoidable, they can practice the golden rule of conflict resolution: stay calm. Once the student feels calmer, he or slid should choose words that will calm the other person down as well. Rude words, name-calling, and accusation only add fuel to the emotional fire. On the other hand, soft words spoken at a normal sound level can put out the fire before it explodes out of control.
After both sides have calmed down, they can use another key strategy for conflict resolution: listening. Listening allows the two sides to understand each other. One person should describe his or her side, and the other person should listen without interrupting. Afterward, the listener can ask non-threatening questions to clarify the speaker’s position. Then the two people should change roles.
Finally, students need to consider what they are hearing. This doesn’t mean trying to figure out what’s wrong with the other person. It means understanding what the real issue is and what both sides are trying to accomplish. For example, a shouting match over a peanut butter sandwich might happen because one person thinks the other person is unwilling to try new things.Students need to ask themselves questions such as these: How did this start? What do I really want? What am I afraid of? As the issue becomes clearer, the conflict often simply becomes smaller.Even if it doesn’t, careful thought helps both sides figure out a mutual solution.
There will always be conflict in schools, but that doesn’t mean there needs to be violence. After students in Atlanta started a conflict resolution program, according to Educators for Social Responsibility, “64% of the teachers reported less physical violence in the classroom; 75% of the teachers reported an increase in student cooperation; and 92% of the students felt better about themselves”. Learning to resolve conflicts can help students deal with friends, teachers, parents, bosses, and coworkers. In that way, conflict resolution is a basic life skill that should be taught in schools across the country.This article is mainly about .
| A．the lives of school children |
| B．the cause of arguments in schools |
| C．how to analyze youth violence |
| D．how to deal with school conflicts |
From Paragraph 2 we can learn that .
| A．violence is more likely to occur at lunchtime |
| B．a small conflict can lead to violence |
| C．students tend to lose their temper easily |
| D．the eating habit of a student is often the cause of a fight |
Why do students need to ask themselves the questions stated in Paragraph 5?
| A．To make clear what the real issue is. |
| B．To get ready to try new things. |
| C．To find out who is to blame. |
| D．To figure out how to stop the shouting match. |
After the conflict resolution program was started in Atlanta, it was found that .
| A．more teachers felt better about themselves in schools |
| B．there was less student cooperation in the classroom |
| C．there was a decrease in classroom violence |
| D．the teacher-student relationship greatly improved |
The writer’s purpose for writing this article is to .
| A．complain about problems in school education |
| B．teach students different strategies for school life |
| C．inform teachers of the latest studies on school violence |
| D．advocate teaching conflict management in schools |
Someday a stranger will read your e-mail without your permission or scan the Website you’ve visited，Or perhaps someone will casually glance through your credit card purchases or cell phone bills to find out your shopping preferences or calling habits.
In fact, it’s likely some of these things have already happened to you. Who would watch you without your permission? It might be a spouse, a girl friend, a marketing company, a boss, a cop or a criminal. Whoever it is, they will see you in a way you never intended to be seen --- the 21st century equivalent of being caught naked.
Psychologists tell us boundaries are healthy, that it's important to reveal yourself to friends, family and lovers in stages, at appropriate times.But few boundaries remain. The digital bread crumbs (碎屑) you leave everywhere make it easy for strangers to reconstruct who you are, where you are and what you like. In some cases, a simple Google search can reveal what you think. Like it or not, increasingly we live in a world where you simply cannot keep a secret.
The key question is: Does that matter?
For many Americans, the answer apparently is “no.”
When opinion polls ask Americans about privacy, most say they are concerned about losing it. A survey found an overwhelming pessimism about privacy, with 60 percent of respondents saying they feel their privacy is “slipping away, and that bothers me.”
But people say one thing and do another. Only a tiny fraction of Americans change any behaviors in an effort to preserve their privacy. Few people turn down a discount at tollbooths (收费站) to avoid using the EZ-Pass system that can track automobile movements. And few turn down supermarket loyalty cards. Privacy economist Alessandro Acauisti has run a series of tests that reveal people will surrender personal information like Social Security numbers just to get their hands on a pitiful 50-cents-off coupon (优惠卷).
But privacy does matter - at least sometimes. It’s like health: When you have it, you don’t notice it. Only when it’s gone do you wish you’d done more to protect it.What does the author mean by saying “the 21st century equivalent of being caught naked” (Lines 3-4, Para. 2)?
| A．People's personal information is easily accessed without their knowledge. |
| B．In the 21st century people try every means to look into others’ secrets. |
| C．People tend to be more frank with each other in the information age. |
| D．Criminals are easily caught on the spot with advanced technology. |
What would psychologists advise on the relationships between friends?
| A．Friends should open their hearts to each other. |
| B．Friends should always be faithful to each other. |
| C．There should be a distance even between friends. |
| D．There should be fewer disputes between friends. |
Why does the author say “we live in a world where you simply cannot keep a secret” ( Line5, para. 3)?
| A．Modern society has finally evolved into an open society. |
| B．People leave traces around when using modern technology. |
| C．There are always people who are curious about others’ affairs. |
| D．Many search engines profit by revealing people’s identities. |
What do most Americans do with regard to privacy protection?
| A．They change behaviors that might disclose their identity. |
| B．They use various loyalty cards for business transactions. |
| C．They rely most and more on electronic devices. |
| D．They talk a lot but hardly do anything about it. |
According to the passage, privacy is like health in that .
| A．people will make every effort to keep it |
| B．its importance is rarely understood |
| C．it is something that can easily be lost |
| D．people don’t cherish it until they lose it |
Riding School:
You can start horse-riding at any age. Choose private or group lessons any weekday between 9 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.(3:30 p.m. on Saturdays). There are 10 kilometers of tracks and paths for leisurely rides across farmland and open country. You will need a riding hat.
Opening Hours: Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. — 8:30 p.m.
Phone: (412)396—6754 Fax: (412)396—6752
Sailing Club:
Our Young Sailor’s Course leads to the Stage 1 Sailing qualification. You’ll learn how to sail safely and the course also covers sailing theory and first aid. Have fun with other course member, afterwards in the clubroom. There are 10 weekly two-hour 1essons (Tuesdays 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.).
Opening Hours: Tuesdays: 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.
Phone: (412)396—6644 Fax: (412)396 — 6644
Diving Centre:
Our experienced instructors offer one-month courses in deep-sea diving for beginners. There are two evening lessons a week, in which you learn to breathe underwater and use the equipment safely. You only need your own swimming costume and towel. Reduced rates for couples.
Opening Hours: Monday and Friday: 6:30 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.
Phone: (412)396—6312 Fax: (412)396—6706
Medical Center:
The staff of the Medical Center aim to provide convenient and comprehensive medical care to students and staff of the university. The center is well equipped and the staff here are trained to deal wit h a broad range of medical problems. Both female and male doctors as well as nursing staff are available for consultation. Also, all kinds of medicines are sold here and are cheaper for students than other drugstores.
Opening Hours: 24 hour from Monday to Sunday
Phone: (412)396--6649 Fax: (412)396—6648
Watersports Club:
We use a two-kilometer length of river for speedboat racing, and water-skiing, A beginners’course consist s of ten 20-minute lessons. You will learn to handle boats safely and confidently, but must be able to swim. The club is in a convenient central position and is open daily from 9 a.m to 4 p.m, with lessons all through the day.
Opening Hours: Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m.— 4:00 p.m.
Phone: (412)396—6899 Fax: (412)396—6890 If you want to swim and enjoy activities which are fast and a bit dangerous, you should join.
| A．Watersports Club | B．Diving Centre | C．Sailing Club | D．Riding School |
If you want to experience a new activity in the countryside in the mornings, you may fax.
| A．(412)396—6648 | B．(412)396—6706 | C．(412)396—6752 | D．(412)396—6876 |
If you are planning to explore the ocean depths, you should attend your lessons at.
| A．24 hour from Monday to Sunday |
| B．Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m. |
| C．Tuesdays: 6:00 p.m.— 8:00 p.m. |
| D．Monday and Friday: 6:30 p.m.— 8:30 p.m. |
You want to do an activity one evening a week and get a certificate in the end, you can go to.
| A．Watersports Club | B．Diving Center | C．Sailing Club | D．Riding School |
Which is NOT the convenience that the Medical Center provides?
| A．Good equipment. | B．Well trained staff members. |
| C．Various less expensive medicines. | D．Nursery for newly-born babies |