How words came into being is unknown.All we assume is that some early men invented cortain sounds,in one way or another,to express thoughts and feelings,actions and things,so that they could talk with each other.Later they agreed upon certain signs,called letters,which could be put together to show those sounds,and which could be written down.Those sounds,whether spoken or written in letters,are called words.
The power of words,then,lies in their associations-the things they bring up to our minds.Words become filled with meaning for us by experience;and the longer we live,the more certain words bring back to us the happy and sad events of our past;and the more we read and learn,the more the number of words that mean something to us increases.
Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words which have powerful effects on our minds and feelings.This clever use of words is what we call literary style.Above all,the real poet is a master of words.He can express his meaning in words which sing like music,and which by their position and association can move men to tears.We should therefore learn to choose our words carefully and use then correctly,or they will make our speech silly and common.We learn from the text that language might have begun with________.
A.expressions |
B.actions |
C.signs |
D.sounds |
What is mainly discussed in Faragraph 2?
A.The ……of new words |
B.The importance of old words |
C.The relation of human experience with words |
D.The gradual change and development of words |
In the last paragraph,what does the anthor suggest that we should do?
A.Use words skilfully |
B.Make musical speeches |
C.Learn poems by heart |
D.Associate with listeners |
It happened to me recently. I was telling someone how much I had enjoyed reading Barack Obama’s Dreams From My Father and how it had changed my views of our President. A friend I was talking to agreed with me that it was, in his words, “a brilliantly(精彩地)written book”. However, he then went on to talk about Mr Obama in a way which suggested he had no idea of his background at all. I sensed that I was talking to a book liar.
And it seems that my friend is not the only one. Approximately two thirds of people have lied about reading a book which they haven’t. In the World Book Day’s “Report on Guilty Secrets”, Dreams From My Father is at number 9.The report lists ten books, and various authors, which people have lied about reading, and as I’m not one to lie too often (I’d hate to be caught out), I’ll admit here and now that I haven’t read the entire top ten. But I am pleased to say that, unlike 42 percent of people, I have read the book at number one, George Orwell’s 1984.I think it’s really brilliant.
The World Book Day report also has some other interesting information in it. It says that many people lie about having read Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Fyodor Dostoevsky (I haven’t read him, but haven’t lied about it either ) and Herman Melville.
Asked why they lied, the most common reason was to “impress” someone they were speaking to. This could be tricky if the conversation became more in depth!
But when asked which authors they actually enjoy, people named J. K. Rowling, John Grisham, Sophie Kinsella (ah, the big sellers, in other words). Fortytwo percent of people asked admitted they turned to the back of the book to read the end before finishing the story (I’ll come clean: I do this and am astonished that 58 percent said they had never done so).
How did the author find his friend a book liar?
A.By judging his manner of speaking. |
B.By looking into his background. |
C.By mentioning a famous name. |
D.By discussing the book itself. |
Which of the following is a “guilty secret” according to the World Book Day report?
A.Charles Dickens is very low on the topten list. |
B.42% of people pretended to have read 1984. |
C.The author admitted having read 9 books. |
D.Dreams From My Father is hardly read. |
By lying about reading, a person hopes to ________.
A.control the conversation | B.appear knowledgeable |
C.learn about the book | D.make more friends |
What is the author’s attitude to 58% of readers?
A.Favorable. | B.Uncaring. |
C.Doubtful. | D.Friendly. |
Some people will do just about anything to save money. And I am one of them. Take my family’s last vacation. It was my six year old son’s winter break from school, and we were heading home from Fort Lauderdale after a weeklong trip. The flight was overbooked, and Delta, the airline, offered us $400 per person in credits to give up our seats and leave the next day. I had meetings in New York, so I had to get back. But that didn’t mean my husband and my son couldn’t stay. I took my nine month old and took off for home.
The next day, my husband and son were offered more credits to take an even later flight. Yes, I encouraged — okay, ordered — them to wait it out at the airport, to “earn” more Delta Dollars. Our total take: $1,600. Not bad, huh?
Now some people may think I’m a bad mother and not such a great wife either. But as a big time bargain hunter, I know the value of a dollar. And these days, a good deal is something few of us can afford to pass up.
I’ve made a living looking for the best deals and exposing(揭露)the worst tricks. I have been the consumer reporter of NBC’s Today show for over a decade. I have written a couple of books including one titled Tricks of the Trade: A Consumer Survival Guide. And I really do what I believe in.
I tell you this because there is no shame in getting your money’s worth. I’m also tightfisted when it comes to shoes, clothes for my children, and expensive restaurants. But I wouldn’t hesitate to spend on a good haircut. It keeps its shape longer, and it’s the first thing people notice. And I will also spend on a classic piece of furniture. Quality lasts.
Why did Delta give the author’s family credits?
A.They took a later flight. |
B.They had early bookings. |
C.Their flight had been delayed. |
D.Their flight had been cancelled. |
What can we learn about the author?
A.She rarely misses a good deal. |
B.She seldom makes a compromise. |
C.She is very strict with her children. |
D.She is interested in cheap products. |
What does the author do?
A.She’s a teacher. |
B.She’s a housewife. |
C.She’s a media person. |
D.She’s a businesswoman. |
What does the author want to tell us?
A.How to expose bad tricks. |
B.How to reserve airline seats. |
C.How to spend money wisely. |
D.How to make a business deal. |
Doctors are known to be terrible pilots. They don’t listen because they already know it all. I was lucky: I became a pilot in 1970, almost ten years before I graduated from medical school. I didn’t realize then, but becoming a pilot makes me a better surgeon. I loved flying. As I flew bigger, faster planes, and in worse weather, I learned about crew resource management(机组资源管理), or CRM, a new idea to make flying safer. It means that crew members should listen and speak up for a good result, regardless of positions.
I first read about CRM in 1980. Not long after that, an attending doctor and I were flying in bad weather. The controller had us turn too late to get our landing ready. The attending doctor was flying; I was safety pilot. He was so busy because of the bad turn, he had forgotten to put the landing gear(起落架)down. He was a better pilot — and my boss — so it felt unusual to speak up. But I had to: Our lives were in danger. I put aside my uneasiness and said, “We need to put the landing gear down now!” That was my first real lesson in the power of CRM, and I’ve used it in the operating room ever since.
CRM requires that the pilot/surgeon encourage others to speak up. It further requires that when opinions are from the opposite, the doctor doesn’t overreact, which might prevent fellow doctors from voicing opinions again. So when I’m in the operating room, I ask for ideas and help from others. Sometimes they’re not willing to speak up. But I hope that if I continue to encourage them, someday someone will keep me from “landing gear up”.
What does the author say about doctors in general?
A.They like flying by themselves. |
B.They are unwilling to take advice. |
C.They pretend to be good pilots. |
D.They are quick learners of CRM. |
The author deepened his understanding of the power of CRM when________.
A.he saved the plane by speaking up |
B.he was in charge of a flying task |
C.his boss landed the plane too late |
D.his boss operated on a patient |
In the last paragraph “landing gear up” probably means ________.
A.following flying requirements |
B.overreacting to different opinions |
C.listening to what fellow doctors say |
D.making a mistake that may cost lives |
Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A.CRM:A New Way to Make Flying Safe |
B.Flying Makes Me a Better Doctor |
C.The Making of a Good Pilot |
D.A Pilot Turned Doctor |
The National Gallery
Description:
The National Gallery is the British national art museum built on the north side of Trafalgar Square in London. It houses a diverse collection of more than 2,300 examples of European art ranging from 13thcentury religious paintings to more modern ones by Renoir and Van Gogh. The older collections of the gallery are reached through the main entrance while the more modern works in the East Wing are most easily reached from Trafalgar Square by a ground floor entrance.
Layout:
The modern Sainsbury Wing on the western side of the building houses 13th to 15thcentury paintings, and artists include Duccio, Uccello, Van Eyck, Lippi, Mantegna, Botticelli and Memling.
The main West Wing houses 16th century paintings, and artists include Leonardo da Vinci, Cranach, Michelangelo, Raphael, Bruegel, Bronzino, Titian and Veronese.
The North Wing houses 17thcentury paintings, and artists include Caravaggio, Rubens, Poussin, Van Dyck, Velázquez, Claude and Vermeer.
The East Wing houses 18th to early 20thcentury paintings, and artists include Canaletto, Goya, Turner, Constable, Renoir and Van Gogh.
Opening Hours:
The Gallery is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm (Fridays 10 am to 9 pm) and is free, but charges apply to some special exhibitions.
Getting There:
Nearest underground stations: Charing Cross(2minute walk), Leicester Square (3minute walk), Embankment (7minute walk), and Piccadilly Circus (8minute walk).
In which century’s collection can you see religious paintings?
A.The 13th. | B.The 17th. |
C.The 18th. | D.The 20th. |
Where are Leonardo da Vinci’s works shown?
A.In the East Wing. |
B.In the main West Wing. |
C.In the Sainsbury Wing. |
D.In the North Wing. |
Which underground station is closest to the National Gallery?
A.Piccadilly Circus. | B.Leicester Square. |
C.Embankment. | D.Charing Cross. |
We all long for friendship, but how to make a friend? “The best time to make a friend is before you need one.” Joy Steven said. The following are some tips for you.
People equal friends
Friends usually begin with strangers. Getting in touch with other people is the first step to make a friend. Friends can’t be made in empty air. Best friends take time to make.
Friends understand friends
Friends understand each other when talking. Many unpleasant personal quarrels can be avoided if you will take the time to understand others’ feelings and points of view.
Friends touch friends
Touching is a warm from of communication between friends. When you see best friends communicating, you will notice them stand close together, touch each other comfortably and listen to each other. Sometimes a friendly touch is more powerful than words.
Friends praise friends
Praise is a powerful tool to make a friend. Honest praise can affect (影响) your friends’ lives. So try to praise your friends, including your general ones.
Friends can loyal (忠诚的) and trustworthy
Trust and loyalty go hand in hand for friends. Friends can share secrets with you, because good friends never break confidence (信心) and are loyal forever.From Joy Steven’s words, we can conclude that ________
A.a friend in need is a friend indeed |
B.it is never too late to make a friend |
C.it is late to make a friend when you need one |
D.everyone needs a friend in his life |
To make and keep many friends, you need to do the following EXCEPT ___________.
A.get in touch with people |
B.understand your friends |
C.praise your friends |
D.quarrel with your friends |
The passage mainly tells us ______________.
A.how to communicate with a friend |
B.how to develop friendship |
C.when to make a friend |
D.how to praise a friend |