In the animal kingdom, weakness can bring about aggression（侵略）in other animals. This sometimes happens with humans as well. But I have found that my weakness brings out the kindness in people. I see it every day when people hold doors for me, pour cream into my coffee, or help me to put on my coat. And I have discovered that it makes them happy.
From my wheelchair experience, I see the best in people, bur sometimes I feel sad because those who appear independent miss the kindness I see daily. They don’t get to see this soft side of others often and we try every way possible to avoid showing our weakness, which includes a lot of pretending. But only when we stop pretending we’re brave or strong do we allow people to show the kindness that’s in them.
Last month, when I was driving home on a busy highway, I began to feel unwell and drove more slowly than usual. People behind me began to get impatient and angry, with some speeding up alongside me, horning (按喇叭) or even shouting at me. At the moment I decided to do something I had never done in twenty years of driving. I put on the car flashlights and drove on at a really low speed.
No more angry shouts and no more horns!
When I put on my flashlights, I was saying to other drivers, “I have a problem here. I am weak and doing the best I can.” And everyone understood. Several times, I saw drivers who wanted to pass. They couldn’t get around me because of the stream of passing traffic. But instead of getting impatient and angry, they waited, knowing the driver in front of them was in some way weak.
Sometimes situations call for us to act strong and brave even when we don’t feel that way. But more often, it would be better if we don’t pretend we feel strong when we feel weak or pretend that we are brave when we are scared.The author has discovered that people will feel happy when ______.
| A．they offer their help |
| B．they receive others’ help |
| C．they feel others’ kindness |
| D．they show their weakness |
The author feels sad sometimes because ______.
| A．he has a soft heart |
| B．he relies much on others |
| C．some people pretend to be kind |
| D．some people fail to see the kindness in others |
In this passage, the author advises us to ______.
| A．handle problems by ourselves |
| B．accept help from others |
| C．admit our weakness |
| D．show our bravery |
Which of the following is the best title for the passage?
| A．A Wheel Chair Experience. |
| B．Weakness and Kindness. |
| C．Weakness and Strength |
| D．A Driving Experience |
The invention of the electric telegraph gave birth to the communications industry.Although Samuel B．Morse succeeded in making the invention useful in 1837，it was not until 1843 that the first important telegraph line was constructed.By 1860 more than 50,000 miles of lines connected people east of the Rockies.The following year，San Francisco was added to the network.
The national telegraph network strengthened the ties between East and West and contributed to the rapid expansion of the railroads by providing an efficient means to monitor schedules and routes.Furthermore，the extension of the telegraph，combined with the invention of the steam－driven rotary printing press by Richard
M．Hoe in 1846，revolutionized the world of journalism.Where the business of news gathering had been dependent upon the mail and on hand－operated presses，the telegraph expanded the amount of information a newspaper could supply and allowed for more timely reporting.The creating of the Associated Press as a central wire service in 1846 marked the arrival of a new era (纪元) in journalism.The main topic of the passage is ________.
| A．the history of journalism |
| B．the origin of the national telegraph |
| C．how the telegraph network contributed to the expansion of railroads |
| D．the contributions and development of the telegraph network |
This passage would most likely be found in a________.
| A．U.S. history book | B．book on trains |
| C．science textbook | D．computer magazine |
It can be inferred from the passage that ________.
| A．Samuel Morse did not make a significant contribution to the communications industry |
| B．Morse’s invention did not immediately achieve its full potential (潜力) |
| C．the extension of the telegraph was more important than its invention |
| D．journalists have the Associated Press to thank for the birth of the communications industry |
Leadership is the art of getting someone to do something you want done because he wants to do it. People naturally want to follow a good leader. After meeting with an effective leader it is not unusual to feel uplifted(情绪高涨), inspired, and motivated to work towards a common goal.
An effective leader makes others feel good about themselves, as well as the work they are doing. The leader has a vision(幻想)of what he or she wants to achieve, and can communicate that vision to others in a way that makes people want to be part of it. One thing a good leader typically does is to communicate the big picture, so that each employee can see how the particular role he or she plays makes a contribution to the final result.
Good leaders are positive and optimistic when they speak about the future. Their enthusiasm wins them plenty of supporters who help make their vision a reality.
Good leaders also understand that different people are motivated by different things. For employees motivated by a need for achievement, a leader explains how the task offers an opportunity to take on a challenge with an achievable goal. And employees are motivated by hearing how they will be part of a team of people working together.
Good leaders will introduce employees by name first, rather than job titles. They refer to employees as team members, companions, or colleagues, never as “servants”. Words have power, including the power to make people feel whether or not they are important to the success of an organization.
Good leaders believe that every team member matters and set up environments that make everyone feel important. It is no wonder they can attract the support they need to help them achieve their goals.What’s the author’s purpose of writing this passage?
| A．To tell us how to be a good leader at work. |
| B．To describe the proper relationship between leaders and employees. |
| C．To inform us of how leaders and employees should communicate. |
| D．To show the optimism of a leader. |
What is the most important to be a good leader?
| A．A good leader learns art very well. |
| B．A good leader can promote employees. |
| C．A good leader can satisfy all his or her employees. |
| D．A good leader can make employees happy and willing in their work. |
What should a good leader do for an employee who wants to succeed at work?
| A．To promote the employee to a leadership role. |
| B．To draw a beautiful picture of the employee’s future. |
| C．To encourage the employee to meet the challenges of his work. |
| D．To let the staff know the important role the employee plays. |
We can infer from the passage that_________.
| A．a good leader is always good at creating comfortable working conditions |
| B．the support of employees is necessary for a leader to reach his goal |
| C．names are much easier to remember than job titles |
| D．the motivation of the employees all comes from the leader |
Busy senior managers need no longer waste time in showering themselves－an Australian company has invented a suit that can be worn while they wash.
The suit has been specially designed so that it can be cleaned under the showerhead. There is no need for soaking (浸泡)，dry cleaning－or even soap.
The Japanese market has taken a liking to the “shower suit”，described as “revolutionary” by its owner Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)，which is the research and marketing body that represents Australian wool－growers. Orders have been placed for 170,000 of the woolen suits.
The suit could be worn in the shower，although it was probably better to hang it on a clothes hanger and carry it instead，AWI corporate affairs spokesman Stephen Feighan said.“The idea is that you hang it up and then...you give it a spray (喷雾)，and it’s dry the next morning，” Mr Feighan said.
A Japanese researcher working for AWI invented the suit by combining three technologies. The secret is the best lining (内衬)，which allows the suit to dry quickly.The shower suit attracted busy corporate people，particularly those who often traveled or stayed up late，Mr Feighan said.The airline industry was also interested.
Mr Feighan confessed he had not worn one of the suits yet，or tried to wash it in the shower，because they cut to fit Japanese figures.AWI believes that the shower suit will spread from the Japanese market through Europe and India. Mr Feighan hoped the suit，made from local wool，would be available in Australia in 12 to 18 months’ time.What is the writing purpose of the article?
| A．To introduce a newly－designed shower suit. |
| B．To help the white collars arrange their life more sensibly. |
| C．To provide suggestions on saving time in bath. |
| D．To praise AWI for its important achievement. |
Which is true about the suit according to the passage?
| A．It can spare the owner’s trouble of soaking，dry cleaning and applying soap. |
| B．It is of the quality of fast dry for its best cloth. |
| C．It is not suitable for hanging. |
| D．It has attracted more orders than any other suit. |
The suit draws the attention from all the following groups EXCEPT________.
| A．corporate people who are always on the go |
| B．people on occasional business trips |
| C．the airline industry |
| D．people burning the midnight oil |
Which of the following has much to do with Mr Feighan?
| A．The invention of the suit. |
| B．The try－on of the suit. |
| C．The combination of the three technologies on the suit. |
| D．The popularization of the suit and best wishes for it. |
When I was struggling with cancer a few years ago，my wife and I formed our own “couple caution circle”．Anytime a doctor came with news of my progress，my wife would give me a big hug. The reports were seldom good during the early stages of my illness，and one day a doctor brought particularly frightening news.Staring at my reports，he said in a low voice，“It doesn’t look like you’re going to make it.”
Before I could ask him a question，my wife stood up，handed me my clothes，adjusted the tubes fastened to my body and said，“Let’s get out of here.This man is a risk to your health.” As she helped me struggle to the door，the doctor came near us.“Stay back，” demanded my wife.“Stay away from us.”
As we walked together down the hall，the doctor attempted to catch up with us.“Keep going，” said my wife，pushing the intravenous (静脉注射的) stand.“We’re going to talk to someone who really knows what is going on.” Then she held up her hand to the doctor.“Don’t come any closer to us.”
The two of us moved as one.We escaped to the safety and hope of a doctor who did not confuse diagnosis with conclusion. I could never have made that walk toward wellness alone.From the passage we know ________.
| A．hearing that the husband was not going to make it，the wife went out of her mind |
| B．the wife’s decision in crisis (危机) contributed to the husband’s wellness |
| C．the husband was diagnosed with cancer by mistake |
| D．the husband became weaker and weaker as a result of the treatment conducted by the doctor |
What’s the author’s feeling when writing the passage?
| A．Angry. | B．Thankful. | C．Excited. | D．Sad. |
What can be inferred from the passage ?
| A．The wife was a woman hard to get along with. |
| B．The doctor was a dangerous man. |
| C．The wife loved her husband very much. |
| D．The husband was a man who believed everything would be OK. |
What would be the best title for the passage ?
| A．A Happy Couple In Crisis | B．Struggle With Cancer |
| C．In Crisis，Become As One | D．Don’t Believe The Doctor |
What will man be like in the future — in 5,000 or even 50,000 years from now? We can only make guesses, of course, but we can be sure that he will be different from what he is today, for man is slowly changing all the time.
Let us take an obvious example. Man, even five hundred years ago, was shorter than he is today. Now, on average, men are about three inches taller. Five hundred years is relatively a short period of time, so we may suppose that man will continue to grow taller. Again, in the modern world we use our brains a great deal. Even so, we still make use of only about 20% of the brain’s capacity(容量). As time goes on, however, we shall have to use our brains more and more, and finally we shall need our brains more and more, and finally we shall need larger ones! This is likely to bring a physical change too: the head, in particular the forehead, will grow larger.
Nowadays our eyes are in constant use. In fact, we use them so much that very often they become weaker and we have to wear glasses. But over long period of time it is likely that man’s eyes will grow stronger.
On the other hand, we tend to make less use of our arms and legs. These, as a result, are likely to grow weaker. At the same time, however, our fingers will grow more sensitive because they are used a great deal in modern life.
But what about hair? This will probably disappear from the body altogether in course of time because it does not serve a useful purpose any longer. In the future, then, both sexes are likely to be bald.
Perhaps all this gives the impression that future man will not be a very attractive creature to look at! This may well be true. All the same, in spite of all these changes, future man will still have a lot in common with us. He will still be a human being, with thoughts and motions similar to our own.The passage mainly tells us that __________.
| A．Man’s life will be different in the future |
| B．Future man will look quite different from us |
| C．Man is growing taller and uglier as time passes |
| D．Man’s organs’ functions will change |
What serves as the evidence that man is changing?
| A．Man has got stronger eyes now than he ever had. |
| B．Man’s hair is getting thinner and thinner. |
| C．Man’s arms and legs have become lighter and weaker. |
| D．Man has been growing taller over the past 500 years. |
The change in man’s size of the forehead is probably because __________.
| A．he makes use of only 20% of the brain’s capacity |
| B．his brain has grown larger over the past centuries |
| C．he will use his brain more and more as time goes on |
| D．the other 80% of his brain will grow in due time |
Which of the following is TRUE about a human being in the future?
| A．He is hairless because hair is no longer useful. |
| B．He has smaller eyes and wears better glasses. |
| C．His fingers grow weaker because he doesn’t have to make use of them. |
| D．He thinks and feels in a different way. |
It is implied that __________.
| A．human beings will become less attractive in the future |
| B．body organs will become poorer if they are not used often |
| C．human beings hope for a change in the future life |
| D．future life is always predictable |