Comfort is comforting, but it might narrow our experience at work — and beyond.
In our modern world, discomfort is considered a terrible thing. If not terrible, at least a thing of the past. Dishwashers, washing machines, computers, remote controls—yes, they add convenience, but also a level of comfort our forefathers did not enjoy.
As pain of any kind discourages happiness, we tend to reason, anything that compromises our ability to feel good must be bad. And that’s also particularly true for our careers. Success makes us feel great, not terrible. Such a view, however, is a matter of personal opinion. And it may blind us to hidden opportunities.
Artists throughout history have tried to experience suffering, instinctively if not consciously, to produce works that explore the darker hidden sides of the human condition. This was done, in part, because pain is a reality of life for everybody in some form at some time. Pain is something everybody can relate to. And pain makes a person very present. For such artists, to relieve or to deny pain would be to block the creative thinking, which drives them to explore and express. In fact, Germans have a term for this melancholia, “Weltschmerz”, which means “suffering from the world.” Writers, from Lord Byron to Kurt Vonnegut, have used the term to describe the psychological pain encountered along life’s roller-coaster journey. It was not to be avoided; it was to be understood, investigated and employed.
So I propose that discomfort is good for us. Or, put another way, it tells us that something needs to be addressed. It stretches us by forcing us to view our circumstances through a wholly different lens. Because we’re drawn to safety and security, we do our best to create pleasant comfort zones for ourselves and our loved ones through the cars we drive, the homes we live in, and the places we work. But by resisting discomfort, we deny ourselves an important opportunity: the chance to shake ourselves out of our predictable perspectives and allow ourselves to make knowledgeable observations we could not possibly have made before. Discomfort gives us fresh eyes.Which of the following is NOT a reason why artists throughout history have been exploring sufferings?
| A．Pain is a mirror that can reflect the life of everybody. |
| B．Pain is something that no one can escape from. |
| C．Pain can help them to avoid the creative thinking. |
| D．Pain can strengthen the feeling of existence of a person. |
The term “Weltschmerz” couldn’t be used to describe something like __________.
| A．social inequality | B．mass killings |
| C．racial discrimination | D．great achievements |
The author believes that by challenging discomfort, one may _________.
| A．lose an important chance to make a big fortune |
| B．feel upset and fail to think calmly |
| C．judge and think about the world in a new particular way |
| D．control the situation properly when things go unsteady |
By writing this passage, the author tries to __________.
| A．criticize a world full of comfort |
| B．explain why discomfort is good for us |
| C．persuade people to lead a life full of discomfort |
| D．blame those who enjoy an easy life |
Since its invention 100 years ago, plastic, the superstar of the technological age, has become ugly and ungreen. But that’s about to change. An exhibition at London’s Science Museum this week could put it back on the cutting edge of science.
Have you ever hesitated in donating blood? The invention of “plastic blood” might make you feel better.
British scientists are working on the artificial blood as a replacement for real blood in emergency situations. It is made of plastic molecules (分子) and can join oxygen and transport it around the body. As a red, honey - like glue, plastic blood can be carried around conveniently. You just add water to make as much blood as you need.
The cells of our body are strict about what molecules they let in and out. For example, if we inject protein or DNA directly into the body, our immune (免疫的) system will destroy it before it reaches the cells.
To get around this, a British scientist has created drug-carrying plastic balls that fool the body into thinking they are natural. Once inside the cell, their contents are spread out through a small controlled explosion.
Skin transplants are widely done these days. But removing a piece of skin from, say, the bottom to plant it on the face can hurt and be troublesome.
A British company, CellTran, is working on plastic skin. Using plastic, they plan to take a small piece of the patient’s skin and grow it into an extra layer of skin on top of the plastic.
The plastic feels similar to skin, so skin cells like to grow on it. The plastic then gradually disappears, without any reaction or infection.What would be the best title for the text?
| A．The superstar of technological age |
| B．An exhibition at London’s Science Museum |
| C．No more “white pollution” |
| D．Plastic takes on a new life |
The phrase “get around” in Paragraph 5 means closest to _____________.
| A．overcome | B．end | C．ensure | D．pass |
Which of the following is true according to the text?
| A．Plastic blood will be injected into the body in drug-carrying plastic balls. |
| B．The plastic skin will remain a part of the new skin. |
| C．Plastic blood will take the place of real blood. |
| D．The cells of our body will let in whatever molecules they get. |
You don’t need millions to be happy. In fact, at The Happiness Institute in Australia, a couple of hundred dollars may be enough.
The institute opened its door last year, and, since then, men and women of all ages have been paying $ 200 an hour for lessons on how to feel great.
“You can actually increase your happiness levels. That’s what we teach,” said Timothy Sharp, founder of the institute.
Experts say that only about 15 percent of happiness comes from income, assets (财产)and other financial factors. As much as 85 percent comes from things such as attitude, life control and relationships.
Most of us are significantly better off financially than our parents and grandparents, but happiness levels haven’t changed to reflect that.
Studies show that once the basic needs of shelter and food are met, additional wealth adds very little to happiness.
Many decades ago, the sage (圣人、哲人)of Baltimore, Maryland”, editor HL Mencken, defined wealth as earning $100 more than your “wife’s sister’s husband”.
Behavioral economists now say part of the reason we are richer but not happier is that we compare ourselves to people better off materially.
“The argument is that if you want to be happy there’s a very simple thing you can do:
Compare yourself to people who are less welloff than you---poorer, smaller house and
car,” said Sharp.
The Happiness Institute aims to show you how to overcome these unhappiness factors by focusing on “more than just your bank account”.
“If I compare myself to Bill Gates then I’m always going to be down,” said Sharp.
A better thing to compare with, he said, might be Kerry Packer, Australia’s richest person who has had a kidney (肾脏) transplant and heart surgery in recent years.Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
| A．You may increase your happiness levels after attending the classes at The Happiness Institute. |
| B．Most of us are happier than our parents or grandparents since we earn more. |
| C．Earn $100 more than your wife’s sister’s husband if you want to be happy. |
| D．Both Bill Gates and Kerry Packer are examples of those who are extremely rich but obviously unhappy. |
The underlined phrase has the same meaning as the word______.
| A．healthy | B．unhealthy | C．free | D．wealthy |
The author wrote the passage to tell us_____.
| A．happiness is everything |
| B．wealth is the foundation of happiness |
| C．we can’t have fun at The Happiness Institute |
| D．money doesn’t always mean happiness |
According to the passage, happiness mainly depends on_____.
| A．income, assets and other financial factors |
| B．additional wealth apart from the satisfaction of the basic needs of shelter and food |
| C．things like attitude, life control and relationships |
| D．society development |
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Hotel Amenities： Parking, Heated Pool, Television with Cable, Computer, and Coffee Maker in Room. Which hotel gives a promise?
| A．Baymont Inn Ft . Lauderdale. | B．Beach Plaza Hotel. |
| C．Baymont Inn Hotel. | D．Fort Lauderdale Plaza Hotel. |
In which hotel can you park your car?
| A．Baymont Inn Ft . Lauderdale. | B．Beach Plaza Hotel. |
| C．Baymont Inn Hotel. | D．Fort Lauderdale Plaza Hotel. |
If you enjoy surfing the Internet, you will probably go to __________.
| A．Baymont Inn Ft . Lauderdale. | B．Beach Plaza Hotel. |
| C．Baymont Inn Hotel. | D．Fort Lauderdale Plaza Hotel. |
Which of the following is NOT true to the ads?
| A．All of the three hotels provide television with cable. |
| B．You can keep your money in the room safe in Fort Lauderdale Plaza Hotel. |
| C．In Beach Plaza Hotel a 24-hour maid is available. |
| D．While staying in Fort Lauderdale Plaza Hotel, you can enjoy seeing films without leaving your hotel room. |
Joanne was stuck in a traffic jam in central Birmingham at 5：30and at 6：30 she was expected to be chairing a meeting of the tennis club. At last, the traffic was moving. She swung quickly racing to her house. As she opened the door, she nearly tripped over (被绊倒)Sheba.
“Hey, Sheba,” she said, “I've got no time for you now, but I'll take you out as soon as I get back from tennis club.” Then she noticed Sheba seemed to be coughing or choking. Obviously, she could hardly breathe. Immediately, Joanne realized she would have to take her to the vet (兽医).
When she got there, the vet was just about to close for the day. Seeing the state of Sheba, Dr. Sterne brought her quickly into his office.
“Listen, doctor, I'm really in a rush to get to a meeting, can I leave her with you, and go and get changed? I'll be back in ten minutes to pick her up, and then I'll take her on to the meeting with me. Is that OK?”
“Sure.” said the doctor.
Joanne made the quick trip back to her house in a couple of minutes. As she was once moreentering the hallway,the phone by the door began to ring.
“This is Dr. Sterne,” said an anxious voice. “I want you to get out of that house immediately, ”said the doctor's voice. “I'm coming round right away, and the police will be there any time now. Wait outside!”
At that moment, a police car screeched (发出尖锐的声音)to a stop outside the house. Two policemen got out and ran into the house. Joanne was by now completely confused and very frightened. Then the doctor arrived.
“Where’s Sheba? Is she OK?” shouted Joanne.
“She’s fine, Joanne. I took out the thing which was choking her, and she’s OK now. ”
Just then, the two policemen reappeared from the house, half-carrying a white—faced man, who could hardly walk. There was blood all over him.
“My God, ” said Joanne, “how did he get in there? And how did you know he was there?”
“I think he must be a burglar.” said the doctor. “I knew he was there because when I finally removed what was stuck in Sheba’s throat：it turned out to be three human fingers.”What was Joanne supposed to do at 6：30？
| A．To walk her dog. | B．To see her doctor. |
| C．To attend a club meeting. | D．To play tennis with her friends. |
Joanne wanted to get back to her home again.
| A．to dress up for the meeting | B．to phone the police station |
| C．to catch the badly hurt burglar | D．to wait for her dog to be cured |
From the passage, we can infer that.
| A．Sheba fought against the burglar |
| B．the police found the burglar had broken in |
| C．Joanne had planned to take her dog to the meeting |
| D．the doctor performed a difficult operation on the dog |
In this passage, the writer intends to tell us that the dog is.
| A．clever | B．friendly | C．frightening | D．devoted |
（Xinhu）The Expo 2010 Shanghai China formally opened its door to the highly avid public this morning.
Top Chinese political advisor Jia Qinglin and International Exhibitions Bureau President Jean-Pierre Lafon activated（有活性的） the opening device together at a commencement（开始；开端） ceremony.
The Expo, carrying a theme of "Better City, Better Life", reflects the crystallization （结晶化）of wisdom about urban（城市的）construction and vision of a better future life, Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said while addressing the ceremony.
BIE Secretary Teneral Vicente Gonzalea Loscertales said the Shanghai World Expo would be "the most splendid and unforgettable" and would help the world better understand the present, have a glimpse（一瞥；一看）into the future and strengthen cooperation between countries and organizations.
Visitors, from home and abroad, are thronging（成群；挤满） to the gates of the Expo site, waiting for security checks in long queues. Around 300,000 tickets have been sold or distributed（分发） for the opening day, organizers said.
The Expo is expected to attract 70 million visitors from China and abroad. The Expo site covers an area of 5.28 square kilometers along both sides of the Huangpu River, a tributary（支流）of the Yangtze River.
51. What is the theme of the EXPO 2010 Shanghai China?
A. Better City, Better Future.
B. Better City, Better World.
C. Better City, Better Life.
D. Better City, Better Future.
52. What does the underlined word “avid”in paragraph 1 probably mean?
A. active. B. brave. C. energetic. D. eager.
53. How many visitors is the Expo expected o attract from home and abroad?
A. 7000000. B. 70000000. C. 70000. D. 700000.
54. What is the best title for this passage?
A. Expo site opens to public.
B. Expo site covers an area of 5.28 square kilometers.
C. The Expo is wonderful.
D. The Expo is unforgettable.
55. According to the passage which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. The Expo reflects the crystallization of wisdom about urban construction
and vision of a better future life.
B. The Shanghai World Expo would be "the least splendid and unforgettable".
C. Expo site covers an area of 5.28 square kilometers.
D. Visitors, from home and abroad, are thronging to the gates.