Romanticism (浪漫主义) was a literary, artistic and intellectual movement that originated in Europe towards the end of the 18th century. And it reached its peak from 1800 to 1840.
Romanticism urged people to look at nature and surroundings from a scientific point of view. It was also a rebellion against scientific rationalization (合理化 ) of nature. It permitted a person's imagination and freedom in art. The concept of romanticism was present in all the major art forms, like literature, the visual arts and music.
Friedrich Schlegel, a German philosopher, writer and critic, used the term “Romantic” for the first time to name a new school of literature which arose in opposition to “Classicism”. Though the concept of Romanticism was identified much earlier, critics believe that Romanticism in English literature dates from the Lyrical Ballads. The romantics were very interested in mystery, ambition and adventure.
In the visual arts, the term Romanticism refers to a trend that appeared in the 19th century, which was characterized by opposition to the classical forms and its rules. Romanticism in the visual arts focused more on the spiritual and emotional representation of nostalgia(怀旧). Romantics used objects, like wild trees, moonlight, and so on, to convey their ideas and concepts.
In music, Romanticism was characterized by the freedom of forms and an emphasis on the emotions. It was German composers who used romanticism widely and developed this concept. Many famous composers worked in smaller forms of music that had flexible structure; for instance, ballads, solo piano music, and so on.
Romanticism influenced the literature and arts of the 18th and 19th century. The popularity of this movement declined gradually with passing time, but it has a significant place in the history of literature and art development.
Stephen Covey’s book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Peopleis very popular among business people who want to improve their careers, but its rules can be applied to any area of life. For example, Covey’s rules can be used to improve relationships between parents and children or to improve the way you manage your time.
Covey begins by discussing habits and effectiveness, and why they are both important to success. According to Covey, for an action to become a habit, you must know what to do and why should do it. However, you also must want to do it. On the other hand, effectiveness means having a balance between success and a good relationship with the people around you. In order to be successful, you must have habits that make you able to deal effectively with others and your own personal life.
Next, Covey introduces the seven habits of highly effective people. The first three habits focus on personal growth. The next three habits are about how to get along with others. The seventh habit shows how to achieve physical, emotional and mental health.
Covey includes exercises to help you analyse your life. He challenges you to decide what you want to contribute to society in your lifetime. He does this by asking you to think about what people to say about you after you die. Your answer to this question will help you make better decisions about how to spend your time. In this way, you can challenge yourself to make your dreams and ambitions come true.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has the potential to really improve your life.
| Introduction |
This book can help you improve your career and your |
| For success |
lHabits: you must know what to do and why should do it. You also must want to do it. l |
| The seven |
The first three habits focus on personal |
| Exercises |
lThey help you lDecide what lChallenge yourself to |
| The book has the potential to really improve your life. |
I believe being honest is one of the greatest gifts. I know they call it a lot of fancy names,upright and straightforward. And it’s still what makes a man a good citizen. This is my code, and I try to live by.
I’ve been in the taxi business for thirty-five years, (know)there is a lot about it that is not so good. Because taxi drivers are tough, people get the wrong impression
____they are bad. Taxi drivers are just like
people. Most of them will act as rude fellows. But almost every week you read in the papers that a taxi driver turns in money or jewels or like that people leave in their cars. Once, I found an emerald ring in my car. I remembered helping a lady
a lot of suitcases that day, so I went back to
I had dropped her off. It took me almost two days to wait for her in order to return her ring to her. I didn’t get as much as “thank you”. However, I
(feel) good because I had done what was right.
As far as I know, (practice) everyone will give you something, because most Americans are fairly generous. I believe in God and try to be
good member of my parish(教区). I try to act toward others like I think God wants me to act. I have been trying this for a long time, and the longer I try, the
(easy) it gets.
A rich landowner decided to leave possessions to one of his two sons. As he lay on the deathbed, he called the two young men to him the break of dawn and even before the cock could crow (鸣叫). He then said, “I will leave all my wealth to the one
can best fill this room. It was in this room
I made plans on how to build up my fortune. Not an inch must
(leave) uncovered. As I am getting
(weak) by the hour you both must come back by midnight.” He handed them a small piece of silver and an empty bag to put their purchases in. They both went out and
(hurry) came back with their purchases.
(bring) the straw, the elder began to spread it about the floor,
far from filling the room. It did not even cover half the space. “This is no use, son,” said the father, “and let me see how
brother fills the room.” The younger son took
his bag a large candle, set it on the table in the centre of the room and lit it. A brilliant bright light filled up the whole room. The father was delighted and exclaimed, “Son, I am sure you will use the wealth well.”
阅读下面短文,按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求,在空格处填入一个适当的词或使用括号中词语的正确形式填空。
An 8.8magnitude earthquake struck Chile on 27 Feb,2010.More than 300 people are reported ____(kill) in Chile after a magnitude 8.8 earthquake hit the South American nation early Saturday,__
__(cause)considerable destruction as well,and creating tsunami warnings across the Pacific Ocean.
Rescuers worked frantically for hours to help survivors of the quake ____centered 100 kilometers from the city of Concepcion but caused damage and deaths in several parts of Chile.
Homes,buildings and bridges collapsed or caught fire,cars ____(overturn),and the main international airport had to be shut down because of damage. One survivor said it was terrible. She said she thought she was not __
__(scare)of earthquakes but then,she says,it looked as if everything was going to collapse. There were at least eight aftershocks and tidal waves of up __
__ two meters that hit Chile’s coast. Residents in lowlying areas and living on islands off the mainland tried to flee __
__higher ground. Chile experiences many earthquakes but the early Saturday natural disaster was __
__of its most severe (剧烈的). Thorne Lay,a geophysicist at the University of California,Santa Cruz,said it was much stronger than __
__one that caused devastation(废墟)in Haiti last month,but probably less __
__(destroy),because of where it was centered.
阅读下面短文,按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求,在空格处填入一个适当的词或使用口号中词语的正确形式填空。
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I’m very pleased (see) all of you here because you are my special guests. Welcome to our company’s museum. My name is Brown, George Brown. I’m the general manager of the company. As you all know, we
(main) make computers in our company, as well as some other electronic products. But we are also quite interested in
(educate). That’s why we have founded this museum,
children can learn how computers have been developed, how they are made
how they are used in industry, agriculture, scientific research and many other areas. Children can operate the computers, push the buttons and listen to stories about computers, and they can enjoy video shows. I know you are all teachers and you know
schoolchildren really need. So I hope you can give me suggestions after you
(show) around. I want my museum to be the best of its kind
it opens to all schoolchildren. This is Mr Tom Silver, my assistant. He will be your guide now. I’ll be ___
___ you in an hour and a half. Enjoy
. See you.