The stories we share with one another are important. They show wisdom and provide inspiration. They are important to our development. But sometimes people choose not to tell.
Consider the negative effects of not sharing a story in the news: People are wondering if public health officials are holding back too much information about the recent outbreak of Ebola.
There is a danger in holding back stories that ought to be told. Bobette Buster said it like this, “The fact is, history has shown us that stories not told can become like a dangerous genie (妖怪) left in a bottle. When they are finally uncorked, their power to destroy is set free.”
There are a number of reasons why we hide parts of our story: they often show our weaknesses or expose our disadvantages; they require courage and strength to share; and of course, there are some stories that should be kept secret—especially those that embarrass someone else.
Most of us have two selves: the one we display on the outside and the one we actually are on the inside. And the better we get at hiding the stories that show our true selves, the more damage we may be causing to ourselves and to others.
Honesty and openness is important: It proves we are trustworthy. It displays we are human. We are not perfect or better. It highlights the importance of hard work and personal development. Hard work may not allow us to overcome our disadvantages completely. But with hard work, we do not have to be restricted to our mistakes.
Does this mean we admit every weakness, every disadvantage, and every secret regret to everybody we meet? No, of course not. There is a time and a place and a certain level of relationship necessary for some stories to be told in an appropriate manner.What’s the function of the example in Paragraph 2?
A.It reflects that people are concerning about the spread of Ebola. |
B.It shows the bad effect caused by sharing a story. |
C.It proves not sharing a story can cause trouble. |
D.It concludes that one should share a story at a proper time. |
One of the reasons why people are unwilling to share experiences is that _______.
A.story-sharing highlights the importance of hard work |
B.people are used to exposing their weaknesses |
C.people sometimes have no courage to share their stories |
D.some stories make themselves feel uneasy |
Which is close in meaning to the underlined word “uncorked” in Paragraph 3?
A.freed | B.broken | C.unfolded | D.untouched |
The writer aims to convince us to _______.
A.be open to people close to you by sharing some secrets |
B.share stories appropriately for the good of others and ourselves |
C.remove the dangers that can be caused by untold stories |
D.realize the importance of being honest when making friends |
Bicycle Safety
Operation Always ride your bike in a safe, controlled manner on campus(校园). Obey rules and regulations. Watch out for walkers and other bicyclists, and always use your lights in dark conditions.
Theft Prevention Always securely lock your bicycle to a bicycle rack---even if you are only away for a minute. Register your bike with the University Department of Public Safety. It’s fast, easy, and free. Registration permanently records your serial number, which is useful in the possible recovery of the bike stolen.
Equipment
Brakes Make sure that they are in good working order and adjusted properly.
Helmet A necessity, make sure your helmet meets current safety standards and fit properly.
Lights Always have a front headlight---visible at least 500 feet in front of the bike. A taillight is a good idea.
Rules of the Road
Riding on Campus As a bicycle rider, you have a responsibility to ride only on streets and posted bicycle paths. Riding on sidewalks or other walkways can lead to a fine. The speed limit for bicycles on campus is 15km/h, unless otherwise posted. Always give the right of ways to walkers. If you are involved in an accident, you are required to offer appropriate aid, call the Department of Public Safety and remain at the scene until the officer lets you go.
Bicycle Parking Only park in areas reserved for bikes. Trees, handrails, hallways, and sign posts are not for bicycle parking, and parking in such posts can result in a fine.
If Things Go Wrong
If you break the rules, you will be fined. Besides violating rules while riding bicycles on campus, you could be fined for:No bicycle registration---------------------------------------------------$25
Bicycle parking banned--------------------------------------------------$30
Blocking path with bicycle ---------------------------------------------$40
Violation of bicycle equipment requirement -------------------------$35
Registration of your bicycle may help you _____________.
A.get your serial number | B.find your stolen bicycle |
C.receive free repair services | D.settle conflicts with walkers |
According to the passage, what bike equipment is a free choice for bicycle riders?
A.Brakes. | B.A helmet. | C.A taillight. | D.A headlight. |
If you lock your bicycle to a tree on the campus, you could be fined _________.
A.$25 | B.$30 | C.$35 | D.$40 |
What is the passage mainly about?
A.Directions for bicycle tour on campus. |
B.A guide for safe bicycling on campus. |
C.Regulations of bicycle race on campus. |
D.Rules for riding motor vehicles on campus. |
My teenage son Karl became withdrawn(孤僻) after his father died. As a single parent, I tried to do my best to talk to him. But the more I tried, the more he pulled away. When his report card arrived during his junior year, it said that he had been absent 95 times from classes and had six falling grades for the year. In this way he would never graduate. I sent him to the school adviser, and I even begged him. Nothing worked.
One night I felt so powerless that I got down on my knees and asked God for help. "Please God, I can't do anything more for my son. I'm at the end of my rope. I'm giving the whole thing up to you."
I was at work when I got a phone call. A man introduced himself as the headmaster. "I want to talk to you about Karl's absences." Before he could say another word, I choked up (哽咽) and all my disappointment and sadness over Karl came pouring out into the ears of this stranger. "I love my son, but I just don't know what to do. I've tried everything to get Karl to go back to school and nothing has worked. It's out of my hands." For a moment there was silence on the other end of the line. The headmaster seriously said, "Thank you for your time", and hung up.
Karl’s next report card showed a marked improvement in his grades. Finally, he was even on the list of the best students at school. In his fourth year, I attended a parent-teacher meeting with Karl. I noticed that his teachers were astonished at the way he had turned himself around. On our way home, he said, "Mum, remember that call from the headmaster last year?" I nodded. "That was me. I thought I'd play a joke but when I heard what you said, it really hit me how much I was hurting you. That's when I knew I had to make you proud." According to the first report card, Karl __________.
A.often went to school late | B.failed in all the exams |
C.did a good job at school | D.didn't do well at school |
When the mother said "It's out of my hands." to the headmaster, she meant that she________.
A.didn't know what to do about her son |
B.would drive her son away from the house |
C.had no money to support the family |
D.she would have to hang up |
There was silence on the other end of the line because _____.
A.the speaker was unable to interrupt the mother |
B.the speaker waited for the mother to finish speaking |
C.the speaker didn't want the mother to recognize his voice |
D.the speaker was too moved to say anything to the mother |
Who was it that telephoned Karl's mother that day?
A.The headmaster. | B.The school adviser. |
C.Karl himself. | D.The passage doesn't tell us. |
From the passage we can learn that _________.
A.children in single-parent families always have mental problems |
B.mother's love plays an important role in teenagers' life |
C.parents should give their children as much help as possible |
D.school education still works well without support from parents |
After a busy day of work and play, the body needs to rest. Sleep is necessary for good health. During this time, the body recovers from the activities of the previous day. The rest that you get while sleeping enables your body to prepare itself for the next day.
There are four levels of sleep, each being a little deeper than the one before. As you sleep, your muscles relax little by little. Your heart beats more slowly, and your brain slows down. After you reach the fourth level, your body shifts back and forth from one level of sleep to the other.
Although your mind slows down, from time to time you will dream. Scientists who study sleep state that when dreaming occurs, your eyeballs begin to move more quickly (Although your eyelids are closed). This stage of sleep is called REM, which stands for rapid eye movement.
If you have trouble falling asleep, some people recommend breathing very deeply. Other people believe that drinking warm milk will help make you drowsy. There is also an old suggestion the counting sheep will put you to sleep!A good title for this passage is ____.
A.Sleep | B.Dreams | C.Good Health | D.Work and Rest |
The word drowsy in the last paragraph means ____.
A.sick | B.asleep | C.stand up | D.a little sleepy |
This passage suggests that not getting enough sleep might make you _____.
A.dream more often | B.have poor health | C.nervous | D.breathe quickly |
During REM, ____.
A.your eyes move quickly | B.you dream | C.you are restless | D.both A and B |
The average number of hours of sleep that an adult needs is ______ .
A.approximately six hours | B.around ten hours |
C.about eight hours | D.not described here |
Believe it or not, there is always something nice to do on weekends. If you take some time to think about your weekends and plan them carefully, they may become more exciting, refreshing and as a result more rewarding.
Throughout weekends, you can join in endless activities. You may attend a weekend course to increase your knowledge, for example, listen to a lecture on ancient Egypt. You may also try various activities, such as short countryside trip, or you may want to go skiing on a cold winter weekend.
You may invite your best friend to a picnic, tell each other jokes and enjoy each other’s company or you may invite more friends to your weekend party and have one another give a talent show.
You can help out in a local library or nursing home and do some voluntary (义务的) jobs.
You can go to a sports ground or amusement centre to play various ball games and others. You may do weekend shopping alone or with somebody. Whatever you do, I hope you have a good weekend.The passage mainly tells us ______.
A.why to plan weekends well |
B.how to have a nice weekend |
C.when to attend weekend activities |
D.where to have a picnic with friends |
The author suggests doing all the activities EXCEPT ______.
A.going skiing | B.doing some shopping |
C.holding a party | D.going over lessons |
According to the passage one can go to ______ as a volunteer.
A.a nursing home | B.a sports ground |
C.a big company | D.a shopping centre |
It was a rather hot day. Everybody seemed to be looking for some kind of relief, so an ice cream store was a natural place to stop at.
A little girl, holding her money firmly, entered the store. Before she could say a word, the store clerk sharply told her to get outside and read the sign on the door, and stay out until she put on the shoes. She left slowly, and a big man followed her out of the store.
The man watched as she stood in front of the store and read the sign. “No Bare (赤裸) Feet”.
Tears started rolling down her cheeks as she turned and walked away. Just then the big man called to her. After sitting down on the roadside, he took off his size-12 shoes, set them in front of the girl and saying, “Here, you won’t be able to walk in these, but if you slide (拖) along, you can get your ice cream.”
Then he lifted the little girl up and set her feet into the shoes. “Take your time,” he said, “I get tired of moving them around, and it’s good to just sit here and eat my ice cream.”
The shining eyes of the little girl could not be missed as she ordered her ice cream.
He was a big man, all right. Big body, big shoes, but most of all, he had a big heart.The little girl wasn’t allowed to enter the store because ______.
A.she was dirty | B.she had no money |
C.the store was closed | D.she had no shoes on |
What happened to the little girl in the end?
A.The big man bought an ice cream for her. |
B.The store clerk took an ice cream out to her. |
C.She got her ice cream with the big man’s shoes. |
D.She left the store without getting her ice cream. |
From the story we can conclude (得出结论)that the big man is ______.
A.kind | B.funny | C.honest | D.hard-working |