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 |
A year ago August, Dave Fuss lost his job driving a truck for a small company in west Michigan．His wife, Gerrie, was still working in the local school cafeteria, but work for Dave was scarce, and the price of everything was rising．The Fusses were at risk of joining the millions of Americans who have lost their homes in recent years．Then Dave and Gerrie received a timely gift—＄7,000，a legacy （遗产） form their neighbors Ish and Arlene Hatch, who died in an accident ．“It really made a difference when we were going under financially．” says Dave．
But the Fusses weren’t the only folks in Alto and the neighboring town of Lowell to receive unexpected legacy from the Hatches．Dozens of other families were touched by the Hatches’ generosity．In some cases, it was a few thousand dollars ; in other, it was more than ＄100,000．
It surprised nearly everyone that the Hatches had so much money, more than ＄3 million—they were an elderly couple who lived in an old house on what was left of the family farm ．
Children of the Great Depression, Ish and Arlene were known for their habit of saving．They thrived on（喜欢）comparison shopping and would routinely go from store to store, checking prices before making a new purchase ．
Through the years, the Hatches paid for local children to attend summer camp when their parents couldn’t afford it．“Ish and Arlene never asked whether you needed anything,” says their friend Sand Van Weelden, “They could see things they could do to make you happier, and they would do them．
Even more extraordinary was that the Hatches had their farmland distributed．It was the Hatches’ wish that their legacy—a legacy of kindness as much as one of dollars and cents —should enrich the whole community and Ish and Arlene Hatch’s story．
Neighbors helping neighbors ——that was Ish and Arlene Hatch’s story．According go the text, the Fusses_______________．
| A．were employed by a truck company |
| B．were in financial difficulty |
| C．worked in a school cafeteria |
| D．lost their home |
Which of the following is true of the Hatches?
| A．They had their children during the Great Depression． |
| B．They left the family farm to live in an old house． |
| C．They gave away their possessions to their neighbors． |
| D．They helped their neighbors to find jobs． |
Why would the Hatches routinely go from store?
| A．They decided to open a store． |
| B．They wanted to save money． |
| C．They couldn’t afford expensive things． |
| D．They wanted to buy gifts for local kids． |
According to Sand Van Weelden, the Hatches were_________．
| A．understanding | B．optimistic | C．childlike | D．curious |
What can we learn from the text?
| A．The community of Alto was poor． |
| B．The summer camp was attractive to the parents． |
| C．Sandy Van Weelden got a legacy form the Hatches． |
| D．The Hatches would like the neighbors to follow their example． |
The hole in the earth's protective ozone layer（臭氧层）won't repair itself until about two decades later than had been expected, scientists announced.
The ozone layer blocks more than 90 percent of the sun's ultraviolet radiation（紫外线辐射）, helping to make life on Earth possible. For many dacades, ozone was depleted（削减） by chlorine and bromine gas in the air. A hole in the ozone layer formed over the Southern Hemisphere.
Computer models had forecast that the hole would fill back in by 2050. An improved computer model forecasts the recovery won't occur until 2068. The model, fed with fresh data from statellites and airplanes, was supported by the fact that it accurately reproduced ozone levels in the Antarctic stratosphere（平流层）over the past 27 years.
The ozone hole is actually more of a broad region with less ozone than ought to occur naturally. It is not limited to Antarctica, as is often believed.
Over areas that are farther from the poles like Africa or the US, the levels of ozone are only three to six percent below natural levels. Over Antarctica, ozone levels are 70 percent lower in the spring. This new method allows us to more accurately estimate（估计）ozone-depleting gases over Antarctica, and how they will decrease over time, reducing the ozone hole area.
Paul Newman, a scientist,said that the ozone hole has not started to become smaller as quickly as expected. They figure it will not become much smaller until 2018, after which time the recovery should proceed more quickly. And the hole will not be filled in again until 2065.According to the passage, the ozone layer _______
| A．absorbs as much as sunlight as possible |
| B．protects man against ultraviolet radiation |
| C．controls the changes in temperature |
| D．prevents the production of carbon dioxide |
The improved computer model is believable because _________
| A．it was once proved by facts |
| B．it has been studied for 27 years |
| C．it was created by many scientists |
| D．it is related to satellites and airplanes |
The underlined word “they” in the fifth paragraph refers to ________
| A．the levels of ozone |
| B．ozone-depleting gases |
| C．the ozone holes |
| D．the areas far from the poles |
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| A．Item 1 | B．Item 3 | C．Item 4 | D．Item 6 |
One of the unique characteristics of Item 3 is that _____.
| A．it can be washed repeatedly |
| B．it is made of 100% organic cotton |
| C．it is mainly made of bamboo |
| D．it is comfortable and user-friendly |
The underlined word "properties" in the passage can most probably be replaced by"______" .
| A．belongings | B．characteristics | C．materials | D．surroundings |
The art of public speaking began in ancient Greece over 2,000 years ago. Now, twitter, e-mail, blogs and QQ chat offer approaches to communication— but none can replace the role of a great speech.
The spoken word can handle various important functions: persuading or inspiring, informing, paying tribute (致敬), entertaining, or simply introducing someone.
Persuading is used in dealing with or reconciling different points of view. When the leaders met in Copenhagen in December, 2009, persuasive words from activities encouraged them to take former action.
Inspirational speeches deal with emotions. They focus on topics and matters that are close to people’ s hearts. Last year, during the fighting in Iraq, generals used inspiring speeches to prepare the troops for battle.
Some speeches spread knowledge and deepen understanding. When the H1N1 flu was announced, the disease scared many people. Informtive speechs from World Health Organization (WTO) officials helped people to keep their panic under control so they could take necessary preventive measures.
Sad events are never easy to deal with but a speech that pays tribute to the loss of a loved one and gives praise for their contribution can be comforting. Madonna’s speech about Michael Jackson after his death showed the fact that he will continue to live on through his music.
It’s not only in world forums where public speaking plays an important role. It can also be helpful in the course of our own life. You may be asked to do a presentation at college or work to inform others about an area of great importance. On a more personal level, a friend may be upset and need comforting. Or you might be asked to introduce a speaker at a family gathering or to speak at a wedding, where your language will be needed to move people or make them laugh.
Great speaking ability is not something we’re born with. Even Barack Obama works hard to perfect every speech.The underlined word “recociling” in paragraph 3 can best be replaced by “________”
| A．considering | B．questioning | C．accepting | D．settling |
The passage mentions the H1N1 flu to show the function of _______
| A．persuasive speeches | B．informative speeches |
| C．inspirational speeches | D．introductive speech |
The 7th paragraph mainly tells us that public speaking ______.
| A．is important in world forums |
| B．can help us make more friends |
| C．matters more in one’s life |
| D．is helpful in our daily life |
What would the writer probably talk about following the last paragraph?
| A．How the speech came into being |
| B．Why the public speaking is imporatant. |
| C．How you can perfect your speech |
| D．Why Obama often makes speeches |
What would be the best title for the passage?
| A．Tips of great speeches | B．The history of the speech |
| C．Functions of the speech | D．The language of the speech |
DIY sailor Owen Warboys has finally launched his homemade boat — after spending nearly 30 years building it in his mum’s garden.
Owen, 66, a retired engineer from Hordle, New Milton, Hants, first started work on the 40ft—long boat in 1982 because he could not afford to buy his own. He told mum Edith that it would only take five years but after suffering “a few problems” it lasted nearly three decades.
When he finally finished, he was left with the head-scratching task of getting the 18-tonne boat out of the back garden. After some time he found a way. A huge crane (起重机) was brought in to carefully raise it 40ft in the air over his mother’s house and onto a lorry. It was then driven to the seaside and, to Owen’s delight, it floated and showed no signs of leaking when lowered into the water.
Now, 28 years after he first started, Owen is at last preparing to set sail in his beloved boat, Wight Dolphin, with his long-suffering wife Anne. Owen said, “I am so relieved that it’s finished. There were times when I thought it would never end but I’m the sort of person who likes to finish something once I’ve started.”
At first he persuaded his mum to let him do it in her garden and started taking in sheets of steel and pieces of wood. “My mother was happy for me to build it at her house but only bacause I told her it would only take five years.”Why did Owen decide to make his own boat by himself?
| A．He wanted to kill time after his retirement |
| B．He wished to set a new world record |
| C．He didn’t have enough money to buy a boat |
| D．He had a hobby of making things by hand |
What problem did Owen face when he finished his boat?
| A．It leaked when lowered into the water |
| B．It couldn’t be sent onto a truck |
| C．He couldn’t afford to hire a crane. |
| D．He didn’t know how to move it out. |
Which of the following is TRUE about the boat ?
| A．It was built by Owen and his supportive wife |
| B．It was in good condition after being put in the sea |
| C．Owen’s mother was relieved to see it was finished |
| D．Owen and his wife will sail around the world in it |
We can infer from the passage that _____.
| A．the boat will enter a race competition |
| B．Owen retired early in order to make his boat |
| C．Owen’s wife gave the boat the name of Wight Dolphin |
| D．It took 23 more years to finish the boat than expected |