Jimmy is an automotive mechanic, but he lost his job a few months ago. He has good heart, but always feared applying for a new job.
One day, he gathered up all his strength and decided to attend a job interview. His appointment was at 10 am and it was already 8:30. While waiting for a bus to the office where he was supposed to be interviewed, he saw an elderly man wildly kicking the tyre of his car. Obviously there was something wrong with the car. Jimmy immediately went up to lend him a hand. When Jimmy finished working on the car, the old man asked him how much he should pay for the service. Jimmy said there was no need to pay him; he just helped someone in need, and he had to rush for an interview. Then the old man said, “Well, I could take you to the office for your interview. It’s the least I could do. Please. I insist.” Jimmy agreed.
Upon arrival, Jimmy found a long line of applications waiting to be interviewed. Jimmy still had some grease on him after the car repair, but he did not have much time to wash it off or have a change of shirt. One by one, the applicants left the interviewer’s office with disappointed look on their faces. Finally his name was called. The interviewer was sitting on a large chair facing the office window. Rocking the chair back and forth, he asked, “Do you really need to be interviewed?” Jimmy’s heart sank. “With the way I look now, how could I possibly pass this interview?” he thought to himself.
Then the interviewer turned the chair and to Jimmy’s surprise, it was the old man he helped earlier in the morning. It turned out he was the General Manager of the company.
“Sorry I had to keep you waiting, but I was pretty sure I made the right decision to have you as part of our workforce before you even stepped into the office. I just know you’d be a trustworthy worker. Congratulations!” Jimmy sat down and they shared a cup of well-deserved coffee as he landed himself a new job.What did Jimmy see on the way to the interview?
A.A friend’s car had a flat tyre |
B.A wild man was pushing a car |
C.A terrible accident happened |
D.An old man’s car broke down |
Why did the old man offer Jimmy a ride?
A.He was also to be interviewed |
B.He needed a traveling companion |
C.He always helped people in need |
D.He was thankful to Jimmy |
How did Jimmy feel on hearing the interviewer’s question?
A.He was sorry for the other applicants |
B.There was no hope for him to get the job |
C.He regretted helping the old man |
D.The interviewer was very rude |
What can we learn from Jimmy’s experience?
A.Where there is a will, there’s a way |
B.A friend in need is a friend indeed |
C.Good is rewarded with good. |
D.Two heads are better than one |
Breathe, wave and smile. Along with more than 300 other seniors, I marched into the stadium on the afternoon of May 10. The audience burst into deafening cheers. The huge stadium shook with all the whistling and clapping.
It was as if a Hollywood superstar had walked on stage. And indeed, every single senior that day was a star of the moment. Each deserved it. The seniors had been preparing for four years for this once-in-a-lifetime moment—the commencement (graduation ceremony).
Seated, I waited anxiously for the opening address. As a foreign exchange student, I was not able to receive a diploma. However, I still had the wonderful feeling of being part of things. Like the other graduates, I was dressed in marron cap and gown.
Our principal, Mr. Glover, delivered a short, warm greeting. The US national anthem followed and then, hands on chests, a solemn Pledge of Allegiance(美国的爱国誓言).
Students who had excelled academically gave farewell speeches. The tears in some eyes convinced me that many had deep feelings about the occasion. It was as the class motto says, “Life brings us tears, smiles and memories. The tears dry; the smiles fade; but the memories last forever.”
Then came the core (the most important part) of the commencement. Hundreds of names were announced. Each graduate walked across the stage to receive his or her diploma from the principal. From the different cheers each graduate got, we had the funny sense that it was a kind of competition of who could cheer the loudest.
To be honest, the presentation of diplomas got boring. A girl sitting next to me even started yawning. But it wasn’t boring for those receiving the diploma: they would treasure the moment the principal placed the sacred brown document in their hands for the rest of their lives.
A new page in the book of that person’s life had turned. They were glimpsing their futures: futures of challenge, hardship, perhaps loneliness too, which would take all of their courage.What’s the article mainly about?
A.An American high school’s graduation ceremony. |
B.The opening ceremony of a sports meeting. |
C.A presentation of college diplomas. |
D.A US college’s farewell party. |
Which of the following statements about the author is FALSE?
A.She was one of the graduates. |
B.She was a foreign exchange student. |
C.She was excited to receive her diploma. |
D.She felt it great to be at the ceremony. |
The right order of the following events is______.
a. Diplomas were presented to graduates.
b. Students gave farewell speeches.
c. The US national anthem was played.
d. The principal gave a short, warm speech.
e. Seniors went into the stadium.
A.b,c,a,d,e | B.c,d,b,e,a | C.d,b,e,a,c | D.e,d,c,b,a |
From the text, we can conclude that_______.
A.a diploma ensures a good job |
B.a diploma guarantees a bright future |
C.the commencement symbolizes the beginning of a new stage in life |
D.everyone felt excited at the presentation of the diploma |
According to the passage, which of the following statement is true?
A.Hollywood superstars went to attend the commencement. |
B.Every single senior became a superstar on the commencement day. |
C.All graduates would treasure the diploma for the rest of their lives. |
D.When each graduate got his or her diploma, there were loud cheers. |
An old problem is getting new attention in the United States—bullying.Recent cases included the tragic case of a fifteen-year-old girl whose family moved from Ireland.She hanged herself in Massachusetts in January following months of bullying.Her parents criticized her school for failing to protect her.Officials have brought criminal charges against several teenagers.
Judy Kaczynski is president of an anti-bullying group called Bully Police USA.Her daughter Tina was the victim of severe bullying starting in middle school in the state of Minnesota.She said, "Our daughter was a very outgoing child.She was a bubbly personality, very involved in all kinds of things, had lots of friends.And over a period of time her grades fell completely.She started having health issues.She couldn't sleep.She wasn't eating.She had terrible stomach pains.She started clenching her jaw and grinding her teeth at night.She didn't want to go to school."
Bullying is defined as negative behavior repeated over time against the same person. It can involve physical violence.Or it can be verbal — for example, insults or threats.Spreading lies about someone or excluding a person from a group is known as social or relational bullying.
And now there is cyberbullying, which uses the Internet, e-mail or text messages.It has easy appeal for the bully because it does not involve face-to-face contact and it can be done at any time.
The first serious research studies into bullying were done in Norway in the late 1970s.The latest government study in the United States was released last year.It found that about one-third of students age twelve to eighteen were bullied at school.
Susan Sweater is a psychologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and co-director of the Bullying Research Network.She says schools should treat bullying as a mental health problem to get bullies and victims the help they need.She says bullying is connected to depression, anxiety and anti-social behavior, and bullies are often victims themselves.From the case of Tina, we can know that.
A.bullying is rare | B.victims suffered a lot |
C.schools are to blame | D.personalities are related |
Which of the following is NOT bullying?
A.To beat someone repeatedly. |
B.To call someone names. |
C.To isolate someone from friends. |
D.To refuse to help someone in need. |
Why is cyberbullying appealing to the bully?
A.Because it can involve more people. |
B.Because it can create worse effects. |
C.Because it is more convenient. |
D.Because it can avoid cheating. |
According to Susan Sweater,.
A.bullies are anti-social |
B.bullies should give victims help |
C.students are not equally treated |
D.bullies themselves also need help |
Which of the following can be the best title of the text?
A.Bullying—Old Irish Girl Committed Suicide |
B.15-Year-Old Irish Girl Committed Suicide |
C.Cyberbullying-Taking Off in Schools |
D.How to Find Bullying among Teens |
“The first and best of victories is for a man to conquer himself; to be conquered by himself is, of all things, the most shameful,” says Plato. Selfcontrol is at the root of all the advantages. Let a man give in to his impulses (冲动) and feelings, and from that moment he gives up his moral (道德上的) freedom.
A single angry word has lost many a friend. When Socrates found in himself any temper or anger, he would check it by speaking low in order to control himself. If you are conscious of being angry, keep your mouth shut so that you can hold back rising anger. Many a person has dropped dead in great anger. Fits of anger bring fits of disease. “Whom the gods would destroy they firstmake mad” “Keep cool”, says George Herbert, “for fierceness (狂怒) makes error a fault.”
To be angry with a weak man is to prove that you are not strong yourself. “Anger,” says Pythagoras, “brings with folly(愚蠢) and ends with regret.” You must measure the strength of a man by the power of the feelings he conquers, not by the power of those which conquer him.
Selfcontrol is man's last greatest victory.
If a man lacks selfcontrol he seems to lack everything. Without it he can have no patience, no power to govern himself; he can have no selfconfidence, for he will always be controlled by his strongest feeling. If he lacks selfcontrol, the very backbone and nerve of character are lacking also. What does the reader learn from the first paragraph?
A.The greatest victory for a man is to conquer everything except himself. |
B.One's moral freedom is based on the control of himself. |
C.To control oneself is the most difficult in one's life. |
D.If a person is too stubborn, he will feel most shameful. |
What is the correct interpretation of “Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad”?
A.If the gods want to kill you, they make you crazy first. |
B.If you cannot control yourself, you will become crazy. |
C.If you always lose your temper, you will soon be finished. |
D.If you are mad, you will be punished by the gods. |
If a man lacks selfcontrol, he lacks all of the following EXCEPT ________.
A.the very backbone and nerve of character |
B.the patience and power to control himself |
C.selfconfidence |
D.strong feelings |
When you go to St. Petersburg, the number of attractions can seem large. If you are short of time, or just want to make sure to hit the highlights, these are the top must-see sights in St.Petersburg.
●The Hermitage Museum
The Hermitage Museum is one of the most important sights to see for any visitor to St.Petersburg.There are lots of different paintings by the old masters in the Hermitage.Prepare to come face-to-face with classic Western artists.
●Kizhi Island
Kizhi Island is an open-air museum of wooden architecture from the Karelia Region of Russia.These impressive structures are made entirely without nails - the wood fits together with joints and grooves(沟槽).
●Peterhof
Peterhof is as beautiful as it is fun.You’ll be charged for admission, but go to Petethof when the fountains are working—during the day in the summer.They are shut off in winter evenings.
●The Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood
Love it or hate it, the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood in St.Petersburg is an enthralling must-see sight.The beautiful look may make y our eyes brighten, and the painting inside the church will make you say “Wow!”
●The Bronze Horseman Statue
The so-called Bronze Horseman is a part of Russian culture and a symbol of St.Petersburg.Made famous by Alexander Pushkin, this statue of Peter the Great sitting on his horse can truly show Peter the Great’s influence on the Russian idea of greatness.If you are interested in paintings, you’d better go to.
A.Peterhof and Kizhi Island |
B.the Hernatage Museum and Peterhof |
C.Kizhi Island and the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood |
D.the hermitage Museum and the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood |
We can learn from the passage that .
A.visitors can visit Peterhof for free |
B.the buildings of Kizhi Island are made of wood |
C.the fountains in Peterhof can be seen all year round |
D.the largest collection of Russian arts is in the Hermitage Museum |
The main purpose of the passage is to.
A.show the wonderful history of Russia |
B.persuade artists to study St.Petersburg |
C.recommend the famous buildings in Russia |
D.introduce the must-see sights in St.Petersburg |
The underlined phrase (in Para 1) “hit the highlights” means.
A.to save more time | B.to learn more knowledge |
C.to go to the high buildings | D.to visit the most interesting sights |
For thousands of years, the most important two buildings in any British village have been the church and the pub. Traditionally, the church and the pub are at the heart of any village or town, where the people gather together to socialize and exchange news.
As a result, British pubs are often old and well preserved. Many of them have become historic sites. The most famous example is the pub in the city of Nottingham called “Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem”, which dates back to the year 1189 AD and is probably the oldest pub in England.
However, British pubs are not just for kings and queens; they welcome people from all classes and parts of society. On a cold night, the pub’s landlord or landlady can always find a warm place for you by the fire. There is always honest and hearty food and plenty of drink available at an affordable price.
That’s how things used to be. Things are beginning to change. It is said that the credit crunch(信贷紧缩) is causing 39 British pubs a week to go out of business. People do not have enough spare money to spend on beer. Recently, the UK government banned smoking in all pubs, and that may also have affected the number of customers going to pubs.
This decline is happening despite the fact that in 2005 the UK government started to allow pubs to stay open after 1l pm. Previously, with 1l pm as closing time, customers would have to drink quite quickly, meaning they sometimes got more drunk than they would if allowed to drink slowly. The British habit of drinking a lot very quickly is known as “binge drinking”, and it causes long-term health problems for people and problems with violent crime for communities.
In order to save their businesses, pubs are trying to change with the market. British pubs now offer something for everyone. A lot of pubs used to be “Working Men's Clubs”, meaning that women could not usually enter. Today, however, women can freely enter 99% of pubs without experiencing any problems. Perhaps things are changing for the better after all.The passage mainly tells us something about
A.the past and present of British pubs |
B.the decline of British pubs |
C.the long history of British pubs |
D.the importance of British pubs |
Which may not be the cause of the decline of British pubs?
A.The credit crunch. |
B.The ban of smoking. |
C.The present closing time |
D.Having no spare money. |
We can infer from the passage that
A.British people used to like drinking slowly |
B.closing the pubs early will reduce social problems |
C.binge drinking means drinking less beer |
D.British government aims to discourage people from binge drinking |
We can see from the last paragraph that the author ________
A.is against the admission of too many women to the pubs |
B.holds an optimistic attitude towards the British pubs |
C.thinks that women in the pubs will cause less social problems |
D.thinks that British pubs should offer everything you need |