Cleverness is a gift while kindness is a choice．Gifts are easy—they’re given after a11．Choicecan be hard．
I got the idea to start Amazon 16 years ago．Icame across the fact that the Internet usage was growing at 2300 percent per year．I’d never seen or heard of anything that grew that fast，andtheidea of building all online bookstore with millions of titles was very exciting to me. I had just turned 30 years old，and I’d been married for a year．I told my wife MacKenzie that I wanted to quit my job and go to do this crazy thing that probably wouldn’t work since most start-ups don’tand I wasn’t sure what to expect．MacKenzie told me I should go for it．As a young boy，I’dbeen a garageinventor．I’d always wanted to be all inventor，and she wanted me to follow my passion．
I was working at a financial firm in New York Citywith a bunch of very smart peopleand Ihad a brilliant boss that I much admired．I went to my boss and toldhim I wanted to start a company selling books on the Internet．He took me on a longwalk in Central Park，listened carefully to me，and finally said，“That sounds like a really good ides，but it would be an even better idea for someone who didn’t already have a good job．”That 1ogic made some sense to me，and he convinced me to think about it for 48 hours before making a final decision．Seenin that light．it really wasa difficult choice，but ultimately，I decided I had to give it a shot．I didn’t think I’d regret trying and failing．And I suspected I would always be haunted by a decision to not try at all.
After much consideration，I took the less safe path to follow my passion，and I’m proud ofthat choice．For all ofus，in the end，we are our choice．What inspired the author with the idea of building an online bookstore?
| A．His dream of being an inventor． |
| B．The support of his wife． |
| C．The greatly increasing usage of the Internet． |
| D．Millions of exciting titles, |
Which of the following is closest in meaningto the underlinedentence?
| A．The idea of not trying would keep coming to his mind and disturb him． |
| B．He would be very excited if he tried it out． |
| C．Be would be always having a doubt if he didn’t try． |
| D．The decision to not try the online bookstore would terrify him． |
We can know from the passage that_______．
| A．the boss thought the idea was suitable for the author |
| B．the author wanted someone else to try the idea |
| C．the author might not regret if he failed the idea |
| D．the author might go back to his boss if he failed |
Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
| A．Cleverness and Kindness |
| B．The Starting of Amazon |
| C．Following My Passion |
| D．We Are What We Choose |
The world is filled with smart，talented，educated and gifted people.We meet them every day.A few days ago，my car was not running well.I pulled it into a garage，and the young mechanic had it fixed in just a few minutes.He knew what was wrong by simply listening to the engine.I was a mazed.The sad truth is that great talent is not enough.
I am constantly shocked at how little talented people earn.I heard the other day that less than 5 percent of Americans earn more than $100,000 a year.A business consultant who specializes in the medical，trade told me how many doctors and dentists struggled financially.It was this business consultant who gave me the phrase，“They are one skill away from great wealth.”
There is an old saying that goes，“Job means ‘just over broke (破产)’．” And unfortunately，I would say that the saying applies to millions of people.Because school does not think financial intelligence is intelligence，and most workers “live_within_their_means”．They work and they pay the bills.Instead I recommend young people to seek work for what they will learn，more than what they will earn.
When I ask the class I teach，“How many of you can cook a better hamhurger than McDonald’s？” almost all the students raise their hands.I then ask，“So if most of you can cook a better hamburger，how come McDonald’s makes more money than you？” The answer is obvious：McDonald’s is excellent at business systems.The reason why so many talented people are poor is that they focus on making a better hamburger but know little or nothing about business systems.The world is filled with talented poor people.They focus on perfecting their skills at making a better hamburger rather than the skills of selling and delivering the hamburger.The author mentions the mechanic in the first paragraph to show that________.
| A．he is just one of the talented people |
| B．he is ready to help others |
| C．he has a sharp sense of hearing |
| D．he knows little about car repairing |
The underlined part in the third paragraph can be best replaced by “________”．
| A．spend more than they can afford |
| B．do in their own way |
| C．live in their own circle |
| D．live within what they earn |
Why do talented people earn so little according to the author?
| A．They don’t work hard enough. |
| B．They lack financial intelligence. |
| C．They don’t make full use of their talents. |
| D．They have no specialized skills. |
The success of McDonald’s lies in its________.
| A．skills at making hamburgers |
| B．good business systems |
| C．talented workers |
| D．excellent service |
The main purpose of the author is to tell us________.
| A．how young people can find a satisfactory job |
| B．what schools should teach students |
| C．why so many talented people are poor |
| D．how McDonald’s makes much money |
BLOOD DRIVE ＆ MARROW（骨髓）REGISTRATION
“These patients deserve a chance at a normal, happy future and they rely on the kindness of the strangers to make that happen.
— Daisy, Isabelle’s Mother
Isabelle is the daughter of Daisy and Saman Mirzaei. In January 2008 Isabelle was diagnosed（诊断）with a genetic blood disorder，beta thalassemia. Isabelle’s body is unable to produce healthy red blood cells. As a result, Isabelle has been receiving blood transfusions (输血) every 4-6weeks since she was 11 months old. A lifetime of regular transfusions can lead to serious medical problems. Her only chance at a normal, healthy life is to have a marrow transplant. Isabelle is an only child, so doctors have started a search for an unrelated marrow donor through The Match Registry. The Mirzaei family asks that you consider helping patients like Isabelle by registering to be a marrow donor and give the gift of life, the gift of blood.
Held at Wiley Hall
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Behind Heathman Dormitory/Butterfield Rd.
12:00 PM - 6 :00 PM
Don’t forget to bring your driver’s license or another form of identification when you donate.
Visit www.ribc.org to make an appointment, Sponsor Code 3390.
FREE Kingston Pizza ! ! !
| Marrow Donors: BE THE MATCH bethematch.org ·be 18 to 44 years old ·in good health ·give a swab(化验标本)of your cheek cells for marrow typing ·FREE—sponsored（赞助）by Michael’s Fund |
WWW. ribc. org 800-283-8385
The Rhode Island Blood Center distributes blood products to hospitals in Rhode Island and Southern New England.We can learn from the passage that__________.
| A．the blood drive is organized by Isabelle's mother |
| B．Isabelle receives blood transfusions regularly |
| C．Isabelle has been ill for 11 months |
| D．doctors will sponsor Isabelle's family |
To be a marrow donor, you must_____________.
| A．be a relative of the patient | B．carry a driver's license |
| C．be at least 18 years old | D．apply to Michael's Fund |
Those who want to help patients like Isabelle can ___________.
| A．come to Wiley Hall every Wednesday |
| B．visit www. ribc. org for an appointment |
| C．contact their parents at 800-283-8385 |
| D．call at hospitals in Rhode Island |
Researchers in the psychology department at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) have discovered a major difference in the way men and women respond to stress. This difference may explain why men are more likely to suffer from stressrelated disorders.
Until now, psychological research has maintained that both men and women have the same “fightorflight” reaction to stress. In other words, individuals either react with aggressive behavior, such as verbal or physical conflict (“fight”), or they react by withdrawing from the stressful situation (“flight”). However, the UCLA research team found that men and women have quite different biological and behavioral responses to stress. While men often react to stress in the fightorflight response, women often have another kind of reaction which could be called “tend and befriend.” That is, they often react to stressful conditions by protecting and nurturing their young (“tend”), and by looking for social contact and support from others—especially other females (“befriend”)．
Scientists have long known that in the fightorflight reaction to stress, an important role is played by certain hormones (激素) released by the body. The UCLA research team suggests that the female tendorbefriend response is also based on a hormone. This hormone, called oxytocin, has been studied in the context of childbirth, but now it is being studied for its role in the response of both men and women to stress. The principal investigator, Dr. Shelley E. Taylor, explained that “animals and people with high levels of oxytocin are calmer, more relaxed, more social, and less anxious.” While men also secrete (分泌) oxytocin, its effects are reduced by male hormones.
In terms of everyday behavior, the UCLA study found that women are far more likely than men to seek social contact when they are feeling stressed. They may phone relatives or friends, or ask directions if they are lost.
The study also showed how fathers and mothers responded differently when they came home to their family after a stressful day at work. The typical father wanted to be left alone to enjoy some peace and quiet. For a typical mother, coping with a bad day at work meant focusing her attention on her children and their needs.
The differences in responding to stress may explain the fact that women have lower frequency of stressrelated disorders such as high blood pressure or aggressive behavior. The tendandbefriend regulatory (调节的) system may protect women against stress, and this may explain why women on average live longer than men.The UCLA study shows that in response to stress, men are more likely than women to ________.
| A．turn to friends for help |
| B．solve a conflict calmly |
| C．find an escape from reality |
| D．seek comfort from children |
Which of the following is true about oxytocin according to the passage?
| A．Men have the same level of oxytocin as women do. |
| B．Oxytocin used to be studied in both men and women. |
| C．Both animals and people have high levels of oxytocin. |
| D．Oxytocin has more of an effect on women than on men. |
What can be learned from the passage?
| A．Male hormones help build up the body's resistance to stress. |
| B．In a family a mother cares more about children than a father does. |
| C．Biological differences lead to different behavioral responses to stress. |
| D．The UCLA study was designed to confirm previous research findings. |
Which of the following might be the best title of the passage?
| A．How men and women get over stress |
| B．How men and women suffer from stress |
| C．How researchers overcome stress problems |
| D．How researchers handle stressrelated disorders |
A famous doctor once received a little child who was badly ill. Thanks to his skill and care, his young patient got well and was soon able to get up and run about again.
The child’s mother was very much obliged to the doctor, and she called on him to thank him for what he had done for her child. “Doctor,” she said, “you have saved my little son. I don’t know how to thank you enough. I feel that money alone cannot repay you, so I have made this little purse with my own hands, as a sign of my gratitude. I hope you will accept it.” The doctor stood up and said coldly, “Madam, a little present like that is very nice between friends, but a doctor needs to be paid properly for what he has done.” The lady was so surprised and hurt so much that she could not reply for a moment. Then she said quietly, “Perhaps you will tell me how much your fee is?”
“Fifty pounds”, he answered.
The lady opened the little purse and took out four fifty-pound bank notes. She handed one of them to the doctor, and put the other three back into the purse. She put the purse into her handbag and, saying good bye to the doctor, went out of the room.The lady was thankful to the doctor because ________.
| A．he had saved her life | B．he had saved her son’s life |
| C．he had lent her some money | D．he often called on her |
The doctor refused the lady’s purse because he thought ______.
| A．the purse should be given between friends |
| B．the purse was too small |
| C．the lady was not kind to him |
| D．the lady just gave him that purse and wouldn’t give him the medical fee |
What the doctor said ______ the lady.
| A．worried | B．interested | C．frightened | D．hurt |
The money in the purse _______.
| A．was only 150 pounds |
| B．was less than 200 pounds |
| C．was much more than the medical fee |
| D．was not enough for the medical fee |
How do you think the doctor would feel in the end?
| A．Sorry and worried | B．Regret and proud |
| C．Excited and proud | D．Sorry and regret |
The works of Shakespeare and Wordsworth are “rocketboosters” to the brain and better than the other selfhelp books，researchers will say this week.
Scientists，psychologists and the English experts at Liverpool University have found that reading the works of Shakespeare and other classical writers has a beneficial effect on the mind，catches the reader’s attention and triggers moments of selfreflection.Using scanners，they monitored the brain activity of volunteers as they read the works by William Shakespeare，William Wordsworth，T.S Eliot and other classical writers.
They then “translated” the texts into more “straightforward”，modern language and again monitored the readers’ brains as they read the words.Scans showed that the more “challenging” articles and poetry set off far more electrical activity in the brain than the modern versions.Scientists were able to study the brain activity as it responded to each word and record how it “lit up” as the readers came across unusual words，surprising phrases or difficult sentence structures.This “lighting up” of the mind lasts longer than the initial electrical spark，shifting the brain to a higher speed，encouraging further reading.
The research also found that reading poetry，in particular，increases the activities in the right side of the brain，an area concerned with “autobiographical memory”，helping readers to reflect on their own experiences in light of what they have read.The experts said this meant the classics were more useful than selfhelp books.
Philip Davis，an English professor who has worked on the study with the university，will tell a conference this week：“Serious literature acts like a rocketbooster (火箭助推器) to the brain.”
“The research shows the power of classical literature to shift mental pathways，to create new thoughts，shapes and connections in the young and the old alike.” The author mentioned Shakespeare and Wordsworth in Paragraph One to________.
| A．show their great achievements |
| B．attract our interest in literature |
| C．introduce the topic of the text |
| D．encourage us to read their works |
According to the text，reading classical works can________.
| A．help deal with some physical problems |
| B．benefit our mind and thinking |
| C．improve our reading skills |
| D．help learn more about history |
The scientists and experts did the experiment by________.
| A．scanning the readers’ brain activities |
| B．reading works of different writers |
| C．lighting up the activities of the brains |
| D．investigating the habits of the readers |
We can learn from Paragraph 4 that reading poetry________.
| A．is concerned with the right side of the brain |
| B．has the same effects as reading selfhelp books |
| C．helps you forget the things in the past |
| D．makes you more serious and objective |
What might be the author’s purpose in writing the text?
| A．To introduce some great writers in England. |
| B．To present a study on brain activities. |
| C．To introduce a research on reading classics. |
| D．To show the power of classical literature. |