There are times when nothing seems to be working in our favor. We may use complaining as a coping mechanism (办法，途经) when we are truly unhappy. However, there are many times when we don’t try our best and just want things to work our way. We may try to cover our faults by complaining about the unfairness of it all. These are expressive complaints where the complainer just wants to let out his/her anger or frustration, with no real intention of solving the problem. The complainer expects pity and recognition from the listeners although the results often disappoint him/her.
Sometimes, we use complaints as a conversation starter. Conversations that start with a complaint often have a domino effect. It may cause the listener to include his/her complaints in the conversation as well, which makes you think that you are not the only one facing problems. However, your good feeling won’t last long as long as you are always focusing on the negative.
When complaining becomes a habit, you complain to anyone that comes around. Negativity that comes from complaining kills creativity and innovation (创新). Habitual complainers are less likely to come up with new ideas, as they are busy finding faults and discourage others from trying new things by making them feel that they won’t work. When you spend time with people who constantly complain, you are likely to view things in a negative light. This will make things worse. This can affect the way you perceive your own situation, and even the people around you.
Though expressing your feelings may momentarily improve your state of mind, it could sometimes have a bad effect on the listener’s state of mind. A recent study has shown that at social gatherings while people who are unhappy may join you when you play the victim at the beginning, the majority would start avoiding you because of your negativity.Why do people who don’t try their best often complain?
| A．They want to get others’ pity. |
| B．It is the best way to let out their anger. |
| C．They try to find an excuse for their faults. |
| D．They hope to get a solution to their problems. |
According to Paragraph 2, complaints in conversations ________.
| A．are easy to deal with |
| B．can spread to others |
| C．may help you make friends |
| D．help focus on the similar unfairness |
What do we know about habitual complainers?
| A．They can hardly influence others in their negative way. |
| B．They can get momentary comfort by complaining. |
| C．They have a better understanding of their faults. |
| D．They are more likely to put forward new ideas. |
According to the author, complaining at social gatherings is ________.
| A．unusual | B．acceptable |
| C．unwelcome | D．frustrating |
（二）
A
How Do Animals Catch Their ZZZ’s?
Different creatures have developed some pretty creative ways to get their rest and stay safe. The lizard（蜥蝎）likes to sleep at the far end of small branches hanging out over a pond or lake in the rain forest. If a snake tries to slither up the branch to eat it ,it will shake the branch and knock the lizard off ,and the lizard will fall safely into the water. Chameleons can change color to match their surroundings in order to hide even while sleeping.
Corillas（大猩猩）like to sleep high in the trees. They build a new bed every night, sometimes taking up to half an hour to pile branches ,twigs ,and leaves into a comfortable bed .Birds also find it safe to sleep in the trees, but unless they have eggs or young chicks ,they don’t use a nest .They just lock their feet around a branch and hang on .A special tendon（腱）in their legs in automatically tight when they are at rest ,so they won’t let go and fall.
Dolphins live underwater ,but must come to the surface to breather .Scientists now believe that dolphins may sleep with only half their brain, while the other half stays awake to keep them safe and breathing. Seals also do this ,lying on their sides on the surface of the water with one flipper underwater paddling to keep their noses above the surface. Some ducks may also have this ability, and actually sleep with one eye closed and one eye open.
56．How many animals are mentioned in this passage?
A．6. B．7. C．8. D．9.
57．How does a chameleon protect itself while sleeping?
A．By changing its body colors. B．By hinging out over a pond.
C．By sleeping with half their brain. D．By making beds with branches.
58．Why will not birds fall when they are at rest?
A．They build nests and sleep in them. B．They fall asleep automatically.
C．They have a loose tendon in their legs. D．They lock their feet around a branch.
59．What does the writer intend to tell us?
A．The cleverest animal is the gorilla because it can make beds.
B．Differences in habitat could lead to different living habits.
C．The ways animals catch their ZZZ’s are pretty much he same .
D．In order to protect themselves most animals choose not to sleep.
D
The decision to enter F1 and compete at the highest level of motorsport was an intended move by Toyota, the world’s third largest auto manufacturer ,to further challenge its own capabilities. By going head-to-head with the industry’s top performers on the world’s premier racing stage ,the Japanese giant was setting itself a huge task. A sport with an enormous international following, the risks of entering the F1 arena are high—but there are rich rewards for those who succeed .Besides being a showcase for state-of-the-art technology, the intense competition in this most demanding of racing disciplines leaves no room for self-satisfaction. More importantly, it fosters（培养）the kind of forward-thinking team spirit that Toyota is seeking.
While F1 benefited greatly from the added prestige of having such a distinguished newcomer among its competitors ,the demands placed on Panasonic Toyota Racing last year revealed the shortcomings of not having enough experience as a team .Mistakes were made and valuable lessons were learned ,among which was the fundamental truth: “To stand still in F1 is to go backwards.”
With the past in mind ,preparations for the 2003 season included sweeping changes on both the technical and personnel（人事的）sides. The management at Toyota Motorsport GmbH was restructured , with John Howett moving from Toyota Motor Marketing Europe to become President ,thus enabling the company founder , Ove Andersson ,more time to concentrate on the operation of the race team at the track .Andersson’s value as an inspirational leader was one of the team’s biggest assets（财富）in 2002.
68．What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 2 mean?
A．To go backwards ,Toyota has to stand still.
B．If Toyota doesn’t make improvements ,they will fall behind.
C．Keeping calm will help go forward.
D．In order to keep up with other teams ,Toyota has to stand still.
69．We can learn from the passage that.
A．Toyota entered F1 to enlarge its market.
B．Entering F1 is low risk but rich rewarding.
C．Toyota team has always been experienced.
D．Toyota made good preparations for the 2003 season.
70．What will the next paragraph talk about if the passage goes on?
A．Preparations for the 2003 season.
B．The value of Ove Andersson.
C．How to improve the European market.
D．Changes on technical side.