Cleverness is a gift while kindness is a choice.Gifts are easy—they’re given after all.Choice can be hard.
I got the idea to start Amazon 16 years ago.I came 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，and the idea 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’t and I wasn’t sure what to expect.MacKenzie told me I should go for it.As a young boy，I’d been a garage inventor.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 City with a bunch of very smart people and I had a brilliant boss that I much admired.I went to my boss and told him I wanted to start a company selling books on the Internet.He took me on a long walk in Central Park，listened carefully to me，and finally said，“That sounds like a really good idea，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.Seen in that light,it really was a difficult choice，but finally，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 of that choice.For all of us，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 meaning to the underlined sentence?
| 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. |
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 |
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 |
NPR has ended its contract with Juan Williams, one of its senior news analysts, after he made comments about Muslims on the Fox News Channel．
NPR said in a statement that it gave Mr． Williams notice of his ending in this organization on Wednesday night．
The move came after Mr． Williams, who is also a Fox News political analyst, appeared on the “The O’Reilly Factor” on Monday． On the show, the host, Bill O’Reilly, asked him to respond to the idea that the United States was facing a “Muslim dilemma（窘境）．”Mr． O’Reilly said, “The cold truth is that in the world today jihad（圣战）, helped and encouraged by some Muslim nations, is the biggest threat on the planet．”
Mr． Williams said he agreed with Mr． O'Reilly．
He continued: “You know the kind of books I've written about the civil rights movement in this country． But 
when I get on the plane． I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim clothing and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and known as Muslim． I get worried． I get nervous． ”
Mr． Williams also made reference to the Pakistani immigrant who was guilty this month trying to plant a car bomb in Times Square． “He said the war with Muslims, America's war is just beginning, first drop of blood． I don’t think there’s any way to get away from these facts,” Mr． Williams said．
NPR said in its statement that the remarks “were inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices, and weakened his reputation as a news analyst with NPR”
The publ
ic radio organization said it thanked him for many years of service． Mr． Williams did
not immediately respond on Wednesday night to an e-mail seeking comment．
Mr． Williams' contributions on Fox raised eyebrows at NPR in the past． In February 2009, NPR said it had asked that he stop being identified on “The O’Reilly Factor” as a “senior correspondent for NPR,” even though that title was accurate． According to the passage, NPR is probably_．
| A．a TV station | B．a public radio organization |
| C．a newspaper | D．a website |
NPR has ended its contract with Juan Williams because
| A．Juan Williams made comments on the Fox News Channel without NPR's permission |
| B．NPR was disappointed about Juan Williams’ performance in its programs |
| C．Juan Williams' remarks about Muslims ruined NPR's reputation |
| D．Juan Williams' comments and performances didn't agree with NPR's traditions |
What can we infer from the underlined sentence in Paragraph 5'?
| A．Juan Williams is afraid of taking a plane． |
| B．It’s very easy to recognize Muslims because their clothes are special． |
| C．Muslims are sometimes considered dangerous to the safety of the world． |
| D．Juan Williams looks down upon Muslims． |
The best title of the passage is ．
| A．NPR ended its contract with Juan Williams |
| B．Muslims are the biggest threat to the world |
| C．Juan Williams, the senior news analyst of NPR |
| D．Fired from NPR, Juan Williams keeps talking on Fox |
The English are famous for their manners． The phrase, “Manners maketh the man” was coined by Englishman William of Wykeham back in 1324, but they’re just as important today． Books are written on the subject, advice columns in magazines tell people how to behave, and “finishing schools” still exist to ensure that young girls become young “ladies”．
The best example of English manners is in their mastery of the art of forming a queue． It is a popular joke in England （the land of sporting failures） to say, “if only queuing was an Olympic sport, we’d win hands down．” No one knows exactly how and when it started, but queuing plays an important role in the English social make-up． School children are taught to queue for roll-call, assembly and lunch, and English people across the land form orderly queues at shops, banks, cinemas and bus-stops every day． The English obviously aren’t the only people who queue, but they seem to do it better than anyone else． As one visitor said, “I have travelled across Europe, the Middle and Far East and nowhere have I seen the single-file queues which are formed in England．”
The English are also famously polite when it comes to language． Whereas many other notions are more direct in their communication, the English prefer a more indirect form of asking for things． For example, an American who wants to talk to a colleague might say, “Got a minute?”; however an English person will often use a more indirect means might of requesting the chat, “Sorry to bother you, but would you possibly have a minute or so to have a quick chat if you don’t mind, please?”
The English also love to apologize for things． When squeezing past someone, people say “sorry”． And they will apologize if you bump into them, “whoops! Sorry! My fault．” In fact, no one seems to say “sorry” as much as the English: “sorry I’m late． /Sorry I forgot to call you last night．/I’m sorry you didn’t get the e-mail．” And so on． They also like to use “please” and “thank you” a lot． In a shop, they will say, “I’d like a packet of crisp, please． Thanks．” British students thank their lectures, a
nd bosses often thank their employees for doing their jobs． Why does “finishing schools” still exist to help young girls become “ladies”?
| A．Because the English mind their manners very much． |
| B．Because the English parents want to marry their daughters to the royal family． |
| C．Because the English girls are so rude that they need to be taught to be polite． |
| D．Because the English government ensures their existence． |
The underlined sentence in paragraph2 implies ________________．
| A．The English love the Olympics very much． |
| B．The English spend nothing winning an Olympic medal． |
| C．The English are best at queuing． |
| D．The English prefer to queue with their hands down． |
According to the passage, if Americans say “Waiter! Could I have another fork, please?” how will the English express such a meaning?
| A．Excuse me! Give me another fork, please! |
| B．Excuse me! I have to be a bother, but would you mind awfully changing this fork, please? |
| C．Hi! Would you mind giving me another fork? |
| D．Waiter! Come here and change the fork! |
According to the passage, why do the employers often thank their employees for doing their jobs?
| A．The employees can bring them a lot of benefits． |
| B．The employees finish their jobs perfectly． |
| C．The English employers’ good manners lead them to do so． |
| D．The employers do it as a result of the company’s regulation． |
Did you know that there are gifts that will multiply your happiness when you give them away? Here are five of those gifts． Giving these gifts will allow you to share with others your most unique treasure: your real self． Each gift will return to you many times．
1． Share appreciation
Tell someone how much you appreciate the faith they've shown in you． Thank them sincerely for being part of your life． Tell them how much they are needed．
Feeling appreciated is one of the most important needs that people have． When you share with someone your appreciation and gratitude, they will not forget you． Appreciation will return to you many times．
2． Share time
Balance your time expenditures （耗费）so you can spend time with the people that you love． Support local organizations by sharing your special talents． Volunteer time for projects that benefit others in your community, country, and world．
When we slow down and observe our thoughts closely, we will sometimes uncover gifts and talents we didn't know we had． Sharing time and talents can result in discoveries that bring happiness beyond measure．
3． Share knowledge and ideas
Tell someone about a great book that you read so they can benefit from it too． Teach a new concept or idea that you've learned．
One of the best ways to strengthen new concepts in your mind is to share them with others． The more often you share what you've learned, the stronger that information will become in your memory． Sharing knowledge also provides solutions to problems． The more knowledge we share, the more knowledge we receive in return．
4． Share friendship
Acknowledge someone's strengths． Let them know that you are willing to be there when they need you． Visit someone you haven't seen for a long time． Telephone friends or relatives who live far away． Introduce two friends who don't know each other．
Bringing one individual into another's life can result in tremendous changes for both people, and for you． We succeed with the help of others． People grow by growing together． If you'd like to have many friends, then share friendship with others generously．
5． Share kindness
Perform a random act of kindness for someone: a smile, compliment, or a favor just for fun． These will multiply and spread very rapidly．
There is a powerful quote by Stephen Jay Gould who said, “The center of human nature is rooted in ten thousand ordinary acts of kindness that define our days．” Kindness is priceless． The love, kindnesses, and value we have given authentically to others will be our remaining treasures at the end of life．
Think about this statement by Norman MacEwan: “Happiness is not so much in having as sharing． We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give．” What is the best title of this passage？
| A．We want to share． | B．Give your presents away． |
| C．We make a life by giving． | D．Don’t be mean to give． |
What can we learn from Stephen Jay Gould’s words？
| A．We all come from a world which is in a harmonious atmosphere． |
| B．Everybody’s deep heart is filled with kindness at first, which decides our present life． |
| C．Kindness is the most important thing in our daily life． |
| D．We need kindness all the time． |
For
those who are living a life on the go, what suggestion will the writer probably give to them?
| A．Tell the people around you how much you love them． |
| B．No one is an isolated island． We succeed with the help of others |
| C．The more knowledge we share, the more knowledge we receive in return． |
| D．Slow down and enjoy the life, which may bring you a brand new world with happiness． |
Where can you probably find this passage?
| A．Magazines | B．Newspapers | C．Guide books | D．Scientific reports |
The old couple who lived in a cottage on the edge of the village were envied for the happiness of their marriage． They never quarreled and were always affectionate to one another． Sadly, after thirty-four years of this happiness, the husband became ill and died．
The wife was overcome with grief． Her children tried to comfort her, but to no avail． Her neighbors tried to comfort her, but with similar lack of success． Weeks and months went by, and still the woman was grieving; tears fell down her cheeks from morning till night．
Then a holy man came to the village． People told him about the woman, and asked him to try to help her． The holy man went to the woman’s house． Dressed in his rough woolen robe, he sat down with the grieving widow and listened, carefully, to her story． When she had spilled out all her sorrow, he reached into one of the deep pockets in his robe, and drew out a tiny, little mustard（芥末） seed． “I think I may have a cure for your grief,” he said． “I want you to go round the people in this region, and look for a family that has no sorrows． When you find this family, give them this little mustard seed, and then come back to me．
The woman set off in search of such a family． She visited every home in the district, and talked to the people． She listened to their stories, just as the holy man had listened to hers． In time, she almost forgot about the mustard seed, because every single family she met was carrying some kind of sorrow．
One day, she happened to meet the holy man again, and he stopped to ask how she was feeling． She was surprised at first, at his question, and then she suddenly remembered the mustard seed, still safely in her purse． “I’m sorry, I haven’t found a family without sorrows yet,” she told him． “But you yourself are cured of your grief,” he smiled． “The mustard seed is a great healer!”What does the underlined word “grieving” mean?
| A．amused | B．sad | C．angry | D．astonished |
What did the holy man ask her to do to end her sorrow?
| A．to go to church for help． |
| B．to live with the family that has no sorrows with the mustard seed． |
| C．to help others so that she can feel the happiness from the bottom of her heart． |
| D．to find a family that is always happy and give them the mustard seed before returning to him． |
How did the woman treat the families she visited?
| A．She was a good listener． |
| B．She helped them to solve the problems they met． |
| C．She gave every family a mustard seed．． |
| D．She told them her unfortunate story． |
Who on the earth heals the woman’s grief?
| A．The mustard seed | B．Her children |
| C．The families in the district | D．She herself |
Beauty has always been regarded as something praiseworthy. Almost everyone thinks attractive people are happier and healthier, have better marriages and have more respectable jobs. Personal advisors give them better advice for finding jobs. Even judges are softer on attractive defendants (被告). But in the executive（主管的）circle, beauty can become a disadvantage.
While attractiveness is a positive factor for a man on his way up the executive ladder, it is harmful to a woman. Handsome male executives were considered having more honesty than plainer men; effort and ability were thought to lead to their success. Attractive female executives were considered to have less honesty than unattractive ones; their success was attributed not to ability but to factors such as luck.
All unattractive women executives were thought to have more honesty and to be more capable than the attractive female executives. Interestingly, though, the rise of the unattractive overnight successes was connected more to personal relationships and less to ability than was that of attractive overnight successes.
Why are attractive women not thought to be able? An attractive woman considered to be more feminine (女性的) has an advantage in traditionally female jobs, but an attractive woman in a traditionally manly position appears to lack the “manly” qualities required.
This is true even in politics. “When the only clue is how he or she looks, people treat men and women differently,” says Anne Bowman, who recently published a study on the effects of attractiveness on political candidates. She asked 125 undergraduates to rank two groups of photographs, one of men and one of women, in order of attractiveness. Then the students were told the photographs were of candidates for political offices. They were asked to rank them again, in the order they would vote for them.
The results showed that attractive males completely defeated unattractive men, but the women who had been ranked most attractive invariably (无例外地) received the fewest votes.In traditioally female jobs, attractiveness ______.
| A．adds to thne female qualities required |
| B．makes women look more honest and capable |
| C．is of primary importance to women |
| D．often enables women to succeed quickly |
Bowman’s experiment shows that when it comes to politics, attractiveness ______.
| A．turns out to be a disadvantage to men |
| B．is more of a disadvantage than an advantage to women |
| C．has as little effect on men as on women |
| D．affects men and women alike |
The author writes this passage to ______.
| A．emphasize the importance of appearance |
| B．give advice to job-seekers who are attractive |
| C．demand equal rights for women |
| D．discuss the negative aspects of being attractive |