【推荐1】A group of graduates got together to visit their old university professor.

The conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and a variety of cups — porcelain(瓷), plastic, glass — telling them to help themselves to the coffee. Meanwhile the professor stood nearby watching.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said, “If you have noticed, all the nice-looking expensive cups have been taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. It is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, which is the source of your problems and stress.”

“Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really want is coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other’s cups.”

“Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of the life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee. Savor(品味) the coffee, not the cups! Don’t let the cups drive you... enjoy the coffee instead.”

After listening to his words, the students tasted coffee carefully and found it more delicious than ever.

1. Why did the professor take out various cups with a large pot of coffee?

A．To show his wealth.	B．To tell students the philosophy of life.
C．To offer more choices to students.	D．To match different coffee tastes.

2. According to the professor, what is the source of the students’ problems and stress?

A．Looking for good jobs.	B．Searching for nice companions.
C．Buying a big house.	D．Pursuing perfection.

3. Why did students eye each other’s cups?

A．To make sure their own cups were better.	B．Only to talk about their coffee.
C．To intend to have others’ cups.	D．To exchange their coffee with others.

4. What does the passage mainly tell us?

A．Coffee is the best.	B．Cups are nothing.
C．Learn to enjoy your life.	D．The appearance is everything.

【推荐2】阅读表达

When someone gives you advice, listen without judgment, try to find value in what you’re hearing, and say: “Thank you”. This wise advice is easy to understand yet hard to practice. I’ll give you an example from my life when I totally blew it in terms of practising what I teach.

In my work I travel constantly. I always put off going to the airport until the last second. My wife, Lyda, was sitting next to me in the front seat. I was racing along and not paying much attention. Lyda cried out! “Look out! There is a red light up ahead.”

Being a trained behavioral science professional, who teaches others the value of encouraging advice, I naturally screamed at her: “I know there is a red light up ahead! Don’t you think I can see?” When we arrived at the airport, Lyda didn’t speak to me. I wondered why she seemed mad at me.

During the flight to New York, I did a cost-benefit analysis. I asked myself: “What was the cost of just listening when Lyda called out the warning? Zero.” I then reasoned: “What was the potential benefit? What could have been saved?” Several potential benefits came to mind, including her life, my life, and the lives of other people.

I landed in New York feeling ashamed of myself. I immediately called Lyda and told her my cost-benefit story. I convinced her: “The next time you help me with my driving, I am just going to say, ‘Thank you.”

A few months passed, and I had long forgotten the incident. Again, I was racing off to the airport, when Lyda cried out: “Look out for the red light!” I was embarrassed, and then shouted: “Thank you!”

I’m a long way from perfect, but I’m getting better. My suggestion is that when some people may tell you things like “Look out for the red light”, you should remember that there is possibly some potential benefit and say: “Thank you.”

1. According to the passage, what job does the author do? (no more than 5 words)
_________________________________________________________________________
2. The underlined phrase in Paragraph 1 probably means ______. (no more than 5 words)
_________________________________________________________________________
3. Why didn’t the wife speak to the author when they got to the airport? (no more than 10 words)
_________________________________________________________________________
4. What did the author do on his way to New York? (no more than 10 words)
_________________________________________________________________________
5. What lesson can we learn from the author’s experience? (no more than 15 words)
_________________________________________________________________________

【推荐3】About six years ago, I was on a plane next to a talkative woman. I was tired and wanted to take a nap. But before I could go into “ignore mode,” she tapped me on the shoulder to introduce herself and I knew she was called Helga.

While talking with Helga, I mentioned that I had started an organization in high school called R.A.K.E (Random Acts of Kindness, Ete.). As I described what we did, Helga got very serious and told me that she thought “there was nothing more important in the world than kindness.” I was curious why she was so enthusiastic and, as the plane took off, she talked about her last fight to Arizona three years ago. Just as the plane was about to leave for Phoenix, her father’s doctor called to inform her that her dad had suddenly passed away. For the three hour plane ride, she sat in stunned silence around strangers. When she arrived at the airport in Arizona, she walked to the nearest wall, sat down, and cried.

And here is the part I’ll never forget about Helga’s story. For two hours she sat and wept while thousands walked to and from at the airport. Helga looked at me and said, “Houston, nobody stopped and asked if I was okay that day. Not a single person. It was on that day that I realized kindness isn’t normal.”

Kindness isn’t normal. That has stuck with me all these years — especially now that I work in schools nationwide speaking about sympathy, kindness and love. I’m reminded all the time that, we spend so much time worrying about our problems and our lives that we walk by or ignore people in need of kindness every day. I’m often so worried about ME that I’m really bad at taking care of YOU.

So, I’ve made it my duty to do my part in making kindness normal. I share stories with students, teachers, and parents about our need for character and compassion. I provide young people with practical ways to exercise kindness (they don’t always know what it looks like!).

1. If you go into “ignore mode”, you ________.

A．refuse to answer any questions	B．introduce yourself voluntarily
C．pay no attention to others	D．start talking with other people

2. Why did Helga cry at the airport?

A．She knew that her father died.	B．She felt sick after a long flight.
C．She was surrounded by strangers.	D．She arrive data completely new city.

3. How did Helga’s story influence the author?

A．He found a better way to exercise kindness.

B．He thought that most people were nice and kind.

C．He realized the importance of using stories in speech.

D．He began his mission to teach others about kindness.

【推荐3】Be on time. It's a simple command, and one you've probably heard since you were a child.     1     But, as an adult, if you're habitually late, you run the risk of ruining your professional reputation-no matter how smart, competent, or capable you might be.     2     Here are some reasons why it definitely does—along with my tips for making punctuality a priority.

It Shows You Care

We live in an extraordinarily busy world. We schedule meetings and appointments back-to-back, constantly surrounded by phone calls, emails, and texts that need to be answered "immediately." Getting to a meeting or appointment on time shows that it's important to you, and something for which you've planned.    3    

It Shows You're Responsible

Your co-workers, clients, and partners want to know that they can trust you to get the job done-and being punctual is an easy way to demonstrate that you can.     4     Conversely, flying down the hallway, showing up breathless to a meeting, then hurrying for your papers and notes gives an impression of chaos and disorder-not exactly the message you want to send.

It Reduces Stress

You know how stressful being late can be. But constantly rushing and scrambling to catch up not only makes you feel being in a panic—     5     Making sure that you show up on time prevents all that anxiety in the first place (yours and theirs!). Instead of panicking about the clock, you can focus your attention on what really matters—your job.

A．Being late can cost you friends.

B．And, of course, one you've likely ignored before.

C．it also makes everyone around you anxious and uncomfortable.

D．it also makes you earn a reputation of being someone others can count on.

E．It indicates that you're organized, responsible, and in control of your time.

F．If you think punctuality doesn't matter, think again.

G．Being late, however, sends the message that your time is more valuable than everyone else's.

【推荐2】A cancer survivor has become the first woman to complete an exhausting “Sea to Summit” triathlon which saw her swim, cycle, and run over 330 miles in just five days. Andrea Mason was overjoyed when she crossed the finish line early Wednesday morning.

The race was set in the French Alps. Setting off at 6:15 am on Friday, 39-year-old Mason battled through severe pain, and hallucinations, but she pushed on — managing to complete the race in an impressive four days, 23 hours, and 41 minutes. Andrea had been diagnosed with cancer and needed life-saving surgery. Following a successful operation, she is now hoping to raise awareness of women’s health. In the past year, Andrea set up her own charity, Lady Talk Matters, in order to normalize the conversation surrounding female health.

Andrea, from Blackpool in Lancashire, England, said, “I am so happy all went according to plan as there were so many things that could have gone wrong. It was bigger than I imagined, the impact on my body was huge, but every time I felt like giving up, I thought about all the women out there in pain or who still hadn’t been diagnosed. That is why I insisted on this.”

Andrea had to swim 23 miles around Lake Annecy, cycle 205 miles with 30,000 feet of vertical climbing around Mont Blanc, and run 105 miles with 4,000 feet of vertical climbing around The Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc. You could say Andrea’s actually made a lifetime effort for an event like this. She completed her first three-mile race “powered by chocolate bars” when she was just four.

1. What brought Andrea Mason so much joy?

A．She swam and ran over 330 miles in five days.

B．She battled bravely and defeated cancer finally.

C．She completed a marathon in just five days.

D．She finished an exhausting triathlon lately.

2. What is the purpose of Andrea’s creating her own charity?

A．To help the poor women.	B．To promote women’s health.
C．To focus on women’s life.	D．To raise the status of women.

3. What made Andrea stick with the race?

A．Thinking of other women who might have cancer.

B．Thinking of other women who had more pain.

C．Her strong willpower to win.

D．Her family’s support.

4. What does the author mainly tell us in the last paragraph?

A．Andrea liked sports very much.	B．Andrea faced huge challenges.
C．As a little girl, Andrea won many races.	D．Andrea’s success lay in long-term effort.

【推荐3】On the day he almost died, Kimbal Musk had food on the brain. The Internet startup talent and restaurateur had just arrived in Jackson Hole from a conference where chef Jamie Oliver had spoken about the benefits of healthy eating. This was something Musk thought about a lot-how he might make a difference to the food industry-but beyond expanding his farm-to-table movement along with his restaurant, Musk hadn’t yet broken the code. Then he went sailing down a snowy slope (坡) and fell over, breaking his neck. The left side of his body was paralyzed.

Musk eventually made a full recovery, but it involved spending two months on his back, which gave him plenty of time to come up with a plan. Since then, he has launched an initiative to put “learning gardens” in public schools across America; attracted Generation Z to the farming profession by changing shipping containers into high-tech, data-driven, year-round farms; and this year, is kicking off a new campaign to create one million at-home gardens.

Aimed at reaching low-income families, the Million Gardens Movement was inspired by the pandemic, as both a desire to feel more connected to nature and food insecurity have been at the forefront of so many people’s lives. “We were getting a lot of inquiries about gardening from people that had never gardened before, “ says Musk. “People were looking to garden for a bunch of reasons: to supplement their budget, to improve the nutritional quality of their diets, or just to cure the boredom that came with the lockdown.”

The program offers free garden kits that can be grown indoors or outdoors, and will be distributed through schools that Musk’s non-profit, Big Green, has already partnered with. It also offers free courses on how to get the garden growing and fresh seeds and materials for the changing growing seasons. “I grew up in the projects when I was young, in what we now call food deserts, “ says EVE, one of the many celebrities who have teamed up with the organization to encourage people to pick up a free garden. “What I love about this is that it’s not difficult. We are all able to grow something.”

1. What does the underlined expression “broken the code” in paragraph 1 probably mean?

A．broken the rule	B．found a way out
C．spared no effort	D．made up his mind

2. What can we learn about the Million Gardens Movement?

A．It has just accomplished its target.

B．It has mainly attracted young generations.

C．It increases economic burdens for the poor.

D．It may be stimulated by a lack of food security.

3. Which of the following best describes Musk?

A．Serious.	B．Flexible.
C．Charitable.	D．Straightforward.

4. Why is EVE taken as an example?

A．To share his experience in a food desert.

B．To motivate people to start a free garden.

C．To clarify the reason why he loves a garden.

D．To demonstrate the program to be non-profit.

【推荐1】Fire fighting is a serious matter. Knowing what to do during a fire can save people's lives. It is important to know the ways you can use and show them to everyone else in the family, such as stairways and emergency exits, but not elevators.

From the lower floors of buildings, escape through windows is possible. Learn the best way to get out from a windows with the least chance of serious injury.

The second floor window is usually not very high from the ground. An average person, hanging by the fingertips, will have a drop of about 6 feet to the ground. It is about the height of an average man. Of course, it is safer to jump a short way down than to stay in a burning building.

Windows are also useful when you are waiting for help. Be sure to keep the door closed before opening the Window. Otherwise, smoke and fire may be drawn into the room. Keep your head low at the window to be sure you get fresh air rather than smoke that may have leaked into the room.

On the second or third floor, the best windows for escape are those which open onto a roof. From the roof a person can drop to the ground more safely. Dropping onto cement might end in injury. Bushes and trees can help you to have a soft landing.

1. Which of the following should be avoided when trying to escape from a fire?

A．Windows.

B．Elevators.

C．Fire exits.

D．Stairways.

2. How far from the ground is the second floor window?

A．About 12 feet.	B．About 6 feet.
C．About the height of an average man.	D．Nearly 10 feet.

3. What can best describe windows as a way to escape a fire according to the passage?

A．They are the only way.	B．They are the best way.
C．They are safer than any other ways.	D．They are one of the possible ways.

4. If you are on the second or third floor when a fire breaks out, you 'd better          .

A．drop directly onto the ground

B．first drop onto a roof then onto the cement

C．drop from a roof window then onto bushes or trees

D．drop onto the cement rather than bushes and grass

【推荐2】Recently, as I watched my son Nathan playing basketball game, I felt sorry for myself and for him. He was playing in the other team’s home gym filled with their supporters, and Nathan’s team was falling behind for three quarters of the game. As for me, I was dismissed from my job earlier in the day.

Watching the difficult situation that my son was experiencing, I remembered that during the drive home earlier in the day, I kept telling myself that “just like last time I experienced this, I’ll find work again in a short time—I’m confident in my experience and abilities and believe in myself.” But then, self-doubt hit me.

The basketball game entered the fourth quarter with Nathan’s team still falling behind. I saw the determination on his, as well as his teammates’ faces as they fought back to not only tie with the other team, but then go ahead by three points. Then, the scores were tied again.With a tie game and seconds on the clock, Nathan found himself with the ball, and with skill and confidence, he moved forward to make the basket with a defender hanging all over him. The other player was called for a foul.

As Nathan stood at the foul line preparing for a shot that would put his team up by three points, I saw the focus and determination on his face; there was no room for self-doubt. He made it, helping his team win the game. Later he told me he didn’t know how he did it because he had lost all feelings in his right arm from being thrown to the floor earlier the game.

As my heart burst with pride, I realized something. I had taught my son—perseverance in the face of difficulties, and he had just taught me the same lesson. That brief moment of self-doubt and feeling sorry for myself was swept away by the actions of my son on the basketball court. He’ll play in the finals, but it doesn’t matter if he wins or loses. On that day, we both won.

1. Why did the author feel sorry?

A．He used to be too busy to accompany Nathan.

B．Nathan’s team was too weak to compete in the game.

C．He had made a big mistake in his work.

D．He and Nathan were both going through a hard time.

2. What can be inferred about the author?

A．He had lost his job more than once.	B．He always lacked self-confidence.
C．He didn’t know his abilities well.	D．He disliked the job he had been doing.

3. How was the last quarter of the game?

A．Nathan’s teammates lost hope.	B．The other team played casually.
C．The game was very fierce at last.	D．It ended up with a big score difference.

4. We can learn from the passage that Nathan________.

A．had always been the author’s pride and joy

B．wouldn’t have won but for the author’s

C．wasn’t surprised at the result of the game at all

D．played very well in the game despite his injury

5. What was the author’s win on that day?

A．He found his true passion.

B．He overcame his self-doubt.

C．He learnt something new from his son.

D．He finally won his son’s respect.

【推荐3】Russia’s security chief has blamed an act of terror for the Russian A321 airliner crash in Egypt last month which killed 224 people . Whatever happened , the tragedy raises sad memories of horrific airplane crashes that have cost thousands of lives in recent decades .

Some of the worst such incidents—like four crashes in frightening succession into New York’s World Trade Center , the Pentagon and rural Pennsylvania on September 11 , 2001 ; the 1988 downing of Pan Am Flight 103 in Lockerbie , Scotland ; and a 1977 crash involving the apparent hijacking of a Malaysian Airlines jet that left 100 dead—involved terrorist activity . But there are many others that did not , with mechanical problems , pilot error or other reasons blamed for loss of life . Below are some examples of the latter : crashes that left at least 200 people dead in each incident .

March 27 , 1977 : A KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 747 beginning its takeoff crashed into Pan American World Airways Boeing 747 then still on the runway at the Los Rodeos Airport at Tenerife in the Canary Islands . A total of 574 people , aboard both planes , died .

July 11 , 1991 : The landing gear of a Nigeria Airways DC-8 catches fire shortly after takeoff Jeddah , Saudi Arabia . It doesn’t make it back to the airport , crashing nose-down less than 10,000 feet short of the runway and killing all 261 people aboard .

April 26 , 1994 : The pilot of a China Airlines’ Flight 140 alerts the control tower at Japan’s Nagoya Airport of his intention not to land and try another approach . But something goes wrong and , a short time later , the Airbus A300 crashes leading to 264 deaths—though a few passengers do survive .

September 2 , 1998 : A Swissair jetliner that had departed New York’s Kennedy airport on its way to Geneva , Switzerland , goes down off the coast of Nova Scotia , Canada ; none of the 229 people aboard Flight 111 make it . Investigators believe that the MD-11 lost all electrical power immediately before the crash .

June 1 , 2009 : Air France Flight 447 is on the way from Rio de Janiero to Paris when it and its 228 passengers and crew go missing somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean . It’s not until five days later that the first bodies are found about 600 miles off the northern coast of Brazil . Two years later , French authorities blame the crash on equipment breakdown .

1. The first paragraph is intended to __________ .

A．memorize those people aboard the Russian A321 airline .

B．direct attention to some disastrous air plane crashes .

C．show it is the most serious incident in history .

D．analyze the cause of the disaster and blame the airline company .

2. Which air crash resulted from terrorist attack ?

A．China Airlines’ Flight 140

B．Air France Flight 447

C．Pan Am Flight 103

D．Swissair Jetliner Flight 111

3. Which of the following statements is not true ?

A．Two planes of the same type hit each other on March 27 , 1977 .

B．There were over 264 people aboard China Airlines’ Flight 140 .

C．Swissair Jetliner Flight 111 crashed during its landing .

D．It took five days to find some bodies of Air France Flight 447 .

4. Which of the following might be the best title for the text ?

A．Russian Airlines Plane Crash	B．Air Crash Investigation
C．Deadliest Airline Crashes	D．Mysteries of Air crashes