【推荐1】Most people say “yes” much more readily than “no”.

A friend is moving house this weekend and would like some help, and you agree. But, what you really wanted were a couple of quiet days relaxing at home. Or a roommate spends the entire weekends playing video games and wants to borrow your homework for “reference”. But, you've just finished it after taking a whole day to work hard. Many people say “yes” to these kinds of requests. They usually don't consider their own interests and feelings, and are often angry with themselves afterwards.

Saying “no” requires courage and considerable practice, in fact, according to psychologists. “Everyone wants to be liked,” says Gabriele Steinki, a German psychologist. “Saying ‘no’ risks losing the affection of the person asking the favor or even a job.”

In fact, refusing a request can even help to strengthen a relationship because it expresses a true feeling. But, for people used to agreeing to every request, changing can be a long and uncomfortable learning process.

Most people believe that “If I say ‘no’, I'll lose the affection of the person. But the affection is important to me.” This way of thinking can be replaced by this: “If he only likes me because I always do what suits him, then the price of his affection is too high in the long term.”

Steinki says the key is talking to the other person to find a mutual solution. “One needs to present the situation from one's own point of view, and to suggest how the situation can be dealt with to the advantage of both parties. The other person must have the feeling that his interests are being considered.” When the refusal is not accepted, Steinki advises giving the reasons calmly again until the person gets the message.

1. Most people say “yes” much more readily than “no” because ________.

A．they have already been used to saying “yes”

B．they don't know they will regret afterwards

C．they care more about others' interests and feelings

D．they only care about their own interests and feelings

2. In the opinion of experts, ________.

A．saying “no” means losing a job	B．people have the right to be liked
C．people need a lot of practice to say “no”	D．people should say “yes” to keep the peace

3. According to the author, what should you do if your refusal is not accepted?

A．Say yes to him.	B．Repeat your reasons.
C．Just go away.	D．Say no to him.

4. What might be the best title for the passage?

A．It's Easy to Say “Yes”	B．“Yes” More Than “No”
C．You Need Courage to Say “No”	D．Nobody Has the Right to Say “No”

【推荐2】Ways to Be More Curious

Buried in the same daily routines and familiar surroundings, some people may lead an unhappy life.     1     It’s a desire to know how and why and a combination of intelligence and hunger for new things. Here are some tips on how to improve curiosity.

You should communicate with others. There is a to-do list in Leonardo da Vinci’s notebook. Out of the fifteen tasks on the list, at least eight involve consulting with others. Montaigne once wrote how traveling to different countries allows us to “polish our brains”.     2    

Why not visit a library? It allows us to meet other unexpected information. You can enter it without purpose.     3     And just follow your curiosity to explore unexpected knowledge. The more you explore, the greater your curiosity will be.

    4     With ideas stored in mind, you can mix and remix ideas and themes, making new findings and spotting unusual patterns, until a creative breakthrough is achieved, which strengthens your curiosity. Anyone stopping learning facts for himself because he can search online later is making himself stupid.

Don’t just focus on puzzles but on mysteries. Puzzles have clear answers. Once the missing information is found, it’s not a puzzle anymore, with curiosity fading away.     5     Because the answers often depend on a complex set of factors, both known and unknown. The most beautiful thing we can experience is mysteries. In the process of finding the answers, they are the source of curiosity.

A．Start to search for books you want or need.

B．Unlike puzzles, mysteries don’t need answers.

C．Mysteries have questions that can’t be answered clearly.

D．And that’s how Leonardo polished his brain to remain curious.

E．Allow books or things on the bookshelves freely to attract your eyes.

F．Always thinking of ideas rather than searching online plays an important part.

G．But we can achieve happiness and more meaning in life if we increase our curiosity.

【推荐3】People refuse to change the things they hate because they’re afraid．Once you let go of your fears, you’ll realize that whatever happens, you’ll be OK and be able to create a better, happier life for yourself．    1    

Make a list of the things you hate about your life．Be specific．Don’t say “I hate my job” but instead list the things you hate about it, such as your schedule, the pay or your coworkers．Do the same with other areas of your life．    2     If you hate your body, your lack of self-respect or the way you act with others, include that in your list as well．

    3     For example, you can ask for a raise, start looking for a new job or work on a better relationship with your coworkers．If you feel overwhelmed, start with smaller steps, such as listing the positive things about the things you hate．You might hate your job, but you also have a firm monthly salary and medical benefits．

Let go of the past．You might not be able to forgive your parents, your ex or that friend that hurt you, but you don’t need to let the pain rule your life either．Katie Byron, author of “Loving What Is”, emphasizes the importance of accepting that certain things cannot be changed．    4    

Keep a Thank You journal．    5     Every day, try to find a few things you’re grateful for．It can be something as simple as having somebody give you his seat in the bus or opening the door for you．Or it can be a compliment or an email from a friend．Focusing on the positive will make it easier to see that good things are also part of your life．

A．Don’t look only outside your life．

B．A good change is as good as a rest．

C．But how can you stop hating your life?

D．List positive things you can do to change．

E．Never trouble trouble until trouble troubles you．

F．This will help you focus on the positive in your life．

G．Instead, focus on the present and what you can do to make your life better．

【推荐1】How to Enjoy Life As a Teen

The “best years of your life”? Maybe not, but you can learn to make the most of your high school days.

    1    . Whether it’s having a computer, having friends, having a good supply of food, a bed to sleep on, family that loves you or simply being born in this world. Remember that the point of life is for you to enjoy it. Be happy, and life will reward you. Remember that these are the last few years you will be able to enjoy yourself without having to worry about the responsibility(责任) of an adult.

Choose your friends wisely. Unlike what many articles state, you don’t have to be popular and have lots of friends to be happy.     2    . Try to have friends that like you who you are, not just because you are wearing a certain brand of shoes or something like that. These are people who shop at the same store as you; not someone who will sympathize(同情，安慰) with you when your dog dies.

    3    . Having a healthy body leads to a healthy and happy mind. Being confident in your appearance makes you more confident in other areas. Be sociable.     4    While you only need 4 or 5 close friends, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to meet new people. Participating gives you something to do instead of sitting bored at home and wallowing in self-pity.

    5    ! If you have a special girl/guy you want to ask out, dance with, etc. just ask! You probably won’t be rejected(拒绝) but if you are, remember that there will always be someone else that likes you for who you are. Don’t go to sleep that night with regret.

A．Go for it.

B．Keep your grades up.

C．Play a sport or work out.

D．Learn to appreciate small things.

E．If you are not good at sports, join a band or choir.

F．In fact, many of the “Friends” you have when you are popular are not true friends.

G．Joining in clubs, activities and sport increases your chances of meeting new friends.

【推荐3】What a lesson for me! It was August and it was hot. I had to wear a tie to do a survey door by door in this neighbourhood, but I was always refused. I finally caught on and began with “Before you close the door, I am not selling anything and I just need to ask a few questions about yourself and the community”.

The young woman inside the doorway stopped for a moment, confused by my rude introduction and finally said, “Sure. Come on in. Don’t mind the mess. It’s hard to keep up with my kids.”

“I just need to ask a few questions about yourself and your family. Although this may sound personal, I won’t need to use your names. This information will be used.” She interrupted me. “Would you like a glass of cold water? You look like you’ve had a rough day.” “Why yes!” I said gratefully. Just as she returned with the water, a man came walking in the front door. It was her husband. “Joe, this man is here to do a survey.” I stood and politely introduced myself.

“Joe works for the town,” she said. “What do you do?” I asked. She jumped right in not letting him answer. “Joe collects garbage. You know I’m so proud of him.”

There was a silence. I didn’t know what to say. I shook my head searching for the right words. “That’s unbelievable! Most people would not be satisfied with a job like that. It certainly is a difficult one. But your attitude about it is amazing.” I said.

She walked over to the shelf. As she returned she held a small framed（装裱）paper, walking toward Joe. “I have always been proud of him and always will be. You see I don’t think the job makes the man, but the man makes the job!” she said as she handed me the paper.

It said: If a man is called to be a cleaner, he should clean streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, “Here lived a great cleaner who did his job well.”

1. Why did the author change his introduction?

A．To relieve his stress.

B．To look for some water.

C．To do his survey smoothly.

D．To know about the bad situation.

2. What can we learn about the young woman?

A．She finds a good job in the city.

B．She has a great talent for argument.

C．She doesn’t live a life as she dreams.

D．She has a positive attitude towards Joe’s job.

3. What can we infer from Paragraph 6?

A．The Young woman will be with Joe forever.

B．The Young woman is proud of her job.

C．Any job can be done better by heart.

D．Any job can change a person.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．A Beneficial Experience of Survey

B．The Pleasure from Jobs

C．AA Great Street Cleaner

D．The Power of Labor