【推荐1】Imagine reading a story titled "Pursuing Success." That would be an inspiring story, wouldn't it? Maybe—but maybe not. It might well be the story of someone whose never-ending chase for more and more success leaves them unsatisfied and incapable of happiness.

Though it isn't a conventional medical addiction, for many people success has addictive properties. Obviously, success goes with praise. To a certain extent, praise stimulates the neurotransmitter dopamine (神经递质多巴胺)，which contributes to all addictive behaviors.

The desire for success may be born to human nature, but specialness doesn't come cheap. Success is tough work, and it requires bearing the cost of losing. In the 1980s, the physician Robert Goldman famously found that more than half of ambitious athletes would be willing to take a drug that would kill them in five years in exchange for winning every competition they entered.

Unfortunately, success is endless. The goal can't be satisfied; most people never feel “successful” enough. The high only lasts a day or two, and then it's on to the next goal. Psychologists call this the hedonic treadmill (快乐跑步机现象)，in which satisfaction wears off almost immediately and we must run on to the next reward to avoid the feeling of falling behind.

People should get off the treadmill. But quitting isn't easy for addicts. For people hooked on substances, withdrawal can be a painful experience, both physically and psychologically, research finds that depression and anxiety are common among outstanding athletes after their careers end. Olympic athletes, in particular, suffer from the “ post-Olympic blues.”

Just like wine, success in and of itself is not a bad thing. Both can bring fun and sweetness to life. But both become bossy when they are a substitute for — instead of a complement (补充物)to — the relationships and love that should be at the center of our lives.

1. What does praise function as when going with success?

A．It has nothing to do with success addiction.

B．It may indirectly cause success addiction.

C．It always brings positive results of success.

D．It results in all addictive behaviors except success.

2. Why did the author mention the research findings of Robert Goldman?

A．To show success is a tough and cruel job.

B．To stress the key to success lies in efforts.

C．To argue that athletes deserve more rewards.

D．To describe the routine training of an ordinary athlete.

3. What can success bring to a success addict according to psychologists?

A．Satisfaction and a sense of pride.

B．Anxiety and short-lived happiness.

C．Relaxation and endless motivation.

D．Confidence and permanent happiness.

4. What does the author suggest people do about pursuing success?

A．Stop chasing success.

B．Chase success at any cost.

C．Reflect on what matters in life.

D．Give up love and relationships.

【推荐2】When I was growing up, I had an old neighbor named Doctor Gibbs. He didn't look like any doctor I'd ever known. He never shouted at us for playing in his yard, but was always very kind.

When Doctor Gibbs wasn't saving lives, he was planting trees. He had some interesting theories about planting trees. He believed in the principle: "No pains, no gains". He hardly watered his new trees, which greatly went against conventional (守旧的) wisdom. Once I asked why and he told me that watering plants spoiled them because it made them grow weaker. He said you had to make things hard for the trees so that only the strongest could survive. He talked about how watering trees made them develop shallow roots and how trees, if they were not watered, would grow deep roots in search of water. So, instead of watering his trees every morning, he'd beat them with a rolled-up newspaper. I asked him why he did that, and he said it was to get the tree's attention.

Doctor Gibbs died a couple of years after I left home. Every now and then, I walked by his house and looked at the trees that I'd watched him plant some twenty five years ago. They were all tall and strong.

I planted a couple of trees myself a few years ago. Two years of attending these trees meant they grew up weak. Whenever a cold wind blew, their branches trembled. Adversity seemed to benefit Doctor Gibb's trees in ways comfort and ease never could.

Every night before I go to bed, I check on my two sons. I often hope that their lives will be easy. But lately I've been thinking that it's time to change my idea. I know my children are going to meet with hard times. There's always a cold wind blowing somewhere. What we need to do is to hope for deep roots, so when the rains fall and the winds blow, we won't be torn apart.

1. With the trees planted, Doctor Gibbs often __________.

A．kept watering them every day	B．paid very little attention to them
C．beat them to make them grow tall	D．talked to them to get their attention

2. What does the underlined word “Adversity” in the 4th paragraph probably mean?

A．A happy moment.	B．An important position.
C．A difficult situation.	D．A dirty environment.

3. What does the author wish for his sons?

A．Meet people like Dr Gibbs in the future.

B．Have an easy, happy and comfortable life.

C．Have good luck, meeting no hardship at all.

D．Be able to stand the rain and wind in their lives.

4. Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?

A．Growing Roots	B．Doctor Gibbs’ Trees
C．Watering Trees	D．Helping My Sons

【推荐3】As a child, there was nothing I liked better than Sunday afternoons at my grandfather’s farm in western Pennsylvania. Surrounded by miles of stone walls, the house and field provided endless hours of fun for a city kid like me.

Since my first visit to the farm, I had wanted more than anything to be allowed to climb the stone walls surrounding the houses. My parents would never agree because the walls were so old that some stones were loose and falling. However, my idea to climb across those walls grew so strong that finally I had all my courage to enter the living room, where the adults had gathered after Sunday dinner.

“I want to climb the stone walls.” I said. “Heavens, no! You’ll hurt yourself!” The response was just as I’d expected. But before I left the room, I was stopped by my grandfather’s loud voice. “Now hold on just a minute.” I heard him say. “Let the boy climb the stone walls. He has to learn to do things for himself.”

“Go,” he said to me, “and come and see me when you get back.” For the next two and a half hours I climbed those old walls — and had the time of my life. Later I met with my grandfather to tell him about my adventures. I’ll never forget what he said. “Fred,” he said, smiling, “you made this day a special day just by being yourself. Always remember, there’s only one person in this whole world like you, and I like you exactly as you are.”

Many years have passed since then, and today I host the television program Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, seen by millions of children throughout America. There have been changes over the years, but one thing remains the same: my message to children at the end of almost every visit. “There’s only one person in this whole world like you,” the kids will hear me say, “and people can like you exactly as you are.”

1. Why did the writer enjoy his visits to the farm?

A．There were old stone houses.	B．He was allowed to climb the walls.
C．He missed his grandfather a lot.	D．He could experience new fun there.

2. What can be inferred about the writer from the passage?

A．He was backed up by his grandfather to follow his heart.

B．He didn’t expect his parents’ disagreement on wall climbing.

C．He became a TV program host with his grandfather’s help.

D．He didn’t know the possible danger of the stone walls.

3. Which is probably the best title for the text?

A．Unforgettable Childhood	B．Just Be Yourself
C．Do Whatever You Like	D．Like grandfather, like grandson