Growing up on Long Island with a father who gave me dieting tips at 13, a mother who taught me to use makeup as I left for middle school, and peers (同龄人) who shared weight-loss tips on the bus, I developed an unusual self-image. By the time I became a teenager, I felt horror when I encountered photos of myself and saw a huge stomach in the mirror even though I was never overweight.
Throughout my early 20s, I’d wear lipstick and mascara (睫毛膏) and hold my mouth in a half-smile as I walked down the street in order to look more attractive to others. Following popular body-positive advice, I’d flip through Facebook photos of myself, trying to identify at least one desirable feature in each. I’d stare at my reflection, hoping to blink and see a different shape when I opened my eyes. Instead, I’d just fall further into the glass like Alice, deep in the darkest places of my imagination.
A year and a half ago, to escape this personal Wonderland, I decided not to put a mirror in my room when I moved into a new apartment. The small one above my bathroom sink would be enough. I was burnt out from attempts at body positivity. Rather than make peace with my reflection, photographs and scale, I’d avoid them altogether.
As I stopped trying to like my appearance, it no longer tortured (折磨) me. I stopped wearing makeup daily. Instead, I developed a sense of identity from my unfailing punctuality (准时性), my sharp analyses of movies, and my ability to pay rent in New York City as a freelance writer. I looked up to Amy Schumer and Lena Dunham instead of women who tried to diet, noticing that the most powerful women seemed undistracted by weight. Since I wasn’t always disappointing myself by trying to love my body and failing, I became happier.
1. Why did the author develop an unusual self-image when she was young?| A．She hated to wear makeup. |
| B．She suffered from being overweight. |
| C．She was influenced by people around her. |
| D．She wanted to have a huge stomach. |
| A．She was attracted by others’ photos on Facebook. |
| B．She paid too much attention to her appearance. |
| C．She felt ashamed of her appearance. |
| D．She was addicted to taking selfies. |
| A．Her good personal qualities. |
| B．Her newly published books. |
| C．Her new apartment in New York City. |
| D．Her relationship with powerful women. |
| A．It’s important to eat healthily. |
| B．We should never disappoint ourselves. |
| C．It’s important to know others’ abilities. |
| D．We shouldn’t be distracted by our weight. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】You are enrolled in a full-time school called “life”. Each day in this school you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or hate them, but you have designed them as part of your curriculum.
Why are you here? What is your purpose? Humans have sought to discover the meaning of life for a very long time. What we and our ancestors have overlooked, however, is that there is no one answer. The meaning of life is different for every individual.
Each person has his or her own purpose and distinct path, unique and separate from anyone else’s. As you travel your life path, you will be presented with numerous lessons that you will need to learn in order to fulfill that purpose. The lessons you are presented with are specific to you; learning these lessons is the key to discovering and fulfilling the meaning and connection of your own life.
As you travel through your lifetime, you may encounter challenging lessons that others don’t have to face, while other spend years struggling with challenges that you don’t need to deal with. You may never know why you are blessed with a wonderful marriage, while your friends suffer through bitter arguments and painful divorces, just as you cannot be sure why you struggle financially while your peers enjoy abundance. The only thing you can count on for certain is that you will be presented with all the lessons that you specifically need to learn; whether you choose to learn them or not is entirely up to you.
The challenge here, therefore, is to align (公开支持，使一致) yourself with your own unique path by learning individual lessons. This is one of the most difficult challenges you will be faced with in your lifetime, as sometimes your path will be completely different from others’. But, remember, don’t compare your path to the people around you and focus on the difference between their lessons and yours. You need to remember that you will only be faced with lessons that you are capable of learning and are specific to your own growth.
Our sense of fairness is the expectation of equality — the assumption that all things are equal and justice will always prevail (盛行). Life is not, in fact, fair, and you may indeed have a more difficult life path than others around you, deserved or not. Everyone’s circumstances are unique, and everyone needs to handle his or her own circumstances differently. If you want to move toward calm, you will be required to move out of the complaining phase of “it’s not fair”. Focusing on the unfairness of circumstances keeps you comparing yourself with others rather than appreciating your own special uniqueness. You miss out on learning your individual lessons by distracting yourself with feelings of bitterness and anger.
1. According to the passage, how can the meaning of your life be realized?| A．Having the same opinions as others. |
| B．Taking the distinct path from others. |
| C．Learning the lessons presented to you. |
| D．Doing the different things from others. |
| A．everyone has his own track to follow |
| B．the same things usually happen to the peers |
| C．a painful divorce must lie in financial problems |
| D．a wealthy man must have a wonderful marriage |
| A．are beyond your power | B．keep you from growth |
| C．limit your development | D．help you with your success |
| A．All things are equal and justice will always prevail. |
| B．You should learn to appreciate your specific uniqueness. |
| C．One has to fix his mind on unfairness of circumstances. |
| D．You can complain “it’s not fair” whenever possible. |
| A．it is full of all lessons to learn |
| B．you have plenty of time to learn lessons |
| C．you meet with specific lessons every day |
| D．there are so many subjects for you to choose |
【推荐2】Are you happy? Most of the time, we make it hard to enjoy our lives by pursuing (追求) something that seems impossible. Happiness is possible for us all. First, we have to define (定义) what happiness is, and then reframe(重新定义) it if necessary.
For many, they have never-ending restrictions(约束，限制). I know this because I did so. I would think if only this would happen then I will finally be happy. When the great event happened, however, I didn’t take the time to enjoy the moment. I just added another restriction and continued to dream of something I would never get.
In my view, happiness is not an event nor a person. It is not a material thing, success, nor money. For me, it is gratitude (感恩). When I find the feeling of gratitude, then I find the joy. I don’t make it complicated, nor take it out of my own control. I don’t put my ability to be joyful in someone else’s hands.
Every day I look for things to be thankful for. I take a moment to enjoy the sunrise and sunset and give as many smiles and hugs as I can in one day. If I cannot be happy with what already have, then I wouldn’t be happy with more. I love finding the joy in simple things. When we remove the unnecessary limitations and expectations from our lives, then we open our hearts to receive more.
Recording my blessings in a gratitude journal helps me to see my life with new understanding. When I take time to thank God for all the blessing I have, I realize that I have everything that I need. I don’t spend much of my life complaining and crying about what I don’t have. Instead, I am grateful for what I have. The greatest gifts in life can’t be bought, or even be seen—they must be felt in our hearts.
1. Why are we unhappy?| A．We cannot get what we want. | B．We don’t have aims in life. |
| C．We don’t know what happiness is. | D．We always want to achieve better results. |
| A．imaginative | B．wealthy | C．thankful | D．simple-minded |
| A．How the author spent his spare time. | B．How the author dealt with problems. |
| C．What the author cared more about. | D．What the author did to live happily. |
| A．Greed is so destructive. It destroys everything. |
| B．A thankful heart is a happy heart |
| C．Sometimes it is difficult to realize that life is too simple. |
| D．You’ll never find peace of mind until you listen to your heart. |
【推荐3】In my entire childhood, doctors told me I was overweight so that I would never play sports or be athletic. No one should listen to the negativity of others. If someone says you can’t, then prove them wrong.
When I first started I couldn’t do a single proper pushup and I was out of breath after walking up the basement stairs. Instead of giving up and saying it was hopeless, I decided to struggle against what the doctors had to say about my future. It wasn’t fun at first. In fact, it was extreme suffering. The first 2-3 years were spent just getting myself to the point where most healthy young men would merely start from. It was only after years of hard work and patience that I began gaining a considerable amount of muscle and strength.
When I finally got to the point of feeling good about myself and my body for the first time in my life, my body decided to give me the finger once again. I developed severe ulcerative colitis (溃疡性结肠炎) and lost it all. The child who once was extremely overweight was now the man who looked like a cancer survivor. I went from 210 pounds fairly fit to 160 pounds of skin and bone within 2-3 months.
Once again, I worked my way back up to where I once was and run more and more for greater distances and longer periods. Now t at 205 pounds and nearing middle aged, I am the fittest I have ever been in my life.
I am not sharing this story in order to talk big. I am only hoping that my story will encourage someone who is struggling like I was to step up and take their life and their health into their hands. Never give up! If I can do it, then anyone can.
1. What did the author decide to do according to paragraph 1?| A．Be a professional athlete. | B．Follow the doctors’ advice. |
| C．Set the doctors’ advice aside. | D．Point out others’ negativity. |
| A．Wait patiently. | B．Continue fighting. |
| C．Give up hope. | D．Consult his doctor. |
| A．Treat me badly. | B．Support me firmly. |
| C．Congratulate me warmly. | D．Help me greatly. |
| A．To share his experiences against illness. |
| B．To show his deep love of taking exercise. |
| C．To inspire others to meet challenges bravely. |
| D．To introduce a new way of improving health. |
I know you think these notes are silly. I have watched you wear a long face over the years when I give them to you. But understand that sometimes I want to tell you something and I want to get it just right. Putting it down on paper helps me do that. I wish I had been a better writer, I wish I had gone to college. If I had, I think I would have studied English and maybe my vocabulary would have improved. So many times I feel I am using the same words over and over. Like a woman wearing the same dress every day. So boring！
What I want to say to you, Charley, is that you are marrying a wonderful girl. I think of Catherine in many ways like I think of Roberta. Like a daughter. She is sweet and patient. You should be the same with her, Charley.
Here is what you are going to find out about marriage: you have to work at it together. And have to love three things. You have to love
1) Each other.
2) Your children (when you have some).
3) Your marriage.
What I mean by that last one is, there may be times that you fight, and sometimes you and Catherine won’t even like each other. But those are the times you have to love your marriage like a third party. Look at your wedding photos. Look at any memories you’ve made. And if you believe in those memories, they will pull you back together.
I’m very proud of you today, Charley. I am putting this in your tuxedo pocket because I know how you lose things.
I love you every day！
Mom
1. Why did the mother write the letter to Charley?| A．To congratulate her son. | B．To give him some advice. |
| C．To show her pity. | D．To talk things through. |
| A．To congratulate her son. | B．To give him some advice. |
| C．To show her pity. | D．To talk things through. |
| A．Regret. | B．Pride. | C．Care. | D．Complaint. |
| A．He is forgetful. | B．He is patient. |
| C．He is boring. | D．He is worried. |
【推荐2】I entered a cabinetmaking(家具制造)program. I didn’t think I would be good at making furniture. I’m not handy. Nobody in my family is.
I had great teachers, but making furniture is hard. There are so many steps and something can go wrong at each one. I couldn’t even get organized. My toolbox always looked as if a hurricane had gone through it.
I didn’t fully know what I was committed to in the beginning, but I kept attending class. I tried to be wrapped up in math. The projects forced me to solve new kinds of problems. My brain started to build new connections. Working in this new physical manner and giving it 100 percent of my effort had huge benefits for my mental health. I got over my fear of embarrassment and asked for help at every opportunity.
I spent that year truly learning. True learning is the most challenging experience, especially for those of us who are learning a new set of skills. I could understand exactly what was wrong with the furniture I made, but I couldn’t fix those problems. And yet, I kept trying. I failed again and again, until I learned to fail better.
In the end, I finished the program—with honors, no less! My grades were helped by my good written work. I also learned how to use tools. Having to constantly push myself to step outside my comfort zone has made me a more well-rounded person.
Maybe most importantly, the school gave me a more realistic idea of my strengths and limitations. I’m stronger than I thought!
1. What can we know about the author from the first two paragraphs?| A．She had a gift for making furniture. | B．She lacked practical skills. |
| C．She disliked making everything in a mess. | D．She went to the program to surprise her family. |
| A．Physical condition. | B．Psychological preparation. |
| C．To know how to correct mistakes. | D．Not being good at math. |
| A．Hard-working and determined. | B．Confident and efficient. |
| C．Cooperative and creative. | D．Modest and talented. |
| A．She won an award for good writing. | B．She became stronger both mentally and physically. |
| C．She became skillful at making furniture. | D．She had a better understanding of herself. |
【推荐3】I was cutting up lettuce in the kitchen when I suddenly remembered watching a video about soaking the lettuce stub (残余部分) in water to grow a whole new vegetable. So I took out a wide-mouthed mug(大杯) and placed the stub into it, gave it a little water, and placed it by the window.
On a snowy morning, I noticed the first sign. A first small leaf from its heart spread out. A tiny green flag of hope. Beaten, but not defeated. This lettuce was not done living! Within days, it was impossible to see the cuts where I had removed the leaves. The growth was explosive. And when I lifted the blossoming head out of the mug, tiny root threads fell down, seeking for the earth. What is growing here? Lettuce or hope?
If I were a lettuce in a similar condition, I’d want to skeptically assess where I found myself before committing to full growth. Yet for this lettuce, my inadequate offering of water and a place by a window was enough for it to decide to reclaim itself again. It grew in a mug of water, in faith. This is the heart of this lettuce: alive, strong and fearless. It deserved a name. I decided to call it Monty.
Monty wanted to grow, as we all do. I think I gave him a little love and freedom. Those two ingredients were all he needed to return to himself. I see joy in this lettuce. The return to self is always an expression of joy, which is life itself. With the right ingredients, this is the tendency of all living things.
Monty still lives in a mug, but I’m going to transplant him outside. He deserves to become his full self. The only problem I see now is my capacity to support Monty. I hope I have enough of a green finger.
I’m surprised to find myself where I am. Maybe Monty is, too. I have the same choice as he does: give in and decay (腐败), or start again. The prospect of starting again is discouraging. But my lettuce-friend, Monty, leads the way. I can only hope to be as brave.
1. Why did the author soak the stub in water?| A．To decorate the nice mug. | B．To hope that it would grow. |
| C．To make a video in person. | D．To remove his bad mood. |
| A．This lettuce showed no sign of recovery. |
| B．This lettuce was still fighting to survive. |
| C．Within days, I could see tiny root thread fell down. |
| D．I could still see several cuts where there used to be leaves. |
| A．Hesitant. | B．Fearless. | C．Aimless. | D．Annoyed. |
| A．Never being afraid to restart yourself. | B．Believing in yourself when in trouble. |
| C．Enjoying your own life to the fullest. | D．Giving freedom to the heart in a way. |
