【推荐1】As Chinese new Year approaches, many people go on house cleaning.     1     In other words, get rid of things that take up space but aren’t used often or at all. If you are interested in tidying up for Chinese New Year, here are a few tips that might help you.

Decluttering is important but lacks urgency, so it’s easy to keep putting it off.     2     Make sure your family is free during this time, too, since some of the things are probably theirs. Then take an hour or two or maybe even a whole day to declutter.

Be prepared with a place to put items for disposal.     3     You may want separate containers for items you want to throw away, those you plan to donate and those you want to sell. Thus four boxes are needed: a box for things you’ll keep, a box for things you’ll store, one for things you’ll donate or sell, and the last one for things you’ll throw out.

    4     Sorting through your things is the hard part. Now, you just have to throw out all of the trash and put all of the items you want to keep back where they belong, and make sure to have a great organizational system that will keep them neatly in place.

Make time for weekly and daily decluttering.     5     Now that your home looks nice, you have to make an effort for it to stay that way by making time to keep your space organized every day and at the end of every week.

A．Reorganize your space.

B．Empty out all the things.

C．Decluttering is only half the battle.

D．Part of the cleaning process is decluttering.

E．This could be a trash bag, a box or a plastic container.

F．Schedule a time to do it when you have a few hours free.

G．Many people just simplify their lives by removing things they don’t need.

【推荐2】Wearing a face mask will keep you and others safer when you have to leave the house.     1    . But the bad news is that you now realize you suffer from unpleasant smells. Here are four ways to combat bad breath and make wearing a mask a more pleasant experience.

●Keep away from certain foods

Onions and garlic not only add flavor to many foods but also add smells that are not easily brushed away. The substances that cause their bad smells make their way into your bloodstream and travel to your lungs, where you breathe them out.     2    .

●     3    

Saliva (唾液) is the key ingredient in your mouth that helps keep the smell under control because it helps wash away food particles and bacteria. If you are not producing much saliva, try drinking water or chewing sugarless gum.

●Brush your teeth

You’d better brush your teeth at least twice a day to reduce harmful bacteria on your teeth. The sticky buildup on your teeth collects bacteria that cause bad breath, and trapped food adds to the problem.     4    . It is proved that if you brush too hard, you can wear down your teeth, making them vulnerable to decay.

●Brush your tongue

    5    . It can end up on your tongue. To rid your tongue of smell—causing bacteria, remember to brush it when you clean your teeth. If your toothbrush is too big to reach the back of your tongue, buy a tool used for removing the accumulation.

A．Avoid dry mouth

B．Wash your hands

C．That’s the good news

D．Buy a proper toothbrush instead

E．Bacteria don’t just live on your teeth

F．But the experts warn against overdoing it.

G．Avoiding those foods is the best way to get rid of the problem

【推荐1】When Luca first heard of the Island of Inventions, he was still very young. But its wonders sounded so incredible that they were forever burned in his memory. From that moment, he never stopped searching for clues which might lead him to the island. He read hundreds of adventure books, histories, volumes of physics and chemistry, even music.
Over time, he pieced together his idea of what the Island of Inventions was like. It was a secret place, where all the great wise men of the world would meet to learn and invent together. Access to the island was totally restricted. To join, you had to have created some great invention for humanity. Only then could you receive the special invitation — which came with directions to the island.
So Luca spent his youth studying and inventing. Every new idea he got, he made it into an invention, and if there were something he didn't understand, he’d seek others to help him. Soon he met other young inventors and he told them about the Island of Inventions. They too dreamed of one day receiving an invitation letter.
As years passed, the disappointment of not receiving their invitation made Luca and his friends work harder and co-operate more. They would meet in Luca's house, share their ideas and build new machines. Their inventions became known throughout the world, and improved the lives of millions.
But still, no invitation came.
They didn’t lose heart. They continued learning and inventing every day, trying to come up with more and better ideas. Fresh young talent joined their group, as more inventors dreamed of getting to the island.
One day many years later, Luca, already very old, was speaking with a brilliant young man named Roberts, who had written to him, asking him to join the group. Luca started telling the man of the wonderful Island of Inventions, and of how he was sure that some day they would receive an invitation. Surprised, the young inventor interrupted: “You mean this place isn’t the Island of Inventions? Isn't the letter you sent me the real invitation?”
It was only then that Luca realised that his dream had become true in his very own house. No island could exist which would be better than where he was now. No place of invention would be better than what he and his friends had created. Luca felt happy to know that he had always been on the island, and that his life of invention and study had been a truly happy one.
1. Why did Luca and his colleagues probably never receive an invitation to the island?

A．Their ideas were not considered worthy enough.

B．They were too concerned with acquiring fame.

C．The organization had already broken up.

D．The island was not a real place.

2. What did Luca learn at the end of the story?

A．The island of inventions did not exist.

B．He had wasted most of his life.

C．He had unknowingly built his own dreamland.

D．He finally would receive his invitation.

3. Which of the following best describes Luca?

A．Aggressive.	B．Trusting.
C．Creative.	D．Easy-going.

【推荐2】It was a cold May morning when I received an intriguing (有趣的) email from an old high school friend inviting me to join a 10-day all-girls surf trip. I knew I had to say yes.

The trip seemed simple enough. Ten women aged 30 to 45, all complete strangers, gathered on the coast of Portugal to try something new: surfing in the Atlantic Ocean.

I have always loved traveling, so I eagerly sent an email to my boss seeking permission from him to make the once-in-a-life trip.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over my past 33 years, it’s that adults typically spend their days mastering the things they’ve done before. It seems like we pride ourselves on becoming experts in whatever field we’ve fallen into, knowing more and more about less and less.

Now, in theory, this is a great strategy, as it allows you to become really, really good at one particular thing, but it also kind of ends up leaving some skills lacking.

I met my new surfing companions on the grass of the hotel lawn in a small surf town called Ericeira. Despite our different personalities and backgrounds, we were all united in a relentless desire to challenge ourselves, learn, tackle and grow.

The shores at Ericeira, where the beginners learn to surf, are shallow and covered with slippery rocks. They make for softer waves but are difficult to navigate.

Guided by our amazing coaches, together, we faced the waves. Sometimes, it poured with rain, and the waves crashed around us, but we were still out there. And with every slip and fall, words of encouragement filled the air.

Honestly, I probably spent most of my days frozen to the bone, but that didn’t matter because a new level of genuine joy and personal achievement had been unlocked. Learning a new skill taught me the humility that can come from doing badly at something new, and the pride that develops when you finally manage to grasp something you’ve been working on.

While surfing might not be my calling, trying it out inspired me to take more risks in life, to step outside of my comfort zone and to never stop believing in myself. You never know what you’re capable of if you don’t go out there and try.

1. What motivated the author to join the surf trip to Portugal?

A．Her love for surfing and improving existing skills.

B．Her desire to reconnect with a high school friend and make new friends.

C．Her passion for embracing challenges and exploring new places.

D．The chance to take a break in Portugal from work.

2. What is the author’s view on adults focusing on mastering one field?

A．It blocks creativity and exploration.	B．It is essential for career success.
C．It disturbs one’s work-life balance.	D．It narrows one’s abilities.

3. Which of the following words best describe the author’s surfing experience?

A．Tough but rewarding.	B．Relaxing but unpredictable.
C．Difficult but interesting.	D．Tiring but meaningful.

4. What can be inferred about the author?

A．She discovered her true calling atter the trip.

B．She used to lack confidence in herself.

C．She became more willing to challenge herself.

D．She went on to become an expert surfer.

5. What wisdom did the author gain from the experience with surfing?

A．The need to seek professional training in all new skills.

B．The value of pushing your limits and running the risk of something unpleasant.

C．The benefit of exploring new places with unknown companions.

D．The importance of being an expert in on field.

【推荐3】Recently, I said something like this to my 13-year-old son: “I've told you a thousand times, just do your work and we can stop fighting. Why don't you just listen to me? I hate having to shout to get you to pay attention.”

Creating a peaceful relationship with our children is a huge test of emotional intelligence-and particularly empathy. In the above example, there are a number of emotional intelligence failures. I was angry, so I was reacting unconsciously instead of responding intentionally. Under my anger was a feeling of powerlessness and fear. I was scared that he is not self-motivated and won't do well. I reacted to the fear by attacking. I was trying to use my force of will to make him obey.

The first rule of emotional intelligence: When people feel pushed, they resist. I was blaming him, interpreting his lack of interest in homework as a kind of personal attack on me and implying that he was making me behave the way that I behaved. I was focused on what I wanted and my perspective.

I'd like to focus on this last point, because it turns out that this lack of perspective-taking—this lack of empathy—is the key to easing parent-child tension.

When I increase empathy and relook at the situation with compassion, I see a different story. Perhaps he was afraid, too. Perhaps he felt powerless, too. Perhaps he's learned the exact same pattern I've modeled: When you're afraid, attack.

That moment of curiosity is the doorway to empathy, and it's a game changer. Empathy is not actually a complex skill. It's a basic part of the social brain. That little pause of curiosity is a way to step out of the stress reaction, and step into being the person we choose to be.

Hopefully, I'll remember to take that all-important pause and ask myself :I wonder what's really going on for him right now.

1. What phenomenon is described in paragraph 1?

A．The parent-child tension.	B．The poor emotional intelligence of parents.
C．The peaceful communication.	D．The silent resistance from children.

2. What emotional intelligence failures did the writer make in the relationship with his/her son?

A．Lacking a sense of fear.	B．Forcing his/her son to give in.
C．Making personal attacks.	D．Making intentional responses quickly.

3. What's the best title for the text?

A．Parent-Child Conflicts	B．The Test of Emotional Intelligence
C．The Doorway to Empathy	D．The Key to Easing Parent-Child Tension

【推荐1】The key to happiness is how quickly you can get back your focus on what’s important.

—Anonymous

Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson in the back of a New York City taxi cab. Here’s what happened. I jumped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car’s back end by just inches!

The driver of the other car, who almost caused a big accident, started yelling bad words at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. I said, “Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!” And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call “The Law of the Garbage Truck.”

Many people are like garbage (rubbish) trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of anger and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to throw it away. And if you let them, they’ll throw it away on you. When someone wants to throw their garbage away on you, don’t take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You’ll be happy with what you did.

I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets? It was that day I said, “I’m not going to do any more.”

Successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day. What about you? If you let more garbage trucks pass you by, you’ll be happier. Life’s too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So, Love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don’t.

1. What happened one day when the author was taking a taxi?

A．The taxi driver was injured.

B．The taxi almost hit another car.

C．The author scolded the driver of the other car.

D．The author learned a lesson from the driver of the garbage truck.

2. How did the taxi driver respond to the behaviour of the driver of the black car?

A．He yelled back at the driver.

B．He sent the driver to the hospital.

C．He dumped some garbage in front of his car.

D．He was friendly towards the driver.

3. What does the taxi driver think of people according to Paragraph 3?

A．Many people like to drive garbage trucks.

B．Many people throw garbage away wherever they like.

C．Many people tend to be very much depressed.

D．Many people are warm-hearted to make others happy.

4. According to the passage, what should you do if people “throw garbage away” on you?

A．Ignore them and go on with our own work.

B．Try our best to persuade them not to do that again.

C．Tell them to throw garbage away in the right place.

D．Take over their work and carry the garbage to somewhere else.

【推荐3】I’ve been teaching college for many years, long enough to note the steady relaxation of attention in matters of student dress. I’ve long been used to the torn jeans, shorts in the dead of the Maine winter, and ball caps worn backward. Still, I took note recently when one of my students showed up in sleep bottoms. I’m familiar with the school of thought that says how students dress is irrelevant, so long as they’re learning. But I also wonder about the wisdom of blurring(模糊) the line between bed and desk.

I smile when I think back on the occasions that my parents associated us with needing to look tidy and neat. Once, when I was 14 and my brother 12, my father announced that he was taking us into Manhattan (just a subway ride away) to see the film “2001: A Space Odyssey.” My brother and I were excited by the proposal, but were momentarily upset when my father directed us to put on our best clothes, including jackets and ties. “But why?” I begged, not wanting to change out of my comfortable jeans, T-shirt, and sneakers.

“Because,” he said, “we’re going to New York.”

I can still see the stars in his eyes as he said these words.

So yes, I’m all for freedom of choice in matters of dress, and yes, I do want my students to be comfortable. But I also want to pay my respects to those students who believe that appearance counts.

I think of the woman – a somewhat older student—I had in class a few years ago. She was someone to whom science did not come easily: She worked hard for respectable grades on every assignment. But I was struck by how tastefully she dressed, day after day. When the course ended, I took a moment to mention this to her. “You always looked so nice,” I remarked. “As if you were ready to take on the world.

She answered, as if it were obvious, “I’ve waited 12 years to return to school, and I dress up to remind myself to be serious about it.”

And, I might add, she seemed perfectly comfortable to me.

1. What kind of feeling is expressed in Paragraph 1?

A．Excitement.

B．Curiosity.

C．Sympathy.

D．Discontent.

2. What do we know about the author’s father?

A．He valued a sense of ceremony in life.	B．He liked wearing comfortable clothes.
C．He always thought highly of himself.	D．He was a regular movie-goer.

3. Why did the woman earn the author’s respect?

A．She achieved high grades easily.	B．She showed great talent for science.
C．She pursued knowledge at an old age.	D．She attached great importance to her dress.

4. What message does the author want to convey in the text?

A．You are what you wear.	B．Never judge a man by his appearance.
C．You are never too old to learn.	D．Treat each day like a special day.