Listen carefully; we would like to tell you something that could save your precious time and money! Best of all, it is free! It’s ‘no’. What do you ask? We’ll say it again. ‘No’. Sweet and simple ‘no’.
Say ‘no’ at your office and see how quickly that pile of work on your desk disappears. “Saying ‘no’ to others means you are saying ‘yes’ to yourself,” said Leslie Charles, a professional speaker from East Lansing, Michigan.
Susie Watson, a famous writer, said people who always say ‘yes’ need to say ‘no’ without guilt （内疚）or fear of punishment. “I would rather have someone give me a loving ‘no’ than an obligated （强制的）‘yes’”, she said.
Susie Watson says she feels ‘no’ obligation to give an explanation when she says ‘no’ either socially or professionally. Does she feel guilty about it? “Not at all,” said Watson, who is director of advertising and public relations at Timex Corp in Middle-bury. “Most people are afraid of saying ‘no’. My advice is to say ‘yes’ only if you don’t mean ‘no’.”
Watson said ‘no’ is the most effective weapon against wasting time. “Every year there are more demands on your time. Other people are happy to use up your time,” Watson said. Time saving appears to be ‘no’s’ greatest friend. ‘No’ can be your new friend, a powerful tool to take back your life. ‘No’ may even take you further in the business world than “yes”. ‘No’ is power and strength. ‘No’ now seems completely correct. “Saying ‘no’ isn’t easy. But finally it’s greatly liberating,” Charles said. But, he added, a ‘no’ project needs to be worked on every day because it is hard to change long-term habit.
But, he also warns: “Don’t go to extremes. Don’t find yourself saying ‘no’ to everything. In return you should learn to hear ‘no’.”
1. The underlined part in the second paragraph means ______.| A．you can have more time to play with others |
| B．you needn’t care about other’s feeling if you are happy |
| C．you are selfish and treat others rudely |
| D．you can deal with your business as you have planned |
| A．secret way | B．polite way | C．proud way | D．guilty way |
| A．they say ‘no’ at a suitable time | B．they say ‘no’ as much as possible |
| C．they are afraid of saying ‘no’ | D．they make others angry at them |
| A．enjoys a wonderful life | B．makes a lot of money |
| C．faces difficulty in life | D．forgets to say ‘yes’ in the end |
相似题推荐
Why People Get Tattoos?
Jack lay, quiet and unmoving, for thirty minutes while a stranger repeatedly stabbed (刺) him with sharp needles, causing blood to pour steadily out of his leg. Jack was getting a tattoo. His friend Tony had recently gotten a tattoo, and Jack was so impressed by it that he decided to get one too. Peer pressure, media influence, and personal expression are some of the common reasons for wearing tattoos today.
The desire to be accepted by one’s friends or peers can have a great influence on what a person does. Sometimes, wearing a tattoo can be a sign that you belong to a certain group. Gangs often use special clothes and tattoos to identify their particular group. Some of these groups wear only brand – name clothes. Others wear tattoos. When a person’s friends are all doing something, that person in more likely to do the same thing.
The media is another big influence behind the popularity of tattoos in North America. A wide variety of media images(人物，图像) show tattoos－people appearing in commercials selling expensive cars, famous sports heroes with tattoos in magazines, fashion models wearing designer clothes that show their bodies tattooed with detailed and colourful patterns. These media images link tattoos to ideas of wealth, success, and status. As a result, many people decide to get a tattoo for its fashion and status value.
Many people decide to wear tattoos in order to express their artistic nature, their beliefs, or their feelings－in other words, to show their individuality(个性). A musician in a rock band may get a tattoo of a guitar on the arm. Some environmentalists may tattoo pictures of endangered animals on their shoulders. A tattoo can be a public sign to show what is important in a person's life.
As you can see, there are many reasons why young North Americans get tattoos. A tattoo can be part of a group's uniform, a sign of fashion. or an expression of individuality. The decision to get a tattoo is most often a result of the influence of friends or media or the desire to express oneself. For Jack, it was a mixture of all three.
1. Jack has got tattoos in order to .| A．show his great bravery | B．gain a special experience |
| C．make himself more healthy | D．be different from others |
| A．traditional lifestyle | B．social position |
| C．cultural background | D．public interest |
| A．some people get tattoos out of pressure |
| B．tattoo is related to religious belief |
| C．getting tattoos costs a lot of money |
| D．most people with tattoos are artists |
CP: Central Point P: Point Sp: Sub – point (次要点) C: Conclusion
A． | B． |
C． | D． |
【推荐2】Jane, a student of Oxford University, has bought a bicycle and is concerned about the safety of her new bike. Her friend, Kate, found this article and sent it to her.
How to make your bicycle safe?
A number of crimes(罪行) are against bicycles. About 150,000 bicycles are stolen every year and most of them are never found. You can prevent this from happening by following a few careful steps.
Basic Security
Never leave your bicycle in out-of-the-way places. Always lock your bicycle when you leave. Secure it to lamp posts or trees. Take off smaller parts and carry them with you, for example lights and saddles (车座).
Locks
There are various types of locks. Buy one that has been tested against attack. Ask for a suggestion from a bike shop owner.
Marking
The security marking of your bike can act as a prevention of being stolen, which can also help the police find your bicycle. Your postcode and your house or flat number should be included and clearly recorded. This will provide a simple way to recognize your bicycle.
Registration (注册)
There are many companies that will offer the security marking to your bicycle. They will then store your registration number and personal details in their computer database(数据库). If your bicycle is found, it will be easy to contact you.
Attention
Keep a record of the bicycle by yourself: its production place, model and registration number. You can even take a photograph of it. This will prove the bicycle belongs to you.
1. Which part of the article gives the information on how to lock your bicycle when you leave?| A．Basic Security | B．Locks |
| C．Marking | D．Registration |
| A．It can help the police to find and recognize the lost bike. |
| B．Some companies can help you in marking the bike. |
| C．It can make sure that the bike won’t be stolen. |
| D．The security marking database makes it easy to get in touch with the owner. |
| A．by both your friend and your parents |
| B．both in a security company and Oxford University |
| C．by yourself and in a security company that offers security marking |
| D．in the police station as well as Oxford University |
| A．your registration number and personal details |
| B．the lock you buy and the suggestion from a bike shop owner |
| C．the production place of the bike and your address |
| D．both the type of the bike and its picture |
【推荐3】 BUILTBYYOU Challenge
In this post on our website of WiTech, we introduce some details about the BUILTBYYOU Challenge and why teens from around the world should join it!
BUILTBYYOU is an initiative that aims to encourage and expose more high school girls to careers in technology.
Read the write-up below from the BUILTBYYOU team to learn more about the challenge!
Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for the next generation of 13-18 years old female startup founders and change-makers (you) who are building a mobile app, hardware device, robotics project, game, or something no one has invented yet. You can submit in up to teams of 4. Feel free to apply with your projects from your previous tech experiences or build out an entirely new idea.
What You Could Win
You could win the opportunity to present your project in front of expert teenager judges, tech/VC moguls(大人物) and change makers during a live Presentation Day in San Francisco on September 1. Winners receive S10,000 in funding, mentorship and a booth at TechCrunch Disrupt to take their project to the next level.
The Founder of WiTehch
Audrey Pe is an incoming high school junior from the Philippines. Because current Philippine curriculum is lacking in computer science education, Audrey taught herself to program using available online resources. As she pursued her interest in a technology career, she found very little support and no female role models within the industry. While attending tech conferences Audrey met other girls with similar interests for the first time. At 15 she gathered a team of students and founded Women in Technology (WiTech). WiTech is a community organization that educates, inspires and empowers young girls to break barriers and use technology to make positive differences in society.
1. Which of the following is one of the factors that determine who can apply?| A．Nationality. | B．Occupation. | C．Gender. | D．Character. |
| A．Apply with their own projects. | B．Submit their projects in September. |
| C．Present their project before tech moguls. | D．Receive ten thousand dollars in funding. |
| A．Requests from other girls. | B．The wish to support young females. |
| C．Lack of interest in school education. | D．Inspiration from similar organizations. |
【推荐1】Trying to find the perfect present is about as easy as trying to read someone’s mind. Few people will actually tell you what they want for a special occasion and most of the time your loved ones will insist that they don’t need or want anything! So, what to do?Here are some tips that could help.
Start Early
Starting your shopping early can have many advantages. For instance, it gives you enough time to come up with ideas for what you should buy your friends or family members. Moreover, the closer it gets to holidays, the higher the prices go up. So, save your money by being an early bird.
Make a List
Here, you can write down everything your friends or family members love. This can include food, hobbies, experiences, and more. Then try to determine how to use this information to find a gift that perfectly suits them. If you are lucky, you should be able to find good ideas in one of these lists.
Think outside the Box
Often, the reason why you get stuck(卡住)for gift ideas is that you only focus on the same kind of presents. If you are still coming up empty, it is time to get creative. You can find something your friends or family members can use every day. When in doubt, you can simply put smaller presents together to make up a larger, more meaningful gift.
Gift an Experience
In case you are still feeling a little stuck, go ahead and find something that the two of you can do together. It may be a class, or anything else where you can enjoy each other’s company (陪伴).In short, you will be able to give them the gift of friendship.
1. What should you do if you want to save money?| A．Start early | B．Make a list |
| C．Gift an experience | D．Think outside the box |
| A．we don’t have enough money to buy gifts |
| B．we have a long list of gifts to choose from |
| C．we only focus on the same kind of presents |
| D．we don’t have enough time to come up with good ideas |
| A．the advice on shopping | B．tips on reading someone’s mind |
| C．the experience during a special occasion | D．the guide to becoming the perfect gift giver |
【推荐2】You don’t have to be a Grammy-award winner like Beyoncé to sing. Actually, it’s a skill you can learn and practice.
| Give yourself permission to try From the beginning, set your expectations in a reasonable place. Everybody can do music—singing with kids or in a chorus. You play the guitar, but you needn’t be a performer with a band. Allow yourself to try without worrying about sounding “good” at first. Singing is a skill that takes practice and time to develop. |
| Practice stretching your speaking voice to your singing voice A few exercises help make that transition: Take a speaking phrase and start to stretch it. Make it a positive one, like “My voice is strong!” for the extra bonus of hearing some encouragement. While repeating the phrase, add some excitement to your speech—that’ll help you slide into singing naturally. There are also many vocal (发声) exercises online. |
| Find your own singing style To find what songs and styles suit you best, a music talent has established a singing method (Click HERE to find out) focusing on creating strategies specific to you. You can copy sounds but remember you’re trying to find your voice. Let Beyoncé be Beyoncé. Let whoever be whoever. That’s their identity. It’s important to say, “What do I sound like?” |
| Think about singing as a gateway to others This process is as much about self-acceptance as it is about building community. Be it in a band or a chorus, you and a bunch of friends just get together and there’s something amazing about making music. It promises a really good and deep community. |
For more help, you can email us at moreinfo@lifekit.org.
1. What does the author suggest readers do?| A．Dream big when starting singing. | B．Establish a music band with friends. |
| C．Copy songs and styles of famous singers. | D．Mix vocal exercises with self-motivation. |
| A．live a positive life | B．land a place in chorus |
| C．create music strategies | D．strengthen bonds with friends |
| A．lack confidence in singing | B．run a band or a music studio |
| C．want to register for a music course | D．desire to win Grammy Awards |
【推荐3】Ways to Make You a Faster Learner
Are you dreaming of becoming a faster learner? Try the following tips and make progress.
Use the right tools.
Train your brain to accept new information. Your brain needs continual training if you want to improve your learning ability. One way to achieve this goal is to create a special learning space in your home. You'll also need a fixed period of time that you'll use to study.
Get some exercise. Physical activity is good for your body, and your brain needs it too!
Take a lot of notes. Only few people are able to remember information as they read it. If you're not one of those people, you completely need to start taking notes.
| A．This will make your brain ready to accept the information it gets. |
| B．Work on the atmosphere（气氛） |
| C．Examine your learning style. |
| D．Light exercise, such as yoga, can help you learn much faster. |
| E．It's not so hard to find a peaceful place. |
| F．Write down only the most important information. |
| G．Technology has the power of making everything easier. |
【推荐1】While it may be commonplace, snubbing (冷落) one's friends can have serious impacts on relationships, and there are a variety of factors that may drive individuals to ignore their friends in favor of an electronic screen, according to a new University of Georgia study.
The study reveals positive associations between depression and social anxiety and increasing snubbing: depressed people are likely to snub their friends more frequently, and socially anxious people, who prefer online social interactions, might also exhibit more snubbing behavior. These people are really sensitive to their messages. With each buzz or sound, they consciously or unconsciously look at their phones. The device's various applications are key drivers contributing to this dynamic.
The finding also shows that agreeable individuals have a lower instance of snubbing in the presence of their friends. People who have agreeableness as a personality feature tend to show cooperative, polite and friendly behaviors in their interpersonal relationships and social settings. Though agreeable people may prioritize strong friendships, an exploratory study reveals they are also more likely to turn to phones in the presence of three or more people.
That dynamic may influence the spread of snubbing in the context of a work environment. “It's ironic (讽刺意味的) that while so many people believe that snubbing behavior is rude, they still do it,” Sun said. “A majority of people snub others, and in a group, it may seem OK, because it's just me, the speaker doesn't notice I'm using the phone. The number of people in a group can be one reason.”
Alternately, disabling or turning over a phone can indicate a show of respect for a situation and focus on a person. That, too, is a signal—I am listening to what you are saying and I am focusing on you.
1. What can cause snubbing behavior?| A．Social requirements. |
| B．Unhealthy mental condition. |
| C．Frequent social interactions. |
| D．Limited communication devices. |
| A．They are insensitive to phone messages. |
| B．They are more likely to snub their friends. |
| C．They attach importance to firm friendships. |
| D．They get accustomed to groups with more people. |
| A．The majority are using phones. |
| B．They don't like the environment. |
| C．The speaker doesn't care about it. |
| D．They think they will go unnoticed. |
| A．How snubbing behaviors can be avoided |
| B．Why people are addicted to phone messages |
| C．Why people snub their friends with their phones |
| D．How phones influence people's social interactions |
【推荐2】FOUR BEST BOOKSHOPS IN LONDON
Looking for something to read while in London? If so, you’re in luck: the British capital happens to have an incredible collection of bookshops.
Daunt Books
Are you going on a trip and want to read a novel or nonfiction book set in the place you’re headed? This bookshop arranges books by country, so it’s easy to find anything by place. (83 Marylebone High Street. Monday-Saturday: 09:00-19:30; Sunday: 11:00-18:00.)
Foyles Books
Dig, if you will, the picture: four miles of shelves holding up to 200,000 books. This legendary (传奇的) bookshop is impossible to leave empty-handed. It was once listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest bookshop on the planet. (107 Charing Cross Road. Monday-Saturday: 9:00-21:00; Sunday: 11:30-18:00.) Hatchards
In the year 1797, this London bookshop—the oldest in the city today—first flicked on its lights. It stocks an excellent selection of fiction, nonfiction, history and other genres. (187 Piccadilly Street. Monday-Saturday: 09:30-20:00; Sunday: 12:00-18:30.)
London Review Bookshop
There’s an excellent selection of history, philosophy, politics, new fiction and many other genres here. Plus, there’s a nice cafe in which you can crack open that tome (巨著) for the first time and start reading. (14 Bury Place. Monday-Saturday 10:00-18:30; Sunday 12:00-18:00.)
1. Which bookstore was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records?| A．Daunt Books. | B．Foyles Books. |
| C．Hatchards. | D．London Review Bookshop. |
| A．It has a long history. | B．It has 200,000 books. |
| C．It has a cafe. | D．It has both fiction and nonfiction books. |
| A．83 Marylebone High Street. | B．107 Charing Cross Road. |
| C．187 Piccadilly Street. | D．14 Bury Place. |
【推荐3】An earthquake is literally an earth-shattering experience! There you are enjoying an afternoon nap, having a cup of coffee in the morning, or even sleeping on a cold winter night when —WHAM! —the entire crockery (陶器) shelf collapses, and all the plates and cups break into pieces. A painting on the wall nearly knocks you down as it falls.
What should one do in an earthquake? The prime-time (黄金时间的) news gives no warning, nor is there a time of year, like the monsoon (风) season, when an earthquake always occurs. Unlike a tornado or hurricane, there is no known way of predicting an earthquake.
Though about 500, 000 earthquakes occur each year, only 100 of them cause damage! However, an earthquake can strike any time of the day or night, so it needs to be prepared for when you have the misfortune of being caught in the middle of one.
If you’re indoors, stay indoors, unless you’re on the ground floor, where you can easily run outside. The best thing to do if you’re indoors is to hide under a strong piece of furniture like a bed or desk. Do not head for the stairway if you’re living on an upper storey, because stairways can collapse.
If you’re driving, get out of traffic and stop on a wide and open road. Do not stop on a bridge, or in another case, under one. Stay inside your car until the shaking stops. Before you restart driving, look out for fissures (裂缝), breaks in the road, and bumps or cracks. Inside your home, be careful not to turn on the gas until you’re sure the cylinder (气罐) is safe, and there is no leak.
Avoid using your telephone unless there’s an emergency. You could be occupying lines that are needed by other people. Lastly, if you’re not trapped or seriously hurt, do not expect fire fighters, army or police to help you. They may be busy rescuing people in greater need than you!
1. What does the underlined word mean in the first paragraph?| A．worthwhile | B．amazing | C．endangered | D．earthshaking |
| A．No better way has been found to predict earthquakes yet. |
| B．The monsoon season disorders because of global warming. |
| C．The prime-time news can not receive timely information. |
| D．Earthquakes are accompanied by hurricanes or tornadoes. |
| A．On the rooftop. | B．Under the stairway. |
| C．Under a table. | D．In a wardrobe. |
| A．Hurry up to get out of the car. | B．Park away from the bridges. |
| C．Call the police for help at once. | D．Turn on gas pipe immediately. |
A yellow room makes us feel more cheerful (开心的) and more comfortable (舒服的) than a dark green one, and a red dress rings warmth and cheer to the saddest winter day. On the other hand, black is depressing (压抑). Light and bright colors make people not only happier but more active. It is a fact that factory workers work better, harder, and have fewer accidents when their machines are painted orange rather than black or dark gray.
Remember, then, that if you feel low, you can always brighten your day or your life with a new shirt or a few colorful things. Remember also that you will know your friends and your enemies better when you find out what colors they like and dislike. And don’t forget that anyone can guess a lot about your character when you choose a piece of handkerchief.
1. According to this passage, ________.| A．one can choose his color preference |
| B．one is born with his color preference |
| C．one’s color preference is changeable |
| D．one has to choose his favorite color as soon as he can see clearly |
| A．colors do have effect on our moods (情绪) |
| B．colors may have effect on our work and study |
| C．light and bright colors make people happy |
| D．you can know your friends better by the colors they like or dislike |
| A．one’s color preference shows one’s character |
| B．you can brighten your life with wonderful colors |
| C．psychologists have been studying the meaning of color preference |
| D．one’s color preference has something to do with his character and colors have effects on human beings |
| A．I am feeling well | B．I am very happy |
| C．I am excited | D．I am depressed |
【推荐2】If you are planning on travelling, there are a few simple rules about how to make life easier both before and after your journey.
First of all, always check and double－check departure (启程) time. It is amazing how few people really do this carefully. Once I arrived at the airport a few minutes after ten, my secretary had got the ticket for me and I thought she had said that the plane left at 10：50. When I arrived at the airport, the clerk at the departure desk told me that my flight was closed. Therefore, I had to wait three hours for the next one and missed an important meeting.
The second rule is to remember that even in this age of credit cards, it is still important to have some local cash with you when you arrive in a country. Once I arrived at a place at midnight and the bank at the airport was closed. The only way to get to my hotel was by taxi and because I had no dollars, I offered to pay in pounds instead. “Listen! I only take real money！” the driver said angrily. Luckily I was able to borrow a few dollars from a clerk at the hotel, but it was embarrassing.
The third and last rule is to find out as much as you can about the weather at your destination before you leave. I feel sorry for some of my workmates who travel in heavy suits and raincoats in May, when it is still fairly cool in London or Manchester, to places like Athens, Rome or Madrid, where it is already beginning to get quite warm during the day.
1. According to the passage, the driver was angry because the writer ________.| A．did not give him the local money |
| B．gave him false money |
| C．offered to pay by credit card |
| D．had no enough change |
| A．warm and dry | B．cold and dry |
| C．hot and wet | D．cool and rainy |
| A．how to plan our trip |
| B．how to enjoy ourselves on trip |
| C．how to make life easier |
| D．how to be well prepared for a trip |
I am delighted to be your guest.
I would like to tell you about myself. I have been a news reporter for the past fifteen years. I chose this job so I could travel the world, but the job has taught me many unforgettable lessons. The work is sometimes difficult. I have seen famines, wars, earthquakes, poverty and death. But I have also seen courage, hope and happiness.
In India, I visited a city where there were many homeless children. Some were as young as four years old. They lived in the streets and survived by begging or stealing. But then a wonderful lady called Rosa opened a home for them. Within one year, she was looking after two hundred children. She clothed them, fed them, and taught them. She gave them hope.
Another time, I was in Turkey after a terrible earthquake. In one place, I found an old lady whose house was in ruins, her son was missing and rescuer workers said there was no chance that he was still alive. But the old lady did not give up hope. For four days, she moved heavy stones one at a time by herself. She did not stop until she found her son. He was alive.
Here in China, I met a young boy with a serious condition. He had undergone twenty operations and spent nearly his whole life in hospital. I thought he would be sad, but when I met him, his smile was so warm and welcoming.
In life, we need role models that we can admire and learn from. When my life is difficult, I try to remember the courage and goodness of these three people.
1. The underlined word “famines” in Paragraph 2 means __________.
| A．pleasure. | B．joy. | C．luck. | D．extreme lack of food. |
| A．She’s a rich lady and she likes to help the homeless children. |
| B．She’s a kind-hearted woman and she provides houses for the homeless children. |
| C．She’s a great mother and she looks after the homeless children. |
| D．She’s a good teacher and she teaches the homeless children. |
| A．China. | B．Canada. | C．Turkey. | D．India. |
| A．Their bravery. | B．Their strong mind. |
| C．Their age. | D．Their luck. |
