Shyness is the cause of much unhappiness for a great many people. Shy people are anxious and self-conscious; that is, they are concerned about their own appearance and actions too much. Negative thoughts are constantly occurring in their minds: What kind of impression am I making? Do they like me? Do I sound stupid? Am I wearing unattractive clothes?
It is obvious that such uncomfortable feelings must affect people unfavorably. A person’s self-concept is reflected in the way he or she behaves and the way a person behaves affects other people’s reactions. In general, the way people think about themselves has a deep effect on all areas of their lives.
Shy people, who have low respect, are likely to be passive and easily influenced by others. They need faith that they are doing ＂the right thing＂. Shy people are very sensitive to criticism. It makes them feel inferior(自卑). They also find it difficult to be pleased by praises because they believe they are unworthy of praise. A shy person may respond to a praise with a statement like this one: ＂You’re just saying that to make me feel good. I know it’s not true.＂ It is clear that, while self-awareness is a healthy quality, overdoing it is harmful.
Can shyness be completely got rid of, or at least reduced? Fortunately, people can overcome shyness with determination since shyness goes hand in hand with lack of self-respect. It is important for people to accept their weaknesses as well as their strengths. Each one of us has his or her own characteristics. We are interested in our own personal ways. The better we understand ourselves, the easier it becomes to live up to our chances for a rich and successful life.
1. The first paragraph is mainly about ____________.| A．the cause of shyness |
| B．the effect of shyness on people |
| C．the feelings of shy people |
| D．the questions in the minds of shy people |
| A．harmful to people | B．a weak point of people |
| C．the cause of unhappiness | D．a good characteristic |
| A．They are pleased by it. |
| B．They feel it is not true. |
| C．They are very sensitive to it. |
| D．They feel they are worthy of it. |
| A．blocks our chances for a successful life |
| B．helps us to live up to our full development |
| C．enables us to understand ourselves better |
| D．has nothing to do with lack of self-respect |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】How to Calm Down Quickly
We all have our fair share of moments when we feel more anxious and stressed than usual. When these negative thoughts enter your brain, it’s easy to give in and allow them to take over.
One of the best ways to calm down is to quit interacting with what’s upsetting you. This may mean telling the person you’re speaking with that you need to take a quick break. If you’re with company, politely excuse yourself for a moment. Get to a quiet place away from what’s upsetting you and focus on calming thoughts.
Breathe
When your body’s sympathetic nervous system is activated by stress, one of the first things to do is to have a calm and even breathing. Focusing on breathing deeply and evenly has a host of benefits.
Pet your animals and take them for walks, if you can
You can simply talk to your pet, stroke his fur, or take him for a walk. If you don’t have a pet, sometimes a stuffed pet can be just as useful.
Try meditating (冥想)
| A．Stop what you’re doing |
| B．Everyone feels stress from time to time |
| C．It works by forcing you to calm down and sit still |
| D．It’s up to you to keep them from getting out of control |
| E．Try to spend time with people whom you feel support you |
| F．It restores oxygen to your body, and regulates your brain’s brainwaves |
| G．Alternatively, you can visit a zoo, a nature park, or a local wildlife reserve |
“Could you possibly give us a room here?” the husband asked.
The clerk, a friendly man with a winning smile, looked at the couple and explained that there were three conventions in town.“All of our rooms are taken,” the clerk said.“But I can’t send a nice couple like you out into the rain at one o'clock in the morning. Would you perhaps be willing to sleep in my room? It’s not exactly a suite, but it will be good enough to make you folks comfortable for the night.”
When the couple declined, the young man pressed on.“Don’t worry about me; I’ll make out just fine.” the clerk told them. So the couple agreed.
As he paid his bill the next morning, the elderly man said to the clerk,“You are the kind of manager who should be the boss of the best hotel in the United States. Maybe someday I’ll build one for you.” The clerk looked at them and smiled. The three of them had a good laugh. As they drove away, the elderly couple agreed that the helpful clerk was indeed exceptional, as finding people who are both friendly and helpful isn’t easy.
Two years passed. The clerk had almost forgotten the incident when he received a letter from the old man. It recalled that stormy night and enclosed a round—trip ticket to New York, asking the young man to pay them a visit.
The old man met him in New York, and led him to the corner of Fifth Avenue and 34th street. He then pointed to a great new building there, a pale reddish stone, with turrets and watchtowers thrusting up to the sky.“That,” said the older man,“is the hotel I have just built for you to manage.”“You must be joking,” the young man said.“I can assure you I am not,” said the older man, a sly smile playing around his mouth.
The older man’s name was William Waldorf Astor, and that magnificent structure was the original Waldorf—Astoria Hotel. The young clerk who became its first manager was George C.Boldt. This young clerk never foresaw the turn of events that would lead him to become the manager of one of the world’s most glamorous hotels.
1. The purpose of the author writing this story is to_______.
| A．give people a good laugh | B．cover some facts |
| C．promote the business of Waldorf—Astoria Hotel | D．deliver a lesson |
| A．The story took place at about one a.m.. |
| B．The old couple was too poor to afford a luxurious room. |
| C．The clerk was willing to help those in need. |
| D．The clerk received an unexpected invitation from the old man. |
| A．rooms | B．suites | C．meetings | D．hotels |
| A．Every little thing helps. |
| B．Make hay while the sun shines. |
| C．Man proposes； God disposes(处理,决定). |
| D．One good turn deserves another. |
【推荐3】We all want to know what happiness means and try to find ways to help make our life better. Happiness — you know it when you see it, but it’s hard to define. You might call it a sense of well-being, optimism or meaningfulness in life, although those could also be treated separately.
We also know that we don’t always have control over our happiness. Research suggests that genetics may play a big role in our level of happiness, so some of us may start out at a disadvantage. On top of that, environmental factors can bring down mood and dry up our thirst for living.
A 2022 review of more than 200 studies found a connection between positive psychological features, such as happiness, optimism and life satisfaction, and a lowered risk of heart disease.
If what you mean by happiness is specifically “enjoyment of life”, there’s newer evidence to support that, too. A study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that people aged 60 and over who said they enjoyed life less were more likely to develop disability over an 8-year period.
| A．But whatever happiness really is. |
| B．It might take more work if your mood is low. |
| C．For now these studies can only show associations. |
| D．That refers to the person, and the situation he or she is in. |
| E．Being able to travel around was also related to enjoyment of life. |
| F．To manage our emotions is important for both our body and mind. |
| G．It’s not as simple as “you must be happy to prevent heart attacks”, though. |
【推荐1】Sweden, a country often associated with its colder climate rather than winemaking, is experiencing a surprising transformation in its wine industry because of climate change. Traditionally, renowned wine-growing regions like France, Italy, and Spain have dominated the global wine market. However, rising temperatures and longer growing seasons in Sweden have brought an unexpected growth in the country’s wine production.
Over the past 30 years, temperatures in the southern part of Sweden have risen by approximately 2℃ compared to the previous three decades. This increase has extended the growing season by approximately 20 days. While established winemaking regions face challenges such as droughts and extreme weather events. Sweden’s wine industry is thriving.
Kullabergs Vingard is one of the wineries benefiting from these changes. Its expert winemaker, Felix Ahrberg, recognizes the negative impact of rising temperatures on vineyards in more traditional wine-producing countries. In contrast, he sees immense potential for the Swedish wine industry. Currently producing around 30,000 bottles per year. Kullabergs’ wines have received accolades and are sold in high end restaurants across Europe and Hong Kong.
Interestingly, some French winemakers have chosen to settle in Sweden to pursue their grape cultivation (种植) and winemaking careers. Emma Berto, a French winemaker working at Thora Vingard, located near Ahrberg’s vineyard, highlights Sweden’s more predictable climate as a significant advantage compared to France. She says they also value the freedom and flexibility provided by Sweden’s less regulated winemaking sector, allowing for sustainable grape-growing practices such as reduced use of insecticides.
In Sweden, there are several kinds of grapes from France, such as Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot Noir. But Swedish winemakers primarily focus on cultivating Solaris grapes, a variety originating from Germany. However, they have also developed unique vineyard management techniques. For instance, in Sweden, leaves are often removed from the vines to ensure better sunlight exposure for the grapes, a practice that differs from the concerns about excessive sunlight exposure in countries like France and Spain.
1. What has contributed to the growth of Sweden’s wine industry?| A．Longer growing seasons due to climate change. |
| B．Much interest from consumers in Europe. |
| C．Strict regulations in the winemaking sector. |
| D．A more traditional way of winemaking. |
| A．Swedish wines are in high demand in France. |
| B．France has banned winemaking due to climate change. |
| C．Sweden’s colder climate benefits French grape varieties. |
| D．Sweden offers more freedom and flexibility in winemaking. |
| A．Merlot. | B．Solaris. | C．Pinot Noir. | D．Chardonnay. |
| A．Removing leaves from the vines. |
| B．Growing grapes without shelter. |
| C．Providing artificial lighting at night. |
| D．Using reflective surfaces to redirect sunlight. |
【推荐2】Remember back when virtual reality came out as the Next Big Thing? Videogame maker Sega developed a mass-market head-tracking VR system and showed it to reporters and industry representatives at the 1993 winter Consumer Electronics Show. It performed as advertised, carried an affordable $200 price tag and was set to launch the following year. Unfortunately, among other issues, testers reportedly developed headaches and motion sickness using the headset and the system was quietly shelved.
A report just issued by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, suggests a similar problem could be found in self-driving cars. According to the study's authors Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle, that's because the three main factors that trigger motion sickness-specifically, a conflict between balance and visual inputs, an inability to anticipate the direction of motion and a lack of control over the direction of motion-tend to be increased in self-driving vehicles.
The report suggests between six and ten percent of Americans riding in self-driving vehicles would be expected to always, or at least usually, suffer some degree of motion sickness. What's more, the frequency and severity suffered can be expected to vary depending on what the person is doing at the time instead of driving. Those reading, watching movies or television, texting and working while on autopilot should suffer the most motion sickness, while those who steadfastly keep their eyes on the road are likely to endure the least measure of discomfort.
Authors Sivak and Schoettle suggest automakers design self-driving cars specifically to help reduce it, including having large transparent windows to maximize visual field, and setting seats and displays so that riders are facing forward. Alternately, riders could always take anti-nausea （防呕吐）medications, though this is not a particularly practical solution for various reasons. Beyond that, riders could take a nap, or at least keep their eyes closed while the vehicle is in motion, which is said to help minimize motion sickness.
1. What is the function of Paragraph 1?| A．To present the uncertain future of VR. |
| B．To introduce the topic of motion sickness. |
| C．To highlight the importance of VR and its system. |
| D．To attract public attention towards hi-tech products. |
| A．Driving and humming songs in rough condition. |
| B．Viewing the scenery and talking with other riders. |
| C．Keeping absorbed in writing a paper along the way. |
| D．Taking photos of the buildings outside the car windows. |
| A．The head-tracking VR system was successfully launched the next year. |
| B．Whatever the riders do, they would be less likely to feel uncomfortable. |
| C．A clear window with forward-facing seats would relieve motion sickness. |
| D．The visual influences on balance would lead to motion sickness in all vehicles. |
【推荐3】It’s easy for consumers to buy food and drinks like a bowl of hot rice and coke online or from neighbourhood shops, but for astronauts such things were impossible in the past.
Members of China’s Shenzhou manned space flight last year, however, were able to enjoy such food, thanks to Joyoung, a Chinese firm. Joyoung created a mobile space kitchen for the astronauts. A drinking water machine, an air heater and a soybean milk maker were all accessible in the kitchen through a smart app. Tang Hongbo, who was a member of the Shenzhou manned spacecraft, said in the news that during his three month trip, he could eat hot food with just half-hour efforts, a contrast to the past when similar attempts required several hours. If we had time, we would also use equipment to eat homemade yogurt. We could also control the equipment in the space kitchen through mobile phone apps,” he said.
In the past, most foods couldn’t be directly heated in a microwave oven in the space. Conduction equipment often caused uneven (不均匀的) heating. An astronaut had to spend as long as four hours to heat some vegetables in the space kitchen. To solve the problem, Joyoung has developed equipment that gives out hot air to heat vegetables in a 360-degree way. That enables astronauts to eat steaming-hot fish-flavoured pork and Gongbao chicken, a spicy, stir-fried Chinese dish.
Besides Joyoung, a group of companies, including Xiaomi Corp and Huawei Technologies, have contributed their technologies to the development of the space station. A vacuum (真空) cleaner enabled haircuts on the spacecraft possible. NOLO VR, a Chinese virtual reality manufacturer, has helped astronauts develop an experimental equipment through which laboratory technicians on the ground can see and experience what astronauts are doing in the space.
1. What do astronauts think of Joyoung’s mobile space kitchen?| A．Water-saving. | B．Energy-wasting. |
| C．Time-saving. | D．Money-wasting. |
| A．By making contrasts. | B．By analyzing results. |
| C．By providing pictures. | D．By answering questions. |
| A．There is more tech for the spacecraft. |
| B．Joyoung needs to further its technology. |
| C．Astronauts on board can do as they wish. |
| D．What astronauts are doing is significant. |
| A．Modern Technology Brings Convenience to Human Beings |
| B．Earth to Space, Firms Add Value by Creating Technology |
| C．The Hot Diet on the Space Station Needs to be Addressed |
| D．Manufacturers Make Big Profits from Inventing Equipment |
【推荐1】I was a newcomer in a class. So was Alice. That's where the similarities ended. I was tall and she was small. My thick, black hair had been recently cut short. Her natural blonde hair flowed to her waist and looked great. I was awkward and shy. She wasn't. I couldn't stand her. I considered her my enemy. She liked me. She wanted to be friends.
One day, she invited me over and I said yes — I was too shocked to answer any other way. No one had invited me over to play. But this girl who wore the latest fashions wanted me to go home with her after school. I got very surprised when she led me into an apartment building. She lived on the fourth floor in a two-room place with her mother, her stepfather, her two brothers and her sister. When we got to the room she shared with her sister, she took out a big case of Barbies — which was my next surprise. I would have thought she'd outgrown them. I had never played with them. But we sat on the floor of a walk-in closet, laughing as we made up crazy stories about the Barbies. That's when we found out that we both wanted to be writers when we were older and we both had wild imaginations. We had a great day that afternoon. Our jaws ached from smiling so much. She showed me her wardrobe, which had mostly come from a designer clothing store down the block. The woman who owned it used her as a model sometimes for her newspaper ads and gave her clothes in exchange.
Alice had the whole neighborhood charmed. The bookstore owners lent her fashion magazines, the movie theater gave her free passes and the pizza place let her have free slices. Soon I was included in her magic world. We slept over at each other's houses, and spent every free moment together. My dark hair grew out and I learned to love being tall.
Alice, my first real friend since childhood, taught me an amazing and very surprising thing about making friends: that your worst enemy can turn out to be your best friend.
1. What made the similarities end?| A．Leaving the author's old school. |
| B．Being admitted to their new classes. |
| C．Their differences in appearance and personalities. |
| D．Their different demands of friendship and fashion. |
| A．Alice was too mature for them. |
| B．Alice must have made them by herself. |
| C．They should have been kept well. |
| D．They brought her back to her childhood. |
| A．helped the author see her own strengths |
| B．was good with the people around her |
| C．helped to bring out the best in the author |
| D．inspired the authors love for fashion |
| A．Humorous. | B．Ambitious. |
| C．Caring. | D．Friendly. |
【推荐2】
The sound of music
The Calgary Folk Music Festival (25-28 July) was born 40 years ago, and has grown from a grassroots event to a celebration that brings together thousands of musicians, artists and fans. The festival is held in Princes Island Park and its relaxed, welcoming atmosphere makes it a great spot in the sun while enjoying some quality folk music.
Want to keep the music playing? Head to Studio Bell, where the new National Music Centre hosts regular exhibitions and concerts.
Green city
Though it’s a relatively short drive to the legendary Rocky Mountains, Calgary itself is also filled in greenery.
A comprehensive network of urban pathways offers walkers and cyclists an urban oasis and an eco-friendly way to get around the city’s neighborhoods. Take a slow walk or cycle downtown along the riverside or walk across the futuristic Peace Bridge to explore the urban village，of Kensington. Alternatively, take in the scenic views and sunshine by rafting(乘筏) down the mighty Bow River instead.
From farm to patio
Calgary is home to a farm-to-table scene. Discover the whitewashed brick walls and nose-to-tail philosophy in the Model Milk, while plant-lined ceilings and a vegetable menu await in bright and airy Ten Foot Henry.
Calgarians take their beer as seriously as their steak and it wouldn’t be summer in Calgary without a good patio-hopping session. Start off at 17th Avenue institution The Ship & Anchor, then make your way to Cold Garden. Don't fancy walking? Explore the city’s craft-beer scene by bike with Urban Pedal Tours.
1. What can we learn about the Calgary Folk Music Festival?| A．It lasts three days in July every year. |
| B．It is a celebration for grassroots musicians. |
| C．It has a history of less than 40 years |
| D．It draws more and more folk music lovers. |
| A．One | B．Two. |
| C．Three. | D．Four |
| A．Taking a bike trip. | B．Drinking beer. |
| C．Visiting the Model Milk. | D．Making craft. |
【推荐3】When I stepped out of Heathrow Airport, the British accents were music to my ears! The roads were so empty and traffic was so organized, with open spaces everywhere and so few people on the streets—what a difference from where 1 came—Mumbai. The difference was even more obvious after I had spent 21 years of my life living in that place. The streets were unfamiliar, and the faces were all foreign.
I boarded my bus for my university town. I felt like I had been in a fairytale book—the small houses, the quiet streets and the well-dressed people among other things. A small and beautiful three-storeyed building is quite a rarity back home and here, I have yet to see a building taller than that! Back home in India, the kind of rent I pay here could have afforded me a luxurious(豪华的） 2 bedroom-hall-kitchen apartment in a good location. But my accommodation here is the size of my bathroom back home! It’s just a fact... reality can be rude at times!
I really cherish the first day of my new university. I’ve met so many students from countries that I didn’t even know. But living alone in a new place, away from the protection of my family and friends, is a different experience altogether—a wonderful experience of further education!
It's been almost two months now. The novelty(新奇)is gradually disappearing, and the dust is settling down. It’s all just daily now but I feel fully settled. I really like this place. It feels like home!
1. What does the underlined part “that place” in paragraph 1 refer to?| A．Heathrow Airport. | B．Britain. |
| C．Mumbai. | D．A university of India. |
| A．Dirty and noisy. | B．Different but poor. |
| C．Hopeful and inspiring. | D．Strange but beautiful. |
| A．An international student. | B．A tourist from India. |
| C．A British college teacher. | D．An unknown writer. |
| A．The author is less interested in everything because of dust. |
| B．The author still feels curious about everything around. |
| C．The author has been used to the new environment. |
| D．The author feels like going home after nearly two months. |
【推荐1】When we talk about positive thinking, we often use terms having to do with our hearts — open heart, pure heart or joyful heart. But new research from Duke University is making a closer connection, finding that a positive attitude may be helpful to people who have angina (心绞痛)，a common heart condition.
Symptoms of this condition include chest pain or pressure because the heart is not receiving sufficient oxygen. Patients who displayed optimistic thought patterns, including having positive expectations about recovery, were 40 percent less likely to be hospitalized or require surgery than those who were not optimistic, according to the study. The researchers collected data from 2,400 patients who had diagnoses of angina.
An interesting additional finding from the patients' questionnaires was that the most optimistic patients were also the least likely to have histories of heart attack, heart failure or heart disease.
The researchers did not declare a causal relationship between positive thinking and better heart disease outcomes, however. There are multiple possible reasons for the results of the study, including the idea that patients who are healthier to begin with are more likely to expect to recover and regain good health.
But the study does represent a new way of looking at the situation. Now, in addition to a body of research that examines the relationship between depression and heart health, there is a new way of inquiry that asks whether positive thinking could be used as a strategy to improve outcomes.
Lead researcher Alexander Fanaroff, a fellow in the department of cardiology (心脏病学) at the Duke University Medical Center, told the Duke Chronicle that his next research question will find ways to improve attitudes among heart patients.
Perhaps his subjects could reflect on the word of the writer Anthony J. D'Angelo: "Smile, it is the key that fits the lock of everybody's heart."
1. How can people with angina get better according to the study?| A．By expecting more. | B．By thinking positively. |
| C．By getting timely surgery. | D．By taking more exercise. |
| A．To explore how to improve patients’ attitudes. |
| B．To find out the ways to treat heart patients. |
| C．To learn the causes of heart diseases. |
| D．To test if positive attitudes help with health. |
| A．Optimistic people hardly get heart attack. |
| B．People's attitudes decide their overall health. |
| C．How positive thinking benefits heart health is unclear. |
| D．The reason why patients recover well is that they have no depression. |
| A．Keep positive to get rid of illness |
| B．Angina, a kind of serious condition |
| C．Depression, a key cause of heart attack |
| D．Positive thinking makes hearts healthier |
【推荐2】Today almost everyone knows computers and the Internet. If I ask you “What is the most important in your life?” Maybe you will say “Computers and the Internet.”
The first computer was made in 1946. It was very big but it worked slowly. Today computers are getting smaller and smaller. But they work faster and faster. What can computers do? A writer has said, “People can’t live without computers today.”
The Internet came a little later than computers. It is about twenty-five years later than computers. But now it can be found almost everywhere. We can use it to read books, write letters, do shopping, play games or make friends.
Many students like the Internet very much. They often go into the Internet as soon as they are free. They make friends on the Internet and maybe they have never seen these friends. They don’t know their real names, ages, and even sex. They are so interested in making the “unreal friends” that they can’t put their heart into study. Many of them can’t catch up with others on many subjects because of that.
We can use computers and the Internet to learn more about the world. But at the same time, we should remember that not all the things can be done by computers and the Internet.
1. When the computer was invented, it was_____．| A．large and worked quickly | B．small and worked slowly |
| C．large but worked slowly | D．small but worked quickly |
| A．1960 | B．1970 | C．1980 | D．1985 |
| A．Few students like going into the Internet. | B．Students use the Internet to make “unreal friends”. |
| C．These “unreal friends” often meet each other. | D．Students know the friends on the Internet very well. |
| A．studying | B．shopping | C．thinking | D．playing |
| A．concentrate on | B．reflect on | C．recover from | D．graduate from |
| A．It is wonderful. | B．It can make students study harder. |
| C．It is not good for students. | D．It is helpful, but we can’t do everything on it. |
【推荐3】Palaces are often built with the intent to show off the wealth and splendour of royalties.The first palace on the list was so spectacular that it inspired some other royalties to build theirs in response, meanwhile, the last on the list inspired Disney’s Cinderella castle.
Palace of Versailles, France
The Palace of Versailles was the principal royal residence of France from 1682 until the start of the French Revolution in 1789. It is located in the region of Île-de-France, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) southwest of the centre of Paris.
The palace is now a historical monument and UNESCO World Heritage site. It received millions of visitors every year, making it one of the most visited monuments in France.
The Forbidden City, China
The Forbidden City served as the home of Chinese emperors and was the ceremonial and political centre of the Chinese government for almost 500 years. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. Since 2012, it has seen an average of 14 million visitors annually and received more than 19 million visitors in 2019.
Schönbrunn Palace, Austria
A summer retreat for the Hapsburg rulers of Austria, the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna was built by Emperor Leopold I between 1696 and 1712.
UNESCO catalogued Schönbrunn Palace on the World Heritage List in 1996, together with its gardens, as a remarkable Baroque ensemble and example of the synthesis of the arts. Schönbrunn is Vienna’s most popular tourist destination.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle is a 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace on a rugged hill near Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany. The palace was built by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and in honour of the opera composer Richard Wagner.
The castle was intended as a home for the king, until he died in 1886. It was open to the public shortly after his death. More than 1.3 million people visit annually, with as many as 6,000 per day in the summer.
1. What do we know about the Palace of Versailles?| A．It is located in the center of Paris. |
| B．It is an inspiration for some castles in other countries. |
| C．It is one of the least popular tourist attractions in France. |
| D．It is the original model for Disney’s Cinderella castle. |
| A．One | B．Two |
| C．Three | D．Four |
| A．Palace of Versailles, France | B．The Forbidden City, China |
| C．Schönbrunn Palace, Austria | D．Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany |
