We can make mistakes at any age. Some mistakes we make are about money. But most mistakes are about people. “Did Jerry really care when I broke up with Helen?” “When I got that great job, did Jim, as a friend, really feel good about it?” “And was Paul friendly just because I had a car?” When we look back, doubts like these can make us feel bad. But when we look back, it’s too late.
Why do we go wrong about our friends or our enemies? Sometimes what people say hides their real meaning. And if we don’t really listen we miss the feeling behind the words. Suppose someone tells you, “You’re a lucky dog.” That’s being friendly. But “lucky dog”? There’s a bit of envy in those words. Maybe he doesn’t see it himself. But bringing in the “dog” bit puts you down a little. What he may be saying is that he doesn’t think you deserve your luck.
“Just think of all the things you have to be thankful for” is another noise that says one thing and means another. It could mean that the speaker is trying to get you to see your problem as part of your life as a whole. But is he? Wrapped up in this phrase is the thought that your problem isn’t important. It’s telling you to think of all the starving people in the world when you haven’t got a date for Saturday night.
How can you tell the real meaning behind someone’s words? One way is to take a good look at the person talking. Do his words fit the way he looks? Does what he says agree with the tone of voice? His posture(姿态)? The look in his eyes? Stop and think. The minute you spend thinking about the real meaning of what people say to you may save another mistake.
1. This passage is mainly about ________.| A．how to understand what people say |
| B．how to avoid mistakes when you communicate with people |
| C．what to do when you listen to others talking |
| D．Why we go wrong with friends sometimes |
| A．we fail to listen carefully when they talk |
| B．people tend to be annoyed when we check what they say |
| C．we are always doubting what our friends say |
| D．people usually state one thing but means another |
| A．a bit of envy | B．lucky dog |
| C．being friendly | D．your luck |
| A．notice the way the person is talking |
| B．take a good look at the person talking |
| C．mind his tone, his posture and the look in his eyes |
| D．examine the real meaning of what he says based on his manner, his tone and his posture |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Good social skills are an important part of building rich friendships, enjoying yourself in public, and succeeding in your career.
1. Compliment (赞美)someone.
Take a quick look to make sure the person isn't busy or in a hurry.
2.
Teams are great ways to meet like-minded people. Strike up a conversation with someone sitting near you. You might say, "It's so nice to see so many people here" or “What brings you here?” You might make a friend through the conversation.
3. Listen to the people around you.
| A．Join a class or club |
| B．If you consider yourself to be shy |
| C．The following are a few ways of developing praising skills |
| D．Here are a few tips and tricks to help you get started |
| E．Listen to just an opening and jump into the conversation quickly |
| F．Then, say hello and offer a compliment |
| G．It's important to be open and vocal in a conversation |
First of all, one should consider how important image is in selling products and services. Advertising agencies have raised the art of creating an image to a state of near perfection. But if the product or service doesn’t live up to it, customers will be very dissatisfied. The recent scandal (丑闻) about the Arthur Andersen accounting firm showed that behind that image, it had unfair business practices under the table. Despite the previous positive image, the firm is being accused of criminal actions. Although the image had been nearly perfect, the reality behind the image has led to its downfall.
Similarly, personal consultants(顾问) can build up a very positive public image for politicians and movie stars in the view of the general commons. But once again, history is filled with examples of both that fell from grace (体面) like the story of the Hollywood actor giving in to the pressures of fame and fortune. With people, just as with products and services, image is certainly important, but without positive substance behind it, failure is close.
To conclude, it’s clear that an appealing image is extremely important to success, whether that image is related to selling a product or service or to the “selling” of a person. But image is only half of the equation(等式). What lies behind that image is every bit as important as the image itself — the person or product must live up to that image or there’s little chance for long-term success.
1. The downfall of the Arthur Andersen accounting firm is due to ______.
| A．its dishonesty in business |
| B．its bad management |
| C．its previous images |
| D．its poor service |
| A．their images were not well built up |
| B．they failed to live up to their images |
| C．they felt much pressure from the public |
| D．they paid little attention to fame and fortune |
(A: Argument P: Point C: Conclusion)
| A．A | B．B | C．C | D．D |
| A．image is the basis of everything |
| B．truth and image are equally important |
| C．truth goes hand in hand with image |
| D．image holds the key to success |
【推荐3】Everyone, at one time or another, has experienced some challenges in friendships and relationships with family members. We might find ourselves upset or angry with other people, or even find that we argue with them. The reality is that nobody is perfect and we need to realize that we should find ways to live happier and less stressful lives.
Respect other people and accept them
This is the most important point.
We might have friends who are crazy about sports, while we prefer reading. Or perhaps a parent’s hobby seems boring to us but it is something they love. If we want to keep our relationships strong and positive, we should at least take time to listen to them and talk about what matters to them. By doing this, we show them that we care about them and their interests.
Apologize when you make a mistake
This is the hardest thing for most of us to do, yet a simple “I’m sorry” can undo a lot of tension. By being honest when you make a mistake, you can fix any problem you may have caused and show that you are an adult.
So, try and follow the advice from now on, and you will find that you have happier and stronger relationships with your friends and loved ones.
| A．Be interested in others’ interests |
| B．Making an apology to someone shows you are frank |
| C．When you are in trouble, your friends are always there to help you |
| D．Respecting your friends’ parents is more important than your friends |
| E．Here are some tips on how to make relationships happier and healthier |
| F．And there is little doubt that you can live and work in harmony with others |
| G．If we want to show someone we love them, we need to first respect who they are and show them we accept them for who they are |
【推荐1】Best Diabetes Diets
U.S. News has ranked four leading diets based on input from a panel of health experts. Browse our diet profiles by narrowing down your results until you find the ones that are right for you.
The Flexitarian Diet in Best Diabetes Diets The Flexitarian Diet, which emphasizes fruits, veggies, whole grains and plant-based protein, is a smart and healthy choice. One panelist noted that this diet is “a nice approach that could work for the whole family.” READ MORE → | OVERALL SCORE 4.1/5 WEIGHT LOSS 3.6/5 HEALTHY 4.7/5 |
Mediterranean Diet in Best Diabetes Diets With its emphasis on fruits, vegetables, olive oil, fish and other healthy fare, the Mediterranean diet is extremely sensible. READ MORE → | OVERALL SCORE 4.2/5 WEIGHT LOSS 3/5 HEALTHY 4.8/5 |
DASH Diet in Best Diabetes Diets DASH fights high blood pressure and was praised for its nutritional completeness, safety, ability to prevent or control diabetes, and role in supporting heart health. READ MORE → | OVERALL SCORE 4.1/5 WEIGHT LOSS 3.2/5 HEALTHY 4.8/5 |
Mayo Clinic Diet in Best Diabetes Diets The Mayo Clinic Diet aims to make healthy eating a lifelong habit, and earned praise for its nutrition and safety. READ MORE → | OVERALL SCORE 3. 8/5 WEIGHT LOSS 3. 3/5 HEALTHY 4. 4/5 |
1. If you got diabetes and wanted to lose weight, which food would meet your needs?
| A．Mayo Clinic Diet | B．Dash Diet |
| C．Mediterranean Diet | D．The Flexitarian Diet |
| A．Novel | B．Magazine | C．Website | D．Newspaper |
| A．Dash Diet can benefit your heart health. |
| B．All diabetic diets can fight high blood pressure. |
| C．All the diabetic diets emphasize their complete nutrition. |
| D．The Mayo Clinic Diet has developed a lifelong healthy eating habit. |
【推荐2】After COVID-19, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that while the number of nurses has increased in the past three years, the U.S. still experiences a shortage of registered nurses, and that there will be over one million unfilled nursing jobs. So what’s the solution? Robots.
Japan is ahead of the curve when it comes to this trend (趋势). Toyohashi University of Technology has developed Terapio, a robotic medical cart that can deliver medicines and other items.
Robots can serve as a mediator (中介) for human communication. Telepresence robots such as Vgo, and Giraff can be controlled through a computer, smartphone, or tablet, allowing family members or doctors to remotely check patients. If you can’t get to the nursing home to visit grandma, you can use a telepresence robot to hang out with her.
A robot’s appearance affects its ability to successfully interact (互动) with humans, which is why the Human-Interactive Robot Research decided to develop a robotic nurse that looks like a huge teddy bear. RIBA, also known as “Robear,” can help patients into and out of wheelchairs and beds with its strong arms.
On the less cute and more scary side there is Android F, which has such natural skin and hair color that some patients may not know the difference. This conversational robot companion has cameras in its eyes, which allow it to track patients and use proper facial expressions and body language in its interactions.
It’s important to notice that robotic nurses don’t decide courses of treatment or make diagnoses (诊断). Instead, they perform routine and hard tasks, freeing nurses up to look after patients with immediate needs. This is one industry where it seems the integration of robots will lead to cooperation, not replacement.
1. What does the underlined part in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Taking the lead. | B．Reaching the standard. | C．Setting a record. | D．Missing a turn. |
| A．they collect medical records for patients | B．they deliver food to clinical doctors |
| C．they move the mobility-disabled patients | D．they assist doctors with long-distance diagnoses |
| A．Its scary arm strength. | B．Its lovely appearance. |
| C．Its human-like voice. | D．Its proper interactive response. |
| A．Robots serve as a good addition to nurses. |
| B．Using robots is the best way to treat patients. |
| C．Robots will become the future replacement of nurses. |
| D．Robots have caused the earth-shaking change in hospitals |
【推荐3】Look out the window or walk over to a patch of soil near your home. It could be reddish brown, black, dark gray or even the colour of rich, dark chocolate. If it’s moist enough, run your hands through it. It may separate into thick clumps that can hold water and later release it. With a few exceptions—such as desert sites—this is how good soil behaves.
In fact, the number of microscopic organisms that live in a shovelful of rich garden soil exceeds the number of plants and animals inhabiting the entire aboveground Amazon rainforest. And the Amazon is known for having more plants and animals than any other land-based habitat.
Soil is what supports life on Earth. Most people give it little thought, but it feeds us and the ecosystems around us. It is where countless species make their homes. It collects water, pulls pollutants from the air and helps support the planet’s atmosphere. Soil is one of Mother Nature’s unsung heroes.
And while most soil looks like it’s static, just sitting there unmoving, it actually hosts plenty of activities. Its earthworms may be digging tunnels. Worms are weightlifters. But they aren’t the only ones making changes. Other creatures below ground are too tiny to see with the unaided eye. These include one celled creatures called protozoa (单细胞生物). They improve soil by eating bacteria and releasing nitrogen, which helps plants grow.
And then there are all those bacteria. Most people think of them as dangerous. In soils, they not only serve as prey to beneficial protozoa, but also perform an environmental service. They help recycle dead plant parts and animal tissues into nutrients. They even turn some pollutants in soil and water into more of the nutrients that can sustain the diverse species that make up lively ecosystems beneath our feet.
1. What’s the purpose of mentioning the Amazon rainforest in the second paragraph?| A．To indicate the rich species in the Amazon rainforest. |
| B．To introduce the rich soil in the Amazon rainforest. |
| C．To stress the variety of microscopic organisms in the rich soil. |
| D．To illustrate biodiversity aboveground the Amazon rainforest. |
| A．Soil is something that supports life on Earth. |
| B．Soil provides a variety of benefits to our planet. |
| C．Soil determines the quality of our ecosystems. |
| D．Soil is the Mother Nature’s unsung hero. |
| A．The soil in the desert behaves as well as good soil does. |
| B．Most people give thought to soil for it supports life on Earth. |
| C．Most soil indeed hosts plenty of activities though it looks quiet. |
| D．The bacteria in soils almost do no good to the environment. |
| A．Categories of the Soil on Earth | B．The Disappearance of the Rich Soil |
| C．Biodiversity in the Amazon Rainforest | D．Healthy Soil Supports Life on Our Planet |
【推荐1】Scientists have shown a new printing process that can turn just about any piece of paper into a waterproof keyboard that you can fold up and put in your pocket.
The technique uses a special coating that's repellent (排斥的) to liquids and dust, which allows multiple circuit (电路) layers to be printed on top of the paper without any dirt between the layers. On the other side of the paper, standard ink printing can then be used to point out where the buttons are, and what they represent. These layers can be printed in any design you want. What's more, no batteries are required to operate the finished keyboard. It's able to be fully powered from the touch of the operator and the mechanical energy that's produced.
"This is the first time a self-powered paper-based electronic device has been shown," says engineer Ramses Martinez, from Purdue University. When the primed parts of the paper get pressed, they're able to send signals over Bluetooth to another device—a laptop, for example. You've then got a lightweight, foldable keyboard that can be taken anywhere and easily wiped clean when needed.
The technology is great. It's good for the environment because the paper can be simply recycled again. These paper devices are cheap to produce as well - less than $0.25 each, according to the researchers. Potential uses include smart packaging, or where temporary input devices are required.
"I expect this technology to help the user interact with food packaging—checking whether the food is safe to be consumed, or allowing users to sign the package that arrives at home by dragging their fingers over the box to properly identify themselves as the owner of the package," says Martinez. "Additionally, our group showed that simple paper sheets from a notebook can be transformed into music player interfaces (界面) for users to choose songs and play them."
1. What can we learn about the keyboard according to the text?| A．It consists of several layers of paper. |
| B．It's printed on both sides of the paper. |
| C．It's smaller than an ordinary keyboard. |
| D．It has its buttons hidden behind the layers. |
| A．By giving signals via Bluetooth. |
| B．By being attached to other devices. |
| C．By getting any part of the paper pressed. |
| D．By using the power produced by other devices. |
| A．Portable and beautiful. |
| B．Convenient and fashionable. |
| C．Eco-friendly and economical. |
| D．High-powered and permanent. |
| A．The technology makes food packaging easy. |
| B．The technology has been used in food industry. |
| C．The technology can be employed in more fields. |
| D．The technology will improve the quality of food. |
【推荐2】“I wish that in one instant I could tell you of my safe arrival，but we are 3,000 miles apart and must wait four long weeks to hear from each other.’’ Samuel Morse was 20 when he wrote this sentence in a letter to his mother in 1811. He was in London studying art. She was at the home in Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA, where he had been born. Perhaps it was at the moment of writing the letter that young Morse first had the desire to bridge space with flying words. This desire was later to give the world the electric telegraph.
Samuel returned in 1815 to work on history painting much admired in Europe. Morse completed an oil painting The House of Representatives, expecting that this would bring him fame. But there was hardly any demand in the United States for history painting, and he unwillingly started to support himself by painting portraits. He was often close to poverty during his career as an artist.
During a voyage from Europe to America in 1832, Morse met Thomas Jackson, a scientist who had recently attended lectures on electricity in Paris. Conversations with Jackson made the artist believe that an electrical current could be used for communication. During the rest of the voyage he worked excitedly on drawings for his plan. After his arrival home, he abandoned his artistic career to give his full attention to the project.
Morse had an inventive mind but little knowledge of electricity. He did years of work and study to perfect his invention. In 1837 he applied for a patent on The American Electromagnetic Telegraph. Finally in 1843 the United States Congress provided $30,000 to build a line from Washington to Baltimore.
In May 1844 the first message was flashed over this wire. Newspapers, railroads, and businesses quickly found use for the telegraph, which for the first time created a global community.
1. From the first paragraph we know Morse probably thought| A．communication by letter was not convenient |
| B．it was amazing to communicate by telegraph |
| C．life in London was not as happy as he expected |
| D．he should return to America to care for his mother |
| A．led an easy and peaceful life on the whole |
| B．got very curious about painting portraits for others |
| C．found Americans had little interest in history painting |
| D．became famous thanks to his The House of Representatives |
| A．painted the first telegraph |
| B．got the idea for his invention |
| C．became an expert on electricity |
| D．learned from a scientist from Paris |
| A．Samuel Morse: From home to world |
| B．Samuel Morse: From poverty to fame |
| C．Samuel Morse: From artist to inventor |
| D．Samuel Morse: From Europe to America |
【推荐3】The joy of absence
How some companies fight the curse of presenteeism (出勤主义)?
RONALD REAGAN famously joked that “it’s true hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take the chance?” Beyond a certain level, extra effort seems to be self-defeating. Studies suggest that, after around 50 hours a week, employee productivity declines sharply.
But that doesn’t stop some managers from demanding that workers stay chained to their desk for long periods. Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce group, recently praised the 996 model, where employees work from 9a.m. to 9p.m., six days a week, as a “great opportunity”. Yet presenteeism is the curse of the modern office worker.
There will be days when you do not have much to do; perhaps because you are waiting for someone else in a different department, or a different company, to respond to a request. As the clock ticks past 5p.m., there may be no purpose in staying at your desk. But you can see your boss hard at work and, more importantly, they can see you. So you make an effort to look busy.
The consequence is often wasted effort. Rather than work hard, you slave to make bosses think that you are. But presenteeism has more serious consequences. As well as reduced productivity, this can mean greater medical expenses for the employer. According to a study in the Journal of Occupation and Environmental Medicine, these costs can be six times higher for employers than the costs of absenteeism among workers.
None of this is to say that employers are not called to expect workers to be in the office for a proper period of time. Surely there will be a need for some (preferably short) meetings. Dealing with colleagues face-to-face creates a feeling of togetherness, allows for a useful exchange of ideas and enables workers to have a better sense of their mutual needs.
Turning an office into a prison, with inmates (囚犯) allowed home for the evenings, does nothing for creativity that is increasingly demanded of office workers as routine tasks are automated. To be productive you need presence of mind, not being present in the flesh.
1. Why does the author mention Ronald Reagan’s joke in Para. 1?| A．To encourage people to grasp the chance to work hard. |
| B．To show that hard work is harmless. |
| C．To introduce the topic of the passage. |
| D．To praise Ronald Reagan’s accomplished joking skills. |
| A．Extra effort causes problems or difficulties. |
| B．With extra effort, we can defeat anybody. |
| C．We should say no to extra effort. |
| D．Extra effort isn’t necessarily helpful. |
| A．Your team has a ten-minute meeting after work for an urgent problem. |
| B．You don’t go home until 7:30 p.m. because your boss is in his office and he can see you. |
| C．The manager tours the engineering department at 7:30 p.m. to check people are at their desks. |
| D．You attend the office even when you suffer lower back pain. |
| A．Some managers expect workers tie themselves up with a chain to their desks. |
| B．Reduced productivity can mean greater medical expenses for the employer. |
| C．With growing demand of creativity on office workers, a prison-like office is not a wise option. |
| D．Presence of mind guarantees your productivity. |
【推荐1】Each country has its own secret to happiness. If “pyt”, which means “don’t worry about it and stuff happens”, explains the relaxed attitude of Danish people, “niksen” will reveal how Dutch people combat (对抗) stress and burnout (倦怠) in a fast-paced lifestyle.
The term “niksen” origins from the Dutch word “niks”, which refers to “nothing”. Mindfulness, another welcome subject to help people have a peaceful mind. But unlike mindfulness, niksen is not about concentrating on the present moment. It’s about letting yourself do nothing, and allowing your mind to run free without expectation.
In practice, this means “hanging around, looking at your surroundings, or listening to music as long as it’s without purpose,” according to Time Magazine.
Niksen sounds contrary (矛盾的) to the advice we were all given as kids. Nowadays, we’re constantly told to stay busy and work harder than everyone else. But niksen opposes that mentality (心态). It offers the chance to “deliciously do nothing”, as Carolien Hamming, a coach at CSR Centrum, an organization devoted to fighting stress and burnout in the Netherlands, told Time.
She thinks that niksen is essential (重要的) to staying healthy, since it’s a form of mental relaxation and healing (治愈). Just as a wild animal lies in wait for their prey (猎物), niksen seems to be a natural state of being.
For some people, niksen can mean more than just stress reduction. It’s also a way to imagine new ideas or plans. As an early adopter of niksen, Jenny Holden, a communications expert in the UK, adds it to her daily lunch breaks. “Within 10 minutes of doing nothing – just staring and listening to myself – my head began to clear and sort out my work and home to-do lists,” she told the MetroUK.
Above all, niksen is a suggestion for balancing work and rest. As Dutch-born writer Ogla Mecking wrote in US-based Whoolly Magazine, niksen is the “thorough enjoyment of life’s pauses”.
Everyone is encouraged to embrace your niksen moments. They revitalize (使恢复元气) you and give you the strength needed to face everyday challenges.
1. What does niksen means?| A．Living in the moment. |
| B．Being free and doing nothing. |
| C．Using your wildest imagination. |
| D．Leading a healthy lifestyle. |
| A．niksen can shorten the distance between people |
| B．how niksen improves one’s mental health |
| C．niksen is closely related to stress reduction |
| D．niksen helps people come up with new thoughts |
| A．long |
| B．full |
| C．unexpected |
| D．quiet |
| A．An introduction to the Dutch lifestyle. |
| B．Suggestions on how to balance work and rest. |
| C．The importance of allowing time to pause life. |
| D．An explanation of some Danish words about life attitudes. |
【推荐2】I realized I would not see a real person named Sophie at Sophie’s Eatery because, like most new restaurants these days, Sophie’s is a robo-restaurant.
When I walked in, a cute little manager robot appeared, looking rather like a toaster with blinking (眨) blue eyes. It escorted me to a nice table in the back. The menu monitor popped out of my table and showed me pictures of my dining choices. I tapped my choices and clicked OK, and the screen slid back down.
I watched as full plates rode the conveyer belts that moved along each aisle (过道) of tables. In just a few minutes, my dish stopped at my table, and I took it from the belt. Later, I placed my empty plate back on the conveyer belt, and it was taken away into kitchen to be cleaned.
I watched the little toaster showing customers to tables while I ate my main dish. The food was delicious, but I was starting to feel extremely angry because dealing with robots always makes me feel inhuman. Pretty soon, I wanted to talk to someone real, even if it was just a few sentences.
So when my dessert arrived, I took action. I dropped my plate on the floor with a satisfying crash. I was so happy when I saw the manager toaster’s blinking red eyes—at last, a real live person would arrive!
But instead, a crew of two robots quickly appeared. A robot broom rushed over and started to sweep the piece of the broken plate into a robot garbage can. They finished and moved back into the kitchen.
My plan to get a little reality into Sophie’s Eatery failed. I hope the robo-restaurant trend ends soon. I want to deal with people again!
1. What does the underlined word “escorted” in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Registered. | B．Guided. |
| C．Conducted. | D．Rushed |
| A．To deal with a real human. | B．To catch attention from the robots. |
| C．To play jokes on the robots. | D．To complain about the bad service. |
| A．Satisfied. | B．Shocked. |
| C．Annoyed. | D．Curious. |
| A．The trend of dining with robots. |
| B．The advantage of robo-restaurants. |
| C．The food variety of a robo-restaurant. |
| D．The dining experience at a robo-restaurant. |
【推荐3】In today’s competitive student world, the ability to work harmoniously with other people is a good way of marking yourself off from everybody else. While teamwork may offer the chance to blame others for your mistakes, you can never blame them for your failings as a teammate. In any case, working out where to apportion blame is not a good way to approach membership of any new team. Instead, get to know one another, so you can build up a shared identity and combine your strengths. Find out each other’s values, weaknesses, and past achievements.
Don’t shy away from conflicts but work out how to deal with them. Humour can be a good glue, so have a laugh together.
Before settling down to business, it’s important to establish ground rules. First, make sure you all share the same concept of time. Then, work out how you are going to make and communicate decisions. These are probably best made at a formal meeting and communicated by email. You must also agree on who will be responsible for making decisions.
Even if you have decided that decisions don’t have to be unanimous (一致的), it is important that every team member is kept involved, including those who always disagree with the majority view, rarely say a word, or have a strange haircut.
Once you’ve got your rules of engagement, define what you want to achieve, and set the deadline. Work out what you have to do before the time is up to do it. The team must assign (分配) roles according to everyone’s individual skills. Remember that every task is equally important.
Whatever your role, it is important to keep a record of what has been decided at each stage and what each member of the team has contributed. Then, when the task is over, you can review how well it went.
1. At the beginning of the passage, the author stresses ________.| A．the importance of being on time | B．the importance of cooperation |
| C．the importance of equality | D．the importance of humour |
| A．shoulder the responsibility | B．find out the causes of mistakes |
| C．get all the blame for mistakes | D．say who should be blamed |
| A．Try your best not to make mistakes. |
| B．It is better to make decisions at an informal meeting. |
| C．Those who seldom express their opinions can be ignored. |
| D．Roles should be assigned according to everyone’s individual skills. |
| A．the art of doing well in exams | B．the art of dealing with conflicts |
| C．the art of making decisions | D．the art of working in a team |
