Next week, strangers with a truck will take away everything we own, except the clothes on our backs, the car we will drive, and as much stuff as we can pack into it. It's called moving. Some people do it often. For others, like me, it's a rare experience. In all my adult years, I've moved only three times.
My first husband and I moved into our first house with a bed, our clothes and a few gifts. That was a lifetime ago. Over the years, I filled that house with three children, a few dogs and enough stuff to reach the ceiling.
When the kids grew up, I lost my husband to cancer, and I began to learn about letting go. First, I let go of the idea of being in control. Life isn’t about being in charge of what happens; it's about being in charge of what we do with it. Next, I let go of putting off the things I care most about, like keeping in touch with the people that mean the most to me. I let go of the people whose lives are about anger or hatred, and tried instead to surround myself with those who shine with kindness. Finally, I let go of being alone---I remarried. I eventually moved to a new city with my new husband, and after that move, I promised I'd stop collecting meaningless things. But 12 years later, here I am, still learning about letting go.
Yesterday, while cleaning out a dresser, I found a box filled with old keepsakes. Nothing in that box may mean much to anyone, except me. They are treasures for me because of the memories they preserve. We finally decided to keep them, hold them close and never let them go. We’ll all move someday from this world to the next, but we won't need a truck to do it. We'll take nothing with us and leave behind a memory of the life we lived, the mistakes we made, and all the love and kindness we tried to show. That memory might not be a treasure, but if we're lucky, someone will keep it and hold it close and never let it go.
1. According to paragraph 3, which of the following might the author advise?| A．Never let all the memories go as they are. |
| B．Put off the things that mean the most to you. |
| C．Wherever you go, you should be kind to others. |
| D．Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you deal with it. |
| A．something memorable | B．something expensive |
| C．something unpleasant | D．something beautiful |
| A．To stress the importance of letting the past go. |
| B．To give advice on how to make choices before moving. |
| C．To share how she learned to make important choices in life. |
| D．To explain how our memories can pass on to later generations. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】After a long day at the office, Jane Hodgson was on her way home and looking forward to relaxing with a nice cup of tea. While driving, she noticed that there was a car pulled over at the side of the road and a crowd had started to gather around someone who was lying on the ground.
Jane, who had completed first aid at work course with the British Red Cross, pulled over to see if she could do something and it turned out to be lucky for the victim.
Describing the scene she saw, Jane says, “A crowd of onlookers gathered at the scene. A couple of young men were cream-faced and looking lost. They were completely terrified. When I walked up, first-aid kit in hand, they said ‘You’re a first aider—Oh thank goodness.’ They were so shocked that they hadn’t even thought to call an ambulance yet.”
A young girl called Jenny was lying there. It turned out that the teen had been hit by a car and gone over the handlebars of her bike, landing on her head and shoulder.
“I was worried because she had not been wearing a helmet when she got knocked down, and I thought that she should not be moved as I couldn’t be sure about a spinal(脊柱)injury, but after looking her over, in relief, I felt fairly confident that she had escaped relatively unharmed. Even so, as time passed and we continued to wait for an ambulance, the amount of pain the girl was in was increasing. To avoid the risk of her going into shock I kept her talking. We chatted about her boyfriend and anything I could think of to keep her mind off the pain. She squeezed my hand when the pain got too much and this helped,” describes Jane.
Thinking back, Jane says, “I never did find out what happened to the girl. Apart from the boyfriend I wasn’t thanked by anyone else, but that’s OK. For me, knowing that in a small way I helped that girl through what was a frightening experience is all the reward I need. It felt great to know I’d made a difference.”
1. Why did Jane Hodgson stop her car on the side of the road?| A．To offer some help. | B．To repair her car. |
| C．To call for an ambulance. | D．To pick up a patient. |
| A．Her legs. | B．Her hands. | C．Her head. | D．Her stomach. |
| A．Calling an ambulance. | B．Offering some first aid. |
| C．Finding out what happened. | D．Drawing the girl’s attention away from pain. |
| A．Not all kindness needs reward. | B．First aid can also save a person. |
| C．A small act can make a difference. | D．It felt good to learn first aid skills. |
【推荐2】We are enrolled in the full-time school called “life”. Every day in this school, we have opportunities to learn new lessons. No matter whether we like these lessons or not, we have to take them, because they are our lessons.
Why are we here in this world? What is the purpose of life? Humans have tried to discover the meaning of life for thousands of years, but failed to get the answer, because the meaning of life is different from person to person.
Each one of us has his or her special purpose and path, unique and different. As we travel on our life path, we will learn many great lessons in order to fulfill that purpose. Learning our lessons well is the key to discovering the real meaning of our own life.
As we travel through our lifetime, we may be taught hard lessons that others don't have to face, while others spend years struggling with problems we don’t need to deal with. We may never know why we love English, not physics, which indicates that our path is different. While traveling on our own path, sometimes alone, we should, first of all, take a basic lesson in openness.
Openness means being receptive. Life will present us with so many lessons, none of which are useful to us unless we can recognize them and are open to their values. These lessons are not easy to learn, but we should regard them as gifts. But how can we recognize these lessons? It is a matter of what “glasses” we are wearing at the time. It is not difficult to spot them if we take them as opportunities. So when we are not open to learning our lessons, failing a weekly English test might be like a disaster rather than an opportunity to us. Of course, the hard lessons may not be fun, but they can actually be the biggest gifts we receive from life.
1. The author may be in favor of the viewpoint that all men are born .| A．equal | B．different |
| C．to learn lessons | D．ready for challenge |
| A．choose our own path in life |
| B．need to face some hard lessons |
| C．discover the meaning of our own life |
| D．realize the necessity of openness |
| A．angles of view |
| B．common value system |
| C．experiences from life |
| D．willingness to face challenge |
| A．Life and lesson | B．Life as School |
| C．Life School and Students | D．Gifts from Life |
【推荐3】The quote “Travel far enough, you meet yourself.” by English author David Mitchell may seem cryptic (含义隐晦的) and silly to many. But if you reflect on the meaning of this statement there’s actually something very deep about it.
The more experiences you have in life, the more you will find yourself diverging out (分歧) into new and different places, both physically and mentally. If you travel far enough, you will eventually find yourself back at the same place you started from, but your mind will be stretched by all of your journeys along the way. There are a few different ways we can interpret a phrase like travelling far enough. If you think about it literally, there is probably some amount of distance that we need to go. In doing so when we get to our destination, we will see everything with new eyes.
We may be surprised by what we see and change our outlook on life. This interpretation could apply to how people interact in their everyday lives. People have prejudices, stereotypes (刻板印象) and judgments towards other people based on where they live or grew up. When we travel outside those communities or countries, we learn to appreciate those differences rather than hold them against others.
Another interpretation is one that focuses on feeling confident and comfortable with ourselves while being far away from where we normally hang out and spend time, at home or work. It’s easy to get on a track where we see our habits and routine as comforting. But it’s important that we push our boundaries if we are ever going to make any kind of progress in life.
So take a leap into unknown territory. Explore places that you haven’t been to before. You can change your viewpoint and gain some perspective on who you are as a person.
1. What does the author think of “Travel far enough, you meet yourself.”?| A．Stupid. | B．Confusing. |
| C．Negotiable. | D．Logical. |
| A．Travelling can make us more open. |
| B．We can discover true selves in travelling. |
| C．Travelling far enough changes who we are. |
| D．We should avoid judging others while travelling. |
| A．Travel to far places. | B．Expand our comfort zone. |
| C．Focus on positive feelings. | D．Quit old habits and routines. |
| A．How Can We Walk Out of Our Comfort Zone? |
| B．How Do We Change Our Mindset and Feel Comfortable? |
| C．What Does Travelling Alone Teach Us About Ourselves? |
| D．What Does “Travel Far Enough You Meet Yourself” Mean? |
【推荐1】Some people will do just about anything to save money. And I am one of them .Take my family’s last vacation .It was my six-year-old son’s winter break from school, and we were heading home from Fort Lauderdale after a weeklong trip. The flight was overbooked ,and Delta , the airline ,offered us $400 per person in credits to give up our seats and leave the next day .I had meeting in New York，So I had to get back . But that didn't mean my husband and my son couldn't stay. I took my nine-month-old and took off for home.
The next day my husband and son were offered more credits to take an even later flight. Yes, I encouraged一okay, ordered-them to wait it out at the airport, to "earn" more Delta Dollars. Our total take: $1,600. Not bad, huh?
Now some people may think I'm a bad mother and not such a great wife either. But as a big-time bargain hunter, I know the value of a dollar. And these days, a good deal is some-time thing few of us can afford to pass up.
I've made living looking for the best deals and exposing (揭露) the worst tricks .I have been the consumer reporter of NBC's Today show for over a decade. I have written a couple of books including one titled Tricks of the Trade: A Consumer Survival Guide. And I really do what I believe in. I tell you this because there is no shame in getting your money’s worth. I’m also tightfisted when it comes to shoes, clothes for my children, and expensive restaurants. But I wouldn't hesitate to spend on a good haircut. It keeps its longer, and it's the first thing people notice. And I will also spend on a classic piece of furniture. Quality lasts.
1. Why did Delta give the author's family credits?| A．Their flight had been delayed. | B．They had early bookings. |
| C．They took a later flight. | D．Their flight had been cancelled. |
| A．She rarely misses a good deal. |
| B．She seldom makes a compromise. |
| C．She is very strict with her children. |
| D．She is interested in cheap products. |
| A．She's a teacher. | B．She's a housewife. |
| C．She's a media person. | D．She's a businesswoman. |
But new research suggests it may be down to a subconscious（潜意识的）power struggle being played out as you make your way up or down.
A study found that people decide where they stand based on a micro social grading, established within seconds of entering the lift.
Rebekah Rousi, a Ph.D. student in Cognitive Science, conducted a study of elevator behavior in two of the tallest office buildings in Adelaide, Australia.
As part of her research, she took a total of 30 lift rides in the two buildings, and discovered there was an established order to where people tended stand.
In a blog, she writes that more senior men seemed to direct themselves towards the back of the elevator cabins.
She said: 'In front of them were younger men, and in front of them were women of all ages.'
She also noticed there was a difference in where people directed their stare half way through the ride.
Men watched the monitors(监控器), looked in the side mirrors (in one building) to see themselves, and in the door mirrors (of the other building) to also watch others.
'Women would watch the monitors and avoid eye contact with other users (unless in conversation) and the mirrors,' she writes.
The student concluded it could be that people who are shyer stand toward the front, where they can't see other passengers, whereas brave people stand in the back, where they have a view of everyone else.
1. According to Rebekah Rousi, senior men intend to stand ______ of the elevator cabins.
| A．in the front | B．in the middle |
| C．near the side mirrors | D．at the back |
| A．senior men | B．younger women |
| C．younger men | D．Women |
| A．Because they are too shy to make eye contact with others. |
| B．Because they can have a view of everyone else. |
| C．Because they want to show their power. |
| D．Because they want to watch the monitors. |
【推荐3】Having a pet dog at home can be beneficial in many ways. It can teach you the value of responsibility, companionship, and caring for something other than yourself. Owning a pet dog is not just a temporary thing.
Clean up after the pet dog. You can also be a good pet owner by making sure you clean up after your dog. This means picking up any food that falls out of its food bowl and wiping up any water around its water dish so its feeding area is clean.
Take your pet dog for daily walks.
Play with your pet dog. You should spend at least ten to fifteen minutes a day playing with your pet dog so that it feels loved and acknowledged by you.
| A．Give food and water to the pet dog. |
| B．Train your pet dog with simple orders. |
| C．It is a permanent responsibility that you must care for on a daily basis. |
| D．Never ever try playing jokes on your pet dog, because it will get hurt easily. |
| E．You should also use encouraging words and reward it with a treat if it behaves well when playing |
| F．You can also pick up any pet toys and put them in one area so that they are not scattered all over house. |
| G．You may have a pet dog that is medium to large in size, you will need to walk it on a daily basis. |
【推荐1】It can be really hard to learn a new language. I had always enjoyed learning languages in school, but only recently did I start learning German. I found that I could understand and learn individual words easily, but when it came to literature, I really struggled. That was when my tutor at university suggested reading some children’s books printed in the target language.
At first, I felt a bit silly going on a hunt for a book designed for someone half my age, but then I realised that everyone has to start somewhere. As children, we are given these basic texts to familiarise our brains with certain vocabulary and writing structure, and from there, we can learn and develop. I started with books which are taught to us as children in the UK. I managed to find Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens and James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl.
The beauty of reading books that were introduced to you as a child is that you are already familiar with the plot. Therefore you can work out some words with your knowledge of the story. At first, I used to read with the book in one hand and a dictionary in the other, but this did not work well. The method I would recommend is to read a chapter first and at the end of that chapter, highlight the new words and then look up the definitions. If you can wait a bit before using a dictionary, you may be surprised what you can understand merely from the context. Additionally, a lot of children’s books pictures which may give you a clue as to what or to whom the passage is referring.
If you can find a translation of the books you have read as a child. I would strongly advise reading those if you are a complete beginner. However, if you feel a bit more confident reading in English, I would personally recommend the series of books by J.K. Rowling or any of the Road Dahl children’s books.
1. What makes it hard for the author to learn German?| A．The author had a poor memory. | B．the author had no interest in it. |
| C．The author had no one to ask for help | D．The author couldn’t read books fluently |
| A．Interesting | B．Stupid. | C．Helpful | D．Boring |
| A．How to choose a proper book to match your level. |
| B．why it is helpful to read children’s books at first |
| C．How to deal with new words while reading |
| D．How to form the habit of reading in the target language. |
| A．To give tips on how to learn a new language |
| B．To persuade the readers to learn a new language |
| C．To stress the importance of reading in language learning |
| D．To share the author’s suffering of learning a new language |
【推荐2】An injured hiker was rescued earlier this month after a train passenger spotted her from the window. She was crazily waving on the other side of a river, having just spent two days trapped in the wilderness with a broken leg.
The rider told the train crew, who then reported it to the train inspector, Henry Smith, who was in a motor car behind them. Henry was able to stop and communicate with the woman on the opposite bank of the river, which was freezing cold and moving quickly.
The hiker, a woman in her twenties, had been missing for two days. She said she’d intended to go on a day hike, but ended up falling 90 feet down a cliff face while trying to take pictures. She reportedly told rescuers that she lost consciousness for an unknown amount of time. Despite a badly broken leg, she struggled to pull herself to the bank of the river to try to flag down trains. She had no emergency supplies with her, or suitable clothing to spend the night outdoors. There had been a cold attack while the woman was trapped in the wilderness. The hiker described spending daylight hours trying to get the attention of passing trains and, at night, would roll herself into a nearby cliff face in an attempt to stay warm.
Henry called to request help for search and rescue. The operator who received the emergency call said the hiker’s family had been looking for her. While they were waiting for the rescue team, Nick and Kylah, an engineer and a fireman on the next train passing by the location, came to help. 327 passengers on the train waited on the track as they crossed the river to examine the woman’s injuries and bring emergency supplies, blankets and a radio for communication. Eventually, a helicopter was sent to locate and rescue the hiker and she was transported safely to the hospital.
1. Who first noticed the injured hiker?| A．A train rider. | B．Henry Smith. | C．The train crew. | D．Nick and Kylah. |
| A．She fell down the cliff face accidentally. |
| B．She spent day and night waving for help. |
| C．She had planned a two-day hike schedule. |
| D．She always stayed conscious in the wilderness. |
| A．The hiker’s family had been against her going hiking. |
| B．Henry sent a helicopter to locate and rescue the hiker. |
| C．Nick and Kylah were sent by the police to the rescue. |
| D．People on the next train also contributed to the rescue work. |
| A．Energetic and generous. | B．Responsible and admirable. |
| C．Perseverant and humorous. | D．Adaptable and strong-willed. |
Her name is Reese Witherspoon. Since Reese Witherspoon was six years old, she had admired and respected Dolly Patton, who was a famous country singer. For three years she had gone all out to act, dance and sing, fancying that she could be another dolly Patton.
However, at the end of the camp her coaches told her to forget about singing. They suggested she think about another career. She took their words to heart. After all. why shouldn’t she believe the professionals?
But back at home in Nashville, her mother-a funny, happy, optimistic woman-wouldn’t let her feel depressed. Her father, a physician, encouraged her to achieve in school. So she worked hard at everything and was accepted at Stanford University.
And at 19, she got a part in a low-budget movie called Freeway, which prepared for her role in the movie Pleasantville. But her big break came with Legally Blonde.
“If you can’t sing and you aren’t charming, play to your strengths. If you’re going to make it in this business, better focus on what you’re good at,” she told the interviewer later.
And then came the offer that took her back to her Nashville-playing the wife of a country star Johnny Cash, a singing role. All of a sudden the old fears learned on that summer stage were back. She was so nervous on the stage. But she didn’t give up on the movie or herself. She spent 6 months taking singing lessons again. She learned to play the Autoharp. And the hard work built up her confidence.
Last March, Reese Witherspoon walked up on another stage, the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, and accepted the Oscar as Best Actress for her heartbreaking, heartwarming singing role as June Carter Cash in Walk the Line.
1. Why was Reese Witherspoon sad at the end of the camp?
| A．She was described foolish |
| B．She was told to give up singing |
| C．She failed to be famous |
| D．She had to go back home |
| A．They agreed with her coaches |
| B．They only focused on her study |
| C．They ignored her frustration |
| D．They encouraged her |
| A．By regaining her confidence through hard work |
| B．By practicing autoharp for over 6 months |
| C．By making herself leggy and attractive |
| D．By forgetting that summer stage |
| A．A successful actress | B．Reese Witherspoon |
| C．Never give up | D．Fortune is important |
【推荐1】In the world today, all of the people need recreation (消遣). We cannot work all the time if we are going to keep healthy and enjoy life.
Everyone has his own way of relaxing. Perhaps the most popular form is to take part in sports. There are team sports, such as basketball and football; There are also individual (个人的) sports, such as swimming and running. Skating and mountain climbing are the most popular recreation for people who like to be outdoor.
Not everyone who enjoys sports likes to take part in them. Many people like watching them on TV or listening to them on the radio. So many people like some forms of indoor recreation, such as watching TV, singing and dancing.
It doesn’t matter whether we like indoor recreation or take part in outdoor sports. It is important for everyone to relax from time to time, and enjoy some forms of recreation.
1. Which is the most popular form of recreation?| A．Sports. | B．Watching TV. |
| C．Sleeping. | D．Singing and dancing. |
| A．make more money | B．make friends |
| C．find a good job | D．keep healthy and enjoy life |
| A．Because they like sports, but they don’t like to take part in them. |
| B．Because they don’t enjoy sports. |
| C．Because they don’t enjoy life. |
| D．Because they don’t need recreation. |
| A．watching TV | B．singing and dancing |
| C．listening to the radio | D．skating and mountain climbing |
【推荐2】I'm a student in my third year at Robert Gordon University, but I also work 35 hours a week at Sainsbury's to make ends meet.
I constantly have to force myself to stay awake, and to be alert, whatever it takes. The work I do at Sainsbury's is very physical like stacking shelves. I am lucky because the amount I lift at work is nothing compared with the weight I lift in the gym. I know I have the strength to bear it.
I am originally from Nigeria. I came here when I was seven. Money was always tight. My parents gave me everything I needed, but there was no money for luxuries. I worked hard at school though and, with the help of professors, I got the best A﹣level grades in my class.
Unfortunately, though I had applied for "settled "British residential status the Home Office waited until I was in sixth form to approve my application. That meant I was not eligible for a student loan. The only way I could afford to go to university was that I got a job that would pay for all my living costs and my parents paid for my tuition fees.
I don't have much time to socialize because of my job. Ideally, I’d like to have more time to study so I can excel at my course. Yes, I have a lot on my plate, but working hard isn't new for me. Growing up, my parents cultivated in me the importance of working hard for what I want in life.
My dream is to get a job in the NHS. But now, I'm just focused on trying to get the best grades I can. Whenever I find life hard, I tell myself this is about my future.
1. Why does the author work long hours and sometimes overtime every week?| A．To pay for his own living expenses | B．To pay for his tuition fees |
| C．To prove his ability to earn money | D．To help his parents pay off the debts |
| A．Responsible | B．Anxious | C．Qualified | D．Accessible |
| A．Persistent | B．Diligent | C．Sociable | D．Ambitious |
【推荐3】I worked in a small drug store when I was very small. I worked long and hard because that was my father’s store. I treasured my lunch breaks, not for the food or the rest, but for reading comic books about superheroes. And I could read comic books only during my lunch breaks.
Now I close my eyes and think back, I know what I wanted to be when I was a small kid—a superhero! Superman, Batman, Spider-Man and Iron Man were some of my heroes. In all of the comic books that I read, there were two patterns.
First, there was always a battle between good and evil. The battle was always tough. No matter how strong or how many powers the superhero had, evil could almost defeat him. Second, the superhero was never paid for his contribution to society. Superman made money as Clark Kent, a newspaper reporter. Batman made money as Bruce Wayne, a rich businessman. Spider-Man made money as Peter Parker, a photographer. Iron Man made money as Tony Stark, a rich scientist. None of them was paid for keeping peace or helping others.
The real superheroes don’t get paid for what they do for society!
I clean the local park with my friends every weekend. I help cheer up kids in the hospital. I send food to disabled people. I don’t get paid for doing these in my free time. It’s correct to be fairly compensated but I simply choose not to. I feel my dream has come true!
Volunteering and helping people without getting paid is what superheroes do. You can be a superhero, too.
1. Why did the writer value the lunch breaks?| A．He could take delicious food. | B．He could free from the hard work. |
| C．He could do what he liked to do. | D．He could act as a superhero. |
| A．rewarded | B．refused | C．admitted | D．bargained |
| A．By working hard in the store. | B．By performing voluntary work. |
| C．By doing a lot of reading. | D．By choosing the right job. |
| A．Volunteering is fun. | B．Comic books and my childhood. |
| C．Be a superhero. | D．Do superheroes get paid? |
