2 . The Enemy Is in My Pocket

Yesterday I went to a phone store. There were no other ___________ inside, just me and three salespeople.

“How can I help you?” One of them asked me.

I replied, “I ___________ if I'm able to trade in my iPhone for a non-smart phone.”

“Um, let me check on that.” She walked to the other end of the ___________ to ask her manager. Later, she came back with ___________ news. She smiled, ___________ they didn't provide such service. “___________ , you're the first person we've ever had who wanted to trade down your phone. "

That moment had come after months of struggle. I ___________ thought that I'd reach that point. I'm young and always ___________ the latest internet happenings using my iPhone. I didn't want to ___________ anything.

But one day, I began to wonder how important being online really is and if it made me a ____________ person. Twitter has funny jokes, but I’m often mad at posts from trolls (喷子). I spend hours playing games that ________the intention to read the news online. Throughout high school, the lessons had no hope of pulling my ____________ away from my phone. Being online so much made me feel ____________ or anxious and ____________ real-world things I needed to get done.

So, I wanted to ____________. Unfortunately, as I was told by the saleswoman, that isn't possible quite yet. But since then, I've started to leave my phone in my bedroom when I need to ____________ and when I go out with friends. The best way to stop ____________ my phone constantly is not having my phone on me to begin with.

I've only been doing this for a few days, but I have found myself obviously more ____________ and creative without breaking my concentration whenever I get a TikTok notification (通知).

Where there is a ____________ there is a way. There are always ways that everyone can enjoy the conveniences of new technology ____________ being burdened (烦扰) by it.

1.

A．students

B．customers

C．friends

D．managers

2.

A．wonder

B．doubt

C．question

D．ask

3.

A．restaurant

B．store

C．street

D．market

4.

A．good

B．latest

C．certain

D．bad

5.

A．saying

B．announcing

C．giving

D．concluding

6.

A．Exactly

B．Finally

C．Eventually

D．Actually

7.

A．never

B．often

C．sometimes

D．also

8.

A．take charge of

B．come up with

C．keep in touch with

D．carry on with

9.

A．leave

B．catch

C．miss

D．make

10.

A．better

B．funnier

C．worse

D．stronger

11.

A．started with

B．ended up in

C．went with

D．succeeded in

12.

A．memory

B．attention

C．energy

D．money

13.

A．amazed

B．glad

C．puzzled

D．angry

14.

A．regret

B．arrange

C．enjoy

D．forget

15.

A．stay

B．sell

C．change

D．explore

16.

A．sleep

B．rest

C．work

D．play

17.

A．checking

B．trading

C．answering

D．seeing

18.

A．sensitive

B．attractive

C．positive

D．productive

19.

A．problem

B．will

C．road

D．lesson

20.

A．beside

B．before

C．without

D．by

3 . It was January, the first day of the year. I decided to get the bank work out of the _________. The bank clerk, an elderly gentleman, was _________ curt(简短而失礼的) to my polite “Happy New Year” _________. He nodded and I sat in front of him. Minutes passed and nothing happened. Then very _________ I put my form in front of him. He was busy _________ entries in his register. I sat there wondering why we had _________banking if we were still filling in registers. While waiting I showed all _________ of being impatient, I asked him _________ my work was done. The moment I uttered the words, he shouted, “Nothing is done, it will take time!”

Just then I saw his morning tea lying there, _________. It had turned almost cold. Suddenly I sensed how he feels when customers come who are __________ hurried to get their work done and __________ him for doing their work first. We don’t even feel the __________ to thank him. Then I told him, “Sir, please have your tea, I am not hurried.” This man suddenly __________ me and for the first time we had eye contact.

I realized he was also missing the __________ things in life just like a hot cup of tea. He gave me a rare smile and said, "It is an everyday __________ with me." His wise words really __________ me. I felt that we all had put shields (盾牌) on our __________, and that we were scared to show our hearts and __________ too much of ourselves. From then on, I __________ to be more friendly to others and be __________ that they are there for me.

1.

A．way

B．corner

C．question

D．reach

2.

A．on purpose

B．by accident

C．after all

D．as usual

3.

A．service

B．invitation

C．greeting

D．handshake

4.

A．hopefully

B．curiously

C．sincerely

D．hesitantly

5.

A．going through

B．filling up

C．checking out

D．printing off

6.

A．computerized

B．canceled

C．popularized

D．broadened

7.

A．symptoms

B．gestures

C．signs

D．marks

8.

A．when

B．how

C．why

D．if

9.

A．untouched

B．unprepared

C．unfolded

D．undisturbed

10.

A．always

B．seldom

C．never

D．still

11.

A．reward

B．push

C．pardon

D．scold

12.

A．reason

B．need

C．opportunity

D．urge

13.

A．looked up at

B．looked down upon

C．looked forward to

D．looked back on

14.

A．precious

B．small

C．important

D．essential

15.

A．coincidence

B．suggestion

C．affair

D．arrangement

16.

A．impressed

B．attached

C．challenged

D．comforted

17.

A．hearts

B．minds

C．bodies

D．souls

18.

A．release

B．recommend

C．reveal

D．revise

19.

A．preferred

B．promised

C．managed

D．expected

20.

A．cautious

B．confident

C．optimistic

D．grateful

5 . Martin was returning to work in his London office after spending two weeks with his brother in New York. He was coming back with a heavy heart. It was not just that it was the end of a wonderful holiday; it was not just that he invariably suffered badly from jet lag(时差); it was that Monday morning always began with a team meeting and , over the months, he had grown to hate them.

Martin was aware that colleagues approached these meetings with hidden agenda（会议议 程）; they indulged in(沉溺于）game playing ; and he knew that people were not being honest and open. The meetings themselves were bad enough---there was all the moaning afterwards at the meeting like “I could have improved on that idea, but I wasn’t going to say.”

As this morning’s meeting began, Martin prepared himself for the usual dullness and boredom. But, as the meeting progressed, he became aware of a strange background noise. At first, he thought that he was still hearing the engine noise from the aircraft that had brought him back to London. But as he concentrated on the noise, it became a little clearer.

He realized, to his amazement, that he could actually hear what they were thinking at the same time as they were speaking. What surprised him, even more than the acquisition of this strange power, was that he discovered that what people were saying was not really what they were thinking. They were not making clear their reservations. They were not supporting views which they thought might be popular. They were not contributing their new insights. They were not volunteering their new ideas.

Martin found it impossible not to respond to his new knowledge. So he started to make gentle interventions (干涉), based more on what he could hear his colleagues thinking than on what he could hear them saying. “So, John, are you really saying.....” “Susan, do you really think that?” “Tom, have you got an idea on how we could take this forward?” They looked at him, puzzled. In truth, he felt rather proud of his newly -acquired talent.

As the meeting progressed, it was clear to him that each member of the meeting was learning how to hear the thoughts of the others. The game playing started to fall away; people started to speak more directly; views became better understood; the atmosphere became more open and trusting.

The meeting ended. As people left the room, Martin found that he could still hear what they were thinking. “That was the best meeting we’ve ever had.” “All meetings should be like that,” “ In future, I’m going to say what I think.”

1. It is known from the first paragraph that Martin_____.

A．just came back from his business trip in New York

B．was found to suffer from a serious heart disease during the trip

C．had a good time during his fortnight’s stay in New York

D．didn’t like his work in his London office

2. Why did Martin hate his company’s team meeting?

A．Because it had to be held every Monday morning.

B．Because he was tired of hosting such a meeting

C．Because he couldn’t control the meeting that was out of order.

D．Because the meeting atmosphere wasn’t open and trusting.

3. The underlined part “his newly-acquired talent” in Paragraph 5 means that he could ______.

A．still hear the engine noise of the plane though he was back

B．clearly hear what the members of the meeting were saying

C．actually control the thoughts of the members of the meeting

D．express what the meeting members were thinking based on their words and their thoughts

4. What do we know about this Monday morning’s meeting from the passage?

A．Martin made people say what they were thinking immediately the meeting began.

B．Martin was angry at the dullness of the meeting at the beginning of the meeting..

C．Martin led people to express their real thoughts with the meeting progressing.

D．Many members of the meeting played games and told lies at the meeting all the time.

5. It is inferred from the last two paragraphs that towards the end of the meeting Martin would hear such words as “_______”

A．I was thinking of making a suggestion ---but I couldn’t be bothered.

B．I have got an idea on how we could take this forward. I think we should...

C．The usual people say the usual things, so I have no other new ideas.

D．I could have imagined on that idea, but I wasn’t going to say.

7 . Utah is the second most wasteful states in the US. Everyone always complains about how much construction there is all the time— on campus you can’t walk ten steps without running into another pit— but no one seems to be doing anything about it. Every year the city has a surplus of money and they spent it on unneeded road construction. Instead, this money should be spent on developing Utah’s solar energy capabilities (能力).

People may think that solar power technology isn’t advanced enough to sustain (维持) an entire state year-round. However, Utah is one of the six states in the country getting more than enough sunlight to run completely on solar power every year according to Solar Nation. For reference, one might look at places similar to the Hotel at Oberlin in Ohio, a hotel remodeled in the summer of 2016 to run completely on solar power. Anywhere west of Ohio has no excuse for not using solar energy.

Many think it would be bad for the economy to switch to solar power because electrical workers would lose their jobs. But this isn’t necessarily true. They could transfer to solar companies. Considering how many panels (电池板，面板) would need to be built and installed (安装) and maintained, there’s plenty of work for electrical workers. Solar panel installation may be expensive at first, but as it stands currently, solar panels are expected to pay for themselves within 11 years of installation, saving solar panel owners up to $700 in electric bills per house in the first year.

Moreover, we, the humans of planet Earth, would never run out of solar energy. The sun will exist long after humanity goes. And while solar panels may be expensive, they cost the Earth much less than using coal and natural gas.

It’s bad enough that Utah is the most wasteful when it comes to the use of water. And the city is killing its citizens with air pollution. But when we have the physical capability of making changes that will ultimately save the environment and deepen our pocketbooks (财力、钱袋子), and we don’t make those changes, we’re actually lazy rather than being cautious.

1. Which of the following statements would the author agree with?

A．Roads in Utah should be repaired.

B．Money should be better used in Utah.

C．Construction is very important to Utah.

D．Schools in Utah are really in poor condition.

2. Why does the author mention the Hotel at Oberlin in Ohio?

A．To explain how solar power is used in Ohio.

B．To show it is possible to use solar power in summertime.

C．To show solar power can be relied on year-round in Utah.

D．To prove many hotels are taking advantage of solar power.

3. According to Paragraph4, using solar energy can ________.

A．benefit the environment	B．prevent waste in Utah
C．improve work efficient	D．lead to many changes in Utah

4. What’s the author’s purpose of writing the passage?

A．To call on people to reduce energy waste.

B．To show us the importance of using solar energy.

C．To ask government to pay attention to air pollution.

D．To appeal to Utah officials to develop solar energy.

5. How does the author develop this passage?

A．①②-③④-⑤	B．①-②③-④⑤
C．①-②③④-⑤	D．①②③-④⑤

8 . On one day my grandma died, I went for a walk to clear my mind. The small purse I carried with me was a gift from her. The bag only weighted several pounds but it felt like I was dragging heavy luggage.

As I was walking, I spotted Mary who gave me an excited hug. She asked how I was. “How are you” is a question that can turn meaningless or meaningful, depending on how you answer it. I considered going the meaningless route. Then I remembered that she is a friend from church. We once celebrated an activity together. Maybe I could lean on her for some comfort. I explained that my grandma died and I was feeling in bad shape emotionally.

Mary expressed kind regards. Then she asked the question everyone asks when you tell them someone died, “Were you two close?” It’s the main standard that determines the appropriate size someone’s sadness can take. The answer to this question depends on how someone defines closeness. I tend to feel close to people I can have heart-to-heart with. I nodded to Mary and said, “Yeah, we were.”

She nodded back, playing her role in the cultural script (剧本)we all know. Mary gathered information about the funeral arrangements, and then we parted. Seeing her was a catalyst (催化剂) to my quickly getting in touch with my sorrow. I cried loudly on the street directly.

Later that night I texted my friend Roger to tell him what had happened. I expected a text back with sympathy. Instead, the phone rang. Soon he was asking me what my favorite song was. While I hesitated, he started singing the hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul.” He finished it and prayed for me over the phone. It really made me exhilarated. I felt that a heavy burden was removed. But I cried again because of the spiritual synchronization(同步). I didn’t share stories of my grandmother or try to explain my complicated emotions over the phone.

Then I realized that courtesy (客套话) is generally good practice, but it can’t compare to personalized, thoughtful communication. And that kind of pat statement really has no place if you want to make a real connection.

1. What can we learn from Paragraph 2?

A．The author used to offer Mary advice to Mary.

B．The author and Mary enjoyed social activities.

C．The author and Mary often shared their secrets.

D．The author hesitated to turn to Mary for comfort.

2. Mary asked “Were you two close?” to ________.

A．judge how sad the author was

B．determine what sadness it was

C．prove that they were close friends

D．see if the author needed comfort

3. From the fourth paragraph, we can know that ________.

A．Mary decided to attend the funeral

B．the author felt touched to see Mary

C．the author got no real comfort from Mary

D．Mary felt helpless about relieving the author’s pain

4. What does the underlined phrases “made me exhilarated” in Paragraph 5 mean?

A．Cheered me up	B．Made me satisfied
C．Let me down	D．Kept me down

5. What does the author mainly want to express in the passage?

A．A friend in need is a friend indeed.

B．Spiritual communication is better than courtesy.

C．Crying is an effective way to ease people’s pain.

D．It’s hard to recover from the pain of losing a loved one.

9 . I do think that a book can inspire ideas and ways of thinking that have the power to transform our lives. Here are some books to serve the purpose.

Thinking, Fast and slow

Daniel Kahneman is a Nobel Prize winner who has written an amazing book that dives into the mysterious world of our conscious and unconscious thinking patterns. By reading this book, you’ll gain a deeper understanding about how to make decisions and react to certain things in your life. Yes, this is a super thick book that seems challenging, but somehow the author makes it accessible and really fun to read.

The Power of Habit

Written by award-winning New York Times business reporter Charles Duhigg, this book is an awesome mix of research, stories, and revelations(启示) about habits: how we form them, how we can change them, and how knowledge about human habits is transforming everything.

The Road Less Traveled

The first words in this classic and powerful book are: Life is difficult. Without hiding the true realities of life which is filled with conflicts, difficulties, and challenging decisions, M. Scott Peck guides us to a deeper level of self-understanding and creates a path we can follow to a fuller, more peaceful life.

The Power of Now

The key message of the book is simple and powerful: The way to true happiness is through learning to live in the now, without reliving the past or racing to the future. Eckhart Tolle helps us understand how our thoughts and emotions get in the way and what to do about it.

1. What do we learn about Thinking, Fast and Slow?

A．It’s too abstract to understand.

B．It helps readers to make decisions.

C．It divides our thinking patterns into different types.

D．It enables readers to understand themselves better.

2. Whose book is helpful for a person who wants to quit smoking?

A．Daniel Kahneman’s	B．Charles Duhigg’s
C．M. Scott Peck’s	D．Eckhart Tolle’s

3. What is The Road Less Traveled mainly about?

A．The challenges of life.

B．A path to a better life.

C．The author’s understanding of humans.

D．The best way to settle conflicts.

4. Which book tells us the way to achieve true happiness?

A．Thinking, Fast and Slow	B．The Power of Habit
C．The Power of Now	D．The Road Less Traveled

5. What do these books above have in common?

A．They are classic and refreshing.

B．They are adventurous and challenging.

C．They are accessible and full of fun.

D．They are inspiring and helpful.

10 . Originally, I don’t think about getting older. Perhaps it’s because I like to keep busy and just don’t think about it. ________, sometimes something happens that makes me ________ my death and what lies ahead.

I used to be a radio broadcaster and recently I was ________ by the activity director at a senior citizen’s home near where I live. She told me there are a couple of former broadcasters who live in the home and they would really ________ a visit from someone with a ________ background who can trade stories with them about the good old days. I’m retired, and I have some free time so I said, “sure, I’d come for a visit or two.” That has developed a ________ in which I spend an afternoon each week ________ the old boys and helping them to ________ their happier and busier times.

One of them, it turns out, is ________ tied to an oxygen generating machine, can only ________ in a wheel-chair, and ________, has dementia(痴呆) and knows he is ________ losing his memory and ability to think clearly. My other new friend in the home is about ten years than I. He has cerebral palsy (大脑瘫痪) and is also ________ to a wheel-chair. Neither man can live ________ any more: they can’t drive a car, can’t prepare their own meals, and can’t plant a garden. But they’re being well ________ and they have television, people to serve their daily needs and workers at the home who try their best to keep them comfortable. They have family members who visit them ________ and now I guess they have me. It makes me consider what lies ahead, perhaps not for a number of years, perhaps tomorrow, I have no way of ________.

The thought of being dead doesn’t ________ me, for I’m in absolutely no hurry to get there. What worries me is the process of dying. I’m getting older but I’m still going strong and feeling ________. I go to visit the men in the senior’s home and sometimes I look ahead into the unknown. Life gets ________ in unexpected ways as one gets older.

1.

A．Therefore

B．However

C．Though

D．Meanwhile

2.

A．believe

B．regret

C．prevent

D．consider

3.

A．doubted

B．questioned

C．contacted

D．interviewed

4.

A．pay

B．enjoy

C．intend

D．allow

5.

A．similar

B．diverse

C．different

D．special

6.

A．activity

B．custom

C．tradition

D．routine

7.

A．chatting with

B．looking for

C．working with

D．cheering for

8.

A．look up to

B．look out for

C．look down upon

D．look back at

9.

A．permanently

B．relatively

C．accidentally

D．practically

10.

A．show up

B．hold up

C．move about

D．hold on

11.

A．worse still

B．what’s more

C．on the contrary

D．on the other hand

12.

A．secretly

B．gradually

C．directly

D．suddenly

13.

A．related

B．connected

C．bound

D．limited

14.

A．independently

B．optimistically

C．comfortably

D．disappointedly

15.

A．fed on

B．cared for

C．trained

D．educated

16.

A．primitively

B．occasionally

C．instantly

D．rarely

17.

A．understanding

B．deciding

C．knowing

D．guessing

18.

A．surprise

B．help

C．bother

D．excite

19.

A．nervous

B．sorry

C．help

D．great

20.

A．tiresome

B．meaningless

C．interesting

D．upsetting