2 . The benefits of positive emotions don’t stop after a few minutes of good feelings. In fact, the biggest benefit that positive emotions provide is an improved ability to build skills and develop resources for use in later life.

A child, who runs around outside, swinging on branches and playing with friends, develops the ability to move athletically(physical skills), the ability to play with others and communicate with a team (social skills), and the ability to explore and examine the world around them(creative skills).

These skills last much longer than the emotions. Years later, that foundation of athletic movement might develop into a scholarship as a college athlete or the communication skills may develop into a job offer as a business manager. The happiness that developed the exploration and creation of new skills has ended long since, but the skills themselves live on.

All of this research begs the most important question of all: if positive emotions are so useful for developing valuable skills and appreciating the big picture of life, how do you actually get yourself positive? Well, anything that creates feelings of joy, satisfaction and love will do the trick. You probably know what things work well for you. Maybe it’s playing the guitar. Maybe it's spending time with a certain person.

Recent research by Fredrickson and her colleagues shows that people who meditate(冥想) daily show more positive emotions than those who do not. As expected, they also build valuable long-term skills. For example, three months after the experiment was over, those people continued to show increased mindfulness, purposes of life, social support, and decreased symptoms(症状) of illness.

It is necessary to include playtime in your schedule. We have plans for meetings, conference calls and other responsibilities in our daily life. Why not spare some time for play? Give yourself chances to smile and enjoy the benefits of positive emotions. Spare some time for play and adventure so that you can find joy, and explore and build new skill.

1. What can be learned from the second paragraph?

A．Play and joy are beneficial to kids.

B．Physical skills are good for social skills.

C．It is necessary to hurt kids’ positive emotions.

D．It is difficult to encourage kids to explore.

2. What do people think of developing positive emotions?

A．It is a must in daily life.

B．Playing the guitar is the best way.

C．Your friends have a big effect on you.

D．Different people have different methods.

3. What does the research mentioned in Paragraph 5 show?

A．Meditation can give you short-term skills.

B．Meditation can make you have a good rest.

C．Meditation can reduce your work stress quickly.

D．Meditation can help you both mentally and physically.

4. What should you do when you make your plans in daily life according to the text?

A．You should have a positive attitude.

B．You should consider your time for relaxation.

C．You should ignore all your extra work.

D．You should put your satisfaction and joy first.

3 . Lots of people have trees to look at from their bedrooms, but my perspective（视角）is different. My name is Miranda Gibson. I have been living at the top of a tree_______60 meters for 449 days now. Some people might wonder_______on earth I would choose to do this.

Stretching out below me is one of Tasmania's last areas of ancient forest---in an area that was proposed for World Heritage protection, yet remains under the_______of industrial logging（砍伐）. On 12 December 2011, machinery（大型机械）rolled into the forest and the destruction began. I couldn't_______the thought that these forests would be_______forever. So, on 14 December 2011, I packed up my life,_______of my job plans, and climbed 200 feet onto the top of this tree. I have been here ever since.

People often ask me what I do up here all day. It's busier than you would imagine. Like an office job, but with a splendid_______! I spend my days writing about this forest and its urgent（紧急的）need for_______on my blog.

Life in the treetops can be_______at times. I have times when I feel frustrated（沮丧）and wish I could________, to anywhere, just to have a change of scenery for a minute! There are also times when I feel terribly________. I miss my friends and family. My only connection to the outside world is my phone and computer, which I charge via solar panel.________these times, I find myself loving the experience. Living on the tree has been inspiring. I am willing to________up here for as long as it takes, but I honestly hope it won't be too________before I will be able to get down and put my feet on the ground in a forest that is no longer under threat—in a forest that will be________guarded for future generations.

1.

A．lengthening

B．measuring

C．weighing

D．topping

2.

A．why

B．when

C．how

D．where

3.

A．danger

B．alarm

C．threat

D．pressure

4.

A．keep

B．help

C．bear

D．lose

5.

A．sold

B．protected

C．hunted

D．gone

6.

A．grew out

B．fell short

C．ran out

D．let go

7.

A．sight

B．view

C．scenery

D．landscape

8.

A．extinction

B．preservation

C．creation

D．harmony

9.

A．refreshing

B．alarming

C．challenging

D．rewarding

10.

A．get around

B．get away

C．give in

D．give up

11.

A．confused

B．upset

C．lonely

D．sorry

12.

A．Despite

B．Without

C．Beyond

D．Unlike

13.

A．return

B．stop

C．stay

D．hide

14.

A．long

B．soon

C．distant

D．nearby

15.

A．particularly

B．finally

C．immediately

D．safely