1 . As a writer, I miss rejection slips. Not that I enjoyed receiving those pre-printed slips of paper, but at least when I got one, I was pretty sure that a flesh-and-blood
Nowadays, rejection slips seem to have disappeared with the use of online submissions. Most editors don’t feel it a must to
For me, there are three
Learning to
A.writer | B.reader | C.mailman | D.editor |
A.demanding | B.indicating | C.suspecting | D.arguing |
A.boring | B.novel | C.lengthy | D.particular |
A.thrilling | B.upsetting | C.embarrassing | D.amusing |
A.buy | B.reject | C.check | D.substitute |
A.prove | B.determine | C.explain | D.acknowledge |
A.proposals | B.drafts | C.contributions | D.instructions |
A.meanings | B.stages | C.wonders | D.rewards |
A.relief | B.frustration | C.anger | D.hesitation |
A.valueless | B.expensive | C.characterless | D.shiny |
A.make up | B.put away | C.turn down | D.insist on |
A.easier | B.better | C.shorter | D.longer |
A.print | B.revise | C.download | D.submit |
A.accept | B.criticize | C.judge | D.evaluate |
A.thinner | B.fatter | C.older | D.newer |
2 . The true test of an effective team is one where the members operate as a self-managing team. The
I followed up with one of our customers to see first-hand what a very successful team looked and felt like. Here is their story on what they do to
This team
The reason why I know this information is that when you have the opportunity to see how a team really works, you want to
As I stayed and communicated with the team members to find out how they worked together, they described to me their requirements for team development.
They said, “Each member has a good time, and we are in tune (协调) with each other, and we have a great
Their hard work and effort paid off as they became known as “the stars” of the company. They were described as “
It is clear that this team developed to compete for the goal instead of against each other. This team has stayed
A.leader | B.learner | C.waiter | D.customer |
A.defend against | B.look into | C.leave out | D.serve as |
A.set out | B.stand out | C.work out | D.run out |
A.accounts for | B.concentrates on | C.consists of | D.cares about |
A.conditions | B.habits | C.states | D.attitudes |
A.bothered | B.reminded | C.trained | D.observed |
A.far from | B.in return for | C.apart from | D.in case of |
A.pay | B.mood | C.diet | D.rent |
A.delivery | B.smell | C.quality | D.shape |
A.compare | B.uncover | C.adjust | D.keep |
A.taste | B.bite | C.review | D.sense |
A.limitation | B.prejudice | C.purpose | D.complaint |
A.special | B.normal | C.hesitant | D.ridiculous |
A.pity | B.security | C.pride | D.tense |
A.self-centered | B.self-employed | C.self-funded | D.self-driven |
3 . My aunt came to my home with her six-year-old daughter Alice this morning. While my aunt was talking with my mom at home, my cousin felt a bit
Later, we sat down on a bench, looking at the gardens. As we were
Many people wait for their “best days”. But I think today is our
We often hear the expression that we should live in the
A.tired | B.bored | C.hungry | D.sleepy |
A.birds | B.presents | C.kites | D.planes |
A.laughing | B.crying | C.complaining | D.running |
A.willingly | B.truly | C.faithfully | D.hopefully |
A.wonder | B.suggest | C.dream | D.admit |
A.eating | B.jumping | C.sitting | D.walking |
A.beautiful | B.great | C.warm | D.long |
A.thinking about | B.looking for | C.aiming at | D.dreaming about |
A.brave | B.strange | C.common | D.interesting |
A.memorable | B.special | C.important | D.perfect |
A.money | B.energy | C.time | D.experience |
A.parents | B.teachers | C.relatives | D.children |
A.morning | B.present | C.past | D.future |
A.mood | B.home | C.family | D.life |
A.reason | B.book | C.gift | D.tool |
4 . Ever since I was a boy, I have been an active reader and dreamed to be a writer. I have read and been
I heard one such story the other day that really made me stop and
What is enough? Our society tells us that
A.astonished | B.concerned | C.confused | D.inspired |
A.reading | B.writing | C.painting | D.carving |
A.comments | B.introductions | C.stories | D.adventures |
A.assign | B.comfort | C.promise | D.teach |
A.complain | B.argue | C.think | D.predict |
A.party | B.exhibition | C.competition | D.lecture |
A.showed off | B.gave away | C.shut down | D.pointed out |
A.seriously | B.jokingly | C.deliberately | D.happily |
A.plain | B.common | C.popular | D.shallow |
A.looked | B.returned | C.jumped | D.smiled |
A.nothing | B.anything | C.everything | D.nobody |
A.abuse | B.bomb | C.change | D.charge |
A.lessons | B.welfare | C.destinations | D.reward |
A.healthy | B.wealthy | C.warm | D.energetic |
A.tolerate | B.complete | C.abandon | D.value |
5 . The days that make us happy make us wise.
--- John Masefield
When I first read this line by England's Poet Laureate, it
Slowly, I seemed to
Active happiness---not mere satisfaction or
Nor are the
Consequently, the long vision is there for the seeing. The ground at your feet, the world about you---people, thoughts, emotions, pressures---are now
A.terrified | B.satisfied | C.surprised | D.upset |
A.other | B.opposite | C.view | D.contrast |
A.arresting | B.amazing | C.interesting | D.disturbing |
A.handle | B.observe | C.appreciate | D.seize |
A.iced | B.clouded | C.rained | D.snowed |
A.roads | B.paths | C.spots | D.places |
A.fulfillment | B.sorrow | C.disappointment | D.entertainment |
A.embraced | B.interrupted | C.responded | D.accompanied |
A.brightness | B.stupidity | C.shortcomings | D.memories |
A.physical | B.sharp | C.spiritual | D.solid |
A.insights | B.impressions | C.attentions | D.expectations |
A.extended | B.collapsed | C.witnessed | D.withdrew |
A.got out | B.stayed on | C.kept off | D.fitted into |
A.proportion | B.position | C.explanations | D.duty |
A.happiness | B.wisdom | C.ability | D.life |
6 . One day, my 12-year-old daughter participated in a school poetry reading event. All her classmates were invited to write a “lie poem” about how
I couldn’t help admiring the school for
Think up some stories about who you would like to be. In due course, this
A.rich | B.busy | C.smart | D.great |
A.point out | B.hold back | C.make up | D.rely on |
A.unconsciously | B.unbelievably | C.unacceptably | D.unreasonably |
A.reflecting | B.restoring | C.admiring | D.clarifying |
A.sample | B.principle | C.message | D.vision |
A.forcing | B.requesting | C.motivating | D.warning |
A.unable | B.anxious | C.nervous | D.unwilling |
A.excuse | B.balance | C.solution | D.connection |
A.interest | B.courage | C.expectation | D.potential |
A.fortune | B.fantasy | C.benefit | D.reference |
A.healthy | B.formal | C.constant | D.creative |
A.ensuring | B.informing | C.stretching | D.measuring |
A.bravest | B.biggest | C.happiest | D.highest |
A.pretend | B.forget | C.hide | D.stop |
A.prospect | B.reality | C.memory | D.outlook |
7 . Starting a career in engineering can be challenging. You know what you
My advice to young engineers is: Focus on your
Of course, there will be times when things are hard, but if you believe in yourself and have a
The biggest challenge I have faced in my career is being a woman in a
Thankfully, the gender
A.approve | B.lack | C.envy | D.take |
A.bring out | B.put out | C.work out | D.leave out |
A.strengths | B.comfort | C.routines | D.priorities |
A.cite | B.identify | C.grasp | D.handle |
A.avoid | B.charge | C.engage | D.apply |
A.compromise | B.excuse | C.mistake | D.sense |
A.practice | B.proof | C.review | D.vision |
A.keep | B.take | C.set | D.tell |
A.narrow-minded | B.male-dominated | C.old-fashioned | D.female-centred |
A.stubborn | B.humorous | C.competent | D.realistic |
A.equal | B.opponent | C.contemporary | D.suspect |
A.Occasionally | B.Originally | C.Initially | D.Eventually |
A.characteristic | B.role | C.balance | D.preference |
A.placing | B.motivating | C.concerning | D.updating |
A.explore | B.develop | C.compete | D.qualify |
8 . In some ways, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It is where we
Sometimes you need order in the kitchen for things to run
Then Harlan comes in. He tastes your
Cecilia sees him. She tastes the soup and says, “You forgot vinegar. It’s my
You are happy to spend time with your friends. But, quite
And that is where we get the expression “too many cooks
This expression describes an age-old
So there should be a cook in the kitchen. He is the
A.enjoy | B.finish | C.start | D.spend |
A.prepare | B.eat | C.cook | D.feed |
A.frequently | B.actively | C.smoothly | D.quickly |
A.from | B.for | C.with | D.in |
A.tastes | B.heats | C.mixes | D.drinks |
A.meat | B.soup | C.vegetable | D.food |
A.wonderful | B.famous | C.secret | D.delicious |
A.pours | B.fills | C.puts | D.blows |
A.importantly | B.strangely | C.interestingly | D.frankly |
A.charming | B.inviting | C.annoying | D.embarrassing |
A.salty | B.awful | C.sour | D.hot |
A.spoil | B.share | C.make | D.polish |
A.mystery | B.discovery | C.tradition | D.problem |
A.leader | B.host | C.assistant | D.manager |
A.method | B.direction | C.advice | D.say |
9 . When I started my company, a customer service number was put on the company’s website to better the communication with users. Somehow it rarely rang. So we abandoned it.
However, I thought phone support would have made sense. So, last year, I
“Again? We tried this before, but it didn’t work!” they responded, casting
“But companies evolve; circumstances change.” I argued.
Late last year, I convinced my company to give it a shot. So we started a two-week
This experience reminded me of the elephant-and-rope story. Baby elephants were
In business, not to mention life, all sorts of invisible mental ropes may hold us back. It results in missed opportunities and wasted
A.admitted | B.imagined | C.enjoyed | D.proposed |
A.annoyance | B.fear | C.doubt | D.regret |
A.activity | B.trial | C.procedure | D.mission |
A.significant | B.precise | C.perfect | D.common |
A.amused | B.frustrated | C.astonished | D.pleased |
A.partly | B.regularly | C.naturally | D.officially |
A.injured | B.secured | C.moved | D.pulled |
A.small | B.big | C.fat | D.short |
A.held on | B.held back | C.set free | D.set apart |
A.tried | B.reflected | C.persevered | D.failed |
A.flexible | B.complex | C.fixed | D.simple |
A.places | B.conditions | C.standards | D.systems |
A.space | B.strength | C.money | D.potential |
A.belief | B.excuse | C.ambition | D.information |
A.mature | B.eager | C.fresh | D.optimistic |
10 . Having a positive attitude can mean the difference between living a life full of joy and happiness and living a life full of depression and misery. Your
Reality can be a difficult concept to grasp. How is it that two people can have the
So what made the difference in the
It’s true that you can’t control outside circumstances and events,
A.habit | B.education | C.success | D.attitude |
A.apart from | B.regardless of | C.in terms of | D.as to |
A.general | B.direct | C.same | D.extreme |
A.brought up | B.called up | C.taken up | D.built up |
A.doubt | B.chance | C.surprise | D.way |
A.completely | B.specially | C.gradually | D.generally |
A.relationship | B.childhood | C.silence | D.impression |
A.disgusting | B.careless | C.caring | D.stubborn |
A.influence | B.arrangement | C.growth | D.outcome |
A.announces | B.predicts | C.shapes | D.witnesses |
A.reason | B.art | C.symbol | D.response |
A.challenges | B.methods | C.journeys | D.decisions |
A.so | B.and | C.but | D.or |
A.formally | B.constantly | C.immediately | D.slightly |
A.make | B.change | C.create | D.delay |