1 . The hit movie Notting Hill begins with a famous scene. Hugh Grant bumps into Julia Roberts and spills orange juice all over her. After the collision, Grant repeatedly says, “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.”

His actions in this scene are very British. If Roberts’ character were from the Britain, then she would probably apologize repeatedly as well — even if the crash was not her fault. But this doesn’t happen in the movie, as Roberts is from the US.

A report in The Telegraph once said that three quarters of British people apologize when they bump into someone in the street — regardless of whether they are responsible or not. In fact, Britons use “sorry” in many situations. For example, if they mishear someone, they say “Sorry?” The person they are talking to will also apologize by replying,“No,I am sorry!” This can go on for up to five minutes as if they were competing over who is the most sorry.

Why are Britons so sorry? Mark Tyrell, a psychology writer in the UK, thinks that their apologetic tendencies are rooted in British class system. “We say sorry because historically the new middle class in Britain had to apologize for not being the working class, but also for really being the upper class.” Another theory is that they apologize to avoid conflicts. For example, if they bump into someone, he might get angry. To avoid this, they instantly say “Sorry!”

True manners are about being considerate,and today’s constant use of apologizing shows that we are perhaps not as thoughtful as we once were.The word “sorry” has lost some of its meaning.

Do you see my point? Sorry, it might just be a British thing.

2 . One afternoon, When I walked out the supermarket, I found an old man who struggled with two bags of food. It was very cold. I guessed he must have a long walk ahead of him. I stopped the car near him and put the window down to ask if he needed a ride. With a little hesitation, he did accept.

After he got settled in the car, my husband and I introduced ourselves, but he didn’t say a word. During the drive, we tried to make him more comfortable with some small talk. His home was more than two miles away, so it would have been a difficult walk for anyone, let alone an old man carrying bags.

When we pulled up outside his door, the first thing he asked is “How much money do you want?” “Nothing, we just wanted to help,” we answered. The shock and relief on this man’s face was actually sad, because we should be able to live in a world where it isn’t shocking to have someone help you out of the goodness of their heart without expecting something in return. He was overwhelmed. Tears in his eyes, he said “Thank you!” over and over to me after realizing we truly didn’t want anything, which made me feel proud.

My only words to him were, sir, I hope this helped you out and have a good week. These simple acts of kindness are the types of kindnesses that anyone, anywhere can do. It doesn’t cost a cent. Just be aware of the world happening around you. There is always someone who needs something — a door held, a bag carried... the opportunities are endless.

5 . What’s more important in determining life success-book smarts or street smarts? This question gets at the heart of an important debate contrasting the relative importance of cognitive(认知的)intelligence (CI) and emotional intelligence (EI).

Cognitive intelligence is still recognized as an important element of success, particularly when it comes to academic achievements. People with high cognitive intelligence typically do well in school, often earn more money, and tend to be healthier in general.

But today experts recognize that cognitive intelligence is not the only determining factor of life success. Instead, it is part of a complex range of influences-one that includes emotional intelligence. Many companies now provide emotional intelligence training and use emotional intelligence tests as part of the hiring process. Research has found that individuals with strong leadership potential also tend to be more emotionally intelligent, suggesting that high emotional intelligence is an important equality for business leaders and managers. According to a survey of hiring managers, almost 75% of the responders suggested that they valued an employee’s emotional intelligence more than his cognitive intelligence.

Now that emotional intelligence is so important, can it be taught or strengthened? According to one meta-analysis that looked at the results of social and emotional learning programmes, the answer to that question is definitely yes. Strategies for teaching emotional intelligence include character education, modeling positive behaviours, encouraging people to think about how others are feeling, and finding ways to be more empathetic(感同身受的)towards others.

All in all, life success is a result of many factors. Both cognitive intelligence and emotional intelligence play roles in overall success, as well as health, wellness, and happiness. Rather than focusing on which factors have a prior influence, the greatest benefit may lie in learning to improve skills in multiple areas. In addition to strengthening cognitive abilities, such as memory and mental focus, you can also acquire and improve social and emotional skills.

Peter woke up early in the morning. He went downstairs in a hurry and started to have his breakfast as quickly as possible.

“Why are you in such a hurry, early bird?” Mum asked him. “We will have an English spelling test today, Mum,” Peter said. “Mr. White promised to offer prizes to those who get 100 scores. I’ve been studying the word list since last week. Although the words are difficult, I am well prepared for them.”

Peter reviewed the spelling of each word once more carefully when Dad drove him to school. At last, it was time for the students to have a test. “Responsibility,” Mr. White started. Peter wrote it on his test paper quickly and confidently.

“The second word: contribution,” Mr. White said.

“So easy,” Peter thought. He quickly wrote the word down.

Thirty words later, the test papers were collected by Mr. White. “I am to mark your papers now,” he told the class. After marking the test papers, Mr. White said, “Three of you won a prize today for excellent test scores. Peter, David and Mary got full marks on the spelling test!”

Mr. White praised them. Meanwhile, he gave the three students each a dictionary. Peter’s was an English-Chinese dictionary—the one he liked best. Peter was so excited that he held it high when his classmates cheered. “This is my happiest moment,” Peter thought.

After Mr. White gave the test paper back, Peter had a look at the words, feeling proud of his spelling. All of a sudden, the word “contribusion” confused him. It didn’t seem right. Peter began to compare them after taking out the word list. “C-O-N-T-R-I-B-U-S-I-O-N,” he whispered. He spelled it wrong.

“What am I to do?” Peter said to himself. “I expect my classmates to think I’m a master at spelling. If I tell Mr. White one of my spelling words is wrong, I’ll have to give my prize back, or I will become an example for telling a lie.”

Staring at the full marks written on his test paper, Peter was lost in thought. After a while, he remembered a lesson Mum used to teach him, “We ought to be an honest person.”

Slowly,Peter raised his hand.

Peter looked around.

During his life, Dr. James Naismith worked as a doctor, taught P. E. and wrote several books.    1    he never thought it very important, Dr. Naismith is today best known for one thing---he was the    2    (invent) of basketball.

    3    (bear)in Canada in 1861, he first worked at a special sports school in the USA.

One day the school principal told James he was having a problem with the students. Because of heavy snow, the students could not go outside. He told James that they needed a sport that the boys could play indoors and gave him two weeks to think of something.

It was    4    the very last day that James came up with his idea. The “birth of basketball” is said to be on December 21, 1891,    5     two teams from the school played the     6    (one) game. It was quite different from the basketball games of today. It had nine players on each team, and footballs    7    (use) instead of basketballs. Soon after, the game changed to five players on each side,    8     (play) special “basketballs” on the court.

    9    (unfortunate), Dr. Naismith did not live to see basketball become the worldwide game as it is today. However, in 1936, just three years before his death, basketball became     10    Olympic sport at the games in Berlin.