1 . I wish I’d been more confident in my own abilities, especially when I was at school.

I was a shy child and struggled a bit when talking to other people. On the whole, my parents were very supportive, always encouraging me and trying to help me relax in social situations, but I was always terribly self-conscious. I wish I hadn’t been so worried about what everybody thought of me. I know now that if you are extremely shy , then it’s hard work to have a conversation with you. Now I try to think about the other person I’m talking to and put them at ease in my company .However, at school, I found it especially difficult in my peer group. I wasn’t competitive, but I was aware of my appearance and I always compared myself to other people, usually coming to the conclusion that I wasn’t as clever or as popular or as cool as they were. I wanted to be popular. I know now that the kids who are considered the coolest at school aren’t necessarily the most popular or successful when they grow up.

I realize now that everything changes during your teen years — physically, mentally, socially and emotionally — and I just had a harder time than most. I wish I hadn’t let it stop me from doing things, though. I wish I’d taken a gap year or at least traveled more when I left school. But to tell the truth, I didn’t have the courage to go off alone before going to college. I could have gone to Europe and America with a friend as I’d saved up enough money, but in the end I just didn’t want to do it. My parents really wanted me to try a gap year. They said it would be a great experience before college. I think they were right, and now I won’t have another opportunity to do that for a long time.

1. What can be learned about the author when she was a child?

A．She found being sociable difficult.

B．She was considered too direct.

C．She lived a rich life.

D．She felt uncomfortable with her parents.

2. What did the author think of herself as a teen?

A．She had a big heart.

B．She was a first-class student.

C．She suffered greatly during her teen years.

D．She used to let her parents down.

3. What does the author regret?

A．Not paying enough attention to her parents.

B．Not saving up enough money to go abroad.

C．Not going to college together with her best friend.

D．Not being brave enough to travel before college.

4. Why does the author write this text?

A．To honor her parents	B．To share her life lessons
C．To remember her childhood	D．To discuss skills needed for school

2 . I’m an online columnist. A few weeks ago, I wrote a column about my life, ending up receiving some _________ reviews on a regular basis. I have become _________ used to being criticized like that. In the following days, I was also surprised when more lovely words _________ in. They told me that my running adventures had _________ them to go out to work out. Yet more _________ me for giving tips on the mental health issues they had also experienced. I have been so touched by all these people.

As an online columnist for ages, I have constantly encountered _________ readers. A lady was _________ about my daughter when she was hospitalized and a gentleman offered to _________ me for my training when I was badly off. There was also a couple who sent me a jar of home-made marmalade when they read about my _________, in the hope of cheering me up. As I thought about __________ of these kind people, I wondered why our brains are programmed to focus on the bad things __________ all the lovely ones.

At that moment, I’ve realized we don’t have the luxury of negativity. Our life is too short to be __________ by it. To stop engaging in it, the key is our __________ to be dragged down by it. In that spirit, I’ve __________ that from now on, I’m only going to focus on the positive. I’ll keep a file on my cellphone containing all __________ for me, and look at them when times get tough.

1.

A．conventional

B．innovative

C．negative

D．thorough

2.

A．terribly

B．hardly

C．aimlessly

D．accidentally

3.

A．gave

B．flooded

C．dropped

D．cut

4.

A．permitted

B．required

C．banned

D．pushed

5.

A．appreciated

B．impressed

C．represented

D．criticized

6.

A．long-lasting

B．well-meaning

C．ever-changing

D．self-fulfilling

7.

A．cautious

B．anxious

C．concerned

D．astonished

8.

A．restrict

B．stimulate

C．release

D．sponsor

9.

A．depression

B．confusion

C．satisfaction

D．embarrassment

10.

A．expressions

B．purposes

C．gestures

D．desires

11.

A．at the bottom of

B．at the expense of

C．on account of

D．on behalf of

12.

A．held back

B．brought up

C．taken in

D．turned down

13.

A．acceptance

B．target

C．refusal

D．admission

14.

A．complained

B．resolved

C．explained

D．pretended

15.

A．comprehension

B．submission

C．direction

D．recognition

3 . Growing up, I heard the word "genius" a lot.

It was always my dad who _________ it up. He liked to say, "You know, you' re no genius!" I don't remember how I _________ . Maybe I pretended not to hear.

I wasn't the _________ problem. My dad didn't think my brother and sister were geniuses, either. By his standards, none of us _________ up to Einstein. Apparently, this was a great _________ .

Two years ago, I was _________ enough to be awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, sometimes called the "genius grant." It is an award _________ by a secret committee that includes the _________ people in your field.

I was surprised and grateful for being thought of doing _________ and creative work. A girl who is told __________that she's no genius ends up __________ an award for being one. The award goes to her because she has discovered that what we eventually __________ may depend more on our great interest and perseverance than on our inborn __________ .

The morning the MacArthur was __________ , my dad said to me, "I'm proud of you." I had so much to say in response, but __________ I just said, "Thanks, Dad."

I knew that my dad was proud of me. Still, part of me wanted to __________ back in time to when I was a young girl. I'd tell him what I know now.

I would say, "Dad, you think I'm no genius. I won't __________ with that. You know plenty of people who are __________than I am." I can imagine his head nodding in __________ .

"But let me tell you something. I'm going to grow up to love my work as much as you love yours. I'll challenge myself every day. When I get __________ down, I'll get back up. I may not be the smartest person in the room, but I'll try my best to be the grittiest (坚毅的)."

1.

A．brought

B．took

C．got

D．grew

2.

A．played

B．suggested

C．responded

D．hid

3.

A．difficult

B．only

C．real

D．final

4.

A．added

B．stood

C．faced

D．measured

5.

A．satisfaction

B．disappointment

C．relief

D．surprise

6.

A．fortunate

B．careful

C．healthy

D．precious

7.

A．given

B．accepted

C．passed

D．shared

8.

A．generous

B．local

C．top

D．young

9.

A．mysterious

B．complex

C．free

D．important

10.

A．especially

B．loudly

C．repeatedly

D．frankly

11.

A．deciding

B．recognizing

C．naming

D．winning

12.

A．set

B．live

C．achieve

D．agree

13.

A．appearance

B．talent

C．character

D．leadership

14.

A．found

B．announced

C．invented

D．considered

15.

A．besides

B．instead

C．somewhat

D．therefore

16.

A．date

B．look

C．travel

D．throw

17.

A．vary

B．deal

C．discuss

D．argue

18.

A．kinder

B．older

C．weaker

D．smarter

19.

A．agreement

B．return

C．disapproval

D．delight

20.

A．mocked

B．closed

C．cut

D．settled

4 . My friend North is a manager in a large business company. She often ______ in the office that her mother has become particularly ______ since she learned to use WeChat. She ______ spreads rumors or junk information like “get red package if registered” in the family crowd.

She told her mother several times to stop it. But the next second, another ______ message by her occurs in the group. North was angry to ______ with her mother many times for this.

I once saw a ______ on the Internet, saying “Why is it that every time our parents make a very ______ mistake, we always can’t ______ our temper to these old babies?” One reply that ______ me most was that we were angry with our parents, not because ______ they did is wrong, but because they shouldn’t be the “wrong people”.

When we were young, they told us not to talk to strangers. But now they regard the person who sells insurance on the street ______ someone more important than us; when we were young, they told us not to spend money on some useless. But now, they rush to the supermarket to carry ______ at a discount home, no matter ______ it can be used or not. We’re not happy because we find too many ______ in them and we’re not quite willing to ______ their shortcomings. ______, a lot of pity and conflicts that could have been avoided ______.

The most ______ thing in the world is that you ______ a long face at your parents, telling them they’re wrong, and they’re stupid. Sometimes, ______ to be silly in front of our parents is a kind of filial piety(孝顺).

1.

A．debates

B．explains

C．complains

D．chats

2.

A．amazing

B．annoying

C．terrifying

D．challenging

3.

A．approximately

B．immediately

C．sincerely

D．frequently

4.

A．reference

B．trash

C．bargain

D．advertisement

5.

A．conflict

B．say

C．associate

D．consult

6.

A．message

B．word

C．post

D．motto

7.

A．childish

B．stupid

C．foolish

D．silly

8.

A．resist

B．relieve

C．arouse

D．transfer

9.

A．reminded

B．frustrated

C．impressed

D．motivated

10.

A．where

B．that

C．why

D．what

11.

A．like

B．for

C．of

D．as

12.

A．something

B．anything

C．everything

D．nothing

13.

A．how

B．when

C．whether

D．what

14.

A．imperfections

B．confusions

C．strengths

D．traditions

15.

A．prevent

B．admit

C．puzzle

D．remove

16.

A．As a result

B．After all

C．First of all

D．In the meantime

17.

A．bring about

B．come about

C．result from

D．result in

18.

A．forgetful

B．stressful

C．forceful

D．regretful

19.

A．put

B．express

C．take

D．have

20.

A．behaving

B．acting

C．pretending

D．performing

5 . One Saturday morning, an old man went into the market to buy something. He was dressed _________, his coat worn and his hat old. On his arm he carried a small _________.

“I wish to get a _________ for tomorrow’s dinner,” he said. The market man showed him a fat one. “Ah! That is _________ what I want,” said the old man. “My wife will be _________ with it.” He asked the price and paid for it. The market man packed it and put it in his basket.

Just then a young gentleman _________ the market. He also bought a turkey. When he asked the market man to send it to his _________ at once, the market man _________, “My errand (跑腿) boy is sick today, and there’s no one else. _________, it is not our __________ to deliver goods. It is not __________, so you can carry it yourself.” The young gentleman began to grow __________.

“Carry it myself! Who do you think I am?” said the young gentleman.

Hearing all that was said, the old man said, “Well, that is lucky. I __________ to be going that way. I’ll carry your turkey, if you will __________ me.” The young gentleman agreed happily.

__________ reaching the gentleman’s home, the old man politely handed him the turkey and turned to go. The young gentleman __________ the old man.

“Oh, it’s nothing, sir,” replied the old man. “It was no __________ to me, and you are welcome.” He bowed and went on. The young gentleman stared after him and __________. Then he walked hurriedly back to the market.

“Who is that __________ old gentleman?” he asked the market man. “John Marshall, Chief Justice (首席大法官) of the USA,” the market man answered. The young gentleman was surprised and __________.

In fact, Mr Marshall taught us a lesson that no man should feel himself too fine to carry his own goods.

1.

A．simply

B．warmly

C．casually

D．formally

2.

A．cage

B．bag

C．basket

D．box

3.

A．chicken

B．duck

C．fish

D．turkey

4.

A．only

B．just

C．always

D．also

5.

A．satisfied

B．familiar

C．busy

D．bored

6.

A．walked around

B．searched for

C．passed by

D．stepped into

7.

A．office

B．farm

C．house

D．hospital

8.

A．agreed

B．refused

C．hesitated

D．continued

9.

A．Besides

B．However

C．Therefore

D．Instead

10.

A．right

B．intention

C．rule

D．custom

11.

A．important

B．dirty

C．heavy

D．expensive

12.

A．sorry

B．angry

C．hungry

D．depressed

13.

A．happen

B．hope

C．regret

D．choose

14.

A．help

B．employ

C．pay

D．allow

15.

A．Until

B．Unless

C．When

D．Before

16.

A．praised

B．thanked

C．stopped

D．invited

17.

A．trouble

B．expectation

C．surprise

D．doubt

18.

A．smiled

B．imagined

C．waited

D．wondered

19.

A．brave

B．strange

C．kind

D．ordinary

20.

A．peaceful

B．shamed

C．sad

D．disappointed

6 . To adjust your baby to the world, educating him is your main assignment. How will you educate him? What role will he play in the world?

According to Darwin's theory of evolution (进化) of the species, we are a competitive species and one survives by adapting itself biologically to various environments through various ways. Competition was a resource useful for the progress of society and for the survival of human beings.

Today, however, the challenges are different. The 21st century is a computer science age, but there are environmental imbalances, deaths of thousands of children every day by starvation and countless epidemics (流 行病). Therefore, it is important that the philosophy of preparing our children for competition and power be replaced by one of preparing them for love and cooperation.

The earth is a unique home to us all. The ecological balance has to be pursued (追 求) and this pursuit shows the internal balance of each living being. We must educate our children so that they want to protect nature and thus to protect the opportunity to make themselves more powerful and able in society. Our children have to learn that we don't need to practice actions that benefit only our homeland while all other countries are destroyed. The destruction of other countries and lives leads to the impossibility of the future existence of the place we call home.

It imbalances the ecosystem and shades the hope of a better future, We would not show hate to a flower, grabbing it and throwing it to the floor and stepping on it. It would be foolish! But we are insensitive to the sight of a homeless person thrown to the ground and pretend it’s not our problem! Competition has led us to a state of total insensibility! Therefore, we must teach our children that the main necessity of men is love. Love is being good to ourselves , others and nature.

1. According to Paragraph 2, competition is________.

A．interesting	B．beneficial
C．unnecessary	D．ineffective

2. Why should we prepare children for cooperation in the 21^st century?

A．We are faced with new challenges.

B．Many diseases are threatening people.

C．They will live in a more competitive society.

D．Environmental imbalance has caused many deaths.

3. What is the benefit of keeping an ecological balance?

A．It will help keep our internal balance.

B．Our kids will have more chance to succeed.

C．It will help make our future existence possible.

D．Our kids will have a better natural environment.

4. What is the purpose of this text?

A．To introduce ways of helping children overcome fears.

B．To explain the role competition plays in education.

C．To suggest an education of love and cooperation.

D．To explain why competition and cooperation should coexist.

7 . For some strange reason, the tradition of writing a thank-you note is fading away. As a result, the sending of handwritten thank-you notes ________ appreciation and gratitude for ________ increasingly appears to be becoming a lost art.

People ________ they were overjoyed after they received thank-you notes, but most of us ________ the positive feelings they will bring. ________ it may take less than five minutes to write a thank-you note, the idea of ________ an actual pen, writing an actual ________ , finding a stamp and a mailbox seems to ________ come to mind. We tend to do what is ________ for us——a quick text or an email.

Doug Conant, CEO of Campbell's soup, is a very ________ and successful businessman. ________ terrible situations, he set about fixing that by doing some ________ things that are probably not taught in any MBA class. For one thing, Conant wrote to every ________. He gained their confidence and ________ saved the company. In his ten years as Campbell's CEO, Conant ________ over 30,000 notes to employees. It's hard not to ________ how he did it. After all, the CEO had many other things to do besides sitting down with a ________ and a card and writing a thank you note. Conant ________ time for it because he knew the ________ each one would have.

An expression of being grateful written by hand in this crazy world still ________.

1.

A．expressing

B．including

C．writing

D．desiring

2.

A．friendliness

B．politeness

C．kindness

D．carefulness

3.

A．complained

B．explained

C．permitted

D．admitted

4.

A．remember

B．notice

C．love

D．ignore

5.

A．Because

B．While

C．As

D．Unless

6.

A．getting

B．borrowing

C．choosing

D．buying

7.

A．letter

B．note

C．novel

D．story

8.

A．ever

B．recently

C．never

D．frequently

9.

A．convenient

B．real

C．important

D．interesting

10.

A．stubborn

B．honest

C．busy

D．reliable

11.

A．On behalf of

B．Instead of

C．Regardless of

D．In the face of

12.

A．science

B．simple

C．complex

D．interesting

13.

A．employer

B．professor

C．companion

D．employee

14.

A．eventually

B．obviously

C．hardly

D．briefly

15.

A．offered

B．shared

C．donated

D．wrote

16.

A．understand

B．believe

C．question

D．accept

17.

A．pen

B．stick

C．fan

D．book

18.

A．lost

B．spared

C．wasted

D．killed

19.

A．happiness

B．effect

C．price

D．result

20.

A．makes a fortune

B．earns a living

C．makes a difference

D．takes a chance

8 . 人们对失败持有不同的态度。面对失败，有人能够经得起考验，从失败中汲取教训，并努力去完成他们下定决心要做的事情。然而，另一些人却丧失信心并退却了。请你用几句话对此进行阐述，并谈谈你自己的看法。

There are successes and failures, which can hardly be avoided in people’s lives. Faced with failure, ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9 . Tips for finding your life purpose

What does life purpose mean and, more importantly, how does one find and fulfill it?     1    . Here is what I have learned so far along the way.

Play to your strengths

We are not capable of being all things to all people.     2    . Develop your natural talents into skills by studying, exercising and practicing those talents. There is nothing wrong with trying to learn new things, but the likelihood is that you were born with the abilities needed to fulfill your life purpose.

    3    

For whatever reason, we all feel enthusiastic about certain things in life. In order to live your life purpose, you must become completely immersed in whatever it is, which means it must be something you are highly interested in. Otherwise, it will be impossible to perform at the highest level.

Focus on what you can control

No matter how hard you try, no matter how much your actions may be based on intended or expected outcomes, you absolutely cannot control the results of your actions. The path to living your purpose is paved with good intentions and continual self-improvement.     4    , which means cultivating your mind, body and spirit to achieve your greatest potential and always acting with the best of intentions.

Embrace your creativity

We are all capable of producing something both original and of value to the world. Those two components—originality and value—make up the definition of creativity.     5    , and you will view the world and know the value your perspective can add. Of course, when you focus on cultivating your talents and immerse yourself in what you are passionate about, creativity comes easily.

A．Dig into the unique vision

B．Pursue your inner passions

C．Figure out your potential talent

D．It has been a long journey getting to this point

E．Put forth our best efforts to fulfill the ultimate goal

F．You were born with certain natural talents and abilities—use them

G．Living your life purpose will undoubtedly bring a sense of fulfillment