1 . I’m in a coffee shop in Manhattan and I’m about to become the most disliked person in the room. First, I’m going to interrupt the man reading quietly near the window and ask for a drink of his latte. Next, I’m going to ask the line of people waiting to pay if I can cut to the front of the queue. This is how I chose to spend my last vacation. Here’s why.
Growing up, all I ever heard about was “EQ.” It was the mid-1990s, and psychologist Daniel Goleman had just popularized the concept of emotional intelligence. Unlike IQ, which tracked conventional measures of intelligence like reasoning and recall, EQ measured the ability to understand other people — to listen, to empathize (共情), and to appreciate.
My mother, an elementary school principal, prized brains and hard work, but she placed a special emphasis on Goleman’s new idea. To her, EQ was the elixir (万能药) that separated the good students from the great after they left school. She was determined to send me into the adult world with as much of this elixir as possible.
But when I finally began my first job, I noticed a second elixir in the pockets of some of my colleagues. It gave their opinions extra weight and their decisions added impact. Strangest of all, it seemed like the anti-EQ: Instead of knowing how to make others feel good, this elixir gave people the courage to do the opposite — to say things others didn’t want to hear.
This was assertiveness (魄力). It boiled down to the command of a single skill: the ability to have uncomfortable conversations. Assertive people — those with high “AQ”— ask for things they want, decline things they don’t, provide constructive feedback, and engage in direct confrontation (对峙) and debate.
A lifetime improving my EQ helped me empathize with others, but it also left me overly sensitive to situations where I had to say or do things that might make others unhappy. While I didn’t avoid conflict, I was always frustrated by my powerlessness when I had to say or do something that could upset someone. This is my problem and I’m working on it.
1. Why did the author act that way in the coffee shop?A.To improve a skill. | B.To test a concept. |
C.To advocate a new idea. | D.To have a unique vacation. |
A.She thought little of IQ. |
B.She popularized Goleman’s idea. |
C.She was a strict mother and principal. |
D.She valued EQ as the key to greatness. |
A.EQ. | B.AQ. | C.Empathy. | D.Courage. |
A.successful leaders | B.people pleasers |
C.terrible complainers | D.pleasure seekers |
2 . I grew up in a small North Dakota town. Dad was a farmer, so we kids were taught
One summer day, Dad asked me to back his truck up.
As a teenager, I usually worked part-time on Uncle Jim’s farm in my
The “can do”
A.early | B.hard | C.recently | D.fast |
A.Frankly | B.Skillfully | C.Intentionally | D.Unfortunately |
A.curious | B.scared | C.embarrassed | D.hesitant |
A.mad | B.pleased | C.worried | D.proud |
A.entire | B.quality | C.spare | D.limited |
A.emptied | B.operated | C.placed | D.transformed |
A.built up | B.ran into | C.tore down | D.passed by |
A.claimed | B.doubted | C.worried | D.assumed |
A.disappointment | B.surprise | C.fright | D.satisfaction |
A.decline | B.suffer | C.grow | D.change |
A.admiration | B.judgment | C.affection | D.attitude |
A.tough | B.confusing | C.relaxing | D.valuable |
A.comment | B.expectation | C.reflection | D.plan |
A.broken | B.recognized | C.refreshed | D.raised |
A.justice | B.belief | C.interest | D.courage |
I once work in Indonesia school teaching English on a supporting program. One afternoon, while I was walking across the campus, I noticed a girl sitting on a stone, her head bowed over a notebook, completely absorbed in her studies, her fingers tracing the lines of text as she mouthed the words silently. My footsteps interrupted her, and she stood up to walk towards me. “My name is Andara,” she introduced herself. She asked if I could help her improve her English. I could tell it took immense courage for the young Indonesian girl to approach me and ask for help.
“I want to go to a US university,” she said with confidence. I was surprised. I asked to pay a visit to her family before I made any promises. After a two-hour bus ride, I met her family. I realized they would never be able to afford the expenses of a US university. Andara lived in a two-room house crowded with her parents and two brothers. The walls were dingy patched with years of wear and tear. Moved by her eagerness, I agreed to work with Hani on a volunteer basis to help her pursue her educational dreams.
Andara’s enthusiasm was increasing with her language ability, but I was becoming more and more discouraged. The prospect (前景) of taking part in the Test of English Fluency in Jakarta filled me with worry, as the entire examination was an impossible challenge for someone who had never interacted with a computer before.
One day I received the announcement of a scholarship opportunity for a major US university. After reading the requirements, I knew Andara couldn’t meet the qualifications. I told her that there was only a slim chance and encouraged her to be more “realistic” about her dream. But she remained determined.
“Will you send in my name?” she asked.
I couldn’t turn her down. I completed the application, with the painful truth about her academic life, but also with my praise of her courage and perseverance (坚持不懈).
注意:1. 所续写短文的词数应为150左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
In months that followed, Andara worked even harder.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Then, not long after coming back from Jakarta, we received a letter from the scholarship association.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________4 . Upon reflection of the ideal social moral code (准则) within one sentence, it would be: be constructive (建设性的), not destructive (毁坏性的).
One problem is that a behaviour can be both constructive and destructive to different degrees.
Additionally, construction can be seen as good to some, and bad to others. What a majority might take as a constructive might be seen as destructive to a minority. Is there a way to determine which side is correct? It is almost impossible.
Though I consider “Be constructive, not destructive” the most solid one-sentence social moral code, it is not without its challenges. However, I cannot imagine a better code in a social context.
A.It is a handy and universal policy. |
B.Though it sounds sensible, there are many troubles. |
C.There is no exact wrong or right in these moments. |
D.Other times it is difficult to disagree with the majority. |
E.Being in the majority does not mean it is correct, or more proper. |
F.Say your son broke a glass vase after being warned several times. |
G.Another trouble to consider is the definition we give to construction and destruction. |
5 . I remember that a rapper on television once said, “If it feels good, do it.” From schools to workplaces, we are told that ordinary negative (负面的) emotions and experiences—fear of failure or sadness over a breakup, maybe—should be treated or removed. Feeling bad is bad.
This is wrong, as was the rapper’s motto. I don’t believe that eradicating bad feelings is the path to a good life. We have an opportunity here to judge the benefits of negative emotions and experiences instead of trying to push them away.
Negative emotions exist to keep us safe. The main negative emotions include sadness, anger, fear and disgust (厌恶). We experienced them in an unconscious way in response to environmental stimuli (刺激). You never say to yourself, Hey, I think I’ll feel afraid now—you just feel it and react with fight or flight, which can save your life. Disgust similarly warns us unconsciously of potential illness.
Negative emotions can also make us more effective in our day-to-day activities. In an article in the journal Psychological Review, two evolutionary psychologists argue that sadness—and even depression—have existed in the face of evolution (进化) because they bring cognitive benefits. Sadness can make us more productive at work by improving focus and helping us learn from mistakes. This is how failure, by means of the resulting negative emotions, can help lead to later success.
Finally, negative emotions make us stronger for when there is a true emergency. Research shows that “stress vaccination training” — in which people learn to cope with anger, fear and anxiety by being brought up to stimuli that cause these feelings — is effective in creating emotional toughness.
In sum, if we want a life full of deep meaning, true love, and emotional strength, it’s going to involve the risk of discomfort, fight and loss. This means there will be sadness, fear, anger and disgust. If we remove negative emotions and experiences from our lives, we will be poorer and weaker for having done so.
1. How does the author introduce the topic?A.By showing a social phenomenon. | B.By explaining a specific concept. |
C.By creating a related situation. | D.By stating a common belief. |
A.Stirring up. | B.Focusing on. | C.Getting rid of. | D.Keeping track of. |
A.Negative emotions help us work effectively. |
B.Negative emotions give us stronger hearts. |
C.Failure gives us a true sense of crisis. |
D.Failure results from mistakes. |
A.Why feeling bad is bad. | B.How to achieve a meaningful life. |
C.How to deal with negative emotions. | D.Why negative emotions are necessary. |
I remember that I was worn out when I got home that afternoon. I'd had to be at the theatre for the audition (试演) at nine that morning, and then I'd been waiting around for about three hours before the director finally saw me. I performed my song and almost at once he told me I could go home. “I am very sorry,”he said,“but your voice isn't quite right for the part.”It had been a similar story at all the auditions that I'd done over the past few weeks.
It had been my dream for years to be in a famous musical like The Sound of Music or Mamma Mia, so I'd taken lessons in singing and dancing, and had come to the city to try and get a part in a show. I'd been really pleased when I'd managed to set up no fewer than ten auditions, but so far all of them had gone the same way. As I arrived back that afternoon at the little apartment where I rented a room, I really wondered whether I should bother going to the eleventh the next morning. It was a show I'd have loved to be in — but really, what was the point? Someone I knew had told me about a job at a local coffee shop, and had said that if I called in for a quick chat at ten the next day, I'd almost certainly get the job. It meant missing the audition, but right now, it seemed like a much more sensible thing to do.
I always sing when I need to cheer myself up, and because there was no one else in the apartment, I slipped off my shoes, went and stood in front of the mirror and started singing.Quite quickly I found myself belting out (大声唱) one of my favourite songs, Bridge over Troubled Water. As I finished the song, I suddenly heard applause. I looked around the room thinking that my roommate had perhaps slipped in without me noticing — but there was nobody. Then I went over to the open window of the apartment, and saw an elderly woman standing on the far side of the pavement below, looking up at me.
注意:1. 续写词数应为150左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Paragraph 1:
She reached her arms up towards me with a great smile on her face.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Paragraph 2:
The next day I went to the eleventh audition.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________7 . As an ordinary senior school student, I’ve discovered a wonderful way to
When I get on my bike and ride around familiar streets, it feels like I’m on a small quest. It’s not just about reaching a(n)
Another thing that cycling has taught me is to be ready for surprises. The road isn’t always
The most important part, though, is how cycling makes me feel happy and
In the end, my daily bike rides have become more than just a way to get around. They’ve become a(n)
A.estimate | B.approach | C.guarantee | D.challenge |
A.phenomenon | B.coincidence | C.adventure | D.entertainment |
A.flexible | B.unique | C.traditional | D.responsible |
A.cooperation | B.dilemma | C.crisis | D.destination |
A.discovery | B.value | C.comment | D.growth |
A.top | B.coast | C.stage | D.platform |
A.describe | B.detect | C.remove | D.overcome |
A.delicate | B.fragile | C.smooth | D.tough |
A.volunteer | B.insist | C.pray | D.panic |
A.original | B.unexpected | C.crucial | D.natural |
A.useful | B.efficient | C.carefree | D.curious |
A.apply | B.recharge | C.develop | D.recognize |
A.alarmed | B.embarrassed | C.fresh | D.emotional |
A.audience | B.passenger | C.victim | D.guide |
A.determination | B.attempt | C.comfort | D.calmness |
8 . A few days before my high school ended, I was sitting in my English class. My classmates were talking about who would be the first person to shed tears at
High school isn’t for everyone, but there is something for everyone in high school. You just have to
But there were a lot of times when I felt
My biggest
A.school | B.graduation | C.break | D.random |
A.cry | B.lie | C.sing | D.sigh |
A.proposal | B.option | C.possibility | D.thought |
A.meant | B.replied | C.reacted | D.faded |
A.bring | B.figure | C.cross | D.carry |
A.anxiously | B.bravely | C.luckily | D.initially |
A.organization | B.impression | C.voice | D.discovery |
A.benefit | B.chance | C.challenge | D.purpose |
A.objectives | B.principles | C.concerns | D.updates |
A.disturbed | B.sheltered | C.alarmed | D.inspired |
A.applauding | B.searching | C.fighting | D.longing |
A.counted down | B.went through | C.set aside | D.put off |
A.promise | B.assume | C.pray | D.realize |
A.support | B.advice | C.rule | D.warning |
A.account | B.notice | C.control | D.advantage |
My best friend, Cocoa, and I live in a senior-citizen apartment complex in a lovely small town. Cocoa is a ten-year-old poodle(卷毛狗) and I am a sixty-nine-year-old lady, so you can see we both qualify as senior citizens.
Years ago, I promised myself that when I retired I would get a chocolate poodle to share my golden years. From the very beginning, Cocoa has always been exceptionally well-behaved. I never have to tell him anything more than once. He is extremely neat—when taking toys from his box to play, he always puts them back when he is finished. I have been accused of being obsessively neat, and sometimes I wonder if he mimics me or if he was born that way, too.
He is a wonderful companion. When I throw a ball for him, he picks it up in his mouth and gives it back to me. He does many amusing things that make me laugh, and when that happens, he is so delighted that he just keeps it up. I enjoy his company very much.
But almost two years ago, Cocoa did something that challenged comprehension. Was it a miracle or a coincidence? It is certainly a mystery.
One afternoon, Cocoa started acting strangely. I was sitting on the floor playing with him when he started pawing and sniffing at the right side of my chest. He had never done anything like this before, and I told him, “No.” Usually, one “no” is sufficient, but not that day. He stopped briefly, then suddenly ran toward me from the other side of the room, throwing his entire weight—eighteen pounds—at the right side of my chest. He crashed into me and I yelled in pain. It hurt more than I thought it would have.
Soon after this, I felt a lump (肿瘤). I went to the doctors, and after X-rays, tests and lab work were done, they told me I had cancer.
注意:1. 续写词数应为150左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
When cancer starts, a wall of calcium(钙) builds to which the lump or cancer attaches itself.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Was Cocoa just aware of what he was doing?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________10 . Self-love
We all have the thought of having satisfactory relationships, which will bring some meaning to our lives and make us happy.
We have been taught to be selfless from the start of time. The minute we start thinking about ourselves, everyone around us makes it their personal mission to remind us of how selfish we are. But there is nothing wrong with putting your needs and yourself first.
A.Self-love is not selfish. |
B.Yes, that’s right. |
C.No, that’s ridiculous. |
D.Self-love is always criticized. |
E.We are busy in finding true happiness everywhere. |
F.Self-love is the root of all your healthy relationships. |
G.Below is one of the reasons for our failure to love ourselves: |