1 . What if a simple practice could greatly enhance your happiness, promote your physical health, improve your relationships, and even help you deal with life’s toughest challenges?     1     However, countless studies and personal stories show this powerful secret: gratitude.

Gratitude is a powerful emotion and a transformative habit.     2     It’s also about acknowledging the goodness in our lives and recognizing that the source of the goodness often comes from the outside of ourselves. It’s a celebration of the positive aspects of life, both big and small.

Practicing gratitude encourages us to change our viewpoint from scarcity (缺乏) to abundance. It prevents us from focusing on what we lack or what we want, directing our attention instead to the happiness we already have.     3     By encouraging positive emotions, gratitude can help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. Moreover, it can enhance overall mood and emotional resilience, enabling us to better cope with stress and life’s challenges.

    4     Research has suggested that individuals who regularly practice gratitude report fewer physical problems, experience less pain, and generally feel healthier than others. They’re also more likely to engage in health-promoting behavior, such as regular exercise and routine check-ups.

Gratitude plays an important role in developing strong relationships. It helps to strengthen bonds, reduce aggression (挑衅), and promote feelings of social satisfaction.     5    .

A．It may sound too good to be true.

B．How can gratitude change your life?

C．It’s more than just saying “thank you”.

D．Gratitude can also contribute to personal growth.

E．The benefits of gratitude extend to our physical health as well.

F．People who express gratitude often report better relationships.

G．This change in viewpoint can greatly increase our life satisfaction.

2 . This fall marks a new beginning for the hundreds of students walking onto a small Midwest college campus, but it’s an especially memorable time for one family. It celebrates three generations starting the new school year together.

Samantha Malczewski, 19, said that when she learned her mom and her grandmother would be joining her and her younger sister Mia Carter, 18, at Carthage College this fall, her eyes were wide open.

“I was clearly already admitted, and Mia was also admitted. And then all of a sudden, they were like, ‘Oh, we’re going too,’” Samantha recalled. “I didn’t expect it.”

Mia said she had an inkling (略知) that their mom and grandmother were interested in going back to school.

“My great-grandma just passed away and I think my mom had the realization that your mom’s not always gonna be there ... and I think it’s just the fact of them simply going to the same classroom every day and just gaining another aspect of spending time together,” the freshman accounting and marketing student said.

Her mom Amy Malczewski had worked at Carthage College for the last 22 years. She said she “always” knew she wanted to enroll (注册) as a student herself though. “I have a little time now. I’m like, you know what, I should get that graduate degree I’ve always wanted. And Carthage has this amazing master’s degree in business and design and innovation, which is really in line with all the things that I love,” said Amy.

Meanwhile, when Christy Schwan heard of her daughter’s plan, she quickly realized they could set on the journey together. The 71-year-old had retired three years before. She said she was drawn to learning about change management.

Amy and Christy are now classmates, studying for master’s degrees in business, design and innovation. Both nontraditional students say they encourage their peers (同龄人) to go for it if they’re also considering going back to school. “My advice to anybody is just, life is so short and if there’s something that you’re interested in, and maybe you’re doubting yourself a little bit, put that doubt aside and just go for it,” Amy said. “Especially if you have somebody that can do it with you, I think it makes it even sweeter, right?”

1. How did Samantha feel when she learned the news?

A．Upset.

B．Surprised.

C．Excited.

D．Worried.

2. What did Mia think was the reason that her mom and grandmom went back to school together?

A．They wanted to have a richer life.

B．They wanted to fit in with younger groups.

C．They wanted to spend more time with each other.

D．They wanted to learn more about accounting and marketing.

3. Which of the following can best describe Amy Malczewski?

A．Strong and devoted.	B．Persistent and brave.
C．Positive and knowledgeable.	D．Responsible and professional.

4. What does Amy suggest people do in the last paragraph?

A．Treasure family.	B．Go to university.
C．Don’t waste time.	D．Go for their dreams.