1 . This month I finally lived my dream: I visited behind the scenes at Disneyland, “the happiest place on Earth.” Watching thousands of smiling employees rushing, around the park, completely absorbed in their work, I suddenly understood the magic behind the park and why joy had escaped me for so long.
When I was younger, I tried to pursue happiness directly by creating as many happy moments as I could. However, no matter how many happy moments I had, they could not protect me from sadness. The sadness would unexpectedly arise when it shouldn’t when I was with friends or family, when I had achieved success, and when I tried to create art. It was the persistence (持续) of this sadness that finally made me realize the truth: the Happy/Sad model was wrong.
I updated my mental model to the Pleasure/Pain model. I saw that what I had called happiness was simply emotional pleasure, which was anything that confirmed the way I saw myself and the world. As I removed emotionally and physically painful moments from my life, I established a mental image of myself as a “happy person.” However, I was stuck in a one-dimensional emotional world.
Wandering down the 19th street and waving to the 100th friendly costumed character, I finally found the words that completed my third model — Joy/Fear, one that gives real depth to life. Disneyland, with its immersive (沉浸式的) world and perfect performances, goes beyond creating happiness and lessening pain. It is carefully getting rid of fear. It removes the possibility of anything going wrong, of disappointing us. And behind the scenes, Disneyland works tirelessly to ensure that everything always run the way it should.
Life is not Disneyland, however. Try as we might, we can’t control the world around us or completely erase our fearful moments. But we can control how we approach life and how we understand our fears. And in the absence of that fear, joy arises.
1. What gives the author a deep insight into happiness at Disneyland?A.The beautiful scenes of Disneyland. |
B.The relaxing working environment. |
C.The smiling and committed staff. |
D.The magical life principle. |
A.had no close friends |
B.didn’t get along well with family |
C.achieved no success in the art creation |
D.misunderstood the true meaning of happiness |
A.It is entirely subjective. |
B.It gives real depth to life. |
C.It focuses on temporary joy. |
D.It highlights the external state. |
A.Disneyland is a magical and joyful place. |
B.Emotional pleasure is the key to happiness. |
C.Fear is inevitable for all of us in the whole life. |
D.Approaching life with devotion brings genuine joy. |
2 . 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 |
3 . My wife and I moved into our home two years ago. We had a yard with a lot of
Last summer, I found a tiny little plant in the yard that I could not immediately identify. I knew I didn’t plant it and Denise said she didn’t either.
We decided to let it
Weeks passed and as I made my way back to the
That’s when I
We need to believe in ourselves knowing we have the
A.flower | B.insects | C.vegetables | D.rocks |
A.water | B.fertilizer | C.color | D.shape |
A.stop | B.continue | C.improve | D.escape |
A.weak | B.strange | C.lonely | D.pretty |
A.collect | B.tend | C.remove | D.watch |
A.unusual | B.wonderful | C.terrible | D.valuable |
A.passed | B.started | C.left | D.died |
A.air | B.top | C.sun | D.house |
A.hoped | B.realized | C.doubted | D.regretted |
A.fill in | B.put in | C.worry about | D.believe in |
A.forget | B.hate | C.aim | D.wait |
A.wish | B.plan | C.ability | D.idea |
A.faith | B.energy | C.virtue | D.courage |
A.aware | B.afraid | C.proud | D.tired |
A.forgive | B.support | C.upset | D.affect |
One day, Nick invited his friends to supper. He was cooking some delicious food in the kitchen. Suddenly, he
His son looked
“That would be a very
Nick’s guests,
“But such a small thing couldn’t
“In the beginning, there was only
1.你的经历;
2.劳动的意义。
注意:1.写作词数应为80个左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
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6 . Once there was a little girl who had many misfortunes in life and was struggling with problems. One day she felt so upset that she couldn’t help
Sensing her
About twenty minutes later, he turned off the
Seeing the little girl was still confused, he then
A.explaining | B.complaining | C.requesting | D.obtaining |
A.fortunate | B.permanent | C.memorial | D.miserable |
A.depression | B.desire | C.enthusiasm | D.curiosity |
A.study | B.kitchen | C.bedroom | D.cupboard |
A.absorb | B.listen | C.observe | D.seize |
A.cool | B.freeze | C.melt | D.boil |
A.cruel | B.silent | C.noble | D.modest |
A.lights | B.microwaves | C.burners | D.taps |
A.rough | B.plain | C.precious | D.fragile |
A.Therefore | B.Moreover | C.However | D.Otherwise |
A.exposed to | B.connected with | C.committed to | D.motivated by |
A.revolved | B.proceeded | C.teased | D.responded |
A.emergency | B.dilemma | C.choice | D.adversity |
A.sufficiently | B.generously | C.differently | D.primitively |
A.coffee beans | B.potato | C.egg | D.chef |
7 . “Absolutely no!” I thought while looking up at a mountain pass to the cliff (悬崖). I climbed halfway and looked over. It was extremely steep (陡峭的), which would
“No, I’m not taking my kids over this! How did I end up here?” I
I have
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that fear is so powerful that it prepares our bodies to react anytime. I’ve also found that we
I looked over the pass with
Despite my fears,
A.turn to | B.lay in | C.focus on | D.result in |
A.ability | B.speed | C.heartbeat | D.footprint |
A.wondered | B.researched | C.waited | D.escaped |
A.emotions | B.fears | C.decisions | D.difficulties |
A.true | B.strange | C.interesting | D.wrong |
A.inspire | B.scare | C.strike | D.excite |
A.intend | B.expect | C.tend | D.refuse |
A.ignored | B.analyzed | C.imagined | D.discovered |
A.shaking | B.aching | C.bent | D.broken |
A.look | B.drink | C.breath | D.dive |
A.explanation | B.preparation | C.climb | D.repair |
A.agreed | B.followed | C.left | D.stopped |
A.creating | B.exploring | C.discussing | D.describing |
A.mistakes | B.plans | C.wishes | D.reasons |
A.keep up | B.wake up | C.bring back | D.hold back |
8 . In casual conversations, there is a seemingly simple question I can never answer without hesitating — “Where are you from?”
I could say I am from Thailand, where I was born. Or I am from Mexico, where I spent the majority of my childhood. Or I am from the US, whose language is rooted into my life. In my mind, none of these answers are satisfying enough. After all, to be from somewhere carries expectations of understanding “your” culture and “your” home.
I feel envious whenever my friends say they’re “going home” for school breaks. As a student who frequently moves, I have never seen my living space as “home”, but “shelter”, another location to stay in before I unavoidably move again.
So, does this mean I do not have, and will never have, a home? I resign myself to living with this sense of sadness, until very recently.
In my dorm, inside my drawer is a specially designed white bath towel that I have not used since I brought it with me from my parents’ house. One day, I took it out, but stopped after smelling the soft, sweet laundry detergent (洗衣粉), the one my parents used back in Thailand. I felt my eyes water as that random smell brought my mixed emotions to the surface: sadness and nostalgia, a strong feeling of missing home. I still avoid using that towel until now because I don’t want to replace the smell of nostalgia with my newly-bought detergent.
Sadly, even with this new discovery, I will still struggle when answering where I am from, and I will always feel a sense of loss in not having a physical home to “go back to”. Yet, in random moments, when a smell catches me off guard (让我猝不及防) with the memories it brings, I like to believe that the things I feel then are things people feel when they are home. And if these moments can make me smile, even with a sense of loss, what better home can I ask for?
1. Why is the author unable to see his living space as “home”?A.His living places often change. | B.He is unsatisfied with the place. |
C.His expectations of “home” are high. | D.He can’t understand the culture there. |
A.It was made in his hometown. | B.It is a present from his parents. |
C.Its smell awakened his memories. | D.Its design wins his preference. |
A.He no longer feels a sense of loss. |
B.He feels a physical home is unnecessary. |
C.He has got the answer to “Where are you from?” |
D.He has found a sense of home in some moments. |
A.A Man’s Home Is His Castle | B.There Is No Place Like Home |
C.The Smell Brings Me Home | D.The Emotion Connects Me With Home |
9 . An obstacle usually refers to a difficulty or problem that prevents you from achieving something. Whether it was in your past, or you’re presently facing an obstacle, you have to resolve it. Some people avoid obstacles or deny their existence. Others let obstacles control them, and they feel defeated. Your attitude towards obstacles will define the outcome of whether you rise from the challenge, or remain stuck in it. Here are some more great things to love about obstacles.
First, obstacles give you purposes. Sometimes obstacles can reset your goals. You might have always had a particular way of doing things, or wanted to pursue certain goals; but when you’re faced with setbacks or difficulties, you’re forced to re-think, and re-examine your path. You may end up focusing on something new and exciting. Or, you may concentrate on something that you otherwise wouldn’t have if not for the particular setback. By having to overcome an obstacle, you’ll be fulfilling a purpose, rather than just going through the motions. Second, obstacles prepare you for the unexpected. Obstacles serve as guides for where to go next. Even though obstacles can bring out many negative emotions in us, such as frustration, anger, or sadness, it’s important to realize that they don’t stop you from reaching your intended goals. Instead, they, in a way, give you time to stop and think if perhaps there is a new and better path to take and what you can prepare for what will happen along the way. Obstacles shift your perspective.
Obstacles whether you like them or not are unavoidable. Life will never stop throwing you new obstacles. So, the best thing to do is know how to better see and address these obstacles, and transform them into opportunities for self-improvement. The more you’re able to see obstacles as being an advantage to your life, the better you’ll be at managing them.
Accepting obstacles will be rewarding. It will make you constantly change and adapt to new situations, allowing you to grow into a better version of yourself.
1. What does the word “obstacle” in the passage probably mean?A.passion. | B.adversity. |
C.reputation. | D.expedition. |
A.Your own attitude. | B.Your quick adaptation. |
C.Your adequate preparation. | D.Your optimistic perseverance. |
A.They prevent your negative emotions. |
B.They give you advantages over others. |
C.They make you think quickly and critically. |
D.They allow you to view things from new angles. |
A.Avoiding obstacles does harm to life. | B.Loving obstacles benefits a lot. |
C.Obstacles are actually unavoidable. | D.Obstacles are double-edged swords. |
10 . I’m a mother of three and a psychologist. Recently, I come to understand what makes childhood valuable in its own right.
One day, when I went to get my 7-year-old son from soccer
The traditional view of such a moment is that it is
A.appointment | B.display | C.practice | D.experience |
A.served | B.greeted | C.witnessed | D.treated |
A.envied | B.criticized | C.promoted | D.forgiven |
A.hanging | B.settling | C.putting | D.turning |
A.shyness | B.weakness | C.loneliness | D.sadness |
A.pick up | B.look for | C.stare at | D.bring out |
A.ears | B.hands | C.mouth | D.face |
A.biggest | B.simplest | C.strangest | D.dullest |
A.eyes | B.arms | C.legs | D.feet |
A.entertainment | B.delight | C.satisfaction | D.confusion |
A.gather | B.play | C.sit | D.stay |
A.practical | B.impossible | C.accessible | D.unnecessary |
A.capacity | B.respect | C.effort | D.responsibility |
A.experienced | B.absorbed | C.rich | D.skillful |
A.seeking | B.studying | C.missing | D.denying |