1 . We, a group of psychologists, believe people can gain a sense of meaning from small moments. Just _________ the first butterfly you see after a long winter or the scenery on top of a hill after a fresh hike.

We recently set out to better _________ this form of small beauty in studies that involved plenty of participants. Across the studies, we were _________ whether experimental appreciation could be a special _________ meaningfulness.

At first, to _________ our idea, we had participants report how they usually _________ their stress. We found that people who managed stress by _________ their appreciation of life's beauty reported that their life was _________ meaningful. Next, we asked participants to rate (评级) various statements, such as "I have a great appreciation of the beauty of life," as well as statements that are _________ to purposes and meaningfulness in life. Our results showed that the more people appreciated their life experiences, the more they felt their __________ was valuable. These confirmed our __________ theory: appreciating small things can make life more meaningful.

__________, in today's society, applying this insight can be difficult. Our modern, fast-paced lifestyles fill the days with goals. We are always __________. This focus on future outcomes makes it easy for us to __________ what is happening right now. Yet life happens in the present moment. We should slow down and treasure the __________ of everyday things.

1.

A．think of

B．turn in

C．bring up

D．leave behind

2.

A．recall

B．predict

C．design

D．understand

3.

A．curious about

B．familiar with

C．tolerant of

D．skilled in

4.

A．response to

B．harmony with

C．approach to

D．standard of

5.

A．abandon

B．test

C．publish

D．state

6.

A．assessed

B．relieved

C．suffered

D．increased

7.

A．taking over

B．setting aside

C．concentrating on

D．making up

8.

A．cautiously

B．highly

C．frequently

D．possibly

9.

A．relevant

B．blind

C．accustomed

D．sensitive

10.

A．theory

B．proposal

C．appearance

D．existence

11.

A．popular

B．original

C．easy

D．abstract

12.

A．Mistakenly

B．Ridiculously

C．Officially

D．Sadly

13.

A．in the way

B．out of sight

C．on the go

D．behind the scenes

14.

A．miss

B．judge

C．notice

D．explain

15.

A．relationship

B．tension

C．significance

D．expense

2 . This was the big game. The boys were _________ and excited. It was a clear night, and my son, Andy’s baseball team, which had _________ all year, had shocked the better teams by making it to this championship game. The atmosphere was _________: the other team’s slugger (强击手), a big kid, was like a snake, dangerous and ready to _________.

Nervously, I looked out Andy’s way. I was _________ to see Andy looking straight up at the night sky! Obviously he wasn’t _________ on the game. I was horrified that he wouldn’t even know the ball was coming.

“Come on, Andy. _________ out there,” I said to myself.

Thank goodness, a big kid in the other team made a mistake. Andy and I had been _________ and our team still led by one run.

Andy ran up to me at the _________. I was about to ____________ him when he said loudly, “Did you see that shooting star?”

Andy’s eyes were glowing (发光) with ____________. I paused.

“Yes,” I said. “Well, one inning (局) to go. Hit a home run (全垒打)!”

“Okay!” said Andy, and he ran back to his ____________.

I suddenly realized it was nice that my son would take time out to ____________ the wonder and beauty in life. You might be surprised by the beauty you can find when you least ____________ it. Andy hit a triple (三垒打) in that last inning. But I still wish I had ____________ that shooting star, too.

1.

A．nervous

B．scared

C．curious

D．ashamed

2.

A．trained

B．struggled

C．prayed

D．run

3.

A．electric

B．friendly

C．casual

D．romantic

4.

A．flee

B．bite

C．jump

D．strike

5.

A．amused

B．embarrassed

C．shocked

D．satisfied

6.

A．carrying

B．focusing

C．commenting

D．reflecting

7.

A．Settle down

B．Stand up

C．Wake up

D．Lie down

8.

A．informed

B．punished

C．warned

D．spared

9.

A．meeting

B．break

C．corner

D．entrance

10.

A．blame

B．comfort

C．entertain

D．tease

11.

A．anger

B．anxiety

C．excitement

D．confidence

12.

A．teammates

B．fans

C．parents

D．stars

13.

A．create

B．research

C．explain

D．appreciate

14.

A．need

B．expect

C．afford

D．suspect

15.

A．become

B．filmed

C．seen

D．followed

3 . The true test of an effective team is one where the members operate as a self-managing team. The _________ allows the members on the team to establish teamwork, adjust its work processes, and _________ a communication channel to the rest of the organization.

I followed up with one of our customers to see first-hand what a very successful team looked and felt like. Here is their story on what they do to _________ as a team.

This team _________ eighteen members that worked in a manufacturing facility in Texas. Their working _________ were not the best. During the night when I _________ them, they were performing a hot and dirty job and _________ that, they worked from 12 pm to 8 am. Their _________ was not the best and the products they were making had a terrible _________, which most people can’t stand.

The reason why I know this information is that when you have the opportunity to see how a team really works, you want to __________ their secrets. So I was looking for answers.

As I stayed and communicated with the team members to find out how they worked together, they described to me their requirements for team development.

They said, “Each member has a good time, and we are in tune (协调) with each other, and we have a great __________ of team spirit, believe in our __________, and run the operation without a formal leader in the middle of things. We have a ‘shared’ philosophy.”

Their hard work and effort paid off as they became known as “the stars” of the company. They were described as “__________” compared to other 156 teams. They were motivated by the positive attention, and the __________ that went along with being the best.

It is clear that this team developed to compete for the goal instead of against each other. This team has stayed __________ and self-directed because of being allowed to become more than their “individual selves”.

1.

A．leader

B．learner

C．waiter

D．customer

2.

A．defend against

B．look into

C．leave out

D．serve as

3.

A．set out

B．stand out

C．work out

D．run out

4.

A．accounts for

B．concentrates on

C．consists of

D．cares about

5.

A．conditions

B．habits

C．states

D．attitudes

6.

A．bothered

B．reminded

C．trained

D．observed

7.

A．far from

B．in return for

C．apart from

D．in case of

8.

A．pay

B．mood

C．diet

D．rent

9.

A．delivery

B．smell

C．quality

D．shape

10.

A．compare

B．uncover

C．adjust

D．keep

11.

A．taste

B．bite

C．review

D．sense

12.

A．limitation

B．prejudice

C．purpose

D．complaint

13.

A．special

B．normal

C．hesitant

D．ridiculous

14.

A．pity

B．security

C．pride

D．tense

15.

A．self-centered

B．self-employed

C．self-funded

D．self-driven

4 . I was then in my early twenties. Even though I was armed with a degree in Education, finding a ______ teaching job was not easy. I had to try some temporary ones.

This year, when a golden opportunity ______ to teach 5th grade students in a local school. I ______ it and took things seriously. I ______ myself with lesson plans, taught with enthusiasm, and stayed ______ with the students. I had no hesitation in ______ the kids when they got the answer right, and encouraged them if they didn’t.

One day when the kids were _______, a girl approached and handed me a ______ before she went home. On it was a lovely drawing full of childlike wonder, ______ by the words, “You are the best teacher I have ever had!” It really amazed me that one of my kind comments had ______ that girl’s heart greatly. I took that note home and ______ put it in a folder, looking on it as a ______ because it was very important. Anytime I was feeling down I would look at it and it proved to be a ______ .

That experience showed me the ______ of just a single kind word. It encouraged me to continue to try my best each day to ______ love and kindness through my words and actions. Wish the same for others.

1.

A．first-rate

B．well-paid

C．labor-saving

D．full-time

2.

A．escaped

B．demanded

C．arose

D．arranged

3.

A．jumped at

B．thought about

C．waited for

D．dreamt of

4.

A．occupied

B．amused

C．concerned

D．contented

5.

A．familiar

B．positive

C．strict

D．consistent

6.

A．evaluating

B．supporting

C．instructing

D．congratulating

7.

A．graded

B．dismissed

C．tested

D．taught

8.

A．note

B．gift

C．parcel

D．book

9.

A．judged

B．indicated

C．emphasized

D．accompanied

10.

A．hardened

B．touched

C．broken

D．gladdened

11.

A．simply

B．casually

C．carefully

D．eagerly

12.

A．reminder

B．treasure

C．proof

D．secret

13.

A．comfort

B．fortune

C．fantasy

D．privilege

14.

A．target

B．application

C．power

D．principle

15.

A．clarify

B．find

C．feel

D．spread

5 . As a ski instructor for children, I work with all sorts of behavior challenges. Kids seem to mask _________ less effectively than adults, so it’s _________ to see when they are cold, scared, or just not having fun. On one occasion, I was working with a group of _________ when one of them started to act out. He began spitting rude remarks and _________ instructions. After five years of working in this environment, I recognized that his _________ were not being met. Did he deserve _________ if he was not being kind himself? Maybe. So, I took him aside and tried a(n)_________.

I showered him with every ounce of _________ I could. I reassured (使安心) him and smiled when his skis responded effectively to his movements. I _________ him when he fell. As the class __________ through trees, I saw his confidence grow. By the bottom, he was smiling as well. He quietly apologized for being __________ and thanked me for being his teacher.

Although this is an oversimplified example of kindness and behavioral psychology I know little about, I learned something that day: Kindness __________. I often think that we are still like kids as adults. We’re just better at __________ our unpleasant feelings. But our inner child needs healing and security. And when someone offers a hug after a long day, souls can be __________. So, whether they __________ it or not, be kind.

1.

A．secret

B．ability

C．disappointment

D．discomfort

2.

A．important

B．easy

C．useful

D．difficult

3.

A．adults

B．children

C．athletes

D．undergraduates

4.

A．ignoring

B．demanding

C．giving

D．missing

5.

A．standards

B．expectations

C．needs

D．interests

6.

A．sympathy

B．kindness

C．recognition

D．attention

7.

A．experiment

B．instruction

C．exercise

D．conversation

8.

A．security

B．passion

C．courage

D．power

9.

A．promised

B．questioned

C．encouraged

D．persuaded

10.

A．frequented

B．skipped

C．slipped

D．weaved

11.

A．shy

B．late

C．unkind

D．stressed

12.

A．remains

B．occurs

C．works

D．continues

13.

A．understanding

B．hiding

C．accepting

D．expressing

14.

A．protected

B．purified

C．released

D．healed

15.

A．deserve

B．believe

C．know

D．discover

6 . Last Christmas, I volunteered for WNWNB, a charity which takes surplus (剩余的) produce from New Covent Garden Market and ________ it to the local community.

The food was already in containers. So we set up the stand and got ready to distribute some Christmas ________. At first, it was ________. People seemed a bit suspicious of taking food for free. But they gradually ________ us and we had a fun afternoon singing carols and trying to ________ passersby to take our food.

It was then time to deliver meals to those who weren’t able to come. This is ________ things changed for me. The first door I knocked on was ________ by a woman in her 30s. She had children and looked absolutely worn out. I told her I was from WNWNB and gave her the ________ meals. It was probably only about two days’ worth of food but, the way she ________, I felt as if I was handing her gold.

I had similar responses to my next ________. In some cases, when people were elderly or alone, I’d go into their homes and have a brief ________ before heading off. Many felt ________, but I saw how happy they were to have another adult human to ________.

As a local politician I knock on doors and talk to people a lot, but there was something deeper about those ________ on Christmas Day. I finished my day at WNWNB a slightly different person from the one who ________.

1.

A．distributes

B．introduces

C．sells

D．exhibits

2.

A．forgiveness

B．images

C．recipes

D．cheer

3.

A．easy

B．nice

C．slow

D．safe

4.

A．broke away from

B．put up with

C．cut in on

D．warmed up to

5.

A．threaten

B．encourage

C．allow

D．command

6.

A．why

B．how

C．where

D．when

7.

A．opened

B．repaired

C．cleaned

D．guarded

8.

A．costly

B．unfinished

C．deserted

D．ready

9.

A．declined

B．reacted

C．argued

D．traded

10.

A．purchases

B．interviews

C．deliveries

D．schedules

11.

A．meal

B．chat

C．report

D．silence

12.

A．proud

B．free

C．lonely

D．content

13.

A．connect with

B．look after

C．turn to

D．rely on

14.

A．conversations

B．budgets

C．explanations

D．deals

15.

A．hesitated

B．started

C．ignored

D．struggled

7 . About 30 years ago, an acoustic neuroma (听神经瘤) was found inside my body. The removal of the neuroma caused my temporary balance issues and permanent hearing loss in one ear. Apart from this, I was fine.

Unexpectedly, the neuroma came back years later. It had to be removed again. Otherwise it would threaten the rest of my brain. When I awoke from the second operation, I had stroke-like symptoms. The whole right side of my body almost stopped functioning, and still does.

Overnight my whole identity had changed. I used to effortlessly leap up the stairs two at a time, but now it takes fifteen minutes to struggle. Attempts at the recovery of the old me proved to be fruitless. My family role also shifted from a father to a dependent child, and coupled with my communication problems, this led to increased frustration (沮丧) and anger.

There were concerns too about whether I would ever be accepted again in the wider world. Soon after this I just managed to swim in a pool. A ten-year-old boy I didn’t know came up and asked me if I had been on the water slide yet. As politely as possible, I said no, and we struck up a conversation about it. For the first time a stranger was speaking to me as an equal like before. Though insignificant then, it opened doors to a whole new way of being seen, and seeing myself.

To make sure the neuroma did not reappear, I received radiation treatment for two hours regularly, during which I loved listening to music by Tom Waits, an eccentric (古 怪的) singer most people dislike, but I don’t care. For me, life after brain injury is like Waits’ odd works. Out of failure, ugliness, and horror-the most unpromising raw material-a beautiful diamond can be created that shines out even more brightly because of its dark surroundings.

1. What happened to the author after his single-sided deafness?

A．He lost the ability to keep balance.

B．His acoustic neuroma regrew.

C．He underwent two operations in a row.

D．His vision was accidentally damaged.

2. What is paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．The author’s efforts to rebuild his disabled body.

B．The author’s self-reflection on his cultural identity.

C．The different attitudes of the author’s family to him.

D．The considerable impact of the author’s brain injury.

3. How did the author find his talk with the boy?

A．Reasonable.

B．Engaging.

C．Life-changing.

D．In-depth.

4. What lesson did the author learn from Tom Waits’ music?

A．Music is the universal language of mankind.

B．Suffering often leads to new self-discovery.

C．Kindness is the language that the deaf can hear.

D．Live for yourself, not for the approval of others.

8 . A few weeks ago, my 3-year-old granddaughter Frances asked, ‘‘Why don’t cardinals (红雀) migrate?” Frances’s question _______ me, not only because I had no idea what the _______ was but also because she knew enough to ask it. When I still _______ to find correct explanations after I had thought for a moment, Frances got bored with me and _______, intending to ask others.

Preschoolers love thinking about possible _______ of interesting things. They feel _______ to wonder about anything, and they do so with _______. However, after entering primary school, discouraged by most adults, including teachers, most children _______ asking how or why questions.

Fortunately, there’s no reason why we can’t all be lifelong learners. I’m 69, but I still experienced the same thrill of _______ I had as a child when I tried to ________ information on the Internet to answer Frances’s question about cardinals. I learned that Cardinals don’t migrate ________ they have enough food, and that they choose to stay together in winter months to keep them ________. After I learned about this, I was eager to see Frances again to ________ the knowledge with her while also ________ her further investigations.

By embracing children’s acts of wondering, you become their ________ in finding answers. Joining in the learning process, you will find countless opportunities to explore the colorful world all around you.

1.

A．moved

B．confused

C．surprised

D．worried

2.

A．chance

B．problem

C．influence

D．answer

3.

A．struggled

B．learned

C．managed

D．hesitated

4.

A．held back

B．gave in

C．walked away

D．put off

5.

A．benefits

B．solutions

C．designs

D．explanations

6.

A．nervous

B．disturbed

C．embarrassed

D．free

7.

A．relief

B．joy

C．pity

D．blessing

8.

A．regret

B．continue

C．stop

D．enjoy

9.

A．challenge

B．discovery

C．doubt

D．competition

10.

A．collect

B．hide

C．supply

D．write

11.

A．until

B．before

C．because

D．though

12.

A．busy

B．inspired

C．delighted

D．warm

13.

A．compare

B．study

C．share

D．create

14.

A．promising

B．encouraging

C．permitting

D．controlling

15.

A．partners

B．teachers

C．employees

D．learners

9 . 阅读下面短文，按照要求完成阅读任务。

Growing up poor and having parents who didn’t receive a good education, I often struggled at school. What was worse, my parents often moved to different places. They likely did not realize the damaging effects it had on my learning as they moved from apartment to apartment, year after year. I attended seven different schools from kindergarten through the 8th grade. With a fragmented (片段的) education, I entered high school, not doing well in literacy and math. But it was not until I attended a major public state university that I really understood the academic gaps that I had in comparison to my peers. I had to work particularly hard to not only understand the textbooks and lectures, but also catch myself up in basic skills of writing and comprehension. But I wasn’t the one to forgo. No matter how hard it was, I persisted.

Today, I have many degrees, three of them are Master’s Degrees and I am currently in my second year of studying for my doctorate in Educational Leadership.

I share my story for various reasons, but mainly due to the hope that another young child, possibly growing up poor, can realize that an education is the ticket to the quality of life. It can happen for that child. One can be successful! One can overcome all obstacles.

Some days will be extremely tougher than others and someday those accomplishments will glow (发光), but giving up is not a wise choice. It certainly won’t lead to the light at the end of the tunnel. Therefore, we should take advantage of the challenges and difficulties to make us stronger and reflect on how to beat all the differences. We should foster our thinking that current challenges have been designed to build upon our strength, not tear us down. In this way, we can fulfill our long-term goals.

1. What made the author’s study much worse when he was a child? (no more than 5 words)
______________________________________________________________________
2. What did the author realize after attending a major public state university? (no more than 10 words)
______________________________________________________________________
3. How do you understand the underlined sentence in Paragraph 2? (no more than 10 words)
______________________________________________________________________
4. Why did the author want to share his story? (no more than 15 words)
______________________________________________________________________
5. What do you learn from the author’s story? (no more than 20 words)
______________________________________________________________________

10 . About a month ago I noticed something really amazing, which I must call a garden miracle(奇迹). It so happened that when I _______ the double doors of a small storage area in the back of my house where I _______my garden supplies during the long, severe New England winter, I found, in one of the dirt-filled pots, a living, growing plant, topped with two of the most unlikely pink _______you’ve ever seen.

How was this _______? The unheated space had been closed all winter, and it was still cold outside. Once I caught my breath, I _______and discovered something approaching a reasonable explanation-there was a small glass window at the top of the double doors, and it was possible that a ray of sun fell directly on that pot, giving the plant just enough light and warmth to_______ it to grow in its own personal greenhouse.

I can’t help feeling_______ at the lessons this wonderful plant has to teach.

For one thing, I am moved by the happenstance(巧合) of the whole thing. If I had _______my pot six inches to the left or right of that spot, the plant might not have gotten that_______ray of light. If I had ________ the roots of the plant in late fall, there would have been nothing but dirt in that pot.

But there’s something else that________me about this-just how little light and________it took for this plant to grow and flower. I’m not________ we should be mean with love and kindness and all the other warming things we__________for others and for ourselves. But isn’t it comforting to think that just a drop of________can brighten a day, a place, a life?

When it comes to positivity, a little goes a long way. Just ask my little miracle plant.

1.

A．approached

B．shut

C．opened

D．knocked

2.

A．need

B．provide

C．receive

D．keep

3.

A．sticks

B．branches

C．roots

D．flowers

4.

A．essential

B．possible

C．significant

D．different

5.

A．stepped aside

B．stepped away

C．looked down

D．looked around

6.

A．request

B．enable

C．instruct

D．intend

7.

A．excited

B．puzzled

C．amazed

D．amused

8.

A．put

B．found

C．measured

D．missed

9.

A．broad

B．soft

C．strong

D．narrow

10.

A．pulled out

B．cared for

C．thought about

D．brought in

11.

A．requires

B．cheers

C．inspires

D．changes

12.

A．attention

B．warmth

C．time

D．effort

13.

A．expecting

B．imagining

C．doubting

D．saying

14.

A．experience

B．do

C．accept

D．remember

15.

A．water

B．encouragement

C．sunshine

D．support