1 . I watch documentaries, not movies. I read history books, not fiction. I use every free moment to accomplish one of the tasks on my never-ending checklist, and I am completely filled with thoughts of productivity. An hour sleeping is an hour wasted. And like the rest of 21st century America, I like it. But this fixation on productivity is increasingly destroying character and transforming men into robots.
New York Times columnist David Brooks warned American University students of this cultural decline in a speech. “We cut off all things spiritual and emotional in a competitive urge to stand out”, he said, “The pressure to succeed professionally, to acquire skills, to do the things you need to do to succeed in an information age economy really became the overwhelming(难以应付的)pressures, and it sort of weakens the thinking about character and morality.”
Many students happily go to college, viewing it as a next step on their rise to professional achievement. Forcing as many success-building activities into their schedules as they can, they enjoy keeping busy with little sleep. “Today’s outstanding kids are likely to spend their afternoons and weekends shuttling from one skill-improving activity to the next,” Brooks wrote in an article, “We fear failure more than we desire success.”
A century ago, college was about character building. Today, our characters are in decline. We are experts on economics, material things and professional skills. We fail to discuss and understand relationships, emotions and all things spiritual.
Philosopher Karl Popper divided the world into two categories: Clocks and Clouds. Clock problems are those that can be taken apart, examined and solved through deductive reasoning(演绎推理). Clouds cannot be taken apart. Cloud problems represent whole systems that need to be understood in a different way.
“When we have a Cloud problem, we try to turn it into a Clock problem,” Brooks said. And in a reason-centered culture, adding titles to one’s resume becomes a trend. At American University, 85 percent of seniors (and 89 percent of business majors) graduate with at least one practical experience which is often helpful to a student’s future career, but can sometimes draw focus away from academics.
To prevent the death of man’s character, Brooks urges rediscovering our human natures through falling in love. And by love he means love for a task, job, or another person. “Synchronicity is key to happiness,” he said. Rather than crazily increasing our long lists of accomplishments, we need to lose ourselves in what we do, and success will come on its own.
1. From Paragraph 1, we can learn that people ________.| A．are controlled by time | B．are eager to achieve |
| C．are changing their characters | D．are keen on reading books more |
| A．Tolerant. | B．Uncertain. | C．Approving. | D．Curious. |
| A．success comes from devotion to work |
| B．the focus on human natures counts |
| C．more work contributes to happiness |
| D．love is more important than focus |
| A．criticize students’ desire for achievements |
| B．stress the importance of productivity |
| C．warn about the pressure to seek success |
| D．bring awareness to character building |
2 . Today the word friendship has been used so often that it has lost its meaning. Some jokingly or seriously say that friends are made to be used. It makes me very sad.
True friendship doesn’t mean that when you need your friend’s help, you will treat him to dinner, and when you have to protect yourself, you will put your friends in a difficult situation.
In fact, true friendship is the communication and understanding of the hearts.
True friendship is like water. Compared with decent wine, water is tasteless, but is of great help when we are thirsty. True friends don’t need to be with each other every day, but are connected in heart every minute.
True friendship is like medicine. Though it is bitter, it cures your illness. True friends give you some suggestions even if they know you would not take. They criticize you when others have a good word for you, not because of envy but worrying that you may lose your cool head.
True friendship has nothing to do with fame, power or money. True friends would often watch you silently far away when you are influential, but come to you whenever you need their help. You’re not his stepping-stone to success, but are his crutch to live through difficulties.
True friends make you complete. Many persons go along with you through your life ─your parents, your husband/wife, and your children, who take care of you and make your life happy. However，, you still need someone who understands your thoughts and souls. Without them, you are likely to be unhealthy in spirit.
True friends stay in your heart, rather than at your side; they know you more than yourself, and try to better you.
1. The writer speaks of water because ______.| A．it has no taste | B．it is easy to get | C．it is important to our life | D．it stays with us every day |
| A．quiet | B．busy | C．helpful | D．powerful |
| A．enjoy mental health | B．achieve your success | C．understand them better | D．live a happy life |
| A．True friends need to be with each other every day. |
| B．True friendship is like medicine, and it can cure your illness. |
| C．True friendship has something to do with fame，power or money. |
| D．True friendship means that when you need your friend’s help，you will treat him to dinner. |
3 . On the first day of my new high school, I almost had a nervous breakdown. Everything about the school seemed so difficult. When I got home, my parents said, “You're nervous and that’s okay. Everyone is afraid of high school.” I denied(否认)it. I wanted to be strong, so I refused to let anyone know about my fear, even my closest friends.
On the first day I was late for every class and was constantly lost. The school seemed like a puzzle that I couldn’t figure out. Was this how the whole year was going to be? I didn’t think I could rise to this challenge, especially carrying a huge backpack that I could hardly lift. It was so big that I could knock someone out with it! The schoolmates seemed to regard me as a fool, and they were probably right.
Despite my fears, after the first week I finally had my schedule figured out. With the exception of falling up and down the stairs a couple of times and getting laughed at, high school was turning out to be not so bad. It was actually much better than middle school and much more challenging.
Since then, I’ve been elected vice monitor of my class, which wasn’t much of a victory since only three people ran for the four positions.
It is normal to be scared about a new school. Take a deep breath and relax. High school is something that any student can overcome. Make sure you take part in some out-of-class activities because you’ll find it easier to make friends. Try to do your best, even if it isn’t straight A’s.
Most important of all, be who you are, whether you’re a “fool”, an athlete, or a lower grader. Don’t try to pretend(假装)to be someone you’re not. Now you know the true secrets of high school.
1. From the author’s first day experience we can infer that ______.| A．his home was far from the school |
| B．he got to school before classes began |
| C．he was fond of the school immediately. |
| D．he didn't know the right way to class |
| A．was still not used to the schedule |
| B．gradually adapted(适应)himself to the new school |
| C．found high school not so challenging as he had imagined |
| D．ran for monitor of his class against three other students |
| A．making more friends |
| B．getting more A’s at school |
| C．being who he really is |
| D．joining in out-of-class activities |
4 . Last fall, I went to New York for sightseeing. I visited many tourist attractions there, and I also saw many unfortunate citizens on the street, like beggars and homeless folks.
Standing outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I heard a voice ask, “Can you do me a favor?” When I turned around, I saw an elderly blind woman with her hand extended out. Naturally, I reached into my pocket for some change immediately and placed it in her hand without even looking at her. I was really annoyed at being bothered by a beggar. What I only thought at that moment was to send her away.
But the blind woman said with a warm smile on her face, "I don't want your money. I just need you to show me the way to the subway entrance."
In an instant, I realized what I had done just now. Her unexpected words took me by surprise and shame. I had acted with prejudice ——I'd judged another person simply for what I assumed she had to be. I felt ashamed of myself and couldn't face the old woman anymore. And I felt small beside her.
The incident reminded me that I believed in being humble, even though I had lost that belief for a moment. The thing I had forgotten about myself is that I am an immigrant. I left Honduras and arrived in the U. S. at the age of 15. Through the years, I have experienced many acts of prejudice. I remember a time at the age of 17 when I was a busboy, I heard a father tell his little boy that if he did not do well in school, he would end up like me. But now, living my American middle-class lifestyle, it is too easy to forget who I am and where I have been, and to lose sight of where I want to go. It is the blind woman who cured me of my blindness.
1. What did the author think the blind woman wanted at first sight?| A．To ask for directions. | B．To offer him some help. |
| C．To demand some donations. | D．To borrow money from him. |
| A．He had a prejudice on the woman. | B．He couldn't face the woman. |
| C．He was judged by his appearance. | D．He was an immigrant himself. |
| A．To indicate he led a miserable life. | B．To tell he didn't work hard at school. |
| C．To prove he used to be a humble man. | D．To show he used to be unfairly judged. |
| A．Be Considerate - Always Minding Your Words |
| B．Be Humble - Always Dropping Your Prejudice |
| C．Be Generous - Always Helping Those in Need |
| D．Be Aggressive - Always Having a Big Dream |
5 . Linda was a sixteen-year-old girl in Britain. She was feeling bad for several days. Her mother took her to a hospital and the doctors found out that she had cancer.
Linda’s life changed. She began to go to the hospital often for treatment (治疗）,and she also became depressed.
The hospitals and the doctors were good, but Linda did not have hope herself. Linda’s mother called a flower shop close to the hospital. “I want some beautiful flowers for my daughter. She is a teen girl with cancer. ” She told the shop owner. Later, the flowers arrived. Then Linda saw something unusual. It was a card. It read:
Linda,
I own (拥有 ）this flower shop . I had cancer when I was fifteen years old. I am 24 years old now. Good luck. My heart goes out to you.
Yours,
Alice.
Linda smiled. She finally felt some real hope. She found the will (意志）to live.
Little things make a big difference. All of us can give little things like kindness, encouragement and hope to others.
1. Why was Linda feeling bad for several days?| A．Because she was seriously ill. | B．Because she had no friend. |
| C．Because her life changed. | D．Because her mother was ill. |
| A．safe | B．serious. | C．sad. | D．excited |
| A．Her mother. | B．A doctor. | C．A shop owner. | D．Her friend. |
| A．She became hopeful about life. |
| B．She wanted to work with Alice. |
| C．She thanked her mother a lot. |
| D．She liked the card very much. |
| A．Be kind to yourself. |
| B．Little things make a big difference. |
| C．Try something different. |
| D．Be kind to others. |
6 . One day in summer,little Jack was playing on the beach with his father.Suddenly,he saw a little tortoise moving slowly on the sand.He started to look at it carefully and began to touch it with his hand.To his surprise,the tortoise stopped moving.It pulled in its head and legs,and closed its shell tightly.He touched it again but the tortoise didn’t move at all.Jack became angry.He used a stick and tried to force it to open.
When his father saw this,he stopped him and said,“No,son,you mustn’t do that!You will kill the tortoise.You won’t get it open with a stick.”Jack was curious and asked,“Why?”
“Just wait and see,”his father replied.Then he picked up the tortoise and put it in a bag.
After they came back home,the father took the tortoise out of the bag.He put it near the fireplace.After a few minutes,the tortoise began to move a little.The tortoise stretched out its head and legs.At last,the tortoise began to crawl across the room.How excited Jack was when he saw this.
“Son,now you see,”said his father,“sometimes,you can’t force someone to do things he doesn’t like.But if you get him warm first,he will do what you want him to do.”
1. One day Jack and his father was playing_______.| A．in the zoo | B．on the beach | C．in the garden | D．on the hill |
| A．cooked it | B．killed it | C．threw it into the sea | D．put it in a bag |
| A．warm | B．cold | C．hungry | D．thirsty |
| A．people refuse to do things we want them to do |
| B．people will do things we want them to do |
| C．we can force people to do things they don’t like |
| D．we can’t force people to do things they don’t like |
7 . Every year, more books on happiness are published. And every year, more people feel depressed because they do not see themselves as happy. They don’t remember or know what it feels like, and instead, they feel guilty that they aren’t as happy as everyone says they should be. This is really a sad state of emotional affairs.
The books, blogs, YouTube videos and advice columns (专栏) will tell you that if you read, exercise, stay busy, help others, and increase your intimacy (亲密) every day, then you too can be happy.
The simple truth is that no one can be happy all the time. That doesn’t mean you have to be sad, angry, or depressed the rest of the time but that you can find a middle ground called contentment. This middle ground is a good place mentally and emotionally, and spending time there is a healthy choice.
Contentment is somewhere between satisfied and peaceful. When you are in that place, the stuff of life can be going on around you, but you don’t need to allow it to bother you. And that, my friends, is a very nice way to go through life.
I find contentment in walks and in writing, and in talking with my partner and reminding each other that our life is good, despite temporary setbacks or scary moments. Because I know about myself and I can respond differently. Doing this takes away stress and will keep you from losing your state of contentment.
If there is even one thing that puts you in a state of contentment — you do it regularly and early enough each day — it will help you go through any challenges you may have to face later.
Right at this moment, things around me are still a little out of my control — such is life — but I am feeling pretty good because I actively living my purpose. I am now content, and that feeling will last the whole day through. You can do the same.
1. What does the author want to stress by mentioning “Books on happiness in paragraph 1?| A．People find it difficult to agree on what happiness is. |
| B．Such books are so popular that they are sold out very soon. |
| C．Happiness is something easy to gain in our daily life. |
| D．Experts find it useless to argue about the value of happiness. |
| A．He turns to such media as blogs. |
| B．He definitely communicates with partners. |
| C．He adjusts himself and reacts positively. |
| D．He sees himself unlucky and feels depressed. |
| A．Still water runs deep. | B．Health is better than wealth. |
| C．Enough is as good as a feast. | D．One good turn deserves another. |
| A．To introduce a novel experience. |
| B．To advocate a proper life attitude. |
| C．To encourage studies on happiness. |
| D．To persuade us to work endlessly. |
8 . If there is one piece of advice I have for people today to experience more joy in life, it is to travel more. Making the journey out to somewhere you’ve never gone before with an open schedule, to let life show you what are waiting for you.
As Danny Kaye once said, to travel is to take a journey into yourself. As you travel you get close to more new people, cultures, and lifestyles than those in your homeland all the time. With all the newness in your life, you’re also opened to new thoughts, ways of seeing the world and living.
Saint Augustine said “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” When you travel, you may realize how kind and friendly strangers can be. Beyond that, you have the whole world to learn about with every place you discovered, every person you met and every culture you experienced.
Tim Cahill claimed that a journey is best measured (测量) in friends, rather than miles. One of the first things you can learn from traveling is how easy it is to make friends. Something magical happens when they’re open to express themselves without feeling judged. That’s how you can become best friends with people when you’ve only known them for a few hours.
Helen Keller thought that life is either a brave adventure or nothing. Life is a wonderful gift. You can experience it and take action from now rather than say “I wish I had”, so you can say “I’m glad I did”.
1. The purpose for the author to write this text is to ______.| A．talk about his travel experience |
| B．explain the benefits of traveling |
| C．give advice about how to travel |
| D．introduce some famous travelers |
| A．increase your chances of reading books |
| B．encourage you to make many new friends |
| C．help you know more about your inner heart |
| D．ensure you feel your whole life is worth living |
| A．You can realize how friendly strangers are. |
| B．You can measure people’s features carefully. |
| C．You can perform magic tricks during the trip. |
| D．You can express your true self to other people. |
| A．supportive. | B．curious. | C．patient. | D．doubtful. |
9 . It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.
Over the phone, his mother told him, “Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday.” Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
“Jack, did you hear me?”
“Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It’s been so long since I thought of him. I’m sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago,” Jack said.
“Well, he didn’t forget you. Every time I saw him he’d ask how you were doing. He’d reminisce about the many days you spent over ‘his side of the fence’ as he put it,” Mom told him.
“I loved that old house he lived in,” Jack said.
“You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man’s influence in your life,” she said.
“He’s the one who taught me carpentry. I wouldn’t be in this business if it weren’t for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important… Mom, I’ll be there for the funeral,” Jack said.
Busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser’s funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.
The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time, which was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture… Jack stopped suddenly.
“What’s wrong, Jack?” his Mom asked. “The box is gone,” he said.
“What box?” Mom asked.
“There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he’d ever tell me was ‘the thing I value most’,” Jack said.
It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.
“Now, I’ll never know what was so valuable to him,” Jack said sadly.
Returning to his office the next day, he found a package on his desk. The return address caught his attention.
“Mr. Harold Belser” it read. Jack tore open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack’s hands shook as he read the note inside.
“Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It’s the thing I valued most in my life.” A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, and tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the fine cover, he opened it.
Inside he found these words carved: “Jack, thanks for your time! Harold Belser.” “Oh, My God! This is the thing he valued most…”
Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his assistant and cleared his appointments for the next two days. “Why?” his assistant asked.
“I need some time to spend with my son,” he said.
1. Why did Jack think Mr. Belser died years ago?| A．College and career prevented him from remembering Mr. Bleser. |
| B．Jack was too busy with his business and family to think about Mr. Belser. |
| C．Jack was too busy realizing his dreams to think about Mr. Belser. |
| D．His present busy life washed away his childhood memories. |
| A．Mr. Belser often asked how Jack was doing |
| B．Mr. Belser’s funeral would take place on Wednesday |
| C．Mr. Belser had asked for Jack’s mailing address |
| D．Mr. Belser had pleasant memories of their time together |
| A．recover | B．reveal |
| C．recommend | D．recall |
| A．Because he had no children or relatives. |
| B．Because he thought he had to keep his word. |
| C．Because he was grateful for Jack’s time with him. |
| D．Because Jack had always wanted it during his childhood. |
| A．he came to realize the importance of the time with his family |
| B．he had promised to spare more time to stay with his son |
| C．he had missed his son and his family for days |
| D．he was very tired of his work and wanted to have a good rest. |
| A．The Good Old Times | B．What He Valued Most |
| C．An Old Gold Watch | D．The Lost Childhood Days |
10 . School had just started in August when Conner began throwing up for no reason. It wasn’t long before the boy also began suffering terrible headaches. In February a 1.7-inch tumor was found in his brain and Conner was set to begin to receive radiation (放射疗法) treatments. Before treatments start, technicians make a white plastic mask (面罩) to keep patients immovable and protect unaffected parts of the brain while radiation is directed at the tumor.
It’s an unpleasant experience and a frightening time. The doctor Cook decided that the masks could at least be made to look like something fun — maybe Batman or Mickey Mouse. “I started thinking these masks are white and not fun at all for kids,” she told The Greenville News. “I felt like if we could make it a little more fun for them, they might be a little more excited about coming in for the treatment. Because the kids are afraid. While the treatment itself isn’t physically painful, it can cause a lot of anxiety (焦虑). And the treatment is required daily for up to six weeks. “
And the masks really make a difference. “The kids really like them,” Cook said. “It makes what is, let’s face it, a terrible experience, a nice experience because they get to choose something themselves.”
When new children come in for the treatment, Cook finds out what their favorite movies or cartoon characters are. Then she sets about creating the mask by drawing the image she wants onto paper, sticking it with glue, and once it’s dry, she applies the colors using paints. Each child can take the mask home once the treatment ends.
“Coming to the doctor always means fear and pain. I wanted to make it fun,” she said. “The kids really love it. It’s something they enjoy and can relate to. And it fills an interest I have. I get great pleasure from it.”
1. Why was the plastic mask used according to Paragraph 1?| A．To check the patient’s brain. |
| B．To reduce the patient’s headache. |
| C．To prevent the patient from throwing up. |
| D．To protect the patient’s brain during the treatment. |
| A．It can be received at home. |
| B．It has to be finished in a month. |
| C．It may make the patients feel worried. |
| D．It will cause huge physical pain for patients. |
| A．Offer them some free masks as gifts. |
| B．Show them their favorite movies or TV shows. |
| C．Dress them up as cartoon characters. |
| D．Make the masks more interesting to kids. |
| A．Love can treat the terrible sickness. |
| B．Kindness can bring warmth and joy. |
| C．Health matters to everyone. |
| D．Creativity leads to success. |
