1 . It was one of those moments every new parent dreads (恐惧). My baby son was screaming as if I’d just dipped him in a bucket (桶) of battery acid. It felt as if he’d been screaming like that for years, though he was only two months old. Even worse, this was happening in public— I was sitting with my howling baby in the food court of a Los Angeles mall, despairing (绝望) as other diners silently judged me while watching us over plates of food.
Until, that is, one woman— a complete stranger— did something and taught me a lesson about kindness that lingers to this day. She walked over to me and put her hand on my shoulder. “This won’t last forever,” she said. “I know it doesn’t seem like it right now, but things will get better. He’ll stop crying. You’ll get some sleep.”
It was such a small thing, a tiny kindness, really, but it made all the difference. It was 2001 and I was living in a foreign city with a newborn, without friends or family, and I was terribly lonely. This woman had seen me, if only for a moment, and taken the time to make a human connection. It was just a minute out of her day, but it has stayed with me for nearly two decades.
We all want to be better in the world and more giving to others. But we can easily get hung up on the sheer (完全的) importance of that challenge— making time to regularly volunteer or finding money to donate to a cause. Doing good doesn’t have to be an important task, though; it can be incremental (递增的). It can be as quick as a smile, a word, a phone call, an email. It can be the note you send to a friend who is feeling blue or the baby carriage you help carry down the subway stairs for a parent on their own, even though you’re late for work.
I’m reminded of a line from Brian Goldman’s bestseller, The Power of Kindness: “The opposite meaning of empathy is apathy (冷漠).” That is, the opposite of doing good isn’t doing harm; it’s doing nothing. Every tiny act of generosity— every door held open, every coffee bought for a stranger— builds a bridge to another person. It says, “I see you.” Today, when we spend most of our time looking at our phones, and not at people’s faces, that’s invaluable.
So, while I’m not particularly good at regularly volunteering or running marathons to raise money for charity, I’m committed to small gestures. I try to send a note of praise every day to someone whose work I admire. I’ve become phone friends with a lonely 87-year-old woman who contacted me about something I wrote, and who lives in a city far from her own children and grandchildren. On airplanes, I find the new parents with panicked eyes and offer to hold their babies. I remember what it felt like when the screaming baby was mine. I remember when a tiny kindness felt monumental, enough to change the world.
1. Why did the author mention her baby son’s crying in Paragraph 1?| A．To create a disappointing atmosphere. | B．To prove her opinion. |
| C．To show her helplessness. | D．To introduce the topic. |
| A．Always trying to do important deeds. | B．Being short of time. |
| C．Being lacking in money. | D．Keeping looking at their phones. |
| A．doing harm to others is better than doing nothing |
| B．people are supposed to pay more attention to others’ faces |
| C．every small gesture counts in connecting people |
| D．spending most of our time looking at our phones is invaluable |
| A．The Kind Strangers | B．The Small Mercies |
| C．The Power of Words | D．The Power of Kindness |
2 . When I see my children avoiding the food on dirty plates in the sink or cringing at the wet sand sticking to her hands, I’m reminded of a time when I was unwilling to get my hands a little dirty.
My parents owned a 500-acre ranch (牧场) in Montana when I was young. We had the usual group of animals to care for: cows, sheep, horses, chickens, dogs and barn cats. There were always fences to fix and things to plow or burn. I probably didn’t help as much as I should have, could have or would have if I’d been a little older.
One cold day, I was checking on the sheep with my mother when she spied a sheep in trouble. The poor thing was trying to deliver her lamb and needed our help. My mother calmly held the sheep’s head and instructed me to grab hold of two tender legs.
I hesitated, and must have had quite a look of panic on my young face. The little things were definitely not something I wanted to touch. But I worked up my courage and put my fingers around them. My heart beat in fear and excitement as I pulled with all my strength. I can still remember the feel of the unexpectedly soft legs and their sharp little hooves (蹄) as if it happened yesterday. I remember feeling happy to see “my lamb” being licked (舔) clean by her mother.
Looking back, I’m so glad that I didn’t refuse to get my hands a little dirty. If I had, a wonderful memory would have been lost. Sometimes you need to get your hands a little dirty to experience something amazing and pure.
1. What does the underlined phrase “cringing at” in Paragraph 1 mean?| A．Paying attention to. | B．Feeling uneasy about. |
| C．Breaking away from. | D．Getting curious about. |
| A．The author owned a big ranch. |
| B．There were many ranches in Montana. |
| C．The author had to fix a lot of fences. |
| D．The author was too young to help much. |
| A．By pulling the sheep baby out. |
| B．By touching the little hooves. |
| C．By holding the sheep’s head. |
| D．By cleaning the baby. |
| A．It is better for kids to help parents earlier. |
| B．Keeping your hands clean is a good habit. |
| C．It is certain to get dirty working on the ranch. |
| D．Getting hands dirty is to explore something unusual. |
3 . A star athlete at the college where I work recently stopped by my office. After committing a few unforced errors during a weekend match, she suffered severely by self-criticism.
This student, like many I teach, strongly believes she should be able to control the outcomes of her life by virtue of her hard work. In her mind, “Nothing can stop me but myself”. So when these students fall short of what they imagine they should accomplish, they are filled with self-blame, reasoning, “If my accomplishments are mine to control, my failures must be entirely my faults, too”, which makes it extremely difficult for them to move on.
We often owe young adults struggling with failure to their parents’ over protection of them from discomfort. But there is another factor at play—a message transmitted by indulging (纵容的) parents who have falsely promised them that they can achieve anything if they are willing to work for it. However, the cruel reality of life is that you can do everything in your power—and still fail.
Psychologists Luthar and Kumar urge parents and teachers to spend time helping students find purpose, or goals they genuinely love to pursue and that make an impact on the world, which may help them gain greater life satisfaction and become more psychologically mature. Besides, instead of allowing our kids to beat themselves up when things don’t go their way, we might all question a culture where one is considered lazy without full devotion. The point is to remind them that life has a way of sucker-punching (出其不意) us when we least expect it. It’s often the people who learn to say “stuff happens” who get up the fastest.
1. What does the underlined phrase “by virtue of” in paragraph 2 mean?| A．in addition to | B．in spite of |
| C．by means of | D．for fear of |
| A．they are not taught how to deal with difficulties |
| B．they are short of the ability to handle failure |
| C．they are under the protection of their parents |
| D．they are misled by their parents’ false message |
| A．But what is the reason for that? |
| B．Actually there are some findings. |
| C．Then what should be done to help? |
| D．So experts have their own concerns. |
| A．To teach students how to avoid faults. |
| B．To lead students to set their truly loved goals. |
| C．To help students to discover a path to success. |
| D．To allow kids to blame themselves. |
| A．Students don’t care about failure at all. |
| B．Students are sure to succeed if they try their best. |
| C．Students should bear all the failures on their own. |
| D．Students with positive attitudes can move on more easily. |
4 . In choosing a friend, one should be very careful. A good friend can help you study. You can have fun together and make each other happy. Sometimes you will meet fairweather friends. They will be with you as long as you have money or luck, but when you are down, they will run away. How do I know when I have found a good friend? I look for certain qualities(品质) of character, especially understanding, honesty and reliability(可靠).
Above all else, I look for understanding in a friend. A good friend tries to understand how the other is feeling. He is not quick to judge. Instead, he tries to learn from others. He puts himself in the other person' s place, and he tries to think of ways to be helpful. He is also a good listener.
At the same time, however, a good friend is honest. He does not look for faults(过错) in others. He notices their good points. In short, a friend will try to understand me and accept me.
Another quality of a friend is reliability. I can always depend on a good friend. If he tells me he will meet me somewhere at a certain time, I can be sure that he will be there. If I need a favor, he will do his best to help me. If I am in trouble, he will not run away from me.
There is a fourth quality that makes a friend special. A special friend is someone with whom we can have fun. We should enjoy our lives, and we would enjoy our friendship. That is why I especially like friends who are fun to be with. A good friend likes the same things I like. We share experience and learn from each other. A good friend has a good sense of humor(幽默), too. He likes to laugh with me. That is how we share in the joy of being friends. And I know that he is looking for the same quality in me.
When I meet someone who is reliable, honest, and understanding, I know I've found a friend!
1. In the opinion of the writer, which of the following qualities is the most important in choosing a friend?| A．A sense of humor. | B．Honesty. |
| C．Reliability. | D．Understanding. |
| A．you will be refused when you get into trouble |
| B．they will give you all that they have when you need help |
| C．you will become rich |
| D．you can be sure that you get real friends |
| A．have money or luck | B．understand each other's feeling |
| C．be helped with money | D．always point out each other's mistakes |
| A．how to get along with friends | B．where to choose friends |
| C．the qualities of a friend | D．the importance of having a friend |
| A．Reliable. | B．Understanding. |
| C．Honest. | D．Intelligent. |
5 . Ten years ago, I went on a vacation in Italy. After climbing up a hill for a panoramic (全景的) view of the blue sea, white buildings and green olive trees, I paused to catch my breath and then positioned myself to take the best photo of this panorama.
Unfortunately, just as I took out my camera, a woman approached from behind, and planted herself right in front of my view. Like me, this woman was here to stop, sigh and appreciate the view.
Patient as I was, after about 15 minutes, I grew frustrated. Was it too much to ask her to move so I could take just one picture of the landscape? Sure, I could have asked her, but something prevented me from doing so. She seemed so content in her observation. I didn't want to mess with that. Another 15 minutes passed and I grew bored. The woman was still there. I decided to take the photo anyway.
Now when I look at the photo, I think her presence in the photo is what makes the image interesting. The landscape, beautiful on its own, somehow comes to life and breathes because this woman is engaging with it.
This photo, with the unique beauty that unfolded before me and that woman who "ruined" it, now hangs on a wall in my bedroom. What would she think if she knew that her figure is captured and frozen on some strangers bedroom wall? A bedroom, after all, is a very private space, in which some woman I don't even know has been immortalized (使永存). In some ways, she lives in my house.
Perhaps we all live in each other's spaces. Perhaps this is what photos are for: to remind us that we all appreciate beauty, that we all share a common desire for pleasure, for connection, for something that is greater than us. That photo is a reminder, a captured moment, an unspoken conversation between two women, separated only by a thin square of glass.
1. What happened when the author was about to take a photo?| A．Her camera stopped working. | B．A friend approached from behind. |
| C．Someone asked her to leave. | D．A woman blocked her view. |
| A．losing her patience | B．enjoying herself |
| C．waiting for the sunset | D．thinking about her past |
| A．The woman's existence in the photo. | B．The perfect positioning of the camera. |
| C．The rich color of the landscape. | D．The soft sunlight that summer day. |
| A．the need to be close to nature | B．the importance of private space |
| C．the shared passion for beauty | D．the joy of the vacation in Italy |
6 . In ancient Greek mythology, we learn about a young man named Narcissus. He was so beautiful that he fell in love with his own reflection. But soon he realized that what he loved was not real. As a result he became sad and died. In the place where he had stood appeared a yellow flower - a narcissus.
This is where the word “narcissism” came from. Unfortunately, narcissism is often used negatively - it is usually used to mean being self-centered and not caring about others.
However, part of the reason that narcissism carries these negative meanings is that many people admire themselves in an unhealthy way. But the truth is that good self-love is necessary for our mental health, scientists say.
A study published 10 years ago shows that low self-esteem is responsible for many social problems, and it can affect teenagers seriously. When they feel less confident and not as good as their classmates, teenagers are more likely to suffer from depression, according to the BBC.
The other reason that narcissism is considered an ugly thing is because we are taught that we should care more about others than ourselves and that it’s better to give than to receive.
Thinking about others is the right thing to do, without question. But psychologists say that the love of others is actually based on self-love --if you see yourself as an unpleasant stranger, how can you make friends with anyone else? After all, you are closer to yourself than anyone else. You can’t love another until you love yourself, and you can’t expect someone to love you if you don’t love yourself.
If you find that believing in yourself is a challenge, it is time to build a positive self- image and learn to love yourself. You’ll be surprised how nice it can be!
The best way to defeat a negative self-image is to step back and build your pride. Make a list if you need to, but record all of the great things you do every day. Think about how you are always there for your friends; how you help your classmates with their homework; how you manage to get good grades.
If you think you’re weak because you can’t finish a 1,500 m run, get to the track and practice. If you think you’re dull because you are not in fashion, buy a few new clothes. But remember, just because you think it, it doesn’t mean it’s true.
The next time you look in the mirror, try to tell yourself that you are one of a kind. Pick out your best qualities and be proud of yourself.
1. Why does narcissism often have a negative meaning?| A．In ancient Greek mythology, Narcissus’s story is sad. |
| B．Narcissism is a habit in which people unhealthily admire themselves. |
| C．Narcissism is responsible for many social problems. |
| D．Narcissism harms one’s mental health. |
| A．Teenagers’ physical and mental health is negatively affected. |
| B．Teenagers who don’t like themselves are often ignored by teachers. |
| C．Teenagers are more likely to suffer from depression. |
| D．Teenagers often feel that they could have done better. |
| A．People cannot love themselves without loving others. |
| B．To love others is the right thing to do, while self-love is not. |
| C．Self-love is the basis of love for others. |
| D．To love yourself depends on whether others love you. |
| A．You can’t finish a 1,500 meter run. | B．You are not in style. |
| C．You are weak or dull. | D．You have a negative self-image. |
| A．To persuade people to stop being narcissistic. |
| B．To suggest that parents care about children’s self-image. |
| C．To advise people to look in the mirror and like themselves. |
| D．To encourage people to accept and love themselves. |
7 . As you read, remember: gifts from the heart are the best ones you’ll ever receive.
According to legend (传说), a young man while moving about the desert came across a spring of delicious clear water. The water was so sweet that he filled his leather canteen so he could bring some back to an elder who had been his teacher. After a four-day journey he gave the water to the old man who took a deep drink, smiled warmly and thanked his student for the sweet water. The young man returned to his village with a happy heart.
Later, the teacher let another student taste the water. He spat it out, saying it was very smelly. It had become no longer fresh because of the old leather container. The student asked his teacher, “Master, the water was smelly. Why did you pretend to like it?”
The teacher replied, “You only tasted the water. I tasted the gift. The water was simply the container for an act of loving-kindness and nothing could be sweeter.”
I think we understand this lesson best when we receive gifts of love from young children. Whether it’s a piece of paper or a ruler, the natural and proper response (反应) is appreciation and we express thankfulness because we love the idea within the gift.
Gratitude (感激) doesn’t always come naturally. Unfortunately, most children and many adults value only the thing given rather than the feeling in it. We should tell ourselves and teach our children about the beauty and purity of feelings and expressions of gratitude. After all, gifts from the heart are really gifts of the heart.
1. Based on the story, what did the water for the old man actually stand for?| A．The young man’s loving-kindness. | B．The beauty of the desert. |
| C．The source of the legend. | D．The importance of giving. |
| A．He frowned (皱眉) at the water. | B．He showed his appreciation. |
| C．He didn’t say anything. | D．He was moved to tears. |
| A．The Importance of Gratitude. | B．Gifts from Children |
| C．Gifts from the Heart | D．A leather Container |
8 . “Sometimes I’m so envious of my friends, I hate them,” says Kimberly. “I was at dinner a month ago, celebrating a friend’s engagement. Suddenly I remarked that 50% of marriages end in divorce. I was upset about not having a serious relationship myself. My envy took over, and I became a different person.”
Envy is the desire for what someone else has and resentment（愤恨）of that person for having it. Kimberley was envious, but that doesn’t mean she is a bad person. “Everyone experiences envy,” explains psychologist Karen Peterson.
Envy doesn’t have to make us feel powerless and sorry for ourselves. Instead, it can motivate us to try to achieve what we want. There are effective ways for dealing with envy and turning it into something useful.
Kimberly’s envy caused her to make the unkind remark about divorce. If you have a similar desire to express your envy in a negative way, stop yourself. Instead, think about what it is that you are envious of. Kimberly admitted that when her friend announced her engagement, “it made me feel lonely and insecure.” Once you figure out why you are envious, it’s much easier to eventually grow from the experience. “Envy can be an excellent teacher,” states Peterson, “as long as you are open to learning its lessons.”
Lucy and her friend were both trying to get a better job at their company. Lucy thought that she would get the promotion, but things didn’t work out that way. Instead, her friend got the job, and Lucy became upset and jealous. Full of envy, she started saying hurtful things about her friend. “That wasn’t like me, but I couldn’t think straight,” she explains. Lucy said unkind things because not getting the job made her feel bad about herself, explains Peterson. Her reaction didn’t make her feel better, though. It just strengthened her negative feelings. If something similar happens to you, Peterson says that you should try to understand why your friend got the promotion. That way you can learn from the experience instead of reacting in a negative way.
1. Karen Peterson thinks envy ______.| A．turns one into a different person | B．can make one feel powerless |
| C．is connected with hatred | D．is normal in humans |
| A．consult a teacher for help. | B．state your negative thoughts. |
| C．find out what makes you envious | D．figure out what lesson you should learn |
| A．What Envy Means to Friends? | B．Is Envy Hurting or Helping you? |
| C．Why Do People Make Unkind Remarks? | D．How Can You Get Along with Friends? |
9 . Everybody has had at least one experience from which he knows the meaning of life. This time took place several years ago, but seems as if it just happened.
On an afternoon several years ago, my brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister's dress and picked out a beautiful skirt. “Jane bought this the first lime we went to New York, at least 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion.” He said. I guess this was the occasion: it was the funeral of my sister, after her unexpected death.
He took the skirl and put it on bed, with the other clothes we were taking to the funeral. Then he closed the drawer and turned to me, “Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you are alive is a special occasion.”
I am thinking about his words, and they've changed the way I live my life. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less lime in committee meetings. Whenever possible, life should be a kind of experience to enjoy, not to suffer. “Someday” and “One of these days” are losing their importance on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.
Ever since that day, I have been trying very hard not to put off, hold back or save anything that, would add laughter and color to our lives. Every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that every day, every minute, every breath, truly is a gift. So cherish every day and find the true meaning of your life.
1. Why did Jane buy the beautiful skirt but didn't wear it?| A．She waited for a special occasion to wear it on. | B．She wanted to keep it for someone else. |
| C．She saved it until she grew up. | D．She would give it to herself as a gift someday. |
| A．Save | B．Waste | C．Own | D．Treasure |
| A．everybody can have a happy life through efforts |
| B．every day in our lives is worth cherishing |
| C．enjoying ourselves is the most important thing |
| D．everybody will have something left to do after death |
| A．To show how to make good use of every clay in life. |
| B．To explain the true meaning of his brother-in-taw's words. |
| C．To tell people to find the meaning of life and cherish every day. |
| D．To encourage people to waste time and enjoy themselves. |
| A．Every Day Is a Gift | B．My Sister Jane |
| C．What Is the Meaningful Life Like | D．The Most Important Time in Your life |
10 . Fifteen years ago, I took a summer vacation in Lecce in southern Italy. After climbing up a hill for a panoramic (全景的) view of the blue sea, white building and green olive trees, I paused to ach my breath and then positioned myself to take the best photo of this panorama.
Unfortunately, just as I took out my camera, a woman approached from behind, and planted herself right in front of my view. Like me, this woman was here to stop, sigh and appreciate the view. Patient as I was, after about 15 minutes, my camera scanning the sun and reviewing the shot I would eventually take, I grew frustrated. Was it too much to ask her to move so I could take just one picture of the landscape? Sure, I could have asked her, but something prevented me from doing so. She seemed so content in her observation. I didn’t want to mess with that.
Another 15 minutes passed and I grew bored. The woman was still there. I decided to take the photo anyway. And now when I look at it, I think her presence in the photo is what makes the image interesting. The landscape, beautiful on its own, somehow comes to life and breathes because this woman is engaging with it.
This photo, with the unique beauty that unfolded before me and that woman who “ruined” it, now hangs on a wall in my bedroom. What would she think if she knew that her figure is captured (捕捉) and frozen on some stranger’s bedroom wall? A bedroom, after all, is a very private space, in which some woman I don’t even know has been immortalized (使永存). In some ways, she lives in my house.
Perhaps we all live in each other’s space. Perhaps this is what photos are for: to remind us that we all appreciate beauty, that we all share a common desire for pleasure, for connection, for something that is greater than us.
That photo is a reminder, a captured moment, an unspoken conversation between two women, separated only by a thin square of glass.
1. What happened when the author was about to take a photo?| A．Her camera stopped working. | B．A woman blocked her view. |
| C．Someone asked her to leave. | D．A friend approached from behind. |
| A．The rich color of the landscape. | B．The perfect positioning of the camera. |
| C．The woman’s existence in the photo. | D．The soft sunlight that summer day. |
| A．the need to be close to nature | B．the importance of private space |
| C．the joy of the vacation in Italy | D．the shared passion for beauty |
| A．a particular life experience | B．the pleasure of traveling |
| C．the art of photography | D．a lost friendship |
