1 . It has become acceptable for people to say that women work less than men and therefore deserve less! It may have been true in the past when women were expected to stay at home and look after children, but women have changed over the years. They have “come out”! Gone are the days when they toiled the kitchen stove all day long; they are now aware of their needs and are willing to fight for them. They expect to be given the respect they deserve, both at home and at work. They have realized their intellectual potential and have determined to do something about it!
Women on two wheels have become a familiar sight on the roads of most Asian countries during the past few years. It is common to find a woman taking her children on her bicycle to school and then reach her office in time. She has become a major part in family decisions in every aspect and how those decisions are carried out. It would have been unimaginable a few years ago!
It is rather difficult to combine a career and a decent home life, “super woman” though she is. She needs to feel supported and fulfilled. She may arrive at work feeling as if she has already done a full day’s work. If colleagues doubt her commitment to her job, she will feel sad. At the same time, women of today expect their partners to contribute towards childcare and household chores.
Today’s women are learning to avoid situations that make them feel more stressed and it is a hard struggle. Despite all this, the new woman, “the superpower” has arrived. She still believes in the power and value of a family unit and she holds it in high esteem（尊重）.
1. What is the passage mainly about?| A．A woman’s opinion on her job and family. |
| B．The burden women in society have to bear. |
| C．The change of women’s status in and out of the family. |
| D．The responsibility of a couple in a family. |
| A．Comparison. |
| B．Example. |
| C．List. |
| D．Definition. |
| A．women were not seen on streets in the past |
| B．women’s jobs have changed |
| C．today’s women don’t need to toil in the kitchen |
| D．women take more responsibilities for the family |
| A．can do the housework all by herself |
| B．can deal with her work easily every day |
| C．is independent in every aspect of her life |
| D．still finds it difficult to balance her career and family |
| A．Women are still controlled by their husbands. |
| B．It means more than that she comes out of the house. |
| C．Women are not actually coming out. |
| D．Women have broken up with their families. |
2 . For a long time being happy was considered something that just happened, and there was nothing special about it. Now we know that getting along with other people is something that we can work at. It is possible to act in such a way that other people will like us better. One way is being unselfish, not wanting everything from our friends. Another way is to look for good points, not bad ones in other people. It is surprising how successful this treasure hunt can be.
You don’t have to be spineless (没有骨气的) in order to be popular. In fact, you will be liked and respected if you are not afraid to stand up for your rights. But do it politely and pleasantly. Being friendly and polite to your group, to other people and to strangers and especially to those who do not look important or do not interest you is one way to develop a good character.
You can not expect to be perfect, and you must learn not to be unhappy when you make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, and no one is to be blamed unless he refuses to learn from them. Many young people become discouraged when they know in themselves qualities that they do not like — selfishness, laziness, and other unpleasant qualities. Just remember that we all have some of these faults and have to fight against them.
At the same time, it is important to remember that, while you are probably no worse than others, the best way to be happy is to think yourself above other people. When something is wrong, it is good sense to try to make it right. Perhaps you don’t like a teacher or a classmate. Try to see why and look at yourself, too, to be sure that you are not doing anything to make that person dislike you. Some day, things may turn out all right and then you will have to learn to get along the best with situation, without thinking too much about it. Worrying never helps in a situation you can’t change.
1. One of the two ways the author suggested for us to get along with others is _____.| A．to draw attention of our friends |
| B．to demand the best share of everything |
| C．to look for treasure in order to be successful |
| D．to pay more attention to other people’s good points |
| A．be polite and friendly |
| B．give up some rights |
| C．avoid arguing with other people |
| D．be ready to change his or her character |
| A．is no better than others |
| B．is selfish and lazy |
| C．does not draw a lesson from his own fault |
| D．is very happy about his unpleasant quality |
| A．no better than others |
| B．not the same as others |
| C．as having something better than others |
| D．as having better chances than others |
| A．train you to be perfect |
| B．show you the way to be happy |
| C．tell you how to act when you dislike a person |
| D．teach you how to be popular among your friends |
3 . In one of the old buildings near our school，one could see an old man sitting by a large window on the first floor．His name was James．During the three years at schoo1, I had hardly ever found him missing from his usual position．
He was a high-ranking government official and lived happily with his wife．Once there was a bus accident，in which a number of passengers were seriously injured and were taken to the hospital for treatment．James was responsible for the rescue operation．It was a big hospital，but James was shocked to notice how ill-equipped it was．There were no enough life-saving drugs and life—supporting equipment． The injured and their companions had to struggle there．James attempted to help．However，though he emptied his pockets，many of them died that day．
That was a turning point in his life．He made a decision to devote his life to helping others，particularly the poor and needy patients and their companions．He began spending much of his income on these people．Since this required a lot of time and energy，he found it difficult to fulfill his official duties and therefore chose to retire，which，in turn，reduced his income considerably．
His wife was deeply worried. Most of the time，James was out and paid least attention to home affairs．Meanwhile，as he was spending a lot helping others，she had to struggle even to meet the household expenses．Though she was not opposed to his helping the poor，she urged him not to overlook his own life and home，but it had no effect on him．One day they had a heated argument and in the end she left him，never to return．Though he continued with his work，this was a great blow and did serious harm to his health and enthusiasm and was soon forced to stay indoors．That was when he took his position by the window，spending his time looking outside．
A few weeks after my graduation，I returned to school，only to find the buildings gone．I heard that they were torn down．All the people left except James．He refused to go and the next morning，he was found at his usual place by the window，dead．
1. What changed James’ view towards life?| A．The difficulties in his career． |
| B．The deaths in the bus accident． |
| C．The bad conditions in the hospital． |
| D．The responsibilities in the operation． |
| A．take care of the injured passengers |
| B．find a better job to increase his income |
| C．spare more time and energy to help others |
| D．stay away from the difficult official duties |
| A．she was strongly against his deeds |
| B．James paid too little attention to his work |
| C．her work to support their daily life was too tiring |
| D．James failed to keep a balance between charity and home |
| A．His decision to retire | B．The departure of his wife |
| C．The argument with his wife | D．His devotion to helping others |
| A．He expected his wife to return. |
| B．He looked forward to going out. |
| C．He desired to watch the students. |
| D．He attempted to know the outside life. |
