To a large degree，the measure of our peace of mind is determined by how much we are able to live in the present moment. In spite of what happened yesterday or last year, and what may or may not happen tomorrow, the present moment is where you
are—always!
Without question, many of us have mastered the neurotic (神经兮兮的）art of spending much of our lives worrying about a variety of things—all at once. We allow past problems and future concerns to dominate our present moments, so much that we end up anxious, frustrated, depressed, and hopeless. On the other hand, we also delay our happiness, often convincing ourselves that "someday" will be much better than today. Unfortunately, the same mental dynamics that tell us to look foward to the future will only repeat themselves so that "someday" never actually arrives. John Lennon once said，"Life is what is happening while we are busy making other plans. " When we are busy making " other plans" ，our children are busy growing up，the people we love are moving away and dying, our bodies are getting out of shape, and our dreams are slipping away. In short, we miss out on life.
Many people live as if life were dress rehearsal for some late date. It isn't. In fact, no one has a guarantee that he or she will be here tomorrow. Now is the only time we have，and the only time that we have any control over. When our attention is in the present moment, we push fear from our minds. Fear is the concern over events that might happen in the future—we won’t have enough money，our children will get into trouble, we will get old and die, whatever.
To combat fear，the best strategy is to learn to bring your attention back to the present. Mark Twain said, “I have been through some terrible things in my life，some of which actually happened.” I don't think I can say it any better. Practice keeping your attention on here and now. Your efforts will pay off.
1.In the first paragraph, the author tells us to focus on_________.
A. the past B. the future
C. every day D. the present
2.Why do we often have some negative feelings?
A. Because we often forget what happened in the past.
B. Because we are often disturbed by what happened in the past and what will happen in the future.
C. Because we often pay attention to what is happening at present.
D. Because we often ignore what will happen in the future and what happened in the past.
3.The underlined word in the last paragraph means ________
A. depend B. deserve
C. determine D. defeat
4.The best title of this passage is___
A. Always live in the present moment
B. Never forget the past
C. Never complain about life
D. Always get prepared for the future
The editor of the new Cool Camping Britain guide chooses some of his favorite new finds in England, Wales and Scotland.
Cleadale, Isle of Eigg, Inner Hebrides
Is this Britain’s most beautiful campsite? From the grassy point looking seaward to the mountains, it’s not hard for campers to see how the island inspired The Lord of the Rings author’s fantasy landscapes. The campsite itself is as wild and wonderful as its setting.
Open April — September, from ￡5 per tent per night.
Swattesfield, Thornham Magna, Suffolk
Deep in the wilds of north Suffolk, this seven-acre campsite has only been open for a few years, with two fields separated by a lake and surrounded by woodland. The position is perfect. It’s a great place to do nothing but get into nature. You can put up your tent in the bottom field or the woodland beyond.
Open Easter —October, from ￡10 per tent per night.
Pleasant Streams Farm, near St Austell, Cornwall
This site, by a lake, is all about simple pleasures. Located in the former mining village, it has a summerhouse（凉亭）with books and games for a rainy day. There are many animals including pigs, hens, goats and ducks on the farm and a pub just a 10- minute stroll away. There’s very little to do here, no bells and no whistles. Campfires are encouraged.
Open Easter — September, from ￡10 per tent per night.
Troytown Campsite, St Agnes, Isles of Sciily
Its only campsite, Troytown, couldn’t be in a more remote position. Isolation is its greatest advantage — so bring plenty of books to read and don’t expect a phone signal. But at least one of life’s necessities is available. Lying on the hillside overlooking the bay and near the island of the Gugh, it might just win the prize for best beer garden view in England.
Open March-- October, from ￡7. 50 per tent per night,
1.Which of the following is TRUE about Cleadale, Isle of Eigg, Inner Hebrides?
A. It has been open for a few years. B. A beautiful lake surrounds it.
C. It offers the longest service. D. The rent of a tent per night is the lowest.
2.Which place can you choose if you like a simple farm life?
A. Cleadale, Isle of Eigg, Inner Hebrides.
B. Swattesfield, Thornham Magna, Suffolk.
C. Pleasant Streams Farm, near St Austell, Cornwall.
D. Troytown Campsite, St Agnes, Isles of Scilly.
3.In Troytown Campsite, St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, you can’t ________.
A. contact others by phones B. view the bay from the hillside
C. get everyday necessities D. relax yourself by reading
I was sure that I was to be killed. I became terribly nervous. I fumbled(摸索) in my pockets to see if there were any cigarettes, which had escaped their search. I found one and because of my shaking hands, I could barely get it to my lips. But I had no matches; they had taken those. I looked through the bars at the guard. He did not make eye contact with me. I called out to him “Have you got a light？” He looked at me, shrugged and came over to light my cigarette. As he came close and lit the match, his eyes unconsciously locked with mine. At that moment, I smiled. I don't know why I did that. Perhaps it was nervousness; perhaps it was because, when you get very close, one to another, it is very hard not to smile. In any case, I smiled. In that instant, it was as though a spark jumped across the gap between our two hearts, our two human souls. I know he didn't want to, but my smile leaped through the bars and caused a smile on his lips, too. He lit my cigarette but stayed near, looking at me directly in the eyes and continuing to smile.
I kept smiling at him, now thinking of him as a person and not just a guard. “Do you have kids？” he asked. “Yes, here, here.” I took out my wallet and nervously fumbled for the pictures of my family. He, too, took out the pictures of his family and began to talk about his plans and hopes for them. My eyes were filled with tears. I said that I feared that I'd never see my family again, never have the chance to see them grow up. Tears came to his eyes, too. Suddenly, without another word, he unlocked my cell and silently led me out. Out of the prison, quietly and by back routes, out of the town. There, at the edge of town, he released me. And without another word, he turned back toward the town.
1.What had happened to the man before?
A. He had been badly treated.
B. He had killed someone.
C. He had been searched.
D. He had been forbidden to get in touch with anyone.
2.Why did the man want to smoke cigarettes?
A. Because he was sure he was to be killed.
B. Because he wanted to ease his nervousness.
C. Because he wanted to talk to the guard.
D. Because he was used to smoking cigarettes.
3.Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. The man was a heavy smoker.
B. The man smiled to please the guard.
C. The guard set the man free with permission.
D. The man hadn't thought the guard would set him free.
4.What do you think finally saved the man's life?
A. The smile. B. The cigarette.
C. The tears. D. The wallet.
So ill was she that it seemed unlikely that she would ________.
A. pull through B. pull together
C. pull out D. pull in
Pupils who pass the test will be _____ to the next grade.
A. promoted B. progressed
C. proceeded D. proposed
The friendly atmosphere of the two sides was a _______ sign ; the meeting ______ successful.
A. profitable; profited B. beneficial; benefited
C. promising; promised D. promised; promised
