Two of the saddest words in the English language are “if only”. I live my life with the goal of never having to say those words, because they convey regret, lost opportunities, mistakes, and disappointment.
My father is famous in our family for saying, “Take the extra minute to do it right.” I always try to live by the “extra minute” rule. When my children were young and likely to cause accidents, I always thought about what I could do to avoid an “if only” moment, whether it was something minor like moving a cup full of hot coffee away from the edge of a counter, or something that required a little more work such as taping padding (衬垫) onto the sharp corners of a glass coffee table.
I don’t only avoid those “if only” moments when it comes to safety. It’s equally important to avoid “if only” in our personal relationships. We all know people who lost a loved one and regretted that they had foregone an opportunity to say “I love you” or “I forgive you.” When my father announced he was going to the eye doctor across from my office on Good Friday, I told him that it was a holiday for my company and I wouldn’t be here. But then I thought about the fact that he’s 84 years old and I realized that I shouldn’t give up an opportunity to see him. I called him and told him I had decided to go to work on my day off after all.
I know there will still be occasions when I have to say “if only” about something, but my life is definitely better because of my policy of doing everything possible to avoid that eventuality. And even though it takes an extra minute to do something right, or it occasionally takes an hour or two in my busy schedule to make a personal connection, I know that I’m doing the right thing. I’m buying myself peace of mind and that’s the best kind of insurance for my emotional well-being.
1.Which of the following is an example of the “extra minute” rule?
A. Start the car the moment everyone is seated.
B. Leave the room for a minute with the iron working.
C. Move an object out of the way before it trips someone.
D. Wait for an extra minute so that the steak tastes better.
2.The author decided to go to her office on Good Friday to ______.
A. meet her father who was already an old man
B. keep her appointment with the eye doctor
C. join in the holiday celebration of the company
D. finish her work before the deadline approached
3.The underlined word “foregone” in Paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to ______.
A. wasted B. lacked
C. avoided D. abandoned
4.What is the best title for the passage?
A. The Two Saddest Words. B. The Emotional Well-being.
C. The Most Useful Rule. D. The Peace of Mind.
假定你是李华。你的留学生朋友Tom以前成绩很优秀。但由于骄傲和懒惰，最近他的成绩一落千丈。就此请你用英语给他写一封电子邮件，内容包括：
1. 进行安慰；
2. 给出劝告（不要骄傲，不忘初心）；
3. 具体建议（努力复习，制定学习计划）
注意：1. 总词数100左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
I am very luckily to have the opportunity to see so many place, but sometimes I experience culture shock when I see or do something new. Dad and I now are travelled through Denmark, Norway and Sweden. I used to thinking that these countries are the same, but not any more. People in Denmark are a bit of friendlier, while Norwegians and Swedes prefer not to talk to strangers. I’m surprised to learn that many people there speak English in addition their national languages. In Sweden, it seems that anyone has golden hair and blue eyes. I feel a little strange with my black hair and dark eyes. I imagine this is that foreigners feel when they visit China!
阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
In his book, Intentional Living, author John Maxwell shares that back in 1976, he received a gift from one of his 1. (assist). As he unwrapped the gift, he saw that it was a book 2. (name) The Greatest Story Ever Told. He couldn’t wait 3. (read) it.
But when he opened the book, he was 4. (astonish) to see that the pages were blank. Inside the book was 5. note that said, “John, your life is before you. Fill these pages with kind acts and good thoughts of your heart. Write a great story about your life.” The intention of writing the story of his life excited him. Then, he 6. (begin) to write his book.
Every day we live out our story through our words, actions and decisions. But we must remember to live with intention to focus on what 7. (matter) most in life and to regain that focus when we get changed. Without intention, we can become unfocused in things 8. needn’t add to a life of significance and difference in our world.
Life isn’t perfect and it’s always hard, 9. we need reminders in our life from a friend, author, blogger, pastor or our inner spirit to re-focus us on the things that matter and make us live 10. (positive).
The stage lights dimmed, and I took a quick look from behind the heavy black curtains into the audience. Blinded by the lights, I quickly ______. It seems that a great number of eyes were looking at me. I took a deep ______ as the music of my dance began to play. I entered the stage and began my ______, the graduation test of the classical Indian dance.
After a decade of learning this art form, I had ______ been considered ready to take on the most difficult act. The test is the most important event in a dancer’s life as it pays ______ to all the factors in one’s life that ______ the dance form: one’s culture and family.
The performance is undertaken only by the most ______ and determined students. It is a difficult process that requires much ______. For more than six months, I spent two to three hours every day ______ these dances. Many times, I ______ myself to my physical and mental breaking point, but still I would not stop. I could not give up. There was always so much more to do and so much more to ______.
I ______ a lot about myself in those tiring hours. I learned that I was far too ______ to give up, and I was too proud to prove myself ______ after I had set an unrealistic goal. Even with physical pain and mental ______, I forced myself to meet my ______. Even when I was at the end of my ______, there was always something driving me on, forcing me not to give up.
Fortunately, I made it. What I had done ______ the success. It was in those hours that I learned what a dancer ______ is. Those time was evidence that I could ______ something I set out to do.
1.A. reached out B. set off C. pulled back D. broke away
2.A. sleep B. breath C. thought D. sorrow
3.A. career B. attempt C. response D. performance
4.A. eventually B. easily C. absolutely D. desperately
5.A. debt B. respect C. interest D. visit
6.A. develop B. rescue C. introduce D. promote
7.A. beautiful B. focused C. intelligent D. considerate
8.A. talent B. strength C. comprehension D. commitment
9.A. recording B. discussing C. practicing D. designing
10.A. pushed B. addicted C. treated D. applied
11.A. forget B. design C. learn D. research
12.A. discovered B. abandoned C. controlled D. undertook
13.A. brilliant B. brave C. stubborn D. discourage
14.A. careless B. nervous C. frightened D. wrong
15.A. function B. stress C. level D. action
16.A. budget B. deadline C. expense D. expectation
17.A. limit B. purpose C. preparation D. destination
18.A. increased B. deserved C. expanded D. exposed
19.A. completely B. chiefly C. originally D. truly
20.A. change B. supply C. accomplish D. explain
Children who have developed leadership skills are sure to have a bright future. 1. Not only will they gain more self-esteem and interact more easily with their peers, they can also make an impact on their community. These qualities will continue to develop as children grow up. Here are simple techniques to develop children’s leadership qualities.
Discuss peer pressure. Children are often exposed to peer pressure and worry about how others view them. 2. Leadership requires being socially involved, but still honoring personal morals and standards. Discuss hypothetical (假设的) peer pressure situations and ask kids to consider how they’d behave in different situations.
3. When they’re able to clearly show their thoughts, they feel more self-confident and are able to deal with complex problems. You can help by encouraging children to speak out and by listening seriously to their thoughts. Although many children go through rebellious stages, don’t enforce silence. Instead, suggest self-expression.
Teach by example. 4. Even if they don t express it aloud, children may see you as a role model. Model leadership behavior by helping others, volunteering in leadership positions and taking action in everyday life.
Develop children’s individual talents and encourage participation. Every child has potential for leadership skills, but not every child develops skills in the same way. 5. A child might be a talented athlete or skilled at painting and drawing. Find ways for kids to develop these skills in a group setting, which promotes teamwork and social skills.
A. Encourage children to express themselves.
B. Pay attention to specific interests and abilities.
C. Find volunteer and community service opportunities.
D. Children start benefiting from leadership skills at any age.
E. Children with self-awareness have a greater ability to lead.
F. Children observe the adults in their lives, and value what they see.
G. Talk with your children about the importance of avoiding peer pressure.
