Forgiveness
To forgive is a virtue, but no one has ever said it is easy. When someone has deeply hurt you, it can be extremely difficult to let go of your hate. However, forgiveness is possible, and it can be surprisingly beneficial to your physical and mental health. People who forgive show less sadness, anger and stress and more hopefulness, according to a recent research.
1. Try the following steps：
Calm yourself. 2. You can take a couple of breaths and think of something that gives you pleasure: a beautiful scene in nature, or someone you love.
Don’t wait for an apology. Many times the person who hurt you does not intend to apologize. They may have wanted to hurt you or they just don’t see things the same way. 3. Keep in mind that forgiveness does not necessarily mean becoming friends again with the person who upset you.
Take the control away from your offender (冒犯者). Rethinking about your hurt gives power to the person who caused you pain. Instead of focusing on your wounded feelings, learn to look for the love, beauty and kindness around you.
4. If you understand your offender, you may realize that he or she was acting out of unawareness, fear, and even love. You may want to write a letter to yourself from your offender’s point of view.
Don’t forget to forgive yourself. 5. But it can rob you of your selfconfidence if you don’t do it.
A.Why should you forgive?
B.How should you start to forgive?
C.Recognize the benefits of forgiveness.
D.Try to see things from your offender’s angle.
E.For some people, forgiving themselves is the biggest challenge.
F.To make your anger die away, try a simple stressmanagement technique.
G.If you wait for people to apologize, you could be waiting an awfully long time.
Going green seems to be fad(时尚)for a lot of people these days. Whether that is good or bad, we can’t really say, but for the two of us, going green is not a fad but a lifestyle.
On April 22, 2011, we decided to go green every single day for an entire year. This meant doing 365 different green things, and it also meant challenging ourselves to go green beyond easy things. Rather than recycle and reduce our energy, we had to think of 365 different green things to do and this was no easy task.
With the idea of going green every single day for a year, Our Green Year started. My life and I decided to educate people about how they could go green in their lives and hoped we could show people all the green things that could be done to help the environment. We wanted to push the message that every little bit helps.
Over the course of Our Green Year, we completely changed our lifestyle. We now shop at organic stores. We consume less meat, choosing green food. We have greatly reduced our buying we don’t need. We have given away half of what we owned through websites. Our home is kept clean by vinegar and lemon juice, with no chemical cleaners. We make our own butter, enjoying the smell of home-made fresh bread. In our home office anyone caught doing something ungreen might be punished.
Our minds have been changed by Our Green Year. We are grateful for the chance to have been able to go green and educate others. We believe that we do have the power to change things and help our planet.
1.It was difficult for the couple to live a green life for the whole year because_________.
A.they were expected to follow the green fad B.they didn’t know how to educate other people
C.they were unwilling to reduce their energy D.they needed to perform unusual green tasks
2.What did the couple do over the course of Our Green Year?
A.They tried to get out of their ungreen habits. B.They ignored others’ ungreen behavior.
C.They chose better chemical cleaners. D.They sold their home-made food.
3.What can we infer form the last paragraph?
A.The government will give support to the green people.
B.The couple may continue their project in the future.
C.Some people disagree with the couple’s green ideas.
D.Our Green Year is becoming a national campaign.
4.During the Green Year, according to the text, which of the following is TRUE?
A.They never bought meat.
B.They cleaned their home by using chemical cleaners.
C.They tried to make some food for themselves.
D.They sold the things they don’t need on the Internet.
China is a land of bicycles. At least it was back in 1992 when I traveled the country. Back then everyone seemed to be riding a bicycle. Millions of them, all black. Cars were rare. Yet since my arrival in Beijing last year, I’ve found the opposite is true. There are millions of cars. However, people still use their bicycles to get around. For many, it’s the easiest and cheapest way to travel today. Bicycles also come in different colors --- silver, green, red, blue, yellow, whatever you want.
It’s fun watching people biking. They rush quickly through crossroads, move skillfully through traffic, and ride even on sidewalks. Bicycles allow people the freedom to move about that cars just can’t provide.
Eager to be part of this aspect of Chinese culture, I decided to buy a bicycle. Great weather accompanied my great buy. I immediately jumped up on my bicycle seat and started home.
My first ride home was orderly (守秩序的). To be safe, I stayed with a “pack” of bikers while cars on the streets came running swiftly out of nowhere at times. I didn’t want to get hit. So I took the ride carefully.
Crossing the streets was the biggest problem. It was a lot like crossing a major highway back in the United States. The streets here were wide, so crossing took time, skill and a little bit of luck.
I finally made it home. The feeling on the bicycle was amazing. The air hitting my face and going through my hair was wonderful. I was sitting on top of the world as I passed by places and people. Biking made me feel alive.
1.According to the author, why are bicycles still popular in China today?
A.Because they are traditional and safe.
B.Because they are convenient and inexpensive.
C.Because they are colorful and available.
D.Because they are fast and environment friendly.
2.The author decided to buy a bicycle because he intended __________.
A.to ride it for fun B.to use it for transport
C.to experience local culture D.to improve his riding skills
3.How did the author feel about his street crossing？
A.It was boring. B.It was difficult.
C.It was lively. D.It was wonderful.
4.Which of the following best describes the author’s biking experience
A.The author enjoyed showing off his biking skills.
B.The author was annoyed by the air while riding.
C.The author was praised by the other bikers.
D.The author took great pleasure in biking.
Everyone needs friends. As the saying goes, “Friends are God’s way of taking care of us .”
The American writer, Sally Seamans, tells young students some smart ways to make friends .Sally says finding friendship is just like planting a tree. You plant the seed and take care of it to make it grow .
First you should choose a friend. What makes a good friend? It is not because a person has money or good looks. A good friend should be kind and patient. For example, if you have a bad day, a good friend should listen to your complaints and do his best to help. To make friends, you cannot be too shy. You should make each other happy and share your lives .
But things cannot always be happy. Even the best friends have fights. What should you do when you have a fight with your friend? You have to talk to him or her. When there is no one around, have an honest talk. If he or she doesn’t want to talk, you could write a letter .
There are three steps to be friends again:
Tell him or her how you are feeling; say what your friend has done wrong; explain why you did this or that. Remember that friendship is the most important thing in your life .
1.Sally wants to tell students the way to .
A.make friends B.plant trees C.get happy D.keep fit
2.According to the passage, a good friend should .
A.be lovely and cool B.be kind and patient
C.have lots of money D.have good looks
3.According to the passage, you can your friend after a fight .
A.buy a present for B.never say a word to
C.have dinner with D.write a letter to
4.Which of the following is TRUE?
A.Friends are God’s son.
B.People like fighting with their friends.
C.To make friends, we need to plant the seed and take care of it.
D.To make friends, we should be kind and beautiful.
Monthly Talks at London Canal Museum
Our monthly talks start at 19:30 on the first Thursday of each month except August. Admission is at normal charges and you don’t need to book. They end around 21:00.
November 7th
The Canal Pioneers, by Chris Lewis. James Brindley is recognized as one of the leading early canal engineers. He was also a major player in training others in the art of canal planning and building. Chris Lewis will explain how Brindley made such a positive contribution to the education of that group of early “civil engineers”.
December 5th
Ice for the Metropolis, by Malcolm Tucker. Well before the arrival of freezers, there was a demand for ice for food preservation and catering, Malcolm will explain the history of importing natural ice and the technology of building ice wells, and how London’s ice trade grew.
February 6th
An Update on the Cotsword Canals, by Liz Payne. The Stroudwater Canal is moving towards reopening. The Thames and Severn Canal will take a little longer. We will have a report on the present state of play.
March 6th
Eyots and Aits-Thames Islands, by Miranda Vickers. The Thames had many islands. Miranda has undertaken a review of all of them. She will tell us about those of greatest interest.
Online bookings:www.canalmuseum.org.uk/book
More into:www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson
London Canal Museum
12-13 New Wharf Road, London NI 9RT
www.canalmuseum.org.uk www.canalmuseum.mobi
Tel:020 77130836
1.When is the talk on James Brindley?
A.February 6th. B.December 5th.
C.November 7th. D.March 6th.
2.What is the topic of the talk in February?
A.The Canal Pioneers. B.An Update on the Cotsword Canals
C.Eyots and Aits-Thames Islands D.Ice for the Metropolis
3.Who will give the talk on the islands in the Thames.
A.Miranda Vickers B.Malcolm Tucker
C.Chris Lewis D.Liz Payne
Sally had anxiety disorder trouble that made her fail to speak in social situations. I’m a nurse and use Bella to help children in my community, to bring them comfort and confidence the way only a dog can. I thought back to the day when I’d first brought Bella to the school.
That morning in January, her teacher led us to a room. “Sally hasn’t spoken outside her home in two years,” she told me. “Her parents have taken her to doctors, but nothing has worked.” A little girl stood shyly just inside the doorway. Her eyes brightened when she noticed my dog.
“This is Bella.” I said. “She does tricks. Would you like to see?”
Sally nodded. I motioned with my hand. Bella lay down and then rolled over. Sally’s eyes lit up. I showed Sally the hand signals for various commands. She was a natural with Bella, maybe because she couldn’t rely on the spoken word herself. Bella sensed that and responded. Soon Sally was able to put Bella through her paces all on her own. I could see her standing taller, more sure of herself each time we met.
One morning in March when she was working with Bella, I heard a tiny voice, barely a whisper, “Good dog.” Sally didn't take her eyes off Bella, but I wanted to jump for joy. Sally spoke a little more each week, only to Bella at first, but then to me. Later, she started giving voice commands with her hand signals and her confidence rose.
Now, five-year-old Sally stood nervously in front of her kindergarten class, with Bella, my trained dog, sitting calmly by her side. All the eyes of her classmates were focused on Sally. They were waiting for her to speak. It was June—only one week of school left—but they had never heard her voice. Not once.
