Next time you hear yourself wishing for something better in your life, remember the word “SMART”. When you’ve decided to take action, read the following first.
S is for specific (具体的): For example, instead of setting a goal (目标): of “I want to lose weight”, set yourself a specific goal like “I want to lose five kilograms”. If you want to climb a high mountain, start your research, set a date and train for the climbing fitness.
M is for measurable (可测量的): Don’t try to “become healthy”, instead, set a goal that can be measured while carrying out an improved eating, exercise or lifestyle plan. For example, try to go to the gym for an hour three times a week, to visit your grandma once a week for an evening meal, or to eat no more than 200 grams of chocolate a week.
A is for achievable(可完成的): If you’ve never exercised in your life, don’t try to take part in the 2020 Olympics. Rather, get walking with a specific goal of how many steps to take a day. No need to try for the stars—baby steps are good.
R is for relevant (恰当的): Many of us choose goals that seem right, but are in fact wrong. They may go on for a few weeks before they fail. Try to avoid making the same mistake—rather choose goals that really speak to you.
T is for time-conscious (心中有数的): Finally, be very clear in your mind about how much time you are giving yourself to achieve the goal. That way, you know when you’ve succeeded, failed or whether you need to work harder to finish it before the last day.
1.According to the passage, the writer tells us how to_______.
A. lose weight B. take exercise
C. set a goal D. spend time.
2.What does the word “SMART” mean in the passage?
A. Five exercise plans. B. Five suggestions.
C. Five training steps. D. Five big letters.
3.Which of the following is not true according to the passage?
A. Specific numbers should be included in the goals you set.
B. You should begin with small steps while achieving a goal.
C. In order to make the goal fit for you, you should be careful.
D. More time should be given for you to achieve your goal.
Charles Dickens was an English writer. He was born in 1812. He created some of the world’s best-known characters and many readers think he is the most important writer of the Victorian era (1837-1901). Some of his famous novels are Oliver Twist, David Copperfield and Great Expectations. Most people in his novels lived in London.
In 1824, Dickens’ father went to prison(监狱) because he couldn’t pay money to someone. In those days, a man’s wife and young children went to prison with him. Charles was 12, so he left school to work in the prison. Life was hard, and a lot of children worked in those days. Dickens’ own experience helped him to write about poor children without a mother or father. Dickens' success began with the publication (出版) of The Pickwick Papers in 1836. And his book Oliver Twist is about a boy without father. Important people were more interested in the problems of poor people after reading Dickens’ books.
Dickens’ novels are often very long and he wrote them in different parts for a newspaper each week. His novels have a lot of exciting and sad things in them. He wanted his readers to buy the newspaper every week. And the readers wanted to finish the story! Dickens’ novels are popular because many of his stories are about social(社会的) problems and family life. Dickens was successful in writing and he has been praised by other writers for his style and characters.
1.When was Charles Dickens born?
A. In 1812. B. In 1824. C. In 1836. D. In 1901.
2.Where did Dickens work when he was 12?
A. In the prison. B. At a school. C. On a farm. D. In an office.
3.Dickens’ novels are popular because_______.
A. they have a lot of exciting and sad things
B. they are about social problems and family life
C. he has been praised for his style and characters
D. he is the most important writer of the Victorian era
Happiest Memories We asked people to send us a photo and write about their happiest childhood memory. | |
| My happiest memory is of my great-grandmother. She always used to keep candy in her pockets, and she’d always give us some when we came to visit. My dad used to play jokes and say, “Grandma, don’t give them any candy!” But she did it anyway. — Rosa, Mexico |
| All my aunts and uncles used to come over for Sunday dinner and there were always about 12 of us around a huge table. Sugar was my favorite food and I would eat some with my cousin and then play games. I was an only child, so it was nice to be part of a big family. — Sally, Russia |
| My sister and brother-in-law used to live next door. I was only a little older than my sister’s kids, so I grew up with my niece and nephew. I used to go over there a lot, eat chocolate together and play chess. I was their favorite aunt. — Haruka, Japan |
| I used to love playing basketball with my four brothers. I grew up in a blended family(重组家庭). After my parents got divorced, my father married a woman with two sons, and they had two more kids together. Anyway, the five of us used to play basketball on a team. Besides, we all had the same taste, that is, we liked bread a lot. — Justin, Canada |
1.Who has the happiest memory about Sunday dinner?
A. Rosa. B. Sally. C. Haruka. D. Justin.
2.What did Haruka use to eat with her niece and nephew?
A. Candy. B. Sugar. C. Bread. D. Chocolate.
3.What did Justin and his brothers play?
A. Jokes. B. Games. C. Chess. D. Basketball.
The Train Story
I was travelling by train one morning. Quietly reading, I found myself suddenly listening to the announcements(广播). When the trainman makes an announcement, it’s often quite boring. But this one was ________.
As I looked up from my paper, I ________ others also listening. Not only that, they smiled!
Why was so much attention being paid to this message?
As best I can remember, the trainman said, “Good morning. Ladies, Gentlemen and _______. It’s 7:35 a.m. and you'll be glad to know that we are right on time. What a lovely morning it is in Sydney today. The sun is shining, the temperature is about 21 degrees, birds are singing, and all’s right with the world. Thanks for ________ my train and I hope to see you again. Have a great day!”
Wow! Have you ever heard an announcement like that? I certainly hadn’t. As well as getting everyone smiling, there were quite a few people who started talking to one another about how good the message had made everyone feel.
The moment I got off the train, I ran into the young trainman and started to ________ him. He seemed a bit ________ at first. Continuously I said, “Well, I just wanted to thank you for your brilliant message on the way. It got everyone's attention and smile. Thank you so much for giving us such a good ________ to the day.”
That day I got two messages. The first is that people’s happiness at work shows in what they do and say. Also, the story tells me what you can get from thanking people for something they’ve done, ________ when it's not expected. Can you imagine the conversation that trainman would have when he got home, “Guess what happened to me today—a passenger thanked me!”
1.A. different B. famous C. bad D. easy
2.A. heard B. noticed C. got D. kept
3.A. Guides B. Teachers C. Parents D. Children
4.A. buying B. taking C. visiting D. passing
5.A. thank B. miss C. trust D. meet
6.A. mad B. tired C. surprised D. proud
7.A. lesson B. idea C. trade D. start
8.A. finally B. properly C. especially D. clearly
—Can you tell me _______ to London?
—Sure. Next month.
A. when you will travel B. when you travelled
C. when will you travel D. when did you travel
—What were you doing when we were playing basketball yesterday afternoon?
— I _______the classroom.
A. clean B. have cleaned C. will clean D. was cleaning
