Some people ski (滑雪) down mountains. Others climb huge rocks or photograph dangerous animals. Why do people enjoy risky activities like these?
Some people take risks simply because it makes them feel good. Psychologist (心理学家) Marvin says that this kind of explorers (探险者) are always looking for change and excitement. When people do something new or risky, a chemical (化学物质) in the brain creates a pleasant feeling. They love this feeling and want to experience it as often as possible.
Other people don't take risks for the feeling of excitement but to achieve a goal. For example, Mike Fay went on a dangerous 2,000—mile special journey in central Africa. He worked to help save the wildlife there. Fay’s expeditions helped create 13 national parks.
For other people, such as extreme athletes (极限运动员), taking risks is part of their job. Sports psychologist Shane says extreme athletes see the world differently. In a dangerous activity, most people probably do not feel in control. Extreme athletes are different: they feel in control in dangerous situations. The danger can even help them. For example, skier Daron Rahlves says that being afraid makes him try harder to succeed.
Most of us are not extreme athletes or explorers. However, we still take risks in our lives. Some of us take social risks, such as speaking in front of a large group of people. Sometimes, we take financial risks, such as buying a house. And sometimes we take career risks, such as leaving a job or starting a business. Most people take risks in some areas of life, but not in others. What kind of risk—taker are you?
1.What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A.The brain. B.Something new.
C.A chemical. D.A pleasant feeling.
2.What does the underlined word “expedition” in Paragraph 3 mean?
A.Much money. B.A journey with a special goal.
C.A great idea. D.A plan for a dangerous journey.
3.How many kinds of extreme athletes or explorers are mentioned in the passage?
A.Three. B.Four. C.Five. D.Six.
4.Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A.Mike Fay is a professional risk—taker.
B.Most people don’t take risks in their daily life.
C.Extreme athletes deal with danger better than others.
D.Daron Rahlves takes risks mainly for change and excitement.
In 2007, Barrington Irving became the youngest person to fly alone around the world. He was just 23 years old—and he built the plane himself. How did he achieve this?
Irving's interest in flying started when he was 15. He was working in his parents’ bookstore in Miami, Florida. One of the customers was a pilot, Gary Robinson. One day, Robinson asked Irving if he was interested in flying. Irving didn't think he was smart enough. But the next day, Robinson took Irving to an airport. He showed Irving inside the cockpit (驾驶舱) of a Boeing 777. That experience changed Irving’s life.
Irving really wanted to fly, but flight school was expensive. To achieve his dream, he worked different jobs. He washed airplanes and cleaned swimming pools. At home, he practiced flying on a video game. In the end, he got enough money for flight school.
At flight school, Irving achieved his dream of learning how to fly. But he wasn’t finished. Next, he planned to build his own plane and fly alone around the world.
Building the plane was difficult. Irving asked more than 50 companies for airplane parts. Most said no, but he persisted (顽强地坚持) in asking. Three years later, he had parts worth $300,000. Columbia, an airplane company, agreed to build a plane using the parts. Soon, his airplane was ready to fly.
On March 23, 2007, Irving began his round-the-world trip. After 97 days—with 145 hours in the air—he landed back in Miami. A cheering crowd of people was there to welcome him.
Irving saw many young people in the crowd, and this had a powerful effect (影响) on him. He wanted to use his experience to help other young people achieve their own dreams.
“Everyone told me what I couldn’t do,” says Irving. “They said I was too young, that I didn’t have enough money. But even if no one believes in your dream,” he says, “you have to pursue (追求) it.”
1.Why was Gary Robinson important in Irving's life?
A.He got Irving interested in flying. B.He sent Irving to a flight school.
C.He helped Irving build a plane. D.He taught Irving how to fly.
2.Put the events about Irving in the correct order.
a. Irving got the parts for his plane. b. Irving flew around the world,
c. Irving met Gary Robinson. d. Irving learned to fly.
A.c—d—a—b B.c—a—d—b C.b—c—a—d D.b—c—d—a
3.What can we know about Irving's personality according to the passage?
A.Clever and honest. B.Humorous and responsible.
C.Polite and powerful. D.Hard-working and persistent.
4.What would be the best title for the passage?
A.Becoming a Pilot. B.Life in Flight School.
C.Achieving a Dream. D.Building Your Own Plane.
Would you like to get fit and make new friends? | Join our running groups for beginners and for more experienced runners. It’s fun and there are no competitions. It costs £3 to be a member. 7 p.m. every Wednesday. Call Mike for details (细节) at 077—658945. | Join us and WIN a new camera! |
The Barton Photography (摄影) Club welcomes new members. We are a busy club with famous teachers. Join before 1st March and enter our summer photography competition. First prize is a new XP8ii camera! You need to pay £15 to join the club. Visit www.bartonphotoclub.com to join. | ||
Theatre Group Have fun with a local theatre group. We are looking for actors to be in a musical comedy this summer. You must be available twice a week starting 2nd April. Passion (热情) is more important than talent! Join us for free. Write to Mandy Giles on mandy76@dmail.com. |
1.What can we do for more information about the running groups?
A.Visit Mike. B.Give Mike a call.
C.Write to Mike. D.Send Mike an email.
2.How much does it cost to join the photography club?
A.£15. B.£8. C.£3. D.Free.
3.Which of the following is true according to the ads above?
A.You are sure to get a camera to join the photography club.
B.Talent is the most important for actors in the theatre group.
C.The running groups have running competitions every Wednesday.
D.Actors must take part in the theatre group’s activities twice a week.
Cowboys have lived and worked in the west and south—west of the United States for over three centuries and they are a famous symbol of the USA. When you watch those old Hollywood cowboy films from the fifties and sixties, you see a job. You see a _________ of freedom and adventure (冒险). However, the real job of an American cowboy has always been _________ and sometimes dangerous. It is physical with long hours and low pay.
Life hasn’t _________ much for cowboys since the early days. Cows walk across huge plains (草原) to _________ the grass and the cowboy rides on his horse to bring _________ home. Like the cowboys of the past, a 21st century cowboy _________ gets up early on freezing cold mornings and makes breakfast over a fire.
So why does a man—because it is usually a man—become a cowboy? For some, it isn't a _________, because they are born into the life. They have worked with _________ since they were children. They _________ the traditional cowboy culture: “It’s a real life about you, your horse and the open __________.”
Some people choose the job __________ in life. Pat had an office job with the US government with high pay, __________ he didn’t like city life and spending all day inside. So one day, he __________ his job and moved to a ranch (牧场) in Texas, making much less money __________ a cowboy. He wanted job satisfaction. And for a cowboy, job satisfaction doesn’t come from the money or a comfortable office. It comes from being __________ to wake up under the sky and being your own boss.
1.A.life B.place C.way D.day
2.A.interesting B.boring C.hard D.easy
3.A.got B.paid C.done D.changed
4.A.catch B.eat C.touch D.take
5.A.it B.him C.her D.them
6.A.just B.still C.even D.never
7.A.problem B.choice C.plan D.dream
8.A.parents B.brothers C.cows D.sheep
9.A.create B.miss C.love D.refuse
10.A.country B.culture C.mind D.cowboy
11.A.later B.early C.quickly D.suddenly
12.A.so B.and C.since D.but
13.A.looked for B.took up C.gave up D.cared about
14.A.for B.as C.with D.like
15.A.relaxed B.slow C.late D.free
You ________ lunch at school. So you don’t have to bring your own food.
A.give B.will give C.are given D.have given
I don’t know the words to a lot of songs, but I do know some folk songs that my grandma ________ me at an early age.
A.teaches B.taught C.will teach D.has taught
