More Americans are turning to charm school to gain an advantage over competitors in a job market stricken by the longest economic slowdown since the Great Depression.
Etiquette (礼节) trainers report business growing from clients who believe that good manners could be the key selling point that helps them get hired or keeps them off the unemployment line.
“People are prepared to do whatever it takes to keep their job”, said Gloria Starr, an adviser on image, etiquette and communications in North Carolina. Starr, who says business is up 40 percent in the past year at her school, said people were “realizing that it takes more than just ability and knowledge” to keep or win a job.
Peggy Newfield, who has been teaching etiquette for 30 years and runs a charm school, said business was “booming.” “When the economy is down etiquette training will always be up. They’re focusing on ‘What I can do to survive, I really have to keep up my game because the competition is keen.’”
Proper business manners, however, extend far beyond greeting or thanking a would-be employer. Etiquette classes deal with the basics of presentation in an interview, including what to say and how to dress.
“It’s so much more than writing the thank-you note at the end,” Newfield said. “It’s about walking in for the job interview, every hair is in place, your clothes are perfectly pressed, your shoes are polished, you’re groomed to the nines, you speak the part, and your English is correct.”
It’s great that we have seen this renewal in etiquette and manners and self respect.
Studies have shown that 85 percent of the reason a person gets a job, keeps a job and moves up is related to their personal skills. There are very few jobs out there where your manners, where your socials skills, are not a big piece of being successful. If you have manners you can walk into any business or social situation.
Teaching etiquette has become a tougher task. Some people point to bad public behavior by athletes and celebrities (名人) as a factor in ruining good manners in U.S. society. Hotel owner Paris Hilton, actress Lindsay Lohan and singer Britney Spears are among those who have been charged with setting a poor example, especially for children and adolescents. Hilton is infamous （声名狼藉的）for a sex tape that became an Internet hit, Lohan has long been gossip stuff due to her quarrels with the law and Spears was photographed partying without underwear.
1.The writer wants to tell the readers___________.
A. the etiquette training in America B. the ways to avoid failure
C. good manners count in keeping a job D. how to keep business up
2.From the passage we learn that the charm school____________.
A. helps those who are unemployed B. deals with moral problems
C. becomes more popular with people D. does good to the economy
3.The underlined sentence “you’re groomed to the nines” probably means “you’re_________.”
A. dressed in the best way B. fully understood
C. greeted with good manners D. very concerned
4.We can infer from the last paragraph that__________.
A. Good examples contribute to etiquette teaching
B. good public behavior doesn’t exist any more
C. teaching etiquette has become a tougher task
D. some famous people don’t have good manners
Family members of Rebiya Kadeer have asked her not to organize violence or undermine (破坏) the peaceful life in Xinjiang, in letters made public on Monday. They blamed her for organizing the riot in Urumqi on July 5 and apologized to the victims in two separate letters.
Kadeer’s son Khahar, daughter Roxingul and younger brother Memet wrote a letter to her, expressing their discontent for her turning against her own promises of not taking part in separatist activities and voicing their anger over the violent event.
“Because of you, so many innocent people lost their lives in Urumqi on July 5, and so many houses, shops and vehicles were burnt or damaged," they wrote. "The harmony and unity among ethnic groups were undermined."
Xinjiang is a happy home to people of different ethnic groups and no one wants to destroy it, they wrote. “We want a stable and safe life,” they said. “Please think about the happiness of us and your grandchildren. Don't destroy our happy life here. Don’t follow the provocation (挑衅) from some people in other countries.”
In another letter to the victims of the July 5 riot, they held Kadeer and the World Uygur Congress (WUC) responsible for the riot. “Evidence proved the riot was organized by the WUC, led by Rebiya Kadeer, and carried on by a group of separatists within the Chinese borders.”
After an incident between Uygur and Han workers of a factory in Shaoguan of southern Guangdong Province broke out on June 26, Kadeer exaggerated (夸大) the facts on the Internet, raising the death toll from two to more than 50, and posted false pictures, which started the violent event, they wrote.
“Those who committed crimes should take the responsibilities,” they said.
The statement from the Urumqi Public Security Bureau said the 319 people had been detained (拘留) after information was received from the public or obtained through the police investigation.
The arrests are in addition to the 253 detentions, police announced on July 29. Before that, more than 1,000 suspects had been detained by July 6, the second day of the violence.The suspects would face charges in connection with the riot that left 197 people dead.
"Every suspect, without any exception, will be arrested and punished according to the law to root out any hidden danger,” it said.
1.All the following are correct according to the passage EXCEPT “_________”.
A. The riot took place on July 5 B. WUC organized the riot
C. The riot left 197 people dead D. Khahar was injured in the riot
2.The letter to Kadeer was written to__________.
A. show how the incident happened B. express their sorrow over the riot
C. blame Kadeer for her wrong doing D. tell the story of Kadeer
3.How many suspects have been detained according to the passage?
A. About 1252 B. Above 1572 C. About 1319 D. 1197
4.From the passage we learn that_________.
A. the riot caused great loss to the people in Urumqi
B. WUC was responsible for the incident in Shaoguan
C. most of the suspects will be sentenced to death
D. Kadeer voiced her a pology over the July 5 riot
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TOSHIBA ELEVATORS LTD is one of the leading elevator companies in the world with more than 120 branch companies around the globe. SHENYANG TOSHIBA ELEVATORS LTD in Shenyang produces high-quality elevators. We are offering the following positions: ● Plant Manager Excellent Senior Engineer with experience in this field to manage our plant in Shenyang ● Senior Engineers (Mechanical and Electrical) For production and Engineering Department, good command of Internet ● Junior positions For those who wish for success ● One purchaser (购货员) Preferably with experience in a mechanical engineering company and international markets ● Cost Accountant (会计) 5 years experience in mechanical factory costing, good knowledge in Office 2000, CET level. For these senior level Positions, we expect preferably a university degree or an excellent job record. 3-5 years of experience on the job and good command of English. If you are ready to work with us, we will offer attractive salary packet and bright future. SHENYANG TOSHIBA ELEVATORS LTD Shenyang (024-82846556) Liaoning Province |
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TOWER DAIRY PRODUCT COMPANY LTD is a well-known food company in Suzhou. We’re offering the following positions: (1) Secretary ● University graduate ● Good at English speaking, writing＆translating ● Good PC knowledge and typing skill ● Pleasant character with good personal skill (2) Accountants ● College or university graduate ● Good command of English and PC operation ● Work experience (3) Production Trainees ● College or university graduate ● Food engineering／machinery or chemistry ● Good command of English ● 1－2 years experience in food factory ● Leadership ability and PC knowledge (4) Production workers ● Polytechnic (工艺的) school graduate ● Food technology or chemistry ● Knowledge of basic English ●1-2 years experience in food factory TOWER DAIRY PRODUCT COMPANY LTD Suzhou (0512-86734157) Jiangsu Province |
5.If you want to get a senior position in TOSHIBA, you need to have _________.
A. work experience on the job B. typing skills and know English well
C. good wishes for the job D. pleasant character and PC skill
6.Each position offered by TOWER requires the applicant to __________.
A. have work experience B. be a university graduate
C. have good PC knowledge D. have knowledge of English
7.If you don’t know how to use a computer, you had better ask for the position of ________.
A. a secretary in TOWER B. a production worker in TOWER
C. a senior engineer in TOSHIBA D. a cost accountant in TOSHIBA
8.As a graduate from university this year, you can probably get a job as _______.
A. a cost accountant in TOSHIBA B. a purchaser in TOSHIBA
C. a secretary in TOWER D. an accountant in TOWER
With the rapid expansion of mass transit system (公交体系), big cities like Shanghai should be able to ease the congestion（拥挤）and pollution caused by an excessive number of cars.
Statistics show that Shanghai’s subway lines will reach 350 km by the end of this year, making the city No. 3 in the world in terms of subway length. Shanghai could be ranked No. 1 when the length is extended to 430 km next May in time for the World Expo. This means about 5.5 million people each day could use the city’s subway system, thereby reducing traffic bottle-necks and air and noise pollution in downtown Shanghai.
At present, Shanghai suffers from severe traffic congestion, during not only rush hours and weekdays but also off-peak hours and weekends.
For years, car emissions (尾气) have been blamed for contributing 60 percent of the air pollution in the city center, causing various respiratory (呼吸道) diseases.
What’s more, Shanghai has not met its target of noise reduction for five years, which has become a major source of public complaints. Starting from August 1, cars that are considered highly polluting will be banned from entering the city centre.
Shanghai also plans to carry out the China IV emission standards, equivalent to Euro IV, on November 1, ahead of the 2011 national deadline. In addition, Shanghai is building 16 parking lots with 8,000 spaces near subway terminals so that people can park and ride the mass transit system instead of driving their cars into the city center.
Much more needs to be done for truly easing the traffic jams and air and noise pollution caused by automobiles. For example, the ban on using the horn, which was made effective from June 1, 2007, has hardly been enforced.
Many local people still regard owning and driving a car as a kind of demonstration of their wealth, without realizing the traffic and environmental hazards it can cause. When the subway system can take people to their destinations, driving a private car in downtown Shanghai could become a moral issue.
Shanghai should also show courage in leading Chinese cities to adopt the congestion charge system, which the city has been studying for the last eight years. A similar schedule, practiced in London and Singapore, has proved to be effective in reducing pollution and congestion in the city center.
Once Shanghai shows the way, other cities, like Beijing, too, may adopt the practice.
1.The best title for the passage may be___________.
A. Efforts to Ease Congestion & Pollution B. Benefits of Public Transit System
C. Possibilities to Charge On Congestion D. Ways to Reduce Car Emission
2.The following is true EXCEPT that Shanghai _________.
A. plans not to carry out the Euro IV emission standards
B. could be No. 1 in terms of subway length next May
C. has problems with crowding not only in rush hours
D. has strong public complaints about noise pollution
3.Guess the correct meaning of the underlined word “hazards”.
A. sudden changes B. violent forces C. public dislikes D. dangerous results
4.The writer of the passage intends to tell us________.
A. though many plans have been carried out, the situation is hopeless
B. difficult as the situation seems, Shanghai is sure to overcome it
C. whether the problems will be solved depends on people’s action
D. environmental problem should be regarded as a moral issue.
A year ago Michelle was looking forward to all the joys—and challenges—that being a young mother can bring. Instead the 26-year-old victim of a stroke (中风), was left trapped in her own body—able to see, think and hear perfectly but unable to speak or move a muscle. She was a victim of the devastating “locked-in syndrome”, －sometimes described as “like being buried alive”－a type of brain damage usually caused by a stroke, a bleed or a tumour. This means the only way she could communicate with her husband Rick and their two young children was through moving and blinking (眨眼) her eyes.
Before the tragedy, Michelle was an active mother. She suffered the stroke while bathing her baby daughter, Holly. The only warning Michelle had of the stroke was a series of splitting headache in the months before.
Following the attack, the only part of her body she could move was her eyes, meaning all she could do was look up to say ‘yes’ or close an eyelid for ‘no’. Her family have a board with the alphabet (字母表) arranged on different colored backgrounds. They painstakingly work out which letter she wants by indicating each letter on the board. It allows Michelle to explain how she is feeling and whether she is cold or warm. She sends messages to her family and even tells if her son Ryan has been naughty, giving instructions about which toys he can play with.
Rick, 24, has given up his job as a mechanic to look after their children Ryan, three, and Holly, one, and is now training to be Michelle’s full-time carer. Ryan was old enough to know his mummy was unwell but Holly was too young to understand. But she responds really well to Michelle.
To keep her involved in family life, when one of the children needs new clothes Rick will ask for her opinion using the alphabet board. Although it can take minutes to spell out each word the family and nurses wait patiently as it is her only means of communication.
Last month her best friends organized a sponsored running, which raised almost £17,000.
She has been in hospital for almost a year and has left twice, once for her brother’s wedding and once for a fund-raising event.
Doctors say it is hard to predict her future but she is showing slight signs of improvement. She has started to gain control of her mouth and tongue and can now move her head slightly.
1.The devastating “locked-in syndrome” must be a disease caused by _________.
A. being buried alive B. a kind of cancer
C. sudden brain damage D. the problem of blood
2.It is true that Michelle ________.
A. can no longer express herself B. used to be a woman in poor health
C. can manage her own message D. is good at talking with her eyes
3.Arrange the time order of the following events.
a. Rick gave up his job as a mechanic.
b. Michelle suffered a series of splitting headache.
c. Michelle’s best friends organized a running.
d. The tragedy happened while bathing Holly.
e. Michelle showed her yes and no by blinking
A. a-b-c-d-e B. b-e-c-a-d C. d-b-e-a-c D. b-d-e-a-c
4.The author tells the story of Michelle in order to ______.
A. inform of a rare disease and draw attention to its victim
B. describe the terrible life condition of a patient’s family
C. show the wonderful results of family love to a patient
D. tell about the ever-lasting truth: health is above wealth
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题纸上将该选项标号涂黑。
My mother helped to build ships during World WarⅡ. She was a(n) 1woman to seek work at this South Portland Shipyards (造船厂). She was raising four children 2. I still remember my mom’s struggle to keep the 3together.
After the divorce, there wasn’t much 4. At first my mom worked in washing houses in 5places. And she later got the job in a department store 6she noticed some young women would come in, all 7in big boots and rough overalls and they would have 8of $600 to cash. And she finally asked one of them where they 9and made so much money. And they said in the 10. So my mother went over, and the man who 11her asked whether she wanted to be a welder (焊工) or a burner. My mother asked which 12the most. He said the welder. Then she said that was 13she wanted to do. He said: “oh, why?” She said: “Ha, I have four children to 14.”
It was bitterly cold in the winter going into the bottom of those steel ships. They had to creep into narrow basis and lay on their backs, and welded 15. And I remember her neck and her chest all spotted with 16from the sparks. And her shift (轮班) was midnight to 6 AM, so she could be home with us 17the day. I remember her dressing was man’s clothing. Once she fell and 18her foot and they brought her home in the middle of the night, and she was weeping. After the Shipyard 19, she needed to have two jobs to make enough money. And we kids were more or less on our own, and that was not a happy time. But still she was 20to keep us together as a family.
1.A. educated B. employed C. unmarried D. divorced
2.A. for her life B. on her own C. like her own D. by her love
3.A. children B. home C. ships D. family
4.A. happiness B. work C. money D. strength
5.A. different B. dirty C. difficult D. busy
6.A. that B. which C. where D. when
7.A. worn B. dressed C. covered D. decorated
8.A. marks B. checks C. coins D. dollars
9.A. lived B. graduated C. worked D. performed
10.A. navy B. factory C. shipyard D. army
11.A. examined B. interviewed C. questioned D. accepted
12.A. charged B. cost C. spent D. paid
13.A. why B. how C. whether D. what
14.A. take care of B. play games with C. spend time on D. feed food with
15.A. sideways B. outward C. overhead D. downward
16.A. burn marks B. white points C. red circles D. dark lines
17.A. on B. by C. among D. during
18.A. damaged B. wounded C. injured D. ached
19.A. moved B. closed C. opened D. ruined
20.A. persuaded B. attracted C. demanded D. determined
—Did you enjoy yourself at the party?
—Sorry to say I didn’t. It was_________ a meeting than a party.
A. much of B. more like C. less of D. more or less
