In today's fast paced, high stress world people are working longer hours than ever, and often exhaust themselves at day's end in front of the television to relax enough to begin again in the morning．However, television watching, for most people, does not really lower stress．Studies show that TV viewing more than an hour or so actually creates stress and, especially in women, may lead to the blues．Most individuals are unaware that doing some exercise after work makes them more energetic since it increases energy levels．
Wise use of free time does not mean getting an advanced degree, although the mental encouragement gained through education is unbeatable in keeping your mind active．Learning new things nearly always adds a spark to your daily life, especially if it is a favorite topic, such as sport, fashion, or art．Also, look through your bookstore or library to find books on your interests．Try to replace a half hour TV watching with reading．
It is reported that in the United States recently, many individuals have as few as two good friends．Long work hours and car commute act to separate people from each other．This separation is deadly．Find ways to meet people at the end of the day and on weekends．Often this can be best done by combining activities, such as by joining a walking group to get both exercise and companionship．Taking a class will lift your spirits and allow you to meet others with similar interests．Hobbies are great for reducing stress and provide another opportunity for social interaction．
Using your free time to aid your health may include these elements and many more, such as going to concerts and spending time with family．Overall, the key is to spend less free time being passive．The best ways to use free time are to be mentally and physically active, spend some time outdoors, and interact with other people on a regular basis．
1.What can we learn from the passage?
A．Watching television may cause women to feel depressed．
B．Finding interests and hobbies in common means taking a class．
C．Going to concerts is the best way to make you mentally active．
D．Getting an advanced degree in education always lights up your life．
2.What does the underlined word "commute" in Paragraph 3 probably mean?
A．The arrangement to work every day． B．The journey to work every day．
C．The communication between people． D．The separation between people．
3.Which would be the best title for the passage?
A．Live a Happy and Healthy Life B．Relax Yourself in Various Ways
C．Spend Your Free Time Wisely D．Interact With Others Outdoors
The Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle is a palatial park on the central California coast and a National Historic Landmark．It was designed by architect Julia Morgan for William Randolph Hearst from 1919 until 1947．In 1957 , the Hearst Coiporation donated the fortune to the state of California．Since that time it has been maintained as a state historic park where the estate and its considerable collection of art and antiques are open for public tours．Despite its location far from any urban center, the site attracts roughly one million visitors per year．
Guided Tours
There are several tours which highlight various parts of the castle and gardens．
●Tour One is recommended for first time visitor．It now includes the movie, Hearst Castle Building the Dream．
●Tour Two gives visitors a closer look at the main house's upper floors, Mr．Hearst's private suite, the libraries, and the kitchen．
●Tour Three looks at the Castle's North Wing, guest rooms and guest house Casa Del Monte．
●Tour Four features the impressive gardens and grounds, the largest guesthouse, the wine basement, and the Hidden Terrace．
●The evening tour is a special tour that allows visitors to experience the Castle at night as one of the Hearst's own visitors might have．
Ticket Prices
Hearst Castle accepts VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover．Free day use parking is available for automobiles, motorcycles, tour buses and recreational vehicles．
|
TOURS |
ADULT |
Ages 6 – 17 |
|
Experience Tour |
$24 |
$12 |
|
Tours 2, 3 or 4 |
$ 24 |
$ 12 |
|
Evening tour |
$30 |
$15 |
* Children under 6 are free when accompanied by a paying adult．
Reservation Information
While tickets may be purchased at the Visitor Center upon arrival, tour reservations are strongly recommended and may be reserved online now or by calling 1 - 800 - 444 - 4445, see below for times．
|
Reservation Call Center Hours |
||
|
Dates |
Monday-Friday |
Saturday-Sunday |
|
March-September |
8AM to 6PM |
8AM to 6PM |
|
October-February |
9AM to 5PM |
9AM to 3PM |
Visit www．hearstcastle．org for more information．
1.Who does the Hearst Castle belong to at present?
A．William Randolph Hearst． B．Julia Morgan．
C．The state of California． D．The Hearst Corporation．
2.If you are quite interested in wine, which tour will you choose?
A．Tour One． B．Tour Two．
C．Tour Three． D．Tour Four．
3.If a young couple take Tour One with their 5-year-old son, how much will they pay for the tickets?
A．36． B．60． C．48． D．75．
4.Which of the following is the available time to book tickets by phone?
A．At 8 AM on Monday in February． B．At 9 AM on Sunday in March．
C．At 7 PM on Friday in September． D．At 6 PM on Saturday in October．
阅读下面短文，从短文后所给各题的四个选项(A、B、C、D)中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳答案。
As a young man, Al was a skilled artist.He had a wife and two fine sons.One night, his oldest son 1a severe stomachache.Thinking it was only some 2intestinal （肠内的）disorder, neither Al nor his wife took the condition very 3. But the boy 4suddenly that night.
Knowing the death could have been 5if he had only realized the seriousness of the situation, Al's emotional health became worse under the huge burden of his guilt. To make matters __6, his wife left him a short time later, leaving him alone with his six-year-old younger son. The hurt and pain of the two 7were more than Al could handle, and he 8to alcohol.In time Al __9an alcoholic.
As the alcoholism progressed, Al began to lose everything he 10— his home, his land, his art works everything. 11Al died alone in a San Francisco motel room.
When I heard of Al's death, I thought that Al's life was a complete 12. I thought. "What a totally wasted life".
As time went by, I began to re-evaluate my earlier judgment.I knew Al's now adult son, Ernie.He is one of the kindest, most caring, most loving men I have 13known. I watched Ernie with his children and saw the free 14of love between them.I knew that kindness and caring had to come from somewhere.
I hadn't heard Ernie talk much about his father.One day I worked 15my courage to ask him."I'm really 16by something," I said."I know your father was 17the only one to raise you.What on earth did he do that you became such a special person?"
Ernie sat quietly and 18for a few moments. Then he said, "From my earliest __19as a child until I left home at 18, Al came into my room every night, gave me a kiss and said, ' I love you, son.' "
Tears came to my eyes as I realized what a fool I had been to 20Al as a failure. He had not left any material possessions behind.But he had been a kind loving father, and he left behind one of the finest, most giving men I have ever known.
1.A.formed B.developed C.received D.gained
2.A. average B. normal C. ordinary D. common
3.A. slightly B. secretly C. seriously D. terribly
4.A.died B.choked C.starved D.worsened
5.A.cured B.prevented C.forbidden D.saved
6.A.better B.heavier C.worse D.happier
7.A.disasters B.adventures C. directions D.situations
8.A.got B.drank C.turned D.sank
9.A.turned B.became C.followed D.created
10.A.needed B.shared C.benefited D.possessed
11.A.Eventually B.Gradually C.Therefore D.Meanwhile
12.A.trouble B.hardship C.failure D.waste
13.A. never B. even C. still D. ever
14.A.win B.fall C.space D.flow
15.A.up B.with C.on D.through
16.A.worried B.puzzled C.interested D.attracted
17.A.especially B.basically C.merely D.specially
18.A.argued B.searched C.analyzed D.reflected
19.A.thoughts B.ideas C.minds D.memories
20.A.treat B.call C.judge D.feel
We tried hard, and eventually, we were able to get Mike ____us his car just for a day.
A. lending B. lend C. to lend D. lent
Susan started to clean the room; __________Lily was preparing lunch.
A. however B. but C. meanwhile D. when
Had you joined the caht room ten minutes ago, you would have known what we _______about then.
A. had talked B. have talked C. talk D. were talking
