A popular saying goes, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” However, that’s not really true. Words have the power to build us up or tear us down. It doesn’t matter if the words come from someone’s else or ourselves --- the positive and negative effects are just as lasting.
We all talk to ourselves sometimes. We’re usually too embarrassed to admit it, though. In fact, we really shouldn’t be because more and more experts believe talking to ourselves out loud is a healthy habit.
This “self-talk” helps us motivate ourselves, remember things, solve problems, and calm ourselves down. Be aware, though, that as much as 77% of self-talk tends to be negative. So in order to stay positive, we should only speak words of encouragement to ourselves. We should also be quick to give ourselves a pat on the back. The next time you finish a project, do well in a test, or finally clean your room, join me in saying “Good job!”
Often, words come out of our mouths without us thinking about the effect they will have. But we should be aware that our words cause certain responses in others. For example, when returning an item to a store, we might use warm, friendly language during the exchange. And the clear will probably respond in a similar manner. Or harsh（刻薄的）and critical language will most likely cause the clerk to be defensive.
Words possess power because of their lasting effect. Many of us regret something we once said. And we remember unkind words said to us! Before speaking, we should always ask ourselves: Is it loving? Is it needed? If what we want to say doesn’t pass this test, then it’s better left unsaid.
Words possess power: both positive and negative. Those around us receive encouragement when we speak positively. We can offer hope, build self-esteem（自尊）and motivate others to do their best. Negative words destroy all those things. Will we use our words to hurt or to heal? The choice is ours.
1.The main idea of the first paragraph is that ________.
A．words have a lasting effect on us B．inspiring words give us confidence
C．negative words may let us down
D．not sticks and stones but words will hurt us
2.There is no sense for us to feel embarrassed when we talk to ourselves because _______.
A．almost everybody has the habit of talking to themselves
B．talking to ourselves always gives us courage
C．we can benefit from talking to ourselves
D．it does no harm to have “self-talk” when we are alone
3.The underlined part in the third paragraph means that we should also timely _______.
A．remind ourselves B．praise ourselves
C．make ourselves relaxed D．give ourselves amusement
4.．The author would probably hold the view that ___________.
A．encouraging words are sure to lead to kind offers
B．negative words may stimulate us to make more progress
C．people tend to remember friendly words
D．it is better to think twice before talking to others
I was walking along Orchard Road when I realized a tall young man wearing a jacket and tie was following me. I noticed him because not many people wear a jacket and tie in the middle of a hot summer day, and I had already seen this man four times that afternoon.
To make sure he was following me, I walked on quickly, turned right into a shopping center and then stopped to look in a shop window. Soon the man appeared and stopped at another shop window. I walked on and stopped several times. When I stopped, he stopped too.
I began to be rather worried and decided to try to lose this strange man. When I saw a taxi coming, I jumped into it. As I was telling the taxi driver where to go, I found the man get into another taxi, which then followed mine. As the two taxies slowly made their way along Orchard Road, I looked back at the taxi behind, and saw the stranger was looking out at me. At MRT station, I told the taxi driver to stop and I got out. As I was paying my fare, I saw the man was getting out of his taxi.
By now I got angry, so I turned and walked straight to him. I asked him why he was following me. At first he said he was not following me at all, but when I threatened (��в) to call the police, he admitted he was. He then told me that he was a journalist (news reporter) and that he was writing an article on how elderly people in Singapore spend their time. He said he was observing me to gather materials for his article.
1.What was strange about the man who followed the author?
A. He seemed to be wearing too much. B. He was out on such a hot day.
C. He walked quickly behind. D. He was a tall young man.
2. Why did the author get into a taxi?
A. To test the young man. B. To lose the young man.
C. To call the police. D. To get home earlier.
3. The stranger admitted he was following because the author ______.
A. threatened to call the police B. called the police
C. talked to the police D. took him to the police
完形填空(共20小题；每小题1分，满分20分）
请认真阅读下面各题，从 A、B、C、D四个选项选出最佳选项。
When Alice started to cycle home from Jenny’s house, she wasn’t nervous. She was certainly not afraid of the dark. __31_, it was only a 15-minute ride home. But halfway there, she began to wish that she hadn’t been so __32__.
As she rounded a sharp bend, it suddenly __33_ cold — very cold. Alice’s breath became puffs of white cloud and her legs were so cold that it became hard to ride.
With her heart beating fast, she struggled so hard to move __34_ that she didn’t hear the car which suddenly appeared beside her. She stopped by the road. The big black car also __35__. Slowly, the passenger-window began to slide down. Alice held her breath. In the soft light inside the car, something __36__. Then, the light brightened and Alice was staring at a sweet, grey-haired old lady. “Hello, dear,” said the old lady. “I need __37_. I’m afraid I’m lost. I need to find the nearest airport. I must be there in the next five minutes.”
“Airport? You __38_ are lost,” Alice said. “You need to go back five kilometers _39__ you reach the T-junction. Turn left and __40__ for about another 10 kilometers to the main highway. From there, just follow the __41__ to the airport. But I’m afraid there’s no __42 you’ll get there in five minutes!”
“Thank you very much, dear,” replied the old lady. “Don’t worry — I’ll __43__ in time.”
The __44_ moved up and the car started off. A little way ahead, it __45__ and with headlights flashing, it drove past Alice. But then, something __46_ happened. The car began changing. First, its color __47__from black to silvery-grey. Then, the wheels began disappearing, but the car continued to move forward, 48__ just above the ground. As the car __49_ into the dark sky, the big red tail-lights grew larger and larger and glowed more and more brightly. With a faint whistling __50__, the car was gone in seconds, leaving Alice shaking her head in disbelief…
1. A However B Besides C Therefore D Otherwise
2. A brave B excited C curious D stubborn
3.A fell B seemed C proved D grew
4. A aside B around C forward D backward
5.A arrived B stopped C stayed D started
6. A gathered B existed C dropped D moved
7. A help B gas C rest D water
8.A necessarily B normally C basically D certainly
9.A if B until C unless D as
10..A drive B walk C follow D march
11.A address B signs C notices D guidance
12. A doubt B room C time D way
13. A have it B get it C make it D finish it
14. A door B window C headlight D wheel
15. A passed B rushed C turned D continued
16. A strange B sensitive C imaginable D horrible
17. A developed B appeared C spread D faded
18. A rolling B floating C drawing D flashing
19. A pointed B returned C broke D rose
20. A tune B voice C sound D tone
The doctor thought ____ would be good for you to have a holiday.
A. this B. that C. one D. it
—Have you finished the book？
—No. I’ve read up to _____ the children discover the secret cave.
A. which B. what C. that D. where
_____ computers are convenient to us in daily life, it may also cause other problems.
A. Whether B. Because C. As D. While
