In the office of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, there is a picture of Catherine the Great, the legendary Russian Empress. When asked why she has the picture, Merkel says, “She was a strong woman”. Many say the same of Merkel.
The most powerful woman in the world, according to US Forbes magazine, was in China last week. She came to discuss trade and environmental issues with China’s top leaders. Germany’s first woman leader is known as a brave and practical statesman(政治家). Even since her time at school, she had the habit of getting everything in order. Every day before doing her homework she would clean the desk and think about what to do next. “I prefer a long time for full preparations to make my decision. But once I decide, I will stand up for what I believe,” Merkel said.
Perhaps it was good habits that helped her do well in her studies. At 32, she got a doctorate (博士学位) in physics and then she worked as a researcher.
However, the life of a scholar couldn’t put off her love of politics. While working in labs, Merkel took time off to read political books and at last joined a political party. “Her calmness helped her stand out in the party. She could always find a way out while others felt hopeless,” said one of her old friends.
In her first big political job as Minister for the Environment in 1994, her scientific background proved very useful. In 2005 she became Germany’s youngest chancellor since the second World War.
Now half way through her four-year term, the 53-year-old woman has made a name for herself both in Germany and abroad. At the EU summit in 2005 when France quarreled with Britain over the EU budget(预算), some people believed the EU was close to breaking down. But Merkel didn’t give up. She shuttled(穿梭) between the heads of the two powers and had them reached an agreement.
“Strength comes from composure(镇定) and courage. Many people say I am a strong woman. But I would rather say I have perseverance,” said Merkel.
1. Why does Merkel put a picture of Catherine the Great on the wall of her office?
A. Because Catherine the Great is beautiful.
B. Because Merkel wants to be a strong woman too.
C. Because Merkel likes the drawing skill of it.
D. Because it is very expensive.
2.What is the correct order of the following events?
a. became the German Chancellor
b. got a doctorate in physics and then she worked as a researcher
c. join a political party
d. visit China
e. take part in the EU summit
f. as Minister for the Environment
A. bcafde B. cbfdae C. bcfaed D. cbfaed
3.Which statement is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Merkel usually is hurry to make a decision when facing difficulties.
B. At the EU summit in 2005, the relationship between French and Britain was in tension.
C. Merkel is a well-known leader all over the world.
D. She is outstanding because of her calmness.
4. What is the best title for the passage?
A. An excellent lecturer B. Germany’s iron lady
C. The change of a scholar D. The youngest chancellor
While it is impossible to live completely free of stress, it is possible to prevent stress as well as reduce its effect when it can't be avoided. The US Department of Health and Human Services offers the following suggestions for ways to deal with stress.
Try physical activity
When you are nervous, angry or upset, try releasing the pressure through exercise or physical activity. Running, walking, playing tennis, or working in your garden are just some of the activities you might try. Physical exercise will relieve your anxiety and worry and help you to relax. Your body and your mind will work together to ease the stress in your life.
Share your stress
It helps to talk to someone about your anxieties and worries. Perhaps a friend, family member, teacher or even your leader can help you a better view of what's troubling you. If you feel your problem is serious, you might seek professional help from a psychologist or a doctor. Knowing when to ask for help is an important step in avoiding serious problems later.
Take care of yourself
You should make every effort to eat well and get enough rest. If you easily get angry and cannot sleep well enough, or if you're not eating properly, it will be more likely that you will fall into stressful situations. If stress repeatedly keeps you from sleeping, you should consult a doctor. Make time for yourself.
Make a list of the things you need to do
Stress can result from disorganization and a feeling that "there's so much to do, and not enough time". Trying to take care of everything at once can be too much for you and as a result, you may not achieve anything. Instead, make a list of everything you have to do, then do one thing at a time, checking off each task as it is completed. Set out to do the most important tasks first.
Go ahead and cry
A good cry can be a healthy way to bring relief to your anxiety. It might even help you avoid a headache or other physical effect of anxiety and stress.
1. What is most probably the writer's purpose in writing the article?
A. To release his or her working tiredness.
B. To help solve the universal problem of stress.
C. To strengthen his or her anxiety.
D. To have more people cry out.
2. Physical activity can help people release stress because________.
A. only your body movement can help you relax
B. your mind can work better to free you of anxiety
C. your body and mind can cooperate in releasing stress
D. physical activity doesn't play an important part in reducing nervousness
3. What is similarity between "Share your stress" and "Go ahead and cry"?
A. They both help you let out your feelings.
B. They both need physical movement.
C. They both require mental relaxation.
D. They can cause a headache.
4. The underlined sentence is close to the meaning of "________".
A. Strike while the iron is hot
B. More haste, less speed
C. Practice makes perfect
D. Quietness wins time
The 28-year-old had spent six years working nights while she gained her university degree during the day. When she finally 16 , she had her eye on a teaching 17 at a nearby primary school. With the help of her friends, she had 18 with the Head.
“I noticed a tiny 19 in one of my stockings earlier.” she recalled. “I thought about 20 them, but I knew I’d be 21 if I did. And by the time I got to the interview，it was bigger. I walked in apologizing for not looking my best.” The would-be teacher didn’t 22 the job. In fact her friends told her that the Head’s only comment was, “If someone doesn’t take the time to 23 her best image at an interview, what kind of 24 is she going to be?”
In job-hunting, personal 25 is very important. After all, you’re selling a product— 26 —to an employer. When going to a job interview, always brush your hair tidily, polish your shoes and above all, 27 yourself properly. It will give you a competitive 28 and a positive first 29 . The above idea was also suggested in a best-seller for jobseekers named Dress for Success.
First impressions are 30 ones. In other words, if you’re viewed positively within the critical first four 31 , the person you’ve met will 32 feel everything you do is positive. Leave the interviewer a bad impression, and often he will guess you have a lot of other 33 characters. In a word, he may not take the time to give you a second 34 . Most employers believe that those who look as if they care about 35 will care about their jobs.
1.A. determined B. graduated C. succeeded D. returned
2.A. post B. advertisement C. assistant D. competition
3.A. a word B. a promise C. an agreement D. an interview
4.A. hole B. mud C. ink D. color
5.A. throwing B. mending C. changing D. removing
6.A. foolish B. different C. late D. punctual
7.A. appreciate B. get C. abandon D. refuse
8.A. present B. mind C. obtain D. confirm
9.A. person B. student C. graduate D. teacher
10.A. appearance B. experience C. ability D. preparation
11.A. yourself B. knowledge C. skills D. advice
12.A. behave B. dress C. show D. introduce
13.A. start B. confidence C. advantage D. benefit
14.A. chance B. performance C. job D. impression
15.A. remaining B. lasting C. useful D. serious
16.A. minutes B. interviewers C. tests D. jobseekers
17.A. seldom B. occasionally C. probably D. certainly
18.A. incredible B. unsatisfactory C. complicated D. impolite
19.A. job B. thought C. opportunity D. question
20.A. students B. salary C. others D. themselves
_____ by some red lanterns, our house looks beautiful, so I don’t think it needs ______.
A. To light; to be decorated B. Lit; decorating
C. To light; decorating D. Lit; being decorated
Can you tell me ______ that the 29th Olympic Games will take place?
A. it is when B. when is it C. when is D. when it is
No sooner ______ on board the train than it______ to move.
A. did he go; had started B. he went; started
C. had he gone; started D. he had gone; had started
