Destiny and Personal Responsibility
One important variable affecting communication across cultures is destiny（命运）and personal responsibility. This refers to the degree to which we feel ourselves the masters of our lives, contrary to the degree to which we see ourselves as subject to things outside our control. Another way to look at this is to ask how much we see ourselves able to change and act, to choose the course of our lives and relationships. Some have drawn a parallel between the personal responsibility in North American settings and the view itself. The North American view is vast, with large spaces of unpopulated land. The frontier attitude of “King” of the wilderness, and the expansiveness of the land reaching huge distances, may relate to generally high levels of confidence in the ability to shape and choose our destinies.
In this expansive land, many children grow up with a heroic sense of life, where ideas are big, and hope springs forever. When they experience temporary failures, they encouraged to redouble their efforts, to “try, try again.” Action, efficiency（效率）, and achievement are valued and expected. Free will is respected in laws and enforced by courts.
Now consider places in the world with much smaller land, whose history reflects wars and tough struggles: Northern Ireland, Mexico, Israel, Palestine. In these places, destiny’s role is more important in human life. In Mexico, there is a history of hard life, fighting over land, and loss of homes. Mexicans are more likely to see struggles as part of their life and unavoidable. Their passive attitude is expr4essed in their way of responding to failure or accident by saying “ni modo”(“no way” or “tough lick”), meaning that the failure was destined.
This variable is important to understanding cultural conflict. If someone believing in free will crosses paths with someone more passive, miscommunication is likely. The first person may expect action and accountability. Failing to see it, he may conclude that the second is lazy, not cooperative, or dishonest. The second person will expect respect for the natural order of thins. Failing to see it, he may conclude that the first is forcible, rude, or big headed in his ideas of what can be accomplished or changed.
1.The author thinks that one’s character is partly determined by .
A．physical senses B．general attitude
C．financial background D．geographic characteristics
2.According to the passage, Mexicans would think that Americans are .
A．impractical B．dishonest C．ambitious D．hesitant
3.The underlined word “subject” in Paragraph 1 probably means .
A．a topic of a discussion B．a branch of knowledge
C．a person being experimented on D．a person under the power of others
4.The author would probably agree that .
A．vast land may lead to a more controllable desire
B．heroic sense of life roots deeply in a small country
C．living in limited space contributes to an accepting attitude
D．fighting over land may help people gain high levels of confidence
We’ve all seen them: perfectly toned famous people on late-night television telling us that we too can develop rock-hard abdominal muscles（腹肌）. It’s easy! Just pay $149.99 for the Torso Track or $149.75 for the Ad-Doer and watch those unwanted inches leave your waist. Americans spend tens of million of dollars on various products to firm up their fat around the waist.
And did they work? Not necessarily. Independent studies have concluded that most of these products-no matter who approved them or how expensive they are-shape your midsection no better than old-fashioned stomach crunches（仰卧起坐）. Some can even cause injury-like the $518.99 Body Shaper-Q8SP, which left electrical burns on some researchers at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. Others, like the popular Ab-Doer, trpically burn less energy than a gentle walk, according to a study to be published in September by the American Council on Exercise.
The fact is that many Americans don’t have the biological makeup to develop an obvious abdominal muscles. They are either unable to get the necessary muscle mass or they can’t lose enough fat to make a difference. Even if the underlying muscles are well developed, and it takes to hide it is one-sixteenth of tan inch of fat. That’s enough to dismiss most healthy women as well as plenty of guys who do crunches every day.
So what works best? In its new study, the exercise experts researched on the results of the popular Ab-Doer. A lengthy TV advertisement promises that just 10 minutes a day performing such movements as “Body Boogies” and “Good Mornings” will “help form those muscles the fun and easy way without diets.” Steven Loy, professor at California State University, Northridge, tested the promise by measuring the electrical activity produced by the abdominal muscles during three Ab-Doer movements. He and his colleagues then compared the results with those produced during traditional exercises. They determined that the muscles were no more active, and in some cases less so, when exercisers were using the Ab-Doer.
Taking a broader approach, researchers at San Diego State University compared 13 abdominal exercises for their ability to develop the central abdominal muscles. They concluded, in a report published in May, that the most effective exercises kept turning the body and worked the muscles the entire time. Among the winners: the bicycle movements-so called because it looks as if you are riding a bike while lying flat on the floor-and exercises performed on the “Captain’s Chair”, a product typically found in gyms that helps hold the body in the air while you raise your legs up toward your chest. Researchers suggested that a varied routine of the different exercises could deliver the best results.
1.Which of the following is the most effective in building abdominal muscles?
A．Torso Track. B．Ab-Doer.
C．Captain’s Chair. D．Body Shaper-Q8SP.
2.According to the author, it’s difficult for many Americans to get visible firm abdominal muscles mainly because .
A．they do not put in enough efforts
B．injuries interrupt their exercise frequently
C．they change their exercise routine regularly
D．how big their muscles will be is determined by birth
3.The author convinces the readers by .
A．describing successful eases B．offering professional connects
C．presenting findings of researches D．comparing advertisements of products
4.What’s the main purpose of this passage?
A．To research and develop in order to create the perfect stomach and exercise machine.
B．To promote proven exercise techniques and to advise against false advertisements.
C．To indicate that diet and exercises are necessary factors for a fit midsection.
D．To sponsor rich healthy lifestyle based on advanced product research.
Count Me Out
Call me old-fashioned. Call me old. Call me what you want, but refuse to become part of this new Internet world.
I do not possess a computer at home or at the office. Actually, I stopped going to an office 35 years ago, when all communications were done with a pen, a typewriter, or, if the matter was of world-shaking importance, over the telephone. Likewise, if you like something advertised in a newspaper or magazine, you visited the shop selling it at the given address, or you phoned, the number shown. Then you spoke to the fellow and asked for further details.
Tell me what you think of the following ad that appeared the other day in the newspaper. It was for a cure for cancer and this is what it said: “Awareness is the key. Visit spfulford. com at the awareness site.” There was no address or telephone number for the site. So what do unfortunate people without a computer do it they are seeking a cure for their illness?
There are, I am told, certain advantages in having access to the Internet. You can, for example, send love messages across the world or even get married to someone that you meet online. This bit doesn’t interest me; I have been happily married for 60 years. There are, of course, other activities for Internet users besides finding love. They can pay bills, order groceries, or discuss with their doctors.
And this is by no means all. More amazing things are yet to come in the near future. I read a newspaper report recently that quoted Stephen Hawking, an important British scientist. “The complexity of a computer as it exists today is probably less than the brain of an earthworm,” he said. “But, as technology advances, computers will become more complex, and a time may come when the Internet may develop ‘consciousness.’ In other words, the Internet will be able to think, have feelings, and may well be able to act on its own.”
If Professor Hawking is right, I may change my attitude about conjurers. As I grow older each day, I would like one of those that not only thinks for me but also accepts responsibilities for all my mistakes.
1.What’s the meaning of the title “Count Me Out”?
A．Get me out of the Internet world.
B．Computers are trying to take control of life.
C．Modern technology pushes old people away.
D．Do not expect me to be a supporter of the Internet.
2.According to Paragraph 2, the author thinks computers are .
A．unnecessary B．convenient C．expensive D．advanced
3.What might the author like about the future computer?
A．Taking blames. B．Curing illnesses.
C．Delivering messages. D．Responding to emotions.
On Christmas morning, I went to the Cockhedge Mall. People there were all busy buying their last minute requirements. I needed to buy a birthday card for my son-in-law whose birthday is the 29th of December. Picking up a few more things as well as my cared I went to join the line for the express checkout which was for people who only had a few items in a basket and not a trolley load. This line was next to the Customer Service desk.
Seemingly waiting quite a long time, I was jogged out of my thoughts by a voice behind me making comments on the things I bought.
It was so funny when I realized that she was describing the contents of my basket. The owner of the voice was a very pretty young lady. I said to her that I was going to buy a box of Christmas cookies but the only ones left were not to my liking. The lady told me that just opposite Cockhedge in Superdrug they had lots of cookies. I said, “I’m not going to bother now. I had enough of shops and I’m going home.”
The assistant from the Customer Service came across at this time saying “If there is anyone in the line with a few items in their basket, none of which needed to be weighed, I will check out their groceries at the desk.” Because I had the sprouts which needed to be weighted, the young lady accepted the offer and walked away waving goodbye.
Eventually my turn came at the checkout. I was walking away when I met my new friend once again who handed me a beautiful box of Christmas cookies. With a big hug she said “Hope you have a lovely Christmas.” She had been into Superdrug to buy me the cookies while I was still queuing in Cockhedge.
What a generosity to a stranger! I was so surprised you could have knocked me down with a feather. My Good Samaritan would never know what a joyful Christmas day I had with my family. Telling them this story, as we ate around the table, kept everyone spellbound.
1.The underlined word “spellbound” in the last paragraph probably means .
A．interested B．disappointed C．astonished D．frightened
2.Which of the following could be the best title of the story?
A．A Piece of Lucky Feather B．A Surprise Christmas Gift
C．The Boring Shopping Experience D．The Unforgettable Big Hug
3.How does the writer feel about the pretty young lady?
A．Worried. B．Satisfied. C．Grateful D．Proud.
4.What can we learn from the story?
A．Nobody is sure what will happen the next moment.
B．A simple action can bring other people happiness.
C．Being patient will decrease the waiting time.
D．Life without hope and faith is a full thing.
完型填空（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从36—55各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
Tried and exhausted, I came back home from work. I found the front door was 36 open and I felt a little scared. Did I carelessly forget to lock it after I left? I looked around 37 to see what could be 38 . Why would someone come into my home only to 39 with nothing? After searching every inch, I realized that everything was 40 I had left it. No 41 cushions, broken lamps, or 42 emptied out on the carpet. Feeling much 43 . I looked out my oversized window of my dinning room at Ms. Sullivan’s house. Jimmy, the little boy next door was visiting her. Jimmy cared a lot about Ms. Sullivan and was very concerned with her health after she became ill. She used to 44 Jimmy when he was just a baby.
Forgetting about the 45 with my front door, I decided to walk over to Ms. Sullivan’s house to see how she was 46 . With a warm hello, she invited me into her home. I noticed twelve beautiful roses delicately presented on the table next to her bed. They looked exactly like the 47 on my dinning room table in front of my oversized window. With a pleasant smile, she told me Jimmy brought them to her as a “get-well gift”. Suddenly Jimmy 48 out of his seat in an instant and said that he had to go home for a while to do some homework but he promised to be back to 49 up on Ms. Sullivan.
Talking for a while, Ms. Sullivan began to get very tired so I gave her my phone number in case she 50 needed help, and left her home. I thought about how 51 it was for little Jimmy to be so concerned for Ms. Sullivan. I got home, laughing at how 52 I was that morning about what had happened over 53 . I walked passed the dinning room and noticed my roses 54 in the vase were missing. Without a second 55 , I glanced out the window at Ms. Sullivan’s house and with a smile on my face I turned off the light in the room and went to sleep.
The next morning my door bell rang. I opened the door Jimmy was there…
1.A．easily B．slowly C．slightly D．silently
2.A．tensely B．patiently C．eagerly D．calmly
3.A．burning B．losing C．lacking D．missing
4.A．get B．deal C．steal D．leave
5.A．what B．where C．that D．how
6.A．worn B．changed C．unwashed D．overturned
7.A．lockers B．kettles C．drawers D．coats
8.A．eased B．angry C．surprised D．curious
9.A．watch B．guard C．follow D．visit
10.A．accident B．experience C．incident D．condition
11.A．working B．doing C．sleeping D．acting
12.A．lamps B．vases C．roses D．gifts
13.A．stood B．ran C．stepped D．jumped
14.A．look B．check C．pick D．call
15.A．ever B．still C．only D．just
16.A．smart B．sensitive C．sweet D．thankful
17.A．strange B．nervous C．careless D．wrong
18.A．everything B．something C．anything D．nothing
19.A．growing B．sitting C．lying D．arranging
20.A．thought B．intention C．expectation D．delay
—I don’t care for baseball.
—How can you say you don’t like something you’ve never even tried it!
A．till B．after C．unless D．when
