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. not sticks and stones but words will hurt us
B. inspiring words give us confidence
C. negative words may let us down
D. words have a lasting effect on 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. we can benefit from talking to ourselves
C. talking to ourselves always gives us courage
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. praise ourselves B. remind 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
Charles Plumb was a US Navy jet fighter pilot in Viet Nam. After 75 missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb parachuted down into enemy hands. He was captured and spent 6 years in a communist Vietnamese prison.
One day, Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant when a man from another table came up and said “You’re Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Viet Nam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!”
“How in the world did you know that?” asked Plumb.
“I packed your parachute,” the man replied. “I guess it worked”. Plumb assured him, “It sure did. If your chute（降落伞） hadn’t worked, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Plumb couldn’t sleep that night, thinking about that man. Plumb says, “I kept wondering what he looked like in a Navy uniform: a white hat, a bib in the back, and bell-bottom trousers. I wonder how many times I might have seen him and not even said ‘Good morning. How are you?’ or anything because, you see, I was a fighter pilot and he was ‘just a sailor’”.
Plumb thought of the many hours the sailor had spent at a long wooden table in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving the shrouds(伞罩) and folding the silks of each chute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he didn’t know.
Sometimes in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss what is really important. We may fail to say hello, please, thank you, congratulate someone on something wonderful that has happened to them, give a compliment, or just do something nice for no reason. As you go through this week, this month, this year, recognize people who pack your parachutes.
1.Why didn’t Plumb say hello to the sailor each time he passed him on the Kitty Hawk?
A. He thought the sailor was just an unimportant man.
B. He didn’t like him at that time.
C. He was very busy then.
D. He didn’t know him well then.
2. What did the sailor do on the Kitty Hawk at the Viet Nam War?
A. weaved clothes for the pilots. B. repaired the wooden table in the ship.
C. helped the jets start. D. packed the parachutes for the fighter pilots.
3. What does the writer think we should do?
A. We should help each other if they are in trouble.
B. We shouldn’t look down upon the sailors.
C. We should be thankful to others’ help.
D. We should be honest to our friends.
4. Which is the best title for the passage?
A. A story about a sailor. B. Who pack your parachutes?
C. Don’t forget your past! D. Never forget your friends!
Tick, tock, tick, tock. I’m sitting here, watching the movements of my existence pass slowly away. My house has been 36 for such a long time，and I’m lonely and forgotten. Sitting here, by myself, all that I can do is 37 and think about my past. I could tell you stories that only 38 would know. But walls can’t speak.
I came to this place many years ago，along with an old man…. 39 , he was with me for on1y three short years before he passed on….
For a time, I was left alone, while people came and 40 the house…. Then, one day a nice couple moved in with a young son. 41 , their son Danny liked to stay with me, and I was completely 42 with him. He always looked as if he loved the stories I told, most of which began with. ‘‘Back in my day…” and ‘‘When I was 43 .…” I sometimes had the kind of idea that he didn’t really understand what I was saying, but it felt good to be 44 . When Danny went off to college，my heart broke. Soon afterward, 45 sold the house.…
New owners came and 46 . Then, One day it so happened that I was in when a new family was moving into the house. You can’t even imagine my 47 when, unexpectedly, Danny walked through the front door. He had a 48 and kids now. I was so overjoyed when I saw him that I put all my 49 into my daily activities. ... I spent the next twenty years watching his kids grow up, with a mixture of pride and 50 about what would happen next.
The kids finally became 51 and Danny sold the house. That was about five years ago…. Some of the local kids have started the rumor that the house is haunted（闹鬼的）--- and, in a way, it is. It is haunted by 52 of all the people who have lived in it. Every second has 53 me so much. I have been 54 them all day and they are almost up for me.... I hope that someday somebody will 55 me, and drop in on me again. Maybe then I’ll get a new home and an opportunity for a whole new set of memories.
1.A. crowded B. empty C. painted D. sold
2.A. look back B. enjoy food C. have a dream D. chat with friends
3.A. friends B. learners C. neighbors D. walls
4.A. Luckily B. Happily C. Sadly D. Surprisingly
5.A. looked at B. settled in C. bought in D. sold out
6.A. At last B. At one time C. In the end D. From the beginning
7.A. tired B. friendly C. taken D. fond
8.A. older B. healthier C. better D. younger
9.A. loved B. told C. disliked D. believed
10.A.Danny B. I C. his parents D. the old man
11.A. settled B. went C. lived D. greeted
12.A. pity B. pride C. surprise D. sadness
13.A. friend B. daughter C. son D. wife
14.A. energy B. time C. life D. ideas
15.A. happiness B. dream C. anxiety D. disappointment
16.A. old B. impatient C. adults D. tired
17.A. families B. furniture C. houses D. memories
18.A. impressed B. surprised C. encouraged D. inspired
19.A. putting B. copying C. recalling D. taking
20.A. call B. remember C. visit D. attend
With everything she _______, she went home.
A. needed to buy B. needed buying C. needed buy D. needed bought
She was a shy girl and she never expected ________a great change in her life.
A. it to be B. there to be C. to be D. there being
Being ________ for interviews is very important if you want to find a good job.
A. stout B. deceitful C. punctual D. almighty
