Nothing succeeds like confidence. When you are truly confident, it radiates (辐射) from you like sunlight, and attracts success to you like a magnet (磁铁). Besides, those who are self-confident can in turn inspire (encourage) confidence in others: their audience, their peers, their bosses, their customers, and their friends. And gaining the confidence of others is one of the key ways in which a self-confident person finds success.
So how can we build a sense of self-confidence and prepare ourselves on the way to success?
First, do what you believe to be right, even if others mock or criticize you for it. Believe in yourself and believe that you can do it in any situations, because if you believe you can, then you really will. The belief keeps you searching for answers, which means that pretty soon you will get them.
Second, govern your behavior based on what other people think. What’s more important, be willing to take risks and go the extra miles to achieve better results, in which case mistakes can not be avoided. Always be ready to admit your mistakes, and learn from them. Next, work hard to settle the problems in order to cover up your mistakes before anyone notices. Building self-confidence is readily achievable, as long as you have the focus and determination to carry things through. And what’s even better is that the things you’ll do to build self-confidence will also build success -- after all, your confidence will come from real, solid achievement. No one can take this away from you!
As you sow, so will you reap. With your perseverance (毅力) and improvement, you are getting closer to success. At this stage, wait for others to give congratulations and compliments on your achievements. “Thanks, I really worked hard on it. I’m pleased you recognize my efforts.” The congratulations and compliments from others will promote you to gain further success.
Self-confidence is extremely important in almost every aspect of our lives, and it is no wonder that so many people struggle to find it. Self-confidence really can be learned and built on. Besides, whether you’re working on your own self-confidence or building the confidence of people around you, it’s well worth the effort!
1.Those who are truly confident _______.
A．succeed without effort and hard work
B．encourage people around to become confident
C．appear more attractive and thus become successful
D．gain the confidence of others and feel successful
2.The underlined word “mock” (Paragraph 2) is closest in meaning to _______.
A．praise B．imitate (模仿) C．punish D．laugh at
3.When others congratulate us on our achievements, we are supposed to _______.
A．praise them in return
B．gain further improvement
C．politely accept the compliments
D．expect them to congratulate you again
4.Which of the following proverbs (sayings) best goes with Paragraph 4?
A．Look before your leap.
B．It is no use crying over spilt milk.
C．Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.
D．Learn from past mistakes and avoid future ones.
5.The purpose of the text is to _______.
A．tell people how to become successful
B．convince people to do what they believe to be right
C．encourage people to build confidence and achieve success
D．criticize people who lack confidence and thus fail in their career
“Get your hands off me, I have been stolen,” the laptop, a portable computer, shouted. That is a new solution to laptop computer theft (the crime of stealing): a program that lets owners give their property a voice when it has been taken.
The program allows users to display alerts (warning) on the missing computer’s screen and even to set a spoken message. Tracking software for stolen laptops has been on the market for some time, but this is thought to be the first that allows owners to give the thief a piece of their mind.
Owners must report their laptop missing by visiting a website, which sends a message to the model: a red and yellow “lost or stolen” sign appears on its screen when it is started. Under the latest version of the software, users can also send a spoken message.
The message can be set to reappear every 30 seconds, no matter how many times the thief closes it. “One customer sent a message saying, ‘You are being tracked. I am right at your door’,” said Carrie Hafeman, chief executive of the company which produces the program, Retriever.
In the latest version, people can add a spoken message. For example, the laptop’s speakers will say: “Help, this laptop is reported lost or stolen. If you are not my owner, report me now.”
The Retriever software package, which costs $29.95 but has a free trial period, has the functions of many security software programs. Owners can remotely (远程地) switch to an alternative (可替换的) password immediately if they fear that the thief has also got hold of the access (进入, 使用) details.
If a thief accesses the Internet with the stolen laptop, Retriever will collect information on the Internet service provider in use, so that the police can be alerted to its location.
Thousands of laptops are stolen every year from homes and offices, but with the use of laptops increasing, the number stolen while their owners are out and about has been rising sharply.
Other security software allows users to erase data remotely or lock down the computer.
1.The underlined expression “to give the thief a piece of their mind” in Paragraph 2 can be understood as “_______”.
A．to give the thief an alert mind
B．to express the owners’ anger to the thief
C．to remind the thief of his conscience (良心)
D．to make the thief give up his mind
2.Different from other security software, Retriever can _______.
A．record the stealing process
B．help recognize the lost laptop
C．lock down the computer remotely
D．send a spoken message
3.One function of the program is that it allows the owner to _______ at a distance.
A．change some access details for switching on the laptop
B．turn on the laptop by using the original password
C．operate the laptop by means of an alternative password
D．erase the information kept in the stolen laptop
4.Which of the following can best sum up the main idea of the passage?
A．With no Retriever, thousands of laptops are stolen every year.
B．A new software provides a means to reduce laptop theft.
C．Retriever has helped to find thieves and lost computers.
D．A new program offers a communication platform with the thief.
5.What does the word “it” in Paragraph 4 refer to?
A．the alert message B．the computer
C．the program D．the laptop
“Can I see my baby?” asked the happy new mother. The bundle (a collection of things wrapped or boxed together) was placed in her arms and when she moved the fold of cloth to look upon his tiny face, she gasped -- the baby had been born without ears. Time, however, proved that the baby’s hearing was perfect except his appearance.
One day when he rushed home from school and threw himself into his mother’s arms, he cried out bitterly, “A boy, a big boy… called me -- a f... freak.” She sighed, knowing that his life was to be endless of heartbreaks.
He grew up, handsome for his misfortune. A favorite with his fellow students, he might have been class president, but for that. He developed a gift for literature and music.
The boy’s father had a talk with the family doctor. Could nothing be done? “I believe we could graft (移植) on a pair of outer ears, if they could be donated (捐献) ,” the doctor decided. So the search began for a person who would make such a sacrifice for a young man. Two years went by. Then, “You’re going to the hospital, son. Mother and I have someone who will donate the ears you need. But it’s a secret.” said the father.
The operation was a brilliant success. His talents blossomed into genius. School and college became a series of successes. Later he married and entered the diplomatic (外交) service. “But I must know!” he urged his father. “Who gave so much for me? I could never do enough for him.”
“I do not believe you could,” said the father，“but the agreement was that you are not to know…not yet.” The years kept the secret, but the day did come... one of the darkest days that ever passed through a son. He stood with his father over his mother’s casket (棺材). Slowly and tenderly, the father stretched forth a hand and raised the thick, reddish-brown hair to let out the secret.
1.The story is mainly about _______.
A．how a boy had new ears through an operation
B．what a devoted parent privately did for the child
C．how a disabled boy turned into a useful person
D．why a donator made a sacrifice to a bright boy
2.From the first paragraph we know that the mother _______.
A．was determined to donate her ears to perfect her son
B．kept her husband unknown about the baby’s situation
C．felt shocked and disappointed to see her new baby
D．complained of her bad luck to have a disabled child
3.The underlined word “freak” in Paragraph 2 is the closest in meaning to “_______”.
A．slow-acting person B．funny-looking child
C．badly-behaved student D．strangely-shaped creature
4.What can be inferred from the passage?
A．The agreement was between the donator and the family.
B．The boy was so popular that he was made class president.
C．Finally the boy came to know who the donator was.
D．The mother donated her ears to her son after she died.
5.What moral lesson can we draw from this reading?
A．Real love lies in what is done unknown rather than what is done known.
B．It is parents’ responsibility to help their children heart and soul.
C．True beauty lies only in the heart not in appearance.
D．Young generations should learn to be grateful.
When I was twelve years old, my father took me to see Zig Zigler. I remember sitting in that dark hall listening to Mr. Zigler 41 everyone’s spirits up to the ceiling. I 42 there feeling like I could do anything. When we got to the car, I turned to my father and said, “Dad, I want to 43 people feel like that.” My father asked me what I meant. “I want to be a motivational speaker just like Mr. Zigler,” I replied. A (An) 44 was born.
Recently, I began seeking my dream of motivating others. 45 a four-year relationship with Fortune 100 Company 46 as a sales-trainer and ending as a regional sales manager, I left the company at the height of my 47 . Many people were surprised that I would leave after earning a six-figure income. And they asked why I would risk everything for a dream.
I made my 48 to start my own company and leave my secure position after 49 a regional sales meeting. The vice-president of our company delivered a speech that changed my life. He asked us, “If a god would offer you three wishes, what would they be?” After giving us a (an) 50 to write down the three wishes, he then asked us, “Why do you need a 51 ?” I would never forget the power I felt at that moment. I realized that 52 I accomplished in the past had prepared me for this moment. I was ready and didn’t need a god’s help to become a motivational speaker. A motivational speaker was born.
Having made that decision, I was immediately 53 . One week after I handed in my notice (辞职信), my husband was laid off from his job, and now we had no 54 . But I held fast to my dream. The wonder really began to happen. In a short time my husband found a better job. And I was able to book several 55 engagements with new customers. I discovered the incredible power of dreams.
1. A．rise B．blow C．put D．raise
2. A．left B．came C．arrived D．slipped
3. A．get B．hope C．make D．cheer
4. A．idea B．dream C．girl D．speaker
5. A．After B．Before C．Because D．While
6. A．beginning B．working C．acting D．regarding
7. A．life B．love C．income D．career
8. A．plan B．promise C．decision D．mind
9. A．attending B．joining C．entering D．holding
10. A．day B．minute C．week D．hour
11. A．help B．job C．god D．company
12. A．everything B．anything C．nothing D．something
13. A．examined B．searched C．checked D．tested
14. A．help B．harm C．income D．money
15. A．selling B．speaking C．writing D．listening
Most of his mistakes _____ out of his nervousness, I am sure.
A．rose B．raised C．arose D．lifted
None of us think it any good _____ a contract with such a dishonest boss.
A．to sign B．signing C．signed D．sign
