"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."
You probably heard those lines in grammar school, but do you really agree that harsh (严厉的) or negative words do not harm us? Words have power. Surely we all have had our feelings hurt by something someone said.
We may not say words to hurt others, but the way we interpret (解释) them and how we say them may cause great harm. Here’s an example:
An ancient king dreamed all his teeth had fallen out. He sent for a wise man to explain his dream to him: the dream means that all your relatives will die and you will be left alone!
The king was very angry and threw the interpreter into prison. He then sent for another interpreter who said, "Congratulations! King! You will live many more years. In fact, you will survive all your relatives. Long Live the King!"
Both interpreters gave the same interpretation, but there was a huge difference in the way they said it.
Our speech must be understood by those who hear our words, but the way we say things and the intention behind them have as much power as the words themselves. Words can cause anger or appreciation. Which would you rather receive?
People who say harsh and negative things may not mean to harm, but have you ever known anyone who is a naysayer? They often look at the dark sides of things. They always see the glass as half empty rather than half full. How do you feel when you are around this type of person? Remember words have power. Use them wisely.
1.The author mentions the story of the ancient king to show that _____.
A. one dream sometimes has different explanations
B. good words can bring good luck to people
C. people should be careful when talking to a king
D. different ways of saying things have different effects
2.The underlined word "naysayer" in the last paragraph refers to a person who always _____.
A.has a negative attitude B. likes to be praised
C.talks big D. likes to repeat what others say
3.According to the text, how can people understand each other better?
A. By sharing different life experiences
B. By accepting different habits.
C. By properly using words
D. By recognizing different values.
4.The author wrote the last paragraph to ______.
A. show how the dark sides of things affect people
B. advise people to see and say things positively
C. show how harsh and negative words hurt people
D. advise people to stay away from negative people
5.The passage mainly talks about ______.
A. the power of words B. the cruelty of the king
C. how to understand others D. how to build good relationships
A youth went to visit a sage (智者) in a mountain 1. the wisdom of life.
“Could you please tell me what is the most important day in our lives? Is it the day we die or the day we were born, 2. the day our career takes off?” the youth asked.
“ 3. of those. The most important day in our lives is today.” The sage replied immediately.
“Is 4. because of my visit?” the youth asked in surprise.
“Even if nobody visited me today, today would still be important. No matter how memorable yesterday is, it has gone by like 5. ship sinking into the sea, no matter how brilliant tomorrow may be, it is not yet to come; but6. simple today is, it is under your control.”
Inspired, the youth nodded and went away.
Today is the only wealth we have. 7. , what we should do now is to forget yesterday and tomorrow, and quickly grasp 8.
As a young girl growing up in rural Alabama, I never understood why my mom spent so much time baking. And she always made my brother and me 36 her. A whole day every other week was devoted to making bread. It always made our small arms tired.
Despite our best efforts, the flour dust always went everywhere. I 37 to be outside with my playmates, and never 38 my mom’s desire for quality family time with her children, at least when it came to spending it in the 39 . Years have gone by, and I have become a mother myself. I prefer to leave most of the cooking to my husband and he loves it. He’s quite 40 at doing it, too.
On one occasion my husband was 41 dinner, and I was at the kitchen table going through the day’s mail when our little son, Cody, asked if he could help 42 . My husband said yes, and I sat there amused, watching them.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Helping dad cook.” he replied with a big 43 on his face. I thought back to those 44 when my mom asked me to help her bake bread, and I was 45 , but obeyed. Perhaps she was trying to create something more than just fresh bread—maybe a few lasting 46 .
As I watched Cody do it with all his attention, I realized that he had 47 a lasting moment for me, a moment filled with a deep sense of family. I wanted to hold the moment and make it longer, and appreciate the memories my mom had given me years ago in her kitchen.
1.A.copy B. help C.notice D.admire
2.A.improved B.encouraged C.longed D.blamed
3.A.wondered B. appreciat C.judged D.challenged
4.A.kitchen B. restaurant C. bedroom D. school
5.A.unhappy B.weak C.astonished D.skilled
6.A.preparing B.choosing C.making D.having
7.A.play B.work C.cook D.make
8.A. get uptear B. surprise C. smile D. mark
9.A. dreams B.time C. mysteries D.accidents
10.A. excited B.regretful C. confident D.unwilling
11.A. memories B.choices C.opportunities D.goals
12.A. continued B.created C.failed D.served
“My boy, do remember to leave things _____ you can find them again.
A. where B. when C. then D. there
I found my new school quite different from _____ I had studied in before.
A. one B. that C. the one D. it
—You don’t seem to be quite yourself today. What’s wrong?
—Oh, I’m suffering from a cold. Nothing serious, _____.
A. yet B. though C. indeed D. anyway