As a senior, my future is always on my mind. To be exact, thoughts of the future have kept me up countless nights and made me worry enough to do poorly on more than one test. Because of this, words of wisdom are a source of comfort. Steve Jobs gave a speech to Stanford’s graduating class in 2005 and his words resound repeatedly in my mind whenever I think about my future.
It wasn’t always like that, though. It started when I became a junior, when college came into view. It’s the first big step to making your life your own. So when Jobs discussed his life as a student, some fears were eased. He, too, felt the need to attend college to make something of himself. He faced what many are extremely afraid of: uncertainty. His lack of understanding caused him to stop attending college and focus on what he felt was important. His story had a happy ending, of course, since he certainly turned out well.
This doesn’t mean that students shouldn’t attend college, but rather that they shouldn’t worry so much. You’ll get where you need to go, even if your path is a bit more winding than you’d like.
Jobs talked about the hardships in his work. His love of his work helped him carry on and he got where he was meant to be, which restates the point: don’t panic.
One particular part of his speech stayed with me. Steve Jobs quoted the saying “Stay hungry, stay foolish” and it has become my motto. Staying foolish is realizing that you are still a fool, no matter how much you’ve learned or experienced. There is always more to explore. Staying hungry is wanting to find those things about which you are still uneducated.
Steve Jobs’s level of success is attainable, and I aim to prove that. With the will power to go into the world living every day like it’s my last and allowing the future to take care of itself, I will do great things. In the last moments of my life, I’ll be proud of what I have done and hope to have all the wisdom a person could wish for.
1.The author felt worried when _________.
A. he had to take tests at school B. he thought about his future
C. he had lots of sleepless nights D. he searched for words of wisdom
2.What did the author gain from Jobs’s speech?
A. Courage to drop out of school. B. Confidence in defeating Jobs.
C. Interest in computer industry. D. Bravery to face uncertainties.
3.What did NOT Steve Jobs encourage students to do in his speech?
A. Have the desire to learn more. B. Be content with what they know.
C. Stay calm in the face of hardships. D. Be modest so as to learn more.
An older friend once gave me a piece of advice, “Enjoy the last few weeks of college,” she said, “since college is the best time of your life.”
This was not the first time I’d heard such a statement, but with graduation fast coming close, her words especially struck me. It seemed a bit disappointing to reach one's life peak at only 22 years of age, but in her opinion, college had been one of the best times in my life so far. I made friends, took classes, and learned a great deal about myself. But I was also excited for the time after college—moving to a new city, starting a new job, and becoming a "real" person. I hoped that my great dreams were practical.
Then, last week I read a column in Real Simple Magazine called 100 Years of Attitude, in which women 100 years or older shared their life experiences and views. I noticed that none of them considered college as the "best" time of their life. Not all of them went to college, but still in most cases their teens and twenties were not the best times of their life. They said some of their favorite times were raising their children, traveling after retirement, and even enjoying their present time and age.
Enjoying one's present time and age was a clear theme of the interviews. A piece of advice given by the women was about the importance of making the best of all situations. I think it more accurate than that of my friend; I can say with certainty that if I am lucky enough to make it to 100, I refuse to spend the last 80 years of my life plummeting (跌落) downhill, or even leveling off.
I am sure that our eagerness and devotion will make us college students live a meaningful life. We will not just look backwards or miss our college days. We will look forward in excitement about continued journey uphill.
1.Which of the following opinions does the writer agree with?
A. College is the best time of one’s life.
B. Twenties were the best time of the old people.
C. One should make the best of all situations.
D. One should not look backwards at their college time.
2.In the second paragraph, the writer wants to say ______.
A. her achievements in college would be the peak of her success
B. she is looking forward to living as a “real” person in college
C. she becomes more and more uneasy with graduation
D. she is satisfied with the college life but is hopeful for the future
3.The column the writer read is mainly about those old women’s ______.
A. best time of life at youth B. life experiences and views
C. different opinions about life D. favorite time with best friends
4.By saying “I refuse to spend the last 80 years of my life plummeting downhill, or even leveling off” (in Paragraph 4), the writer really means ______.
A. she will not spend the rest of her time at college
B. she will not just obtain a college level certificate
C. she will not be satisfied with what she has already accomplished
D. she will not be content with the life in the future
There was a Greek shopkeeper in a small corner shop in London. She taught me about the of an act of kindness, which has motivated me to give.
On the day I went to that shop, I was with a very high fever. I had been off work for days and I had out of food. Because I had been working so hard since I had to town, I also had no friends who could help.
So I went out to get some food. , I would have gone to the supermarket, but on this , I went into the Greek shop because it was closer. I a few things, which revealed the that I lived alone. Then I them to the shopkeeper, who told me, “You are unwell.” I rather shyly. She pointed at the things I was buying and “I can make you a sandwich, so you don’t have to do it yourself.”
So, she made the sandwich and asked me to a moment. She went in the back room and reappeared with a container of hot soup.” It will you up,” she said with a smile.
What really warmed me up, , was not the soup. It was her that told me she cared. Her kindness made me feel cared for when I was particularly .
And it me. It made me want to be as as the shopkeeper. I had been quite shy, but, from that day on, I did not let shyness prevent me from random acts of kindness.
I was determined to the joy… and I haven’t felt lonely since!
1.A. power B. method C. lesson D. cause
2.A. sick B. angry C. satisfied D. nervous
3.A. made B. sold C. run D. eaten
4.A. arrived B. turned C. moved D. saved
5.A. Normally B. Officially C. Formally D. Probably
6.A. chance B. occasion C. point D. reason
7.A. picked up B. took in C. gave off D. made out
8.A. news B. fact C. secret D. idea
9.A. handed B. lent C. returned D. threw
10.A. paid B. listened C. nodded D. followed
11.A. promised B. wondered C. introduced D. offered
12.A. leave B. stop C. wait D. last
13.A. warm B. take C. put D. catch
14.A. thus B. even C. still D. though
15.A. permission B. choice C. smile D. view
16.A. bored B. curious C. guilty D. lonely
17.A. surprised B. inspired C. developed D. punished
18.A. patient B. lovely C. kind D. pure
19.A. performing B. judging C. accepting D. helping
20.A. hold B. spread C. enjoy D. value
You________ the work better, but you didn’t put more efforts to it.
A. must have done B. can have done C. should have D. could have done
The professor you referred to in the letter______ us students three lectures by next Monday.
A. has given B. will given C. will have given D. Gave
—What do you think has caused his heart attack?
—It is ______.
A. because of his overweight B. due to his being overweight
C. his being overweight D. he is so overweight
