Last week, I watched a movie. I noticed an actress 1. has very good eyesight playing the part of a blind lady. She played it so well that if you saw her 2. the first time, you would think that 3. was blind. It seemed that this actress 4. (spend) her time putting a little more effort into her career so that she could play the part that the other actresses could not.
Have you ever seen people digging a well before? They don’t just stop 5. they see a little drop of water. They put in a little more effort to ensure that they get plenty of water.
A popular saying goes that it is only an average mind that would do the same thing all the time but expect 6. result. All you need to do is put a little more effort so that you can expect a 7.(whole) different result.
You have two options in life either to focus on what’s lost 8. to fight for what’s left. Fighting for what’s left is all about 9. (forget) the past, putting on your armor of courage and 10. (brave) and putting in that extra effort. Be better than the best you can be.
A king wanted to give a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many tried. The king all the pictures. But there were only he really liked, and he had to between them. One picture had a lake. The lake was a perfect for peaceful mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy（绒毛状的） clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a picture of peace.
The picture had mountains, too. they were bare. Above was a(n) sky, and in it there were rain and . Down the side of the mountain tumbled(翻滚) a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful .
But when the king looked , he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her . There, in the midst of the bush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest — in perfect peace.
Which picture do you think will win the prize? The king chose the picture. Do you know why? “Because,” the king, “peace does not to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your . That is the real meaning of peace.”
1.A. singers B. writers C. citizens D. artists
2.A. looked at B. looked back C. looked into D. looked around
3.A. one B. three C. two D. four
4.A. make B. count C. choose D. correct
5.A. clean B. calm C. deep D. shallow
6.A. water B. picture C. mirror D. waterfall
7.A. colorful B. white C. heavy D. thick
8.A. meaningful B. hard C. modern D. wonderful
9.A. other B. beautiful C. old D. last
10.A. But B. And C. So D. As
11.A. nice B. angry C. fine D. lovely
12.A. planes B. kites C. lightning D. birds
13.A. easily B. at last C. at least D. at all
14.A. meaningfully B. politely C. curiously D. carefully
15.A. growing B. falling C. playing D. dying
16.A. room B. hole C. body D. nest
17.A. first B. second C. perfect D. real
18.A. ordered B. explained C. thought D. suggested
19.A. mean B. have C. come D. happen
20.A. nest B. picture C. heart D. home
A. Get to know yourself.
B. Take care of your body.
C. Practice basic respect towards yourself.
D. Be honest with yourself and with others.
E. Think about what it means to respect someone.
F. Recognize when people disrespect you and take steps to stop it.
G. Respect yourself is to respect others.
How to Respect Yourself
A lack of self-respect can prevent you from fulfilling your potential and developing healthy relationships. Here are some steps to help you know how to respect yourself.
1.________________________ The qualities that we respect vary from person to person, and the way we express it varies from culture to culture. Generally, we respect people who have more experience and are more accomplished than ourselves. But there is also a basic level of respect that most people will agree is a right, and does not need to be earned. So think about what it means to respect others. Here are some widely agreed-upon signals of respect: You don’t steal from, harm, or insult them; you are honest with them; you listen to what they say, consider their opinions, and avoid interrupting them.
2._______________________ We often do things for ourselves that we would never dream of doing for someone we care about. Whatever you believe to be respectful, apply it to yourself. Don’t harm yourself. Don’t insult yourself. Don’t steal from yourself. Be honest with yourself. Develop your own opinions and don’t be afraid to stand by them.
3._______________________ A person with self-respect doesn’t allow others to treat them badly, and would rather not be around someone who is disrespectful. This might seem obvious, but there are many times when we accept being treated badly. When someone doesn’t give you basic respect, you need to be able to say, in one way or another, “You just disrespected me and that’s not acceptable! If you don’t respect me, I won’t spend time with you any more.” Can you say that, and mean it? Can you turn your back on someone who’s clearly shown that they don’t respect you? Once you do, you’ll feel your sense of self-respect go up.
4._______________________ When you make an effort to keep your body in good working order, you’ll not only feel better physically, but also feel a sense of pride. Respecting your body also means not insulting it for what it is, naturally. Make an effort to get fit and stay healthy. Focus on the things you can change and improve, and do them because it feels good.
5._______________________ The more you know about yourself, the more you’ll see and appreciate how unique you really are. And you’ll respect yourself more. Discover your principles, personality, and talents. Stop waiting for other people’s approval and start developing your own standards. Develop a unique and original way of expressing your opinions while at the same time being a good listener.
Throughout this long, tense election, everyone has focused on the presidential candidates and how they’ll change America. Rightly so. But selfishly, I’m more fascinated by Michelle Obama and what she might be able to do, not just for this country, but for me as an African-American woman. As the potential First Lady, she would have the world’s attention. And that means that for the first time people will have a chance to get up close and personal with the type of African woman they so rarely see.
Usually, the lives of black women go largely unexamined. The widespread theory seems to be that we’re all hot-tempered single mothers who can’t keep a man. Even in the world of make-believe, black women still can’t escape the stereotype (模式化的形象) of being eye-rolling, oversexed females raised by our never-married, alcoholic mothers.
These images have helped define the way all black women are viewed, including Michelle Obama. Before she ever gets the chance to commit to a cause, charity or foundation as First Lady, her most urgent and perhaps most complicated duty may be simply to be herself.
It won’t be easy. Because few mainstream publications (出版物) have done in-depth features on regular African-American women, little is known about who we are, what we think and what we face on a regular basis. For better or worse, Michelle will represent us all.
Just as she will have her critics, she will have millions of fans who usually have little interest in the First Lady. Many African-American blogs have written about what they’d like to see Michelle bring to the White House — mainly showing the world that a black woman can support her man and raise a strong black family. Michelle will have to work to please everyone — an impossible task. But for many African-American women like me, just a little of her poise (沉着), confidence and intelligence will go a long way in changing an image that’s been around far too long.
1.Why does Michelle Obama hold a strong fascination for the author?
A. She serves as a role model for African-American women.
B. She possesses many admirable qualities becoming a First Lady.
C. She will present to the world a new image of African-American women.
D. She will pay close attention to the interests of African-American women.
2. What is the common stereotype of African-American women according to the author?
A. They are victims of family violence.
B. They are of an inferior social group.
C. They use quite a lot of body language.
D. They live on charity and social welfare.
3. What do many African-Americans write about in their blogs?
A. Whether Michelle can live up to the high expectations of her fans.
B. How Michelle should behave as public figure.
C. How proud they are to have a black woman in the White House.
D. What Michelle should do as wife and mother in the White House.
4.What does the author say about Michelle Obama as a First Lady?
A. However many fans she has, she should remain modest.
B. She shouldn’t disappoint the African-American community.
C. However hard she tries, she can’t expect to please everybody.
D. She will concern herself with African-American women’s welfare.
The purpose of keeping fit is to avoid illness, avoid the mental and physical fatigue（疲劳）, and above all to feel more pleasure in being alive. Research has shown the value of a balanced diet, fresh air, sunshine, enough rest and some forms of regular exercise for everyone. If everyone followed this plan, the number of people visiting the doctor and going to hospital would be reduced.
Unfortunately, although most people acknowledge the importance of physical fitness, not enough of us put this into practice. We spend too much time watching others from the comfort of an armchair or a seat in the stand at a sports stadium.
One reason why people who are physically fit to live longer is that they do not put the heart under excessive strain（过度劳累）and so they reduce the risk of heart and blood vessel（血管）diseases. They also avoid suffering weakened muscles, which are the cause of a great deal of trouble.
All in all, sensible exercise, suited to each person and properly undertaken on the advice of a doctor, is the best insurance of meeting these requirements.
1. Why do people want to keep fit?
A. Because they want to avoid health.
B. Because they want to add mental and physical fatigue.
C. Because they want to feel happier and live longer.
D. Because they want to obtain much more money.
2. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Everyone knows the importance of this plan.
B. Not all people do what the plan tells them to do.
C. Most people put the plan into practice.
D. No one wants to do with this plan.
3. What does the passage mainly talk about?
A. Balanced diet is the most important.
B. People who are physically fit live longer.
C. Most people can live longer.
D. People always do not put the heart under excessive strain.
People in the United States honor their parents with two special days: Mother’s Day, on the second Sunday in May, and Father’s Day, on the third Sunday in June. These days are set aside to show love and respect for parents. They raise their children and educate them to be responsible citizens. They give love and care. These two days offer an opportunity to think about the changing roles of mothers and fathers. More mothers now work outside the home. More fathers must help with child-care.
These two special days are celebrated in many different ways. On Mother’s Day people wear carnations. A red one symbolizes a living mother .A white one shows that the mother is dead. Many people attend religious services to honor parents .It is also a day when people whose parents are dead visit the cemetery（公墓）. On these days families get together at home, as well as in restaurants. They often have outdoor barbecues for Father’s Day. These are days of fun and good feelings and memories.
Another tradition is to give cards and gifts. Children make them in school. Many people make their own presents. These are valued more than the ones bought in stores. It is not the value of the gift that is important, but it is “the thought that counts”. Greeting card stores, florists, candy makers, bakeries and telephone companies do a lot of business during these holidays.
1.Which is NOT a reason for children to show love and respect for parents?
A. Parents bring up children.
B. Parents give love and care to children.
C. Parents educate children to be good persons.
D. Parents pass away before children grow up.
2. What do you know from the passage?
A. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are both in May.
B. Fewer women worked outside the home in the past.
C. Not all the children respect their parents.
D. Fathers are not as important as mothers at home.
3. Which do you think is right about “carnation”?
A. It only has two kinds of color.
B. It refers to the special clothes people wear on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.
C. It’s a kind of flower showing love and best wishes.
D. People can wear carnations only on the second Sunday in May.
