When it comes to success in business and success in life, there are few qualities as important as confidence.
People naturally have different levels of confidence. Some have a higher level of confidence than others do, but even those whose confidence is lacking can learn to build their level of confidence and reach their most important goals. Increasing self-confidence is one of the most common reasons people give for seeking the help of psychologists and other professionals.
One of the many places where a greater level of confidence is useful is in the workplace. We all know how difficult it can be, for instance, to ask the boss for a raise. This process can be extremely difficult for those who lack confidence in their own abilities. After all, if you are unsure about your own abilities, how will you ever convince your boss that you deserve more money for the work you do?
Even if you are not asking for that big raise, having plenty of confidence in your abilities is important to success. If you are certain of your abilities, chances are that those around you, whether they are your coworkers, your colleagues or your superiors(上级), will see that confidence, and that will help to assure them that you are the best at what you do.
Being thought of as the person to go to, and being seen as an expert in your chosen field, is naturally very important to success on the job. If you can make yourself the person people go to for guidance and advice, you will help to protect yourself from the ever present danger of downsizing. After all, if you are a recognized expert at the office, you will be regarded as an indispensable member of the team.
Having a high level of confidence, after all, does not mean overlooking the places where you could improve. Knowing what you do well and where you need help will help you enjoy increased success and confidence.
1. What is the passage mainly about?
A. The influence of confidence on one’s life.
B. The importance of confidence to success.
C. The difference of people’s confidence.
D. The judgment on one’s confidence.
2.Psychologists and other professionals can offer help to those _____.
A. who think their goals are hard to reach
B. who expect to give guidance to others
C. who want to ask the boss for a raise
D. who dream to be recognized experts
3.What does the underlined word indispensable in Paragraph 5 probably mean?
A. important B. attractive
C. outgoing D. energetic
4.What message does the author want to convey (传达) in the last paragraph?
A. To overlook one’s disadvantages.
B. To make full use of one’s advantages.
C. To have great confidence in one’s abilities.
D. To make objective(客观的) evaluations of one’s abilities.
Most Westerners—particularly most Americans—are not nearly as concerned about protocol (礼节) in social matters as Chinese people are. America is a nation of immigrants. It’s made up of people from all over the world, all of whom bring their own traditions and habits with them. Thus you needn’t worry much about “proper” behavior(举止):who sits next to whom at the dinner table, what is the suitable dress for the occasion, etc. , unless you receive a formal invitation to a dinner or party.
Americans are very direct people. When you want something you say “Yes” and when you don’t, you say “No”. If you want something different from what is offered, you ask for it. Westerners will not ask you again and again or try to press something on you after you have said you don’t want it. In fact, if you say “No” when you really want something to drink or to eat, you may find yourself very thirsty or hungry.
But there are a few Western customs which are very important and you should try at all times to observe.A Westerner doesn’t leave his paper or cloth on the table. He puts it on his lap where it’s supposed to protect his clothes from spilled food or uses it to wipe his hand or mouth when necessary.
A Westerner doesn’t put his own fork, knife or spoon into a serving bowl. He uses it in the bowl to put some of the food on his own plate, and then returns the serving fork(knife or spoon) to the bowl.
A Westerner doesn’t spit food anywhere. If he has bones in his mouth, he takes them out with his fingers and places them on the edge of his plate, never on the table or floor.
A Westerner doesn’t belch(打嗝) out loud. If he does, he says “Excuse me” quietly and goes on with the conversation.
1.People in America __________.
A. come from different countries in the world
B. mainly come from Europe
C. mainly come from Asia
D. come from China
2.If you are hungry, and you still say you don’t want to eat, then __________.
A. a Westerner will ask you again and again
B. you will be forced to eat
C. you will feel glad and happy
D. you will surely find yourself hungry still
3.According to the passage, Westerners __________.
A. care what they wear very much
B. care who offers the first toast at dinner
C. do the same things as Chinese do
D. don’t care what you wear, who sits next to whom
I was in a rush as always, but this time it was for an important date I just couldn’t be late for! I found myself at a checkout counter behind an elderly woman seemingly in no hurry as she paid for her groceries. A PhD student with not a lot of money, I had hurried into the store to pick up some flowers. I was in a huge rush, thinking of my upcoming evening. I did not want to be late for this date.
We were in Boston, a place not always known for small conversation between strangers. The woman stopped unloading her basket and looked up at me. She smiled. It was a nice smile ---warm and reassuring ---- and I returned her gift by smiling back.
“Must be a special lady, whoever it is that will be getting those beautiful flowers,” she said.
“Yes, she’s special,” I said, and then to my embarrassment, the words kept coming out.
“It’s only our second date, but somehow I am just having the feeling she’s ‘the one’. Jokingly, I added, “The only problem is that I can’t figure out why she’d want to date a guy like me.”
“Well, I think she’s very lucky to have a boyfriend who brings her such lovely flowers and who is obviously in love with her,” the woman said.” “My husband used to bring me flowers every week –even when times were tough and we didn’t have much money. Those were incredible(难以置信的) days; he was very romantic and – of course – I miss him since he’s passed away.”
I paid for my flowers as she was gathering up her groceries. There was no doubt in my mind as I walked up to her. I touched her on the shoulder and said, “You were right, you know. These flowers are indeed for a very special lady.” I handed her the flowers and thanked her for such a nice conversation.
It took her a moment to realize that I was giving her the flowers I had just bought. “You have a wonderful evening,” I said. I left her with a big smile and my heart warmed as I saw her smelling the beautiful flowers.
I remember being slightly late for my date that night and telling my girlfriend the above story. A couple of years later, when I finally worked up the courage to ask her to marry me, she told me that this story had helped to seal it for her –that was the night that I won her heart.
1.Why was the writer in a hurry that day?
A．He was to meet his girlfriend.
B．He had to go back to school soon.
C．He was delayed by an elderly lady.
D．He had to pick up some groceries.
2.What does the underlined phrase “her gift”(Paragraph 2) refer to?
A．Her words. B．Her smile.
C．Her flowers. D．her politeness.
3.Why did the writer give his flowers to the elderly lady?
A．She told him a nice story.
B．She allowed him to pay first.
C．She gave him encouragement.
D．She liked flowers very much.
4.What can you learn from the story?
A．Flowers are important for a date.
B．Small talk is helpful.
C．Love and kindness are rewarding.
D．Elderly people deserve respecting.
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完形填空
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
Once upon a time there were two brothers who lived near each other. One day, they had a ________ because of some small things. And neither was willing to________ each other.
One morning, there was a knock at door of the elder brother. He ________ it and found a man standing beside the door. “I’m a carpenter(木匠). I’m ________ a few days’ work. Perhaps you would have a few small jobs I could help with.”
“Yes,” said the elder brother. “I do have a job for you. ________ at that farm across the small river. It is my younger brother’s. We had a quarrel, so I won’t like to see his ________ anymore. I want you to build me a 8-foot ________ .” The man said, “I think I understand the situation. Don’t worry. I’ll be able to do a job that makes you ________ .” So the elder brother was very glad and left for the town nearby.
In the evening, the carpenter had just ________ his job when the elder brother returned. But he was ________ to find, instead of a fence, before him, stood a ________ , which went from one side of the river ________ the other! On the other________ of bridge, was his younger brother.
“Do you know the name of the bridge?” The carpenter asked.
“No,” the elder brother was________ .
“OK, I can tell you. Its name is understanding and ________ ,” the carpenter smiled.
Suddenly they began to understand ________ . Surely, between two brothers there should be a bridge rather than a________ . Standing on the bridge, they ________ each other’s hands with ________ in their eyes.
“Could you stay another few days? I’ve a lot of other work for you,” said the elder brother. “I’d love to________ on,” the carpenter said. “But I have many more bridges to build.”
1.A. meeting B. question C. decision D. quarrel
2.A. forgive B. like C. speak D. think
3.A. got B. opened C. shut D. left
4.A. looking for B. looking at C. looking on D. looking up
5.A. See B. Watch C. Observe D. Look
6.A. river B. face C. farm D. eyes
7.A. wall B. bridge C. road D. fence
8.A. excited B. pleased C. moved D. surprised
9.A. begun B. done C. finished D. continued
10.A. surprised B. happy C. anxious D. sad
11.A. house B. fence C. bridge D. river
12.A. till B. between C. across D. to
13.A. field B. side C. end D. stage
14.A. disappointed B. puzzled C. amazed D. worried
15.A. love B. hate C. joy D. anger
16.A. everything B. nothing C. anything D. something
17.A. river B. fence C. farm D. wall
18.A. brought B. took C. held D. clapped
19.A. smiles B. sadness C. anger D. tears
20.A. leave B. get C. stay D. work
I was enjoying my dessert and talking to my American friend Janice at the table when I noticed people _____ at me.
A. to stare B. stared C. staring D. being stared
