People from every corner flooded into the streets that Christmas Eve. "Frosty the Snowman," and "Jingle Bells" in stores; on the pavements, the street singers performed happily. Everyone was by someone else, delighted and cheerful. I was alone.
As one of 8 kids of a Brazilian family, brought up in America's crowded apartment, I'd spent several years searching for aloneness. Now, , at 27, a college student after the with my girlfriend, every cell inside me wanted to be alone, not at Christmas. My family had to Brazil and my friends were with their own lives. Dusk was approaching, and the fact that I had to return to my home made me sad. Lights from windows blinked (闪烁), and I hoped someone would from one of those homes to invite me inside with a Christmas tree decorated with shiny fake snow and presents.
At a market, I felt more when people were buying lots of goods, which the gifts we received as children in my mind. I missed my family and wanted to cry for wanting to be alone and for having achieved it.
Outside the church, a manger (小耶稣) had been set . I stood with others watching the scene, some of them themselves, praying. As I walked home, I realized that leaving Brazil was still a painful experience as I struggled with I had become in 15 years in America. I'd mourned (悲叹) the , but for the first time, I recognized what I’d gained. I was independent, and healthy. My life was still ahead, full of .
Sometimes the best gift is the one that you give yourself. That Christmas, I gave myself for what I'd obtained up to now and promise to go forward. It is the best gift I've ever got, the one that I most .
1.A. served B. held C. shared D. played
2.A. employed B. attended C. supported D. accompanied
3.A. eventually B. usually C. extremely D. really
4.A. date B. sympathy C. breakup D. concern
5.A. but B. so C. and D. or
6.A. moved B. returned C. slipped D. came
7.A. bored B. pleased C. satisfied D. occupied
8.A. empty B. warm C. shabby D. cozy
9.A. hang out B. go away C. turn up D. break in
10.A. donated B. wrapped C. discounted D. dealt
11.A. nervous B. excited C. upset D. tired
12.A. called up B. called for C. called on D. called in
13.A. aside B. about C. down D. up
14.A. crossing B. hugging C. bowing D. bending
15. A. that B. what C. how D. which
16. A. worries B. cases C. limits D. losses
17.A. educated B. lonely C. shy D. wealthy
18.A. sadness B. possibility C. hardship D. sight
19.A. prize B. defeat C. credit D. surprise
20.A. save B. admit C. select D. value
根据短文内容，从短文后的七个选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
How northern Europeans beat the winter blues
Ask a child from northern Europe to draw two pictures — one on a rainy day and a second in the sunshine — and this is what you will get: in the first, as raindrops fall from the top of the page, the man behind the window has an unhappy expression. When a yellow sun sends out some light from the corner, the man is smiling.
Northern Europeans associate rain with sadness and sunshine with happiness. They think this is true because they are so aware of how their environment affects them. 1. In October 2008, a group of researchers examined the influence of different daily weather factors, including temperature, wind and sunlight, on 1,200 participants. The conclusion was that good or bad weather had little effect on people’s feelings. 2. A person who is upset on dark or cold days suffers from a negative mood, and he will be likely to experience a sad winter. This is the basis of an illness called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). 3.
Kalayjian, professor of psychology at Fordham University, advises that we should take steps to strengthen the brain’s system against weather-driven mood changes. Research on SAD has been focused on the brain’s response to darkness and light. When our eyes detect darkness, the brain gives off melatonin, which starts sleep cycles. 4. It takes over to help us wake up and feel better when we detect light. “We can encourage people to take charge of their feelings,” says Kalayjian. “We tell them to leave the computers and the indoor games and get out there in the sun. 5.”
A day of rain can potentially destroy your plan and affect your mood. But as the Scottish comedian Billy Connolly once said: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing.”
A. Another chemical called serotonin, however, can make people happy.
B. That’s when people can recharge their serotonin and get a better mood.
C. Most studies prove that a negative feeling is associated with bad weather.
D. They determined that people actually differ in their sensitivity to weather changes.
E. Yet that link has no scientific basis.
F. It is seriously doubted among the people who suffer from SAD.
G. It affects about 10% of the population of northern Europe each year.
Even as Google plans to test its fleet (车队) of self-driving cars on public roads this summer, its business model remains a bit of a mystery. By 2025, as many as 250,000 self-driving vehicles could be sold each year globally, according to a study by an industry research firm.
"Vehicles that can take anyone from A to B at the push of a button could transform mobility for millions of people," said Chris Urmson, director of Google's self-driving car project. For now, Google has no plans to sell any of its self-driving cars. They are strictly for research. But they will hit public roads this summer near Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California. Previous testing has taken place only on closed courses.
The cars are built to operate without a steering wheel, accelerator (油门) or brake pedal. "Our software and sensors do all the work," Urmson said. "The vehicles will be very basic — we want to learn from them and adapt them as quickly as possible — but they will take you where you want to go at the push of a button." The prototype (雏形) are the first of a 100-car fleet the tech giant is building.
In the long run, Urmson sees a future of safer roads — the majority of auto accidents are caused by human error — and fewer traffic jams. Robotic cars could also shuttle people who can't drive because of age or illness.
Google has said that self-driving cars could launch new business models in which people buy the use of vehicles they don't own. The company has already tested other types of self-driving cars on public streets, including modified Lexus sport-utility vehicles, under a special permit program by the California Department of Motor Vehicles that requires a human driver at the controls.
The state has issued six other companies permits to operate such cars, including Delphi, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Tesla, Bosch and Nissan. The vehicles that will be tested on open roads this summer will have removable steering wheels, accelerators and brake pedals to allow "safety drivers" to take control if needed.
Google says the cars are safe. The vehicles have sensors that "can detect objects out to a distance of more than two football fields in all directions, which is especially helpful on busy streets with lots of intersections," Urmson said. "We're looking forward to learning how the community understands and interacts with the vehicles, and to uncovering challenges that are unique to a fully self-driving vehicle," Urmson said.
1. According to Chris Urmson, __________.
A. self-driving cars can give driving orders to humans
B. software and sensors are vital for self-driving cars
C. self-driving cars are specially designed for the elderly
D. ordinary vehicles will be replaced by self-driving cars
2.The passage informs us that self-driving cars __________.
A. have already passed necessary tests
B. have been purchased by some companies
C. will be able to communicate with drivers
D. will probably decrease traffic jams
3.The underlined word "intersections" in the last paragraph can probably be replaced __________.
A. crossings B. buildings
C. vehicles D. accidents
4.What is the best title for this passage?
A. Google's Self-driving Car Graduates to City Streets
B. Google's Self-driving Car Enjoys Global Popularity
C. Self-driving Car Meets New Challenges
D. Self-driving Car Avoids Human Errors
Finding the Real You
Psychometric testing — personality testing — has been very popular nowadays as studies show their results to be three times more accurate in predicting your job performance. These tests are now included in almost all graduate recruitment (招聘) and are widely used in the selection of managers.
The most popular of these personality tests is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). It is based on the theory that we are born with a tendency to one personality type which stays more or less fixed throughout life. You answer 88 questions and are then given your “type”, such as Outgoing or Quiet, Feeling or Thinking.
Critics of personality testing raise doubts about “social engineering”. Psychologist Dr. Colin Gill warns that the “popular” personality traits (特性) have their disadvantages. “People who are extremely open to new experiences can be butterflies, going from one idea to the next without mastering any of them.” However, the psychometric test is here to stay, which may be why a whole sub-industry on cheating personality tests has sprung up. “It’s possible to cheat,” admits Gill, “but having to pretend to be the person you are at work will be tiring and unhappy and probably short-lived.”
So can we change our personality? “Your basic personality is fixed by the time you’re 21,” says Gill, “but it can be affected by motivation and intelligence. If you didn’t have the personality type to be a doctor but desperately wanted to be one and were intelligent enough to master the skills, you could still go ahead. But trying to go too much against type for too long requires much energy and is actually to be suffered for long. I think it’s why we’re seeing this trend for downshifting — too many people trying to fit in to a type that they aren’t really suited for.”
Our interest in personality now exists in every part of our lives. If you ask an expert for advice on anything, you’ll probably be quizzed about your personality. But if personality tests have any value to us, perhaps it is to free us from the idea that all of us are full of potential, and remind us of what we are. As they say in one test when they ask for your age: pick the one you are, not the one you wish you were.
1.The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is based on the belief that __________.
A. personality is largely decided from birth
B. certain personality traits are common
C. some personality types are better than others
D. personality traits are various from time to time
2.According to Dr. Gill, what is the problem with personality tests?
A. The results could be opposite to what employers want.
B. People can easily lie about their true abilities.
C. Employers often find the results unclear.
D. They may have a negative effect on takers.
3.In Dr. Gill’s view, how easy is it to change your personality?
A. It’s possible in your adult life.
B. It’s easy if you have great motivation.
C. It’s unlikely because it requires much energy.
D. It’s difficult before the age of 21.
4.What final conclusion does the author reach about the value of personality tests?
A. They are of doubtful value to employers.
B. They are not really worth doing.
C. They can strengthen the idea we have of our abilities.
D. They may encourage greater realism.
Counterfeit (假冒的) goods, or false versions of products, may cost the government of Kenya as much as $1 billion each year. The fake goods also hurt business owners who find it hard to keep customers. But information technology is being used to try to stop the problem. Jemima Mwafigu is a 34-year-old businesswoman who sells products like perfume. But in the first year of running her business, she found it hard to keep customers because of counterfeit goods.
Ms. Mwafigu says her business has improved since she began using a smart phone application called Barcode (条码) Scanner. The app is used to authenticate (验证) products. It checks to make sure the products are not counterfeit.
“With this application I'm able to scan the bar codes of each perfume and instantly I get the production date, the expiration date and I'm able to know the safety,” she says. “That way, I have confidence in selling to my customers.”
In 2010, Kenya created the Anti-Counterfeit Agency, or ACA, to fight against illegal trade. The ACA has successfully asked government officials for stronger punishments for counterfeiters.
Agnes Karingu is the agency’s acting director for research and awareness. She says the ACA is trying to stay one step ahead of those making fake goods.
“We are also looking into IT solutions where we can be able to use SMS programs, bar codes and information sharing,” she says. “The end users of the products will actually be able to get the authentication information, and this information comes back to ACA and intellectual property rights holders.”
The agency is testing another program called Allvirtuous. The application is another way to find out if a product is real or not by scanning its barcode. The barcode information is sent to a database. Then a result is sent back to the app.
The International Chamber of Commerce is a global business organization. It says the value of counterfeit goods produced around the world is expected to be more than $1.7 trillion (万亿) this year.
1. What’s the main purpose of this passage?
A. To tell us that Information Technology is developing fast.
B. To persuade us to resist counterfeit goods.
C. To advise us to use phone apps while going shopping.
D. To inform us that phone apps can help stop counterfeiters’ trade.
2. Why did Kenya create ACA?
A. To raise people’s awareness of counterfeit goods.
B. To ask the government to punish counterfeiters.
C. To deal with illegal trade.
D. To look into IT solutions.
3.The underlined phrase “expiration date” in Paragraph 3 means the time when __________.
A. the product is unable to be used
B. the product is packed
C. the product is first out of the factory
D. the product is made
4.What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A. Measures should be taken immediately to prevent counterfeit goods.
B. The business of counterfeit goods is falling off.
C. The value of counterfeit goods is likely to be more than $1.7 trillion this year.
D. Counterfeit goods make a great contribution to the world economy.
File Created Page 1 of 1
DELAYED BAGGAGE REPORT
PRINTED AT ALBANY N.Y. AIRPORT ON JULY 10, 2016 11:15 A.M.
Dear Valued Customer,
We regret that your baggage was not available to claim after your recent flight. Everything possible will be done to locate your belongings and return it to you on time.
For information on your delayed baggage, contact the United Airlines Baggage Resolution Center at its 24 hour, seven days a week.
Number:
1-800-335-BAGS (2247) (US – Toll Free)
281-821-3536 (Local Houston Number)
Or visit site: http://www.united.com/for/bagtracing
As soon as you send your Delayed Baggage Report, United Airlines will begin to look carefully for your baggage system. Our Baggage Resolution staff will make every effort to call you once a day to keep you updated on our progress. Please refer to the File Reference Number on this receipt (凭证) when corresponding or calling so that we can quickly access your records.
Keep this receipt with your claim check (提取证）and E-Ticket receipt until your baggage is returned to you.
In most circumstances, United Airlines will deliver your baggage when it is located. Delivery times vary depending on location.
If your baggage has not been returned to you within the first five-day tracing period, please download a claim form from our website and return it to us with the required information included.
DELAYED BAGGAGE REPORT
DELAYED BAGGAGE REPORT FILE REFERENCE: ALBUA25876
Name: JOHN JACKSON Contact Number: 802-247-9999
Delivery Address: 66 MOONBROOK DR
BRANDON Email: minminvt@yahoo.com
VERMONT USA 05745
Bag Tag: 0037387643; 0037387657
Description: Soft-Side Upright suitcase; Non-Zippered, hard side horizontal suitcase
1.Where does the report most probably come from?
A. Suitcase Tracing Center B. Information Center of the Airport
C. Delivery Center of United Airline D. Baggage Resolution Center
2.What can we learn about John Jackson from the report?
A. He must have filed his Delayed Baggage already.
B. He will get back his delayed baggage in less than five days.
C. He should call 802-247-9999 for the information about his delayed baggage.
D. He may not know anything about his delayed baggage during the first five days.
3.The purpose of the passage is __________.
A. to provide information about the location of the delayed baggage
B. to inform the customers of the time when the delayed baggage can be found
C. to instruct the customers how to get back their delayed baggage
D. to tell the customers the news that their delayed baggage was delayed
