The other day I was offered two tickets to a special preview of the latest movie for free. I wasn't interested, _______I knew my two boys would be.
That evening, we were a bit _______ for time. So instead of having dinner at home, we had fast food near the movie theater Oscar. There went the _______ of eight movie tickets.
Then I met up with a friend and we sat around _______ for a while, and another movie ticket went into a cup of coffee. After that, we figured we might as well _________ around until the movie ended to pick up the boys. To help _______ the time, I bought snacks. However, the _______ went for an hour longer than expected. To watch the free movie, we always have to _______ an hour of ads.
Oh, did I _______ parking and fighting my way through the ________ to get to the right theater? I could have sent the __________to a movie theater in walking distance and had enough ________ left over to watch ten more movies!
Next time I'm offered something free, I’ll ________ refuse it.
I should have known better. ________ in 2004, I built my own business. One of my marketing strategies is that I often offer free gifts. I said “probably” because "free" is just the most irresistible __________ in your marketing language. And it always ________.
If you don’t believe me, next time when you do a promotion, ________ this test: one with and one without the free ________. You will be amazed by how many people will ________ hundreds of dollars to get something for _________
1.A. for B. or C. so D. but
2.A. grateful B. prepared C. rushed D. thankful
3.A. time B. price C. chance D. length
4.A. singing B. judging C. bargaining D. chatting
5.A. wander B. turn C. look D. gather
6.A. save B. waste C. record D. kill
7.A. meeting B. movie C. walk D. coffee
8.A. break down B. sit through C. cut down D. look through
9.A. forget B. continue C. mention D. stop
10.A. race B. park C. gate D. traffic
11.A. employees B. customers C. boys D. friends
12.A. food B. patience C. room D. money
13.A. probably B. angrily C. definitely D. repeatedly
14.A. Ending B. Writing C. Reporting D. Starting
15.A. word B. reason C. letter D. desire
16.A. fails B. cheats C. works D. loses
17.A. try B. study C. face D. attend
18.A. help B. gift C. advice D. market
19.A. gain B. bank C. receive D. pay
20.A. something B. everything C. nothing D. anything
根据短文内容，从短文后的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 to Make Plans
Most people get scared when talking about planning or writing plans. 1..And you need to plan for success as planning really works and inspires you to go straight ahead. However, how to create effective plans is still a problem. Don't worry, and just follow the steps below.
Step 1 2.
What plans have you had in the past? Probably, in some of your plans, you haven't ended up where you thought you were going to end up. Get a good understanding of what you have done and what you haven't done in the past. It is a primary foundation for your new plan. If having no plan, just take actions and make plans right now.
Step 2 Think about the What - Ifs
When you are building your plans, you should consider where you are going and make clear the What -Ifs. Because not everything just goes smoothly as you believe. 3..
Step 3 Document the plans
When starting to make plans, you should try to write them down. It is of key importance for the future. 4.In addition, make sure you have the plans fully written out with all the key elements concerned, including details.
Step 4 Update the plans
According to your written plans and actual situation, you should check out the plans you have completed and haven't completed. 5.Make sure all the assumptions are there and work out the details. After hanging on for some days, planning will be getting simpler and easier.
A. Review historical plans
B. Make new plans immediately
C. Actually, people are more likely to succeed in a planned way
D. And you need to continue what you haven't done and update it
E. Not all people can memorize every word they said and thought well
F. And what you should do next is to check your plans monthly or quarterly
G. For your benefits, you need to make Plan A and Plan B in case of changes and contingencies(偶发事件).
Money is the root of all evil (邪恶) and new study claims there may be some truth behind the saying. Scientists at the University of California Berkeley, US, announced on February 27 that rich people are more likely to do immoral things, such as lie or cheat, than poorer people. The scientists did a series of eight experiments. They published their findings online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNA《美国国家科学院院刊》).
They carried out the first two experiments from the sidewalk near Berkeley. They noted that drivers of newer and more expensive cars were more likely to cut off other cars and pedestrians at crosswalks. Nearly 45 percent of people driving expensive cars ignored a pedestrian compared with only 30 percent of people driving more modest cars.
In another experiment, a group of college students was asked if they would do immoral things in various everyday situations. Examples included taking printer paper from work and not telling a salesperson when he or she gave back more change. Students from higher-class families were more likely to act dishonestly.
According to the scientists, rich people often think money can get them out of trouble. This makes them less afraid to take risks. It also means they care less about other people's feelings.
Finally, it just makes them greedier. "Higher wealth status seems to make you want even more, and that increased want leads you to bend the rules or break the rules to serve your self-interest," said Paul Piff, lead scientist of the study.
Piff pointed out that the findings don't mean that all rich people are untrustworthy or all poor people honest. He said the experiments were to show how people living in different social situations express their instincts (本能) and values in different ways.
1.By saying "money is the root of all evil", the author wants to ________.
A. link wealth with bad behavior
B. draw readers' attention to the research
C. show how the saying proves the findings
D. defend rich people who do immoral things
2.According to the scientists, which is NOT the factor that makes rich people immoral?
A. They welcome risks.
B. They have more desires.
C. They believe money talks.
D. They become more selfish.
3.Why did the scientists do the experiments?
A. To show how social status affects people's morality.
B. To show people's instincts and values in different ways.
C. To test whether the saying "money is the root of all evil" is true.
D. To show the difference between higher-class people and lower-class people.
4.What does the passage really want to show us?
A. The poor are respectable.
B. Money is the root of all evil.
C. All rich people are untrustworthy.
D. The rich are more likely to act badly.
The American newspaper has been around for about three hundred years. In 1721, the printer James Franklin, Benjamin's older brother, started the New England Courant, and that was what we might recognize today as a real newspaper. He filled his paper with stories of adventure, articles on art, on famous people, and on all sorts of political subjects.
Three centuries after the appearance of Franklin's Courant, few believe that newspapers in their present printed form will remain alive for long. Newspaper companies are losing advertisers, readers, market value, and in some cases, their sense of purpose at a speed that would not have been imaginable just several years ago. The chief editor of the Times said recently, "At places where they gather, editors ask one another, ‘How are you?’, as if they have just come out of the hospital or a lost law case." An article about the newspaper appeared on the website of the Guardian, under the headline "NOT DEAD YET."
Perhaps not, but the rise of the Internet, which has made the daily newspaper look slow and out of step with the world, has brought about a real sense of death. Some American newspapers have lost 42% of their market value in the past three years. The New York Times Company has seen its stock (股票) drop by 54% since the end of 2004, with much of the loss coming in the past year. A manager at Deutsche Bank suggested that stock - holders sell off their Times stock.
The Washington Post Company has prevented the trouble only by changing part of its business to education; its testing and test-preparation service now brings in at least half the company's income.
1.What can we learn about the New England Courant?
A. It is mainly about the stock market.
B. It carries articles by political leaders.
C. It marks the beginning of newspapers.
D. It remains a successful newspaper in America.
2.What can we infer about the newspaper editors?
A. They often accept readers' suggestions.
B. They care a lot about each other's health.
C. They stop doing business with advertisers.
D. They face great difficulties in their business.
3.Which of the following found a new way for its development?
A. The Washington Post. B. The Guardian.
C. The New York Times. D. New England Courant.
4.How does the author seem to feel about the future of newspapers?
A. Satisfied. B. Hopeful. C. Surprised. D. Worried.
Two young giant-panda twins born in the United States have returned home to China, but are struggling to adapt to the language and food.
The 3-year-old sisters, Mei Lun and Mei Huan, were the first surviving panda twins to be born in the United States, and were returned to China from Zoo Atlanta on Nov. 5. But the pair still understand English better than Chinese, and prefer American biscuits to Chinese bread.
A zoo-keeper said that his main concern is that the pair are so addicted to American biscuits that everything they eat—from bamboos to apples—has to be mixed with biscuits. They even want to snack on (零食) biscuits when drinking water.
The zoo-keeper is trying to wean them off their biscuit habit, gradually replacing the American food with Chinese bread. Mei Huan is adapting, but Mei Lun doesn't want to touch the unfamiliar bread.
Mei Lun is the livelier of the two, often jumping onto the roof and hanging upside down from a rail, but her slightly younger sister Mei Huan is calmer, preferring to sit still, observe her new environment and occasionally snack on bamboo.
A language barrier is also reported. While the pair respond to their own names, and
understand some English phrases such as "come here," they don't understand the Sichuan dialect of Chinese.
The news caused some laughter on Chinese social media, with some users commenting that the pandas would soon get used to Sichuan's famously spicy cuisine.
1.Based on the passage, which statement do you think is right?
A. The panda twins can fit in well in Sichuan.
B. The panda twins are only fond of Sichuan food and dishes.
C. The panda twins have been used to the new environment very quickly.
D. It's hard for the panda twins to get used to the new environment soon.
2.What does the underlined part "wean them off" in the fourth paragraph mean?
A. help them get rid of. B. help them form.
C. help them strengthen. D. help them keep.
3.From the passage we learn that of the two sisters, ________.
A. Mei Huan mainly eats bamboo
B. Mei Lun is living a more active life
C. Mei Huan is not smarter than Mei Lun
D. Mei Lun is as quiet as her younger sister
TEENSGIVING is an exciting yearly event where hundreds of New York City teens gather together annually for a remarkable day of community service. This year, TEENSGIVING in SPRING 2016 participants will once again better New York City and influence thousands of lives!
When is TEENSGIVING in SPRING 2016?
Sunday, April 20, 2016
Where is TEENSGIVING?
All over New York City. Everyone will meet at the 92nd Street Y(92nd and Lexington) at 9:00 AM for the event kick-off. Then, all TEENSGIVING volunteers will go across the city to work with our partnering agencies where they will make a HUGE difference and have fun!
Who participates in TEENSGIVING?
Hundreds of teenagers from around the city. Teens come from the 92nd Street Y, various city schools, youth groups, and organizations in the area. In addition, many adult volunteers (aged 21 and older) will donate their time to TEENSGIVING in SPRING 2016.
What projects do participants do at the agencies?
Sample projects include painting park benches, planting gardens, visiting and playing with poor and disabled children, assisting at animal shelters, working at soup kitchens, delivering meals and celebrating with families at homeless shelters.
Do I get anything for participating in TEENSGIVING?
Yes! Everybody benefits! Teen volunteers will receive "6 hours" of community service credit, good towards honor society, high school graduation and college application requirements. Adult volunteers will be thanked with a light breakfast, a gift certificate for their troubles, and the satisfaction of helping our city's youth contribute to their community. In addition, all teen and adult volunteers will receive a cool TEENSGIVING in SPRING 2016 T-shirt.
This sounds awesome！ How do I register for TEENSGIVING in SPRING 2016? Interested teens and/or adults should e-mail the TEENSGIVING Coordinator Josh Hyman at jhyman@92Y.org < mailto:jhyman@92Y. org > ( subject: TEENSGIVING) to receive more information and to register for this fantastic event!
Teens can also contact their school's Community Service Advisor.
TEENSGIVING is sponsored by the 92nd Street Y.
1.TEENSGIVING is an event which is held ________.
A. twice every year B. every two years
C. once every year D. from time to time
2.What can the teenagers do in this event?
A. Give thanks to the adults. B. Take good care of animals.
C. Clean the streets of New York. D. Work for high schools and colleges.
3.An adult volunteer may get ________ for his time devoted to TEENSGIVING in SPRING 2016.
A. a T-shirt and a gift certificate
B. community service credit and a T-shirt
C. a high school certificate and a light breakfast
D. a gift certificate and community service credit
4.The writer’s purpose in writing this passage is to ________.
A. ask readers to donate their advice to TEENSGIVING in SPRING 2016
B. encourage readers to ask more questions about TEENSGIVING
C. introduce TEENSGIVING in SPRING 2016 to readers
D. inform readers of some frequently asked questions
