There has long been a notion (观念) that money buys happiness. However, although “we really, really tried that for a couple of generations, it didn’t work,” said Francine Jay, author of The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life.
Thanks to a travel-inspired revelation (启发), Jay has been happily living a simpler life for 12 years. “I always packed as lightly as possible, and found it exciting to get by with just a small carry-on bag,” she told CNN. “I thought if it feels this great to travel lightly, how amazing would it be to live this way? I wanted to have that same feeling of freedom in my everyday life.”
Jay decided to get rid of all her excess (额外的) possessions and live with just the essentials (必需品). “I wanted to spend my time and energy on experiences, rather than things.”
Jay is a follower of a movement called “minimalism (极简主义)”. Growing numbers of people have been attracted to this lifestyle all over the world. They share the same feeling of disappointment with modern life and a desire to live more simply. Minimalists are typically progressive and concerned about the environment, Leah Watkins, a lead researcher at Otago University in New Zealand, told Stuff magazine in March.
But many simply experienced unhappiness caused by owning too many possessions. Depression with the materialism of our world isn’t new. English romantic poet William Wordsworth summed up how dispiriting (令人 消沉的) this was back in 1802, at the beginning of the industrial age, when he wrote: “Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers”. His preference was to go back to nature. Closer to our own times, the hippies (嬉皮士) of the 1960s also sought to ‘‘drop out” of modern life.
And for many minimalists, their key is to unload. Without objects, they “believe people are forced more and more into the present moment and that’s where life happens,” wrote Stuff.
But does simplicity ever feel like a sacrifice (牺牲)?
“It’s eliminating the excess—unused items, unnecessary purchases—from your life. Well, I may have fewer possessions, but I have more space … Minimalism is making room for what matters most,” said Jay.
And “the real questions”, according to Duane Elgin, US social scientist, are “what do you care about?” and “What do you value?”
He told CNN: “It’s important for people to realize minimalism isn’t simply the amount of stuff we consume. It’s about our families, our work, our connection with the larger world, our spiritual dimension. It’s about how we touch the whole world. It’s a way of life.”
1.What was the author’s main purpose in writing the text?
A. To explore the trend of minimalism.
B. To give tips on how to lead a happy life.
C. To argue whether money buys happiness.
D. To recommend one of Francine Jay’s books.
2.What inspired Francine Jay to live a simple life?
A. A book she came across.
B. Her desire to keep up with modern life.
C. The pleasure she enjoyed from traveling lightly.
D. A follower of minimalism she met on a trip.
3.According to Leah Watkins, a typical minimalist tends to .
a. be fed up with materialism
b. like saving and visiting nature often
c. be angry about his or her current life
d. be environmentally friendly and live with fewer things
A. a, b B. a, d
C. a, b, c D. b, c, d
4.The underlined word “eliminating” in Paragraph 8 probably means .
A. removing B. distinguishing
C. accepting D. improving
5.Which of the following would Duane Elgin probably agree with?
A. Minimalism is a healthy lifestyle that is in conflict with modem life.
B. Minimalism limits people’s freedom to enjoy their lives to the fullest.
C. Minimalism enables people to reflect on what truly counts in their lives.
D. Minimalism means people have to sacrifice some pleasure to live simply.
While famous foreign architects are invited to lead the designs of landmark buildings in China such as the new CCTV tower and the National Center for the Performing Arts, many excellent Chinese architects are making great efforts to take the center stage.
Their efforts have been proven fruitful. Wang Shu, a 49-year-old Chinese architect, won the 2012 Pritzker Architecture Prize --- which is often referred to as the Nobel Prize in architecture ---on February 28. He is the first Chinese citizen to win this award.
Wang serves as head of the Architecture Department at the China Academy of Art (CAA). His office is located at the Xiangshan campus of the university in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Many buildings on the campus are his original creations.
The style of the campus is quite different from that of most Chinese universities. Many visitors were amazed by the complex architectural space and abundant building types. The curves (曲线) of the buildings perfectly match the rise and fall of hills, forming a unique view.
Wang collected more than 7 million abandoned bricks of different ages. He asked the workers to use traditional techniques to make the bricks into walls, roofs and corridors. This creation attracted a lot of attention thanks to its mixture of modern and traditional Chinese elements.
Wang’s works show a deep understanding of modern architecture and traditions. Through such a balance, he had created a new type of Chinese architecture, said Tadao Ando, the winner of the 1995 Pritzker Prize.
Wang believes traditions should not be sealed in glass boxes at museums. “That is only evidence that traditions once existed,” he said.
“Many Chinese people have a misunderstanding of traditions. They think tradition means old things from the past. In fact, tradition also refers to the things that have been developing and that are still being created, ”he said.
“Today, many Chinese people are learning Western styles and theories rather than focusing on Chinese traditions. Many people tend to talk about traditions without knowing what they really are,” said Wang.
The study of traditions should be combined, with practice. Otherwise, the recreation of traditions would be artificial and empty, he said.
1.Wang's winning of the prize means that Chinese architects are ____.
A. following the latest world trend
B. getting international recognition
C. working harder than ever before
D. relying on foreign architects
2.What impressed visitors to the CAA Xiangshan campus most?
A. Its hilly environment.
B. Its large size.
C. Its unique style.
D. Its diverse functions
3.The Xiangshan campus of the CAA in Hangzhou is also a green project because ____.
A. it used more than 7 million abandoned bricks of different ages
B. it has complex architectural space and abundant building types
C. the curves of the buildings perfectly match the rise and fall of hills
D. it’s full of modern and traditional Chinese elements
4.What made Wang’s architectural design a success?
A. The mixture of different shapes.
B. The harmony of old and new.
C. The use of popular technique.
D. The balance of complexity and simplicity.
5.What should we do about Chinese traditions according to Wang Shu?
A. Spreading them to the world.
B. Preserving them at museums.
C. Teaching them in universities.
D. Recreating them in practice.
A few years ago, I took a sightseeing trip to Washington, D.C. Standing outside the Ronald Reagan Center, I heard a voice say, “Can you help me?” When I turned around, I saw an elderly blind woman with her hand extended. In a natural reflex, I reached into my pocket, pulled out all of my loose change and placed it on her hand without even looking at her. I was annoyed at being bothered by a beggar. But the blind woman smiled and said, “I don’t want your money. I just need help finding the post office.”
In a moment, I realized what I had done. I judged another person simply for what I assumed she had to be. I hated what I saw in myself. This incident re- awakened my belief in humility (谦恭), even though I’d lost it for a moment.
The thing I had forgotten about myself is that I am an immigrant. I left Honduras and arrived in the U.S. at the age of 15. I started my new life with two suitcases, my brother and sister, and a strong, serious-minded mother. Through the years, I have been a dishwasher, mechanic and pizza delivery driver among many other humble jobs, and eventually I became a network engineer.
In my own life, I have experienced many open acts of prejudice (偏见). I remember a time, at age 17 — I worked as a waiter, and I heard a father tell his little boy that if he did not do well in school, he would end up like me. I have also witnessed the same treatment of my family and friends, so I know what it’s like, and I should have known better.
But now, living in my American middle-class lifestyle, it is too easy to forget my past, to forget who I am and where I have been, and to lose sight of where I want to be going. That blind woman on the streets of Washington, D.C., cured me of my blindness. She reminded me of my belief in humility and to always keep my eyes and heart open. By the way, I helped that lady to the post office. And in writing this essay, I hope to thank her for the priceless lesson.
1.We can learn from the first two paragraphs that _.
A. the author was a native American
B. the blind woman needed the money badly
C. the author was as poor as the blind woman
D. the author regretted his act of prejudice
2.According to Paragraph 4, hearing the father’s words, the author was probably _.
A. rather hurt B. very excited C. greatly inspired D. deeply moved
3.Which opinion does the author agree with?
A. One should try to experience different kinds of life.
B. One should think about one’s past as often as possible.
C. One should treat others equally with love and respect.
D. One should be nice to the elderly and the disabled.
4.Why does the author say he is thankful to the blind woman at the end of the passage?
A. She has made him value what he has right now.
B. She has reminded him of the past experiences.
C. He has got a chance to think about his past and future because of her.
D. He has regained his belief in humility with her help.
5.What can be the best title for the passage?
A. How my dream comes true
B. A priceless lesson in the street
C. A Belief that will never change
D. Learn from your past
My father lived a long life and was deeply loved by his wife, three children, eleven grandchildren and a large number of friends. He was smart and quick- headed. When I asked if he’d like to join me on Virgin Airlines, I remember him ____replying: "Why not? It's as close to heaven as I'll ever get"
While he could always make us ____ he was also quiet, considerate and full of wonderful ____for us so that we could do better.
When I was a child, I____ myself to the change in Dad's loose drawer --- I didn't see it as stealing, but rather as just borrowing without a ____ to give back - and bought chocolate from our local corner shop.
One day, while ____the shop with my father, the shopkeeper questioned my ____spending habits: "'Now I don ' t want to get him into any____, Mr Branson, but I don' t know where young Richard is getting all his ____ from. He's becoming my best customer--- I ____ he isn't stealing it.”
Dad ____ by looking her straight in the eyes and saying loudly, “ Madam, how dare you____my son of stealing?”
After we left the shop, my father never spoke a word about the ____ However, his deliberate____ for the rest of the day expressed everything. The way he ____ the situation taught me a hugely effective lesson. I learned that the power of the____ words can be frighteningly influential.
His____ my honesty was more ____than if he had scolded me. I also learned the power of ____ and second chances. And these lessons have ____ me a lot in both life and work.
1.A. nervously B. deliberately C. sensitively D. humorously
2.A. calm B. laugh C. benefit D. reflect
3.A. advice B. patience C. expectation D. appreciation
4.A. led B. sent C. helped D. attracted
5.A. dream B. receipt C. way D. plan
6.A. visiting B. discussing C. exploring D. progressing
7.A. reasonable B. flexible C. usual D. common
8.A. debt B. trouble C. honor D. change
9.A. confidence B. pleasure C. pride D. money
10.A. know B. hope C. admit D. remember
11.A. responded B. exploded C. attacked D. comforted
12.A. express B. inform C. accuse D. warn
13.A. question B. incident C. trip D. shopkeeper
14.A. absence B. sadness C. anger D. silence
15.A. put up with B. kept away from C. dealt with D. lived through
16.A. unspoken B. proper C. meaningful D. enjoyable
17.A. discovering B. losing C. defending D. exhibiting
18.A. concerned B. powerful C. annoying D. frightening
19.A. communication B. friendship C. blame D. forgiveness
20.A. grasped B. benefited C. expressed D. surprised
Someone ____the tap on, for the water was running over and flooding the bathroom.
A. could leave
B. must have left
C. might leave
D. should have left
The other two areas ____ British English and American English____ are spelling and pronunciation.
A. that; differ B. which; differ in C. in that; differ D. in which; differ in
