Many people look forward to the holiday season, which provides an opportunity to take a few days off, or go on a getaway. 1. The combined effort of shopping, attending social events, and entertaining guests can quickly become too much to handle.
2.This means you may end up with financial pressure. To prevent stress over money, plan ahead; review your finances, and come up with a practical budget.
Purchases shouldn't affect your ability to pay your bills, nor should it result in costly credit card debt.
The holiday season is stressful when you have too much on your plate. 3.You actually needn't cancel your plans, but make sure everything doesn't have to be perfect, and you don't have to do everything yourself- get your family involved.
A holiday season is not always an interval of true relaxation: Sometimes it can mean a lot of rushing around with confusion; allowing you no moment alone. 4.Even as little as 15 minutes alone can make a world of difference as you need to take a breather and clear your mind!
Being in close quarters with your family members for a long holiday can be stressful in itself. Because of your different personalities, it may be easy to rub each other the wrong way. If you let every remark get under your skin, you'll be stressed out the entire time. 5. Don't let the actions of others rob you of your joy.
"Hope has proved a powerful predictor of outcome in every study we've done so far," said Dr. Snyder, a psychologist.
In research with 3,920 college students, Dr. Snyder found that the level of hope among freshmen at the beginning of their first term was a more accurate predictor of their college grades than were their S.A.T. scores or their grade point averages in high school. "Students with high hope set themselves higher goals and know how to work to attain them," Dr. Snyder said. "When you compare students with equal learning ability and past school achievements, what sets them apart is hope."
In seeking a way to assess hope scientifically, Dr. Snyder went beyond the usual belief that hope is merely the sense that everything will turn out all right. "This idea is not concrete enough; it fails to clarify two key components of hope," Dr. Snyder said.
"Having hope means believing you have both the will and the way to accomplish your goals, whatever they may be."
Despite the wisdom in the old saying "where there's a will there's a way," Dr. Snyder has found that the two are not necessarily connected. In a study of people from 18 to 70 years old, Dr. Snyder discovered: only about 40% of people are hopeful in the technical sense of believing they typically have the energy and means to accomplish their goals; about 20% of the people believed in their ability to find the means to attain their goals, but said they had little will to do so; another 20% have the opposite pattern, saying they had the energy to motivate themselves but little confidence that they would find the means; the rest had little hope at all, reporting that they typically had neither the will nor the way.
"It's not enough just to have the wish for something," said Dr. Snyder. "You need the means, too. On the other hand, all the skills to solve a problem won't help without the willpower to do it."
1.What does Dr. Snyder think can best predict a freshman's academic performance?
A. His S.A.T. scores. B. His high school grades.
C. His level of hope. D. His family background.
2.The underlined word "concrete" in the third paragraph probably means ________.
A. clear B. pure C. universal D. popular
3.What did Dr. Synder say about the old saying "where there's will there's a way"?
A. It is quite realistic. B. It is not inspiring to students.
C. It is totally wrong. D. It is not always true in reality.
4.What can be the most suitable title for the passage?
A. No pains, no gains. B. Hope emerges as key to success.
C. Will gets it going. D. Where there's a will there's a way.
Some parts of the garden are for the rest of the world to admire. Others are for you to disappear to when you don't want to be found. Of course, that's easy enough to arrange when you have lots of land with space for the kids to run round and cosy "garden rooms" for the adults to enjoy. But when your garden is on the small side, you might think it's a tall order. Well, you're wrong.
To create a secret garden, people tend to take the routine: surrounding a small garden with high fences and then placing a lawn(草坪) in the middle and borders round the edge. Far from making the most of the area, that just makes it look a lot smaller and more boring. Dividing it up makes much more use of your space and means you can have your practical family area plus a secret garden.
When you're searching for the perfect secret site within your existing set-up, consider your present favourite spot. A secret garden needs to be special—a complete contrast to the more practical family parts of the garden. Perhaps you take a folding chair down to a quiet corner that gets evening sun; maybe you sit and watch the pond or simply slip out to the patio(露台)with a glass of wine.
It's quite easy to change an existing favourite feature into a secret place. You could top the patio with a pergola(棚架) pole and plant a grapevine for shade, or position a bench overlooking the pond and plant bamboos to screen it from the rest of the garden.
The areas you create needn't all to be the same size—or even the same style—but if you're planning a major redesign, take your time and work it out on paper before committing time and money. Then when it's done, you'll really be able to relax and enjoy it.
1.What assumption lies behind this passage?
A. Grapevine are widely used as shade in gardens.
B. Parents need their own space in the garden.
C. Family members should share everything.
D. Gardens are different in size and style.
2.The underlined phrase "a tall order" (in Paragraph 1) probably means ________.
A. a difficult task B. a costly decision
C. an unwise attempt D. an unfair business
3.What's the author's solution for a cozy space in a small garden?
A. Place a lawn in the middle.
B. Build borders around the lawn.
C. Surround the garden with high fences.
D. Have a separate space within the garden.
4.What's the author's purpose in writing the passage?
A. To offer tips on a small getaway in the garden.
B. To share personal experience in gardening.
C. To recommend best plants for small gardens.
D. To advertise some new designs of gardens.
I graduated in 1941 and of course got caught in the war. In 1945 I was out, twenty-one years old, a soldier through 35 bombing missions, and at the University of Washington taking creative writing courses, something I'd looked forward to all through the Air Force.
I'd started writing when I was nine and writing seemed to be the only thing I'd ever be able or want to do. My teacher was a new man named Grant Redford, a very good short story writing teacher and a sad man. He was from Montana and had been connected with the old Rocky Mountain Review. I think it became the Western Review but I'm not sure and I don't bother to look it up. I'm afraid I was never much of a student for Redford. My stories were hopelessly self-indulgent(任性的); on and on about my personal problems, without form, without development, and without even any good writing.
However, I did write humor in those days and had no trouble getting it published in the campus magazine, though I'd hate to see it now. Mostly my writing was used to get myself attention, to satisfy a terrible personal interest in self-admiration, and it wasn't until I concentrated all my efforts on poems that I was to realize the only real reward of writing, that special way you feel just when you've done something you like. That's far more satisfying than seeing your name in print, good reviews, praise or applause after a reading. And more lasting.
1.What do we know about the author's childhood?
A. A good student of his teacher. B. Crazy about writing.
C. Good at telling short stores. D. Longing to be a pilot.
2.How was his writing career at the early stage?
A. Productive. B. Successful.
C. Struggling. D. A complete failure.
3.Where did the author eventually find comfort in writing?
A. Short stories. B. Poems.
C. Humorous stories. D. Good reviews.
Things to Do in Atlanta
Need a run-down of the top things to do this weekend? Here is what's on in Atlanta.
In the Mood
Date: May 22 through May 26, 2018
Time: 2:00 pm—5:30
Phone: 770-916-2800
If you love the music of the 1940s, then here’s what you need to do this Sunday. Go to a 1940s musical show at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. The music of Glenn Millet has a distinctive sound. No need to ask me twice. Are you "In the Mood"?
Party With the Penguins(企鹅)
Date: May 20 through May 25, 2018
Time: 11:30 am—2:00 pm
Phone: 404-581-4000
Celebrate Penguin Awareness Day at Georgia Aquarium's annual Party with the Penguins. The party will feature fun activities, including the chance to see an African penguin up close and team how to help protect this in-danger species.
Callanwolde Arts Festival
Date: May 21 to May 22, 2018
Time: 10:30am—5:30pm
Phone: 404-872-5338
Located at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, this event is a festival for artists and by artists, letting them have a voice in the creation and operations of the festival. If you are of the artistic persuasion or enjoy a creative scene, don't miss out.
Foollio's Hoodilly Storytime
Date: May 21 through May 27, 2018
Time: 1:00 pm—4:30 pm
Phone: 404-523-3141
We make up a brand-new story every week. Come and enjoy a new story each tithe at Dad's Garage Theatre. Little ones will get to help provide key parts of the story and even add in their own jokes. Interactive and out-of-the-ordinary fun for kids and parents！
1.Where should you go if you are a music fan?
A. Georgia Aquarium. B. Dad's Garage Theatre.
C. Callanwolde Fine Arts Centre. D. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
2.Which event appeals to animal lovers?
A. In the Mood. B. Party with the Penguins.
C. Callanwolde Arts Festival. D. Foollio's Hoodilly Storytime.
3.Which number helps sign up for an opportunity if you are crazy about painting?
A. 770-916-2800. B. 404-581-4000.
C. 404-872-5338. D. 404-523-3141.
4.In what way is Foollio's Hoodilly Storytime unique from the other events?
A. It provides books as gifts. B. It is a charge-free event.
C. It runs the shortest hours. D. It is very child-friendly.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.Who is the intended audience of the speech?
A. Passengers at a station. B. Students in a college.
C. Seniors of a neighborhood.
2.What can you expect from this club?
A. Meeting old friends. B. Making new friends.
C. Trading personal information.
3.How many suggestions does the speaker give?
A. Three. B. Four. C. Five.
4.How often do the members meet?
A. Every day. B. Twice a week. C. Once a week.
