In every school there is a “top” crowd that sets the pace, while the others follow their lead. Let’s say the top crowd decides that it is smart to wear bright red sweaters. Pretty soon everybody is wearing a bright red sweater. 
There is nothing wrong with that, except the fact that on some people bright red sweater is extremely unbecoming. The situation can even become dangerous, if the top crowd decides that it is smart to drink or to drive cars at seventy miles an hour. Then the people who follow the lead are endangering their lives. They are like the sheep being led to the butcher. 
Now, chances are that you have come across situations like these more than once in your life; chances are that one time or another you probably did something you knew to be wrong. You may have excused yourself by saying, “Gee, the crowd does it.” Well, let the crowd do it, but don’t do it yourself. Learn to say, “No.”
Develop your own standards and your own judgment. If you know the crowd is planning something you disagree to, have the courage to bow out mannerly. You’ll have the satisfaction of standing on your own two feet. 
小題1:Which is the best title for this passage? 

A．Follow the Lead.

B．Top Crowd.

C．Being Yourself.

D．Bright Red.

小題2:The author doesn’t think it good wearing red sweaters if ________. 

A．the crowd does it	B．you can’t afford them
C．you don’t look good in red	D．the situation isn’t safe

小題3:According to the passage, people who follow the crowd ________. 

A．sometimes do things against their better judgment

B．make mistakes blindly

C．a(chǎn)re willing to put their lives in danger

D．will in the end become pace-setters

Five years ago, David Smith wore an expensive suit to work every day. “I was a clothes addict,” he jokes. “I used to carry a fresh suit to work with me so I could change if my clothes got wrinkled.” Today David wears casual clothes-khaki pants and sports shirt-to the office. He hardly ever wears a necktie. “I’m working harder than ever,” David says, “and I need to feel comfortable.”
More and more companies are allowing their office workers to wear casual clothes to work in the United States. The change from formal to casual office wear has been gradual. In the early 1990s, many companies allowed their employees to wear casual clothes on Friday(but only on Friday). This became known as “dress-down Friday” of “casual Friday”. “What started out as an extra one-day-a-week benefit for employees has really become an everyday thing.” said business consultant Maisly Jones.
Why have so many companies started allowing their employees to wear casual clothes? One reason is that it’s easier for a company to attract new employees if it has a casual dress code. “A lot of young people don’t want to dress up for work,” says the owner of a software company, “so it’s hard to hire people if you have a conservative dress code.” Another reason is that people seem happier and more productive when they are wearing comfortable clothes. In a study conducted by Levi Strauss and Company, 85 percent of employers said that they believe that casual dress improves employee morale. Only 4 percent of employers said that casual dress has a negative impact on productivity. Supporters of casual office wear also argue that a casual dress code helps them save money. “Suits are expensive, if you have to wear one every day,” one person said. “For the same amount of money, you can buy a lot more casual clothes.”
小題1:David Smith refers to himself as having been “a clothes addict,” because _______.

A．he often wore khaki pants and a sports shirt

B．he couldn’t stand a clean appearance

C．he wanted his clothes to look neat all the time

D．he didn’t want to spend much money on clothes

小題2:David Smith wears casual clothes now, because _______.

A．they make him feel at ease when working

B．he cannot afford to buy expensive clothes

C．he looks handsome in casual clothes

D．he no longer works for any company

小題3: According to this passage, which of the following statements is false?

A．Many employees don’t like a conservative dress code.

B．Comfortable clothes make employees more productive.

C．A casual clothes code is welcomed by young employees.

D．All the employers in the U. S. are for casual office wear.

小題4: According to this passage, which of the following statements is true?

A．Company workers started to dress down about twenty years ago.

B．Dress-down has become an everyday phenomenon since the early 1990s.

C．“Dress-down Friday” was first given as a favor from employers.

D．Many workers want to wear casual clothes to impress people.

小題5:In this passage, the following advantages of casual office wear are mentioned in the passage except _______.

A．saving employees’ money

B．making employees more attractive

C．improving employees’ motivation

D．making employees happier

Have you ever been afraid to talk back when you were treated unfairly? Have you ever bought something just because the salesman talked you into it? Are you afraid to ask a boy (girl) for a date？
Many people are afraid to assert themselves (insist upon their own rights). Dr Robert Alberti, author of Stand Up, Speak Out, and Talk Back, thinks it’s because their self-esteem(自尊) is low. “Our whole set-up makes people doubt themselves,” says Alberti. “There’s always a 'superior' around — a parent, a teacher, a boss — who 'knows better’”.
But Alberti and other scientists are doing something to help people to assert themselves. They offer “assertiveness training” courses (AT). In the AT courses people learn that they have a right to be themselves. They learn to speak out and feel good about doing so. They learn to be aggressive(敢闖, 闖勁兒) without hurting other people.
In one way, learning to speak out is to overcome fear. A group taking an AT course will help the timid person to lose his fear. But AT uses an even stronger motive—the need to share. The timid person speaks out in the group because he wants to tell how he feels. AT says you can get to feel good about yourself. And once you do, you can learn to speak out.
小題1:In the passage, the writer talks about the problem that _______.

A．some people are too easy-going

B．some people are too timid

C．there are too many superiors around us

D．some people dare not stick up for their own rights

小題2:The effect of our set-up on people is often to _______.

A．make them distrust their own judgment

B．make things more favorable for them

C．keep them from speaking out as much as their superiors do

D．help them to learn to speak up for their rights

小題3:One thing AT doesn’t do is to _______.

A．use the need of people to share

B．show people they have the right to be themselves

C．help people to be aggressive at anytime even when others suffer

D．help people overcome fear

Listen carefully, working people, we would like to tell you something that could save your precious time and money! Best of all, it is free!
It’s “no”.
What do you ask? We’ll say it again: “No”.
Sweet and simple “no”.
Say “no” at your office and see how quickly that pile of work on your desk disappears.
“Saying ‘no’ to others means you are saying ‘yes’ to yourself, ” said Leslie Charles, a professional speaker from East Lansing, Michigan.
“Time is precious. People are spending money buying time. And yet we are willing to give up our time because we can’t say ‘no’.”
Susie Watson, a famous writer, said people who always say “yes” need to say “no” without guilt(內(nèi)疚)or fear of punishment. “I would rather have someone give me a loving ‘no’ than an obligated(強制的) ‘yes’, ” she said.
Susie Watson says she feels “no” obligation to give an explanation when she says “no” either socially or professionally. Does she feel guilty about it? “Not at all, ” said Watson, who is director of advertising and public relations at Timex Corp in Middlebury, Conneticut. “Most people are afraid of saying ‘no’… My advice is to say ‘yes’ only if you don’t mean ‘no’.”
Watson said “no” is the most effective weapon against wasting time. “Every year there are more demands on your time… Other people are happy to use up your time, ” Watson said. Time saving appears to be “no’s” greatest friend.
“No” can be your new friend, a powerful tool to take back your life. “No” may even take you further in the business world than “yes”.
“No” is power and strength. “No” now seems completely correct. “Saying ‘no’ isn’t easy. But finally it’s greatly liberating,” Charles said. But, he added, a “no” project needs to be worked on every day because it is hard to change long-term habit.
But, he also warns: “Don’t go to extremes. Don’t find yourself saying ‘no’ to everything. In return you should learn to hear ‘no’.”
小題1: The sentence “Saying ‘yes’ to yourself” means _______.

A．you can have more time to play with others

B．you needn’t care about other’s feeling if you are happy

C．you are selfish and treat others rudely

D．you can deal with your business as you have planned

小題2: When you say “no” to others you should say it in a _______.

A．secret way	B．polite way
C．proud way	D．guilty way

小題3:In Watson’s opinion, people can save much time on condition that _______.

A．they say “no” at a suitable time

B．they say “no” as much as possible

C．they are afraid of saying “no”

D．they make others angry at them

小題4:If a person says “no” to everything, the result he or she receive may be that he or she _______.

A．enjoys a wonderful life	B．makes a lot of money
C．faces difficulty in life	D．forgets to say “yes” in the end

Traveling can be a way to gain life experiences, especially during Spring Break — a week long school vacation in the United States. But what if you’re a student and don’t have enough money for a trip? Don’t worry. Here are some useful suggestions.
●Save: This probably is the most important preparation for traveling. Cut expenses to fatten your wallet so you’ll have more choices about where to go and how to get there.
●Plan ahead: Don’t wait until the last minute to plan your trip. Tickets may cost more when bought on short notice. Giving yourself several months to get ready can mean security(安全) and savings.
●Do your homework: No matter where you go, research the places you will visit. Decide what to see. Travel books will provide information on the cheapest hotels and restaurants.
●Plan sensibly: Write down what you expect to spend for food and hotels. Stick to your plan or you may not have enough money to cover everything.
●Travel in groups: Find someone who is interested in visiting the same places. By traveling with others you can share costs and experiences.
●Work as you go: Need more money to support your trip? Look for work in the places you visit.
●Go off the beaten path: Tourist cities may be expensive. You may want to rethink your trip and go to a lesser-known area. Smaller towns can have many interesting activities and sights.
●Pack necessary things: The most important things to take are not always clothes: Remember medicine in case you get sick and snacks in case you cannot find a cheap restaurant.
●Use the Internet: The Net can help to save money. Some useful websites include www. Travelocity. com, www. bargains-lowest fare. com and www. Economic travel. com.
By planning sensibly, even students can enjoy the travel. Your travel experiences will be remembered for a lifetime.
小題1:This passage is about _______. 

A．how to plan your travel	B．how to travel with enough money
C．how to make your travel interesting	D．how to get life experiences

小題2:Before your trip, the first thing you should do is _______. 

A．to make a plan of the route	B．to get information in the Internet
C．to save money by spending less	D．to buy tickets in advance

小題3: The writer advises you _______. 

A．to share costs with any other people	B．not to go to well-known places
C．not to visit dangerous places	D．to buy anything you want to buy

小題4:During your trip, _______. 

A．you need more shoes than clothes

B．you shouldn’t look for work all the way

C．you can gain valuable life experiences

D．you should forget to do your homework

My husband and children think they are very lucky that they are living and that it’s Christmas again. They can’t see that we live on a dirty street in a dirty house among people who aren’t much good. But Johnny and children can’t see this. What a pity it is that our neighbours have to make happiness out of all this dirt. I decided that my children must get out of this. The money that we’ve saved isn’t nearly enough.
The McGaritys have money but they are so proud. They look down upon the poor. The McGarity girl just yesterday stood out there in the street eating from a bag of candy(糖果)while a ring of hungry children watched her. I saw those children looking at her and crying in their hearts; and when she couldn’t eat any more she threw the rest down the sewer(下水道). Why, is it only because they have money ? There is more to happiness than money in the world, isn’t there?
Miss Jackson who teaches at the Settlement House isn’t rich, but she knows things. She understands people. Her eyes look straight into yours when she talks with you. She can read your mind. I’d like to see the children be like Miss Jackson when they grow up.
小題1:This passage mainly suggests that the writer _______.

A．is easy to get along with

B．is unhappy with the life they are living

C．is good at observing and understanding

D．is never pleased with her neigbours

小題2:What do you think of McGarity girl?

A．She is proud and hungry.	B．She is selfish and cruel.
C．She is lonely and friendless.	D．She is unhappy and misunderstood.

小題3: In this text, the writer tries to tell us that _______.

A．money is the key to everything

B．the more money you have, the less happy you’ll be

C．there is something more important than money

D．when talking to people we should look into their eyes

小題4: Pick out the one that does NOT describe the writer’s view on money.

A．Why, is it only because they have money?

B．There is more to happiness than money.

C．Miss Jackson isn’t rich, but she knows things.

D．The money we saved isn’t nearly enough.

LONDON — Life for Cathy Hagner and her three children is set to permanent(永久的) fast-forward.
Their full school day and her job as a lawyer's assistant are busy enough. But Hanger also has to take the two boys to soccer or hockey or basketball while dropping off her daughter at piano lessons or Girl Scout Club.
Often, the exhausted family doesn't get home until 7 pm. There is just time for a quick supper before homework. In today's world, middle-class American and British parents treat their children as if they are competitors racing for some finishing line.
Parents take their children from activity to activity in order to make their future bright. It seems that raising a genius has become a more important goal than raising a happy and well-balanced child.
“Doctors across the country are reporting a growing number of children suffering from stomachaches and headaches due to exhaustion and stress,” says child expert William Doherty of the University of Minnesota.
Teachers are dealing with exhausted kids in the classroom. It's a very serious problem. Many children attend after-school clubs by necessity. But competitive pressures also create an explosion of activities. They include sports, language, music and math classes for children as young as four.
“There is a new parenting trend(趨勢) under way which says that you have to tap all your child’s potential(潛能) at a young age; otherwise you will let him down,” says Terry Apter, a Cambridge-based child and adolescent psychiatrist(青少年精神病專家).
“It isn't entirely new: there have always been pushy parents. But what was previously(以前) seen as strange behaviour is now well accepted.”
小題1: From the second paragraph of this passage we can find that _______.

A．Hagner wastes much time helping her children's lessons

B．Hagner doesn't spend much time on her full-time job

C．Hagner is interested in sports and music

D．Hagner busies herself by following a trend

小題2:British parents, as the writer described in this passage, _______.

A．treat their children as sports players

B．pay no attention to their children's lessons

C．bring up their children in a simple way

D．give their children little time to develop freely

小題3:The writer's opinion about after-school clubs is that ________.

A．a(chǎn)ctivities in the country are too competitive

B．children should attend four clubs at a time

C．some clubs result in competitive pressures

D．clubs should have more subjects for school children

小題4:The last paragraph tells us that in Britain _______.

A．parents used to take their children to every club

B．parents used to be wise on how to raise children

C．parents have all benefited from children’s clubs

D．parents have come to know the standard of education

Since we are social beings, the quality of our lives depends in large measure on our interpersonal relationships. One strength of the human conditions is our possibility to give and receive support from one another under stressful(有壓力的) conditions. Social support makes up of the exchange of resources among people based on their interpersonal ties. Those of us with strong support systems appear better able to deal with major life changes and daily problems. People with strong social ties live longer and have better health than those without such ties. Studies over types of illnesses, from depression to heart disease, show that the presence of social support helps people defend themselves against illness, and the absence of such support makes poor health more likely.
Social support cushions stress in a number of ways. First, friends, relatives and co-workers may let us know that they value us. Our self-respect is strengthened when we feel accepted by others in spite of our faults and difficulties. Second, other people often provide us with informational support. They help us to define and understand our problems and find solutions to them. Third, we typically find social companionship supportive. Taking part in free-time activities with others helps us to meet our social needs while at the same time distracting(轉(zhuǎn)移注意力) us from our worries and troubles. Finally, other people may give us instrumental support — money aid, material resources, and needed services — that reduces stress by helping us resolve and deal with our problems.
小題1:Interpersonal relationships are important because they can _______.

A．make people live more easily

B．smooth away daily problems

C．deal with life changes

D．cure types of illnesses

小題2:The researches show that people's physical and mental health _______.

A．lies in the social medical care systems which support them

B．has much to do with the amount of support they get from others

C．depends on their ability to deal with daily worries and troubles

D．is related to their courage for dealing with major life changes

小題3:Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word “cushions” ?

A．takes place of	B．makes up of
C．lessens the effect of	D．gets rid of

小題4:Helping a sick neighbor with some repair work in spare time is an example of _______.

A．instrumental support	B．informational support
C．social companionship	D．the strengthening of self-respect

小題5:What is the subject discussed in the text?

A．Interpersonal relationships.	B．Kinds of social support.
C．Ways to deal with stress.	D．Effects of stressful conditions.

Dear Hamilton,
We are fortunate that in such a large, high-pressure office we all get along so well. You are one of the people who keep the social temperature at such a comfortable setting. I don’t know anyone in the office who is better liked than you.
You can perhaps help with this. The collection of contributions towards gifts for employees’ personal-life events is becoming a little troubling. Certainly, the group sending of a gift is reasonable now and then. In the past month, however, there have been collections for two baby shower gifts, one wedding shower gift, two wedding gifts, one funeral（葬禮）remembrance, four birthday gifts, and three graduation gifts.
It’s not only the collected-from who are growing uncomfortable (and poor), but the collected-for feel uneasy receiving gifts from people who don’t know them outside the office, who wouldn’t even recognize their graduating children, their marrying daughters and sons, or their dead relatives.
This is basically a kind gesture (and one that people think well of you for), but the practice seems to have become too wide-ranging and feels improper in today’s office setting.
Thank you for understanding.
小題1:The underlined word “contributions” probably means ________.

A．money

B．suggestions

C．reports

D．understanding

小題2:Hamilton is expected to _______.

A．show more kindness.	B．discontinue the present practice
C．quit being the organizer for gift giving	D．know more about co-workers’ families

小題3:This is basically a letter of ________.

A．a(chǎn)pology

B．sympathy

C．a(chǎn)ppreciation

D．dissatisfaction

I arrived at my mother’s home for our Monday family dinner. The smells of food flew over from the kitchen. Mother was pulling out quilt(被子)after quilt from the boxes, proudly showing me their beauties. She was preparing for a quilt show at the Elmhurst Church. When we began to fold and put them back into the boxes, I noticed something at the bottom of one box. I pulled it out. “What is this?” I asked.
“Oh?” Mom said, “That’s Mama’s quilt.”
I spread the quilt. It looked at if a group of school children had pieced it together; irregular designs, childish pictures, a crooked line on the right.
“Grandmother made this?” I said, surprised. My grandmother was a master at making quilts. This certainly didn’t look like any of the quilts she had made.
“Yes, right before she died. I brought it home with me last year and made some changes,” she said. “I’m still working on it. See, this is what I’ve done so far.”
I looked at it more closely. She had made straight a crooked line. At the center of the quilt, she had stitched(縫) a piece of cloth with these words:  “My mother made many quilts. She didn’t get all lines straight. But I think this is beautiful. I want to see it finished. Her last quilt.”
“Ooh, this is so nice, Mom,” I said. It occurred to me that by completing my grandmother’s quilt, my mother was honoring her own mother. I realized, too, that I held in my hands a family treasure. It started with the loving hands of one woman, and continued with the loving hands of another.
小題1:Why did the author go to mother’s home?

A．To see her mother’s quilts.	B．To help prepare for a show.
C．To get together for the family dinner.	D．To discuss her grandmother’s life.

小題2:The author was surprised because      .

A．the quilt looked very strange.	B．her grandmother liked the quilt.
C．the quilt was the best she had seen.	D．her mother had made some changes

小題3: The underlined wood “crooked” in the passage most probably means       .

A．unfinished

B．broken

C．bent

D．unusual

小題4: Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

A．A Quilt Show

B．Mother’s Home

C．A Monday Dinner

D．Grandmother’s Quilt