Scholars and researchers have tried to discover what personality characteristics go along with success in
intercultural experiences. Their findings have often been unclear or incomplete. But three characteristics stand
out in their reports: patience, a sense of humor, and the awareness of being unclear.
     Patience, of course, is the ability to keep calm even when things do not go as one wants them to, or hopes
they will, or has even been sure they will. Impatience sometimes brings improvements in relations with other
people, but usually it does not.
     A person with a sense of humor is less likely to take things too seriously and more ready to see the humor
in her own reactions than a humorless person. The value of a sense of humor really needs to be paid more
attention to.
     "The awareness of being unclear" is a more difficult concept than patience or a sense of humor. Foreigners
often find themselves in situations that are unclear to the newcomers. That is, they do not know what is
happening in the situation. Perhaps they do not understand the local language well enough, or they do not know
how some system or organization works, or they can't be sure of different people's roles in what is going on.
"It's like I just got here from the moon," a Chinese graduate student who newly arrived in the United States said,
"things are just so different here."

1. The passage mainly tells us _____.

A. that it's not easy to travel abroad
B. that humor is very important in communication
C. about some characteristics in dealing with foreigners
D. about three main ways useful for communicating with foreigners

2. According to the passage, what characteristic should be most focused on?

A. Patience
B. The awareness of being unclear
C. The sense of humor
D. Understanding each other.

3. "The awareness of being unclear" refers to _____.

A. knowing the meaning of an exact situation
B. not stating clearly what happens
C. realizing the possible misunderstanding in a situation
D. being aware of the unclear situation

4. According to the writer, the Chinese students is _____.

A. a hard-working student
B. recently back from the moon
C. interested in the study of moon
D. not used to the culture in America

     There were smiling children all the way. Charily they knew at what time the train passed their homes and
they made it their business to stand along the railway, wave to complete strangers and cheer them up as they
rushed towards Penang. Often whole families stood outside their homes and waved and smiled as if those on
the trains were their favorite relatives. This is the simple village people of Malaysia. I was moved.
     I had always traveled to Malaysia by plane or car, so this was the first time I was on a train. I did not
particularly relish the long train journey and had brought along a dozen magazines to read and reread. I looked
about the train. There was not one familiar face. I sighed and sat down to read my Economics.
     It was not long before the train was across the Causeway and in Malaysia. Johore Baru was just another
city like Singapore, so I was tired of looking at the crowds of people as they hurried past. As we went beyond
the city, I watched the straight rows of rubber trees and miles and miles of green. Then the first village came
into sight, Immediately I came alive; I decided to wave hack.
     From then on my journey became interesting. I threw my magazines into the waste basket and decided to
join in Malaysian life. Then everything came alive. The mountains seemed to speak to me. Even the trees were
smiling. I stared at everything as if I was looking at it for the first time.
     The day passed fast and I even forgot to have my lunch until I felt hungry. I looked at my watch and was
surprised that it was 3:00 pm. Soon the train pulled up at Butterworth. I looked at the people all around me.
They all looked beautiful. When my uncle arrived with a smile, I threw my arms around him to give him a
warm hug (擁抱). I had never done this before. He seemed surprised and then his weather-beaten face warmed
up with a huge smile. We walked arm in arm to his car.
     I looked forward to the return journey.

1. The author expected the train trip to be _____.

A. adventurous
B. pleasant
C. exciting
D. dull

2. What did the author remember most fondly of her train trip?

A. The friendly country people.
B. The mountains along the way.
C. The crowds of people in the streets.
D. The simple lunch served on the train.

3. What did the author remember most fondly of her train trip?

A. The friendly country people.
B. The mountains along the way.
C. The crowds of people in the streets.
D. The simple lunch served on the train.

4. Where was the writer going?

A. Johore Baru.
B. The Causeway.
C. Butterworth.
D. Singapore.

5. What can we learn from the story?

A. Comfort in traveling by train.
B. Pleasure of living in the country.
C. Reading gives people delight.
D. Smiles brighten people up.

     Sitting on the peaceful coast of Galapagos Islands. Ecuador, watching the sun move quietly into the sea,
you shouldn't forget that Charles Darwin (1809-1882) arrived here in 1835. He stayed on the islands for five
weeks, observing various animals. This finally inspired (啟發(fā)) his famous work, On the Origin of Species.
You can certainly follow Darwin's footsteps and enjoy a trip from four to seven days to the islands.
     The islands are certainly a paradise (天堂) for wildlife, as there are no natural killers on the islands and the
number of boats and visitors is under government control. Though you cannot walk freely as Darwin did about
200 years ago, each day is as impressive as it could be.
     The most well-known animal of the Galapagos is the giant tortoise (巨型海龜), which can be seen moving
slowly around the highlands of Sanra Cruz, the second largest island in the archipelago (群島). Some of these
creatures are so old that they might have been seen in their youth by Darwin himself.
     Despite strict control over activities and timing, your stay on the Galapagos will be remembered as a chain
of incomparable pictures: diving with sea lions that swim and play within inches of you; feeling small sharks
touch your feet as you swim; and, most magically, seeing a whale and her baby surface with a great breath of
air.
     Travelling between the islands and observing the wildlife that so inspired Darwin, you will feel as though
you are getting a special view of an untouched world. At night you will sleep on board the ship, leaving the
wildlife in complete occupation of the islands, which are as undisturbed now as they have been since the
beginning of time.

1. What do we know about Darwin's visit to the islands?

A. He studied different creatures on the islands
B. He completed his famous book on the islands
C. He was touched by the geography of the islands
D. He was attracted by well-known animals of the islands

2. Which of the following plays a role in making the islands "a paradise for wildlife"?

A. Animals on the islands feed on grass.
B. Local government forbids killing wildlife.
C. People cannot visit the islands as they wish.
D. Tourists are not allowed to touch the animals.

3. Your stay on the islands will be most impressive mainly because of _____.

A. The beautiful sea views
B. Darwin's inspiring trip
C. a closer view of animals
D. various daring activities

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

A. A Unique Attraction for Wildlife Lovers
B. Calapagos as a Paradise for Adventures
C. Charles Darwin as a Symbol of Galapagos
D. A successful Example of Wildlife Protection

     My father was 44 and knew he wasn't going to make it to 45. He wrote me a letter and hoped that something
in it would help me for the rest of my life.
     Since the day I was 12 and first read his letter, some of his words have lived in my heart. Only part always
times out. "Right now, you are pretending to be a time-killer. But I know that one hay, you will do something
great that will set you among the very best." Knowing that my dad believed in me gave me permission to believe
in myself. "You will do something great." He didn't know what that would be, and neither did I, but at times in
my life when I've felt proud of myself, I remember his words and wish he were here so I could ask. "Is this
what you were talking about, Dad? Should I keep going?"
     A long way from 12 now, I realize he would have been proud when I made any progress. Lately, though.
I've come to believe he'd want me to move on to what comes next: to be proud of, and believe in, somebody
else. It's time to start writing my own letters to my children. Our children look to us with the same unanswered
question we had. Our kids don't hold back because they're afraid to fail. They're only afraid of failing us. They
don't worry about being disappointed. Their fear－as mine was until my father's letter－is of being a
disappointment.
     Give your children permission to succeed. They're writing for you to believe in them. I always knew way
parents loved me. But trust me. That belief will be more complete, that love will be more real, and their belief
in themselves will be greater if you write the words on their hearts; "Don't worry; you'll do something great."
Not having that blessing from their parents may be the only thing holding them back.

1. We learn from the text that the author _____.  

A. lost his father when he was young
B. worked hard before he read his father's letter
C. asked his father's permission to believe in himself
D. knew exactly what great thing his father wanted him to do

2. What does the author tell us in the 3rd paragraph?

A. Children need their parents' letters.
B. Children are afraid to be disappointed.
C. His children's fear of failure held them back.
D. His father's letter removed his fear of failing his parents.

3. Which of the following is true of the author?

A. He got no access to success.
B. He wrote back to his father at 12.
C. He was sure his parents loved him.
D. He once asked his father about the letter.

4. The main purpose of the text is to _____.

A. describe children's thinking
B. answer some questions children have
C. stress the importance of communication
D. advise parents to encourage their children

     I was ten when I first sat with my grandmother behind the cashier (收銀臺(tái)) in her general store. 1_____
I quickly learned the importance of treating customers politely and saying "thank you."
     At first I was paid in candy. 2_____ I worked every day after school, and during the summer and on
weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. My father helped me set up a bank account. 3_____
     By the time I was 12, My grandmother thought I had done such a good job that the promoted me to selling
cosmetics (化妝品). I developed the ability to look customers directly in the eye. Even though I was just a kid,
women would ask me such things as "What color do you think I should wear?" I took a real interest in their
questions and was able to translate what they wanted into makeup (化妝) ideas. 4_____
     The job taught me a valuable lesson: to be a successful salesperson, you didn't need to be a Rocket
scientist-you needed to be a great listener. 5_____ expect they are no longer women purchasing cosmetics
from me; instead, they are kids who tell me which toys they would like to see designed and developed.

A. Later I received 50 cents an hour.
B. Before long, she let me sir there by myself.
C. I ended my selling a record amount of cosmetics.
D. Today I still carry that lesson with me: I listen to customers.
E. My grandma's trust taught me how to handle responsibility.
F. Soon I found myself looking more beautiful than ever before.
G. Watching my money grow was more rewarding than anything I could have bought.

     To err is human. To blame the other guy is even more human.
     Common sense is not all that common.
     Why tell the truth when you can come up with a good excuse?
     These three popular misquotes (戲謔的引語) are meant to be jokes, and yet they tell us a lot about human
nature.To err, or to make mistakes, is indeed a part of being human, but it seems that most people don't want
to accept the responsibility for having made a mistake. They naturally look for someone else who could be
responsible for the problem. Perhaps it is the natural thing to do.The original quote about human nature went
like this:"To err is human, to forgive, divine (神圣的)." This saying mirrors an ideal: people should be forgiving
of others' mistakes. Instead, we tend to do the opposite-find someone else to pass the blame on to. However,
taking responsibility for something that went wrong is a making of great maturity (成熟).
     Common sense is what we call clear thought. Having common sense means having a good general plan that
will make things work well, and it also means staying with the plan. Common sense tells you that you take an
umbrella out into a rainstorm, but you leave the umbrella home when you hear a weather forecast for sunshine.
Common sense does not seem to be common for large organizations, because there are so many things going
on that one person cannot be in charge of everything. People say that in a large company, "the right hand does
not know what the left hand is doing."
     And what is wrong with a society that thinks that making up a good excuse is like creating a work of art?
One of the common problems with making excuses is that people, especially young people, get the idea that it's
okay not to be totally honest all the time. There is a corollary (直接推論) to that: if good excuse is "good" even
if it isn't honest, then where is the place of the truth?

1. According to tile passage, which of following seems the most human?

A. To search for truth.
B. To achieve one's ideal.
C. To make fun of others'mistakes.
D. To criticize others for one's own error.

2. Which of the following is NOT based on common sense?

A. A man tries to take charge of everything in a large company.
B. A student goes out with an umbrella in stormy weather.
C. A company's next move follows a good plan.
D. A lawyer acts on fine judgments.

3. What is the author's opinion about a good excuse?

A. Making a good excuse is sometimes a better policy.
B. Inventing a good excuse needs creative ideas.
C. A good excuse is as rewarding as honesty.
D. Bitter truth is better than a good excuse.

4. What would be the best title for his passage?

A. A Mirror of Human Nature
B. To Blame or to Forgive
C. A Mark of Maturity
D. Truth or Excuse

     In a book called Magnificent Obsession, by Lloyd C. Douglas, a description is given of people helping
others but doing it secretly. When difficult problems worried an individual, friends nearby would meet to
discuss possible solutions without the individual knowing their actions. When a solution was agreed upon,
one or two of the friends would carry out the plan and solve the problem secretly, to the great delight of
the worried individual. The helpers would stand by privately, content with their success. No reward was
given to the problem solvers, not even a sincere "thank you", because they were never known.
     This concept is popular today but in a different way. The phrase "pay it forward" is now used when
one person helps another. However, the person helped may not be able to repay the person or group that
helped them. So rather than return the favor to their helpers, they are supposed to help someone else in the
future, which means they pay it forward. It is a sense of responsibility which makes us want to give back
in equal measure to the one who has helped us. But, in this case, the responsibility turns to helping someone
in the future.
     Suppose your elderly grandmother pays part of your schooling. She may tell you there is no need to
repay her because it is a gift from someone who loves you very much. Nothing would please her more than
to have you use her money to get a good education.
     You may never be able to repay her for such a gift. However, she not only gave you some money, but
she provided you with an example that you should also help other people who need it. People with serious
needs are everywhere. Many are children who need better clothes, more books and even better schools.
Some are elderly people who can't afford their medicine or a doctor's care. Consider how you can "pay it
forward" rather than pay money back to your grandmother.

1. The helpers in the book "Magnificent Obsession" were not rewarded because _____.

A. they hadn't solved the problems thoroughly
B. they had solved the problems secretly
C. they were friends of the worried individual
D. they expected to be paid back in the future

2. The underlined word "pay it forward" means _____.

A. to repay someone who has helped you
B. to pay someone else who needs help
C. to help someone who has helped you
D. to help someone else who needs help

3. What does the writer suggest with the example of "your elderly grandmother"?

A. We should learn to respect our grandparents.
B. We should work hard to get a good education.
C. We should also lend a hand to other people in need of help.
D. We should never forget to repay people for their help.

4. From the passage we know _____.

A. everybody needs help
B. more children need help than elderly people
C. it costs a lot of money to "pay it forward"
D. nowadays many people help others without being repaid

5. By writing the passage, the author wishes people in the world to be _____.

A. unselfish
B. mysterious
C. honest
D. unforgettable

     There are two basic ways to see growth: one as a product, the other as a process. People have generally
viewed personal growth as an external (外在的) result or a product that can easily be identified and measured.
The worker who gets a rise, the student whose grades improve, the foreigner who learns a new language-all
these examples of people who have measurable results to show for their efforts.
     By contrast (對(duì)照), the process of personal growth is much more difficult to determine, since it is a
journey and not the specific signposts or landmarks along the way. The process is not the road itself, but the
attitudes, feelings people have, and their caution or courage, as they meet with new experiences and unexpected
difficulties. In this process, the journey never really ends; there are always new ways to experience the world,
new ideas to try, new challenges to accept.
     In order to grow, to travel new roads, people need to have a willingness to take risks, to face the unknown,
and to accept the possibility that they may "fail" at first. How we see ourselves as we try a new way of being
is necessary for our ability to grow. Do we see ourselves as quick and curious? If so, we tend to take more
chances and be more open to unfamiliar experiences. Do we think we're shy and indecisive? Then our sense
of fear can cause us to hesitate, to move slowly, and we think we are slow to adapt change or that we're not
smart enough to deal with a new challenge. Then we are likely to take a more passive role or not try at all.
     These feelings of insecurity and self-doubt are both unavoidable and necessary if we are to change and
grow. If we protect ourselves too much, then we stop growing. We become trapped inside a shell of our
own making.

1. In the author's eye, one who views personal growth as a process would ____.

A. succeed in climbing up the social ladder
B. grow up from his own achievements
C. face difficulties and take up challenges
D. aim high and reach his goal each time

2. Which of the following can be viewed as the process of personal growing?

A. Our manager was always willing to accept new challenges.
B. Jane won the first prize in the speech competition.
C. Jerry picked up French during his stay in Paris.
D. Father's salary rose from 5, 000 to 7,000.

3. For personal growth, the author is in favor of all the following except ____.

A. being curious about more changes
B. being quick in self-adaptation
C. having an open mind to new experiences
D. staying away from failures and challenges

4. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A. It is not so easy to measure personal growth.
B. To try and fail on the new road facing the unknown is unavoidable.
C. There are only two ways to see a person's growth.
D. If you are too shy to take any risks in life, you cannot grow up.

5. The best title for this passage should be _____.

A. Facing New Challenges
B. Growth-Product or Process
C. Two Basic Ways of Growth
D. Overcoming Internal Fears

     When we think of leadership, we often think of strength and power. But what are these really, and how
do they operate?
     Leadership today is not about forcing others to do things. If this is even possible, it is short-term, and
tends to backfire. If you order someone to do something against their will, they may do it because they feel
they must, but the anger they feel will do more harm in the long-term. They will also experience fear.
     Fear causes the thinking brain to shut down, making the person unable to function at his or her best. If
they associate you with this emotion of fear, they will become less functional around you, and you will have
succeeded in not only shooting yourself in the foot, but possibly making a very good employee or partner
unable to perform effectively. Fear has no place in leadership.
     The way we influence people in a lasting way is by our own character, and our understanding and use
of emotion. We can order someone to do something, which may be part of the work day; or we can employ
them at the emotional level, so they became fully devoted to the projects and provide some of their own
motivation (積極性). Today's work place is all about relationships. Anyone works harder in a positive
environment in which they're recognized and valued as a human being as well as a worker. Everyone produces
just a bit more for someone they like. Leaders understand the way things work. They know the pay check
is not the single most motivating factor (因素) in the work life of most people.
     The true strength of leadership is an inner strength that comes from the confidence of emotional intelligence-
knowing your own emotions, and how to handle them, and those of others. Developing your emotional
intelligence is the single best thing you can do if you want to develop your relationships with people around
you, which is the key to the leadership skills.

1. The underlined phrase "shooting oneself in the foot" means _____ in this passage.

A. throw or walk in a specific direction or towards a specific objective
B. to grow forth (向前) from the ground
C. to move or pass suddenly or swiftly
D. to injure or harm one's own interests

2. An employee may have a feeling of fear in the work place when _____.

A. he cannot work at his best
B. he is forced to do things
C. he feels his brain shut down
D. he thinks of his work as too heavy

3. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. People tend to associate leadership with fear.
B. Working conditions affect people's physical health.
C. Smart people are more functional in the work place.
D. Good relationship is the key to business success.

4. To positively influence employees, a leader should first of all _____.

A. develop his own personality
B. provide better suggestions
C. give his employees a pay raise
D. hide his own emotion of fear

5. Good leadership is mainly seen in a leader's ability to_____.

A. provide a variety of project for employees
B. help raise employees' living standards
C. deal wisely with employees' emotions
D. give employees' specific instructions (指導(dǎo))